Rascher Hopes, Emile Faurie’s team bronze-medal winning ride at the 2003 European Dressage Championships and the top-scoring British horse at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, has died aged 33.

“I am sorry to announce Rascher Hopes – known as Streaky to his friends – was put to sleep in December,” said Hilary Macdonald who looked after the much-loved gelding in his retirement.

“He had torn a superficial digital flexor tendon in the field, but up until then he had enjoyed a healthy, albeit quiet life with his younger friend in the field and stable.”

Rascher Hopes began his competitive career with Hilary Sawyer, who co-owned him with Leonie Porter and produced him to prix st georges level.

“I often find myself revisiting my Streaky scrapbook – he was so beautiful, kind, honest, and full of fun,” she said.

Eight months before the Sydney Olympics, Hilary entrusted Rascher Hopes to Emile after the unexpected loss of his previous Olympic contender, Legrini. Though Streaky had limited grand prix experience at the time, Emile immediately saw his potential.

“I knew Streaky would be a grand prix horse from the first time I saw him,” Emile said. “Despite being a small horse, he had the biggest heart and he was a real trier.”

Although he was one of the smallest and least experienced horses at the Sydney Olympics, Rascher Hopes exceeded all expectations, leading the way for Team GB and achieving a personal best score.

Over the following years, the duo became a cornerstone of British dressage, representing the nation at the 2001 European Championships and the 2002 World Equestrian Games, then contributing to the team bronze medal at the 2003 European Championships at Hickstead.

Rascher Hopes retired in 2006 at the age of 15, marking the occasion at the national championships, where he finished fourth in the kür. Reflecting on the moment, Emile said the talented gelding had “nothing left to prove”.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better way to finish his career,” said Emile, who, according to the Horse & Hound report from the event, was moved to tears by a heartfelt tribute from then British Dressage chairman Desi Dillingham, and a standing ovation.

“I just felt at the time that he’d done so much, he’d been all around the world and exceeded everyone’s expectations, I just wanted him to slow down, and be able to enjoy more time out in the field rather than travelling so much,” Emile added.

After his retirement, Rascher Hopes moved to be based with Hilary Macdonald in Gloucestershire.

Having taught Hilary for some time and knowing her affection for Streaky, Emile knew she would provide the ideal environment for the gelding’s retirement, offering him the care and attention he needed in his later years.

“He still enjoyed the occasional short hack and, until about age 29 he was happy to be exercised in the school to keep up his suppleness and strength,” Hilary said.

“He would often offer some of the higher movements, depending on the day, such as passage, piaffe, and flying changes, seemingly for fun. He was a sturdy, fit and sound type who benefited from his solid early training foundation.

“Right until the end he had a great, bright and cheerful, somewhat cheeky personality and was very much loved by all who cared for him.

“I have to thank our equine nutritionist Clare MacLeod for helping devise a diet for Streaky once he stopped being able to eat hay properly. The diet kept him in good condition to the very end.

“I will also always be deeply grateful to his owners, Hilary, Leonie, and Emile, for allowing me the privilege of having Streaky as both a schoolmaster and a dear friend for so many years.”

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Rascher Hopes, Emile Faurie’s team bronze-medal winning ride at the 2003 European Dressage Championships and the highest-scoring British horse at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, recently celebrated his 33rd birthday and is still thriving in retirement.

Rascher Hopes – or Streaky as he is known at home – has been based with Hilary Macdonald in Gloucestershire since his retirement in 2006.

He began his competitive career under Hilary Sawyer – who owns him alongside Leonie Porter – and produced him up to prix st georges level.

“I’d bought a mare from Denmark with very good bloodlines but who proved unrideable,” Hilary (Sawyer) told Horse & Hound in 2002. “I paid £3,000 for her and there was a stud in Denmark interested in her as a broodmare and they said they had an unbroken three-year-old who was too small to make the stallion grading and would I be interested in him (Rascher Hopes) as a swap.”

Needless to say that swap ended up being a bargain, and Hilary recalls Rascher Hopes having a “great presence” even as a young horse lacking condition.

“In the January of his fourth year, we took him to his first local show. He won first time out and hasn’t looked back since,” she added.

She gave the ride to Emile eight months before the Sydney Olympics, after the sudden death of Emile’s former Olympic hope, Legrini. Despite only competing at grand prix for the first time at West Wilts Premier League in April of that same year, Emile was convinced of the diminutive gelding’s quality.

“I knew Streaky would be a grand prix horse from the first time I saw him,” he said. “He is a real trier –a small horse with a genuinely big heart. We certainly didn’t push him for the sake of going to the Olympics and we weren’t necessarily expecting it, but because of his character, he kept on improving and it happened – he was always so willing and easy to teach.

“I have to say I was lucky as well because Hilary (Sawyer) did such a good job in producing him that when I took over it was just a continuation of his training rather than being completely new.”

Rascher Hopes was one of the youngest, and at only 16hh, one of the smallest horses in the field – making him an instant crowd-favourite down under.

He and Emile were the team’s pathfinders and despite his inexperience and the adverse weather conditions in Australia at the time – which Richard Davison recalls turned the surface into “porridge” – managed a personal best score of 66.96% in the grand prix, qualifying them for the special and making them the highest-placed British combination.

“I’d say Sydney was our highlight together,” adds Emile. “But getting over 70% in the grand prix at the CDI-W in Dusseldorf (2001) was also really special. The wonderful thing about Streaky was that he was so consistent – he put in solid scores every time he went out internationally.”

The combination went on to be a stalwart of British teams in the early 2000s, representing Great Britain at the 2001 European Championships and the 2002 World Equestrian Games before peaking with a bronze medal at the 2003 European Championships at Hickstead.

In many ways, Britain’s success in dressage in the modern era following London 2012 is built on the foundations established by horses like Rascher Hopes, with teams in the early 2000s operating under enormous pressure, with national lottery funding, big sponsorship deals and Olympic participation on the line.

Rascher Hopes went on to retire at the 2006 National Championships at 15 years old in what was his 54th grand prix outing, receiving a standing ovation after an emotional farewell speech by then-British Dressage chairman Desi Dillingham.

“I couldn’t have wished for a nicer way to end with him,” Emile said. “I just felt at the time that he’d done so much, he’d been all around the world and exceeded everyone’s expectations, I just wanted him to slow down, and be able to enjoy more time out in the field rather than travelling so much.”

“Hilary (Macdonald) had been having lessons with me for a while and she’d ridden Streaky from time to time and I knew she loved him and would be the right person to give him what he needed in retirement.”

Hilary added that it was extra poignant as she’d recently lost her own dressage horse when Emile suggested she take on Rascher Hopes as a schoolmaster. “It’s been my great privilege to look after him and have him as part of the family ever since,” she said.

“I remember going to Gatcombe the year Valegro was brought there to meet the general public following his retirement, and I went up to Alan Davies who used to travel with Streaky to competitions and was there with Valegro, and I said, ‘Hello Alan, you don’t know me but I have Streaky at home’ and his face lit up and he said ‘Oh I loved that horse,’ and I thought that was so nice to see how many people who knew and loved him.”

And even in retirement, Rascher Hopes continues to be a pathfinder. In 2010 he helped check out new hacking routes in the Cotswolds for the British Horse Society (BHS). In 2020 he also went to a British Dressage South West senior dressage camp when Hilary’s other horse couldn’t attend. “Streaky put his head over the stable door and said ‘Is there a party? I’ll go!’ aged 29,” Hilary recalls.

“He still goes out for the odd little potter once a week or so which he seems to really enjoy. He’s slowed down a lot now but he’s just been the most extraordinary horse, and he’s still a real character and the yard favourite.”

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Emile Faurie won the Defender CDI4* freestyle at the Royal Windsor Horse Show riding Diana Rose’s 13-year-old mare Bellevue (Bordeaux x Brentano II).

The pair scored a mistake-free 76.28% – with their scores only once dropping below 7 – to finish ahead of popular combination Lewis Carrier and Diego V (75.16%) who placed second and Olympic-bound Caroline Chew aboard her promising stallion Blue Hors Zatchmo in third (74.99%).

“She was great,” said Emile, “I kept the programme quite simple for her because she’s not really done many freestyles but she just grew in confidence from yesterday and she was a much more relaxed horse.”

Emile’s music was composed by Tom Hunt and the floorplan comfortably scored the highest artistic mark of the day with 80.16%.

“She’s so elegant and she’s such a beautiful horse, that you can’t have anything too dramatic because it will overpower her. So I wanted something with a cinematic feel that created a bit of emotion but that was still light – and Tom delivered.”

The combination were second in the grand prix behind Gareth Hughes and Classic Goldstrike after a mistake in the passage, but Emile feels there’s much more to come from the mare: “We’ve not scratched the surface with her, there’s a lot more to come.

“We’ve had a tough year – I was diagnosed with cancer and had to have some time off – and for the last 16 months it’s been a bit on and off, so I haven’t even begun to see what she can do – she’s so willing and she loves her work.”

With the top combinations quite tightly packed it did come down to mistakes in the end, with Gareth having errors in the half-pass and changes, while Lewis also had a mistake in the changes and in the first halt.

However, Lewis was still thrilled with Diego’s two tests. “Riding in this arena is an absolute privilege,” he said. “He did London in December and now Windsor, but I think he needs to do some smaller shows because he’s coming into the halts think it’s a party!

“He was a bit overexcited and we had a couple of little blips, but to get that score and still come second was fantastic.”

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Britain’s golden girls headline a stellar list of London International Horse Show dressage entries.

Charlotte Dujardin and Lottie Fry, who were both on the team that won European gold this summer, are among those due to compete in the five-star dressage classes on the first two days of the show, which runs from 13 to a8 December at the ExCeL.

Lottie, who took both titles on offer, the World Cup leg and the freestyle, last year, will bring her Olympic team bronze medal-winning ride Everdale.

“The London International Horse Show is one of my favourite shows of the year,” she said.

“Being able to compete at this level in front of my home fans is very special, and there is always an amazing atmosphere. The 2022 show was incredible for me and I hope to be able to do the same again.”

Lottie and Charlotte, who is to ride her European team gold medal-winning ride Imhotep, will be joined in the British camp at London by 2023 Europeans reserves Becky Moody and Jagerbomb, Lewis Carrier on Diego V and Emile Faurie with Bellevue.

Show director Simon Brooks-Ward told H&H: “We are delighted to announce such a wonderful line up for our FEI Dressage World Cup competition, with such a solid contingent of British riders. The show is incredibly proud to attract some of the strongest riders in the sport, providing fans with a true dressage spectacle year on year, and we wish them the best of luck in the upcoming competition.”

The international challenge to the home combinations on the London International Horse Show dressage entries list includes France’s Morgan Barbançon and her championship ride Sir Donnerhall II, and Alexandre Ayache with Jolene. British-based Kathleen Kröncke and Uniteds Maerchen will represent Germany, Abigail Lyle will ride Giraldo for Ireland and Caroline Chew will represent Singapore on Blue Hors Zatchmo.

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World silver medallists Gareth Hughes and Richard Davison are among the top dressage riders who have been announced as part of the line-up for the Defender CDI4* at Royal Windsor Horse Show next month (10-11 May). This is the first time international dressage has featured at Royal Windsor since 2019, and it is the highest-level dressage show to be held on British soil in 2023.

Gareth is set to bring his top mare, the 17-year-old Classic Briolinca, with whom he was a member of the silver-medal winning British team at the 2022 World Dressage Championships in Herning, Denmark, also finishing fifth individually in the freestyle.

Gareth’s 2022 teammate Richard Davison is also Windsor-bound, with his championship horse, the 17-year-old Lingh gelding Bubblingh.

Olympic gold medallist Laura Tomlinson will join the field with the 13-year-old Vivaldi son Fallatijn, fresh from scoring a personal best in the freestyle at Hagen CDI4*, Germany, last week. Emile Faurie will also be in action at Windsor, aboard his London International Horse Show ride Bellevue, while Louise Bell will bring forward the experienced Into The Blue, Hayley Watson-Greaves will ride the evergreen Rubins Nite and Dan Watson will pilot Butterfly IV.

Making his Windsor debut will be up-and-coming British grand prix rider Lewis Carrier, who will ride his long-term partner and youth championship horse Diego.

Windsor dressage: notable absentees

For the first time in the history of international dressage competition at Royal Windsor, neither Carl Hester nor Charlotte Dujardin will feature in the line-up.

Charlotte, who rode Erlentanz to victory the last time Windsor hosted a CDI, in 2019, recently welcomed her first child, a daughter, and is enjoying a period away from competing. Meanwhile, twice Windsor winner Carl has opted to campaign his new grand prix ride, Fame, at the Hickstead CDI3* later the same week instead, and told H&H that he is allowing a little more time to bring his top horse, Olympic and European medallist En Vogue, back up to peak fitness.

“Vogue will start his international campaign at Wellington CDI in June,” he said.

Riders representing Ireland, China and Germany will complete the Royal Windsor dressage line-up for 2023. British-based Irish team rider Abi Lyle will make her Windsor debut aboard 12-year-old Farrell, with Kevin Acres (Ganesh) and Anne-Marie Rawlins (Etoile) in action for Ireland too.

Sarah Rao will ride Alfranco for China and Germany’s Kathleen Kröncke will present San Royal 3.

The grand prix takes place on Wednesday, 10 May, with a limited audience, and the grand prix freestyle will be on Thursday, 11 May.

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The first horse into the ExCeL arena for the dressage World Cup, supported by Horse & Hound, at the 2022 London International Horse Show (LIHS) was Bellevue, ridden by Britain’s Emile Faurie. 

The 11-year-old Oldenburg mare, by Bordeaux x Brentano, is a fairly new equine face on the British grand prix scene. She made her debut with Emile in September at inter II, and has since completed just four grands prix, with scores ranging from 68% to 75%. The pair scored 68.78% for their short grand prix test at LIHS, finishing 10th in Thursday’s class. 

“I was extremely happy, and so pleased with her. We had a mistake in the two-time changes, which was annoying – she just had a little look – but she took it all in her stride,” Emile told H&H. 

The mare had previously been in the Netherlands, but until this year had not competed since 2016, and has had two foals, who she carried herself. She arrived at Emile’s yard in February, having been recently bought by Diana Rose. 

“Her owner is American and spends summers training with me. When she went back to America, she said, ‘Why don’t you keep riding her?’,” said Emile, who took the mare to Kronenberg CDI this month, where they finished fifth in the freestyle, despite the fact Bellevue was “incredibly nervous” at her first international.

“She has an incredible walk and no real weaknesses. She has a really good piaffe and her brain is just so incredibly generous,” said Emile. 

Emile Faurie and Bellevue will go through to contest the freestyle tomorrow night (Friday, 16 December), which constitutes the FEI World Cup qualifier at LIHS.

“I’ve taken an old floorplan as she is not experienced so I wanted to keep it simple,” said Emile. “The degree of difficulty is not that high but I just want to give her a good experience here and set her up for next year.”

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Last month, Emile Faurie became the 2021 British national champion, riding Dono Di Maggio to victory at the National Dressage Championships. Emile is such an established name and familiar face in the dressage world, but the last time he was national champion was 27 years ago in 1994. Back then, he took the title on Virtu, who was his very first grand prix horse. 

“Virtu was a very different character [to Dono Di Maggio] in that he was quite introverted when I first met him and a little bit lazy,” recalls Emile as he chats to dressage editor Polly Bryan on episode 71 of the Horse & Hound Podcast, currently supported by NAF. 

“In those days I had so much more time and I spent a long time with Virtu riding him on the gallops and all sorts of things to get to know him. He was a genius horse in piaffe and passage as, in fact, is Dono, although Virtu was a lot smaller at around 16hh.”

It was with Virtu that Emile won Britain’s first ever senior championship team medal – silver – at the 1993 European championships in Lipica, Slovenia, riding alongside Laura Fry, Richard Davison and Ferdi Eilberg. Emile and Virtu also won individual bronze that year, which Emile says was a real highlight of his career.

