Jumping to Tryon

Amanda Derbyshire and Luibanta BH, William Funnell and Billy Buckingham, Holly Smith and Hearts Destiny, and William Whitaker and Utamaro d’Ecaussines were named Friday as the group which will head to the Tryon International Equestrian Center in North Carolina, USA for the Games, set to take place from September 11–23. Alexandra Thornton and Cornetto K are the reserve pair. 

“We are heading out to Tryon with an exciting team of horses and riders, all of whom have played their part in ensuring our Nations Cup top level status for next year,” said Di Lampard MBE of the British Equestrian Federation. “The team includes a mix of horses from Utamaro d’Ecaussines who has already proven himself at Championship level along with a younger group of exceptionally talented horses who have also proven themselves on the world stage.”

The selection constitutes a relatively young and inexperienced team compared to some of its international rivals, but those chosen expressed confidence about the upcoming competition. “It was fantastic to get the call and we’re really looking forward to getting out there,” said Derbyshire. This has been the aim at the back of our minds and she [Luibanta BH] has been really special. At every team event she has been consistent and she has never let me down so hopefully we can carry that on.” For his part, Funnell added: “I think we’ve got a good team and we have every chance of doing well.”

Nevertheless, some commentators have noted the ‘surprising and disappointing’ absence of Ben Maher in the final group (Scotland’s Scott Brash has not participated in this type of championship since 2014 in France). Maher is currently in the lead of the CSI 5* Longines Global Champions Tour standings and has been very strong this year on his mounts Explosion W and Winning Good. 

The WEG are held every four years and bring together eight equestrian sports disciplines: Jumping, Dressage and Para-Equestrian Dressage, Eventing, Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining. Great Britain did not field a full team in show jumping at the 2017 Longines FEI European Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden.