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Jumping Teams announced
for Beijing Olympic Games 2008

The British Olympic Association (BOA) today selected the Jumping riders to be part of Team GB for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. This completes the Equestrian team for the Games.





Ben Maher

riding Mr Daniel Paul’s Rolette

Tim Stockdale

riding Mr John Bosher’s Fresh Direct Corlato

Michael Whitaker

riding Gillespie Equestrian’s Suncal Portofino 63

John Whitaker

Riding Miss Rebecca Stones’ Peppermill



Commenting on their selection the athletes said:



Ben Maher:

“It hasn’t quite sunk in yet.  I can’t quite believe that I’m going!  Ten months ago my horse Rolette was jumping 1.40m National classes and I was having the worst year ever, however when she won the Maastricht and Mechelen Grand Prix’s at the end of last year I knew I had a good horse. She’s going from strength to strength and I believe her best is yet to come.  To ride at the Olympic Games is everyone’s dream – I feel incredibly lucky.”



Tim Stockdale:

“I am over the moon!  My mare Corlato has gone fantastically well and she deserves the opportunity to jump at the Olympic Games.  It is great for everyone concerned; my Team at home, my owners and sponsors, who have all had belief in me.  The Olympic Games is everything I have worked for and a huge honour.  I am a very lucky man to have such a fantastic horse to ride”.



Michael Whitaker:

“It is a great honour to be selected for my fifth Olympic Games.  We have a great Team and I am very lucky to be riding such a great horse as Portofino 63.”



John Whitaker:

“I am very pleased to be selected, Beijing will be the sixth Olympics I have been to.  I think we have a good Team with a good chance of success and I have a good horse in Peppermill.”



Simon Clegg, 2008 Team GB Chef de Mission said:

“I am very pleased to welcome the remaining equestrian members of Team GB on board. The mix of new and more established names makes this an exciting team to look out for in Hong Kong. All of the riders have done well to qualify and I wish them all the best in their final preparations before the Olympic Games.”



Will Connell, British Equestrian Team Leader comments:

“The Jumping Team is truly a team of youth and experience. John and Michael bring to the Team stability based on their many years at the top of the sport; Tim, who has achieved so much, deserves his first shot at an Olympics and Ben has landed some excellent results over the last few months to demonstrate he is ready for his first Senior Championship Team appearance.





Nick Skelton, as travelling reserve, will bring with him a huge amount of knowledge to the Jumping Team and will be instrumental in helping them perform to their optimum.



I wish them all the best of luck in Hong Kong, as ever we are grateful to the Owners, without whom there would be no Team.”



The selectors also named a travelling reserve for the Jumping Team, this will be Nick Skelton and Lisa Hales’ Russel. A Travelling reserve for the Dressage Team will be announced in due course.