26th September 2007
The countdown to the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games gained momentum yesterday, with the official launch of Equestrian Team GBR at Lee Valley Riding School.
Team GBR showcases the highest level of equestrian competition and is made up of the three Olympic equestrian disciplines, Eventing, Show Jumping and Dressage.
Equestrian Team GBR is also the platform for the extremely successful Para-Equestrian Dressage riders, who have established Britain as a leading Paralympic nation.
Winning the seventh consecutive European Eventing title on 16th September 2007 was the crowning glory of what has been a phenomenal 2007 season. Equestrian Team GBR has won 31 medals in total, including a senior team bronze medal in Show Jumping. Equestrian Team GBR has also qualified full teams for the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games in all four sports.
Will Connell, Performance Director, said: "The creation of Equestrian Team GBR demonstrates a collective commitment to maintaining British equestrianism at the heights of recent Olympics and major championships. We have the opportunity to deliver a consistently high level of performance across all three disciplines and we are always striving to make improvements."
British riders have a tradition of success, having won team silver plus individual gold and bronze medals at the Athens Olympics in 2004. Eight medals followed at the 2004 Paralympics.
Equestrian Team GBR is underpinned by the World Class Programme, funded by the National Lottery via UK Sport. This programme allows rigorous and scientific support of the development of athletes and their horses. With 2012 in mind, special emphasis is placed on the nurturing of young talent, both human and equine.
Zara Phillips, current Eventing World Champion, lent her support to Equestrian Team GBR by attending its official launch. She said: "This is a real boost for the sport in Britain and will help to ensure that our brightest talents receive the best possible support in the lead up to Beijing in 2008 and, of course, to London in 2012"
Another key objective of Equestrian Team GBR is to assist members from its constituent disciplines in establishing the commercial partnerships necessary to ensure that Britain remains at the forefront of international equestrianism. The launch of Equestrian Team GBR has been supported by long-term Show Jumping sponsor Accenture. The team is available as a sponsorship opportunity to an organisation wanting to associate itself with ambition, determination and success.
