Wild card for WEG rider

Peter Storr and his top ride Gambrinus have secured an unprecedented wild card for the grand prix classes at the Mercedes-Benz National Dressage Championships (25-28 September) despite not having competed for a year.

The pair — national champions in 2000 and 2001 — last competed at the World Championships at Jerez in September 2002, when Gambrinus was unlevel in his test. The team went on to finish 10th and missed out on Olympic qualification.

Since Jerez, the chestnut stallion owned by Pinky Heintz has been treated for a tendon injury.

He has been back in controlled work since January and won in his first outing last Sunday, in the British Hanoverian Horse Society Jackpot Freestyle to Music Class at Addington.

Linda Whetstone, BD’s director of rules and fixtures, said: “The selectors felt that they would like to see the combination compete on home soil before they begin to campaign internationally over the winter.”

Under British Dressage rule 139, which was introduced this year, BD has the right to offer wild cards for any championship class.

Read the full story in this Thursday’s issue of Horse & Hound (18 September).

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