DAVID Deptford will be sliding and spinning like a cowboy for Great Britain next month. The 46-year-old, who owns horse breeding and training business Sovereign Quarter Horses, at Coldham Bank, March, will be part of the British Reining Team GB in the FEI

DAVID Deptford will be sliding and spinning like a cowboy for Great Britain next month.

The 46-year-old, who owns horse breeding and training business Sovereign Quarter Horses, at Coldham Bank, March, will be part of the British Reining Team GB in the FEI World Reining Championships in Manerbio, Italy.

Teams from 20 nations will compete for World Championship medals September 11-14.

In past years, a World Reining Championship has only been offered during the FEI World Equestrian Games held every four years.

This year, teams will compete for the prestigious World Championship medals outside the WEG.

Deptford, who qualified by competing successfully both in the UK and overseas, said: "It is a great honour to again represent Great Britain and also to see the western sport of reining go from strength to strength."

Western reining is on a short-list of two equestrian events for possible inclusion into the Olympic Games.

Riders guide the horses through a precise pattern of circles, spins, and stops.

All work is done at the canter and gallop.

Deptford said: "The competition will be fierce but I'm fortunate to have John Faulkner's bay Quarter Horse stallion Old Vaquero to ride in the championships, he's a very nice horse."

Western enthusiasts will be able to watch the event live from the FEI World Reining Championship website http://feiworldreining.mdsmedia.it

David Deptford riding Old Vaquero at the 2008 NRHA European Affiliate Championships in Sweden. 7718SM88