Latest from Horse & Hound in European-showjumping-championships

‘Thank you for the moments, my friend’: farewell to Olympic horse, aged 15

Becky Murray — Fri, 29 May 2026 15:11:42 +0000

Legend, the top grand prix horse and former Olympic ride of showjumper Eduardo Alvarez Aznar, has died aged 15.

The Belgian warmblood gelding competed at the highest level around the world and represented Spain at the Tokyo Olympics and the 2021 European Championships and Nations Cup Final.

“Some days ago we had to say goodbye to Legend,” said Eduardo, on 27 May.

“Thank you for all the moments, my friend. Rest in peace.”

Legend began his international career as an eight-year-old with Belgium’s Delphine Goemaere. Eduardo took over the reins in summer 2019 and they competed in the Nations Cup Final in Barcelona in October and the Global Champions League Prague Playoffs in November, where they were third in one of the opening rounds.

As their partnership developed, they competed in World Cup legs at venues including Amsterdam, Bordeaux and Verona, and Global Champions Tour legs in Doha, Paris and Monaco. They finished 31st individually at the Tokyo Olympics and were 16th at the 2021 Europeans, where the Spanish team finished seventh.

In the last two years Eduardo and Legend enjoyed top-10 placings in five-star competitions at Royal Windsor, La Baule, Doha and Cannes. They were third in a 1.50m in Paris last March and third in the 1.60m Shanghai GCT grand prix in May 2025.

Their last competition together was the Rabat leg of the GCT in Marrakech, where they were 10th in the Longines grand prix.

Asia Olsezweska, Eduardo’s groom, described Legend as her “soulmate”.

“You always were and will be more than anyone could ever imagine,” she said.

“I’ll miss you until we meet again somewhere.”

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‘More than the results, I will cherish your heart’ – five-star horse sold to the US

Becky Murray — Sat, 24 Jan 2026 13:31:59 +0000

A top rider has bid farewell to her “one in a million” ride Santos Z – as he moves on to “new adventures”.

Norwegian team rider Therese Søhol Henriksen announced that the 14-year-old Zangersheide stallion has been sold to the US.

“My precious Santos Z, my one in a million,” she said. “After nearly seven years together it’s time for your new adventures overseas.”

The pair made their championship debut at the European Showjumping Championships in La Coruna, Spain, last summer, helping Norway to 11th in the team standings.

Therese has produced the Spartacus son up the levels since 2019. The pair represented their country at their first CSIO5* Nations Cup at Sopot, Poland, in June 2021, and their first World Cup leg on home soil in Oslo that October.

They continued to compete at the top level, last year representing Norway at the Longines League of Nations leg in Rotterdam, the Europeans, and the CSIO4* Nations Cup Final in Avenches.

“So many unforgettable memories together, and I’m endlessly grateful for everything you have given me and my team. From my first Europeans and World Cups to countless double clears in Nations Cups, the places you took me and the experiences we shared will stay with me forever,” said Therese.

“But more than the results, I will always cherish your kindness, your cuddles and your beautiful soul and heart. Your bright, beautiful eyes are deeply missed in the stable.”

Therese added that Sanctos gave her “confidence, joy and memories I will carry with me for ever”.

“I’m sure your new family will love you and take wonderful care of you, just as you deserve,” she said.

“Thank you for being exactly who you are. You will always have a very special place in my heart.”

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‘We’d never had that pressure before – I certainly felt it’: Di Lampard reflects on the Euros and why she put her retirement plans on hold

Jennifer Donald — Sun, 03 Aug 2025 15:30:13 +0000

In the wake of a glorious European Showjumping Championships for Great Britain, the squad’s performance manager Di Lampard reflects on winning team silver, as well as unprecedented success for the individual riders.

Speaking on episode 167 of The Horse & Hound Podcast, which is sponsored by D&H this month, Di reveals that she “can’t talk any better of the squad we took out there” to A Coruña, Spain.

Ben Maher (Dallas Vegas Batilly), Donald Whitaker (Millfield Colette), Matt Sampson (Medoc De Toxandria) and Scott Brash, “who is always there to seal the job” delivered a glorious team medal, while Scott went on to win individual silver as well with new crowd-favourite Hello Folie.

“From day one, we were going to be brave,” recalls Di. “But leading from the front proved to be difficult. We’d never had that sort of pressure before. I certainly felt it.”

Di Lampard: “All the riders are great winners in their individual rights”

With four British riders finishing in the top 12 individually, these championships marked a tremendous milestone for the progression of the sport in this country.

“All the riders are great winners in their individual rights,” says Di. “[Britain’s individual rider] Jess Mendoza came to the top of her game as well, which was really pleasing.”

Di says she had in her mind a poignant moment from a previous championship, when senior riders Ben and Scott were jumping alongside relative newcomers Harry Charles and Joe Stockdale.

“I remember Ben turning round to Scott after we moved off the kiss and cry and he said ‘Come on, we’ve got to get this medal for the young two’ and that crossed my mind in Spain,” says Di. “We wanted this medal, but we really wanted it for Matt and Donald. That put more pressure on myself, which I tried not to show.”

Why retirement has been put on hold

Di was actually due to step down from her role as chef d’equipe after the Paris Olympics but she says that, after the devastating loss of her husband Dietmar Ackermann, she needed to “focus my mind”.

“I said I need to carry on, I need to keep busy,” she says. “Home is very lonely without Dietmar. But the sport is what I love and it keeps me going – I know Dietmar would want that.”

To hear more about Di Lampard’s insights on Matt Sampson’s “outstanding piece of horsemanship and determination” and her most memorable moments in the saddle, listen here to episode 167 of The Horse & Hound Podcast – or search for “The Horse & Hound Podcast” in your favourite podcast app.

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The Horse & Hound Podcast 167: Di Lampard, the British team’s showjumping performance manager

Gemma Redrup — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 05:45:15 +0000

On our 167th episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast, which is sponsored by D&H this month, we speak to the British team’s showjumping performance manager, Di Lampard. She talks about Team GBR’s performances in Spain at the recent Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships, plus how the competition panned out and what’s next for British showjumping. We hope you enjoy listening.

Episode 167 of our popular audio service The Horse & Hound Podcast, which is sponsored by D&H this month, is now live.

Each episode is available for H&H fans to listen to via your favourite podcast app, as well as here on the website. Search for “The Horse & Hound Podcast” in your preferred podcast app and click subscribe to be notified about each new episode.

View all episodes of The Horse & Hound Podcast

On this episode, we speak to the British team’s showjumping performance manager, Di Lampard. She talks about Team GBR’s performances in Spain at the recent Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships, plus how the competition panned out and what’s next for British showjumping.

“The sport is changing so much year in, year out – you’ve got to keep moving forwards with it so much and it’s rapid” – Di Lampard on how the sport of showjumping is constantly evolving

H&H’s showjumping editor Jennifer Donald also chats to Di about how her route into riding, how showjumping became her sport of choice and the incredible partnership she enjoyed with the outstanding Abbervail Dream.

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

Horse & Hound Podcast: episode 167

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Graham Fletcher: ‘Full marks for a fantastic European Showjumping Championship’

Graham Fletcher — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 09:32:57 +0000

H&H showjumping columnist Graham Fletcher on why the results in A Coruña resonate more than most

What a fantastic Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships this was! Brilliant courses by Santiago Varela tested the utter concentration of riders as well as the total athleticism and scope of the horses throughout the competition. Full marks to Spain and A Coruña for providing the backdrop, facilities and top-class going to produce such a spectacle.

There have been times when a European Championships can fall a bit flat when it follows all the euphoria and emotion of the Olympics. But that certainly wasn’t the case on this occasion. Indeed, many of the top riders had lightly competed their horses this year to have them spot on for these Europeans.

It was interesting to read an interview with world number one golfer Scottie Scheffler, who’s just won the British Open and collected more than £100m in prize money since 2022.

He said that players hardly have time to enjoy each victory because the next important tournament comes up so quickly. Meanwhile fellow golf pro Rory McIlroy describes the golf circuit as “the hamster wheel”.

Likewise, it’s been life-changing for top riders to have so many lucrative grands prix to aim for. However, with the exception of Aachen, these wins aren’t remembered for long.

That’s why the title of European champion – which stands for two years and resonates with a wider audience – has become so sought after.

“The Brits were unreal”

The British team were unreal with some amazing performances to claim team silver, being just pipped by the Belgians.

Chef d’equipe Di Lampard and technical advisor Stanny van Paesschen have had quite an exacting year with some of our best potential team horses being sold.

But anything is possible when you have two riders like Ben Maher and Scott Brash on your side. Although they have completely different styles, both are blessed with the genius quality.

Ben, always so impeccable and beautiful to watch, just missed an individual medal to finish fourth with Dallas Vegas Batilly.

The terrific partnership of Scott and Hello Folie won a really well-deserved silver. Folie’s agility and bravery are the properties that, to me, also define Scott as the top rider he is.

Donald Whitaker’s Millfield Colette, whom I always liked when the mare was produced by Laura Kennedy (née Robinson), has gone from strength to strength. This is now a really solid partnership with many more years of championship teams to come.

Belgium’s gold medal-winning team had two young riders in it who were as polished and professional as I’ve ever seen. Thibeau Spits with Impress-K Van’t Kattenheye Z and Gilles Thomas on the wonder-horse Ermitage Kalone didn’t have a fence down between them over the five rounds.

Their approach is all about marginal gains. They ride with fitness levels, slimness and positioning that can be achieved only with a finely tuned eye for detail.

Interestingly, Thibeau was young riders European champion in 2022. That title passed to Ireland’s Seamus Hughes Kennedy who, at 22 years old, rode at the top of his game here to finish fifth overall with ESI Rocky – the same horse on whom he’d won the young riders Europeans in 2023.

A chance for fifth riders to shine

It was a really good idea of the FEI’s to let the fifth rider from each team compete as an individual.

It’s all very well to say they are there to support the team, and I know they do just that. But for an ambitious rider to sit it out for the week makes it a very long one indeed.

Jessica Mendoza was our fifth rider and you could tell that she was 100% behind the team. But I’m sure she equally enjoyed competing – and rode exceptionally well to finish 11th individually with In The Air.

● What were your standout moments from the European Championships? Did it deliver as you expected? Let us know at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance for your letter to appear in a forthcoming issue of the magazine

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‘When I was young I always dreamed of winning a medal, now I have two’: rider’s European Championships double

Becky Murray — Sun, 20 Jul 2025 17:53:45 +0000

Belgium’s Gilles Thomas and Ermitage Kalone have won individual bronze at the Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships – two days after they were part of the team that won gold.

Gilles and 11-year-old gelding Ermitage Kalone, owned by Joris van Dijck, have looked strong all week; the pair sealed the deal for Belgium on Friday (18 July) as the team’s anchor rider, and they returned today on that same brilliant form.

“When I was quite young I always dreamed of winning a medal at a big championship, and now I have two,” said 27-year-old Gilles.

“Before I came here, I was hoping for a medal, especially with the team. After the team competition my horse felt very good, so I started believing a little bit in the individual medal.

“Riding such a horse, he makes it look easy. He was in very good shape, and he took a lot of the pressure away. I’ve ridden him for five years and we know each other inside out.”

The competition remained tight throughout the afternoon as only two fences separated the top 25 in the first round. The top 12 then came back for the medal-deciding finale with only a fence separating the top seven.

The pressure and suspense mounted with each round as the final eight combinations all jumped clear, including Ben Maher and Dallas Vegas Batilly who finished fourth.

Scott Brash and Hello Folie, who were lying in second, and Richard Vogel and United Touch S, who were in gold, both jumped clear to conclude the medal positions.

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

‘Now everyone can see how amazing he is’: rider’s delight as superstar stallion wins European gold

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 20 Jul 2025 16:59:46 +0000

New European showjumping champion Richard Vogel has paid tribute to the tremendous stallion United Touch S, who finished on a score of 0.01, having not touched a fence all week.

Having helped secure the team bronze for Germany on Friday at the Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships, the combination came out and jumped two more clear rounds in today’s final to keep the lead they had held since Thursday, ahead of silver medallists Scott Brash and Hello Folie, and Belgium’s Gilles Thomas and Ermitage Kalone third.

“I’m very, very delighted with United; how he was fighting until the very last jump,” Richard said. “He was with me everywhere, and I’m super relieved we could make that happen.”

Richard joked that his plan for the final was to “leave the poles up”. And that’s exactly what he did, the 13-year-old Untouched stallion using all his stride and scope to make nothing of Santiago Varela’s tracks today, as all week.

“I think everyone knows United Touch, probably before this week, but now everyone saw how amazing he is,” he said. But we’ve been a partnership for a couple of years, and when we started, his enormous stride and enormous scope was a big strength but also a kind of weakness.”

Richard explained that United had to learn how to use his body and adapt and adjust, to be able to not only leave strides out when needed, but also take on the shorter distances.

“But he changed amazingly and performed better than I could have wished for,” he said.

The pair did give the crowd cause to gasp, when they touched the last element of the triple combination, and the next narrow vertical on the penultimate line, but perhaps the great stallion was just teasing, as he sailed over the final Longines oxer with plenty of air to secure that coveted gold.

“The last line was not so easy for us,” Richard said, “I would say the right lead is not his strong side, we were coming home towards the in-gate, so he always gets a bit more stride, it was on the right lead and towards the end, when a lot of energy is out already.

“But he managed it perfectly. I’m just very relieved and super happy and proud of him.”

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

‘She’s shown the world how talented she is’: Scott Brash and Hello Folie win European incredible silver

Becky Murray — Sun, 20 Jul 2025 16:29:35 +0000

Scott Brash and Hello Folie have won individual silver at the Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships, finishing just behind Germany’s Richard Vogel and United Touch S, and ahead of Belgium’s Gilles Thomas and Ermitage Kalone, after a nail-biting competition finale.

Scott and Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham’s incredible 10-year-old mare, who is competing in her first championships, kept everyone on the edge of their seats all week with their epic heart-filled performances, and today was no different.

“She’s shown the world how talented she is this week,” said Scott. “I’ve always felt that she was going to be a top, top horse, but until they actually come and do it at this level, you don’t really know, but she’s certainly proved that more this week. So I’m delighted.”

The pair entered the second round of today’s individual final in the silver medal position and it was theirs to lose, after Gilles Thomas and Joris van Dijck’s 11-year-old stallion had sealed a medal with another foot-perfect performance.

Folie looked her feisty self, but as always the partnership with Scott shone through on Santiago Varela’s new track. The crowd held its breath when the pair got a little close to the oxer at fence 6, but it stayed up. Down to the final line the pair jumped through the triple combination – a vertical, vertical, oxer – with ease before providing another heart-skipping moment with a bold long stride to the penultimate fence, a huge 1.63m vertical. The pair then soared over the final oxer to keep the pressure firmly on Richard and United.

Folie has shown her desire to get on with the job all week.

“It’s been very fun,” Scott said. “I was glad I managed to keep hold of the reins today! To the triple combination, I wanted to come in not too quick, but I actually waited one too many strides, and she just shows such fight and spirit to jump through it; what an incredible mare.

