Medals for Britain, the Olympic champion on peerless form and Paris fever: the stories you mustn’t miss from day three of the dressage Euros

It was another sweltering day at the European Dressage Championships in Riesenbeck, Germany. Today (8 September), was the turn of the grand prix special, while in the European Para Dressage Championships, the team medals were decided after two days of competition.

There were a few surprises, plenty of British success – and a lot of anticipation ahead of next year’s Olympics. Here are all the stories to bring you up to date with today’s action.

Watch a round-up of today’s action in the video below

Gareth Hughes got the ball rolling for Great Britain in the grand prix special, taking the lead midway through the afternoon.

• Why would Gareth would be happy even if this was his final ride?

And he also shared sage words of advice for younger riders – and why you shouldn’t believe everything you see on social media

• Read Gareth’s words of wisdom on horsemanship and chasing dreams

The special built up to a dramatic conclusion as riders jostled for the lead, with the Olympic and defending champion reigning supreme.

• How is TSF Dalera BB still improving at the age of 16? 

Britain had three riders in the top five, with Charlotte Dujardin faring best in the bronze medal position.

• How much is there still to come from young Imhotep?

And there was more British success in the para team competition, with another team medal

• Find out how the team competition went to the wire and where Britain ended up

But it wasn’t jubilation for everyone. Ireland sadly didn’t have any riders qualified for the special.

• Find out why it’s been a disappointing few days for the team from the Emerald Isle

However, over in the paras, one Irish rider was enjoying her championship debut.

• What made Sarah Slattery’s achievement all the more remarkable?

Tomorrow, the dressage riders take a break from the competition arena. Meanwhile the para riders will go head to head in the freestyle, their final class, with more medals set to be decided.

You may also enjoy reading…

The end of an 11-year wait for team gold, dressage megastars go head-to-head, and Carl Hester extols turnout: 10 unmissable stories from the dressage Euros

The superstar keeping Carl Hester keen, dark horses and team standings: 9 stories not to miss from the European Dressage Championships

‘I hear them doing the Grand National at night!’ Carl Hester on the joys (and worries) of top horses living out

Back in business: bronze for Britain in nail-biting conclusion to para Europeans teams

‘The handbrake is still on’: why Imhotep’s European bronze is precursor to even greater things

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Martha Terry

H&H features editor

Martha is an experienced journalist who is mad-keen on dogs of all shapes and sizes. After growing up with assorted liver and white springer spaniels, she enjoyed 14 years with two rescue dogs, one a street dog from Gambia who was abandoned at three weeks old. Now, her constant companion, whether by her feet at her desk or walking cross-country courses, is Fidget, an extremely energetic and habitually muddy black and white springer. Martha has written on topics as diverse as a top horse’s clone to the best GPS trackers for dogs, as well as equestrian and rural matters for Country Life, The Field, The Times, The Spectator and The Telegraph alongside Horse & Hound.