Top British riders and representatives of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment have thrown their weight behind the “biggest suicide awareness and prevention initiative the UK has ever seen”.

Oliver Townend, Mollie Summerland and Lewis Carrier, along with British Equestrian (BEF) eventing performance manager Dickie Waygood, joined mounted soldiers to carry the Baton of Hope on its last leg.

The unique baton has travelled the UK since 25 June as a “unifying symbol” aimed at reducing any stigma related to mental health issues, encourage conversation and “help people get better at asking questions”. Yesterday (6 July), it arrived in London, and the riders formed a guard of honour along Constitution Hill, The Mall and Horse Guards Parade.

Riders Minds partnered with the Baton of Hope; the equestrian mental health charity’s founder Victoria Wright said it was something “we knew we had to get involved with”.

“The mission of the baton is to bring about change in how we approach the subject of suicide, how we talk about it and how we support those affected by it,” she said.

“It is an honour to have a mounted section of the tour, in which the baton was carried on horseback from Hyde Park into Horse Guards Parade thanks to help of Richard Waygood. This is an important moment for the equestrian industry and we’re proud that Riders Minds and British Equestrian are able to work together to deliver a very important message.”

Oliver, who rode with his Tokyo Olympic team gold medal on, said it was a “huge privilege to be part of this important occasion”. Mollie, who has shared her own mental health journey openly on social media to help others, added: “It’s really important we’re here today, and to be able to talk about a topic that needs to be raised, have more awareness of and be spoken about more. To be able to ride through the streets of London and play a small part in helping suicide prevention – I hope it shows that even in the darkest times, there is hope and they are not alone.”

The baton, and the message it represents, was delivered to the Houses of Parliament that evening.

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Mollie Summerland has made the “hard” yet “sensible” decision to put her 2021 Longines Luhmühlen Horse Trials five-star winner Charly Van Ter Heiden on the market.

Speaking on Luhmühlen’s chat show, during the 2023 event, Mollie said that “as much as it will break my heart”, the difficult decision has both their future interests front and centre.

Mollie explained that her financial position, renting stables at a base she loves, and knowing the level Charly is happiest at, and that he could be a serious contender for Paris 2024, are the factors behind the decision.

Mollie, who was competing in the CCI4*-S Meßmer Trophy at Luhmühlen with the 14-year-old Hannoverian gelding by Contendros Bube, said she will owe everything in her career to Charly.

“I think most event riders can relate at some point in their career of being in a position where they maybe own a horse themselves, and I do own Charly. So it’s probably, as everyone keeps telling me, the sensible decision to think about putting him on the market,” she said.

“I would love to see him go to Paris with somebody. I think he really is an Olympic horse. He deserves a chance to go on the world’s biggest stage and I would love to see him go to a rider and have that opportunity. But equally he would make a fantastic junior/young rider horse and go and win medals at that level as well.

“What is there left for him to win really with me, that he hasn’t already won? He owes me nothing. There’s horses for courses and I don’t really feel that the Badminton and the Burghleys are what he enjoys, but there’s so much more that you can go out there and do and he’s just been an exceptional horse.”

Mollie and Charly have risen through the ranks together. He is the horse with whom Mollie scored her first international win, topping the CIC2* (now CCI3*-S) at Nunney in 2017, when Mollie was 18, and the following year the pair were ninth individually at the young rider Europeans.

In 2019, they scored a major milestone result by finishing third in the Grantham Cup at Belton and winning the Polly Phillipps Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the highest-placed British rider who has not been part of a senior championship team. Their record is a sea of top finishes at four-star, including winning Barbury in 2022, and headed by that career-defining five-star victory at Lumühlen in 2021.

“I just have to be realistic, try to be grown up and make a sensible decision, as much as it’s going to absolutely break my heart,” said Mollie.

“I don’t think there’s many event riders who could say that at some point during their career they haven’t had to make that difficult decision and I think it’s just the right time.

“We had this opportunity [to sell him] almost before the Tokyo Olympics, and I couldn’t go through with it. I don’t regret that for one second, because we came here to Luhmühlen – he’s done so much for me and I’ve learned so much with him.

“But you can’t always hang on to them for ever. Maybe later down the line, when I’ve got myself a bit more set up, I wouldn’t have to make this difficult decision. I would just love to see him go somewhere lovely and I’d love to see him go to Paris, I think he deserves that opportunity.”

She added: “The words that I used in my interview when I won [Luhmühlen] were, ‘this horse has changed my life’. And he really has.

“Hopefully I have a long career in this sport – everything I ever go on to achieve will be thanks to Charly and how he set me up. I have a lot to thank him for.”

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The nine-year-old Cooley Snapchat, ridden by Selina Milnes, marked himself as a star of the future when he topped the Bramham Horse Trials results in the Defender CCI4*-S today (10 June).

“It’s really nice to win here because this is such a big event and they make such an effort and Ian Stark’s courses are amazing to ride,” said Selina. “I came here thinking he could win and he did.”

Selina piloted William and Angela Rucker’s son of Kannan round to finish just three seconds over the 6min 42sec optimum time, having earlier showjumped clear. This meant they moved up from eighth after dressage to fifth following showjumping and then into the top spot.

“I actually thought he may have gone into the main ring and gone a little green with the crowds – he hasn’t done a lot to be honest – but he was jumped really, really well. Cross-country he was just on it and he’s so easy to ride. He’s straight, he’s not strong, and he just keeps coming,” said Selina.

Despite saying yesterday that this weekend was all about educating Flow 7, Mollie Summerland put in one of only two rounds inside the time with her own, Paula Cloke and Mark Johns’ nine-year-old, elevating herself into second place from outside the top 10 coming into the final phase.

Mollie said: “He just continues to exceed expectations. I bought him unseen off the internet, never tried him, and he didn’t start eventing until he was seven. He’s just blows us away with his ability. He was totally fearless and I didn’t even feel like I was going fast. He just eats up the ground and he’s such an exciting horse for the future.”

Zara Tindall had four time-faults on the experienced five-star horse Class Affair to finish third in the Bramham Horse Trials results for this class. She explained she has to adjust her natural style to get the best from Gleadhill House Stud’s 14-year-old, riding him differently to her former stars Toytown and High Kingdom.

Zara said: “My other two good horses would look for the flags. Class Affair has all the ability but he’s probably not the most genuine, whereas the other two would move themselves out the way to get around the flags.

“He’s just tricky in his brain and with my competitive head on, I think, ‘I’m going straight here’ whereas I need wind my neck in and ride him differently and maybe not be as gung ho and competitive. I have to try and start out a little bit slower – it’s not really me but I have to do it because otherwise we end up running out.

“When you jump big fences on him he feels amazing and I’ve been guilty of getting overexcited while going around and then not paying attention. When he’s 19 it might all come together at the same time!”

Will Rawlin and Ballycoog Breaker Boy recorded the other clear inside the time for fourth.

Influential fence impacts Bramham Horse Trials results

The top two after showjumping both faulted at the most influential fence in this section. This was the triple brush arrowhead on a bounce distance from a step-ditch at fence 7abc, The Bramham Round House. Many horses ended up underpowered up the step and were too far off the arrowhead or seemed not to sight it. The play of light and shade on the fences was potentially also a factor in the faults here.

Winner Selina said of her ride here on Cooley Snapchat: “I was obviously worried about fence seven. That was a real question for a young horse and he’s never ever seen anything like that in his life. I thought he’s either going to do it or not, and he jumped up and just read it really well.”

Tom McEwen and MHS Brown Jack, dressage leaders and second after a single showjump down in the Bramham Horse Trials results for this section, had 20 penalties at fence 7b but went on to complete, while the leader going into cross-country, Australia’s Bill Levett, retired Sligo Candy Cane after he half fell onto the alternative arrowhead at fence seven following his problem on the direct route.

Ros Canter and MHS Seventeen – third after dressage and 11th after showjumping – also had the first of two problems at fence seven.

Stephen Heal and Quidam De Lux were fifth after dressage and moved up to third with a showjumping clear. But they ran into problems early on the cross-country with a run-out at the second element of the Yorkshire Dales Ice Cream Cones – a similar problem as befell four-star long dressage leaders Ros Canter and Izilot DHI – and then incurred a further 20 penalties at 7b.

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Tom McEwen was the first rider into the Bramham Horse Trials dressage arena for the Defender CCI4*-S this morning and he blasted into the lead with MHS Brown Jack – and then proceeded to hold pole position throughout a full day of action.

Tom scored 28.7 with Fred and Penny Barker’s nine-year-old to sit 3.7 marks ahead at the conclusion of the phase.

“I’m delighted with Jack – he’s got better and better,” said double Olympic medallist Tom. “It really helped him to go to Bicton a couple of weeks ago, doing the same test, having a run. We’ve found a real way with him now and he’s enjoying it and relaxing into it.”

The horse finished eighth in this class last year and the original aim was to return for the long format this time.

“But he wasn’t quite ready – he didn’t quite have the dressage at the beginning of the year and then the wet weather,” said Tom. “He’s a big horse and not just physically but in his brain he’s still quite youthful and hasn’t really seen the world and panicked about things he really doesn’t need to panic about. So for him it’s just time and education.”

Tom was full of praise for the organisation at Bramham.

“Bramham do go above and beyond in their preparations for horses,” he said. “There’s no making a big show out of it, but I’ve ridden this morning at 6.30am and they’re already out there [working on the ground] and I’ve been walking the course at 7pm and they’re still watering. Not much is said but it’s hugely appreciated and it’s a mega show.”

Australia’s Bill Levett piloted his own and Elisabeth Murdoch’s Sligo Candy Cane into second on 32.4 towards the end of this second Bramham Horse Trials dressage day.

“I’m hoping to get selected for Aachen if I can have a good run here – that’s been the goal all year to try and get selected for Aachen and then get him into some bigger competitions,” said Bill, saying the spacious grass arena and strong cross-country here would get the horse “in the groove” for the German supershow.

Bill bought the now 10-year-old Sligo Candy Cane from Ireland’s Sarah Ennis as a young horse.

“I’ve taken him slowly, but the goal was Paris because I’ve never been to the Olympics,” he said. “I’m sort of a bit outside the favourites [for the Australian team], but it’ll be a lot of fun trying to stake my claim over the next eight months or so with this horse. He’s a super careful show jumper – probably the best showjumping event horse I’ve ever ridden.”

Yesterday’s leaders Ros Canter and MHS Seventeen now sit third and Kirsty Chabert has slotted into fourth with her own and The Daisy Chain Syndicate’s Opposition Loire, who was third in the CCI4*-L here last year.

Mollie Summerland is now fifth equal on her own Paula Cloke and Mark Johns’ Flow 7, alongside Stephen Heal and Quidam De Lux, who performed yesterday.

Mollie said: “He’s still so green. He’s nine but he didn’t start eventing til he was seven. So he’s stepped up the levels really quickly and I’m not expecting anything from him this week. He’s just here to learn about life and hopefully next year we’ll be really excited for him. This year’s just about educating him.”

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Britain’s Tom McEwen and his second ride Bob Chaplin went into third place after their Pau Horse Trials dressage test this afternoon (28 October). The 11-year-old grey, who is owned by Penny and Fred Barker, produced a solid test to score 24.6, which leaves them just 0.4 penalties adrift of dressage leaders Felix Vogg and Colero. Izzy Taylor and Monkeying Around are second on 24.4.

“He was a really good boy – I knew he could do a good test but, apart from one of the changes I messed up, he produced a clear round,” said Tom. “I know he’s expressive but he’s not yet strong enough to be able to do all of that in the arena.

“For me at this stage, it’s more important to go and get a nice clean test, rather than worrying about how expressive he is because I know that will come with time.”

Tom explained that variety is the key to this horse.

“My fiancée Harriet has been hacking him out and looking at the racehorses that are out exercising here every morning. Plus he’s done a little bit of arena familiarisation for 10 minutes and that’s it.

“He’s really cool, but can get a a bit bored and irritated by being worked in the school. However much you want to go in and work on little bits and bobs with him, it’s actually much better leaving him. I made that mistake with him at Luhmühlen,” said Tom, referring to the 30.9 test they pulled off at the five-star there earlier this year.

“He’s also been on the road two weeks now as we took him to Le Lion D’Angers with us last week, which has helped keep him happy and fresh. I’m very much looking forward to tomorrow and to crack on.”

Fellow Brit Mollie Summerland scored 25 in the first phase today with her own 13-year-old Charly Van Her Heidnen to sit in fourth overnight.

“He felt really rideable and did everything I asked. I think one change maybe wasn’t as expressive as I rode it a little bit safe,” said Mollie, who was a little bit deflated after her Pau Horse Trials dressage test as she felt she could have been awarded more marks. “I was really happy with the way that he went and he had a really good brain in there. He didn’t take too much work outside so it’s nice to know that I’ve got some left in the tank for tomorrow.

“I’d have to watch it back, but maybe the judges could see something that I couldn’t feel. It’s always interesting to watch it back, but you know, it’s a good start, so I’ll take that.”

