All the eventing World Championships live news as it happened

Hello, I’m Martha Terry, H&H features editor, and I’ll be here to bring you all the action as the eventing World Championships kick off with the first horse inspection in Aachen.

The first horse – Harald Ambros’ ride Vitorio Du Montet for the Austrian squad – heads down the runway in half an hour (8.30am UK time).

Competitors will present their horses within their nations, so all the Austrians go, then all the New Zealanders, and so on.

The Brits have been drawn towards the end of the order, the fourth-last nation. Ros Canter’s ride Lordships Graffalo is scheduled to trot up first for Britain at around 9.45am UK time.

It’s similarly hot in Germany to back in the UK, with forecast temperatures of about 30ºC this afternoon. However, the trot-up will be done and dusted by mid-morning (8.30am–10am UK time), peaking at a very pleasant 24º.

First horse inspection (team and individual): Wednesday 12 August

And we’re off!

First up is the Austrian squad – the men patriotically clad in Lederhosen, of course. Katrin Khoddam-Hazrati (Renegade) wears a dirndl, a traditional Alpine dress, while Lea Siegl (Watermill Giorgio RS) is in waistcoat and skirt. All very Austrian.

They have just four combinations, which means their team is all set, with no individual.

Daniel Dunst’s ride Cavalier 97 wasn’t desperate to go down the strip, but got going and all passed.

New Zealand bring forward five. The guys (Clarke Johnstone and Tim Price) look very dapper in jackets and ties, while the girls (Jonelle Price, Monica Spencer and Sam Lissington) are corporate smart in short jackets and trousers.

Clarke’s ride Rocket Man lives up to his name and launches off the end of the strip in response to applause (he passed).

Bless Tim’s ride Falco with his tongue hanging out – he had his front teeth removed before the start of this season.

And the Kiwis are all through!

The three-strong, all-male Czech team are next up.

They’ve adopted the casual look with a padded gilet over a white shirt.

Pavel Březina’s ride Turin is asked to re-present – in trot – after cantering back down the strip. But he’s been passed.

First horse into the hold box! It’s Quaid for Czech Republic, ridden by Matěj Sukdolák. A reminder that three scores need to count for a team, so with only three riders forward for this nation, they’ll have no leeway.

His two team-mates have passed, though Miroslav Trunda was asked to trot Mellevue Van Rechteren twice for the ground jury.

Ooh, Diabolo is fancy for the USA! Will Coleman’s ride would be one of the favourites on the back of his Kentucky CCI5* win in April. He flies through.

The USA team look slick, in polo shirts and chinos for the men, white jeans for the ladies.

I have to say the US horses look fantastic as they begin their bid to improve on their team silver four years ago in Pratoni.

Their quintet, Diabolo, Denim, Cooley Nutcracker, HSH Blake and Lillet 3, are all accepted.

The two individual riders for Thailand, Weerapat Pitakanonda and Komtawat Samran – clad in suits – are through the inspection without incident.

Spain only brings forward one combo, Esteban Benitez Valle riding grey mare Ultera AA.

Esteban’s rocking the casual look with a baseball cap and white jeans, jacket, no tie – for those who care about the sartorial details.

And they’re through.

Poland’s Armin De Monsieur – presented by individual rider Joanna Pawlak – is very on his toes. He’s listed as a stallion on the start sheet (sometimes these details change!), which is still a rare thing in eventing.

Anyway, he's been accepted.

Japan have just the three combinations. A bit of drama for them...

Ryuzo Kitajima’s ride Feroza Nieuwmoed looks a little wild as he spooks at the start, then veers off at the end, trashing the pretty flowers.

Kento Nagura’s ride grand old campaigner Vinci De La Vigne has to trot up twice.

But all three pairs (rounded off by Toshiyuki Tanaka’s Jefferson JRA) are through to the next stage.

Czech horse Qaid is back from the holding box to be represented – and passes! Phew, Czech do have a team of three to go forward.

There’s a lot of cantering going on for a trot-up here.

Alex Hua Tian – green jacket, tie, sunglasses – has to repeat Chicko’s trot at a more sedate pace after cantering down the runway. But he’s accepted.

The Aussie women are sporting a sort of girl-scout look with a loose scarf and short blue skirts. Andrew Hoy, coming to his umpteenth championship at the age of 67, is in baseball cap and stripey tie. His ride Vassily De Lassos celebrates his acceptance with an exuberant buck.

Some of these horses have had a long journey from the southern hemisphere, or at least the US, but they look fit and raring to go, with the applause setting them off.

And all five are accepted.

Even trot-ups need breaks. They’re raking the sand and rolling with a machine to make it picture-perfect for the next set of competitors.

A reminder that the five-strong British squad is set to trot up at 9.45am UK time.

The ground jury – Anne-Mette Binder (Denmark), Peter Gray (Canada), Joanne Jarden (Ireland) – have not been too busy so far. There have been a handful of horses asked to trot twice due to shenanigans, and just one horse to the holding box (Czech horse Qaid), and all accepted.

The Brazilian trio are through – watched on by team trainer William Fox-Pitt.

Here comes Ireland, double silver medallists at the worlds in 2018 and European team silver medallists last year.

They’ve got something of a polo match look going on – dressed in pink shirts and white trousers.

Lovely to see five-star winner Colorado Blue, now 17 years old but looking fit as a flea. But all the Irish horses look calm, smart and sail past the ground jury for their acceptance nod.

France are renowned dark horses when it comes to championships and have to be among the medal favourites, as they have a habit of pulling great results out of the bag when it matters.

They’re also renowned stylists (do we wonder if Gaspard Maksud had a say in the trot-up outfits?), and wear natty red neckerchiefs over white shirts.

The horses look lively too, with Benjamin Massie’s Figaro Fonroy asked to trot again, but all five are now through.

More leaping about necessitating another go up the runway. Finnish individual Sanna Siltakorpi is asked to trot Bofey Click three times so that the ground jury can see her at the requisite pace. Diagonal pairs...

Shhhhh, the crowd are asked not to applaud as – in case they hadn’t noticed – Bofey Click is super-reactive.

And he’s through, along with compatriot Axel Lindberg’s ride Quelle Bonne.

The Swiss team are on the strip. This is a rising nation, flourishing under cross-country coach Andrew Nicholson, who are on the cusp of the podium. They’ll need a few things to go right for them and wrong for others but they bring forward five decent contenders.

Angelika Dubach also has to repeat the trot with Felin De Chignan but no drama, all five pass.

Big moments here, the home side German squad have arrived, dressed in dark polo shirts.

And it’s not without drama.

The Olympic champion fischerChipmunk FRH does a little rear with Michael Jung in response to the crowd – at 19 years old, he knows what’s going on.

More of a concern is Julia Krajewski’s Uelzener’s Nickel, who slips up at the end of strip and goes right on his side. He’s quickly up and away, and I’m sure he’ll have all the necessary vet checks, massaging and physio before going any further.

We have another hold! And this time it’s one of the German squad, Lissa Lübbeke, whose Caramia FRH is sent to the holding box after being asked to repeat her trot.

The other four Germans are all through.

Another horse plays up and is asked to trot again. Mokatoo, ridden by Indian individual Fouaad Mirza – who takes the award for the the biggest smile in this nerve-jangling phase.

But a buck and a kick from Mokatoo do not please the ground jury, though he’s passed – along with compatriot Ashish Limaye and D'Avril Du Pinier – on second viewing.

Sweden have a full squad of five. Both Louise Romeike’s grey, Caspian 15, and Sofia Sjöborg’s Brujamolga Van Het Marienshof Z (needs a stable name!) look lively but both riders manage them well and are accepted, along with their compatriots.

Orange shirts – naturally – for the five-strong Dutch squad.

Sanne De Jong’s ride Enjoy – a 17-year-old grey mare who competed at the Paris Olympics – is sent to the holding box. The other four horses from the Netherlands are accepted.

So we currently have two mares in the holding box, Enjoy and Caramia FRH.

(If you want an update on what to call Finnish rider Sofia Sjöborg’s Brujamolga Van Het Marienshof Z when you’re short of time, H&H eventing editor Pippa Roome has found out her stable name is Belle. Much easier).

Denmark have just one representative, Peter Flarup – who also competed at the last World Championships in Aachen, in 2006. He’s one of seven returnees.

He’s accepted with H. Carald Z.

BRITISH SQUAD ACCEPTED.

The five-strong British squad fly through the horse inspection with no drama, no one being asked to trot again, no holding boxes.

Good news on the horses who went to the hold box:

Lissa Lübbeke’s ride Caramia FRH has been re-presented to the ground jury and been accepted for Germany.

Sanne de Jong’s Enjoy also passed on second attempt for the Netherlands.

News on individual horses for Turkey and Morocco:

Kumru Say’s Baladin De l’Ocean LA and Noor Slaoui’s Legende P are both through.

All five Italian riders are accepted, the final nation fielding a team. Just Hungary’s two individuals to go.

The final two pairs from Hungary:

Balázs Kaizinger is asked to trot Clover 15 twice, but he passes.

Noémi Viola Doerfer, with red ribbon in her hair, is accepted with Piltown Harry.

And that’s a wrap on the first horse inspection for the eventing World Championships in Aachen 2026.

All 88 horses presented were accepted and go through to the dressage phase.

That’s all from the live blog for eventing today. You can follow the pure dressage live blog if you can’t get enough of the action from Aachen.

Meanwhile, eventing-wise, we’ll have a report on the trot-up on our website, plus dressage times and cross-country course pictures later, and of course we’ll be back with a live blog from the dressage tomorrow morning.

See you then.

Eventing dressage day one (team and individual): Thursday, 13 August

Good morning everyone, it's Lucy Elder here and I'll be bringing you the news as it happens from the first day of eventing dressage at the World Championships.

The first horse is set to enter the arena at 8.30am UK time (9.30am German time). There are 44 tests on day one and Austrian rider Daniel Dunst and Chevalier 97 will be the first pair down the centre line.

Two Brits are in action on the first day:

- Gemma Stevens and Flash Cooley at 10.11am UK time (11.11am German time)

- Tom McEwen and JL Dublin at 2.57pm UK time (3.57pm German time)

H&H’s eventing editor Pippa Roome is on the ground in Aachen and has sent me a lovely photo of the arena looking beautiful in the morning sunshine.

A really solid start by Daniel Dunst to kick off the day, scoring 33.3. He looks delighted with that.

The dressage test being used for this championship is the Olympic short test – and it really is blink and you’ll miss it!

A beautiful performance by New Zealand’s Clarke Johnstone and the lovely grey Rocket Man.

Flying changes are such an influential part of this dressage test. There are four of them, meaning a possible 40 marks are on the table out of a total of 220 (well, 240 if you include the collectives) – and they come up so quickly.

Theirs looked pretty clean from where I’m sitting and their provisional score of 28.7 is a super starting point for their Aachen campaign and for the Kiwi team.

All the competitors before this morning’s coffee break are team riders, so these are critical starting points for each nations’ hopes. Don’t forget that the eventing World Championships are also an Olympic qualifier – the top seven teams will secure their ticket to LA28 this week.

Over the last few minutes we’ve seen US pathfinders Phillip Dutton and Denim (32.6), a horse who had a late call-up to these championships, and Australian combination of Sophia Hill and Humble Glory (37.6).

Sophia’s journey with this former racehorse is brilliant – do read more about them in this piece from the spring or in Pippa Roome’s exceptional form guide.

Going back to the details of the eventing dressage test being used at the Aachen World Championships, this is the test being used this week.

Pippa Roome has caught up with current leader New Zealand’s Clarke Johnstone after his test with Rocket Man (28.7).

The 11-year-old gelding was produced by Britain’s Eliza Bell and joined Clarke in 2023.

“I was pleased with it, it was probably one notch down from what we could have done if it was as good as possible,” said Clarke.

“I thought that arena might have lit him up a little bit, but he was totally relaxed, and sometimes he's better when he’s just a fraction not so relaxed. But he did everything I asked.”

He added: “We had a small mistake in the halt to rein back. Otherwise, everything happened where it was supposed to and I thought there were some real highlights.

“He’s a beautiful horse, he’s really lovely to ride and to train. He has been to Aachen before, but this is his first championships, and he took it all in like a pro.”

Time for a quick iced coffee...

Clarke Johnstone and Rocket Man are still leading the way at the first morning break.

Here is a run down of the top three at this early stage of the eventing World Championships:

1. New Zealand’s Clarke Johnstone and Rocket Man (28.7)
2. Switzerland’s Robin Godel and Grandeur De Lully CH (30.1)
3. Germany’s Libussa Lübbeke and Caramia FRH (31.3)

Gemma Stevens is about to get underway for the Brits with Flash Cooley. Carl Hester, Fiona Bigwood and Becky Moody are there with Union Flags to watch and support.

What a brilliant start for Britain by Gemma Stevens and Flash Cooley.

This little grey is so likeable. He is so light on his feet. They’ve got Aachen form on their CV already, but a championship is always a step up.

Their trot work was elegant and correct, and they were trending ahead of leaders Clarke Johnstone and Rocket Man early on.

