Latest from Horse & Hound in Paradressage

The Ermelo trio return – with a twist: British para dressage team revealed for FEI World Championships

Oscar Williams — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 13:33:13 +0000

The British para dressage team for the 2026 World Championships in Aachen, Germany (11-23 August) has been announced – with one real surprise.

It was expected that three of the four combinations who competed at the Europeans in Ermelo last summer would return. Grade I combination Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg and grade II combination Jemima Green on Fantabulous are back and expected to be the two big scorers on the team.

Nicola Naylor is back too, but not on her European ride Humberto L – instead, she’ll be riding her other grade IV partner, Moulin Rouge.

We wrote when the nominated entries were released that 14-year-old Humberto L and nine-year-old Moulin Rouge had been shadowing each other all season, with Humberto L holding the higher grand prix B average – the score that determines the team medals – but Moulin Rouge having just won a head-to-head between the two at Wellington CPEDI3*.

After that was written, Humberto L burst into form at the final selection trial at Hartpury CPEDI3*, winning all three grade IV tests and scoring 74.46% in the grand prix B.

Moulin Rouge was runner-up behind her stablemate in both the grand prix A and B, trailing by a couple of percentage points – though Nicola had eased off from asking too much of the still-developing mare at Hartpury, which puts the gap in context.

On which of the two might ultimately be selected, Nicola said at the time: “I’ve let them give what they wanted to give, and I've been very relaxed about which one comes out on top.”

My guess is that most would have expected Humberto to get the nod on the numbers. But the selectors may have half an eye on Los Angeles 2028, wanting to test the exciting young mare in a championship setting. Humberto will instead be Nicola and team’s direct reserve.

The fourth spot

Gabriella Blake was the fourth rider at the Europeans, but her long-time ride Strong Beau retired in April.

That left one spot in genuine contention, fought out between Erin Orford on LJT Nutbush, Lee Pearson on Breezer, and Sophie Wells on MSJ Gold Standard – and, like the fourth-spot race for the dressage team, it went down to the wire.

Lee arrived at Hartpury as the form pick, Breezer sitting fourth among all eight nominated combinations on the season’s grand prix B average. But it was a quieter week by his own standards – 71.9% in the grand prix B, down on a season average of just under 73%.

Erin and LJT Nutbush swept all three grade III tests, but their 71.1% grand prix B average was the softest of the trio coming in, and a solid rather than spectacular 71.97% wasn’t enough to close the gap.

It was Sophie and MSJ Gold Standard who seized the moment, winning all three grade V tests with personal bests throughout – 74.05% in the grand prix A, 74.4% in the grand prix B and 80.27% in the freestyle. The result lifted her season grand prix B average from 72.36% to 72.87%, overtaking Lee’s, which dipped to 72.56% – a swing that settled the fourth spot in her favour.

The team’s clear goal in Aachen is qualification for the LA 2028 Paralympics, secured by finishing among the seven highest-placed teams, hosts USA aside. Britain fell just short of the medals at both last summer’s Europeans and the Paris Paralympics, finishing fourth and sixth respectively – so nothing can be taken for granted. But with three of the horses on the team 10 or younger, there's a young core here capable of carrying this squad well beyond Aachen, LA included.

British para dressage team for Aachen World Championships

Grade I

Mari Durward-Akhurst with 19-year-old mare Athene Lindebjerg

Owners: Diane Redfern, Nick Durward-Akhurst and Romilly Hart

Breeder: Ulla and Kristian Bech

Breeding: by Gribaldi, out of a mare by Diamant

Grade II

Jemima Green with eight-year-old gelding Fantabulous

Owner: rider

Breeder: Rainer and Angelika Alhers

Breeding: by Foundation 2, out of a mare by Fürst Romancier

Grade IV

Nicola Naylor with nine-year-old mare Moulin Rouge

Owner: rider

Breeder: P Buwalda

Breeding: by Ferdinand, out of a mare by Dorado

Grade V

Sophie Wells with 10-year-old mare MSJ Gold Standard

Owner: Emma Blundell

Breeder: Mount St John Equestrian LLP

Breeding: by Governor, out of a mare by Fürstenball

Reserves in alphabetical order

Nicola Naylor with 14-year-old gelding Humberto L

Owners: Rosalind Emery Kay and rider

Breeder: J Lamers

Breeding: by Cachet L, out of a mare by Haarlem

Erin Orford with 14-year-old gelding LJT Nutbush

Owners: Carl Hester, Anne Barrott, Rowena Luard and The Lady Joseph Trust

Breeder: Mr A Gregory

Breeding: by Negro, out of a mare by Sion

Sir Lee Pearson with 14-year-old gelding Breezer

Owners: Jenson Guest, David Pearson, Linda Pearson and rider

Breeder: Sir Lee Pearson

Breeding: by Bacardi

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

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‘No such thing as it can’t be done’: 71-year-old World Championships rider hopes to inspire others – and win medals

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 19 Jul 2026 17:05:00 +0000

A rider due to compete at the World Championships aged 71 said her aim is of course to win a medal – but also show there is “no such thing as ‘it can’t be done’.”

Germany’s Heidemarie Dresing will start at Aachen, a home championship, as the overall world number two in the para dressage rankings but she is top of the Grade II list. She brings her 11-year-old mare Poesie 123, with whom she has won seven of her eight international starts this year.

“Naturally, my aim is to win a medal,” Heidemarie said. “At my first World Championships in 2022, the 2021 Paralympics and the 2019 European Championships, I came fourth several times. While I was fortunate enough to take three gold medals home with me from last year’s European Championships in Ermelo, the desire to make it on to the podium at the home World Championships in Aachen is very strong.

“Beyond that, however, I also want to inspire older people and serve as a role model, because there is no such thing as ‘it can’t be done’! If you exert yourself and stay active, you can achieve amazing feats even at an advanced age.”

Heidemarie has multiple sclerosis, which means she has neurological and muscular impairments such as balance issues, fatigue and reduced muscle strength. She relies on a wheelchair, as she said she can only walk a few metres without it.

“Staying active keeps me fit!” she said.

Heidemarie first rode aged eight; her mother had always loved horses, she said. She had riding lessons and first competed in showjumping, then bought a horse with “the first real money I earned”.

Heidemarie Dresing: horses are my life

“Horses are my life,” she said “I can’t imagine life without them. Naturally, my training has changed since the onset of the illness, but I am still absolutely thrilled by the sense of unity and harmony we can create together.

“Sometimes I am moved to tears when I see everything the horses do for me and how considerate they are. They respond to the subtlest of aids and are forgiving of mistakes, too, which is something really special.

“Competing has always been part of my life, because I am very ambitious. When I thought my illness meant I would no longer be able to compete at shows, I initially wanted to quit. But then I learnt about para sports from [German para dressage rider] Hanne Brenner and suddenly I was able to compete again – albeit in a different way compared to before.”

Heidemarie Dresing added that Poesie is “as crazy as I am!”

“She is a fighter and has a mind of her own – after all, she is a girl!” she said. “But that is precisely the attraction of it. She is a truly special horse and the two of us harmonise extremely well together and share a very subtle form of communication.

“The horses provide fresh motivation for me every single day, they are the best medicine. It is fantastic that we para athletes are now part of the event in Aachen. It is great to have this opportunity to demonstrate our skills on such an impressive stage.”

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Paralympic champions among British para dressage entries for 2026 World Championship

Oscar Williams — Thu, 25 Jun 2026 14:38:31 +0000

The eight-strong British para dressage squad shortlist for the 2026 World Championships in Aachen, Germany (11-23 August) includes Paralympic gold medallists Sir Lee Pearson and Sophie Wells.

We’re expecting confirmation of the four definite entries in mid-July, and form-wise, there are no real surprises in the nominated entries. Three of the four combinations from last summer’s Europeans are among the entries – the exception is grade I rider Gabriella Blake, whose Europeans ride Strong Beau retired in April.

The other three are Mari Durward-Akhurst with Athene Lindebjerg, Jemima Green with Fantabulous and Nicola Naylor with Humberto L.

The stakes for selection are higher than usual. The worlds are the principal qualification route for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympics – the seven highest-placed teams, hosts USA aside, secure their tickets in Aachen – so this is no championship at which to experiment.

A nation of Britain’s standing should make that cut, but they finished fourth at both last summer’s Europeans and the Paris Paralympics, just outside the medals each time, and on that form, nothing can be taken for granted. Expect the selectors to name their strongest possible side.

Mari and the vastly experienced 19-year-old Athene look all but certain of a place – European bronze medallists last summer, and seemingly on better form now than they carried into those championships.

Jemima Green and Fantabulous, breakout stars of the Europeans with double, and unexpected, individual grade II bronze, have gone from strength to strength this season. Their grand prix B scores – the test that decides team placings – have been up around two and a half percentage points on the form they carried into Ermelo.

Nicola Naylor poses the selectors an enviable problem: she is one of only two athletes on the list – with Sophie Wells – nominated with two horses, and this season there has been precious little between them.

Humberto L, her grade IV partner from Ermelo, and the younger Moulin Rouge have shadowed each other all spring, the latter edging both grands prix and the freestyle when they met head to head at Wellington in June. But on grand prix B, the season’s figures lean back the other way, Humberto L averaging around 73.1% across his internationals to Moulin Rouge’s 72.6%.

The pick of the chasing group is Sir Lee Pearson. The 14-times Paralympic gold medallist and home-bred Breezer, who Lee rode at the Tokyo Paralympics and the 2022 worlds, have averaged just under 73% in the grand prix B at CPEDIs this spring.

Among the international averages of the nominated entries this season, that puts them fourth, behind only Athene, Fantabulous and Humberto L.

Behind them, it tightens: Moulin Rouge is a fraction off stablemate Humberto L, and Sophie Wells’ current stronger grade V mare, MSJ Gold Standard, only a touch further back on 72.4%, a little over two points adrift of Fantabulous. Sophie’s other ride, LJT Egebjerggards Samoa, is on 71.3%, and Erin Orford’s LJT Nutbush on 71.1%.

So at the moment, with the team built from the three best grand prix B scores and no more than two riders per grade, the strongest side on current form would be the three combinations from Ermelo – Mari, Jemima and Nicola – plus Lee.

These averages rest on just two or three spring internationals apiece, so a single test can shift the order, which is what makes the final domestic international, Hartpury (1-5 July), worth watching. For the able-bodied team, it’s likely to have little bearing on selection; for the paras, with places this tight, it could be decisive – and it’s the chasing pack who have the most to gain.

British para dressage squad shortlist for the 2026 World Championships

The full list of nominated entries, by classification grade and then in alphabetical order by athlete surname, is:

Grade I

Mari Durward-Akhurst with 19-year-old mare Athene Lindebjerg

Owners: Diane Redfern, Nick Durward-Akhurst and Romilly Hart

Breeder: Ulla and Kristian Bech

Breeding: by Gribaldi, out of a mare by Diamant

Grade II

Jemima Green with eight-year-old gelding Fantabulous

Owner: rider

Breeder: Rainer and Angelika Alhers

Breeding: by Foundation 2, out of a mare by Fürst Romancier

Sir Lee Pearson with 14-year-old gelding Breezer

Owners: Jenson Guest, David Pearson, Linda Pearson and rider

Breeder: Sir Lee Pearson

Breeding: by Bacardi

Grade III

Erin Orford with 14-year-old gelding LJT Nutbush

Owners: Carl Hester, Anne Barrott, Rowena Luard and The Lady Joseph Trust

Breeder: Mr A Gregory

Breeding: by Negro, out of a mare by Sion

Grade IV

Nicola Naylor with 14-year-old gelding Humberto L

Owners: Rosalind Emery Kay and rider

Breeder: J Lamers

Breeding: by Cachet L, out of a mare by Haarlem

Nicola Naylor with nine-year-old mare Moulin Rouge

Owner: rider

Breeder: P Buwalda

Breeding: by Ferdinand, out of a mare by Dorado

Grade V

Sophie Wells with 10-year-old mare LJT Egebjerggards Samoa

Owner: The Lady Joseph Trust

Breeder: Anders Green Hansen

Breeding: by Blue Hors St Schrufo, out of a mare by IPS Gribaldi

Sophie Wells with 10-year-old mare MSJ Gold Standard

Owner: Emma Blundell

Breeder: Mount St John Equestrian LLP

Breeding: by Governor, out of a mare by Fürstenball

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Part-bred Connemara who won medals for Britain retires: ‘He owes me nothing’

Lucy Elder — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:04:34 +0000

Strong Beau, the medal-winning ride of Britain’s Gabriella Blake, has retired aged 17.

The part-bred Connemara shone on his big-stage debut at the 2023 European Dressage Championships, where they won individual Grade I bronze and helped the British side to a team medal of the same colour.

The duo were among the nominated entries for the Paris 2024 Paralympics, and also competed at last year’s Europeans, where they were placed in all three tests.

“There are no words to describe how much Beau, my unicorn, has meant and given to me,” said Gabriella, who owns the 15hh gelding with her parents Gavin and Estelle.

“He has been my freedom, my legs, my best friend and teacher. He has given me the confidence to enter the world of para dressage and compete against the best in the world.

“We have had the most amazing competitive eight years together and I have learned so much from him. He was not your typical dressage horse but he has always had such presence and tried his heart out for me, and for that I am eternally grateful. He was never short on character – a cheeky chap with a spring in his step – and that has not changed heading into his retirement.

“I feel the time has come to do the best for him – he owes me nothing and given me everything. He will be hard to replace, but the search is on for my next unicorn. Thank you Beau.”

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‘There’s so much the public can take from the sport’: calls to raise the profile of para dressage

Becky Murray — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 16:02:13 +0000

Could more be done to raise the profile of para dressage – and boost spectators?

Britain has been at the forefront in para dressage, winning medals on the world stage, but closer to home Paralympic and European medal-winning rider Mari Durward-Akhurst believes there is still work to be done on increasing awareness of the discipline as an elite sport.

Mari has made it her goal this year to increase the visibility of her sport and has been using her social media to encourage conversations.

“When I do public speaking many people still say they haven’t heard of para dressage or don’t know anything about it, including some horsey people,” Mari told H&H.

“It’s such a fantastic sport, but it’s not talked about that much alongside dressage and I think it should be spoken about as the elite sport it is.”

Mari would like to see more spectators at para dressage competitions.

“Some people can think para sport is a bit boring, like watching a grade one walk test, but if people came they would realise it’s not boring,” she said.

“When we competed at the Europeans in Rotterdam in 2019, the showjumping and dressage were on at the same time so we had massive crowds. People learned about para dressage and said they wanted to watch it again.”

Mari added that other benefits of raising the sport’s profile would be giving horses more experience of crowds before championships – and helping find new sponsors and owners, which has been an ongoing concern for para riders. But she acknowledged the sport is facing challenges, such as organisers’ concerns about rising costs and low entries, making it difficult for shows to be viable.

“We don’t always have the numbers; I went to a qualifier recently and I was the only grade one – so the organisers will think, ‘Why run para classes?’” said Mari.

“If we get more spectators, hopefully organisers might host us at bigger events, or be more open to para displays.”

Paralympic medallist Sophie Wells agreed, telling H&H: “There’s so much the general public can take from the sport – but it’s having the platform to do it and get people interested.

“We want to get the sport out there, we’ve got people that have amazing and inspiring stories and can be role models,” she added.

“If no one’s watching, you don’t get into that public space and then the younger generation or people at home who maybe have a disability and don’t think anything is possible don’t see what can be achieved and what some of our riders overcome.”

Last year Olympic dressage rider Spencer Wilton became technical advisor to the British para dressage team and attended the Europeans in Ermelo.

“For me personally, getting to know the riders and understanding not only their abilities and disabilities but some of their day to day challenges has been extraordinary,” Spencer told H&H. “Very few people really see and understand what goes on behind the scenes.

“I think in para dressage we’re maybe lacking riders’ stories – people know all about the Whitakers or Laura Collett for example. People love to get to know riders, they become personalities and characters, and I think this could be a good way to get more people interested.”

Hartpury hosts some para fixtures alongside able-bodied competitions, and event organiser Kathryn Cadoux-Hudson told H&H spectators can be a challenge across the board, especially with people using live streaming.

“I agree raising the profile of riders could help, and maybe more could be done to explain what the different grades mean as that is maybe difficult for the general public to understand. Having more awareness and understanding could help with interest,” she said.

British Dressage (BD) communications manager Camille Peters told H&H that BD is “deeply committed” to raising para sport’s profile.

“It is very much part of our identity, and we are immensely proud of the achievements of our athletes over the last 30 years since para dressage was introduced to the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics,” she said.

“At national level, with the exception of the National Championships, all of our major para fixtures are free to attend and are promoted through the BD newsletter and live shows system — we would welcome even more spectators to come along and support our riders and venues.”

Ms Peters added that when para and non-disabled classes run alongside each other, they have the same amount of digital coverage from BD – and para is a “key part” of BD’s magazine.

“We provide extensive live coverage on our website and social media during major championships, where senior, para and youth teams are treated equally. This parity will be seen in action at this year’s World Championships in Aachen, where both teams will receive the same level of service and support,” she said.

“While we acknowledge there is always more that can be done, especially at grassroots level, we continue to promote opportunities that strengthen the links between para and non-disabled sport – and dressage remains one of the most accessible disciplines for riders of all ages and abilities.

“In recent years we have also expanded our competition pathways to support those with non-visible disabilities through our partnership with Virtus and SportExcel, underlining our commitment to equality and diversity by providing dressage opportunities for all.”

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‘She’s gorgeous’: top British rider eyes World Championships with exciting new ride

Becky Murray — Sat, 07 Feb 2026 13:33:45 +0000

Paralympic medallist Sophie Wells has a new exciting ride, as she aims for selection for this summer’s World Championships with two horses.

Grade V rider Sophie has taken on Emma Blundell’s MSJ Gold Standard. The nine-year-old Governer x Furstenball mare, known as Gracie, has been produced to advanced medium by Holly and Amy Woodhead.

“She’s done a few demos at Burghley and Bramham and things in big atmospheres and she’s really good with that, so I’m hoping she can come out at the internationals this year and we can see how far we can go,” Sophie told H&H.

“She was for sale last year and I went to try her but we weren’t in a position to be able to buy. I said to Emma I’d love the opportunity to campaign her and to let me know if circumstances change, then I got a message before Christmas.

“I’ve only had her a few weeks, but it’s started really well, so hopefully that continues. She’s beautiful, she’s a chestnut mare, she loves her food, she’s gorgeous.”

First outing for Sophie Wells with new ride

Sophie and Grace had their first outing at Vale View on 1 February, scoring 72.56% in a grade V grand prix A test.

“It was lovely. Obviously there were a few miscommunications because we don’t know each other that well yet, but the feeling in the arena was really positive. I could really ride her forward and she just went in and did her job, which was amazing to feel, so it’s really exciting,” said Sophie.

“The World Championships in Aachen would be the big goal. It’s very early days, we need to go out and do some more and see what the judges think, but I really like the feeling she gave me at Vale View.”

Sophie said her Paris Paralympics medallist, the Lady Joseph Trust and Henrietta Cheetham’s 10-year-old mare LJT Egebjerggards Samoa (Diana), is doing well and will also be aimed at the World Championships. Diana had some down time last autumn, but has returned to competition.

“Diana did the Arena UK high profile in December. We’ll do regionals and then crack on with the para winter championships and some internationals from there, so fingers crossed,” said Sophie.

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‘Finding something normal again’: Laura Scott on returning to the saddle and rising through the para dressage ranks

Oscar Williams — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 09:15:06 +0000

Laura Scott has been one of the standout para dressage riders this season, building momentum eight years on from a life-changing accident which left her with a broken neck and spinal damage at C4/5.

A former point-to-point rider, Laura’s world changed in an instant.

“I couldn’t feel or move anything from my neck down,” she recalls. Two months lying flat in the hospital followed, before an intense period of rehabilitation. “After a lot of physio, I walked out of the hospital, which felt huge.”

Her recovery continued at Oaksey House with the Injured Jockeys Fund – support she still draws on today. But it was four weeks after leaving the hospital that Laura made a decision that would shape what followed.

“I was struggling mentally with everything that came with the injury,” she says. “I knew I had to get back on a horse — even though I didn’t know how I was going to get on or off.”

With a trusted horse and a stack of straw bales, she climbed back into the saddle. “It was such a relief,” she says. “I knew I’d found something ‘normal’ again.”

That moment marked the beginning of a new chapter — one that has gathered momentum in 2025.

A big year for Laura Scott

Laura won at her first regionals in the elementary silver at Bicton, claimed the 2025 grade IV national title at Somerford Park, and swept three classes at her first CPEDI3* with CEI Summer Days (Summertime Blues x LDB Hotline).

“I was a bit worried I was chucking him in at the deep end by doing a three-star at his first international,” she admits. “But he was fantastic.”

Her success has been underpinned by consistent training with Nina Venables and Pammy Hutton.

“Their help and guidance have been instrumental,” Laura says. It was Pammy who first suggested para dressage and encouraged her to get classified — a pathway Laura knew little about at the time.

“I didn’t know anything about para dressage, so I’ve had to learn a lot,” she says. “But it’s been a great experience. It’s a wonderful community, and while it’s very different to pointing, it still gives me a goal — and I get my competition fix.”

Alongside her competitive career, Laura continues to work as head girl for her father, trainer Jeremy Scott, juggling racehorses and dressage with characteristic practicality. “It keeps me very busy,” she says, “but it works well.”

Laura bought Summer Days through Antonia Brown, and the connection was instant. “As soon as I saw him, I knew he was the one,” Laura says. “He’s talented, with the most fantastic temperament.”

Their journey together has moved quickly, from prelim tests to national and international success. “I feel incredibly lucky to be riding him,” she adds. “I’ve only scratched the surface so far.”

Looking ahead to 2026, Laura is measured but optimistic. Her focus is on continuing to develop CEI Summer Days, while also aiming to compete him at medium level able-bodied dressage.

She has also just backed a homebred four-year-old and is relishing the process of producing another horse from the start.

Being selected onto the World Class Programme has added further belief.

“With that support,” she says, “it feels like everything is coming together.”

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Medal-winning British rider smashes records in second sport: ‘It’s a totally different feeling’

Lucy Elder — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 11:06:55 +0000

Medal-winning British rider Erin Orford has been smashing records in a second sport.

Erin, who was part of the gold medal-winning para dressage team at the 2017 European Championships, has always enjoyed swimming. This year, she decided to step it up a notch – and has had a super first few months competing in the pool.

“I always swam as part of my fitness, but I’d never done any racing or competed,” Erin told H&H. “It was always something that I was a bit curious about, just in terms of where I sat with the classification and what level I would be at.

“I didn’t really ever have the time to do it properly, and then I didn’t have a horse to ride for the first half of this year, so I thought it would be a good opportunity to try something different while I was looking for a horse.”

Erin joined her local swimming club, Wycombe District, tried a couple of para sessions and was able to get classified in February.

“I did my first meet a couple of weeks later, and it just went from there,” she said.

“My coach knew there were a few British records that were within my reach. As soon as my classification was confirmed, he said, ‘Right, you can get these records!’”

Classification is specific for each sport. Erin, who had both her legs amputated aged one and has shortened lower arms with four fingers on each hand, is a grade III para dressage rider and a S4 para swimmer.

So far this year, she has set three new British records and swum at national championships – and has since qualified for five more races at the upcoming national championships in December.

Erin has also had a great season in the saddle, including winning the grade III national gold title with LJT Nutbush in September, on a score of 71.72%.

“It was meant to be that riding is the serious competition and swimming is for fun, but I’m irritatingly competitive!” said Erin, who also counts para dressage European individual bronze and world team silver among her medal collection.

“As soon as I start doing something, I want to be better. The first swimming meet I did, it was just so different, even down to the shouting and the noise – none of that I’m used to. It’s been really interesting, I have to control my breathing so much while being hyped up ready with my adrenaline going.

“It’s such a totally different feeling – I’ve grown to quite enjoy that different side and the hype to competing, and that it’s not subjective – you’re either faster or you’re not.

“For me, I’m racing against myself a lot, so it’s not racing as such, it’s a case of trying to be faster than I was last time. I get such a high like when you drop a time and you lose a few seconds. It is completely down to you, it’s you against the clock.

“There are a lot of crossovers between the two sports in that you can want it too much, try too hard, and don’t go as quick, so it’s been really interesting.”

She added: “I’m aiming for the para dressage World Championships next year with my horse, which takes priority. Swimming is going to have to fit around that at the moment, but it’s fun have other opportunities that challenge me in different ways.”

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‘I’ve gained a deep appreciation for para dressage in a short time – and I’m hooked’: Spencer Wilton reflects on his new role

Oscar Williams — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 09:32:07 +0000

An Olympic and World Championship medallist, Spencer Wilton is one of Britain’s leading dressage riders and technical advisor to the British para dressage team

I can say with complete honesty that 2025 is the year I’ve had my eyes opened to the world of para dressage.

I’d previously done training and a few shows with clients Susanna Wade and Melissa Cannon, but I was by no means an expert. So when Georgina Sharples, para dressage performance manager for the World Class Programme (WCP), approached me for a technical advisor role, I was surprised but excited.

Although it has been a steep learning curve, everyone has been incredibly welcoming. And I’ve spent time observing how every rider approaches training and competition.

Each is unique, but getting to know their disabilities, their strengths and how best to support them has been my biggest takeaway. They’re hugely talented and inspirational people.

When I was riding on British teams, the para squad consistently brought home medals and their success helped secure UK Sport and National Lottery funding for other equestrian disciplines. Those medals kept Britain in the game and helped us thrive. Now we have four funded sports regularly on the podium.

The team behind the team often goes unrecognised, but they’re vital. Between the home teams and the WCP, it takes a village.

Impressive medal stats

Angela Weiss and Nina Venables, the para dressage performance coaches, have been involved for 20 years. I asked British Equestrian for stats. In that time, para squads have won 157 medals, compared to 89 across the other three disciplines – although para dressage does have more medals on offer. The two of them are unsung heroes, who’ve given me invaluable support.

Over the past eight years, the professionalism and standards in para dressage have skyrocketed. With more nations now competitive, the margins are razor-thin. It’s great for the sport, but means securing medals is getting tougher every championship.

As an example, in a grade I walk test, earning seven or 7.5 hinges on minute details and losing half a mark here or there can mean the difference between a medal or sixth. The pressure is immense.

Having a strong back-up team makes a massive impact. One difference between para and able-bodied dressage is that in able-bodied dressage, most athletes have a professional set-up with their own staff.

In para dressage, it’s families putting all their time and resources into supporting a rider to achieve a goal, often with hopes resting on one horse. And access to WCP support becomes a game changer.

As 2025 was a non-qualification year, it was a chance to introduce new combinations at the recent European Championships in Ermelo. The selectors brought in Jemima Green and Nicola Naylor for their debuts, and with just three team appearances between them, Mari Durward-Akhurst and Gabby Blake.

Their faith paid off, with superb performances all round, and to finish just 0.7 off the team podium is remarkable with a fresh team.

Being on the British para team comes with medal expectations, but I remember being a newbie. The WCP message is always self-belief; you’ve been selected, you’re here because we believe in you. That’s what allows you to perform at your best.

Seamless support

When it’s time to perform, everyone steps up, but between those moments, it’s got to be enjoyable too, and if it is, that only helps athletes to deliver their best.

What people don’t see is how seamlessly the support team works. Everyone knows their role, but they all muck in. For para riders, even basic routines can be disrupted at shows, adding pressure. That’s why the team’s work is so vital – and they do it brilliantly.

Georgina Sharples never stops. She orchestrates everything: timings, preparations, coordination. I don’t know when she sleeps! Sophie Thomas and Vicky Cook from the WCP operations team handled all the logistics and did it with a smile. They’re incredible.

I’m 100% on board. After 30 years in dressage, I’ve gained a deep appreciation and understanding for para in a short time – and I’m hooked.

● How can Britain stay ahead as para dressage grows more competitive worldwide? To let us know your thoughts, write to us at hhletters@futurenet.com, including your name, nearest town and county, for the chance for your letter to appear in a forthcoming issue of the magazine

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‘Now is the right time’: medal-winning superstar bows out aged 17

Becky Murray — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 16:34:08 +0000

Danish Paralympian Tobias Thorning Joergensen announced the European Para Dressage Championships was to be his long-term partner Jolene Hill’s swansong.

The 17-year-old Blue Hors Schufro Hit daughter bows out on a high after being part of the Danish team that won bronze, and claiming two individual silvers, in Ermelo.

Tobias and Jolene won medals at all five championships she and Tobias have competed in. The pair won double individual gold at the Tokyo Paralympics, the 2022 World Championships in Herning, the 2019 Europeans in Rotterdam and the 2023 Europeans in Riesenbeck. They were part of the team that won bronze at the 2019 Europeans, and the team that won silver at the 2022 Worlds.

Since they burst onto the stage in 2019, Tobias and Jolene have won 29 of their 47 international starts. Jolene missed the Paris Paralympics last year owing to health concerns, and Tobias said she had spent time in hospital at the start of this year with stomach problems.

“I’m just really happy to be back in the arena with her. She’s been through a lot this last year, and I just want to enjoy the last ride with her,” said Tobias, after their grand prix A test on Wednesday last week (3 September), in which they won silver.

“She’s been very unlucky this year, but everything is ok now and she’s happy.”

Tobias and Jolene enjoyed a brilliant three performances at the European Para Dressage Championships, helping Denmark to team bronze. The pair enjoyed their last dance on Sunday (7 September) in the freestyle, finishing on 79.80% for the silver medal, behind Rixt van der Horst and Eisma’s Royal Fonq, who won gold with 80.63%.

“There’s a lot of emotions, when I came out of the freestyle I was crying for 30 minutes,” said Tobias.

“Now is the right time for her. After everything she’s been through, I’m proud of her to have been able to come here, and I think she deserves to end with three medals for everything she’s done for me – and for para dressage in general.”

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‘Magical’ second European gold medal for top rider and powerhouse stallion

Becky Murray — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 16:25:17 +0000

The Netherlands’ Rixt van der Horst and Eisma’s Royal Fonq NOP won their second individual gold of the week in the grade III freestyle at the European Para Dressage Championships.

This section featured strong competition but the question was whether anyone could top favourites Rixt and the powerhouse 10-year-old stallion, who have been on enviable form. Earlier in the competition Rixt said she felt the pressure after the Paris Paralympics, where she and “Fonq” secured two individual silvers and helped the Netherlands to team silver, but she had nothing to fear.

Rixt and Fonq were third-last to go, with new music for their Paris floorplan. A dark mash-up of Destiny’s Child’s Survivor created suspense and drama for the pair – who scored three 9s and a 10 for their stretch on a long rein, and two 9s for their choreography, for a stunning 80.63%.

Tobias Thorning Joergensen and the much-loved Jolene Hill put in a solid attempt to top them, but again had to settle for silver on 79.71%, in a repeat of Wednesday’s (3 September) individual grand prix A results. Italy’s Francesca and Salvade and Escari won bronze with 76.28%.

Magical moments

“I’m so proud that we did it again, and to do it here in the Netherlands, it’s magical,” said Rixt, who is aiming for the 2026 World Championships in Aachen.

“I picked that song because I’ve been through a difficult time in the past few years, and also Fonq has come a long way and is now shining with me, so I thought the music was really suitable for both of us.”

Rixt praised the standard and competitiveness shown throughout the European Para Dressage Championships, where tough battles were fought for the medals.

“We’ve seen a lot of good sport and the competitiveness between the riders, when it’s so close it makes it exciting. That’s what sport is about,” she said.

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Wonderful 10-year-old mare wins hat-trick of golds on championship debut

Becky Murray — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 15:14:12 +0000

Germany’s Regine Mispelkamp won the grade V freestyle at the European Para Dressage Championships to take a hat-trick of gold medals on her wonderful 10-year-mare Pramwaldhof’s Bayala championship debut.

In the latter stages of the grade V competition (7 September) the scores continued to rise with each combination. Sweden’s Lena Malmstrom posted 75.62% with Fabulous Fidelie, then Britney de John upped the ante to land 76.50% with Caramba NOP for the Netherlands.

Regine, who had won individual gold in the grand prix A on Thursday (4 September) and helped Germany to its historic team gold on Saturday, was last to go with Pramwaldhof’s Bayala, and the pair knew what they had to do. The lovely mare looked a little unsettled as they made their way around the outside of the arena, but as soon as they turned down the centre line, Pramwaldhof’s Bayala focused on nothing but her rider.

The pair’s routine, to music that included Chain Reaction by Diana Ross, showed off Pramwaldhof’s Bayala’s elasticity and athleticism, making use of shoulder-ins, half-passes and simple changes. Their highlight was their final centre line as they powered down towards the judges in extended trot.

“The last line was our highlight, but every step felt so nice. We got here and she said ‘I trust her’ and it felt so nice,” said Regine.

Regine had taken Pramwalhof’s Bayala to Ermelo for the mare to gain championship experience. Her top horse is Highlander Delight’s, whom she won three silver medals at the Paralympics.

“I’m so proud of her,” said an emotional Regine, after finding out she had won her third gold medal of the competition.

Britney de Jong won a hat-trick of silvers with her long-term partner Caramba NOP, the pair also making their championship debut.

“I was hoping for this but I didn’t expect it,” said Britney, highlighting her half-passes and pirouettes as their standout movements from their freestyle.

“He loves to be in the arena, it’s always ears forward ‘we’re going’.”

The bronze went to Lena Malmstrom and Fabulous Fidelie, who also won bronze in the individual grand prix A.

“She was the best today and we did it as well as we could,” said Lena.

“I didn’t expect to receive two medals, but I thought the competition was open and I backed myself, I believed it could happen. I’m so happy that we delivered something people enjoyed watching.”

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Meet the 65-year-old grandmother of four who’s just won her first gold medal

Becky Murray — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 11:41:58 +0000

After a self-confessed long time in the making, Sweden’s Louise Etzner Jakobsson landed her first gold medal, in the individual grade IV at the European Para Dressage Championships, on Thursday 4 September.

Louise and 14-year-old gelding Goldstrike BJ scored 72.92% to take the top spot in the grand prix A test, at the 65-year-old grandmother-of-four’s 10th championships.

“It took a while!” said Louise, with a twinkle in her eye. “His name is Goldstrike, so it was about time to take the gold medal.”

But Louise is no stranger to success, she won two bronzes at Rio in 2016 with former ride Zernard, and she and Goldstrike won an individual silver at Tokyo. They were out of the medals last summer in Paris, but they have been putting the work in, honing their craft – and it paid off in Ermelo.

“The canter has always been very good. I’ve been working with the trot for a couple of years now, and that was the happiest thing about my test,” said Louise after her medal-winning ride.

“I looked back at the test and the trot looked so nice. He was doing so well, the hard part was that he was very excited. It’s a difficult atmosphere for him, he can be afraid of cameras and different things, but now that we know each other so much more I feel that he trusts me. I can pat him and say ‘It’s ok’.”

Louise got Goldstrike shortly before Tokyo, with the Paralympics in mind.

“A friend had a contact in the Netherlands, and found him. We went and tried him during the pandemic,” said Louise.

“I thought this could be something, but I’ve had a lot of work to do. I taught him piaffe and passage and that’s helped improve his trot. He’s become much stronger and the trot has much more cadence. He’s very educated and he’s very proud when he does his canter work.”

Louise said Goldstrike has a “friendly character”.

“He loves when you scratch him, and he wants to scratch me back,” she said.

“He always wants to do his best, and it’s become easier as he trusts me more. It’s just about imagining that we are riding at home when we are in a competition.”

Louise added that her first gold medal hasn’t sunk in yet.

“It’s very special because I have a lot of help from my family,” she said.

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Meet Jemima Green: Britain’s dark horse who delivered two medals on her championship debut with her seven-year-old star in the making

Becky Murray — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 07:20:08 +0000

Jemima Green and Fantabulous may have been newcomers to the British squad at the European Para Dressage Championships – but when they cruised to an unexpected individual bronze medal in the grade II on the first day of competition everyone stopped in their tracks. If that wasn’t enough, just a few days later they claimed their second medal, when they danced their way to individual bronze in the freestyle.

In the lead-up to the Europeans, the pair had been posting solid scores – including a +76% freestyle at Hartpury CPEDI3* in July – so earned their place in Ermelo, but as championship first-timers, and Fantabulous only seven years old, the pair were untested in this environment.

This inexperience far from showed when they were the first of the Brits to go on day one of the competition, and they promptly delivered Britain’s first medal, thanks to an assured performance for 73%.

Jemima and “Fanta” were last to go in their grade II section and when Jemima found out they had earned a place on the podium, it was clear just how much this moment meant.

Jemima told H&H that she never dreamed a medal was on the cards.

“At first I had no idea I’d won bronze because I didn’t hear the scores. I was just so focused on our goals; I wanted to get round the arena, have good transitions, and hold it together,” she said.

“When I was told, I thought ‘Pardon?’. Later that night we had a moment to reflect, my dad teared up, my husband teared up, God, I teared up. It’s still a little bit surreal – we actually have a medal, it just seems odd!”

On the final day of the championships Jemima and Fanta won a second individual bronze, this time in the freestyle, with Jemima describing the assured performance as the most confident Fanta had felt.

Jemima learned to ride as a child and knew from a young age she wanted to work with horses. After studying beauty therapy, she went to work full-time as head girl for eventer Jodie Amos at Aston-le-Walls, then became her second rider. During this time Jemima produced her own thoroughbred, Ebony, to British Eventing intermediate level.

In 2015 Jemima had a non-riding accident and suffered a complete spinal cord injury, which left her paralysed from the waist down.

“My dad said when I came out of the coma one of the first things I said was ‘Oh it will have to be the Paralympics now’. I don’t actually recall being told I was paralysed, my body just knew. But I always said I want to give riding a go, even if it was just hacking, I wanted to try and get back riding,” said Jemima.

“I had to have quite a few surgeries, and January 2016 was my first attempt at getting back on a horse. I got on this amazing [Riding for the Disabled Association] RDA pony, and that’s when it really hit me: ‘Wow, this is going to be a massive challenge’. I had no balance, I couldn’t let go of the front of the saddle, and I was exhausted.”

Jemima persisted with riding – even though she “really struggled” – and she worked with her RDA coach Sarah Harris, then turned towards para dressage.

“I started riding a 14.2hh Connemara, and it was just building up little stepping stones. He didn’t have the best walk but he was so safe and balanced, and it was very much ‘This might not be our final goal but I need to get my stamina up and learn’,” said Jemima.

“It was a lot of learning. I knew how to ride, but you’re then going, ‘Hang on a moment, before I would do that – and now I don’t know how to do it in my new way’. There were a lot of frustrating times.”

Jemima Green on her para dressage journey

Jemima started competing in para dressage in 2019 with British Dressage southwest, going to para dressage camps and building up to home internationals.

“It was very much building up the mileage, and I did have to go through a few horse changes,” she said.

“One of my biggest goals was getting back on my horse Ebony, who I evented. We had a really strong bond and I did manage to get to some CPEDI3*s with her and we were selected for the British Equestrian podium potential pathway more than four years ago. That was a huge step.”

In 2023 Jemima bought Fanta as a four-year-old and had help from Anna Miller, who competed him in young horse classes, initially, as horses need to be six to compete in para dressage.

“As a four-year-old his temperament was really, really solid. He was well produced and very balanced. Obviously he has a great walk and trot, which is what I need in my tests,” said Jemima, who recalled an incident when trying him that sealed the deal.

“I wear Velcro thigh straps and had forgotten to do one up. I went off trotting, and he didn’t flap at all. He was so confident and really forward-thinking. Where I have no leg, they have to be forward-thinking. He’s so trainable, and from a four-year-old you really have the benefit of going: ‘This is what I need’, and teaching them from day one.”

When Fanta turned six last year Jemima started competing him in para classes and the pair made their international debut at the Hickstead CPEDI3* last May.

“At six, we were ‘Right Fanta – let’s go’,” said Jemima, who is supported by her trainer Georgie Nicholls, who also rides Fanta, and groom Maisie Hodge.

“I had no idea how we were going to cope, but he tried really hard for me last year and it was very much about gaining exposure. Then this year, he’s come out and he feels stronger, I’m stronger in my riding and we’ve really just stepped up.”

“I had pretty much accepted we weren’t going”

Jemima aimed to do her first international abroad this year – Hagen in June – but she still didn’t dare to dream of team selection.

“It wasn’t something we’d really written in for this year. I felt it was our first year of trying to be a little more consistent in our scoring, and I’d felt silly asking if I should put my expression of interest to British Equestrian in,” said Jemima.

“When teams started to look like a bit of a potential, and then having the nomination for the Europeans, it was really overwhelming. There were some really strong Paralympic and European combinations, and I had pretty much accepted we weren’t going.

“Then I got the phone call. I thought they had made a mistake, I honestly didn’t think it was real. Obviously you hope for these things, but I almost felt like a bit of a fraud.”

Fast-forward to the Europeans in Ermelo this week and Jemima and Fanta have shown they deserved their place.

“Fanta has outdone himself. He’s been a complete overachiever, which is fabulous, but you almost kind of think ‘Is the next one not going to go so well?’. But he’s grown with confidence, he’s got stronger, so it’s going in there and just giving him a good experience because again, he is only seven,” said Jemima.

“I need to go in the arena and say ‘You can trust me, we can do this’. I’ve almost got to hold his hand, which is a bit of a new one for me, and then putting that trust into him – it’s a lot of learning and we’re on the journey together, which is amazing.”

Looking ahead

Jemima adds the future looks bright for Fanta – but first and foremost is his continued training.

“I want to do him justice in his education. That’s the thing for me, at seven, it’s really trying to keep that focus and thinking of the future,” she said.

“It’s incredible to have won a medal, but we still need to build on his training. But it’s exciting, because I know that first test didn’t feel anywhere like I know we can get to. There’s more in there and when he starts to relax in those atmospheres, I can say ‘Come on then, let’s give this a little bit more’. To see where he could go is very, very exciting.”

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‘I’m on cloud nine’: Mari Durward-Akhurst claims her second European Championships medal

Becky Murray — Sun, 07 Sep 2025 13:32:01 +0000

Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg have landed Great Britain’s fifth bronze medal – and Mari’s second – of the 2025 European Para Dressage Championships, finishing third in the grade I freestyle.

Mari and the 18-year-old mare owned by Diane Redfern, Nick Durward-Akhurst and Rob Waine scored 77.14%, their moving soundtrack featuring music from Pearl Harbour and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Latvia’s Rihards Snikus and King of the Dance once gain proved unstoppable, claiming gold on 80.67%. They are now double European champions, double Paralympic champions and world gold medallists. Italy’s Sara Morganti and Mariebelle won silver on 79.82%. The top three was a repeat result of the grand prix A individual medals earlier in the week.

“I’m really happy to take home another medal; this is the first time I’ve won two medals at a championship,” said a delighted Mari.

“She was so on it and got a bit ahead of the music, and we finished a bit early. There were a few little blips, but overall it was amazing. She loves the music and it suits us both, I know it inside out and she knows it, maybe a little bit too much! It really shows her as a duchess.”

Cloud nine

Mari said it has been an “incredible” week.

“I’m on cloud nine at the moment,” she said. “Everything’s gone to plan – every test I went in there, and we didn’t have any major mistakes. And obviously we’ve got the results, which is just amazing. I don’t think it’s quite sunk in yet how much we’ve achieved.

“Going last, there was quite a lot of pressure, after Rihards again, but I think we tried to own it. We went in there and gave it our best.”

Gabby Blake finished fifth with her 16-year-old gelding Strong Beau, with 74.40%, their marks averaging 7.5 throughout, and three 8s for the coefficient for music and interpretation.

Gabby said “Beau” had put her through her paces and was feeling “cheeky”.

“I didn’t expect him to be like that because he wasn’t in the 10-minute box,” she said.

“My stretches and halts were good, and I was on top of my music. My freestyle is my favourite thing to do, but today it was a bit harder. I think the shadows gave him a bit of a fright, and he can be cheeky, but horses are horses.”

Gabby added thanks to her coach Sophie Wells who had been “holding my hand this week”, and the National Lottery and British Equestrian.

“I wouldn’t be here without them,” she said.

Nicola Naylor shines for fourth in grade IV freestyle

Britain’s Nicola Naylor and Humberto L were last to go in the grade IV section and came within touching distance of the bronze, finishing on 74.83%, behind Denmark’s Pia Wulff Jelstrup who was third with 74.995%. French rider Alexia Pittier won gold with Sultan 768 (78.055%) and Louise Etzner Jakobsson and Goldstrike BJ took silver (75.15%).

Humberto looked exuberant and a spook at his shadow during his medium canter cost them some marks.

“I’m feeling really pleased, it was close, but I feel I rode that well and that’s what has made me happy. We obviously didn’t want the ‘extras’, but that’s the horse I know and wanted to show off in there,” said Nicola.

“His whole way of going, the expression, the power that we didn’t quite tap into day one and two, today we did and I am so pleased.”

The gold is Alexia’s first ever medal with Sultan, having competed at Paris last year.

“It’s a very, very good feeling. He’s a lovely horse, and still only 10 years old,” she said.

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‘I’m honoured to have him in my life’: Jemima Green and Fantabulous win second European medal with personal best

Becky Murray — Sun, 07 Sep 2025 13:11:39 +0000

Jemima Green and Fantabulous have rounded off their debut championships in style by winning individual bronze with a personal best in the grade II freestyle at the European Para Dressage Championships.

“I’m honoured to have him in my life”, said an emotional Jemima, of the seven-year-old star in the making.

Germany’s 70-year-old Hediemarie Dresing, 70, made it a hat-trick of golds, dancing her way to victory with Poesie 143 on 80.94%. Denmark’s Katrine Kristensen scored 78.37% with Georklintgaards Quater for silver, and Jemima and Fanta won the bronze with 76.31%.

Jemima’s elegant floorplan was put to music featuring a Santana/Rihanna mash-up, and pieces from violinists Caitlin de Ville and Lindsey Stirling.

“It was the most confident he felt all week,” said Jemima. “It was really enjoyable to ride. He can be quite music-sensitive to big strong beats, so we wanted something that highlighted his paces but was also quite subtle.

“We kept the floorplan quite simple, just where we’ve struggled with the confidence in our freestyle, because I just want us to go in there and enjoy it and gain the confidence before we start making it a little more complicated.”

The score was a personal best for the pair – but Jemima believes there’s still more to come from the young gelding.

“There were a couple of times where we just had a bit of a sideways step. I was really pleased, but also slightly kicking myself because I didn’t feel like our medium trot was the strongest – and I thought maybe I need to put in another medium. Then I question myself about the freestyle, and that’s where I need to get better so I can really try to show him off more,” she said.

Dream debut

Jemima has enjoyed a dream championships, winning two individual medals, having taken bronze in the grand prix A test earlier in the week.

“It’s a complete shock and very overwhelming,” she said.

“Without the huge support from the National Lottery and British Equestrian (BEF), this wouldn’t have been possible.

“Without the BEF support I wouldn’t have felt as confident throughout this week as I have. Fanta has been absolutely adored by everyone and kept in the best possible condition, and without them there’s no way any of us could be here.”

Jemima said “it’s such a privilege to have such a lovely horse”.

“He is just a wonderful person. He’s so talented. It’s an honour to ride something so amazing,” she said, adding that his breeders Rainers and Angelika Ahlers had been in attendance this week.

“They are just thrilled. And my family are all here, and they just love Fanta. From everyone thinking ‘Oh my god’ about me getting on a four-year-old – I just love that they’ve seen him from that point up until now, it’s just incredible. You don’t get that lucky.”

Playful routine

Heidemarie had a clear goal of breaking the 80% barrier – and she did with her playful routine to a mixture of French and German music.

“I was a little bit late with the music, but I wanted to get 80% and I got it,” said Heidemarie, who won double gold at the 2023 Europeans in Riesenbeck with her other top horse, Horse24Dooloop.

“The gold is a hat-trick, it feels incredible. At the start of next year I will start preparing for the World Championships in Aachen, and I have the two horses to choose from.”

Katrine’s floorplan, to a Queen medley, had the spectators and judges entertained, for the silver.

“One more silver medal, it’s fantastic!” said Katrine, who is pregnant with her second child, due in January.

“Throughout this whole championship Quater has been very focused on his job so I was really happy with him. I really love to ride our freestyle, fitting him to the tempo and choreography. It’s a freestyle I’ve had for a couple of years and when I hear the music I know where I have to be in the arena, which makes it easier to make it more fluent.”

Katrina said she is “very thankful” to have Quater at another championships. The European Para Dressage Championships is their third together; they won double individual silver in Paris and double gold at the World Championships in Herning.

“It’s been so nice to still be able to compete while pregnant. Now I can go on maternity leave knowing I’ve done the job,” said Katrine.

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Find out when the Brits will ride for individual freestyle medals at the European Para Dressage Championships

Becky Murray — Sat, 06 Sep 2025 18:57:22 +0000

The times riders will compete in the freestyle at the European Para Dressage Championships have been released – as all four Brits in the hunt for individual medals.

The final day of competition at Ermelo, the Netherlands, gets under way at 7.30am UK time (8.30am local time) tomorrow (7 September).

There are medals up for grabs across the grades. The top eight riders in each grade or all riders where there are less than eight (grade II), based on their combined results from the A and B tests, have qualified for the freestyle.

Grade III will go first, followed by grades I, II, V then IV. The first rider down the centre line will be Ireland’s Katie Reilly and Keystone Dawn Chorus at 7.30am UK time (8.30am local time).

When will the British riders go?

Jemima Green and Fantabulous 9.40am UK time (10.40am local time) (grade II)
Gabby Blake and Strong Beau at 10.47am UK time (11.47am local time) (grade I)
Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg at 11.11am UK time (12.11pm local time) (grade I)
Nicola Naylor and Humberto L 3.18pm UK time (4.18pm local time) (grade IV)

Who else to look out for?

Germany’s Heidemarie Dresing and Poesie 143 (grade II) are at 9.16am British time (10.16am local time). Home-side rider Rixt van der Horst and Eisma’s Royal Fonq NOP will ride at 8.10am UK time (9.10am local time) and Tobias Thorning Jorgensen and Jolene Hill are at 8.26am UK time (9.26am local time); both in the grade III. Grade I gold medal contenders Rihards Snikus and King of the Dance will ride for Latvia at 11.03am (12.03pm local time).

Earlier today the team competition concluded, where Germany won a historic gold. The Netherlands won silver and bronze went to Germany. Great Britain finished just outside of the medals in fourth.

Hopes will be high for Britain, having already won three individual bronze medals, from Jemima Green and Fantabulous and Mari-Durward Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg on Wednesday, and Nicola Naylor and Humberto L on Thursday.

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Historic team gold secured at European Para Dressage Championships as competition goes down to the wire

Becky Murray — Sat, 06 Sep 2025 16:38:41 +0000

Germany has won a historic team gold at the 2025 European Para Dressage Championships – as Britain finished just off the podium in fourth.

The team medals remained open right until the final combination of the day, Britain’s grade IV Nicola Naylor and Humberto L, rode their test, resulting in a thrilling competition in Ermelo, the Netherlands, today (6 September).

Germany finished on a final score of 224.454 for gold, the Netherlands won silver on 223.362, and bronze went to Denmark 221.974. Great Britain finished just outside of the medals on 221.267.

“It’s incredible. It’s like a dream right now,” said German chef d’equipe Nico Hörmann. “Thank you to the Netherlands, Denmark, and Great Britain for the great competition. It was really close, and we were on the right side today.”

Germany’s oldest team member, 70-year-old grade II Heidemarie Dresing, said she was “very proud of the team”, praising their “great team spirit”.

“We are proud of winning the gold medal for the first time – it’s a little bit of a surprise,” said Heidemarie.

How the action unfolded

On the second day of team action the sun came out for the grade IV and V riders and there was a buzz of excitement at the Netherlands’ National Equestrian Centre. Denmark had sat in provisional gold overnight (221.766), Britain in silver (221.267) and the Netherlands’ in bronze (220.567) – all with one rider to go. But Germany still had two big scorers to come.

The grade V got under way first, and Isabel Nowak and 14-year-old gelding Siracusa Old kept Germany in the hunt for gold with 72.82%, producing a test she was thrilled with as she threw her hands in the air in celebration after the salute.

The pressure fell on the home-side’s final rider, Britney de Jong and her long-term partner Caramba NOP. Britney showed off the 18-year-old gelding’s big extended trot, trending early at 73%. They exhibited control and athleticism in their lateral movements, before a bold extended canter, breaking the 74% barrier. They completed on 74.40%, at the top of the rankings in this section – giving the Netherlands a final team score of 223.362.

“We know what we can do, so it was a case of ‘We need to do that now’,” said Britney, about her test, having just missed out on individual gold on Thursday (4 September).

“Overall I was really happy about the test. He was more forward, we had some more expression, things like the half-passes were better than Thursday.”

All eyes then turned to Germany’s Regine Mispelkamp and Pramwaldhof’s Bayala – who had won individual gold in this grade two days earlier. The 10-year-old mare had a big spook on the outside of the arena, moments before turning down the centre line, and the first halt looked a little unsteady, but they promptly regained their composure and their marks began to climb.

The extended canter allowed Pramwaldhof Bayala to really shine, but the final rein back dropped their marks slightly, the pair completing on 74.11%. The score was just shy of Britney and Caramba’s, but enough to put Germany in front at this stage on a final score of 224.454, ahead of the Netherlands.

Regine said Pramwaldhof Bayala “felt a bit nervous, but in a positive way”.

“She was so light in the hand, and she went into the corners much better. She trusted me more today, and we worked together,” she said.

“I think we had a strong extended canter, and the half-pass to the left she felt great. On that side I’m not as strong, but she said ‘Ok, I have to help you’, and that’s a wonderful feeling.”

Turning to the grade IV riders, it was Denmark’s chance to keep themselves in the mix, and their final rider Pia Wulff Jelstrup came forward with nine-year-old mare Zafia. A mistake in their medium trot proved expensive, resulting in two 5s and their trending score to fall to 68%, but they pulled it back to post 72.22%. This slotted Denmark into the bronze position on 221.974, but the door was still wide open for Great Britain.

The team competition goes down to the wire at the European Para Dressage Championships

Final combination of the day and championship first-timers, Nicola and Humberto L started positively, but the sensitive 13-year-old gelding looked more aware of his surroundings than during their individual bronze-medal winning performance of Thursday. A spook in the collected trot transition was costly – one judge giving a four – but they recovered well, to finish on 71.41%.

“I’m really pleased with him, he did really well. I went in there today with a bit more expression, and when I got in there I could feel that he was a bit nervous, so it was sort of a quick decision of how much do you go for, and how much do you hold his hand? I could feel that he was just a little bit unsure,” said Nicola, who owns Humberto with Rosalind Emery Kay.

“His medium canter was really lovely, I was pleased that he was able to relax into the walk work and I think he did one really nice pirouette. Of course we got the spook; the problem is that I can’t see whatever it is he sees, I can just feel it in his body and then I know he’s nervous.

“But he was great, I had to hold his hand and keep my leg on, and he went past whatever he was looking at. Whatever monster he found, he got through it.”

In the team medals, only the best three scores count and so Nicola’s score was dropped. Britain’s 221.267 was the result of Jemima Green and Fantabulous (72.100), Gabby Blake and Strong Beau (74.000) and Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg (75.167).

What dreams are made of

Britain was fielding a new team at this year’s European Para Dressage Championships; Nicola and Jemima Green were making their championship debut, Gabby Blake returned to the squad for the first time since the 2023 Europeans, and Mari Durward-Akhurst was on the team in Paris last summer.

“It’s lovely to be part of the team, it’s what dreams are made of,” said Nicola.

“We’re a completely new team, we’ve all pulled together. It would be wonderful to walk home with a team medal, but it was all so close, so we’ve got everything to look forward to and nothing to complain about.”

British Equestrian para dressage performance manager Georgina Sharples told H&H the feeling was “mixed emotions”.

“I’m incredibly proud of this group of riders. We obviously have a new team here, two championship debutants, a seven-year-old horse, and the fact they came out and performed the way that they did. Three individual medals and a fifth place out of three grades was phenomenal,” she said.

“I’m disappointed for the team, we are ambitious and I think it’s well within our grasp – you can see how close it is. It’s literally points of percentages that make the difference. But that said, these guys are going to learn so much by coming here.”

All four Brits have qualified for the individual freestyle tomorrow (7 September). Times to follow.

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Britain in silver position after dramatic thunderstorms at European Championships

Becky Murray — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 17:03:35 +0000

Thunder and lightning provided challenging conditions during the first day of the team competition at the European Para Dressage Championships – as Great Britain sits in the silver medal position overnight.

Three Brits were in action in the grand prix B test today (5 September); Jemima Green and Fantabulous (grade II) and grade I riders Gabby Blake (Strong Beau) and Mari Durward-Akhurst (Athene Lindebjerg).

Coming into the Europeans all eyes had been on home nation the Netherlands as gold-medal contenders; Denmark, Italy and Germany fighting it out for places on the podium. But today proved the deal is far from done.

The day opened with the grade IIIs and bright skies, but by lunchtime the weather took a dramatic turn. A sudden thundery downpour 10 minutes before the start of the grade II resulted in a delay to competition.

Germany’s grade II combination Heidemarie Dresing and Poesie 143 were first into the arena in this section, and if their interrupted warm-up had affected them, they didn’t show it, as they soared their way to a score of 77.53% – one judge, Belgium’s Marc Urban at H, awarded them 79.50%.

“It felt amazing, she’s a wonderful horse, but it was a little bit difficult because of the storm. She was a little bit tense, and I tried to calm her down,” said Heidemarie, who was happy with her score.

“She’s new to this environment and I’m very proud. There were little mistakes, but we learn more at every event, every week, every month.”

Jemima Green gets Britain’s medal hopes under way

Second to go in the grade II was Jemima Green and Fantabulous, who were sent back to their stable during the delay. The pair got off to a tricky start when seven-year-old “Fanta” had an unfortunate stumble on the centre line, but regained their composure and visibly grew with confidence as the test progressed. They finished on 72.10%.

“It was certainly a new experience for us,” said Jemima. “We got me on in the rain, but I was very relieved when they said ‘Everybody back to the stables’. But then it’s trying to work out the new plan.”

When the competition got the go-ahead to restart, Jemima’s trainer and rider Georgie Nicholls had time to warm up Fanta again before Jemima got back on.

“He felt very good, but a little bit on edge. Then he got a little bit disturbed in the 10-minute box by the applause for the first rider. He reacted, then took a breath,” said Jemima.

“I’m really pleased, we didn’t have what we would say is an ideal warm-up or prep. We then tripped on entry, which is just one of those things. I found out our score started quite low, but he tried so hard in there for me.

“After our test the other day, I felt like I gave us a little bit more time and used the arena a bit more. It really just helped us gain that little bit of ‘Ok, breathe, and let’s think about that movement’ – and I think he really needed that from me today.”

Jemima said she was “thrilled” with her score – a solid first on the board for Britain. A country’s top three scores across the grades will count towards the final team scores and decide the team medals.

“Considering how it could have potentially gone; he’s never experienced weather like that, he’s never had thunder. He was really well behaved, but to begin with he wasn’t sure and swinging everywhere,” she said.

“I thought ‘Oh God, am I going to get him back and supple?’ So I’m very pleased he allowed me to ride him, he listened to my aids on the leg yields, he stayed with me in the transitions, and he didn’t get really tight, which is what I was expecting.”

The day’s events have given Fanta valuable mileage.

“We’ve come out going ‘That’s another box ticked’,” said Jemima. “At these things you never know what you’re going to get, and you can’t prepare for these conditions. You’ve just got to try and work with it and get your head back in the game.”

The grade II grand prix section B concluded with the same standings as Wednesday’s grand prix A; Germany’s Heidemarie Dresing and Poesie 143 on top, Denmark’s Katrine Kristensen and Goerlingtgaards Quater in second, and Jemima and Fanta in third. There are no individual medals awarded for the grand prix B, only team medals.

Thunder and lightning halts proceedings during grade I

The drama wasn’t over for the day, as thunder and lightning then halted the grade I as Britain’s Gabby Blake and Strong Beau were in the 10-minute box. Latvia’s Rihards Snikus and King of the Dance were already at the top of the leaderboard on 78.38%, and it was going to take a lot to better them.

Gabby and Strong Beau took to the arena, around an hour later than planned, and looked in great form. “Beau” spooked during one of the early medium walks, but it didn’t throw them off and they finished strongly, posting a brilliant 74%.

“I’m very pleased with that,” said a beaming Gabby. “Having that gap, then to come back like he did was unbelievable. It’s the first time I’ve had to deal with that, and he coped really well.

“I had to laugh at his spook, it was at the grass, and I thought ‘Do you really have to do that?’. He came back from it, and it didn’t bother me, whereas I’d have previously held it all the way round, so I’m pretty proud of myself.”

Gabby was delighted with her halts.

“I’ve put a lot of work in to get him to stand square, and his bending was a highlight. Everything I’ve put into practice came out today,” she said.

“He really looks after me, besides his little bloop! I think that was him being a little bit fresh and excited, which I like, because he does love what he does. I’ve got a fantastic partnership with him, I absolutely adore him.”

“I’m pleased I’ve got it done”

The Brits weren’t done there, as Mari Akhurst-Durward and Athene Lindebjerg stepped up. Athene looked forward and correct, and the pair were warmly rewarded with +75% from four of the five judges, to finish on a final 75.17%.

“I’m pleased I’ve got it done,” said a relieved Mari, who was also feeling the repercussions of the weather delays.

“I had geared myself up, then we got delayed the first time, and then the second time, and by that point my body said ‘It’s sleep time’. It was quite hard, but Athene is incredible and helped me out so much in that test. She’s a show queen and we’ve got that partnership now, the minute she goes in the boards she knows her job.

“I looked up and around more than on Wednesday, so we had more bend in the circles. I’m really happy, 75% is a good score. We’ve got Nicola to go tomorrow, we’re a new team together and we’re all supporting each other.”

Gabby and Mari both thanked British Equestrian and the National Lottery, stating without them “this wouldn’t be possible”.

In the grade I standings, Rinards and King of the Dance top of the leaderboard for Latvia, followed by Italy’s Sara Morganti on 77.46%. Mari and Athene lie third and Gabby and Beau fourth.

The Netherlands impress in grade III

In the grade III section this morning, first down the centre line was Ireland’s Jessica McKenna and DCI Cerruti, who posted 66.93%. Karla Dyhm-Junge got Denmark’s campaign off to a solid start, finishing on a respectable 71.90%. The Netherlands’ pathfinders Tessa Baaijens-van de Vrie and Happy Grace responded with 73.33%.

Next for the home side was Rixt van der Horst, who took individual gold two days ago with Eisma’s Royal Fonq NOP. The flashy stallion looked fresh and keen, but really settled into his work, trending early at 74%.

A mistake during the turn on the haunches left resulted in a drop in marks – one judge giving a 4 – but they recovered well, saving their best for the latter stages of the test. The serpentine, a coefficient mark, received four 8s and a 9, and their half-volte another round of 8s – resulting in a final score of 75.63% and putting them at the top of the grade III leaderboard.

“I had a really good feeling today, there were some little hiccups, but overall, it was really nice. I tried to be a little bit more on point today and a little bit more forward and flowing,” said Rixt.

“The extended walk was good, he could maybe have put his head down a little bit more, but he felt really relaxed and more so than our test on Wednesday. I had hoped to score a little bit higher, but it will be an exciting and close team competition and that’s the beautiful part of the sport.”

There was one man who could shake things up, Denmark’s multiple medallist Tobias Thorning Joergensen and the experienced 17-year-old Jolene Hill, the final combination in the grade III.

The pair got off to a tentative start, but their marks lifted as they produced the smooth and flowing work they are known for. Although the mid-way halt cost them, they bounced back, receiving two 9s for their serpentine, finishing with 75.33, to slot in behind Rixt on the rankings.

“I think the test was great, but the halts were expensive again. I pushed a bit more and feel like the trot work was good today, and the walk, and overall I’m really happy with the performance,” said Tobias.

“I knew it was going to be incredibly hard to beat Rixt, but I’m really happy to get that close. The team competition is fully open – we normally have Great Britain and the Netherlands sitting on top, and sometimes Germany will be there as well, but this year everything is open so that’s really nice.”

Overnight team standings at the European Para Dressage Championships

Denmark sits in provisional gold on an overnight score of 221.766 after three riders. Great Britain is in silver on 221.267, and the Netherlands in bronze on 220.567. Italy is out of the medals in fourth on 216.624.

Germany is in seventh overnight on 144.733 but only two of their riders have gone so far; Heidemarie Dresing and Melanie Wienand. Grade V riders Isabel Nowak (Siracusa Old) and Regine Mispelkamp go tomorrow and are sure to be big hitters for Germany and shake up proceedings.

The team competition at the European Para Dressage Championships continues tomorrow (6 September) starting with the grade V at 9.00am UK time (10.00am local time) and Sweden’s Lena Malmstorm and Fabulous Fidelie first to go. This will be followed by the grade IV section, in which Britain’s Nicola Naylor will go at 2.06pm UK time (3.06pm local time).

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When will the Brits ride for team medals at the European Para Dressage Championships?

Becky Murray — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 17:51:14 +0000

The times riders will compete for team medals at the European Para Dressage Championships have been released.

The first day of the team round, where competitors will ride the grand prix B test, gets under way tomorrow (Friday, 5 September) at the National Equestrian Centre, in Ermelo, the Netherlands. Grade IV and V riders will do their test on Saturday (6 September).

Grade III will go first – beginning with Ireland’s Jessica McKenna and DCI Cerruti at 9am UK time (10am local time). Grade II will follow, Germany’s Heidemarie Dresing will kick off proceedings with Poesie 143 at 11.45 UK time (12.45pm local time). Grade I starts at 1.30pm UK time (2.30pm local time) with Jens Lasse Dokkan and Aladdin for Norway.

When will the British riders go?

Jemima Green and Fantabulous 11.53am UK time (12.53pm local time) on Friday (grade II)
Gabby Blake and Strong Beau at 2.18pm UK time (3.18pm local time) on Friday (grade I)
Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg at 2.42pm UK time (3.42pm local time) on Friday (grade I)
Nicola Naylor and Humberto L 2.06pm UK time (3.06pm local time) on Saturday (grade IV)

View the full list of times

The individual competition has been tight in the first two days of action at the European Para Dressage Championships and the team event is expected to be no different. The Netherlands, Italy, Denmark and Germany all look strong – and the Brits shouldn’t be discounted, with four superb rides and three bronze medals already in the bag.

The freestyle takes place on Sunday (7 September) where more individual medals are up for grabs. The top eight riders in each grade, based on their combined results from the A and B tests, will go through to the freestyle. To qualify, riders must average at least 60% across the two tests.

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‘No words can describe this’: rider lands first gold medal with second-string mare at European Para Dressage Championships

Becky Murray — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 16:08:10 +0000

Germany’s Regine Mispelkamp and Pramwaldhof’s Bayala won individual gold in an unbelievably tight grade V section at the European Para Dressage Championships.

Regine and the 10-year-old mare scored 73.18%, just keeping home-side combination Britney de John and Caramba NOP at bay in silver, on 73.15%. The battle for bronze also went down to the wire; Germany’s Isabel Nowak and Siracusa Old looked to have the job done, with 71.36%, until final combination Lena Malmstrom and Fabulous Fidelie snatched it from them for Sweden, on 71.64%.

Regine already has six medals behind her, achieved at seven championships with former ride Look At Me Now and her top ride Highlander Delights, but this is her first gold – and Pramwaldhof’s Bayala first championships.

“No words can describe this, it’s very special,” said Regine.

“I’m really happy, I didn’t expect this coming here. She’s my second horse, and next year I have two very, very nice horses for the World Championships, and then looking towards LA 2028.”

Regine had much to be proud of; Pramwaldhof Bayala looked at home in the arena, demonstrating her expressive paces for which she received 8s from three of the judges for the coefficient.

“The highlight was her walk work, and the canter on the long rein. She came forward and uphill, which was really nice,” said Regine, adding that she chose Pramwaldhof Bayala for the Europeans over Paris silver medallist Highlander to give the mare experience.

“Highlander has done so many competitions, he knows everything,” she said.

“We can do better”

The European Para Dressage Championships is Britney’s championship debut and the 24-year-old came agonisingly close to the gold with her partner of seven years, 18-year-old Caramba NOP.

“We’ve really grown from the youth classes. In the last four years we’ve been first reserve for the Netherlands, so this was our first really big competition,” she said.

“Overall it was a good test and we didn’t have any really big mistakes, but I think we can do a little bit better. His trot half-passes and simple changes were the best parts, but the walk needs to be better, it was a bit difficult today.

“We have a great partnership, he’s not that easy for everyone, so it makes it special that we can do what we can together.”

Attention turns to teams at the European Para Dressage Championships

Looking ahead to the team competition, which begins tomorrow with grade I, II, and III – and grades IV and V on Saturday – Regine believes it will be tight. The Netherlands, Italy and Denmark all look fierce – and Britain has got off to a brilliant start with three medals in the bag, including from team newcomers Nicola Naylor and Jemima Green.

“The others are strong – I think it will be close,” she said.

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‘Stunned, shell-shocked, and super-pleased’: Nicola Naylor bags a third medal for Britain

Becky Murray — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 14:07:44 +0000

Nicola Naylor and Humberto L delivered in the competitive grade IV section at the European Para Dressage Championships to claim individual bronze – Great Britain’s third medal of the week.

On the second day of action in Ermelo, the Netherlands, today (4 September) grades IV and V are riding the grand prix A test for individual medals.

Nicola and 13-year-old gelding Humberto L, owned by Nicola and Rosalind Emery Kay, scored on 71.39% to take bronze on the pair’s championship debut. Sweden’s Louise Etzner Jakobsson won gold with Goldstrike BJ on 72.92%, and Denmark’s Pia Wulff Jelstrup claimed silver with Zafia, on 72.22%.

“I’m stunned, shell-shocked and super-pleased,” said Nicola.

“I was sitting in the lorry with my trainer Sarah Millis and she told me I’d won bronze. We were ecstatic and jumped up and hugged one another.”

“The aim was to enjoy it”

Nicola rode a beautiful flowing test, Humberto L looking relaxed and happy in his work, highlighting their trust and partnership.

“It’s our first championships and to go in there and have a really solid test where he felt really happy, that was my goal,” said Nicola.

“We went in with the aim that we would really try and enjoy it. He’s a really sensitive horse, so he needed to have a harmonious round, and I’m really pleased that that’s what we got.”

Nicola noted Humberto L’s canter as a highlight of their test.

“His canter work is always breathtaking,” she said.

“I think the other highlight was that he stayed soft. It’s his first time in this environment, and it’s my first time. I don’t find getting around the arena the easiest, so I just didn’t want to over stress it.”

Nicola said it was “a massive thing” to be at the European Para Dressage Championships, thanking her groom and caller Julie Riches, trainer Sarah Millies and British Equestrian.

“It’s something that we’ve really worked hard for; me, the team, Humberto. And we have an amazing support team,” she said.

“The British Equestrian team is massive and hugely supportive, but not pressurising. Their message was very much: ‘Go and enjoy it’. And that’s what I did. I went into the arena and thought ‘Ok, take a moment to just smile and know you’re here’.

“Not everybody gets this moment, it’s special, and it was lovely to know that they were all behind me. I have felt very cared for.”

Brits make it three out of three at the European Para Dressage Championships

The Brits have won a bronze medal in each of the three individual grades they were represented in; Jemima Green and Fantabulous in grade I, Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg in grade II and Nicola Naylor and Humberto L in grade IV. Gabby Blake and Strong Beau finished just outside the medals, taking fifth in the grade I.

The team competition gets under way tomorrow (Friday 5 September). The times will be released later today.

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‘I feel pressure after Paris’: grade III gold for home rider and ‘very special horse’ at European Para Dressage Championships

Becky Murray — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 17:27:57 +0000

Home-side rider Rixt Van Der Horst and Eisma’s Royal Fonq NOP claimed individual gold on the opening day of the European Para Dressage Championships, in Ermelo, the Netherlands.

The superstar pair threw down the gauntlet as the first combination to go in the grade III class, posting a decisive 77.10%, and no one could do better. A valiant effort came from Tobias Thorning Joergensen and Jolene Hill, who scored 76.40%, but they had to settle for silver. The Netherlands enjoyed another podium place thanks to Tessa Baaijens-van de Vrie and Happy Grace who won bronze, with 73.00%.

Rixt and Eisma’s Royal Fonq NOP shone in Paris, and it was no different on home soil. Two of the five judges, at C and M, awarded the pair 78%, and they scored a nine from one judge for a serpentine, and another for a half-circle.

“I’m very happy with my first test here. It’s always a little exciting to be the first one into the arena,” said Rixt.

“Fonq was a little bit excited, but I think we did a proper test with no big mistakes, so I’m very happy. I had a really good feeling in the arena, which you can see in the results, it’s a really nice score to begin with. I think the picture was really harmonious. He settled in, and I liked the activity between the movements. I think it was really smooth and simple-looking”.

Pressure after Paris

The pair made their championship debut together at the Paris Paralympics, where they were part of the team that won silver, and won two individual silver medals.

“It’s really nice to be here at a championships on home soil, but I feel a bit of pressure after Paris,” said Rixt.

“We started together at the end of 2023, so it’s really a short time. We are still getting to know each other. I think he’s a very special horse. We clicked from the first moment I sat on him.

“He’s such a sweet boy, and he tries his best all the time. He’s really enjoying the work and being in the arena and getting all the attention. He knows when he needs to show up, and it’s really nice to work with him.”

Rixt is feeling positive about the coming days. She will ride the grand prix B test for the team on Friday (5 September).

“The B test is a little bit better for us, I get a better feeling when I ride it, so let’s see,” she said.

“Fonq gave me a really good feeling today in the arena and in the warm-up, so on Friday I hope we can step up the score for the Dutch team.”

European Para Dressage Championships Grade IV and V individual medals

Grades IV and V will be in action tomorrow (4 September) for individual medals. Britain’s grade IV rider Nicola Naylor (Humberto L) will ride at 9.27am UK time (10.27am local time).

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‘She’s going the best she ever has’: Mari Durward-Akhurst delivers Britain’s second medal at 2025 para dressage Europeans

Becky Murray — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 17:03:11 +0000

British grade I combination Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg held their own on day one of the European Para Dressage Championships to claim individual bronze.

Mari and the 18-year-old mare, owned by Diane Redfern, Nick Durward-Akhurst and Rob Waine, posted a superb 75.96%. Latvia’s Rihards Snikus and King of the Dance have continued their phenomenal Paris form to win gold on 78.79%, and the silver was claimed by Italy’s Sara Morganti and Mariebelle with 77.42%.

Mari was thrilled with her test and the judges liked what they saw, scoring her 7.5s and 8s for the double-mark movements including the medium walk and serpentines, and a full suite of 8s for the mid-way halt.

“It was a really good test. She was just a bit ‘on’ – she was so forward, which was amazing, but if something had banged we might have taken off!” said Mari.

“But we had the right amount. I’m delighted with it, we went in and followed the process. I think I was accurate, I looked for my cones, and she loved it. And that’s what really matters.

“I think our halts were really good, we’ve been working really hard on them and I think they were in the right place, which is a big bonus. The suppleness, the flow around the circles, and our stretch was also pretty good.”

The medal is Mari and 18-year-old Athene Lindebjerg’s second together, having won individual bronze in the freestyle at the Paris Paralympics last summer. The pair have been a partnership since 2023 and Mari believes they have now solidified this.

“We’re in a different place to Paris”

“She’s going the best she ever has. It’s like we’re in a different place to Paris now, we’ve got her up and round and together, and I can almost just steer her. It’s like she’s grown again, she just absolutely loves it, and that’s what makes it so special. She goes in like ‘I’ve got this’. It’s so nice that she enjoys it so much,” said Mari.

“We’re an established partnership now. Paris was absolutely incredible, but it was almost a bit too soon for us as a partnership. Now we know each other inside out, and I think it takes quite a long time as a grade one to get there.”

Mari is delighted to be riding at another championship with Athene.

“She’s just such an incredible mare. And to be here, my first Europeans was in Rotterdam in 2019 with Sky O’Hara, so to be back in Holland and to get an individual medal is brilliant.”

A “boo boo” for Blake

Gabby Blake finished fifth in the grade A test with her own 16-year-old gelding Strong Beau with 72.38%, having made an unfortunate slip up resulting in the bell being run. Up until that point they had looked smooth and consistent, and on correction, the pair finished their test in harmony.

Explaining what happened Gabby said: “I went wrong, I went completely blank”.

“It’s never happened before, so I don’t know what happened today. It’s one of those things, obviously, I’m human and things happen. But everything else, he gave me,” she said.

“Today he felt amazing, and the test felt absolutely incredible, until my little boo boo. All I wanted to do was to ride a confident test and give him confidence. And I did do that.”

Gabby will have another chance to impress the judges in the grand prix B test on Friday (5 September), for the team medals.

“It’s my second championship. I didn’t think I was going to get selected, it’s absolutely incredible being here,” said Gabby, who is trained by Sophie Wells.

“Sophie told me I’ve just got to carry on with my processes that I do at home. I used to struggle going from home to a competition and I’d change, but I’m now managing to get what I get at home at a competition venue.”

Two medals for Great Britain on day one of the European Para Dressage Championships.

Britain has got off to a superb start in the Netherlands, with Jemima Green and Fantabulous winning bronze in the grade II. Grade IV rider Nicola Naylor (Humberto L) will ride at 9.27am UK time (10.27am local time) on Thursday.

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‘I wasn’t expecting this’: Britain’s Jemima Green thrills at European Para Dressage Championships to claim individual medal

Becky Murray — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 15:22:46 +0000

Britain’s Jemima Green and Fantabulous have made a dream championship debut, winning individual bronze on day one of the European Para Dressage Championships, in Ermelo, the Netherlands.

The competition opened today (3 September) with the grade II grand prix A test for individual medals. Veteran rider Hediemarie Dresing, 70, won gold on Poesie 143 with 77.28% for Germany and Denmark’s Katrine Kristensen posted 74.59% on Georklintgaards Quater for silver.

Jemima and her seven-year-old gelding Fantabulous were last to go in the grade II and scored 73% for the bronze position.

“I’m feeling a lot of joy. I’m very overwhelmed and surprised,” said Jemima.

“I wasn’t expecting this at our first championship. He is only seven so it was such a big ask for him, and he really tried for me. It’s a bit of a shock, you hope for these kinds of outcomes.”

Jemima and “Fanta” started strong, scoring 8s for their first medium walk. Their test remained fluent and Jemima kept Fanta’s confidence up, averaging 7s and 7.5s, and more 8s for their final centre line.

“He felt nervous, but he worked with me. It was the first time he’s ever heard applause and I thought ‘I hope he’s ok’,” said Jemima, who cited her medium trot work as a highlight of the test.

“We’ve struggled sometimes with the medium trot; for me it’s quite a hard movement to get him together and balanced. I felt like for the first time in a ring, especially where he’s a little bit shy today, he produced a really decent medium trot for me.”

“I hope I can show him off”

Jemima believes there’s plenty still to come from Fanta over the next few days.

“I think in the free walk we can show a better stretch, but in that atmosphere today, I still could let go and relax. He never felt like he was really unsettled, we had moments where it felt a bit ‘Oh’, but then he would come back into it,” said Jemima.

“That shows our partnership where I can trust him and he can trust me to go, ‘We’re a little bit nervous, but we’re ok’, and then continue back into our zone.

“I hope now he’s been in there and taken in the atmosphere, we can have a bit more relaxation and come into a few of the transitions a bit smoother. I hope I can just show him off that little bit more, but we’ll see. Every day is going to be a new day and a new challenge. The tests are different, and he’s got to keep his stamina up for it all as well.”

Jemima thanked her team, trainer/rider Georgie Nicholls and groom Maisie Hodge, for helping them on their journey.

“Georgie loves Fanta just as much as me. She really has an understanding of how he needs to go for me, she’s so invested and really thinks out of the box,” said Jemima.

“Maisie comes to all the shows and makes sure Fanta is priority number one. She looks after us and just takes the best care of Fanta, we have a really good girl bond.”

“We are here, we’ve made it”

Jemima said she was “very surprised” and “very privileged” to be selected for her first championships.

“I am trying to take every step and enjoy every moment of it, from the opening ceremony to just seeing all the other riders,” she said.

“I’m trying hard to think ‘We are here, we’ve made it’. I wouldn’t have wanted it to be on any other horse.”

European Para Dressage Championships Grade IV and V individual medals

Grades IV and V will be in action tomorrow (4 September) for individual medals. Britain’s grade IV rider Nicola Naylor (Humberto L) will ride at 9.27am UK time (10.27am local time).

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When the Brits will ride for individual medals at the European Para Dressage Championships

Becky Murray — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 19:39:28 +0000

The grand prix times for the European Para Dressage Championships have been released, as Brits vie for their first set of individual medals.

The first day of competition gets under way on Wednesday (3 September), at the National Equestrian Centre, in Ermelo, the Netherlands.

The individual medals will be decided by the grand prix A test; grades II, I, and III will ride on Wednesday (in that order) and be followed by the prize giving ceremony. Grades IV and V will ride on Thursday (4 September).

The first horse down the centre line on Wednesday will be Spain’s Félix Gómez González and Merlin (grade II) at 9am British time (10am local time).

When will the British riders go?

Jemima Green and Fantabulous 9.54am British time (10.54am local time) on Wednesday (grade II)
Gabby Blake and Strong Beau at 11.27am British time (12.27pm local time) on Wednesday (grade I)
Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg at 12.30pm British time (1.30pm local time) on Wednesday (grade I)
Nicola Naylor and Humberto L 9.27am British time (10.27am local time) on Thursday (grade IV)

Other names to look out for

Ireland’s grade III Katie Reilly and Natasha Baker’s former ride Keystone Dawn Chorus will take to the centre line at 1.39pm UK time (2.39pm local time) on Wednesday.

Germany’s Heidemarie Dresing and Poesie 143 (grade II) are at 9.45am British time (10.45 local time). Home-side rider Rixt van der Horst and Eisma’s Royal Fonq NOP will ride at 1.30pm UK time (2.30pm local time) and Tobias Thorning Jorgensen and Jolene Hill are at 2.52pm UK time (3.52pm local time); both in the grade III.

View the full times

The team medals will be decided on Friday and Saturday (5–6 September) by the grand prix B test. The top eight riders in each grade, based on their combined results from the A and B tests, will go through to the freestyle on Sunday (7 September). To qualify, riders must average at least 60% across the two tests.

The trot-up took place in Ermelo today where all bar one horse was passed by the ground jury. Spain’s Alejandro Nande Iglesias has been asked to represent his ride Brujo Car tomorrow morning.

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Meet Nicola Naylor, the blind grand prix dressage rider on the verge of her European Championship debut for Britain

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 27 Jul 2025 15:30:05 +0000

When Nicola Naylor lost her sight, she could think of no reason to live.

Having been partially sighted since childhood, Nicola had showjumped on ponies, but this proved more challenging on horses. At 18, she thought a career in the equestrian world was not going to be possible, so went to university. And in her third year, the sight she did have failed.

“I was suicidal,” she says. “I couldn’t see any point in anything.

“But my life rebuilt, in so many ways. And now I can look back and say I’ve had the most wonderful time, especially in the last 15 years with horses coming back into my world, which I would never have had if I’d put an end to things at that point. I’m very grateful now for every day.”

It took years of rehab, as Nicola “sorted my life out”. She got a non-equestrian job, with no thought of horses or riding again. Then when her daughter started having lessons, Nicola went along too.

“That was great fun,” she says. “We were living in London and didn’t know anyone in the area so started from scratch and went looking for a 12.2hh. We got really lucky and found the most amazing pony, and it was my daughter’s trainer, who knew my background, who said: ‘Why don’t you get back on?’

“That sort of lit the candle. I’d had very serious back surgery and never thought I would get back on – but I did. Riding again was a wonderful feeling.”

Nicola knew nothing about dressage at that point but she did know that if she was going to ride, she wanted to compete.

“That was the start of the journey,” she says. “I always knew I wanted to be the best I could be.”

European Championships beckon for Nicola Naylor

Now, she’s earnt her first championship call-up for the 2025 British para team, on Humberto L, and will be heading to Ermelo for the European Para Dressage Championships in September.

“I really enjoyed the dressage and I’ve always had dual goals; realistically, I won’t go to a championship in a non-disabled sport as being blind makes a big difference,” she says. “But I’d love to go to a championship, that’s why I do para dressage too. I’ve been reserve for the Europeans, worlds and Olympics so it will be really nice to stop being reserve!

“That’s a very strong goal, but my other goal is to compete in what’s possible in non-disabled dressage, and certainly train at the highest level. And that’s grand prix.”

Competing, even training, at this level is beyond the reach of almost everyone. But Nicola and her own Del Piero V made a successful grand prix debut in January, aged 63, scoring plus-62%. They have since completed two more tests at this level, increasing their scores, and coming second both times.

Nicola Naylor and Del Piero V, with whom she made her grand prix debut at the start of 2025. (Image credit: Tilly Berendt Media)

“I probably won’t be on a non-disabled international squad but getting a good score at grand prix, even at regional level, is an achievement – and it makes me a better rider,” she says.

“It’s not just to say I’ve done grand prix, or getting on a horse and riding at that level, but working my way up at each level, which I’ve done. I really enjoy the process, and it’s wonderful to go out and do it.”

How Nicola Naylor solves her challenges

Nicola thinks the challenges people imagine she faces in her riding may not be the hardest to overcome.

“My trainer, Sarah Millis, had never trained anyone who’s blind before, and I hadn’t been blind!” she says. “So how would either of us know? It’s been years of hard work and practice to claw my way up, and we’re only at the beginning of the journey.”

Nicola’s first challenge is that she has never seen dressage; she doesn’t know what a canter pirouette or piaffe-passage looks like. She can’t watch videos, or herself and her horse in a mirror.

“It’s quite difficult to know what a movement should look like,” she says. “And in some ways, my trainer, Sarah Millis, trains me like anyone else, but you can’t get away from the fact it’s different because I’m blind.

“So we’ve found different ways of doing things, and it’s been a journey for me and for her. No one else has done this before, and no one has trained anyone to do it before, so everything is trial and error, and thinking of ways to approach things.”

“You can’t get away from the fact that it’s different because I’m blind”: Nicola Naylor, aboard Del Piero V, training with Sarah Millis. (Image credit: Tilly Berendt Media)

Some of the biggest challenges have been with the grand prix work; staying on the correct line with no visual cues, while carrying out a complicated movement, is very hard.

“For any blind rider, the hardest thing is going down the centre line and staying on it,” she says. “And staying on a diagonal line, and arriving at the right place at the other end.”

Nicola is allowed a caller in all tests; for grand prix, Sarah will stand at X and her voice provides a reference point. But once Nicola passes her on a line, it becomes harder for her to know where she is.

“That’s hard enough on a centre line but in the grand prix, suddenly you’re doing canter pirouettes on that line, and tempi changes on the diagonal!” Nicola says.

“It took me ages to learn the tempi changes, probably longer than most as the key to them is being straight. Achieving straightness when you don’t know what you’re aiming for to keep straight, and the changes move the horse slightly, is difficult. And when you’re doing canter pirouettes, how do you know when to stop? Those are the problems I’m still struggling with.”

Nicola finds it easier to know where she is in relation to the outside of the arena, as she can judge the distance from the caller. But the caller is only allowed to call letters, which she will do as Nicola approaches them, and then again when she has to turn, not correct her if she is drifting.

“What I find easiest, and get highest marks for, is the piaffe-passage,” she adds. “They’re on lines it’s easier to orientate myself on.”

Circles are tricky too, but Nicola has the feel of a 10m or 20m shape, and uses the caller’s voice to know how far away she is. She can also detect from urgency in the caller’s tone that she may be drifting off her line.

“It’s just relentless practice,” she adds. “Not all on the same horse, but practising and practising the lines till they become almost a sixth sense.

“What’s interesting is that at home, I can ride a perfect line of changes, with no stirrups! But put me in an arena I don’t know and I feel disorientated, and it’s harder to find my way. That’s when the practice pays off, and gives me the confidence to ride the line and reassure myself I can do it.”

Arena familiarisation at shows is a necessity rather than a luxury, as this allows Nicola to get a feel for her space, and know if the footing is riding faster, for example, which could mean the ends of her lines come up sooner.

There are the other challenges, such as the fact that in the grand prix, the caller has to move about to avoid impeding the judges’ view – and Nicola then finds it harder to know where she is.

“It’s taken 15 years to get here, and I think I should be grateful I’ve managed it,” she says.

“I was completely shell-shocked”

Nicola has ridden her way up the ladder on different horses; she started competing Del Piero at advanced medium, six years ago. She has competed him in para international classes, and won, but pulled him out of para championship selection in favour of Humberto L, with whom she was reserve for Paris last year, as she felt he would go to grand prix.

And he did. Nicola says she was “completely shell-shocked” when she achieved that goal.

“I don’t think the penny dropped the day of the show,” she says. “It wasn’t, ‘Let’s celebrate, I’ve done my first grand prix.’ It was ‘That’s amazing, I’ve done it – and now I need to go and do it a bit better!’ You just have to keep going, don’t you?

“For every door that closes, another one opens, and I’m grateful every day to be lucky enough to have experienced that. And if I’d never got to grand prix, or if I never got on a para championship team, I wouldn’t collapse, because I’ve had such a fantastic time trying to get there.”

“I’m grateful every day,” says Nicola, pictured with Humberto L. (Image credit: Tilly Berendt Media)

Nicola Naylor’s trainer’s view

Trainer Sarah Millis says Nicola is “amazing” to work with.

“Her dedication and feel – and her, herself,” she adds. “It’s just finding different ways of explaining things sometimes; because she can’t watch a video or look in a mirror. She had an amazing 10 years training with Dan Watson, and when she first came here I was a bit apprehensive. Was I going to be able to do a good enough job? But from the start, we’ve worked together.”

Sarah has had to learn how Nicola works, and work with that as well as making new suggestions.

“Yes, she can’t see, and that makes a big difference, but she’s amazing,” she says. “She rides round the fields and with other people. Warm-ups can be interesting, but they can be even when everyone can see where they’re going!”

Nicola Naylor rides Moulin Rouge VIII around the field, feeling when she’s off the track by the changing surface underfoot. (Image credit: Tilly Berendt Media)

Sarah has learned from Nicola, as well as the other way round; methods that have worked for her also help other horses and riders.

“She’s extremely determined; someone who says, ‘That’s what I want to do,’ and goes and does it,” she says. “She’s a very talented rider, she never complains or makes excuses. She’s very supportive of other riders, and takes extremely good care of her horses.

“I had a little tear, when she did her grand prix. She’d actually gone and done it. I was very proud.”

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Former British medal-winning horse on Irish squad for European Para Dressage Championships

Becky Murray — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 16:32:01 +0000

New faces and a former British team horse are among those named on the Irish squad for the European Para Dressage Championships (3–7 September).

Horse Sport Ireland high performance para dressage manager Simone Hession has chosen “a blend of youth and experience” to travel to Ermelo, the Netherlands.

The team features the top two ranked riders in the under-18 world para dressage rankings; 17-year-old Katie Reilly who will bring forward Natasha Baker’s former top ride Keystone Dawn Chorus, and 16-year-old Clodagh Walsh, who rides her own Chantal.

Katie, Clodagh and Angela Lyons (Woodcroft Santa Cruz) are all making their championship debut. Jessica McKenna was on the Paris Paralympic team and rode at the 2023 Europeans, but will ride a new championships partner in D.C.I Cerruti.

Irish team for European Para Dressage Championships

The selected riders for the Irish team at the European Para Dressage Championships, in order of grades, is:

Grade I

Clodagh Walsh and 16-year-old mare Chantal

Owner: Alan Walsh

Breeder: Hans-Hermann Maack

Breeding: by Christ 3, out of a mare by Del Piero

Grade III

Jessica McKenna and 14-year-old gelding D.C.I Cerruti

Owners: Elder Klatzjo and Emma and Jessica McKenna

Breeder: Raimund Vorwerk

Breeding: by Christ 3, and out of Fariane

Katie Reilly and 14-year-old mare Keystone Dawn Chorus

Owners: Kathleen Heavey, John Norcross, and Brendan and Karen Reilly

Breeder: S Lavendera

Breeding: By Dimaggio, out of a mare by Escudo 19

Grade IV

Angela Lyons with 17-year-old gelding Woodcroft Santa Cruz

Owner: rider

Breeder: Karl-Heinz Flach

Breeding: By Sandro Hit, out of a mare by Airport

Non-travelling reserve:

Grade III

Kate Kerr-Horan with 10-year-old gelding Lykkebo’s Don Akino

Owner: Ted Horan, Pam and Kate Kerr-Horan, and Loui Porter

Breeder: Helle Muller

Breeding: By Blue Hors Don Olymbrio, out of a mare by Michellino

“With the athletes selected it gives us the opportunity to field a team of rising young talent, with Clodagh at her first major championships, Katie and Jessica both on new horses for the Europeans and Angela brings forward a depth of experience of being involved in the sport for so long,” said Simone Hession.

“I’d like to thank all the athletes’ teams, team vet Seamus Mc Sorley and Horse Sport Ireland for their continued support.”

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New names and medallists carry Britain’s hopes at European Para Dressage Championships

Lucy Elder — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 13:15:02 +0000

Medallists and senior championship first-timers have been named on the British squad for the para dressage Europeans in Ermelo, the Netherlands (3 to 7 September).

The riders on the team, in partnership with Agria, are Gabriella Blake (pictured, top), Mari Durward-Akhurst, Jemima Green and Nicola Naylor.

British Equestrian para dressage performance manager Georgina Sharples said that the squad is “an exciting group of athletes with a real blend of experience”.

“We have Mari and Gabby, who have both previously won championship medals for their country with Athene Lindebjerg and Strong Beau, and are eager to do so again,” she said.

“Nicola has been on superb form and delivered a consistently impressive campaign with Humberto L for her long-awaited championship debut, while newcomer Jemima has forged a strong partnership with her quality young horse, Fantabulous, and is on an upward trajectory to peak at the Europeans.

“I feel confident that all four combinations have the talent to deliver on the world stage.”

Ms Sharples added that it has been an exciting start to this Paralympic cycle “and one we hope will continue in Ermelo”.

“While our goals are as competitive as ever and we remain on the hunt for medals, this team line-up also gives us the opportunity to develop some exciting potential for the future as we build towards next year’s FEI World Championship at Aachen and the LA28 Paralympic Games,” she said.

British team for para dressage European Championships

Grade I

Gabriella Blake with 16-year-old gelding Strong Beau

Owners: Gavin and Estelle Blake and rider

Breeders: S Amos

Breeding: by Spinway Blackthorn, out of a Balda Beau mare

Mari Durward-Akhurst with 18-year-old mare Athene Lindebjerg

Owners: Diane Redfern, Nick Durward-Akhurst and Rob Waine

Breeders: Ulla and Kristian Bech

Breeding: by Gribaldi, out of a mare by Diamant

Grade II

Jemima Green with seven-year-old gelding Fantabulous

Owner: rider

Breeder: Rainer and Angelika Ahlers

Breeding: by Foundation 2, out of a Furst Romancier mare

Grade IV

Nicola Naylor with 13-year-old gelding Humberto L

Owners: Rosalind Emery Kay and rider

Breeder: J Lamers

Breeding: by Cachet L, out of a Haarlem mare

The grooms’ names have not yet been confirmed. Selection decisions are subject to the athletes and horses maintaining fitness, and may be amended up to midnight on 20 August.

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Britain ‘targeting success’ as details of LA28 Paralympic dressage confirmed

Lucy Elder — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 13:42:33 +0000

Leading figures in equestrian sport have welcomed the confirmation of the venue, competitor numbers and medals for dressage at the LA28 Paralympics.

Para equestrian was among the 22 sports confirmed in 2023 for the next Games (15 to 27 August 2028), but yesterday’s announcement from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) fleshes out the details.

The number of horses and riders in the dressage at LA28 will remain the same as it was for Paris 2024 (78 quota places) and there will be 11 medal events: individual and freestyle medals for each of the five grades, plus a set of team medals.

The venue will be Santa Anita Park, which is also host to the Olympic equestrian events at LA28.

British Equestrian performance director Helen Nicholls told H&H it is “fantastic” to have this confirmation.

“The sport is developing rapidly, and the stunning setting will be a fitting backdrop for our elite riders and horses to deliver spectacular performances,” she said.

“Every [British] rider from Paris achieved a medal, and we will again be targeting success across all grades – a high bar but one on which I have every confidence in the team to deliver.”

FEI secretary general and president of the Association of Paralympic Sports Organisations Sabrina Ibáñez said the FEI is “very happy”.

“The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Château de Versailles, were unforgettable and brought tremendous excitement to equestrian sport,” she said.

“Athletes and horses from 30 nations competed in para equestrian dressage in Paris, the largest turnout since para equestrian became part of the Paralympic programme in 1996.

“Both the Olympic and para equestrian dressage events were historic successes attracting massive live crowds and captivating broadcast and streaming audiences around the world.”

She added: “We are pleased to confirm that our Paralympic quota places remain unchanged for LA28. We look forward to showcasing the sport at its highest level, with thrilling performances and world-class competition.

“Santa Anita Park in Arcadia will provide first-class facilities to both the Olympic and Paralympic equestrian events, setting the stage for unforgettable Games.”

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Could the United Arab Emirates become the next major player in para dressage? New plans to target LA28 Games

Lucy Elder — Sun, 13 Apr 2025 18:32:10 +0000

Plans to develop para dressage with the intention of sending a competitive UAE team to the LA28 Paralympic Games have been revealed by The Royal Stables in Abu Dhabi.

The Royal Stables has put together a support team, including Laura Richardson as performance manager and Russell Mackechnie-Guire as technical lead, to oversee the programme.

“Our mission is to create an inclusive and empowering environment where every aspiring para dressage athlete can reach their full potential,” said Ms Richardson, who is also general manager of The Royal Stables.

“With the leadership of our exceptional team, the support of our community and the backing of visionary sponsors, we are excited to embark on this journey to the Paralympic Games and showcase the incredible talent from the UAE.”

Other targets include the Asian Championships and the Asian Games.

HE Buthaina Abdullah Mohamed Ali Al Mazrouei, a board member of The Royal Stables, added: “This initiative is a testament to our dedication to fostering talent and breaking barriers in equestrian sports. We are thrilled to support our para athletes in achieving their Paralympic Games dreams.”

A press release from The Royal Stables stated that Dr Ghanem Al Hajri, secretary general of the UAE Equestrian and Racing Federation, addressed attendees at the official launch (10 April) “affirming [the federation’s] commitment to inclusion, collaboration and long-term athlete development”.

“Dr Al Hajri also expressed confidence in para dressage as the next major growth discipline in the UAE, and in the potential of UAE athletes to reach the world stage,” it added.

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British-born Paris 2024 triple gold medallist sets new world record

Becky Murray — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 17:28:57 +0000

British-born US Paralympic gold medallist Fiona Howard has set a new grade II freestyle world record.

On Sunday (9 March) 27-year-old Fiona, ranked fifth in the world para dressage rankings, scored 83.27% at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival, in Wellington, Florida, with her triple Paris gold medallist Diamond Dunes.

The test, to the music from Avatar, surpassed the 80% personal best scored by the pair in the freestyle in Paris which helped the USA secure team gold.

“It was our first competition after the Paralympics, so I just wanted to get back out there and back in the groove,” said Fiona, who also scored a new 77.30% personal best in the grand prix A test on Friday (7 March).

“Dunes gives so much every single time I come in the ring. He’s never shown here, so it was a new ring, but he tried so hard for me. He’s pretty special.”

Fiona, whose mother is American and father is British, was born and raised in England. She competed on British reining teams as a junior, before immigrating to the USA in 2016 and taking up para dressage in 2021.

Fiona and 12-year-old gelding Diamond Dunes, owned by the Kasselmann family, made their international debut together last March after Francois Kasselmann suggested Dunes would make a good para horse. The pair have gone from strength to strength, winning 13 out of 15 starts.

“We were looking, but not actively. I had another horse in Germany that we were qualifying for Paris, but we went to take a look,” said Fiona.

“His brain was so good, and he wanted to do what was right. I fell in love with Dunes from that day. Francois was really generous to let me try to qualify him for Paris and he got better and better and better. It’s pretty awesome to have a personal best in Paris and then come out here in March and have a world record. He’s amazing.”

Fiona was accompanied in Wellington by her Paris teammates Roxanne Trunnell and Rebecca Hart, along with her support network.

“It was a special show for me to have so many people there,” said Fiona.

“A lot of my family lives in England, so they’re super far away but I have an incredible team here. It gave me an extra boost because I wanted to make them proud. It’s special to be able to share these moments with them all.”

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‘We feel so blessed and lucky’: British team rider announces second pregnancy

Becky Murray — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 17:53:55 +0000

Paralympic dressage rider Natasha Baker and her husband Marc Jaconelli are expecting their second child.

The couple, who welcomed their son Joshua in 2023, are expecting baby number two around late June.

“We are so excited. It was part of the plan, and we feel so blessed and lucky that it happened so quickly,” Natasha told H&H, adding that they are keeping the gender under their hats for the next couple of weeks.

“It’s been a completely different pregnancy for me this time, in a good way. With Joshua I suffered a lot with nausea from the moment I woke up to the moment I went to sleep and nothing would ease it, whereas this time I’ve been a lot more sick, but then afterwards I feel tons better. But that’s on its way out now, and I’m feeling good.”

Natasha Baker won two bronze medals at the Paris Paralympics with Keystone Dawn Chorus (Lottie). In November Lottie was sold to 17-year-old Irish para rider Katie Reilly.

“We came back from Paris and the plan always was that I wanted a second child. We found out about baby number two about two or three weeks before we made the decision to sell Lottie,” said Natasha.

“Mum and I sat down and did the maths; the Europeans this year were obviously going to be out of the question and it was going to be a tighter turnaround than it was for Paris to get ready for the World Championships next year. I managed for Paris but it wasn’t easy, and I’m going to have another child in the mix, so we thought, ‘Is it really going to work out for the best?’

“Lottie is still so much in her prime and I didn’t want her to be wasted waiting around for me on maternity leave. It was the most sensible but heartbreaking decision, but she’s doing so well with Katie. They are the most wonderful family and hopefully she can give Katie some amazing opportunities.”

Natasha added that she misses Lottie “every single day” – but she hopes to be back in the saddle for the LA 2028 Paralympics.

“It’s weird seeing Lottie’s stable empty, and I think Joshua misses her too,” she said.

“LA is the plan. You never know what happens with horses, or babies, but that’s been my plan all along. I’m going to have quite a long time out of the saddle again, but once baby number two has come along I can look to start getting fit again.

“Obviously I don’t have a horse to get back on to so that’s going to add another level of complexity, but I’ve lots of friends and hopefully I can beg, steal, or borrow a horse to jump on and then start horse shopping again. We’ll see what the future has to hold.”

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‘Riding did what the doctors thought was impossible’: meet the rising para dressage star with ambitions both in and out of the saddle

Oscar Williams — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 18:30:49 +0000

Leonie Saffy and her elegant eight-year-old mare, Forrests Blackdiamond (Tia), have been turning heads at this year’s para championships. The pair won the grade II silver title at the Equissage Pulse Winter Championships and at the summer championships.

“The winter championship win was our highlight,” says Leonie. “It was her first championship and she’d had very limited competition experience up to that point, so to trot down that centre line with her and win a title was an unbelievably proud moment.”

Leonie and Tia have been a combination for four years but only started competing together in late 2023 due to an accident in 2020 that left Leonie with nerve damage down one leg and unable to ride.

“I have an extremely rare genetic condition known as Multiple Pterygium Syndrome which is a condition which affects muscle tissues, connective tissue and joints, including curvature of the spine,” Leonie explains.

“I began riding lessons at Clwyd Special Riding Centre in 2012 on advisement from my spinal surgeon with the aim to strengthen my core in preparation for a major spinal surgery.

“But it turns out horse riding did what was thought to be impossible by doctors, and strengthened my core to the point of preventing my spinal curvature from worsening resulting in my major operation being postponed by five years. That meant it wasn’t until 2016 I had to have a full spinal fusion.

Leonie began her competitive journey early, starting with the countryside challenge at the RDA Regionals, where she qualified for the nationals and achieved an impressive third-place finish in her first year.

“In 2014, I won the dressage class at the regionals on a chestnut pony named Chester, igniting my passion for dressage,” Leonie adds. “I later represented Wales and Britain on my own pony, Jack. He’s a superstar in his own right and won consecutive national titles.

“But most importantly, he gave me the confidence I’d been missing after dealing with a few cheeky ponies, and he recently became my safety net, helping me get back in the saddle after that unfortunate accident in 2020. After nearly 10 wonderful years together, Jack, now 26, is enjoying a well-deserved retirement in the mountains.

“When Tia and I became partners I was still recovering from that accident and I had some nerve damage in my leg, therefore we focussed primarily on in-hand work.

“I had limited experience training young horses, so in 2022, we moved to my coach Anna Brown’s dressage yard. While I recovered, Anna developed both Tia’s education and fitness, and the beautiful mare that she’s grown into is a testament to Anna’s phenomenal horsemanship.

“My recovery required pain management and building up the muscle around the nerve, but some days it can flare up quite severely so I have to adapt certain day-to-day activities and become flexible with my riding. Anna is a massive help during these times and takes over a lot of Tia’s education.

“It’s the team around me that makes it all possible – not only Anna but also my veterinary physiotherapist Lesley Williamson who keeps Tia in fantastic condition, and also my friends and family. I’m also so proud of Tia herself, she’s a true diva, with a sassy personality but a kind heart and brave spirit – it’s been a long journey but I’m so excited for our future together.”

Leonie has since been reclassified as a grade III rider and aims to compete at gold level and take Tia to her first international. But alongside her burgeoning competitive career, Leonie – who describes herself as a “very determined” person will also be starting a PhD at Liverpool John Moors University and aims to work in research focussing on the underlying molecular biology of disease to aid therapeutic developments.

Although balancing her studies with a competitive career has been challenging, Leonie says that she’s become “a more independent person for it”.

On the advice she’d give to other riders looking to take up para dressage, she adds: “Something I’d say is that that you’re going to meet so many amazing and inspiring people.

“On my journey, I have met so many inspiring, strong athletes with phenomenal stories and such kind hearts. You will meet friends for life who will be there to wish you luck in the warmup and share your victories.

“Another thing to remember is that your disability is not inability, it does not define you and you can do anything you put your mind to, and when you see the athletes in this sport, you will see what I mean.

“I was always a very competitive child, and don’t get me wrong this is a very good quality, but a tip I’d give any rider is to always make sure you’re having fun because that’s what it should always be about.

“And coming from someone who has had her fair share of falls, surgeries and adversity in life, horses are healing in so many ways and this sport has got me through some of the hardest times of my life.”

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‘Wonderful new home’ for British medal-winning star mare

Lucy Elder — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 17:46:16 +0000

British Paralympian Natasha Baker’s multiple medal-winning ride Keystone Dawn Chorus has been sold to join young Irish para rider Katie Reilly.

The 13-year-old Dimaggio mare and Natasha have finished on the podium at all three senior championships they have contested, including the Tokyo and Paris Paralympic Games.

Natasha most recently partnered Keystone Dawn Chorus, known as “Lottie”, to Grade III individual and freestyle bronze in Paris – just four months after Natasha returned to competition following the birth of her son, Joshua, last year.

The pair also helped Britain to Paralympic team gold in Tokyo, where they won individual and freestyle silver medals, and brought home individual silver and freestyle bronze from the 2022 World Championships in Herning.

Natasha shared the news today (15 November) that Lottie has “found a wonderful new home and rider”.

“Lottie and I have had an unbelievable journey together, two Paralympic Games, a World Championships, many medals plus she’s been there through my biggest life experiences and is the best family pony,” said Natasha.

“She has the kindest heart and I am for ever grateful for her giving me absolutely everything in the past five years.

“She is absolutely one in a trillion and I couldn’t be happier to support Lottie in her new partnership that holds so much promise and potential.”

Katie, 17, a Grade III rider who represented Ireland at the 2023 Europeans, said that the past few weeks “have been just incredible”, thanking both Natasha and Lottie’s other connections for trusting her “with your very precious girl”.

“I hope I can make you all proud of us both,” she said. “To have Lottie joining our team is hugely exciting and just a really amazing privilege to not only own but to ride this very precious girl.

“She has already made friends with our retired RDA [Riding for the Disabled Association] boy Pip, who will be her new field friend. And has met the big man Ruddy.

“Now to take our time, build our partnership together and see what the next few years bring us.”

Natasha added that she will start searching for a Paralympic prospect for LA 2028 “when the timing is right”.

“I’m excited for the next chapter and new beginnings for all of us,” she said.

She thanked co-owners Joanna Jensen, her parents and Christian Landolt for supporting her and Lottie “though the most wonderful journey”. Natasha also thanked her trainers, Lisa Hopkins and Claire Gallimore, and Beth Bainbridge, who is the reason Natasha and Lottie found each other.

Beth, Lottie’s previous owner, spotted a Facebook post by Natasha and called her to say she thought she had just the horse. She was right.

“Lottie is like my little Mary Poppins, as she is practically perfect in every way,” Natasha told H&H ahead of Tokyo.

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‘A dazzling career’: leading figures pay tribute after top rider hangs up her boots

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 17:57:49 +0000

Leading figures across the dressage world have paid tribute to the “inspirational” Sophie Christiansen after she called time on her sporting career.

H&H reported on Tuesday that the para dressage star, who has won 30 championship medals for Britain, had announced her retirement.

Sophie still plans to be involved in the sport, to help others achieve their dreams.

British Equestrian para dressage performance manager Georgina Sharples said: “What a dazzling career it’s been. To have formed gold medal-winning partnerships with such a variety of horses shows true talent and it’s been a pleasure to watch her compete on the world stage.

“One of Sophie’s defining characteristics has always been her total commitment to anything she puts her mind to, whether that’s her riding, qualifications and career or tirelessly campaigning for disability rights. She’s incredibly driven and talented, with her eye firmly on the bigger picture. Despite calling time on competitive riding, I know that she’ll still be helping to develop and grow our sport from the sidelines.

“I want to thank Sophie for everything she’s done for British para dressage – she’s one of our greatest ambassadors and has taken us on an amazing journey filled with memories. Whatever comes next, I’m sure that she’ll be successful in all that she does – from planning her wedding to supporting a new generation of riders.”

British Dressage CEO Jason Brautigam said Sophie’s achievements elevated dressage to a new level.

“And her strength, courage and resilience inspired countless others, underlined by the fact that she remains the only para dressage rider to have been nominated for BBC Sports Personality of the Year,” he said. “On behalf of the whole para community, I would like to express our gratitude for all that Sophie has done for British Dressage, as we celebrate her legacy on her retirement and wish her all the best in the next chapter of her life.”

Riding for the Disabled Association CEO Michael Bishop added that Sophie has inspired countless riders.

“Her personal achievements will resonate for generations of aspiring Paralympians, while her campaigning has been vital in growing support for para dressage, nurturing emerging talent, and reshaping perceptions of para-sport and disability,” he said.

“We are proud to call her one of our own and wish her every success as she transitions from competitive sport. We eagerly anticipate her future achievements.”

Michel Assouline, coach of the UK para dressage team between 2005 and 2017, said it must have been a tough decision for Sophie.

