Last night’s horse swap class in ’s-Hertogenbosch was a fascinating showcase of horsemanship and skill from four of the world’s top riders.

Named the HeadFirst Group Prize – Best of Champions, the contest re-created the format previously used in the final of the World Championships. Each rider popped round the 1.45/1.50m course on their own horse, before swapping mounts and all jumping each other’s.

The riders had three minutes to warm up each horse in the main arena, with an upright and a spread fence available, and 2014 world champion Jeroen Dubbledam and Harrie Smolders provided commentary and interviewed the competitors between rounds.

The class was won by home side rider Willem Greve, with Germany’s Philipp Weishaupt second, Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann third and Dutch rider Maikel van der Vleuten fourth.

All four horses went well for every pilot, in a positive showcase for the sport, and the top three riders were tied on four faults after the horse swap section so they had to jump off on their own horses against the clock.

Read on for our horse-by-horse analysis and what the riders said…

Hadewyn Van’t Ravennest

Willem kicked off the horse swap class by jumping Isabel de Rijjcker’s bay 10-year-old mare Hadewyn Van’t Ravennest, a horse he has been riding since the start of this year. The mare knocked the front bar off the oxer out of the double at fence 6b.

“The course is not very easy, it’s light, it’s technical,” said Jeroen. “Let’s see what the rest do, but of course it’s a little painful when you have one down with your own horse – you don’t want that to happen.”

Harrie said that Hadewyn looked comfortable and he expected her to jump clear rounds in the next performances, but she actually faulted in the same line with Philipp and Henrik, taking down the white plank at fence seven, five strides after the double, with both riders.

Philipp explained: “I watched Willem go – he came a bit long and open to the combination and it got a bit short for him. I tried to give her the room she needed in the combination, but it meant I had to squeeze a bit to the oxer out, which made the five strides a bit short. It wasn’t so smooth, that’s why I had the plank down.”

Henrik watched Philipp and said: “I tried to help her with the plank and maybe tried to help her too much and disturbed her instead. I should have trusted her quality and maybe she’d have jumped it better.”

The crowd murmured approval when Hadewyn cleared this line with Maikel, who jumped a clear round with the mare.

Willem said: “My horse was a bit fresh – she jumped best in the last round with Maikel. She gets a bit tense and she doesn’t know this ring but she handled it well.”

Cupido 130

This nine-year-old was bred by his owner, Madeleine Winter-Schulze, and is relatively inexperienced. He was put into the contest by Germany’s Philipp Weishaupt, but the European individual silver medallist had never ridden him in an international competition before last night; he has been competed by his colleagues from Ludger Beerbaum’s Riesenbeck stable, including Ludger himself.

Willem admitted that he was surprised by how Cupido felt compared to his appearance: “The first impression of Cupido was a big horse and a bit slow, you didn’t expect him to have such a quick reflex – the feeling was very comfortable and careful.”

The chestnut was not an extravagant jumper, but proved extremely neat, conscientious and careful. He also gave good rideability to every pilot and jumped four clear rounds, earning himself one of the two “best horse” sashes.

Philipp was asked whether he wanted Cupido to go clear with his final rider, Willem, or not as it would be better for him in terms of the competition if Willem faulted.

“If he’s clear he’s the best horse of the four here – and that makes me as proud as winning as a rider,” said the German.

There was some good-natured ribbing about the fact Henrik – a former Riesenbeck rider – generally now rides horses with more blood than Cupido and whether he would remember how to pilot an “old-fashioned German horse”, but the world number one showed his skill and adaptability.

Philipp said: “You could see Henrik doesn’t know the horse and he was giving him more room [in front of the fences]. The horse was a bit shy at the first two or three jumps. He felt immediately that he prefers a deeper distance because he’s very careful, so he adjusted to that and gave him a perfect ride after the first couple of jumps.”

Jeroen added: “Three minutes is too short a time to change the horse – that would not be clever to do – so in this situation you want to try to work with the horse, go with the flow, make life easy for the horse, not put too much of your own stamp on the whole thing. It’s really about feeling, feeling what is necessary to do in this moment.”

Calizi

Dufour Stables AG’s 12-year-old mare was the most experienced horse in the horse swap class and has a long-term partnership with Henrik, but she also proved the trickiest ride of the four horses. It was obvious from her initial round with the Swede that she is a very keen mare.

Henrik added an eighth stride in the line from fence two to three and explained that this was a tactical decision.

“She can do the seven strides but she touched fence one and was a bit on the forward one, so I wanted to make sure she waited for me and keep her calm,” he said. “She is always a horse that is more relaxed if you take one more stride at the beginning of the course rather than trying to be a bit long.

“She is usually a bit excited in the first round and then gets less excited, so I think she’ll get better and better.”

Calizi’s next rider was Maikel and though he repeated the eight-stride line from fence two to three, they did not prove a match made in heaven; they had the upright at 4b and the final fence down.

Henrik said: “She’s not an easy horse in that you need to know her a little bit. She’s so sensitive, if you squeeze a little too much in the wrong moment, she really goes forward. Maybe Maikel should have stayed upright a little more and not gone too early [with his body before the fences]. You have to do it with your seat and body as she’s very sensitive to your legs and hand.”

Willem was up next and when he approached the upright in the warm-up and Calizi sped up, he brought her quietly back to walk and turned away before re-approaching. He also spent a little time in the warm-up standing still, stroking the mare and letting her look around.

The Dutch rider also copied Henrik’s eight strides from fences two to three and although the mare still looked feisty at times, the pair went clear.

“Willem did it perfectly and you can see she gets more calm the more rounds she does,” said Henrik.

Final rider Philipp also piloted Calizi to a clear, repeating the eight strides between fences two and three – although he admitted it nearly didn’t come off.

“She was waiting so well I was too far off and had to squeeze a bit. I said to myself not to make the same mistake as Maikel – sit quiet and don’t move – and the feeling was actually very nice,” he said.

Willem said: “I knew Calizi was hot, but she’s very hot! She was a challenge, but you can feel that she has enormous motivation and drive.”

Lalique

Maikel and his father Eric bred this beautiful nine-year-old mare, owned by Gabriela Roger Ibars of Spain, who previously competed with her. Maikel has been jumping Lalique internationally since the end of 2023.

Lalique equalled Cupido and also received a “best horse” sash as she jumped four smooth clear rounds. She looks like a very gentle mare to ride, with a soft mouth, and was clearly trying hard for all four jockeys in the horse swap class.

Philipp, who was Lalique’s third rider in the horse swap class, added a stride between fences two and three.

“It wasn’t planned, but you have to have plan A and B,” he said. “I was a bit deep, whereas Willem was a bit far off, and the horse was getting a bit scared so I thought I’d give her confidence and add one. Then she almost got a bit too careful in the combination at four – I didn’t know how much leg Maikel was using, so I didn’t squeeze too much – then we got the confidence back at the end. She’s a very nice horse.”

Henrik summed up: “She’s a horse I’d really like to have in my stable – she has a lot of quality and is very careful. It was quite easy on this one and that’s always nice.”

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

You may also be interested in:

‘It showed that our sport is beautiful but difficult’ – home side rider wins superb horse swap class

Are the blood rules in FEI horse sport working – and how can we move forward?

Four of the world’s top riders prepare to swap horses in unique showjumping class

End of the road for ‘final four’ WEG showjumping finale

The top four in the showjumping world championships will no longer ride each other's horses to determine the winner, the

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

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

Home side rider Willem Greve topped the horse swap class results in ’s-Hertogenbosch tonight, the Dutch national champion beating representatives of the reigning medallists in all three senior championships.

This contest, the HeadFirst Group Prize – Best of Champions, re-created the format used in the final of the World Championships until 2014, where four riders each jump a round on each other’s horses. With the riders warming up each mount in the ring and commentary and interviews by 2014 world champion Jeroen Dubbeldam plus top rider Harrie Smolders, it made for a fascinating evening for the crowd at the Dutch Masters show.

Willem, second-placed Philipp Weishaupt (European individual silver medallist) and third-placed Henrik von Eckermann, the current world champion, all sat on four faults after the initial rounds and had to jump off their own horses to settle the placings.

The winner’s ride was Isabel de Rijcker’s Hadewyn Van’t Ravennest, Philipp piloted Madeleine Winter-Schulze’s Cupido 130 and Henrik put Dufour Stables AG’s Calizi into the competition. Fourth-placed Maikel van der Vleuten, the Olympic individual bronze medallist from Paris, brought forward Gabriela Roger Ibars’ Lalique.

“They were all different, but four really nice horses,” said Willem. “Mine was a bit fresh – she jumped best in the last round with Maikel, but also she gets a bit tense and she doesn’t know this ring but she handled it well.

“I knew Calizi was hot, but she’s very hot! She was a challenge, but you can feel that she has enormous motivation and drive. The first impression of Cupido was a big horse and a bit slow, you didn’t expect him to have such a quick reflex – the feeling was very comfortable and careful. Maikel’s horse was actually very easy.” 

In the jump-off, Willem finished in 30.75sec to beat Philipp into second on 31.14sec. Henrik – who is riding in a hand brace after incurring an injury in a fall – took a risk to fence two and had it down for third.

Horse swap class results: the faults

The three riders who jumped off all incurred four faults in the initial rounds on the same horse, Willem’s ride Hadewyn Van’t Ravennest, and in the same line.

With Willem, the 10-year-old mare took the front bar off the oxer out of the double at fence 6b. Philipp cleared the double, but then the mare hit the white plank that topped fence seven, five strides later.

Philipp explained: “I watched Willem go – he came a bit long and open to the combination and it got a bit short for him. I tried to give her the room she needed in the combination, but it meant I had to squeeze a bit to the oxer out, which made the five strides a bit short. It wasn’t so smooth, that’s why I had the plank down.”

Henrik jumped the mare third and she just had a light touch on the same plank.

“I tried to help her with the plank and maybe tried to help her too much and disturbed her instead,” he said. “I should have trusted her quality and maybe she’d have jumped it better.”

Willem, Philipp and Henrik all went clear on all three of the other horses in the initial rounds.

Maikel was last to jump Hadewyn Van’t Ravennest and the first to go clear on the horse. He was also clear on his own Lalique and on Philipp’s Cupido 130, but his round on Henrik’s ride, the keen grey mare Calizi, scuppered his chances when he had eight faults, knocking the upright out of the double at 4b and the final fence.

