This week’s Agria Blenheim European Championships is a landmark event for Karin Donckers – she’s riding at her 30th senior eventing championship. The 54-year-old Belgian rider has only missed two Europeans since 1993, an extraordinary record that tells of great skill in repeatedly producing horses to this level and persistence in a tough sport.

“It keeps me fit, it keeps me passionate, it keeps me motivated to do this,” said Karin after her dressage test yesterday. “As long as I enjoy it so much and as long as I love to work with horses and I feel good and I have a horse to do championships, then I’d love to do more of them.”

Karin was here at the Blenheim European Championships in 2005, when Zara Tindall took the individual gold. Karin finished fourth on her great campaigner Gormley – her best individual championship placing (alongside also being fourth at the 2010 World Championships), but also a painful one, being so close to medals.

“It was a wet year and the ground was tough. In term of conditions it was a real effort. Gormley showed his quality – he was Irish and he handled it well,” she said of the chestnut Irish sport horse, by the thoroughbred Sandalay.

Karin Donckers will pilot championship first-timer Ceres De La Brasserie this week at the 2025 Blenheim European Championships.

The 13-year-old mare is by I’m Special De Muze and out of Gazelle De La Brasserie. Gazelle was a super championship horse for Karin, contesting two Olympics (ninth in 2008, 15th in 2012), two World Championships (fourth in 2010, 13th in 2006) and two Europeans (sixth and team bronze in 2009).

Karin says: “Ceres has a bit the same brain as Gazelle, in that she takes care of herself. She’s a clever mare. She pays attention a lot. She knows what she’s doing and that’s what I like going cross-country – that the horses think and take care of themselves and take care of their riders.”

Karin is particularly looking forward to tomorrow’s cross-country and said it’s “really nice” to be back in Britain.

“Since Brexit, we don’t come here so often because it’s all a bit more complicated. Everything is so horsey here in England and so green. It’s beautiful to ride in a park like this,” she said.

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Seven-time Olympian Karin Donckers and her Paris ride Leipheimer Van’t Verahof delivered a new personal best of 26.6 to shake up the business end of the Olympic eventing dressage leaderboard and hold second place at lunchtime (27 July).

Karin’s teammate Lara de Liedekerke-Meier had tears in her eyes as she cheered her countywoman’s success from the “kiss and cry” area.

Leipheimer Van’t Verahof, a 13-year-old stallion owned by Joris De Brabander, is a full brother to Karin’s great championship campaigner Fletcha Van’t Verahof.

“‘Leipie’ is normally a very cool easygoing stallion, but you feel the atmosphere when you come here – he was like ‘oh wow’, but that was great because that’s just what he needs,” said Karin, whose first Olympic Games was at Barcelona 1992.

Karin knew this flash chestnut since he was a youngster – marking the seven-year-old World Championships at Le Lion, where he finished fourth, as the time she felt he would be her next championship horse. That belief has been well rewarded, with nine top-10s at four-star, 19th at the 2021 Europeans, and now a super start at his first Olympic Games in Paris.

Britain’s Tom McEwen and JL Dublin head the provisional standings in the Olympic eventing dressage at lunchtime on 25.8, with Germany’s Julia Krajewski and Nickel 21 in third on 26.9.

Liz Halliday-Sharp and Nutcracker – who were called up from the alternate spot ahead of the competition – were last to go before the mid day break and are in fourth for the US on 28. Liz was the second member of the US team to compete, with Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake earning 30.4 earlier today to currently hold ninth.

Switzerland’s Robin Godel and Grandeur De Lully are in fifth at this stage with a score of 29.1 Germany’s Christoph Wahler and Kartajan delivered Germany’s second score in the 20s today (29.4), putting them in provisional sixth.

French team pathfinder Karim Florent Laghouag, who was part of the gold medal-winning side at London 2012, received a warm welcome from the soggy home crowd. He set France’s hopes off to a strong side with a sub-30 performance (29.6) aboard the 17-year-old Triton Fontaine, with whom he claimed team bronze in Tokyo, to sit in seventh at this stage.

“The bell went really quickly,” said Karim, via a translator. “I didn’t have long to go around and prepare and then it was straight into the arena, which is why the horse was a little bit surprised. Then he started to relax when we went in.”

He said that there “is a lot of pressure” in riding at a home Games, adding that they have done plenty of mental preparation and the feeling within the team is “very positive”.

Other notable tests in this morning’s session include Spain’s Carlos Iaz Fernandez and Taraje CP 21, who is in eighth on 30.2, and New Zealand’s Jonelle Price with Hiaraldo (30.8) in 10th.

“I just loved her from the minute I sat on her,” said Jonelle, of the 12-year-old, owned by David and Karie Thomson, who also own Jonelle’s world team bronze medal-winning ride McClaren.

“She’s right up my street. She’s a proper little feisty, determined, very talented, little bit hot mare, so we get on very well.”

