Wilson can only wait for chance to step in at Olympics

The five riders nominated by the British Equestrian Federation, following the Equi-Trek Bramham International Horse Trials at the weekend, were: Tina Cook, riding Miners Frolic; William Fox-Pitt, riding Lionheart; Piggy French, riding Jakata; Mary King, riding Imperial Cavalier and Phillips, riding High Kingdom.

Wilson, who had been considered a likely Olympic contender, will be first reserve for the team.

She has been a member of the British eventing team for the past three years, delivering consistent performances with Opposition Buzz as pathfinder on the cross-country phases.

She helped the team win world and European gold medals in 2009 and 2010 and last year when they took bronze at the Europeans.

The selection panel of Ian Stark, Mandy Stibbe and Angela Tucker made their decision after watching the final competition at Bramham on Sunday.

After the cancellation of Badminton and Chatsworth due to wet weather, Bramham turned into a final selection trial for the Olympics.

Wilson put in a trademark storming cross-country round with Opposition Buzz but had picked up faults in the show-jumping phase to finish in 11th place.

After hearing the selectors’ decision Wilson said: “Obviously I am gutted not to be selected for the Olympics, especially with the improvement that Opposition Buzz showed in the dressage phase at Bramham where he was right up there with the leaders and then jumped his customary superb cross-country round within the time.

“But I fully respect the selectors’ decision and wish the five riders who are part of Team GB at the Olympics the very best of luck. Although our main aim is now Burghley, obviously this would change if we were required for the Olympics.”

Phillips was world champion in 2006 in Aachen but her Olympic dreams were dashed in 2008 when her horse, Toytown, suffered an injury before the competition.

She will follow in the footsteps of both her parents when she competes at Greenwich Park next month.

Her performance at Bramham, riding Irish-bred High Kingdom,where she finished third in the CIC three-star event, obviously impressed the selectors.

Phillips has brought this horse up through the ranks from novice level and recorded a personal best dressage score of 43.2 at the weekend and then jumped clear in the show-jumping and cross-country phases.

She believes High Kingdom, bought for her by long-time supporter Trevor Hemmings, has undoubted quality.

“He is as good as Toytown, and it’s great to have another horse that can run at that level. I have a lot of faith in him,” she said.

“When the London bid was announced, he (Hemmings) suggested we go out and find a horse to get here. High Kingdom was that horse.

“The Olympics has always been my goal with him, so it’s just amazing to get this opportunity.

“You buy youngsters and it is hard to see their full potential and know how far they will go, so I am pretty grateful that he has kept on showing such improvement.

“I hope he keeps on delivering from now on in as I really think a lot of him.

“It’s awesome to be given this opportunity. High Kingdom is a pretty cool, relaxed kind of guy. I was really happy with him at Bramham as he’d obviously grown up and is improving all the time.

“He’s pretty pony-like, a nippy little jumper and easy to manoeuvre so, hopefully, it will suit him well in Greenwich.”

Fox-Pitt was on terrific form at Bramham to win both the CIC three-star, riding Neuf des Coeurs and the CCI three-star, riding Chilli Morning.

His Olympic ride will be Lionheart, who also competed at Bramham where Fox-Pitt decided not to push him too hard. “Lionheart is a phenomenal horse and an incredible athlete with a great temperament and he’ll be able to cope with Greenwich perfectly,” said Fox-Pitt.

This will be Mary King’s sixth Olympic Games, Fox-Pitt’s fourth and Cook’s second.

Cook, also riding at Bramham at the weekend, said she was “totally thrilled” with the news, particularly as Miner’s Frolic nearly died of colic 12 months ago.

“To come back to this level shows he’s a real fighter – that’s what pulled him through. He’s gone really well this season so I’m very excited to get the opportunity to take him to London.”

French was runner-up at Badminton last year and she also won the Olympic test event at Greenwich last year.

Cook, Fox-Pitt and King were all members of the British eventing squad that won team bronze at the Beijing Olympics, where Cook also won individual bronze on Miner’s Frolic.

They were also also part of the team that won gold at the 2010 World Championships where Fox-Pitt won individual silver.

The reserve list has yet to be announced, but as well as Wilson, it is thought the group includes Lucy Wiegersma and Laura Collett, with King’s Kings Temptress also among the back-up contingent.

Don’t miss Jill Armstrong’s Bramham reflections in ‘Country Week’, free inside Saturday’s Yorkshire Post.