Brash says GB needs stronger squad

Former world No 1 Scott Brash says “things have to happen” if Great Britain are to reclaim a place at world showjumping’s top table.

The Scot, who helped Britain win London 2012 team gold, guided Ursula XII to second in the Longines FEI World Cup at Olympia’s London International Horse Show yesterday.

France’s Julien Epaillard beat him by 43 hundredths of a second in a pulsating jump-off, preventing Brash from becoming only the London World Cup’s third backto-back winner in its 38-year history after Nick Skelton and John Whitaker.

Brash, pictured, who collected £28,000 for his efforts, can reflect on a year that saw him win the London Global Champions Tour leg in August, take third in a memorable Royal Windsor Grand Prix and second at Olympia. Collectively, though, it was not a great year for Britain, highlighted by the decision not to send a team to the European Championships in Sweden four months ago.

“It’sgoodtoputit[sweden] behind us, but we have to learn from it,” said Brash. “We need a stronger squad, we need more horses and rider combinations, we need to improve as a nation. Things have to happen, and a few changes and things. We have to improve.” Duncan Scott made it a medal double at the European short course championships in Copenhagen as the Olympic silver medallist landed bronze in the 100 metres freestyle final last night.

In a boost to his build-up to next year’s Commonwealth Games, the Alloa ace, 20, lowered the Scottish record