The cross-country gets underway at 1pm (12pm British time) tomorrow (29 October).

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From the last five-star of 2022 at Pau Horse Trials to a chance to see Annabella Pidgley and Gio in action, check out this week in horse sport…

1. Pau Horse Trials, France

Dates: 27-30 October

More info: event website

How to watch: live stream available via Horse & Country

Get the H&H lowdown: extensive online coverage available at horseandhound.co.uk/tag/pau-horse-trials. To keep reading on our website after five articles, readers will need to buy a Horse & Hound website unlimited subscription, or, for great value, order a combined magazine and website subscription. If you are already a magazine subscriber, the cost to upgrade your subscription to include full website access is minimal – call 0330 333 1113 to find out more. Full five-page report in the magazine next week (issue dated 3 November).

Why we’re excited about it: it‘s the final five-star of the year and a strong field is set to do battle in France. British contenders include eventing World Championships reserves Kirsty Chabert and Classic VI, 2019 Burghley Horse Trials winners Pippa Funnell and MGH Grafton Street and 2021 Luhmühlen Horse Trials winners Mollie Summerland and Charly Van Ter Heiden, who return to the site where they made a successful five-star debut in 10th in 2020.

2. Knowsley Estate High Profile Show, Aintree International EC, Merseyside

Dates: 27-30 October

More info: venue website

How to watch: live stream available via Horse & Country

Get the H&H lowdown: Full report in 3 November issue of H&H

Why we’re excited about it: High Profile shows are always a great opportunity to see the country’s top riders in action, often with younger or upcoming horses, or as preparation for other major events. This year’s Aintree addition to the calendar is no exception, with the likes of Emile Faurie and Fiona Bigwood set to be in action at grand prix level. There will also be much interest surrounding Annabella Pidgley’s entry into the top class with Gio, the gelding who carried Charlotte Dujardin to four medals in 2021. Annabella, 17, and Gio only recently made their grand prix debut as a combination – this being Annabella’s first ever venture into top level – and so there will be much excitement around the opportunity to see them in action at Aintree. There are several other big names amongst the entries at lower levels, too, including Becky Moody and Sadie Smith both in action at small tour with exciting rides.

3. The English Home Pony, South View, Cheshire

Dates: 26-30 October

More info: southviewarena.com/events.asp

How to watch: ClipMyHorse.TV

Get the H&H lowdown: full report in next week’s magazine, in the shops Thursday 3 November

Why we’re excited about it: ponies and their riders will be travelling from across the nations to compete at South View for one of the key dates in the calendar for junior riders. There are championship grands prix to contest, a host of qualifiers as well as the ever-popular team events where national glory is at stake.

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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

Mollie Summerland and Charly Van Ter Heiden proved they have put a disappointing Badminton behind them by topping the CCI4*-S in the Keyflow Feeds Barbury Horse Trials results.

The pair, CCI5* winners at Luhmühlen Horse Trials last year, posted such a stunning dressage mark – 18.7, the best at the level by a British rider since 2014 – that they were able to afford a showjump down and 14 cross-country time-penalties and still maintain a cushion of 3.1 penalties over Pippa Funnell and Billy Walk On.

The Italian judge at C, Nice Attolico Guglielmi, awarded Mollie and the elegant black 13-year-old Charly Van Ter Heiden a 10 for their entry and first halt, setting the tone for the test, and did the same for their final centre line and halt.

“I knew it was a good test, but I didn’t expect a record-breaking mark!” said Mollie.

“I’ve been working really hard on the showjumping, because it’s something I need to get more confidence and ring-practice in. He jumped out of his skin here – the only fence he touched the whole way round was the one coming out of the combination, where I just got a bit tight myself. I should have trusted him, but it was one of the nicest rounds he’s done.”

Their Badminton came to an end with refusals at the jump into the Mars water complex, and Mollie admitted that she was “a little bit nervous” about the similar question at the main arena water at Barbury. They popped in happily, however, and nothing on Alec Lochore’s cross-country track appeared to ruffle their feathers.

“He prefers attacking riding – he’s a nervous horse, and the slower I go, the higher he jumps. We have our best rounds when I am really positive, but I wanted to take enough time to make the turns smooth,” said Mollie, who also admitted she had found her retirement at Badminton hard to deal with after her win at the level last year.

“I felt a lot of pressure in the run-up to Badminton, and when it went wrong I took quite a long time to come back from that. I deleted all my social media apps for a while and that was really refreshing – to take a step back, focus on myself and take some time back in my own little bubble.”

She dropped Charly Van Ter Heiden down to intermediate level for three runs, resisting the temptation to tackle anything bigger until Barbury.

“Initially I wanted to go straight out and redeem myself, but giving ourselves the chance to regroup was the right decision. He wears his heart on his sleeve, and I felt that his confidence was knocked as much as mine was,” Mollie said. “The feeling that he is enjoying his job again is what I am most happy about.”

Barbury Horse Trials results: Funnell in second

Pippa Funnell and Billy Walk On’s Badminton had ended prematurely at the same jump into water as Mollie and Charly Van Ter Heiden’s, and successful negotiation of the similar question at the Keyflow water here was probably as satisfactory as their second place overall.

A dressage mark of 23.4 meant they were runners-up at that stage, and their showjumping round was impeccable.

Barbara and Nicholas Walkinshaw’s Billy Walk On is a big, strong model of a classic three-day event horse, and not the most obvious candidate for nipping round Barbury’s tight turns and twisting undulations. However, 16.8 time-faults and a finishing score of 40.2 allowed the pair to hold off third-placed Fiona Kashel and Creevagh Silver De Haar by just under a penalty.

“He felt very good this week – it was nice that he wiggled his head and bucked and felt very happy, as I didn’t have any of that at Badminton. He felt flat all week there,” said Pippa.

Billy Wonder, on whom Pippa was third after dressage with 24.7, retired after an early cross-country stop.

Fiona Kashel has made her mark on Barbury in recent years – she had three horses in the top 12 in this class in 2021, and Creevagh Silver De Haar also finished sixth in 2018.

“Because he isn’t strong, the undulations here suit him as I can keep bowling on, up and down,” she explained.

A first-phase score of 31.5 left them just outside of the top 20.

“He has kissing spines, which we medicate, so he’s always a bit tight in the canter, but he’s very level-headed and stays with me,” she said. “He’s a pleasure to ride – not uber-talented, but so easy.”

Their 9.2 cross-country time-faults were only undercut by Wills Oakden on Arklow Puissance’s 8.8, which elevated them from 52nd after dressage to sixth. Felicity Collins (RSH Contend Or) and Zara Tindall (Class Affair) filled fourth and fifth places.

