“I’ll be for ever grateful and I owe DHI Lupison everything I do – and he still lives his happy life,” says Holly Woodhead. “If he wants to go jumping, he can. I always say, ‘Luke does what Luke wants’.”

In an interview on this week’s new episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast, Holly talks about DHI Lupison – known as Luke – as “her horse of a lifetime”. The pair won the under-25s at Bramham in 2015 and contested the senior European Championships at Blair Castle that year. The pair were also team silver and bronze medallists and individual silver medallists at young rider European Championships and had numerous placings at the now four-star level.

Holly continues: “I think like many people in my shoes who’ve had a horse like that, I go, ‘If only I could have him again now.’ Because then, I didn’t really know a lot. I was extremely young when I went to Blair – 21 – and Luke was green. If I could have him over again now, knowing what I know now, that would be pretty cool.”

“He is 23 now and he is still going out showjumping – he actually won a Foxhunter the other day. He’s on great form. He’s the king of the yard. I still refuse to hack him, because he is as sharp as anything. So I literally get on, have a little jump and enjoy him at a show. He still loves his job and his life and everybody loves him on the yard.”

Reflecting on what Luke taught her and the journey she is on now with her young horses, Holly added: “Every time you get a young horse, you do get a sense of, ‘This one could be my next good one.’ Then it just comes down to being able to hold on to them. Within this sport, everybody knows that you have to sell horses to make money and everything else.

“So it’s finding the ones that can follow in his footsteps, but with everything that he’s taught me over the years – especially how to try stay on, because he’s super sharp – I’ll be for ever grateful.”

Holly will be out competing in both eventing and dressage this year and has ambitions to ride at grand prix in the latter discipline for the first time later in 2025.

Hear more about Holly’s 2025 plans, plus her thoughts on taking part in the epic charity cycle ride Cycle4Caroline last autumn, on episode 161 of The Horse & Hound Podcast.

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Episode 161 of our popular audio service The Horse & Hound Podcast, is now live.

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

• View all episodes of The Horse & Hound Podcast

On our 161st episode of The Horse & Hound Podcast, we speak to British event rider Holly Woodhead. She talks about her career, as well as her plans for this year. She also discusses how she found her time while taking part in the 1,100km charity bike ride, Cycle4Caroline, last autumn.

Holly won a young rider European team silver medal in 2013 and in 2014 she claimed individual silver and team bronze. Holly was the youngest rider since 1989 to be selected onto the senior eventing squad after her call-up to represent Great Britain at the FEI Longines European Eventing Championship at Blair Castle in September 2015, riding DHI Lupison – she was 21, and the combination finished 21st.

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

Horse & Hound Podcast: episode 161

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Eventer Holly Woodhead has said a “sad goodbye” to Caunton Well Connected, as the four-star mare has been sold to an up-and-coming young rider.

Holly took on the ride of 13-year-old “Ping”, who is by Grafenstolz and out of Caunton Stud’s foundation broodmare Caunton Welldone, in the summer of 2022. The mare was brought up the levels by Charlotte Dennis, and went on to have success with Nicola Wilson.

“I got the ride on Ping after Nicola had her injury. Nicola and the owner Belinda Williams wanted me to take her on, and at the time we were based at Mount St John in North Yorkshire. The idea was we’d see how I got on with her, and we kept her,” Holly told H&H.

Last year Holly and Ping jumped double clear in the CCI3*-S at Aston-le-Walls for eighth place, and were 12th at Burgham. They finished the season jumping clear across country in their first CCI4*-S together, at Little Downham.

Holly said at the end of the year, Belinda’s circumstances changed, and the decision was made to sell Ping.

“I was trying to put a syndicate together so I could keep her, but unfortunately I wasn’t able to find the people. So that’s when it was decided that she’s going really well so why not let a young rider go and have a lot of fun with her, and show them the ropes,” said Holly.

“I’m gutted I couldn’t get the funds together to keep her, but it happens, and especially in our sport. You just have to keep going and hope there’s another one out there who can do the same. I’d wanted to go four-star again this year with her, and maybe do some Nations Cups, but now she can go and have a really good crack at the junior stuff.

“It’s extremely tough; like many other riders I get so attached to them. They’re part of the family, and you work with them every single day and know them inside out. When you walk into the barn she’s the first horse with her head poking out of the stable looking at you with the most humongous ears and eyes. She always wants to see you, she is a very kind-natured horse.”

Ping left for her new home yesterday (1 February).

“It felt like I was selling my first horse again. I’ve sold many horses over the years and it never gets easier, but she’s got a lovely, lovely, home,” said Holly.

“The rider is an up-and-coming young rider who is coming off ponies. She wants to have a good go at the juniors at Belsay this year, and maybe young riders in the future. Ping absolutely adores her job, and I’m excited to watch them together.”

Holly thanked Belinda for the opportunity she had with Ping.

“It’s impossible to do our sport without people like Belinda who support us riders. Belinda’s not only been an owner, she’s also been a friend,” she said. “I’ll always be thankful for her letting me ride her.”

Holly said this year she will be concentrating on some young horses.

“I’m a bit short in my team on more experienced horses, but I’ve got a really good bunch of younger ones that I’m excited about. I love producing the babies, and I’m excited for what I can do in a few years when they’re a bit older,” she said.

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An eventer whose rein snapped as she was coming down a steep hill on a CCI3*-S cross-country track said both she and her horse “live to fight another day”.

Holly Woodhead and nine-year-old German-bred mare Benica B had had a good day at Somerford on 3 July, scoring 28.2 in the dressage and clear showjumping, but disaster struck at fence 10 of the cross-country.

“It was a little interesting!” Holly told H&H.

“She did a lovely dressage, and jumped brilliantly, then across country, we were on the time and she felt very much up for it. I’d been very excited about riding the course; I think it’s truly one of the best events in the country; the ground, the courses, everything was pretty much spot on.

“So it was ever so slightly annoying, and scary, what happened!”

Holly said the course went over a log, down the hill, then left-handed to two brush fences at an angle.

“I sat back and said whoa, and she came back slightly, then went to turn left and the left rein clean snapped,” she said. “It was where the leather goes into the rubber. I don’t know how I managed it but I ended up trying to grab the bit of leather hanging off the left bit cheek, and we did about 10 circles.”

Holly said thoughts occurred to her of trying to put the rein through the bit so she could carry on.

“But I thought that wouldn’t be fair on her as she’d been so brilliant,” she said. “It was terrifying; you’re thinking ‘I don’t know which way to go, will she keep going?’. She was probably thinking ‘What are you doing up there; why are we doing circles?’! I do truly believe that if we had gone on, I’d have given it my best and so would she, but I think it would have been dangerous. Everything happens for a reason.”

Holly added that it was particularly annoying as the reins were fairly new, bought for this season.

“I wouldn’t want it to happen to anyone else but it was just one of those things,” she said. “It makes me think should I go round with a spare pair of reins in future! But there was nothing I could have done, and she definitely didn’t do anything wrong. We live to fight another day.”

Holly said she has high hopes for “Bennie”, who is in her third season of eventing and “could be a good one”, Holly said.

“She’s definitely one of a kind, and she’s got quite a little following,” she said. “On paper she’s about 75% blood, but she moves and jumps like a warmblood and gallops like a thoroughbred. I’ve got big hopes for her — and she’ll have a new set of reins before her next event!”

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Laura Collett has two new three-star rides, Parkfield Quintessential and Finduss PFB.

Both horses belong to Parkfield Breeding and were previously ridden by Holly Woodhead, who has now moved to Ireland to take up a position as team rider at River Lodge Equestrian, a Wexford-based operation producing horses for showjumping and eventing.

Parkfield Quintessential is a 10-year-old by Quicksilber. He started his career under Zoe Wilkinson, achieving good results in British young horse classes and finishing sixth in the World Championships for six-year-olds at Le Lion d’Angers.

He joined Holly Woodhead in 2017 and the pair’s good results included third in the eight- and nine-year-old CIC3* at Blenheim last year.

Laura and Parkfield Quintessential finished second on their first run together in the open intermediate at Great Witchingham on Saturday (30 June). They scored 26.1 in the dressage and added just 1.6 time-faults across country.

“He only arrived at my yard on Monday, so today was not about winning, but about finding out more about each other,” said Laura.

Laura also took sixth in the section on eight-year-old Finduss PFB, who was also competed by Zoe and then Holly. He had top-10 finishes in the CCI* at Tattersalls in 2016 and 2017 and had moved up to start competing at three-star level this year.

“Holly has done an amazing job producing them,” said Laura. “Both of them know exactly what they are doing and felt confident. I was surprised how quick Parkfield Quintessential was as we weren’t going for the time and he was jumping out of his rhythm. I’m really excited to have the rides on both of them.”

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Laura is also riding the six-year-old Hakuna Matata, by Crespo VDL, for Parkfield Breeding. He is aimed at Le Lion in the autumn.

Holly and Sharon Bishop of Parkfield Breeding told H&H: “We’ve had a brilliant time with Holly Woodhead. She’s done a tremendous job with our horses over the past two years. Laura is another super talent and this is the start of an exciting new chapter. Laura shares our ambition, and with a growing string of horses coming up through our breeding programme there’s lots to look forward to.”

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 leading British eventer turned disaster into triumph after a last-minute reroute following the cancellation of Ballindenisk resulted in a win and full house of top-10 placings.

Holly Woodhead was among the many Brits who had caught the ferry to Ireland to compete at the international event (20-22 April).

But unforecast heavy rain forced the event to cancel after many had already arrived.

“I was about 20 miles away when we got the phone call to say it was cancelled,” said Holly.

“So I quickly thought ‘what can we do while we are here?’

“I wanted to give the horses a good rest as they had travelled a long way, so my friends at River Lodge Equestrian gave us some stables and we had a great two days there.

“Holly Bishop, of Parkfield Breeding [who owns Holly Woodhead’s Wiltshire base and several of her rides] managed to get me and all the horses registered with Eventing Ireland and entered into Tyrella one-day-event.”

They drove the seven hours up to Northern Ireland, where all five of Holly’s horses scored sub-30 dressage tests and jumped double clears in intermediate and novice sections.

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The result was made even more impressive as the 24-year-old had been in hospital the previous week for a stomach ulcer.

“I was in hospital the day before we left [for Belton the previous weekend] and initially I wasn’t going to ride,” said Holly, who finished third in the Belton CIC2* aboard Parkfield Quintessential (pictured, top).

At Tyrella, Holly took home a win aboard Parkfield Quintessential, second on Global H, who is part-owned by Carl Hester, fourth on E Warrantson, fifth on Findus PFB and 10th on Mr Sneezy.

“I think everything happens for a reason,” laughed Holly, adding the horses coped “amazingly” with the journey. “We did an awful lot of miles, but it was worth it — I can’t praise the Irish hospitality enough.”

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

This week’s magazine (26 April), features a full Badminton preview, including a cross-country course walk with Mary King and full form guide for every horse and rider.

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Holly Woodhead will not be competing at the Rio Olympics this summer because her top horse DHI Lupison has picked up an injury.

“Luke” was one of 15 horses on the British nominated list for the Games.

“Writing this is possibly the hardest thing I have ever done!” said Holly on facebook.

“I am very heartbroken on behalf of all my family and team that DHI Lupison has picked up an injury so will be having a bit of time off.

“I would just like to say what a privilege it has been and how lucky I am to have a horse like Luke. He owes me nothing at all, and he will come back stronger then ever! It is beyond gutting for us all — to have been short listed for Rio was simply amazing and Luke deserved it in every way. I always say things happen for a reason.

“I want to wish the team the best of luck out in Brazil and go win us some medals!”

Holly, 22, shot into the limelight last year when she won the under-25 CCI3* at Bramham with Luke. The pair were then selected for the British squad for the European Championships at Blair and finished 21st.

This year they led the CIC3* at Bramham, an important British selection trial, after dressage and cross-country. They finished eighth after three showjumps down.

