‘I wasn’t even supposed to have horses’: rider from unhorsey family leads Britain to medals at first under-25 eventing World Championships
Cerys Macaulay and the 15.1hh Kananaskis spearhead Britain’s effort for team gold and claim individual silver at the under-25 eventing World Championships
The Brits have secured team gold and individual silver in the inaugural eventing under-25 World Championships results, held at Millstreet, Ireland, last week (22-26 July).
Cerys Macaulay and Kananaskis led the British effort, moving up from 12th after dressage to finish second.
“It was my first team selection so there was quite a bit of pressure – I didn’t want to let down my team-mates,” said Cerys.
“I thought we would be a counting score for the team, because I know my horse is quite reliable, but I never expected an individual medal.
“To stand on the podium was surreal. I’m from an unhorsey family. I started out in a riding school and was gifted my first pony when the riding school shut down. My Mum and grandparents have been so supportive, but we hadn’t got a clue what we were doing.
“This isn’t something you expect to happen to someone from the suburbs of Manchester – I wasn’t supposed to have horses, but it happened that way.”
Cerys’ ride, the 15.1hh Kananaskis, belongs to her partner Richard Coney and his mother Wendy – Richard won junior and young rider medals on him and competed him at five-star. Cerys originally took him on to rehab him after some injuries.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Cerys was backed up in the British team by Jasmine Underwood and her own Indian Girl G (fourth) and Tom Bird with Lenny, owned by her rider, his mother Frances and aunt Helen Kerry (11th).
Fourth team member Alice Casburn started as the favourite on her under-25 national champion Topspin, owned and bred by her mother Caroline, and led after cross-country with a superb round. But she felt her long-term partner was not quite 100% on Sunday so elected to withdraw before the final trot-up, saying Topspin will now have a happy retirement.
“Topspin gave me everything he had this week and produced one of his best performances to date on Saturday,” said Alice.
“He came out of cross-country really well and was still his usual happy, cheeky self. When it came to making the final decision for showjumping, I knew he wasn't quite 100%. He still wanted to go and was far from impressed about not getting to showjump, but his welfare has always come first and always will.
“It’s not a decision I took lightly. Knowing we were in individual gold and that the team were also sitting in gold made it incredibly difficult. When your teammates have given everything all week and are relying on you, it's not an easy decision to make. After 18 years together though, Topspin owes me nothing. I owe him everything.
“The atmosphere within this team has been something really special. We’ve supported each other every step of the way, shared plenty of laughs, and made memories and friendships that I know will stay with us long after this championship. Every single member of this team deserved that gold medal, and I’m so proud to have been part of it.”
Eventing under-25 World Championships results: how the week panned out
The home side led the team standings after dressage, their effort spearheaded by Jennifer Kuehnle and the experienced Sammy Davis Junior in second.
Eventing under-25 world number one Calvin Böckmann held top spot individually with his partner of 10 years, Altair De La Cense, on a score of 27.6. They also helped the Germans to second at this stage.
“I am more relieved than anything,” he said. “I now only warm her up for 10 minutes and I am taking it very chilled with her. I am blessed that she is so cool, with her ears always pricked all the time.”
Britain sat third behind Germany, led by Jasmine in individual bronze on 29.3, with Cerys 12th on 32.5.
“I was a little bit disappointed with my test. I had hoped to be more about 30 or squeak under 30. We had an unplanned change in the extended canter and he anticipated one of the changes, which are usually a highlight,” said Cerys.
Mike Etherington-Smith’s cross-country course proved a tough test and no one made the 6min 30sec optimum time. There were 21 jumping clears from 39 starters.
Alice Casburn and Topspin, who have been in the top 10 at Defender Burghley Horse Trials together four times, showed all their experience to come home with the quickest round for just 2.8 time-faults.
“I am beyond delighted,” said Alice. “Topspin is such a professional. He really shines on the cross-country. I did really feel the heat – if it goes wrong, it's on my shoulders. I wasn't given team instructions – I was told to do my thing, and he is a horse that loves getting down to the nitty-gritty.”