“Winning an individual medal with Virtu was so special to me, and something I had dreamed of since I can remember,” he says. 

“Winning our first gold medal as a team at the Rotterdam Europeans in 2011, alongside Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, Carl Hester and Uthopia and Laura Tomlinson (née Bechtolsheimer) on Mistral Højris, was another real highlight for me,” he adds. “I was riding Elmegardens Marquis at the time. We’d been battling for so long so to get to that point where we actually took home a gold medal was probably one of the greatest highlights of my life.”

Emile Faurie: ‘Britain is a force to be reckoned with’

Emile Faurie has witnessed a remarkable transformation in the level and fortunes of British dressage during his 30-year stint at top level.

“It’s incredible to think we used to be lucky if we came last,” he chuckles. “It’s really not that long a period of time in the great scheme of things, but it has progressed to the point where we are the nation that people are most scared of; a real force to be reckoned with. 

“A great deal of that success comes from UK Sport, the National Lottery and World Class – we are so lucky to have had that extra funding to have a support mechanism that has given riders such great help to be able to focus on our performances. 

“We have such depth of riders now; we are a nation that has horsemanship in our very being,” he adds. “The quality of our riding as well as our horsemanship has made us such a strong force.”

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In our 71st weekly episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast, currently supported by NAF, H&H dressage editor, Polly Bryan, talks to new national dressage champion Emile Faurie, who gives an insight into his long career in horses. H&H’s Jennifer Donald will then join H&H editor Pippa Roome to discuss all the action from the showjumping Nations Cup Final last weekend and then the H&H news team talk about moving horses post-Brexit and headcollar safety. Finally, equestrian psychology coach coach Charlie Unwin, talks about identity and drive and their impact on performance. Let us know what you think.

Episode 71 of The Horse & Hound Podcast, our popular audio service available every Thursday morning for our H&H digital subscribers is now live, and currently supported by NAF.

Each episode is available for all H&H fans to listen to via your favourite podcast app 24hrs after its early release to our H&H digital subscribers. Search for “The Horse & Hound Podcast” in your preferred podcast app and click subscribe to be notified about each new episode. This will allow more listeners to make The Horse & Hound Podcast an essential part of their week on Friday morning.

• View all episodes of The Horse & Hound Podcast

In our 71st weekly episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast, H&H dressage editor, Polly Bryan, talks to new national dressage champion Emile Faurie, who gives an insight into his long career in horses.

H&H’s Jennifer Donald will then join H&H editor Pippa Roome to discuss all the action from the showjumping Nations Cup Final last weekend.

The H&H news team then discuss moving horses post-Brexit and headcollar safety.

Finally, equestrian psychology coach coach Charlie Unwin, talks about identity and drive and their impact on performance.

• We would love to hear your feedback on all our podcasts, so please do send your thoughts to pippa.roome@futurenet.com

H&H Plus podcast: episode 71

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Listen now to other recent episodes of The Horse & Hound Podcast…

The Horse & Hound Podcast 70: Gemma Tattersall | Eventing Euros | Rider mindset | News round-up

Horse & Hound Podcast 69: Robert Walker | Goal-setting | Blenheim & Dressage Championships review

The Horse & Hound Podcast 68: Emily Moffitt, dressage Euros review, plus latest news and *new mini series* Charlie Unwin

The Horse & Hound Podcast 67: Sir Lee Pearson | Bicton five-star | SJ Euros | Rider fitness by sport | News round-up

The Horse & Hound Podcast 66: Ros Canter | Paralympic dressage | Core strength | News round-up

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

Emile Faurie was crowned British national dressage champion at the Lemieux National Dressage Championships after winning the grand prix freestyle on Theodora Livanos’s Dono Di Maggio, much to the delight of a large and enthusiastic crowd.

The freestyle win added to their second in the grand prix was easily enough to secure them the overall title, his third in total and the first since 1994 when he won with Virtu.

Dono Di Maggio was part of Britain’s 2018 bronze winning WEG team, before being sold to Greek young rider Theodora Livanos two years ago.

“The horse stayed here with us and while Theodora is recovering from surgery, I have got the ride back,” said Emile. “I was quite surprised with him today – he’s normally very chilled, but he was really on edge going in there. It’s an amazing venue and had an amazing atmosphere, but he kept it together and gave me a great ride.”

This year the horse has exclusively campaigned internationally winning both the grand prix and grand prix special on his last outing at Zandhoven in August.

The same three combinations in the grand prix took the top three in the freestyle albeit with a bit of a change round. Becky Moody’s ride Famke PK added a second in the freestyle to her third in the grand prix with a very technical floorplan while grand prix winner Gareth Hughes was left ruing a mistake in his left canter pirouette with KK Dominant, which also affected his one tempi changes straight after.

It was a perfect class to end the National Dressage Championships held for the first time at Somerford Park Farm in Cheshire, a new home which was met with universal and enthusiastic approval.

• Don’t miss the full report on all the action from Somerford Park Farm, included in-depth analysis of the action, reaction from the riders involved and opinion from our exclusive columnists, on sale Thursday 23 September

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

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

British Equestrian and the British Dressage selectors have put forward eight pairs as longlisted entries for the FEI European Dressage Championships, in Hagen, Germany, on 7-12 September.

The squad of four combinations, plus reserves, will be announced on or around 20 August.

Those longlisted, in alphabetical order, are:

• Fiona Bigwood with Penny Bigwood’s and her own Hawtins Delicato
• Charlotte Dujardin with Renai Hart, Carl Hester’s and her own Gio
• Emile Faurie with Theodora Livanos’ and his own Dono Di Maggio OLD
• Lottie Fry with Van Olst Horses’ and her own Dark Legend and Everdale
• Carl Hester with Sandra Biddlecombe, Charlotte Dujardin, Lady Anne Evans’ and his own En Vogue
• Gareth Hughes with Judy Firmston-Williams’ and his own Sintano Van Hof Olympia
• Laura Tomlinson with Ursula Bechtolsheimer’s and her own DSP Rose of Bavaria

Two reserve combinations have also been named:

• Richard Davison with Gwendolyn Meyer’s and his own Bubblingh
• Susan Pape with Harmony Sporthorses’ and her own Harmony’s Eclectisch

British Under-25 Dressage European Championship entries

The Under-25 European Dressage Championships will also be held in Hagen over the same week, and six British combinations have been longlisted, with the squad of three or four pairs, plus reserves, announced on or around 20 August.

• Lucy Amy with Richard Amy’s Rudy
• Lewis Carrier with his own Diego V
• Dylan Deutrom with Matt Hicks and Sarah Warry’s Sunlit Uplands 
• Alex Harrison with his own Diamond Hill 
• Alicia Lee with her own Bonita 466
• Ellie McCarthy with Spencer McCarthy’s GB Londero V Worrenberg

All selection decisions are subject to the athletes and horses maintaining fitness and performance.

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Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.

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

The nine combinations who have been submitted to the FEI as the British Olympic dressage entries have been announced. 

British Equestrian and the British Dressage selectors have confirmed that the following pairs will be put forward to the FEI as nominated entries for the Tokyo Games. The four combinations who will travel to Tokyo – a team of three plus an alternate – will be chosen from this list, and will be announced, along with reserves, on 28 June.

• Fiona Bigwood with her own and Penny Bigwood’s 13-year-old gelding Hawtins Delicato, groom Heidi Troniseck
  
• Richard Davison with his own 15-year-old gelding Bubblingh, groom Heidi Troniseck
• Charlotte Dujardin with Emma and Jill Blundell and Carl Hester’s 12-year-old mare Mount St John Freestyle, groom Alan Davies
  
• Emile Faurie with Theodroa Livanos and his own 14-year-old gelding Dono Di Maggio, groom Victoria Richards
  
• Charlotte (Lottie) Fry with Van Olst Horses and her own 12-year-old stallion Everdale, groom Steven Caley
  
• Carl Hester with Sandra Biddlecombe, Charlotte Dujardin, Lady Anne Evans and his own 12-year-old gelding En Vogue, groom Lucy Scudamore
  
• Gareth Hughes withJudy Firmston-Williams and his own 11-year-old gelding Sintano Van Hof Olympia, groom Steph Hughes
  
• Susan Pape with Harmony Sporthorses and her own 12-year-old stallion Harmony’s Eclectisch, groom Greta Heemsoth
  
• Laura Tomlinson with Ursula Bechtolsheimer and her own 11-year-old mare DSP Rose Of Bavaria, groom Bea Snudden-Burnham
  

In addition to the nine British Olympic dressage entries, three nominated reserve entries have also been named:

• Charlotte Dujardin with Renai Hart, Carl Hester and her own 10-year-old Gio (direct reserve)
• Charlotte (Lottie) Fry with Van Olst Horses and her own 13-year-old gelding Dark Legend (direct reserve)
• Gareth Hughes with Claudine Kroll, Jessica Kroll, Martin Kroll and his own 12-year-old stallion KK Dominant (non-direct reserve)

Continued below…

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British Equestrian adds that “selection decisions are subject to the athlete and horse maintaining fitness and performance, and this list may be amended at any point up to 21 June 2021.”

Nominated entries for the para dressage squad for the Paralympic Games in Tokyo, to be held in August, will be published on or around 18 June.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find out more about getting the magazine delivered to your door every week.

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

This gentle giant may love a nap, but he is in the form of his life, discovers Polly Bryan

Need to know

Dono Di Maggio OLD

Age: 14

Breeding: Dimaggio x Santander H

Studbook: Oldenburg

Rider: Emile Faurie

Breeder: Gabriele Heinisch

Owners: Theodora Livanos and Emile Faurie

Greatest achievements: first grand prix and grand prix special at Aachen CDI3* 2018; third grand prix and second grand prix special at Fritzens CDI4* 2018; team bronze at WEG 2018; third grand prix special at Wellington CDI3* 2021

Rider Emile Faurie

“THE first time I was asked to sit on Dono at the Kasselmanns’, I was just wearing jeans and trainers – I hopped on and I remember thinking that it was the best feeling I had ever had from a horse. We clicked from that first day that I rode him and interestingly, I have had several comments from judges on my recent test sheets saying how much we suit one another.

“At 18.1hh, Dono is enormous, yet he never looks like a massive horse from a distance. He is beautifully put together conformationally and despite his size, he is so well contained within himself and has this amazing athleticism about him. He is also so comfortable to ride.

“He doesn’t have a weakness really, but for me his piaffe and passage are really world class, and he also excels in his changes. Because of his size, he used to find the arena a little small, and it took a while for him to be able to contain all his energy and movement, and to stay balanced in the movements, but he is now able to do that.

“Dono is the most straightforward horse I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with; he is so reliable and easy to handle in absolutely every way, both in the saddle and on the ground. He will park himself in the wash box to be washed off and stand there without a headcollar. He’s almost like a very big dog!

“Competitively, he is in phenomenal form at the moment – better than when we competed at the World Equestrian Games in 2018.”

Groom Vikki Richards

“DONO is the easiest horse imaginable, even though he is so big. He is a massive people person and loves cuddles, and he is also a great licker – he likes to lick everything and everyone. If you give him a scratch up by his ear, he will rest his head on your shoulder and lean right into you. He is truly a Big Friendly Giant and you will never see his ears go back.

“Travelling him to shows is a dream – he is good on the lorry and there is never a time when he is silly or difficult, although I do have to stand on a bigger step than normal to plait him, and I’m not all that short.

“At home he tends to come out for a ride in the morning, then he likes to go back to his stable for a snooze – he loves a morning nap and always has to have one. He also enjoys his massage rug in the afternoons. He truly is a pampered king, but he is such a cool dude with it.”

Judge Isobel Wessels

“I JUDGED Dono Di Maggio at Wellington CDI in May and although there were a couple of little mistakes because they were not yet in the swing of shows, he showed some really good work. The horse is very talented for piaffe and passage – sometimes he can offer a bit too much and he seems to be one who over-gives rather than under-gives.

“He is very elastic, with lots of scope and good articulation. I remember judging them at Fritzens in 2018, where they were highly placed. One might have thought that year, when they were selected to compete at the World Equestrian Games [WEG] in Tryon, would have been the pinnacle of the horse’s career, but he has continued to develop and improve since then. Emile does such a good job with him – I’m not sure he’s all that easy to ride, with his power and size. I’m sure they are going to turn even more corners together.

“Dono is a very focused horse, always working with his rider, and trying hard. He is a tribute to the wonderful Dimaggio, his sire, who was the biggest trier of all. I always love it when I see a Dimaggio offspring coming down the centre line.”

This feature is also available to read in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 3 June 2021

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British Olympic team contenders will be in action at the first five-star dressage show of the year in Europe, which kicks off tomorrow at Compiègne, France. It will serve as the final outing for some of Britain’s top combinations ahead of Olympic team selection next month. 

As well as elite British riders, several Olympic team and medal contenders from other countries will be among those contesting the CDIO5* Nations Cup leg – the first of three in 2021 (the others are at Rotterdam, the Netherlands, in July and Aachen, Germany, in September) – and the CDI3* competition, which runs alongside. 

The CDI3* grand prix will take place on Friday, 28 May, with the special and freestyle the following day, while the Nations Cup competition begins with the grand prix on Saturday and concludes with the special and freestyle on Sunday. Britain are the defending champions of the Compiègne Nations Cup leg, having won it in 2019 with Carl Hester, Richard Davison, Lottie Fry and Gareth Hughes. The show did not go ahead in 2020. 

A live stream is available; meanwhile, we round up the best Brits and most exciting combinations to watch…

Britain’s Nations Cup team

Lottie Fry – Dark Legend (13yo gelding, Zucchero x Tango)

A member of the 2019 winning British team here, Lottie brings forward her 2018 under-25 European champion and 2019 British senior Europeans team horse, Dark Legend (pictured, above). This tall, elegant gelding is one of two horses with whom Lottie has already made a strong bid for a place on the Tokyo Olympic team, and a good performance here could help cement this. In 2019, Lottie was the rookie of the British team at this Nations Cup; now she returns as the rider who could lead this trio to victory in Compiègne. 

Emile Faurie – Dono Di Maggio (14yo gelding, Dimaggio x Santander H)

This British-bred gelding is in the form of his life, and Emile will certainly have his eye on a place on another championship team – the pair were members of the British quartet that brought home team bronze from the World Equestrian Games in 2018. They missed their chance to compete in Belgium at the end of April, but enjoyed a super show at Wellington with plus-75% in the special. Compiègne could see their scores climb higher. 

Louise Bell – Into The Blue (15yo gelding, Ublesco x Calvaro Z)

This lovable pair of former working hunter champions are always crowd favourites, but that’s not all they bring to the table. This will be their fourth time on a Nations Cup team, and having enjoyed a positive run at Wellington earlier this month to help blow away the lockdown cobwebs, finishing third in the freestyle, expect to see them put in a solid showing here. 

Remaining British contingent in the CDI3*

Fiona Bigwood – Hawtins Delicato (13yo gelding, Diamond Hit x Regazzoni)

Olympic silver medallist Fiona made a successful international debut with Carl Hester’s former world medallist at Wellington in mid-May, and this will be the first time this new combination have ventured onto foreign soil to show the world what they can do. They make a good partnership and, while still getting to know each other, are capable of some very useful, and eye-catching, scores here. 

Lottie Fry – Everdale (12yo stallion, Lord Leatherdale x Negro)

After 15 months away from competition, this striking stallion burst back on to the international scene this spring, and most recently scored a plus-77% grand prix special win in Exloo, the Netherlands. He is up against his more experienced stablemate Dark Legend in the fight for a place on the Olympic team, but arguably has more potential to access the very highest scores. Compiègne will be an important test for these British Olympic team contenders. 

Laura Tomlinson – Rose Of Bavaria (11yo mare, Bordeaux x Florestan I)

Laura and “Betty’s” 2021 Olympic selection campaign was delayed in getting off the ground, after the mare suffered a reaction to an EHV vaccine earlier in the year. Happily, she is back to fitness and ready to throw her hat in the ring for an Olympic team place. They have had limited international outings so far, and haven’t crossed the Channel since last September, but you wouldn’t be surprised to see them finish among the leaders here. 