The remaining pairs on the long list are:

• Laura Collett on Grand Manoeuvre
• Tina Cook on Calvino II and Billy The Red
• William Fox-Pitt on Chilli Morning
• Pippa Funnell on Billy The Biz
• Kitty King on Ceylor LAN
• Tom McEwen on Toledo De Kerser
• Gemma Tattersall on Chico Bella P and Quicklook V
• Izzy Taylor and Allercombe Ellie
• Nicola Wilson on One Two Many
• Laura Collett on Pamero 4 (reserve)
• Tina Cook on Star Witness (reserve)
• Gemma Tattersall on Arctic Soul (reserve)

The final team of four and the travelling reserve will be named on Tuesday (5 July).

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Gemma Tattersall won the British Equestrian Trade Association CIC3* at the Equi-Trek Bramham Horse Trials today.

She jumped a clear round on Christopher Stone’s Chico Bella P to move up from second overnight.

Earlier, Gemma had had the first fence down on her first horse, Quicklook V, who slipped from fifth to seventh, but she said it did not affect the way she rode Chico Bella P.

“Quicklook was slightly distracted by someone shouting — it’s very unlike her to have a fence and she certainly said sorry all the way round, she wasn’t going to touch another one,” said Gemma. “Chico Bella P was amazing, she’s such a trier.

The class was an important selection trial for the British team for the Rio 2016 Olympics and eight of the top 10 placings went to the home side. But the showjumping shuffled the order significantly.

Holly Woodhead was the leader after yesterday’s cross-country, but she and DHI Lupison had three down today and dropped to eighth.

A clear round also elevated Tina Cook one place to second with Elisabeth Murdoch’s Billy The Red.

“He’s been progressing all year,” said Tina. “I think a lot of him and I’m thrilled to be second.”

Pippa Funnell moved up five places to take third with a fault-free performance from Carol Toliver’s Billy The Biz.

“We’re all riding with a bit of pressure because we all have the same dream, but I’m really pleased with my horse’s perforamnce. He’s come on a huge amount as he came to the sport quite late,” said Pippa.

Kitty King (Ceylor LAN) rose from sixth to fourth with a single time-fault, while New Zealand’s Tim Price had two time-penalties to move up from seventh to fifth with Bango.

Nicola Wilson’s clear on One Two Many elevated her three places to sixth and it was the same story for William Fox-Pitt and Chilli Morning, who finished ninth.

Australia’s Paul Tapner rounded out the top 10 on Yogi Bear VIII, who had the front rail off the oxer at fence 5c and also knocked the second part of the final double.

Full report from Bramham in H&H next week, out 16 June.

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Holly Woodhead and DHI Lupison head the British Equestrian Trade Association CIC3* at the Equi-Trek Bramham Horse Trials after cross-country.

The pair topped the under-25 CCI3* here last year on their first run at the level, going on to make their senior squad debut at the European Championships at Blair Castle.

Today they cruised home four seconds inside the optimum over Ian Stark’s course to finish the day on their dressage score of 40.

“It’s always amazing to come back here — it’s my favourite event and ‘Luke’ clearly likes it here,” she said. “He was great from the start to the finish.”

If Holly can win this class tomorrow, she will have laid down a serious marker ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympics as this is an important selection trial.

Gemma Tattersall had a foot-perfect round inside the 6min 28sec optimum time on Christopher Stone’s Chico Bella P to move up from fourth to seecond. Gemma also went clear with Quicklook V, incurring just two time-faults to sit fifth.

“They galloped within themselves and jumped out of their stride,” she said. “I didn’t have any dodgy moments anywhere with either of them.”

Tina Cook added nothing to her sixth-placed dressage score of 43.1 with Elisabeth Murdoch’s Billy The Red to rise to third and she has a second horse in the top 10 as she also sits 10th on Calvino II, another who was clear inside the time.

“They are both young horses and I’ve been prepping them this year in the hope they might be Rio horses — I kept them busy last year getting their qualifications, then this year I’ve been waiting for the good ground to run them more quickly and today was their day to shine,” said Tina. “I am pleased with both of them — they are fab horses to ride.”

Australia’s Paul Tapner is the best non-British rider in fourth on Yogi Bear VIII, who was also penalty-free.

Among other riders in contention for the British team, Kitty King had 2.8 time-faults with Ceylor LAN, who slipped from third after dressage to sixth. Pippa Funnell and Billy The Biz’s two time-faults dropped them one place to eighth.

Nicola Wilson had a fault-free round on One Two Many (ninth), while William Fox-Pitt also enjoyed a jumping clear with Chilli Morning, incurring 5.2 time-penalties to sit 12th.

Flora Harris holds 11th on last year’s CCI3* winner Bayano, with Laura Collett (Pamero 4) 14th.

The dressage leader in this class, Germany’s Pia Munker on Louis M, withdrew before the cross-country.

Bramham times and results

Full report of Bramham in this week’s H&H magazine, out 16 June.

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

Find out how all the British riders fared today (Sunday, 13 September) at the Longines FEI European Eventing Championships at Blair Castle.

Nicola Wilson, 38, with Mary and Gerry Kemp and Janine Shewan’s One Two Many (team rider) — fence 7 down, 27th

Nicola crashed through fence seven, a brown oxer after a turning related distance from the treble, and had to hang on tight to avoid a fall.

“That distance is coming up quickly, which I knew, and I over-prepared for it and put him in an impossible position,” said Nicola.

“He was very good to jump it. Everything goes into slow motion when that happens and I was just thinking that we [the British team] are down to three riders and I had got to stay on. I had a lot of time to think about the consequences of falling off.

“This week hasn’t gone to plan for me individually, but my score is still important to count for the team and it’s such an honour to be part of it.”

Holly Woodhead, 21, with her father Ian and stepmother Heidi Woodhead’s DHI Lupison (individual rider) — fence 7 down, 21st

“He was jumping amazingly until fence 7 and I was a bit on the inside line — I should have been a bit more to the outside,” said Holly.

“I’m relieved to have completed my first senior championship and now I’m looking forward to my next event.

“I’m thrilled with the horse. It could have gone better, but it could have gone a lot worse. I’m finishing with a really sound, fit horse and really looking forward to our future.

“If you’d said that I’d have been showjumping in the top portion at a European Championship and have ridden round that cross-country track at the beginning of the year, I’d never have believed you.”

