With two months until the Longines FEI European Eventing Championships comes to the UK, the British squad has been announced.
Senior team debut
As the host nation, Britain can enter 12 riders rather than the usual six, which gives chef d’ equipe Yogi Breisner the opportunity to try out up-and-coming riders, untested at this level.
Five of the squad are making their senior team debuts, while four competed in the last home Europeans at Blenheim ten years ago, where they won team gold and individual silver.
The debutants includeDani Evans (23) with Smart Time,Flora Harris (27) with Bayano, Holly Woodhead (21) with DHI Lupison, Gemma Tattersall (30) with Arctic Soul and Francis Whittington (37) with Easy Target
Francis said it had beena long time trying to get to this moment:”I joked with Yogi when he told me not to tell anyone about my selection until the announcement had been made. I said I had been waiting for 20 years, so I can wait a few more hours!”
Ultimate goal
The squad also has the usual stalwarts, lead by William Fox-Pitt (Bay My Hero) who has competed in seven Europeans, winning six team golds, two individual silvers and one bronze.
This year he is joined by former medal-winning team mates Pippa Funnell (Sandman 7), Oliver Townend (Fenyas Elegance) and Nicola Wilson (One Two Many).
The final names on the squad are Izzy Taylor (Allercombe Ellie) who competed in the 2013 Europeans, Kitty King (Persimmon) and Laura Collett (Grand Manoeuvre).
“It is very exciting to see such a strong squad selected,” said William. “It is a great reflection of our strength in depth that we have some very exciting new combinations in with a good chance.
“To have a championship on home soil is a rider’s ultimate goal and the support makes a huge difference as an athlete.”
Exciting squad
Britain has won team gold at every Europeans since 1985, bar two. These were at Achselschwang, Germany in 1993 where they missed out on a team medal but won individual silver, and the 2013 Europeans in Malmo when William was the only rider to make it onto the podium, taking bronze riding Chilli Morning.
It is hoped they can improve on their last performance, and with such a large squad to call upon they have the pick of Britain’s top eventers.
“We are taking a very good and exciting squad with a lot of riders gaining their first senior championship experience; we have also got some promising young horses making their championship debut,” said Yogi.
All riders compete as individuals at the championships. The four riders for the team event will be announced before the start of the competition on10-13 September.
Reserves
The selected reserves, in order of selection, are:
Tom Jackson and Waltham Fiddlers Find
Wills Oakden and Midnight Melody
Tina Cook and De Nevo News
Jodie Amos and Wise Crack
Sarah Bullimore and Lilly Corinne
Emilie Chandler and Coopers Law
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