The British Showjumping Team are now turning their focus towards the third leg of the 2010 Meydan FEI Nations Cup, taking place in St Gallen, Switzerland this Friday (4th June).

La Baule traditionally launches the eight-event Nations Cup series, which also includes competitions in Italy, Switzerland, Sweden and Germany. The British leg is at Hickstead in late July.

Britain, now under the direction of new world class showjumping performance manager Rob Hoekstra, flirted dangerously with relegation from the Nations Cup last year following a dismal season.

They were originally demoted into the second-tier promotional league, but then reinstated following a successful appeal by the British Equestrian Federation to the Court of Arbitration in Sport.

Britain, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, Sweden, Spain and the USA will contest the 2010 Nations Cup.

British World Class Showjumping Performance Manager Rob Hoekstra, has made one change to the squad who finished runners-up in Rome last week, replacing Nick Skelton with twenty-five year old Scott Brash.

The full squad is as follows:

John Whitaker from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire with Rebecca Stones’ thirteen year-old bay stallion Peppermill. This combination finished runners up in the 200,000€ Grand Prix in Rome last week and lowered just a single pole across the two rounds of the Nations Cup.

Michael Whitaker from Whatton in Nottinghamshire will ride Beatrice Mertens’ GIG Amai II, a ten year-old dark bay gelding. This partnership will be hoping to emulate their performance at the first leg competition in La Baule at the beginning of May where they produced a faultless first round clear.

Scott Brash from Peeblesshire in Scotland will ride Intertoy Z, an eleven year-old black gelding owned by Scott’s father, Stanley Brash. Scott will be hoping to repeat his performance in La Baule, when on his Top Level Nations Cup debut he produced a foot perfect clear round.

Peter Charles from Alton in Hampshire will partner Olga White’s eleven year-old bay gelding Murka’s Pom d’Ami. This combination produced a double clear round in the Nations Cup in La Baule and were unlucky to have a single fence down for just four faults across the two rounds of the Nations Cup in Rome last week.

Ben Maher from Bishop’s Stortford in Hertfordshire will ride Robin Hood W, a twelve year-old bay gelding Ben co-owns with Mike and Emma Phillips of the Quainton Stud. This partnership also featured on the British squad in Rome last week where they too produced a fault free second round in the Nations Cup.

Following their superb second place in Rome, Great Britain currently holds second place on the series points table. With two victories under their belt France currently top the table with maximum points with the USA in third. For all the latest news, information, standings, results and more information on the Meydan FEI Nations Cup visit www.meydanfeinationscup.org.

Ellen Whitaker is not available for selection under Rob Hoekstra as the two cannot aggree on a competitive schedule that suits both Ellen's personal interests and those of the British Team.

The Nations Cup in St Gallen takes place on Friday 4th June at 12.30pm BST.