Fourteen nations secured Olympic or Paralympic dressage qualification for the 2028 Games in LA in the two team finals at the 2026 World Dressage Championships in Aachen.

In the Olympic dressage team final, the top six ranked teams – Germany, Britain, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands and Sweden – all booked their tickets to Los Angeles, alongside the hosts, the US (eighth), who qualified automatically.

For the complete breakdown of scores across all 19 dressage teams, see our full grand prix results.

For Britain’s Carl Hester, qualification mattered more than the colour of the medal. “We’re trying to qualify for the Olympic Games and pave the way for the next few years for new combinations to come along,” he said. “That feeling of relief is huge.”

A seventh nation also secured a dressage berth through a separate route: as the highest-placed team from FEI Group G (covering southeast Asia and Oceania), Australia claimed the one quota reserved for that region, finishing 13th overall. Thailand, the only other Group G nation fielding a full team in Aachen, missed out.

Portugal were the nation left to rue what got away in the main quota pool, finishing seventh on 212.625 – short of Sweden’s sixth-placed 216.552. Along with the other European nations outside the qualifying places, they will get a second chance at the 2027 European Championships in Randbøl, Denmark, where the three highest-ranked teams not already qualified will pick up the remaining places.

Canada finished just 0.062 points behind the USA’s team total in ninth. They will get another shot at Olympic qualification at the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, where a top-two finish – with the qualified US excluded from contention – will guarantee a place.

As qualification was not on the line, the US had the freedom to blood inexperienced combinations rather than chase a result. Late call-up Megan Davies (Toronto Lightfoot) had barely a day’s notice before replacing Geñay Vaughn (Gino).

“I got the call Saturday night at 5 o’clock saying we were going,” she said. “We were ready to hit the road at 7.30 in the morning the next day.”

Both she and her horse were newcomers to the big stage – “This is his first big event... everything is sort of a new experience with the two of us, and this is my first big one too” – part of a deliberate strategy from the team. “They put in a couple of green combinations and let us get our footing,” she explained.

Whether that gamble pays off is another matter. For all the high-fives and optimism radiating from the US camp, it would be a surprise to see any of these combinations line up in LA – and you suspect an eighth-place finish there wouldn’t be met with quite the same magnanimity. The hope will be that some of their big-money buys, like Indian Rock and Bohemian, both absent from Aachen, come good and stay sound.

Para dressage: who’s heading to LA28

While the able-bodied US team used the freedom to blood green combinations and settled for eighth, the para dressage team treated it as no excuse to ease off, winning team gold on a record-breaking score under chef d’équipe Michel Assouline. If anything, the pressure felt higher, not lower, he explained:

“It’s an important Games for Team USA because it's a home Games, but we also know that a home Games is even more pressure, because the team at home will expect even more,” he said.

“I’m still very confident we have a system in place that works. We’ve worked hard on putting a strategy together with strong foundations, so I have a solid roadmap.”

Seven tickets for LA28 were up for grabs behind them. Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Great Britain, Italy, France and Sweden all secured their places; Britain’s fifth-placed finish was enough to seal qualification although it missed out on the team podium.

British para performance manager Georgina Sharples was left with mixed emotions. “I’m thrilled that we have qualified – coming here to qualify for LA 2028 was the primary aim, and we’ve achieved that," she said. “But I’m disappointed with the final results... we very much came here with an expectation that we'd medal as a team too. We’ve got some cracking horses, and they delivered some super work, but we also had some incredibly expensive spooks. You can’t get away with that at this level.”

Looking ahead to LA, she was keen to stress the positives: "Our riders are all very much on an upward trajectory. We’re still assessing horsepower... You need competitions like this, where the pressure is high, to give those riders that exposure. I think we’ll take a huge amount of positives from here and build on it.”

Teams who secured dressage Olympic qualification in Aachen

• Germany
• Great Britain
• Denmark
• Belgium
• Netherlands
• Sweden
• Australia (Group G)
  
• USA – already qualified as hosts

Teams who secured para dressage Paralympic qualification in Aachen

• Germany
• Netherlands
• Denmark
• Great Britain
• Italy
• France
• Sweden
  
• USA – already qualified as hosts

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Sophie Wells scored 76.76% to finish just off the podium in the grade V freestyle at the World Para Dressage Championships in Aachen.

It rounded off a week of contrasts for Sophie – an emotional grade V gold on Thursday, a tougher team test on Saturday, and now a fourth-place freestyle finish, agonisingly close to a second medal – just 0.68 percentage points shy of bronze.

Gold went to Lena Malmström and Fabulous Fidelie for Sweden on 79.68%, with Regine Mispelkamp and Highlander Delight’s taking silver for Germany on 78.19% and Britney de Jong and Caramba NOP bronze for the Netherlands on 77.44%.

“It was a bit of a mixed bag”

Sophie entered the arena, gesturing to the sound technicians to turn the music up – a remix of covers by Croatian cellist HAUSER, including Waka Waka, Sway and La Isla Bonita.

“It was so much quieter than the sound check, but a few people had said that earlier in the order, so I was a bit prepared for it,” Sophie explained. “It’s the sort of music that needs to be a little bit louder anyway.”

It was a technical floorplan, and Sophie could count herself unlucky not to have picked up more marks from the judges – the watching crowd had her on 77.93%.

“The extended canter was good – I think that’s a really nice, bold thing she can do,” Sophie said. “But overall it was a bit of a mixed bag – she was fresh coming out, so I didn’t quite know what I was going to get in there. It was nice that she was feeling energetic on day three though, because I didn’t expect that.

“Of course it’s disappointing – it’s four percent off my best. But equally, it wasn’t our best test either – there were mistakes; she dropped me in the two half-circles, and the simple changes weren’t the best she could do. It is what it is, and we just try to get home, regroup, and get better.”

Looking ahead, Sophie confirmed MSJ Gold Standard’s owner, Emma Blundell, plans to sell the 10-year-old mare after these championships, with Sophie’s focus already turning to the horses waiting in the wings for her at home.

“We’ll see what happens – the plan was always that she’d be sold after worlds,” Sophie said. “We’ve got other horses coming up too, like seven-year-old Ontario LC, who did his first international at Hartpury this year.”

Sophie also still has her Paralympic medallist LJT Egebjerggards Samoa, whose talent she rates highly for grand prix work, alongside her para career.

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Nicola Naylor and Humbeto L scored 76.5% in the grade IV freestyle at the World Para Dressage Championship in Aachen to finish fourth.

It capped a memorable World Championships debut for Nicola, who had already claimed individual grade IV bronze earlier in the week. Today’s freestyle was another brave ride from the pair – finishing on a medium trot into a halt before the judge at C – and a marked improvement on yesterday’s team test (22 August), where Humberto had a couple of costly spooks in the canter and walk.

“I thought after yesterday, it was great, because he was so much more with me, so much more settled, willing to listen,” Nicola said. “I took a breath too, and it just felt smoother – he felt like he was in a happier place too, which, given the crowds and the noise, is amazing. But he still kept some of that power. He’s full of beans – I think he could go on for another three days, the way he feels.”

The freestyle itself – set to music from the BBC television series Sherlock – was a deliberately demanding one. “It’s a very busy freestyle – we’ve crammed a huge amount in, literally movement after movement,” Nicola explained.

“We did that deliberately because he likes to be busy. The more he does, the happier he is. If it’s just endless canter along the long sides, he starts to get unsure of what he’s meant to be doing – give him something to do, and he’s really happy.”

Picking out the highlights, she added: “As always, the medium canters were great, and the half-passes too – actually, the whole canter tour flowed really smoothly. I think the timing with the music in the extended walk was a little late, but halfway through he really did extend and take it down, and the trot work was really nice too – I’m very pleased.”

Humberto was also remarkably consistent today, not dropping below an average of seven for any movement. “And that’s lovely,” Nicola said. “Especially after yesterday, when he was a bit all over the place.

“To get him back secure like that is a great note to finish on. He’s never heard crowds like that before, never heard that sort of clapping – so to have given him that experience, and for him to stay with me, I think it’s a great way to finish.”

