![Great Britain: Showjumping Team selected for 2013 European Championships](https://www.equisport.pt/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/logo222.jpg)
Great Britain: Showjumping Team selected for 2013 European Championships
Yesterday, British Showjumping selectors announced their squad who will be competing at the 2013 ecco FEI Showjumping European Championships taking place in Herning, Denmark (20-24 August). The squad includes two members of last year’s gold medal winning Olympic showjumping team.
The selected squad comprises:
– Scott Brash riding Lady Kirkham & Lord & Lady Harris’s Hello Sanctos
– William Funnell riding the Billy Stud’s Billy Congo
– Ben Maher riding Jane F Clark’s Cella
– Robert Smith riding his own Voila IV
– Michael Whitaker riding his own Viking V
The team of four will be announced ahead of the Championships. Scott, Ben and Michael are all selected with reserve horses, in Ursula XII, Tripple X III and Amai II respectively.
Rob Hoekstra, World Class Showjumping Performance Manager, commented on the selection; “I think it’s a very exciting team, particularly as we have three horses heading to a Championship for the first time. The squad have a lot of clear rounds between them and we have high hopes of doing well at this year’s Championships.”
Equestrian Performance Director, Will Connell commented; “The team sees some familiar faces making their return to a British Championship Jumping Team but on horses that will be making their Championship debut in Herning. 2013 is all about building a squad to qualify for and campaign through to, Rio 2016; however, we head to Denmark with riders have a vast depth of experience between them and I know they will be solely and wholly focussed on winning medals.”
Commenting on their selection:
Scott Brash: “I’m absolutely delighted to be selected. Not only in respect of having the honour to represent Great Britain once again at a Championships but also in respect of having such supporting owners which allow me to be in this position. I have been focused on selection since the end of last year and I am now looking forward to the task ahead of us both as a team member and as an individual.”
William Funnell: “I’m absolutely delighted to be selected with Billy Congo. The fact that he’s home bred and produced makes it all the more special.”
Ben Maher: “I am very lucky to have two Championship team horses in my stable as the result of having two extremely supportive owners. I am now looking forward to carrying forward the momentum that we gained for the sport at the Olympics last year and believe that we have a strong team from those that have been made available for selection.”
Robert Smith: “I’m really pleased to be selected. I always knew when I saw Voila twelve months ago, that she had the potential to be a Championship horse and it’s very satisfying to see her selected.”
Michael Whitaker: “I’m delighted to have been selected to represent my country out in Herning. Viking is really talented and he’s always been one I’ve believed in and thought an exceptional horse. I’m extremely pleased that he’s been given the opportunity to prove himself for Great Britain.”