The British dressage team heading to the 2026 World Championships in Aachen, Germany (11–23 August) has been announced.

The core of the team remains unchanged from last summer’s Europeans and the Paris Olympics before that. Carl Hester returns on Fame – 36 years after appearing at his first World Championships – and is joined by defending double-individual world champions Lottie Fry and Glamourdale, and World Cup winners Becky Moody and Jagerbomb.

Those three combinations were never in doubt – the fourth spot has been the season's real subplot. Over winter, the final place looked to belong to Charlotte Dujardin and Alive And Kicking – until the mare was sold in April, throwing the door wide open.

What followed was a crowded field: national champions Sadie Smith and Swanmore Dantina were early favourites, with Gareth Hughes and Susan Pape also in the mix. But two names pulled clear.

Fiona Bigwood’s homebred mare Donna Bella announced herself with a Hartpury grand prix win in March, then held her own on a Fontainebleau Nations Cup debut alongside Carl and Lottie.

Charlotte, meanwhile, switched her attentions to Ellie McCarthy’s Brave Heart, and the pair went head-to-head with Fiona and Donna Bella twice: Fiona edged it at Hickstead in May (73.13% to 72.8%), then again at Wellington in June (74.6% to 71.87%), by which point she'd emerged as the clear favourite.

Going into nominated entries, Fiona’s more extensively tested form – four international grands prix to Charlotte’s two – had her average ahead on 72.90% to 72.34%. But Charlotte had one shot left, at Hartpury, the last domestic international before the team was due to be confirmed. She took it: a stunning grand prix and special double, personal bests of 74.8% and 74.7%, that lifted her average to 73.16% – above Fiona’s, with just 0.26 points separating them.

That swing reopened a contest that had looked settled, leaving selectors Judy Harvey, Jenny Ward and Anne Keen with a genuinely tight call between two relatively inexperienced horses.

In the end, it's Fiona Bigwood and Donna Bella who complete the team. Although Charlotte edged it on the raw grand prix average – the mark selectors weight most heavily – it came from three starts against Fiona’s four, all three on the subdued domestic CDI3* circuit rather than the championship-like atmosphere of Fontainebleau CDIO5*, where Fiona scored 71.36% in the grand prix and 72.28% in the special.

Charlotte’s Hartpury score also carried a notable spread across the judging panel – more than five points between the highest and lowest marks – a factor selectors will have weighed alongside the numbers. But it was likely their head-to-head record – the only occasion the same judges saw both combinations, and one Fiona won twice – that was the deciding factor.

Where Britain stands against the rivals

Set against the field, Britain’s core trio total 232.80 on this season’s international grand prix averages, just 0.67 points off Germany's dressage team projected 233.47 (their best three of Isabell Werth, Katharina Hemmer and Frederic Wandres, with Raphael Netz's score dropped) and 1.80 points clear of reigning champions Denmark’s dressage team 231 (their best three of Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, Carina Cassøe Krüth and Daniel Bachmann Andersen).

That figure hasn't moved with the fourth-spot news – best three of four counts for the team total, and Lottie, Carl and Becky were never in doubt. What Fiona’s selection changes is the insurance policy: a fourth combination capable of stepping into a top-three score if any of the trio falter.

A neat footnote: Donna Bella is out of Atterupgaards Orthilia, Fiona’s former ride on the British team that took silver at both the 2015 Europeans – held in this same Aachen arena – and the Rio Olympics the following year.

The individual medals look just as open. Lottie and Glamourdale are among the favourites, alongside Cathrine and Freestyle, Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus, and home favourites Isabell and Wendy De Fontaine – with Justin and Cathrine perhaps the stronger picks on this year’s form. If any of the favourites falter, Becky and Jagerbomb – fresh off a personal-best 88.33% freestyle in Texas – have the form to make their own tilt at an individual medal.

Most nations have now confirmed their teams ahead of the FEI’s 27 July deadline for definite entries – follow our Aachen dressage teams page as the rest come in.

British dressage team for the 2026 Aachen World Championships

Fiona Bigwood with 10-year-old mare Donna Bella

Owner: rider

Breeder: rider

Breeding: by Don Juan de Hus, out of a mare by Gribaldi

Lottie Fry with 15-year-old stallion Glamourdale

Owners: Van Olst Horses and rider

Breeder: J Rodenburg

Breeding: by Lord Leatherdale, out of a mare by Negro

Carl Hester with 16-year-old stallion Fame

Owners: Fiona Bigwood, Mette Dahl and rider

Breeder: VOF G and M Gerritsen

Breeding: by Bordeaux, out of a mare by Rhodium

Becky Moody with 12-year-old gelding Jagerbomb

Owners: Jo Cooper and rider

Breeder: rider

Breeding: by Dante Weltino, out of a mare by Jazz

Reserves in alphabetical order

Charlotte Dujardin with 12-year-old gelding Brave Heart

Owners: Elllie McCarthy, Spencer McCarthy and Bridget McCarthy

Breeders: Shirley and Titian Wilaras

Breeding: by Bordeaux, out of a mare by Blue Hors Zack

Susan Pape with 15-year-old mare Harmony’s Giulilanta

Owners: Harmony Sporthorses and rider

Breeders: A Vogelaar and J Knol

Breeding: by Jazz, out of a mare by Flemmingh

Sadie Smith with 11-year-old mare Swanmore Dantina

Owner: rider

Breeder: Ben St John James

Breeding: by Dante Weltino, out of a mare by Charatan W

The entries are announced in collaboration with the British Dressage selectors and World Class Programme principal partner Agria.

• To stay up to date with the latest equestrian news in the run up to the 2026 Aachen World Championships, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

While the Winter Dressage Championships were in full swing at home, a strong British team finished second in the opening European leg of the FEI Dressage Nations Cup at the inaugural Fontainebleau CDIO5* (16–19 April).

The German squad won, in a competition that went down to the final ride and offered the first meaningful measure of form ahead of the World Championships in Aachen this summer.

The lead changed hands repeatedly between Germany, Britain, and Belgium throughout the grand prix, and all three nations were still in contention going into the anchor rides.

Justin Verboomen and Zonik Plus set the bar first, posting a personal best of 83.5% – the individual win of the day, with 10s for their canter pirouette – to secure third for Belgium.

Lottie Fry and Glamourdale followed with a fault-free 80.85%, briefly putting Britain into the lead and leaving Isabell Werth needing 79.15% or better on Queenparks Wendy to deliver for Germany. Isabell found 80.59%, so Germany finished on 230.065 to Britain’s 228.630 and Belgium’s 224.761.

For the British team, Lottie’s second-place individual finish led the way in one of her strongest outings with the now 15-year-old stallion to date.

Carl Hester came fifth with Fiona Bigwood and Mette Dahl’s Fame with 76.15% – his first win since a dominant double at Doha CDI5* in February – and Fiona contributed a 71.63% aboard home-bred mare Donna Bella for 10th. Lewis Carrier’s 67.67% with the veteran Diego V was the drop score.

The grand prix special again went Isabell’s way, but Carl and Fame were second on 77.32% and Fiona and Donna Bella third on 72.28%. Lottie took another runner-up finish in the freestyle with Glamourdale; Justin and Zonik were again unbeatable.

Carl, who had stepped back from Nations Cup duty in recent seasons to free up team spots for younger riders, returned with Sadie Smith and Laura Tomlinson’s up-and-coming horses heading to Hagen CDI4*.

“I always say, look, give those spaces to the kids who want to be on teams,” Carl said. “But they asked me to do it, and it worked out perfectly. The special finished at 11.30am Sunday morning, so I got home in time for dinner!”

The 16-year-old stallion Fame continues to reward the lighter campaign Carl has planned for him this year. “He was amazing in both tests – so good to ride and so up for it,” Carl said. “A really good mix of keenness and relaxation.

“His pirouettes scored really high, his changes scored really high, and I think his outline’s improved again this year. He was just cool. That’s what he was.”

The result in the special was built on a test Carl rated among his best on Fame. “It was mistake-free, full of power. They were very complimentary about him and gave him some very big scores.

“He’s possibly the most incredible horse – I’m running out of nice things to say about him. There’s always something to improve, we know that – but it’s a very good start to the season, and he’s still as fresh as ever.”

He was quick to credit the calibre of the field. “That was the leading group there. The only one really missing is Cathrine [Laudrup-Dufour]. Everyone kept saying it felt like the championships are here now – that’s how strong it was.

“Especially at this time of year, to get them out and have a good strong showing like that is good. You can imagine, if you added Becky [Moody] to the mix, you’d have near enough the top team.”

“She’s an exciting horse, that one”

Fiona’s third-place finish in the special was another bright spot. Her 10-year-old home-bred Donna Bella (Don Juan de Hus x Gribaldi) is the daughter of Atterupgaards Orthilia, who, with Fiona, was a member of the British team that won silver at both the 2015 European Championships in Aachen and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio – a family connection that clearly shows.

“That’s a very exciting mare she’s bred,” Carl said. “What you could really see is how much trust she had in her, because the mare is very like her mother.

“She’s got so much temperament and talent, and she just needs some easy rides to give her confidence. Fiona knows the mother so well, the family so well – she’s so tactful in her way of riding with her, and she just guided her around to do some really lovely tests. She’s an exciting horse, that one.”

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

You might also like:

‘One of the best horses I’ve ever ridden’: Charlotte Dujardin wins first national title with Secret Agent

‘Every show is a treasured memory now’: Carl Hester and Fame kick off their season with Doha double

‘I think maybe a Jägerbomb’: Becky Moody and Jagerbomb claim World Cup title with personal best freestyle in Fort Worth

Can AI judge dressage? The technology exists – but is the sport ready for it?

Dressage needs to answer harder questions than just ‘who did what in the warm-up’ to secure its future

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester are just two of the big names among the entries for Wellington CDI3* next week (8-11 June). There are 21 British riders entered for this international, now in its third year and occupying a key spot in the dressage calendar and selection process for the European Dressage Championships in September.

Charlotte will ride her 2022 team horse, the 10-year-old Everdale son Imhotep, in the pair’s second international competition since Charlotte gave birth to her daughter Isabella in March. She is now aiming “Pete” for the Europeans, which will take place in Riesenbeck, Germany.

Carl will bring forward both his grand prix rides, his Olympic medallist En Vogue, for whom this will be a first international since March 2022, and his newer ride Fame, who won the grand prix and special at Hickstead CDI3* in May.

Carl is campaigning both horses towards selection for the European Dressage Championships, and told H&H recently that he “wouldn’t mind which he took” to the Europeans, if selected.

“It would be a shame to leave the other one at home as they both deserve it,” he said.

Wellington CDI3* entries: Olympians and up-and-comers

Other top names among the Wellington CDI3* entries include Fame’s owner and previous rider Fiona Bigwood, who will compete the 12-year-old Dante Weltino son Daytona Platinum.

Completing the collection of four Olympians heading to Wellington is Laura Tomlinson, who is entered on the 13-year-old Bordeaux mare DSP Rose Of Bavaria and the 13-year-old Vivaldi son Fallatijn.

Gareth Hughes is set to ride his top mare, the 17-year-old Classic Briolinca, who played a key role in helping secure Britain’s silver medal at last year’s World Dressage Championships. The pair were second behind Charlotte Dujardin and Imhotep at Windsor CDI4* last month.

Alongside the more experienced combinations all gunning to impress the team selectors will be an exciting array of up-and-coming grand prix riders, and younger horses who are still new to top level. Look out for Alex Harrison, making his first international appearance in almost two years riding the 12-year-old mare MSJ Top Secret at her first CDI.

Becky Moody and Jagerbomb will also be in action; Becky and the hugely promising nine-year-old gelding won the grand prix freestyle on their CDI3* debut at Hickstead in May.

Annabella Pidgley is also due to ride her mother Sarah’s Vamos Amigos, the 10-year-old Vitalis son who won team gold and individual silver at the 2022 World Championships with Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour, then went to the Pidgleys for Annabella to take over the ride this year. The pair won the grand prix freestyle on their international debut together in March this year, and scored top-10 placings as part of the British Nations Cup team at Compiegne CDIO5* in May.

Wellington CDI3* will get under way with the grand prix on Friday, 9 June, followed by the grand prix special and the freestyle on Saturday, 10 June.

You may also be interested in…

What do Charlotte Dujardin, Annabella Pidgley and Lottie Fry all have in common?

‘I thought, can I still do it?’: Charlotte Dujardin on returning to riding after giving birth to baby Isabella

Superb Hickstead hat-trick for Carl Hester as his Olympic ride returns after a year out 

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Top British dressage rider Fiona Bigwood has welcomed an exciting new horse to her stables.

The four-year-old Newton Silvernite, aka Seth, arrived with Fiona shortly after Christmas, and the Olympic silver medallist said: “He has been a star from the minute he walked onto the yard.”

British-bred gelding Seth came from Elite Dressage in Devon, and is by Toerveslettens Sylvester, out of the Don Schufro x De Niro mare Donna Schufro.