Sarah Bullimore, 42, with Brett Bullimore and her own Lilly Corinne (individual rider) — fence 7 and 9a down, 26th

“She’s normally a really good showjumper, she just got a bit buzzy in there and a bit onwards,” said Sarah. “I lost her a bit to fence 7 and got there a bit quicker than I would have liked, which happened to lots of horses. She landed a bit running to the next two fences before I got her a bit more under control again.

“It’s been an honour to be here. I’m a touch disappointed with our performance, but there are always ups and downs and what could have beens. It’s disappointing, but that’s horses. She’s a lovely horse for the future.”

Oliver Townend, 32, with PJ Hegarty’s Fenyas Elegance (individual rider) — clear round, 17th

“She felt good — it’s nice to jump a clear round on the last day,” said Oliver. “I’ve not had many easy trips in the showjumping with a few of my other horses but she’s a good jumper so there are no excuses.

“We’ll aim for Badminton next year.”

Pippa Funnell, 46, with her mother Jenny Nolan, Ruth McMullen and her own Sandman 7 (team rider) — clear round, eighth

“I’m really delighted with all three days,” said Pippa. “It’s lovely that he’s gone through all three days and shown the quality of horse he is.”

Gemma Tattersall, 30, with The Soul Syndicate’s Arctic Soul (individual rider) — refusal fence 3 and two time-faults, ninth

“He just didn’t take off over the fence; I think he must have misread the question as he’s never had a stop in his life. Obviously it’s gutting but overall I’ve got to be pleased with how he composed himself to finish the rest of the course.

“It’s been an absolutely amazing experience to compete here, I’ve really enjoyed it and the horse has given me a fantastic ride all week. I’m over the moon with how he jumped and dealt with the pressure.”

Laura Collett, 25, with Diana Chappell’s Grand Manoeuvre (individual rider) — refusal fence 7, fence 8 down, three time-faults, 13th

“Today is really frustrating,” said Laura. “He was jumping really nicely, but he didn’t see fence 7 as a jump. He never focused on it. I don’t know if it was blending into the grandstand or he was focusing on the exit, but it unsettled him and then he hit the planks. Then he jumped well again.

“Overall our performance is exciting for the future, but frustrating now.”

Kitty King, 32, with Jane and Frank Inns Persimmon (team rider) — clear round, fourth

“He’s been fantastic all week and he couldn’t have jumped better today,” said Kitty. “He flew round there and you can ride with such confidence when they’re jumping like that. He hasn’t had a pole down all year, so I knew he could do it if I didn’t mess up.”

Izzy Taylor, 32, with Guy Avis’ KBIS Briarlands Matilda (individual rider) — fence 8 down, sixth

“It’s a real shame,” said Izzy, who was in individual bronze position before the showjumping. “She tried really hard and I wouldn’t have done anything differently, it’s just part of the sport.

“I’m very competitive, so I will be disappointed when I look back and think I could have done this or that differently, but hopefully I’ll move on and be better in the future.”

Read about who won the medals today

Re-live the showjumping with H&H Live

Showjumping course photos

Full report from the European Championships at Blair in H&H next week, out Thursday, 17 September — 19 pages of analysis and photographs, plus columns from Anna Ross, Harry Meade and Mike Etherington-Smith.

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Find out how all the British riders fared today (Saturday 12 September) at the Longines FEI European Eventing Championships at Blair Castle.

Kitty King, 32, with Jane and Frank Inns’ Persimmon (team rider) — 8.4 time-faults, fifth after cross-country

“He’s really feisty and he can make my life difficult — he likes to stay long and open, especially at the end of the course, and I have to make sure he comes back to me,” said Kitty. “Although he became quite feisty, he always wanted to jump and was looking for his flags so I couldn’t have asked for more.

“I was on my minute markers until the last water [where she took the long route], then I was about half a minute down. We made up some time and he didn’t feel tired.

“I’ve never even noticed the crowds at Badminton, but I noticed them here for the first time throughout my round.”

Gemma Tattersall, 30, with The Soul Syndicate’s Arctic Soul (individual rider) — clear inside the time, seventh after cross-country

“I’m so chuffed, he was just fantastic,” said Gemma. “He loves the mud and hills, he just puts his head down and gets into it. I was kind of pleased it was raining today for him — he’s even better in tough conditions.

“He was so careful and was like a cat in the combinations. For such a massive thoroughbred horse he was like pop, pop, pop in the coffin [Irish Horse Gateway complex at 23/24ab].”

Sarah Bullimore, 42, with her husband Brett’s and her own Lilly Corinne (individual rider) — 20 penalties at fence 4c (House of Bruar Shepherds Bothies), 10.4 time-faults, 21st after cross-country

“She locked onto the log basket [between elements b and c] and jumped that, which then put me off my line for the third part so she couldn’t jump that,” said Sarah.

“After I’d turned her there she realised she had made a mistake and she doesn’t like to make a mistake, so she was a bit looky for the next few fences. Then she got going and gave me a fantastic ride.

“I’ve had so many lovely well-wishers and I feel I’ve let everyone down. It was a stupid stop to have at something that was really a schooling exercise like you’d jump at home and play through — it’s not like there’s a problem like having a stop at a coffin or water.”

Holly Woodhead, 21, her father Ian and stepmother Heidi Woodhead’s DHI Lupison (individual rider) — 20 penalties at fence 4b (House of Bruar Shepherds Bothies), 18 time-faults, 22nd after cross-country

“I held him a bit too much coming to the first part [at fence 4] and turned a bit too tight — I should have given him a bit more time to see the second part,” said Holly

“He gave me an amazing ride the rest of the way and I’ve learned a lot. I’d tell the rest of the British riders to keep hold of their horses’ heads at the combinations, but they’re all very experienced and will be fine.

“The rain hasn’t really sunk in so the ground is quite greasy on top.”

Laura Collett, 25, with Diana Chappell’s Grand Manoeuvre (individual rider) — 10.8 time-faults, ninth after cross-country

“I’m over the moon with how he jumped round,” said Laura. “He’s not the easiest horse to ride inside the time as he jumps high and gets strong.