Henrik said: “She’s not an easy horse in that you need to know her a little bit. She’s so sensitive, if you squeeze a little too much in the wrong moment, she really goes forward. Maybe Maikel should have stayed upright a little more and not gone too early [with his body before the fences]. You have to do it with your seat and body as she’s very sensitive to your legs and hand.”

Both Cupido 130 and Lalique jumped clear with every rider and they were awarded best horse sashes.

‘Unbelievable publicity’

Summing up the horse swap class, Willem said: “I think it was unbelievable publicity for our unbelievable sport. We saw horsemanship, friendship, colleagues, people were listening.

“From what I heard, Harrie and Jeroen did an amazing job to give some insight, but in a way that not only professionals can understand, but also people at home in the living room, so they could really get interested in how beautiful but also difficult our sport is.

“I think we’ve seen four great horses tonight with four great horsemen and this was unbelievable PR for our sport.”

• Check back tomorrow for full analysis of the horses and each round in the class. To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

A hot mare, extra strides and surprises: full analysis of the horse swap class at the Dutch Masters

Four of the world’s top riders prepare to swap horses in unique showjumping class

End of the road for ‘final four’ WEG showjumping finale

The top four in the showjumping world championships will no longer ride each other's horses to determine the winner, the

‘The best day I could ever imagine’: a British rider’s dream result and why is the world number one riding in a brace?

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

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

Four of the world’s top showjumpers will go head to head in a unique horse swap class tonight (13 March) at the Dutch Masters in ’s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands.

Sweden’s world champion Henrik von Eckermann, Germany’s European individual silver medallist Philipp Weishaupt, the Netherlands’ individual Olympic bronze medallist Maikel van der Vleuten and the Dutch national champion Willem Greve will swap horses and compete over a 1.45/1.50m course, in a class which echoes the previous format of the World Championships.

The horse swap class format was last used in the final of the 2014 World Championships in Caen, France, when Dutch rider Jeroen Dubbeldam triumphed – he was the only rider to go clear on all four horses.

“I had a great feeling with the other three horses – they all wanted to clear these fences,” said Jeroen after the final. “Three minutes [in the warm-up] isn’t long enough to try and change the horse, so all you can do is find its strongest points and bring those forward. It’s great to be world champion but I really enjoyed riding such great horses.”

The other contenders were France’s Patrice Delaveau (who racked up a single time-fault on Rolf-Göran Bengtsson’s Casall ASK for silver), the USA’s Beezie Madden (who had four faults on all three of the other riders’ horses for bronze) and Sweden’s Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (who had four faults on his own Casall ASK and Patrice’s Orient Express HDC and six on Jeroen’s Zenith SFN). Beezie’s ride Cortes C went clear for all four riders.

“It was fun to watch my horse with such fantastic other riders and it was interesting that almost every round looked the same to me,” said Beezie.

After the 2014 final, the horse-swapping format was removed from the World Championships. The HeadFirst Group Prize – Best of Champions class at 8pm local time (7pm British time) tonight in ’s-Hertogenbosch brings back that format in what should be a fascinating contest of horsemanship and skill.

The riders will start by riding their own horses, with Willem kicking off on Isabel de Rijcker’s 10-year-old mare Hadewyn Van’t Ravennest. Philipp will follow on Madeleine Winter-Schulze’s nine-year-old gelding Cupido, who he hasn’t previously ridden in an international competition. Henrik is next on Dufour Stables AG’s 12-year-old mare Calizi, with Maikel last to go on Gabriela Roger Ibars’s nine-year-old mare Lalique.

The horses then jump the next three rounds in the same order, with the riders swapping mounts between each round.

Other highlights of the Dutch Masters show include the Rolex Grand Prix on Sunday (16 March), in which home side rider Harrie Smolders will try to win a second leg of the valuable Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping, and the final Western European League leg of the World Cup dressage series.

British Paris Olympic medallists will be out in force – Scott Brash (Hello Chadora Lady and Hello Valentino) and Ben Maher (Point Break) compete in the five-star showjumping classes, while Becky Moody (Jagerbomb) and Lottie Fry (Glamourdale) contest the World Cup dressage.

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from ’s-Hertogenbosch and other major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

End of the road for ‘final four’ WEG showjumping finale

The top four in the showjumping world championships will no longer ride each other's horses to determine the winner, the

‘The best day I could ever imagine’: a British rider’s dream result and why is the world number one riding in a brace?

Qatar reveals plans for €10m showjumping tour

Olympic, world, European and national champions to swap horses in ‘unforgettable’ class

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

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 Netherlands’ Maikel van der Vleuten and Beauville Z have retained the individual bronze medal they won in Tokyo, in the Paris Olympic showjumping final.

Having been one of only three clears in the first round, the combination, who also won world individual bronze and team silver in 2022, were jumping superbly in the jump-off, flying to the oxer at new fence 16, before clearing the Eiffel Tower vertical. Then at 10b, the first part of what was a double in the jump-off, both rails of the huge oxer came down. This saw them finish equal on faults with Swiss silver medallists Steve Guerdat and Dynamix De Belheme, but behind on time, on 39.12 compared to 38.38 seconds. Germany’s Christian Kukuk and Checker 47 secured gold with the only jump-off clear.

“It’s something to be unbelievably proud of,” Maikel said. “The level is so high these days and of course if you’re so close and in the past you have already won a bronze medal, you aim for more and I took that risk.