The cross-country caused its problems, with several riders, most of whom didn’t manage sufficient control over the first drop element, caught out by a subsequent frangible corner off a turn at the base of the quarry. There were a couple of unexpected stops at the upright rails into the final water, including French championship combination Christopher Six and Totem De Brecey.

You might also be interested in:

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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 Badminton Horse Trials cross-country continued to exert considerable influence on the dressage leaderboard at the Gloucestershire event presented by Mars Equestrian. Kitty King managed to consolidate her place at the business end despite time-faults.

Kitty had a rough ride through the first water on Vendredi Biats (Froggy), where the horse jumped in extremely boldly and she had to ride through on a long rein, but the grey stayed on his line. But their round was almost flawless otherwise, and although she incurred eight time-faults, he seemed to be galloping well within himself, just easing up over the final few fences. Their time was good enough to go into third place at this stage.

Kitty was particularly pleased with Froggy’s performance given that historically he has found the left rein harder.

“Unfortunately when I knew the track was on the left rein, I knew it was never going to be easy for him,” she said. “From a young horse he has struggled with turning left, and all the approaches to the tricky combinations were on a slight left turn – Huntsman’s, the water — and he likes to be on the right lead.

“We were a bit slow, but I had to calm down and think what we were doing – I felt I was making heavier weather of it than it needed to be. So I had to take a pull and think, let’s sort this out and get the balance. He helped me out all the way, that’s the way a partnership works. It wasn’t the smoothest ride I’ve ever had, but those left turns were a huge factor.”

Badminton final scores

Badminton Horse Trials cross-country: the hard-luck stories

Emily King was coming to the end of a superb round on Valmy Biats, having held 16th place with 28.5, when the horse came into the Savills Hay Feeders three fences from home with too much momentum. He took a flier at the B element rolltop and left a leg, propelling himself into the turf. Emily’s leg was briefly caught in the stirrup but mercifully both horse and rider did get to their feet to walk off the track.

Mollie Summerland’s courageous debut came to an end at the second water when her Luhmühlen winner Charly Van Ter Heiden petered out at the vast drop in. They were holding fourth place after dressage but across-country Charly looked overwhelmed by the intensity and dimensions and his jump was becoming increasingly high and laboured over the few previous fences. After two attempts at the drop she put up her hand to retire.

Read our full Badminton form guide in this week’s issue of Horse & Hound (issue dated 5 May 2022). Our bumper 20-page Badminton report will be in our 12 May issue and keep fully up-to-date with all the action during Badminton week via horseandhound.co.uk, where a host of features and reports will be published.

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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

Kitty King conjured a personal best performance from Vendredi Biats in the Badminton Horse Trials dressage phase, at the event presented by Mars Equestrian. The European team gold medallist looked tearful as she left the arena, knowing her partner had given his all.

“He was brilliant! He was quite tricky yesterday and kept breaking in all his medium trots, so I was a bit stressed, but he was much more with me this morning,” said Kitty. “I gave myself too much time to warm up today so did a lot of walk as he was so focused and practised our halts.”

This warm-up technique paid off. Their halts earned nines and 10 from Christian Landolt.

“I heard a gasp and thought I must have gone wrong – I’m not used to getting 10s!” she said.

Kitty eked out every mark from “Froggy”, as the grey is known at home, to score 24.8 and sit second. He was engaged and submissive, while showing plenty of impulsion, for a mistake-free test.

Badminton final scores

“His eyes can pop out of his head, and his stride can go short, so I was worried when they were clapping the previous rider,” Kitty added. “But I did a quick flexion and leg yield and he was straight back with me.”

Badminton horse trials dressage: Luhmühlen winner makes dream debut

The Luhmühlen winners Mollie Summerland and Charly Van Ter Heiden made an exciting Badminton debut. The pair produced a dream test with no major mistakes, the highlight being the extended canter, which earned a nine from Christian Landolt, the judge at C.

“I feel shell-shocked; I didn’t really expect that,” said Mollie. “I have never ridden in front of crowds like that and I’m just so proud of him. He deserves that result and I’m just glad I didn’t let him down.”

Having scored 29 at Luhmühlen, she trumped that with 24.9 to move briefly into second spot behind Tom McEwen and Toledo De Kerser – until Kitty King moved ahead of her – in the middle of the afternoon session on day one. The 13-year-old by Contendros Bube is a flashy mover with four white socks and showed off his cadenced yet fluid paces to impress the judges.

“I couldn’t believe my score when I came out as he was quite excited in the atmosphere outside so I couldn’t practise my flying changes,” she added. “He’s my best friend so to ride in that arena was such a privilege.”

Mollie admitted that the pressure since winning a five-star last summer has been tough.

“There’s a lot of expectation and I’ve found it hard to get the balance right and enjoy the sport,” said Mollie, 23, who chatted with her sports psychologist before the test. “I was introverted and emotional and worried yesterday, so I’m just so relieved today.”

German rider “disappointed” by sub-standard display

Germany’s sole starter Christoph Wahler looked set for an eye-catching debut after finishing runner-up to Mollie at Luhmühlen last year, riding the striking grey Carjatan S, by Clearway. The 13-year-old looked ready to burst outside the ring, but Christoph managed to settle him initially so that he understood his job between the boards and he showed off his expressive paces. He just about held it together for the first half of the test, while looking as if he really wanted to take on the cross-country fences in the main arena. However, the halt and rein-back seemed to frustrate him – scoring twos – which affected the subsequent flying changes.

“Really disappointing,” was Christoph’s verdict. “He had seemed really relaxed over the past few days, though he can be quite sharp. But I know what kind of test he can do when he is calm and relaxed and listening to me and today he was absolutely not. When he competed at Luhmühlen, there were no spectators so obviously the arena atmosphere got to him a little bit.”

So far, no one has been able to catch Tom McEwen, fourth into the arena on this first day of dressage. However, Kitty and Mollie are now breathing down his neck within 1.5 penalties to the leader.

You may also like to read…

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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

Forty Badminton Horse Trials first-timers are among the entries for the competition, revealed today. The event (4-8 May 2022), presented by Mars Equestrian, runs for the first time since 2019 this year after two cancellations owing to Covid.

Britain’s Mollie Summerland is one of two riders in the unusual position of being a Badminton first-timer who already has a five-star win under belt – she triumphed at Luhmühlen Horse Trials last year with Charly Van Ter Heiden.

The other five-star victor who is also a debutante is Australia’s Hazel Shannon, a three-time winner of the five-star at Adelaide with her Badminton prospect, Terrence Snow’s Willingapark Clifford. Dominic Schramm, who is based in the US, is also a first-timer for Australia, riding Bolytair B.

