Wednesday, 09 August 2023
The British Equestrian eventing squad got their 2023 FEI European Championship campaign underway this afternoon with the first horse inspection at the historic host location of Haras du Pin in the southern Normandy region of France, which runs 09–13 August.
Performance Manager Richard Waygood made a good start in securing a prime spot for the British, drawing them as the penultimate nation of the 12 entered. As the grey skies of the morning started to clear, our five combinations came forward in front of the ground jury of president Judy Hancock (GBR), Katrin Eichinger-Kniely (AUT) and Seppo Laine (FIN), plus Veterinary Delegate Mathias Otto-Erley (GER).
First up were 2023 Badminton champions Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo, owned by Michele Saul, who casually trotted up and down the strip and were passed without hesitation. It was then the turn this year’s Luhmühlen CCI5* winners Laura Collett and London 52, who Laura owns with Keith Scott and Karen Bartlett, and the duo also sailed through.
Third up and passed without trouble were reigning world champions Yasmin Ingham and Janette Chinn and The Sue Davis Fund’s Banzai du Loir. It was then turn of the two greys in the squad. Debutants Tom Jackson and Capels Hollow Drift, owned by Patricia Davenport, Milly Simmie and Sarah Webb, received ‘accepted’, before Kitty King and Vendredi Biats, owned by Diana Bown, Sally Lloyd Baker, the late Sally Eyre and Samantha Wilson strutted their stuff and were declared fit to go.
Finally, it was Tom McEwen and the reigning European Champion equine, JL Dublin, who he rides for James and Jo Lambert and Deirdre Johnston, who took it all in their stride to pass without delay.
A special mention must go to grooms Sarah Charnley, Tilly Hughes, Alison Bell, Chloe Whitelam, Chloe Fry and Adam Short, plus team vet Liz Brown, physio Victoria Spalding and farrier Greig Elliott, who had the horses looking an absolute picture alongside their riders, beautifully kitted out in boots and belts by our team supplier Fairfax & Favor.
With the formality of the horse inspection successfully completed, Richard Waygood announced his team of four and the order as Kitty as pathfinder, Yaz second, Laura third and Ros as the anchor woman. The two Toms will run as individuals, with Tom Jackson first in the order and Tom McEwen second.
“The horses have travelled really, really well and we’re through phase number one, the horse inspection. They looked amazing – the grooms did an absolutely fabulous job with turning the horses out, so all the riders and owners and connections should be really proud of them,” commented Richard Waygood.
“We’ve got two days now of dressage, but a real serious test on the cross-country. It’s up to height, it’s technical, it’s hilly and the going will certainly have an influence.”
The first dressage phase gets underway tomorrow (Thursday) at 09.00 BST and concludes on Friday. British combination times (all BST) are:
All the action will be available to stream live with English commentary on FEI.TV via a subscription to ClipMyHorse.TV. Click here for the full schedule.
Running orders and results - worldsporttiming.com
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The funding that the British Equestrian World Class Programme receives from the National Lottery and UK Sport is pivotal in preparing our teams for senior championships and supporting them on the ground.
British Equestrian is also extremely grateful for the support we enjoy from our partners – Bates Saddles, Dodson & Horrell, Fairfax & Favor, NAF, SEIB and Toggi – and team suppliers – Equi-Trek, Horseware, Lotus Romeo, Marksway Horsehage and Point Two. We’re indebted for the year-round support they provide to the World Class Programme and British teams.