Reflecting on the week as a whole, Nicola was clear it had been a positive one despite its ups and downs. “It’s been a long week, but it’s been fabulous. There’ve been highs and lows – not really lows, but less-high moments, shall we say – but I always enjoy the training.

“Every test is an experience, and you learn so much from each one. I’ve loved every moment of it, because it’s not often you get this atmosphere to actually ride in and see how your horse handles it.”

She couldn’t resist a fond aside about Humberto’s temperament away from the arena – a horse who, moments earlier, had seemed almost half-asleep during the stewards’ final checks.

“He’s extraordinary – like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde,” she laughed. “He goes into the arena and he’s got so much power, he’s completely on it, test after test. But you take him out, and he goes to see the stewards, drops his head, half-shuts his eyes – like a donkey falling asleep. He just switches off. He’s like, ‘I’ve done that now, and that’s me, I'm finished.’ Then you pick him up next time and he’s full of power again.”

Further glory for Kate Shoemaker and Vianne

Kate Shoemaker and Vianne took the class comfortably for the USA on 83.31%, the 10-year-old grey mare the only one producing artistic marks into the 90s.

It capped a remarkable treble for Kate and Vianne – having already broken the grand prix A world record for the grade with 78.89% on Thursday for individual gold, then anchored the US record 236.135 team total on Saturday with the first 80%-plus score of the championships.

“None of this has sunk in whatsoever,” Kate said. “It feels like maybe I’ll wake up from a dream tomorrow. To be in Aachen, in this amazing arena, on hallowed ground, is an absolutely incredible experience. I’m just incredibly thankful to be here, and to have gold medals is beyond the icing on the cake.

“Once the team was finished, I just wanted to see if we could have a little bit more in the trot and not really hold back – and she stayed relaxed with me the whole time.

“I think we had our best extended trot of the entire competition. We added one on the last centre line just for fun – that wasn’t originally in there, but she felt so good, I thought why not?”

France’s Alexia Pittier and Sultan 768 held off Germany’s Helen Brandt and Vulkan Vegas IB for silver, 78.65% to 78.01%.

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Athene Lindebjerg’s grade I freestyle at the World Para Dressage Championships in Aachen was her last-ever competitive test – Mari Durward-Akhurst confirmed after a tougher-than-usual ride, scoring 67.85% for eighth place, that the 19-year-old mare is retiring.

Athene had two uncharacteristic spooks, in the corners between A and K and between M and C, before downing tools for a spell. Mari had said after the team test how hard it can be for her, with limited leg power, to get Athene going again once she slows – and she needed all of her experience to bring Athene back on track here.

Athene’s retirement brings the curtain down on one of British para dressage’s longest and most decorated careers. She won individual and team gold with Sophie Christiansen at both the 2015 Europeans in Deauville and the Rio Paralympics the following year, then a hat-trick of individual, freestyle and team golds with Julie Payne at the 2017 Europeans in Gothenburg.

After a break from competition that included having two foals, she returned to top-level sport under the care of South Bucks RDA volunteer Romilly Hart, who got her fit again at the request of co-owner Di Redfern.

Mari took on the ride in 2023 and went on to win individual freestyle bronze at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, two individual bronzes at last year’s Europeans in Ermelo and individual silver this week in Aachen, before this freestyle brought her competitive career to a close.

“She’s retiring now – the World Championships is her last competition, and we’d like to have gone out with a different sort of bang,” Mari said, with good humour at first. But as she began to talk about what the mare had meant to her, the emotion of the moment caught up with her.

“I think she’ll be remembered for life regardless. Honestly, everything she’s given me – she got me to my first Paralympics, my first individual medal... She’s just absolutely incredible, and I can’t thank her enough for it all. This has been amazing.

“She’s made my dreams come true, and I don’t think I’d be the athlete I am now without her and everything she’s taught me. I think that test is a sign she wants to retire – so it’s the perfect time, really. She can go and live out in the field and have a wonderful retirement. She doesn’t owe Great Britain anymore.”

The decision had been made a while ago. “We always knew this would be our last competition together, so it’s been an emotional week. I really wanted her to go out on the high of a gold, but she’s been at the highest level for 10 years – and that’s after coming back having had foals, too. She’s just incredible.

“The sport’s changed so much from when Sophie and Julie rode her – she has to go with a slightly longer contact, and her head moves a lot. We’ve tried really hard with it, but some judges just don’t like the head movement. To end with a silver this week, though – you can’t want much more than that, can you?”

Asked what came next for the mare, Mari added: “She’ll be treated like royalty by Romilly – which she already is.”

Gold went to the Marie Vonderheyden and Fan Tastico H of the USA, scoring a personal best 80.54%, with Italy’s Sara Morganti taking silver on Bond Girl 18 (78.77%) and Latvia’s Rihards Snikus completing the podium on Rise And Shine (75.42%) – the gelding making his championship debut at just six years old.

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Fiona Howard and Diamond Dunes (USA) topped the grade II freestyle on 81.87% on the last day of the World Para Dressage Championships in Aachen, but it was Britain’s Jemima Green who produced the story of the class – a huge personal best on Fantabulous, taking silver on 80.93% (up from 78.44%) off the back of a fourth-place finish in the team test two days earlier. Jemima later said she’d gone into the freestyle with no expectation of making the podium.

Germany’s Heidemarie Dresing completed the top three on Poesie 143 with 80.81%, the narrowest of margins – just 0.126 points – separating silver from bronze.

Jemima could barely process the result when it came in. “I just found out it’s a huge PB, which is so, so exciting,” she said, still looking a bit shocked.

“There were mistakes – I was going around thinking, ‘Come on, a little bit more’. He felt a little tired, but relaxed, which meant we didn’t get the spooks, but we did have a trip, and just a couple of transitions where he was a little behind me.

“I came out of the test not really knowing what to expect, so when they said, ‘I think you’ve got silver’ I was like, ‘Pardon?’ I just remember it feeling slightly off – but that clearly doesn’t mean anything, it’s so hard to get that into your brain.”

Picking through the test for its highlights, she singled out the free walk in particular. “It's all a bit of a blur though. My first medium trot wasn’t strong, so I immediately thought, ‘Right, I’ve got to make the next one better’ – and that one was.

“The free walk across the long diagonal – he really let go and stretched for me and he goes so well to our Beatles music with that, which is lovely. When he keeps his rhythm and his balance throughout, it really flows, and it feels soft. He looked relaxed today, but I got a bit more oomph out of him too.”

The result, she explained, was built on a small but significant change made the day before. “We had a slightly longer warm-up – four minutes longer – we’re very precise with him, and we made a saddle adjustment too. Yesterday, I’d felt the left-hand side [of the saddle] had dropped, so we put a shim in to balance it up.

“He’s really sensitive to those tiny adjustments; he won’t hold himself square if the saddle’s not quite right. I think those little tweaks, and the conversations we’ve had as a team, have brought this here today.”

She was quick to credit the wider team behind it. “Without any of them here, I wouldn’t have been able to do this. British Dressage and Agria are supporting us, and we couldn’t be here without UK Sport's full support either.

“There’s no way I could have done this without all the coaches, the trainers, the farriers – everybody. It really is a full team effort, and I so appreciate it, because it's made the difference on him from two days ago to today.”

Reflecting on the week as a whole as she goes home with two medals having also taken bronze in the individual on Wednesday, Jemima admitted it had taken its toll. “Overwhelming and exhausting – I’m not going to lie, I think mentally this has been one of the hardest shows for me. I don’t think I felt the pressure physically, but mentally I did.

“I came in today really prepared – I’ve been watching my music videos and visualising, because I haven’t always had the best luck with music, but it’s got stronger and stronger. I went to bed early last night and really thought about how I wanted to perform. It’s been an incredible experience – but exhausting.”

The grade II field was one of the strongest of the week, and Jemima admitted she hadn’t expected to be anywhere near the podium in it – despite already having an individual bronze to her name.

“It was a really strong field, some big names, so I thought, ‘I’ll probably be fourth again,’” she said. “I would’ve taken that; that’s my comfortable spot! I was expecting some massive scores – I didn’t think I’d necessarily be one of them, so this is truly incredible.”