“Anna Ross called me to ask if I was interested in a young horse, and seeing a clip of Seth on a video I drove straight down to see him,” said Fiona. “I watched him trot twice and wanted to buy him.”

“He’s really talented and looks to have everything so far, including the paces – in the trot his elevation is unbelievable,” Fiona told H&H. “It’s so nice to have a horse in the yard with that kind of quality and it’s nice that he is British-bred as well – Anna wanted him to stay in the UK.”

Fiona hasn’t made any firm plans for 2023 with Seth, but said: “If he is confident enough, we’ll take him out, and maybe start with some arena hire. I don’t want to overdo it with him, as he is really exciting.”

She added that her daughter, 16-year-old international junior rider Mette Dahl, has also taken a shine to Seth.

“Mette and I are fighting over who is going to ride him,” Fiona joked. “Anna also warned me that when I start to take him out to shows, he’s going to end up having a fan club on the sidelines, made up of her team.

“I am looking forward to the future with this one.”

You may also be interested in…

Glamourdale son moves to top British rider’s stable – ‘He looks just like his dad’

Anna Ross: ‘It’s time for dressage to ditch the white breeches’

How to watch the Olympics confirmed for next decade

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Hawtins Delicato, the former top ride of Carl Hester who was more recently campaigned by fellow Olympian Fiona Bigwood, has been sold to a new rider.

“I keep needing to pinch myself that he’s standing in my barn,” said Del’s new owner, the Aberdeen-based grand prix dressage rider Fenella Quinn.

The 14-year-old Diamond Hit son was part of the bronze medal-winning team at the World Equestrian Games in 2018 with Carl, during the gelding’s first year at grand prix. In their final international appearance together in 2019, Carl and Del were second to Charlotte and Mount St John Freestyle, at Olympia, where they scored 84.47% in the freestyle.

When the Tokyo Olympics were postponed in 2020 owing to the pandemic, Carl offered Fiona the opportunity to have a sit on Del and she later bought him. Fiona and Del made their competition debut together in April 2021, and picked up a number of top placings throughout the year, including wins in the grand prix special at the Hartpury and Sint Truiden Internationals and the Keysoe High Profile.

“I’d always loved Del, he was a horse I always really enjoyed watching and when I heard he was on the market I knew I had to go and try him,” Fenella told H&H.

The 28-year-old had been “quietly keeping her eyes open” for another grand prix horse after her top ride, Creatzo, suffered a field injury shortly following his return from the Compiegne CDI3* in May. Fenella said it is currently unknown if he’ll return to the top level.

“When I got the call to arrange viewing Del I was in Spain on holiday and I thought screw it; I got on a plane to London and drove to view him at Carl’s before anyone knew I’d left.”

Fenella, who made her grand prix debut in 2021, said riding Del for the first time was “every bit as magical as she’d hoped it would be”.

“It was extremely nerve-wracking riding in front of Carl – combined with riding a horse he’d trained and competed. I didn’t even have any of my own stuff with me because I’d come from Spain so Abi Lyle (Fenella’s trainer) met me with her boots and hat,” she said.

“Carl was lovely and made me so at ease and really helped me. Del is just like something out of a dream, he’s so lovely, light, responsive – he’s a joy to ride. I managed to get a little bit of everything from him during that first ride, it was amazing.”

Del arrived at his new home in Aberdeen last Thursday (29 September).

“Before he came home I spent two days at Carl’s having some training. Abi and my mum Jacqui came too, so we were taking lots of notes and I got lots of tips on how to ride things and which buttons to press,” said Fenella.

“He’s settled in so well. We keep laughing thinking ‘Is that really Hawtins Delicato standing in our barn?’ It’s like being starstruck – it’s very cool. I’ve always heard people describe him as a gentleman and that describes him perfectly. He’s really kind, loves attention and cuddles. He’s a quiet, gentle character.”

Fenella said owning the former ride of two Olympians comes with some pressure.

“We have no plans for the rest of 2022; we’re going to pick away at home and spend the time getting to know each other. Next spring we’ll probably aim for a couple of the early Premier Leagues, then head for some CDIs and see what happens. I will train predominantly with Abi as I always have, but hopefully Carl will be able to give me some help too. He told me ‘Go and find your feet and I’m here if you need anything’ – so hopefully next year we’ll get back down for more training,” she said.

“There’s definitely a huge amount of pressure buying Del and I went into it with my eyes open. I know the chances of emulating the success Carl had with him is pretty slim, but I just want to be able to have my own partnership. He’s going to teach me so much – and has already – and I hope we can create our own career together.”

You might also be interested in:

‘This is good for Britain’: Carl Hester passes ride on world medallist to fellow Olympian

Hawtins Delicato, the former medal-winning ride of Carl Hester, will now be campaigned by British Olympic rider Fiona Bigwood

‘A very special mare’: farewell to grandmother of Carl Hester’s medal-winner

“To have bred a horse on the British team, and win a medal; that’s the stuff dreams are made of”

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Becky Moody and Jagerbomb scored a hat-trick of small tour wins at Hartpury CDI3*, part of the NAF Five Star Hartpury Festival of Dressage, with Gareth Hughes and Fiona Bigwood spearheading the British grand prix success stories.

Becky and her own eight-year-old Dante Weltino gelding, who scooped a trio of national winter titles here less than three months ago, opened their account with a class-topping 75.24% in Friday’s prix st georges. As the heat and the competition built, so too did their marks. The pair headed Saturday’s inter I by an almost 6% margin, scoring 77.32%, before breaking the 80% barrier in Sunday’s freestyle to the sound of Tom Jones’ Sex Bomb.

“He goes in there and he has a smile on his face and I think the judges love that as well,” said Becky. 

This young, imposing horse has answered every question as he has progressed through his career. The number of times he has scored below 70% can be counted on one hand; he has 31 wins from 52 national starts and he has only finished outside the top three on two occasions. Add to that this hat-trick on his international debut and it begs the question of just how good this already exceptional horse could be.

“That’s such a difficult question because small tour and grand prix are two very different things,” said Becky.

“My concern has always been with him whether he would have a good enough engine; he finds the grand prix work really easy, but whether he’d have the engine to keep going all the way through, it’s a hell of a task. But rides like today [in the inter I] really give me confidence that he will, because I think the more atmosphere he has, the better he is. So that’s really exciting for the future. I think he could be pretty epic.”

Plenty of hacking has been key to “Bomber’s” success, as has finding a balance of building his strength and sharpness.

“We’ve had to work hard to make him like this,” said Becky. “He’s got a brilliant work ethic – he’s not the most naturally talented, but he just keeps on giving, so then you can keep making him better and better.” 

His results are earned through consistently strong marks throughout his tests. The judge at C in Sunday’s freestyle, Canada’s Cara Whitham, was a big fan of their new routing, awarding a perfect 10 for music and interpretation.

“I think it really suits him, it’s thanks to Kim [Masson, my groom] – she suggested Tom Jones,” said Becky. “I resisted for a long time, then finally accepted that cheesy was good!”

Second to Becky Moody and Jagerbomb in the inter I freestyle was Australia’s Jayden Brown, who posted 76.23% aboard Terrence Snow’s intelligent Willingapark Quincy B.

“He’s a bit of an attention-seeker when it comes to cuddles,” said Jayden, who has relocated from Australia with a string of Willinga Park horses to target World Championship and Paris 2024 selection. 

“He was incredibly spooky when he was young. We regularly used to trot down the centre line, spin around and end up at A.

“He’s a real German horse in the sense that he moves through his whole body. He is not sharp and zippy like the Dutch horses, but he’s got that fluidity and uses his entire body, and I think that’s what the judges like about him.”

‘It’s been a team effort’

While Becky Moody and Jagerbomb dominated at small tour, the big tour titles here were shared amongst three riders. The giant Dante Weltino stallion Daytona Platinum put a huge smile on Fiona Bigwood’s face when winning the grand prix with 71.3%. The 11-year-old, who is taller than Fiona’s 18.3hh measuring stick, is a worrier and hasn’t had the easiest road to success. But Fiona hopes that with this win under their belts he will go from strength to strength as they continue their international career. 

“It’s been a team effort with everyone at home; any situation where he gets worried we have let him relax and tried to find that relaxation point, and then today I could do all the work, do the extended walk, and he can relax and then pick up. I love this horse to bits,” said the Olympic silver medallist, who has been working with Claire Gallimore to help build his confidence.

The stallion certainly fills the arena with his sheer size, presence and gorgeous scopey movement, but Fiona says he is light and easy to ride, and doesn’t find the advanced work difficult. 

“He was nervous going around the edge as he hadn’t seen the judges actually in their huts – we did the arena familiarisation but they weren’t in the huts then – but then we went down that centre line and I could feel him saying, ‘OK, I trust you, Mum.’ That’s just the nicest feeling as a rider.”

It’s testament to the horse’s temperament that Fiona’s daughter Mette was able to commandeer him to ride in international junior classes over the winter.

“Mette wants him back but she’s not getting him back now – there’s a family war going on,” joked Fiona.

‘That was one of the best tests he’s done’

Gareth Hughes and his 2021 grand prix national championship-winning ride KK Dominant, whom he co-owns with Claudine, Jessica and Martin Kroll, tasted Sunday special glory, bagging the win on 72.32%.

This 13-year-old stallion is a living oil painting, with his good looks matched by his “sweetheart” personality.

“That was one of the best tests he has done,” said Gareth, adding that Hartpury’s outdoor arena felt “like a cauldron” to ride in. “We had a few really nice highlights: the pirouettes, the changes and halts. He really stepped up from the grand prix the other day.”

Gareth also took home third in the grand prix and a runner-up spot in the freestyle with the “real trier” KK Woodstock (75.24%), whom he also co-owns with the Krolls. 

Germany’s Kathleen Kroencke and the 15-year-old San Royal dazzled on gala night with their powerful performance to a modern marching soundtrack.

The gelding, owned by K&N Stables Ltd, showed real spring through his piaffe and passage with the crowd delighting in the high-energy routine, clapping to the beat on his final passage centre line.

“He was really on fire today,” said Kathleen, who trains with her parents and Spencer Wilton.

“He’s a rgentle giant, but really powerful, and he has really nice light movements. I loved his pirouettes and his passage – that was so powerful. It was powerful outside, but when he has his music he gets into another gear.”

The pair, who were also second to Fiona in the grand prix, scored nines for their choreography and music, sealing the win on 77.36%.

“I’ve had him since he was five, so we’ve really grown together and done everything together,” she said. “We’ve got a really close relationship and a tight bond.”

British-based top Singaporean dressage rider Caroline Chew scored a new international personal best with the 18-year-old Tribiani, owned by Melanie and Tony Chew, finishing third on 74.35%.

You may also be interested in…

Winter Dressage Championships: ‘I thought he was dull as a four-year-old – but luckily I failed to sell him’

Tactics, tears, and hat-tricks: 8 memorable moments from the 2022 Winter Dressage Championships

‘He deposited me at Carl Hester’s feet’: Becky Moody on the horse who ‘bottled it up’ but could be an 80% prospect

‘I’m a closet cowboy’: 9 things you never knew about newly crowned British national champion Gareth Hughes

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

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

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

Those longlisted, in alphabetical order, are:

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

Two reserve combinations have also been named:

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

British Under-25 Dressage European Championship entries

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

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

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

You may also be interested in…

King Gio! Charlotte Dujardin catapults Britain into team final with +80% and secures chance to defend her title

‘This is good for Britain’: Carl Hester passes ride on world medallist to fellow Olympian

Hawtins Delicato, the former medal-winning ride of Carl Hester, will now be campaigned by British Olympic rider Fiona Bigwood

6 times top dressage riders have done things you might not expect

The sport of dressage often comes with certain stereotypes, but outside the pristine white boards of the arena, there are

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Olympic silver medallist Fiona Bigwood and Hawtins Delicato took another step towards cementing their partnership by following up grand prix victory with a win in the NAF Five Star Hartpury CDI grand prix special as well.

Fiona, who bought the World Equestrian Games team bronze medallist from Carl Hester in 2020, were second-last to go in the class and scored 72.96% – the pair’s best special score to date — to push Becky Moody and Famke PF into the runner-up slot.

Fiona explained that she felt this show has marked a turning point in her budding relationship with the sensitive but supremely talented Diamond Hit son. Having already been long-listed for the Tokyo Olympics with Del, Fiona is now setting her sights on competing in Aachen in September.

Becky, who scored 70.87% with Jo Cooper’s 11-year-old Houston x Cabouchon mare, said: “There were good bits and bad bits. It’s only her second special, and she was a bit lacking in confidence in the piaffe; going from the walk to the piaffe she was just a little more edgy. She was more confident in the second one, and the third one on the centre line was lovely, until I tried to put a bit more energy into it, and it went a little bit wrong.

“But the fundamental balance is really starting to come better, so the extensions and so on, that would have been really testing for her in the past, were a lot better, and her changes were good.

