The countdown to the FEI World Championships at Aachen (11 to 23 August) is continuing apace while the race for selection for British squads is set to draw to a head in the coming weeks.
Strong performances from Brits this spring, plus a clutch of significant fixtures still to come, make this point in the summer an intriguing time for followers of top-level sport.
Nominated entries meetings for Britain’s squads are set to happen around 22 to 24 June and the meetings for definite entries around 15 or 16 July.
H&H’s sport editors have shared their insight into who the movers and shakers look to be in the build-up to selection – and which competitions fans should be taking note of.
“In eventing, the selection race is really hotting up,” said H&H’s eventing and magazine editor Pippa Roome.
“There are a lot of different routes riders can take as they aim to be chosen, showing their colours at five-star, four-star long and four-star short – we’ve had Kentucky, Badminton and Royal Jump, plus fixtures such as Kronenberg, Belsay and Bicton. In the next few weeks we have Bramham and Luhmühlen.
“European champion Laura Collett (London 52), who has good four-star short form this spring, and Badminton winner Ros Canter (Lordships Graffalo) are surely assured of their places, leaving two team and one individual place for everyone else to scrap over.”
Pippa added: “Tom McEwen (JL Dublin), last year’s individual European bronze medallist, needs to confirm his spot in the CCI4*-S at Bramham. Harry Meade (Annaghore Valoner) and David Doel (Galileo Nieuwmoed), Badminton and Kentucky podium finishers, can’t be ruled out and Gemma Stevens has laid her cards on the table with a win in the CCI4*-L at Royal Jump on Flash Cooley, who would be a championship debutant.
“Another grey, Its Cooley Time, defends his CCI4*-L title at Bramham for Bubby Upton as he tries to make amends for a fall at last year’s Europeans; it’s a similar position for Caroline Harris (D Day), who goes to Luhmühlen after elimination at the Europeans. Tom Jackson’s United 36 was super impressive at Badminton but perhaps needs a year’s more experience.
“It looks like time has run out for defending world champion Yasmin Ingham’s Banzai Du Loir – she needs a qualification at CCI4*-L or CCI5* before 6 July and, having withdrawn him from the final horse inspection at Royal Jump, she’d need a late entry at Bramham or Luhmühlen to achieve that. Yasmin’s Gypsie Du Loir, last year’s Bramham CCI4*-S winner, goes to Bramham again this time for the CCI4*-L and could be a wild card.”
“Competition is rife” in build up to World Championships selection
H&H’s showjumping editor Jennifer Donald reports on the landscape from the jumping scene.
“We’ve become used to the Olympic gold medal-winning trio of Ben Maher, Scott Brash and Harry Charles forming the core of Great Britain’s championship squads and the former two have an enviable string of horses to choose from this year,” she said.
“However Harry is currently rebuilding his string, meaning competition is rife for the remaining slots as the five-star Nations Cup/grand prix season hots up, with next week’s Longines League of Nations in Rotterdam (19 June) a key date.
“Among those building up for a big summer are Jessica Mendoza, Jack Whitaker and Joe Stockdale, while breakthrough stars Adrian Whiteway and Chacco Volo produced a standout performance in the Rome Nations Cup (29 May), jumping double clear for Britain.
“The Rolex grand prix at Aachen was the closest you can get to a championship ‘trial’ as the world’s top riders brought out their big guns for a prep run in the iconic arena and fourth-placed Ben Maher and Enjeu De Grisien were among the star performers.”
“Buckle up”
H&H’s dressage editor Oscar Williams said the “core trio from last summer’s European Championships is in fine form”.
“Lottie Fry’s 15-year-old Glamourdale has allayed any fears he might be past his best, recording successive grand prix scores of 80%+ on this winter’s World Cup circuit – the first time he’s broken that barrier since 2022, and a striking turnaround from his sub-76% grand prix at the Europeans,” he said.
“Carl Hester and Fame have looked as consistent as ever, while Becky Moody and Jagerbomb ascended to new heights. All three are shoo-ins. The drama is in the fourth spot.”
He added: “Charlotte Dujardin and Alive And Kicking would have been favourites, but the mare was sold in April. The considerable chasing pack are all averaging similar scores, but the battle looks to be between Charlotte with Brave Heart II and Fiona Bigwood with Donna Bella.
“Fiona looks the favourite, having edged out Charlotte in their head-to-head at Hickstead – but the battle between the two will go down to the last two home internationals, at Wellington (4 to 7 June) and Hartpury (3 to 5 July). Buckle up.”
Oscar said the race for spots on the para squad is “still in flux” but European medallists Jemima Green and rising star Fantabulous “look most assured for a team spot”.
“Mari Durward-Akhurst and 19-year-old Athene Lindebjerg have had just two outings since the Europeans, but with Paralympic qualification on the line, selectors should opt for the decorated mare’s experience – even if she might not make the LA team,” he said.
“Nicola Naylor and Humberto L have a strong case after a good run at Aachen in April. With Gabriella Blake’s Strong Beau retiring, another spot opens – likely to go to Sophie Wells (LJT Egebjerggaards Samoa or MSJ Gold Standard) and Erin Orford on LJT Nutbush.”
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