Britain has announced powerhouse teams for the Paris Olympics, with the dressage squad looking like a favorite for the gold, and the eventers equally as impressive.
At least that’s how I see it.
In the dressage, how can you bet against a squad led by the architect of his nation’s landmark 2012 gold, Carl Hester, set to compete in his seventh Games with the aptly named Fame.
He may be best known as the mentor of Charlotte Dujardin, who will be Britain’s most decorated female Olympian if she gets any medal with Imhotep, and she has to be a favorite in the individual ranks as well as in the team. The third member of the squad will be world champion Charlotte ‘Lottie’ Fry with the long-striding Glamourdale. The promising Becky Moody and her Jagerbomb were also chosen.
Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep.
The eventing team will be looking to defend its Olympic title from Tokyo. Two members of that squad, Laura Collett (London 52) and Tom McEwen (JL Dublin), have been selected, along with Ros Canter (Lordships Graffalo) who was the traveling reserve for Tokyo, and world champion Yasmin Ingham (Banzai du Loir).
Paris is the fifth Olympic Games for Tokyo individual gold medalist Ben Maher (Point Break), and he is joined by Tokyo Olympians Scott Brash (Hello Jefferson) and Harry Charles (Romeo). Also inthe group is Joe Stockdale (Cacherel), whose father, Tim, represented Britain in Hong Kong at the Beijing Games in 2008.
Team GB selected equestrian athletes (L-R) Ben Maher, Yasmin Ingham, Laura Collett, Scott Brash, Charlotte Fry, Rosalind Canter, Charlotte Dujardin, Carl Hester, Harry Charles, Becky Moody, Joseph Stockdale, Tom McEwen ( Photo Jon Stroud)
Helen Nicholls, the equestrian team leader, commented; “I’m exceptionally proud of the 12 athlete combinations and their connections who will travel to Paris across the three disciplines of equestrian. We have an exciting balance of experience, talent and potential, and we head to the Games in a strong position, and with medal ambitions. The hours of preparation, enormous sacrifice and total dedication will now be put to the ultimate test. The teams behind the athletes – both equine and human – have left no stone unturned in their quest to support them to their very best performances.