Equestrianism: McGivern given extra place for World Games

There were no surprises when Derek Ricketts, who now has sole responsibility for selecting Great Britain show jumping teams, named five riders – Mark Armstrong, William Funnell, Di Lampard, Scott Smith and Tim Stockdale – for September's World Equestrian Games at Jerez de la Frontera in Spain.

Smith misses next week's Dublin Horse Show (in which the other four will make up the British team) while he concentrates on getting Cabri d'Elle fit and well after the over-reach injuries he sustained in Thursday's Nations Cup. All five will compete at Gijon in Spain from 28 August to 1 September, after which the World Games team of four will be chosen.

The dressage selectors had intended to name just four riders yesterday until hearing that Nicola McGivern, who was competing at Norten-Hardenberg in Germany with Active Walero, had achieved remarkable scores of 69.16 per cent in the Grand Prix and 67.8 per cent in the Special. They have therefore delayed their decision until after McGivern has ridden the 11-year-old at Aarhus in Denmark next weekend.

GREAT BRITAIN SQUADS FOR WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES (Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, 10-22 September): Show jumping: M Armstrong (Elise), W Funnell (Cortaflex Amber du Montois), D Lampard (Abbervail Dream), S Smith (Cabri d'Elle), T Stockdale (Fresh Direct Parcival). Dressage: R Davison (Ballaseyr Royale), E Faurie (Insterberg or Rascher Hopes), N McGivern (Active Walero), L Richardson (Millenium), P Storr (Gambrinus).