European SJ squad named

Team manager Derek Ricketts has gone for a mixture of experience and youth in his squad for the European Show Jumping Championships in Donaueschingen, Germany (23-26 August).

Britain’s quartet hoping to gain one of three remaining places at next year’s Athens Olympics, will be:

• Robert Smith (Mr Springfield)
• Nick Skelton (Arko) Pictured
• Michael Whitaker (Fleur Z)
• Richard Davenport (Luc)

The reserve is Scott Smith (Cabri D’Elle).

The team was named after last weekend’s Royal Dublin Nations Cup, in which Britain finished second, narrowly behind France.

The unlucky rider is William Funnell, who once again has to wait for a championship chance.

“Amber Du Montois was somewhat unmanageable in Dublin, although Will did a great job with her. He has a future championship prospect in Mondriaan, and would certainly be in the picture for Athens,” said Derek Ricketts.