Britain qualifies for Athens

Nicola McGivern and Active Walero cemented Britain’s claim on the bronze medal at the European Dressage Championships, Hickstead, West Sussex, with a score of 70.50%.

“I was just thinking about getting a score for the team and performing a ‘clean’ test,” said Nicola, who worked hard to calm Walero in the 10-minute warm-up arena, as he was lit up by the atmosphere.

The British team has now definitely secured qualification for the Athens Olympics as it will finish higher than any of the other so-far unqualified teams.

With three Brits having ridden now, bronze for Britain is a definite possibility. The three best scores from each team will count.

The only team who could stop the British claiming bronze is the Dutch. If the final Dutch rider, Antoinette Falandt (Jarwo) scores more than 69.58%, then our final rider, Richard Davison (Ballaseyr Royale) will have to better Emile Faurie’s score of 66.46%.

Richard and Royale scored 68% in the grand prix in Aachen in June. They ride at 2pm on Friday 15 August.