Equestrianism: Weinberg given late call-up

HELENA WEINBERG, who represented Britain before taking the nationality of her German husband Peter, has been given a last-minute place in the Olympia Show Jumping Championships on 16-20 December.

Weinberg, who recently won the Berlin World Cup qualifier and the Stuttgart Grand Prix, was nominated by the German federation in place of Rene Tebbel, sent home from Stuttgart last weekend. Tebbel is being investigated for the alleged use of an illegal "sensitising" substance under his horse's bandages, which is now being analysed at Newmarket.

Weinberg will join two top German riders, Ludger Beerbaum and Franke Sloothaak, at Olympia. Switzerland's Willi Melliger, leader of the World Jumping Rankings, is also competing.

The new formula, which has introduced a "pre-qualifier" for the World Cup contest, was subject to a small amendment last weekend. The rules now stipulate the top two home riders will be among the 20 who go through to the actual qualifier.