British dressage team selected for European championships

There were no surprises in today’s British dressage team announcement for the Alltech FEI Europeans at Windsor (25-30 August) — Emma Hindle, Carl Hester and Laura Bechtolsheimer have been named three of the four.

The last team member and reserves will be announced at the end of July.

Emma, best of the Brits at the Hong Kong Olympics, again rides Lancet, her 16.2hh stallion by Wenzel I.

“It’s an honour to be selected and I really believe in our team,” she said.

Carl Hester, the most long-standing team member, will ride Donald Mactaggart’s Liebling II following their impressive plus-69% score in Aachen nations cup last week, which helped Britain to third place.

“It will be the first time I’ve ridden at a major championship in the UK,” points out Hester, who was ruled out of selection in 2007 and 2008 because of horse injuries.

Laura, the youngest team member at 24, partners her Olympic ride, Danish-bred Mistral Hojris. She is feeling confident thanks to “Alf’s” “fantastic form and his consistency this season.”

• For reaction to the team announcement don’t miss Horse & Hound 16 July.

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