World Class Performance manager Rob Hoekstra has announced the team that will represent Great Britain in this week’s CSIO**** Nations Cup in Florida.
Scott Brash and new ride Sanctos Van Het Gravenhof, owned by Lady Pauline Kirkham and Lady Pauline Harris, will make their team debut together.
“I’ve been getting to know the horse over here and he’s been jumping well although we’ve changed his bits a few times,” Scott told H&H. “We’ll be jumping under lights and it is a fantastic opportunity.”
Nick Skelton will partner Beverley Widdowson’s nine-year-old stallion Big Star, with whom he has notched up a couple of big wins in Wellington recently.
“We know what Carlo can do, so this was our chance to see what Big Star can do and give him a bit more experience,” said Nick. “He’s feeling great, it’s a strong team, so fingers crossed.”
Ben Maher has been selected to ride his and the Quainton Stud’s 10-year-old stallion Tripple X III.
“I thought the team would consist of newer, younger horses, but Rob’s the boss and I’m happy to be jumping!” said Ben. “The quality and calibre out here is so high, but all the horses are jumping really well.”
Tina Fletcher will be back in action on Lady Pauline Harris’s 13-year-old gelding Hello Sailor, with whom she was part of the 2010 Nations Cup-winning team at Hickstead.
The Nations Cup takes place in Wellington, Florida, on Friday night at 7pm (midnight UK time) local time and 12 teams are expected to compete.
