Great Britain announced its World Equestrian Games squad this morning, and fans took to Twitter to lament the absence of Harry Meade and Gemma Tattersall on the team. Harry made a very strong case for the WEG squad at Badminton, where he and Wild Lone jumped one of the fastest clears around the monster cross-country track and had just one rail down the next day to finish third — mere months after shattering and dislocating both of his elbows in a bad fall, no less.
Ever the gentleman, Harry handled the news very graciously:
Obviously sad not to be in the mix 4 WEG, but no regrets as gave it my best shot! Huge congrats to those going, will be cheering you all on!
— Harry Meade (@Harry_Meade) June 19, 2014
On the upside pleased that Wild Lone has been selected as Reserve. If he doesn’t come off the bench then full steam towards @LRBHT_Official! — Harry Meade (@Harry_Meade) June 19, 2014
Gemma Tattersall jumped all the way around Badminton with Arctic Soul only to be heartbreakingly eliminated after missing a flag at Huntsmans Close. She then re-routed to Bramham CIC3* and finished fifth, but the selectors also placed her on the reserve list. She also handled the announcement graciously:
Am obviously disappointed not to be selected this time but I wish @TeamGBR all the bestest luck at the worlds! #gogetem #medals
— Gemma Tattersall (@GTeventing) June 19, 2014
Fans were not so subtle about their feelings on the decision, with reactions ranging from disappointed …
Not sure what the selectors were thinking when choosing the WEG team..especially leaving @Harry_Meade and wild lone out of the team #WEG
— Tori Collishaw (@Toricollishaw) June 19, 2014
To outrage …
How the bloody hell is @Harry_Meade not on the WEG team???!!!
— Hamster Breeder (@HamsterBreeder) June 19, 2014
Of course, anything can happen between now and the competition in August. Pippa Roome, Horse & Hound Eventing Editor, wisely pointed out in her column on the squad that fans of Harry and Gemma should not despair: “In the past decade, there has only been 1 year that no reserve has been called into the British eventing squad due to an injury between selection and the event — that was in the last WEG year, 2010,” she wrote.
What do you think, EN? Did Great Britain’s selectors get it right? Weigh in below.