WEG countdown: seven weeks to go

Britain’s endurance team for WEG has been named after a final assessment at Cirencester Park. The line-up is Sally Hall (Bob’s Your Uncle), Linda Hams (Perfeq Hidden Challenge), Tricia Hirst pictured right (Vlacq Khamul), Ann Jobson (Samson), and Christine Yeoman (LM Taquillero or Farouk De Lozelle). Non-travelling reserves are Avril Bruce (Auchendean Khalif) and Sophie O’Hara Smith (Sky Consort).

The Netherlands’ dressage team comprises Anky van Grunsven (Salinero), Edward Gal (Lingh), Imke Schellekens-Bartels (Sunrise) and Laurens van Lieren (Hexagon’s Olright). Kirsten Beckers (Broere Jazz) is reserve. Dressage chef d’equipe Sjef Janssen announced the team after the grand prix at Rotterdam, where Anky broke the world record with 81.333%.

Selectors have named the seven Australia-based combinations in contention for their eventing squad. Recent Melbourne winners Sonja Johnson and Ringwould Jaguar are joined on the list by last year’s Adelaide victors Megan Jones and Kirby Park Irish Jester. The other combinations are Wendy Schaeffer (Koyuna Sun Magic), Janelle Pitts (Mr Showoff), Shane Rose (All Luck), Catherine Davies (Queen’s Ransom), plus Athens team member Rebel Morrow (Oaklea Groover). The seven will attend a training camp from 28-30 July, after which the selectors will decide who will join overseas-based riders at the WEG preparation camp in Germany, where a final decision takes place.

Britain’s team manager Derek Ricketts will announce his show jumping team the day after a final trial at the CSI in Geesteren, the Netherlands, from 14-16 July. Michael, John and Robert Whitaker, Nick Skelton, Robert Smith and Tim Gredley are short-listed to travel to the four-star CSI.

Canada will field two eventers in Aachen. They are Kelli McMullen Temple with Paris II and Ian Roberts on Napalm. Both have represented Canada before and this time will be riding young horses with whom they completed the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** this spring.

• This news was first reported in H&H (29 June ’06)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now