Building up for London with a trip to Kentucky

The squad members are Scott Brash, riding Intertoy Z; Tina Fletcher, riding Hello Sailor; David McPherson, riding Chamberlain Z and Michael Whitaker, riding GIG Amai II. Robert Smith is the non-travelling reserve with Talan.

Rob Hoekstra, Team GB's performance manager, said: "My target this year was to remain in the top level Nations' Cup series for 2011, which we have now achieved.

"This fits with the overall build-up to London 2012 which is primary to all we do. Results have been exciting and we have seen a number of new horses and riders producing excellent performances in the Nations' Cup.

"The team for WEG is very much part of the development of the squad for 2012 and we have selected horses that have performed well in the Nations' Cup.

"Michael will be the experienced hand in the team; Scott and Tina will benefit enormously from experiencing their first championship, while David has championship experience but takes an inexperienced horse. It is an exciting team for the future and part of the road to 2012."

Tina Fletcher has been having a very successful season, including putting in a terrific performance as a member of our winning team in the Nations' Cup at Hickstead recently, where she had two clear rounds with Hello Sailor.

She also came close to winning the Hickstead Derby with Promised Land but was beaten by Guy Williams in the jump-off.

The show-jumping competition at the World Equestrian Games will take place between October 4 and 9. And soon after that, up-and-coming show-jumpers in Yorkshire will have the chance to win tutorials with Tina Fletcher and her husband Graham, the former Olympic show-jumper.

The couple have run some very popular demonstrations at the Countryside Live event, which is held at the Yorkshire Show ground. This year, they will be leading tutorials in a new competition to find Yorkshire's most talented show-jumper. More details about this in Equestrian Post shortly.

Countryside Live is being held on October 23-24.

A POLO tournament this weekend will be helping to raise money for research into Parkinson's Disease.

The White Rose Polo Club at North Cliffe, near Market Weighton, hosts an annual tournament, the Yorkshire Open, and the organisers have joined forces with Ann-Marie Jackson, from Spaldington near Howden, a sufferer from the illness. She and her husband, David, who is a member of the polo club, have raised over 80,000 for the charity through Music in the Park events at their home over the past seven years.

"I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease myself 13 years ago and there is some really exciting research taking place at the moment. This is the first year we haven't been able to organise an event, so I'm thrilled that the proceeds from this year's Yorkshire Open will go towards the research," said Mrs Jackson.

Polo teams from Yorkshire and beyond will be competing over the two days.

Admission is 15 for a car of up to four people. More information on 01430 875767 or www.whiterosepolo.co.uk.