Wilson confident about GB debut

The Great Britain eventing team won bronze at the Beijing Olympics

Northallerton rider Nicola Wilson is confident about making her debut for the Great Britain eventing team later this month in Fontainebleau.

Wilson will ride Opposition Buzz as part of the six-strong team.

"Opposition Buzz is a lovely 12-year-old who was fifth last year at Burghley," said Wilson.

"He's an absolute superstar. He went to Blair Castle and won the Scottish Open, which was superb for our confidence," she told BBC Radio York.

"That was his final run and he goes to Fontainebleau feeling good and confident. Fingers crossed it will go to plan when we get out there."

Wilson will make her debut in the Great Britain team, following a season in which she missed out on winning at Bramham Horse Trials in June by a tiny margin.

After then finishing 30th on Master Banks at Burghley Horse Trials last week, she added: "It will be a fantastic experience.

"It's my first time on the team and we just look forward to it and hope it goes well.

"It's his first four-star start, his first time in this kind of an atmosphere and I'm just delighted with how much he tried.

"He's really grown up this week. He feels a different horse now than he felt at the beginning of the week, which is really exciting for next year."

Great Britain's hopes of defending their European title suffered a blow after Mary King's horse had to withdraw.

King was part of the British European gold medal-winning team two years ago.

But her ride, Imperial Cavalier, has suffered an injury. And she will not now be risked with the 2010 World Equestrian Games coming up, followed by the London Olympics in 2012.