 John Whitaker and the majestic grey Milton won the World Cup twice |
British trio Nick Skelton, Michael Whitaker and Richard Davenport are all through to next month's show jumping World Cup final in Las Vegas. Skelton has dominated western European qualifying and heads the standings on 83 points - seven ahead of the pack.
Whitaker sealed his place when victory in Tampa, Florida, aboard Portofino 63 over the weekend lifted him to seventh.
Davenport was a spot off qualifying but was bumped up to 17th after one rider was classed an extra and one withdrew.
Rodrigo Pessoa was added to the final western European entry list as an extra because, although he is based and competes in Europe, he is Brazilian.
Germany's Toni Hassmann, who initially finished in 17th, pulled out on Tuesday.
Defending World Cup champion Bruno Broucqsault, of France, automatically goes through - boosting the number of western European finalists to 20.
A total of 45 of the world's best will compete for the overall crown in Nevada.
Meanwhile, British number one Robert Smith has an outside chance of progressing.
His victory in Sunday's cup qualifier in Gothenburg, Sweden - the last of 13 western European rounds - left him well out of it in 23rd place.
But late amendments to the qualifying list have seen him climb to 20th and he is now the number two substitute should there be further withdrawals.
There is certainly one more doubt - Wim Schroder broke his leg a few weeks ago and doctors will decide on Monday whether the Dutchman is fit enough to ride.
Only two British riders have won the World Cup since its inception in 1979.
Skelton won the title in 1995 with his famous mare Dollar Girl.
And John Whitaker, elder brother of Michael, claimed the cup twice on his wonder horse Milton in 1990 and 1991.
Michael said: "It's a title every show jumper wants to win."
Carl Hester and his Athens Olympic mount Escapado will also represent Britain in the dressage World Cup final, which runs concurrently with the show jumping final in Las Vegas from 21-24 April.
Final qualifying list for World Cup, Las Vegas:
1. N Skelton GB
2. M Michaels-Beerbaum Ger
3. L Nieberg Ger
4. M Kutscher Ger
5. G Schroder Ned
6. L Philappaerts Bel
7. M Whitaker GB
8. R Pessoa Brz (extra)
9. A Pollmann-Schweckhorst Ger
10. M Ehning Ger
11. L Beerbaum Ger
12. R-G Bengtsson Swe
13. P Leoni Fr
14. W Schroder Ned
15. J Kurten Ire
16. E van der Vleuten Ned
17. T Velin Den
18. R Davenport GB
19. T Lund Den
(Automatically qualified - defending title holder Bruno Broucqsault, Fr)
MMIX
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