Gemma is very experienced and was part of the British team that won world gold in Tryon eight years ago. This is her first senior championships since that gold medal with Arctic Soul in 2018, and what a superb way to start it.

She rode for every mark – the transitions between collected and extended canter really showed that and were one of the high points of the test for me. Most of Flash Cooley’s flying changes were neat and tidy, a fluffy moment in the last one on the final centre line (a tricky move) cost them a few marks, but was the only blip in a lovely test overall.

Their score of 29.3 puts them in provisional second and just 0.6 of a penalty behind early leaders Clarke and Rocket Man.

Gemma Stevens has been speaking to the media after her test with Flash Cooley (29.3) and shared some fascinating insights into how she has put herself into the right mindset to be British team pathfinder.

“I knew that if I was going to be on the team that’s where I would be,” she said. “I’ve done it before, so they know I can do it. I’ve actually trained myself a few times this year to go out with no information at all on a course.”

Of course Gemma walked those courses in advance, in this context she means that she has gone out without the benefit of feedback from other riders.

“I did it at Royal Jump with him, I did it at Burgham with Chilli Knight – I've done it a few times just in the thought that it might happen. It's just a case of training your mind,” she said.

Reflecting on her test, she said that she was “over the moon” with all of it, except for the misunderstanding in the flying change on the final centre line.

She explained that Flash Cooley thought they were halting and went to stop, which led to the muddle.

“It was a real shame to lose that mark because that's actually been a real highlight in training. But the rest of it was so good, and he was so relaxed, so with me, and a real pleasure to ride,” she said.

Fancy a look at the cross-country fences that horses and riders will tackle at the FEI World Championships in Aachen on Saturday?

H&H has photos of every fence and explanations of the key questions on the eventing worlds course in our gallery – take a peek while we wait for the next rider.

Top photographer Peter Nixon has sent a couple of lovely photos of Gemma Stevens and Flash Cooley from the eventing World Championships in Aachen this morning

We have some more reaction to bring you from the mixed zone, which is the area where riders speak to the media after their tests.

Irish pathfinder Ian Cassells and Millridge Atlantis, who were team anchors at last year’s Europeans where they helped Ireland to silver, banked pretty consistent marks throughout their test for an overall score of 33.5.

“I’m really happy with him,” said Ian. “He went in and held his breath a little, he’s naturally quite short in the neck; I was just trying to hold his hand the whole way round and he kept it together.

“He’s a very good mover, but that little bit of nervousness is kind of his character. We know each other very well and it was a case of just trying to keep him relaxed. He did a clear round test, so I’m happy.”

Germany’s Libussa Lübbeke and the home-bred Caramia FRH were first to go for the home side.

They showed some nice work, although tension did creep in, which was reflected in their mark. Their score of 31.3 is a little adrift of the kind of marks we know this pair are capable of – they scored 26 last time out at Avenches and 28.3 at the 2025 Europeans at Blenheim.

“I was really pleased with the horse,” said Libussa. “There were a few little things that could have been better, but I'm super happy with the horse. She was listening to me, and that's good.”

She added: “I liked the canter work, but the first flying change with the zigzag was quite expensive – it was a bit late, and there wasn't the reaction I hoped for. The rest was good and I was pleased with it.”

That’s the first rotation of team riders complete. The World Championships format is teams of four, with three scores to count – unlike the Olympic Games which is now teams of three, all scores count.

That means the team standings are an early sketch at this stage – important, but a lot can change.

New Zealand are flying! Jonelle Price and Senor Crocodillo are new leaders on 27.2, bumping team mates Clarke Johnstone and Rocket Man into second.

This is a new best international score for the horse at any level.

Greys fill the top three spots at this stage.

It started so well, but a few costly hiccups mean a slightly disappointing score for Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake.

This US combination usually score in the 20s in the first phase – they’ve only been in the 30s on four of their previous 30 international starts – so their mark of 32.3 today is adrift of what we might have expected based on previous form.

HSH Blake is extremely elegant. His beautiful frame, lift and expression, particularly for an event horse, made their early trot work a joy to watch, and they were rewarded with a smattering of eights, plus a nine, from the judges.

The 11-year-old gelding unfortunately picked up the wrong lead on the transition to counter canter, for which they scored fours across the board. A little hiccup in one of the later changes was also expensive.

In between, they showed some really beautiful work. It’s not where they may hope to be after day one, but is still a solid score for the US team – and there is still a long way to go before medals are awarded on Sunday.

Pippa Roome caught up with Caroline Pamukcu after her test with HSH Blake at the eventing World Championships.

“I have a lovely horse. He’s a very, very special guy. So obviously I’m pretty disappointed because I know we could do better – I could do better, not him. I didn’t give him the ride I wanted to today. But it is a sport, and that’s a fun thing about sport,” she said.

“I’ll go back and reflect. There are always a lot of things, but I’ve got an incredible team at home and with our federation. They gave me all the opportunities to do the best we can today, sometimes it just falls short. It is what it is.

“I’ll go home, work harder, and then come back swinging.”

Time for lunch and, I hope, an ice cream.

The grey trio remain at the top of the leaderboard after the first morning of dressage at the eventing World Championships.

New Zealand is blazing away out in front by holding the top two spots, and Britain’s Gemma Stevens is hot on their heels.

The top three at this stage are as follows:

1. Jonelle Price (NZL) and Senor Crocodillo (27.2)
2. Clarke Johnstone (NZL) and Rocket Man (28.7)
3. Gemma Stevens (GBR) and Flash Cooley (29.3)

The next combination to start after the lunchbreak will be Brazil’s Rafael Mamprin Losano at 1.44pm UK time (2.44pm German time).

British fans – set your reminder for Tom McEwen’s test with JL Dublin, which is scheduled for 2.57pm UK time (3.57pm German time).

• Are you watching? Do share your thoughts on the action with us today, and we will add some to the live blog. Email: lucy.elder@futurenet.com

Action is set to restart in the next few minutes in the dressage arena at the eventing World Championships.

Before the lunchbreak, Pippa Roome caught up with leader Jonelle Price for a chat about her great test with Senor Crocodillo.

“He’s a quiet achiever, he’s not really my normal genre,” said Jonelle. “He is a fairly steady sort of guy, a little bit of a plain Jane, but he’s just such a trier.

“Over the last couple of years, we've really been able to start solidly building a test – a pretty cool time to come out and show him at his best. I’m delighted.”

Do make sure to pick up a copy of this week’s edition of H&H – out today (Thursday, 13 August). This fabulous cover photo of Laura Collett and London 52, who will start their World Championship campaign tomorrow (Friday, 14 August) was taken by Peter Nixon.

Catch up on the action from this morning in H&H’s lunchtime report from day one of dressage at the eventing World Championships

• H&H’s lunchtime eventing dressage report: Thursday (13 August)

French rider Alexis Goury and Je’Vall shake up the top end of the leaderboard, powering into provisional second on a score of 28.5.

Aoife Clark and Full Monty De Lacense also gave a lovely performance for Ireland after the lunchbreak and have nestled into eighth at this stage (31.5).

This has been a hot half hour with four new entries into the top 10, including two new names in the top three.

Germany’s Malin Hansen-Hotopp and Carlitos Quidditch K fluffed their strike off into counter canter, and also broke into trot before the last centre line. But such was the quality of the rest of their work that they now hold provisional third on 28.6.

The Swiss team have been knocking on the door of the podium at recent championships, and their two riders today have put them in a great position in Aachen. Mélody Johner and Erin were the second Swiss combination to go, producing a smart test to score 31.5 and hold provisional 10th.

That’s a lot to take in, so here’s a quick list rundown to highlight what’s new since lunch…

1. Jonelle Price (NZL) and Senor Crocodillo (27.2)
2. NEW Alexis Goury (FRA) and Je’Vall (28.5)
3. NEW Malin Hansen-Hotopp (GER) and Carlitos Quidditch K (28.6)
4. Clarke Johnstone (NZL) and Rocket Man (28.7)
5. Gemma Stevens (GBR) and Flash Cooley (29.3)
6. Robin Godel (SUI) and Grandeur De Lully CH (30.1)
7. Libussa Lübbeke and the Caramia FRH (31.3)
8. Maarten Boon (BEL) and Gravin van Cantos (31.4)
9. NEW Aoife Clark and Full Monty De Lacense (31.5)
10. NEW Mélody Johner and Erin (31.5)

Britain’s Tom McEwen and JL Dublin will be the next pair into the arena after the tea break.

While we wait for that, here are some quotes from Ireland’s Aoife Clark (pictured, below) following her test with Full Monty De Lacense...

“I'm really pleased with him. I know they’re marking hard in there, and that’s actually a PB [personal best] for him at four-star,” said Aoife.

“Aachen is amazing, but it has got that atmosphere and the crowds are very enthusiastic, even when you come in. He’s a gorgeous, kind, genuine horse, but he is nervous, and that would have just got to him. So they kindly refrained from whooping as I went round, which is great.”

She added: “Going in there, just he sort of took a deep breath and was really with me. There’s lots more to come, but I’m delighted with him.”

Tom McEwen and JL Dublin have cruised to the top of the leaderboard – upending the grey stranglehold and putting the British team into equal first place with New Zealand.

This pair have such a wealth of experience on these big stages now, and the whole test reflected that in its polish. Their scoresheet is brimming with eights and such is their confidence in their ability, and each other, it’s almost relaxing to watch. A little wobble in the flying change on the final centre line was the only spot where their marks dipped below a seven.

Their leading score of 26.6 is 0.6 of a penalty ahead of lunchtime leader New Zealand’s Jonelle Price and Senor Crocodillo (27.2), with a handful of competitors left to go this afternoon.

“There’s a little bit more atmosphere than I even expected to begin with,” said Tom.

“He was a bit lit up from straight away when I went in there. I could feel it when I kept trying to trot, and he kept popping into canter and I thought, ‘Oh, right, we're not quite where I want to be’. But he delivered a really good test.

“It’s a shame because I know I can come out and deliver a 21 or 22, but honestly, coming back out with a 26, I’m really, really pleased. It’s great for the team.”

On that blip on the final centre line, he added: “He’s been annoyed by the flies all week, and we’ve been struggling with them. I know when he's completely with me because I know he's not paying any attention to the flies, and I could feel him starting to go.

“I thought, ‘Oh no, we’ve lost all concentration’. It's a tough test, and that was our one big mistake, which was a shame. The rest I was really pleased with.”

The team standings at this stage – after the second rotation of riders for the majority of teams – are as follows:

1. New Zealand (55.9)
1. Great Britain (55.9)
3. Germany (59.9)

The last chunk of riders this afternoon are all representing their nations as individuals.

There are some great stories among this bunch, and some cracking scores, too.

Australia’s Olivia Barton, who is making her championship debut with home-bred APH Sodoku, ends the first day in provisional ninth (30.6).

“That was everything I was hoping for,” said Olivia, who is based in Belgium “It was a PB for him, so it’s very exciting. He was super in there. He had a little jog in the walk – that is his weak spot – but apart from that, he was perfect.”

She added: “My mum stood two stallions at stud for a very long time, and they passed away just last year. So he is among some of the oldest stock and it's very exciting to have him on the world stage.”

The mare, by APH Coriandus, was also one of Olivia’s mother’s horses – and where this striking gelding gets his flashiness.

“She had four white socks, not quite as high as his, but she was a beautiful mare,” she said, adding they’ve had a lot of success with her progeny.

Samatha Lissington and Lucas Stone, who are competing as individuals for New Zealand, continued the Kiwi’s gold streak today, breaking the 30 barrier and shaking up the business end of the scoreboard. Their score of 29.7 leaves them in provisional seventh overnight.

Samantha, who is also a senior championship first-timer, said she was “stoked” with Lucas Stone’s performance.

“He is a little bit of an anxious person, and that's definitely by far the biggest atmosphere he's ever experienced – and that's about as big as it gets,” she said.

“For him to stay as much with me as he did, as only a 10-year-old – who I've only owned for 18 months – it’s a big deal.”

Another horse who caught our eye in this final section on day one of eventing dressage at the FEI World Championships was skewbald mare Fluorescent Adolescent, ridden by Canadian individual Jessica Phoenix.

• Read more about this five-star campaigner who is “all heart”

That’s it for day one of dressage at the eventing World Championships. Here is a run down of results and important info you need to know for tomorrow:

Individual results: day one eventing dressage

1. Tom McEwen (GBR) and JL Dublin (26.6)
2. Jonelle Price (NZL) and Senor Crocodillo (27.2)
3. Alexis Goury (FRA) and Je’Vall (28.5)
4. Malin Hansen-Hotopp (GER) and Carlitos Quidditch K (28.6)
5. Clarke Johnstone (NZL) and Rocket Man (28.7)
6. Gemma Stevens (GBR) and Flash Cooley (29.3)
7. Samantha Lissington (NZL) and Lucas Stone (29.7)
8. Robin Godel (SUI) and Grandeur De Lully CH (30.1)
9. Olivia Barton (AUS) and APH Sodoku (30.6)
10. Libussa Lübbeke (GER) and the Caramia FRH (31.3)

Team results: day one eventing dressage

1. New Zealand (55.9)
1. Great Britain (55.9)
3. Germany (59.9)

What times should I set reminders for on Friday?