Richard Davison – Bubblingh (15yo gelding, Lingh x Picandt)

Four-time Olympian Richard has exercised impressive patience in developing this talented, but quirky home-bred “Bubbles”. They had a quiet 2020, returning to the international arena for the first time since March last year at Wellington CDI3*, where they performed strongly in the grand prix, but withdrew from the special. It will be interesting to see the impression they can make here.

Best of the rest

Cathrine Dufour DEN – Bohemian (11yo gelding, Bordeaux x Samarant)

Her multi-medalled Atterupgaards Cassidy made have just landed a fifth Danish national title for Cathrine, but it is this young superstar who will likely spearhead the Danish team in Tokyo. This will be his first international outing of 2021, but as he has already exceeded 82% in the special, and 88% in the freestyle – twice – you can expect impressive things, and quite possibly a victory, from him in the five-star tour here. 

Patrik Kittel SWE – Well Done De La Roche CMF (13yo mare, Furstentraum x Walt Disney)

Adding to the strong Scandinavian representation here is Patrik on his European team bronze medallist, who is expected to be his Tokyo contender. This will be an especially important appearance for the pair, who were eliminated on their first outing since last July, at Mariakalnok in Hungary, after traces of blood were spotted in the mare’s mouth. They have a good track record at Compiègne, having finished second in the five-star special in 2019 behind Britain’s Gareth Hughes. 

Continued below…

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Andreas Helgstrand DEN – Fiontini (11yo mare, Fassbinder x Romanov)

Until late last year, it had been more than four years since world and Olympic medallist Andreas had competed internationally at grand prix level, instead concentrating on his rapidly expanding sales and breeding business. However, since taking over the ride on this talented mare from former Helgstrand head rider Severo Jurado Lopez, he has enjoyed a string of good results that could put him in contention for a position on the Danish Olympic team this summer. Another strong showing here in the CDI3* would boost those chances. 

Hans Peter Minderhoud NED – Glock’s Zonik (13yo stallion, Blue Hors Zack x Romanov)

This will be Hans Peter’s first competition aboard his partner Edward Gal’s European medallist Zonik, having announced earlier this week that he would be taking over the ride on this imposing stallion. With Edward concentrating on younger grand prix rides, Zonik hasn’t competed since January 2020, where he scored over 85% to finish third in the freestyle at Amsterdam. It will be fascinating to see what Hans Peter can bring out of him in the CDI3* in Compiègne. 

All seven US horses originally entered at Compiegne – three in the CDIO5* and four in the young rider section – have been withdrawn due to “adverse results” among the the horses’ EHV-1 test results, conducted before their departure.

In a statement, US Equestrian said: “In accordance with the FEI Return to Competition protocols, all U.S. horses were tested for EHV-1 prior to departure from their layover base to the competition venue. A limited number of PCR tests returned with adverse results. Horses within the US contingent have not shown any symptoms or clinical signs of the virus, are not febrile, and are all vaccinated. Out of an abundance of precaution, the team has decided to withdraw. US Equestrian is working directly with the FEI to determine appropriate next steps and an acceptable timeline for a return to competition based on the outlined protocols.”

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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

Charlotte Dujardin scored comfortable wins in both the Wellington Riding grand prix special and freestyle classes, at the inaugural Wellington CDI3* in Hampshire.

The reigning Olympic champion put a costly spook from yesterday’s grand prix behind her – calling it a “learning curve” – to claim freestyle glory with 88.35% on Mount St John Freestyle. The pair finished clear of the competition by more than 10%.

Riding to her delightful Frozen-inspired music, which has still only had minimal outings since she first debuted it in July 2019, Charlotte pulled in plenty of big marks from the five top-level international judges at this Olympic observation trial. Even a pheasant invading the arena and crossing their path in the middle of their tempi-changes didn’t prevent the pair from producing a line of 19 exquisite changes.

It still wasn’t a clear round, with the 12-year-old Fidermark mare breaking in the first extended trot, but Charlotte was rational about the mistakes.

“It’s better for that to happen here than at a championship,” she reasoned. “I don’t ride the freestyle often; I did practise it before coming here but it wasn’t quite how I wanted it, so today was almost a schooling round. We made some mistakes, so we will go away and work on it. By the time we hopefully get to a championship, it will be polished.

“But thank god we have pheasants and guinea fowl and chickens always in the arena at home – it meant when I saw the pheasant here I knew it wouldn’t bother Freestyle. I knew she’d just run it down,” she laughed.

Gareth Hughes finished second with an impressive 77.08%, ahead of Louise Bell and Into The Blue in third. Gareth was riding the compact Diamond Hit stallion KK Dominant, who looked to be thoroughly enjoying his first run for many months. The pair got toes tapping with their funky pop routine, while pulling in plenty of eights across the board.

Gareth also finished second in the special earlier, raising lots of eyebrows as he consolidated his newest grand prix talent. He and the 12-year-old Sandro Hit son Sintano Van Hof Olympia impressed with a clean and expressive round to score 75.23% and slot into second behind Charlotte and Gio. The pair got off to a rocky start as the hot gelding became unsettled in his first halt and the live scoreboard launched with a trending mark of 48%. But strong scores throughout the rest of the test, including nines for the pirouettes, boosted them up the leaderboard.

‘Pumpkin pie stole the show’

Meanwhile, Charlotte Dujardin’s rising star Gio – aka Pumpkin – was performing his very first international special, having run through the test just once in the pouring rain at a practice show last summer. Once again he showed off his huge potential, scoring 81.43% for an easy win to follow yesterday’s grand prix victory.

“Pumpkin pie stole the show,” exclaimed a delighted Charlotte. “He needs a bit more help than Freestyle and yesterday I slightly overrode him, so today I tried to do a bit less. I just wanted a clear round and he did that. It wasn’t perfect, but with horses we can’t be perfect all the time.”

Emile Faurie also impressed for 75.19%and third with his 2018 World Equestrian Games ride Dono Di Maggio, who is now owned by Greek rider Theodora Livanos. Emile and the imposing 14-year-old Dimaggio son make a great combination and they pulled off a very smart special, featuring seamless piaffe-passage transitions and expressive passage.

‘I had no warning’

After producing a personal best in yesterday’s grand prix with En Vogue, Carl Hester had a troubled round in the special. The tall Jazz gelding is immensely talented, but hot, and still relatively inexperienced. He broke to canter in the first extended trot, and spooked hard at a banner outside the arena during the second piaffe. High marks for the excellent work they produced in between the blips – particularly the pirouettes – earned them a final score of 73.6%, placing them fourth.

“Yesterday he was fantastic and felt amazing; today he felt even better actually but I don’t what he saw [in the piaffe],” Carl told H&H. “I had no warning – we came round the corner and he suddenly stopped but he was genuine to come round and do it again. His general way of going and his confidence in the piaffe and passage was really good and he is getting easier to ride, so we are making big strides forward in that respect.

“It was a disappointing mistake, so we will re-route to somewhere like Compiègne or Le Mans now, to get in another score,” he added.

Sonnar Murray-Brown improved on yesterday’s slightly disappointing grand prix with Erlentanz to score 74.45% for fifth, while Fiona Bigwood and Hawtin’s Delicato filled sixth.

In today’s under-25 grand prix, Alex Harrison came out on top with Diamond Hill, scoring 71.07% to relegate Ellie McCarthy and her exciting new ride GB Londero Von Worrenberg into second by less 0.2%.

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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

Charlotte Dujardin has taken the top two places in the Wellington CDI3* grand prix, sponsored by Horse & Country TV.

Charlotte claimed the win at Wellington riding the 10-year-old Apache x Tango gelding Gio, who edged out his more experienced stablemate, Mount St John Freestyle, to score 79.13% and secure his spot at the top of the leaderboard. Meanwhile, a costly mistake kept Freestyle in second.

Gio, known at home as Pumpkin, produced a super test, only marred by a mistake in the one-time changes. Their early trotwork was gorgeous, earning a 10 for their first half-pass. The gelding is only in his second year of grand prix, with this show being just his third international, but he put in a mature performance here, picking up more 10s for their final centre line.

The 12-year-old Fidermark mare Mount St John Freestyle, owned by Emma Blundell, also offered some excellent work, her scoresheet littered with nines and 10s during the early section. However, an uncharacteristic major spook during the pair’s second piaffe caused the marks to momentarily plummet, although a strong canter section and super last line helped elevate their final score back to 77.94%.

Carl Hester finished third with 77.5% riding En Vogue, the 12-year-old Jazz gelding owned by Charlotte. They too produced lots of very high quality work, with their piaffes and pirouettes scoring particularly highly. However, their performance divided the judges, with the Dutch judge at M, Mariette Sanders-Van Hansewinkel awarding him 72.94% – more than 8% lower than the mark from Isobel Wessels at H, of 80.98%.

Gareth Hughes filled fourth with his upcoming star, the 11-year-old Sintano Van Hof Olympia, posting 73.78% on just their second international outing at this level.

Emile Faurie finished fifth on his World Equestrian Games team bronze medallist Dono Di Maggio – a welcome result for Emile who was denied the chance to compete as planned at Opglabbeek CDI in Belgium last month. Olympic silver medallist Fiona Bigwood rounded out the top six riding Hawtins Delicato – former championship ride of Carl Hester – on their international debut as a combination.

This morning’s Wellington Riding inter I was won by Britain’s Sarah Millis, who rode the eight-year-old Charmeur x Krack C gelding Impressive to 75.05%. Sarah finished almost 3% ahead of yesterday’s Nirvana Spa prix st georges winner, Germany’s Nikolas Kröncke and Flanell.

Competition continues tomorrow (Thursday, 13 May) with the grand prix special kicking off at 8am, followed by the grand prix freestyle and the under-25 grand prix. Over the course of the weekend, Wellington will host a full complement of international youth classes at pony, junior and young rider levels.

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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

The inaugural Wellington CDI3* that gets underway this week is set to be one of the most significant dressage events of the year. As the first dressage international to be held on British soil since October – and the first outdoor UK show since 2019 – the country’s top combinations will be out in force. 

While not officially a selection trial, this will be a crucial opportunity for those riders campaigning for a place on the British dressage team at the Tokyo Olympics to prove themselves. For those who have opted not to make a trip across the Channel to compete this year, this show will be especially important. 

A total of 34 combinations are entered for the big tour at Wellington CDI3*, of which 25 pairs are British. There are also riders representing Finland, Ireland, Greece and Poland. We have picked out a selection to keep a particularly close eye on…

Charlotte Dujardin – Mount St John Freestyle (12-year-old mare, Fidermark x Donnerhall) and Gio (10-year-old gelding, Apache x Tango)

All eyes will be on Charlotte and her two rides. Both performed strongly at Hagen CDI4* at the end of last month, with Freestyle winning the grand prix special there (pictured above), and Gio the freestyle. At present, both horses are an option for Charlotte to take to Tokyo, although championship – and flying – experience would make Freestyle a more obvious first choice. Barring disaster, Charlotte is a shoe-in for the Tokyo team, but she will be keen to fine-tune her two superstars as she prepares to peak in Japan.

Fiona Bigwood – Hawtins Delicato (13-year-old gelding, Diamond Hit x Regazzoni) and Fame (11-year-old gelding, Bordeaux x Rhodium)

This will be Olympian Fiona’s international debut with the former championship ride of Carl Hester, Hawtins Delicato. The pair have had a few months to gel and it will be fascinating to see what they can bring to the table here. Fiona also rides her upcoming star Fame on what will be the horse’s international debut. 

Gareth Hughes – Sintano Van Hof Olympia (11-year-old gelding, Sandro Hit x Silvano) and KK Dominant (12-year-old stallion, Diamond Hit x Rubin Royal)

With Gareth’s top horse Classic Briolinca out of contention for this year’s championships, attention has now turned to his upcoming star Sintano, who made a super international debut in Belgium last month. Gareth will be looking to consolidate those good results here on home soil, with half an eye on selection, while also progressing the career of the striking stallion Dominant.

Emile Faurie – Dono Di Maggio (14-year-old gelding, Dimaggio x Santander H)

Having been denied entry to the EU while travelling to compete in Belgium last month, Emile will be keen to make the most of this second opportunity to show off his rekindled partnership with his 2918 World Equestrian Games ride Dono Di Maggio. Emile temporarily took back the ride from Dono’s Greek owner, Theodora Livanos, and they have already impressed behind closed doors this year at a practice grand prix event at Hartpury. 

Steph Croxford – Mr Benn (12-year-old gelding)

Wellington will be an international debut for this quirky horse and his popular rider. Nicknamed “Thug”, this gelding was bred for driving and is by a coloured Irish cob, and out of a Dutch warmblood/hackney, and presents a very striking picture in the ring. While Steph says she is looking forward to “propping up the bottom” in the grand prix here, this is just the beginning of this plucky pair’s international career together.

Kate Dwyer (IRL) – Snowden Faberge (15-year-old gelding, by Foxcourt Fabelhaft)

This adorable chap has Shire in his breeding but it hasn’t stopped him from becoming one of Ireland’s top grand prix performers. This pair haven’t competed internationally since Doha CDI5* in February 2020, where they made Irish history by winning the grand prix special. They were also a part of the Irish team that secured Olympic qualification at the European Championships back in 2019, and will be itching to get on the Tokyo team. 

Theodora Livanos (GRE) – Robinvale (14-year-old gelding, Rubinero 2 x Wittinger)

This pair have their sights set on representing Greece as an individual at this summer’s Olympics, and having being denied the chance to compete in Belgium along with Emile Faurie last month, Wellington is their chance to secure qualification for Tokyo. It’s been a long road to this point for 19-year-old Theo, who underwent surgery and months of recuperation after being diagnosed with osteomyelitis last year.

Spencer Wilton was also due to compete for Britain with the 18-year-old De Niro son Super Nova II, in what would have been the duo’s first international appearance since March 2020, but has withdrawn from the competition.

Article continues below…

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What’s on at Wellington and how to watch

The grand prix will take place on Wednesday 12 May, with the grand prix special and freestyle both scheduled for Thursday 13 May.

Wellington will also host small tour classes at prix st georges and inter I level, which will take place on 11 and 12 May, while a full complement of youth classes, from under-25 level to ponies, will be held across the week and over the weekend.

While the event is being held behind closed doors due to current coronavirus restrictions, it will be available to watch via Horse & Country TV’s live stream.

H&H will also have a reporter on site, so don’t miss the 20 May issue of the magazine for full coverage.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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Top British dressage rider Emile Faurie was frustrated when his intended ride for last month’s Opglabbeek CDI3* in Belgium (22-25 April) was denied entry to the EU.

The double Olympian was entered for the event – one of Europe’s first major dressage shows this year – on his World Equestrian Games team bronze medallist Dono Di Maggio, but was forced to turn for home on reaching Calais owing to a paperwork mistake that had been made by the border control team in Dover.

“The horses are in Swiss ownership and were travelling on Swiss carnets [an international customs document required since the UK left the EU]. All the paperwork was correct but the people in Dover had pulled out the wrong piece of paper in the carnet, and then once we got to Calais the French wouldn’t accept it,” Emile told H&H. “Even when we got the right paper scanned and sent over to them they wouldn’t accept it.”

Travelling with Emile was his student, Greek grand prix rider and owner of Dono Di Maggio Theodora Livanos, who was due to compete in Belgium on her other horse, Robinvale. Both horses were travelling on the same lorry as Laura Tomlinson’s ride Fallatijn, whose paperwork did not incur issues and who was allowed to continue on to Belgium, while Emile had to arrange transport to get 14-year-old geldings Dono Di Maggio and Robinvale back home to Oxfordshire from Calais.

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“This trip was more important for Theo than for me as she is trying to get her Olympic qualification to be able to ride in Tokyo as an individual,” Emile explained. “Luckily we still have Wellington CDI as an Olympic qualifier.

“The situation was especially bad for the horses though – they were standing for ages on the lorry, and the people in Calais seemed totally inflexible and uncaring.