Among the 12 British debutants who have been accepted without being placed on the waiting list is reigning under-25 national champion Bubby Upton, with her mother Rachel’s Cola, who finished 12th when the pair tackled their first five-star at Pau Horse Trials last year.

Kylie Roddy will also make her Badminton debut for Britain. She rides the Fox family’s SRS Kan Do and this pair also impressed at Pau last year, where they finished 11th with a double jumping clear. She also has Carden Earl Grey on the waiting list, but in 31st place, so his participation is doubtful.

Badminton final scores

Fellow Brit Felicity Collins finished 10th at the Bicton Horse Trials one-off five-star last September on her mother Vicky and Avrina Milton’s RSH Contend Or, who she has entered for Badminton this time.

The other British Badminton Horse Trials first-timers are Alice Casburn (Topspin), David Doel (Galileo Nieuwmoed plus Ferro Point on waiting list), Rosie Fry (True Blue Too), Fiona Kashel (Creevagh Silver De Haar), Rose Nesbitt (EG Michealangelo), Hector Payne (Dynasty), James Rushbrooke (Milchem Eclipse) and Libby Seed (Heartbreaker Star Quality). Additionally, Jo Rimmer (Isaac Newton), Sharon Polding (FindonFirecracker) and Caroline Clarke (Touch Too Much) are all on the waiting list.

Susie Berry is the only Irish rider hoping to make her debut this year, riding John The Bull.

The British, Australian and Irish debutants will be joined by others from Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand and the USA. Twenty-seven first-timers are among those riders whose entries have been accepted without being wait-listed, while an additional 13 riders are on the waiting list.

You might also be interested in:

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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

Mollie Summerland’s Luhmühlen Horse Trials winner Charly Van Ter Heiden will hopefully be back out eventing this season following his injury last year.

“He’s back in the school cantering and we’re just very much taking it slowly,” says the young event rider in an interview on this week’s Horse & Hound Podcast.

“He’s spent the whole time walking up massive hills, so he does look incredible, he probably looks the best he’s ever looked – he’s slightly chunky and looks a bit like a dressage horse, but he feels amazing in himself.

“Liz Brown, my vet, has been so good and so patient and she never wants to take the risk of running before we can walk. At the minute, Badminton Horse Trials is still potentially on the cards, but if he isn’t going to be fully fighting fit by then, it really doesn’t matter to me. He can just go somewhere else because I’m going to be totally led by all these experts that I’ve got around me.

“He has nothing to prove to me anymore or anyone. So if we get to go to Badminton together, then that would be amazing. But if not, then that’s fine.”

Mollie also chats on the podcast about the “massive roller coaster of emotion” after she and Charly Van Ter Heiden won at Luhmühlen.

She says: “I went to an event not long after coming home when Charly had had his routine scan. He’d come home sound, there were no problems, but I knew he had had that scan and we were told just to wait a minute, not to try and think about picking back him back up for the autumn.

“I was at a competition with another horse and it was hard because people were coming up to me saying, ‘Oh my God, it was amazing. You must be on cloud nine.’ And all I could think about was that Charly might have this injury at home and I just wanted to burst into tears in front of them all. But I couldn’t say anything at the time, because we didn’t really know what it was or how to manage going about saying about it.

“It was hard because you’re so happy and grateful you had that result. But then also part of you wants just to fall into a puddle of tears in front of them and say, ‘Actually, it’s not quite like that at home at the moment’.”

Find out more about Mollie’s epic journey to Luhmühlen, including the time she spend in quarantine in the Netherlands, and the trainers and support team she relies on to help her by listening to episode 89 of The Horse & Hound Podcast here or search “The Horse & Hound Podcast” in your favourite podcast app.

You might also be interested in:

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Five-star horse steps down to give young rider experience: ‘I’ll miss him, but it’s the right thing for him’

Five-year-old Chilli Morning clone enjoys educational outings: ‘He’s just like Chilli – it’s uncanny’

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

Find out how winner Mollie Summerland prepared for her least favourite phase of the competition and who she paid tribute to after claiming victory

Mollie Summerland topped the Luhmühlen Horse Trials results for the Longines CCI5* this morning (20 June).

The 22-year-old British rider showjumped clear with just 1.2 time-faults to complete her pillar to post lead on her own Charly Van Ter Heiden.

“I always thought to myself I wasn’t that good under pressure and I really don’t like showjumping,” admitted Mollie afterwards. “I videoed the course and sent all the videos to Jay Halim, who I’ve recently started training with, and he talked me round the course.

“I felt that whatever happened when I went in there, I was proud of what I’d done and if I was second or third, that’s enough for me. I was happy with my performance before I’d even gone in and I imagined in my head I was at a normal showjumping.”

Mollie paid tribute to the Luhmühlen organisers for running the show amid the pandemic, to her trainers Carl Hester, Olivia Oakley, Robin Dumas and Jay and to the World Class structure and British support team, all of whom have been helping her remotely this week.

“This is the best day ever and I don’t it ever to end,” she said. “To sum up how I feel is nearly impossible. This horse has changed my life and I hope his breeder Klaus Steffens, who came to see him yesterday, is very proud of what he created.”

That Mollie made it to Luhmühlen at all was an extraordinary feat – when the German travel ban hit, she was desperate still to ride at her second five-star and continue the momentum after 10th at Pau last year. Understandably nervous of making the journey alone, with the requirement for multiple border crossings and 10 days out of the UK, she approached journalist Tilly Berendt at Houghton Horse Trials and asked if she might go with her.

Tilly accepted the challenge and masterminded the pair’s trip across Europe – as a measure of what Tilly took on, at one point in the build-up, she made 40 phone calls across four countries in one day. The pair went to Dutch rider Tim Lips’ base to spend the required period outside the UK, took in a showjumping competition in the Netherlands – which Mollie said today was very helpful as it had a similar feel to Luhmühlen – and then travelled on to the German event.

“It was an amazing experience to go to Tim’s but also quite hard,” she told H&H after her dressage. “I was chatting to Tim about it and he said the only other time riders would be in another country as long is generally before a big championship and riders find it really difficult because they have so much spare time on their hands and a lot of headspace, which they aren’t used to. It’s tempting to overwork horses so I had to be strict on myself to avoid doing that with Charly.”

The field at Luhmühlen had been decimated by the travel ban, with more than 70 starters dwindling to 25 for Wednesday’s trot-up. But no one can beat competitors who are not present and to win any five-star is a huge achievement.

