Danielle Dunn and Grandslam get the call-up
Three senior British team debutants will be in the squad representing Great Britain at the first competition of the 2017 FEI Nations Cup Eventing Series in Strzegom, Poland (17 – 21 May).
Following the cancellation of the Montelibretti (Italy) leg of the series and Fontainebleau (France), Strzegom in Poland, the venue for this year’s FEI European Eventing Championships will welcome riders for the opening event of the 2017 Nations Cup series.
The British team members are;
Alexander Bragg, 36 from Somerset, and the 12 year old gelding Redpath Ransom, owned by Mrs Debbie Nuttall, Mr Mike and Mrs Naomi Roe
Olivia Craddock, 25 from West Sussex, with her own and Mrs Beverley Sheikh’s 10 year old gelding Billy Liffy
Dannielle (Danni) Dunn, 24 from Wiltshire, riding her own and Mr Stuart Hodder’s 12 year old gelding Grandslam
Franky Reid-Warrilow, 27 from Powys, riding her own, Neil and Claire Reid-Warrilow’s 14 year old mare, Dolley Whisper
Nana Dalton (38, West Sussex) and Will Furlong (21, East Sussex) take up the reserve places.
Following their strong Spring form, Alexander Bragg, Olivia Craddock and Dannielle Dunn each receive their first place on a British senior team to join Franky Reid-Warrilow, who made her first Nations Cup appearance at Aachen CICO in 2016
An impressive seventh place for Craddock and Billy Liffy and 14th place for Dunn and Grandslam in the CIC3* at the recent Burnham Market International (1) saw them secure their spot along with Bragg who has already enjoyed two CIC3* completions on Redpath Ransom this season.
“This is such an exciting time, I am absolutely delighted to have been selected for the Nations Cup team. It is a huge honour. I can’t thank my co-owner Stuart Hodder and his family enough for their help and support” says Danielle Dunn
The news comes at a very exciting time for Danielle as she embarks on her first CCI**** at the world famous Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, the first weekend of May. Co-owned with Jenny Lockyer, Danielle will pilot Zocarla BLH around Eric Winter’s 4* track, following in her mother’s footsteps who also completed Badminton in 1984 with Finisterre II.
Danielle added, “To be going to Badminton is an absolute dream, any horsey girls dream, but it’s been more than that. I have always believed I would ride at Badminton, and my whole life so far has been about training to get to this stage. My mum evented and has ridden at Badminton and Burghley. I think I am incredibly lucky to have a mum who is so knowledgeable and understanding of the sport. Mum has always taught me that correct riding comes first, through my journey so far it’s always come down to that. I definitely do not feel any pressure from mum, she is a fundamental part of the process and to be honest I’d probably be lost without her!”
A further eight legs will take place throughout the season including the home event at Houghton Hall, Norfolk, at the end of May. Last year Great Britain took second place in the overall series following a close competition which saw Germany lifting the trophy with just 20 points separating them from the British squad.
