last updated on July 19, 2010 16:53

British Dressage today announced their selection for the para-equestrian dressage squad that will compete at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010.

The selected squad comprises (in alphabetical order):

• Ricky Balshaw (grade Ib) riding Mrs Hoeg’s Academy Award
• Sophie Christiansen (grade Ia) riding The Berkeley Group’s Rivaldo of Berkeley
• Anne Dunham (grade Ia) riding Sally Ann Brown’s Teddy
• Lee Pearson (grade Ib) riding Mr and Mrs David Pearson, Gillian Chinn’s and his own Gentleman
• Jo Pitt (grade II) riding Mrs Pitt’s Estralita
• Emma Sheardown (grade Ia) riding her own Purdy’s Dream
• Sophie Wells (grade IV) riding Dr Walker’s Pinocchio

Lee Pearson and Sophie Wells are selected with reserve horses, Zion and Valerius respectively. The non-travelling reserve is Natasha Baker (Cabral).

The team members commented on their selection:

Ricky Balshaw: “I’m over the moon to be selected, especially as this is the first ever WEG to include Paras. I’m definitely looking forward to taking in all the action, and bringing home some medals—also to try the real Kentucky fried chicken.”

Sophie Christiansen: “I’m really thrilled to be selected, I wasn't sure if I would get to go as I have been recovering from my fall and Rivaldo has also been lame. It was difficult to qualify this year which just shows how much the sport is growing. I won't be able to go to my cousin's wedding in the states next week now, but I’m definitely excited to be going to WEG."

Anne Dunham: “I’m absolutely over the moon. This will be my fifth consecutive World Champs since 1994. It’s been a challenge this time getting on the team as I’ve been coming back from 18 months off but I’m really looking forward to seeing Kentucky, soaking up the atmosphere and of course, representing my country.”

Lee Pearson: “Very excited to be going with both of my boys, they’re both young (Gentleman 9, Zion 6) but they’ve really excelled. Gentleman is much improved after I’ve been using Edward Gal’s tips from the Festival of the Horse. When you don’t have a lot of leg and arm strength you really have to rely on techniques and this one has really helped. It’s been a great and very successful year for me already and I’m so pleased to be selected.”

Jo Pitt: “I feel very honoured to be part of the British team, especially as this is the first WEG to host Para and able-bodied at the same time. To be chosen as one of seven from the best nation is amazing. I’m really looking forward to going, it’s been a hectic summer of preparation but I’m working hard and couldn’t be more thrilled to be selected.”

Emma Sheardown: “I’m absolutely delighted to be going. My whole team has worked really hard to get here and it’s so nice to be rewarded. I’m looking forward to the whole experience and taking it all in.”

Sophie Wells: “It’s so great to be chosen for the World Equestrian Games. Since I first started in para-equestrian dressage I’ve been aiming at London 2012 with the Europeans and WEG as preparation, so to be selected with both horses is just incredible. We’ll continue to work hard and prepare – and we’re looking forward to bringing home some medals!”

World Class Performance Manager for para-equestrian dressage David Hunter said on the selection; “The selected squad is well balanced, showcasing a mixture of experience and up-and-coming young riders, with some exciting new horse/rider combinations to look forward to. I feel confident that we’re taking as strong a team as possible to WEG and that we’ll put up a good fight to retain out team and individual titles.

I’m working with the team and the ever important support team, to ensure that training continues successfully over the next two months before the Games. As always the training and the ability of our riders to train as much as they do and with the support they need is only possible with the funding from the World Class Programme and UK Sport, not only to take the squad to WEG and beyond but also to allow for a transparent selection process.”

A World Equestrian Games includes the eight disciplines of dressage, eventing, showjumping, para-equestrian dressage, driving, endurance, reining and vaulting. The Olympic and Paralympic sports are generously supported by lottery funding via UK Sport but the non-Olympic sports of driving, endurance, reining and vaulting, although supported where possible by the World Class Programme staff during the World Equestrian Games, do not receive direct funding for the event from the Programme.

A variety of fundraising initiatives have been launched to help support the trip to Kentucky for all the British teams. These include an online auction with new exclusive lots added each month and the opportunity to buy Team GBR merchandise which ranges from clothing to a recently launched silver bracelet; generous donations are made to the teams for all items sold. Further information about all the fundraising activities can be found on the official Team GBR website.

All the news and behind the scenes views in the run up to and during the Games can be found on the Team GBR website, including the opportunity to sign up for FREE as a Team GBR Supporter to receive regular updates. Visit www.equestrianteamgbr.co.uk for more details.

The Games take place in Kentucky, USA from Saturday 25th September to Sunday 10th October with the para-equestrian dressage competition taking place between Tuesday 5th October and Sunday 10th October.