British Dressage has announced the selection for the para-equestrian dressage squad that will compete at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010.

The selected squad comprises (in alphabetical order):

Ricky Balshaw (grade Ib) riding Mrs Hoeg’s Academy Award
Sophie Christiansen (grade Ia) riding The Berkeley Group’s Rivaldo of Berkeley
Anne Dunham (grade Ia) riding Sally Ann Brown’s Teddy
Lee Pearson (grade Ib) riding Mr and Mrs David Pearson, Gillian Chinn’s and his own Gentleman
Jo Pitt (grade II) riding Mrs Pitt’s Estralita
Emma Sheardown (grade Ia) riding her own Purdy’s Dream
Sophie Wells (grade IV) riding Dr Walker’s Pinocchio

Lee Pearson and Sophie Wells are selected with reserve horses, Zion and Valerius respectively. The non-travelling reserve is Natasha Baker (Cabral).

Rider feedback

Grade IV rider Sophie Wells commented on her selection; “It’s such an honour to be chosen for the World Equestrian Games. Since I first started in para-equestrian dressage I’ve been aiming at London 2012 with the Europeans and WEG as preparation, so to be selected with both horses (Valerius in reserve) is just incredible. We’ll continue to work hard and prepare – and we’re looking forward to bringing home some medals!”

World Class Performance Manager for para-equestrian dressage David Hunter said on the selection; “The selected squad is well balanced, showcasing a mixture of experience and up-and-coming young riders, with some exciting new horse/rider combinations to look forward to. I feel confident that we’re taking as strong a team as possible to WEG and that we’ll put up a good fight to retain out team and individual titles.

I’m working with the team and the ever important support team, to ensure that training continues successfully over the next two months before the Games. As always the training and the ability of our riders to train as much as they do and with the support they need is only possible with the funding from the World Class Programme and UK Sport, not only to take the squad to WEG and beyond but also to allow for a transparent selection process.”

The World Equestrian Games

A WEG includes the eight disciplines of dressage, eventing, showjumping, para-equestrian dressage, driving, endurance, reining and vaulting. The Olympic and Paralympic sports are generously supported by lottery funding via UK Sport but the non-Olympic sports of driving, endurance, reining and vaulting, although supported where possible by the World Class Programme staff during the World Equestrian Games, do not receive direct funding for the event from the Programme.

A variety of fundraising initiatives have been launched to help support the trip to Kentucky for all the British teams. These include an online auction with new exclusive lots added each month and the opportunity to buy Team GBR merchandise which ranges from clothing to a recently launched silver bracelet; generous donations are made to the teams for all items sold. Further information about all the fundraising activities can be found on the official Team GBR website.

All the news and behind the scenes views in the run up to and during the Games can be found on the Team GBR website, including the opportunity to sign up for free as a Team GBR Supporter to receive regular updates. Visit www.equestrianteamgbr.co.uk for more details.

The Games take place in Kentucky, USA from Saturday 25th September to Sunday 10th October with the para-equestrian dressage competition taking place between Tuesday 5th October and Sunday 10th October.