• Eventing dressage starts at 8.30am UK time (9.30am German time) on Friday, 14 August

Three Brits are in action on day two of dressage. These are:

• Laura Collett and London 52 at 11.24am UK time (12.24pm German time)
• Caroline Harris and D.Day at 11.52am UK time (12.52pm German time)
• Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo at 3.46pm UK time (4.46pm German time)

To find out when other top contenders are competing tomorrow, don’t miss Pippa’s full run-down here:

• World Championships eventing dressage times

There are a few final stories to bring you before we say goodnight.

We hope you’ve enjoyed following along today and hope you will join us again tomorrow for the second day of eventing dressage at the World Championships.

Eventing World Championships: end of day reports

Tom McEwen heads the individual standings at the end of day one – and has helped put the British team into equal first place at this stage

• Read the end of day report for Thursday

We take a look at how the eventing team competition is shaping up

• Find out what today’s team results mean in the context of the overall competition

Organisers have given an explanation about why they have made changes to the dressage timetable tomorrow – but not the eventing

• Read what they had to say

Eventing dressage day two: Friday, 14 August

Good morning everyone, it's senior news writer Becky Murray here and I'll be bringing you the action as it happens from the second day of eventing dressage at the World Championships.

The remaining 44 combinations will take to the arena today. Moroccan rider Noor Slaoui and Legende P will be the first pair down the centre line at 8.30am UK time (9.30am German time).

The British times are:

• Laura Collett and London 52 at 11.24am UK time (12.24pm German time)
• Caroline Harris and D.Day at 11.52am UK time (12.52pm German time)
• Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo at 3.46pm UK time (4.46pm German time)

It was a brilliant first day of dressage yesterday and the Brits got off to a great start with superb tests from Gemma Stevens and Tom McEwen. Find out how it unfolded here.

Team standings after eventing World Championships dressage day one

1eq. Great Britain 55.9
Tom McEwen on JL Dublin 26.6
Gemma Stevens on Flash Cooley 29.3

1eq. New Zealand 55.9
Jonelle Price on Senor Crocodillo 27.2
Clarke Johnstone on Rocket Man 28.7

3. Germany 59.9
Malin Hansen-Hotopp on Carlitos Quidditch K 28.6
Libussa Lübbeke on Caramia FRH 31.3

4. Switzerland 61.6
Robin Godel on Grandeur De Lully CH 30.1
Mélody Johner on Erin 31.5

5. France 64.1
Alexis Goury on Je’Vall 28.5
Benjamin Massie on Figaro Fonroy 35.6

6. USA 64.9
Caroline Pamukcu on HSH Blake 32.3
Phillip Dutton on Denim 32.6

British-based Noor Slaoui and 10-year-old Legende P were first down the centre line, competing as individuals for Morocco.

Olympic rider Noor looked delighted to be at Aachen, riding with a big smile on her face. Legende P got a bit tense, with a couple of mistakes and miscommunications creeping in before the canter work, but Noor did well to regain his concentration. The pair finished on 38.7

Denmark’s Peter T Flarup brought his wealth of experience to the arena as he guided home-bred H.Carald Z down the centre line. The 10-year-old is making his championship debut here, having finished 14th at the Luhmühlen CCI4*-S in June.

H. Carald Z showed some lovely expressive trot work throughout. They lost some marks on the second of the four flying changes, but overall produced a pleasing test for 35.1.

All eyes were on China’s Alex Hua Tian as he took the arena with the experienced 16-year-old Chicko. Cheshire-based Alex is known for his accuracy in this phase, but he had his work cut out, with Chicko looking just a little tense.

The pair scored a respectable 32.5, though are capable of more in this phase, having scored 24.8 at Aston Le Walls CCI4*-S last month.

Alex said two of the flying changes “didn’t quite go my way”.

“I need to watch it back and see, but he tried,” said Alex.

“It’s a hard test in there, I kind of feel like it was sort of a difficult Paris test, made more difficult.”

The test being used in Aachen is the Olympic short test, which has four flying changes including on the final centre line.

“I don’t know why we have a change on the last centre line. It seems like an afterthought,” said Alex.

“I think it surprises the horses. Yes, we’re supposed to have the horses on the aids, you can’t argue with that, but at the same time we haven’t really had any progression to a change on the centre line when they’re coming down to the final halt, so I think it slightly bamboozles them.”

New Zealand’s third team rider Monica Spencer has posted the first sub-30 of the day, scoring 29.2 with 15-year-old Artist.

The mark keeps New Zealand in a strong position, however the score will be disappointing for Monica, who is usually in the low 20s with the capable thoroughbred.

“It wasn’t the best mark we’ve had, but he was pretty lit up out there. The crowd gave us a good old cheer when we went in, but we made our way through the test fairly unscathed,” said Monica.

They started off strong, receiving two 8s for their entry, but Artist just lacked his usual relaxation and looseness.

“He’s full thoroughbred so it’s always the energy levels that are the hard part to manage. But it’s done now, so on with the next,” said Monica.

We now have a short break and the top five standings remain unchanged from yesterday.

• Tom McEwen (GBR) and JL Dublin (26.6)
• Jonelle Price (NZL) and Senor Crocodillo (27.2)
• Alexis Goury (FRA) and Je’Vall (28.5)
• Malin Hansen-Hotopp (GER) and Carlitos Quidditch K (28.6)
• Clarke Johnstone (NZL) and Rocket Man (28.7)
• Monica Spencer (NZL) and Artist (29.2)

Next in the arena is Boyd Martin for the USA with Cooley Nutcracker at 9.50 UK time (10.50 German time).

We have lots of excitement to come. Here's a reminder of the British times:

• Laura Collett and London 52 at 11.24am UK time (12.24pm German time)
• Caroline Harris and D.Day at 11.52am UK time (12.52pm German time)
• Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo at 3.46pm UK time (4.46pm German time)

We are back under way. Crowd-favourite Boyd Martin was welcomed into the arena with Cooley Nutcracker to big cheers. This pair have built a lovely partnership since Boyd took over the reins from Liz Halliday, following her accident. Liz did an excellent job of producing him and she is very much still a part of Cooley Nutcracker’s journey through his ownership syndicate, Liz’s Nutrackers.

Boyd and Cooley Nutcracker get their worlds campaign off to a solid start, but are another just to lose marks on those flying changes. They score 30.9.

Boyd Martin has shared his thoughts on Cooley Nutcracker’s test:

“I was pretty pleased with it,” said Boyd. “You always dream of like this perfect test, and it felt like I got a lot of good work out of him. There was one of two moments I wish I could re-do, but all in all, I was very pleased with him.”

Cooley Nutcracker was spotted getting a little excited in the warm-up before his test.

“He’s a quirky horse; he’s a very quiet laidback horse in the stable and then when you’re riding him, he’s so sharp and quick,” explained Boyd.

“The best thing about him though is when you get into the competition ring he’s really focused on that, so I never get too worried about his shenanigans in the warm-up. It happens in the showjumping, the cross-country, and I’ve got immense belief in him that when it’s time to perform, he puts his head down, pins his ears back and does a good job.”

Boyd is still getting to know Cooley Nutcracker at this level.

“I underestimated how brilliant of a job Liz did on him. I was in the Paris Olympics with Bruno and Liz on Cooley Nutcracker, and she just made it look so easy,” said Boyd.

“It’s been a humbling experience. I’ve been working, working and working and nearly got him back to where she had him. It’s still a work in progress.”

Boyd has been putting in the work in training, with assistance from his wife Silva, a grand prix dressage rider.

“Every two years we do this half past, flying change, half pass. You sort of forget about it, then a couple of months before a championship you’re like ‘holy moly, how do you do this?’,” said Boyd, referring to the short Olympic test.

“Being able to ride Silva’s grand prix horses and just get the feeling of how it’s supposed to feel, I try and picture that when I’m riding Bali.”

Ireland’s Austin O’Connor has delivered a brilliant test with the superb five-star winner Colorado Blue.

Austin looked thrilled and “Salty” left the arena looking very pleased with himself, and rightfully so. The 17-year-old grey delivered one of his best tests to date, looking relaxed and unfazed by the big atmosphere.

Their partnership shone through and the judges rewarded them 29.0, slotting the pair into seventh in the standings at this stage.

“We know it’s there. He’s just an improving horse isn’t he, or maybe we’re improving together,” said Austin.

“There’s some pressure with a horse like him. To get a sub-30 at a World Championship is a great achievement. It’s what we were striving for, but for it to come off is great.”

The pair had a quiet spring, they withdrew from Badminton owing to Salty picking up an injury, but they looked as prepared as ever and Austin credited his training with Tracy Robinson.

“I’ve worked with Tracy for about seven years, she invests an awful lot into it. He just seems to be getting stronger and stronger,” said Austin.

“He had a little bit of a break in spring, but in hindsight it probably did no harm. He wouldn’t have come in quite as good if he’d been to Badminton perhaps, I don’t know but that’s my thinking now anyway. It’s all panned out really well.”

Austin confirmed Salty sustained a splint bone fracture earlier in the year.

“We knew it wasn’t a thing of anything, but it was a thing we wanted to mind and not be in a big hurry,” he said.

“It was a setback, but there haven’t been many setbacks with this horse. He’s come here in great form and we enjoyed today. We’ve achieved what we wanted to achieve. I’m sure I’ll look back at the marking and do a bit of moaning and things, but for us being a sub-30 here is great for me, great for the team and let’s see what the rest brings.”

Germany’s Julia Krajewski has shot into the lead of the individual standings with Uelzener’s Nickel with a stunning 22.0 test.

The test was a joy to watch, and the judges agreed, awarding their first 9s of the competition. The pair have won at Aachen before and they looked more than at home in the big arena.

Julia and Nickel demonstrated precision and accuracy throughout; they were given a 9 for the first halt, two 9s for the final halt, and a 9 for harmony of athlete and horse.

This bolsters the home side’s position in the team standings, putting them at 81.9 after three riders. New Zealand is on 84.8 following Monica Spencer and Artist earlier this morning. Great Britain’s third rider, Laura Collett and London 52, are still to go.

Read what Julia Krajewski had to say following that brilliant performance…

“Entering a big arena, especially a championship arena, obviously you’re excited to get going and it’s a big atmosphere. The crowd was very calm, but just as they finished announcing me, the crowd started clapping, and I though ‘Guys that’s not the best moment!’,” said Julia.

“But I think Nickel by now what this square arena means. Even though he was a bit switched on 20 metres before, he went in and really concentrated. He was really supple and with me and I could really ride.”

Julia thoroughly enjoyed herself in the Aachen arena today.

“Looking back, maybe I could have ridden ever more. He was so with me and correct and true, and the walk was good. I really had time to enjoy my test. I was even smiling a bit and thinking ‘Oh he’s really nice’ and then I was smiling at the judges hoping for half a point more,” she joked.

Nickel has really come into his own since finishing 11th in Paris.

“I think he’s got stronger,” she said. “This test, the steep half passes and half pass change, half pass, requires a lot of collection. Then to stay supple through the collection is something that you just build over the years.

“Some horses find it easier and some more difficult. It’s not the easiest for him to be really collected and quick with his hind legs, and I think that got way better to make the tests easier for him. We still have to work a bit to get these steep half passes in his body, but it feels easier, and then you get more expression. I think it’s just a matter of two years on top since Paris.”

Despite the big occasion on home soil, Julia felt calm ahead of her test.

“Normally I’m pretty calm before dressage because I always feel you’ve got like 22 movements to make points, even if one isn't quite perfect there are 21 more,” explained Julia.

“I really enjoy getting the best out of my walks, I like to really have them work nicely and show how they can move. I’ve never really messed up a dressage on the championship, so thankfully today wasn’t the first time.”

Julia has put Germany in a great place.

“There’s a lot to happen, but at the end for a medal 0.1 can make the difference so you really want to get every point you can,” she said.

“Apart from that, I sort of try to think ‘It’s just Aachen’. I’ve won at Aachen twice and really like riding here. I try to not think too much about the fact it’s a World Championship this time. If I get a medal in the end, then I know the difference.”

What a test! Reigning European champions Laura Collett and London 52 have posted 22.8 to sit just 0.8 of a penalty behind home side leaders Julia Krajewski and Uelzener’s Nickel.

Ever the showman, “Dan” looked at home at his seventh championship start, showing off his elastic paces. They received one 9 for the first extended trot and another 9 for the halt before the rein-back.

Their performance had them trending ahead of home side leaders Julia Krajewski and Uelzener’s Nickel at some stages, but a little mistake in the medium walk crept in and they dipped marginally behind in the final two flying changes.

“I was really pleased with him. He felt really with me and on the aids, so I was delighted with him,” she said.

“He just had one little jog in the medium walk, which was a shame because he actually felt relaxed up until that point. He kind of knows it’s coming and just slightly anticipated, but once he got into canter he felt lovely.”

Laura said Dan felt “right at home” in Aachen.

“He loves it here because he loves an atmosphere and he loves lots of people,” she said.

“Walking over here you’ve got the vaulting arena, the main arena, and this arena, and you can really hear all the crowds clapping, and he just loves it.”

