A mixture of British youth and experience head for endurance European Championships
The British Endurance selectors have chosen a squad of six to defend Britain’s European Championship silver medal in Italy next month.
The squad, which contains only one former international team member, nonetheless blends a good mix of experience with new talent.
The six have been chosen from a combination of elite squad and reserve international squad members whose horses had maintained a good level of fitness despite the FMD crisis.
The team is:
- Liz Booth (Youscha), a former intermediate team member
- Becky Broughton (Murmansk), a graduate of the Young Rider squad
- Lisa Franks (I’m Pollyanna), a former intermediate squad member who completed the World Championship pre-ride at Compiegne last year
- Jane James (Rowangay Garnet), a team stalwart and one of the most successful international combinations on the circuit
- Liz Platts (Zilzal), a former intermediate squad member
- Nicky Sherry (Bella Joya), who will make their international debut in Italy.
The 100-mile ride, to be staged near Perugia, Italy on 29 September, looks set to be oneof the most competitive events in the sport’s history.
Liz Finney, British team chef d’equipe said: “The course appears to be quite technical, with some flat, hard stony tracks. The team we’re taking is a good mix. These riders have all done well to get their horses fit this season.”