Tabby Morgan-Evans and Catoki win children's individual silver and team gold at the showjumping European Championships for young riders, juniors and children
Not to be outdone by their victorious senior counterparts in the Hickstead Nations Cup on Friday (24 July), Great Britain’s children’s squad celebrated a glorious team gold in an unforgettable week at the 2026 FEI European Championships for young riders, juniors and children in Hagen, Germany (19-26 July).
Under the new format with a table C speed leg to start – mirroring that of senior championships – the heroic British quartet of Charlie Barker (Special Summer), Alexander Leggott (Blossom's Billy Heinz), Mia Breen (Crack 41) and Tabby Morgan-Evans (Catoki) kept cool under relentless pressure to seal gold with a full-house of clears in the third and final round.
Great Britain's gold medal-winning team at the Children's European Showjumping Championships in Hagen, Germany.
(Image credit: Sportfotos / Stefan Lafrentz)
The team finished on a score of 5.61 penalties, ahead of the Netherlands and Germany in silver and bronze respectively.
“We weren’t sure how the new format would work out for these championships, but it was fine and the children all rode fantastically. The courses were built extremely well but they couldn’t afford to have any fences down, so they were thrilled to win gold – they all stuck together and were a really good team.
“They were given bottles of non-alcoholic prosecco to spray on the podium, so of course they went wild with that!”
Tabby Morgan-Evans and Catoki win individual silver in the Children's European Showjumping Championships
(Image credit: Sportfotos / Stefan Lafrentz)
Tabby then rocketed up the leaderboard with another double clear in Saturday’s individual final with Unex Competition Yard’s 14-year-old Catoki to claim silver behind the Netherlands’ Pedro Mansur riding Hotmail Des Forets.
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“This was Tabby’s third and final year in childrens and she’s an amazing little jockey and such a lovely person,” assessed Clare.
Individual crown for Ireland at European Championships for young riders, juniors and children
Ireland’s Jack Kent was crowned junior European champion riding the 12-year-old Ollie Van De Klotputten, climbing from 14th place after his opening clear to top the podium in Sunday’s final with a succession of faultless performances.
“From start to finish it’s been kind of unbelievable really,” said Jack. “The teams didn’t end the way we wanted [finishing eighth], but I kept going on the individual score and I’m lucky that the horse jumped brilliantly all week and kept getting better and better – I’m absolutely over the moon!”
Jack Kent riding Ollie van de Klotputten win individual gold at the young rider European Showjumping Championships in Hagen, Germany
(Image credit: Sportfotos / Stefan Lafrentz)
Junior team honours went to Germany, with Great Britain surging up the leaderboard from ninth to claim silver courtesy of Hollie Gerken with Joplin, Nellie Lock riding Diamantine Z, Cate Kerr with Petitfour VD Wareslage and Emily Gulliver riding Glamor De Vie, led by chef d’equipe Tracey Newman.
“After the first day, we said you just have to keep jumping clear rounds because anything can happen, and they did,” said Clare. “They’re such a young team as well.”
Gold, silver and bronze team medallists in the Junior European Showjumping Championships in Hagen, Germany
(Image credit: Sportfotos / Stefan Lafrentz)
“Great team spirit"
Further fierce battles ensued for the young rider medals where Greta Leprattie became the first Italian to win the individual title, riding Mercy Van 't Ruytershof. Ireland’s Tom Wachman riding his London International grand prix winner Do It Easy and Great Britain’s Noora von Bülow – the youngest rider in the competition at just 17 – with the super Primavera joined Greta on the podium, claiming silver and bronze respectively.
Tom Wachman and Do It Easy win individual and team silver in the Young Rider European Showjumping Championships
(Image credit: Sportfotos / Stefan Lafrentz)
This was Tom’s second podium finish of the week as he’d also helped Ireland secure team silver behind the Netherlands alongside team-mates Tabitha Kyle (Desterly), Ben Walsh on Zenith vd Donkhoeve Z and Coen Williams riding Dominante Z, led by chef d’equipe Denis Flannelly. Great Britain finished just off the podium in fourth.
“There’s been great team spirit all week, I’m so proud of them all,” said Clare Whitaker.
Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.
