Cook named in the GB world squad

Cook, 43, is part of the six-strong squad who will travel to Normandy, France, for the competition, which runs from August 23 to September 7.

She will ride on De Novo News and said: “I’m thrilled to be selected, especially on a home-bred horse, who I think is a superstar.

“I’m very excited for the future for him and I’m so thrilled for Jim Chromiak, who’s been a long-term and loyal owner of mine for over 20 years.

“The Games this time around (commenting about Kentucky, 2010) will be hugely easier in terms of logistics as there’s no flight involved but this doesn’t take away from the prestige of a World Champs – where you are competing up against the best in world.

“He’s (De Novo News) so adaptable, he’s a big horse and has scope.

“It’s his first Championships so who knows, but he has done three four stars now, with a ninth place at Burghley.

“He didn’t start eventing until he was six, so to have done what he has done by the age of 11 is amazing and shows what a very talented horse he is, I’m very excited to see how he’ll go.”

The rest of the squad is William Fox-Pitt, Pippa Funnell, Zara Phillips, Izzy Taylor and Oliver Townend.

Cook said last week that a strong performance at the World Equestrian Games could help her selection for a third successive Olympics Games, in Rio, in 2016.