“It’s really slippy out there. I was aware of that before I went out. The ground has actually been quite hard the last few days and now it’s greasy. The course rode tougher than it walked.”

Nicola Wilson, 38, with Mary and Gerry Kemp and Janine Shewan’s One Two Many (team rider) — 20 penalties at fence 16b (UK Sport corners), 18.8 time-faults, 28th after cross-country

“I’m devastated, so, so disappointed,” said Nicola. “He was giving me a super ride and he jumped the first corner beautifully. I made the turn and everything appeared to be lined up for the second — I don’t know if he just didn’t see it. He jumped it beautifully the second time.

“You have to regroup after that and just get home as quickly as possible.”

Izzy Taylor, 32, with Guy Avis’ KBIS Briarlands Matilda (individual rider) — clear inside the time, third after cross-country

Izzy was held at the start for quite a lengthy time in very wet weather while the haggis fence at 21b was taken out of the course after it had caused three falls and the ground had deteriorated significantly.

“It wasn’t pleasant but I felt sorry for the people held on course as at least I could shelter,” said Izzy. “It was quite cold for us and especially for a mare you don’t want the muscles to get cold so they can’t run and jump.

“She’s a very good cross-country horse and very honest. She tripped going into the second last [the Strzegom brushes at 27 and 28], chipped in an extra stride and was very honest to go on two strides.

“The crowd were amazing — even at the highest point of the course there were people up there cheering us on.”

Oliver Townend, 32, with PJ Hegarty’s Fenyas Elegance (individual rider) — 20 penalties at 19b (Malcolm Group corner), six time-faults, 19th after cross-country

“She has a good record, but has lost her way a little bit,” said Oliver. “I had her a bit strong to make sure she was going and when I needed control, I didn’t have enough of it. There are no excuses.”

Pippa Funnell, 46, with her mother Jenny Nolan, Ruth McMullen and her own Sandman 7 (team rider) — 9.6 time-faults, 10th after cross-country

“I was so frightened, I just kept thinking I didn’t want to wreck this lovely young horse,” said Pippa. “I’ll kick myself over the time-faults later, but he was class and showed the sort of horse he could develop into.

“I was frightened to ruin this potentially very good horse by asking him a big question, but he really delivered. If he was two years older he’d have been quicker — at this stage he couldn’t have been quicker.”

“I really am delighted.”

Wills Oakden 25, with David Kenwright and Sylvia Douglas’ Greystone Midnight Melody (individual rider) — 26.4 time-faults, 26th after cross-country

“It was hard work out there — the ground had really deteriorated,” said Wills. “They’ve done an amazing job with it, but the weather hasn’t played ball.

“We all had to use our heads and she answered every question. I’m thrilled to have got round my first senior championship clear. The crowd were incredible all the way and gave us a good boost. They made my championship debut extra special.”

Francis Whittington, 37, with Catherine Witt’s Easy Target (individual rider) — retired at fence 21a (Albert Bartlett Haggis, Neaps and Tatties)

“Bless his heart, he was tiring and struggling in the conditions,” said Francis. “He got to the top of that hill and came to that upright fence and I just felt him die and completely drop off the leg. I pulled on the reins, there was no point even trying to jump it.

“He’s fine now, he just got tired and leg weary in this going. It wasn’t worth the risk of trying to go on.”

William Fox-Pitt, 46, with Catherine Witt’s Bay My Hero (team rider) — retired at fence 17 (Joules Brush Arrowhead)

“He just didn’t enjoy it,” said William. “He was going into the ground and found the conditions tough. He tried his best, but he just lost the will. He’s never had a run-out in his life.

“I feel I’ve let the team down and hope we’re still in the hunt with the other three scores. It wasn’t my day.”

Re-live today’s action with H&H Live

Read about the British team position and how the other nations performed

Full report from the European Championships at Blair in H&H next week, out Thursday, 17 September — 19 pages of analysis and photographs, plus columns from Anna Ross, Harry Meade and Mike Etherington-Smith.

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 holds the team and individual gold medal positions at the end of the first day of dressage at the Longines FEI European Eventing Championships at Blair.

This afternoon, British team member Nicola Wilson rode Mary and Gerry Kemp and Janine Shewan’s One Two Many to a personal best mark of 34.6. They lie third individually overnight.

“I’m delighted with him,” said Nicola. “He’s such a talented horse, but he can be a bit cheeky. But over the past six weeks he’s been getting better and better. He was lovely to ride today and I’m so proud of him.”

Kitty King was first out for the British team this morning. Her score of 36.9 with Jane and Frank Inns’ Persimmon put her fifth at the end of the day.

“I’m not normally nervous before the dressage, but I definitely felt the butterflies this morning,” said Kitty, who is riding on the senior British team for the first time. “He can be tricky and you never know what day he’s going to do it, but he couldn’t have perfomed better today.

“I was worried the atmosphere would make him tense and tight, but he let me ride him. He just got a bit tight before one flying change and missed it, which was a shame — we had issues with it earlier in the week and they came back to haunt us.”

Nicola and Kitty’s combined marks give the British team a score of 71.5. France holds second on 75.5, led by Thibault Valette, who sits fourth individually. He rode a consistent test this morning on the attractive light bay Qing Du Briot ENE HN for a total of 36.8 penalties.

Germany is in bronze position on 76.6. Their first rider this morning was Dirk Schrade, who is now 11th with Hop And Skip.

“I know this isn’t his best phase, but he’s improved a lot,” said Dirk. “We had a mistake in the beginning after the first halt when he went backwards, but after that the test was really nice.”

Germany’s other team rider today was the recent Burghley champion and reigning European individual title holder Michael Jung, who slipped into individual second with the eight-year-old FischerTakinou on 33.5.

“This horse is nearly always relaxed, which makes working with him much easier,” said Michael. “He concentrates well.”

The standout performance of the day came from the youngest rider in the British squad, 21-year-old individual Holly Woodhead, who holds the lead individually.

She rode her father Ian and stepmother Heidi’s chestnut DHI Lupison through a beautiful test for a score of 31.7.

Holly was not put off when “Luke” spooked at a flower pot just a stride before he entered the arena.