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Michael Jung broke up the British stranglehold on the podium with a world-class test on Fischerchipmunk FRH. Michael produced just the test his fans were hoping for, coasting into the lead on 19.4 at the European Eventing Championships dressage.

Michi has won 19 championship medals including three individual European golds, but has yet to secure an individual gold medal with his current top horse. Riding as German’s anchorman, Michael conjured a mistake-free test from this outstanding mover to steal a lead of 2.6pen over Tom McEwen and JL Dublin.

“Fischerchipmunk was amazing to ride – he was super in the warm-up, and in the preparation last week he gave me a good feeling,” said Michael. “He was very calm in the arena, but in the beginning he was a little tense, which is the reason why I went in early, so I had more time – which was very good for him. When I went into the test, he was perfect.

“His canter was the highlight, but maybe the walk could have been better. It was a bit long and low and the connection was not perfect but it’s difficult to have 100% as you wish for. It’s difficult to have the horse powerful but relaxed, and that’s where you have to be flexible in your preparation – sometimes do some jumping or harder work.”

Michael laid down the gauntlet with a 10 and two nines for the early half before the rein-back. While his extended walk dropped him off his own superlative pace, he regained the high scores with fantastic changes – the first one scoring nines across the board. His bold and vibrant extended trot was another highlight.

The pair’s own record in the dressage arena is 18.8, and they were not far off that peak here, but still have not given them much breathing space ahead of the chasing pack.

Despite Michael’s dazzling score, the Brits will hold the advantage in the team contest ahead of cross-country, with their anchormen Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo the penultimate pair into the dressage ring.

European Eventing Championships dressage: day two

Among the other riders in this final session, Calmaro was on his toes for Joseph Murphy but still scored Ireland’s top mark of 32.5. Belgium’s Karin Donckers conjured a super test from Fletcha Van’T Verahof, the oldest horse in the competition at 18 and contesting his eighth championships. Karin is riding in her 28th senior championships, having missed just two Europeans since 1993.

Their early halts and the rein-back were exemplary, scoring nines, and this veteran campaigner looked loose and supple in a beautifully steady outline throughout to score 26.5 and go into seventh place. Fletcha showed how at ease he was with the championships atmosphere by delaying his final exit from the arena with a long leg scratch just before A.

End of day update: Michael Jung has retained his dressage lead overnight. Full results here.

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The USA’s Boyd Martin boosted his team’s chances of a medal after his smart eventing World Championships dressage test in Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy, today (16 September).

Riding the 15-year-old gelding Tsetserleg TSF, Boyd posted a score of 26.4 to sit in 14th going into tomorrow’s cross-country.

“He’s such a trier, this little horse, and he’s so reliable in there,” said Boyd. “He was a little bit quiet and backed off a little bit and maybe I should have done one less ride so he was a bit more excitable but that can backfire. All in all, I was pleased – it could always be better but it could always be worse too.”

The US team of Boyd, Tamie Smith (Mai Baum), Will Coleman (Off The Record) and Lauren Nicholson (Vermiculus) sit in bronze medal position on a score of 76.6.

“The team standings now don’t mean anything,” said Boyd. “I’ve been on so many teams where we’ve been sitting pretty after the first day but the competition really starts after the cross country.”

Britain are in gold medal position after the eventing World Championships dressage phase on a record-breaking score of 69.2, while the German squad are in silver on 76.1.

Belgium’s Karin Donckers was “very happy” with her test on the 17-year-old Fletcha Van’t Verahof. They scored 25.8 and sit in 10th going into the cross-country.

“I know my job and Fletcha knows his, but still, it’s a championship and the crowd are more excited and very positive and cheering, so you can never be certain of a good score,” she said.

New Zealand’s Tim Price also helped his team’s chances of a medal, posting a score of 26.2 aboard the talented Falco.

“I’m very pleased with him. He tried really hard, he was relaxed, settled, and just gave me everything I asked for,” said Tim. “Every horse has their talents, and then they’ve got their stage of training, and I believe he displayed his stage of training and his talents to the best of his ability.”

The New Zealand squad sit in fourth on a score of 77.9, while the Australian team are in fifth on 84.1, thanks in part to Andrew Hoy, who performed a solid test with Vassily De Lassos, for 28.1, to sit in 26th.

“I have to say I think Vassily’s trot work was the best that I’ve produced with him,” said Andrew. “I’ve been working very closely with Dolf Keller, who I worked with in early 2000s, and then the way things worked out, I moved away, but now I’m back training with him.

“Dolf is an absolute horseman and so he understands what the horse can do and I think there are a few little things just in the canter that I can improve on, so that’s good.”

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The Belgian team for the eventing competition at the London Olympics consists of:

• Karin Donckers (pictured) and Gazelle De La Brasserie
• Joris Van Springel and Lully Des Aulnes
• Carl Bouckaert and Mensa G
• Virginie Caulier and Nepal Du Sudre
• Marc Rigouts and Dunkas A

I was the lucky member of the H&H team at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials to be free to walk the course at the event today.