Elsewhere on the final day, Rixt van der Horst of the Netherlands continued her imperious week, topping the grade III freestyle on Eisma’s Royal Fonq NOP with 83.12%. Denmark’s Tobias Thorning Joergensen took silver on Blue Hors Zackorado (79.94%), with Italy’s Francesca Salvadè completing the podium on Escari (79.59%) – the narrowest of margins, just 0.353 points, separating silver from bronze.

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Pre-competition favourites, the US have won a commanding team gold medal at the World Para Dressage Championships on a total of 236.135 – higher even than their record-breaking 235.567 total at the Paris Paralympics. Germany were second on 229.875, while the Netherlands finished third on 227.639.

Fiona Howard and the 13-year-old stallion Diamond Dunes led a stacked grade II field, posting an unassailable 79.3% to give the US a flying start to the team competition on day one (21 August) – a massive improvement from their 75% in the individual test.

“He felt great today, even from the first trot around the arena, and he really put his whole heart in there,” Fiona said. “I’m just so proud of him and so happy that we could do this for the team.”

With no LA 2028 Paralympic qualification required as hosts, she was clear the pressure hadn’t lifted: “As a team, we’re all competitive, but we also really want each other to succeed. We put so much work into this that we all want to fight for those medals.”

Germany’s Heidemarie Dresing – an individual gold medallist earlier in the week – took second on Poesie 143 with 77.73%, and Denmark’s Katrine Kristensen third on Goerklintgaards Quater with 76.17%. “It was so fluent, and he trusted me totally – his trot was even better than the first test,” Katrine said. “This is a good start to our team score, and now I can cheer my teammates on.”

The US claimed grade I too, Marie Vonderheyden and Fan Tastico H, living up to his name with a personal best of 76.38%. “I’m so happy and proud of him, but I love that I gave a good score for the team — it’s important to be there for your teammates and help each other,” Marie said.

Rixt van der Horst and Eisma’s Royal Fonq NOP topped grade III once again for the Netherlands, scoring 78.47%. “He was on fire today – a really nice, constant and harmonious test,” Rixt said. “There are a lot of nations with a chance of a medal, so I was feeling the responsibility with my score.”

Denmark’s Tobias Thorning Joergensen took second on Blue Hors Zackorado (77.07%) – competing alongside his mother, Line Thorning Joergensen, in grade IV. “It‘s amazing to share a competition like this with my mum – she’s probably my biggest partner in all of this,” he said.

The hosts take silver

Grade V opened day two, with Germany’s Regine Mispelkamp adding 75.74% to the team effort on Highlander Delight’s – Germany looking to secure the runner-up spot behind a US side that already looked out in front after day one.

Britney de Jong and Caramba 74.61% locked in the Netherlands’ total on 227.639. That left grade IV, and two German riders still to come who could leapfrog the Dutch. Either Helen Brandt (Vulkan Vegas IB) or Anna-Lena Niehues (Vive l'Amour) needed at least 74.17% to get Germany’s total above the Netherlands’.

Helen went first but fell short, scoring 73.3% – leaving it to Anna-Lena Niehues, whose Vive l’Amour produced a standout test, her paces shining throughout. Despite a mistake in the medium walk, she scored 76.41%, securing silver for Germany.

“It's great for the team,” Anna-Lena said. “The canter work was very good, the simple changes too. It’s always important to be good – but for the team it's more important.”

The highest score of the championships

Kate Shoemaker on her exceptional mare Vianne needed to score better than 71.96% to guarantee gold – which, having scored a new world record 78.89% to win gold in the individual test earlier in the week, seemed a sure bet.

But a little bit of jeapordy was injected into the situation when, as she was entering the arena, the rider before her, Spain’s Carla Onrubia Roman, fell from her horse Valerio.

"She came off, right where we needed to pass each other,” Kate said. “I’d never had the experience of a loose horse next to me. Vianne looked over there, as if to say ‘Are you both okay?’ and Michel [Assouline, the US chef d'equipe] said, ‘Quick, get in the arena’ and I was like ‘Yes sir!’

“I was so proud of Vianne in that moment — she just went into the ring and got on with it. It meant a lot that she had that much confidence in me, with all that excitement going on, to still put in a really good test.”

They scored 80.46% – the highest score of the championships so far, and just shy of Vianne’s own grand prix B world record of 80.72%.

The 10-year-old mare combines exceptional expression with harmony, flowing from one movement to the next, apparently unbothered by any of it. Even after the final halt, amid the applause, she stopped to scratch her face on her leg for a good few seconds before leaving the arena – utterly unfazed by the occasion.

“I’m just flabbergasted – it’s incredible,” Michel added. “Paris was already historic for us, and to come here and set a record team score on the biggest stage in the world for equestrian sport – it’s just incredible. I’m so honoured to be with them, and very proud to be surrounded by such incredible athletes. It takes a village to get the best finish possible.”

Looking ahead, he was already thinking about the road to LA 2028. “I’m still very confident we have a system in place that works,” he said. “We’ve worked hard on putting a strategy together with strong foundations, so I have a solid roadmap.

“It’s going to be an important Games for us because it’s a home Games – but that brings its own pressure too, because the team at home will expect even more. Horses aren’t machines – but I have full confidence it’ll be okay, and that we can show the world it can be done outside of Europe too.”

Final team results

As hosts, the US had already secured their Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic team quota regardless of result – so it was the next seven placed nations who claimed Paralympic tickets in Aachen: Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Great Britain, Italy, France and Sweden.

1. United States – 236.135
   Fiona Howard (Diamond Dunes) 79.3% · Marie Vonderheyden (Fan Tastico H) 76.38% · Rebecca Hart (Floratina) 73.533 (discard) · Kate Shoemaker (Vianne) 80.46%
   
2. Germany – 229.875
   Heidemarie Dresing (Poesie 143) 77.73% · Regine Mispelkamp (Highlander Delight’s) 75.74% · Helen Brandt (Vulkan Vegas IB) 73.3% (discard) · Anna-Lena Niehues (Vive l’Amour) 76.41%
   
3. Netherlands – 227.639
   Annemarieke Kobel (Doo Schufro) 73.71% (discard) · Tessa Baaijens-Van De Vrie (Happy Grace) 74.57% · Rixt van der Horst (Eisma’s Royal Fonq NOP) 78.47% · Britney de Jong (Caramba N.O.P.) 74.61%
   
4. Denmark – 225.867
   Katrine Kristensen (Goerklintgaards Quater) 76.17% · Sandra Lynge Eriksen (Inzurgenzy Firfod) 72.63% · Tobias Thorning Joergensen (Blue Hors Zackorado) 77.07% · Line Thorning Jorgensen (Suarez) 70.41% (discard)
   
5. Great Britain – 222.379
   Jemima Green (Fantabulous) 74.03% · Mari Durward-Akhurst (Athene Lindebjerg) 74.58% · Sophie Wells (MSJ Gold Standard) 73.76% · Nicola Naylor (Humberto L) 70.16% (discard)
   
6. Italy – 220.808
   Massimiliano Chiantore (Fashion Girl) 71.46% · Sara Morganti (Bond Girl 18) 74.08% · Francesca Salvadé (Escari) 75.27% · Federica Sileoni (Leonardo) 67.67% (discard)
   
7. France – 219.818
   Vincent Brunet (Drazic) 65.46% (discard) · Chiara Zenati (Zeus de Malleret IFCE) 71.47% · Vladimir Vinchon (Pegase Mayenne) 75.22% · Alexia Pittier (Sultan 768) 73.14%
   
8. Sweden – 219.106
   Renee Claesson-Ribring (Zapp VS) 70.6% (discard) · Pam Svane (Raja) 72.7% · Lena Malmström (Fabulous Fidelie) 73.97% · Lotta Wallin (Questionmark) 72.43%
   
9. Norway – 211.878
   Jens Lasse Dokkan (Dockland V) 69.71% · Ine Nyhuus (Aagaardens Lia) 70.93% · Mira Antonsen Hjelle (Atterupgaards Dora) 71.24% · Christina Marcussen (Zorro Hoejris) 69.61% (discard)
   
10. Belgium – 207.883
    Emma Vercammen (Odin) 69.4% · Barbara Minnei (Freiherr von Nymphenburg) 69.67% · Francesca Vanhoeck (Fastlane vant' Beekhof) 64% (discard) · Kevin van Ham (Eros van Ons Heem) 68.82%
    
11. Austria – 206.828
    Julia Sciancalepore (Heinrich IV) 70.96% · Pepo Puch (Royale Choice) 70.17% · Thomas Haller (Haller's Hermine) 65.57% (discard) · Julia Mitterhuemer (Showgirl) 65.7%
    
12. Canada – 205.622
    Roberta Sheffield (Nardando) 67.1% · Jody Schloss (El Colorado) 71.92% · Eleonore Elstone (Szecrecy HP) 66.61% · Laura Hall (Istrano) 64.65% (discard)
    
13. Singapore – 204.292
    Gemma Rose Jen Foo (Mona Lisa) 68.92% · Laurentia Tan (Hickstead) 72.88% · Hui'en Hilary Su (Gambler) 62.5%
    
14. Brazil – 203.891
    Flamarion Pereira Da Silva (Don Furitello) 63.23% (discard) · Cleberson Leopoldino Antunes Palhano (Fronterizzo Da El Comandante) 66.08% · Sergio Froes Ribeiro De Oliva (Novidade VD) 71.33% · Rodolpho Riskalla (Franziskaner 13) 66.47%
    
15. Spain – 203.070
    Felix Gomez González (Merlin) 68.23% · Maria Del Carmen Lopez Garcia (Bribon de Ymas) 62.17% (discard) · Iker Beitia Astondoa (Belizzo) 66.351 · Carla Onrubia Roman (Valerio) 68.49%
    
16. Ireland – 201.811
    Jessica McKenna (D.C.I Cerruti) 66.7% · Katie Reilly (Keystone Dawn Chorus) 69.73% · Rosemary Jean Gaffney (Norabel) 65.38%
    
17. Czech Republic – 199.083
    Marcela Lochovska (Viola) 65% · Anastasja Vistalova (Don Athello 3) 68.54% · Vladimir Votrel (Ruby Beatle) 65.54%
    
18. Poland – 193.990
    Mariusz Woszczek (Zachwyt - Nad Wigrami) 63.37% · Agata Weigt (Discovery 64) 65.97% · Dominika Paczek (Quentino) 62.24% (discard) · Maciej Bigaj (Be My Love) 64.65%
    
19. Japan – 193.933
    Soshi Yoshigoe (Vior) 66.43% · Sho Imaba (Dallas) 66.5% · Junichiro Okawa (RH’s Totally Joker) eliminated · Toshifumi Jo (Elmero) 61%
    
20. Hong Kong – 186.567
    Lok Yee Louie Lam (Jockey Club Felaini S) 63.07% · Fleur Schrader (Jockey Club Todays Special) 59.23% · Tin Chi Timothy Tsang (Jockey Club Cethegus M) 64.27%

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Britain has finished fifth at the 2026 World Para Dressage Championships on a team total of 222.379 – missing out on the podium, but comfortably inside the top seven that secures qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.

The USA won gold on 236.135, Germany took silver on 229.875, the Netherlands bronze on 227.639, and Denmark fourth on 225.867 – just 3.488 points clear of Britain.

The Brits went into grade IV and V on the final day of the team competition (Saturday 22 August), looking to build on a first day that left them a little off the pace for a spot on the podium.

Paralympic qualification was always the goal for the team, but their individual tests had been so strong earlier in the week that hopes were high heading into the team competition.

In a reminder of how strong the individual week has been for the team: had this week’s individual scores (grand prix A) been counted instead of today’s team scores (grand prix B), Britain would have won team silver – narrowly ahead of the Netherlands, comfortably clear of Denmark.

Mari Durward-Akhurst opened Britain’s team campaign yesterday in grade I, finishing runner-up to the USA’s Marie Vonderheyden on 74.58%. Jemima Green and Fantabulous added 74.03% for fourth in grade II, as Fiona Howard’s Diamond Dunes stormed from fourth in her own individual test to top the grand prix B outright on 79.3%. Rixt van der Horst extended her unbeaten run in grade III for the Netherlands.

None of the day-one totals were final – every team still had riders to come in grades IV and V. But a gap was already beginning to open up: Britain sat 13th overnight with only Mari and Jemima’s scores in and two riders still to come. The USA (229.208), Denmark (225.867) and the Netherlands (226.742) each had three of their four riders in already, while Germany, with three riders still to go, had just Heidemarie Dresing’s 77.73% on the board.

In the grade V, Sophie Wells backed up her individual gold with fourth in the team test on MSJ Gold Standard, scoring 73.76% – a drop of 1.19 percentage points from her individual test – behind Germany’s Regine Mispelkamp (75.77%) and the Netherlands’ Britney de Jong (74.61%).

Gold Standard looked a little harder work than two days earlier – still very accurate and relaxed, but a little behind Sophie’s aids at times and not as settled in the contact.

“I thought the feeling she gave me today was better than anything I've felt from her – even better than the individual test,” Sophie said.

“She warmed up really well, nice and energetic, and felt a little lighter, a bit more up for it. It’s a little frustrating going in there and coming out with a score lower than two days ago, but that’s dressage, that’s sport – my biggest goal coming here was for her to be a happy horse in the arena, and I feel like she was.”

Asked where she felt the marks had been lost, she added: “The halts probably weren’t as good. I felt the simple changes were actually better, the downward transitions were better, and I felt like she was a little more uphill in the trot – I don’t know, to be honest. I’ll go and watch the video, read the sheets, take the comments, and we’ll try again [in the freestyle].

“At the end of the day, I’m walking away with a happy pony, and I enjoyed the feeling I got today, so I’m pleased.”

“Nothing to lose”

Grade V’s completion locked in the Netherlands’ total on 227.639 – a real number for the chasing pack now to beat. The USA looked out in front regardless of what was still to come, needing Kate Shoemaker to better just 71.96% in grade IV to top that Dutch mark – a modest ask given her individual gold this week came on 78.89%.

Britain, by contrast, looked out of the running for the podium: Nicola would have needed a score well clear of her personal best – 79.02% – to get her team above the Dutch total.

With Germany still having two riders to go in grade IV, Denmark was the only other realistic target. That meant clearing 77.25%, assuming Denmark landed on their likely floor of 225.867 – the probable outcome, since last-to-go Line Thorning Jørgensen’s individual score of 70.08% was the lowest of the Danish team. It was a tall order: 3.39 points above Nicola’s own individual bronze-medal score of 73.86%.

But full credit to Nicola and Humberto L – they went for it. The pair came in with real purpose, at times almost looking like they’d take off in the canter, but Humberto had a touch too much energy for his own good, throwing in a couple of big spooks. They scored 70.16%, finishing as Britain’s discard for the day.

“We just went for a little bit more expression, a little bit more power today,” Nicola said, “and he got a bit more noise-sensitive and a bit more reactive – he was reacting to everything, so there were a few mistakes here and there where I had to nurse him through it. Some tests are just like that.”

She knew the risk going in: “There were some really lovely moments – I think he really came up in both canters, because we had that extra power. But it can just boil over slightly too much, and that was the risk.

“In some respects we had nothing to lose. He’s a horse I’d like to move up a couple of percent if I can, but he’s not used to being asked for that much more in the arena. I think he got quite excited about it – but it’s great to have an occasion where you can try that.

“It did feel like he was going to take off at times in the canter – that’s why I kept telling myself to dig deep with my seat and just sit tight. But I didn’t want to stop riding the test the way I was, because then what's the point? He did feel up for it – it was just that he was in overdrive with adrenaline.”

It was Nicola’s first World Championships, and despite not getting the team medal she didn’t take the moment lightly. “It’s been wonderful – we’ve had all four of us get medals on the first day, which was a really uplifting moment for everybody,” she said.

“We’ve all worked so hard to get here. It’s an honour wearing the flag – there’s a lot of competition at home, and I’ve been a reserve for many years, so I know what that’s like. When you finally get picked, it’s a dream come true, and it’s all the better because we’re such a strong group of riders.”

“Onwards and upwards”

Performance manager Georgina Sharples was left with mixed emotions reflecting on the two days of team competition.

“I’m thrilled that we have qualified,” she said. “Coming here to qualify for LA 2028 was the primary aim, and we’ve achieved that. But I’m disappointed with the final results. We’ve got some fabulous combinations, and I know what they’re capable of – we showed some of that over the previous two days.

“I think we were the only nation that medalled with all four riders individually in their grade, so we very much came here with an expectation that we'd medal as a team too.

“We’ve got some cracking horses, and they delivered some super work, but we also had some incredibly expensive spooks. You can’t get away with that at this level. It’s incredibly close, and ultimately that’s cost us a podium finish.

“I’m disappointed for the riders, for the team, because we know what we’re capable of. It wasn’t our day for this competition – but we’ve got the freestyle tomorrow (23 August). Onwards and upwards.”

Looking ahead to LA, Georgina was keen to stress the positives.

“We’ve had two days where people have done exceptionally well – a world champion, a silver, two bronzes. Our riders are all very much on an upward trajectory. We're still assessing horsepower – we've got horses at home that are potentially LA combinations, but there aren’t many opportunities to get that experience.

“You need competitions like this, where the pressure is high, and you’ve got the rest of the world there, to give those riders that exposure. I think we’ll take a huge amount of positives from here and build on it.”

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News broke on the morning of the team competition (Friday 21 August) at the 2026 World Para Dressage Championships in Aachen that judges had made an error two days earlier, allowing Ireland’s Clodagh Walsh and Chantal to complete their individual grade I test after the judge at C rang the bell for apparent lameness.

Clodagh correctly stopped but was then allowed to continue, following a discussion between the judges.

“Under normal circumstances, further to the judge at C ringing the bell, the athlete should have been eliminated,” an FEI statement read. “The FEI acknowledges that this decision was not in accordance with the rules.

“The FEI apologises for the understandable upset and confusion caused to Clodagh Walsh, who had acted in accordance with the rules at all times and who bears no fault for this regrettable situation; the FEI recognises the difficult circumstances in which she completed her test.”

Clodagh was not present for the grade I team test on Friday, suggesting the elimination has since been upheld – and therefore the Irish team has been reduced to three riders.

Oddly, though, her grand prix A score (61.83%) is still listed in the official results – a discrepancy that remains unexplained.

A scare for Japan’s Junichiro Okawa

The grade I team test brought further drama when Japan’s Junichiro Okawa, riding RH’s Totally Joker, fell during his test. He was attended to immediately by the emergency medical team and taken to hospital for further evaluation; his horse was unhurt and returned to the stables. Junichiro was later given the all-clear by doctors.

“I’m so sorry to have caused you all so much worry,” he said afterwards, in a statement translated by Hiroko Copley-Mackie of Team Japan Para.

“Thankfully, there doesn’t appear to be anything wrong with the bone, and it seems I’ll be able to go home once the doctor has written up my medical certificate. I’m very relieved. I’m also incredibly grateful to everyone for being so concerned and for being so kind and helpful.”

The combination was eliminated from the grand prix B test as a result. With four riders in the Japanese team, all three remaining scores will have to count.

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Mari Durward-Akhurst backed up her opening-day silver with another strong test in the grand prix B (team test) on Friday, as Britain’s para dressage team began its World Para Dressage Championships campaign in Aachen.

Riding Athene Lindebjerg, she finished runner-up in grade I on 74.58% – a fraction up on her individual score of 74.54% earlier in the week – behind only the USA’s Marie Vonderheyden and Fan Tastico H, who topped the class on 76.38%, itself a shade down on Marie’s individual test 76.71%.

Jemima Green and Fantabulous, meanwhile, fell back slightly from their individual bronze, scoring 74.03% (against 75.24%) for fourth in grade II. It leaves Britain 13th after day one, sitting soley on Mari’s score – with Jemima's presently the lower of the two and set to be discarded. However, this is set against some teams who have multiple counting scores already.

Grade II produced the standout swing of the day elsewhere in the field. Fiona Howard and Paralympic gold medallist Diamond Dunes had finished fourth in Wednesday’s individual test on 75% after an uncharacteristic error; today, they responded with 79.3% to top the grand prix B outright.

Germany’s Heidemarie Dresing (77.73%, up from her individual gold-winning 75.48%) and Denmark’s Katrine Kristensen (76.17%, up from 75.31%) completed the podium places between them – both improving on their grand prix A scores.

Grade III also went, and Rixt van der Horst on Eisma’s Royal Fonq NOP shows no sign of letting up: the Dutch pair went even higher than their individual score two days ago, topping the class on 78.47% (up from 77.53%) to continue their unbeaten run at major championships. Denmark’s Tobias Thorning Joergensen (77.07%, up from 75.1%) and Italy’s Francesca Salvadè (75.27%, up from 74.77%) rounded out the placings behind her – both, like Rixt, improving on their individual-test marks.

With grades IV and V still to come for most nations, the team standings remain provisional – but on what's gone in so far, the USA (155.675), Denmark (153.234) and the Netherlands (153.034) look the most convincing of Britain’s rivals for a medal, each with two strong scores already on the board.

“A score that didn’t come easy”

Mari was last to go in the grade I. The score didn’t come easily, though – she felt Athene lacked the sharpness of her individual test two days earlier, even if the judges didn’t mark her down too much for it.

“It wasn't our best test,” Mari said. “She was hard work, but I managed to keep her going and get her to do what she wanted to do – she just didn’t have as much energy as the first day. I think it’s because she’s already been in there once; she was a bit like, ‘Oh, same thing again.’”

There were compensations, though – she felt the test flowed better in places. “I felt it was a smoother test compared to the first,” she said, picking out the halts again as a highlight, along with the stretch: “I can’t let go of my reins, so I have to try and hold my hands and push one arm as forward as I can, and she stretched nicely.”

Athene dropped behind her leg early on and never quite came fully back. "It's a hard one, because she felt really good in the warm-up, but then when she went in, she just dropped me a bit, and I don't have the leg power to get her to go more forward from behind," Mari said.

“I just try and use as much seat as I’ve got, and the whip for little taps and just keep going. It’s physically quite hard work. She’s not an easy ride. She makes it look easy, but she makes you work for every little bit.”

Mari, who watched none of her rivals’ tests beforehand, said the team was buoyed by Sophie Wells’ gold the day before. “We’re all on a high,” she said. “It’s always an honour to be on the team – I dreamed of it for so long, and to have done it successively for a number of years now is amazing.”

“Oh, where are we going?”

Jemima and Fantabulous were the first to go and their test was not without incident. Despite a fantastic start Fantabulous had a spook at E, jumping away from the boards.

“It was so quick – I was a bit like, ‘Oh, where are we going?’ He pulled the rein right out of my hand, so I’d completely lost it, and I just thought, okay, whistle, which is his cue to come back to me, and then straight back to it,” Jemima said.

“It’s just one of those moments you have to take. I needed to find my line and focus back on the test.”

Jemima did well to re-gather her reins and her composure to get back on track quickly, though she admitted the moment had cost her. "I feel a bit gutted, because it was going to be a stronger score," she said. “But I’m very pleased with what we’ve got – it’s still a strong score.”

Going first in the entire team competition added its own pressure. “I felt really good when I first woke up, and then I got here, and I really felt nervous – I had the shakes; it was a bit of an emotional moment,” Jemima admitted.

“Everything almost hit me at once, which I wasn’t prepared for. But we took some deep breaths, had some chats, and watching the others warm up helped me feel calmer.”

The walk on a long rein stood out for how she rode it straight after the spook. “I thought, ‘Oh God, please don't do anything' – but I was still confident enough to let the reins go and let him stretch. He could have held the tension, but he didn’t.”

Re-approaching the spot where the eight-year-old gelding had spooked, she worked hard to keep his concentration on her. “I was just playing with keeping him in a little left bend, so he wasn't looking to the outside – just trying to keep him with me, and that seemed to do the job,” she added.

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Sophie Wells scored a personal best of 74.95% on MSJ Gold Standard to win grade V gold for Britain at the World Para Dressage Championships.

This win with “Gracie”, a 10-year-old mare owned by Emma Blundell, extends her extraordinary championship medal collection to a new horse within a year of taking on the ride, and Britain’s gold medal haul at these championships to four.

“I’m quite emotional – which is quite rare for me,” said Sophie after hearing she’d won gold, her voice cracking. “I’m over the moon. I think it's just really special – I lost my dad last year... and it's just very special. He would have been thrilled – he’d be down the pub telling everybody.”

Despite Sophie’s record medal haul over her 17-year-long decorated championship career – this was her 41st championship medal by our count – it was her first individual gold since the 2018 worlds in Tryon.

She admitted the battle back to the top has not always felt certain: “I’ve got that perfectionist personality and dressage obviously suits me for that reason,” she said.

“I love the horses, I love riding, I love training them. There’s something in me that loves competing. I didn’t know if I’d get back to the top again, to be honest – I was really dramatic about it. We’ve had a rubbish few years with horses and things happening in life. I get up every morning, and I want to be the best that I can be for my horses.”

If the occasion was massive for Sophie, Gold Standard – “cool as a cucumber” – seemed oblivious to it. Sophie laughed when asked whether the mare had exceeded expectations for a first championship.

“She’s in the stable and looks like she’s been to 20 of them,” she said. “She’s like, ‘What’s the big deal?’ I really don’t understand it, but it’s so nice to have a horse that's so accepting of a new environment.

“She’s a happy soul, which is a bonus in a place like this – it’s not exactly a quiet championship. I took her round the fountain roundabout yesterday, and there were hundreds of people taking pictures of her, and she was just like, ‘Sure, take a picture, but I’m just going to have a snack’.”

Sophie Wells on the World Championships experience

Although Gold Standard has taken her first championships in stride, Sophie admitted – despite her experience – she’s been struggling with nerves, and the waiting in particular.

"I do feel so old, with how many championships I've done, and I still got so nervous today – I was thinking ‘What the hell, it doesn’t get easier’,” she said. “I think it’s because you know what’s coming. I couldn’t go on social media last night, so I was in the gym for about three hours, just stretching and exhausting myself this morning, because I couldn’t do anything else.”

During the test, Gold Standard’s temperament proved to be exactly the asset Sophie needed. The mare was unfazed even when, just before her first medium trot, a massive cheer echoed across from Aachen’s main arena where Germany’s Sophie Hinners and Iron Dames Singclair had just gone clear for Germany in the showjumping.

“I think she’d be quite happy if the cheer was for us!” Sophie said. “She’s a really nice type of horse to have. I wasn’t particularly worried about the atmosphere coming here, which is a nice change – the past couple of horses I’ve had have been a bit more on edge, a bit more tense.

“Gracie is the opposite. I have to do less schooling and keep her fresh and willing – at home she hacks and jumps and does all of that, and she’s done none of that here. I’m just trying to keep it as fun and light-hearted as possible for her.

“I've literally schooled her twice – we’ve been here since Sunday, and it’s Thursday now. I put the jumping saddle on and had a bit of a canter session around the arena familiarisation, but the less you do with her, the better. She’s probably good for about half an hour of schooling – if you drill her, she just switches off. She doesn’t need to be drilled. She finds the work easy; it’s just about keeping her happy.”

On the test itself, Sophie picked out her halt and half-passes as highlights, along with a walk-to-canter transition she felt particularly pleased with: “I felt like in my second [canter] extension I was able to go for a bit more – I didn’t want to ramp it up too much today, because you don’t know if they’re going to get a bit tight going in there, and I didn’t want tight mistakes rather than exciting ones.

“But there weren't really any mistakes at all – my simple changes could have been smoother in the downward transition, but the upward ones were good." Asked whether there was more to come from the pair, she was unequivocal: “Oh, 100% – there's loads more in there for her.”

European podium

Britney de Jong and Caramba NOP of the Netherlands took silver on 73.15%. Germany’s Regine Mispelkamp and Highlander Delight’s completed the podium in bronze on 72.97% – a margin of just 0.18 points separated silver from bronze.

Sophie’s gold completes a clean sweep of individual medals for the British team: Mari Durward-Akhurst (Athene Lindebjerg) won silver and Jemima Green (Fantabulous) and Nicola Naylor (Humberto L) took bronze in their respective grades. So all four British riders have now won individual medals at these championships.

For context, if team scoring were based on today’s individual results alone, Britain, Germany and the Netherlands would be separated by less than two points in the race for the podium behind the USA – though the actual team competition, starting tomorrow (21 August), will be decided by each grade’s dedicated grand prix B test, not today’s scores.

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Nicola Naylor scored 73.86% to win grade IV bronze for Britain at the 2026 World Para Dressage Championships – but not on the horse she was originally entered with. Her nine-year-old mare Moulin Rouge – known at home as Satine, after the character in the musical – was withdrawn in favour of her more experienced stablemate and European medallist Humberto L, who had been her direct reserve.

It was a late swap, and the original selection of Moulin Rouge over Humberto had been unexpected given Humberto’s higher average scores. Moulin Rouge appears to be the mare Nicola and the selectors have in mind for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics, and the plan had been to give her championship experience here – but it was decided Aachen came too soon, and the decision was made to opt for experience instead.

“It’s just not her moment,” said Nicola, who was competing at her first World Championships. “She is absolutely extraordinary – a horse that will be on fire, and the campaign for LA will start with her as soon as we get home. Humberto and Satine have been neck and neck all year, and he was my direct reserve, so we had another horse who could step in.”

She stressed that the decision was about protecting the mare’s development, not doubting her: “There are some strength issues we’re working on. I don’t like to push them when they’re not ready,” she said. “They need to be at their best health, their best strength, to come and do something like this. She had amazing scores all year, but I was careful at her last international at Hartpury – I didn’t push her there. I just thought she needs to get stronger and healthier in herself, and then she can take on something like this.”

Nicola Naylor on her World Championships test

Humberto competed in this same arena in April, so it wasn’t new to him, and it showed. He and Nicola produced a flowing round, the medium canter a highlight, averaging an eight from the panel.

“He loves that bit,” Nicola said. “You can feel he’s quite excited – he just goes, and he covers the ground. He’s got such a big, bouncy canter, and you can feel he’s really happy when he’s cantering. He’s like, ‘Come on, we’re doing the thing I like now.’”

It’s remarkable to see a visually impaired rider trust her horse enough to ride that forward, with as much impulsion as Nicola had in the canter. Their one blemish came at M – where the horses enter Aachen's stadium three – when Humberto spooked. "I felt like there was a real partnership there, and he really trusted me," Nicola said. "There was one moment where he was a little unsure, but other than that, he was superb."

Nicola is blind – in 2025 she became the first blind rider to compete in an able-bodied grand prix – and relies on her groom, Julie Riches, who calls out the arena letters as Nicola approaches them so she can orientate herself. It’s a reminder of how much of a team effort para sport is, in particular.

“Julie has taken on the role of calling the letters – and it’s another partnership,” explained Nicola, who trains with Sarah Millis. “Whenever we go to international competitions, she has a great relationship with Humberto because she’s with him almost 24/7 at the stables.”

On what the day meant for her partnership with Humberto: “I’m beyond proud, particularly with Humberto – he’s been my horse for six years, and it’s been a real relationship of love and work. To get him to come here and trust me enough to go into that arena... that is not the horse I had six years ago. He could not have done that six years ago. I didn't know what to expect today, but he held it together, and I am really proud of him.”

US golden run continues

Kate Shoemaker won gold with a new world record of 78.89%, riding perhaps the outstanding para dressage horse of the moment, the 10-year-old mare Vianne – her fifth world record across two grades, but not, as Kate was keen to stress, a gold medallist before today.

“Coming into [the Paris Paralympics], we were still really trying to figure each other out – she was eight, still trying to figure herself out, and one day one aid would do one thing, and the next day something else,” Kate said. “This year we really came into our own as a partnership. It just feels so easy – I can go in there, think about it, and the ride’s going to happen. That’s what it felt like today – she was completely one with me. By the time I’d finished trotting, I was already smiling. I was crying before the final halt. I was just so filled with joy.

“I wasn’t thinking about points or scores or medals – I was just thinking, how can I show this very special horse to the best of our ability today,” Kate added.

“She earned a world record in this arena in April, so we got to come in thinking, this is our arena – let’s go show them our absolute best.”

It’s the US team’s second individual para gold at the championships; Marie Vonderheyden and Fan Tastico H took grade I gold on the first day of competition (19 August) with 76.71%

Germany’s Anna-Lena Niehues won silver on Vive l’Amour, scoring 74.64%.

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Jemima Green and Fantabulous produced a career-best round to take individual bronze in the grade II grand prix A individual test at the World Para Dressage Championships, scoring 75.24% – narrowly eclipsing the pair’s previous best of 75.23%, set at Aachen in April.

The result also came with a notable spread across the judging panel: E, C and M placed her in the low-to-mid 70s but the judge at B – Anne Prain (FRA) – marked her considerably higher at 80.35%, the top score of any competitor from that box.

“It wasn’t the easiest to ride – he almost felt too relaxed in there, which I wasn’t prepared for,” Jemima said. She was referring to their one real mistake – a walk-to-trot transition in which the eight-year-old gelding was slow to react.

“There was a slight moment of miscommunication – I think he just kind of was in his own little world, which we call ‘Fantaland’.

“After that, he was ‘Oh, I’m back with you, Mum’. It is a big place – he’s found the atmosphere over the last few days quite a lot, and he’s been sleeping quite a lot – but he’s still so young.”

On her reaction when the scores were read out, Jemima added: “I was very shocked, because I was actually walking up going, ‘Oh no, that was a disaster’. And then the [judge at B]’s mark came at the end, and I just couldn't hold in the shock. They said it was a personal best – that’s just incredible to get for our first worlds test.”

Jemima Green’s World Championships bronze edges out others

Jemima’s bronze came at the expense of one of the grade’s reliable performers. Fiona Howard and Diamond Dunes – a triple Paralympic gold medallist, and so often faultless in this class – were left to rue an error in the very same corner that had briefly caught out Fantabulous. The pair finished fourth on 75%, just 0.241 points shy of the podium.

“This has been a really hard 18 months for me and my health, and I’m just so proud of that horse because he has risen to everything I’ve thrown at him,” Fiona said. “We didn’t have our best ride out there today, but I really couldn’t fault this horse – he put his heart out there today. And I’m so proud of him because it has not been an easy 18 months for either of us.”

Gold went the way of Germany’s Heidemarie Dresing and Poesie 143, though not without alarm. A tractor sparked into life just outside the arena as the pair walked down the centre line, sending the 11-year-old mare reversing at speed – a heart-in-mouth moment for her support crew watching.

“I thought it was the end,” Heidemarie, 71, laughed afterwards. “But then I think I had better make the test, ride forward, and show people what my horse is able to do.”

That she did, keeping her composure and steering Poesie back to the task, and although they picked up an average of 1.8 from the judges for their entrance, the pair recovered well enough to top the board on 75.48%, with a nervous wait for the scores to follow.

Denmark’s Katrine Kristensen and Goerklintgaards Quater were next in and took silver on 75.31% with a less expressive but accurate test. Heidemarie’s scores took a while to come through, so it wasn't until both riders had finished that the picture became clear – hers read out first, then Katrine’s, confirming the Dane a fraction behind. In the end, barely half a point separated gold from fourth.

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Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg kicked off Britain’s World Para Dressage Championships, winning a silver medal in the grade I grand prix A individual test, scoring 74.54%.

Gold went to the USA’s Marie Vonderheyden and Fan Tastico H on 76.71% – a clear 2.167 points clear of the field – and Italy’s Sara Morganti and Bond Girl 18 took bronze on 74.46%, 0.08 points behind Mari.

Athene came into the arena with great purpose and kept her impulsion throughout the test, as distant roars from Aachen’s main arena – where the showjumping was under way – punctuated the air. It was only accuracy on the tighter movements, like the voltes, that prevented an even bigger mark.

“Everything we worked really hard on came off in the test, so I’m delighted,” Mari said. “Just at the right time, everything came together. She was hot out there. But when she saw the big screen [in a corner of the arena], she kept a lid on it and was really up for it.”

Athene Lindebjerg’s decorated career stretches back over a decade – Paralympic team gold with Sophie Christiansen at Rio 2016, three golds with Julie Payne at the 2017 Europeans and Paralympic and European bronzes with Mari. But despite the 19-year-old mare’s medal-laden history, this is her first World Championships appearance.

“I am emotional now,” Mari said. “She’s obviously 19 now, so we’re not sure what the future holds, and I’ve had so much pressure everywhere we’ve gone – we’ve had to deliver because somebody else already has, but this is our story, so this just makes it unique. I’m so pleased she’s now a World Championship horse as well.”

With the team test still to come, Mari was clear she had no intention of holding anything back today. “I definitely didn’t play safe – I went bold,” she said. “I worked really hard with the psychologist on going in and owning test A, because I find it harder than test B. The circles are much tighter; she’s one big-moving horse, and they’re hard to get around – whereas B’s got bigger 10-metre circles and they’re just a bit easier, it flows a bit better. We definitely went for it and hopefully in the team test (grand prix B), we’ll have a bit more to give.”

Mari’s silver took Britain’s 2026 World Championships medal tally to three gold, three silver and one bronze – seven medals in total – holding second place in the overall standings behind hosts Germany (12).

Golden birthday

For gold medallist, championship debutante Marie Vonderheyden, the win had extra significance – 19 August is her birthday, and she turned 36 the day she won her first World Championship title.

“It was very good – it’s my first medal,” she said, still visibly processing the result. “It’s kind of hard to find all the words I want to say, but [Fan Tastico H is] the champion.”

Marie took over the ride on Fan Tastico H – teammate Roxanne Trunnell’s Paris 2024 grade I silver-medal horse – in early 2025, so this is a partnership of around 18 months.

It marks a remarkable turnaround for the French-born American, who suffered a severe traumatic brain injury in 2015 after a horse she was riding spooked. She was in a coma for two months and had to relearn how to walk and speak.

“I used to compete before and when I had my accident... I need to do it again and again and again,” she said. “I don’t know how I can tell you, but it doesn’t make me nervous, and I hope it will stay like this.”

This is predicted to be the first of a spate of medals for the US para dressage team – the dominant force in the sport at the moment.

Double European champion Rixt van der Horst (NED) took grade III gold in the individual test earlier in the day, riding Eisma’s Royal Fonq NOP to 77.53%
– comfortably clear of the field by 2.434 points. Denmark’s Tobias Thorning Joergensen took silver with Blue Hors Zackorado on 75.1% and Italy’s Francesca Salvadè completed the podium with Escari, 0.333 points further back on 74.77%.

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Watch the para dressage World Championships live from Aachen this week and join thousands of others to appreciate this sport at the highest level.

There are five days of competition across the five grades in the World Para Dressage Championships and there will be medals on offer every day. H&H dressage editor Oscar Williams has set out his predictions for the medals.

You can find more information about how to follow other sports at the 2026 FEI World Championships on our how to watch the FEI World Championships hub.

How to watch the para dressage World Championships on TV

There is no complete terrestrial TV coverage of the para dressage World Championships in the UK or US. ClipMyHorse.TV and FEI.TV will be the only place you can follow all the action live or on demand. ClipMyHorse.TV is showing every session across all sports during the fortnight of competition in Aachen.

This will be complete World Championships live coverage, including all disciplines, with additional editorial content for a complete viewing experience.

Find the broadcast schedule for para dressage below.

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ClipMyHorse.TV discount code

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Visit tv.fei.org to claim your discount.

Watch para dressage World Championships for free

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These streams are usually geo-blocked, but if you’re worried about accessing your usual free stream while you’re away, you can use a VPN.

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Viewers in Denmark can watch via DRTV for free.

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Viewers in Germany can stream for free on ARD.

How to watch the para dressage World Championships from anywhere

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Para dressage World Championships broadcast times

Local time is CEST.

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Britains golden era in para dressage already feels a distant memory and the World Para Dressage Championships in Aachen won’t be the place it returns.

Once untouchable – team champions at every Paralympics until Paris – Britain finished sixth in Paris then fourth at last summer’s Ermelo Europeans. But the team in Ermelo went closer than most would’ve thought, finishing just 0.7 points off the bronze medal spot, buoyed by an impressive championships debut from Jemima Green and Fantabulous, who took individual bronze in all three grade II tests.

