Squad announced for Hickstead Nations Cup

Di Lampard has announced her squad competing at Hickstead for the British leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup series.

Maximum points

The penultimate leg is one of the four points-scoring opportunities for Britain. Last year saw the team produce a disappointing performance at Hickstead, coming sixth out of eight teams.

However, the squad has been on top form this season under the guidance of the new World Class Showjumping Performance Manager. They have picked up maximum points in Rome and Rotterdam and will no doubt be hoping for another win on home turf.

Di has selected riders with a mix of age and experience – but all have shown great recent form. Only four of the five on the squad will compete.

The squad

Five riders have been named on the squad, from which four will compete. These includeHolly Gillott,with her own 10-year-old Dougie Douglas;Ben Maherwith Tatiana Korsakova’s 10-year-old chestnut mareDiva II;Jessica Mendoza with her mum’s 14-year-old brown mareSpirit T; Michael Whitakeron Beverley Widdowson’s 10-year-old grey stallionCassionato; andGuy Williamswith his own and Charlotte Baines’ 15-year-old chestnut geldingTitus II.

The FEI Nations Cup takes place at the Longines Royal International Horse Show on Friday 31July.

Dublin

The final leg of the series is in Dublin, where Britain will once again be hoping to pick up qualifying points ahead of the final in Barcelona in September.

The team for Dublin has been named asScott Brash (Hello M’Lady); Ben Maher (Diva II or Sarena II); Spencer Roe (Wonder Why); Michael Whitaker (Calcourt Falklund or Viking V) and Robert Whitaker (Catwalk IV).

Falsterbo

Before the big event at Hickstead, Britain is competing in Falsterbo on Friday (19 July), although this isn’t a qualifying competition.

The squad heading to Sweden are William Funnell(Billy Congo), Yazmin Pinchen(Ashkari), Laura Renwick(Bintang II), Michael Whitaker(Calcourt Falklund) and William Whitaker (Fandango III).