And what a great day for the sport of horse trials it was. Weather and ground were about as perfect as they could be and the course, which at first appeared “easy” and “comfortable” thanks to the performance of two of the first three riders — William Fox-Pitt and Georgie Spence who both came home within the set time — soon began to ask questions of the riders in an unpredictable fashion.

There was no bogey fence, no dangerous thrills and spills but a steady day of top class sport. And for me, with all the focus on safety at present, that’s a far better finish than one that results in a sensational coverline.

My day was considerably enhanced by the commentary of the Radio Badminton team and I would heartily recommend anyone who has never taken advantage of the supporting audio commentary available at the top three-day events go for it.

The insight into what the day means for the competitors and the challenges presented really adds to the depth of enjoyment and, in these days of more technical courses, as an audience I think we have a responsibility to the riders to ensure that, as far as possible, we understand the difficulties they are facing.

Badminton final scores

The great weather brought visitors out and the course and trade stands — oh, the trade stands — were both packed.

There’s an exciting day of show jumping to look forward to tomorrow. Anything could happen.

Although Zara Phillips and Toytown are out of the frame, William Fox-Pitt could still take the lead, but I have to put my money on Oliver Townend. He and Flint Curtis were a picture of a smooth team in action today, as were Karin Donckers and Gazelle De La Brasserie, the overnight leaders, who went down to fifth due to time-faults she apparently didn’t realise she’d accrued until she finished. She was distraught in the arena at the end of her ride.

Even in fifth place Karin could find herself taking home £19,000 in prize-money — but I guess that’s not the point when it could have been £60,000. Now Gazelle De La Brasserie, that’s a mare I’d like to take home…

Report of cross-country action

Log back on to www.horseandhound.co.uk tomorrow for reports after the trot-up and at the end of the competition.

Don’t forget to buy H&H next week (14 May) — our 15-page Badminton report will include comments from Carl Hester, Mark Todd and Tina Cook, plus full cross-country course analysis and plenty of colour photographs.

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

Belgian rider Karin Donckers (pictured) leads after the dressage at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, but young British stars Lucy Wiegersma and Oliver Townend are close behind in second and third.

Little changed at the top of the leader board for most of this morning, until Italian first-timer Roberto Rotatori, 41, took second with Irham De Viages just before lunch.

But the bests tests were always expected to be in the last session, which didn’t disappoint, despite strong winds increasing the tension in the main arena.

Karin Donckers put in a light, flowing test with the Pellaux family’s 14-year-old mare Gazelle De La Brasserie, who was second after dressage at the Olympics last year. She scored 38.8 today to take the lead.

“Maybe in relation to the Olympics she wasn’t so relaxed, but there are big crowds and wind here,” said Karin. “I can always count on a good test with this mare.”

Badminton final scores

Listen to Karin Donckers’ interview

Lucy Wiegersma admitted she thought she was into “damage limitation territory” with Shaabrak, who felt “the most tense I’ve known him during a test”.

“I was quite disappointed when I came out, but it obviously looked better than it felt,” said Lucy, who is just 0.9pen behind Karin.

Oliver Townend was “thrilled” with Flint Curtis, third here in 2006.

“Since he came here then he’s been excitable in the dressage, and this is the first time since at a major three-day that I’ve been able to sit on my backside and ride him,” said Oliver.

Zara Phillips scored excellent marks during her trotwork with Toytown, but the horse tried to spin round in the rein-back and showed tension after that in the canter. She is ninth on 45.3.

Listen to Zara Phillips’ interview

Sharon Hunt’s Tankers Town actually span round in the rein-back this morning, and it has been suggested this was caused by horses catching sight of the scoreboard.

Cross-country thoughts

Lucy Wiegersma said of Hugh Thomas’s cross-country course: “It’s not quite as tough as last year, but still big, bold and aggressive. There are plenty of jumping efforts in the last mile.”

Oliver Townend described it as “not the most inspiring course if you are down the leader board”. But he added: “It’s still Badminton and it’s intense all the way round — in comparison to recent years you’ll have to concentrate to the end more.”

Both Oliver and Lucy said they think the ground is superb, but will ride quite fast.

William Fox-Pitt is the pathfinder, setting off at 11am with Macchiato.

FINAL DRESSAGE RESULTS

1. Karin Donckers on Gazelle De La Brasserie (BEL) 38.8

2. Lucy Wiegersma on Shaabrak (GBR) 39.7

3. Oliver Townend on Flint Curtis (GBR) 40.5

4. Emily Baldwin on Drivetime (GBR) 42.3

5. William Fox-Pitt on Idalgo (GBR) 42.8

6. Roberto Rotatori on Irham De Viages (ITA) 43.7

Read H&H Badminton reporter Catherine Austen’s blog about Roberto Rotatori

Log back on to www.horseandhound.co.uk tomorrow for a mid-action cross-country report, plus an end of day update.

Don’t forget to buy H&H next week (14 May) — our 15-page Badminton report will include comments from Carl Hester, Mark Todd and Tina Cook, plus cross-country course analysis and plenty of colour photographs.

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