“I got the unlucky fence down in the jump-off. But still, this medal. It’s unbelievable for the third time in a big championships to be in the top three as an individual.”

Maikel paid tribute to his Dutch team-mates Harrie Smolders and Uricas V/D Kattevennen and Kim Emmen with Imagine, who together finished fourth in the team final, and who made it to the individual final but not the jump-off.

“They also deserve this medal,” he said. “Unfortunately we were just out of the top three in the team class, but they also did a fantastic job and also, [Willem Greve with Grandorado, who were originally picked for the team but were the alternate combination].”

Maikel said he thought the course was like none he had seen before.

“It was big, the jumps were difficult, it was technical,” he said. “It was very long, 15 fences including a triple combination and two doubles, and when I came through this finish I thought the way my horse did his round was unbelievable. He’s a world-class horse and he deserved more than every horse this medal.”

Maikel also paid tribute to his parents, his grandparents, wife, children and his team at home

“It’s just fantastic that I can give this back to them,” he said. “For the people who are standing day and night for me, ready. It gives a fantastic feeling.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Olympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You might also be interested in:

9 things you need to know about showjumper Maikel van der Vleuten

The young Dutchman Maikel van der Vleuten took the grand prix title at the Longines Global Champions Tour of Madrid

‘It wasn’t meant to be today’: no individual medal for Ben Maher at Paris Olympics

Horse & Hound’s ones to watch for showjumping individual medals in Paris

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

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

Henrik von Eckermann put the disappointment of incurring four faults in the Olympic showjumping team final at Paris 2024 behind him to notch a clear aboard King Edward in the individual qualifier today (5 August).

The Swedish world number one and his 14-year-old megastar horse are one of the red-hot favourites for an Olympic medal. Henrik reigns as a team world, European and, until last week, Olympic gold medallist and individual world champion, and his hopes of adding individual Olympic gold are still alive.

Henrik’s round was foot-perfect, bar one moment when he ran down a related distance between fences six and seven and ended up very deep, but the scopey King Edward easily got them out of trouble. They stopped the clock on 74.5sec, which is the second quickest of the clear rounds after the first 25 riders jumped. The individual final tomorrow will be run in reverse order, so the fastest clear today will jump last of the 30 combinations who go through from today’s qualifier.

“It was exciting. I mean, I was very delighted in the end that it said clear round on the scoreboard, so that’s mission completed for today,” said Henrik, who went on to explain his slight mistake between six and seven. “I walked it as a nice four for my horse as he has a big stride, but he jumped very backwards over the plank at six so I had to change my mind and go down there on five.”

Mexico’s Andres Azcarraga and Contendros 2 were the first to jump clear, while Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz are the fastest of the clear rounds at the first break, stopping the clock on 73.35sec.

“He jumped great and still had a lot of energy,” said Shane of the 11-year-old. “The big thing was that I wanted to be quick enough if that if I did knock one, I’d have still a chance to qualify for tomorrow. But now I don’t need to worry about that and I can take a deep breath.”

New team silver medallist for the USA Karl Cook and Caracole De La Roque were lucky in a couple of places, rattling poles, but they ultimately jumped a clear round in 76.97sec, the sixth fastest so far in the Olympic showjumping.

“It felt really good, she feels like she has more energy today than she had in the team competition – stronger and more powerful, which is a great thing,” said Karl. “I messed up a line across the middle where I added at stride – that was my fault, I just overcooked it. But thankfully, she took care of me and she was awesome.”

Tokyo individual bronze medallist Maikel van der Vleuten picked up four faults coming out of the treble at fence 10 with Beauville, but he clocked the fastest time of the qualifier so far, completing his round in 70.94sec. 

“I’m happy but it was unlucky at the same time,” commented Maikel. “The way my house jumped was fantastic and he didn’t deserve that fault, but that happens in our spot and I hope it will be enough for the top 30 for tomorrow.”

Olivier Perreau, who became a team bronze medallist for France on Friday jumped a lovely round but incurred four faults at the final fence aboard Dorai D’Aigully. 

The first of the British representatives, riders, Harry Charles and Romeo 88, jumped an immaculate clear round.

After the first 25 riders, eight have jumped clear, which means it looks unlikely many riders who have picked up four faults will make it through to the individual final tomorrow.

Two riders in the first block opted to retire on course. These were Lithuania’s Andrius Petrovas (Linkolns) and Japan’s Eiken Sato (Conthargo-Blue).

There are options throughout this track, designed by Santiago Varela and Gregory Bodo, where riders can opt to go on more forward distances or be more cautious. Obviously the fastest 30 riders with the fewest amount of faults will progress to the final, but riding quickly around this 1.65m track opens many horses and riders up to making mistakes.

Henrik von Eckermann said he had “a bit of a debate” with Santiago Varela about today’s track.

“I said I thought this course looked a bit easier than the first day, but he said it was somewhere in between the first and the second [the two rounds of team competition], so we’ll see who’s right when the scoreboard is finished.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the Olympic Games, Burghley, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You might also be interested in:

‘We did what we came here to do’: Harry Charles delivers in Olympic showjumping individual qualifier

Why isn’t King Edward wearing a browband at the Paris Olympics?

How to watch showjumping at the Paris Olympics live from around the world

Horse & Hound’s ones to watch for showjumping individual medals in Paris

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

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

Seemingly against all odds, a three-man Australian team took Saturday night’s Challenge Cup for the Longines FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona, Spain (28 September-1 October) to a thrilling jump-off against the mighty Dutch.