“We have very low mileage together, really; we still don’t know each other in a show environment yet. She’s a really genuine mare – she just needs to get her confidence.”

In third, Finland’s Mikaela Soratie is hoping that her mark of 70.49% with Hot Casanova is enough to qualify her for the European Championships in September.

After three years in the UK, this was Mikaela’s last British show – she is moving to the Netherlands in two weeks’ time.

“I’m overwhelmed and rather emotional,” she said. “This was our absolute best test up to now. He was so good! He was really sensitive and still with me – it felt like every stride was mine, and it was a lovely feeling.”

Mikaela has had the 12-year-old, who is by Blue Hors Hotline, since he was three years old.

“It’s a long journey to come to grand prix; this is our first international grand prix,” she said. “I’m very pleased that it’s going in the right direction, and that every time it is going a little bit better.

“He’s very willing, and really tries. He’s focused and a really nice competition horse. The Europeans are our main goal this year, which is very exciting.”

You might also be interested in:

‘Carl made it look easy’: Fiona Bigwood wins Hartpury grand prix on British medallist *H&H Plus*

‘We had to tone down the rap – slightly’: Richard Davison leads charge on freestyle night at Hartpury CDI *H&H Plus*

Tales from Hartpury CDI: ‘Just because he’s yellow, it doesn’t mean he can’t do it!’ *H&H Plus*

‘This is good for Britain’: Carl Hester passes ride on world medallist to fellow Olympian

Hawtins Delicato, the former medal-winning ride of Carl Hester, will now be campaigned by British Olympic rider Fiona Bigwood

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A beaming Fiona Bigwood believes that she has “really turned a corner” with Hawtins Delicato after winning the Hazlewoods-sponsored grand prix at the NAF Five Star Hartpury CDI.

Fiona, who won team silver for Britain at the 2016 Rio Olympics, bought the Diamond Hit 13-year-old – a team bronze medallist at the 2018 World Equestrian Games – from Carl Hester in 2020. This was their first international grand prix victory together, and their best score – 74.09% – to date.

“I am absolutely thrilled,” she said. “I am eventually finding the buttons on this horse. He is so fun to ride and goes in with so much energy, but it’s just that Carl always used to make it look so easy, and I’m just trying to work it out. I feel like I’ve really turned a corner now.

“I loved the last centre line – he was really going, I totally trusted him and off he went. He’s just really good fun to ride. He wants to do it.

“I think people always underestimate what it’s like to take on a horse from someone else – they think, ‘oh, you’re buying a schoolmaster and it’s fine’, but they are all special, these horses, and you’ve got to get that partnership and it does take time,” she added.

“There are two shows in Belgium that I’m hoping to go to, just to get him out – I think the more shows we go to, the better. I’m competitive, I have my goals, and I’d love to go to Aachen in September. But it’s just about having fun – I’m 45 and it’s about enjoying the horse.”

Richard Davison led for most of the 27-starter class with a mark of 71.69% on the experienced 15-year-old Bubblingh, only to be pipped at the post by Fiona.

“I had quite a nice ride – a very different ride to I’ve ever had before, because he was actually quite relaxed and in fact possibly too relaxed in certain places, so that was a bit of a new experience,” said Richard. “It is one I welcome, I must say, because I’ve been looking for it for the last five years. If I was to criticise, he needs to be a little more switched on, but it’s hard ever to imagine saying that about Bubblingh.”

Richard may also target the Aachen CHIO in September, and possibly some World Cup shows in the winter.

Third was Becky Moody with 71% aboard Jo Cooper’s 11-year-old mare Famke PF.

She said: “For where we’re at, it was just a really solid round with loads of room for improvement, which is what’s really exciting because to get 71% at her first international when there’s so much that I know can be better is really cool.”

Becky took on the ride on Famke when the mare was an eight-year-old.

“She’s the first horse I’ve had as an older horse – I’ve always had young horses that I’ve produced all the way through,” said Becky. “I did spend pretty much two years at home, just training and getting everything how I wanted it to be, but she does have a real talent for the piaffe and passage, and that’s what’s cool. I haven’t got it in the arena anywhere like I can get it at home yet, but she has a lot of talent there.

“It’s been a real learning curve, for sure, but she’s cool.”

Becky added: “She’s a real sweetheart. She’s a sassy cow in the stable sometimes – she’s a proper mare – and she’s quite sensitive to ride in the sense that you definitely have to ask her to do stuff; you don’t tell her to do stuff – that’s not appreciated.”

Louise Bell and Into The Blue took joint fourth place with Finland’s Mikaela Soratie (Hot Casanova), both achieving a score of 69.37%.

You might also be interested in:

Judy Harvey: ‘Gobsmacked by the standard at Hartpury’ *H&H Plus*

‘Pat the pony, kick the rider’: Millis takes it to the wire at NAF Five Star Hartpury CDI *H&H Plus*

‘I broke my leg and I thought that was game over’: top rider defies the odds to achieve success at Winter Dressage Championships *H&H Plus*

‘As soon as I got on him, I knew he was back to his normal awesome self’: Alice Oppenheimer adds fourth 2021 Winter Dressage Championship title to her name *H&H Plus*

Chief selector Judy Harvey: A strong team of young equine talent for Tokyo *H&H Plus*

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

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

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

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

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

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

Continued below…

You may also be interested in…

Britain names nine pairs as nominated entries for Olympic eventing

Find out which horses and riders are named as Britain’s nominated entries for the eventing at the Tokyo Olympics

Britain names top combinations as nominated entries for Olympic showjumping

Only those who appear on this list may be put forward for selection for the Tokyo Games

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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

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

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

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

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

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

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

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

Britain’s Nations Cup team

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

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

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

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

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

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

Remaining British contingent in the CDI3*

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Best of the rest

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

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

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

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

Continued below…

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

‘Pumpkin pie stole the show’

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

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

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

‘I had no warning’

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

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

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

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

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

You might also be interested in:

Charlotte Dujardin rides young star to win Wellington grand prix *H&H Plus*

Charlotte Dujardin’s Wellington CDI3* has got off to a good start with victory in the grand prix riding the 10-year-old

Comeback kings and upcoming stars – who to watch at this week’s Wellington CDI3*

The inaugural Wellington CDI3* that gets underway this week is set to be one of the most significant dressage events

British Olympic contender withdrawn from this week’s Wellington CDI

Some of Britain’s top combinations will be in action at the show

Medal winners and rising stars in the running for US Olympic dressage places

US Equestrian has announced the 12-strong dressage shortlist for this summer’s Tokyo Olympics

Top British horse from 2019 Europeans withdrawn from Tokyo contention

“With that sort of injury they do need a few months off and the timing couldn’t have been worse; she

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

What’s on at Wellington and how to watch

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

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

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

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

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

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

British Olympic medallist Fiona Bigwood has taken over the ride on Carl Hester’s former top horse Hawtins Delicato. Fiona, who was a member of Britain’s silver medal-winning dressage team at the Rio Olympics, took over riding Delicato in 2020, and now owns the 13-year-old Diamond Hit son, known as “Del”. 

“When the Olympics were postponed last March, I offered Fiona the chance to have a sit on Del, and she got on really well with him so I said she could take him on,” Carl told H&H.

“It’s working really well, because I teach Fiona so I can help her with him, and it means he continues to be kept in the lifestyle he is used to with a similar routine and lots of turnout. As far as I’m concerned, it’s an ideal situation.”

With Carl, Del has been one of Britain’s most successful top horses in recent years – having become national prix st georges champion under Charlotte Dujardin in 2016 and taking the national inter II title a year later, he and Carl helped Britain win bronze at the World Equestrian Games in 2018, the gelding’s first year at grand prix. They also finished ninth in the special.

A year later at the 2019 European Dressage Championships in Rotterdam, the pair again finished ninth in the special, and sixth individually in the grand prix. 

The British-bred gelding’s most recent international appearance was at Olympia in 2019, where he and Carl finished second to Charlotte and Mount St John Freestyle, scoring 84.47%. 

Continued below…

You may also be interested in…

Fiona Bigwood scores 73.4% in WEG grand prix dressage freestyle

Britain's Fiona Bigwood enjoys her final experience of riding at the 2010 World Equestrian Games, scoring 73.4% in the grand

Windsor dressage: Carl Hester wins freestyle, but Fiona Bigwood’s horse is talk of the town

Nip Tuck leads the pack at Windsor in the freestyle with Fiona Bigwood and her husband Anders Dahl filling the

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

In February 2020 Carl took over the ride on Charlotte’s Jazz gelding En Vogue, whom he is aiming for the Tokyo Olympics.

“I am winding down now and I want to concentrate on En Vogue rather than having lots of horses to compete – I feel I have done as much as I can with Del,” said Carl, who bought Del from his breeder Judith Davis as a four-year-old.

“Competing is not one of my top priorities now – I love the training and producing side – whereas Fiona is a great rider and mad keen to get out again, and Del is ready to go.

“This is good for Britain as it strengthens our chances for further good team riders, and I know they will make a really great partnership.”

Fiona Bigwood and Hawtins Delicato made their competition debut together at Hunters Equestrian yesterday (7 April), scoring 69.9% in the grand prix.

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

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Top riders are adding their voices to calls for the Dutch government to save thousands of “starving” horses and other animals.

Britain’s Fiona Bigwood and Hans Peter Minderhoud of the Netherlands are among those speaking out on behalf of the equines, deer and cattle kept in a large nature reserve in coastal province Flevoland, while Charlotte Dujardin has also called for action.

The site is reclaimed marshland and those campaigning on its inhabitants’ behalf say it is not suitable to support the large number of animals living on it.

“I just can’t sit back and do nothing when these animals are starving,” Rio Olympics team silver medallist Fiona Bigwood, who has been alerting people to the animals’ plight, told H&H.

“The Dutch are desperate to help them but they’re being arrested and fined if they try to feed them.

“It’s heartbreaking; we can’t just let animals starve to death in this day and age.”

Local campaigner Cynthia Danvers told H&H the reserve covers thousands of acres but much of this is water. It was enclosed in the early 1980s, after which horses, cattle and deer were introduced.

“And of course they’ve multiplied so there are thousands now,” she said.

“[Officials] have killed 3,000 animals in the past three months because they were starving to death. They won’t let people give them more food because they say it’s nature.

“The winter here hasn’t been that bad but the ground’s salty and bad, and there are too many animals. They even started eating bark from the trees but now there’s nothing left.

“There are a lot of people in Holland who don’t want them to starve so they started coming to bring them hay – then the government started arresting people for it and fining them.

“They said if we feed them, they will feel better and breed, and then there will be more animals, but for lots of people, that’s a very strange thing to say.”

A petition has been launched calling for the Dutch government to make changes.

Cynthia said that after sustained campaigning, and meetings with the provincial government, officials did start giving the animals some hay.

“They didn’t want to but we made them,” she said. “But it’s not enough. People are still trying to feed them but they’re building more fences.

“Money isn’t a problem – lots of farmers said they’d donate hay – but the province said it wasn’t good enough. They said nature should do its work, but how can it be nature when there’s a fence stopping the animals going anywhere?”

Continues below…

Hans Peter Minderhoud, Dutch dressage rider

Dutch grand prix dressage rider Hans Peter Minderhoud - born on 7 October 1973 - comes from an unhorsey family

Fiona Bigwood on Rio selection: fighting spirit and postponing children’s birthdays

Fiona Bigwood tells H&H about her competitive spirit that helped her fight back from injury to secure a place for

Charlotte Dujardin rehomes rescue pony

The Olympic champion has offered an RSPCA rescue case a very special new home

Cynthia said the government agreed to feed hay until the grass comes through.

“But then this will happen again next year,” she said. “They have to take these animals out of there. It’s horrible and it has to change.”

H&H has contacted the Dutch government for a response.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

In next week’s issue (19 April), full reports from the World Cup finals and the Grand National.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Olympic silver medallist Fiona Bigwood is aiming to return to the British team with her new international prospect.

Nine-year-old gelding Pin Rock’s Foxfire Blitz arrived at Fiona’s West Sussex yard from Finland this month, having been crowned Finnish grand prix champion in June.

“I really want to get back on the British team and one of my Finnish friends saw my Facebook post about finding a new grand prix horse, and got in contact,” explained Fiona, who sold her mare Atterupgaards Orthilia, with whom she won team silver both in Rio 2016 and at the 2015 Aachen European championships, to Danish international grand prix rider Agnete Kirk Thinggaard at the beginning of 2017.

“I saw a short video of Foxy and decided that he was worth going to Finland to see,” Fiona added. “Since selling ‘Tillie’ I’ve been looking everywhere for horses with the right quality to help me get back on the team. Foxy is really sweet, with a lot of talent, and he’s also very trainable, so I have high hopes for him.”

The Finnish warmblood by Fernet x Caritas scored 67.74% at grand prix and 72.09% in the grand prix freestyle at the 2017 Finnish national championships, ridden by Stella Hagelstam. He has not yet competed internationally, but Fiona hopes to launch his FEI career in April or May 2018, after competing in some national grands prix in March.