“In the arena walk he was really good and I showed him the flowers, but I think he thought there was something in them,” she said. “He got over it quite quickly, though.”

Tomorrow, Pippa Funnell (Sandman 7, 11.57am) and William Fox-Pitt (Bay My Hero, 3.30pm) will perform their dressage tests for the British team.

Read how the other British individuals — Gemma Tattersall, Laura Collett and Sarah Bullimore — fared today, plus video interviews

Full report from the European Championships at Blair in H&H next week, out Thursday, 17 September — 19 pages of analysis and photographs, plus columns from Harry Meade and Mike Etherington-Smith.

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

Find out how Britain’s riders performed on the first day of dressage (Thursday, 10 September) at the Longines FEI European Eventing Championships at Blair Castle.

Kitty King, 32, with Jane and Frank Inns’ Persimmon (team rider) — 36.9, fifth at the end of Thursday

“I’m not normally nervous before the dressage, but I definitely felt the butterflies this morning,” said Kitty. “He can be tricky and you never know what day he’s going to do it, but he couldn’t have performed better today.

“I was worried the atmosphere would make him tense, but he let me ride him. He just got a bit tight before one flying change and missed it, which was a shame — we had issues with it earlier in the week and they came back to haunt us.

“I was surprised to be asked to go first — I assumed being a newbie to the team I’d be in the middle somewhere, so I was a bit like, ‘oh god’ when Yogi [Breisner, chef d’equipe] asked me. But I’ve had time to get my head round it now and and it’s not as bad as I thought.”

Gemma Tattersall, 30, with The Soul Syndicate’s Arctic Soul (individual rider) — 47.3, 17th at the end of Thursday

“I spend my life managing his tension,” said Gemma. “He’s quite established in his work now, which has only really happened this year, so it’s a case of managing his mind. He’s genuinely nervous and scared, there’s nothing naughty about him. You have to keep his confidence and persuade him it’s not that scary.

“I was disappointed he didn’t walk at all as that will have lost us a lot of marks. Normally he’s really good at the walk and the pirouettes, but he didn’t do them at all today as he was too tense.

“It would have been nice to be in the mid to low 40s, so I’m a little disappointed, but not with the horse. At the end of the day he’s given me my first senior flag and he’ll be fun to ride on Saturday.”

Sarah Bullimore, 42, with her husband Brett’s and her own Lilly Corinne (individual rider) — 38.2, seventh at the end of Thursday

“I’m chuffed with her, although it’s a shame there was a bit of tension in the walk. But she’s arrived here and practically gone straight in arena, so I’m over the moon with her,” said Sarah, who only came off the reserve bench on Wednesday morning when Dani Evans’ horse Smart Time wasn’t quite himself.

Sarah drove up to Blair overnight on Tuesday, expecting to wait around until shortly before the trot-up, the last point at which a substitution can be made, and then drive home again.

“I’ve waited 20 odd years for this and to get my flag is fantastic. It’s been a total whirlwind and an emotional few days. It’s a shame my gain comes because of someone else’s misfortune, but Dani’s been the ultimate professional and her time will come.

“Lilly would have gone to Pau if she hadn’t come here. Normally you have a pinnacle you are working to, the stepping stones of the last week, so I feel a bit unprepared in that respect, but the horse is ready, fit and well. Maybe sometimes we over prepare. The training is all done at home, then you just have to come out at a competition and do the business.”

Holly Woodhead, 21, with her father Ian and stepmother Heidi Woodhead’s DHI Lupison (individual rider) — 31.1, first at the end of Thursday

“All I could remember as I cantered in was the test we did at Aachen [last month] and trying to do the same,” said Holly. “The last words I actually heard were from my groom, Alex van Tuyll, who said to go nail it.

“I knew he could go well, but I didn’t realise I’d got that kind of score, which is a personal best. I’d have been happy with the top 10, let alone to go straight into the lead.”

Laura Collett, 25, with Diana Chappell’s Grand Manoeuvre (individual rider) — 37.8, sixth at the end of Thursday

“He tried really hard in there — it’s his best test yet so he’s chosen the right time to do it,” said Laura, who took over the ride on “Milo” from Nick Gauntlett last year. “He’s been on cracking form all year, getting better and better, so it’s nice it came off at the right time. He’s an amazing horse and we’re starting to gel and getting our relationship together.

“I’ve never done a home championship, so that’s a new experience. The buzz and vibe really pushes you to do that bit extra. Everyone is out to do their best and show they’ve earnt their place here.”

Nicola Wilson, 38, with Mary and Gerry Kemp and Janine Shewan’s One Two Many (team rider) — 34.6, third at the end of Thursday

“I’m delighted with him,” said Nicola. “He’s such a talented horse, but he can be a bit cheeky. But over the past six weeks he’s been getting better and better. He’s been working really well at home so it was good to be able to show that. He was lovely to ride today and I’m so proud of him.

“I do love coming here to Blair and my owners love it too. We make an annual visit, it’s like our summer holiday.”

Britain in team and individual gold after first day

Follow the action with H&H Live

Full report from the European Championships at Blair in H&H next week, out Thursday, 17 September — 19 pages of analysis and photographs, plus columns from Harry Meade and Mike Etherington-Smith.

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

It’s not often an eventer willingly misses out on their last year of young riders, but 21-year-old Holly Woodhead is doing just that – heading straight to her first senior championship, skipping her last chance to net a young rider gold medal following her individual silver last year. This would be an impressive feat by anyone’s standards, but is even more remarkable considering she missed all of the 2012 season after being sidelined with an injury she picked up on a skiing trip. She says it was “scary to come back, but I was ready for it”. Holly is based at Mark Todd’s Badgerstown yard with boyfriend Tom McEwen and Swedish Olympic eventer Ludwig Svennerstal – who will also ride at the Blair Europeans.

DHI Lupison, an 11-year-old gelding by Lupicor out of a mare by Mon Tresor, has always turned heads, with another rider on the championship squad describing him as an “incredible, incredible horse”. Holly certainly has riding in her DNA; father Ian is a renowned dressage trainer, mum Tracy is a former international dressage rider and stepmother Heidi rode at four-star level with The Biz. Sister Amy is a grand prix dressage rider currently based with Carl Hester.

