BRITS HEAD TO ROME AND LISBON
Tuesday 25 May 2010
The second leg of the 2010 Meydan FEI Nations Cup takes place at the Piaza di Siena, In Rome, Italy, this coming Friday (28th May).
World Class Showjumping Performance Manager, Rob Hoekstra has named his five man squad who will carry the hopes of the nation in Friday’s Italian leg of the 2010 series.
Michael Whitaker from Whatton in Nottinghamshire will partner Beatrice Merten’s ten year-old dark bay gelding GIG Amai II. This partnership will be hoping to emulate their performance at the first leg competition in La Baule a few weeks ago where they produced a faultless first round clear.
John Whitaker from Huddersfield in West Yorkshire aboard Rebecca Stones’ thirteen year-old bay stallion Peppermill, make a welcome return to the British squad following a recent rest period. Renowned for their top form at Rome, having won the Grand Prix and jumping double clear rounds in the Nations Cup competitions in Rome in both 2008 and 2009, the combination will be looking to chalk up yet another fault free performance.
Fresh from their superb double clear in the La Baule Nations Cup just a couple of weeks ago, Peter Charles from Alton in Hampshire will ride Murka’s Pom d’Ami, an eleven year-old bay gelding owned by Olga White and Team Murka.
Nick Skelton will ride Beverley Widdowson’s nine year-old grey gelding Carlo 273, this on-form partnership recently finished in runner-up spot in the 300,000€ Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in La Mandria, Italy.
Ben Maher will ride the twelve year-old bay gelding Robin Hood W, a horse Ben co-owns with Mike and Emma Phillips of the Quainton Stud. This combination formed part of the British Team in Rome in 2009 where they finished both rounds with just four faults.
The Rome Nations Cup takes place on Friday 28th May 2010 at 2.10pm BST. More information can be found at www.piazadisiena.com. For all the latest news, information, standings, results and more information on the Meydan FEI Nations Cup visit www.meydanfeinationscup.org.
Meanwhile, Di Lampard will act as Chef d’Equipe to the British Squad competing as ‘Team Champion’ at CSIO4* Lisbon in Portugal this weekend. The squad that will represent their country this year are:
Tim Stockdale from Roade in Northamptonshire will partner Colin Garratt’s, Fresh Direct Kalico Bay. Having gained considerable international experience over the past two years including placings at Dublin and Spruce Meadows, along with a victory in the Canteleu Grand Prix in June 2009, the nine year-old bay gelding will make his British Team debut in Lisbon.
He will be joined by Robert Bevis from Wrexham in Clwyd who will ride Kate Mustill’s nine year-old grey gelding Courtney 6. This combination has recently returned from a very successful Spanish Sunshine Tour where they finished in third place in one of the Grand Prix’s.
William Funnell from Dorking in Surrey will make his first British Team appearance since 2008 where he will ride British Bred Billy Congo owned by the Billy Stud. Having stepped up to
international competition at the beginning of this year, the combination have already enjoyed top placings in several Grand Prix’s around Europe, the nine year-old brown stallion will also be making his British Team debut in Lisbon.
Charlotte Platt and her own thirteen year-old brown mare Paulien II, will make a welcome return to the British Squad, their last appearance having produced a flawless performance to jump the sole double clear round at the Hickstead leg of the 2008 Samsung Super League series.
The Portugese Nations Cup takes place on Sunday 30th May and further information can be found at www.csiolisboa.com.
Champion’s sponsorship of the British Nations Cup Team is the result of the brand’s deep-seated belief in the importance of continual development, dedication and professionalism, together with a desire to offer British equestrian talent every possible opportunity to reach the very top of competitive show jumping.
The British Showjumping Teams are strongly supported by the UK Sport lottery funded BEF World Class programme.