Fiona also admitted that she had stayed at home to ride Foxy this week, rather than joining her family on a pre-Christmas skiing trip.

British Olympic dressage horse sold abroad

The British team rider said it was a "very hard decision", but wants what is best for the horse

Fiona Bigwood on Rio selection: fighting spirit and postponing children’s birthdays

Fiona Bigwood tells H&H about her competitive spirit that helped her fight back from injury to secure a place for

“I’m just so determined to get back out there,” she told H&H. “Foxy has done some good grands prix and there’s no reason why we shouldn’t get it together. His piaffe and passage in particular are very strong, and he has a lovely trot half-pass.

“He has a lot of quality in all three paces, which was why I decided to go with him, and he’s also a horse you can just get on and work with. He’s trainable with a very good mind and that is so important.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Former British medal-winning Olympic dressage horse Atterupgaards Orthilia has been ruled out of competition for the rest of the summer.

Fiona Bigwood partnered the mare to team silver at the 2015 European Championships and Rio 2016 Olympics.

“Tillie” was sold to Danish international grand prix rider Agnete Kirk Thinggaard earlier this year.

The 13-year-old mare twisted her fetlock in the field on 16 May.

Agnete shared the news that her “beautiful Orthilia” would be out for the summer on her Facebook page last week.

“It’s super annoying and I’m so sorry, but this is what happens,” she said.

“We prioritise that all of our horses go out in the field every day, and unfortunately it carries a risk of acute injuries like this.

“But horses should also be allowed to be horses, and we must live with the risk.

“Unfortunately, that means as a goodbye to summer dreams and goals with Orthilia.”

Article continues below…

You might also be interested in:

British Olympic dressage horse sold abroad

The British team rider said it was a

Fiona Bigwood on Rio selection: fighting spirit and postponing children’s birthdays

Fiona Bigwood tells H&H about her competitive spirit

British dressage team nail Rio Olympics silver: ‘It was really well fought by all of our riders’

The British team claims dressage silver behind the

The combination made their international debut at Hagen CDI4* (30 April – 1 May).

They finished seventh in the grand prix with a score of 72.16% and 11th in the grand prix special on 67.74%.

Agnete, 34, finished 26th at the Rio Olympics aboard Jojo Az. Her other major achievements include ninth at the 2016 FEI World Cup final in Sweden and 11th at the 2015 FEI World Cup final in the US.

“Tillie” was sold in January this year.

Fiona Bigwood said at the time that it was a “very hard decision”.

“Tillie is in the prime of her competition career and I want the best for her,” said Fiona. “My home commitments mean I can only do around four top level shows a year and she deserves to have her full potential realised.

“She’s the most talented, generous and clever horse I’ve ever ridden, but I know she’ll have the best home and chance of success with Agnete.”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Fiona Bigwood’s Rio Olympic medallist horse Atterupgaards Orthilia has been sold to the Danish international grand prix rider Agnete Kirk Thinggaard, and the horse has already moved abroad.

After winning team silver at the Rio Olympic Games, Fiona credited the bouncy Gribaldi x Donnerschlag mare — now 12 — for her return to riding after a career-threatening accident in which she fell from a horse in April 2014. She now competes in an eye patch to help mitigate the double vision caused by the accident.

Together Fiona and ‘Tillie’ were on the British team at the 2015 European Championships in Aachen (Germany), as well as in Rio. They helped secure team silver on both occasions.

“It was a very hard decision but Tillie is in the prime of her competition career and I want the best for her,” said Fiona. “My home commitments mean I can only do around four top level shows a year and she deserves to have her full potential realised.

“She’s the most talented, generous and clever horse I’ve ever ridden, but I know she’ll have the best home and chance of success with Agnete. We waved her off yesterday on her journey to her new home in Denmark.”

Fiona and her husband Anders Dahl have recently located to a new base near Haywards Heath in West Sussex — with a guide price of £6m — which needs major renovation and will take up much of Fiona’s time.

However she has no plans to retire any time soon.

Article continues below…

Related articles:

• Fiona Bigwood on Rio selection: fighting spirit and postponing children’s birthdays
• British dressage team nail Rio silver
• Windsor dressage: Fiona Bigwood’s horse is the talk of the town

“I love training and competing, so my career is far from over. I have some exciting youngsters at home and am currently looking for another so I’m not ready to hang my boots up just yet!” she added.

“My priority is my family and home so while I won’t be out competing at the big internationals for a while, I’ll still be busy at home working on producing a future Olympic champion for Britain.”

Fiona has recently bought a new horse, the rising six-year-old Oldenburg gelding Daytona Platinum (Dante Weltino x Charon), who finished sixth at the 2016 bundeschampionat in Germany.

On Tillie’s sale, British Dressage’s chief executive Jason Brautigam said: “I’m sure everyone in the dressage community will be sad to see Tillie go and break this magic partnership. She’s hugely talented and still has great potential for the future, so this is a big loss to Team GBR.

“On behalf of British Dressage, we would like to thank both Fiona and Tillie for their significant contribution to the two team silver medals in 2015 and at last year’s Olympics.

“While this combination will be much missed, Fiona’s stable of exciting youngsters will hopefully mean that she’s back as part of our medal-winning teams in the near future.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

At the end of her test in the intermediate I freestyle, Amy Stovold threw her arms around Waldessarini’s neck with a huge smile on her face.

The pair came ninth yesterday in the straight class to qualify for the music. Today, they nailed a superb test to finish third with 74%.

“I had too many mistakes yesterday, and I had a costly mistake on my first horse, Bo Bo L, this morning, so I rode my arse off in there!” she grins.

‘Foxy’ belongs to Nicolle Begovic, wife of Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir. Amy —who is based with Olympic husband-and-wife team Anders Dahl and Fiona Bigwood — has only had the ride for four months.

“Nicolle’s been crazy-busy, so I’ve been riding him on and off. I adore him; I don’t want to give him back,” she says from aboard the tall, elegant chestnut.

“He’s one in a million; he tried his hardest in there and we’ve only gone through the test once. He gives me such a great feeling — you can ride him to be hot or calm.”

Continued below…

Related articles:

Tales from Stoneleigh: same drive, different focus

Tales from Stoneleigh: back between the boards after 14 operations

Tales from Stoneleigh: ‘She was my idol’

Next year the plan is for Nicolle to take back the ride, and they will continue working Foxy towards grand prix.

“I really enjoy helping her with him. He reminds me of Macbrian [Amy’s former grand prix horse, who died this year]. He’s so genuine, and he really listens. He’s worth his weight in gold.”

Riding for the big names

What’s it like, riding for a professional footballer?

“I don’t think about it,” she laughs. “They’re so normal, they’re just people! I really respect Asmir as a sportsman, and he appreciates the mindset. They’re such nice, understanding owners; they’re great people to ride for,” she says.

It’s been a busy year for Amy outside the dressage arena. She recently married partner Simon and will soon head off on her honeymoon to South Africa.

“I’m actually teaching there for four days first,” she admits, “but then we’re going to Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town, and we’ll go on safari.

“We’ve done everything this year: got married, bought a house — this is a great way to finish,” Amy grins.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Charlotte Dujardin successfully defended her Olympic individual title in Rio today, clinching the gold with a massive 93.857% on Valegro.

The rider was in tears as she left the arena and broke down again talking to journalists afterwards.

“I just knew he couldn’t have done any more,” she said. “I felt like he’d done his very best and I’m very emotional, particularly because I think he’s going to be retired. I don’t want you to write this because we haven’t said when, but it’s on the cards to retire him, so we’ll go home and make a plan.”

Charlotte said it felt like the 14-year-old knew she was emotional today.

“I feel like he really looked after me and helped me,” she said.

Germany’s riders took both the other medals, with silver for Isabell Werth and Weihegold OLD on 89.071%. Krstina Broring-Sprehe claimed individual bronze with Desperados FRH on a score of 87.142%.

Continued below…

Related articles:

British dressage team nail Rio Olympics silver: ‘It was really well fought by all of our riders’

H&H Live: Rio Olympics dressage freestyle

Adelinde Cornelissen responds to rumours Parzival suffered a hairline fracture in Rio

Britain had two other riders in the freestyle, Carl Hester and Fiona Bigwood.

Carl was delighted with his performance on Nip Tuck, who scored 82.553% for seventh.

“It felt beautiful and I felt my mark matched my test, which is nice and not always the case,” he said. “I came out and thought, ‘What more could he have done?’ He’s improved each day.”

Fiona broke into canter twice in her test with Orthilia, in the first trot half-pass and on the final centreline, ending up with a score of 76.018%. She explained that with temperatures hitting the 30s today, her preparation had not been ideal.

“It was a tough warm-up today — we went in the air-conditioned indoor, but there’s no atmosphere in there, so then you come out and they are suddenly exposed to the atmosphere,” said Fiona. “But it’s too hot to warm up outside.”

Judy Reynolds, the first Irish rider to qualify for the Olympic freestyle, completed her Games with a score of 75.696% and 18th place on Vancouver K. She was a little disappointed to have a couple of mistakes in her test today, but delighted with her Olympic debut as a whole.

Full 20-page report on the dressage from Rio in H&H this week, out Thursday 18 August, including full analysis of how the medals were won and comment from Richard Davison and Peter Storr.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The times for the British dressage riders in the grand prix freestyle at the Olympics have been revealed. Tomorrow (Monday, 15 August) in Rio, Charlotte Dujardin will be defending her individual dressage gold medal from the London Games.

She finished second individually to Germany’s Isabell Werth in the grand prix special on 12 August — the first time she and Valegro have been beaten since Aachen in July 2014.

Her performance was still good enough to claim team silver for the Brits. Three riders from the UK are through to the individual final, the freestyle to music, or kür.

British riders’ start times:

Fiona Bigwood and Orthilia 10.30am (2.30pm UK time)

Carl Hester and Nip Tuck 11.35 (3.35pm UK time)

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro 12.40 (4.40pm UK time)

The silver medallists from the London Games, Adelinde Cornelissen and Parzival will not defend their medal. They retired during the grand prix as Parzival was suffering the after-effects of an insect bite. The Netherlands did not have a travelling reserve.

Isabell Werth and Weihegold OLD have been drawn last in the competition, and ride at 1.20pm (5.20pm).

Continued below…

Related articles:

Watch Valegro return as king of the arena with new Rio-themed freestyle

Tales from Rio: ‘It took two years to rehabilitate him; now I only school him once a week’

British dressage team nail Rio Olympics silver: ‘It was really well fought by all of our riders’

Her compatriot Kristina Bröring-Sprehe also rides in the final group. With her De Niro stallion Desperados FRH, she came close to beating Charlotte at the European Championships in Aachen last year, finishing second.

As well as Charlotte, Isabell and Kristina, the final group of riders includes Dorothee Schneider (for Germany on Showtime FRH), Severo Jurado Lopez (on Lorenzo for Spain) and the USA’s Laura Graves on Verdadaes.

The first rider into the arena is Steffen Peters on Legolas at 10am (2pm UK time).

Follow all the action with H&H live on our live and interactive service, with expert commentary on every test from Olympic long-listed rider Hayley Watson-Greaves.

Full 20-page report on the dressage from Rio in H&H next week, out Thursday 18 August, including full analysis of how the medals were won and comment from Richard Davison and Peter Storr.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The German dressage team claimed team gold at the Olympic Games in Rio this afternoon, while inspired performances from the British riders nailed silver. The USA took bronze.

Charlotte Dujardin was last into the arena with the inimitable Valegro. They scored 82.983% despite an early break to canter in the half-pass.

It means that the gold and silver medal-winning nations from London 2012 have swapped places.

“It’s a very happy silver,” said team member Carl Hester, who rode a 76.485% test on Nip Tuck this afternoon. “It was really well fought by all of our team. To come back after London gold we knew was going to be very difficult to recreate, any medal would have made us very happy.

“The whole GB team has ridden beautifully and it’s quite a big margin from bronze.”

The German team once again dominated, delivering three scores over 81%. Neither the Brits not the German teams needed to count the score of their final rider to secure their respective medals.

Isabell Werth finished top individually, laying down an emphatic 83.711% on Weihegold OLD.

Britain’s third counting mark came from Fiona Bigwood on Orthilia, who scored 74.342%. Spencer Wilton also put in a strong test for 73.613% with Super Nova II.

Team GB has three pairs — Charlotte, Carl and Fiona — qualified for Monday’s freestyle where they will compete for the individual medals. Riders start on a clean slate for that competition so their scores from the team rounds do not count.

Continued below…

Related articles:

Spencer Wilton leads field to get British Olympic dressage team off to a flying start in Rio

*VIDEO* Charlotte Dujardin rockets Britain into Rio silver: ‘I think it and Valegro does it’

Carl Hester says Nip Tuck ‘needs glasses’ after spooky test at Rio Olympics

Judy Reynolds has made history by becoming the first ever Irish rider to qualify for the individual freestyle final at an Olympic Games. She finished 17th today.

