Hughes struggles to rein in enthusiasm following GB call-up

Bishops Itchington rider Gareth Hughes will be part of the Great Britain dressage squad at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, which takes place in Normandy, France, from August 23 to September 7.
By The Newsroom
Published 31st Jul 2014, 12:46 BST
Gareth Hughes and Nadonna in action at last years European Championships. Picture: Kit Houghton / BEF.Gareth Hughes and Nadonna in action at last years European Championships. Picture: Kit Houghton / BEF.
Gareth Hughes and Nadonna in action at last years European Championships. Picture: Kit Houghton / BEF.

Hughes, 43, who will be riding DV Stenkjers Nadonna, will be joined by Charlotte Dujardin OBE, Michael Eilberg and Carl Hester MBE.

He said: “It’s been a great year for her [Nadonna]. We’ve been working towards this but you never really know until you get the call.

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“They’re [the other team members] a great bunch and it’s great to be on a team with Carl and Charlotte with their experience, and Michael, who was obviously on the team last year at the Europeans, and I’m very proud to be a part of Team GB again.

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Katie BlelochKatie Bleloch
Katie Bleloch

“It will be an exciting event for the public and for equestrian sport; I’m a bit of a closet cowboy, so I’m really hoping I’ll be able to go and see some of the reining competition too.”

Meanwhile, Katie Bleloch, from Southam, has been selected as a member of the 2014 Racesafe Junior squad to represent Great Britain at the Junior European Eventing Championships later this month.

She will be riding her own eight-year-old gelding Bulano.

“I’m so proud of Bulano. To have produced him myself from a five-year-old makes it even better,” said the 18-year-old.

“He thinks he’s the boss and is such a character.

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“He’s been on really good form all year, but the final trial didn’t quite go according to plan [normally clear in the show jumping, the pair had two fences down] so I was expecting the worst.

‘’It’s been my dream for as long as I can remember, I am so excited.”

Trained by Paul Friday, Bleloch is looking forward to getting more match practice at dressage and showjumping competitions between now and the Europeans.

“My mum rode up to Intermediate level so is a real help, she can see what the judges see; she does so much for me, I couldn’t have done this without her.”

The Junior European Eventing Championships will be held at Bishop Burton College, Yorkshire, from August 14 to 17.

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