Even more remarkably, two of the Australian side’s horses competing at this prestigious final are teenage half-siblings, making it a real night to remember for all involved.

It would eventually be the Dutch who prevailed, but it was a competitive night of top tier sport for this consolation round for the seven lower ranked teams from Thursday’s qualifier, won by Great Britain. The Australian trio posted two clears from Hilary Scott on Oak’s Milky Way and Jamie Kermond riding Yandoo Oaks Constellation, with former Olympic eventer Chris Burton, who is forging a stellar new career concentrating solely on the coloured poles, just picking up four faults with Chedington Hazy Toulana.

Meanwhile the Dutch, with the luxury of a drop score, joined them at the top of the leaderboard at the end of the night on a four-fault team tally, courtesy of clears from Jur Vrieling (Long John Silver 3 NOP) and Maikel van der Vleuten with Beauville Z NOP. Four-fault rounds came from Kim Emmen (Inflame Go) and Willem Greve riding Highway TN, forcing a jump-off between the two teams to decide top honours for the Challenge Cup in the Nations Cup Final, Barcelona.

Jump-off to decide Challenge Cup in Nations Cup Final, Barcelona

Chris was picked to represent the first-drawn Australian side, jumping at only his second five-star show and making his Nations Cup Final debut. He and the exceptional Toulon x Indorado mare, formerly ridden by fellow Australian Edwina Tops-Alexander, produced an attacking and notably quick round, with just the second element of the midway double falling for four faults in a time of 42.82sec.

It was then the turn of Willem Greve and the incredible 11-year-old stallion Highway TN, who has really come of age this year, contesting the European Championships in Milan and winning the five-star grand prix in Rotterdam this year. The effortlessly quick stallion powered round the snaking jump-off track without touching a pole, over a second quicker than his Australian opponent and the celebrations erupted on the packed kiss and cry as they were crowned Challenge Cup trophy winners for the Longines FEI Nations Cup Final.

“Chris put the pressure on, even with that mistake. I had to choose to go for the clear, but, with an unlucky rail, you wouldn’t make it, so we said we’d just go for it, so I went fast,” revealed Willem. “I think we chose the right tactic!”

Joy in defeat for the Australians in Nations Cup Final Challenge Cup

Defeat was sweet for the Australians in Barcelona, nevertheless.

“It was always going to be a tough fight,” said Hilary Scott, whose 16-year-old mare Oaks Milky Way and Jamie Kermond’s 17-year-old gelding Yandoo Oaks Constellation are half-siblings and were both bred by Hilary’s mother Alice Cameron out of the same Jalisco B mare Galaxie Pierville.

“It’s amazing, there was some pressure on us tonight and I’m so proud of all of us.”

The riders had “really pushed” their Federation to be allowed to compete in Barcelona ahead of an Olympic bid next year.

“We wanted to gain more experience,” explained Jamie. “We were hoping we were going to have four riders with Izzy Stone, but things didn’t quite go the way she wanted at the last show so she decided not to come.”

Jamie put down the team’s opening 13th place finish with 25 faults in Thursday’s first round as due to “a lack of recent experience”.

“We regrouped and we thought our horses were jumping well and we had a shot tonight,” he said. “We needed everything to go right with the three of us and it nearly did so we’ll take it! We made the Dutch work for it!”

Stephen Lamb, Australia’s chef d’equipe, said: “Having secured an Olympic berth, it’s important for us to compete as a team. We don’t get the opportunity very often.”

You may also like to read…

‘One of the best rounds of the year’: Great Britain wins Nations Cup Final opening leg

‘The best day’: an emotional John Whitaker helps Great Britain triumph in Hickstead Nations Cup

Olympic eventer-turned-showjumper lands LGCT London win on exciting seven-year-old mare

Olympic medal-winning eventer helps his country qualify for Paris 2024 showjumping

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

Making the headlines on the international showjumping circuit this week were a phenomenal Frenchman in the form of his life and the all-conquering Peder Fredricson, while Great Britain’s George Whitaker credits “going back to basics” with Martin Wood’s brilliant nine-year-old Peanut for their grand prix victory in the Netherlands. Here are just some of this week’s highlights, plus showjumping results.

A 1.92m six-bar thriller

At the CSI5* IFEMA Madrid Horse Week in Spain, Dutch showjumper Maikel van der Vleuten triumphed in the six-bar riding the 11-year-old Toulon mare Dywis HH (main image above). The 10 starters were whittled down to just two for the fourth round where the final vertical stood at a towering 1.92m (over 6ft 3in) and Maikel claimed victory with another clear while his sole rival, the world number two Martin Fuchs, picked up four faults on Commissar Pezi.

• Madrid six-bar showjumping results

George Whitaker and Peanut return to the top

Great Britain’s George Whitaker rode Martin Wood’s brilliant nine-year-old Peanut to victory in a hard-fought CSI2* Deurne 1.45m grand prix at new jumping venue Green Valley Estate in the Netherlands. The pair swooped home just 0.08sec quicker than their nearest rivals after a 13-strong jump-off.

