Eventing Team announced for Beijing Olympic Games 2008

The British Olympic Association (BOA) has selected the Eventing riders to be part of Team GB for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

The Team will be:

• William Fox-Pitt

riding either:-
Mrs Judy Skinner and Mr Michael Payne’s Ballincoola
or Mr Philip Adkin’s Parkmore Ed
or The Hon Finn & Mary Guinness’ Tamarillo.

• Sharon Hunt

riding Mr & Mrs Terry Hunt’s Tankers Town.

• Mary King

riding either:-

Mr & Mrs Eddie Davies and Miss Janette Chinn’s Call Again Cavalier
or Mr & Mrs Eddie Davies and Miss Janette Chinn’s Imperial Cavalier.

• Zara Phillips

riding BGC Partners and Associated Companies including Cantor Index, Mr James Blackshaw's and her own Toytown.

• Lucy Wiegersma

riding Mr Mark Lean’s Shaabrak.

Commenting on their selection the athletes said:

William Fox-Pitt

“It is very exciting news, particularly with three horses in contention. Knowing this early in the year means we can prepare for the Games in the best possible way. The Olympics is the ultimate challenge and is one which I am really looking forward to.”

Mary King

“I am over the moon to be picked to ride at what will be my fifth Olympic Games! Now the hard work starts making sure the horses are in tip-top condition. I have two potential horses, so I will work closely with my trainers to ensure we get the best possible results.”

Sharon Hunt

“This really is a dream come true. I have owned and ridden Tankers Town since he was a four-year-old, so it feels even more special. I am looking forward to the whole experience and I am thrilled to be picked for my first Olympics and to represent my country.”

Lucy Wiegersma

“I am overwhelmed to have been picked. It has been my lifetime ambition to ride in an Olympics. I am particularly thrilled as I have ridden Shaabrak for ten years – he is a real trooper and I shall now be wrapping him up in cotton-wool.”

Zara Phillips

“It is nice to be selected, but we still have a long way to go. I am lucky in that Toytown has been to Championship events before, so he knows about big occasions and has been consistent, but an Olympic Games really is special. I am delighted for Toytown as he really deserves it.”

Simon Clegg, Team GB 2008 Chef de Mission, said:

“I am delighted to welcome these riders into Team GB. Equestrian was able to deliver Team GB a medal of each colour in Athens and the experience in this team and their recent results bode well for success in Beijing. I wish the riders well in their final preparations for the Olympic Games.”

Will Connell, British Equestrian Team Leader:

"Whilst there have been a number of athletes and horses in contention for selection to the Eventing Team, the five riders and horses that the selectors have decided on, represent a mix of experience and youth. The Team includes athletes who have medalled at Olympic, World and European level, so this is an exciting proposition for the Games.

The athletes and team staff, under the direction of Yogi Breisner, will now focus on preparing the horses to peak on 9th August, when the Eventing competition starts in Hong Kong. The support of UK Sport Lottery Funding and the BOA will make this detailed preparation possible. As always, we are extremely grateful for the support of the owners of the horses selected to represent Team GB."

Yogi Breisner, British Equestrian Team Manager

“As the team manager I am fortunate to have five such talented riders on the team, and I am very grateful to all the owners for making such excellent horses available.”

The selectors also named two groups of reserves who are:

1st Reserves (in alphabetical order)

Kristina Cook (Miner's Frolic)
Daisy Dick (Hope Street or Spring Along)
Ruth Edge (Two Thyme)
Oliver Townend (Flint Curtis)

2nd Reserves (in alphabetical order)

Georgie Davies (Fachoudette)
Pippa Funnell (Ensign)
Rodney Powell (Zin Zan II)
Polly Stockton (Tom Quigley)
Oliver Townend (Coup de Coeur)
Nicola Wilson (Opposition Buzz)

Photo: Jan Milne