“These are the biggest courses she’s jumped so far. I feel she’s grown up through the week and she’s going to use this championship to grow for the future.”

The competition remained unbelievably close to the end; the final eight all jumped clear. Ben Maher was just out of the medals in fourth with Dallas Vegas Batilly. Donald Whitaker finished 10th with Millfield Colette, having jumped double clear this afternoon. Jessica Mendoza and In The Air picked up four faults in the second round when they knocked the first part of the combination to finish 11th.

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

Brits in touching distance of medals as one fence separates top seven in nail-biting European Showjumping Championships final

Becky Murray — Sun, 20 Jul 2025 14:10:05 +0000

One fence separates the top seven combinations in the individual final at the Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships – as Scott Brash and Hello Folie remain in the silver medal position at this stage, and four Brits are through to the final showdown.

The top 25 combinations came forward to contest the first round of this afternoon’s (20 July) astonishingly close competition. Course-designer Santiago Varela upped the ante with certain lines offering striding options, and a tight time allowed of 76 seconds in this first round.

Four of the five Brits had made it through to today’s final; Donald Whitaker and Millfield Colette in 18th, Jessica Mendoza and In The Air 16th, Ben Maher and Dallas Vegas Batilly eighth and Scott Brash and Hello Folie second.

Going into the first round, only two poles separated the top 25 and only one pole the top 13. This meant to make it through to the second round – when only 12 come back – a clear was a must. All four Brits delivered and have sealed their places in the second round, where a pole now separates the top seven.

Donald Whitaker lies in 11th, Jessica ninth, Ben in fourth and Scott remains in the silver medal position.

“Colette jumped her heart out once more, she’s absolutely fantastic,” said Donald, after his first round.

“The course walked a bit more difficult than it looks like it’s riding; there were quite a lot of stride options from the first line to the last. It was quite big as well.”

Jessica Mendoza was thrilled with In The Air.

“I think she was a little tired today, but she stuck her teeth into it,” she said.

“It’s a different course from the other day, there’s a lot of big gaps between the fences so I think he’s testing us a bit more with the time allowed and our control.”

Ben and Dallas Vegas Batilly looked on their usual brilliant form, as did Scott and Hello Folie. Scott had his work cut out as Folie looked keen to get on with the job, rattling the oxer at fence 5 and the first part of the combination at fence seven, but Scott used his expertise to guide them home clear.

There was disappointment for reigning champion Steve Guerdat who was in the bronze medal position with Albfuehren’s Iashin Sitte, but an agonising knock of the final fence dropped them down to 12th going into the second round.

European Showjumping Championships individual final second round

The top 12 combinations now come back to contest a second round over a different course. Germany’s Richard Vogel and United Touch S remain in the gold medal spot, and Belgium’s Gilles Thomas and Ermitage Kalone in third, behind Scott and Hello Folie.

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

‘I have a very nice mother!’ Meet the European individual medal contender given to her rider as a surprise present

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 20 Jul 2025 10:18:20 +0000

Meet the Swiss rider who will be challenging for the individual medals at the Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships this afternoon – with a horse her mother gave her as a surprise present.

Nadja Peter Steiner and Mila are in sixth place at this stage, on 2.11 penalties, having added nothing to their first round score over the two following days of jumping.

The 13-year-old mare is no stranger to championships; she and Eoin McMahon were on the Irish team that won the silver medal at the 2023 Europeans, where they finished ninth individually. And neither is Nadja; she was on the Swiss team that won European bronze in 2017.

“She’s just an amazing, amazing, amazing mare,” Nadja said. “I’ve only been riding her since the beginning of this year, so it’s still new, and very special to be here after such a short time. “Coming here was not at all the plan for this year, because it is still so new, but every time I go in a ring, she does her very best, and she makes my life easy.”

Nadja said Mila is a very sweet mare, who is more fond of humans than she is horses – and that it was a “funny story” that led to their partnership.

“I didn’t know about her – my mother gave me a present!” she said. “They all organised the flight and everything for me; she came with Philipp Weishaupt’s horses, and when I arrived in Doha, she was there.

“I rode her for the first time there, a small course but in a show straight away, and since then it has been real love together.”

Asked if it had been her birthday, Nadja answered: “No, she was just a present, I have a very nice mother!”

The first round of the individual final starts at 2pm local time (1pm BST) and the second round at 4.30pm (3.30pm).

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

Rider delights in winning team gold with mid-air celebration at European Showjumping Championships

Jennifer Donald — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 20:27:06 +0000

Belgium’s anchor rider Gilles Thomas celebrated his country’s team gold medal while in mid-air over the final fence at the Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships in Spain on Friday (18 July).

The Belgian squad of Nicola Philippaerts (Katanga VH Dingeshof), Thibeau Spits (Impress-K van’t Kattenheye Z), Pieter Devos (Casual DV Z) and anchorman Gilles Thomas riding Ermitage Kalone had leapfogged above leaders Great Britain in the closing stages of the team medal decider at Casas Novas Equestrian Center in A Coruna.

However it required a clear from Gilles and the super-talented 11-year-old to seal their place at the top of the podium.

European Showjumping Championships: let the celebrations begin!

In dazzling style, the pair left all the poles standing and the celebrations began – unexpectedly early in the case of Gilles, who raised his arm in delight while still full flight over the 1.60m final oxer. You can watch Gilles’s winning round – including epic celebration – below.

“This means a lot – from a young kid you always watch these championships, and it’s the same in every sport,” said Gilles. “I really felt I had to give Ermitage Kalone a medal because it cannot be that a horse as good as him doesn’t have a medal.

“Today, we had a very good team – all five of us – and the way he was jumping he felt amazing. I could just do my thing and know he’d leave the fences up.”

The Belgium team win gold at the European Showjumping Championships in Spain. (Image credit: (C)FEI/Lukasz Kowalski)

Belgium, Great Britain and Germany on the podium

Great Britain finished with silver and Germany won bronze in the team final of the European Showjumping Championships. Ireland finished close behind in fourth.

This was Belgium’s second European title after they first won gold in Rotterdam in 2019. They topped the leaderboard in A Coruna with a team score of 5.61, while Great Britain tallied up 7.96 penalties. Germany completed in bronze with a final score of 8.19 while Team Ireland finished on 12.39. Switzerland were placed behind in fifth, just ahead of the Netherlands, in sixth place after Friday’s 10 team decider.

The competition concludes on Sunday (20 July) with the individual medal decider for the top 25 riders.

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

‘A great team, with great team spirit’: British showjumpers win superb silver medal at European Championships

Jennifer Donald — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 18:42:34 +0000

Great Britain has won a sensational silver medal at the Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships in Spain on Friday 18 July.

“We’re delighted,” said British anchor rider Scott Brash. “We were very close – just very unlucky really. But it’s been a great team, with great team spirit this week.“

High pressure at European Showjumping Championships

The quartet of Ben Maher (Dallas Vegas Batilly), Matt Sampson (Medoc De Toxandria), Donald Whitaker (Millfield Colette) and Scott Brash (Hello Folie) came into the team final in the gold medal position, but with a narrow lead over Begium and Germany for the final showdown.

Pathfinder Ben Maher set the ball rolling with a vital clear round with the 12-year-old Tilly, who is owned by Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright and looked after by groom Gwen Bellamy.

But when faults came in for first Matt Sampson, who battled on courageously after an unexpected elimination with Medoc the previous day, and then Millfield Colette picked up her first faults of the contest with Donald, the squad slipped behind a dominant Belgium in the medal standings.

The Belgian squad claimed the gold with a clear from their final rider Gilles Thomas riding Ermitage Kalone.

But the remaining podium places were still to be decided. It all rested with Scott Brash, who was once again the last athlete to enter the ring on day three of these European Showjumping Championships and Great Britain’s fate lay in his hands.

Displaying every ounce of trademark cool that has helped him win two Olympic golds and four further championship medals – as well as jumping clear the previous day with only one rein – the resilient Scotsman earned silver for Great Britain with a superb clear on Lady Harris and Lady Kirkham’s chestnut mare Hello Folie, a 10-year-old mare jumping at her first championship.

“She’s feisty and she wants to get on with the job,” said Scott. “So she can make it challenging at times. But she tries very hard when she gets there.

“Ben has done incredible job this week – sometimes people just expect it from it from him, because he’s been so consistent, so good over the years. But I thought he really rode Dallas fantastic today and yesterday.

“Matt had the hiccup yesterday and that didn’t really help for today, but he regrouped well and still put a score on the board. So he’s a great team man to have around. His time will come but it’s great he’s got a medal. He deserves it. He works hard, and he’s going to be there for the future. Donald had a great championship too.”

A welcome silver medal for brilliant British team

Great Britain finished on 7.96, barely two penalties behind winners Belgium (5.61), with Germany taking the bronze medal (8.19).

Reigning Olympic gold medallists Great Britain last claimed a team medal at the European Showjumping Championships in 2019, when Ben and Scott were on the team that won bronze, and before that in 2013 they celebrated team gold in Herning. But this marks a first championship medal for both Donald Whitaker and Matt Sampson.

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

‘She’s like a box of chocolates’: experience tells for GB pathfinder Ben Maher in European Showjumping Championships team final

Jennifer Donald — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 16:44:39 +0000

Great Britain’s team pathfinder Ben Maher (Dallas Vegas Batilly) posted a vital clear in the team final at the Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships on Friday (18 July).

Santiago Varela had upped the technicality for this team medal decider and clears have been much harder to come by than in previous rounds. But Ben and the 12-year-old Cap Kennedy mare “Tilly”, owned by Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright, brushed off the pressure to produce their second clear round of the championships.

“These type of competitions are always easier with an experienced horse and when you have a stronger relationship,” said Ben. “As I said yesterday, it doesn’t matter what they put out there – it doesn’t mean we’re going to be clear, but it means that I’ve probably experienced it one way or another with her, which is always a nice feeling going into these kind of events and fortunately I was able to bring it home.”

European Showjumping Championships: “I’m very proud”

Ben says Tilly, who is looked after by groom Gwen Bellamy, is the “most relaxed, laidback horse, who would happily be in the field all day long”.

“I could put my children on her,” said Ben. “But when she comes out [to jump], she’s quite feisty and opinionated – she wants to do it all on her own. So it’s a bit of a box of chocolates with her sometimes. That’s why the first day caught me by surprise – she didn’t feel 100%, not unwell, but she was very down in herself. But the last two days have felt much more like her.

“The line of the triple bar to the combination was quite hard for her. So I’m so happy with her – she’s improved with each round and from fence one today I knew she was with me. She really listened to me, so I’m very proud of her. It’s always good to get a good start for the team.”

Jessica Mendoza, who is competing for Great Britain at the European Showjumping Championships as an individual with In The Air, posted her second clear round of the competition earlier in the afternoon and waits to find out if she’s qualified for Sunday’s individual medal decider.

Matt Sampson, who suffered an unfortunate elimination in Thursday’s round, had a refusal once again at the middle element of the combination, but managed to get home with 14 penalties.

“We had a hiccup, but coming from yesterday I had the feeling he really wanted to jump it, and that’s why I came back a second time,” said Matt. “He’s proved what an amazing horse he is.”

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

‘I ride him in a totally different style – his stride is enormous’: meet the mega stallion leading the showjumping Europeans

Jennifer Donald — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 14:19:27 +0000

Topping the leader board ahead of the third round of competition at the Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships are the phenomenal combination of Richard Vogel and the mighty stallion United Touch S.

The German rider’s ascent to the top of the sport in recent years has been meteoric, helped in part at least by this powerful 13-year-old stallion with whom he has struck up an incredible rapport.

Richard Vogel and United Touch S: from CSI2* classes to European Showjumping Championships leaders

United Touch S, a son of Untouched x Lux Z, has one of the longest strides we’ve ever seen – “possibly one of the biggest strides in the world” proclaims his rider – and he clears the toughest 1.65m five-star tracks effortlessly.

Richard, ranked number nine in the world, describes riding United Touch as “a lot of fun”.

“He’s sensitive and smart,” he says. “He’s also given me a lot of firsts – I won my first five-star grand prix with him and we did our first championships together.

“But he’s such a different horse compared with many others – if you look at how I ride him and how I ride some of my other horses, it’s a totally different style. So he’s taught me that – to take each horse as an individual rather than trying to ride them all the same way.

“It’s the same for the training we do at home or the program we have for each of them – now we try to make the best plan for each horse and analyse each of their strengths and weaknesses to try to improve them.

“People always talk about how much I improved United Touch S, but actually he taught me so much. It’s just a great partnership, including with his groom Felicia Wallin, who has also grown with us. So I’m just very proud of all the steps we’ve done and how much we’ve grown together.”

A great start in A Coruña

Richard and United Touch S opened with a lightning-quick performance on day one at the European Showjumping Championships, placing them just 0.01pen behind leaders Daniel Coyle and Legacy. However after the Irish pair’s withdrawal on Thursday and Richard produced a follow-up clear with Julius-Peter Sinnack’s stallion, they moved into the gold medal position in the individual standings, while Team Germany sit in second position just behind leaders Great Britain.

“I try not to have that [being top of the leaderboard] in mind because it’s a very long journey until the individual finals,” says Richard, who is competing alongside his girlfriend Sophie Hinners on the German team at the European Showjumping Championships.

Richard Vogel and United Touch S in action at the Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships in Spain. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“We’re really thinking about the team now as we’re very close behind the Brits and close in front of the Belgians. So that’s what we’re focusing on and trying to do the best we can with the team. It looks promising though, because all the horses have jumped very well – we had four clears on Thursday and if I’m not mistaken we were the only team that had four clears.

“But I’m delighted with how United jumped on Thursday, especially after going so fast the previous day when we really opened up. He was very much with me, very collected, and I could do all the actual [stride] numbers – I didn’t have to leave out everywhere, because his stride his so enormous! I was worried he’d be a bit too much forward on the second day, but not at all, so that made me very happy. He’s fresh, he’s motivated, he’s in a good place – in his mind, too. So we’ll just try to keep that form going through.

“I think Friday’s course will be quite a bit tougher though [for the team final],” he says. “We saw enough clears on Thursday, but that’s probably what the course-designer wanted and expected – he didn’t want to build it too challenging. We jumped 14 numbered fences, 17 actual fences, on Wednesday and Thursday so it’s taken a bit of energy out of the horses already before the third day in a row of jumping, when the fences are likely to be more delicate and the doubles may be tougher. We saw problems already at the triple combination, although I think the second combination didn’t really cause any troubles on Thursday. But in general, it was a 1.60m class but not a very tough one. I’m sure we’ll see a difference on Friday.”

United Touch S at the European Championships: “He switches into ‘sport mode’”

United Touch S was previously ridden by Dutch showjumpers Willem Greve and Bart Bles, with Richard taking the reins in 2022. But while he’s electric in the ring and proved exhilarating to watch at Casas Novas Equestrian Center in Spain this week, he’s “pretty chilled” in the stable, assesses Richard.