In a tremendous few days of competition, George and Peanut (Barichello x Quasimodo Z) also finished runners-up in Friday’s ranking class and the 30-year-old rider also finished in the ribbons on Caroline Blatchford’s I’m Special Too DHH, a previous ride for his cousin Robert Whitaker, and jumped some lovely rounds with Louise McEvoy’s stallion Porsche, who is now off to spend some time at stud.

“It was amazing, Peanut jumped five rounds and didn’t have a fence down,” George told H&H, having used his last draw in the grand prix to his advantage. “I knew what I had to beat and there were only three double clears but there were some very fast times with a few fences down.

“It was a tough course, there were either killer turns or if you went round it was a bit far. But I know Peanut is unbelievably quick across the ground so I thought I’m not even going to attempt the killer turns, I’m going to get in a good rhythm, give it full speed and just make it as easy as possible for him, without overcooking it.

“The bogey fence was the double in the jump-off and half the riders had that down but then I knew I could go full tilt after that and it paid off.

“I always say with Peanut that if I’m in the jump-off I have a very good chance.”

George explained that, after picking up a few unexpected faults with Peanut the previous week, he’d gone back to basics and the results were clear to see.

“It was a bit upsetting last week and I was wondering what had happened, so I sat down with my wife Michaela and said ‘I think I’m trying too hard here, let’s go back to basics, to what we know Peanut is comfortable at, don’t overdo it and just get him confident again’. So I did some training at the show, got him working with me and he came out fighting once again. I was on a lot better form myself I think – I was riding better and the two of us just came together again,” explained George.

“Sometimes you can just try too hard. I know we can both do it, I just needed to find the right buttons again. Then it was just natural again. Luckily it was my week this week!”

• CSI2* Deurne results

Lucky new jackets help Peder Fredricson spearhead an H&M hat-trick

At the H&M-sponsored grand prix at the CSI4* Sweden International Horse Show, the podium was filled by three of the company’s sponsored riders. Peder Fredricson was crowned the winner riding H&M Christian K, while the Philippaerts twins also secured second and third in the H&M colours. Olivier took second on H&M Miro with Nicola in third riding H&M Luna Van’t Ruytershof Z, all separated by barely a second.

“We just got these new jackets and they seem to be working well!” said Peder on the trio’s striking competition wear. “Everyone should have one!”

Peder, who will be heading to the London International Horse Show next month, added of the 15-year-old gelding H&M Christian K (pictured below): “He’s a real fighter.”

The sole British challenger in Sunday’s feature class was John Whitaker, who just picked up four faults in the opening round on Equine America Unick Du Francport after some good placings over the weekend. Ireland’s Bertram Allen won Saturday’s speed class on the smart eight-year-old Empoli De Champloue.

Other Swedish riders in form at the show were the world number one Henrik von Eckermann, who secured a winning double with the 10-year-old gelding Hollywood V, and Stephanie Holmen, who triumphed in Friday’s 1.50m jump-off class with the 16-year-old mare Flip’s Little Sparrow. The show’s leading rider prize was won by Olivier Philippaerts, who took home a John Deere Gator HPX.

• Sweden International Horse Show results

Julien Epaillard is simply unstoppable

French showjumper Julien Epaillard’s astounding winning streak continued to the CSI5* IFEMA Madrid Horse Week where he galloped to a big-class double, winning Friday’s 1.50m jump-off class then also lifting the silverware for Sunday’s Longines FEI World Cup qualifier, which he also won the previous year, with two brilliant performances with the extraordinary 10-year-old mare Caracole De La Roque.

“Winning is always very difficult and a streak like this only happens once in a sporting career,” said the world number three, who won the third leg of the World Cup series in Lyon last month. “I have an incredible mare and I’m lucky to be able to ride her. I have to enjoy the moment.

“I’m very proud of Caracole. She has jumped two World Cups and she has won two World Cups – she’s amazing!’

Taking the runner up spot was Daniel Deusser of Germany riding Bingo Ste Hermelle, with Simon Delestre third on Cayman Jolly Jumper. Ben Maher finished best of the Brits in fifth, the fastest of the four-faulters riding the Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright-owned 13-year-old Exit Remo after an exhilarating 15-strong jump-off.

Italian rider Piergiorgio Bucci made a remarkable recovery from a serious stumble in the jump-off to finish fourth. His brilliant gelding Cochello just pecked on landing after the penultimate oxer, pinging his rider right up on to his neck and the pair looked as though they were about to part company. However a stride later, Piergiorgio was pitched back in the saddle and he kicked on, clearing the hefty final vertical without stirrups to finish with a double clear and earn a substantial slice of the prize money.

• Madrid Horse Week results

You may also enjoy…

The best kiss and cry reaction, Deusser’s sensational victory and a debut World Cup win

‘One of my best wins ever – I’m speechless’: it’s fourth time lucky for Prague Super Grand Prix’s winning rider

Watch and be amazed as horse ‘with the biggest stride in the world’ nails jump-off to win

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 showjumpers Ellen Whitaker, Joe Stockdale, Jodie Hall McAteer and Lily Attwood will be flying the flag this afternoon (Thursday 29 September) in the first round of the Longines FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona, Spain.

A total of 14 nations line up for this prestigious finale to the Nations Cup series, held at the Real Club de Barcelona, all bidding for a place in Sunday afternoon’s final when the winner will be decided.