Judy was second to go into the arena in the grand prix special — a more difficult set test than the grand prix — on a drizzly day on her Jazz gelding Vancouver K, laying down 74.09%, a new personal best.

“It was the best special we’ve done, so I’m thrilled,” she said.

The Dutch had a difficult time of it, finishing in fourth. They did not bring a reserve rider and Adelinde Cornelissen elected to retire with Parzival part-way through the grand prix as he was suffering from a fever after being bitten by an insect. 

Team standings

1. Germany (81.936% average)

2. Great Britain (78.595% average)

3. USA (76.667% average)

Full 20-page report on the dressage from Rio in H&H next week, out Thursday 18 August, including full analysis of how the medals were won and comment from Richard Davison and Peter Storr.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Britain’s dressage team holds the team silver medal position after the grand prix at the Rio Olympics. Final rider Charlotte Dujardin put in a brilliant test with Valegro this afternoon to score 85.071%.

“I just wanted to go out there and enjoy myself,” she said after her test. “I watched a lot of people yesterday going in there looking very white and nervous, so going in there today was all about going in and enjoying it.”

Her score rockets Britain into silver at the half-way point of the team competition, which concludes after the grand prix special tomorrow (Friday, 12 August).

Charlotte also sits atop the leaderboard individually, chased by three German riders all with scores over 80%.

“I was smiling out there before I even went in; I can’t help but smile when I ride Valegro because I think something and he does it and I laugh and think, ‘How does he know? I didn’t even I ask; I just thought it.’

“Now we’ve all been in the arena once and some of us will be better [tomorrow] I think,” added Charlotte, who holds the grand prix world record of 87.460% (set at Olympia in 2014). “Fiona and Spencer did fantastic jobs. And Carl, not only has he had to ride himslef, but he’s been the rock for all the rest of us. He’s been training us all and picking us up on down days when we’re moping. I honestly don’t know how he does it.”

Continued below…

Related articles:

H&H Live: Rio Olympics grand prix dressage

British dressage team in medal position at Rio Olympics after an eventful day’s action

Carl Hester says Nip Tuck ‘needs glasses’ after spooky test at Rio Olympics

Germany’s Isabell Werth was the second best performer of the afternoon session. She scored 80.643% with Weihegold OLD (Don Schufro x Sandro Hit).

“I was really happy with Weihegold; she did a great job,” said the five-time Olympian. “She was a little bit tense; the flags were really rough when I came in as it was quite windy so I was careful as I felt she was reacting [to the surroundings] a bit.”

The top six teams are all through to tomorrow’s grand prix special, as well as the top eight riders not qualified through their team’s participation. This group include Ireland’s Judy Reynolds and her Jazz gelding Vancouver K.

Team standings

1. Germany (81.295% average)

2. Great Britain (79.252% average)

3. USA (76.971% average)

Individual standings

1. Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro (GBR) 85.071%

2. Kristina Sprehe and Desperados FRH (GER) 82.257%

3. Dorothee Schneider and Showtime FRH (GER) 80.986%

4. Isabell Werth and Weihegold OLD (GER) 80.643%

5. Laura Graves and Verdades (USA) 78.071%

6. Steffen Peters and Legolas (USA) 77.614%

7. Sonke Rothenberger and Cosmo (GER) 77.329%

8. Fiona Bigwood and Orthilia (GBR) 77.157%

9. Hans Peter Minderhoud and Johnson (NED) 76.957%

10. Cathrine Dufour and Cassidy (DEN) 76.657%

—

25eq. Spencer Wilton and Super Nova II (GBR) & Allison Brock and Rosevelt (USA) 72.686%

Full 20-page report on the dressage from Rio in H&H next week, out Thursday 18 August, including full analysis of how the medals were won and comment from Richard Davison.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

“At one point, I was giving up,” says Fiona Bigwood, recounting her extraordinary path to her first ever Olympic call-up.

In April 2014, at Keysoe EC in Bedfordshire, she was riding in the warm-up when disaster struck.

“The horse I was riding [Sir Donato] was very nervous of others and he panicked and we both hit the deck. I was knocked out and woke up with double vision. The doctors kept saying that in 99% of cases it gets better by itself, but mine didn’t.”

She was out of the saddle for some time, and only returned to it on a horse she completely trusted: Atterupgaards Othilia.

“I was stopping,” she recalls. “ I was so close to giving up, but the mare made me fight back.

“I don’t trust most horses 100%, but ‘Tillie’ kept me going and I can trust her. It’s my right eye that’s affected, which is why I tilt my head.”

Fiona and Tillie’s powerful comeback showed such promise for Olympic selection — their scores peaking at 79.19% in the grand prix special at Saumur in May — that she has elected to postpone the series of operations she needs to correct the double vision caused by the accident in 2014 until the autumn.

Her head injury has had some of the same effects as William Fox-Pitt’s crushing fall, from which he too has made an astonishing come-back.

“I was sitting next to William Fox-Pitt at a wedding recently,” she adds, “and we talked about it. The hardest thing about the injury is judging distance. I’d turn down the centre line, except I wasn’t on the centre line. I couldn’t judge when I was supposed to turn.

“It was my competitive spirit that kept me going. I’ve wanted this ever since I was a kid.”

It wasn’t easy fighting back to full riding fitness, and Fiona has had to make personal compromises on her road to Rio.

“This year I haven’t been to any of the kids’ sports days or to any prize-givings. And we even postponed one of their birthdays as we were at a show and not around. He’ll never know that though,” she says with a grin.

Family life may yet crescendo for the children though, as their father Anders Dahl is half of the two-man fight for Denmark’s sole place at Rio, which comes to a head at Aachen.

Like this? You might also enjoy reading these:

Alice Collins’ Rio blog: the incredibly weird Olympic team announcement

And the fourth British dressage team member for the Rio Olympics is…

Is it odd for Fiona competing for a different nation to her husband?

“It’s strange not socializing with him, but we did it when we both rode at the Europeans. Our daughter even said, ‘Mummy, you will beat Daddy!’

“We don’t want them to miss any more mummy/daddy time though, so they’ll all be coming with us, along with the mother-in-laws.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

There were always three clear contenders for dressage team places at the Rio Olympics, but the battle for the fourth spot has been bubbling for many months and was a closely-fought contest.

H&H can now reveal the dressage riders and horses who have been chosen to represent Britain in Brazil next month. They are:

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro — a 14-year-old KWPN gelding by Negro owned by Carl Hester, Roly Luard and Anne Barott

Charlotte and Valegro have been the lynchpins for the British team since their first championship appearance at the Europeans in Rotterdam in 2011. The pair have not competed since the European championships in Aachen in August of last year, where they won all three tests. They are unbeaten in their last 15 consecutive starts. Their next outing is at Hartpury Festival of Dressage, which takes place this week.

Carl Hester and Nip Tuck — a 12-year-old KWPN gelding by Don Ruto owned by the rider and Jane de la Mare

Carl, who turned 49 last week, has nurtured the huge gelding, known at home as Barney, throughout his career. Although he used to be very sharp, that sensitivity has worked in his favour for the higher level movements and he has become a very reliable grand prix performer. He proved this in the spooky arena at Bolesworth International last month.

Fiona Bigwood and Orthilia — an 11-year-old Oldenburg mare by Gribaldi owned by the Bigwoods and the Dahls

Stellar results over the Olympic qualifying period put this pair firmly in the frame for Rio. Sussex-based Fiona rides with a patch over her eye to mitigate the double vision she now suffers as the result of a fall in April 2014.

Spencer Wilton and Super Nova II — a 13-year-old British Hanoverian by De Niro owned by the rider and Jen Goodman

This pair have attended three shows this year and scored over 70% at least once at every one. Their 2016 high water mark came in the form of two plus-73% wins at Lier CDI in March, though they did top 74% in the grand prix special in 2015. “Neville” is a former ride of Carl Hester’s whom Spencer has been competing since early 2012. The pair were grand prix winners with over 72% at both Somerford Park and Keysoe Premier League shows this season.

The travelling reserve is: Lara Griffith and Rubin Al Asad — a 14-year-old Hannoverian by Rubin Royal owned by Dr Wilfried and Mrs Ursula Bechtolsheimer

This pair have an average score of 70.64% in the 10 grand prix and grand prix special tests contested in 2016 — including half a dozen tests in Wellington, Florida, at the beginning of the year.

Find out who made the other British Olympic equestrian teams:

British showjumping team revealed for Rio Olympics

British eventing team named for Rio Olympics

Don’t miss H&H’s Olympic preview issue (28 July) or our form guide (4 August), with details of every runner and rider, plus score cards to fill in. Our Rio eventing report is published on 12 August — the magazine will come out on Friday rather than Thursday that week to tie in with Olympic competition schedules.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Fiona Bigwood made her Olympic intentions crystal clear at Saumur CDI in France (28 April-1 May) by winning both the grand prix and the grand prix special with new personal best scores.

Her 11-year old Danish-bred Atterupgaards Orthilia (by Gribaldi x Donnerschlag) posted 77.6% to top the 42-starter grand prix, with the score increasing to an emphatic 79.16% in the special.

“What a ride she [Orthilia] gave me,” said the rider from Sussex. “She was an absolute pleasure and gave me so much in the arena. I feel like I am living in a dream.”

“Anyone who works with horses knows how incredibly tough it can be. We all put in hours of work and we can have our hearts broken so quickly. We reach low points that the average person never gets to see but the highs are so amazing that they keep us going.”

Watch Fiona’s winning grand prix test here.

Fiona’s husband Anders stood second with over 73% in the special on the 12-year-old Selten HW (Sandro Hit x Hohenstein); the horse’s first run-through of this test and his international debut show at grand prix.

Michael Eilberg’s dream season continued. He bagged five wins and a second place at the show with his three rides.

Having been second to Fiona in the grand prix, he opted to ride the freestyle and duly won that with Marakov.

Their 76.05% put them more than 3% clear of second-placed Veronique Henschen from Luxembourg.

Michael had a busy week, piloting the Russian-owned nine-year-old Oldenburg gelding Sa Coeur in his international debut. The striking, big-moving bay won the prix st georges and inter I classes on his international debut, both with 74.9%.

Michael also dominated the middle tour class, topping both the inter A and inter B on the Dimaggio mare Half Moon Dynasty. The 12-year-old mare, who belongs to Jon and Julie Deverill, had not competed internationally since Hickstead in 2014 — and never before off British shores.

A number of pony riders also made the trip across the channel, with Sophie Taylor (Madam’s Miss Maria), Lara Kuropatwa (Le Chiffre), Lara Kuropatwa (Mister Snowman), Charlotte McDowall (BKS Grand Design) and Isobel Lickley (Gigolo) all posting top 10 finishes.

Related articles:

• Fiona Bigwood: What are judges looking for [H&H VIP]
• Beginners’ guide to Olympic dressage at Rio 2016
• Carl Hester believes Uthopia’s future is secure

In the junior ranks, Alexandra Hellings (Uvender V) and Bethany Rose Horobin (Cachet) posted top 10 placings, while the young rider British girls finished third in the Nations Cup.

Alex Hardwick put up storng performances in the under-25 division. She finished third in the inter II with Donauwein, then improved to second with him in the short grand prix and hit the magic 70% marker.

Her other ride, Royal Chester, improved 11% on a dismal inter II to score 69.18% in the grand prix and clinch fourth.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The 16 confirmed entries for this year’s World Cup dressage qualifier throw up some fresh faces to the London arena, as well as some better-known horses and riders.

Valegro is a notable absentee from the list. Charlotte Dujardin will instead partner Carl Hester’s London Olympics ride Uthopia. This will be the combination’s sixth international show, the last being at Windsor CDI in May 2014 (pictured), where they won the grand prix and freestyle with 76.9% and 83.6% – the 14-year-old Metall stallion’s second best freestyle to music score.

His best was under Carl at the European Championships in Herning, Denmark, where their score of 84.17% earned them the silver medal.

At Olympia this year, Carl will ride his recent championship partner, Nip Tuck. Together they represented Great Britain at the World Equestrian Games in 2014 and at the 2015 European Championships and are currently ranked 12th in the world. This will be the 11-year-old gelding by Don Ruto’s second trip to Olympia, having finished fifth in the freestyle last year.

Another British silver medal winning-team horse from the European Championships in Aachen this year, Atterupgaards Orthilia, will start at Olympia, under Fiona Bigwood.

“Tillie”, a 10-year-old mare by Gribaldi, will be at just her seventh international show with Fiona.

Fiona’s partner Anders Dahl rides the experienced campaigner Wie Atlantico, a horse in his eighth year of international grand prix level competition.

Another rider carrying the British flag will be Henriette Andersen on the Jazz gelding Warlock’s Charm. The rider and Jennifer Charlsworth’s 12-year-old hasn’t been out since Saumur in September, where he finished fourth in the freestyle with 74.17%.