“He’s the easiest horse and as a stallion you’d expect him to be difficult around other horses, especially mares, but he’s so well behaved in all aspects,” he says. “But when you go in the ring he realises very quickly ‘OK, today is an important day’ or like these championships an important week, and he switches into ‘sport mode’.

“I think that’s an ideal mix to have – a horse that doesn’t waste energy in his stable or when he’s travelling. Of course, sometimes it takes a bit to keep it all under control in the ring, but he’s a lot of fun and always tries to do his best.”

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

Who needs a bridle? Horse ‘a bit surprised’ by tack malfunction but completes European Showjumping Championships course

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 11:36:42 +0000

A horse whose bridle broke mid-course at the Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships was “a bit surprised”, but such is the partnership between he and his rider, they completed the course without mishap.

Mariano Martinez Bastida and Jup, whom he owns with Barmar Sporthorses SL, are representing Spain at this home championships. They were in flying form in the opening speed round of the competition on Wednesday (16 July) until, somewhere between the triple combination and the next tricky vertical, the 11-year-old gelding’s noseband broke, leaving his hackamore unattached – and his rider with limited communication left.

“He had to do the rest of the course without the hackamore,” a friend of the rider’s told H&H on his behalf. “He did what he could! But the horse is very brave – and so is Mariano. They trust each other so much; the perfect partnership.”

Mariano has been riding the Dutch-bred gelding for more than two years and the pair have had good results at the top level, including finishing just off the podium in the 1.60m Longines Global Champions Tour of Cannes grand prix last month.

“He’s a horse with so much blood and very sensitive, but you can trust him,” the friend said. “When the noseband broke, he was a bit surprised, and they had the next two fences down, but as they have such a great partnership, they managed to complete the course. And we had all new tack for the next day!”

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

‘When you need a smile most, she’s there’: meet the home-bred who bucked everyone off – and is now jumping clear at the Europeans

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 11:00:01 +0000

Meet the home-bred mare who bucked everyone off as a youngster, who scared her rider and “you couldn’t sit on her”, but has gone on to put smiles on faces – and jump clear at the very top of the sport.

Erika Lickhammer-Van Helmond and her own and VHL Stables’ Comme Tessa VHL put in a perfect round for the Swedish team at the Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships yesterday (17 July). But the 12-year-old mare’s journey to this point has not been the easiest.

“She started late; she was six, turning seven, when she started in the sport, because she was very, very difficult,” Erika explains. “She bucked us off. You couldn’t sit on her. We had to send her away to get backed, and the guy who did back her said ‘I’m never going to forget her’!”

Erika said she and her husband Joris van Helmond thought Comme Tessa, by Comme Il Faut, would be special from the start.

“The first jump she took, me and my husband looked at each other and said ‘This is something else’,” she says. “She was three then so it’s been a long journey, but a fantastic, amazing, fun journey. We never thought she had to do championships but she’s put a smile on our faces so many times, and that’s what it’s all about.

“I enjoy this so much and it’s all down to this horse, and it’s so special; we made her, I saw her getting born, every step this horse has taken, almost every jump, I’ve been there.”

Erika says it is the qualities that make Comme Tessa so good over jumps that were tricky to deal with at the start.

“She’s so elastic, and when she was young, she used that in another way!” she says. “We were all a bit scared of her. When we started jumping her, you were never scared going to the jump, or of the jump, but of the landing, because then she’d buck you off.

“I’m a bit of a chicken with young horses, and I was scared of her in the beginning. But to get the enormous quality; she’s so, so careful. You almost need to ride her to understand how careful she is, and there was no rush, we took our time with her.”

And the fact the journey has been tricky but they are where they are makes the outcome even more special.

“There have been many moments but to stand here, we’re actually at the Europeans – I’m really glad [chef d’equipe] Henrik Ancarkrona trusted us to gain this experience, and I’m very happy we could help the team with a clear,” Erika says.

“I said to my groom today, it’s unbelievable; when you need a smile most, she’s always there.”

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

Overnight leader withdraws, a heartbreaking elimination and a rider losing his reins at a key moment – read all the stories from the European Showjumping Championships

Becky Murray — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 19:32:02 +0000

The second day of the Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships did not disappoint as Great Britain held on to its lead in the team standings – while the individual rankings had a reshuffle when the overnight leader withdrew.

There were ups and downs in today’s competition for some – check out all the key stories below:

Individual leaders Daniel Coyle and Legacy withdrew before the action got under way

Find out why Daniel decided not to continue with the competition

Britain’s individual Jessica Mendoza jumped a superb clear

Read about the syndicate of mums who own Jessica’s brilliant ride In The Air

Ben Maher returned to top form with Dallas Vegas Batilly after four faults yesterday

Read how Ben’s round unfolded

Matt Samspon suffered a heartbreaking elimination

Hear from Matt on why it’s about more than the sport as he reflects on his tough round

Donald Whitaker and Scott Brash kept Britain’s gold medal hopes alive

Find out which rider lost his reins and gave the crowd a heart-in-the-mouth moment

Britain remain on top at the end of day two

Hear from British Equestrian showjumping performance manager Di Lampard as she reflects on the second day

The European Showjumping Championships continue tomorrow (18 July). The team final gets under way at 3.15pm UK time (4.15pm local time). The H&H will be bringing you all the news as it unfolds.

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

‘I’m ok if he’s ok’: British rider reflects on unexpected elimination at European Showjumping Championships

Becky Murray — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 18:59:05 +0000

Great Britain’s Matt Sampson has reflected on his shock elimination on day two (17 July) of the Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships.

Matt and Medoc de Toxandria were second in for the Brits in today’s team round, after Ben Maher and Dallas Vegas Batilly got proceedings off to a great start with a clear.

Matt and the Gredley’s 13-year-old gelding set off looking confident after yesterday’s superb opening round, but the pair came into difficulty at the treble combination 8ABC.

Medoc made an awkward jump over part B and they were unable to regroup in time for part C, resulting in a run-out. On the second attempt Medoc had a repeat problem at part B, appearing to have lost some confidence, resulting in elimination.

“He was jumping fantastic and felt amazing. The warm-up was great. Then I think he just stumbled a little bit, either on take-off or landing,” said Matt.

“He kind of caught himself slightly, and it stopped us in our tracks a little bit for the oxer. He’s not a horse that ever sort of hesitates, he loves his job, so that’s the reason why I thought it would probably be okay the second time. But I think he lost his confidence a little.”

Matt said that Medoc is doing well.

“We’ve had him checked by the vet, and I’ve been with him since I jumped,” said Matt. “He’s absolutely fine and that’s the main thing for me.

“Showjumping is showjumping, it’s a sport that I like doing, but the reason I do it is because of the horses, so I’m ok if he’s ok.”

As there are four in a team, Matt’s result was the drop score for Great Britain today. The team remain in the lead overnight after Ben Maher, Donald Whitaker and Scott Brash jumped clear. All four team riders will be eligible to compete in the team final tomorrow (18 July).

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

‘We’ve had all the drama!’ Britain still on top at European Showjumping Championships after rollercoaster afternoon

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 18:40:05 +0000

Britain stays on top of the pile at the Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships, after an afternoon of “all the drama”.

The team added nothing to yesterday’s total of 3.96 to stay in the lead, ahead of the Germans on 4.19 and Belgium on 4.61. All three of the top teams counted three clears today.

“We’ve had all the drama, haven’t we, all in the second day, but I couldn’t be more proud of the whole squad,” said British Equestrian showjumping performance manager Di Lampard.

Ben Maher and Dallas Vegas Batilly jumped the first fault-free round of the day, the great mare with the “spring back in her step” after yesterday’s four-fault round, then Matt Sampson and Medoc De Toxandria were desperately unlucky to be eliminated in the troublesome triple combination.

“It was really unfortunate for Matt,” Di said. “The horse was going so well, and whether he just trod on himself on take-off, and took the momentum away, and then just lost a bit of confidence at that moment. But the lads will get behind Matt tonight, and we’ll see if the horse is ok, and give him a jump tomorrow morning. And if he’s happy enough, we’ll go and have another go.”

Di paid tribute to Donald, who came in third with Millfield Colette and jumped the round of their lives to add nothing to the score, after which Scott showed his true class and horsemanship to get himself and Hello Folie clear through the triple having lost his reins moments before.

“We’re looking forward to [the team final tomorrow], but I think we have to just let everybody settle and gather their thoughts – it’s been quite an entertaining afternoon here in A Coruńa!” Di said.

Ireland had a fantastic day, jumping three clears to climb to fourth place on 8.39 faults.

In the individual competition, Germany’s Richard Vogel and United Touch S jumped clear today to maintain their position on top of the leaderboard on 0.01 penalties, after overnight leaders Daniel Coyle and Legacy withdrew. Donald and Colette are second on 0.67 and Scott and Folie fourth on 1.08; Julien Apaillard of France and Donatello D’Auge also jumped clear today to stay third with 0.89.

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

Great Britain’s gold medal hopes stay alive at European Showjumping Championships – despite heart-in-the-mouth moment for one rider

Becky Murray — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 18:38:39 +0000

Great Britain remains in the lead after day two at the Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships following a foot-perfect clear from Donald Whitaker and Millfield Colette and a fabulous – but heart-in-the-mouth – clear from Scott Brash and Hello Folie.

Donald and Colette were third to jump for Britain and the pair followed yesterday’s stunning performance (16 July) with another clear round. The pair now lie in second individually.

“I’m a bit relieved,” said Donald, after his round. “She was amazing as always, she tried her absolute best so I’m delighted. She’s in her happy place in there.”

The pressure was on Donald and Colette after Matt Sampson and Medoc de Toxandria were eliminated following issues at the treble combination. As there are four riders on a team, Matt’s round could be Great Britain’s drop score, but the three other scores had to count. And with Germany and Belgium so close behind Britain in the team rankings, anything but a clear would have dropped the British team down the order.

“I definitely needed to have some sort of a good round to keep ourselves in it. And thankfully, we did,” said Donald.

“I didn’t see Matt’s round as I was warming up, but he was very unlucky. Knowing Matt he will bounce back stronger than ever.”

Scott Brash at European Showjumping Championships: “I felt like an amateur”

The pressure continued on Scott Brash and Hello Folie when Germany posted their fourth clear of the team competition, thanks to Richard Vogel and United Touch S, who are now in the individual gold medal position. Scott also had to jump clear to keep Britain in the lead.

Although Scott is known for keeping his cool, no one expected him to lose his reins ahead of the combination, drawing a gasp from the crowd. Demonstrating their unbelievable partnership and faith in each other, Scott and Folie held it together to clear all three elements – and they came home with no penalties to add.

“I don’t know why, but I managed to lose my rein after the green oxer. I felt like an amateur in there today, but I managed just to grab it back at the right moment and asked Folie to jump the triple from where I was,” said Scott. “What an amazing attitude and fight and spirit she showed to be able to jump through that triple clear. I’m super proud of her.”

Scott said the 10-year-old mare was “incredible” in the ring.

“She felt really good. She does pull me a little bit, she’s just eager to please and get on with the job,” he said.

“I don’t really know what happened and I need to watch it back, whether she snatched and I just lost the rein. Then she didn’t really know she was going for the triple. I managed to grab the rein, but I was very deep coming in and just asked her to jump, and she responded so well.

“What was nice was that line obviously didn’t feel great, but she settled down and jumped the rest very good. So I think that shows how confident she is with me and we have a great partnership. Hopefully I will put her in a better place tomorrow.”

Scott acknowledged that Folie is green at this level – the Europeans is her first championship – but said she is feeling good ahead of the team final tomorrow (18 July). The pair are in fourth place individually; the individual medals will be decided on Sunday.

“Obviously it gets tougher each day, and they’re bigger each day. Today she warmed up fantastic, she started off really good and finished off really well, so there’s a lot of positives to take,” he said.

“She does give a lot of effort, so hopefully we still have enough energy in the tank for tomorrow, but she feels good just now. I’m very happy.”

Great Britain’s hopes are high for tomorrow.

“The team guys have been fantastic; Ben always delivers for us, through his whole career. Going first, he always puts us in a good place,” said Scott.

“It was unfortunate for Matt, I think it was just one of those things, but he’ll bounce back tomorrow. We’ll support him all we can, and I’m sure he’ll put in a result tomorrow for us. Then Don was amazing, clear when we really needed him, and Folie was just fantastic.

“It’s great team spirit. We’re all there for one another, and we’ll be fighting tomorrow, but there’s a lot still to do.”

European Showjumping Championships team standings

Great Britain holds the overnight lead on 3.96 penalties. Germany is second on 4.19, and Belgium third on 4.61. Ireland has climbed up to fourth on 8.39. The team final gets under way at 3.15pm UK time (4.15pm local time) tomorrow (Friday 18 July).

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

A super clear – and a heartbreaking elimination for Great Britain at the European Showjumping Championships

Becky Murray — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 17:07:17 +0000

Ben Maher and Dallas Vegas Batilly returned to top form in today’s (17 July) team competition at the Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships – as Matt Sampson and Medoc de Toxandria suffered an uncharacteristic elimination.

Dallas Vegas Batilly, known at home as “Tilly”, looked as good as ever as she cruised round to post a textbook clear. Ben and Tilly had four-faults yesterday (16 July) and were Britain’s drop score, after Donald Whitaker, Scott Brash, and Matt posted clears.

“It was better today, not just the result, but she felt better,” said Ben.

“Yesterday it was quite late jumping for her, as it was for all the horses – she felt like she was more ready for her dinner than coming out to compete. She was very, very quiet, and uncharacteristically for her, made me work a little harder in a different respect.

“Today she had a lot more spring in her step and the jump was all there, which was great and a great start for the team. It was great to get a nice, smooth round. The combination she skipped a little bit going in, and I have to react quick with her, but other than that she jumped an excellent round, which gives me a lot of confidence.”

Next to jump for Great Britain was Matt Sampson and Medoc de Toxandria, who after yesterday’s high, faced a crushing low when the pair were eliminated at the treble combination 8ABC, just beyond the halfway stage of the course.

Medoc de Toxandria appeared to make a mistake as they jumped part B, then the pair were unable to regroup in time for part C, resulting in a run-out. When they came round to jump the combination again, Medoc de Toxandria once more struggled with part B and the pair were eliminated.

Donald Whitaker and Scott Brash are still to jump in today’s team round for Great Britain.

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

‘Family matters most’: Janika Sprunger on being supported by husband Henrik von Eckermann at the European Showjumping Championships

Becky Murray — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 16:00:50 +0000

Swiss showjumper Janika Sprunger has switched places with her husband Henrik von Eckermann as she competes at the Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships – and he cheers on from the sidelines.

“Now he can understand how I feel all the time,” said Janika, referencing Henrik having the nervous job of watching a spouse in a championship setting.

“He gives me great support, not putting too much pressure on me, but still trying to give me confidence.”

The Europeans are Janika’s first championship in seven years, her last was the World Equestrian Games at Tryon in 2018 with Bacardi VDL, who was later sold. Prior to that Janika was a team regular for Switzerland, including at the 2016 Olympics.

