World No 1 Townend is surprise omission in GB team

WORLD No 1 eventer Oliver Townend says he is “hugely disappointed” after failing to gain a place in the Great Britain team for next month’s World Equestrian Games.

Despite being crowned Burghley champion last September, then taking the Kentucky four-star title in April and finishing second at Badminton a week later, 35-yearold Townend surprisingly did not make the cut.

The Shropshire-based Yorkshireman has also been world No 1 for most of this season, replacing reigning Olympic champion Michael Jung in that prized position.

Multiple major championship medallist Tina Cook is the most experienced member of a fivestrong team announced by the British Equestrian Federation.

Former European champion Cook, who won Olympic medals in 2008 and 2012, will ride Billy The Red.

She is joined by Ros Canter (Allstar B) and Gemma Tattersall (Arctic Soul) – world No 2 and No 3, respectively – 2009 European individual silver medallist Piggy French (Quarrycrest Echo) and Tom McEwen (Toledo de Kerser).

“Obviously, I am hugely disappointed not to have been selected to represent Great Britain at the 2018 World Equestrian Games as the current world No 1,” said Townend.

“I have given it everything I can with outstanding results, especially winning in Kentucky on Cooley Master Class and gaining second and fifth-place finishes at Badminton with Cooley SRS and Ballaghmor Class on the back of winning Burghley.

“It is not to be for me this time, but I wish all five riders selected for the team the very best, and I will be supporting them fully in their efforts to win the world title after our success in the European Championships last September.”

No reserve list of riders has been released by the BEF.