Lara Griffith makes a return to the London show, having formerly competed there on Andretti H. This year she rides the Bechtolsheimers’ Rubin Al Asad, a 13-year-old gelding by Rubin Royal.

From across the pond, the most notable campaigner is Hans Peter Minderhoud. The popular Dutch rider will bring Glock’s Flirt. And Ireland’s in-form Judy Reynolds returns with her springy Jazz son Vancouver K.

The grand prix takes place in the evening of Tuesday 15 December, with the freestyle to music on Wednesday 16 December during the gala performance.

Olympia Horse Show dressage entries full list

• Henriette Andersen (GBR) Warlocks Charm
• Fiona Bigwood (GBR) Atterupgaards Orthilia
• Mr Gonçalo Carvalho (POR) Batuta
• Anders Dahl (DEN) Wie-Atlantico De Ymas
• Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) Uthopia
• Ms Lara Griffith (GBR) Rubin Al Asad
• Carl Hester (GBR) Nip Tuck
• Agnete Kirk Thinggaard (DEN) Jojo Az
• Inna Logutenkova (UKR) Fleraro
• Hans Peter Minderhoud (NED) Glock’s Flirt
• Daniel Pinto (POR) Santurion De Massa
• Judy Reynolds (IRL) Vancouver K
• Diederik Van Silfhout (NED) Bonzanjo
• Fanny Verliefden (BEL) Annarico
• Jorinde Verwimp (BEL) Tiamo

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The news broke this morning that the promising British combination of Fiona Bigwood and her 10-year-old Atterupgaards Orthilia (Gribaldi x Donnerschlag) will not compete in today’s grand prix freestyle individual final.

After competing in yesterday’s special test in driving rain, the mare has had a reaction on her back under the saddlepad.

“I got a call from the vets this morning who said I had to come to the showground,” she said. “She’s had a reaction under the saddle – I think because she got so wet yesterday – and when you touch the area today she’s putting her ears back and kicking out.

“Of course horse welfare is our number one priority and she certainly doesn’t deserve to be ridden when she’s uncomfortable and she’s given me everything and tried so hard this week. I’m gutted but it’s all about the horse.”

The next major aim for the pair is the Rio Olympic Games next year.

“We’ll all sit down and work out the plan of campaign ahead of Rio now,” said Fiona. “It’s less than a year away and the time will fly.

“Tillie will go home later today as I don’t want her to be alone in the stables,” added the Sussex-based rider, who was at the championships with her Danish husband Anders Dahl and their three children.

Fiona and “Tillie” scored 74.51% in the special, finishing in ninth. They also posted a counting score for the team’s silver medal of 75.8%.

Fiona was so sure that she wouldn’t qualify for the music final that she left her music behind. However, they were barely out of their driveway when she let slip, and Anders made her go back and get it.

The remaining two Britons, Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin, compete today. Carl rides Nip Tuck at 14.55 UK time and Charlotte is last-drawn with Valegro at 15.39 UK time.

Second withdrawal

Dane Anna Kasprzak also withdrew from the freestyle less than an hour before the class was due to start.

She was kicked in the chest by her horse Donnerperignon at the trot-up and had been coping with a lot of pain while riding. The freestyle test was a bridge too far.

For a full report on all the action, drama and medals – as well as analysis and comment – see the bumper European Championships Dressage Horse & Hound magazine edition, out Thursday (20 August).

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The drama continued to unfold at the FEI European Dressage Championships in Aachen, Germany, today (Saturday, 15 August).

Charlotte Dujardin successfully defended her grand prix special gold medal on Valegro, posting a new Europeans record of 87.577%. However there was heartbreak for Edward Gal, who was eliminated when blood was spotted in Glock’s Undercover NOP’s mouth during their performance.

He was the second rider to crash out after Sweden’s Patrik Kittel’s mare Deja got her tongue over the bit and became upset, prompting him to retire.

Charlotte’s test, barring a tiny mistake at the end of the one-time changes, was crisp, clean and powerful; Valegro back to his best.

“It’s a great feeling that this tough crowd – the Germans – have come here and appreciated what Valegro and I have done,” said Charlotte, who picked up €18,000 for her victory.

Germany’s Kristina Bröring-Sprehe set the bar high (83.067%) with Desperados FRH, claiming silver. This is consolation for her nation as the Germans were disappointed to finish in bronze medal position in the team competition.

Her trending score never dipped below 80% throughout the well presented test on the 14-year-old black De Niro stallion.

Dutch rider Hans Peter Minderhoud clinched the bronze medal in the special with a wonderful ride on another stallion, Glock’s Johnson. He and the imposing Johnson x Flemmingh 13-year-old added their bronze to their team gold medal earlier in the week.

They scored 79.034%. Had it not been for a mistake in the changes, they would likely have crept over the 80% mark.

Carl Hester and the 11-year-old Nip Tuck pulled off one of the few mistake-free tests of the day to finish in fifth place with 77.003%.

“Forget Valegro, Nip Tuck’s had his moment today,” he beamed. “I’m smiling from ear to ear; it’s like having a whole pack of pastels in one go. That horse has the best work ethic and always tries for me.”

Fiona Bigwood made a few mistakes on Aterrupgaards Orthilia in their special test, claiming ninth place with 74.510%. They endured the worst of the weather, which hampered Fiona’s already compromised vision, but she was delighted with her Gribaldi mare’s attitude.

Britain’s Michael Eilberg was drawn first to go initially, but after Totilas withdrew from the competition yesterday, the Norwegian Trude Hestengen went in ahead of him.

Mistakes in the one-time changes pulled the pair’s score down just below 70%, for the second time at this competition.

“It’s a good score but I’m a bit annoyed about the mistakes as the horse’s physique and way of going were really good,” he said. “Sadly problems in the one-times aren’t a new phenomenon for this horse.”

Michael, who finished in 19th place, won’t defend his British Dressage nationals champion title with Marko, but he has a number of other horse qualified for the show, including Woodlander Farouche’s dam, Woodlander Dornroschen, in the grand prix.

Charlotte, Carl and Fiona have all qualified for the individual freestyle, which takes place tomorrow (16 August) and is being shown live on the BBC.

For a full report on all the action, see Thursday’s Horse & Hound magazine – a special European Dressage Championships issue packed with news, photos, analysis and comment.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The team competition at the FEI European Dressage Championships in Aachen today (Thursday, 13 August) went right down to the wire. Ultimately, the last competitor in the ring, Germany’s Kristina Bröring-Sprehe could not do enough to pull her team up the medal table from bronze position.

The Netherlands won gold, with the British team of Charlotte Dujardin (video interview above), Carl Hester, Fiona Bigwood and Michael Eilberg claiming silver.

The pressure was on Charlotte to deliver a performance good enough to overtake the Dutch, but mistakes in the zig-zag and the one-time changes prevented that. She and Valegro still lead the individual rankings, having scored 83.029% to second-placed Edward Gal’s 82.229%. Two judges preferred Edward’s test to Charlotte’s.

Kristina and the black De Niro stallion Desperados FRH finished third individually with 79.986%.

Despite winning the class individually, Charlotte was disappointed.

“The mistakes were all my fault and I’m annoyed with myself,” said the world number one.

“The beginning felt really good, but it’s tough out there – and there aren’t many horses who haven’t made mistakes. Unfortunately mine cost us the gold, but as a team we’ve performed brilliantly.”

Edward Gal eeked every single possible mark from Glock’s Undercover (pictured below), recovering from a torrid outing in Rotterdam; their 76.6% being well below their usual scores in this test.

“He felt really really good from beginning to end,” beamed the popular Dutch rider.

“When he’s like that, I feel I can piaffe as long as I want and go in and out smoothly.”

The top 30 individuals from the grand prix qualify for the grand prix special, which means all four Brits go through, as Michael Eilberg finished in 29th. The special takes place on Saturday, with tomorrow being a rest day.

The teams finishing in fourth, fifth and sixth — Spain, Sweden and France — secured their Olympic qualification today as there were three spots up for grabs and the podium teams had all qualified before this championships.

For a full report on all the action, including the controversy surrounding Totilas’ performance, see the full report in Horse & Hound magazine, out on Thursday 20 August.

Team medal results

Netherlands

Edward Gal 82.229%

Hans Peter Minderhoud 77.586%

Diederik van Silfhout 75.814%

Patrick van der Meer 72.4%

Great Britain

Charlotte Dujardin 83.029%

Fiona Bigwood 75.8%

Carl Hester 75.4%

Michael Eilberg 69.943%

Germany

Kristina Bröring-Sprehe 79.743%

Matthias Alexander Rath 75.971%

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl 75.2%

Isabell Werth 74.9%

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

After three riders in the team dressage competition at the FEI European Championships (Thursday, 13 August), Germany has its nose in front.

The Netherlands hold the silver medal position and Great Britain are in third, following Carl Hester’s performance with Nip Tuck (pictured).

The partnership’s 74.4% test — which will be a counting score for the British team — puts them in fifth individually, just behind Fiona Bigwood (Atterupgaards Orthilia).

Carl’s test on “Barney” was not mistake-free, but there were some real highlights.

“He was very good coming towards C, but towards A something caught his eye; I don’t know what,” said Carl. “We had minor mistakes, but I’m delighted with him.”

For team Germany, Matthias Rath and Totilas were expected to produce a plus-80% score for the host nation, but their test was rewarded with 75.971%, much to the rider’s disappointment.

“I’m happy with the horse,” he said. “But not with the points.

“For sure I have done worse tests for more than 80%, but today was good and we only got 76%.”

The judges also looked unsure how to treat the pair. His scores ranged from 71.6% (France’s Jean-Michel Roudier) to 80.7% (Susanne Baarup and Andrew Gardner). Three judges had him in first place and one as low as 12th.

Totilas’ score means that the door for the British team to snatch gold is still open, despite Nip Tuck’s slightly disappointing score.

But the ride of the session was Dutchman Hans Peter Minderhoud on the imposing stallion Glock’s Johnson (pictured), who was resplendent in his power and grace. They currently top the individual leaderboard with 77.586%.

The final riders from every team will compete this afternoon, including Britain’s trump card, Charlotte Dujardin on Valegro. For Holland Edward Gal is yet to go on Glock’s Undercover, and Germany’s Kristina Bröring-Sprehe is the very last competitor, at 6.30pm UK time.

“Everyone’s been talking about Valegro versus Totilas,” said Carl. “But for us riders, looking at the warm-up arenas, we need to be looking out for Desperados because he looks fantastic.”

Charlotte’s ride on Valegro is at 6pm UK time, but the most pressure will be on Kristina, as she and the German team will know exactly what score is required to earn a team medal of any colour.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Britain lie in bronze at the end of the first of two days of competition to decide the team medals at the FEI European Dressage Championships in Aachen. Germany lead the way with the Netherlands sitting in silver. Sweden, Belgium and Spain – all nations chasing that all-important Olympic qualification – are very close indeed in fourth, fifth and sixth places.

Britain’s second team rider, Fiona Bigwood (pictured top), pulled off a stonking test to sit in individual second overnight, just 0.01% adrift. The leader Diederik van Silfhout (Arlando) is on 75.814%, with Fiona breathing down his neck with 75.8%.

She was delighted with her ride on Atterupgaards Orthilia (Tillie) – the first time the 10-year-old Oldenburg mare by Gribaldi had ever performed in such a big atmosphere.

“She was nervous in the 10-minute box,” said Fiona, “and as this was only really our sixth show together, I don’t actually know her that well.

“My main aim was a clear round and I feel we more or less got that. I’m so pleased to have put down a good score for the team.”

There was a murmur of appreciation during Tillie’s first extended trot, as her lack of competition exposure means many spectators had never seen her before. There was a less welcome hulabaloo when the live scoring malfunctioned and was turned off during her test – it was showing a worryingly low trending score of 66% for a time.

Arlando is also only 10, but Tillie missed last year following Fiona’s fall in which she sustained a head injury – and still suffers from double vision to this day, hence the eye patch she wears.

During this afternoon’s session, Germany’s second rider Isabell Werth had a few issues with the opinionated Don Johnson, by Don Frederico.

He made mistakes in the one-time changes and had to settle for a final score of 74.78%; below what he is capable of, and also below their compatriot Jessica von Bredow-Werndl. If Germany’s remaining two combinations perform as expected tomorrow, Isabell’s mark will be her nation’s drop score.

Earlier in the day Michael Eilberg scored 69.94% with Marakov, while Carl Hester had an inauspicious start to his championships when he and Nip Tuck took a tumble while cooling down after a training session.

The second and final day of the team competition kicks off at 10am UK time, with Carl due in at 2pm UK time and Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro fourth from last at 6pm UK time.