Janika and Henrik welcomed their first child in 2021. Since then Janika returned to competing – while supporting Henrik as he rose to stardom with King Edward. The pair won team gold at the Tokyo Olympics, and won double gold at the 2022 World Championships.

Janika and 11-year-old mare Orelie have got their campaign at the European Showjumping Championships off to a great start. They compete as individuals and have produced two solid clear rounds to this point.

Janika said Henrik helped her with her plan for the second round of the competition today (17 July).

“I had a little bit of a different plan than maybe some of the others; I did one more stride to the double, fence 11AB, and I think it was absolutely the right thing to do,” said Janika.

“I’m so happy he’s here.”

Janika said family and teamwork is the focus for her and Henrik.

“What matters the most is our family, us as a team, trying to do the best we can. We work hard, then when the success comes or when something works out, it’s just extra,” she said.

“The most important thing is always to stick together no matter what. I believe we are a good team, because also you’re both doing it, you understand. It also can be complicated, because one has ‘This plan’ and the other ‘That plan’, but we do the best we can and support each other.”

The European Showjumping Championships were not the original plan for Janika.

“It was not really a discussion for me to come here, I was supposed to go to Falsterbo. It was a bit of a last-minute ticket, which I took with pleasure!” said Janika.

“For me it’s fine to be an individual. I’m happy to support my team and happy to be here and experience the whole thing and try the best I can.”

Janika was full of praise for Orelie.

“She’s very special. You can say I’ve ridden many incredible horses like Palloubet, Bacardi, King Edward. They maybe have that have that little extra – but in my heart Orelie is very top of the list because of where she has brought me again after not being anywhere for many years,” said Janika.

“She has such an amazing character, and what she’s doing for me, I love her to bits.”

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

‘She was flying!’: syndicate of mums’ delight as their mare jumps clear for Britain at the European Showjumping Championships

Jennifer Donald — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 14:58:03 +0000

Competing for Great Britain as an individual at this week’s Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships in Spain is Jessica Mendoza and the brilliantly scopey mare In The Air.

The pair produced a four-fault performance on the opening day, but returned on day two for a dazzling clear, which Jess described as “Pretty damn good!”

“She was flying!” Jess said. “My plan was of course to jump a clear round, but the course walked big and there were a lot of hard jumps for her – she shifts a little off the right lead going right and there were at least four jumps that I thought would be a bit of a trick – bogey jumps for her. But she never felt like she was going to touch a pole today, that’s for sure!”

Syndicate-owned mare gives owners plenty to cheer about at European Showjumping Championships

In The Air is a 12-year-old Dutch-bred mare looked after by groom Lina Karlsson and owned by a syndicate unofficially known as “The Moms’ Club”. It consists of Pernilla Amman, Georgia Kipp, Kristi Mitchem, Melissa Skowlund and Jess – as well as her father Paul Mendoza.

“In The Air and my other horse Summerhouse are owned by The Moms’ Club – they’re all the mums of my clients that I train, so it’s really lovely,” explained Jess. “And I own part of them both and my dad does too – he’s the only one not in the moms’ club!

“They’re all fantastic kids that I’ve been lucky enough to train and now I’m lucky enough that they want to invest in me. They’re not here in Spain, but they’re watching every round and cheering us on and they ring me as soon as we’ve jumped. It’s brilliant.”

Dutch-bred mare In The Air: why she’s more cat than dog

In The Air is quite a character.

“I describe her as a cat – I think most horses are more like a dog personality in that they want petting, they want love,” said Jess. “Whereas she’s never going to be the most loving and in your face – she’ll watch you, and she watches everything, but she’ll come to you in her own time.”

Jess, 29, describes the British team in A Coruna, who currently sit top of the leaderboard, as “one of the best teams I’ve been a part of”.

“I’ve done a lot of British teams and this one just has the camaraderie – everyone just has funny banter here and we’re all just a good group. It’s really nice to be a part of,” she said. “Even last night, we don’t have a team dinner as such, but we just go to dinner and we’ll hang out. So that’s great.”

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

‘You can’t make a Land Rover into a Ferrari!’: meet the British-bred stallion carrying Ireland’s hopes at the European Showjumping Championships

Jennifer Donald — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 14:30:55 +0000

One of the most eye-catching horses in action at this week’s European Showjumping Championships is the mighty stallion Vistogrand, competing under Denis Lynch for Ireland.

In the opening speed leg of the competition at Casas Novas Equestrian Center in A Coruña, Spain, the pair jumped a foot-perfect clear in a time of 78.58sec – some 4sec off the pace of the leaders – to sit in 20th position at the end of day one, with Ireland progressing to Thursday’s second leg in seventh place.

A late call-up for the European Showjumping Championships

Denis and Vistogrand received a last-minute call-up to jump under the Ireland flag in Spain and this marks their second European Championship together.

“He’s been a very good horse for us and since 2023 he’s been part of winning teams,” says Denis. “We did exactly what we thought he was going to do here on day one – he was nice and relaxed. We just wanted to get a nice run on his belt.

“But you can’t make a Land Rover into a Ferrari!” continues Denis. “My fella is a very big horse. He’s a steady horse. So I can only take out of him what he’s going to give, and that’s riding around there between 77 to 79 seconds.

“We’ve a good, strong team – a good bunch of lads,” says Denis of the Irish team; he is joined by Bertram Allen (Qonquest De Rigo), Seamus Hughes Kennedy (ESI Rocky) and Darragh Kenny with Eddy Blue on the Irish team.

Ireland’s fifth rider Daniel Coyle finished day one as the individual leader riding the great mare Legacy but withdrew from the competition before Thursday’s second leg.

“Please God, the team can keep it together,” says Denis. “But what will be will be.”

A blue-blooded British-bred stallion

The 12-year-old AES stallion Vistogrand was bred and produced in Great Britain, finishing runner-up in the Big Star six-year-old final with his breeder Carron Nicol. Vistogrand is a third generation home-bred for Carron, out of her Fantaland mare Vistolano by the stallion Mr Visto. Carron bred Fantaland out of her top mare Fantasia (by Noncorde).

After an exciting early career, Shane Breen took the ride on Vistogrand in 2020, with Denis Lynch buying him three years ago.

“He has a lot of blood and a lot of temperament – he’s a very powerful stallion,” says Denis.

Denis Lynch and Vistogrand continue their progress for Team Ireland at the European Showjumping Championships on Thursday 17 July.

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

‘Sometimes I wish he was with a top rider to show what’s possible, but he gets lots of love with me’: even championship showjumpers have their doubts

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 13:39:18 +0000

It’s a feeling many riders will be familiar with, and even medal-winning championship showjumper Alessandra Reich shares it.

The 28-year-old Austrian rider and Oeli R were on the team that won bronze in Milan two years ago, and are back at the European Showjumping Championships in A Coruña this week. They jumped a super round for just four faults, having been on good form including coming fifth in the five-star Longines grand prix in St Gallen last month.

They are a partnership successful at the very top level.

“But sometimes I would wish for him to have one of the top riders so he could show what is truly possible,” Alessandra says. “But he’s stuck with me! At least he gets a lot of love.”

Alessandra says yesterday’s (16 July) speed class was a long and testing track.

“When I was walking it, I was thinking ‘Is this going to end?’!” she says. “When I rode, I was on top of the water, and thinking ‘So many more jumps to go’. But actually, the first day is always the most difficult with my horse.

“A lot of horses had that plank down, so I waited a little too long to turn and then that’s why he didn’t really know what he was doing. I had to make that quick decision; go for it and hope he sees the jump, or add. I think we would have had it down anyway, so this way it was a little less problematic.”

Alessandra pays tribute to the 11-year-old gelding, whom she owns, and whose first championship was the 2023 Europeans.

“He was nine, and it was maybe a bit early, but he’s got the biggest heart,” she says. “He’s a little difficult in his temperament, but that’s more a me thing; which I need to tone down and handle. He’s absolutely incredible.

“It’s an honour to be here; riding in the warm-up with some of my idols is incredible, and having that same accreditation and walking the same courses. And I’m still young, I’m just taking it as an experience. Hopefully in the future, in a couple of years, I’ll also get to jump for the medals.”

Alessandra says the team had been talking about that historic bronze in 2023 that morning, and “I got goose bumps”.

“That was absolutely incredible,” she says. “This year, we’re missing two of our top horses but we know in this sport, anything’s possible, and we’ll keep fighting. And there are two big rounds to come. So never say never, right?”

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

‘Nothing matters but the horse’: leaders withdraw from European Showjumping Championships

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 13:18:32 +0000

The individual European Showjumping Championship leaders have withdrawn from the competition as “nothing matters but the horse”.

Ireland’s Daniel Coyle and his superstar mare Legacy topped the leaderboard after yesterday’s opening speed class but will take no further part in the event.

Irish chef d’equipe Michael Blake told H&H that there is nothing wrong with the 15-year-old mare, whom Daniel owns with Ariel Grange, but that it was decided that pulling out, rather than the four more rounds of jumping that would be needed for an individual medal, was the best thing for her.

“She has been, and is, a fantastic horse for us, and jumping today wouldn’t be the right thing,” he said. “She’s fine; we’ll jump her again, you’ll see her again, but not this week.”

Daniel and Legacy have shone all over the world at the very top level, including helping Ireland secure its team place at the Paris Olympics by coming fourth at the 2022 World Championships, and jumping clear at the Games last summer.

Team vet Marcus Swail told H&H that making the best decisions for the equine athletes is the top priority for everyone involved.

“We’re thinking about the long and medium term, not just today and tomorrow,” he said.

Michael praised Legacy’s superb performance yesterday that catapulted her and Daniel into the gold-medal position.

“She’s been one of the most amazing horses, certainly in my time,” he said. “She came here as reserve, she’d have had to jump five rounds to get an individual medal and in the best interests of the horse, Daniel and Ariel made the right decision. This was the right thing to do.

“She’s been a legend, one of my favourite horses, and there are more legendary days to come from her, I’m sure of that.”

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

Top rider and Olympic announcer lead the commentary from the European Showjumping Championships

Jennifer Donald — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 11:39:36 +0000

This week, the European Showjumping Championships are in full swing from the Casas Novas Equestrian Center in A Coruna, Spain (16-20 July).

Horse & Hound will be bringing you all the insight, rider interviews and opinion, but if you’re tuned in to ClipMyHorse.TV’s live streaming or even lucky enough to be visiting the championships in person, who can you expect to be hearing on the commentary teams?

Who are the ClipMyHorse.TV commentators?

The two English commentators on the ClipMyHorse.TV livestream are Phil Ghazala and Jessica Kurten. Phil will be familiar to most equestrian fans, having worked extensively on the commentary side of horse sport, including many years voicing the action on FEI.TV. Jessica, meanwhile, is a former leading showjumper who represented her native Ireland at the very top level. She is a more recent recruit to the commentary side of the sport but has drawn great praise for her knowledge and insight.

Who are the arena announcers at the Casas Novas EC for the European Showjumping Championships?

The English commentator on the microphone for all the live action in the main arena at Casas Novas is the ever popular Steven Wilde. Steven has been the expert voice of equestrian sport for more than 20 years, leading the commentary from national venues to the Olympic Games and this will be his 11th European Championship. He is joined in the commentary box by Spaniard Carlos Miguel for whom this is a first European Championship but he will be familiar to anyone who has attended the country’s top showjumping shows.

How can I hear these commentators at the European Showjumping Championships?

You can tune into this brilliant commentary team either in person or via online channels alongside all H&H’s coverage.

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

‘Beyond my wildest dreams’: top vaulter turned showjumper excels at European Championships

Eleanor Jones — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 07:30:50 +0000

Meet the rider representing Cyprus at the European Showjumping Championships, whose experience in top-level vaulting has been of benefit – and who says being in A Coruña is “beyond my wildest dreams”.

Alexa Stais and Chad Blue PS jumped a fabulous clear in the opening round of competition as Casas Novas equestrian centre yesterday (17 July) to take 39th place of 89 riders after the first round of competition.

It is a first senior European Showjumping Championships for Alexa, who is based in Germany with Paul Schockemöhle, and for Cyprus. But it is not Alexa’s first championship; she competed at the 2014 World Equestrian Games in vaulting, within a few weeks of showjumping at the Youth Olympics, at which she helped the team to fourth place.

“The flexibility, the coordination, the balance from vaulting, I’d definitely say it helped a lot with the showjumping,” she says. “Sadly I don’t do it any more; I’ve been riding since I was three but have been living in Germany for 10 years so I’ve been following this sport, and to compete at a championship like this is beyond my wildest dreams. It’s very special.”

Alexa previously represented South Africa but was born in Cyprus, where her grandfather is from, and switched nationalities, which she said felt the right decision.

Chad Blue, owned by his breeder Gestüt Lewis, is one of the breeding stallions at Paul Schockemöhle’s, and Alexa took the reins at the start of last year.

“He has a very big heart and he’s a great character,” she says. “He’s very chilled and laid back for a stallion, and we’ve just been growing together. I got him as a nine-year-old, so this is our second season, and we’re just learning by doing it together. I’m so pleased with him.”

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

European Showjumping Championships day one: all the stories you don’t want to miss

Becky Murray — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 19:26:15 +0000

The opening day of the European Showjumping Championships provided plenty of excitement as an Irishman sits on top – and Great Britain’s team campaign gets off to a phenomenal start.

Here’s a round-up of the top stories from today’s action in Spain:

Jessica Mendoza got her individual campaign under way

Read what Jessica had to say about her round

Matt Sampson made his senior championship debut – and did not disappoint

Hear how Matt came to ride his borrowed horse and what he thought about his round

Donald Whitaker took an early lead

Read what Donald had to say about his amazing mare

Scott Brash showed why he’s a multi-medallist with another cool clear

Hear from Scott on his rising star

Ben Maher suffered disappointment, but his hopes remain high

Read how Ben adapted his round

The opening day of the competition rounded off with individual combination Daniel Coyle and Legacy on top

Read why Daniel thought it was a risk to bring Legacy to the championships

Great Britain leads the way in the team competition

Hear what British equestrian showjumping performance manager Di Lampard had to say.

The second day of the action takes place tomorrow (17 July) at 2pm BST (3pm local time), where all the combinations will jump again. The top 10 teams and top 50 individuals will jump on Friday, when the team medals will be decided, and the top 25 will contest the individual final on Sunday.

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

‘Absolutely delighted’: Britain powers into the lead at European Showjumping Championships on day one

Eleanor Jones — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 18:54:42 +0000

Britain has had the best possible start to the European Showjumping Championships as the team is in the lead at the end of day one at Casas Novas Equestrian Center in A Coruña, Spain.

Matt Sampson (Medoc De Toxandria), Donald Whitaker (Millfield Colette), Scott Brash (Hello Folie) and Ben Maher (Dallas Vegas Batilly) top the 18 teams, with a total of 3.96 penalties.

“I couldn’t be more delighted with the whole squad and how they set about today,” said British Equestrian showjumping performance manager Di Lampard.

“Today is always a tricky day; when it’s a [speed class] everyone’s tempted to go fast but they all had their own plan. I’m absolutely delighted and we’re looking forward to the challenge to come.”

