Teams For WEG Will Be Announced At Hickstead

Britain's top dressage riders will be on tenterhooks throughout the All England Dressage Derby at Hickstead (24-28 July) as they await the announcement of the Team for the World Equestrian Games to be held in Jerez, Spain, in September. The Dressage Derby is held in conjunction with the Golden Jubilee Royal International Horse Show and the final selection of WEG team members will be announced at Hickstead during the show.

Dressage riders Nicky Barrett, Dr Wilfrid Bechtolsheimer, Richard Davison, Carl Hester and Peter Storr, all on the World Class Performance Programme and potential team members, are expected to be competing their top horses at Hickstead. The other potential team members, Emile Faurie, Laura Richardson and Sandy Phillips will be waiting by their mobile phones for the announcement while competing in Germany.

Richard Davison is one rider with plenty to keep his mind occupied, as his whole family will be competing at Hickstead. While his sons, Thomas and Joseph, will be taking part in the show jumping classes, both Richard and his wife, Gillian, will be competing in the Dressage. Richard will be riding his top horse, Ballaseyr Royale, a Danish mare, whom he hopes to take to the WEG. "She was very good in Achen recently in front of the judges who will be at the World Championships and she is getting better and better" said Richard. The WEG are particularly important for the Dressage team as to come in the top 7 will qualify Britain for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. "This is an important objective, carrying with it everybody's Olympic dreams and aspirations, but I believe we have the horses and riders who can achieve it. The difference this year is that there are potential team members who have already proved they can achieve the necessary high scores," said Richard.
Peter Storr and Gambrinus, who enthralled a 6,000 strong crowd with his win at Windsor Horse Show, will again be contending the Grand Prix Freestyle to Music. Olympic rider, Kirsty Mepham won the Freestyle to Music and the Dressage Derby Championship in 2001 and will be defending her title in 2002 with Dikkiloo.
There is a strong line up for the Pas De Deux on Saturday, which should prove to be a highlight for even the least enthusiastic dressage spectators. David Hunt and Andrew Gould, Jennie Loriston-Clarke and Helen Williams and Kyra Kyrklund with Wayne Channon are just some of the riders who will pair up to perform a carefully choreographed routine to music.

Another attraction for riders and spectators is the newly invented Judge and be Judged competition. The class is the brainchild of Show Director, Dane Rawlins and invited judges and riders, including Isobel Wessels, Judy Harvey, Paul Hayler and David Trott will brave their colleague's marking by taking part. They will each ride the Prix St George level test while being judged by the rest of the group. "The class is designed to be a bit of fun" said Dane. "The judges will not only have to compete against each other, but will have to judge each other too! It should provide some interesting results." he said.
As the UK's premier dressage venue, Dressage at Hickstead boasts a unique 'garden party' atmosphere that is relished by riders and spectators alike. This year promises an extravaganza of dressage at all levels in the build up to hosting the 2003 European Championships.

ALL ENGLAND DRESSAGE DERBY CHAMPIONSHIPS - PROGRAMME

Wednesday 24 July, 2002

International Arena
Class 2: A&K Electrical Novice 39 Qualifier for the National Championships
Class 4: Medium 75 Qualifier for the National Championships

Jaap Pot Arena
Class 1: Novice 23
Class 3: Medium 74

Thursday 25 July, 2002

International Arena
Class 5: BTS Elementary 56 Qualifier for the National Championships
Class 8: Intermediaire II 2001 Qualifier for the National Championships

Jaap Pot Arena
Class 7: Advanced Medium 98 Qualifier for the National Championships
Class 6: Advanced Medium 95

Friday 26 July, 2002

International Arena
Class 10: Derby House Saddlery & Dressage Horse International FEI Prix St Georges 2000.
Class 11: Butchers Pet Care FEI Grand Prix 2002

Jaap Pot Arena
Class 9: Deverall Elementary 41 (long arena) Qualifier for Pro/Am Championship.

Saturday 27 July, 2002

International Arena
Class 12: Deverall Elementary Pro/Am Championship. See class 9 above for eligibility. Elementary 56
Class 13: Shearwater National British Championship For The Young Dressage Horse 5 Year Old. Test to be used YHA
Class 17: FEI Grand Prix Special 2002
Class 18: Pas de Deux at Intermediaire level
Class 19: Judge and be Judged

Jaap Pot Arena
Class 14: Holley Wood Shavings FEI Pony Team Test 1993
Class 15: BYRDS FEI Junior Team Test 1997
Class 16: BYRDS FEI Young Rider Team Test 1999

Sunday 28 July, 2002

International Arena
Class 24: Cliff Barnsby Saddlery FEI Intermediaire I 2002
Class 20: Shearwater National British Championship For The Young Dressage Horse 6 Year Old.
Class 25: Black Country Saddles Grand Prix Freestyle 1999

Jaap Pot Arena
Class 21: FEI Pony Individual 1993
Class 22: FEI Junior Individual 1997
Class 23: FEI Young Rider Individual Test 1998

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