COUNTING THE COST

Sir — With reference to “To ride for your country” (1 February), there’s a sentence stating, “Now, thanks to the UK Sport Lottery-

funded World Class programme, no squad rider has to dig deep into their own pocket to purchase a ticket to an Olympics, a World Equestrian Games (WEG)...”

Not quite true! Spare a thought for the British endurance rider. While our sport is not recognised at the Olympics, it certainly is at WEG. Unlike elsewhere in the world, the majority of competitors are either from small, dedicated endurance families or work entirely on their own, self-funded. More often than not, those riders and their families entirely foot the championship bill.

The WEG in Tryon, USA, looks fantastic, but those British team endurance riders shall likely reel from the cost for years to come. Andrea Champ

Michaelchurch Escley, Herefords