Donald and Reitsportanlage Dagobertshausen’s Millfield Colette were in the lead for some time; Ireland’s Daniel Coyle and Ariel Grange’s Legacy overtook them to take the individual lead, as did Richard Vogel and United Touch S for Germany, so they finish day one in third place.

Scott Brash and Hello Folie, owned by Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham, are in fifth place. Matt Sampson is 19th with Unex Competition Yard and Rachel and William Gredley’s Medoc De Toxandria, and Ben Maher 23rd with Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright’s Dallas Vegas Batilly.

Germany is in second place at this early stage; Marcus Ehning (Coolio 42), Sophie Hinners (Iron Dames My Prins), Christian Kukuk (Just Be Gentle) and Richard and United are on a total of 4.19 faults. Belgium is third on 4.61 and Ireland seventh on 8.39.

The scores from today’s class have been converted into penalties so leaders Daniel Coyle and Legacy are on 0, Richard and United on 0.01 and Donald and Colette 0.67. All penalties carry through the week. The second round of jumping starts tomorrow (17 July) at 3pm local time (2pm BST).

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

‘It was a risk to bring her’: mare turns form around to soar to the top on opening day of European Showjumping Championships

Becky Murray — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 18:31:14 +0000

A risk paid off for Daniel Coyle as he sits in the top spot with Legacy at the end of the opening day of the Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships.

Daniel and the superstar mare, whom he owns with Ariel Grange, were the fourth Irish combination to jump and the pair soared into the lead.

Daniel and 15-year-old Legacy are competing for Ireland as individuals, but owing to recent form Daniel said it had been “a risk” to take the experienced mare to Spain.

“I said to Michael Blake I think she will be good here, but it was a risk to bring her, even as an individual because her form hasn’t been great. She’s had a fence down here or there,” said Daniel.

“After the Paris Olympics she did nothing, then she was double clear at Barcelona at the Nations Cup Final and was brilliant there. She had a huge break after that, which she deserved. We’re now trying to pick and choose what is the right thing to do with her.”

Daniel said with this in mind, he might not continue throughout the competition.

“Unless we’re in gold medal position all the way, she’s already done all these championships and I want to try and see whatever is still in there for the next thing. If it’s not possible for a medal we will drop out,” he said.

Daniel said jumping as an individual means that “you have to take risks”.

“When it’s for the team, yes, you go as quick as you can, but you’re a little more careful, because you don’t want to waste it for the team as well. So it’s a bit easier for me,” he said.

“It was a good course, it was not overly big and for the first day of the championships, I think it’s right on.”

Ireland’s team performance at the European Showjumping Championships

Denis Lynch got Ireland’s team hopes off to a good start with a clear aboard 12-year-old Vistogrand, whom he owns with Tipperary’s Finest Est. They sit 20th at the end of the opening day.

“The horse has always been a very, very good horse for us, since 2023 he’s been part of a winning team. He did exactly what we thought he was going to do and he was nice and relaxed,” he said.

“We didn’t want to do the inside turnback into the wall today, we just wanted to get a nice run under his belt and I think he came out of there feeling very good.”

Seamus Hughes Kennedy also posted a clear, with his family’s ESI Rocky, on the pair’s senior championship debut, to lie in 18th.

“It’s good to get the first day out of the way,” said Seamus.

“Rocky was very good, sometimes to go quick the first day is a bit different to what I’m used to with him, I’d usually try to keep him altogether but I thought I was able to move him up enough. I think Santiago did a fantastic job with the course and I think Rocky handled it all very well.”

Betram Allen was third to jump for the team with Qonquest de Rigo, and came home with four-faults having knocked the big orange upright at fence 10. They sit in 49th.

Bertram described it as “a bit of a ropey start”, putting the mistake down to Qonquest de Rigo’s inexperience in one-round speed classes.

“It didn’t go as smooth as I’d have liked. I knew I was going to struggle a bit today. But he’s jumping fantastic, and hopefully he can do a good job over the next two days,” said Bertram.

“He’s jumping great but just sometimes struggled a little bit of connection. He’s a green horse, and there’s no hiding place in there with 14 jumps and everything, so you need to be on it everywhere. We were just one tick away from it today.”

Qonquest de Rigo is still a relatively new horse for Bertram, he took on the ride from Tom Verduyn in October 2024.

“I saw him as an eight-year-old last year jumping a national class in Belgium and we bought him. We took our time and then he really stepped up in Florida this year and got a bit of experience jumping some grands prix,” he said.

“He’s been very good since Florida, this is obviously a whole different step again. But we have a great team feeling, everybody is pulling together. The two boys are great, and Daniel has gone into the lead so the vibe is good.”

Darragh Kennedy was last to go for Ireland with Carol Sollak’s 13-year-old gelding Eddy Blue. The pair knocked the same fence of Bertram and Qonquest de Rigo, when they appeared to have a miscommunication on take-off. They lie in 37th at the conclusion of the opening day of the European Showjumping Championships.

The scores will now be converted into penalties ahead of the first round of the team competition tomorrow. The top 10 teams and top 50 individuals will jump on Friday, when the team medals will be decided, and the top 25 will contest the individual final on Sunday.

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

‘I adjusted the plan’: Ben Maher ups the risk on opening day of European Showjumping Championships

Becky Murray — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 17:45:22 +0000

Ben Maher and Dallas Vegas Batilly suffered disappointment when they had an unlucky pole on the opening day of the Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships – but hopes remain high for Great Britain.

Ben and his own, Pamela Wright and Charlotte Rosetter’s 11-year-old mare got off to a solid start, nailing the tight turnback to the big upright at fence three and giving the wall at fence six some significant air. But as the pair came down the triple combination at fence seven, Dallas Vegas Batilly clipped the back bar of the oxer at part C, for four-faults.

Ben said he was “happy enough” with his round.

“I tried to get on the front side on the first day instead of playing catch up. She was backing up a little bit to start with on the first two fences and then the wall, she jumped high,” he said. “But she jumped a good round, and definitely kept enough jump in for the rest of the week.”

Ben said his teammates had left him in a good position to take some risk; Matt Sampson, Donald Whitaker and Scott Brash all jumped clear.

“The plan went well. I was quick early on, I could take some risk individually, because the team’s in good stead so it was nice to be put in that position by the rest of the team,” said Ben.

“After the one down I adjusted the plan to take a little bit more risk. I did seven strides after the plank whereas my first plan was eight. Then I did seven into the double, so two less strides than what I perhaps would have originally done, which for sure, saved me a second-and-a-half or so.”

Ben was full of praise for his teammates.

“Matthew did an amazing job, he’s a newbie on the team, and Donald has a fast horse so that was great for him. Scott was obviously on a new horse as well,” said Ben.

“We had a great first day. It’s not always great to go last because you’re hanging around the whole day, and sometimes it’s not an advantage to watch a lot.

“Today with an experienced horse [in Dallas Vegas Batilly], I think the game plan was not to have Matthew and Donald waiting around too long, and then I would know a little bit about what I had to do to play catch up for the team – or not. And in fact, I didn’t have to play any catch up. They did everything, so it gave me a bit of an advantage in how much risk I had to take.”

Ben said the competition will get “pretty serious after here”.

“Jumps will get bigger and wider, so it’s a long way to go, but we’re certainly in a good position and looking forward to tomorrow,” he said.

“Dallas Vegas Batilly is great, she’s experienced, so I don’t have to worry about what they bring out this week for her, so hopefully that can play into my strengths.”

The pole drops Ben down the order to 23rd, but there is still plenty of action to come. Donald Whitaker and Millfield Colette lie in third, Scott Brash and Hello Folie are in fifth, and Matt Sampson and Medoc De Toxandria are in 19th. Jessica Mendoza and In The Air, competing as individuals, picked up four-faults and sit in 45th.

All the riders’ faults and time are converted to penalties via a coefficient and that score will be carried through to leg two of these championships on Thursday (17 July).

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

Catch up with other reports from the Europeans:

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

British rider takes the lead on day one of European Showjumping Championships: ‘I couldn’t be more proud’

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

‘She was incredible’: Scott Brash’s rising star shines at European Showjumping Championships

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

‘I couldn’t be more happy’: British rider enters top 10 on European Championships debut with borrowed horse

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

‘A little disappointing, but the mare jumped fantastic’: solid start for Great Britain at the European Showjumping Championships

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

‘She was incredible’: Scott Brash’s rising star shines at European Showjumping Championships

Becky Murray — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 16:29:28 +0000

Superstar Scott Brash has produced a clear round to make it a British one-two at this stage of the competition on day one of the Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships, in Spain.

Scott and 10-year-old chestnut mare Hello Folie, owned by Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham, gave fence 12 a rattle but it stayed in place and the pair cruised home to slot into second, behind Donald Whitaker and Millfield Colette.

“She’s 10 years old, so it’s her first championship. I think she’s ready for the step, she’s super quality,” said Scott, adding that he was “delighted” with her round.

“She was incredible. She was probably giving too much effort at the start and then got a little bit tired at the end. That comes with experience, and hopefully that’ll grow with her in the rounds to come.

“I’ve got to be happy with where she’s at. She feels in really good form, and she loves her job, so that always gives you a good feeling. It’s nice to get around under your belt. She had a little bit of a look at the wall and jumped a bit high so I had to improvise a bit after and go eight strides instead of the seven to the triple, but it didn’t faze her she carried on and finished off the round very well.”

Scott added he has always had high hopes for Folie.

“I’ve always really liked her. In La Baule she really showed what she can do. I took her to Aachen and jumped some small classes before here, just trying to build her up in a nice way,” he said.

Scott said Santiago Varela had designed a “clever course”.

“Everything’s kind of connected, so if you make a little mistake somewhere, you’re a little bit in trouble. But it’s not a killer either, it’s fair,” said Scott.

“He’s played with the colours a lot. I think he’s done a really, really good job.”

The Brits have got off to a superb start at the European Showjumping Championships. Jessica Mendoza started the day with a four-fault round on In The Air, competing as an individual. Team rider Matt Sampson posted a clear with Medoc De Toxandria on his championship debut.

All team and individual riders and horses will contest today’s opening speed class, after which their scores will be converted into penalties. They will all also jump tomorrow in the first round of the team competition. The top 10 teams and top 50 individuals will jump on Friday, when the team medals will be decided, and the top 25 will contest the individual final on Sunday.

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

British rider takes the lead on day one of European Showjumping Championships: ‘I couldn’t be more proud’

Jennifer Donald — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 15:39:20 +0000

Great Britain’s Donald Whitaker has taken the lead on day one of the European Showjumping Championships in Spain.

Riding the brilliant grey mare Millfield Colette, 32-year-old Donald produced a superb clear, executed at a great pace that put them top of the leaderboard at the midway stage of Wednesday’s opening speed leg.

“Matt Sampson did a fantastic round – he did everything perfect in my opinion – so I just thought, if I do the same as him, she’s so fast anyway, she’ll do the rest,” explained Donald, who finished clear in a time of 75.27sec, well over a second clear of his closest rival. “So I just tried to focus on doing the right numbers and the right distances.

“Millfield Colette always feels amazing – she goes in there like a panther. She knows what she’s doing and she wants to win, even more than I do! She just wants to run and jump – her happiest place is in the ring,” he said of the 12-year-old Cornet Obolensky mare, who is looked after by Brigita Unciūtė.

“There’s still a long way to go but I couldn’t be more proud of her.”

European Showjumping Championships: plenty of options

Speaking about the 1.50m track set by Santiago Varela on day one of the European Showjumping Championships, Donald said: “There are quite a few options, like the inside turn to the wall. Obviously you’ve got to take as many chances as possible while also taking a bit of care – it just depends on how much risk you want to take. Obviously it’s the European Showjumping Championships, so you want to try your best.”

Donald also added that having the likes of Scott Brash and Ben Maher alongside him on the British team made him up his game at these European Showjumping Championships.

“You have to stick your chest out and make sure you don’t make a mistake!” he said. “It’s a great feeling representing your country.”

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

‘I couldn’t be more happy’: British rider enters top 10 on European Championships debut with borrowed horse

Jennifer Donald — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 15:02:31 +0000

Matt Sampson only took the reins on Tim Gredley’s championship ride Medoc De Toxandria in March of this year, but they opened Great Britain’s team challenge at the European Showjumping Championships in Spain with a superb clear that initially placed the duo in the top four individually.

“I couldn’t be more happy,” said Matt. “We had a good plan, and we stuck to it. Everything went our way today, so far. So I’m very, very happy with Medoc – he jumped amazing.”

Tim Gredley asked Matt to ride some of his horses while he was out with a knee injury earlier this year.

“Medoc is Tim’s horse and Tim still rides him,” said Matt, who currently sits in the top 10 on the leader board.”But it went really well riding Medoc at a few shows and then I got this opportunity for the European Showjumping Championships so I’m very grateful that Tim, who is back riding now, let me carry on riding him. So this is amazing.”

“Paul Drew does a brilliant job looking after Medoc”

Medoc is looked after by groom Paul Drew, who travelled to Spain with the 13-year-old.

“I just ride Medoc at shows, so he lives with Tim, in the stable that he’s always lived in,” explained Matt. “So he’s kept very happy. Then I meet him at the shows and ride him there. So I’m very grateful for the team at home. They keep him good. Paul does a brilliant job.

“He’s a fantastic horse. His mindset is amazing,” continued Matt. “He’s very laid back. He gets a little bit excited when he first goes in, when he hears the bell, which is quite cool, and then he settles down and does his job, always to the best he can.”

European Showjumping Championships debut

Yorkshire-based Matt, 34, is competing at his first senior championship but was awarded the role of team pathfinder by chef d’equipe Di Lampard.

“I’m delighted to be here and for the opportunity. I’m very grateful to everyone that’s behind us,” said Matt.

The remaining riders competing in the British team are Donald Whitaker (Millfield Colette), Scott Brash (Hello Folie) and Ben Maher with Dallas Vegas Batilly.

Great Britain’s Jessica Mendoza started the day with a four-fault round on In The Air, competing as an individual.

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

‘A little disappointing, but the mare jumped fantastic’: solid start for Great Britain at the European Showjumping Championships

Jennifer Donald — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 14:14:17 +0000

Jessica Mendoza and the 12-year-old mare In The Air have set the ball rolling for Great Britain on the opening day of the European Showjumping Championships (16-20 July) at A Coruna, Spain.

Competing as an individual for Great Britain, 29-year-old Jess just fell foul of a tricky flimsy plank at fence 11, approached off a tight turn. But the pair cruised home to finish with a solid four faults in a time of 79.40sec. The faults and time from this opening round are then converted to penalties via a coefficient and that score will be carried through to leg two of these championships on Thursday (17 July).

In The Air (Air Jordan x Indoctro) is owned by Jess, Pernilla Amman, Georgia Kipp, Kristi Mitchem and Melissa Skowlund AKA The Moms’ Club.

Reaction from Jessica Mendoza on day one of the European Showjumping Championships

“I’m very happy,” said the newly engaged Jess, who is now based in the US. “I just made one mistake there at the plank. That’s a little disappointing, but the mare jumped fantastic.