Laura and London 52’s performance put Britain in the top spot after three riders, on 78.7. Germany is on 81.9 and New Zealand 84.8.

Britain’s individual pairing Caroline Harris and D.Day have got their Aachen worlds campaign off to a confident start.

The double five-star winners, fresh off that brilliant Luhmühlen victory, were awarded 32.8 for their pleasant test. Caroline has previously said dressage wouldn’t be D.Day’s forte, and they looked a little tentative at times, but this little horse always tries his best for her.

This score puts them in 26th ahead of the lunchtime break.

Read what Caroline Harris had to say following her test with D.Day:

“I'm over the moon,” said Caroline. “He doesn’t find that phase easy at all, we’re not very uphill or have big movement, but he tried really hard for me.

“There were little bits I definitely could have done better, he got a little bit tense in the walk when I picked him up. But otherwise he tried really hard.”

Caroline said D.Day is enjoying his time in Aachen.

“He loves it here. He loves a big crowd, so it’s just getting his body relaxed, but not overworking him,” she said.

“He was here last year and absolutely loved it so I think he's happy to be back.”

This is Caroline and D. Day’s second championship together. The pair had an unfortunate end to the home Europeans at Blenheim last year when Caroline had a fall across country – but the pair have more than proved themselves following their five-star victory at Luhmühlen in June.

“Blenheim was a huge disappointment and took me quite a while to get over. But we started this year with a clean slate, with no pressure,” explained Caroline.

“I was just going to go to Luhmühlen and enjoy that, not even thinking we want to get to worlds. But then after Belsay, when he went so well, I thought: ‘Oh, there’s a possibility’. Then he was foot-perfect at Luhmühlen.”

We are on a lunchtime break. The action resumes at 1.44pm UK time (2.44pm Germany time) and Astier Nicolas and Alertamalib'Or are first to go.

Current individual standings:

• Julia Krajewski (GER) and Uelzener’s Nickel (22.0)
• Laura Collett and London 52 (22.8)
• Tom McEwen (GBR) and JL Dublin (26.6)
• Jonelle Price (NZL) and Senor Crocodillo (27.2)
• Alexis Goury (FRA) and Je’Vall (28.5)

Current team standings after three riders:

• Great Britain 78.7
• Germany 81.9
• New Zealand 84.8

We are back under way with the afternoon session. The fourth team riders will come forward, alongside the remaining individual combinations.

Frenchman Astier Nicolas and Alertamalib'Or were first to go, competing as individuals. The pair had some tricky moments, they scored two 4s in the extended canter and lost some marks in the first flying change. They completed their test on 30.6.

US individuals Tamie Smith and Lillet 3 have put themselves in the hunt with a 27 dressage test, for provisional fourth at this stage.

“You don’t know what they’re going to do in an atmosphere like that,” said Tamie, thrilled with the 10-year-old.

“She’s just like a seasoned pro in there. She’s so young and wouldn’t have ever seen something like that, so I was really proud of her.”

Tamie cited the pair’s trot work as a highlight.

“Her trot work was just so fluid, she felt like a spider in there. She stayed with me every stride,” said Tamie.

“She’s such a special horse and such a special mare. She just tries so hard, but in a really relaxed manner. Sometimes when they try too hard they get a little nervous but she was just so with me, it felt amazing.”

New Zealand’s final team combination, Tim Price and Falco, will be the drop score after a testing time in the Aachen arena.

The atmosphere became a little too much for 17-year-old Falco resulting in the 2022 double world bronze medallists scoring 33.7. There was a big blip in the medium walk to canter transition, earning them a 1, 5 and 3 from the judges. Tim did well to regain composure but the tension remained for the flying changes.

The world number managed a smile and wave to the crowd, but was naturally disappointed.

“It wasn’t much fun from the stance that you know when you’re doing a test that can be really scored well, and that comes with relaxation and being on the aids,” said Tim.

“Just look at Julia Krajewski, a perfect example. My inspiration for the day was to do something like her on a little pony like mine and come close, but it was not to be.”

Tim said Falco was a bit on edge today.

“Everything just becomes a little bit less crisp with the aids and with everything that you’re asking because they’re not 100% focused. There’s that little bit of anxiety,” he said.

“It’s part of the job. We have very fit horses; they have to be excellent at more than one thing. And on occasions like this, in this atmosphere, even with a 17-year-old schoolmaster like him, it still got under his skin. But I bet he’s going to fly tomorrow.”

Andrew Hoy and Vassily De Lassos showed exactly why they deserved their place back on the world stage after landing a 26.9 dressage.

The mark is an international career best for the 17-year-old gelding and puts the double Tokyo medallists in superb place going into tomorrow’s cross-country phase. The pair sit in provisional fourth at this stage.

It was wonderful to see this pair competing back at the top, having missed the Paris Olympics. Andrew and Vassily delivered an assured and accurate performance in the atmospheric Aachen arena.

We will bring you Andrew’s thoughts shortly.

In the meantime, it’s the final break before the final combinations take to the centre line. A reminder, Ros Canter is second last to go at 3.46pm UK time (4.46pm German time).

Read what an emotional Andrew Hoy had to say about his fantastic performance with Vassily De Lassos.

“I have the easy part because I’ve got a complete team around me that have set the horse up absolutely beautifully,” said a modest Andrew.

“All I had to do was focus on what I needed to do and just go and do it.”

The eight-time Olympian said it was the best prepared he’s been for a championships – but gave full credit to Vassily.

“Vassily is an absolutely an amazing horse. He’s just very, very special,” said Andrew, getting emotional.

“Every day I learn a new way with him and how to set him up for something like this. It’s not about just going in and riding the movements. It's about preparing the horse in the correct way so that he has the ability to do his best.

“Apart from one small mistake where he just tripped at the end of the medium/first extended trot, there was nothing to add today.”

Andrew said his warm-up this morning didn’t quite go to plan with Vassily struggling to focus, but he relocated to another area to give him five more minutes of work, then left it there.

“The one thing that I've learnt is to give horses time. Vassily has tremendous ability and I give him the correct amount of time to warm up to do what he's capable of doing,” he said.

We are back with the final few combinations of the second day of eventing dressage. Padraig McCarthy and MGH Zabaione were the last to go for Ireland and their 32.9 score will count for the team. Ian Cassells and Millridge Atlantis are the drop score with 33.5.

Ireland concludes the dressage on 93.4. We will bring you the standings once all the final team riders have been.

Frenchman Nicolas Touzaint let out a big exhale and rewarded Diabolo Menthe with big pats as they concluded their super test.

Nicolas looked delighted having scored 26.7 – the top score of the French team – to put his country into the provisional bronze medal position.

Nicolas and Diabolo Menthe just lost marks in the third flying change, but otherwise delivered a crisp and clear performance, with plenty of 8s awarded by the judges.

France concludes the dressage phase on 84.5, just ahead of New Zealand on 84.8.

German favourites Michael Jung and FischerChipmunk FRH have slotted in behind Britain’s Laura Collett and London 52, after scoring 23 for provisional individual bronze – with five combinations left to go.

This superstar pair made a brilliant start, trending in the lead ahead of teammate Julia Krajewski and Uelzener’s Nickel, but they lost some marks in the medium walk. A blip then came in the way of a late third flying change, resulting in two 5s and a six from the judges.

Germany concludes the dressage phase on a team score of 73.6. It all comes down to Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo for Great Britain.

Read what Michael Jung had to say…

“FisherChipmunk is an amazing horse. He’s fantastic to train, to ride, every day is to enjoy,” said Michael.

“Today we are not in the lead, but I’m still happy. We had a good test. Not everything went like we wished, but it’s not always like this.”

Explaining the expensive flying change, Michael said “it was not our best”.

“I tried to push him a little bit more forward and uphill, but we lost a bit of balance and had a little bit of maybe a misunderstanding,” said Michael.

“I'm happy we still have a good result, and we will see. Hopefully, that was our last mistake.”

Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo have kept Great Britain ahead of Germany in the team standings – as they sit in provisional fourth individually.

Ros and “Walter” scored a very respectable 23.4. Their early work stood out and the extended canter was a highlight. Walter showed no signs of tension despite the loud cheering coming from the dressage arena where the grand prix special is taking place at the same time.

However, the pair too lost marks in these pesky flying changes that have proven costly for many competitors over these two days. Their first change was late, resulting in two 4s and 4.5 from the judges. They bounced back, receiving two 9s for their halt and one 9 for harmony.

We will bring you Ros’s thoughts soon.

As expected with such a strong British team, made up of the Paris Olympic trio of Ros, Tom McEwen (JL Dublin) and Laura Collett (London 52), Gemma Stevens and Flash Cooley are Britain’s drop score on 29.3.

Read what Ros had to say about her test on Lordships Graffalo:

“He’s an absolute superstar,” said Ros. “He’s just so consistent and has the most amazing temperament when you go into a place like that.

“We actually didn't hear the roar from the crowd next door, but apparently it was fairly huge, and we were walking along, both of us so concentrated.”

Ros said Walter is the “most amazing partner to have”.

“I feel very proud that he can be so close to the top of the leaderboard because he’s quite a blood horse and naturally wants to be a little bit on his forehand, which is why he gallops so well. To allow me to ramp him up like he does is quite amazing,” she said.

“It's taken time and lots of practice to kind of start to really dance and to suck up. He loves to drop his tummy, which is what he does when he gallops and what makes him such a streamlined galloper. It’s been lots of core work making him strong, and I actually think there’s more in him.”

Ros discussed the first flying change that cost them some marks.

“He decided he’d quite like to have a walk!” she joked. “The changes are our trickiest thing, they always have been and still now I wouldn’t say they’re 100% at home.

“It’s a tricky test for him to do and he really has to have a bouncy canter in order to do a clean change. I went for the bounce and got a walk instead.

“I’m still pretty proud of the fact that he clawed it back and did the next two really well.”

That’s a wrap! The final combination of the day, Vittoria Panizzon and DHI Jackpot have concluded the second day of dressage at the eventing World Championships. They scored 32.9 for Italy.

This is how the team standings look ahead at the conclusion of the dressage phase:

• Great Britain 72.8
• Germany 73.6
• France 84.5
• New Zealand 84.8
• Switzerland 90.9
• United States 93.2
• Ireland 93.3
• Australia 95.6
• Austria 97.6
• Belgium 99.7

Here are the top 10 individual standings:

• Julia Krajewski (GER) and Uelzener’s Nickel (22)
• Laura Collett and London 52 (22.8)
• Michael Jung (GER) and FischerChipmunk FRH (23)
• Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo (23.4)
• Tom McEwen (GBR) and JL Dublin (26.6)
• Nicolas Touzaint (FRA) and Diabolo Menthe (26.7)
• Andrew Hoy (AUS) and Vassily De Lassos (26.9)
• Tamie Smith (USA) and Lillet 3 (27)
• Jonelle Price (NZL) and Senor Crocodillo (27.2)
• Alexis Goury (FRA) and Je’Vall (28.5)

Cross-country

Good morning! It’s senior news writer Becky Murray here. I’ll be bringing you all the news from the Aachen cross-country as it unfolds this morning.

H&H eventing editor Pippa Roome is on the ground in Germany and will be talking to the riders following their rounds. Pippa informs me it's currently warm and overcast.

The first combination on course will be Daniel Dunst and Chevalier 97 for Austria, at 8.15am UK time (9.15am German time).

Gemma Stevens and Flash Cooley are the first of the Brits, out at 9.07am UK time (10.07am German time).

Check out today's cross-country times

A reminder of the standings:

1. Julia Krajewski (GER) and Uelzener’s Nickel (22)
2. Laura Collett and London 52 (22.8)
3. Michael Jung (GER) and FischerChipmunk FRH (23)
4. Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo (23.4)
5. Tom McEwen (GBR) and JL Dublin (26.6)
6. Nicolas Touzaint (FRA) and Diabolo Menthe (26.7)
7. Andrew Hoy (AUS) and Vassily De Lassos (26.9)
8. Tamie Smith (USA) and Lillet 3 (27)
9. Jonelle Price (NZL) and Senor Crocodillo (27.2)
10. Alexis Goury (FRA) and Je’Vall (28.5)

Team standings:

1. Great Britain 72.8
2. Germany 73.6
3. France 84.5
4. New Zealand 84.8
5. Switzerland 90.9
6. United States 93.2
7. Ireland 93.3
8. Australia 95.6
9. Austria 97.6
10. Belgium 99.7

Pathfinders Austria's Daniel Dunst and Chevalier 97 have completed with 40 jumping penalties and 58.4 time-penalties. They stopped the clock on 12min16sec.

The pair used a couple of the alternative routes, including at Fence 8abcde Coffin and Fence 13abcde Allianz Water Complex.

The pair had two stops, at Fence 11c and Fence 27a.

There's been disappointment for New Zealand's Clarke Johnstone and Rocket Man, who were pulled up by the ground jury at Fence 12 Triplebar. More to follow on this when we have it.

We have our first completion, from Miroslav Trunda and Mellevue Van Rechteren for the Czech Republic. The optimum time is 9min50sec, and they came home on 11min1sec to add 28.4 time-penalties.

Phillip Dutton and Denim are home safe for the United States. The pair looked quick but were 36seconds over the optimum time, for 12.4 time-penalties.

