THERE will be a change to the Great Britain dressage team for this week's European Championships.

Mistral Hojris, ridden by Laura Tomlinson (neé Bechtolsheimer), has sustained a slight injury. It has been decided not to risk his health and wellbeing by taking him to the European Championships in Denmark, which begin this week.

Reserve Gareth Hughes with Mrs Jane Brewin's DV Stenkjers Nadonna will now join Charlotte, Carl and Michael in Herning.

World class dressage programme manager, Richard Waygood commented: "We are hugely disappointed not to have Alf (Mistral Hojris) out at the Championships. We feel he has been the most amazing servant to the British team and British Dressage and that he owes us nothing and we owe him everything; we wish him a speedy recovery. We welcome Gareth onto the team, for what will be his senior championship debut."

Equestrian performance director, Will Connell, commented: "Mistral Hojris has been at the forefront of British dressage and for GB. All within Great Britain owe Laura, Mistral Hojris and the Bechtolsheimer's a huge debt of gratitude and this decision has been made with the welfare of the horse in mind. We welcome Gareth to the team and look forward to the competition in Denmark."