With help from the whole family, Holly and Luke are a formidable combination, and took this year’s under-25 CCI3* at Bramham with ease, cementing their place on the Blair squad. She describes the experience of being on the squad with riders she’s “looked up to for many, many years” as “overwhelming”, while she expects a big, bold track from Ian Stark. She’s probably one of the only riders hoping for rain, as Luke is “very good in the wet” and should cope well with the terrain at Blair if the Scottish weather strikes.

Holly has a point to prove after a technical elimination for jumping the wrong side of the flag at Aachen last month, and with DHI Lupison’s all-round brilliance plus their young rider championship experience, these two could be knocking on the door for a medal next week in the Scottish Highlands.

Don’t miss our exclusive Blair Euros preview in the 3 September issue of Horse & Hound magazine

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Britain was eliminated in the eventing Nations Cup at Aachen today (Friday, 14 August) after a close call decision on whether a rider was the wrong side of a flag at a corner fence.

The competition ran alongside the FEI European Championships in dressage, showjumping, reining, vaulting and driving taking place at this prestigious German venue. But it is not the eventing European Championships — this is taking place at Blair Castle in Scotland in September.

Britain has a policy of giving up-and-coming riders experience in the Nations Cup series and has stuck to this for Aachen. The four riders on the team were all making their championship debut at Blair, and three of them rode the same horses here.

Holly Woodhead, 21, was second after dressage and showjumping after brilliant performances yesterday. But today her ride DHI Lupison was “seriously bold”, which led to a run-out at the tricky double of angled hedge tractors at fence 16ab – a fence which caught out several experienced pairs too.

Then further round the course Holly took out the flag at the corner in the water at fence 20b (pictured above). Although she initially showed on the results as having just 20 penalties — which left the British team third — she was later eliminated because the ground jury reviewed the video footage and judged that she had been outside the flag.

This meant the team was also eliminated, because another British rider, Flora Harris, was also knocked out of the competition when her mother Caroline and Rebecca Salt’s Bayano had three run-outs.

Gemma Tattersall finishes 14th

Nonetheless, there were positives for the Brits.

Gemma Tattersall, the only British rider not on her Blair mount, finished 14th on the syndicate-owned Quicklook V after 10 time-faults.

“She was incredibly straight and so genuine – she’s done three three-stars in her whole career, so this was a serious ask for her,” said Gemma.

Francis Whittington proved a great pathfinder for both the British squad and the whole competition, coming home clear with 7.2 time-faults for 16th on Catherine Witt’s Easy Target.

“I wanted a good cross-country round in preparation for Blair and that’s what this week was about – there were a few tighter lines I could have taken, but I wanted to keep him balanced and think about having a good round for Blair,” said Francis.

Germany on top

Germany maintained its superiority today to take first place in the Nations Cup and all three individual podium places.

Ingrid Klimke finished first on individual ride FRH Escada JS and second on her team horse Horseware Hale Bob.

“Escada knows her job exactly and was jumping very boldly – it was pure fun to ride her,” said Ingrid.

World champion Sandra Auffarth took third on Opgun Louvo.

New Zealand finished second, led by husband and wife team the Prices, with Tim fourth on Wesko and Jonelle sixth on Faerie Dianimo.

The USA took third, well behind the two leading teams.

Individual results

Team results

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Britain has slipped a place to third after the showjumping in the Nations Cup eventing at Aachen this evening (Thursday, 13 August), but the top three teams are within six marks of each other.

The competition is running alongside the FEI European Championships in dressage, showjumping, reining, vaulting and driving taking place at this prestigious German venue. But it is not the eventing European Championships — this is taking place at Blair Castle in Scotland in September.

Britain has a policy of giving up-and-coming riders experience in the Nations Cup series and has stuck to this for Aachen. The four riders on the team are all making their championship debut at Blair, and three of them are riding the same horses here.

Holly Woodhead, third individually after dressage, has moved up to second after a fantastic clear with her father Ian and stepmother Heidi’s DHI Lupison (pictured above).

The time was tight over Frank Rothenberger’s showjumping track today and many riders had an uncomfortable moment pulling their horses inside fence two on the journey between fences six and seven, but Holly motored on round the outside and came home penalty-free.

“He’s a sharp horse and goes better if you keep the rhythm, so I didn’t want to break it by coming inside. He jumped so well out of going that fast,” said Holly. “I thought he’d be quite tired but he’s definitely not.”

Gemma Tattersall also cleared all the fences for Britain and had just one time-fault on The Pebbles’ Syndicate Quicklook V. she has moved up from 12th after dressage to 11th.

Pathfinder Francis Whittington, riding Catherine Witt’s Easy Target, had one fence down, the final part of the treble at five. He has slipped five places from 15th to 20th individually.

Flora Harris had fence 10 down with her mother Caroline and H&H blogger Rebecca Salt’s Bayano, as well as picking up seven time-faults. This cost her 12 places and she is now 34th.

“Overall the horse jumped well — he’s young and he coped well in the atmosphere,” said Flora. “The only person who had had time-faults by the time I went had gone wide somewhere so we didn’t quite have the knowledge we had later — the time was more influential than we expected. It’s a big arena with open distances and that can fool you into thinking you’re going faster than you are.”

The New Zealanders were in the ascendant tonight, with fault-free rounds for all their counting pairs: Jonelle Price and Faerie Dianimo (seventh), her husband Tim and Wesko (ninth) and Mark Todd and NZB Campino (12th). They have moved up from third after dressage to second.

The Germans faltered slightly, but it was not enough to give up their lead. From their team, only Ingrid Klimke (Horseware Hale Bob, fourth) went clear.

World champion Sandra Auffarth had fence 5c down to drop from second to sixth with Opgun Louvo, Michael Jung had fence nine down on 2013 European champion Halunke FBW (14th) and Dirk Schrade had the second part of the double at seven down with Hop And Skip (21st).

Individually Ingrid holds her lead with FRH Escada JS, who had a clear round tonight. Holly is second and Australia’s Andrew Hoy moved up to third courtesy of a fault-free performance with Cheeky Calimbo.

The cross-country starts at 2pm local time (1pm British time) tomorrow.