We have our first clear inside the time. Australia’s Sophia Hill and Humble Glory are home with five seconds to spare.

Ian Cassells and Millridge Atlantis are the first combination home for Ireland. The pair stopped the clock on 10min8sec, 18 seconds over the optimum time, but clear. The pair took all the direct routes, even with Millridge Atlantis losing a shoe.

There was a fall for French combination Benjamin Massie and Figaro Fonroy at Fence 9a of the Turkish Airlines Complex. Figaro Fonroy was seen returning to his feet.

Pathfinders for Germany, Libussa Lübbeke and Caramia FRH, are home. A potential flag penalty is currently under review at Fence 11b.

Libussa opted for the alternative route at Fence 24abc SAP Village. She stopped the clock on 10min32 sec so will add 16.8 time-penalties. We will confirm Libussa’s final score once the flag review has been completed.

German rider Libussa Lübbeke’s flag penalty stands. She and Caramia FRH finish with 9 penalties for the missed flag at Fence 11b and 16.8 time-penalties.

Italy’s Giovanni Ugolotti and Duke of Champions are home clear with 16.8 time-faults, while sadly Turkey's Kumru Say and Baladin l’Ocean LA have parted company at 9a.

Australia’s Sophia Hill and Humble Glory are still the only clear inside the time across course-designer Giuseppe Della Chiesa’s track.

Frenchman Benjamin Massie has confirmed Figaro Fonroy is fine following their fall at Fence 9a.

“The horse is fine, and I am too,” said Benjamin.

“It was the sort of terrain where you can slip and it wasn’t easy to stay upright. It wasn’t the ground that was slippery, it was just the gradient. From my perspective, the horse is fine, but I am gutted that it happened.”

There was disappointment for Gemma Stevens and Flash Cooley. The pair had a stop at Fence 8a direct route, then two stops at Fence 8c long route, so were eliminated.

Belgium’s Maaren Boon and Gravin Van Cantos have parted company at Fence 25abc DHL Water Complex but were seen walking away.

New Zealand’s Jonelle Price and Senor Crocodillo were displaying a masterclass round but have been held before Fence 20 Farm Yard, as some fence repairs take place after Harald and Vitorio Du Montet broke the frangible device at Fence 22.

Jonelle Price and Senor Crocodillo are home but had a frustrating run-out at the second brush at Fence 27AB, the penultimate fence on course. We are just awaiting their time.

Their score will count for New Zealand after teammate Clarke Johnstone and Rocket Man were pulled up by the ground jury this morning.

The USA’s Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake have parted company at Fence 17c. Both horse and rider look to be ok.

Australia's Sam Woods is on his feet following a tumble from SS Eight Count at Fence 27c, the penultimate fence.

Ireland’s Aoife Clarke and Full Monty De Lacense have posted the second fastest round of the day. They stopped the clock on 9min53, just three seconds over the optimum time. We are awaiting a review of a potential flag penalty at Fence 27, but this was a brilliant performance and puts Ireland in the mix, with two riders home safe.

Alexis Goury and Je’Vall are home safe and have put a vital score on the board for France after teammates Benjamin Massie and Fonroy had a fall this morning. Alexis was 10th after the dressage and adds just 6.4 cross-country time-penalties to their 28.5 dressage mark.

What a round from Melody Johner and Erin. The Swiss combination have just posted the second clear inside the 9min50 optimum time. They stopped the clock with six seconds to spare, a sec quicker than Australia’s Sophia Hill and Humble Glory.

Germany’s Malin Hansen-Hotopp and Carlitos Quidditch K are the second combination home safe for the home side. It was a quick round from these two, just eight seconds over the optimum time for 3.2 time-penalties. A potential flag penalty is under review so their final score is still to follow.

Tom McEwen and JL Dublin have kept Britain’s hopes alive. The pair are home safe and sound. It was a speedy round from this brilliant pair, they stopped the clock on 9min55sec, five seconds over the optimum time for 2 time-faults. A potential flag penalty is under review (Fence 27a) so their final score is still to follow.

Hello, I’m Martha Terry, features editor at H&H, and I’m taking over from Becky on the live blog now.

What a dramatic morning so far, with several teams living dangerously after one of their early riders have failed to complete. Three scores will count from the four team riders.

Leading nations Britain, Australia, New Zealand, France and the US have all lost one rider, leaving no more margin for error. Germany meanwhile has two riders home, so they’ve sneaked ahead of GB at the end of the second rider team rotation.

So it’s currently Germany in the lead, Britain second and France third.

There have only been two clear rounds inside the time, Sophia Hill with Humble Glory for Australia; Mélody Johner with Erin for Switzerland.

And from 35 riders, we’re on about a 50% clear rate at this stage.

That’s a great shame for Paolo Torlonia who had to pull up his chestnut mare Zinny before the final fence. They jumped the previous angled hedges well, but Paolo quickly dismounted when he felt the mare go wrong between fences 27 and 28.

Paolo was riding for Italy, so they are now down to three riders in their team.

Tom McEwen and JL Dublin’s flag penalty has been removed, so he completes cross-country on a very competitive score of 28.6, just adding two time-faults.

Read what Tom had to say after his round:

“Dubs knows what he's doing. He really settled into the course. It walks a decent track. For the good horses and riders, it still needs a lot of riding. You’ve got flags everywhere. The corners are skinny.

“Dubs for me was brilliant. I let him set sail, never felt like I was rushing and tried to leave enough petrol in the tank, hoping I was feeling enough to go the direct way in the corner combination but I made a quick decision and sped round as quick as I could round the long route, which is clearly much safer.

“At the second to last [angled brush corners] he was just starting to get a little tired. Even seven minutes round Aachen is knackering [this course is 9min 45sec], it's demanding for both of us physically and mentally. We're not used to two angles after a mile-long stretch. It’s a really good question at the end of the course and it’s definitely not done until the bitter end.”

It’s properly RAINING! This news feels almost as dramatic as how this course is riding. We’ll keep an eye on how the going holds up.

We’re into a spell of individual riders at the moment and a couple have really caught the eye.

Finnish championship debutant Axel Lindberg produced a lovely, fast clear on his mare Quelle Bonne, stopping the clock just seven seconds outside the time. That will move them well up the order from 75th after dressage.

New Zealander Samantha Lissington is also a newcomer to the squad, riding the promising Lucas Stone. Sam opted for the odd long route on this 10-year-old to secure a clear round, but finished over a minute outside the time for 25.2 time-faults.

There are so many alternative options on Giuseppe della Chiesa’s course to give horses the best possible chance of completing while being down on the clock. So while there only 29 numbered fences, there are over 80 fences which could be jumped on this track.

Morocco’s Noor Slaoui and Legende P, who were due to head out of the startbox around now, have been withdrawn, and will not go cross-country. They were individual riders, in equal 72nd place after the first phase.

Finland’s Sanna Siltakorpi and Bofey Click have also been withdrawn, from 71st position after dressage.

Unfortunately, Thai individual Weerapat Pitakanonda has been pulled up after a stop at fence 13 by the ground jury on B.Grimm Chateau De Versailles M2S.

Aoife Clark has produced one of the rounds of the day so far, riding for Ireland on Full Monty De Lacense. After clocking just 1.2 time-faults in her clear round to complete this phase on 32.7, this is what she had to say:

“He’s some horse, and he feels like he’s getting better and better. I could have cruised round inside the time, I was saying ‘whoa’, but in my head I was thinking, ‘I’m on the team, be clear before being fast’, and actually the last couple of fences, I took his rhythm away and should have let him go. But he’s been amazing.

“It is a racetrack. You’ve got to get up on your minutes early. Fence five doesn’t ride brilliantly but other than that you just need to be forward and confident and give them time to see the questions.”

Denmark’s Peter T Flarup’s horse H.Carald Z caught a knee at fence 9, the influential Turkish Airlines Complex. Both horse and rider are up on their feet, and the horse is being checked out. We will bring updates as soon as we have them.

So, a quick catch-up on the team standings before the third rotation of riders begins. The next team rider, Austria’s Katrin Khoddam-Hazrati with Renegade, is next out, due at 11.55am (UK time).

1. Germany

2. Britain

3. France

4. Ireland

5. Australia

6. Switzerland

At this halfway stage, Tom McEwen and JL Dublin are in the gold-medal position, ahead of Switzerland’s Mélody Johner and Erin.

China’s stalwart individual rider Alex Hua Tian, 37th after dressage on 32.5, looked like he meant business on Chicko. They weren’t entirely straight through the corner brush in the water at fence 13 with the hindquarters, but kept going for just a flag penalty.

This pair started out very fast, and although they lost a little time in the latter stages, they clocked a decent time for just 4.8 time-faults. We will update you on the flag penalty decision.

For the last quarter of the course, Monica Spencer has a big smile on her face as she puts the finishing touches to her round.

Riding the thoroughbred Artist, Monica had to complete to keep the New Zealand team in contention after Clarke Johnstone was pulled up by the ground jury earlier.

Artist was a bit adrift of the dressage mark he can score, but this thoroughbred seemingly coasted round for 4.8 time-faults, just losing a few seconds setting up for the troublesome combinations. New Zealand still have a lot to do to climb to the podium but they do now have two riders safely home.

Meanwhile, Katrin Khoddam-Hazrati and Renegade complete – currently with a flag penalty under review – to confirm two safely home for Austria.

Let’s hear from a frustrated Jonelle Price(New Zealand), who had a run-out with Senor Crocodillo at the penultimate combination after being held for a spell mid-course during a cracking round while a fence was repaired.

“It’s frustrating. It’s sport and holds can happen. For this particular horse, he’s never been held before. He thought he’d run his race and had been foot-perfect up til there.

“He had fought really hard. We were fast. I think I was pretty much bang on six minutes, which we’d just passed. He was travelling beautifully and then they [fence judges] ran straight in front of the fence and stopped me pretty much 200m after the hold point, and we ended up being there are a while.

“It was hard to get any real structure. No one seemed to know what was happening, how long it was going to be, whether I should get off. So I managed to get some people out of the crowd who spoke English and knew a thing or two about horses to put some water on him.

“He probably switched off a bit. I did my best to get him back focused, but he was a bit laboured thereafter and I think that lack of focus caught us out. It’s a bitter pill to swallow because it’s not his fault, it’s not my fault, it’s just part of the game and it’s unfortunate to have that at the World Championships.

“We had a hole to dig ourselves out of after we’d lost our first person and I was feeling pretty good about making a nice dent in that challenge.”

Boyd Martin and Cooley Nutcracker bring home another US completion. This is another team needing their third and fourth riders to post finishing scores after Caroline Pamukcu’s fall from HSH Blake.

Boyd has to make it happen at several stages, but never looks like making a serious mistake and they complete this phase with 6.4 time-faults on 37.3 after a flag penalty is removed.

Australia are out of the team competition after their third rider Oliver Barrett tips off his home-bred Sandhills Briar, the Adelaide CCI5* winners. Earlier, Sam Woods had a fall at the end of the course from SS Eight Count.

Oliver come a cropper at the influential skinny brush fence at 17c, the Longines Challenge. He didn’t get the stride he wanted, his horse tried to jump anyway but skewed and paddled through the brush, giving Oliver no chance of staying in the plate.

Boyd Martin shared this thoughts in the mixed zone on his round after keeping the US team in the hunt with a fast clear aboard the former Liz Halliday rider Cooley Nutcracker – including why he took off the horse’s bonnet mid-round.

“I am just so impressed with this horse. He’s a little nervous and tricky in the warm-up, and then he comes out of the startbox and it’s all business.

“He’s spooky with the noise but once he settled, I pulled the bonnet off to get a little bit more air through his ears. Anyone who sees it out there, I’d love it back!

“I knew my horse would get tired at about eight minutes and the last two minutes I just have immense appreciation for how he ground it out. They are very challenging lines when the horses are really tired and you’re pushing for the time.

“I think the best is yet to come from this horse. He’ll learn a lot here and I think he’s one of the world’s best horses. If we can perform to his potential, he should win a five-star.”

Ireland are really performing at this World Championships, with their third cross-country clear – and it’s another good one – so they already have three finishing scores for today.

Austin O’Connor and Colorado Blue produce their usual magic in this phase to jump clear for just eight time-faults to sit on a score of 37 overnight.

Gaspard Maksud and the speedy mare Zaragoza scorch round for one of the fastest times of the day, clear with 1.6 time-faults for France.

They live a little dangerously at a couple of the skinnies, but they should spring up the order from 16th after dressage, and keep France in contention after their first rider Benjamin Massie was eliminated.

We are really getting to the business end now, and it’s the predicted nail-biter.

The dressage leader and home darling Julia Krajewski soaks up a whole heap of pressure from the cheering partisan crowd to bag a comfortable clear for Germany aboard Uelzener’s Nickel. However, she leaves the door to the individual podium wide open.

Nursing that 22 dressage score, Julia’s a little down on her clock the whole way down, but she’s smooth, accurate and keeps up a good gallop – but it’s not enough to retain her individual lead.

She adds 13.6 time-faults, which drops her a little way down the individual order on 35.6 but ramps up the pressure on Britain for the team standings (like they needed any more).

