Five up-and-coming event riders will ride on the British senior squad for the first time in this season’s Nations Cup series, which is at three-star level.
Newcomers Gemma Tattersall, Izzy Taylor, Sarah Bullimore, Emily Llewellyn and Tom McEwen join Laura Collett, Kitty King, Francis Whittington and Lucy Wiegersma on the squad. Four riders from this group will be selected for each of the seven CICO*** competitions — with the exception of Aachen (25-30 June), which may be used to test other riders.
“The primary objective of this squad selection is to give riders who do not have a depth of senior team experience the opportunity to compete in a team environment,” said performance manager Yogi Breisner.
Tom McEwen, the youngest in the squad at 21, said his selection was “a privilege”.
“I’ve had the results I’d been hoping for, but never thought I’d be picked. It’s great to see that all the hard work at home has paid off,” said Tom.
Team manager Philip Surl and Yogi Breisner have picked Kitty King (Zidante), Emily Llewellyn (Pardon Me II), Gemma Tattersall (Arctic Soul) and Izzy Taylor (KBIS Starchaser) for the first event, Fontainebleau (21-24 March). Laura Collett (Allora 3) is reserve.
Read more about Izzy Taylor, Gemma Tattersall and Kitty King in H&H’s eventing special issue (published 7 March, 2013).