Hickstead to host final leg of Nations Cup

The British Showjumping team has been announced for the final leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup series at Hickstead’s Longines Royal International Horse Show (26-31 July).

Home win

Hickstead’s All England Jumping Course will play host to the final leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup series on Friday 29 July.

Due to the forthcoming Olympic Games in Rio, Dublin Horse Show will instead hold the second last leg of the series (Friday 22 July).

The five riders on the British squad for Hickstead are Scott Brash (Hello Guv’nor), Ben Maher (Diva II), Jess Mendoza (Spirit T), Tim Stockdale (Fleur de l’Aube) and Michael Whitaker (Viking V). The final team of four will be declared nearer the time.

Britain has not won their home leg of the Nation Cup since 2010. Last year’s winners Belgium will be out to defend their crown as other competing countries will be trying to qualify for the final in Barcelona in September.

Rio beckons

With the Rio Olympic Games just around the corner, many of the riders contesting at Hickstead will be catching the next flight out to Brazil as soon as the final leg has concluded.

Ben Maher and Michael Whitaker, who are both selected for the Olympics along with travelling reserve Jess Mendoza, will be turning their attention to defending team gold in Rio in less than three weeks’ time.

More on show

There will be more on show at the West Sussex venue this July, including the Longines King George V Gold Cup, the Templant Events Queen Elizabeth II Cup and further international showjumping classes.

There are also a number of higly competitive showing classes, culminating in the British Horse Society Supreme Horse and Underwood Supreme Pony Championships.