Great Britain’s Eventing squad announced for Europeans

Five of the selected horses will make senior championship debuts whilst The Pebbles Syndicate’s Quicklook V will travel to her second consecutive major championship.

“We have some of the most talented riders in the world on our team. I am very excited to be going with Quicklook V who has been on very good form this year. I feel like she has grown up a lot in the last 12 months. Although the result at the Olympic Games last year wasn’t what we wanted, we learnt a hell of a lot from it and we can’t wait to get there and give it our best shot.” Gemma Tattersall

The selected squad has been named by British Eventing selectors as (alphabetical order): 

Rosalind Canter, 31, based in Lincolnshire, with Caroline Moore’s and her own Allstar B

Kristina (Tina) Cook, 46, based in West Sussex, with Elisabeth Murdoch and Keith Tyson’s Billy The Red     

Piggy French, 36, based in Leicestershire, with Jayne McGivern’s Quarrycrest Echo

Gemma Tattersall, 32, based in West Sussex, with the Pebbles Syndicate’s Quicklook V

Oliver Townend, 34, based in Shropshire, with Angela Hislop’s Cooley SRS

Nicola Wilson, 40, based in North Yorkshire, with James and Jo Lambert’s Bulana

Tina is also selected with Pip Wates, Ailsa Wates and Equine Aqua Training’s Calvino II as a direct reserve.

The final team of four and two individuals will be announced on arrival in Strzegom. 

First and second reserves are (in numerical order):

Sarah Cohen, 43, based in Leicestershire, with Preci-Spark Ltd and Elizabeth Jones’s Treason

Alexander Bragg, 36, based in Somerset, with Sally Ellicot’s Zagreb

Performance Manager, Richard Waygood MBE comments:

“I am very excited about this year’s Europeans. We have a strong squad who are all up for the challenge and willing to fight every inch of the way. 

“The selectors have had their work cut out as there has been quality and depth to choose from.  I am equally excited for the owners who have all shown great commitment in making their horses available for the Championships. We are only able to deliver at this level thanks to our backing from the UK Sport National Lottery funded World Class Programme and our sponsors.”

British Eventing Chief Executive, David Holmes said:

“The British Eventing senior selectors have picked an exciting squad for the 2017 European Eventing Championships; combining both experience and current form. It is great to see new talent coming through with Ros Canter and five of the horses making their senior championship debut. There have been some impressive results from British riders this year, which will have made the decision for selectors very tough – and it is also encouraging to see such strength in our British combinations.

Thank you in particular to the owners who have made their horses available and to the World Class staff and support teams – we wish Dickie and Chris the very best of luck in Poland at their first Championships in charge of the British squad.”

Further selected reserves (in alphabetical order):

Rosalind Canter and her own Zenshera

Laura Collett, 37, based in Berkshire, with Keith and Louise Scott, Nick and Lyn How and her own Mr Bass

Pippa Funnell MBE, 49, based in Surrey, with Filippo Friedenberg and her own Billy The Biz

Tom McEwen, 26, based in Wiltshire, with Jane Inns, Ali McEwen and his own Toledo de Kerser

Willa Newton, 27, based in Leicestershire, with Joey Newton and Lady Sarah McCorquodale’s Caja 20

Gemma Tattersall with The Soul Syndicate’s Arctic Soul

Isabelle (Izzy) Taylor, 34, based in Oxfordshire, with Dr Patricia Turner’s Trevidden

Oliver Townend with Karyn Shuter and Angela Hislop’s Ballaghmor Class

Nicola Wilson with Gerry and Mary Kemp and Janine Shewan’s One Two Many

The British senior teams are supported by the BEF’s UK Sport National Lottery funded World Class Programme.