In the 24hrs prior to departure Ben Maher’s ride Cella, the 12 year old grey mare owned by Jane Forbes Clark, has regrettably picked up a small overreach injury during training which will prevent them from competing in the jumping competition at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
“Cella sustained a small overreach injury during training. Cella is a once in a lifetime horse and with her welfare at the forefront of our minds, Jane Clark and I have made the sad decision to withdraw from the World Equestrian Games” said Ben today. “Cella will recover at home this week and I wish my team mates good luck in Normandy.”
22 year old Jessie Drea from West Sussex therefore gets the call up for the squad as the travelling reserve with Lynne Humphries’ 13 year old chestnut mare Touchable.
The GB team to contest the jumping competition which runs Tuesday 2 September – Sunday 7 September 2014 is named as (in alphabetical order):
Scott Brash MBE with Lady Kirkham & Lord & Lady Harris’ Hello Sanctos
Joe Clee with Ludwig Criel’s Utamaro d’Ecaussines
Spencer Roe with Sally Roe’s Wonder Why
Michael Whitaker entered on Viking V, owned by Michael himself
Chef d’mission Will Connell commented: “It is sad that Cella, with all her experience, is out of the competition, however I am pleased that Jessie who is a talented up and coming rider gets the opportunity to go to her first senior Championship.”
Jessie is a UK Sport National Lottery funded World Class Development Programme rider. Having been a part of the winning Division Two team at the CSIO3* Nations Cup in Odense, Denmark, earlier in the year, the combination also helped the team to an overall fourth place in their first Division one call up for the Nations Cup at the CS105* CHIO Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
Jessie and Touchable represented Great Britain out at the CSI2* Test Event for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (26-29 June), finishing just outside the top ten in the 1m45 class.
Source: British Show Jumping