Yogi Breisner talks eventing

Less than a year out from the Games, we spoke to Eventing’s Performance Manager, Yogi Breisner, on how preparations are going:

"The preparation of the British Event Team leading up to the 2012 Olympic Games is on course.  We had a very good Test Event at the beginning of July where three riders had the opportunity to get to know the Greenwich venue by competing there.  Some other riders also had the opportunity to visit during the competition to get a feel for what we all think is a fantastic venue.  The management of the equestrian venue is doing a great job putting on what promises to be an exciting competition next year. 

At the moment the concentration is focusing on the European Championship at the end of August where we have a very experienced squad in William Fox-Pitt and Mary King, with Piggy French and Nicola Wilson both making their third consecutive appearances, and Polly Stockton making a comeback on to the squad after a few years off. We are also fortunate to be able to give Laura Collett her debut on the senior team which will give her senior Championship experience.

Miners Frolic, who unfortunately became ill during Badminton this spring, is making a good recovery but might not be able to get back to competitive action until early spring next year.  Redesigned, who made such a wonderful debut on the World Championship squad last year, is also getting back to full fitness and might well be seen competing again later on this year.

In equestrian sports where the horse is the main athlete things change very quickly when horses are injured or lose their form but, at the moment, we have some very nice horses in contention for next year's Olympic Games.  It has always been the aim to get as many of these horses, and riders, qualified this year for the Olympics and we are well on our way with this.  Once the autumn season has finished then it will be easier to make some further plans, and start putting together the final training and competition programmes for individual horses to build them up for the end of July next year".

For more information on the Olympic and Paralympic teams click here