BRITS HOPING FOR A WIN IN WELLINGTON
Thursday 26 February 2009
The FEI Nations Cup, presented by CN, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Centre in Wellington, Florida will take place on Friday night (27th February 2009).
A sell-out crowd is expected to pack around the International Arena for the US Nations Cup which will take place under floodlights tomorrow evening (1.00am GMT). Eight nations will compete for the honours with Derek Ricketts’ quartet drawn second to go.
Twenty-two year-old James Billington will be GB’s pathfinder. James originally from Nantwich in Cheshire but who is currently based in the United States with John and Beezie Madden, will ride Midnight Lady, a bay mare whom he partnered to victory in last weekends $25,000 Fidelity Investments 1.50 metre Classic.
Peter Charles from Alton, Hants will ride Pom d’Ami, a ten-year-old bay gelding owned by Olga White and Team Murka Ltd. A prolific winner both at home and abroad, Peter will be looking to continue the top form he has recently enjoyed during the Festival in Wellington over the past few weeks.
British Olympian, Ben Maher from Bishops Stortford in Hertfordshire will partner Robin Hood W, an eleven year-old bay gelding which is jointly owned by Ben and Quainton Stud. Thanks to their strong performances in recent FEI World Cup Qualifiers Ben is currently holding a qualifying place for this year’s World Cup Final to be held in Las Vegas in April.
British anchorman will be Nick Skelton from Alcester in Warwickshire with Beverley Widdowson’s fourteen year-old bay gelding, Transmission. A former ride of top Irish international Marion Hughes, this will be Transmission’s British Team debut, having already beaten a world class field to secure a win in an earlier competition in Wellington.
British Team Manager Derek Ricketts, speaking from Florida earlier today said:
“All of the British horses have jumped extremely well today and I am confident going into tomorrow night’s Nations Cup. Competition will be tough with the current Olympic Gold and Silver medallists to contend with, but GB have a mix of youth and experience and our horses have been on top form here in Wellington recently. The top class facilities here at Palm Beach are second to none and the weather is fantastic, fingers crossed we will have lady luck on our side tomorrow!.”
The first horse will be in the ring at 7.00pm local time (1.00am GMT) and news and results from Wellington can be followed at www.equestriansport.com.