New selections for World Class performance programme
Three event riders received an early boost to their 2014 campaigns with the news that they had been selected on to the World Class performance programme.
Kitty King, 31, Sarah Cohen and Sarah Bullimore, who are both 40, join the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) elite list. It aims to provide “the best preparation to represent equestrian Team GBR”.
Kitty, a former member of the BEF development squad, told H&H she was “thrilled” to be promoted.
“I’m really excited about this year. My two top horses, Zidante and Persimmon, are both are very talented and still young [aged 10 and nine],” she said.
Zidante will be aimed at Badminton, while Persimmon will head to Tattersalls.
Sarah Cohen has had two children [Alfie, four, and Charlie, 10 months] since she was last on the performance list in 2008.
“One of my aims for this year was to be reselected,” she told H&H. “Treason [her current CCI4* ride] is the best horse I’ve ever had, so it’s great to have the resources available to crack on this season.”
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The duo are also Badminton-bound.
There have also been some notable omissions from the list across the disciplines — including Mary King, Richard Davison and Emile Faurie.
World Class performance director Will Connell said that inclusion was linked to horse power and results.
“Due to the nature of the sport, there will always be people who come on and off the programme,” he said.
“This has no reflection on the riders’ abilities or potential and I am sure we will see all of these riders back on the list in the future.”
Recent H&H cover star Lara Griffith has rejoined the dressage development squad this year, having previously been on the programme in 2009.
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