“It’s madness that Brexit has caused things to change to such a dramatic extent. I don’t see the reasoning behind it; it’s politics playing games with people’s lives and not caring about the welfare of horses.”

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British dressage combinations still seeking to complete their qualification for this summer’s Tokyo Olympics will now have the opportunity to do so on home soil, as the new Wellington Riding CDI3* in May has been designated an Olympic qualifier by the FEI.

The show, which is scheduled to run from 11-16 May at Wellington Riding, Hants, was originally added to the international calendar without the option to count towards minimum eligibility requirements (MER), but this decision has since been reversed by the FEI.

Among Britain’s top dressage riders yet to complete qualification for Tokyo is five-time Olympian Carl Hester with En Vogue.

Current qualification rules involve horse and rider combinations achieving certain criteria at a minimum of two eligible FEI events between 1 January 2019 and 21 June 2021. As Carl only took over the ride on 12-year-old Vogue from owner Charlotte Dujardin in February 2020, the 76.5% they scored at the Keysoe CDI in October 2020 is the pair’s only international grand prix result to date.

Carl welcomed the decision to allow the Wellington show to count towards MERs.

“It’s great news that the FEI has reversed the decision. I must also thank [World Class performance director] Dickie Waygood, who has worked really hard for this on our behalf,” Carl told H&H.

Charlotte is in the same position as Carl with the 10-year-old Gio, who made his grand prix debut nationally in January 2020, but has also only been able to compete internationally at Keysoe in October, where they scored 79.35%. Charlotte is already qualified for the Games with her World bronze medallist Mount St John Freestyle.

As well as competing at Wellington next month, Carl and Charlotte will also travel to Hagen, Germany, for the CDI4* on 21-25 April. Carl will ride En Vogue, while Charlotte will be in action with both Freestyle and Gio. This will be Charlotte’s first time competing abroad since the World Cup qualifier in Amsterdam in January 2020, while Carl has not competed outside the UK since the European Championships in 2019.

“I don’t want to rely on just one show, Wellington [for qualification] in case something goes wrong,” explained Carl. “I’ve got to have two shows so I have a back-up to make sure I’m qualified.

“Vogue feels gorgeous at the moment, but Hagen is a difficult show to get the points.”

Carl and Charlotte will be joined in Hagen by Sonnar Murray-Brown and Erlentanz, as well as the Netherlands-based Lottie Fry, who is set to bring her trio of grand prix rides: Dark Legend, Everdale and Glamourdale.

The entry list for Hagen reads like a Who’s Who of European dressage, with Isabell Werth, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, Sonke Rothenberger, Frederic Wandres and Helen Langehanenberg among the German contingent. Other top riders set to be in action include Sweden’s Patrik Kittel, Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour, the Netherlands’ Adelinde Cornellissen and Spain’s Juan Matute Guimon, making his first international appearance since his recovery from a brain bleed last summer.

Continues below…

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Closer to home, many of Britain’s elite riders appeared on fine form during a grand prix training event at Hartpury last week, judged by five-star judges Isobel Wessels, Clive Halsall and Peter Storr. Carl achieved his first 80% grand prix aboard Vogue, while Charlotte received 84% and 82% respectively for her tests on Freestyle and Gio. Emile Faurie was also on top form, scoring 76.99% with Dono Dimaggio.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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Olympia and Liverpool may not be running this year but dressage fans can still get their festive fix this month.

The riders and horses due to take part in the LeMieux National Grand Prix Championships (21-22 December) at Hartpury have been announced. The line-up of Britain’s best riders features six previous national champions as well as partnerships aiming for team places and rising stars of the future.

“The final countdown is on to an extraordinary conclusion to what has been an extraordinary year,” said a British Dressage spokesman.

“The championships will be a celebration for us all to bring a difficult and challenging year to an end, as 30 of Britain’s best combinations battle it out for the coveted LeMieux national champion accolade. We’re really excited to unwrap an early present for you… the rider list!”

Riders and horses in alphabetical order:

• Lucy Amy with her own Rudy (bay, gelding, 16.2hh, 11yrs)
• Nikki Barker with her own and Viv Gleave’s Durable (bay, stallion, 17.2hh, 12yrs, s. Spielberg)
• Nicola Buchanan with her own Half Moon Dark Magic (black, gelding, 17.1hh, 11yrs, s. Dimaggio)
• Lara Butler with Ursula Bechtolsheimer and Laura Tomlinson’s Rubin Al Asad (bay, gelding, 17.1hh, 18yrs, Rubin Royal x Wanderbursch II)
• Lewis Carrier with his own Diego V (dark bay, gelding, 16.2hh, 12yrs, s. Spielberg)
• Kate Cowell with Audrey Lawrence and Christine Richards’ Samba Dancer (chestnut, gelding, 16.1hh, 14yrs, s. Samba Hit II)
• Steph Croxford with her own Mr Benn II (black, gelding, 16.1hh, 11yrs)
• Liz Dieguits with her own Saskia Hit (bay, mare, 16.3hh, 15yrs, Sandro Hit x Akzent I)
• Charlotte Dujardin with Emma Blundell’s Mount St John Freestyle (bay, mare, 16.2hh, 11yrs, Fidermark x Donnerhall) and her own Gio (chestnut, gelding, 16hh, 9ys, Apache x Tango)
• Emile Faurie with Theodora Livanos’ Dono di Maggio (chestnut, gelding, 16.2hh, 13yrs, Dimaggio x Santander H)
• Paul Friday with Christine Trendell’s Winston Bond (bay, gelding, 16.2hh, 17yrs, s. OOSeven)
• Dan Greenwood with Julie Leighton’s Chevalier O (bay, gelding, 16.3hh, 13yrs, Lord Letherdale x Negro)
• Alexander Harrison with his own Diamond Hill (chestnut, gelding, 15.2hh, 9yrs, s. Don Diamond)
• Carl Hester with Charlotte Dujardin’s En Vogue (dark bay, gelding, 17hh, 11yrs, s. Jazz)
• Megan Ingham with Coral Ingham’s Wanadoo (chestnut, gelding, 16.2hh, 19yrs, Wolkenstein II x Cavalier)
• Nathalie Kayal with her own DHI Homerun (bay, gelding, 16.2hh, 15yrs, Hochadel x Mooiman)
• Lisa Marriott with her own Valucio (bay, gelding, 16hh, 11yrs, s. Va-vite)
• Becky Moody with her own and Julie Lockey’s Carinsio (black, gelding, 16.3hh, 13yrs, Painted Black X Beaujolais) and her own Famke PF (bay, gelding, 16.2hh, 10yrs)
• Sonnar Murray-Brown with his own Erlentanz (dark brown, gelding, 16.2hh, 13yrs, s. Latimer)
• Alice Oppenheimer with Sarah Oppenheimer’s Headmore Davina (chestnut, mare, 16.3hh, 10yrs, Dimaggio x Rubinstein) and Headmore Dirubinio (chestnut, gelding, 17hh, 11yrs, Dimaggio x Rubinstein)
• Keith Robertson with his own Boheme Af Sulstead (chestnut, gelding, 17hh, 16yrs, s. Bernstein)
• Sadie Smith with her own Keystone Dynamite (chestnut, gelding, 16hh, 13yrs, Dimaggio x Escudo)
• Laura Tomlinson with Ursula Bechtolsheimer and her own DSP Rose of Bavaria (black, mare, 16.3hh, 10yrs, Bordeaux x Florestan I)
• Hayley Watson-Greaves with her own WG Rubins Night (black, gelding, 16.3hh, 16yrs, Rubin Royal x Limbo)
• Amy Woodhead with Emma Blundell’s Mount St John Kom Fairytale (chestnut, mare, 16.2hh, 14yrs, Furst Heinrich x Weltmeyer)
• Two more combinations will be announced in the near future.

“The scene is set for this festive extravaganza, and the atmospheric Hartpury international arena will feature Christmas decorations aplenty – but sadly no spectators, as the event will be taking place behind closed doors in accordance with our elite sport protocols,” the BD spokesman said, adding that all the action will be live-streamed free on Horse & Country.”

The Lemieux grand prix takes place on Monday, 21 December from noon, and fans will be able to compare their scores to the experts’ thanks to the Spectator Judging app.

The 15 highest-scoring combinations will take part in the Horse Health freestyle the next day. Coverage starts at 10.45am and the first horse will be in just after 11am. The combination with the highest combined score from the two tests will be named national champion.

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“Can Carl secure his 11th title, will it be win number four for Laura, a third crown for Emile or will Charlotte get her name on the role of honour for a second time?” said the spokesman. “Will it be a repeat performance for Hayley Watson-Greaves or Lara Butler? Or maybe a completely new name will find a place in the history books in this unique year. Watch with us for two days of world-class dressage performances to find out!”

LeMieux is also offering prizes worth £1,000 to spectators, in a competition to predict the winning percentage score in the freestyle.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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Six “exceptional” horses have been selected to represent Britain at the FEI World Breeding Federation Dressage Championships for Young Horses. These prestigious championships, originally scheduled for August, but postponed due to the pandemic, will take place at the iconic German venue of Verden on 9-13 December.

Selection trials were held earlier this month at the British Dressage (BD) National Young Horse Championships 2020.

“The standards were high and it was clear that riders had used the time away from competition wisely,” said chief selector Judy Harvey. “The six horses we’ve selected are exceptional and a credit to their riders, owners and breeders.”

Britain will field the maximum of two horses in each of the five-, six- and seven- year-old divisions, with two seven-year-old reserves named as well.

Let’s find out who they are…

Five-year-olds selected to represent Britain at FEI World Breeding Federation Dressage Championships for Young Horses

Waverley Fellini (bay gelding, Fürstenball x Sandro Hit)

Rider: Greg Sims

Owner: Stena Hoerner

Breeder: Sara Longworth, GBR

Studbook: Oldenburg

Best results: national winter novice champion 2020; national five-year-old champion and winner of five-year-old selection trial at the BD National Young Horse Championships 2020.

King IV (pictured above, black stallion, Governor x Johnson)

Rider: Jezz Palmer

Owner: Richard Burge

Breeder: Freek Hoogengoom, NED

Studbook: KWPN

Best results: double regional novice champion and national winter novice freestyle champion 2020; second in five-year-old selection trial at the BD National Young Horse Championships 2020.

Six-year-olds selected to represent Britain at Verden

Straight Horse De Milla (chestnut mare, De Niro x Blue Hors Zack)

Rider: Tom Goode

Owner: Emile Faurie

Breeder: Mogens Pederesen, DEN

Studbook: Danish Warmblood

Best results: reserve national winter elementary champion 2020; winner of six-year-old selection trial at the BD National Young Horse Championships 2020.

Jaristo (bay stallion, Dream Boy x Nourejev)

Rider: Tom Goode

Owner: Emile Faurie

Breeder: Appie Dijstra, NED

Studbook: KWPN

Best results: three plus-70% advanced medium wins 2020; second in six-year-old selection trial at BD National Young Horse Championships 2020.

Seven-year-olds selected to represent Britain at Verden

Impressive VDC (chestnut gelding, Charmeur x Krack C)

Rider/owner: Sarah Millis

Breeder: Piet Crum, NED

Studbook: KWPN

Best results: three plus-70% prix st georges results 2020; winner of seven-year-old selection trial and reserve national seven-year-old champion at the BD National Young Horse Championships 2020.

Ivoli-E (chestnut mare, Dream Boy x Jazz)

Rider/owner: Luke Baber-Davies

Breeder: WJM Erven, NED

Studbook: KWPN

Best results: second in seven-year-old selection trial and fifth in seven-year-old championship at the BD National Young Horse Championships 2020.

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Seven-year-old reserves

Rockstar (brown gelding, Rock Forever NRW x Stedinger)

Rider/owner: Lisa Marriott

Breeder: Gerd Sosath, GER

Studbook: Oldenburg

Waverley Dante (dark bay gelding, Dimaggio x Fürst Henrich)

Rider/owner: Greg Sims

Breeder: Sara Longworth, GBR

Studbook: Hanoverian

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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

Find out which young dressage horses took the spoils at the British Dressage Young Horse Championships at Keysoe

This year’s most exciting young dressage horses finally had their time to shine, with the Keysoe British Dressage Young Horse Championships taking place over 2-4 October.

The weekend hosted the BD finals for four-, five- and six-year-olds horses and ponies, and the inaugural BD seven-year-old championship, as well as five-, six- and seven-year-old selection trials for December’s FEI Dressage World Breeding Championships in Verden, Germany.

Check out those who emerged triumphant – which would you most like to take home? And don’t miss the full report from these championships in Horse & Hound magazine (15 October issue).

MSJ Dante VX

This British-bred son of Dante Weltino was expertly ridden by British team rider Michael Eilberg to claim the brand new seven-year-old national title with 76.38%. This tall gelding was bred by Emma Blundell at Mount St John Stud and is now owned by Michael’s mother Geri and Nicky Reid.

High Hoes Estelle

This exciting British-bred mare was bred by Nicky Callam in Sussex, and despite a late start due to her tall frame, was crowned six-year-old national champion. Estelle is now jointly owned by Nicky and her rider, Dannie Morgan, who piloted the elegant Escolar x Laudabilis daughter to a winning 83%.

RSC The Ogopogo

The winner of the six-year-old pony title, 14.2hh stallion The Ogopogo, is by the Cuddy supreme in-hand champion Ceulan Calon Lan and out of Hanoverian mare Fabienne. Under Bryony Goodwin, he posted 76.2% to claim victory here by almost 10%.

Waverley Fellini

Fresh from taking the novice gold title at the rescheduled Winter Dressage Championships in August, this British-bred Fustenball x Sandro Hit gelding scored a whopping 92.6% under Greg Sims to top a massive five-year-old championship. The pair also headed the FEI five-year-old selection trial, scoring 87.2%.

Mount St John Diamonds Are Forever

It proved a very fruitful weekend for Emma Blundell’s stud, as this eye-catching Diamond Hit daughter came out on top of 38 starters to be crowned national four-year-old champion. The German-bred mare was ridden by Amy Woodhead to score 82.4% on what was only her sixth competitive start.

Godric’s Dionysus

The new four-year-old pony champion, known as Haymitch, is by Danger 36 out of Tiger Lily, and was bred by Bev and Sam Brown at Godrics Stud. He was ridden here by Elly Darling, achieving a score of 70%.

Sugarhouse Targaryen

The national five-year-old pony championship landed in the hands of Lucy Pye and this eye-catching palomino gelding. Targaryen was bred by Ruth Mealey and is by Llangwedh Sunny Jim, out of Bonita van de Rosheove.

Straight Horse De Milla

This smart six-year-old chestnut mare is owned by Denmark’s Helgstrand Dressage, and boasts impeccable breeding being by De Niro x Blue Hors Zack. Now based in Britain with Emile Faurie, and ridden by Tom Goode, she posted 88.4% to win her FEI selection trial here.

Impressive

This chestnut gelding is by Charmeur out of the Krack C mare Vechta, and certainly looks to be an exciting prospect for the future. He topped the line-up in the seven-year-old FEI class, scoring 80.31% under Sarah Millis.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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

With most of 2020’s international dressge scratched from the calendar, we can’t wait for next week’s CPEDI and CDI shows at Keysoe – and here’s why...

1. It’s the first international in Britain since before the pandemic

The last international dressage show held in Britain before lockdown was the CDI3*, also at Keysoe, in mid-March. With Windsor, Bolesworth, Hartpury and Hickstead cancelled, dressage fans are crying out for the chance to see the country’s stars in action – as are the riders themselves!

2. The line-up is, quite simply, mega

The entry list for the top level classes are packed with big names, bringing forward their top horses. From Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester to Britain’s top performing combination at the 2019 European Championships, Gareth Hughes on Classic Briolinca, and some of the most exciting up-and-coming pairs such as Sonnar Murray-Brown and Erlentanz, this is without doubt one of the most exciting British international line-ups we have seen in years.

