Edited press release from Hickstead

This week, the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup-series moves on to its penultimate European stop of the season: The CSIO5* Longines Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead. 

British Chef d'Equipe Di Lampard is fielding a strong team ahead of the Hickstead-leg in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup-series. The draw for Friday's Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of Great Britain took place on Thursday afternoon, with Ireland drawn first to go in the prestigious team competition. 

Britain will go out third, with the aim of delivering a win on home turf for the first time since 2010. "It's really exciting, and I'm really looking forward to tomorrow," said Di Lampard, Britain's Chef d'Equipe. "We've got a strong team with experience, so bring it on."

Di has selected Ben Maher and Exit Remo (San Remo x Ferro) as her pathfinders, with Tim Gredley going second on Medoc De Toxandria (Der Senaat 111 x Kelvin de Sainte Hermelle). John Whitaker goes third on Equine America Unick Du Francport (Zandor x Helios de La Cour II), while Harry Charles – who jumped a double clear in this competition 12 months ago – goes last on Casquo Blue (Chacco-Blue x Carthago Z). 

"I couldn't count how many Nations Cups John has jumped at Hickstead, but he's got the experience, he jumped very well for us a few weeks ago so we are hoping he can repeat that for us," said Di. "Young Harry Charles was double clear a couple of weeks ago, the youngest member of the team being our anchor man this week and let's hope it works out for us."

Lampard was satisfied with being drawn third to go. "I'm happy with being third in the draw, and I look at it as third time lucky – we were second in Aachen, and second again in Falsterbo two weeks ago, so let's hope the third time we're going to get a win." 

It would be a special moment for Lampard – who has had many wins at Hickstead as a rider – to see her team take the top prize for the first time under her stewardship. "You feel so proud to be walking out in front of your own team in front of a home crowd at the Nations Cup at Hickstead, and the riders feel proud as well, they want to be successful."