Have the British Eventing team selectors lost the plot?

wizoz

wizoz

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I am shocked and saddened that William Fox-Pitt is not only left off the team but is second reserve???!!!!!
I can only think that the most consistent event rider in, probably, the world at the moment, is being given a slap on the wrist for withdrawing his horses from Badminton? Ok, so maybe he also had a blip on Tam at the WEG's but hey, who is perfect? His record speaks for itself and also his British Team record. I am totally speachless, well, maybe not totally
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Ok, so I totally understand that the selectors need to start looking at the up and coming riders, so how come and I'm not dissing her, but how come Mary King managed a place? Ollie Townend definately deserves to be there, I'm not sure Sharon Hunt should have a place before William, Daisy Dick is consistent and Spring Along is amazing, Zara has obviously earnt the right to her place and Georgie Davies is a wild card but most definately should be given the opportunity. I agree with someone who has written that Lucy Wiegersma should be given a chance, she has been doing extremely well and works very hard for it. So, does anyone else out there feel as strongly as I do, that William should have kept his place on our British Eventing Team for the Europeans?
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Mary is routinely consistant and won the CCI 3* at Chatsworth, came 3rd on the same horse at the Barbury Castle CCI 3* this weekend, not to mention finishing equal 9th at Lexington with a horse that was having its first run at 4* level. Why shouldn't she be considered for the Euros? Not to mention her vast experience as well from riding with the teams.

Regarding WFP - Tamarillo's only been run 3 times this season and best placing he's had is 17th; Idalgo's only been run twice and Balincoola's only been run 4 times with the highest placing at 13th.

Yes William has been winning plenty this season, but on his younger, less experienced rides.

It is a different team this year, but it's been constantly in the press that Yogi Breisner has said "the team this year will not be the usual set up" . Good for him for bringing in some of the younger riders but also keeping the experience in of that of Mary and Dasiy
 
As I said, I'm not putting Mary's abilities or achievements down, on the contrary, I think she is a fine horsewoman. When you look at the selected horses achievements this year though, some of them have not been overly impressive! But Mary has the most experience team wise and I believe that without William, there will be a huge key element missing. I guess in the end, the results will speak for themselves.
 
how can they leave wfp out?
yes he had a blip at aachen but he i so consitent and a great anchorman who will fill the spot now?
i understand that the selectors have to look foward to 2008 but wfp has some of the best horses for 2008 (i.e Idaglo), Georgie had a great result at Lumulhen but she hasn't proved her consistency, I'm not knocking her talent but compared to William she has little experience.
I'm also suprised at Daisy's selection, I thought at best she would get reserve, her best dressage this season has been in the 50's and thats jus not good enough to cut it with the germans who must undoubtdely be favourites for the team gold, well done to oli townend sharon hunt and zara and mary who definatley desrve a place.
Anyway I guess we will have to wait and see but I can't help thinking this may be a gamble GB will later regret.
 
I'm suprised Ruth Edge hasnt' been given her chance. I'm glad its a new group of v capable people although suprised about Daisy as hers didn't go well at Luhmuhlen but we'll see!
 
Ballincoola hasnt got the good results this season- his dressage hasnt been that great.
C.a.C. has had a wonderful season- double clears with good dr every time out.
Flint Curtis has proved his speed and accuracy xc every time out.
I wouldnt have put Sharon and Daisy in, based on this seasons performances- for me Georgie and Jo May should be the individuals. Lucy should be up there in the team.
 
Yes completely. Yes WFP has down well in the past and achieved some good results on his younger horses this year, but his top horses have not been performing up to standard and thats why hes not on the team. It's simple, if you perform well and consistently on the horse you are being picked to ride, then you are in contention.
 
So the quad of Jeanette WFP Pippa and Lelie is now completely out.
Ws shocked his year wonder if this will break the chain of 6 consecutive wins.
 
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I agree Ruth Edge should definitely have been up there....

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Two tyme is apparently lame!
 
Good on them for picking a team that surprises most if not everybody. Selectors are almost always been accused of not picking horses that are on form but rather picking names. I think if Two Thyme wasn't lame then quite possibly they would have been picked.
Good luck to them all and hopefully we will bring the gold back but I think the ultimate aim is London 2012 so the selectors are preparing riders for 2012
 
i think its good that they are getting the up and coming riders in the team
the europeans isnt as inportant as the olympics so the new generation need to get the experience at this level
its all change but i think they have the balance right with experience and new young talent
mabye at champs each country should be able to take one or two individuals?
 
Totally agree with you about mary! She has had excellent results and totally deserves her place! But still think WFP should of been in the team maybe instead of Daisy?
 
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