3. Charlotte Dujardin’s superstars will go head to head

Keysoe will be the first time that Charlotte’s current top horses, the 11-year-old mare Mount St John Freestyle (pictured above), and the nine-year-old gelding Gio, will have competed against one another at this level. While it is expected that Charlotte will opt to ride the special on one horse and the freestyle on the other, the two will go head-to-head in the grand prix. Gio is much less experienced than Freestyle, having only made his grand prix debut this year, but both horses have achieved mid-80% scores from top judges this summer. It will be fascinating to see how each performs at Keysoe.

4. Top para riders will also be in action

Keysoe is also set to host a CPEDI3* next week, and Britain’s top para combinations are busy preparing for their first international in many months. Expect such stars as reigning world champion Sophie Wells and multiple Paralympic gold medallist Natasha Baker, as well as a host of exciting upcoming combinations.

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5. Carl will make his international debut with his newest team prospect

All eyes will be on Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardn’s 11-year-old En Vogue. Carl took over the ride on the hot Jazz gelding earlier this year, and Keysoe will be their first chance to stamp an international score on their record. Carl rates Vogue very highly, describing him as a future British team horse, and it will be exciting to see what they can do.

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6. You can watch all the action online

While sadly the Keysoe CPEDI and CDI are taking place behind closed doors, due to coronavirus restrictions and social distancing, there’s no need to miss out on the action as it happens, with a live stream available on Horse & Country TV. Don’t forget to pick up the 15 October issue of H&H too, for the full report.

Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade to access our H&H Plus online service which brings you breaking news as it happens as well as other benefits.

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A crack line-up has been revealed for next week’s Keysoe CDI3*, the first dressage international to take place in Britain since before the coronavirus lockdown.

Charlotte Dujardin will lead the billing, bringing forward both her top two rides: the double world bronze medallist Mount St John Freestyle, and rising star Gio.

The 11-year-old Fidermark mare Freestyle’s last international competition was the Amsterdam World Cup qualifier in January, where she and Charlotte scored just under 82% at grand prix and 89.5% in the freestyle. Freestyle was recently awarded 85% from five-star judges for an unofficial grand prix at Hartpury, which Carl Hester described as “probably the best grand prix she has ever done”.

The nine-year-old Apache son Gio is still in his first year of grand prix, but has already produced mega scores, with just under 80% at his last official outing in January, and plus-80% scores from top judges at Hartpury this summer.

Carl Hester will also be in action, aboard his newest grand prix ride En Vogue. The 11-year-old Jazz gelding is owned by Charlotte, who competed him up to grand prix, but she passed the ride to Carl earlier this year. Carl and Vogue already have a 78% grand prix special under their belt, but Keysoe will be their international debut as a partnership.

Gareth Hughes – Britain’s best performing rider at last year’s European Championships – will bring his team horse, the 14-year-old Trento B mare Classic Briolinca. Gareth will also ride the 14-year-old Wolkentanz II gelding KK Woodstock, winner of the grand prix freestyle at the Keysoe CDI in March this year.

Emile Faurie will partner his World Equestrian Games medallist Dono Di Maggio. Emile has been reunited with the 13-year-old gelding this year as his pupil and Dono’s owner Theodora Livanos has been out of action after leg surgery in the spring.

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Other top riders competing at Keysoe include Sonnar Murray-Brown and Erlentanz, Lara Butler on Rubin Al Asad and Louise Bell riding Into The Blue.

The CDI runs from 9-11 October, following the conclusion of the CPEDI3* on 6-8 October. The small and tour, and youth sections are also set to feature strong line-ups.

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As a spotlight is thrown on the lack of ethnic diversity in the British equestrian industry, H&H investigates what action is being taken to address the issue...

“I’ve had people stop me to say: ‘I didn’t think Black or Asian people rode horses’. It’s about changing that mindset.”

Imran Atcha, who runs St James City Farm Riding School in Gloucester, told H&H he has often been approached, when riding, by people who had never thought they could sit on a horse – and want to try.

He believes this lack of awareness is a major factor in the lack of ethnic diversity in British equestrianism – which he and others are working to change, to improve accessibility to our sport for all.

“We need role models,” Imran said. “We need someone who people in the area can relate to. If they see someone from the same background, they can relate to that person, but if everyone appears to be the same type, and wealthy, there’s a feeling riding is only for wealthy people – and for the ethnic minority community, it’s multiplied. When they see someone like me, that I can ride and am willing to help others into the sport, and there are other people like me, it’s easier.”

Imran believes change has to come from the grassroots level; the top riders of the future have to start at the bottom, but these potential equestrians have to be inspired, to know it is possible for them, to take the sport up in the first place.

He cites Peckham teenager Khadijah Mellah’s 2019 victory in the Magnolia Cup – the first time a British Muslim had ridden a winner in the UK, and the first time anyone had raced in a hijab – as an inspiration.

“People from minority communities, second or third generation, might not have heard of Carl Hester or AP McCoy, but they’ve heard of her,” he said. “That’s the first step.”

Khadijah learned to ride at Ebony Horse Club in Brixton, another city riding school aiming to make horses accessible to those who may not otherwise have had the opportunity.

Like Imran, Ebony’s co-founder Naomi Howgate is involved with a new British Equestrian (BEF) initiative set up last autumn, the equality engagement group, which the BEF hopes will help it engage with people already working in the area to “help us provide equal opportunities for all to take part in equestrian sport, and to make what we do more accessible”.

Imran said Khadijah’s story shows the importance of schools like Ebony, but that many such organisations are in a “vacuum”. BEF head of participation Anna Hall told H&H the equality group wants to help connect and support these organisations in their work.

“We have challenges, but the way we’re approaching them is through these groups – to link people who can drive action,” she said. “We don’t want the BEF to plan a misguided project; there’s nothing worse than a bunch of well-meaning people saying, ‘This is what we think you want’; the idea is to support people. It might take more time, but it’ll deliver a better result.”

The first group meeting was held last autumn, to find out about the barriers to accessing the sport. The next session, planned to start addressing the issues, was due to be held this spring, but was delayed by the coronavirus.

Anna said the barriers cited were much as expected – cost is a major factor in accessing riding, perception of elitism – but geography is also a major barrier. Rural areas, in which horses are most often found, are also generally those with the lowest proportions of BAME residents.

“We know that if riding schools go into urban areas, people are interested, and want to be involved,” she said. “The love of horses goes across all races.”

Dressage Olympian Emile Faurie set up the Emile Faurie Foundation 14 years ago to help children access riding who may not otherwise have been able to.

“One of the first programmes we did was in Birmingham; we took a couple of horses to a location and the children came out to see them,” he told H&H.

“There was a Black girl who stayed at the back, and when we encouraged her to come forward, she said, ‘I can’t’. I asked why not and she said, ‘Black people don’t ride’. That really struck a chord.”

Emile’s foundation sponsored a young Black rider to complete a college degree in equine studies, and he believes, and hopes, diversity in equestrianism is moving in the right direction.

“It boils down to money,” he said. “If we can get more funding, we can help more kids ride.

“We require school attendance from children [who take part], and we’ve had so many letters from schools about the incredible difference it’s made to children when they get the opportunity to ride, on attendance and concentration. Especially children from minority groups; it integrates them so much more and gives them more confidence.”

Lydia Heywood, a 23-year-old event rider who grew up in Britain and rides for Jamaica, currently at two-star level, said she “puts a lot of thought into ideas that could make a difference”.

“Thankfully my mum has given everything to get me where I am, but funds to build a competitive string and train towards the Olympics need establishing now,” she told H&H.

Lydia works with Ebony, giving her time free of charge as much as possible, and is keen to be involved with the BEF work. She created her Cool Ridings project, which will aid her aims to grow a bursary scheme for young riders.

“There’s a link missing between the foundations and competitive riding; there’s not enough diversity on the circuit,” she said.

“I make trips to Ebony and have trained groups in Jamaica; there’s a lot of natural ability and passion – I’d like to inspire other people into the sport.”

Lydia, who said “children can’t be what they don’t see”, wants to “reveal the avenues of hope in the equestrian world” and has been working with St James.

“Since Pony Club days, I felt people double-take seeing me on a horse, but it never upset me,” she added. “I’d like to think it’s a positive thing, and let my riding and smiling do the talking.”

Lydia’s grandparents are from Jamaica and she believes we will see more diversity at the elite level of the sport in the next generation; “But I’d love to see more help for people now,” she said.

Another figure working with the BEF is Reece McCook, a mixed-heritage rider who has launched the Ride out Racism campaign.

The 18-year-old told H&H he has wanted to be an eventer since childhood, so completed a college course and then went to work on a yard – but left after he was racially abused.

“I wanted to give up riding as I felt I wasn’t the right stereotype,” he said. “After a lot of encouragement, I picked myself up, and had the idea to start the campaign to try to defeat the barriers I and other ethnic minorities face. Racism is still there in our sport.”

Support for others

Reece said he wants riders to know they are not alone, and that there is support and people to talk to, for others in his situation.

“It had never been as direct as that one incident, but growing up, and say, going to tack shops, I always felt I stuck out like a sore thumb,” he said. “Even at college, people would ask if I was sure this was what I wanted to do, or if I’d ridden before; [racism] was implicit in what was said.

“There are so many barriers that need to be broken down, and with all the Black Lives Matter coverage, I thought it the perfect time to see what I can do to open doors for people.

“So many people have come forward to tell their stories; it’s empowering to know you’re not alone. Horses bring so much good; everyone should have the chance to get involved, whatever their heritage or background.”

Reece hopes to promote cohesion and raise awareness of issues, including helping to dispel the stereotype of a typical rider. He feels social media can play a big part, and also hopes to encourage equestrian brands to feature riders from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds in their imagery.

“It looks like the industry is willing to listen, and open to change, which is good,” he said.

Dannie Morgan, an advanced eventer and grand prix dressage rider, has had a more positive experience than some. He told H&H he has never experienced any discrimination, or felt different to others in his sport, praising the governing bodies for their support of his career.

Imran added: “There’s much more to be done. We need more capacity; people with the passion to act may not have the paperwork skills, and need to be hand-held. I’d like to see organisations like ours elsewhere, offering affordable riding to everyone.

“But I’m an optimistic person. With the BEF approach, that can filter down through the disciplines and they can lead the way. That gives me hope.”

Increasing diversity in UK equestrian sport: useful links

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Charlotte Dujardin will return to the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) this week (3 to 6 October) aiming to take a championship title for the fourth year in a row.

The Dressage Future Elite Championship, in conjunction with British Dressage, is for horses aged between eight and 10 and will feature eight combinations who will each perform an intermediate I freestyle test to music.

Charlotte took the title with Hawtins Delicato in 2016 on 78.62%, Mount St John Freestyle in 2017 on 84.91% and Florentina VI in 2018 on 79.12%.

A spokesman for the event said: “This year Charlotte is back with another star in the making, Mount St John Valencia, the mare with whom she won the inter I freestyle at the national championships this month.”

The combinations battling Charlotte for the title are:

Katie Bailey with Hannah Dovey’s Eagle Nouvelle

Kate Cowell with Patricia Andrews’ Dramatic Conquest

Dylan Deutrom with William Deans’ San Marco

Lara Edwards with her own and Laura Milner’s Jazzed Up

Emily Harris with Fay Thomas’s Freya FST

Abi Lyle with Fenella Ross’s Farrell

Jayne Turney with Shirley Rixon’s Penhaligon’s Jupiter

The championship takes place on Thursday (3 October) evening in the Andrews Bowen international arena.

The spokesman said Thursday is “all about dressage at HOYS” and fans can enjoy a dressage masterclass by Olympic rider Emile Faurie on Thursday afternoon ahead of the championship.

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“For the masterclass I will be bringing three young horses from Germany from the Performance Sales International who I work for; they will demonstrate exactly what it is we look for in a world-class dressage horse and I will talk through how we start them out in their training,” said Emile.

“In the second half Tom Goode will demonstrate the higher level movements and show the levels of progression as the horse develops towards grand prix.”

Emile will also host a ‘Let’s Talk Dressage’ expert talk at the HOYS live zone in the retail village at 5.30pm.

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Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester head the strong British line-up at Hartpury Festival of Dressage (3 to 7 July).

The pair are joined by numerous other stars of Team GBR’s dressage and para dressage squads as selection for this summer’s European Championships looms.

Charlotte brings forwards her 2018 World Equestrian Games (WEG) individual and team bronze medal-winning ride Mount St John Freestyle in the big tour, with whom she scored a grand prix special personal best at Bolesworth this month.

Carl also has his WEG team medallist in the mix, Hawtins Delicato, and their Tryon team-mate Emile Faurie rides the 10-year-old mare Café’s Caletta.

Across the rest of the show, Charlotte has four other rides — River Rise Nisa, Mount St John Valencia, Gio and Hawtins San Floriana — while Carl also has the rising star mare Brioso in the small tour classes.

London 2012 team gold medallist Laura Tomlinson is entered in the big tour with the talented stallion Duval Capri Sonne. Lara Butler has two rides — 2018 British Dressage national champion Rubin Al Asad and Kristjan, and four-time Olympian Richard Davison contests his consistent home-bred Bubblingh.

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The popular combination of Hayley Watson-Greaves and Rubins Nite are also among the 21-strong big tour entry, which also features Rebecca Hughes (Rubini Royale), Georgia Stokes (Talented Mr Ripley) and Tom Goode (Dior).

Sophie Wells, who brings her multiple World gold medal-winning partner C Fatal Attraction as well as her grand prix mare Diadeem, will be one to watch in the CPEDI.

Sir Lee Pearson is entered with B Grandeur and Breezer, with other para dressage stars Suzanna Hext (Abira) and Erin Orford (Dior and LJT Diamond Crusador) also among those competing.

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British team rider Emile Faurie no longer has the ride on his World Equestrian Games horse Hof Kasselmann’s Dono Di Maggio.

Emile helped Britain secure team bronze with the 12-year-old Dimaggio gelding at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Tryon last year, but Dono has now moved to Switzerland to be ridden by 18-year-old Greek dressage rider Theodora Livanos.

“It’s sad but it’s life,” Emile told H&H. “It didn’t come as a surprise; it was always the agreement between Kasselmann and I that he would be sold. It is their business after all, and he has gone to a really wonderful home with a very talented young rider. It’s wonderful for the horse.”

As well as their success at WEG, Emile and Dono earned plenty of high scores internationally during 2018, including posting more than 75% to finish second to Isabell Werth and her triple WEG gold medallist Bella Rose in the grand prix special at Fritzens CDI4*.

They also won both the grand prix and the special at the Aachen CDI3* and finished third in the grand prix special at Bolesworth CDI3*.

But even without Dono Emile boasts an enviable string of up-and-coming grand prix horses, including Café’s Caletta, a 10-year-old mare by Café Au Lait, with whom he finished third in the prix st georges championship at the British Dressage nationals in 2018. The mare has since made her international debut at big tour — scoring plus-70% in both the grand prix and the freestyle at Keysoe CDI3* in March — and is heading to Hagen CDI4* with Emile next weekend.

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He is also excited about the 10-year-old Sir Oldenberg son Shilo, who recently made a successful grand prix debut.

“Shilo is brilliant; he has been slightly over-ambitious at times so he might just take a little longer, but he has showed he can do everything for very high marks,” said Emile, who plans to campaign the gelding at more national shows this year before making his international debut.

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Charlotte Dujardin will bid to claim the Future Elite Championship title at Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) for the third year running tomorrow (Thursday, 4 October). Charlotte will partner her own eight-year-old Florentina, with whom she was crowned national inter I champion at the National Dressage Championships last month (pictured, above).

Flora is one of Charlotte’s most exciting grand prix prospects; the grey mare is almost unbeaten at small tour. She made her international debut at the level this year, posting plus-80% at Bolesworth CDI3* in June for her inter I freestyle.

Charlotte took the title in 2016 with Hawtins Delicato, who was part of the British bronze medal-winning team under Carl Hester at last month’s World Equestrian Games (WEG), and again in 2017 with Mount St John Freestyle — her own WEG ride, who also claimed individual bronze.