With an average age of just 25, the British squad is packed full of young talent. Pathfinder Ellen Whitaker, 36, is the senior member of the team and rides Tilly Shaw’s 10-year-old mare Equine America Spacecake. The only rider from GB’s bronze medal-winning team at the World Showjumping Championships last month is 22-year-old Joe Stockdale with his top mare Equine America Cacharel. Jodie Hall McAteer, also 22, brings her superstar 13-year-old Salt’N Peppa and team anchor is 20-year-old Lily Attwood and the hugely consistent Cor-Leon V Vlierbeek Z. The fifth member of the British squad in Barcelona is William Whitaker, a late replacement for Harry Charles after his mount Casquo Blue wasn’t quite fit enough to compete.

“The Brits always look forward to coming to Barcelona for the Nations Cup Final and we have a group of riders who are very excited to be here,” said chef d’equipe Di Lampard.

Nations Cup Final defending champions

The defending champions are the Netherlands, three-time winners of this final, who are represented by big names Maikel van der Vleuten (Beauville Z NOP), Johnny Pals (Zarkava Hero Z), Jur Vrieling (Long John Silver 3) and Harrie Smolders riding Monaco NOP with Jos Lansink at the helm.

Argentina and Brazil, who have been drawn first, will represent South America while Canada and Mexico qualified ahead of surprise absentees USA.

Hosts Spain, as well as Belgium, France, Germany and Switzerland will also be in action.

France’s chef d’equpe Henk Nooren said: “We are bringing the same team as we had at the World Championships in Herning but we need to see how the form of the horses is because most of them have only jumped one show since Herning so there’s a bit of a question mark but we will see!”

Irish team ‘hope to be lucky – and good’

Ireland will be well represented by Trevor Breen (Highland President), Jack Ryan (BBS McGregor), Mark McAuley (Jasco V Bisschop) and Andrew Bourns (Sea Topblue).

“We love Barcelona and we are reasonably lucky here normally so we hope we will be lucky, and good, this year!” said Irish chef d’equipe Michael Blake. “We have a slightly less experienced team, they have experience but have never been to this final before.”

The reigning Olympic and world champions Sweden are another country bringing a younger team of riders to Barcelona – having finished bottom of the European Division 1 series alongside Norway they didn’t earn direct qualification to the Nations Cup Final, however with no participating teams from the Middle East region attending, both countries were invited to compete.

“We are excited to be here and happy to be here because we were struggling a bit, but now we are here with a team of the future I hope,” said Henrik Ankarcrona, Sweden’s chef d’equipe.

With eight of the top 18 riders in the world rankings in action, this is sure to be a hard-fought and thrilling contest.

Surprisingly, the Swiss have never won the Longines FEI Nations Cup Final title but they, along with Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and Norway, will be bidding for the single qualifying spot on offer for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games from this competition.

Competition begins for all 14 nations at 1pm BST on Thursday 29 September, with the top eight finishers going straight through to Sunday’s €1,250,000 final. The remaining six countries return for Saturday night’s Challenge Cup, won last year by Great Britain. Olympic course-designer Santiago Varela will once again be setting the tracks.

• H&H will be bringing you all the latest news from the Longines FEI Nations Cup Final online and there will be a full report in next week’s magazine, on sale in shops on Thursday 6 October

You may also like to read…

Nations Cup Final, JL Dublin’s first international run with new rider and more events to watch this week

‘When you come so close, it’s disappointing’: Ireland narrowly miss out to dominant Dutch in Nations Cup Final

Jubilant Irish and a mare’s miraculous comeback – who won showjumping ribbons this week?

‘All you want to do is please your home crowd and we didn’t’: Team GB reflections after Nations Cup ‘disappointment’

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

The lion’s share of showjumping’s richest ever prize pot — a whopping €6.4million (£5,750,000) to be exact — was won by Global Champions League (GCL) team Madrid In Motion in a thrilling Super Cup Final at the O2 Arena in Prague yesterday (16 December).

The trio of Marc Houtzager (Sterrehof’s Calimero), Maikel van der Vleuten on Verdi TN and Eduardo Alvarez Aznar riding Rokfeller De Pleville Bois Margot triumphed over nearest rivals Valkenswaard United and Paris Panthers to win this inaugural competition in Prague.

“There was a lot of pressure today, but you just have to keep trying to jump clear rounds,” said Marc Houtzager, whose team pocketed more than €2.7million.

From Thursday’s quarter-finals and Friday’s semi-finals, six teams had qualified for Sunday’s big-money decider and two teams dramatically crashed out in round one — 2018 GCL season champions London Knights and the in-form Montreal Diamonds.

The shock results came from the Diamonds’ Jos Verlooy and Igor, who parted company after a refusal at the final fence, and London Knights’ Ben Maher, when his usually ultra-reliable Explosion W ran out at the spooky Longines wall for a second time. With all three riders’ scores counting in this revolutionary new competition, it meant elimination from the rest of the tournament.

With just four teams left in contention, a compelling battle ensued right to the wire, and victory in the first ever GCL Super Cup champions wasn’t sealed until the final rider, Eduardo Alvarez Aznar, cleared the last obstacle to scenes of great jubilation.

“I was just trying to jump fence by fence,” said the ultra cool Spaniard. “It’s a very good way to finish the year.”

