Following the Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show, the show jumping selectors have met and have selected four of the five horse and rider combinations that will travel to Madrid for the 2011 European Jumping Championships.  

Final place delayed

In line with the provisions of the Selection Policy, the Chairman of the British Showjumping Association’s International Committee and the BEF’s Performance Director have agreed that the final date for the announcement of the complete squad can be delayed until immediately after Rotterdam CSIO5*.

The team so far

Great Britain will have five rider/horse combinations in Madrid; the four that will compete for the Team and Individual medals will be announced at the latest after the First Horse Inspection on 13 September 2011.  The squad announced today is Scott Brash with Intertoy Z, Nick Skelton and Carlo, Robert Smith and Talan and Michael Whitaker and GIG Amai. The fifth place is still being debated.

Great result

Rob Hoekstra (World Class programme Performance Manager for Jumping) commented: “We had a great result in Dublin winning the Aga Khan Trophy in the Nations Cup competition; this has secured our place in the FEI Nations Cup league for 2012.  Di Lampard and I (the selectors for the Championships) are very happy to confirm these riders as part of the squad of five for the Europeans but would like to see the results from Rotterdam prior to confirming the complete squad.  All the riders have worked hard through the Nations Cup series to gain the necessary results and we are so very grateful for the support of the owners."  

Road to London 2012

"The Europeans mark another important competition on the road to London 2012," Rob continued. "Following the Europeans we will make our plans for next year; the preparation for the Nations Cups, the competitions that will form the final build up to the Olympics and of course the Olympics themselves that will take place in the stunning setting of Greenwich.”

Watch our interviews with the squad and with Rob Hoekstra here: http://www.horseandcountry.tv/news/2011/07/29/rihs-fri-show-jumping-team-gbr-interviews