Edwina Tops-Alexander, Australia's top showjumping hope, has missed out on her bid to reach another Olympic final in her fifth Games at the age of 50.
The Monaco-based veteran, who had enjoyed two top-10 finishes in the individual event since her first Games back in Beijing 2008, had hoped to provide the Aussie challenge with one final flourish at the matchless setting of the Chateau de Versailles.
Chris Burton had been the only Australian medallist with his silver in the individual eventing, and had been a reserve for the three-strong women's showjumping team.
But none of the trio had any joy on the demanding course in qualifying on Monday while trying to match the 20 riders who went clear.
Sydney's Tops-Alexander, riding the 14-year-old gelding Fellow Castlefield, had two fences down, ending Australia's last chance of having a finalist in Tuesday's 30-strong final.
Earlier, her colleagues, 36-year-old Hilary Scott, on Milky Way, and 43-year-old Thaisa Erwin, on Hialita B, also knocked down two fences apiece.
It was a disappointment for Tops-Alexander, who's combined her life running a jewellery business with a distinguished jumping career that saw her become the first rider to win more than 1 million euros ($A 1.7 million) in prize money on the Champions Tour circuit.
