British team named for Hickstead

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Three members of last year’s victorious British team have been selected for this year’s Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain, which takes place on Friday 26 July at Hickstead in West Sussex.

Olympic champion Ben Maher – who heads to Paris straight after the Agria Royal International Horse Show – has been selected with Exit Remo, alongside his 2023 team-mates John Whitaker (Unick Du Francport) and Tim Gredley (Medoc De Toxandria). Harry Charles, who completed last year’s winning quartet, will miss the show after injuring his arm in a riding fall at CHIO Aachen.

The other two riders to get the call up for team duties at Hickstead are Jodie Hall McAteer (Hardessa) and Robert Whitaker with Vermento. Robert and the 11-year-old stallion Vermento were the winners of last year’s King George V Gold Cup, the feature Grand Prix of the Agria Royal International Horse Show.

The Chef d’équipe for the British team is Di Lampard, who led the Brits to victory 12 months ago. Di will name the final team of four on Thursday 25 July.

The Team Audevard-sponsored British team will face opposition from some of the world’s leading showjumping nations, including Ireland, Germany, France, Sweden, Italy, Brazil and the Netherlands.

Every nation will be hoping to lift the Edward, Prince of Wales Cup, especially with the Olympics just round the corner.

“A number of riders, including our own Ben Maher, will be making their final competitive appearance at Hickstead before the Games,” said Hickstead Director Lizzie Bunn. “A win here would be a real confidence boost ahead of Paris. I would love to see the British team retain their title, as the Brits haven’t had back-to-back Nations Cup wins here at Hickstead for 20 years.”

Tickets for the Agria Royal International Horse Show (23-28 July) are on sale now, with general admission prices starting from £20. Advance discounts and concessions are available, including free admission to all under-15s when booked before 19 July.