Nickel’s won at Aachen before, and Julia’s an Olympic champion. But never underestimate the team factor. A safe clear was obviously the directive.

Way to go Laura Collett! The reigning European champion does a fabulous job in the pressure cauldron to post an easy clear with London 52. With the dressage leader Julia Krajewski already having slipped down the order with time-faults, Laura – second after dressage – started out across country in the lead.

London 52 only knows one way to go as Laura always rides him like she stole it, but when you combine that with the obligation to complete no matter what, it’s a gargantuan task.

They are super smooth throughout, never giving the British fans a heart-stopping moment as they cruise home just two seconds outside the time to consolidate her new lead.

That is JUST the round the British team needed.

Oof, we need to take a breath before the fourth and final rotation of riders begins. So while the next six individual riders are on course, here’s a quick catch-up on the team standings before the first of the final team riders head out at 1.39pm (UK time).

Britain are back out in front.

1. Britain

2. Germany

3. France

4. Switzerland

5. Ireland

6. USA

At this three-quarter stage, Laura Collett and London 52 are in the gold-medal position, ahead of team-mate Tom McEwen and JL Dublin. Only Michael Jung (fisherChipmunk FRH) and Ros Canter (Lordships Graffalo) can go ahead of Laura individually, so she is guaranteed a podium spot overnight.

Britain can afford 14.8 penalties to retain their lead, and 16.9 covers the podium.

But don’t forget, Germany and Ireland already have a finishing score, and whatever their final rider posts could improve their result. Whereas the other main contenders will have to include whatever their final rider produces.

Let’s hear what Julia Krajewski said after her round – which guaranteed three riders home for Germany, but dropped her down a few places from her dressage lead with 13.6 time-faults.

“Nickel is the most genuine, honest horse. He’s always going straight. He jumps what you put in front of him.

“The crowd is amazing – they scream at you all the way round, and Nickel doesn’t mind at all. Actually I think it gives him motivation.

“I honestly didn’t expect to go inside the time. He’s not exactly a racehorse – he doesn’t have a seventh or eighth gear, so my aim was to travel as smoothly as possible and not push too much too early.

“Maybe I’m a little disappointed about the time-faults, but I’m very happy with my horse. He did the job, and I think he did well for the team.”

Read what Laura Collett had to say after her brilliant round on London 52 – with the only blip a lost shoe.

“That horse is just unbelievable. It felt like he’d walked the course and knew what I was wanting him to do even before I got there. He gave me so much confidence from start to finish. He never wavered off line.

“We had a bit of a scary moment because he pulled off a shoe and turning to the last water he was nearly on his side. I don’t know how he jumped quite a big fence into water but he is just the most amazing horse. The ground looked very close at one stage.

“It’s the kind of course where there’s never an easy stride, you’re either turning, jumping, setting up, moving away, trying to make up time that you lose in combinations. He was insane.

“I was tempted to go long at that last combination to play it safe, but this horse was on fire, reading everything, so I knew I could trust him. And I was always going long off the bank, but this morning Tom [McEwen] made it look so easy, and Chris [Bartle] grabbed hold of me and said, ‘I believe in you. Go straight.’ And there was no reason to doubt him.

Britain is on a roll.

Caroline Harris, the British individual riding her diminutive Pau and Luhmühlen winner D.Day, skips round clear just 3sec over the time.

She will climb way up the leaderboard from 40th after dressage.

That sets the record straight after things didn’t go their way on their championship debut at Blenheim last year.

The fastest horse of the day!

German individuals Christoph Wahler and D’Accord FRH blitz round as only the third pair inside the time. Christoph (already a world team gold medallist from Pratoni 2022) honestly looked like he was needing to take a pull – the horse was so within himself.

The stop the clock 9sec inside the time, and that’s the best of the German scores to count. Luckily for the other nations, it won’t count for the team podium.

This session of individuals are seriously proving their worth.

French individual Astier Nicolas pilots Alertamalib’Or clear just outside the optimum time for 0.8 time-faults. That was a brilliant round, the horse such an easy galloper, ears pricked – what a happy sight.

He slots just behind his countryman Gaspard Maksud and Zaragoza on the leaderboard and will likely squeak into the top 10 overnight.

Buckle up. Here we go with the final team riders as Lea Siegl sets out on Watermill Giorgio RS for Austria. Within the next hour, the overnight podium will be set.

For those interested in weather updates, it’s raining again...

A few words from Caroline Harris after her fantastic clear on D.Day:

“He was class. I knew as soon as we jumped the trakehner that he was going to be on it as he can go a little bit ditchy, but he has grown up this year.

“His little face, all around here, is just looking for the fence. He loves it. His ears are always pricked, and we have 100% faith in each other now.

“We learnt a lot last year, as everyone likes to keep reminding me. But we’ve come out this year and he just feels like a totally different horse.”

Tim Price was on something of a redemption mission setting out on Falco as the final New Zealand combo. Just a reminder, his wife Jonelle had an unlucky late run-out, Clarke Johnstone did not complete – and Falco himself did not cover himself in glory in the dressage phase.

Tim nails it, jumping clear – flag penalty under review with a slightly wonky passage through the final combination – for 8.4 time-faults. They carry forward two clears from Tim and Monica Spencer, plus Jonelle’s 20.

Austria also post a finishing score albeit down the order, with Lea Siegl (Watermill Giorgio RS) jumping a slow clear to ensure three riders home.

It’s not Japan’s day.

Toshiyuki Tanaka and Jefferson JRA get a dunking at the Allianz Water Complex when they come on a very forward stride and Jefferson can’t quite get his landing gear out. Both horse and rider are quickly up on their feet, and we will bring any updates when we get them.

Wow. Will Coleman and his Kentucky winner Diabolo look every bit the five-star winners as they saunter home 2 sec inside the time. A flag penalty under review quickly comes off and they move well up the order on their score of 30 (from 21st overnight).

Diabolo was eventing editor Pippa Roome’s pick of the paddock at the trot-up, and he absolutely oozes class.

Their stunning round ensures the USA have three counting scores overnight – although they’re a way off the podium as a team. They also do not need to finish top seven to qualify for the LA Olympics as they are the home nation and qualify automatically.

Hats off to Andrew Hoy, competing at his 20th global championship at the age of 67. His ride, Tokyo bronze medallist Vassily De Lassos, has historically been a double clear machine, a leaderboard climber, but he excelled himself in the dressage here with a personal best 26.9 at the age of 17.

And what a performance cross-country. A brilliant clear, 12sec over the time for 4.8 time-faults. All Andrew’s team are crying tears of pride and the bonny chestnut is looking very chipper. Happy scenes.

Ireland have been quite fantastic. All four of their team riders – and their individual, Georgie Goss – have jumped clear.

Final Irish rider Padraig McCarthy steers the 2024 Blenheim young horse champion MGH Zabaione clear to finish with a huge smile, pointing down with pride at this exciting 10-year-old.

He clocks 7.6 time-faults.

It’s a bit frantic right now, but we’ve just got time to share Tim Price’s reaction after his clear round on “little monkey” Falco:

“It was really fun. The biggest problem is spending so many hours waiting to go, but it’s all part of it. You eventually get your shot.

“I was really happy with him. You never know when things go right or wrong with him because as cool as he is, he’s a little monkey.

“But he’s been getting more and more consistent as he’s gotten older, and this was a really good course, well suited to him.

“He loved it and comes home with a big smile on his face, not a knock on his body and fingers crossed he has a good night’s sleep tonight.”

France complete with three riders on the board, but the medals are slipping out of their grasp. Their final rider, team stalwart Nicolas Touzaint is a little off the time – 10.4 time-faults – on the grey Diabolo Menthe, plus incurs 11pen for a broken device towards the end of the course at fence 24.

Switzerland have moved stealthily through the field here.

Final Swiss rider Felix Vogg with Frieda boost the team’s position with a clear for just 5.2 time-faults. What with Mélody Johner and Erin already well up the order as one of the only pairs inside the time, the Swiss are now pressing for the podium.

What a horse, what a rider!

Germany’s Michi Jung knew he could overtake leader Laura Collett with a clear inside the time, but however much he’s a master against the clock his ride, 18-year-old Chipmunk FRH, isn’t always the fastest, and the time here is so tight.

He rattles the silver birch at the ditch and rail complex, and the DHL water near the end and Michi looks round to check, but both stay put. It’s a deceptively unhurried clear, but Michi takes out strides in several combinations, and they stop the clock 5sec inside the time.

It’s an unbelievable round in front of a home crowd under maximum pressure. A huge smile from the man who rarely shows his emotions.

Michi has taken the overnight lead and cannot be overtaken.

Ros Canter still to come!

Brilliant for Britain!

Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo move into individual silver medal position and secure overnight gold for the British team. They make it look so easy.

This pair have made a name for themselves for making the time look straightforward on days when almost everyone else can’t get close. And they do it again – with no fuss and such ease.

Five had already made the time, but out of some 85 world-class competitors that’s a tough speed test but any stretch. Add to that, the pressure of Ros not being able to afford a mistake because her round had to count for the British team.

Fourth after dressage on 23.4, Ros couldn’t quite move to the top of the leaderboard even with one of her copybook rounds, as Michi Jung had already sealed the lead on 23.

We’ll get Ros’ reaction as soon as we can.

Cross-country is done and dusted, and what a roller coaster it was. Here are the top six in the team standings.

1. Britain 75.6
2. Germany 90.4
3. Switzerland 106.5
4. Ireland 110.1
5. US 112.3
6. France 113.9

Britain have three fences in hand over Germany, with seven poles covering the podium.

The top six individual standings are:

1. Michael Jung / fischerChipmunk FRH (GER) 23
2. Ros Canter / Lordships Graffalo (GBR) 23.4
3. Laura Collett / London 52 (GBR) 23.6
4. Tom McEwen / JL Dublin (GBR) 28.6
5. Christoph Wahler / D’Accord FRH (GER) 29.4
6. William Coleman / Diabolo (US) 30

Stick around for reactions from Ros and Michi.

Michi Jung describes how his cross-country round played out on fischerChipmunk FRH: He is now in the gold-medal position overnight.

“I’m so proud, that was amazing. Chipmunk is an unbelievable horse, he has such a good stride, he’s so powerful, and it feels like he knows every jump. He’s done all the big competitions, all the championships, he has so much experience, and was very good at listening to me today.

“He was so good at the end, when I asked him to go more forward, he was fighting and galloping, just an incredible horse.

“He was very good right from the beginning. I didn’t want to start too fast, but he was wonderful jumping everywhere, and I got into a really good rhythm. I needed to fight for the time but he was so powerful, it was an amazing feeling. Also the people cheering around helped a lot – the atmosphere is amazing.

“It was a difficult course everywhere – we were a bit lucky with the cloud that we were more in the shade, that helped.”

Finally a few quotes from a very happy Ros Canter after her superb round on Lordships Graffalo.

“What a horse! I’m just incredibly lucky. Walter is out of this world. I’ve been a little bit out of match practice this year – this is only my second three-day event this year,” said Ros, who gave birth to her second child just before the start of the season.

“I haven’t ridden many other horses, so I was watching videos of myself at Badminton earlier to try to remind myself how fast I needed to go.

“But as soon as I got on Walter, I felt much more comfortable. He was amazing as usual.”

That’s it from the World Championships cross-country day.

Don’t miss our web stories later this afternoon to give you the full insight and quotes from the leading riders.

We’ll be back tomorrow morning at 8.30am (UK time) with updates from the final horse inspection.

And of course we’ll be live blogging from the showjumping phase that decides both the team and individual medals, which is due to start at noon (UK time) tomorrow (16 August).

Watch back Ros Canter’s brilliant cross-country round, that left her in second place on 23.4.

Team GB into the lead after the Cross-Country | FEI Eventing World Championship 2026 - YouTube

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A speed clear from Michael Jung saw him take the lead.

Michi Jung doing some Cross-Country magic at Aachen 🚀 | FEI Eventing World Championship Aachen 2026 - YouTube

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Eventing final horse inspection: Sunday, 16 August

Good morning. I’m Martha Terry, features editor at H&H bringing you live updates throughout the final day of the Eventing World Championships We’re just 10 minutes or so away from the final horse inspection, so stick with us and you won’t miss a thing.

First up the horse inspection in the morning. Then starting at noon (UK time) it’s the final showjumping phase.

The weather is considerably cooler than it was for the first horse inspection, at a very pleasant 19ºC for now.

A few updates to bring you before the first horse arrives on the strip.

You may have seen Paolo Torlonia’s lovely home-bred mare Zinny lose her action before the final fence yesterday, when he quickly dismounted.

The FEI have issued this statement:

During the Team and Individual Cross Country competition at the FEI Eventing World Championship in Aachen on 15/08/2026, Paolo Torlonia (ITA) sensed that something was wrong with Zinny just before the final fence and immediately stopped and dismounted as a precaution.

Zinny showed an irregularity in her movement and was examined immediately by a veterinarian in the finish area. She was able to walk to the veterinary clinic for further examinations and will also be assessed by specialists this afternoon [Saturday, 15 August].

