GREAT Britain are theteam champions from London 2012 and in Rio, two of that gold medal-winning team line out again - Nick Skelton and Ben Maher.

The age profile of the majority of the British side is on the upper end of the scale, and 58-year-old Skelton joked recently that some of them might have to be “stretchered” into Rio, but nobody is going to underestimate the threat they pose.

Skelton has nursed his London 2012 partner, Big Star, back to good health ahead of these Games and they have produced some seriously impressive recent performances.

Meanwhile, although it may be 32 years since the legendary Whitaker brothers Michael (56) and John (60) took Olympic team silver in Los Angeles (USA), they are also right on top of their game.

However there has been a glitch in the preparations for the defending champions because Michael Whitaker is suffering from broken ribs following a freak fall at home while training a horse just days before he departed for Rio.

So often in sport the greatest plans are turned upside down by unexpected incidents and accidents, but the younger Whitaker insists he will be ready for action with Cassionato when the moment arrives.

The team competition looks set to be a fierce contest between 10 powerful nations, and the hosts from Brazil have plenty to be excited about because one of their quartet, 25-year-old Stephan de Freitas Barcha, has been really impressive with the 13-year-old gelding Landpeter de Feroleto in recent months.

With 75 of the world’s best horses and riders fighting for the individual title, the flags of 27 nations flying high and 15 countries battling it out for the team honours, the show jumping competitions at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games look set to be classics.

THE TEAMS COMPETING

Argentina:Matias Albarracin (Cannavaro 9), Jose Maria Larocca (Cornet du Lys), Bruno Passaro (Chicago Z), Ramiro Quintana (Appy Cara). Reserve: Jose Maria Larocca (Eliot DWS).

Australia:Scott Keach (Fedor), James Paterson-Robinson (Amarillo), Edwina Tops-Alexander (Lintea Tequila), Matt Williams (Valinski S).

Brazil:Stephan de Freitas Barcha (Landpeter do Feroleto), Alvaro de Miranda Neto (Cornetto K), Eduardo Menezes (Quintol), Pedro Veniss (Quabri de l’Isle). Reserve: Rodrigo Pessoa (Cadjanine Z).

Canada:Yann Candele (First Chioice), Tiffany Foster (Tripple X), , Eric Lamaze (Fine Lady), Amy Millar (Heros). Reserve: Kara Chad (Bellinda).

France:Roger Yves Bost (Sydney Une Prince), Simon Delestre (Ryan), Penelope Leprevost (Flora de Mariposa), Kevin Staut (Reveur de Hurtebise). Reserve: Philippe Rozier (Rahotep de Toscane).

Great Britain:Ben Maher (Tic Tac), Nick Skelton (Big Star), John Whitaker (Ornelaia), Michael Whitaker (Cassionato). Reserve: Jessica Mendoza (Spirit T).

Germany:Christian Ahlmann (Taloubet Z), Ludger Beerbaum (Casello), Daniel Deusser (First Class van Eeckelhem), Marcus Ehning (Cornado NRW). Reserve: Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (Fibonacci).

Japan:Daisuke Fukushima (Cornet 36), Toshiki Masui (Taloubetdarco KZ), Taizo Sugitani (Imothep), Reiko Takeda (Bardolino). Reserve: Koki Saito (Capilot).

Netherlands:Jeroen Dubbeldam (Zenith), Harrie Smolders (Emerald), Maikel van der Vleuten (Verdi), Jur Vrieling (Zirocco Blue). Reserve: Gerco Schroder (London).

Qatar:Hamad Ali Mohamed Al Attiyah (Appagino), Ali Yousef Al Rumaihi (Gunder), Sheikh Ali Al Thani (First Devision), Bassem Hassan Mohammed (Dejavu). Reserve: Faleh Suwead Al Ajami (Armstrong van de Kapel).

Spain:Edduardo Alvarez Aznar (Rokfeller de Pleville), Sergio Alvarez Moya (Carlo), Pilar Lucrecia Cordon (Gribouille du Lys), Manuel Fernandez Saro (U Watch). Reserve: Gerardo Menendex Mieres (Cassino DC).

Switzerland:Romain Duguet (Quorida du Treho), Martin Fuchs (Clooney), Steve Guerdat (Nino des Buissonnets), Janika Sprunger (Bonne Chance). Reserve: Paul Estermann (Castlefield Eclipse).

Sweden:Malin Baryard-Johnsson (Cue Channa), Rolf-Goran Bengtsson (Unita), Peder Fredricsson (All In), Henrik von Eckermann (Yajemila). Reserve: Charlotte Mordasini (Romane du Theil).

Ukraine:Ulrich Kirchhoff (Prince de la Mare), Cassio Rivetti (Fine Fleur du Marais), Ferenc Szentirmai (Chadino), Rene Tebbel (Zipper). Reserve: Ference Szentirmai (Chaccland).

USA:Lucy Davis (Barron), Kent Farrington (Voyeur), Beezie Madden (Cortes C), McLain Ward (Azur). Reserve: Laura Kraut (Zeremonia).

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