“She feels great. I mean, she puts her whole effort in every time she jumps. She does gymnastics over the jumps, so every jump is a different feeling. But she puts her heart into every jump.”

Describing Santiago Varela’s 1.50m track for day one of the European Showjumping Championships, Jess said: “The course rode tough enough but without being too killer so I think it was perfect.”

Portugal’s Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida and Karonia L were first in the ring and hold the lead at this early stage in the competition.

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

Your essential guide to the 2025 European Showjumping Championships in Spain

Jennifer Donald — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 15:30:00 +0000

We’ve been counting down the days and, finally, the 2025 European Showjumping Championships kicks off on Wednesday 16 July at the world famous Casas Novas Equestrian Center in A Coruña, Spain.

The European Championships take place every two years, sandwiched between the Olympics and World Championships. So who could be topping the podium at this year’s championships and when are the medals decided?

Here is the lowdown on all you need to know ahead of this year’s European Showjumping Championships with our handy bluffer’s guide to the sporting action.

When do the European Showjumping Championships take place?

The 2025 European Showjumping Championships take place from 16-20 July with the vet check and warm-up session for the field of 87 competitors taking place on Tuesday (15 July).

What is the format for the Europeans?

The sport begins with the 1.50-1.55m first round against the clock for all competitors (team and individual), from which scores and times are converted to penalties.

There then follows two 1.60m-1.65m rounds of team competition on Thursday and Friday. Only the top 10 teams progress to Friday’s medal decider.

The championships conclude with two 1.60-1.65m rounds of individual jumping on Sunday afternoon. The top 25 combinations will have qualified for round one, with just 12 going on to round two, after which the final medals will be presented.

Also running alongside the championship all week will be CSI3* classes with a grand prix on Saturday’s “rest day” where a Porsche will be presented to the winner.

The venue for this year’s championships is Casas Novas, A Coruña, Spain.

What happens on each day of the championship?

The full timetable for the 2025 European Showjumping Championships in A Coruña is as follows:

Tuesday, 15 July

Vet check and warm-up for all competitors

Wednesday, 16 July

2pm BST (3pm local): Checkpoint Trophy – first competition for individuals and teams in the European Championships. Height: 1.50m-1.55m, speed and handiness

Thursday, 17 July

2pm (3pm local): second competition for individuals and teams in the European Championships. Height: 1.60m-1.65m, first of two rounds

Friday, 18 July

8.30am (9.30am local): CSI3* 1.35m Veolia Trophy

10.30am (11.30am local): CSI3* 1.45m Grupo Eulen Trophy

3.15pm (4.15pm local): second competition for individuals and team final for the European Championships. Height: 1.60m-1.65m, second of two rounds. Team medal presentation to follow

Saturday, 19 July

12.30pm (1.30pm local): CSI3* 1.45m Movistar Trophy

3.30pm (4.30pm local): CSI3* 1.55m Porsche grand prix

Sunday, 20 July

10.30am (11.30am local): CSI3* 1.45m Prosegur Security Trophy

1pm (2pm local): individual final for the European Championships round A. Height: 1.60-1.65m

3.30pm (4.30pm local): individual final for the European Championships round B. Individual medal presentation to follow.

Is Great Britain competing at the European Showjumping Championships?

Great Britain and Ireland are both fielding strong teams and will be among the favourites for a medal at this year’s championships. But they will face some strong opposition.

Is there a team drop score at these championships?

Yes, with four riders in each nation’s team, only the best three scores will be tallied in the final penalties. Any countries fielding teams of just three riders, however, will need to count all their scores. This differs from the Olympic format where each score counts for the teams of just three athletes.

Where is it taking place?

Casas Novas Equestrian Centre is a major hub of equestrian sport in A Coruña, Spain, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary. It hosts the world’s top riders at its annual CSI5* show including a Longines FEI World Cup qualifier.

Who are the course-designers at the European Showjumping Championships?

Renowned Spanish course-builder Santiago Varela, one of the designers at the Paris Olympics, will be responsible for the courses in A Coruña.

How can I follow the European Showjumping Championships at home?

You can watch every round live on FEI.TV and Clipmyhorse.TV. H&H will be bringing you non-stop reports, images, interviews, insight and breaking news from the European Showjumping Championships as events unfold, so you’ll have everything at your fingertips. We will be creating extensive online coverage from A Coruña in addition to what will be included in the magazine report. Our coverage will include:

Breaking news and numerous reports on all the action throughout the day across the team and individual championships. A round-up at the end of each day’s action will ensure you have all the facts and figures to hand.
Interviews with leading contenders, first-timers, comeback stars, British and Irish heroes, grooms and more.
To keep reading after five articles, readers will need to buy a subscription either to the website or to the magazine. To buy a Horse & Hound website unlimited subscription, visit horseandhound.co.uk/join-european-showjumping-championships. Or, for great value, visit magazinesdirect.com/XHH-brandsite for a magazine subscription that includes unlimited website access plus the digital version of the magazine. If you are already a magazine subscriber, find out how to activate your website access at horseandhound.co.uk/subscription-benefits.
The 24 July issue of Horse & Hound will feature a bumper special report, containing analysis, exclusive insight and interviews from our team covering the event in Casas Novas. We’ll also have expert commentary from Graham Fletcher.

European Showjumping Championships: facts and figures

The reigning European champion is Steve Guerdat of Switzerland, who returns to defend his title with Albfuehren’s Iashin Sitte.
Sweden is bidding to win back-to-back gold medals after victory in 2023.
Athletes from 23 nations are set to contest these championships with 18 teams lining up.
Germany is the most decorated country in the history of the European Championships with 7 team and 15 individual gold medals.
Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, Liechtenstein and Slovakia will be represented by individual contenders
This is the third time in its 68-year history that Spain has hosted the European Showjumping Championships.
The last time a British rider was on the individual podium was in 2019 when Ben Maher and Explosion W secured silver. The last gold medal-winner was John Whitaker with Milton in 1989.

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

How to watch the European Showjumping Championships via live streams and on TV wherever you are around the world

Gemma Redrup — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 13:40:19 +0000

The teams have been finalised and the last-minute preparations made, so the question we’re all asking now is how to watch the European Showjumping Championships 2025 on TV? This year’s competition takes place at Casas Novas Equestrian Center in A Coruña, north west Spain, (16-20 July).

The European Showjumping Championships are sure to be thrilling and shouldn’t be missed. Can Great Britain continue a remarkable championship medal haul following their team gold medal-winning performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics?

You needn’t miss out on any of the week’s action with H&H’s handy guide as to how to watch the European Showjumping Championships on TV and online, wherever you are in the world.

How to watch the European Showjumping Championships on TV

In the UK, if you are a TNT Sports subscriber, you can watch the action live via Sky channel 413 TNT Sports 3 or via the Discovery+ app (Discovery+ Premium subscription or TNT subscription required). You can also follow all the live action on FEI.TV, via ClipMyHorse.TV. Subscriptions to this livestream service start from £17.33 per month when paying for an annual subscription (£207.99).

If you’re abroad, and trying to watch ClipMyHorse.TV like you normally would back in the UK, then you can use a VPN. Check out NordVPN, where you can get 76% off, four extra months free (which does not appear until you go to the check out) plus a £50 Amazon gift card and a 30-day money back guarantee, and follow the instructions below.

Classes will be available to view on demand at ClipMyHorse.TV soon after the completion of the competition, where rider clips will be available to purchase.

How to watch the European Showjumping Championships from anywhere

Not in the UK right now? You don’t have to miss out on any of the action from the European Showjumping Championships.

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) will alter your device’s IP address to make it appear to be in a different country, allowing you to access your usual streaming services from anywhere in the world. It’s great for watching horse sport on the move, and it’s also handy even if you’re watching at home. VPNs are designed with internet security in mind, creating encrypted connections that keep your data safe from third parties and improve streaming speeds by preventing bandwidth ‘throttling’ from your internet service provider.

There are many VPN providers out there, with some more reliable and safe than others. We’d suggest using a paid-for service such as NordVPN, which is the best VPN in the world according to our colleagues at TechRadar.

How to use a VPN

Using a VPN is incredibly simple.

1. Install the VPN of your choice. NordVPN is the one we recommend.

2. Open up the VPN app and choose the location of the service you wish to access.

3. Then head over to ClipMyHorse on your browser or device and enjoy the livestream.

Get 76% off, four extra months free and a £50 Amazon gift card with NordVPN
Use this secure VPN to access the European Showjumping Championships live stream from anywhere in the world. It comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.View Deal

Follow the European Showjumping action with H&H

Horse & Hound’s dedicated team of journalists and photographers will be bringing you all the action, breaking news, interviews and facts and figures you may need to stay up-to-date over the course of the five days of this year’s European Showjumping Championships.

Online and via social media

The H&H team will bring you all the latest news via our extensive online coverage, in addition to what will be included in the following week’s magazine report. You can find all our latest coverage of the European Showjumping Championships here, including:

Breaking news
Reports throughout the day during each round of showjumping
Exclusive photos and opinion
Interviews with top contenders and a round-up of each day’s action, including timings for the following day and all the facts and figures to have at your fingertips.

To keep reading on our website after five articles, readers will need to buy a subscription. Visit horseandhound.co.uk/join to buy a Horse & Hound website unlimited subscription or, for great value, visit magazinesdirect.com/XHH-brandsite for a combined magazine and website subscription. If you are already a magazine subscriber, you are eligible for free unlimited access to the website – click here to learn more.

In H&H magazine

Don’t miss our European Showjumping Championships preview issue, featuring a who’s who of horses and riders, team assessments and podium predictions, in the Thursday 10 July issue.

Our bumper European Showjumping Championships report issue packed full of sporting coverage, analysis, imagery and insight, hits the shops on Thursday 24 July.

European Showjumping Championships 2025 timetable

Wednesday 16 July: 3pm local time (2pm British time): first qualifier for individuals and teams.

Thursday 17 July: 3pm local time (2pm British time): round one for final teams, second qualifier for individuals.

Friday 18 July: 4.15pm local time (3.15pm British time): round two for finals teams, third qualifier for individuals. Team medals presented.

Saturday 19 July: no competition for European Showjumping Championships competitors

Sunday 20 July: 2pm local time (1pm British time): round one of individual final. 4.30pm local time (3.30pm British time): round two of individual final. Individual medals presented.

We recommend VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:

Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service)
Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad

We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

Late shake up for Ireland’s European Showjumping Championships team as Cian O’Connor is replaced

Jennifer Donald — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 13:17:41 +0000

Ireland has made a late change to its showjumping team for this week’s European Showjumping Championships in A Coruña, Spain (16-20 July).

Olympic and European medallist Cian O’Connor had been named on Michael Blake’s five-man Irish squad for these championships, but it was announced on Friday (10 July) that: “Ireland has made a change in personnel for the FEI Jumping European Championship, with Denis Lynch replacing Cian O’Connor.”

Denis has been selected with the 12-year-old stallion Vistogrand.

Michael Blake told H&H that, “Denis was always going to be the one to come in if someone came out”.

The pair’s second European Showjumping Championships

Denis Lynch and Vistogrand jumped as individuals at the 2023 European Championships in Milan, Italy, and have been core to several other Irish team successes, including winning at the Longines League Of Nations in Abu Dhabi, UAE earlier this year.

“I’m excited to be called up for the European Championship and I thank Michael Blake for giving me the opportunity to link up with the squad in A Coruña,” said Denis. “To represent your country at a major championship like this is up there with the highest honour and we will be going there to do everything we can to try to help the team win a gold medal.”

Ireland’s final four for A Coruña

The four combinations now representing Ireland in the team competition at the FEI Jumping European Championships are:

Bertram Allen with Ballywalter Stables’ Conquest De Rigo
Seamus Hughes Kennedy riding Clare Hughes’ ESI Rocky
Darragh Kenny with Carol Sollak’s Eddy Blue,
Denis Lynch and the Tipperary Finest-owned Vistogrand

Ireland’s fifth squad member is as follows:

Daniel Coyle with Ariel Grange’s Legacy

The European Championships begins on Wednesday (16 July) at 2pm BST with an opening field of 87 competitors in action in the first leg.

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

Who will win the medals at the European Showjumping Championships? H&H’s showjumping editor weighs in…

Jennifer Donald — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 07:32:24 +0000

The attention of all showjumping fans will be on this week’s Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships in Spain. Following last year’s Paris Olympics, this next major championship in the calendar offers a wonderful opportunity for some new names, both human and equine, to shine alongside Olympic heroes and grand prix-winning superstars, but who will claim the European Showjumping Championship medals? Here’s how we think the competition will play out…

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound websit e today from just £1. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site in A Coruña throughout

Arriving in A Coruña as Olympic champions, Great Britain will be hoping to keep the gold medals flowing. The quintet of Ben Maher, Scott Brash, Jessica Mendoza, Donald Whitaker and Matt Sampson are all household names, but somewhat surprisingly this will be Matt’s senior championship debut at the age of 34.

The whole squad can draw on the wealth of experience that multi-Olympic gold medallists Ben and Scott bring, and with Di Lampard and Stanny van Paesschen at the helm, this side looks to be one of the favourites for a medal.

Ben had rich pickings from a high-calibre string of horses but after initially selecting Point Break, one of the best horses in the world right now, he has swapped to Dallas Vegas Batilly. This is the same switch that occurred prior to the Paris Olympics – and Britain won team gold. We look forward to seeing if Ben can add to his already sizeable individual medal collection, too.

Ireland’s chef d’equipe Michael Blake has drawn great praise for the way he’s managed his riders through the various Nations Cup series, offering rising stars opportunities at every level, and this is reflected in the diverse squad he fields in A Coruña – one that boasts all the credentials to go even better than the nation’s dazzling silver medal-winning performance of 2023.

Alongside big guns Denis Lynch, Darragh Kenny, Daniel Coyle and Bertram Allen is one of the sport’s leading young talents, 22-year-old Seamus Hughes Kennedy. He’s barely out of youth teams, where he was crowned European champion in 2023, but hopefully A Coruña will be the springboard to the big time.

Who else to watch at European Showjumping Championships?

Talking of rising stars, there are plenty more new names to have on your radar at this year’s championships, including 25-year-old French sensation Nina Mallevaey. But we’ll also be treated to a host of legends, from Marcus Ehning to the reigning Olympic champion Christian Kukuk and 2023 European champion Steve Guerdat.

With national pride at stake, there will be fierce competition between the other leading teams vying for a podium spot, with Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland always the ones to watch.

This year marks a changing of the guard for the Swedish side, however, with all-conquering riders such as Peder and Jens Fredricson, Henrik von Eckermann and Rolf-Göran Bengtsson notable by their absence. Instead, A Coruña offers a career-defining opportunity for a different batch of riders, including British-based Angelie Von Essen, and this new-look squad could still make a big impact.

Underdogs Austria snatched a historic bronze medal at the 2023 European Championships, could they spring another surprise in 2025?

Whether you’re there in person, viewing from afar or simply keen to see who strikes gold, these championships look set once again to show the sport at its very best.

