British squad named for European Eventing Championships
The British squad of 12 for the Longines FEI European Eventing Championships at Blair Castle (10-13 September) has been named.
The squad consists of:
- Laura Collett, 25, on Diana Chappell’s Grand Manoeuvre (pictured top)
- Dani Evans, 23, on Luana Edge’s Smart Time
- William Fox-Pitt, 46, on Catherine Witt’s Bay My Hero (direct reserve horses: Carol Gee and Catherine Witt’s Fernhill Pimms and Catherine Witt’s Luxury FH)
- Pippa Funnell, 46, on her mother Jenny Nolan, Ruth McMullen and her own Sandman 7 (direct reserve horse: Marek Sebestak and her own Second Supreme)
- Flora Harris, 27, on her mother Caroline and Rebecca Salt’s Bayano
- Kitty King, 32, on Jane and Frank Inns’ Persimmon
- Gemma Tattersall, 30, on The Soul Syndicate’s Arctic Soul
- Izzy Taylor, 32, on Susan Holroyd and Frances Carter’s Allercombe Ellie (direct reserve horse: Guy Avis’ KBIS Briarlands Matilda)
- Oliver Townend, 32, on PJ Hegarty’s Fenyas Elegance
- Francis Whittington, 37, on Catherine Witt’s Easy Target
- Nicola Wilson, 38, on Mary and Gerry Kemp and Janine Shewan’s One Two Many (direct reserve horse: her parents Mary and Barry Tweddle’s Annie Clover)
- Holly Woodhead, 21, on her father Ian and stepmother Holly’s DHI Lupison
Four pairs will be chosen for the team nearer the time, with the other eight riding as individuals only. Britain can field 12 combinations instead of the usual six at this championship because it is the host nation.
Dani, Flora, Gemma, Francis and Holly are all making their senior championship debuts.
The following riders have been named as reserves and would be called up in this order:
- Tom Jackson, 22, on his parents and Ian and Sara’s Waltham Fiddlers Find
- Wills Oakden, 25, on David Kenwright’s Greystone Midnight Melody
- Tina Cook, 44, on Jim Chromiak and her own De Novo News
- Jodie Amos, 31, on Nicola Coates and her own Wise Crack
- Sarah Bullimore, 42, on her husband Brett and her own Lilly Corinne
- Emilie Chandler, 34, on Sally Williams’ and Nicola Dickson’s Coopers Law
The team is supported by the UK Sport National Lottery-funded World Class Programme. Laura, Flora and Holly are all members of the World Class Programme Podium Potential squad, as are reserves Tom, Wills, Jodie and Emilie.
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Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.