The British Olympic Association (BOA) has today confirmed the four jumping athletes and their horses that will compete for Team GB at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The athletes selected to Team GB today are:
Also named today is the Team GB travelling reserve:
The jumping team announced today to compete for Team GB in London has a total of nine Olympic Games to their name; British team stalwart, Nick Skelton will be representing Great Britain at his sixth Olympic Games (and in addition took part in the Alternative Games of 1980). His 2008 team mate Ben Maher will be attending his second Games; both riders were part of the bronze medal winning team at last year’s European Championships where Skelton also claimed individual bronze. Both head into the summer with the confidence of Grand Prix competition form firmly on their side.
Although Scott Brash will make his Olympic debut in Greenwich the Scottish number one is no stranger to team call ups as a regular competitor for GB on Nations Cups squads since 2010. With new ride Hello Sanctos he bagged his biggest Grand Prix win to date at the start of 2012 in Florida and has continued to impress.
Peter Charles completes the team line up and will also head to London as an Olympic debutant for Great Britain but with the experience of having previously competed for Ireland on his past two Olympic appearances in 1992 and 1996. The Liverpudlian won individual gold at the European Championships in 1995 and has an impressive track record to his name including three consecutive Hickstead Derby wins.
Waiting in the wings is Tina Fletcher with her long-term partner Hello Sailor, with whom she boasts a wealth of experience on the international circuit. The combination would make their Championship and Olympic debut for Great Britain if called upon this summer.
The addition of the jumping athletes brings the total number of athletes officially selected to compete for Team GB at London 2012 to 397 across 31 sport disciplines: archery, athletics – marathon, badminton, basketball, boxing, canoe slalom, canoe sprint, cycling, diving, equestrian – eventing, equestrian – dressage, equestrian – jumping, fencing, handball, hockey, modern pentathlon, rowing, sailing, shooting, swimming, synchronised swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, triathlon, volleyball – beach, volleyball – indoor, weightlifting and wrestling.
Team GB Chef de Mission, Andy Hunt commented:
Equestrian Team Leader, Will Connell commented:
Showjumping Performance Manager Rob Hoekstra commented:
Scott Brash commented:
Peter Charles commented:
Ben Maher commented:
Nick Skelton commented: