The FEI Junior and Young Rider European Championships will take place on British soil this year, at Hartpury, Glos, on 25-31 July. Eighteen nations are set to be represented at junior level, and 15 at young rider level, although some riders from mainland Europe have opted to withdraw owing to travel concerns.
The British team for the Young Rider European Championships has been revealed as follows:
Caitlin Burgess (21) with 15-year-old gelding Chocotof
Owner: Caitlin Burgess
Breeder: D Faro Gravenmoer
Breeding: by Lord Leatherdale, out of Twicky, by Negro
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
Anna Dalrymple (19) with 13-year-old gelding Vagabond De Massa
Owner: Maxine Vainio
Breeder: Silvain Massa
Breeding: by Reito, out of Vexame, by Xaquiro
Maddy Frewin (19) with 13-year-old gelding Eagle Nouvelle
Owner: Hannah Dovey
Breeder: J Hiddink
Breeding: by Singapore, out of Nouvelle B, by Burggraaf
Jessica McConkey (20) with 13-year-old mare Lady Gaga
Owner: Jessica McConkey
Breeder: Johannes Søndergård
Breeding: by Quatarback, out of Brunette, by Solos Landwind
Jessica McConkey is also listed with a direct reserve horse, Wilson Stensvang. The first reserve has been announced as Lilah Gibbs, with Dude III.
The British team for the Junior European Championships has been announced as follows:
India Durman-Mills (18) with 13-year-old gelding Escade
Owner: Verity Saul
Breeder: A Van Essen
Breeding: by Jazz, out of Jenia, by Wolfgang
Myles Graham (15) with 15-year-old mare Nibeley Union Hit
Owner: Caroline Bell
Breeder: Bernerd Eley
Breeding: by Nibeley Union Jack, out of Winter Willow, by Sandro Hit
Sophie Wallace (14) with 16-year-old mare Rosalie B
Owner: Laura Tomlinson and her mother Ursula Bechtolsheimer
Breeder: Klaus Balkenhol
Breeding: by Rubin Royal, out of Nordmaid, by Newcastle
The first reserve has been announced as Isobel Lickley with Mount St John Furstin Fugger, while the second reserve is Ruby Hughes with Extra Time P.
Travel concerns prompt withdrawals
Several riders from mainland Europe have already opted not to travel to compete at the Junior and Young Rider European Championships, due to concerns surrounding transport and in particular availability of customs slots to cross the Channel on the return journey.
The conclusion of the European Championships is the same weekend as the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead, and is also when many of the British horses will start their journey to Herning in Denmark for the World Championships, meaning delays and a lack of slots are likely.
The first riders to announce they were pulling out of the championships were Spanish young riders Natalia Bacariza Danguillecourt (Romantico Ymas) and Felipe Montoya Martinez (Douro).
“It would have been a pleasure to represent Spain for the sixth time at the European Championships in Hartpury, but unfortunately due to the inconveniences and uncertainties of horse travelling when leaving the UK we’ve decided not to attend this year,” said Natalia. “Wishing the best of luck to my teammates attending the championship.”
Following this announcement, both junior riders set to compete for the Czech Republic at Hartpury – Johana Vasaryova (Firestone) and Tereza Matouskova (Paolo Il Bello) – have also decided to pull out.
Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday, is packed with all the latest news and reports, as well as interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and training advice. Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
