British Equestrian announces definite entries for FEI Para Dressage European Championship 2023
British Equestrian and the British Dressage para selectors can today confirm the four horse and rider combinations that will form their list of definite entries ahead of the FEI Para Dressage European Championship, set to take place in Riesenbeck, Germany, from 5–10 September this year.
Nominated entries, listed by grade then in alphabetical order by athlete surname:
Grade 1
- Gabriella Blake (30) from Wolverhampton, West Midlands, with her own Strong Beau (grey, gelding, 14yrs, s. Blackthorn, Breeder: Ms S. Amos GBR)
Grade 2
- Georgia Wilson (27) from Abergele, North Wales, with Geoff and Julie Wilson and her own Sakura (chestnut, mare, 9yrs, 16hh, Supertramp x Woodlander Rockstar, Breeder: Geri Eilberg GBR), with Geoff and Julie Wilson and her own Faside Got The Love (bay, gelding, 7yrs, 16hh, Grey Flanell x San Amour, Breeder: Mrs V. Sandison GBR) as a direct reserve
Grade 5
- Charlotte Cundall (38) from Malton, North Yorkshire, with The Veyron Partnership’s FJ Veyron (chestnut, gelding, 13yrs, 17.2hh, s. Vivaldi, Breeder: Active Equestrian GBR)
- Sophie Wells (33) from Harby, Lincolnshire, with The Lady Joseph Trust’s LJT Egebjerggards Samoa (black, mare, 7yrs, 16.1hh, St Schrufo x Gribaldi, Breeder: Anders Green Hansen DEN)
The two travelling grooms who will support the squad in Riesenbeck are Liz Geldard and Beth Revill.
Three reserve combinations have also been selected, listed below by grade then in alphabetical order by athlete surname:
Grade 3
- Erin Orford (34) from High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, with Neil and Jackie Walker and Sophie Wells’ Dragons Fire (dark bay, gelding, 16.1hh, 7yrs, De Niro x EH Hohenstein)
Grade 4
- Nicola Naylor (62) from Ashford, Kent, with Rosalind Emery Kay and her own Humberto L (bay, gelding, 11yrs, 16.2hh, Cachet L x Haarlem, Breeder: J. Lamers NED)
- Isobelle Palmer (22) from Leeds, Yorkshire, with Catherine Austin’s Je Suis Adiva (black, mare, 9yrs, 16.2hh, Negro x Fabriano, Breeder: C. Wood NED)
Since the announcement of the nominated entries, Sophie Wells, in consultation with owner Rowland Kinch, withdrew Don Cara M from selection contention following a minor veterinary issue which set back the horse’s preparation for the championships. The British Dressage para selectors duly added Erin Orford and Dragons Fire to the nominated list to give the full quota of eight combinations.
Selection decisions are subject to the athletes and horses maintaining fitness and performance, and this list may be amended at any point prior to the definite entry date.
The funding that the British Equestrian World Class Programme receives from the National Lottery and UK Sport is pivotal in preparing our teams for senior championships and supporting them on the ground. British Equestrian is also extremely grateful for the support we enjoy from our partners – Bates Saddles, Dodson & Horrell, Fairfax & Favor, NAF, SEIB and Toggi – and team supplies.
Feature Image: Sophie WELLS (GBR) and Don Cara M – Grade V – Individual – Para Dressage – FEI World Championships Herning 2022 – MCH Arena, Herning, Denmark – 11 August 2022
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.