But close only counts for so much and the honest read is that Britain are no longer among the undisputed favourites for team honours. A podium finish in Aachen looks like a stretch.

That’s partly down to who’s coming back. The USA arrive as reigning Paralympic champions and the best para dressage nation in the world – and three of the four combinations that swept five golds in Paris return unchanged for Aachen.

Rebecca Hart (Floratina), Fiona Howard (Diamond Dunes) and Kate Shoemaker (Vianne) return, while Marie Vonderheyden takes over the ride on Fan Tastico H – US rider Roxanne Trunnell’s Paris grade I silver-medal horse – having partnered him since early 2025. If Aachen goes to form, gold should be heading back across the Atlantic.

Behind them, it should be the two nations who shared the top two Ermelo steps. Germany bring back both their Ermelo grade winners in the same combinations – Heidemarie Dresing and Poesie 143 in grade II, Regine Mispelkamp and Bayala in grade V – giving them a proven core to build a team score around.

The Netherlands counter with strength in even greater depth – Rixt van der Horst and Eisma’s Royal Fonq NOP return as reigning grade III European champions, Britney de Jong and Caramba NOP as Ermelo’s grade V grand prix B winners, and crucially Sanne Voets is back aboard Demantur after sitting out Ermelo, adding a Paralympic medal-winning combination the Dutch didn’t even need at Europeans.

Denmark, Ermelo’s bronze medallists, look the shakiest of the European top three. Katrine Kristensen returns on Goerklintgaards Quater, but Tobias Thorning Jørgensen has switched from multiple-championship-medallist Jolene Hill onto Blue Hors Zackorado. With further changes elsewhere in the team, it’s harder to read their medal chances.

Para dressage World Championship team medal predictions

Para dressage World Championship individual medal favourites

Fiona Howard (USA)

Fresh from a hospitalisation for kidney surgery last December, Fiona’s season took a record-breaking detour. While her triple Paralympic gold partner Diamond Dunes stayed off the CPEDI circuit, she rode US team-mate and coach Kate Shoemaker’s Vianne just days before March’s Wellington CPEDI and broke her own grade II freestyle world record – set on Diamond Dunes in 2025 at 83.27% – with an 84.934% score on a horse she’d never competed before.

Back on Diamond Dunes for Aachen, the pair picked up where they left off: 78.1% in the grand prix A and 80.83% in the grand prix B on their return in July.

Rihards Snikus (AUT)

Rihards and grade I ride King Of The Dance made history at the 2022 worlds, winning Latvia’s first-ever equestrian gold, before adding individual and freestyle Paralympic titles in Paris, and double gold at last summer’s Europeans.

Now 18, the gelding hasn’t competed at all in 2026, leaving his form for Aachen a genuine unknown after such a long absence. US team members Marie Vonderheyden and Fan Tastico H – world number two in the grade and unbeaten in the freestyle, bar one runner-up finish this season – look well placed to capitalise if the champion isn’t fully sharp.

Kate Shoemaker (USA)

Newly installed as world number one – dethroning long-time team-mate Fiona Howard’s 15-month reign – Kate has been near-unbeatable in 2026, winning almost every start across Wellington, Aachen and Aalborg, with only a single freestyle retirement blotting the record. On that run, she was also a winner in an able-bodied inter I test (67.29%).

Kate bought Vianne (below) outright at the end of 2024, after taking over the ride from Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, then lent the mare to her US team-mate Fiona for a week in March, so that she could go on her record-breaking run.

Rixt Van Der Horset (NED)

Runners-up in all three grade III tests in Paris, Rixt and Eisma’s Royal Fonq NOP (below) have kicked on since, sweeping all their tests at last summer’s Europeans. Their one defeat of the season came in the grand prix A at Hagen last month. They were beaten by Denmark’s Tobias Thorning Jørgensen and Blue Hors Zackorado – who will run them close in Aachen – but they responded by winning both the B and freestyle there, the latter their best score of the season at 85.69%.

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With Britain’s golden era in para dressage in the past, the focus at the World Para Dressage Championships (19-23 August) will be on building towards the LA Paralympics in 2028.

A top-seven finish – excluding Olympic hosts USA – in Aachen would secure qualification, and that should be within reach. In many ways, the pressure is off: with no team medal expectation, there’s room for some of the squad’s less experienced combinations to bank valuable championship experience.

Mari Durward-Akhurst and veteran Athene Lindebjerg anchor a team otherwise built around youth: Jemima Green’s eight-year-old Fantabulous, the selectors’ call to field Nicola Naylor aboard the developing nine-year-old Moulin Rouge rather than her more experienced European Humberto L, and Sophie Wells and the 10-year-old MSJ Gold Standard’s late, form-driven arrival into the fourth spot.

It’s a young squad built for the next cycle as much as this one, so let’s find out more about them.

Mari Durward Akhurst, 32

HORSE: Athene Lindebjerg, 19

BREEDING: Gribaldi x Diamant, bred by Ulla and Kristian Bech

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

GRADE: I

FORM: Athene, now 19, has been unbeaten all season – an 83.87% freestyle at April’s Hartpury CPEDI remains her high point, backed up by a clean sweep at Wellington in June (including an 80.76% freestyle) and another hat-trick at the final selection the following month, albeit a shade below those spring peaks (77.04%, 74.71% and 78.11%). The technical gains keep showing: Mari points to work on the stretch walk and the centre-line halts, and credits a lighter travel schedule for keeping the mare fresh.

RIDER’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS RECORD: Mari will be making her World Championship debut but has competed at two Europeans and the Paris Paralympics.

Jemima Green, 37

HORSE: Fantabulous, eight

BREEDING: Foundation 2 x Fürst Romancier, bred by Rainer and Angelika Ahlers

OWNER: rider

GRADE: II

FORM: Fantabulous, still just eight, has kicked on since winning bronze in Ermelo – runner-up in the mid-70s in all three tests at April’s Aachen CPEDI – behind European gold medallists Heidemarie Dresing and Poesie 143 – a hat-trick at Hickstead in May, then back-to-back personal bests in the grand prix B (76.07%) and freestyle (78.44%) at Hartpury, in what Jemima called the most settled she’s felt him. The grand prix A there was tougher (74.76%) – a rare off day – but a tweak to their changeover routine with trainer Georgie Nicholls yielded the two personal bests that followed.

RIDER’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS RECORD: Jemima will be making her World Championship debut.

Nicola Naylor, 65

HORSE: Moulin Rouge, nine

BREEDING: Decor Ferdinand x Dorado, bred by P Buwalda

OWNER: rider

GRADE: IV

FORM: Moulin Rouge has spent the season shadowing her more experienced stablemate Humberto L – and got the better of him at Wellington in June, sweeping all three grade IV tests, including a 76.55% freestyle. But Humberto turned the tables at the final selection trial, leaving Moulin Rouge second in both grands prix (71.75% and 72.19%). Nicola chose to ease off rather than chase more from the still-developing mare, and although Humberto edged the head-to-head on the day, it was Moulin Rouge the selectors chose to carry to Aachen, likely with the next cycle in mind as much as this one.

RIDER’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS RECORD: Nicola will also be making her first appearance at a World Championships.

Sophie Wells, 36

HORSE: MSJ Gold Standard, 10

BREEDING: Governor x Fürstenball, bred by Mount St John Equestrian LLP

OWNER: Emma Blundell

GRADE: V

FORM: Since taking on the ride in February, Sophie’s grand prix B score has climbed steadily – 71.61% at Waregem, 72.46% at Hickstead, 73.03% at Wellington. Then, right when it mattered most, she pulled it out of the bag: a clean sweep at July’s final trial with personal bests throughout (74.05%, 74.4% and 80.27%).

RIDER’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS RECORD: This will be Sophie’s fifth worlds. She won triple gold in Kentucky in 2010 (Pinocchio), team gold and double individual silver in Normandy in 2014 (Valerius), double individual gold and team silver in Tryon in 2018 (C Fatal Attraction), then individual silver and bronze in Herning in 2022 (Don Cara M).

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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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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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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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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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Electric crowd lifts Brit to bring home European medal in dynamic freestyle

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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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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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 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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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.

“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.”

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.”

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!”

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

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