last updated on June 26, 2006 01:00

The British Dressage selectors David Trott and Judy Harvey have announced the team which will represent Britain at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany, 20 August to 3 September:

Laura Bechtolsheimer and Douglas Dorsey
Wayne Channon and Lorenzo CH
Emma Hindle and Lancet
Sandy Phillips and Lara 106

Reserves are:
Maria Eilberg and Two Sox
Ferdi Eilberg and Teutone Z
Emile Faurie and Rascher Hopes

Chef d'equipe: David Trott
Coach: Ferdi Eilberg
Vet: John McEwen

The British Dressage Chairman of Selectors David Trott said: “The team we’ve selected has experience and talent and each of them have produced strong results in good company over the past 12 months. It is a credit to the growing depth of British dressage at this top level that we have had the chance to select a team with high hopes of being in the medal zone, despite having some top horses side-lined through minor injuries.”

There will be a strong incentive to go for a medal at the 2006 WEG as only the top three teams will qualify for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Just three further qualification places will be available for Western European League countries at the 2007 European Championships.

Laura Bechtolsheimer, who became the youngest British National Champion at the age of 20 in 2005, will be making her senior championship debut. Her whirlwind year has included competing in the World Cup Final. She will ride Douglas Dorsey, her father Dr Wilfried Bechtolsheimer’s 15-year-old 17.2hh liver chestnut gelding by Donnerhall.

Wayne Channon only took up dressage in his mid-30s. He rode his first international grand prix in 2003, was short-listed for the 2004 Athens Olympics and made his team championship debut at the European Championships in 2005. Based in Belgium since 2004, Wayne will ride his 13-year-old 16.3hh black stallion by Ferro, Lorenzo CH.

German-based Emma Hindle has been a member of the British team since 2003, the year in which she won team bronze at the European Championship. She is currently preparing for the WEG by training in Britain with Kyra Kyrlund and will be competing at Hartpury CDI in Gloucestershire, 5-7 July. Emma will partner the former Dutch team horse she has had for six months, Lancet, a 13-year-old 16.2hh brown stallion by Wenzel I.

Sandy Phillips resigned as a selector earlier this year to concentrate on competing the 12-year-old 17hh brown mare by Lanciano, Lara 106, she has owned for three years. Sandy has a wealth of experience, having competed at three WEGs, one Olympics and a European Championships.

The dressage at the WEG starts on Tuesday 22 August and will have a new format with two sets of individual medals being handed out. Previously only one set of medals was awarded to the top three riders with the highest combined scores of the three tests they had performed, the grand prix, grand prix special and grand prix kür.

The grand prix will run over two days, the 22 and 23 August, which will decide the team medals. The top 30 will go through to the grand prix special on Friday, 25 August, after which the first of the two individual sets of medals will be awarded to the top three in this class. The top 15 will compete in the grand prix kür for another set of individual medals. Only three riders from each nation will be allowed to compete in this class.

For info about the WEG, click www.aachen2006.de