Wilson in Clover with Great Britain call-up

ANSWERING THE CALL: Nicola Wilson and Annie Clover, jumping one of the water fences at the Bramham International Horse Trials, have been selected for the World Equestrian Games. Picture: John Giles/PA

With Huddersfield’s Oliver Townend already selected, Wilson’s inclusion means one third of the sextet competing in Normandie will be from Yorkshire.

Wilson, 37, has benefitted from the withdrawal of Pippa Funnell on Billy Beware and Izzy Taylor on Allercombe Ellie.

Both horses are injured, meaning Chippenham’s Harry Meade has also received a call-up on his Opperman’s Wild Lone ahead of the French spectacular that begins on Saturday, August 23.

Wilson, whose mount Annie Clover is owned by parents Mary and Barry Tweddle, admits her late selection has left her thrilled, albeit in unfortunate circumstances for Funnell and Taylor.

“I was devastated to hear about both Izzy and Pippa having to withdraw their horses from the squad,” said Wilson, whose previous Team GB exploits have come with Opposition Buzz, affectionately known as Dodi.

“The build-up to WEG this year really has been so difficult for everyone involved with the team.

“But I am, of course, delighted that Annie Clover has been selected to go to WEG, she is a horse that my mum bought as a four year old and I have always thought so much of her.

“She is still only a young horse at 10 years old but we have built up a strong partnership over the last six years and she has been so consistent in all of her three-day events to date.

“She has always appeared to be a cool customer under pressure and takes each level in her stride so I am sure she will give her all at WEG, as will I.

“I am especially thrilled for my mum and dad, who are the owners of Annie, as they have been so influential and supportive throughout my career.

“It will, of course, be a very different experience going to a championship without Dodi but, as with him, I have built up a really strong relationship with Annie Clover and am very proud that me and my team at home have produced another horse to this level. We are over the moon.

“I would like to thank my whole support team, loyal owners of all my horses, sponsors, UK Sport Lottery Funding as well as British Eventing and the British Equestrian Federation for helping me fulfil my dream.

“Fingers tightly crossed that the next few weeks go smoothly and we can go out and do everyone proud.”

Wilson and Townend, who will ride Karyn Shuter’s Black Tie II, will be in exalted company alongside team-mates Zara Phillips, William-Fox-Pitt and Tina Cook, as well as Meade. Fox-Pitt will ride Bramham regular Chilli Morning with the Queen’s grand-daughter on High Kingdom and Cook aboard De Novo News.

New recruit Meade beamed: “I am delighted; it has been a lifelong aim to ride on the senior team, so I am obviously really excited about the opportunity.”