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The Paris trio – and who else? British squad revealed for eventing World Championships
Horse & Hound’s eventing editor analyses the surprises and predictable choices as the selectors reveal the British squad for the eventing World Championships
The British squad for the eventing World Championships in Aachen (12-16 August) has been revealed, following much speculation. Unsurprisingly, the effort is spearheaded by the trio who won team gold at the Olympics two years ago.
Laura Collett (London 52) and Tom McEwen (JL Dublin), the individual gold and bronze medallists at last year’s Agria European Championships, are joined by their Paris team-mate Ros Canter (Lordships Graffalo), who missed the Europeans owing to her pregnancy but made a spectacular comeback at Mars Badminton Horse Trials with her third win there.
Their selection will shock nobody and will not be in any way controversial.
Gemma Stevens had emerged as a favourite for a place on the squad this spring with Flash Cooley and they have duly landed a spot.
The West Sussex-based rider and this smart grey have banked lots of super four-star form in the past few years, including experience at Aachen. This will be Gemma’s first senior championship since she was on the gold medal-winning team at the 2018 worlds in Tryon with Arctic Soul. Flash Cooley is the only horse or rider on the squad making a championship debut.
One has to assume the fifth and final spot was a tough decision – and whoever received that magic phone call, several others could feel aggrieved.
Caroline Harris is the one heading to Aachen, her recent win at Longines Luhmühlen Horse Trials with D. Day evidently sealing the deal. Their two five-star wins bracket five top-10 four-star short results over the past two seasons – and a single, high-profile error at the European Championships at Blenheim Horse Trials.
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Caroline Harris and D. Day at the 2025 European Championships
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)
It will be announced once the British squad are in Aachen for the eventing World Championships which four riders are on the team and who rides as an individual but at this stage, it’s probably fair to assume Caroline, the least experienced rider of the squad, will be the individual.
The reserve list gives us an idea of who narrowly missed out on a spot – alphabetically, David Doel (Galileo Nieuwmoed), Yasmin Ingham (Gypsie Du Loir), Tom Jackson (United 36) and Harry Meade (Cavalier Crystal).
The obvious omission from the combined squad and reserve lists? Bubby Upton with Its Cooley Time. Selectors obviously decided their run of falls couldn’t be overlooked, despite their win at Defender Bramham Horse Trials. It will be a harsh blow to Bubby, but she will no doubt come back fighting and has plenty of team appearances in her future.
British squad for the eventing World Championships 2026
Ros Canter with 14-year-old gelding Lordships Graffalo Owners: Michele and Archie Saul Breeder: Lordships Stud and Pennie Wallace Breeding: by Birkhof’s Grafenstolz TSF, out of a mare by Rock King Groom: Sarah Charnley
Laura Collett with 17-year-old gelding London 52 Owners: Keith Scott, Karen Bartlett and rider Breeder: Ocke Riewerts Breeding: by Landos, out of a mare by Quinar Z Groom: Tilly Hughes
Caroline Harris with 12-year-old gelding D. Day Owners: Lucy Matthews, Fiona Olivier, Marie Anne Richardson and Heather Royle Breeder: Fiona Olivier Breeding: by Billy Mexico, out of a mare by Dilum Groom: Nellie Smith
Tom McEwen with 15-year-old gelding JL Dublin Owners: Deirdre Johnston and Jo and James Lambert Breeder: Volker Goettsche-Goetze Breeding: by Diarado, out of a mare by Canto 16 Groom: Adam Short
Gemma Stevens with 14-year-old gelding Flash Cooley, 14 Owner: Pru Dawes Breeder: Jim O’Neill Breeding: by CSF Mr Croon, out of a mare by OBOS Quality Groom: Georgie Driver
Reserves in alphabetical order
David Doel with 15-year-old gelding Galileo Nieuwmoed Owners: Mary Fox, Gillian Jonas and rider Breeders: J. W. and A. P. Jurrius Breeding: by Carambole, out of a mare by Harcos
Yasmin Ingham with 10-year-old mare Gypsie Du Loir Owners: Janette Chinn and The Sue Davies Fund Breeder: Pierre Gouye Breeding: by Herald 3 out of a mare by Canaletto
Tom Jackson with 10-year-old gelding United 36 Owner: Michael Stenning Breeder: Heinrich Bohmke Breeding: by Ucello out of a mare by Espiri
Harry Meade with 16-year-old mare Cavalier Crystal Owners: Charlotte and Peter Opperman Breeder: Thomas Horgan Breeding: by Jack Of Diamonds out of a mare by Cavalier Royale
The entries are announced in collaboration with the British Eventing selectors and World Class Programme principal partner Agria.
Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.
