Tuesday, 29 August 2023
The journey to the FEI Jumping European Championship in Milano, which runs from 30 August to 3 September, has certainly been an eventful one for our British squad. However, after 36 hours of logistical issues – firstly caused by heavy rain and strong winds from the Poppea cyclone at the venue, then by the air traffic chaos which brough Britain’s air space to a standstill – they’ve finally made it to the start line.
All the horses arrived at the Ippodromo Snai San Siro in fine fettle and have settled in well, despite the weather challenges. Britain was drawn 15th out of the 24 nations to come in front of the ground jury of President Harry Braspenning (NED), Frances Hesketh-Jones (ITA), Cesar Hirsch (VEN), Maria Fernanda Cuervo Muniz (ESP), Patrizia Adobati Ferrari (ITA) and veterinary delegate Marco Hermman (SUI) for the first horse inspection.
Harry Charles and Stall Zet’s Casquo Blue – a horse making his championship debut, although one who had given Harry two recent double clears on the Nations Cup circuit – were first up and they passed with no issues, despite a few lively leaps on the way back down the strip. Next up was Tim Gredley, who’s back in senior colours for the first time since 2006, with Unex Competition Yard Ltd’s Medoc de Toxandria, who sailed through despite Tim going down the wrong side of the strip on his way back! It was then the turn of championship debuants Sam Hutton and Oak Grove’s Laith, owned by Caramello Company, who also received an ‘accepted’. Individual Olympic champion Ben Maher was next with his 2023 World Championship partner Faltic HB, who he jointly owns with Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright, and they got an instant approval from the panel. Last up was our second debutant pairing, Donald Whitaker and Di Caprio, owned by Reitsportanlange Dagobertshausen GmbH and CO.KG, and they were passed without hesitation.
All the horses looked very sprightly and were beautifully turned out thanks to grooms Georgia Ellwood, Paul Drew, Lindsay Decottignes, Derren Lake and Johanna Burtsoff, all under the watchful eye of team vet, Simon Woods.
With the formal inspection completed, the combinations then had a first spin around the main grass arena, with some having a jump and others opting for just a canter round.
Performance Manager Di Lampard then took part in the draw and Great Britain came out tenth of the 15 nations. She also named Donald Whitaker as the individual, and the team order as Sam Hutton, Tim Gredley, Harry Charles and finally Ben Maher as anchorman. The action gets underway tomorrow with the first qualifier, the speed and handiness competition, which starts at 12:15 BST or 13:15 local time in Milan.
All the action will be available to stream live with English commentary on FEI.TV via a subscription to ClipMyHorse.TV.
Running orders and results are available from Longines Equestrian Timing.
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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.
Image © British Equestrian / Digishots