British Showjumping announce four of the five riders representing them at the FEI European Championships, Madrid 2011

Following the Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show the Showjumping Selectors have met and have selected four of the five horse / rider combinations that will travel to Madrid for the 2011 European Jumping Championships.  In line with the provisions of the Selection Policy, the Chairman of the British Showjumping Association’s International Committee and the BEF’s Performance Director have agreed that the final date for the announcement of the complete Squad can be delayed until immediately after Rotterdam CSIO5*.

Great Britain will have five rider/horse combinations in Madrid; the four that will compete for the Team and Individual medals will be announced at the latest after the First Horse Inspection on 13^th September 2011.  The Squad announced today

 

Rob Hoekstra (World Class programme Performance Manager for Jumping) Commented “We had a great result in Dublin winning the Aga Khan Trophy in the Nations Cup competition; this has secured our place in the FEI Nations Cup league for 2012.  Di Lampard and I (the selectors for the Championships) are very happy to confirm these riders as part of the Squad of five for the Europeans but would like to see the results from Rotterdam prior to confirming the complete Squad.  All the riders have worked hard through the Nations Cup series to gain the necessary results and we are so very grateful for the support of the owners.  The Europeans mark another important competition on the road to London 2012.  Following the Europeans we will make our plans for next year; the preparation for the Nations Cups, the competitions that will form the final build up to the Olympics and of course the Olympics themselves that will take place in the stunning setting of Greenwich.”

 

Will Connell (Performance Director) commented;  “This is a sensible decision by the Selectors as it gives them the opportunity to see some partnerships compete in Rotterdam and thus ensure that they are taking combinations that are “in form” and also not rushing combinations to Championships that will be exciting prospects for next year.  The British riders have fought very hard to remain in the FEI Nations Cup Series for 2012 and I know they will carry this determination through to Madrid:  Madrid will be very tough – I believe there are eight Nations going there with realistic Team medal hopes and a number of these will also be seeking to gain Olympic Team Quota place qualification.....it is going to be a cracker.”

The selected riders are supported by the World Class Programme, which is generously supported by Lottery and Exchequer funding via UK Sport. The Programme incorporates both the Development and Performance Programmes and the Equine Pathway, and works closely with the three BEF Olympic Member Bodies, British Dressage, British Eventing and British Showjumping.

 

All the news and behind the scenes views in the run up to and during the European Championships can be found on both the British Showjumping and Equestrian Team GBR’s websites nearer the time. Visit www.britishshowjumping.co.uk and www.equestrianteamgbr.co.uk for more details.