How to follow the action on TV

Top six team standings at the halfway point

1. Germany

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl on Unee BB 75.2%

Isabell Werth on Don Johnson 74.786%

Average: 74.993%

2. Netherlands

Diederik van Silfhout on Arlando 75.814%

Patrick van der Meer on Uzzo 72.4%

Average: 74.107%

3. Britain

Fiona Bigwood on Atteruggaards Orthilia 75.8%

Michael Eilberg and Marakov 69.943%.

Average: 72.871%

4. Sweden

Emilie Nyrerod on Miata 71.829%

Minna Telde on Santana 68.714%

Average: 70.271%

5. Belgium

Jorinde Verwimp on Tiamo 71.086%

Fanny Verliefden on Annarico 69.2%

Average: 70.143%

6. Spain

Jose Daniel Martin Dockx on Grandioso 71.343%

José Antonio Garcia Mena on Norte Lovera 68.771%

70.057%

View the full grand prix results

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Following the announcement of the British squad for the Longines FEI European Dressage Championships in Aachen, Germany (12-16 August), we bring you all of the facts and figures about the four selected horses and riders.

Meet the British dressage squad for the Europeans

Fiona Bigwood

Age: 39

From: Horsham, West Sussex

Horse: 10-year-old Atterupgaards Orthilia (Tillie)

Owner: Penny Bigwood

Previous success: Dressage rider Fiona Bigwood first represented Britain at the 1993 Junior European Championships. In 1996 21-year-old Fiona was the youngest British rider to be selected for a senior European Championships with Dance & Fly. In 2014, a freak schooling fall left Fiona with serious visual impairment and she still has double vision and has to ride with an eye patch. Tillie is in her first year of grand prix, but has impressed judges and selectors enough to get the call-up.

What you might not know: Fiona’s husband, Anders Dahl, is also a top dressage rider who represents Denmark.

Her reaction to selection: “Tillie is the horse of a lifetime; she’s a dream horse. She has everything; the temperament, movement and ability so it’s up to me as a rider now to produce her in the ring.”

Charlotte Dujardin

Age: 30

From: Newent, Gloucestershire

Horse: 13-year-old Valegro (Blueberry)

Owner: Roly Luard, Anne Barrott and Carl Hester

Previous success: The reigning Olympic, World and European Champion, Charlotte requires no introduction. The Sunday Times and Sky Sports 2014 Sportwoman of the Year also holds all three world records for dressage which were all achieved with Valegro.

What you might not know: Charlotte’s riding career began in the show ring, but after she first went to Carl Hester’s yard for lessons and yard work in 2007, she never left.

Her reaction to selection: “He’s [Valegro] in great form as ever and we’re looking forward to defending our European titles but are fully aware of how strong some of the other nations and individuals are – we’re definitely not going to have it our own way!”

Michael Eilberg

Age: 28

From: Redditch, Worcestershire

Horse: 15-year-old Marakov (Marko)

Owner: Ferdi Eilberg

Previous success: Michael was part of the bronze medal-winning team at the 2013 European Championships and the silver medal-winning team at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in 2014 riding the recently sold Half Moon Delphi. Michael will ride his father’s Marakov at this year’s Europeans, with whom he has enjoyed success earlier this year on the Sunshine Tour.

What you might not know: Michael origianlly pursued a showjumping career and upon leaving school went to work for Tim Stockdale.

His reaction to selection: “He [Marakov] pretty much made his debut into dressage with me, and he was my first dressage horse; I’m teaching him a lot and he’s teaching me. I’m very chuffed that we’re on the team.”

Carl Hester

Age: 48

From: Newent, Gloucestershire

Horse: 11-year-old Nip Tuck (Barney)

Owner: Jane de la Mere and rider

Previous success: Carl received his first team call-up at the 1990 senior European Championships. Since then, Carl has been a stalwart of the British team and instrumental in its meteroic rise and success. He has won eight medals over the years and of course is the man behind Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro.

What you might not know: Carl first learnt to ride in Sark, where he brought up, before eventually working for Laura Tomlinson’s father, Dr Bechtolsheimer who gave Carl his first big break.

His reaction to selection:

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Having recently come back on the international competition scene after a four-year break with my lovely mare, Atterupgaards Orthilia, I’ve realised how hard it is for the majority of people to own horses while in full-time employment or with young children.

There is a small percentage of professional riders whose lives revolve solely around the horses, but for most people this will not be the case.

Since having my three children, now eight, seven and three, I now appreciate what a balancing act it can be. There will be many occasions in a week when I am ringing other mums to ask if someone can collect my child at the end of a school day because I am running late. Having horses means that you will never run to time, however much you try to plan your day.

I was always lucky enough to be able to get my riding done in normal daytime hours, but this has now changed, and I realise that this is what so many people have to do to pursue their riding careers.

There is so much truth in the phrase “horses are not just a hobby but a way of life”. The love we all have for them keeps driving us to live our dreams.

Temperament is key

Our busy calendars are stretched even more by all the fantastic young horse classes in the UK.

They give us all a great opportunity to take our youngsters out in a relaxed manner, and for them to get used to different environments. This can be so beneficial to their careers, and it is nice to see these classes so well supported.

It also encourages talk about what judges are looking for in a top young horse. For me, temperament is a key factor. You may have the most extravagant mover, but if their heart is not in it you will always find it harder.

I urge clients not to buy horses just because of their paces, but to really study their temperaments as well.

Although I must admit that if they are tall, black, good-looking and can move, I am probably a bit more lenient.

Ref: Horse & Hound; 4 June 2015

Carl Hester won the Windsor grand prix freestyle under spotlights tonight (15 May) with his own and Jane de la Mare’s Nip Tuck.

They were just shy of their 80% target, posting 79.45% in front of the appreciative sell-out crowd.

Carl rode to a ‘God save the Queen’ medley, apt as the Queen had been at the show that day.

“I hope she was watching,” said Carl with a grin. “We didn’t quite hit that 80% as he didn’t walk quite as well tonight; the music made him a bit hotter.”

He will next head to Austria for Fritzens CDI (26-28 June).

The second-placed horse, Fiona Bigwood’s Atterrupgaards Orthilia, will also make the trip to the picturesque Alpine venue.

The Gribaldi mare – who attracted high praise from all quarters – scored 76.5%.

“I’m so pleased,” said Fiona, who was riding with one eye covered to help prevent double vision caused by a fall last year.

“There were more people here tonight than for grand prix night and they clapped just before we went in, so I wasn’t sure how she’d react.”

She rode to her former grand prix horse Mr G’s freestyle.

Fiona’s husband Anders Dahl filled third place with Wie Atlantico, a 16-year-old who has been competing at grand prix for eight years.

Anders, who rides for Denmark, was pleased with the Wie Weltmeyer’s performance, which earned 71.9%.

His compatriot Sune Hansen – who is also now based in Britain – was fourth on the attractive chestnut Charmeur with 71.55%.

The best of the Brits in the chasing pack were Hayley Watson-Greaves and the 11-year-old Rubin Royal gelding Rubins Nite, who cemented their recent good form at the sport’s top level.

Last night’s fourth-placed rider Alice Oppenheimer slipped to fourth, once again falling frustratingly short of the 70% mark. But given that Alice had been suffering from tonsilitis all week, her results were very creditable.

Click here for full results.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

A serious fall by a Team GBR dressage rider has again forced those in the sport to consider their decision to ride in top hats rather than safety headgear.

Fiona Bigwood suffered severe concussion and spent four days in hospital after a freak accident in April. She was schooling her grand prix horse Sir Donato in a hard hat at Keysoe’s premier league show.

H&H columnist Pammy Hutton said in her column last month (29 May) that the accident had proved the tipping point for her.

“I was one of the first on the scene following the fall, which was real leveller,” Pammy said. “If she’d worn a top hat, the outcome would have been unthinkable.The bullet has to be bitten.”

Opinion had already been changing in dressage over the past five years. In 2010 Amercian dressage rider Courtney King-Dye suffered a traumatic brain injury when her horse tripped and fell in the yard and she was not wearing a hat. The fall prompted British dressage rider Emile Faurie to introduce a “hats only” policy at his yard.

Charlotte Dujardin winning Olympic gold while wearing a crash hat in 2012 also influenced the uptake in safety headgear in dressage.

And the tide is not just turning among the pure dressage crowd. A larger proportion of riders at Badminton Horse Trials this year rode their tests in crash hats rather than traditional top hats — including Mary King.

“I’ve got a hat with a chinstrap and I have started to wear it all the time,” said Mary.

“To be honest it was Charlotte Dujardin at the Olympics wearing it at such a high profile event [which made me decide]. I don’t think there are going to be many years left of being able to wear a top hat, and I’m setting a good example for the younger riders.”

Manufacturers are also noticing the swing. “It has always been surprising that the eventing community, who really are understanding about safety, have resisted helmets in dressage,” said Charles Owen managing director Roy Burek.

“But opinion is changing.”

This article was first published in Horse & Hound on 5 June 2014.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Dressage rider Fiona Bigwood is recovering in hospital after a fall at Keysoe Premier League show on Saturday (26 April) left her severely concussed.

The competition was temporarily halted after the former British team member fell from her grand prix horse Sir Donato while exercising him.

She was initially taken to Bedford Hospital, but was discharged and returned to her base in West Sussex.

Her condition later deteriorated and her partner, Danish international rider Anders Dahl, took her to Brighton Hospital.

He told H&H: “She is still suffering from double vision, but her condition has improved significantly today [Monday] from yesterday and her scans have come back clear, which is a huge relief.”

Anders, who was at home at the time of the fall, added: “Sir Donato is such a quiet horse — more placid that some of Fiona’s other rides — so I can only imagine it was one of those freak things.

“The helmet she was wearing now has a large split in it, so it is dreadful to think about what might have happened if she hadn’t been wearing one.”

Fiona, who had already notched up 2 wins at the venue prior to her accident on the up-and-coming Atterupgaards Orthillia (in the inter 1) and Cashmir (in the prix st georges), had been due to leave this morning for Saumur CDI, where she was to ride Sir Donato.

Full report from Keysoe Premier League show in Horse & Hound magazine, out on 1 May 2014

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Take a look behind the scenes at dressage rider Fiona Bigwood's incredible, bespoke yard, featuring an indoor school worthy of a slot on Grand Designs

To find out more about Fiona Bigwood and husband Anders Dahl’s horse heaven, don’t miss Horse & Hound’s 22 August issue for a full interview plus pictures

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Fiona Bigwood, first of two Brits to contest the grand prix dressage freestyle at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky tonight, just scored 73.40% riding Wie Atlantico.

An emotional and slightly tearful, Fiona said immediately after her test: “I could feel he sensed the atmosphere more in there tonight, he was a little bit intimidated by that, but I love riding the music and I so enjoyed it out there. I never imagined I’d get this far in the competition.”

The stadium is sold out, with a capacity of 25,000 people (see picture).

Fiona added: “Everyone’s been telling me all day, ‘you know there’s going to be 25,000 people here tonight?’ This has been the most amazing event, sure I’ve had a good show but for everyone it’s been an incredible experience.”

She rode to upbeat Latin American tunes, Ricky Martin and Shakira. They played to their strengths, showing a lot of piaffe and passage at which Wie Atlantico excels.

Britain’s next rider, WEG individual silver medallist Laura Bechtolsheimer, is first to go in the last section tonight; at 2:04am (British time).

Log back on later to find out how Laura Bechtolsheimer fares, full report of the dressage from WEG in H&H, out 7 October.

Live results

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Britain’s first three dressage riders in the grand prix special posted respectable scores that may just be enough to see them into tomorrow’s kur.

Maria Eilberg (Two Sox) and Fiona Bigwood both produced mistake-free tests. Carl Hester had several mistakes with Liebling II but still scored 70.4%.

Fiona told H&H: “My horse came here for the team and he’s surpassed himself. To reach the kur [by being in the top 15] would be an absolute dream.”

Competing in the midday sun, Fiona was concerned that Wie Atlantico would not have enough energy, whereas on the contrary his passage was more expressive than ever.

“The horses are tired today,” said Fiona. “We were very careful not to do too much with our horses in the past week; some people panic before a championship and over do it.”

Liebling did appear more tired, competing a little later in the afternoon.

The horse broke in an extended trot and had a blip in the one-time changes. Carl was concerned about him being so hot after the test so rode him back to the stables.

Maria was luckier to ride in the morning, being third on when it was cooler. However the judges hadn’t really got going giving out the higher marks and were a little stingy and they scored plus-68%.

Maria said: “He tried so hard for me again, he didn’t let me down and I suppose I didn’t let him down, which is more important. He felt really secure.”

We are now waiting for Britain’s number one Laura Bechtolsheimer to work herself into the medal books with a top score and medal win this afternoon.

Check back later for the final results.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Britain’s dressage team lie in third overnight; each team still has two riders who will compete tomorrow. Fiona Bigwood opened for Britain with a plus-71% score and this afternoon Maria Eilberg pulled off more than 68%.

The Netherlands lead with 145.702 and Imke Schellekens-Bartels and Hans Peter Minderhoud are lying in first and third overall. Germany’s Christoph Koschel splits them with Donnperignon.

