Harry Meade and Nicola Wilson will both be part of the British squad for the upcoming Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy (23 August – 7 September).
Call up
Eventing fans have been waiting to hear who would join the squad, following the withdrawal of Pippa Funnell’s ride Billy Beware and Izzy Taylor’s Allercombe Ellie.
Harry, who finished third at this year’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, will be making his first Senior squad appearance with Charlotte Opperman’s Wild Lone.
“I am delighted to be selected to representBritain at this year’s WEG; it has been a lifelong aim to ride on the Senior Team, so I am obviouslyreally excited about the opportunity,” he said.
It marks another step in his incredible come-back, after an eventing fall last summer that left him with two shattered elbows.
“It has been a rollercoaster of a year for me and my support team. While incapacitated over the winter the thought of competing at WEG this year couldn’t have been further from my mind,” he added.
A new star
Nicola Wilson is a stalwart of Team GBR, having helped the team win multiple medals with the great Opposition Buzz, who has since been retired from four-star competition.
But she’s back on the squad with the exciting 10-year-old mare Annie Clover, who is owned by her parents Mary and Barry Tweddle.
“I was devastated to hear about both Izzy and Pippa having to withdraw their horses from the squad. The build up to WEG this year really has been so difficult for everyone involved with the team,” said Nicola.
“I am of course delighted that Annie Clover has been selected to go to WEG, she is a horse that my mum bought as a four-year-old and I have always thought so much of her. She is still only a young horse but we have built up a strong partnership over the last six years and she has been so consistent in all of her three-day events to date.”
Full squad
Theteam offourand the two individuals will be announced post trot-up at the competition.
The full squad – supported by the UK Sport National Lottery-funded World Class Programme – comprises:
- Tina Cook (43) from Worthing, West Sussex with Mr Jim Chromiak and her own De Novo News
- William Fox-Pitt (45) from Sturminster Newton, Dorset, riding Mr Christopher Stones’ Chilli Morning
- Harry Meade (30) from Chippenham, Wiltshire, riding Mrs Charlotte Opperman’s Wild Lone
- Zara Phillips (33) from Stroud, Gloucestershire, riding Gleadhill House Stud’s Ltd. High Kingdom
- Oliver Townend (31) from Ellesmere, Shropshire, riding Karyn Shuter’s Black Tie II
- Nicola Wilson (37) from Northallerton, Yorkshire, riding Mary and Barry Tweddle’s Annie Clover