It did look like Mollie might falter at the final hurdle today, with Charly rattling a few fences and the clock ticking over the permitted 93 seconds as they completed Marco Behrens’s course. But nothing fell and her three seconds over the target left her 1.9 penalties ahead of the field.

Luhmühlen Horse Trials results: international podium

The top three was all about youth and rising stars. Christoph Wahler, 27, took second with a secure clear today on his own and Lena Thoenies’ grey Carjatan S. He is on Germany’s Olympic longlist and with most of the contenders in the CCI4*-S here, it’s tricky to know where he might rank for a Tokyo spot, but with Germany usually announcing their championship team immediately after Luhmühlen, that question is likely to be answered imminently.

Ariel Grald was the oldest podium rider and is still only 32 – she punched in a strong result for the USA by jumping clear to move up from fourth overnight to third on Anne Eldridge’s impressively rangey Leamore Master Plan. He did hit fence seven, the upright with blue candy striped poles, quite hard today, but luck was with her and it stayed up.

Britain’s Emilie Chandler was third overnight, but she and Maria Doel’s Gortfadda Diamond had the second part of the double at fence 10 and the final airy parallel at fence 13 down to drop to sixth.

Clears secured fourth for France’s Luc Chateau (Troubadour Camphoux) and fifth for Michael Jung (FischerWild Wave). It is worth noting that had the German not incurred 11 penalties yesterday for breaking a frangible pin when his ride left a leg at the rail into the combination at fence 28a, he would have beaten Mollie by 0.1 of a penalty.

British-based New Zealand rider Samantha Lissington held seventh with the first part of the double at fence 10 down and 1.2 time-faults on Ricker Ridge Rui.

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Riders’ thoughts on Luhmühlen cross-country course – plus drone footage of the track *H&H Plus*

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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 what happened at the Luhmühlen Horse Trials final trot-up for the CCI5* – and what chance young Brit Mollie Summerland has of winning

The Luhmühlen Horse Trials final trot-up for the Longines five-star took place at 8.45am German time – or 7.45am British time – today (20 June).

The 15 horses who completed yesterday’s cross-country were all presented to the ground jury – Anne-Mette Binder, Katrin Eichinger-Kniely and Ernst Topp – and all of them passed on first inspection.

There was a slightly longer pause before the ground jury nodded through Barnahown Corn Hill, the ride of Ireland’s Michael Ryan, but then he was accepted. Michael wore a yellow ribbon on his jacket, a mark of respect for Tiggy Hancock, the 15-year-old Irish event rider who died in an accident while training last week.

Britain’s overnight leader Mollie Summerland wore a Team GB jacket, with her hair in a long plait down her back, to present Charly Van Ter Heiden. She will showjump last in this morning’s session, trying to win her first five-star on her second start at the level. She will not have a fence in hand over Germany’s Christoph Wahler (Carjatan S) if he jumps clear.

Emilie Chandler – sporting a blue waistcoat with military buttons this morning over a white shirt – holds third for Britain on Maria Doel’s Gortfadda Diamond. It’s likely she will need to jump clear to hold that place as there are three other pairs within a fence of her – and a clear from her could put pressure on Christoph, who is currently 3.9 penalties ahead of the British pair.

Equestrian data analytics company EquiRatings currently gives Mollie a 75% chance of winning on its prediction centre, with Christoph having a 17% chance and Emilie 7%.

The CCI5* showjumping starts at 11am German time (10am British time).

The Luhmühlen Horse Trials final trot-up for the CCI4*-S Meßmer Trophy is currently taking place and the showjumping for that class is at 1.20pm German time (12.20pm British time). This class is effectively the German final trial for the Tokyo Olympics and the top three spots are held by home side riders, with Michael Jung leading on FischerChipmunk, Julia Krajewski second on Amande De B’Neville and Sandra Auffarth third on Viamant Du Matz.

Australia’s Andrew Hoy currently sits fourth on Vassily De Lassos – after a clear across country and a personal best dressage of 27.6 – and will hope to secure his spot for the eventing at the Olympics with this performance.

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Find out what happened at the Luhmühlen first trot-up and who will be starting in the CCI5*

Young British rider leads Luhmühlen dressage: ‘It’s amazing to be in this position – but I don’t expect to stay here’ *H&H Plus*

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Riders’ thoughts on Luhmühlen cross-country course – plus drone footage of the track *H&H Plus*

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How to watch Luhmühlen Horse Trials 2026 live from anywhere in the world

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 cross-country day unfolded at the first European five-star of 2021...

Twenty-three-year-old British event rider Mollie Summerland has maintained her dressage lead after the cross-country phase in the Longines five-star class at Luhmühlen Horse Trials.

She finished 14 seconds inside the 11 minute 4 second optimum time to remain on her 29 dressage score on her own 12-year-old, Charly Van Ter Heiden (pictured).

Luhmühlen cross-country result 2021

“I feel quite emotional after that round – he’s just an exceptional horse,” Mollie said. “I’m so inexperienced but he’s just got a heart of gold and he wants to do it.

“He’s only 24% blood but he keeps galloping and pushing himself to the absolute limit for me and to find a horse like that is just extraordinary – I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve a horse like him, but he’s just amazing.”

From the 24 cross-country starters, 13 jumped clear, with only five of those completing inside the optimum time.

“The course was so relentless and we never had many let ups,” explained Mollie. “That’s why Charly is so genuine – if I had a few green jumps it didn’t knock his confidence. It wasn’t perfect by any means, but he was clear and that’s all I could have ever wanted.

“I wish Team GB were out here with me, but they have been on the phone every step of the way. My friends sent me videos of how the course was riding as I had to get Charly ready myself this morning so I didn’t get the opportunity to watch any of how the course was riding and that definitely helped.”

New Zealand’s Tim Price, who was in second and third on 2019 Luhmühlen five-star winner Ascona M and Ringwood Sky Boy respectively, retired both horses following run-outs in the latter part of the course.

This meant Germany’s Christoph Wahler climbed from seventh after the first phase into second on Carjatan S thanks to a clear round across country, inside the time. They are 3.1 penalties adrift of Mollie going into the final phase tomorrow.

Britain’s Emilie Chandler has climbed from eighth after the dressage into third, thanks to a clear jumping round across country on Maria Doel’s 12-year-old Gortfadda Diamond. They picked up just 3.6 time-faults to go into the final phase on 36 penalties.

“I wanted to come here in the first place, but the Covid restrictions made it difficult,” Emilie explained. “I went to Bicton with this horse last week and I didn’t have a very good run – I had two early run outs and so I pulled him up to save him for another day. But then the quarantine rules changed and I put the original plan back into motion.

