British dressage on track for team medal at World Equestrian Games
Britain’s dressage team lie in third overnight; each team still has two riders who will compete tomorrow. Fiona Bigwood opened for Britain with a plus-71% score and this afternoon Maria Eilberg pulled off more than 68%.
The Netherlands lead with 145.702 and Imke Schellekens-Bartels and Hans Peter Minderhoud are lying in first and third overall. Germany’s Christoph Koschel splits them with Donnperignon.
Imke made just one mistake in her canter zig-zag in an otherwise faultless test that included a nine for the extended canter.
Imke said: “Hunter Douglas Sunrise felt better than ever. I made the mistake in the zig-zag, she listened to me so that’s no bad thing.”
Hans Peter almost didn’t make the competition at all.
“Walking back to the stables on a long rein on Saturday Exquis Nadine slipped and fell on her knees, grazing herself,” said Peter. “She trotted up fine yesterday and went really well today, but it goes to show that anything can happen.”
Germany is in second (140.340) following Annabel Balkehol and Christoph’s rides today. Britain is within reach though, lying just 2% behind Germany, with our heavy hitters Carl Hester and Laura Bechtolsheimer still to go tomorrow.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Listen to rider interviews
Maria Eilberg
Imke Schellekens-Bartels
Hans Peter Minderhoud
Don’t miss H&H out 7 October for full analysis, pictures and report. Check H&H online daily for blogs and updates from the games
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
