The pair are reigning German national champions and their impressive record boasts five wins from their last eight starts. They also finished 11th at the Paris Olympics last summer and were named on the German long-list for this year’s Europeans.
Julia said today (15 August) she is “a firm believer in ‘horses for courses’” and that the Europeans at Blenheim would not suit the 11-year-old gelding.
The pair did compete here in 2023, when they finished ninth in the young horse CCI4*-S, which runs over a much shorter cross-country track than the long-format course. The Europeans runs as a long-format four-star.
“When I heard that the European Championships for this year had been given to Blenheim I thought ‘very cool venue, but I don’t think it’s for Nickel’,” said Julia.
“I’ve been in Blenheim twice, with fond memories and for the right horse it is a great course and impressive venue!
“Though, knowing Nickel for some years now, I felt that the very hilly terrain and subsequent intensity isn’t something that makes him thrive and we don’t want to push him into something I know he doesn’t feel comfortable with.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“Therefore, after contemplating all aspects, his ever-supportive owner Professor Bernd Heicke and I decided to stay out of the selection process and rather have him do a CCI4*-L this autumn that I know suits him better.
“As said, this is absolutely nothing against the venue itself, but I am a firm believer in ‘horses for courses’ and try to live by that! Obviously I wish the German team the very best of luck.”
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
Lucy is an experienced news journalist, reporter and presenter. Since joining the Horse & Hound team in 2015, Lucy has reported from major global sporting events including the Tokyo Paralympic Games and multiple European Championships, as well as Badminton, Burghley and London, to name a few. She has covered current affairs and sports news across the full spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, as well as human and equine welfare, industry news and court cases.