Another of the British WEG team will also be in action at HOYS on an exciting upcoming ride. Emile Faurie will pilot his own Café’s Caletta, a nine-year-old by Café Au Lait, with whom he finished third behind Charlotte’s two rides in the prix st georges championship at the National Dressage Championships.

Olympian Laura Tomlinson will also be in action at HOYS, riding Wilfred Bechtolsheimer’s eight-year-old Fallatijn Van Kairos , while Alice Oppenheimer will bring Headmore Davina, the eight-year-old mare who is the current advanced medium freestyle gold winter champion, and winner of the inter I freestyle at Hickstead CDI3* in July. The winners of the straight inter I title at Hickstead, Nicola Buchanan and Half Moon Dark Magic, will also be competing.

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Completing the line-up of eight combinations are Nikki Barker with Durable, Becky Moody with Eureko and Lewis Carrier with Diego V.

The Future Elite championship is aimed at upcoming horses aged between eight and 10, each of whom will perform an inter I freestyle. The competition, now in its sixth year, will take place at 6.10pm tomorrow.

Find out how to follow HOYS 2018 here.

For a full report on HOYS, don’t miss next week’s H&H, out 11 October.

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Britain’s Spencer Wilton has withdrawn from today grand prix special at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, North Carolina.

Spencer and his own and Jen Goodman’s Super Nova II helped Britain win team bronze yesterday, but the 15-year-old De Niro gelding, known as Neville, was not feeling 100% today after getting excited in yesterday’s medal ceremony.

“I’m obviously devastated for myself and Jen as we were so looking forward to building on what we achieved in the grand prix,” said Spencer. “Prize-givings are not Neville’s favourite thing and normally I wouldn’t do them but we’re at a championship.

“I helped the team secure qualification for Tokyo 2020 and that was my primary focus, so with that in mind, Neville’s welfare was key to this tough decision.”

Britain’s Emile Faurie and Dono Di Maggio are currently lying 19th, having scored 70.38%. Emile reported that the huge 18hh gelding was feeling the humidity and the heat, which had reached 30 degrees.

“It was not easy today; he’s a massive horse and he struggled with the heat. The tank was a bit empty,” Emile told H&H. “With these big horses it takes a bit longer to get the strength too, but this has been a great experience for him. I’m really happy with him — he really tried. He’s a fantastic horse and I just know he’s going to be really great for the future.”

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Sweden’s Juliette Ramel is currently leading the grand prix with Buriel KH, having scored a personal best of 77.28% with a brilliant performance. Her Swedish teammate Therese Nilshagen is lying second with Dante Weltino, on 75.82%.

Britain’s Carl Hester will ride his own, Ann Cory and Anne Evans’ Hawtins Delicato in the special at 4.10pm (9.10pm UK time), with Charlotte Dujardin the penultimate rider of the class, beginning her test with Emma and Jill Blundell’s Mount St John Freestyle at 5pm (10pm UK time).

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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

The Helgstrand-sponsored dressage competition at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon continues today (Friday, 14 September), with the grand prix special. All four members of the British team — who won bronze behind Germany and the USA yesterday — have qualified and will compete at the following times:

• Emile Faurie with Hof Kasselmann’s Dono Di Maggio — 11.10 am local time (4.10pm UK time)
  
• Spencer Wilton with his own and Jen Goodman’s Super Nova II — 3pm local time (8pm UK time)
• Carl Hester with his own, Ann Cory and Anne Evans’ Hawtins Delicato — 4.10am local time (9.10pm UK time)
  
• Charlotte Dujardin with Emma and Jill Blundell’s Mount St John Freestyle (above) — 5pm local time (10pm UK time)

The top 30 combinations from Wednesday and Thursday’s grand prix contest the special, which serves as a qualifier for the grand prix freestyle on Sunday, 16 September. The very first dressage rider into the arena will be Belgium’s Laurence Roos and Fil Rouge, at 10.30am local time (3.30pm UK time). Ireland’s individual competitor, Judy Reynolds with Vancouver K, will go at 11.20am local time (4.20pm UK time).

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For the newly crowned world champions Germany, the first rider into the arena today will be Dorothee Schnieder and Sammy Davis Jr at 3.10pm local time (8.10pm UK time) followed by Jessica von Bredow-Werndl with TSF Dalera BB at 3.30pm (8.30pm). Sonke Rothenberger and Cosmo, who finished third in the grand prix with plus-81%, will ride at 4.50pm (9.50pm UK time), with Isabell Werth and Bella Rose, who scored plus-84% to lead the grand prix, the last combination to ride the special, at 5.10pm (10.10pm UK time) on Thursday.

Silver medallists the USA will kick off with Steffen Peters and Suppenkasper at 12.50pm (5.50pm UK time). Adrienne Lyle and Salvino will follow at 2.40pm (7.40pm UK time), while Kasey Perry-Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet will compete at 3.40pm (8.40pm UK time). Laura Graves, who took second in the grand prix, will begin her test with Verdades at 4.40pm (9.40pm UK time), after which the medals will be awarded.

Horse & Hound has two journalists and a photographer in Tryon for WEG. Keep up to date with all the news on horseandhound.co.uk and in the magazine issues dated 20 and 27 September

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

Britain have secured the bronze medal in the Helgstrand-sponsored dressage at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, North Carolina. Germany maintained their lead to claim an emphatic gold while the USA took silver.

Britain were sitting in the silver medal spot with Charlotte Dujardin still to go following very good tests from Carl Hester on Hawtins Delicato, Spencer Wilton on Super Nova II and Emile Faurie on Dono Di Maggio. Under blazing hot sun, Charlotte rode Emma and Jill Blundell’s nine-year-old Mount St John Freestyle (below) to a score of 77.76% at the mare’s first championship.

Freestyle displayed some super work, with her extensions garnering especially high marks, although the test was not blip-free — they had a small mistake in the one-time changes, and the piaffe was sticky at times. But Charlotte was delighted: “What an amazing horse to come here and do that — I’m so proud of her. I didn’t know how she was going to be in there as she’s never been in that sort of environment and she’s very young and inexperienced,” said the Olympic gold medallist, competing at a senior championship for the first time since the retirement of Valegro.

“We had a few little mistakes but they’re all things that are easy to iron out. She felt great and loved the atmosphere — it doesn’t make her afraid at all. You definitely wouldn’t think she’s only nine.”

The fight for bronze could not have been closer, however; Sweden’s anchorman Patrik Kittel needed a huge personal best of 78.3% to deny Britain a medal, and he and the 10-year-old mare Well Done De La Roche CMF came excruciatingly close, their score of 78.19% more than 2% ahead of their previous personal best.

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Britain has two riders in the top 10 after the first day of eventing dressage at the World Equestrian Games,

Germany’s Isabell Werth had the ride of her life on the dainty Belissimo mare Bella Rose (below), who has had nearly four years off with an injury. They charged to the top of the leaderboard with a fantastic test, posting 84.83%, another huge personal best on the mare she describes as her “dream horse”.

“This was so special,” said a hugely emotional Isabell, who has partnered Madeleine Winter-Schulze’s mare since she was a three-year-old. “We have worked together for so long and had so many ups and downs. It’s so brilliant to come back with this performance.”

Last-to-go Laura Graves also brought her A-game for the home side, recording 81.54% with an almost flawless performance on her 16-year-old gelding Verdades, to secure the USA the silver medal.

The Netherlands finished in fifth place with Spain sixth and Denmark seventh. The top 30 riders will go forward to compete for the first set of individual medals in the grand prix special tomorrow.

Horse & Hound has two journalists and a photographer in Tryon for WEG. Keep up to date with all the news on horseandhound.co.uk and in the magazine issues dated 20 and 27 September

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

Germany hold the lead after day one of the Helgstrand-sponsored team dressage competition at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, with Great Britain sitting fourth.

Super tests from Germany’s opening two pairs, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl on TSF Dalera BB and Dorothee Schneider on Sammy Davis Jr, banked Germany scores of 76.67% and 75.06% which places them at the top of the leaderboard overnight.

Sweden currently hold the silver medal spot with Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven and Don Auriello posting 73.1% and Juliette Ramel and Buriel KH earning 75.25%. The USA have slotted into the bronze medal position with scores of 73.45% and 74.86% from Steffen Peters (Suppenkasper) and Adrienne Lyle (Salvino) respectively.

Britain are currently sitting in fourth place; Spencer Wilton’s 74.5% with Super Nova II was followed by Emile Faurie posting 72.79% with Hof Kasselmann’s 11-year-old Dimaggio gelding, Dono Di Maggio (pictured above).

Their test was full of highlights, with the Dono’s elevated, energetic passage receiving high marks, but the odd mistake crept in, including a double beat behind in the one-time changes, and Emile was fairly disappointed with the performance as a whole.

“It’s a massive atmosphere in there and he went a bit into himself and didn’t shine quite as much as I know he can,” Emile explained. “He’s such a wonderful horse and I would have loved to have put in a better score for the team but that’s life. He’s still quite young, with relatively little experience — this was only his 11^th grand prix — and he’s never seen anything like this before.”

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The team competition in Tryon, North Carolina, continues tomorrow with Carl Hester the first on for the Brits, riding his own, Ann Cory and Anne Evans’ Hawtins Delicato at 11.10am (4.10pm UK time). Charlotte Dujardin will be the final British rider to compete, going at 5.51pm (10.51pm UK time) with Emma and Jill Blundell’s Mount St John Freestyle.

Ireland’s Judy Reynolds, competing as an individual with Vancouver K (pictured below), is currently lying 12th having posted 71.96%.

“I’m happy overall but there were more glitches than I would have liked, and it just didn’t have the smoothness I wanted,” said Judy, who has only completed two grands prix tests this year with “JP”, the Jazz gelding having been out for a full year with injury. “We had a mistake in the twos, which was my fault; he was backing off the camera in the corner and I used too much spur. There was a lot of good stuff in there though, so fingers crossed it’s enough for us to get through to the special.”

Horse & Hound has two journalists and a photographer in Tryon for WEG. Keep up to date with all the news on horseandhound.co.uk and in the magazine issues dated 20 and 27 September.

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

Great Britain has got off to an ideal start in the Helgstrand-sponsored dressage team competition at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, North Carolina, with first-to-go Spencer Wilton banking a solid score for the team.

With his own and Jen Goodman’s Super Nova II (Neville), Spencer produced a mistake-free test to score 74.58%, sitting second individually and putting Britain into the silver position at this very early stage.

The 15-year-old British Hanoverian gelding, who is by De Niro, helped Britain secure team silver at the Rio Olympics two years ago but has been off games for 10 months of the past year after an injury, and only returned to competition at Hartpury CDI in July. He has performed just two grands prix this year prior to Tryon.

“He was a little nervous in there as he always is, but he felt very good in his body, and we did what we needed to do for the team so I’m delighted,” said Spencer, who has also struggled with three bulging discs in his back this summer and had to enlist Carl Hester to run Neville during yesterday’s trot-up as the pain is now affecting his left calf. “If it wasn’t for the team physio, Ashleigh Wallace, and our chief medical officer, Pippa Bennett, I wouldn’t even be here now.

“Neville feels amazing overall, and he’s generally better in the special actually as by then he’s already been in the arena and I feel more confident that he’ll stay with me so I can push for more,” added Spencer. “The main thing today was to do a mistake-free test, and provide a good, solid score for the others to build on.”

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Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl is currently leading with 76.68% on the 11-year-old Easy Game mare TSF Dalera BB. Spencer sits second, just ahead of the USA’s Steffen Peters and Suppenkasper, who scored 73.5%.

Emile Faurie will ride next for Britain, beginning his test with Hof Kasselmann’s Dono Di Maggio at 3.24pm (8.24pm UK time). Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin ride tomorrow (Thursday, 13 September); Carl and his own, Ann Cory and Anne Evans’ Hawtins Delicato will go at 11.10am (4.10pm UK time) and Charlotte will ride Emma and Jill Blundell’s Mount St John Freestyle at 5.51pm (10.51pm UK time).

Horse & Hound has two journalists and a photographer in Tryon for WEG. Keep up to date with all the news on horseandhound.co.uk and in the magazine issues dated 20 and 27 September.

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

Double Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin spearheads the British dressage team for this September’s World Equestrian Games (WEG), which was announced today (17 August).

Charlotte will pilot the nine-year-old Fidermark mare Mount St John Freestyle, owned by Emma Blundell, at Tryon International Equestrian Center, US, on her first championship appearance since the retirement of Valegro.

Charlotte is joined on the team by her London 2012 Olympic gold medal-winning team-mate Carl Hester, who has been named with his own, Anne Evans and Ann Cory’s 10-year-old Diamond Hit gelding Hawtins Delicato. Both Freestyle and “Del” are in just their first year of grand prix.

Competition for the remaining two slots of the team has been fierce, but Spencer Wilton made the cut with his Rio Olympic and 2017 Europeans ride, Super Nova II. The 15-year-old De Niro gelding, who is owned by Jen Goodman and Spencer, had 10 months out of competition due to an injury, returning to the arena with solid grand prix scores at Hartpury and Hickstead CDIs in July.

Filling the other team spot is Emile Faurie with Hof Kasselmann’s Dono Di Maggio, an 11-year-old Dimaggio gelding. This will be Emile’s third WEG, having returned to the senior team for the 2017 Europeans for the first time since 2011. Emile has also been named with a direct reserve horse, another De Niro son, this time Elena’s Knyaginicheva’s 14-year-old stallion Delatio

Lara Butler is the final reserve, with her long-term partner, the Bechtolsheimers’ 16-year-old Rubin Al Asad. Lara and “Rufus” were reserves for both the Rio Olympics and the 2017 Europeans.

Dressage performance manager Caroline Griffith said: “It’s very exciting to be working with a team of riders that have such a wealth of experience between them and I know that they will use that experience to best effect. We have seen some great scores this year from those on the short list, which, for me, underlines the strength of the four athletes and horses that will be travelling to Tryon.

“If anyone can prepare this high-calibre group of young horses for a World Equestrian Games, we know Carl, Charlotte, and Emile can. Add to that Spencer and we have capacity for some truly exciting team scores and a great competition.”

British Dressage CEO Jason Brautigam added: “We’re exceptionally lucky to be in a position to field four riders with Olympic experience in Carl, Charlotte, Emile and Spencer. In our team for WEG we have three exciting young horses making their championship debut, alongside a fourth making his third consecutive team appearance.

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“They have all been carefully campaigned through the year to peak for Tryon – and with the team’s vast experience of preparing for the big occasion, confidence in the camp is high. We are looking forward to seeing these combinations in action and wish them all the very best in the USA.”

The Games run from 11 to 23 September.

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The shortlist for the British World Equestrian Games (WEG) dressage team has been confirmed.

Eight combinations have been listed, from which four will be selected to make up the British team that will travel to Tryon, North Carolina in September.

Charlotte Dujardin spearheads the line-up with Emma Blundell’s nine-year-old mare Mount St John Freestyle (pictured above, centre). The talented Fidermark mare only began her grand prix career this year but is so far unbeaten, with scores of over 80% in the grand prix special.

Carl Hester is also listed with his young grand prix star, his own, Anne Evans and Ann Cory’s Hawtins Delicato (pictured above, left). This British-bred 10-year-old, by Diamond Hit, is another in his first year of grand prix.

Rio silver medallist and 2017 Europeans team member Spencer Wilton is short-listed with his Olympic ride, his own and Jen Goodman’s Super Nova II. The 15-year-old De Niro gelding has spent 10 months away from competition due to an injury, but made his comeback at Hartpury CDI in July this year, finishing third behind Carl and Charlotte. The pair also won the grand prix at Hickstead CDI in late July.

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Emile Faurie and Gareth Hughes are both named with two rides; Emile has Elena Knyaginicheva’s Delatio, the 14-year-old De Niro stallion with whom he posted plus-73% at the Aachen CHIIO5* last month, and Hof Kasselmann KG’s Dono Di Maggio, an 11-year-old by Dimaggio who was second and third at Fritzens CDI4* at the end of June.