“So I came off the back of a not very good run so mentally it took quite a lot for me to get on with it, but I believe in the horse and cross-country is my favourite bit and he lived up to my expectations. He was a bit free in the first quarter of the course, but once I got the fences in the main arena out of the way, as that was my biggest concern with the turns as this horse isn’t always the easiest to manoeuvre, I grew in confidence all the way around, and by the end I felt like I could have jumped anything on him.”

Ariel Grald, from the United States, is in fourth with Leamore Master Plan on 37.4, while Ireland’s Cathal Daniels is in fifth with LEB Lias Jewel on their 36.1 dressage.

Britain’s David Doel had good rounds on two out of his three rides, sitting in 11th and 12th with Carneyhaugh Rua and Shannondale Quest respectively. He retired his other ride, Dunges Don Perignon, on course after a couple of run-outs.

The final showjumping phase gets underway tomorrow at 9.30am (BST).

.

Read the full report from Luhmühlen in the 24 June issue of Horse & Hound magazine, plus keep checking back to horseandhound.co.uk for further updates throughout this weekend.

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Find out what former Luhmühlen winner Tim Price and dressage leader Mollie Summerland think of the five-star course

Former winner Tim Price describes the Luhmühlen Horse Trials cross-country track for the five-star as “pretty decent”.

The track, designed by Mike Etherington-Smith, has 31 numbered obstacles.

“He’s done very well to have a lot of variation and to use what little undulation there is,” said Tim. “He’s even found a bit of extra space out the back, so there are some new elements we haven’t seen before. It’s big and strong and the time will be quite influential.

“Of course Mike was designing for a much bigger field when more UK-based people were coming out [before the Covid-19 travel ban] so by the stage the entry dropped, the course was built so we got ourselves a pretty decent track.”

Mollie Summerland, who leads after the dressage, said: “I think the course is seriously intense – there are four waters and it’s a proper five-star track. I’ve been sending videos of the combinations to my trainers Robin Dumas and Dickie Waygood and they say it’s a proper five-star track and tests you right from beginning.”

Fellow British rider Emilie Chandler commented: “It’s a good track and I’m look forward to having a ride round tomorrow. There’s plenty to be jumped, plenty of combinations, a lot of questions. I’d say it’s quite an intense kind of course, but all there to be jumped at same time.”

Luhmühlen Horse Trials cross-country: the tricky fences

Tim said the Meßmer water at fences 13, 14ab and 15 is one of the toughest questions.

“Fence 13 in the water is quite a skinny skinny – it’s not much of a target,” he said. “Then it’s a courageous five strides or a more conservative six to a hanging log [fence 14a] which is really hung out over the water. It’s very gappy and a long drop down so it will take punchy riding and a brave and confident horse.”

The final elements of this combination are an angled shoulder brush (fence 14b) and an angled house over a ditch (fence 15).

Tim also said the Longines Kombination (fence 8abc), with a big table to two “very big corners”, all on a right hand bend in the main arena, will be a strong test.

“All the distances are very demanding – you’ve got to go get them everywhere,” he said.

Finally, Tim mentioned the LVM Wellenbahn (fence 17abc) where there is a narrow birch rail, followed by a drop and a corner.

“It’s three strides to the drop off and three to the corner. The drop has got a bit of a ditch on the landing side, so you’ve got to really squeeze the horses off, you can’t let them pop off. You’ve got to carry that speed to the corner, so it need a bit of seat of the pants riding,” he said.

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Find out what the rising star said and why fellow British top-10 rider Emilie Chandler had a hectic time getting to the event

Mollie Summerland leads after the Luhmühlen Horse Trials dressage for the Longines CCI5* class.

The 23-year-old British rider scored 29 for her test on her own Charly Van Ter Heiden.

This is not as low a mark as the pair have scored in the past, but all the tests seemed to be marked on the harsh side today. Mollie’s ride is a great mover and particularly impressed in his extended trot, scoring a nine from Anne-Mette Binder at C and eights from the other two judges.

Her marks did drop down to fours in the third flying change and it was also a pity that Charly tripped in his 8m circle in trot, for which his marks ranged from 5.5 to 7.5.

“I’m such a perfectionist and I did make quite a costly mistake in missing that change,” said Mollie. “Also, it’s 34 degrees here, which is why he shook his head in walk as the flies were bothering him, which you can’t blame him for.

“I already feel quite a lot of pressure being here, let alone going into the lead, but I know the horse can do a good test and those mistakes did cost me a more comfortable margin – but of course I can’t complain.”

Mollie and Charly made their five-star debut at Pau Horse Trials last year, where they finished 10th.

“It’s obviously amazing to be in this position after day one, but I don’t feel like I’m going to stay there – there’s lots to jump tomorrow and I want to remember it’s only our second five-star and ride the horse I’ve got under me and if I feel he’s going green, not to let the result go to my head and to remember to do what’s right by him.”

Tim Price holds second and third for New Zealand. The top trio are tightly bunched and Ascona M, the reigning Luhmühlen title holder as she won in 2019, is just 0.1 behind Mollie, with Ringwood Sky Boy – who was first into the arena – another 0.1 in arrears.

Lucy Sangster and Peter Vela’s elegant grey Ascona M also had a couple of slightly lower marks in the walk and halt but was very consistent aside from that.

“She’s very talented and can score very low on flat so we know that’s in there,” said Tim. “She was going at about 80% of what she’s capable of. She struggles with halting and staying nicely connected, so I had to fake my way through the halts, but other than that she was very good and very rideable.”

Varenna Allen, Robert Taylor and Tim’s Ringwood Sky Boy, the 2018 Burghley Horse Trials winner, is 18 years now and put in a thoroughly professional test that befitted his age and experience.

“He’s such a delight to do – we know each other inside out and the process of getting him ready to do a test has become less and less. He has a lot of anxiety and nervous energy. It’s taken him some years to be at peace with himself, but it’s nice now not have to do a lot with him and when it’s time to do test, he understands it’s time to try hard,” said Tim.

There are three British riders at the five-star and Emilie Chandler holds eighth after the Luhmühlen Horse Trials dressage on Maria Doel’s Gortfadda Diamond with 32.4. His test was smooth aside from a slightly stilted rein-back and there was some marking discrepancy in one of his flying changes, for which scores ranged from 4.5 to seven.

“I was absolutely delighted – I don’t think he could have tried any harder. He was really rideable and relaxed,” said Emilie. “I was a bit disappointed with the mark but I thought it was the best test he’s done for me so I’m thrilled with him.”