Continues below…

Top 10 highlights from day one at the London GCT

British success, a flying Dutchman and a very glamorous supermodel — the GCT of London has kicked off in tremendous

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

‘It was emotional, even for an old guy like me’ — Beerbaum hails new Super Grand Prix a ‘milestone’ event

Leading names take to the podium in spectacular new showjumping competition

The top three teams took to the podium in a spectacular prize-giving ceremony featuring dazzling pyrotechnics, and even the grooms and their horses were honoured with medals by GC president Jan Tops.

Don’t miss the full report from the inaugural GC Play-Offs — featuring an exclusive column from Shane Breen — in next week’s Horse & Hound, out Thursday, 20 December.

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 young Dutchman Maikel van der Vleuten took the grand prix title at the Longines Global Champions Tour of Madrid earlier this month with VDL Groep Verdi. Here’s what you need to know about the showjumper…

1. The 26-year-old Dutchman is the son of the great Eric van der Vleuten, 1982 European champion, and competed on Nations Cup teams alongside his father. “I can’t say I have exactly the same style as my father, but fathers and sons often ride with similar styles,” said Maikel. “Because I grew up in the same stable and we ride every day together, it is normal I pick up things from him. I don’t try to ride like my father, I want to try to get my own system. But I guess it’s inevitable!”

2. Maikel landed GCT podium places in 2011 and 2013 but this was his 1st victory.

3. He produces all his top horses himself. “When you start with young horses, you know them best. That makes it easier at the end when you are at the highest level.”

4. He won Olympic team silver when representing the Netherlands in London 2012.

5. He began riding at the age of 6 and has ridden in eight European Championships — 2 at junior, 4 at young rider and in 2011 and 2013 for the senior Dutch team.

6. He is in flying form having been crowned the new Dutch national champion the week before with VDL Groep Eureka and finishing 6th in the FEI World Cup final with Verdi in Lyon 2 weeks ago.

7. He won the Dutch young rider championship 3 times.

8. His favourite food is Italian.

9. He has a great relationship with Verdi, who loves to throw in a buck or 2. “Verdi always wants to do good in the ring, he has a good mentality. It doesn’t matter what kind of arena — small, big, indoor or outdoor — he always gives his best. It is quite easy for him, he has a lot of scope, so it is easy for me.”

8 things you didn’t know about the showjumping World Championships

Read the full report from the Longines Global Champions Tour of Madrid in the 8 May issue of Horse & Hound magazine

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

23-year-old Daniel Neilson had the ride of a lifetime to come third in the 5^th leg of the Longines FEI World Cup Qualifier at Olympia today (21 December).

The jump-off was won by last drawn Maikel van der Vleuten who was following in his father Eric’s footsteps who won the class at Olympia in 2009.

11 riders qualified for the jump-off — including 4 British riders — but Maikel used his favourable draw to steal victory from Belgium’s Francois Mathy Jr.

World number 1 Scott Brash finished 6th but remains at the top of the Western European League.

H&H caught up with Maikel, Francois and Daniel after their performances — watch their reactions below.

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 Netherlands will be bringing a horse called ‘London’ to Greenwich Park for the London Olympics.

Gerco Schr ¶der will be riding his Cannes Global Champions Tour winner Eurocommerce London (pictured) alongside Marc Houtzager with Sterrehof’s Tamino, Jur Vrieling with VDL Bubalu and Maikel van der Vleuten with VDL Groep Verdi.

The team’s reserve rider is Leon Thijssen riding Tyson.

America’s Rich Fellers and the amazing Irish-bred stallion Flexible stormed to victory in a thrilling third-round jump-off at the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Final in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands.

Only Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat and his 11-year-old gelding, Nino des Buissonnets, were left to challenge the US partnership against the clock, but despite a superb effort, they had to yield to the pure determination of a horse and rider who, quite simply, never give up.

Flexible, a 16-year-old son of Cruising, was all but written off twice during his career due to severe injury, but overcame the odds to return to the pinacle of the sport.

Unorthodox in his movement and jumping style and the oldest horse in this year’s competition, Flexible has competed at all of the last five Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping Finals, but today it was his turn to stand under the spotlight.

The courageous stallion and his rider fought every inch of the way, bringing the packed stadium at the Brabanthalle in ‘s-Hertogenbosch to their feet after their amazing jump-off performance. Guerdat stood second on the podium, with fellow-countryman Pius Schwizer in third.

Final results

1. Rich Fellers (Flexible) USA 0/0/0 25.97

2, Steve Guerdat (Nino des Buissonnets) SUI 0/0/0 26.61

3, Pius Schwizer (SUI) 5

4, Philipp Weishaupt (GER) 10

5, Kevin Staut (FRA) 11

6, Rolf-Goran Bengtsson (SWE) 12

7, Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) 15

7, Marcus Ehning (GER) 15

9, Rik Hemeryck (BEL) 16

10, Harrie Smolders (NED) 17.

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

Robert Whitaker continued to fly the family flag at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) when riding Lacroix to win Friday night’s hoys.co.uk Cup.

The Yorkshireman had it all to do from final draw after Dutchman Maikel van der Vleuten set a tremendous target on Audi’s Naomi, but he produced one of those rounds where everything goes right to capture the £4,500 prize by more than 3sec.

“Lacroix is definitely my number one horse. On his day, there’s nothing he can’t jump,” said Robert.

Stay up to date with the latest news from HOYS on HorseandHound.co.uk, plus read H&H’s full in-depth reports in next week’s magazine, on sale 11 October

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