WEG eventing team replacements announced
Harry Meade (pictured above) and Nicola Wilson have been given a last-minute call-up to represent Team GB in eventing at the World Equestrian Games this summer.
The duo have been brought in to replace Pippa Funnell and Izzy Taylor, who were both forced to withdraw due to horse injuries.
The call-up marks an amazing comeback for Harry, who broke and dislocated both of his elbows in a fall last August. Harry’s ride, Charlotte Opperman’s Wild Lone, proved his team credentials by finishing third at Badminton this year.
Harry Meade said: “I am delighted to be selected to represent Britain at this year’s WEG; it has been a lifelong aim to ride on the senior team, so I am obviously really excited about the opportunity.
“It has been a rollercoaster of a year for me and my support team. While incapacitated over the winter the thought of competing at WEG this year couldn’t have been further from my mind.
“I really feel for both Izzy and Pippa who must be so disappointed; it’s never nice to gain from a situation where others miss out.”
Nicola retired her London 2012 partner Opposition Buzz from top-level competition earlier this year (news, 3 April). She has been selected to ride her parent’s Mary and Barry Tweddle’s Annie Clover, who finished sixth in the advanced at Gatcombe last week (1 August).
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“The build up to WEG this year really has been so difficult for everyone involved with the team,” said Nicola.
“I am of course delighted that Annie Clover has been selected to go to WEG, she is a horse that my mum bought as a four year old and I have always thought so much of her.
“She has always appeared to be a cool customer under pressure and takes each level in her stride so I am sure she will give her all at WEG, as will I.
“I am especially thrilled for my mum and dad who are the owners of Annie, they have been so influential and supportive throughout my career.”
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Sophia Heath joined Horse & Hound in July 2013 having previously worked for the Daily Telegraph's Olympics website, CNN International and Omnisport. A Durham graduate with a Masters in journalism from City University, Sophia has evented, showjumped and hunted. Sophia left Horse & Hound in early 2015 to join an international boating website.