The FEI is closely monitoring the situation in cooperation with the veterinary team and will provide any further relevant information as it becomes available

We have heard unofficially that there are a few withdrawals. We will confirm as soon as it’s 100%:

Chevalier 97 with Daniel Dunst. This means Austria will not have a completion score as Vitorio Du Montet (Harald Ambros) did not complete the cross-country.

US individual Lillet 3 with Tamie Smith. As she was riding individually this will not affect the US team, who are currently fifth.

And Carlos Parro with Safira. This means Brazil will also not post a completion score as only two of their three riders finished yesterday.

And we’re off, starting with the Austrians.

Daniel Dunst did indeed withdrawn Chevalier 97, but the two remaining Austrians, Lea Siegl and Katrin Khoddam-Hazrati are through.

All the New Zealand team have been accepted, so their three remaining team members (Tim and Jonelle Price, and Monica Spencer) progress to the showjumping.

The team is in eighth place. Monica is the highest placed in 13th on her thoroughbred Artist.

The three-strong Czech team are all accepted.

They had a great day yesterday with all three riders jumping clear cross-country, albeit in their own time.

The team is in 11th place of the 16 nations ahead of showjumping.

The US team are now up. There’s just three, after Caroline Pamukcu had a fall from HSHS Blake on the cross-country.

Remember, we’ve also lost the individual rider Tamie Smith, who withdrew Lillet 3 overnight.

The remaining guys, Will Coleman, Philip Dutton and Boyd Martin, are all accepted and the team goes through in fifth place.

Will is the highest placed of these on his Kentucky winner Diabolo, in sixth position thanks to one of the rare clears inside the time.

The Thai rider Korntawat “Nut” Samran is through – he really caught the eye with his smooth round yesterday on B.Grimm Carouzo Bois Marotin and lies just inside the top 20.

Other individuals, China’s Alex Hua Tian and Spain’s Esteban Benitez Valle are also through.

Australia are on the runway.

Olivia Barton’s home-bred ride APH Sodoku spooks and spins off the track so has to trot again.

He’s a flashy one with smart white socks – she says his dam gave him his bling.

Good to see Sophia Hill ’s Humble Glory – the first inside the time yesterday – still raring to go.

Andrew Hoy’s Vassily De Lassos gives a buck and a skip at the end.

All three Australians are through, but with only two team riders completing the cross-country (Olivia was the individual), they will not post a team finishing score.

Andrew is the highest placed in 10th.

Time for a “footing break”. The crowd are clapping the men raking the strip. It’s all about big-style cheering in Aachen. (Did anyone watch the freestyle last night?)

Brazil’s two riders are accepted. As we mentioned earlier, Carlos Parro withdrew Safira overnight.

Both Marcio Carvalho Jorge and Rafael Mamprin Losano jumped slow clears yesterday and sit well down the order.

Ireland had a super cross-country day, the only team to field five cross-country clears.

With the exception of Austin O’Connor’s five-star winner Colorado Blue, who is 17, their horses are all young and things look rosy for this nation ahead of the LA Olympics.

All the Irish are accepted – although Colorado Blue is finding this trot-up thing a bit of a drag, which makes the crowd laugh.

Ireland are in fourth place, less than a rail behind Switzerland.

Aoife Clark is the best placed, in 12th on Full Monty De Lacense.

Trot-ups have become serious spectator events. The stands in Stadium 2 are so busy that some of the early birds are now getting stressed by new arrivals standing in their way so they can’t see.

It is very annoying when you get there early and don’t benefit...

France is up. The big news is that France are OUT of the team competition, from sixth.

Nicolas Touzaint is not presenting Diabolo Menthe, which leaves only two French riders, after Figaro Fonroy (Benjamin Massie) slipped over yesterday.

The commentator urges the crowd to rein in their applause while Gaspard Maksud gets through this with Zaragoza as she can get upset with too much cheering.

France are still in with a shout of medals though. Gaspard is seventh and Astier Nicolas eighth, and both pass.

Nervous times for Switzerland as Felix Vogg’s Frieda is sent to the hold box.

Switzerland are currently in the bronze medal position, and they have no back-up as Nadja Minder fell with Top Job’s Jalisco. So if they lose him, they’ll be out of the team competition.

The remaining Swiss horses are all accepted. We’ll keep you up to date on Frieda.

Germany’s Julia Krajewski is sent to the hold box with Nickel. This could be massive for the team standings, as they currently lie in silver.

The remaining four for Germany, including individual leader Michael Jung’s Chipmunk FRH, have been accepted.

Another footing break – and we have two horses from team podium nations in the hold box.

Frieda for Felix Vogg (Switzerland)

Uelzener’s Nickel for Julia Krajewski (Germany)

They’ll be inspected by vets and given the opportunity to trot again in a few minutes.

Indian individual rider Ashish Limaye is through with D’Avril Du Pinier.

Ashish has only been eventing for four years after studying engineering in India! He’s how based almost locally in Warendorf.

Great news for the Swiss team. Frieda has been accepted on second attempt. Switzerland progresses to the showjumping phase in the bronze medal position.

Sweden are all through.

The team is now in sixth position ahead of showjumping after France’s elimination from the team competition.

The Netherlands have three riders remaining and all are accepted.

They are now up to eighth place as a team, with their highest placed rider Jillian Giessen (Seattle Park) in 16th.

A big sigh of relief for Germany as dressage leader Julia Krajewski’s Nickel is accepted on second attempt.

Julia racked up a few time-faults yesterday to slip from first to 20th, but their score is still vital for nursing that team silver spot after Libussa Lübbeke had a flag and lies well down the order.

Lara de Liedekerke’s horse Kiarado D’Arville is sent to the holding box. The Belgian team need this one passed to post a finishing score after losing Senne Vervaecke yesterday. The other two pass.

The four Brits are through! They all pass with flying colours – at least no issues, no trotting again, no holds.

And so the British team will go into showjumping in the gold medal position. (Without Gemma Stevens and Flash Cooley who were eliminated yesterday).

Ros Canter lies in individual silver, Laura Collett in bronze and Tom McEwen in fourth.

There is just 0.6 covering the entire podium.

The depleted Italian outfit of just two riders are both accepted.

Giovanni Ugolotti is highest placed from his nation in 41st with Duke Of Champions.

Lara de Liedekerke’s Kiarado D’Arville is passed on second attempt.

So Belgium go through to the showjumping in ninth position.

Lara is lying best of the Belgians in 34th.

Two more horses left to trot and then we are done! No more teams.

Hungary’s two individuals: Piltown Harry (Noémi Viola Doerfer) and Clover 15 (Balázs Kaizinger) both pass.

Both jumped slow clears yesterday and lie in 54th and 53rd respectively.

The final horse inspection is complete. All of the presented horses passed, including the three that were sent to the holding box.

We’ve had four overnight withdrawals, the most impactful being France’s Nicolas Touzaint with Diabolo Menthe, which eliminates them from the team competition, where they were lying sixth.

Austria (14th) and Brazil (13th) are also now out of team contention.

We’ll be back just before noon (UK time) for the start of the final showjumping phase.

I seem to have missed spotting that there are two more overnight withdrawals to report: both of the remaining Japanese combinations.

These are Ryuzo Kitajima (Feroza Nieuwmoed) and Kento Nagura (Vinci De La Vigne JRA) – which makes six in total before the final horse inspection.

I am off to get some breakfast and calm my nerves before the final showjumping phase that decides both team and individual medals.

The full trot-up report will be on our website shortly.

We’ll be back here just before noon. We believe the final 25 will jump in reverse order starting at 2.30pm (UK time) but check out our web story for confirmation.

Eventing showjumping: Sunday, 16 August

And we’re back, ready to bring you the showjumping action, which starts in a few minutes.

The course is in Aachen’s humungous and historic main arena. Designed by Aachen stalwart Frank Rothenberger, there are 16 jumping efforts and the time allowed over the 565m track is 91sec.

There are 62 riders who will jump reverse order. The first rider, Italy’s Andrea Cincinnati and Cecilia Lad, is due in the arena at 12 noon (UK time).

The second session for the final 25 starts at 2.30pm (UK time)

The first Brit, individual rider Caroline Harris and D.Day, is jumping in the later session from 14th position.

Andrea Cincinnati completes for Italy. His ride Cecelia Lad clonks quite a few fences, but the first fence doesn’t fall until number eight. He then adds two more rails for 12 faults.

But he’s thrilled to complete on his championships debut.

He wasn’t chasing the clock so his 2.4 time-faults might not be that indicative of how tight the time is.

Five down for Ashish Limaye from India, a relative newcomer to eventing with only four years in the game.

Ashish did make the time on this big-striding Selle Français D’Avril Du Pinier, so it’s possible.

Sweden post the first clear of the day.

Two Swedes – individual Christoffer Forsberg and team rider Sofia Sjöborg – complete consecutively.

Christoffer had two down; Sofia – currently Sweden’s drop score – absolutely pinged round for the first clear of the day, with 1.2 time-faults.

Sweden is lying sixth and British-based Sofia’s result shouldn’t need to count, but at least she’s bagged a completion if necessary.

At this early stage, the triple bar – with a 1.65m spread – is causing the most faults.

Four down for Spanish individual Esteban Benitez Valle on his lovely grey, Utrera AA 35 1.

It’s a shame as she looks like she’s jumping really nicely but a little bit keen and somehow the faults rack up after a bad start knocking the first.

The first of the serious team contenders – Belgium’s Wouter De Cleene and nine-year-old Ragdoll De Tamise – bags a great clear round. They just add 0.8 time-faults.

Wouter is the first rider of the day contributing to a counting team score and he’s done Belgium a big favour as they try to edge up from ninth into the seven Olympic qualifying spots. (The US, ahead of them on the live leaderboard, have automatic qualification)

Sanne de Jong and Enjoy only came into the Dutch team on Thursday morning after a team-mate’s withdrawal and jumped a super, if slow, clear yesterday.

The 17-year-old grey mare has a big spook at the water tray, but although that stays in place she has three down overall.

This will have an impact on the team standings, allowing Belgium to move above the Netherlands, who drop out of the Olympic qualifying spots.

Early days still.

The two Hungarian individuals complete with middling rounds.

Noémi Viola Doerfer has a rather hairy round on Piltown Harry, who isn’t at his most rideable in this imposing arena, but Noémi sits tight and earns tremendous applause despite three down.

Compatriot Balázs Kaizinger has seven down on Clover 15 – it’s not the horse’s favourite phase but at least they complete.

Phew, that was a little bit of drama for the poor Czech rider Pavel Březina and Turin, who don’t appear to have heard the bell.

Luckily the nervous crowd encourage them on their way and they pair complete with just one fence down and 1.6 time-faults.

Kudos for Pavel for staying cool there.

The Czech trio are doing a good job at this championships, sitting in 10th position with a full complement of clear rounds yesterday.

The Czech team complete.

Miroslav Trunda drops just fence 8 to finish inside the time.

Matěj Sukdolák completely misses his stride with Qaid at the first double and loses his stirrup, but the horse generously picks up and jumps out. They’re a little rattled and end up with four down and 1.6 time.

So the Czech team have posted a final finishing score of 237, which currently puts them no worse than 10th overall.

Australia Olivia Barton is outside the ring, but has not gone in as scheduled.

Instead, Jonelle Price and her excellent showjumper Senor Crocodillo boost New Zealand’s chances with a superb clear inside the time.

The grey, sporting a hood, looks extremely careful, even when he gets in a little close – he’s quite enthusiastic to get to his fences!

So nothing to add to the Kiwi score – they stay within the Olympic qualifying spots in seventh, and are breathing down the necks of those above.

The first of the Germans, Libussa Lübbeke is currently the team’s drop score. She lives a little dangerously, rubbing most of the first fences, but Caramia FRH improves as the course goes on.

Libussa does a great job to manage the mare, who looks a little unwieldy, and comes home with just four faults at fence 11.

The home crowd are delighted.

Olivia Barton has come into the ring now, jumping a couple of horses late. We’re not sure why the delay – maybe the horse lost a shoe.

He’s super flashy, with a lot of scope, but after knocking the first down, it doesn’t go their way towards the end of the track and they finish with four down.

She’s riding as the individual for Australia, so this is a nice first completion.

Let’s hear from Jonelle Price, the only rider to jump clear inside the time so far, riding Senor Crocodillo.

“He’s a really good jumper and one day it’s going to be a useful tool, but sadly not today. But it gives you a lot of confidence, that he can go and jump a good round on the last day.

“He’ll win something big, this horse.

“The difficulty of the course is relative to the horse you’re sitting on. If you’re on a good jumper, it’s all quite achievable. If I was sitting on something not so good, I think it takes on a whole new dimension.

“It’s hard to be technical in such a big ring, but the designer has been very clever, with some real visual effects and they’ve been quite strategic with where they’ve positioned fences, the colours and visual illusion.”

The youngest rider in the competition, 21-year-old Splinter Bergsma – who used to be a carpenter – bids to lift the Netherlands back above Belgium, but it’s not to be.

His ride Vigo Key SR Z lowers two and adds 2.4 time. Still a satisfying championships debut.

The Netherlands stay in ninth position for now.

