Equestrianism: Broome is forced to make way: Armstrong leaps into limelight as Britain omit show jumping veteran for European Championships

MARK ARMSTRONG, 32, will be one of the four British riders to contest the European Show Jumping Championships at Gijon in Spain from 28 July to 1 August. He joins three regular team members: John and Michael Whitaker and Nick Skelton.

Ironically, David Broome (who had urged the selection committee to include Armstrong in the championship team) now finds himself named with Warren Clarke as one of the two reserves. Broome, who had left the meeting when the choice was made, is disappointed rather than aggrieved at being omitted from the team.

Armstrong spent seven years riding horses for Fred Welch and several more in his present role as stable jockey for Stanley and Jean Powell at Farnham, in Surrey, so he has plenty of experience on the national circuit. But his advance to top international level with his best mount, Corella, has been remarkably swift.

Corella, a nine-year-old mare, was seventh in the Hickstead Grand Prix in May. As a result, Armstrong was chosen for the British team who went to St Gallen in Switzerland last month. He was fourth in the Grand Prix there, which prompted an invitation to compete at the German international in Aachen last week, where Corella continued to impress.

'I thought I'd be named as the fifth rider,' Armstrong said yesterday. He might well have been a reserve but for the determination of Michael Bullman, the chairman of the selectors, to give talented, new partnerships a chance at top level.

John Whitaker will remain at home next week when the rest of the team and the two reserves compete in the French Nations Cup meeting at La Baule in France from 15 to 18 July. One travelling reserve will be named after the French show.

Warren Clarke, one of the possible reserves, rode Aretha to a fast and clear jump-off round in yesterday's Bond International July Stakes on the opening day of the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead. He held the lead until beaten into second place by Germany's Alois Pollmann- Schweckhorst, a former rider at Paul Schockemohle's stable, on Giulietta. Sarah Bowen, daughter of the British rider David, was third, also going clear with Cogshall Spot On.

Michael Whitaker, who had won five competitions in Aachen last week, had a rare off-day. Everest Twostep, one of his two possible mounts for the European Championships, had two fences down in the opening round before the rider retired.

BRITISH TEAM for the European Show Jumping Championships (Gijon, Spain, 28 July-1 Aug): M Armstrong, N Skelton, J and M Whitaker. Reserves: D Broome, W Clarke.

ROYAL INTERNATIONAL HORSE SHOW (Hickstead, Sussex): Bond International July Stakes: 1 Giulietta (A Pollmann-Schweckhorst, Ger) clear, 55.01sec; 2 Aretha (W Clarke, GB) clear, 56.67; 3 Cogshall Spot On (S Bowen) clear, 57.39. Bond International Chase: 1 Everest Fire One (G Luckett, GB) 65.36sec; 2 Dun Equity (K Shore, GB) 65.65; 3 Flying Cloud (D Inglis, GB) 66.83. Supreme Hunter Championship: King's Warrior (R Oliver); Reserve: College Jester (M Hennessy).

(Photograph omitted)