Gareth has made the short-list with Steve and Anne Keen’s Don Carissimo (pictured above, right), with whom he travelled to Gothenburg to compete on the British team at last year’s Europeans, before being forced to withdraw when the Don Crusador gelding sustained an injury after arrival. Gareth is also listed with his own, his wife Rebecca’s and Julia Hornig’s 12-year-old Trento B mare Classic Briolinca.

Lara Butler and the Bechtolsheimers’ Rubin Al Asad complete the shortlist. Lara and the 16-year-old Rubin Royal son are the only combination not to have competed on a championship team, though they were selected as reserves for both the Rio Olympics and the 2017 Europeans.

“We have a great mix of exciting young horses with experienced riders and established combinations all of whom have performed well this year so I am very, very excited about the World Games,” said dressage performance manager, Caroline Griffith.

“All of those campaigning this year have pushed those on the shortlist hard for their places, a true sign of the strength, depth and quality we have in this country.”

There is no definite date for the team announcement, though it is expected within the next two weeks.

Don’t miss our full preview of the FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon, on sale Thursday 30 August

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Charlotte Dujardin has re-entered the top 10 on the world dressage rankings for the first time since 2016 with Valegro.

Charlotte and her current top horse, Emma Blundell’s nine-year-old Fidermark mare Mount St John Freestyle, rocketed from 69^th up to 10^th position in the latest rankings update on 1 August.

Freestyle is in just her first year at grand prix but is currently unbeaten at the level, raking in points from her CDI wins in Joosland, The Netherlands, in April, Windsor in May, Bolesworth in June and her most recent outing to Hartpury in July. There, she posted 77.44% to top the grand prix, and 80.51% for victory in the mare’s second ever grand prix special.

Charlotte is no stranger to the top of the world rankings — she occupied the top spot from 2012 until 2015 with Valegro, until the Negro gelding was retired from competition in 2016.

Germany’s Isabell Werth remains at the top of the 2018 rankings with just six weeks to go until the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Tryon, USA (11-23 September). She holds the top spot with her triple gold medallist from the 2017 European Championships, Weihegold OLD, but has moved into the second spot with Emilio 107, with whom she won both the grand prix special and the freestyle at Aachen CHIO5* last month, and eighth with Don Johnson FRH.

It is, however, Bella Rose 2, ranked number 268, who is Isabell’s first choice of ride for WEG. The 14-year-old Belissimo mare returned to competition in July after nearly four years out, and is unbeaten so far on her comeback.

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The second-highest ranked Brit is Emile Faurie with Delatio; they have risen three places to 27^th after a successful Aachen. Lara Butler, who also performed well in Aachen, has risen to 33^rd with Rubin Al Asad, with Hayley Watson-Greaves and Rubins Nite sitting just behind in 36th. Carl Hester and Hawtins Delicato occupy number 128 after just six international tests together.

Completing the top 10 are the USA’s Laura Graves and Verdades (third), Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour and Atterupgaards Cassidy (fourth), Germany’s Dorothee Schneider with Sammy Davis Jr (fifth) and Helen Langehanenberg with Damsey FRH (sixth), Sweden’s Patrik Kittel and Deja (eighth) and Holland’s Edward Gal with Glock’s Zonik (ninth).

Don’t miss our full preview of the FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon, on sale Thursday 30 August

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Isabell Werth remained the queen of Aachen as she and Emilio 107 scored a personal best of 87.63% to claim freestyle victory. It was her 12^th individual win here, and the 12-year-old Ehrenpreis gelding is the fourth horse with whom she has taken the title.

She was chased all the way by the Americans, however. But it wasn’t the USA rider most would have expected to give her the closest run for her money, Laura Graves, but instead Kasey Perry-Glass who rounded off a fantastic show here in Aachen to finish second with 85.2% on the 15-year-old Diamond Hit son Goerklintgaards Dublet — a full 10% higher than they managed at this show in 2017.

Laura did however recover very well after a tricky ride in the special — where Verdades took a strong dislike to a camera on the side of the arena — to fill third with 85.09%, despite not riding the 16-year-old gelding quite on full power.

“When Laura posted 85% I knew I had to give everything,” said Isabell. “I’m proud that we could improve each day here, and Emilio was brilliant today.”

It was massive personal best for Kasey and Dublet, who have only once before broken the 80% barrier, and showed that taking a break for the latter half of 2017 has paid off.

“I could feel it was a good test — he was very with me in there,” said Kasey.

Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour took fourth, posting 84.83% with Atterupgaards Cassidy, whom she has partnered since juniors.

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Britain’s Lara Butler (below) concluded a successful show with a beautiful freestyle on the 16-year-old Rubin Royal gelding. They scored 76.37% — their highest score of 2018 — with a harmonious, fluid routine to their popular Celtic-style soundtrack.

“He’s just got better every day here — he found another gear in there today,” Lara told H&H. “It’s weird to think that I’ve just ridden all the tests at Aachen — it’s everyone’s dream to ride here and now I’ve done it!”

Emile Faurie snuck in front of Lara with 76.55% on Delatio. This is the first show for the powerful De Niro son since February, having been off due to injury.

“He felt great in there, just a little tired, which is to be expected after six months off,” said Emile, who is aiming the 14-year-old at WEG selection, along with his other ride, Dono Di Maggio.

Don’t miss the full report from Aachen in next week’s H&H, on sale on 26 July.

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In a complete reversal of fortune from Thursday’s grand prix, a super performance from Isabell Werth in the special secured Germany the Nations Cup victory, while a below par test from grand prix winner Laura Graves meant overnight leaders the USA had to settle for second.

On Thursday, Isabell posted an uncharacteristically low score of 72.51% with the 12-year-old Ehrenpreis gelding Emilio, who showed several serious moments of resistance in his grand prix. Today, however, the pair were back to their usual selves, pulling out a score of 79.13%, which remained at the top of the leaderboard.

“I was really surprised with what happened on Thursday, but today it was back to the old Emilio,” said Isabell, who was also celebrating her birthday. “It was a really nice test, although I wasn’t expecting to stay in front until the end of the competition with the others coming behind me.”

Indeed, her teammates were on super form too, with Helen Langehanenberg within a whisker of the top spot with 79.02% on Damsey FRH. Both Dorothee Schneider (Sammy Davis Jr) and Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (TSF Delera BB) posted plus-76% and elevating Germany to the top of the Nations Cup podium.

The USA finished second, five marks behind Germany, with Kasey Perry-Glass and Goerklintgaards Dublet their top performers, scoring 78.79% for a fantastic test to slot into third.

The imposing Verdades gave Laura Graves a tricky time; the 16-year-old gelding was hot from the moment he entered the arena, and took a strong dislike to the camera on the side of the arena, with major spooks in the extended trot down that long side, and again in the canter. But even with the blips the pair scored 74.09%.

Cathrine Dufour and Atterupgaards Cassidy led Denmark to third, with their 77.48% test leaving them fourth individually after Cassidy broke to canter in the third extended trot.

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Both Emile Faurie and Lara Butler performed well for Britain to finish 13^th and 14^th respectively, and qualify to ride the freestyle tomorrow morning.

Emile and the De Niro stallion Delatio continued their successful comeback to competition after lameness to post 73.66% in just their second special together.

Lara was delighted with Rubin Al Asad’s performance; she had the 16-year-old by Rubin Royal on song to post a shade under 73%, their best performance in a special this year.

Don’t miss the full report from Aachen in next week’s H&H, on sale on 26 July.

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The USA’s Laura Graves made her World Equestrian Games (WEG) medal intentions clear on day one of the Nations Cup dressage at CHIO Aachen, with an 80.6% grand prix win aboard Verdades.

At their first show since finishing second in April’s World Cup final in Paris, Laura and “Diddy” pulled out a punchy, powerful test. Their score sheet was full of eights; the 16-year-old gelding by Florett AS does not really have a weakness, and looks set to challenge for gold in Tryon this September.

“We’re using this as a stepping stone for Tryon,” Laura said. “When you get a horse to this point they know the job and it becomes about those half-point marks. We took small details away from Paris to work on, and I’m so pleased with him today.”

Laura’s marks boosted the USA to the top of the Nations Cup team leaderboard at the halfway stage, with Germany sitting in an unfamiliar second after Isabell Werth posted an uncharacteristic drop score of 72.52%. Her 12-year-old Emilio 107 was not onside, with several moments of resistance causing their score to plummet.

Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour took second with Atterupgaards Cassidy, her double individual bronze medallist at the 2017 European Championships. Despite a costly spook going into their second passage, the pair posted 78.49% to put Denmark in third at this stage.

“I don’t really know what happened — the spook cost us marks, but today was the first time going in there that Cassidy really coped with the atmosphere,” said Cathrine.

Just four weeks after giving birth to her second daughter, Helen Langehanenberg was the best of the home team, scoring 77.03% to stand third with the 16-year-old stallion Damsey FRH.

Britain’s two individual riders both gave good accounts of themselves. Emile Faurie finished 13^th with the 14-yar-old De Niro son Delatio (above), and their 73.12% would have been higher had it not been for a mistake in the otherwise lovely one-time changes.

The eye-catching black stallion had not competed since February due to injury.

“We could have given him another couple of months off but we decided to come here as he’s qualified for WEG,” Emile told H&H. “I’m thrilled with him today. He just needs a bit more oomph; towards the end he was feeling the heat a bit.”

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Lara Butler was delighted with her mistake-free test on Rubin Al Asad, at the pair’s Aachen CHIO debut. The 16-year-old Rubin Royal gelding produced his best performance of 2018 so far, earning 72.64%.

“He was super – apparently he just needs a really big occasion!” laughed Lara. “His twos felt super, his passage felt really good — he is probably going the best he ever has at the moment.”

All the riders go forward to the next stage of the competition, the grand prix special on Saturday morning.

Don’t miss the full report from Aachen in next week’s H&H, on sale on 26 July.

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

Additional reporting by Selene Scarsi

Isabell Werth’s 2014 World Equestrian Games ride Bella Rose has made her long-awaited return to competition, after almost four years out. The chestnut mare, whom Isabell referred to in 2017 as “the best horse of my life”, won the grand prix for special with 77.52% at the Fritzens-Schindlof CDI4* in Austria, before topping the special with 80.17%.

The elegant Belissimo M daughter, now aged 14, was last seen in action in November 2014, having been withdrawn from the 2014 WEG in Caen after scoring 81.53% for Germany in the grand prix, finishing second behind Valegro. Details were released stating that Bella Rose developed signs of an acute inflammation in the sole of her hoof.

She and Isabell returned to competition later that year, delivering an 81.94% grand prix special in Stuttgart, but it was to be the last time the mare was seen in action, as she sustained a knee injury.

“This was one of the most beautiful days of my horsey life,” Isabell told H&H after her highly emotional grand prix performance. “It was a dream come true that she came back [from injury]. It wasn’t perfect, but it was very good already so I’m very very happy.”

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Isabell Werth beats Anky van Grunsven to gold

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It was an excellent weekend for Britain’s Emile Faurie and Hayley Watson-Greaves, too. Emile’s 11-year-old gelding Dono Di Maggio (below) scored two international personal bests of 74.02% and 75.6% to finish third in the grand prix for special and second in the special behind Isabell and Bella Rose. Emile has long tipped the Dimaggio son as the best of his current grand prix string, and is aiming him for WEG selection this year.

Hayley and her 14-year-old Rubin Royal son Rubins Nite had a disappointing grand prix, finishing seventh, but were back on top form for the freestyle, scoring 75.75% to fill third place behind Isabell Werth and Emilio and Dorothee Schneider with Rock N Rose.

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British international grand prix rider Emile Faurie has strengthened his bid for a place at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) this year, unveiling another exciting potential team ride.

Emile and Hof Kasselmann’s Dono Di Maggio achieved personal best scores of over 73% to win both the grand prix and the grand prix special at the weekend’s Aachen CDI3*. This was just the third CDI for the Emile and the 11-year-old Dimaggio x Santander I son, one of five horses he currently has competing at international grand prix.

The double win was a welcome boost for Emile, whose World Cup finalist, the 14-year-old De Niro stallion Delatio, suffered a minor injury in training last week and had to be pulled from the weekend’s final in Paris.

“After the massive disappointment of having to withdraw Delatio from the World Cup finals came consolation with Hof Kasselmann’s Dono Di Maggio winning both the grand prix and the special in Aachen,” said Emile.

“This majestic horse was so amazing in only his 3^rd CDI!”

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Emile has long touted Dono Di Maggio as the best of his current string, which also includes his 2016 Olympia ride Weekend Fun, his 2017 Bolesworth partner Bohemo Tinto, and his 2017 Gothenburg European Championship ride Lollipop 126.

The chestnut gelding is particularly talented in the piaffe and passage, and his grand prix score in Aachen would have been even higher had it not been for a mistake in the one-time changes.

He and Emile finished comfortably in front of their closest competition, Australia’s Mary Hanna (Boogie Woogie) in the grand prix, and Adelinde Cornelissen (Aqiedo) in the special.

The pair contested two CDIs in 2017 — at Fritzens-Schindlhof in Austria and Cappeln in Germany — but here beat their previous best scores by 3%.

If Emile is selected to represent Britain in September, it will be his fourth WEG appearance and his 10^th championship.

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In this week’s magazine, full reports from the dressage and showjumping World Cup finals, out 19 April.

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Britain’s Emile Faurie and Delatio have been forced to withdraw from the World Cup final in Paris this weekend (13-14 April). The 14-year-old breeding stallion picked up an injury in training yesterday (9 April), which will rule him out of the competition.

“Delatio’s been going brilliantly and we’ve been very much looking forward to competing at the World Cup final, but this morning he sustained a slight training injury, and with the long-term future of the horse in mind, we have made the decision to sadly withdraw from the final,” said Emile. “It’s very disappointing as he’s been having such a fantastic season.”

Emile and Elena Knyaginicheva’s De Niro stallion have been on super form throughout the winter season. They were runners-up to Sweden’s Patrik Kittel at Olympia in December — scoring over 80% — and finished ninth in the World Cup Western European league to secure their place at the final.

Hayley Watson-Greaves and the 14-year-old Rubin Royal gelding Rubins Nite will now be the sole British representatives at the final, having been called up last week following the withdrawal of Australian combination Mary Hanna and Calanta due to injury. Hayley and “Squeaks”, who were crowned British national champions last year, will be making their World Cup final debut in Paris.

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Hayley will come up against the defending champions, Germany’s Isabell Werth and Weihegold OLD, as well as the Western European league leader, Sweden’s Patrik Kittel (Deja) and the American number one Laura Graves with Verdades, still the only combination to have beaten triple European gold medallists Isabell and Weihegold since the Rio Olympics in 2016.

Other pairs contesting this year’s final include Germany’s Dorothee Schneider and Sammy Davis Jr, the Netherlands’ Edward Gal and Glock’s Zonik and France’s Ludovic Henry with After You.

Don’t miss the 19 April issue of Horse & Hound for a full report from the World Cup final.

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Britain’s Hayley Watson-Greaves will head to Paris next week to make her World Cup final debut with the Rubin Royal gelding Rubin’s Nite.

Hayley and “Squeaks” finished 13^th in the World Cup Western European league — just missing out on a place in the final — but were called up yesterday as a late replacement for Australia’s Mary Hanna, who has been forced to withdraw Calanta from the final due to injury.

“I can’t tell you how happy I am; I was shaking with adrenaline when I got the phone call,” Hayley told H&H.

“After the qualifiers I had given Squeaks a breather as he had a pretty busy winter, but then started training again as though I was going to the final, just in case. After all, I’ve been on the cusp of a lot of other championships! I really didn’t think it would happen though.”

Hayley and the 14-year-old gelding, who were crowned British national champions in 2017, are currently ranked 35^th in the world. They will travel out to Paris on Wednesday to line up alongside fellow Brit Emile Faurie, who will campaign his Olympia runner-up, the 14-year-old De Niro stallion Delatio.

“I’ve never been to Paris and I’ve always wanted to go — although I’m a little nervous about driving the lorry right into the city centre,” laughed Hayley.

