The team competition has concluded at the European Showjumping Championships, with a historic gold for Sweden, a brilliant silver for Ireland and a hard-fought bronze for Austria. Here’s everything you need to know from day three of competition in Milan.
After a thrilling final decider to the team competition, Sweden added European gold to their Olympic and world titles
Ireland delivered an outstanding team performance to win the team silver medal, after a rollercoaster of an afternoon
Great Britain finished ninth; the team managed to climb one place from their overnight 10th place, but there was inevitable disappointment within the British camp
Despite Great Britain’s team woes, there was very good reason to celebrate as Ben Maher (Faltic HB) has qualified for Sunday’s two-round individual medal decider – and, is well within grasp of a medal
Austrian rider Gerfried Puck, who helped his team to a historic bronze medal, had to make a last-minute bridle change on the opening day to avoid falling foul of a new FEI rule, seconds before entering the ring
Team gold medal contenders Germany slipped to fourth place after the shock withdrawal of Marcus Ehning and his brilliant stallion Stargold.
One of the equine stars shining in Milan at the European Showjumping Championships is the Spanish horse who spends 20 hours a day asleep – but is always happy to wake for a banana.
You might also be interested in:
‘It was an uphill task, but I’m so proud’: sensational silver for Ireland at European Showjumping Championships
‘It doesn’t get better than this’: Sweden make history to reign as Olympic, world and European showjumping champions
‘It’s incredible’: meet the top showjumper who sleeps 20 hours a day and loves bananas
Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round
Horse & Hound has a team of reporters covering all the European showjumping action. To keep reading on our website after five articles, readers will need to buy a subscription. Visit horseandhound.co.uk/join to buy a Horse & Hound website unlimited subscription or, for great value, visit magazinesdirect.com for a combined magazine and website subscription. If you are already a magazine subscriber, the cost to upgrade your subscription to include full website access is minimal – call 0330 333 1113 to find out more.