Live individual results

Team standings

1. Germany 118.1

2. New Zealand 121.2

3. Great Britain 123.6

4. Sweden 143.9

5. USA 148.9

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Britain’s team lie in second place after the first phase of the eventing Nations Cup in Aachen (Thursday 13 August).

The competition is running alongside the FEI European Championships in dressage, showjumping, reining, vaulting and driving taking place at this prestigious German venue. But it is not the eventing European Championships — this is taking place at Blair Castle in Scotland in September.

Britain has a policy of giving up-and-coming riders experience in the Nations Cup series and has stuck to this for Aachen. The four riders on the team are all making their championship debut at Blair, and three of them are riding the same horses here.

Holly Woodhead starred for Britain in today’s opening dressage phase. The 21-year-old sits in third place individually after a fantastic expressive test with her father Ian and stepmother Heidi’s DHI Lupison, the chestnut horse with whom she won Bramham’s under-25 class in June. She scored 34.3, a CIC3* personal best by more than eight marks..

“I’ve never ridden that test in the arena, while the Bramham test I knew inside out and I knew where I could get marks. This one was a bit alien, but his walk was much better here than at Bramham and I’m really pleased to be there against the best in the world,” said Holly.

Holly had to cope with the crowd exploding in response to Ingrid Klimke’s mark being announced just as she was riding past the grandstand before her test. DHI Lupison spooked, but she quickly settled him again.

Gemma Tattersall provided the second best British score, sitting 12th on the 10-year-old syndicate-owned grey mare Quicklook V.

“She’s the biggest show off I’ve ever known — she thinks everyone is here for her,” said Gemma after scoring 41.

Gemma is the only British competitor here not riding her Blair mount as she takes Arctic Soul to the Europeans.

Francis Whittington was the very first rider into the arena this morning and holds 15th place on 43.3 with Catherine Witt’s Easy Target. His only error was a costly spook early in the canter work.

“Apart from that I was pleased with him,” he said. “When I went into the arena he had a little look at that area, which is why I brought him back to trot and went past it again. He was just being a little fruity about it, but it’s good to sort these things out now.”

Flora Harris is just behind in 22nd on 44.5 with Bramham senior CCI3* winner Bayano, who belongs to her mother Caroline and new H&H blogger Rebecca Salt.

“The arena is electric and there are areas to work on, but overall I’m dead chuffed with him,” she said. “The changes were rather expressive and I’d like to get them a bit more in the box.”

Flora also turned right instead of left in the first walk pirouette.

“It was a blonde moment and not my finest hour — I’m very dyslexic, so left and right are not my strong point,” she explained.

The British team have a combined score of 118.6. The Germans are leading on 110.1, with New Zealand third on 121.2. The best Kiwi rider is Jonelle Price, eighth on Luhmühlen runner-up Faerie Dianimo.

“She’s not really a one-day event horse and she’s not been particularly easy this week. She was on edge, but she stayed the right side of the edge,” said Jonelle. “She can blow, but if we can keep going in the arena and producing incident-free tests, then with more maturity it will go the right way.”

There are nine teams here in total.

Britain’s fifth rider, Izzy Taylor, withdrew Allercombe Ellie before yesterday’s trot-up as she did not feel right.

Klimke heads German charge

The home side’s Ingrid Klimke holds the lead with individual ride Luhmühlen winner FRH Escada JS on 32.1, while her team horse Horseware Hale Bob, sits in sixth place. Her team-mate Sandra Auffarth claims second individually with world champion Opgun Louvo. Their other team riders are Michael Jung (ninth on Halunke FBW) and Dirk Schrade (17th equal on Hop And Skip).

Andrew Hoy is best of the fourth-placed Australian team, lying fourth individually too with Cheeky Calimbo (34.5).

Sara Algotsson Ostholt, who had her second child — a boy named Eric — 10 months ago, spearheads the Swedish effort with fifth place on Reality 39 on a mark of 35.9. Her team are also fifth.

“I think she liked it in there — the ground was perfect and she’s not a horse who gets tense,” said Sara. “That was about as good as we can do at the moment.”

The eventers will showjump this evening, kicking off at 5.30pm local time (4.30pm in Britain). They go across country tomorrow afternoon, starting at 2pm local time (1pm in Britain).

Live scores

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Holly Woodhead showjumped clear at the Equi-Trek Bramham Horse Trials this morning to win the Bishop Burton College under-25 CCI3*.

Holly had led all the way from the dressage with her father Ian and stepmother Heidi’s DHI Lupison, and she secured victory today with one of only two fault-free performances. She won by 11.2 penalties.

“Although the pressure was a bit off because I could have fences down, I went in and didn’t want to have one down,” said Holly. “The nerves were a bit better today than yesterday because he was really good when I got on him and was jumping really well in the warm-up.”

Dani Evans had the first part of the treble at 12a down with Luana Edge’s Smart Time, but held second place. She also took third on Vanessa Watson’s Raphael II, who moved up a place with just two time-penalties.

“Both my horses came out on good form and I couldn’t be happier with the way they both jumped. It was a big, square, twisy track, and I thought, ‘Oh boy, this isn’t going to suit me’.”

Millie Dumas also had two time-faults, but that elevated her and Artistiek from eighth overnight to fourth.

Emily King dropped from third overnight to fifth after lowering fences six and 12a.

Last year’s winners, Tom Jackson and Waltham Fiddlers Find, slipped one place to sixth with eight faults for hitting fence three, a blue parallel and the white upright at fence eight.

Wills Oakden held seventh with 10 faults on Alfi Brown, while France’s Francois Lemiere had all three parts of the treble down to move from sixth to eighth with Ogustin Du Terroir.

Sweden’s Ludwig Svennerstal’s one down with Franzipan elevated him from 11th to ninth.

The USA’s Caroline Martin recorded the only clear in the time apart from Holly’s to move up from 14th to 10th on Quantum Solace.

Bert Bolton, who had been ninth overnight, was eliminated at this morning’s horse inspection with Purple Sands.

All H&H’s online Bramham coverage

Check back later for a final update on the senior CCI3*. Full report from Bramham in the magazine this week, our Thursday, 18 June.

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