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She and Emile will come up against the defending champions, Germany’s Isabell Werth and Weihegold OLD, as well as the Western European league leader, Sweden’s Patrik Kittel (Deja) and the American number one Laura Graves with Verdades, still the only combination to have beaten triple European gold medallists Isabell and Weihegold since the Rio Olympics in 2016.

Other pairs contesting this year’s final include Germany’s Dorothee Schneider and Sammy Davis Jr, the Netherlands’ Edward Gal and Glock’s Zonik and France’s Ludovic Henry with After You.

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Just one British rider is set to appear at next month’s World Cup final in Paris (11-15 April), after Hayley Watson-Greaves narrowly missed out on what would have been her first World Cup final appearance.

Emile Faurie squeezed into the qualifying places, finishing equal eighth in the Western European league to secure his spot in Paris.

Britain’s national champion faced disappointment after finishing 13th in the rankings with Rubins Nite (Squeaks).

“I was pretty close, so it’s disappointing, but we had really tough competition this year,” said Hayley, who had been placed as high as eighth in the rankings after her sixth place finish at Olympia.

She arrived at the final World Cup qualifier, at Den Bosch in the Netherlands, in 12th place, equal with Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour, but despite a plus-75% freestyle with the 14-year-old Rubin Royal son, it was not enough to elevate her to a qualifying position in the rankings.

“When I saw Edward Gal was at Den Bosch I had no doubt he was going creep above me,” said Hayley, who was crowned British national champion with Squeaks in September 2017.

“You do have to play the game a little bit, getting out to the first qualifiers to get a load of early points. But I do like a challenge — I haven’t quite won my own challenge, but it’s been a hell of an experience; it’s so inspiring to be competing against the very best.”

“It’s been tough to keep up with the training as I only have an outdoor school and this winter’s been particularly hard, but I’d love to campaign for the World Cup again.”

Emile will line up in Paris alongside the rankings leader Patrik Kittel of Sweden, his compatriot Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven, Germany’s Isabell Werth and Dorothee Schneider, Madeleine Witte-Vrees and Edward Gal of the Netherlands, and Belina Weinbauer of Austria.

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Having qualified both his European Championships ride Lollipop and his Olympia runner-up Delatio, despite having withdrawn Lollipop from the grand prix freestyle in Den Bosch, Emile has the choice of which horse to partner in Paris. This will be a first World Cup final appearance for the two-time Olympian and double European team medallist.

The Western European riders will be joined by the top combinations from the Central European league, the North American league and the Pacific league, who are yet to be confirmed.

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Sweden’s Patrik Kittel raised the bar in tonight’s Olympia grand prix freestyle, claiming victory on Delaunay OLD with 80.56%, putting them fractionally ahead of Britain’s Emile Faurie in second.

Patrik and the classy 11-year-old “Dude”, by Dr Doolittle, performed a faultless test with an exceptionally high degree of difficulty, helping them go one better than their second-place grand prix finish the previous night.

“He felt amazing and tried his heart out in there. He just wants to please and do his best,” said Patrik, for whom it was an emotional win having returned to the show after 13 years.

Britain’s Emile Faurie was astounded to finish an agonisingly close second behind Patrik in what was his first ever grand prix freestyle on the De Niro breeding stallion Delatio (below).

This horse is extremely exciting for the future, demonstrating great scope and power, coupled with an impressively relaxed attitude. Their fault-free test left them just 0.2% behind Patrik with 80.4%.

“I played it safe in the grand prix last night as I still don’t know him very well,” said Emile, who has only had the ride on Elena’s Knyaginicheva’s 13-year-old for three months. “He’s just such a trier – a really awesome horse who just wants to do it all. The quality speaks for itself and his concentration is incredible. I think there’s a few more percent in there.”

Last night’s grand prix winner Edward Gal finished third with the talented nine-year-old Glock’s Zonik (Blue Hors Zack x Romanov) who just showed his inexperience with a couple of mistakes in the kur. The pair still posted 79.34% with some hugely expressive, powerful work.

“Today he was a little more tense than yesterday and wondering what was happening in there with the music so loud. But he tried his best and he’s only a nine-year-old so what can you expect,” said Edward.

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Fellow Dutch rider Madeleine Witte-Vrees slotted into fourth with Cennin, just edging ahead of Britain’s Lara Butler, debuting a new freestyle with Rubin Al Asad. They posted 76.98% with a fantastic performance to a Dire Straits soundtrack to finish fifth.

Hayley Watson-Greaves took sixth for Britain, riding a beautiful test on the Rubin Royal son Rubins Nite to score 76.68%.

Richard Davison filled seventh with Bubblingh, while Gareth Hughes and Don Carissimo finished 13^th.

Don’t miss the full report in Horse & Hound magazine, out on 21 December 2017.

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Edward Gal stormed to grand prix victory for The Netherlands on the first night of dressage at the Olympia Horse Show CDIW.

Edward claimed an early lead with 76.68% riding the hugely expressive Blue Hors Zack stallion Glock’s Zonik, who at nine years old was competing in just his third international grand prix.

It went some way to make up for the nightmare journey he had to London in adverse weather conditions, eventually driving all the way after a number of cancelled flights.

“It was worth the trip! He’s a great horse for the future and I was really happy with him tonight,” said Edward. “I just felt him coming back a little, so I sometimes rode perhaps more forward than usual.”

Having also endured a mammoth drive to reach Olympia, Sweden’s Patrik Kittel made a late bid for the win, with an excellent performance aboard the 11-year-old Dr Doolittle gelding Delaunay OLD, his partner at this year’s European Championships. They slotted into a well-deserved second with 75.1%, just ahead of Dutch rider Madeleine Witte-Vrees, who posted 73.72% with Cennin at her first Olympia.

The best Brit of the night was Emile Faurie, who produced a classy test aboard Delatio, a horse he has only ridden in two grands prix to date. The 13-year-old De Niro stallion is a real head-turner and he scored 72.86% with a mistake-free performance from first draw.

“I was absolutely thrilled and I really enjoyed it. He just has so much ability and elasticity. I rode quite carefully tonight as I don’t know him well yet – it was a bit conservative,” said Emile, who will ride his first freestyle on this horse tomorrow. “I’ve only ridden it through once at home so it’ll be a proper freestyle!”

Denmark’s Anders Dahl finished fifth with Selten HW, just fractionally ahead of Britain’s Lara Butler riding the Bechtolsheimers’ Rubin Royal 15-year-old Rubin Al Asad, who posted 72.66% with a neat, rhythmic test, just marred by a small error in the two-time changes.

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Gareth Hughes slotted into seventh with Don Carissimo, with whom he travlled to Gothenburg this summer as part of the British team, before the Don Crusador gelding had to be withdrawn due to an injury sustained just before the start of the competition. They produced a fluent, attractive performance here for 72.64%.

Richard Davison finished eighth with a very hot Bubblingh, while Hayley Watson-Greaves was 13^th on Rubins Nite, after an unfortunate costly mistake in the one-time changes.

Don’t miss the full report in the 21 December issue of Horse&Hound magazine.

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Olympians Richard Davison and Emile Faurie will spearhead the British attack at this year’s Olympia CDIW4* (12-13 December).

However notable absentees from this year’s line-up are crowd-favourites Carl Hester, freestyle winner in 2015 and 2016 with Nip Tuck, and Charlotte Dujardin, who won with Valegro in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

Richard will partner Bubblingh, the 11-year-old Lingh gelding with whom he won the grand prix freestyle at this year’s Hickstead CDI in July. There they posted 74.18%.

Emile will bring forward Elena Knyaginicheva’s 13-year-old breeding stallion Delatio (De Niro x Rubinstein) — a horse he has had the ride on for just four months. The striking black stallion dominated at Vale View’s high profile show in October, claiming the grand prix with over 74%.

He will be joined by Gareth Hughes riding his European Championship team-selected horse Don Carissimo, who sadly had to be withdrawn due to injury after arrival in Gothenburg this summer. This will be the Don Crusador 12-year-old’s first international competition since, but he had already made huge waves in what is his first season of grand prix, with a freestyle personal best of 76.67%.

World Equestrian Games (WEG) hopefuls Hayley Watson-Greaves and Lara Butler make up the British contingent. Hayley will ride her own 13-year-old Rubin Royal son Rubins Nite, with whom she was crowned British Dressage national champion earlier this year. The pair have already achieved several top 10 placings on the World Cup circuit this autumn.

Lara returns to the Olympia arena with the Becktolsheimers’ 15-year-old Rubin Al Asad, also by Rubin Royal. The pair were named reserves for both the Rio Olympics and the 2017 European Championship team, and recently finished second at Oldenburg CDI4* with a grand prix personal best of plus 74%.

Ireland’s Judy Reynolds will return to the international arena with her popular Jazz gelding Vancouver K – another who was withdrawn from the Europeans due to injury — while British-based Dane Anders Dahl will pilot his consistent performer, the 13-year-old Selten HW.

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Among the international field, from which eight nations will be represented, Sweden’s Patrik Kittel will partner his Gothenburg ride Delaunay OLD, who has posted freestyle scores in the 80s this year. Holland’s Edward Gal will bring forward his talented nine-year-old stallion Glock’s Zonik.

The grand prix will take place on Tuesday 12 December at 7.30pm, with the freestyle on Wednesday 13 December at 7.20pm.

The full list of competitors is as follows:

• Quartz of Jazz Marie Emilie Bretenoux (France)
• Star Wars Bertrand Liegard (France)
• Alcazar Katherine Bateson Chadler (US)
• Bubblingh Richard Davison (Great Britain)
• Don Carissimo Gareth Hughes (Great Britain)
• Delatio Emile Faurie (Great Britain)
• Rubins Nite Hayley Watson-Greaves (Great Britain)
• Rubin Al Asad Lara Butler (Great Britain)
• Vancouver K Judy Reynolds (Ireland)
• Selten HW Anders Dahl (Denmark)
• Glock’s Zonik Edward Gal (the Netherlands)
• Thriller Katja Gevers (the Netherlands)
• Michigan Ulrik Moelgaard (Denmark)
• Cennin Madeleine Witte-Vrees (the Netherlands)
• Delaunay Old Patrik Kittel (Sweden)
• Roberto Des Frettes Charlotte Haid Bondergaard (Sweden)
• Sir Donnerhall II Old Morgan Barbancon Mestre (Spain)

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Britain’s Spencer Wilton has gone into the lead at the halfway stage of the grand prix special at the European Dressage Championships in Gothenburg.

Jen Goodman’s Supernova II gave Spencer a much easier ride compared to Wednesday’s grand prix, scoring a brilliant 76.078% to jump to the top of the leaderboard at this early stage. They received 80.1% from Isobel Wessels, judging at K.

Their test featured some beautiful moments, with particularly high scores awarded for their passage and piaffe, although ‘Neville’ did become unsettled during the first pirouette, and an error crept into the following line of one-tempis.

“I’m delighted – to get that mark with a mistake is great, and there’s more we can improve on. He went in and felt like he really tried,” said Spencer, who goes through to tomorrow’s freestyle with the 14-year-old De Niro gelding.

Amazingly, this pair have just one grand prix freestyle under their belts, in Stuttgart in November 2016, when they scored 67.9% — their only mark under 70% in the past 18 months.

“We try to forget about Stuttgart,” laughed Spencer.

‘He was a bit confused by the whole thing’

Emile Faurie’s ride on Lollipop 126 began very well, with early scores trending above 73%, but the 13-year-old gelding’s greenness began to show as the canter work got underway, and mistakes in the changes dropped them to 70.8%.

“The mistakes are unfortunate — he caught me out a bit in the one-times — but he’s only ever done one special before,” commented Emile. “I think he was a bit confused by the whole thing.”

Britain’s Carl Hester is last to go in the special, riding Nip Tuck at 16.15 BST. The standout winner of the grand prix, world number one Isabell Werth and Weihegold OLD, compete at 15.45 BST.

The top 15 combinations in the special, which has its own set of individual medals, go forward to tomorrow’s freestyle.

Stay up to date with the scores here.

Don’t miss the full report from the dressage, para dressage and showjumping action from this week’s European Championships in Horse & Hound — including analysis, expert comments, pictures and more — on sale Thursday, 31 August.

Plus, keep up to date with all the latest news from the championships via horseandhound.co.uk and the H&H Facebook page.

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Great Britain have finished fourth at the European Dressage Championships, having lost out on the bronze medal by an agonising two points.

As predicted, Germany scooped gold with an incredible 13-point margin — such was the strength of their early lead that they had the gold in the bag before the final German rider, world number one Isabell Werth, had even entered the arena. But she and the 12-year-old Don Schufro mare Weihegold OLD pulled off a flawless performance, scoring a whopping 83.74%.

The battle for silver and bronze was much closer, coming down to the final riders for Denmark, Sweden and Britain.

Carl Hester and Nip Tuck produced an excellent test under intense pressure for Britain, scoring 74.9%. The only blip came as ‘Barney’ left a leg and lost balance in his rein-back at C.

But it wasn’t quite enough, as Cathrine Dufour and Atterupgaards Cassidy posted 78.3% to elevate Denmark to silver, and Patrik Kittel’s 73.85% with Delaunay was enough to secure bronze for Sweden. The Netherlands finished fifth, behind Britain.

“We’re just a snip off bronze and obviously I’m gutted for the team, but on the other hand you have to look at the sport as a whole — Denmark and Sweden haven’t won a medal in a long time, and this is really healthy for the sport,” said Carl, diplomatically.

“Things haven’t really gone our way all along, especially with losing Gareth — that was a real blow. But fourth is by no means a disaster — it just feels a little different to be going home without a team medal.”

This is the first year since 2009 that Britain have not won a team medal at a dressage championship. But all three British team members have the chance to compete for an individual medal, having all qualified for the special, which begins at 10.45 BST on Friday.

Don’t miss the 31 August issue of Horse & Hound, with full reports, analysis and expert commentary from the dressage, para dressage and showjumping European Championships in Gothenburg.

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German riders occupy the top two spots after the first day of grand prix competition at the European Dressage Championships in Gothenburg.

Helen Langehanenberg sits at the top of leaderboard with the 15-year-old stallion Damsey FRH (Dressage Royal x Ritual), scoring 74.98% to establish a commanding lead early on.

Her teammate Dorothee Schneider lies second overnight with the 11-year-old Sammy Davis Jr (San Remo x Wenckstern), on 74.54%.

Britain’s Emile Faurie produced an excellent test for 72.28% with the relatively inexperienced Lollipop 126, originally his reserve horse until his first-choice ride, Weekend Fun, was withdrawn. The 13-year-old Lord Sinclair son was bouncy and mistake-free; the pair sit sixth at this stage.

“I was chuffed to bits. Lollipop’s never been to a major event before — he did Aachen this year but it’s not quite the same as here,” said Emile, referring to Gothenburg’s huge and atmospheric Ullevi stadium that is home to the dressage championship.

“He’s such a dude, and to come to a championship as a reserve horse and do a mistake-free test with the pressure on is very cool.

“He had plenty of preparation in the run-up, working alongside Weekend Fun. He felt amazing working in so I felt confident when I went in.”

Elimination for blood

There was drama when Swiss rider Charlotte Lenherr was eliminated after the judge at C, Evi Eisenhartdt of Germany, detected blood in the mouth of Darko Of De Niro ZS CH. Evi stopped Charlotte’s test midway through and put her hand into the 13-year-old stallion’s mouth, revealing blood (pictured below).

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The grand prix continues tomorrow for the team medals. Britain are down to three members following the withdrawal of Gareth Hughes and Don Carissimo due to injury sustained by the 12-year-old gelding since arriving in Gothenburg.

Spencer Wilton will be first in the arena for Britain tomorrow with his own and Jen Goodman’s 13-year-old Supernova II, riding at 16.12 BST. He will be followed by Carl Hester on his own and Jan de la Mare’s Nip Tuck at 20.08 BST.

Don’t miss the 31 August issue of Horse & Hound, with full reports, analysis and expert commentary from the dressage, para dressage and showjumping European Championships in Gothenburg. 

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