The pair moved up from 16th after dressage to take the lead, with Calvin slipping to third after 12.4 time-penalties. Ireland’s Tom Nestor moved up from 13th into second individually with Cooley Diamond Dancer.
Alice Casburn and Topspin take the lead after cross-country at the eventing under-25 World Championships 2026
Britain moved into the gold position as a team, with Ireland slipping one rank to second and Germany similarly dropping to third.
Jasmine slid one spot to fourth with 11.2 time-faults, while Cerys’ 12 time-penalties allowed her to rise from 12th to seventh.
“‘Ru’ is only about 15.1hh so when I saw the time was tight I knew I had to put my foot down and try to take economical lines to be competitive, while still being sensible enough to make sure I got a clear for the team,” said Cerys.
“There was quite a lot of chat about the corner coming out of the last water and the British team had discussed whether to go long there, but we were trusted to make the decision and I think all four team members went direct.
“I know as long as I can get him vaguely near the fence he’s going to jump it because he’s so honest. I could feel him trying to wiggle between the flags to help me out in places. He was just mega.
“Tina Cook, the team coach, said if you feel like you’re used up nine lives, make sure you’re sensible and don’t use up the 10th but you’re here, you’ve been selected and you can do this. That was a nice confidence boost, to be told you are here because you can do it, so get on and get it done.”
Cerys Macaulay and Kananaskis take individual silver and team gold at the eventing under-25 World Championships at Millstreet, 2026
The withdrawal of Topspin did not affect Britain’s team position heading into the showjumping, with Tom Bird’s score coming into play. But Germany moved into silver ahead of Ireland when Ireland’s Jennifer Kuehnle had to withdraw Sammy Davis Junior, who she had felt was uncomfortable on completion of his cross-country round.
Cerys’s ride Kananaskis was held at the final horse inspection, but passed on re-presentation.
“He’s an older horse, so perhaps wasn’t moving as extravagantly as some of the younger ones, but the holding box vet was happy with him and advised us to re-present,” said Cerys, adding there were pictures of the 18-year-old jumping above the wings in the final phase so he obviously felt well.
Tom Nestor held pole position for Ireland after Alice’s withdrawal, but four fences down cost him the title as he dropped to eighth, while Calvin Böckmann’s clear meant he moved up from second to win the individual gold.
“I don’t normally get nervous but I did feel the pressure. The cross-country was tough and quite different to anything we have seen in central Europe, but it will prepare us well for the future. My horse showed that she fights and wants to do her best; she grows 10cm. For her to have this result means the world to me,” said Calvin.
Cerys Macaulay, Calvin Böckmann and Olivia Dutton on the podium at the 2026 eventing under-25 World Championships
Tom Bird’s single fence down and 1.2 time-faults left him 11th individually and gave Britain some margin, as the first German and Irish riders had more expensive rounds.
Cerys was initially “a bit miffed” to finish two seconds over the time, but was pleased she had taken the pressure off Jasmine for the team gold.
Two down for Jasmine and Indian Girl G – her partner in junior, young rider and now under-25 medals – meant she dropped off the individual podium to finish fourth. But Britain held onto the gold by a comfortable 18.9 penalties, with Germany taking silver, with Ireland 11.4 penalties in arrears for bronze.
Cerys said she was shocked when she looked at the leaderboard after Jasmine had jumped and saw she was in individual medal position.
“The aim was to do as well as I could, but there were never any individual expectations, so it was the icing on the cake,” she said of her silver medal.
The USA’s Olivia Dutton, daughter of senior team stalwart Phillip, rose through the ranks from 26th after dressage to take individual bronze on Jewelent, a full-brother to Oliver Townend’s ride Cooley Rosalent. Jewelent went to the 2021 European Championships with Ireland‘s Clare Abbott before he was sold to the USA.
The USA finished fifth as a team, behind France in fourth. Individual US riders Molly Duda (Disco Traveller) and Jack Curtis (Luska Candy Clover) were fifth and sixth – had they been on the team, the US would have taken gold.
- To stay up to date with the latest equestrian news, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website
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.