British junior eventers on track for double gold
Britain hold individual and team gold medal positions after the dressage at the junior European Eventing Championships at Avenches, Switzerland.
Reigning junior European Champion Laura Collett leads individually after scoring 35.48 with Rayef (pictured at Houghton earlier this year). But Germany’s Franziska Roth (Dictus J) and Sweden’s Christoffer Forsberg (Grafman) are very close behind, having scored 35.71 and 35.95 respectively.
British under-18 national champion Emily Llewellyn is fifth on 38.57 riding Pardon Me II, while the third team mark to count at this stage comes from last year’s junior regional novice champion Marina Lawson-Smith (Fancy That II), who scored a personal best of 45.
The other team member is Harry Dzenis (Spider VI), who also put in a good performance for 55.48.
The British team are on a score of 119.05, and hold the gold medal position going into tomorrow’s cross-country ahead of Sweden and Germany.
The British individuals are Fergus Payne, who scored 55 with Secret Avalanche, and Rosie Stewart, who is on 55.71 with Get Up And Go II.
British chairman of selectors Robin Balfour reports that the cross-country course is typical of Pierre Michelet — the renowned French designer — and quite technical.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Full report from the junior European Eventing Championships in next week’s Horse & Hound (9 August).
Visit the Avenches website www.complet-avenches.ch
Click on any of the British horses’ names to see their full British Eventing record
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.