“You truly had an incredible career, notably no less than being twice a Paralympic triple gold medallist, London 2012 and Rio 2016, which I had the honour to witness as part of the GB team, and several world and European Championships gold medals too!” he said.

“Our entire community is truly in admiration of your extraordinary accomplishments. The memory of your presence on the world stage as a top-class athlete and amazing wellbeing is going to deliver a lasting impact and legacy on para dressage. Wishing you every success in your endeavours and new chapter.”

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‘The memories give me goosebumps’: top rider calls time on sporting career after 20 years – and 30 medals

Eleanor Jones — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 12:23:01 +0000

British para dressage legend Sophie Christiansen retires after a 20-year competition career, in which she has won 30 senior championship medals for Britain.

Sophie made the announcement today (5 November) but joked that “you won’t get rid of me that easily”, as she intends to work within the sport to help others achieve their dreams.

“I was once told, ‘when you know, you know’,” Sophie said. “I used to wonder what this meant, but now I realise that I am more excited about the possibilities of what I could do outside the sport than doing another four-year cycle of highs and lows as an athlete.

“It took a whole army to help me accomplish what I have, from my coaches to my family, [Riding for the Disabled Association] RDA volunteers to PE teachers, my PAs to my PTs, and of course those who have helped me fundraise and have donated so generously. I can’t even begin to put into words how humbled I am by your belief and support.

“I obviously can’t name you all, but I hope that you know how incredibly grateful I am. To be able to form incredible partnerships with such kind, talented horses has been a privilege and an honour.”

Sophie said it goes without saying how much para dressage has given her.

“Sport has empowered me to redefine what I thought was possible, to keep breaking barriers in all areas of my life,” she said. “I started riding with the RDA when I was six years old in order to help with my disability. Coming from a non-horsey family, I doubt that I would have ever sat on a horse without the RDA. People began seeing my potential as a teenager and suggested that I started para dressage at South Bucks RDA. I have always been competitive, so being able to find a sport that I could excel at was a complete game changer! South Bucks RDA guided me carefully from being classified, to competing at the RDA Nationals, to becoming selected for my first Paralympic Games at just 16 years old – three years after taking up the sport.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 02: Sophie Christiansen of Great Britain during the Dressage Individual Championship Test Grade Ia on day 4 of the London 2012 Paralympic Games at Greenwich Park on September 2, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images) (Image credit: Getty Images)

That first Games was in Athens 2004, the first Paralympics at which riders were on their own horses. But Sophie rode Hotstuff, who belonged to her teammate Nicola Tustain. At the age of 16, Sophie won her first medal, a bronze. She competed at four successive Paralympics, adding eight gold medals and a silver to her tally.

“I am so indebted as the whole experience [of Athens] changed my life,” Sophie said. “As a teenager with a disability, I was very shy and self-conscious about my speech impairment, but seeing these amazing disabled athletes getting on with their lives and joking about it at the same time, I wanted to be seen in this positive light too. Of course, now you all will have seen this on TV, but back then I had never seen the Paralympics in the media. I won an extremely unexpected bronze medal which lit the fire in me to go on and win 27 European, world and Paralympic gold medals for Great Britain.

“I was lucky enough to have a really great support team around me to be able to carry on my education alongside fulfilling my sporting dreams. Elite sport has taught me so many different skills that I was able to achieve a first class masters degree and start a career at a prestigious company as a software developer in London.”

Sophie Christiansen retires having also been awarded an MBE in the 2009 New Year Honours list for services to disabled sport and an OBE in the 2012 New Year Honours list. That year, Sophie became a triple gold medallist at the London Paralympics, which she said was “beyond my wildest dreams”.

“Having my brother and cousins start a chant of “We love you, Sophie!” by 10,000 spectators was just insane!” she said. “The memories still give me goosebumps. It was here that my double life as a Paralympic gold medallist with a career gave me a platform to highlight the barriers that disabled people face in society. I hope that in some way I can make a difference and create a more equitable world.

“The best night of my life (before my wedding to Peter next year!) was BBC Sport Personality of the Year 2016. I was so shocked to be nominated amongst 16 sporting celebrities. My mission on the night was to not come last! The BBC made an amazing video about my story, which I think really resonated with the public. During the live show, only the top three were announced. I remember I was standing with my family at the afterparty, when Clare Balding, who has known me since I was 16 years old, came running up to me with the final results saying “Sophie! Sophie! You came fifth!”. To be ranked so highly amongst sporting royalty was just incredible.”

Sophie Christiansen retires enjoyed unbelievable experiences through her sport, and bonded with many “remarkable” horses.

“In recent years, I have wanted to give back to the sport I have loved so much,” she said.

“Part of this was to create a community of supporters through Sophie’s Gold Club (SGC) to bring people closer to the action of para dressage. Through SGC ambassadors, I have mentored up-and-coming riders, supporting them on their own journeys. I want to work alongside the RDA, British Dressage and British Equestrian to continue introducing people to the world of para dressage so that when another ‘me’ comes along, they can also achieve their dreams. You won’t get rid of me that easily!

“Unfortunately, I cannot just hang my bike in the garage or put my swimming costume in a drawer, I still have [my horse] William to think about. I would love to find him a loving home where this sweet stallion will be adored as much as he is by me.”

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‘Thank you both for the memories’: British team stars with 16-medal tally retire from competition

Lucy Elder — Sat, 28 Sep 2024 18:51:54 +0000

Two British team stars with 16 senior championship medals between them have bowed out to enjoy retirement with their owners.

Sophie Wells has announced the retirement of C Fatal Attraction and Don Cara M, following remarkable achievements with the pair.

Charlotte Hogg’s C Fatal Attraction (Jorge) joined Sophie’s yard as a six-year-old in 2013 and made his senior championship debut at the 2015 Europeans. In total, he won 12 medals – all gold and silver – including the individual and freestyle grade V world titles in 2018 and European freestyle gold in 2017.

“Although the only championship Jorge didn’t go to was a [Paralympic] Games, he was one of my best,” said Sophie.

“Highlights were his double gold in Tryon for the worlds – he got record scores there and felt like he was just coming into his own.

“He gave an awesome feeling to ride, although he spent most of his life spooking at small things at home. His favourite arenas were stadiums – nothing too close, but plenty of people clapping and cameras.

“He was a real showman and could still make me smile from just having a little trot around the arena towards the end of his career when he just did little bits at home. It was like putting an old pair of slippers on after 12 years together.”

The pair also competed at national small tour level, with placings in the prix st georges and inter I classes at the 2019 LeMieux National Dressage Championships.

Jorge was among the nominated entries for Rio 2016, but his stablemate Valerius ultimately had the call-up. He was selected for the Tokyo Paralympics, but fitness concerns shortly before departure meant Don Cara M went instead.

He returned to competition this year with fellow Brit Erin Orford. The pair enjoyed a successful season, including national and international grade III wins, which earned them a place on the nominated entry list for Paris 2024.

Rowland Kinch’s Don Cara M found his forte in para dressage. The now 15-year-old gelding joined Sophie in 2020, having reached his ceiling in able-bodied dressage owing to his struggle with grasping flying changes.

When Jorge was withdrawn from the British squad ahead of Tokyo, “Donnie” stepped up and helped Britain to team gold and also brought home individual silver.

Sophie Wells and Don Cara M at the World Para Dressage Championships 2022. (Image credit: Peter Nixon)

In 2022, he collected individual silver and freestyle bronze at the World Championships in Herning. The plan was for him to go to his second Paralympic Games in Paris this summer, but a minor veterinary issue meant he had to be withdrawn and Sophie partnered LJT Egebjerggards Samoa instead.

“Don came into my life thanks to Amy and Tracy Woodhead,” said Sophie. “He struggled with his flying changes and they knew I didn’t have to have them for para. It was truly the essence of the idea that not every dressage horse is destined for grand prix, but there is still somewhere they can excel in their comfort zone.

“It was a different challenge because I had most of my horses from when they’re young and he was a complex horse in his personality, but that made the challenge more rewarding and our relationship more special. He’s truly one of a kind – funny, kind, anxious, talented and complex – and leaves a huge hole in the yard after five years here.

“I’m so proud of what we achieved with both horses and so grateful to both owners, Charlotte Hogg and Rowland Kinch, for their trust.”

British para dressage performance manager Georgina Sharples thanked both owners, on behalf of everyone on the World Class programme, “for entrusting us with their horses and allowing them to represent their country on so many occasions”.

“It has been a pleasure to see both Jorge and Donnie perform on the world stage so successfully in their time with Sophie and we’d all like to wish them a long and happy retirement,” she said.

“Thank you to both of them for the medals and the memories.”

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‘Hopefully I’ll do both’: British para rider and new Grade IV national champion aiming to compete at inter I

bethany.stone@futurenet.com (Bethany Stone) — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 16:34:38 +0000

“It takes a special horse to adapt from able-bodied competition to para dressage.”

Those were the words of Fiona Maynard, newly crowned grade IV grand prix champion at the LeMieux National Dressage Championships 2024.

Despite an “accidental canter” in the medium trot, the World Class Programme para rider’s winning margin on her own Denver IX was more than one percent.

National Dressage Championships: what’s next for Fiona?

Fiona – who has a visual impairment – has her friend Emma Payne call for her during her tests. This, she says, was the biggest adjustment for the 2011 Dresemann gelding.

“That was the hardest thing for Denver to get used to. He was obviously an able-bodied horse before he came to me,” remarks Fiona. “Initially, in the first few tests, he would halt next to Emma and look at her as if to say: ‘What are you doing in my arena?’

“He’s got a great sense of humour and a good personality, so takes it all in his stride.

“Now he’s got used to someone yelling while he’s doing his test. We do need to sort a few bits out in the calling so I don’t run Emma over, though!”

Though the “laid back” gelding has adjusted well to para dressage, Fiona also has impressive plans for able-bodied classes, too. She’s made her able-bodied debut at prix st georges earlier this year and plans to step up to inter I in the near future.

She says: “I’m learning a lot with Denver. I want to do some more prix st georges with him over the winter. We’ve got the CPEDI3* at Wellington soon, which will be fantastic. But the able-bodied inter I is what I want to do. Hopefully we’ll be back another year to do both!”

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‘I’m really proud’: British para stars crowned at National Dressage Championships 2024

bethany.stone@futurenet.com (Bethany Stone) — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 14:25:20 +0000

Grand prix grade I champion Susanna Wade was the sole para dressage rider to break into the 70s at the 2024 LeMieux National Dressage Championships today (Thursday 12 September).

Riding Ami Mcclean’s Premier Royal Mint, she scored exactly 70% to win the class by a decisive margin. The 2007 gelding by Royal Hit is a relatively new partner for his rider.

“My trainer, Jess Thompson, found him for me,” explained Susanna. “He’s an advanced horse who needed a bit of an easier life. He hasn’t done much for the last three or four years, and he’s not been here before so I didn’t know how he would react. But the second he gets inside the boards, he knows his job.”

The pair have recently started training with Spencer Wilton, and Susanna was happy that the work she’s been doing at home paid off in the test, commenting that the fluency she achieved was “a high point”. The pair have Wellington CPEDI ahead of them in October, and hope to be in contention for next year’s European Championships.

National Dressage Championships: “I’m really proud – he came out a bit shy, but he’s only six”

Jemima Green was delighted with how six-year-old Fantabulous held it together. (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow Photography)

Jemima Green’s own 2018 gelding Fantabulous stepped up to the plate to secure the grade II grand prix title for his rider. The duo scored 66.33% with their best marks for their walk work.

It is the six-year-old’s first National Dressage Championships.

“It’s his biggest show and he’s only six years old,” explained Jemima. “He came out a little bit shy, but it’s something I expected and he held it together. I’m really proud of him.”

Jemima says she and Fantabulous, stable name Fanta, have been doing lots of groundwork with Alice Oppenheimer to prepare him.

“We’re trying to get him used to high-pressure situations and transfer it to the ridden work,” she said. “It’s a long road to go down, but we’ll practise more and more.”

The pair are also heading to Wellington and have the Europeans in their sights as a goal. Ultimately, Jemima is excited for her young horse’s future.

“He’s definitely got the talent and the temperament,” she says. “There’s not many six-year-olds that can cope on their own – I haven’t got the legs to support him, so he has to be confident.”

In the grade III, Kate Reilly rose to the top by a wide margin with 67.67% on first ride Impulz W, a 2013 Wynton x Rubenstein I gelding owned by Karen Reilly. This improved upon her score with 2009 gelding Lymepark Riggeletto in the same class by more than six percent.

“Each time you come out, you learn something new”

Fiona Maynard describes Denver as “a very cool horse”. (Image credit: Kevin Sparrow Photography)

Despite an uncharacteristic five in a sea of sevens for a mistake in the medium trot, Fiona Maynard and her own Denver IX clinched the grade IV grand prix title in style with 69.23% – giving the pair a comfortable lead of almost a whole percent.

“The accidental canter in the medium trot cost me quite dearly,” said Fiona, “but we still got a great score. I think I just needed him straighter before I pushed him – each time you come out, you learn something new, don’t you. But he’s a very cool horse. His canter work felt really powerful.”

It was love at first ride for Fiona and the 2011 Oldenburg gelding by Dresemann when she bought him two years ago, when she found him to be “a really fun horse with a great sense of humour”. “He was literally in bed before the prizegiving, we were frantically getting him ready!” she added.

Fiona made her able-bodied prix st georges debut earlier this year and hopes to rise to intermediate I in the near future. She also has October’s Wellington CPEDI next on her agenda.

In the grade V championship, Alice Begg took the top spot with Gluckauf, her own 2009 Hanoverian Grand Cru gelding.

To stay up to date with all the breaking news throughout the National Dressage Championships, Blenheim Horse Trials, Horse of the Year Show and more, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

Paris 2024 rider opens up about her medal-winning ‘Sun King’ – and why horses are the ‘most important judge’

Becky Murray — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 12:50:52 +0000

The Netherlands’ decorated para dressage rider Sanne Voets has opened up about the special bond she has with her very own “Sun King” Demantur, as she claims her first medal of the Paris Paralympics.

This morning (4 September) Sanne and Demantur won silver in the grade IV individual competition. Sanne’s compatriot Demi Haerkens and Duala won gold, and Germany’s Anna-Lena Niehues took bronze.

Sanne and the 16-year-old Vivaldi gelding have built up a remarkable partnership in their nine years together. The pair now hold four Paralympic medals, nine European medals, and six world medals.

“This morning when I was on my way from the village to the stables I just had this thought that with a horse like this, a horse that is everything I could have ever dreamed of, he is my best friend,” said Sanne.

“The path we’ve taken, every decision we have made was for the benefit of the horse. There is no horse like Demantur. With a horse like him, and a team like mine, you always win. Riding Demi and with my team here, being with so many friends and family, I feel like I’m a trillionaire.”

When asked what makes Demi so special, Sanne said “everything”.

“I know that’s a cheesy answer, but it’s literally everything. He is such a special boy. When he first entered my stables he was so shy and insecure, and he has grown a lot as a person,” she said.

“But we did that together. He is always trying his heart out and he has tried so hard to be perfect from the beginning. When things don’t work out, I think he feels like he has let me down, but I tell him: ‘It’s ok boy, I know that you’re trying. You’re a horse, not a human, and it’s enough that you’re trying. We’re learning together, we’re developing together and we’re a team’. And that’s what makes our sport so magical.”

Sanne said she and her team “set the bar even higher” after Tokyo – but the focus was not entirely on medals.

“We focused even more on the way that we work towards the goal. The most important judge to me is my horse. There’s been so many decisions, and so much work in the last three years building towards these Paris Games, and the judges only see the test inside the whiteboards,” said Sanne.

“To me the most important thing is all the work and all the things that have happened before that. Of course this is where the medals are decided, and the field is very strong.”

“All about the Sun King”

The equestrian events of the Paris Paralympics are taking place at the Palace of Versailles, the former residence of Louis XIV, who was known as the Sun King for choosing the sun as his personal emblem.

Sanne Voets revealed that spectators can look forward to a new freestyle from her and Demi at the Paris Paralympics on Saturday (7 September) that will be “all about the Sun King”.

“Demi is my own Sun King. That’s why I waved at the palace today, to say thank you for lending us your property,” said Sanne, who visited Paris last April to learn more about its equestrian history.

“When we heard about the competition being held in this place, which has so much equestrian history, I read up so much about it. I hadn’t been to Paris before and said ‘I have to go there’. I really wanted to feel the atmosphere and learn about its past.”

During her trip to Paris Sanne visited the royal stables where she learned about its 400-year history.

“They told me about things that happened here 400 years ago, and how they still work with horses every day, and still with such a beautiful motto. They work from the belief that our horses don’t owe us anything – horses are not an instrument for us to reach our goals and ambitions, but we are an instrument to help our horses develop into beautiful, strong, healthy, happy athletes,” said Sanne.

“That resonated so much with me, so that made it so much more special for me to be here today.”

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Meet the spotted former breeding stallion turned Paris 2024 star who loves a banana

Becky Murray — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 18:17:27 +0000

One horse that has caught our eye at the Paris Paralympics is El Colorado, the banana-loving Dutch appaloosa who was formerly a breeding stallion. Canada’s Jody Schloss is competing at her third Paralympics, her first with the 16hh 15-year-old gelding.

Jody bought El Colorado, known at home as Denver, in March 2023, having tried him and known from the off that he was the horse for her.

“He was the first horse I tried. He was so good, and I said ‘I want this horse’. My coach said I couldn’t buy the first I saw so we went to Florida and looked at lots more, but I said ‘I want El Colorado!’,” said Jody.

“He was a breeding stallion before. He’s original looking and he’s such a good horse, I have such a great relationship with him.”

El Colorado is by Hannoverian stallion San Remo – who was ridden by Edward Gal as a young horse and also turned his hooves to para dressage – and out of appaloosa mare Sheeza, who is by Knabstrupper stallion Sonny Af Hojmark and out of Dutch appaloosa mare Penny.

Jody, who sustained a brain injury in 1996 when she was in a car accident and has since published a poetry book about her life, was thrilled with Denver’s performance. The pair scored 66.38% in the individual Grade I test this afternoon (3 September).

“I was so impressed with my horse,” she said. “I was very happy with how well he listened as he has his moments. I thought that he would be really nervous but he was ok.

“Every Paralympics so far I’ve been on a different horse, so every time is like my first time. It’s incredible.”

Jody describes Denver as a “very responsive” horse.

“When I get on him he seems to know it’s work time,” she said, adding that he loves bananas. “I’ll definitely give him bananas today.”

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Part-time DJ riding horse called King Of The Dance wins historic gold medal at Paris 2024

Becky Murray — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 17:47:26 +0000

Rihards Snikus made history at the Paris Paralympics today (3 September) when he won Latvia’s first equestrian Paralympic gold medal.

Rihards – who moonlights as a DJ – and his aptly named 16-year-old gelding King Of The Dance scored 79.18% to top the individual grade I contest.