Emilie had a “hectic 24 hours” getting everything organised to get out to Luhmühlen after news came in last Saturday (12 June) that British-based riders could obtain exemptions to the German travel ban and quarantine requirements. She had been at Bicton Horse Trials with Gortfadda Diamond, but had pulled up early across country after a run-out.

“His owner and I decided to come at 8pm on Sunday night and it was all systems go, but luckily I had got quite a lot organised before the rules came in and we decided not to come. Trying to do it from scratch would have been impossible,” said Emilie, who left home at 2am on Tuesday and arrived around 24 hours later.

Mollie and the third British rider, David Doel, had both taken the plunge to travel to Luhmühlen despite the difficulties and had left early to allow them to quarantine for some time outside Britain, as required before the exemption was granted.

David has three rides, with Gillian Jonas’s Shannondale Quest 18th after today’s dressage, Tim and Alice Page’s home-bred Dunges Don Perignon 22nd and Ian and Jane James’ Carneyhaugh Rua 24th.

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Over this festive season, we are shining a light on up-and-coming talent across the equestrian disciplines. These are riders you really need to keep an eye out for during the 2021 season...

For Mollie Summerland, 2020 went from an incredible high to a desperate low in just days, when she returned from finishing 10th in her first five-star at Pau Horse Trials to find she had to move from the yard where she had been based.

“I really struggled and didn’t know what to do,” says the 22-year-old. “I don’t have any stables or land at home and the last thing I wanted to let go was my horses because it’s taken me a long time to build my own mini string of three horses I really rate. I wanted to exhaust every option first because to sell any of them would be a real shame.”

Mollie says she spent “a month on the phone, 12 hours a day” exploring options, including ringing many professional riders.

“Financially I’m not in a position where I can pay to be with a professional, but it was difficult for someone to take me with three horses,” she says. “It was really nice to realise how much support is out there. You don’t realise how many other riders have been in that situation, struggling financially, and having to move yards.

“So many riders who didn’t know me gave up their time to speak to me and give me advice. It made me realise that while it’s such a competitive sport, it’s like a big family in that everyone does want to try to support you.

“After speaking to a lot of riders I realised they had all had to sell top horses along the way to keep going and I knew it was something I might have to do. At one point I came to the realisation I might have to sell my top horse, Charly Van Ter Heiden – a couple of people did ring after Pau wanting to buy him and I just thought, ‘Please don’t ask me that when I’m in my most vulnerable position.’

“There was one day when I thought I cannot do it, I cannot find a way to make this work. I couldn’t see a way through.”

Mollie started to look into renting stables and rang Milton Stud, who were advertising stables to rent, even though they were beyond her budget. She was able to come to an arrangement with the stud owner, Sarah Ensor – whose daughter Jemima was a junior team silver medallist in 2000 on Lake Placid – involving Mollie moving her two older horses to the Wiltshire property in return for helping Sarah with some of her horses.

“Sarah is away and not back until March and I haven’t met her, but she’s been amazing – people can be so generous and supportive. She said the impression she got was that I needed a bit of a leg up,” says Mollie.

Mollie has been living in her lorry since September but Sarah has also sorted her some accommodation.

Mollie says: “It’s been fine in my lorry – it’s one of those things you’ve got to do when you have to spend money on horses, but it doesn’t have a shower or washing machine so I’ve felt like such a burden on people. It will be so nice to have my own little flat and I’m quite excited to have my own space.”

Mollie Summerland: ‘I haven’t made 2021 plans yet’

Charly had a break after Pau, just hacking out, and started to return to schooling work in mid-December. Mollie feels Badminton Horse Trials would be too big an ask for him next year, although the likely lack of spectators did tempt her as he’s a horse who does notice crowds – but he is is more likely to tackle another spring event such as the German five-star at Luhmühlen Horse Trials.

“I haven’t made any plans as all my time has been spent trying to sort myself and my horses out,” she admits.

Mollie also bought a six-year-old called Flow, by For Romance out of a De Niro mare, from Germany and he arrived just before Pau. She has recently sold some shares in him to Paula Cloke, who saw Mollie advertising the opportunity on social media.

“I bought him unseen off videos I found off the internet, which was risky, but I loved him – he was my type, black with four white socks and dressage bred,” she says. “I spoke to the people a lot, saw lots of videos and good friends in Belgium – who I bought Charly from – recommended a good vet hospital in Germany where he went for a full vetting.

“I am really excited about him – he’s probably one of the most talented horses I’ve sat on and has so much presence. He’s 17hh or 17.1hh, but really narrow so I don’t find him too big to ride.”

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Mollie Summerland also has a two-year-old stallion out of Charly’s full sister by Chacoon Blue and is hoping to come to an arrangement with a stud where he can live for now.

“Even renting a field for him is a big overhead when you don’t have much money so I’m talking to a couple of studs about him and trying to find a win-win situation as I really want to keep the ride,” she says.

Looking back, Mollie says event riders’ lives can be quite different to the outward appearances on social media: “People say you must still be on cloud nine after Pau, but I never really had a chance to appreciate Pau and the past month has been horrendous thinking I’d have to give up everything I’ve worked for. You need so much financial backing to last in this sport. People can look through rose-tinted glasses and think ‘Everything must be brilliant for her’, but behind the scenes it can be really tough.”

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

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

Last week (23-26 October), we were treated to the sole five-star of 2020 at Pau. Some of the world’s top riders and horses did battle, including having to navigate course designer Pierre Michelet’s testing cross-country course. The track was over a distance of 6,340m, featuring 31 numbered fences and with an optimum time of 11min 8sec.

To give us a proper feel of how the course rode, here is a video of young British talent Mollie Summerland and Charly Van Ter Heiden tackling their first five-star track. They went on to finish clear inside the time across country to move up from eighth after dressage to fifth. They unfortunately lowered two rails on the final day in the showjumping and incurred 1.2 time-faults to finish in eventual 10th, which is still a huge achievement nonetheless.

So, buckle up and enjoy the ride!

After her round, Mollie told H&H: “It doesn’t feel like it’s sunk in how well he went. When I finished I thought it wasn’t the prettiest round I’ve ever ridden. He is so genuine and that’s where our partnership really counts. When I heard them say I had finished bang on the optimum time, I was expecting to burst into tears and have strong emotions, but I think I was in complete disbelief — it was a very strange feeling.”

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Mollie continued: “I didn’t have time to watch anybody go before me as I was 11th to go, but I’ve been training with Robin Dumas leading up to this event and he had given us such a good tune up. I sent him videos of the course for him to offer me advice and training with him has given me a lot of confidence in the run-up to my first five-star.”

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

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