All British eventers pass first horse inspection

The British eventing horses all sailed through the first horse inspection at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games this afternoon.

The squad consists of William Fox-Pitt (Chilli Morning), Tina Cook (De Novo News), Zara Phillips (High Kingdom), Oliver Townend (Black Tie II), Harry Meade (Wild Lone, pictured top) and Nicola Wilson (Annie Clover). The British team will be Zara, William, Tina and Harry, while Oliver and Nicola ride as individuals.

Three horses were sent to the holding box. British-based Swede Ludwig Svennerstal withdrew Alexander from there. Hungary’s László Egyed’s My Win was accepted on re-inspection, as was Russia’s Yuri Shumskiy with Pinkolada.

The horse inspection took place at 3pm local time in front of the beautiful chateau at Haras du Pin, built by Louis XIV.

Ninety-six horses trotted up before the ground jury of Gillian Rolton (AUS), Alain James (FRA) and Ernst Topp (GER).

This included three reserve horses, who will only start if their rider’s first choice is injured — the reserve horses can be substituted up to an hour before the start of dressage on the day that rider does their test.

The eventing dressage starts tomorrow morning (Thursday 28 August).

Check back on HorseandHound.co.uk later today for cross-country course photos and pictures from around the venue. Full WEG eventing report will be published in H&H magazine, out Thursday, 4 September.

Pippa Roome

H&H magazine editor and eventing editor

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.