‘TEAM CHAMPION’ TRAVEL TO AACHEN
Monday 29 June 2009
‘Team Champion’ focus their attentions on the German round of the 2009 Meydan FEI Nations Cup, taking place at the world famous Aachen in Germany this week (30th June – 5th July).
The British quartet will feature a mix of youth and experience and will be as follows:
Geoff Billington from Nantwich, Cheshire with Rosinus, Pedro VI and Uppercut II, all owned by Patricia Fraser.
Phillip Spivey from Gayton, Northampton with Romanov II and Olymp, both owned by Tracey Forrest and Nenagh, a horse Phillip jointly owns with Vicky Laing.
Peter Charles from Alton, Hants with Olga White and Team Murka’s Rubert R and Nevada I, and Sandra Cordiner’s Pall Mall H.
Gemma Plumley from Chepstow, Gwent with Lutine du Charmoie, Arliena Z and Continue B who are all owned by Johnsey Estates (1990) Ltd.
Aachen has a reputation for being the most famous horse show in the world and has hosted the World and European show jumping Championships on nine separate occasions. Aachen is situated directly on the border with Belgium and the Netherlands and approximately 400 horses, 160 riders and drivers from more than 20 nations will convene upon Germany’s most westerly city to compete in five different equestrian disciplines. Over 300,000 spectators are expected to pack into the showground during the six-day show. The first international show in Aachen was held in 1927 and the first Nations Cup took place in 1929. In 2005 the showground underwent a complete facelift ready to host the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games.
Great Britain has won the Aachen Nations Cup a total of five times during the history of the show; 1967, 1981, 1989, 1994 and the last occasion in the year 2000 when the team of Carl Edwards, John Whitaker, Michael Whitaker and Andrew Davies finished on a zero score. Results from Aachen can be followed at www.chioaachen.com.
Great Britain currently shares seventh place on the Meydan FEI Nations Cup Leaderboard. The United States currently lead with France and Switzerland sharing the runner-up spot.
The British Nations Cup Team is kindly sponsored by Champion. 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 Show Jumping Teams are strongly supported by the UK Sport lottery funded BEF World Class programme.