European Showjumping Championships individual medal favourites

Ben Maher

Initially selected with Point Break, the news broke on Monday that Ben would be riding his Paris Olympics mount Dallas Vegas Batilly instead. Dallas Vegas Batilly has been on fabulous form; she and Ben jumped double clear for Britain in the Aachen Nations Cup on 3 July, helping the team to third place and finishing fifth individually. They had also come third in the 1.60m Turkish Airlines-Prize of Europe on 2 July.

Martin Fuchs

The current world number seven is master of the big occasion, securing several championship medals in recent years; though his luck ran out at the 2024 Olympics when he lost a stirrup. He was crowned European champion in 2019 on Clooney and this year he brings the 14-year-old Conner Jei, one of the most consistent five-star performers.

Richard Vogel

His great partner, the 13-year-old stallion United Touch S, is one of the most popular horses on the circuit and an absolute joy to watch. The German 28-year-old rider is ranked number nine in the world and his ascent to the top of the sport has been nothing short of meteoric. His championship debut came at the Paris Olympics but he’ll be making a bold bid in Spain for a first-ever first medal.

Steve Guerdat

The defending champion from Milan in 2023 is one of the most decorated riders in the sport, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the Swiss side. He produced an eye-catching double clear with the 11-year-old Albfuehren’s Iashin Sitte in the five-star Nations Cup of La Baule last month, putting them spot on for their medal hopes in Spain.

Christian Kukuk

The reigning Olympic champion won gold with Checker 47 but has elected to ride the 11-year-old Just Be Gentle here. He describes the mare as a “strong character” but channelled in the right direction she has all the ability. The pair started the year in USA, winning the five-star grand prix of Ocala, Florida, but this will be the mare’s first big test in a championship environment.

Maikel van der Vleuten

With two Olympic bronze medals and a host of grand prix silverware in their cabinet, this Dutchman and his 15-year-old Beauville Z NOP are celebrated as one of the greatest jumping combinations of a generation. However, a gold medal has so far eluded them and this more-than-worthy duo surely deserve success in Spain.

Julien Epaillard

The zippy Frenchman made his name as one of the fastest riders on the circuit. But in recent years, that’s translated to team success and the now 47-year-old finally made his senior championship debut in 2022, winning individual bronze at the 2023 Europeans and agonisingly finishing fourth at his home Olympics in 2024. Expect Julien and Donatello D’Auge to make a dominant start in the opening speed class, which could put them in pole position once again for a spot on the podium.

European Showjumping Championship medal predictions

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site in A Coruña throughout

Olympic gold medal-winning partnership reunited for Britain at Europeans after horse swap

Eleanor Jones — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 10:48:36 +0000

There has been a horse change for the British team, in partnership with Agria, in the Longines FEI European Showjumping Championships, which kick off in Spain on Wednesday (16 July).

Ben Maher had been selected with Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright’s 11-year-old stallion Point Break, but British Equestrian (BEF) and British Showjumping (BS) have confirmed this morning (14 July) that he will instead ride Dallas Vegas Batilly, owned by Ben, Ms Rossetter and Ms Wright.

It is the same swap that was confirmed almost exactly a year ago, when Ben had been named with Point Break for the Paris Olympics but instead competed with the then 11-year-old mare – and Britain won team gold.

In a joint statement, the BEF and BS said the decision had been made after consultation with the rider and owners.

Dallas Vegas Batilly has been on fabulous form; she and Ben jumped double clear for Britain in the Aachen Nations Cup on 3 July, helping the team to third place and finishing fifth individually. They had also come third in the 1.60m Turkish Airlines-Prize of Europe on 2 July.

The championships are being held at Casas Novas equestrian centre in A Coruña, northwest Spain. The first horse inspection takes place on Tuesday and the showjumping starts with the speed class on Wednesday.

The team medals will be decided on Friday and the individual placings on Sunday.

* Update: Wednesday 16 July *

The riders on British team duty at the Europeans have been confirmed as:

Ben Maher on Dallas Vegas Batilly
Scott Brash on Hello Folie
Matt Sampson on Medoc de Toxandria
Donald Whitaker on Millfield Colette)

Jessica Mendoza and In The Air will be competing as an individual.

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

‘Hugely exciting’ British team of Olympic medallists, debutant and returning riders named for European Championships

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 15:13:08 +0000

The final British European Showjumping Championships team has been confirmed for the event in A Coruña, Spain, from 16–20 July.

The definite entries for the squad, in partnership with Agria, have been announced ahead of Monday’s (30 June) definite entries deadline. Two riders from the gold medal-winning team at the Paris Olympics are included – Ben Maher and Scott Brash – one who returns to the squad for the first time since the Rio Olympics – Jessica Mendoza – one who returns having competed at the 2023 Europeans – Donald Whitaker – and debutant Matt Sampson.

“This is a hugely exciting group with a mix of experience and huge potential,” said British Equestrian (BEF) jumping performance manager Di Lampard. “Both Ben and Scott have horses making their championship debut, Matt makes a long-awaited first senior championship appearance, Jess is back in the squad for the first time since being named as reserve for Rio 2016 and Donald will be looking to build on the experience he gained at the last European Championships in Milan, with a new horse.

“Collectively the combinations have shown consistently good form this year. We aim to build on this, peaking to be competitive at A Coruña, while using the valuable experience as we build towards next year’s World Championships.”

Final British European Showjumping Championships team

The full list of entries (in alphabetical order by rider surname) is:

Scott Brash with 10-year-old Hello Folie

Owners: Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham

Breeder: Claire Gouin

Breeding: by Luidam, out of a mare by Diamant De Semilly

Groom: David Honnet

Ben Maher with 11-year-old Point Break

Owners: Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright

Breeder: Nya Äppelvikens Ridskola

Breeding: by Action-Breaker, out of a mare by Baloubet Du Rouet

Groom: Gwen Bellamy

Jessica Mendoza with 12-year-old In The Air

Owner: rider

Breeder: C Den Boer

Breeding: by Air Jordan, out of a mare by Indoctro

Groom: Lina Karlsson

Matthew Sampson with 13-year-old Medoc De Toxandria

Owners: Rachel Gredley, William Gredley and Unex Competition Yard

Breeder: Werner Dierckx

Breeding: by Der Senaat III, out of a mare by Kelvin De Sainte Hermelle

Groom: Paul Drew

Donald Whitaker with 12-year-old Millfield Colette

Owners: Reitsportanlage Dagobertshausen GmbH and rider

Breeder: Sue Jaggar

Breeding: by Cornet Obolensky, out of a mare by Clearway

Groom: Brigita Unciute

Direct reserve horses:

Ben Maher with 12-year-old Dallas Vegas Batilly

Owners: Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright

Breeder: Jean Claude Viollet

Breeding: by Cap Kennedy, out of a mare by L’Arc De Triomphe

Ben Maher with 11-year-old Enjeu de Grisien

Owners: Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright

Breeder: Elevage de Grisien

Breeding: by Toulon, out of a mare by Andiamo

First (non-travelling) reserve:

Robert Whitaker with 12-year-old Vermento

Owners: Caroline and Brian Stephen Blatchford

Breeders: John and Clare Whitaker

Breeding: by Argento, out of a mare by Skippy 12

Second (non-travelling) reserve

Joseph Stockdale with 11-year-old Ebanking

Owners: Barbara Hester and Joe’s mother Laura Stockdale

Breeder: V Vriend

Breeding: by Etoulon, out of a mare by VDL Sheraton

Selection decisions are subject to riders and horse fitness and performance, and may be amended until midnight on 30 June.

“The funding that the British Equestrian World Class programme receives from the National Lottery and UK Sport is pivotal in preparing our teams for senior championships and supporting them on the ground,” a BEF spokesperson said.

“British Equestrian is also extremely grateful for the support we enjoy from our partners – Agria, Bates Saddles, Dodson & Horrell, NAF, SEIB and Toggi – and team suppliers – Equi-Trek and Lotus Romeo. We’re indebted for the year-round support they provide to the World Class programme and British teams, which helps us to best prepare for senior championships.”

To stay up to date with all the news from the European Showjumping Championships as it happens, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website today from just £1 a week. Our reporter Eleanor Jones will be on site throughout

The European Showjumping Championships are almost upon us – here’s how you can get in for free

bethany.stone@futurenet.com (Bethany Stone) — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 09:18:33 +0000

Showjumping’s 2025 Europeans will be held at the Casas Novas Equestrian Centre in A Coruña, Spain (16 to 20 July). If you would like to attend in person, we have the best news – the FEI European Showjumping Championships tickets are free.

So if a trip to Spain next month is on your agenda, you may find our guide on where to stay near the European Showjumping Championships helpful, as well as our visitors’ guide to A Coruña.

The European Showjumping Championships are held every two years, in between the Olympic Games and FEI World Championships. The event sees the best showjumpers in Europe compete head-to-head and in teams to earn champion status.

Entry to the European Showjumping Championships 2025 is free of charge. To attend, you must submit an event invitation request by registering via the website. During this process, you can request a limited number of invitations, downloadable via an email link sent to you.

On an important note, entry to these championships is subject to capacity. This means an invitation does not guarantee access to the venue once full capacity is reached. Be sure to arrive in good time to avoid disappointment.

Not able to travel out to Spain? We’ll be bringing you reports, images, interviews and breaking news from the European Showjumping Championships as events unfold, so you won’t have to miss out. Sign up now to receive all the news as it happens.

European Showjumping Championships tickets: 2025 schedule

Register for your invitations now

Wednesday 16 July

What? First qualifier for individuals and teams

When? from 3pm

Thursday 17 July

What? Championship competition first round

When? from 3pm

Friday 18 July

What? Championship competition teams final, CSI3* Veolia trophy and CSI3* Grupo Eulen trophy

When? from 9.30am

Saturday 19 July

What? CSI3* Movistar trophy and CSI3* Porsche grand prix (no European Championship competitions on this day)

When: from 1.30pm

Sunday 20 July

What? Rounds one and two of the individual final, CCI3* Prosegur Security trophy

When? from 11.30am

View the full programme

Season tickets

While there isn’t a “season invitation” option as such, you can select an invitation for multiple days of the competition when you register.

Register for your invitation now

Who is representing Great Britain at the European Showjumping Championships 2025?

At the time of writing, we know the full list of nominated entries. This consists of nine combinations featuring five different riders.

The final squad selection of five combinations will be announced on or around 25 June – stay tuned for updates on horseandhound.co.uk.

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Visitors’ guide to A Coruña, Spain – home to the 2025 European Showjumping Championships

Martha Terry — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 07:32:03 +0000

The FEI European Showjumping Championships will take place at Casas Novas Equestrian Center, which is located near A Coruña in Spain on 16 to 20 July.

The centre is a major hub of equestrian sport in north-western Spain and the venue of a Longines FEI World Cup qualifier for nearly a decade. This event marks the 25th birthday of Casas Novas.

A Coruña will be the third Spanish city to have hosted the showjumping Euros, after Gijón and Madrid.

How to get to A Coruña in Spain

By plane: closest airports are A Coruña (13.5 miles) or Santiago de Compostela (38 miles).

By train: closest station is in Uxes, Arteixo (nine miles) after which you need to take a bus/taxi.

By ferry: closest port is Santander. Brittany Ferries sails from Portsmouth (24 hours) or Plymouth (20 hours), and then you have a further 4hr 30min drive along the scenic northern coast.

Parking: available on-site, but exact allocation yet to be confirmed.

Where to stay near A Coruña in Spain

There are plenty of hotels and B&Bs within five miles. The equestrian centre is only four miles from the coast, so is well set up for tourism; you could even book a beachfront villa. Check out our helpful guide to places to stay in A Coruña.

Things to do in the local area

This event gives you a great reason to enjoy the early summer sun on Spain’s Galician coast, so why not extend your stay and enjoy what the local area has to offer?

There are dozens of beaches within a short drive of the equestrian centre, with a mix of rocks, white sand and turquoise waters, and renowned for good surf. The vibe is much like that of Cornwall, with a rugged coastline and big swell. For those keen on catching waves, check out Praia de Razo, which is exclusively for surfers.

The most famous local monument is A Coruña’s Tower of Hercules, the oldest working Roman lighthouse in the world. The medieval town set on the peninsula is also well worth a visit.

For foodies, this region – Galicia – is known for its outstanding seafood, an “Atlantic cuisine” rather than Mediterranean. The iconic dish is octopus with olive oil, potatoes and paprika, but you can also sample barnacles, squid, prawns and cod with raisins!

How to follow the action

After an enjoyable day of watching the showjumping you won’t want to miss our interviews with the top riders, analysis of the action and beautiful photography capturing the highlights. To read without limits you’ll need to sign up for a Horse & Hound website subscription, which gives you instant access, wherever you are, from as little as £1 a week. Sign up now

Olympic heroes and rising stars named as first European entries list confirmed

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 16:21:35 +0000

Two of Britain’s Olympic 2024 gold medal-winning riders, and one of the horses, are on the list of nominated entries for the British European Showjumping Championships team.

Ben Maher and Dallas Vegas Batilly, who jumped clear in Versailles last year, are among the 10 combinations whose names will be submitted to the FEI for the event in Spain next month.

They are joined by Scott Brash, whose clear with Hello Jefferson secured that team gold, but who is named here with two other horses, and the Paris reserve rider Joe Stockdale, also with another horse.

Up-and-coming star Matt Sampson is included; it will be Matt’s championship debut if he starts in A Coruña, and a senior championship debut for Jessica Mendoza and Donald and Robert Whitaker, if they are selected for the final squad.

British European Showjumping Championships team, nominated entries

The full list of entries (in alphabetical order by rider surname) is:

Scott Brash with 10-year-old Hello Mango

Owners: Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham

Breeder: H P H Vaessen

Breeding: by Untouchable 27, out of a mare by Numero Uno

Scott Brash with 10-year-old Hello Folie

Owners: Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham

Breeder: Claire Gouin

Breeding: by Luidam, out of a mare by Diamant De Semilly

Ben Maher with 12-year-old Dallas Vegas Batilly

Owners: Charlotte Rossetter, Pamela Wright and rider

Breeder: Jean Claude Viollet

Breeding: by Cap Kennedy, out of a mare by L’Arc De Triomphe

Ben Maher with 11-year-old Enjeu de Grisien

Owners: Charlotte Rossetter, Pamela Wright and rider

Breeder: Elevage de Grisien

Breeding: by Toulon, out of a mare by Andiamo

Ben Maher with 11-year-old Point Break

Owners: Charlotte Rossetter, Pamela Wright and rider

Breeder: Nya Äppelvikens Ridskola

Breeding: by Action-Breaker, out of a mare by Baloubet Du Rouet

Jessica Mendoza with 12-year-old In The Air

Owner: rider

Breeder: C Den Boer

Breeding: by Air Jordan, out of a mare by Indoctro

Matthew Sampson with 13-year-old Medoc De Toxandria

Owners: Rachel Gredley, William Gredley and Unex Competition Yard

Breeder: Werner Dierckx

Breeding: by Der Senaat III, out of a mare by Kelvin De Sainte Hermelle,

Joseph Stockdale with 11-year-old Ebanking

Owners: Barbara Hester and Joe’s mother Laura Stockdale

Breeder: V Vriend

Breeding: by Etoulon, out of a mare by Aranebel

Donald Whitaker with 12-year-old Millfield Colette

Owners: Reitsportanlage Dagobertshausen GmbH and rider

Breeder: Sue Jaggar

Breeding: by Cornet Obolensky, out of a mare by Clearway

Robert Whitaker with 12-year-old Vermento

Owners: Caroline and Brian Stephen Blatchford

Breeders: John and Clare Whitaker

Breeding: by Argento, out of a mare by Skippy 12

A British Equestrian spokesperson said selection decisions are subject to athlete and horse maintaining fitness and performance. The squad of five combinations who will travel to A Coruña, plus non-travelling reserves, will be announced on or around 25 June.

