Rider News Update from easibed
Issued August 2007

Ellen Whitaker on British Team

Ellen Whitaker has been officially named as a member of the British Team for the European Showjumping Championships that take place in Mannheim, Germany, from 14-19 August.

Twenty-one-year-old Ellen will ride her father Steven and Dawn Makin’s Holsteiner stallion Locarno 62 and is putting behind her the disappointment of two years ago, when she and Locarno were selected for the European Championships but were unable to jump as the stallion was unwell.

Ellen, sponsored by easibed and a member of the BSJA Lottery Funded Performance Squad, is joined on the team by David McPherson (Pilgrim II), Tim Stockdale (Fresh Direct Corlato) and her uncles John Whitaker (Peppermill) and Michael Whitaker (Suncal Portofino 63). The team is already making equestrian history as never before has any country been represented at a Championship by three members of the same family.

“I am obviously absolutely delighted,” said Ellen. “I’m hoping that Locarno and I can produce top form when it really matters. It’s imperative that we all jump well as it’s the last opportunity to secure Great Britain’s qualification for the Beijing Olympics.”

Steven Whitaker added: “Locarno and Ellen were on the winning Super League team in Rotterdam this year and he is in great form, with easibed playing an important part in his fitness because it helps to keep the dust levels to a minimum in the stables. He’s ready to go and we’re just keeping him fresh until we leave on Sunday (August 12th).”

Announcing the team, Derek Rickets, Great Britain Team Manager commented: “We have a solid team going forward to the European Championships in the hope of securing our 2008 Olympic ticket. All horses and riders are fully prepared for the task ahead and we have been working together to ensure that we have the best possible chance of British success. There is always an element of luck needed on the day, but we go forward to Mannheim with a very positive outlook.”

John Whitaker agrees, saying: “You always need things to go right for you on the day but if we rally together as a team it’s very possible for us to do it. We’ve just got to get stuck in and do our best - It’s not going to be easy, but I feel quietly confident we can deliver.”

Twenty seven countries have declared their intention to compete in this year’s Championships, with 20 of them entering a National Team. The four countries with team Olympic qualification already are Germany, Holland, Ukraine and Switzerland. Olympic team qualification goes to the highest placed three teams excluding those already qualified.

This year’s Championships will be the second time that the Mannheim venue has hosted the FEI European Show Jumping Championships, the last occasion being in 1997. The competitions will take place in the MVV Riding Stadium which was created in 1984 and has been home to several top class equestrian events, including the 1997 European Championships, German National Championships and Federal Championships on several occasions. The Team competition will take place over two days, the first round commencing at 8.30am GMT on Thursday 16th August 2007 culminating in the second round on the following day (Friday 17th August 2007). Individual medals will be decided on Sunday 19th August 2007.

The BBC will be covering the action from Mannheim on Friday 17th and Sunday 19th August, schedules will be published at a later date. Details on the Championships can be viewed at www.em2007.de

Ends

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