Karin Donckers, the second of the counting scores for Belgium, continues the private tussle between Belgium and the Netherlands for the Olympic qualifying spot.

Karin is one of the seven riders returning from the 2006 Aachen Worlds and is a veteran of 31 senior championships

Her stallion Leipheimer Van’t Verahof, has just fence six down. Although it’s a little ragged at times, Karin makes it happen to keep Belgium in eighth.

Sweden’s Amanda Stamm (Corpoubet AT) keeps her team in sixth position, knocking down two early fences and adding 0.8 time.

These faults allow the New Zealand team within a rail of sixth spot.

Clear round inside the time!

Lara de Liedekerke Meier consolidates Belgium’s eighth position on Kiarado D’Arville with a hard-won clear.

She gives a huge whoop after the final fence.

The time didn’t Lara’s way on cross-country yesterday but this will give her huge satisfaction.

Phillip Dutton shows all his experience riding under pressure as the 62-year-old steers Denim clear for just 1.2 time-faults.

They get very close to the final combination, and the last yellow pole jumps out of its cups, but lands neatly back in.

Phillip drops below Lara in the individual standings, but it’s a good finishing score to contribute to the US team, currently fifth.

That’s a great round for Ireland’s Georgie Goss and Kojak. They lower just fence 5a and complete inside the time.

This does drop them a couple of places individually but this striking black 11-year-old is extremely exciting for the future. And a super senior championship debut for Georgie.

A second New Zealand clear inside the time

Tim Price has made no secret of how much he enjoys riding Falco on the final day, and the 17-year-old bay simply skipped round clear.

It hasn’t been a dream run for the New Zealand team in Aachen, but they’re making up for it on the final day.

New Zealand stays in eighth for now.

Not quite the round Ian Cassells was hoping for on Millridge Atlantis for Ireland.

The grey makes a poor start, but settle into the course when it gets more technical. They lower two but are currently not a counting score, but it adds a smidgen more pressure.

Ian drops four places individually.

Switzerland are in position to win their first team medal, but it’s delicate! They were sitting in the bronze medal slot after cross-country but with no breathing room ahead of Ireland.

Robin Godel and Grandeur De Lully CH lowers fence two, and with it Switzerland drops below Ireland. However, it’s still a solid score to count.

It’s nailbitingly close on the edge of the podium.

Ireland’s Padraig McCarthy pulls out a beautiful round on MGH Zabaione but somehow the lightest of touches adds four faults and 0.4 time, and drops Ireland down from bronze to fifth.

Switzerland back up to bronze, the US fourth.

That’s the end of the morning session.

We have had just three clears inside the time.

Current team standings:

1. Britain

2. Germany

3. Switzerland

4. US

5. Ireland

6. Sweden

7. New Zealand

8. Belgium

9. The Netherlands

10. Czech Republic

A reminder: the top seven qualify for the Olympics. As the US has automatic qualification as home nation, this means eighth place should qualify.

H&H eventing editor Pippa Roome caught up with Lara de Liedekerke-Meier after she had secured Belgium’s Olympic qualification with her clear inside the time on Kiarado D’Arville.

Belgium will finish no lower than eighth.

“We were under a lot of pressure for the Olympic ticket and nothing was going our way from the beginning. Then this morning, [when I was sent to] the holding box I felt it was not going to be my weekend.

“When the first Dutch had a couple of poles down, I thought maybe if I jumped clear it would be enough. Then you have to ride for the fun of it, as well as for your country.

“But it’s so much less pressure for next year, building up the next generation without worrying about the qualification. I am so relieved.

“My horse is only 10 years old and has such a bright future ahead of him.”

Breaking news that Robin Godel’s championship stalwart Grandeur De Lully has been retired from eventing.

The Swiss team horse jumped clear yesterday across country, and added just one rail to his score today to keep Switzerland in medal contention.

The 18-year-old by Greco De Lully CH has been the most fantastic cross-country performer, without a single jumping penalty in this phase for the past five years.

Hopefully, we will see this grand campaigner in some indoor events later in the year.

We caught up with Padraig McCarthy after his round. A pole and 0.4 of a time-fault dropped Ireland from third to fifth.

They just tipped the third-last fence, which totally changed the complexion of the leaderboard.

“I probably have to own [the mistake] myself. He was jumping really well and is a very good jumper. I probably paid it too much respect and ended up a fraction too deep. It’s very frustrating being so close to the teams.

“But I’m really happy with how the horse performed all week. He’s 10 years old and at his first championship. He’ll have bigger days ahead.”

A bit of break now, a bite to eat, and then back for the showdown just before 2.30pm (UK time).

Here we go again! The final showjumping session to decide the eventing medals at the World Championships in Aachen.

First up will be Sweden’s Louise Romeike and Caspian 15.

Sweden are currently sixth.

25ºC in Aachen, with a very light wind.

Wow, these early riders are making the track look soft. That’s two clears from the first wo.

Louise Romeike gets the afternoon session underway in some style. Caspian 15 jumps the fourth clear inside the time to maintain her position individually and Sweden in sixth.

Sophia Hill’s former racehorse Humble Glory, for Australia, is known as a clear-round machine. They produced the first of six clears inside the time yesterday and double up today to finish on their dressage score.

Shame about that first phase, “Hughie” truly is one of the best eventing jumpers in the world.

For Sweden, Frida Andersen’s Box Leo is rather onward-bound and boots out three late on the course to add to an early one. They lower four.

Sweden go down to seventh, and New Zealand up to sixth.

Cooley Nutcracker jumps clear for Boyd Martin and the US, who leaves the arena with a big grin.

I remember seeing this horse make up a lot of ground in the final phase at Pau last year to finish third, and it looks like he will climb into the top 20.

Their round consolidates the US in fourth.

Chinese individual Alex Hua Tian nails a clear round with Chicko – they roll the final pole in the double but it rolls back in its cups.

He completes on 37.3, the same score as Boyd, but is ahead due to his faster cross-country time.

Austin O’Connor rides like he means business on Colorado Blue who jumps very well overall – just the planks down – and Ireland stay in fifth.

“Salty” gets in a bit deep to a couple, and gives the water a big rattle, but it’s a good round – just tantalisingly close to the podium.

Julia Krajewski draws a huge gasp from the partisan German crowd as Uelzener’s Nickel lowers the planks.

Germany are still safely in the silver medal position, with four in hand over Switzerland in bronze.

Julia was the dressage leader, but dropped down to 20th with a slow clear. She drops four more places with her one rail here.

That’s a big shame for Korntawat Samran from Thailand on B.Grimm Carouzo Bois Marotin. They produced a brilliant cross-country round yesterday to clock just 1.2 time-faults and climb from 52nd to ,19th but it unravels today.

They complete with five down and 1.2 time to drop right out of the top 20.

The fifth clear inside the time: Alexis Goury for France on Je’Vall. He’s elated, punching the air as his grey runs through the finish

Jillian Giessen, the highest-placed Dutch rider in 16th on Seattle Park, can’t improve her nation’s position on the leaderboard.

She lowers five and adds time-faults, which will also prove expensive for her individual position.

It hasn’t been the Netherlands’ day.

Felix Vogg and Frieda come into the ring nursing the bronze-medal position for Switzerland.

They jump brilliantly for the first two thirds, but two late fences drop Switzerland to fifth, below US and Ireland.

It is SO close for the bronze medal, flipflopping with every rider.

Britain’s individual Caroline Harris and D.Day had a super spin yesterday, but they can’t produce their usual showjumping magic today.

They lower two fences early on the course to drop seven places. Caroline looks pretty disappointed – she knows how well D.Day typically performs on the final day.

Artist always finds this phase tricky – he’s so brilliant in both the dressage cross-country. The thoroughbred’s round with Monica Spencer is probably on par for three fences down, dropping them 14 places individually.

They are a counting score for New Zealand, who hold sixth place.

Aoife Clark conjures a good round from a lively Full Monty De Lacense for Ireland – and the team will finish no worse than fifth.

Fully Monty launches at – and lowers – fence 11 – but it’s their only fault.

Germany’s Malin Hansen-Hotopp and Carlitos Quidditch K make some interesting stride patterns, but nail a clear round for just 1.2 time-faults.

Germany look settled in silver now, 20pen behind Britain, but still four rails head of the US.

We’re into the top 10 individuals.

Australia’s Andrew Hoy, at 67 years old, produces a foot-perfect round with his championship stalwart Vassily De Lassos.

Andrew chats to Vassily the whole way round, encouraging him with “up” and “come on” and it pays off! He points to credit the horse as he finishes, waves at all his fans and leaves thanking the crowd with a big grin.

He is assured of 10th place.

Bad luck Switzerland.

Mélody Johner and Erin knock down two fences in the latter part of the course, which is expensive for the team.

Switzerland down to fifth, and Ireland up to fourth. The US is in bronze.

Mélody drops 10 places from ninth.

The two French riders jumping in the top 10 both jump clear to ensure top-10 finishes.

From eighth, Astier Nicolas’s 1.6 time-faults drops him one place behind Andrew Hoy, but it’s a delightful clear.

His ride Alertamalib‘Or must be one of the most beautiful horses in the competition, with a perfect white star and ears always pricked!

Jumping in seventh, Gaspard Maksud The mare is feisty and Gaspard shows all his pure showjumping experience to make it happen. Their angle to the planks was creative but came off. And a big whoaaaa from Gaspard at the last, and they’re clear.

We’re seeing a lot more clears than we did in Pratoni four years ago – but let’s see what happens in the pressure cooker of the top five.

Will Coleman and Diabolo make that look so easy. That ensures the US will take the team bronze medal at worst, and Will at least sixth.

Christoph Wahler and the leggy D’Accord FRH create a very elegant picture, but two down drop him 12 places from fifth.

Christoph was riding as an individual for Germany so his faults have no impact on the team standings.

Tom McEwen and JL Dublin have one down. It is unlikely to affect the team placings but a shame for Tom individually.

It’s such a familiar sight seeing Dublin produce a clear round on the final day, but a rare fault – at the water – drops them four places.

Oh no! London 52 spooks at the same water that Dublin lowered, and so Laura Collett has one down.

This was the most beautiful round with London pinging and jumping perfectly. What a shame.

But they stay in third, and Britain in gold.

Ros Canter has secured team gold for Britain!

Lordships Graffalo looks to be trying so, so hard, and bags the clear round to pile the pressure on to leader Michael Jung.

Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk jumps clear to secure the individual gold on home territory!

What an incredible round under such pressure. That was not a comfortable round, they rattled a few and Michi looked a little cautious. Luck is definitely on his side.

This wonderful horse is 18 years old. He has missed out on several gold medals (even with his Olympic gong). He deserves this.

The crowd have gone absolutely wild.

Team medals

Gold: Britain 84

Silver: Germany 95.6

Bronze: US 113.5

Individual medals

Gold: Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH 23

Silver: Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo 23.4

Bronze: Laura Collett and London 52 28

What an achievement from the new world champion Michi Jung. Just 0.4 of a time-fault would have put him on the same score as Ros Canter, so he couldn’t even play it safe to come home clear – which it looked like he wanted to do after a slightly ragged start.

Here’s what Michi had to say after securing the gold:

“I’m speechless! Chipmunk is unbelievable. He’s doing great dressage, running fast cross-country cross-country, showjumping like a showjumper: careful, powerful and athletic. It’s a dream to ride him.

“He was jumping amazingly. Normally a double of verticals at the end of the course is not Chipmunk’s favourite thing but he was super. And you need luck on your side.

“Aachen is always very special. The World Games was always our dream, it’s a big thing being in your home country. To have all the disciplines together makes it much more special, so much adrenaline and the stadium has such a cool atmosphere.

“I was definitely emotional at the end. Having the World Games at home, with this horse.”

A few words from silver medallist Ros Canter just before the medal ceremony gets underway:

“This feels very special. Relief and excitement all wrapped into one.

“We know Walter is getting on for one of the best of all time and every time I ride him the pressure builds in an atmosphere like this. I know I’ve won a lot but I get to know him better each time. He’s the most wonderful horse, we’re so lucky.

“This year has been quite up and down as a family. We lost my dad, I’ve had a baby and it’s all come quite quickly. The start of the week was a blur and I struggled to get into the swing of it, but as it goes on you can’t help but get excited by being part of Team GB.

Let’s hear from Laura Collett, who took bronze on London 52.

“He’s a horse of a lifetime, even just to go to the places he’s taken to me. To come away from here with two medals, I could never have dreamt 10 years ago when I bought him he would do half of what he’s achieved.

“He adores the crowd and performing on the biggest stage.

“I know I’ll never have a horse like him again. I cherish him every day.

“We came here with one aim, to win team gold and qualify for the Olympics. We’ve ticked that box.”

And that’s it from the eventing World Championships for another four years. What worthy champions in Michael Jung and the British team. We’ll just leave you with some images of the medal ceremony.

Catch up on the full insight and quotes from the champions and medal-winners in our web stories.

We’ll also be running the live news service during next week’s showjumping.

Please do send your feedback to hhletters@futurenet.com

• Read about the British team success – and how the new world champion Michi Jung held his nerve.
• The full story from gold and bronze medallist Laura Collett on her horse of a lifetime
• For more stories, visit the H&H website