Imke made just one mistake in her canter zig-zag in an otherwise faultless test that included a nine for the extended canter.

Imke said: “Hunter Douglas Sunrise felt better than ever. I made the mistake in the zig-zag, she listened to me so that’s no bad thing.”

Hans Peter almost didn’t make the competition at all.

“Walking back to the stables on a long rein on Saturday Exquis Nadine slipped and fell on her knees, grazing herself,” said Peter. “She trotted up fine yesterday and went really well today, but it goes to show that anything can happen.”

Germany is in second (140.340) following Annabel Balkehol and Christoph’s rides today. Britain is within reach though, lying just 2% behind Germany, with our heavy hitters Carl Hester and Laura Bechtolsheimer still to go tomorrow.

Listen to rider interviews

Maria Eilberg

Imke Schellekens-Bartels

Hans Peter Minderhoud

Don’t miss H&H out 7 October for full analysis, pictures and report. Check H&H online daily for blogs and updates from the games

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

I can’t believe Fiona Bigwood has just scored over 70% as the first British rider to go in the World Games dressage event. I also can’t believe I just met Lyle Lovett (Grammy award winning country singer, big star out here), but I’ll park that excitement for the moment. I don’t think Fiona can believe it, either; that she just scored plus-70% I mean, not that I just met Lyle.

I’ve watched Fiona at a few European championships and things haven’t quite gone her way, I was starting to think I was her jinx. Here, she looked a picture of confidence and lapped up the attention from the crowd waving as she finished. Fan-bloody-tastic. When they came out, their score was actually over 71%, but that was amended; you may not lose sleep over this, but I’ll try to find out why for you anyway.

There was a bit of controversy surrounding the timing of Fiona’s selection for these games by the sport’s seemingly indecisive governing body, but there is absolutely no denying she deserved her place with that score.

Fiona was also as shocked as I was about the turn-out for today’s event; she thought she’d nip in and out unnoticed. It was 34 degrees when we arrived three days ago, now the temperature has more than halved and it’s pissing it down with rain. You’re going to have to chisel me off my keyboard at the end of today. Suddenly, the fact our motel pool has no water in it (yes, this was distressing to find on arrival) is rather irrelevant. Yet instead of the customary handful of supporters watching the start of the dressage grand prix, the covered side of the stadium is 80% full.

The British camp was especially supportive, and it’s great that at a championship like this you get riders from other sports showing an interest, like Mark Todd and Andrew Nicholson this morning. We’re poised now for Maria Eilberg’s turn as the second British rider to go. I’d get the odds on Britain winning dressage silver if I were you, looks a good bet.

What with that and Lyle, the excitement’s overwhelming. He’s playing an hour’s set at the closing ceremony and he owns one of the Italian team member’s reining horses. He competes in reining himself, too. He chatted about his land conservation work: “I was born in the country, now I live in the city, and I haven’t moved house”, he says. And he chatted about the work he does giving under privileged children the opportunity to start riding. He’s polite and patient and charming and shakes everyone’s hand and has a sense of humour. I’ve not met many famous Brits interested in horses, but they were nothing like this one. And again, sigh.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Never mind bronze, we’re going for team silver. The World Equestrian Games dressage event began this morning in Lexington Kentucky with our first rider, Fiona Bigwood, scoring a brilliant plus-70% score. Fiona rode her mother Penny and husband Anders Dahl’s 11-year-old Hanoverian gelding through neat sequence changes, impressive halts and a consistent piaffe and passage tour.

As she left the arena, Fiona told H&H: “That felt amazing! I thought there’d be nobody in the stadium at this time of the morning at the beginning of the competition but the stand’s already half full and there’s a great atmosphere. It was an incredible feeling when the crowd and the Brits all cheered at the end.”

Fiona explained that Wie Atlantico has been on flying form and peaked at just the right moment for this competition. Asked how she was feeling now about the grand prix special now she joked: “I don’t mind, it’s over! I’ve done my bit for the team, I’m happy. I’d have been pleased to walk away with 68%, so this is brilliant.”

Team chef d’equipe Richard Waygood told H&H: “What a fabulous way to start the competition. To come to the World Games and perform to that level as the first to go for your team is wonderful. The rest of our horses are on equally good form.”

Maria Eilberg is next to go for Britain at 3:41pm Kentucky time (8:41pm UK time).

Listen to Fiona Bigwood’s interview

For full report and pictures don’t miss H&H out 7 October. Stay online for daily reports and blogs from Kentucky

• Read the latest World Equestrian Games news

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The British dressage team selection policy for this September’s World Equestrian Games (WEG) has come under fire after selectors made a sudden about-turn.

Early last week, H&H learnt that three riders — Laura Bechtolsheimer, Carl Hester and Maria Eilberg — had been told they were on the WEG team, while another three — Fiona Bigwood, Emile Faurie and Henriette Andersen — were asked to compete again in Germany this month.

But in a sudden change of heart, Fiona Bigwood was named as the fourth member of the team — amid rumours that she had challenged the process.

Another bone of contention has been that Carl Hester, a relative newcomer to 2010 WEG selection following the surprise return of his ride Liebling II, was allowed to bid for selection at Hickstead — while the other riders have had to prove themselves with several international scores away from home (at events deemed tougher than Hickstead).

After the full team was announced, Emile Faurie spoke of his “incredible disappointment” to H&H.

“I’m on a younger horse with less experience, but I was looking forward to proving ourselves in Germany,” he said.

So why the change of heart?

BEF World Class performance director Will Connell said Fiona was picked two days after the first three riders because selectors deemed it to be “in the best interests of the team to make their final decision on all four”.

Fiona Bigwood did not return H&H’s calls, but British Dressage (BD) chief executive Amanda Bond denied the selection policy had been challenged, echoing Will’s comments.

She said: “The selectors initially felt that they wanted to select three riders and see other horses perform again before making a decision.

“However, in follow-up discussions, it was agreed that it was in the best interests of preparation to select all four riders at this stage.”

According to sources, selectors originally said they would make their decision post-Aachen (15-18 July). But the announcement was then delayed until after CDI Hickstead — two weeks later — to allow Carl Hester and Liebling to prove themselves first.

Had they not done so, Fiona Bigwood was looking good for a place.

BD’s selection policy states that shows are “weighted” so that some results carry more significance than others. Some riders feel it unjust that Carl was able to prove himself at a less atmospheric home international.

Richard Davison, who is not a selector but team manager, admitted there are “harder and easier CDIs [top-level shows]”, but argued: “Carl and Liebling scored 75% at the Europeans last August and plus-70% on his only grand prix this year. Would you not take that horse and rider?”

He added: “It’s not about being fair, it’s about winning medals.”

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (12 August, ’10)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

British Dressage (BD) has now announced all four riders who will contest the World Equestrian Games this September in Kentucky — Laura Bechtolsheimer will ride her own and Dr and Mrs Bechtolsheimer’s Mistral Hojris, Fiona Bigwood her own Wie Atlantico, Maria Eilberg her father Ferdi’s Two Sox and Carl Hester Cheryl Meisner’s Liebling II.

BD have named Henriette Andersen (Louis D’Or III) and Emile Faurie (Elmegardens Marquis) as non-travelling reserves.

H&H learnt on Monday that three riders — Laura, Carl and Maria — had been informed that they were on the team. The fourth team member was as yet undecided and riders in contention were told that they would need to compete again before the fourth team rider was selected.

World Class Performance Director Will Connell told H&H today that selectors had continued their discussions and changed their minds.

“Initially, selectors felt they wanted to select three riders, but then their discussions continued and they decided it was in the best interests of the team to select all four riders now.

“No formal announcement was made on Monday, they came to their final decision and today announced the four riders that would go to WEG. We now have to support those four riders.”

Dressage team captain Richard Davison said of the selection: “This is yet another strong quartet, mostly composed of last year’s silver medal winning team. Whilst Laura is ranked third in the world, the other riders have had to fight hard for their place and I am confident they will deliver the goods in Kentucky.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The British dressage team finished third in a closely fought grand prix team competition at Aachen CDIO. The commpetition was won by a strong Dutch squad, with Germany in second place.

Emma Hindle and Lancet achieved the best British score of 70.42%, to be placed 8th individually, with Carl Hester and Liebling II not far behind in 11th on 69.27%. Fiona Bigwood scored 65.872 with Wie Atlantico, while Laura Bechtolsheimer was the unexpected discard score riding Andretti H on 64.085. All four British combinations will go forward to the grand prix special on Saturday.

Team captain Richard Davison said: “Third place in Aachen is another good result for us. Out of the three Nations Cups so far, Great Britain has achived second in Saumur, second in Rotterdam and third in Aachen. When you think that the Aachen result is without our top scoring horse, I have very good grounds to be confident of a medal at the European Championships.

“There is still room for further marks from our team here today. Emma produced another solid performance, Carl has now really got the measure of Liebling and Fiona’s partnership is developing from show to show. Laura is understandably disappointed in her performance and will be looking to bring this back to the 70% level in the Grand Prix Special on Saturday.”

View the complete results at www.chioaachen.de

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

British Dressage has announced the four riders who will represent Britain in the Nations Cup at Aachen, Germany (1-5 July).

Emma Hindle and her Olympic hero Lancet top the line-up and Laura Bechtolsheimer accompanies her on Andretti H. The other two slots have gone to Carl Hester riding Leibling and Fiona Bigwood with Wie Atlantico.

Emma, Carl and Fiona made up the second-placed Nations Cup team in Rotterdam, 18-21 June (full report in 2 July issue of Horse & Hound).

Don’t miss H&H’s special interview with our cover star Carl Hester, who talks about how much it means for him to ride for his country in his country

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

British dressage rider Fiona Bigwood’s team horse Mr G De Lully was put down on Saturday, 16 February at her base in Bergish Gladbach, Germany.

The 15-year-old Swedish-bred gelding fractured his leg in seven places between the hoof and fetlock and could not be saved.

The accident happened when Mr G De Lully was turned out in protective boots and bandages in a 20mx20m sand school.

The pair represented Britain at the European championships in Hagen Germany 2005 and Turin, Italy 2007.

Fiona said: “These horses give us so much in their lives. I want to thank everyone who looked after this very special horse. He was so special to me and we were so in tune with each other. His loss is like losing a member of my family and my heart feels broken.

She added: “I hope he rests in peace.”

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

The British team is in fourth place overnight at the European dressage championships in Turin, Italy (30 August-2 September). Germany lead, with The Netherlands snapping at their heels and Sweden just ahead of the British.

Britain’s Anna Ross-Davies made a strong championship team debut on Donald McTaggart’s Liebling, being in sixth place with 67.42% after day one of the grand prix team competition.

Team-mate Fiona Bigwood’s 14-year-old Mr G de Lully was affected by sneezing throughout his test and had mistakes in the walk and two-time changes, leaving him with 65.17%.

Team selector Judy Harvey said: “Anna was under a lot of pressure here, but she did a great job. Fiona was unlucky because she didn’t have enough time around the arena before having to start her test.

“The most important thing is that we qualify for the 2008 Olympics and we’re still in with a really good shot of that.”

The team need to finish in the top five here to qualify. Our remaining riders, Laura Bechtolsheimer (Mistral Hojris) and Emma Hindle (Lancet), will compete tomorrow, after which the team medals will be decided.

Judy added: “We have our two top combinations in tomorrow. We’ve learnt a few things having watched the competition today — like the best route around the arena to settle the horses before they go in, which is important for Laura’s horse as he can be nervous. They need enough time to get used to the arena.”

The last competitor to go today, Ellen Schulten-Baumer, put Germany into the lead after an impressive 71.67% test with no big mistakes. The Netherlands’ Hans Peter Mindhoud had previously led from second draw with 70.46% on Exquis Nadine. Germany’s Monica Theodorescu is in third on Whisper — their stunning performance was only marred by errors in the tempi-changes and a walk/passage transition.

Provisional results after day one of the team competition:

1. Donatha S (E Schulten-Baumer) (GER) 71.67%

2. Exquis Nadine (H P Minderhoud) (NED) 70.46%

3. Whisper (M Theodorescu) (GER) 69.88%

4. Hexagons Ollright (L van Lieren) (NED) 68.54%

5. Isidor (L Nathhorst) (SWE) 67.75%

6. Liebling II (A Ross-Davies) 67.42%

1. GERMANY (3393)

2. THE NETHERLANDS (3336)

3. SWEDEN (3324)

4. GREAT BRITAIN (3182)

5. SWITZERLAND (3138)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

British Dressage selectors David Trott and Judy Harvey have chosen the four riders who will represent Great Britain at the European Championships in Turin (29 August-2 September).

They are:

• Carl Hester (Lecantos)
• Emma Hindle (Lancet)
• Fiona Bigwood (Mr G de Lully)
• Laura Bechtolsheimer (Mistral Hojris or Douglas Dorsey)

Britain will nominate a travelling reserve after Hickstead CDIO (25-29 July).

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now