“The funding that the British Equestrian World Class Programme receives from the National Lottery and UK Sport is pivotal in preparing our teams for senior championships and supporting them on the ground,” she said.

“British Equestrian is also extremely grateful for the support we enjoy from our partners – Agria, Bates Saddles, D&H, NAF, SEIB and Toggi – and team suppliers – Equi-Trek and Lotus Romeo. We’re indebted for the year-round support they provide to the World Class Programme and British teams, which helps us to best prepare for senior championships.”

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Heading to the European Showjumping Championships at Casas Novas? Here’s where to stay

Franchesca Slack — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 13:51:31 +0000

The European Showjumping Championships has become a global benchmark, held every two years, in the intervening years between the Olympics and the World Equestrian Games. This year it will take place 16–20 July at the Casas Novas Equestrian Center, located in the beautiful region of Galicia, northwest Spain.

If you’re planning a trip to the venue, check out these hotels near the Casas Novas, plus guesthouses and holiday lets. Accommodation is listed in order of distance from the the European Showjumping Championships venue – jump down to…

Hotels near Casas Novas
Apartments and holiday lets near Casas Novas

Hotels near Casas Novas in Spain

Hotel Costa Atlántica
Distance: 3 miles
This hotel offers air-conditioned rooms, family-friendly restaurant and free parking.View Deal

Hotel Mar de Queo
Distance: 8.2 miles | Tripadvisor rating: 4.5/5
This hotel offers rooms with mountain views and a very good breakfast.View Deal

Hotel Arteixo
Distance: 9.3 miles | Tripadvisor rating: 4.6/5
This hotel boasts sound-proof rooms, onsite restaurant and free parking.View Deal

Hotel Carris Marineda
Distance: 10.7 miles | Tripadvisor rating: 4/5
Offers modern rooms with air-conditioning and a buffet breakfast.View Deal

Hotel Rialta
Distance: 12.3 miles | Tripadvisor rating: 3.5/5
A modern well equipped hotel offers guests free parking and an indoor swimming pool.View Deal

Apartments and holiday lets near Casas Novas in Spain

Casa Rural Arijón en Arteixo
Distance: 1.4 miles
This 5-bed country house has 3 bathrooms and can sleep up to 14. With sea and mountain views from the balcony and patio.View Deal

Fonte da Horta
Distance: 4.5 miles
This 2-bed apartment sleeps up to five if you use the sofa bed.View Deal

A Casiña de Royme By Oktheway
Distance: 7.9 miles
A spacious 3-bed holiday home with two bathrooms. Guests enjoy a terrace, balcony, and garden views.View Deal

Casa Canosa
Distance: 11 miles
Offers family rooms for up to three guests. You can enjoy the traditional restaurant or unwind at the bar.View Deal

Someso Apartamentos Turisticos
Distance: 11.3 miles
This 1-bed modern apartment is bright and spacious, with an open-plan living and dining space. Free parking.View Deal

Atico Balneario
Distance: 11.6 miles
This pet-friendly 2-bed apartment offers a fully equipped kitchenette and free parking.View Deal

Sam Hutton: ‘On arrival, the stables were flooded and everything was under water’

Sam Hutton — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 09:32:53 +0000

British team showjumper Sam Hutton is based with AS Sport Horses in Belgium – he looks back on his championship debut at the 2023 Europeans in Milan, Italy

The European Showjumping Championships in Milan, Italy, was a rough week – we certainly didn’t achieve the results I’d hoped for. But I’m now more determined than ever to prove myself.

It was my first-ever championship and nothing can prepare you for being there under that kind of pressure. Obviously you want to perform at your best, but my horse, Oak Grove’s Laith, didn’t feel his normal self, and that was gutting.

The first day he jumped really well, even though the ground was terrible. Then on day two, I started to feel he wasn’t jumping as well and then he got worse. On the last day, he felt like he gave up. I don’t know if it was too much for him or he was tired. We just weren’t good enough, so it felt like a very long week!

I only started riding Laith in April and we had a few good results at the start and that’s when I got the call asking me to do the Falsterbo Nations Cup.

You don’t get told until after Hickstead whether you’re on the team or not, but I was told to make a plan working back from the championships anyway. So I tried to get him in the best shape possible – he was as fit as he’s ever been.

The only thing I regret, and maybe I would do it differently next time, was doing a show as big as Dublin two weeks before a championship, but when you’ve never done one before, it’s hard to know what’s best.

I was given the choice between riding on the Nations Cup team at Hickstead or Dublin and I chose the latter, because I thought that it would suit my horse better and be the best preparation, being closer to the championships. I’m really glad I went because I was third in the grand prix with my other horse, Casablanca-H, but I’m not sure it was such a good idea for Laith in hindsight. But these are the things you learn from experience.

So I’m gutted, I wish things could have been different, but you’re working with an animal, not just yourself.

A less than firm footing

There was much talk at the championships about the state of the ground. There had been a huge storm and when the horses arrived on Sunday, the stables

were flooded, everything was under water and it wasn’t draining away. But the organisers worked hard to get the stables dry by building trenches and pumping all the water out.

The aftermath of that was that the ground in the ring on the first day was soft and it got even worse as more people jumped. However, on the second and third days, it was better, just not quite perfect.

I’ll never forget riding into the ring for my first championship round, that was an amazing experience. Another of my highlights was watching Ben Maher jump – his rounds were unbelievable.

The team spirit was brilliant, everyone was willing their team-mates to do well and supporting each other throughout the week.

Then as well as team managers Di Lampard, Stanny van Paesschen and Tina Goosen, there’s a huge support team trying to help us get the best results. Everything is organised for you, leaving the riders to concentrate on achieving the best performance possible.

British Showjumping gives us so much support and everyone – from Oak Grove’s Laith’s owner, Valentyna Kukova, to Abdel Saïd and AS Sport Horses – has played a role in giving me this huge opportunity.

I’ve always wanted to do the Olympics, so I’d love the chance to prove myself – I’ll definitely come back fighting.

● What were your thoughts about the recent European Showjumping Championships? Let us know at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance to have your views published in a future edition of Horse & Hound magazine

This exclusive column will also be available to read in Horse & Hound magazine, on sale Thursday 14 September, 2023

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(Image credit: Benjamin Clark)

‘She’s my horse of a lifetime’: newly crowned European champion pays tribute to gold medal-winning mare

(Image credit: Benjamin Clark)

‘That was an expensive fence’: Ben Maher narrowly misses individual medal for second year in a row

(Image credit: Benjamin Clark)

‘It’s not about luck, I should have ridden better’: European Championship leader reflects on agony of missing out on a medal

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.

‘It’s not about luck, I should have ridden better’: European Championship leader reflects on agony of missing out on a medal

Jennifer Donald — Sun, 03 Sep 2023 16:40:07 +0000

Swedish showjumper Jens Fredricson had come through to the individual final at the European Showjumping Championships at the San Siro racecourse in Milan, Italy (30 August-3 September) in the gold medal position, having not touched a pole all week.

But, like fourth-placed British rider Ben Maher, Jens and Markan Cosmopolit fell out of medal contention after picking up four faults in round one of the two-round medal decider.

The brilliant duo, who had helped Sweden to a historic gold medal in Friday’s team final, picked up a further four faults in round two to finish fifth on a score of eight behind the newly crowned European champion Steve Guerdat on a score of 0.43.

But according to Jens it feels like an amazing time to be a part of the all-conquering Swedish squad.

“We took a gold medal here and we had three Swedes in the final 12,” said Jens of his team-mates Henrik von Eckermann with Iliana in sixth, and Rolf-Goran Bengtsson 11th on Zuccero. “We also have Peder [Fredricson, Jens’ brother] and Malin Baryard-Johnsson at home. It feels amazing to be in the Swedish team for the moment.”

European Showjumping Championships: “You get close to your horses, he’s the best friend you can have”

Reflecting on what might have been for his individual chances, Jens blamed himself: “I was overriding the water in the first round and came in too unbalanced to that double combination.

“That’s not the way to ride my horse and I knocked the second fence, the plank. So I could have done that better, but it’s not so much about luck – I should have been riding better there.”

Despite powering round five hefty tracks in as many days, the 12-year-old Markan Cosmopolit, a former delux riding school horse, was showing no signs of tiredness.

“He could go again one more time!” said Jens. “He jumped fantastic to the last fence and he was sharp – he’s still in fantastic form.”

Jens, who was also part of Sweden’s gold medal-winning squad at the world championships in Herning describes “Cosmo” as his horse of a lifetime.

“But when I had Lunatic, I said this is my once in a lifetime horse, and then suddenly you get another horse – so you can’t compare them,” he explained.

“Cosmo is very athletic, very clever and a beautiful jumper,” added Jens of the horse he rides with his reins in a western style (with the rein coming out of the top of his hand between the thumb and first finger, instead of out of the bottom of the hand between the ring and little finger) due to his soft mouth. “He is a genuinely nice horse – my kids can feed him and he has a really lovely personality. That means everything.

“You get very close to your horses and he’s the best friend you can have.”

Horse & Hound has a team of reporters covering all the European showjumping action. To keep reading on our website after five articles, readers will need to buy a subscription. Visit horseandhound.co.uk/join to buy a Horse & Hound website unlimited subscription or, for great value, visit magazinesdirect.com for a combined magazine and website subscription. If you are already a magazine subscriber, the cost to upgrade your subscription to include full website access is minimal – call 0330 333 1113 to find out more.

‘That was an expensive fence’: Ben Maher narrowly misses individual medal for second year in a row

Jennifer Donald — Sun, 03 Sep 2023 14:37:42 +0000

The individual final for the 2023 European Showjumping Championships at the San Siro racecourse in Milan, Italy (30 August-3 September) was an absolute thriller, with gold going to Steve Guerdat of Switzerland riding Dynamix De Belheme.

But there was plenty to keep British showjumping fans on the edge of their seats too, as Ben Maher and Faltic HB finished a very close fourth. The reigning Olympic champion was left ruing the four faults he accumulated in the first of this two-round medal-decider, which sealed five days of brilliant action at the European Showjumping Championships.

“I’m disappointed. That’s the second time in a row that Faltic’s finished fourth individually for me – the world games last year and the Europeans this year,” said Hertfordshire-based Ben.

“It was an expensive fence down in the first round today,” added Ben, who would have claimed silver behind Steve Guerdat had the fence into the triple combination not fallen.

The pair went on to jump a foot-perfect clear in round two.

“Maybe if I went back, I would do something different, but it felt good. It was an unfortunate fault, that’s just the way it goes,” he said.

European Showjumping Championships: “Definitely not helped by the ground”

Ben said the 13-year-old stallion, whom he owns with Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright and who is looked after by groom Derren Lake, jumped “incredibly all week”.

“I don’t like to blame other things, but the fence on the first day was definitely not helped by the ground situation here,” said Ben, adding to the thoughts of several riders about the state of the going, although Ireland’s individual finalist Denis Lynch described it as “fine”.

“So it’s just disappointing – the team was a bit of a long haul, then I was out on my own today. I knew I probably had to be double clear to be in with the chance of a medal, so that fence was expensive.

“It didn’t feel like it took a lot out of Faltic compared with other championships, so I’m very happy to have him go home safe,” said Ben. “I’m disappointed we didn’t get something in the end, but we did our best.”

‘She’s my horse of a lifetime’: newly crowned European champion pays tribute to gold medal-winning mare

Jennifer Donald — Sun, 03 Sep 2023 13:48:16 +0000

Steve Guerdat of Switzerland has been crowned the new European champion at the European Showjumping Championships at the San Siro racecourse in Milan, Italy (30 August-3 September).

Surprisingly the 2012 Olympic champion and multi-championship medallist had never won an individual medal at a European Showjumping Championships. But, with the outstanding 10-year-old mare Dynamix De Belheme, who Steve describes as his “horse of a lifetime”, the pair jumped a crucial double clear in the individual medal decider to rise from their overnight second place to claim the gold medal in Milan, Italy, on Sunday (3 September).

“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” said Steve. “I’ve never won a European individual medal – I’ve won team gold at the Europeans, but today I was lucky. Dynamix has been with us since she was five and she’s already given back to us 1000 times before today, she’s a horse of a lifetime. It feels incredible to be here as European champion.”

Steve, who lets Dynamix have a few bites of grass after every round and did so again during the prize giving ceremony, was last to go of the 11 finalists with the daughter of Snaike De Blondel, who is out of a Cornet Obolensky mare. The 41-year-old former world number one held his nerve under immense pressure to secure a glorious gold medal at the 2023 European Showjumping Championships.

“Normally I enjoy jumping every single fence with Dynamix but not today, I was so focused on my mare and jumping every single fence and fighting for it,” said Steve, who was previously Olympic champion with the great Nino Des Buissonnets.

“It’s her first championship so I tried to give her a bit of my experience to help her with her lack of experience.”

European Showjumping Championships: going for gold at Paris Olympics

“Since last year, my main goal is to make the 2024 Olympics with this mare,” added Steve. “If I do everything right, she’ll be one of the favourites in Paris, so it’s my job to bring her there in the best form I can.”

Claiming the silver medal was German rider Philipp Weishaupt with one of the youngest horses in these championships, the nine-year-old Zineday (Zinedene x Polydor), just less than four penalties behind the champions. The bronze medal was won by France’s Julien Epaillard, who, like Philipp, had climbed the leaderboard thanks to double clears over Uliano Vezzani’s final two tracks. The course-designer has received so much praise throughout these European Showjumping Championships.

Julien’s 10-year-old mare Dubai Du Cedre is a daughter of Baloubet Du Rouet and the flying Frenchman rides her in a hackamore. Alongside Dynamix and sixth-placed Iliana with Henrik von Eckermann, there were three mares in the top six, two of whom were in the medals.

“I’m super happy, my mare is only 10 and this is her first championship,” said the world number two, who finished 0.30 points behind the silver medallist, so tight were the margins in the individual final. “She had a super, super championships. The fault on the first day was down to me and she only had two down all week. I think if I knew her a bit better, I could take some of those faults off. But that was a nice experience and very good for the future.”

For the second championship in succession, Great Britain’s Ben Maher finished fourth with his own and Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright’s stallion Faltic HB. The highest placed Irish rider was Eoin McMahon and Mila, who finished ninth individually after helping his team win silver on Friday.

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