British Riders Out For Revenge At The RIHS

New 'Super League' guarantees international competitors

With eight nations due to compete in the re-launched Samsung Super League Nations Cup at the Royal International Horse Show, there is likely to be enthusiastic international participation in other major showjumping classes.

France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Sweden, Italy, and Belgium will be sending teams to compete at the five-day Hickstead show which starts on July 23, plus, of course, the British team making its only appearance in this country.

"Showjumping classes generally will benefit from at least 35 international riders looking to compete outside the Nations Cup competition," said show secretary Lizzie Bunn."It will add an edge to classes where British riders will be aiming to overturn last year's dominance by overseas competitors."

World champion Dermott Lennon from Ireland holds the Refco Speed Grand Prix title; the coveted men's trophy, the King George V Gold Cup was won by Germany's Ludger Beerbaum; the Hasseroeder Queen Elizabeth II Cup was whisked off to Holland by Angelique Hoorn and the Samsung Nations Cup of Great Britain ended up in German hands with Great Britain trailing in fourth.

And in the British Eventing Grand Prix, all eyes will be on double Badminton winner, double European eventing champion and Rolex-Kentucky winner Pippa Funnell, who has confirmed that she will be at Hickstead to try and win for the fourth time. She will be partnered, as always, by Anne Burnett's The Tourmaline Rose. Pippa will be on course for Burghley, where a win will net her an additional £166,000 for completing the Kentucky-Badminton-Burghley treble.

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