Rihards’ team were “very happy” with the test.

“It was a really beautiful performance,” said Darja Tihomriova, speaking on behalf of Rihards. “We were worried about the technical elements, but I think it was one of their best performances, and a great result.”

Rihards and King Of The Dance have been together since 2016 and Darja said the gelding is “an excellent partner” to Rihards.

“They know each other very well, and have come a long way together from the beginning to the gold,” she said.

“We love this horse. He is brilliant, and a horse you get once in your life. He’s a great personality, so we are very lucky to have him – and very lucky that we have his owner, Irina Andrusa. For para dressage we should remember that usually they are not our horses, so it’s thanks to the owners, and our owner is great.”

Rihards and King of Dance won two silver individual medals at the Tokyo Paralympics and he was determined to go one better this year. Tokyo double individual gold medallist Roxanne Trunnell of the United States had to settle for silver this time round, with Fan Tastico, on 78.00%. Italy’s Sara Morganti and Mariebell scored 74.63% to take the bronze. Britain’s Mari Akhurst-Durward finished sixth with Athene Lindebjerg on 71.79%.

“After Tokyo we came home and said, ‘Ok, next time gold’,” said Darja. “Of course, we know that Roxanne is very good. We followed her results through this year. But we also know that we are very good.”

Darja said Rihards’ historic gold medal is “great for para sports in general”.

“It shows that it’s not only classical sports like athletes and cycling, equestrian is also a sport for people with disabilities. They can show how strong they are, how well they can ride, and the wonderful techniques. It’s great to show that you have no limit.”

Rihards and King of Dance will be hoping to make it double gold when they compete in the individual freestyle on Saturday (7 September).

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Meet the rider making her Paralympic debut with her 13hh superstar

Becky Murray — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 13:24:41 +0000

Meet Australian para dressage rider Bridget Murphy, who has made her championship debut at the Paris Paralympics with her 13hh part-bred Welsh superstar.

Bridget and seven-year-old Penmain Promise scored 66.72% in the individual grade II test this morning (3 September), and have qualified for the freestyle on Saturday (7 September).

Bridget, who has a bachelor’s degree in animal and veterinary biosciences, started competing in para dressage in 2018. She took on the ride of “Macey”, who is thought to be the smallest equine in Paris, as a recently backed three-year-old and the pair made their international debut in April last year.

“She’s only seven, and stepped up to CPEDI3* level at the first Paralympic qualifier in Australia in October last year. This is only her fifth shot at this test, and it was just beyond expectations. I’m super happy with her,” said Bridget.

“She’s very calm and quiet normally, but we never get these situations in Australia, so I thought ‘let her settle, don’t take a chance at the start’, but she was fine, and pushing for more as the test went on.”

Bridget said her coach rides Macey a bit but otherwise “it’s me and her”.

“Her size makes her a good fit for me, and she just gives you everything. She’s really reliable and she just wants to please,” she said.

“Because I got her when she was so young, [working with me] is really all she knows and it’s just been amazing. She doesn’t need to be asked twice, you tell her once, she gets it and off we go.”

Bridget said Macy “likes all the attention she can get” and she will be rewarded for efforts in Paris today with “a bag and a half of carrots”.

“As long as she’s got treats she’s happy. She’ll get carrots and some grass this afternoon”, she said, adding that being at Versailles is “magical”.

“Looking at the back of the palace, it’s stunning,” she said.

The USA’s Fiona Howard and Diamond Dunes won gold in the grade II individual test on 76.93%. Danish rider Katrina Kristensen and Goerklintgaards Quater took silver on 73.95%, and Britain’s Georgia Wilson and Sakura won bronze on 73.41%.

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‘He makes me feel like I can fly’: former Flat racehorse takes national dressage title

Eleanor Jones — Sat, 31 Aug 2024 19:19:07 +0000

The owner of a Flat racehorse turned national dressage champion hopes her story will encourage other para riders to consider former racehorses.

Elizabeth Johnson and Vegas Boy were crowned British Dressage (BD) Grade IV bronze champions at Hartpury on 22 August, four months after they contested – and won – their first BD competition.

Elizabeth told H&H that “Boycie”, who was trained by Jamie Osbourne to four wins and nine places on the racetrack, is a “shining example of the versatility of ex-racehorses”.

Boycie, now nine, has been out of racing about three and a half years, and Elizabeth has owned him for about three.

“He’s a brilliant horse, he will do anything,” she said. “My friend’s daughter does hunt races with him, and I thought ‘He’s such a sweet horse, let’s have a go at dressage’, and he’s taken to it like a duck to water.”

Elizabeth was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) 10 years ago.

“It’s left me with a limp on my right leg,” she said. “I definitely don’t trot up sound – I’m a rider and training to be a vet so the irony of that is not lost on me! But my right leg is a lot weaker, and not as effective when I ride, so that affects my balance. But he’s adapted really well to being ridden by me, and by able-bodied riders.”

Elizabeth credits her trainer Anne Marie Bork Eppers for all her help, and the team at Talland, who are “absolutely fantastic for para riders”.

“The MS does suck, but I try not to let it hold me back,” she said. “BD has one of the best pathways for people with disabilities to be involved with sport; they’re so supportive and have so many training and competition opportunities, they’re amazing.”

Elizabeth had to be classified at first to compete in BD para classes, then she and Boycie went to their first show, at Northallerton, in April.

“We did two tests and won both, then went back the next month, did another two and won those,” she said. “We had high enough percentages, and points, that I then got an email from BD to say we’d qualified for the championships at Hartpury.

“I thought we might as well go, as it would be a privilege to ride there, and my main aim was just to get a nice picture!”

But as well as the nice picture, Elizabeth and Boycie scored 65.95% to win the title.

“I’d never been in a fancy prizegiving, with a sash, and it was great to be in a line-up with all the other champions,” she said. “It was nice to meet other people who had decided they wouldn’t be defined by their disabilities but would enjoy their horses in the best way they possibly can. Horses give you freedom; I can’t run any more and I miss it but I ride an ex-racehorse who floats above the ground. Having that freedom is incredible and it should be promoted more.”

Elizabeth said she was probably the only rider at the championships with a former racehorse.

“But I think they make brilliant para horses, because they’ve seen everything,” she said. “They’re not spooky, or worried by pots of flowers or white boards, as they’re a lot less exciting than a day at Ascot. I think more para riders should consider them; Retraining of Racehorses is very good at matching people with horses and BD at helping you find the right level to compete at so I think more ex-racehorses should be doing para dressage.

“So many people when they’re asking for horses say ‘No TBs’; there’s a stereotype I’m trying to break with me and my horse. Just because you technically have a disability and ride an ex-racehorse doesn’t mean people should overlook you. We’re a great combination and hopefully in future we’ll see more ex-racehorses in para dressage.”

Elizabeth described Boycie as a “complete gentleman”, who anyone could ride.

“When I’m on him is the only time I don’t feel self-conscious about my leg or my disability; when I ride him, that’s gone and that’s amazing,” she said. “He treats me like an equal, and he makes me feel as though I can fly.”

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Riders among flag bearers as Paralympic Games open in Paris

Lucy Elder — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 16:09:45 +0000

Seven riders were among the athletes chosen as flag bearers for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games opening ceremony last night (28 August).

Both Danish flag bearers are riders – Tobias Thorning Joergensen and Katrine Kristensen were given the honour.

Pepo Puch carried the Austrian flag, Manon Clays was selected for Belgium, Laura Kangasniemi for Finland, Latvia chose Rihards Snikus, and Louise Etzner Jakobsson carried the flag for Sweden.

Manon Claeys (pictured, waving) was among the flag bearers at the Paris 2024 Paralympic opening ceremony. (Image credit: Belga News Agency/Alamy Live News)

International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons called for freedom, inclusion and equality in his speech at the opening ceremony.

“At a time of growing global conflict, increasing hate, and rising exclusion, let sport be the social glue that brings us together,” he said.

“Here at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, we will celebrate what makes us different, show there is strength in difference, beauty in difference, and that difference serves as a powerful force for good.”

He added: “As we prepare for Games Wide Open [the Paris 2024 slogan], let us open our minds wide.

“For what you will witness from Paralympic athletes are abilities and skills that surprise you, levels of resilience and determination that energise you, and camaraderie that will inspire you.

“Paralympic athletes are not here to participate. They’re not playing games. They are here to compete, win, and smash world records.

“Paralympians are also here to achieve something far greater than personal glory. They want equality and inclusion for themselves and for the world’s 1.3 billion persons with disabilities.

“Through their performances Paralympic athletes will challenge stigma, alter attitudes, and redefine the limits of what you think is possible.

“The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will show what persons with disabilities can achieve at the highest level when the barriers to succeed are removed.

“The fact these opportunities largely exist only in sport in the year 2024 is shocking. It is proof we can and must do more to advance disability inclusion – whether on the field of play, in the classroom, concert hall or in the boardroom.

“That is why 225 years on from when Place de la Concorde was central to the French Revolution, I hope Paris 2024 starts a Paralympic revolution, the inclusion revolution.”

More than two million tickets have now been sold for this year’s Paralympics, and the para dressage competitions at Versailles have sold out.

Britain’s horses travelled to France today (29 August) with the equestrian competition set to start on Tuesday (3 September).

Before the equestrian action gets under way, Suzanna Hext – a multiple medallist both on a horse and in the swimming pool – will be in action in the S5 100m freestyle at the Paris La Défense Arena tomorrow (Friday, 30 August).

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Who will be on the Paralympic dressage team podium at Paris 2024?

Oscar Williams — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 15:30:46 +0000

The Brits will head to Paris as underdogs, but it will be an enticing battle at the top, says H&H dressage editor Oscar Williams

Britain has a stellar dressage record at the Paralympics and has won team gold at every Games since the discipline joined the programme in Atlanta in 1996 – but the tides are turning.

In 2018 British dominance and a 22-year unbeaten streak at para dressage championships were broken by the Netherlands who took gold at the World Equestrian Games, relegating the Brits to silver by 0.6%. At the European Championships the following year the Dutch won gold again, extending their margin of victory over the British to almost 6% this time.

All of that meant that the British team went to the Tokyo Games as underdogs. With an inexperienced line-up of horses – all of whom were making their championship debut – the pressure was off with much of the press billing it as an opportune warm-up for Pairs.

But in the absence of expectation came a freedom to take risks, and the British team delivered three remarkable, emotional tests to scoop their seventh consecutive Paralympic title against the odds.

Since then, what we’ve come to know as normal service has resumed with the chastened Dutch retaining their world champion status in 2022 – while the Brits slumped to their lowest-ever championship finish in fourth – and their European title last summer.

So can the British team upset the odds again or will we see the Dutch do what they failed to do in Tokyo and complete their championship collection?

Well, despite not yet knowing which three combinations will contest the team competition, expect the British riders to come out stronger than at the Europeans.

Natasha Baker – competing at her fourth Games – returns to the team with her Tokyo medallist Dawn Chorus while debutante Mari Durward-Akhurst is the current world number one and will be riding the all-star Athene Lindebjerg, who competed at the Rio Games in 2016 with Sophie Christiansen to win triple gold.

But it’s still hard to look past the Dutch riders. Their two highest scorers from the Europeans – Demi Haerkens on Daula and Sanne Voets on the bona fide legend Demantur – are on the team again while Annemarieke Nobel on Doo Schufro and Rixt van der Horst on Royal Fonq are trending on higher scores than the combinations they’ve replaced.

European silver medallists Germany will also threaten the top spots.

The well-backed USA squad are also much fancied and are under the tutelage of Michel Assouline, who led the British team during their golden run.

While the rise of these challengers may spell the end of Britain’s period of Paralympic dominance, high standards show how much the sport has progressed since Atlanta in 1996 where athletes were riding borrowed horses.

Whatever the outcome, it will be a fantastic watch with the equestrian venue at Versailles one of the first two Paralympic venues to sell out – a stark contrast to the vacant grandstands of Tokyo.

H&H’s dressage editor’s Paralympic podium

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

Who won the Paralympic dressage team medals since 1996

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

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Top British rider to partner rising star in Paris after Tokyo gold medal-winner ruled out

Lucy Elder — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 16:37:21 +0000

British Paralympic gold medal-winning horse Don Cara M (pictured, top) has been ruled out of Paris, so Sophie Wells will instead partner rising star Egebjerggards Samoa at next month’s Games (3 to 7 September).

Sophie and Don Cara M (Donnie), owned by Rowland Kinch, helped Britain to team gold at the Tokyo Paralympics, where they also bagged grade V individual silver. It was announced today (19 August) that the 15-year-old gelding will not compete in Paris owing to “a minor veterinary issue”.

He will be replaced on the British squad by Sophie’s direct reserve ride Egebjerggards Samoa, an eight-year-old mare owned by The Lady Joseph Trust.

Sophie Wells and Egebjerggards Samoa on their way to taking freestyle bronze at the European Para Dressage Championships 2023. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

This elegant Blue Hors St Schufro daughter wowed on her championship debut at the 2023 Europeans. Although she was relatively green – as expected at only seven years old – she showed enormous potential in her performances as she scooped freestyle and team bronze. She has continued to impress on outings this year, including a massive new freestyle personal best of +82% at Wellington in June. Sophie has been preparing both horses in tandem.

“While this is only a minor veterinary issue, horse welfare is always our top priority and therefore it’s not in Donnie’s best interest to compete in Paris. We’d like to thank his owner, Rowland Kinch, for his unwavering support through this process,” said British Equestrian para dressage performance manager Georgina Sharples.

“The talented Egebjerggards Samoa (Diana) will now make her Paralympic debut. It is a fortunate position to be in that, in Donnie and Diana, we have two of the best Grade V horses in the world and I look forward to seeing Diana step into that amazing arena at Versailles.”

Paris will be Sophie’s fourth Paralympic Games. British horses and riders will shortly be travelling to their UK prep camp, before travelling to Paris on 29 August.

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Britain’s first international Black para rider hopes to break down barriers

Eleanor Jones — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 17:10:13 +0000

Britain’s first international Black para rider hopes to become a role model for others in equestrianism, as the sport continues to work on inclusivity.

Tegan Vincent-Cooke and her own Stolen Kiss contested the CPEDI3* freestyle at Addington last month. Tegan told H&H she hopes to compete at more events at this level and above – and be part of a British team.

“I want to give it my best shot,” she said. “But even getting to where I am shows that you don’t have to be white or middle-class; you can be any level and of any race, we’re all here to enjoy horses and the sport.”

Tegan comes from a non-horsey family, but started riding aged four as it was recommended by her physiotherapist. She started with the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) and went on to become a four-time RDA champion.

“Growing up with no hero, there wasn’t really anyone who looked like me at the top level; I found role models in other sports,” Tegan said, adding that she is often the only person of colour at events or training. And although a great deal of progress has been made in improving diversity and inclusivity, “there’s still lots that could be done”.

She added that there are small issues that could be addressed to remove some barriers, such as competition uniform. It is hard to wear Afro hair in a bun and with a riding helmet, or to wear a stock with a headscarf.

“I wasn’t shocked; this is a very real issue in our sport and other sports,” she told H&H. “As soon as I saw that post, I knew there would be issues but when I looked back, the BEF had posted about Diwali and Hanukkah, and hadn’t got that response. It is an issue and it affects people’s self-confidence.

“If you know people in the sport are thinking things like that, it affects you; if you make a mistake or fall off, you might be more self-conscious, so you don’t put yourself out there. It’s not a level playing field.”

Ms Urwin said this was one aim of a new partnership with Solihull Riding Club, which allows Summerfield riders the chance to take the next step, in a welcoming environment.

Ms Urwin said that during Ramadan, when people fast from sunrise to sunset, some members of Summerfield break their fast together as a community. They also sing carols at Christmas and do trick-or-treating at Halloween.

“We’re trying to bring the community together and have understanding of everyone’s traditions and beliefs,” she said.

“We need to act; our sport is seen as elitist and when negative things happen, it confirms that belief.”

The BEF launched its “Horses for all” strategy at the end of 2023, as the culmination of work designed to improve equality, diversity and inclusion in the industry.

CEO Jim Eyre said at the time: “We recognise our need to do better and this document gives a blueprint to facilitate the positive change needed, and our action plan to generate change will soon be published. It’s our collective mission to encourage more people to engage with horses in a forum free from discrimination where equity is paramount, and we want to underpin our commitment to achieving this with our strategy.”

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‘She leaves a wonderful legacy’: farewell to hugely influential equestrian

Eleanor Jones — Sun, 07 Apr 2024 18:21:12 +0000

Juliet Seal, one of the most influential figures in British para dressage has died, aged 86.

Juliet was born to John and Betty Perrot in June 1937. After John was killed at Dunkirk, her mother married James Martin, and two brothers came along.

Juliet married David Seal and moved to Jersey, where the couple and their three children lived for over 20 years. She enjoyed hunting and dressage, with lessons from visiting trainers including Carl Hester. She became district commissioner of the island’s branch of the Pony Club, chief road safety officer for the Channel Islands, and chairman of the Jersey Riding for the Disabled Association. This involvement ignited her passion for para dressage.

After her return, to Hampshire in 2000, Juliet started training as a British Dressage (BD) judge, working her way up to List Two and international para judge status. Her involvement in the para community developed and she was invited to become a selector in 2004, the year of the Athens Paralympics. She proved a key member of the panel and was chief para selector from 2009 until Rio 2016.

Juliet demonstrated exceptional commitment to the British para dressage team and her dedication played a huge part in its unprecedented success. Juliet selected for two Paralympics, three World and four European Championships, all of which resulted in team gold. Her calm nature, quiet diplomacy and openness made her an exemplary selector.

Juliet also enjoyed racing, owning a part-share in about 20 horses and following them avidly. She was a talented and adventurous cook, and a keen gardener. Juliet and David celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary last November.

Former chair of para selectors Carolyn Gardiner met Juliet in Jersey and worked with her for “seven wonderful years”.

“Juliet was a wonderful, kind and lovely person,” she said. “She was full of common sense and had so much empathy. It was a privilege to have worked with her for many years. We were tremendous friends, and I will miss her greatly.”

Current chair of para selectors, Joyce Head, added: “She was so approachable, a good listener and she had everything, including her vast knowledge, at her fingertips. You were never afraid to ask her anything and the main thing for me was what a caring person she was. She was a real lady. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her.”

BD CEO Jason Brautigam said Juliet’s contribution to the development of para dressage cannot be overstated.

“This was a period of unprecedented international success for our para athletes, culminating in a phenomenal 20-medal haul at the Paralympics in London 2012 and Rio 2016, where Team GB won a combined 12 gold, nine silver and one bronze. Juliet leaves a wonderful legacy that will endure for many generations to come.”

Juliet is survived by David, their daughters Kate and Sarah, son Rupert, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

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