British eventing squad named for Europeans
Two of Britain’s silver medal-winning Olympians will be spearheading the British squad at next month’s eventing European Championships.
Tina Cook (Miners Frolic) and William Fox-Pitt (Lionheart) are to be joined by Piggy French (Tinkas Time), Tom McEwen (Diesel), Izzy Taylor (KBIS Briarlands Matilda) and Lucy Wiegesma (Simon Porloe) at the competition in Malmö, Sweden (28 August-1 September).
The two notable omissions were Zara Phillips — who is pregnant — and Mary King, who has suffered heavy falls at Barbury (7 July) and Salperton horse trials.
“It is a wonderful privilege to be representing my country so I am thrilled to be selected again on Miners Frolic,” said Tina. “He is getting older now so every competition and selection is a fantastic bonus.”
And after the disappointment of last year (when she was ruled out of the Olympics due to injuries to Jakata and DHI Topper W) Piggy French said it was “such exciting news”.
“I am thrilled not just for myself but also for my amazingly supportive owners and team,” she said. “It is really exciting to have some new blood on the team too. Tinkas Time is a really cool little horse, having him as part of my team has been a fantastic boost.”
It will be the first time riding at a senior championship for Tom and Izzy. Tom said he was “delighted”, especially on his first year out of young riders.
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“I am so pleased that I was chosen on Diesel; we have had him since he was five when we broke him in so I am really proud to be representing my country on a horse we’ve produced all the way,” he added.
All riders compete as individuals at the championships, with four riders selected out there to compete as the team.
“It is great to have Piggy and Lucy back on the squad, and it is exciting to have two such capable riders as Tom and Izzy making their debut,” said performance manager Yogi Breisner.
“With Tina and William also on board there is a wonderful balance between youth and experience.”
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A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.