Gemma Tattersall praises World Equestrian Games test event course
British event rider Gemma Tattersall told H&H Team GB will need “very fit horses” for next year’s World Equestrian Games (WEG), following the test event at the weekend.
Both her and Piggy French — the only two British riders at the test event — finished in the top 10.
Piggy and Westwood Mariner finished 7th, while Gemma and Arctic Soul was 9th in the event in Normandy (16-18 August).
Gemma told H&H it was a “perfect course for a test event”.
“The course was lovely, galloping and flowing,” she said. “I think it will be quite a tough course next year though. It be will fairly hilly and knowing the course designer [Pierre Michelet] I would think it will be a ‘proper’ track.”
British-based Italian rider Vittoria Panizzon and Merlots Magic won the event. Andrew Hoy and Cheeky Calimbo were second.
The Irish contingent were also strong with Camilla Speirs and BT Border Bandit finishing 11th and Jonty Evans with Cooley Rorkes Drift 15th.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“I’m really thrilled as he’s not the best showjumper,” said Vittoria. “I’ve never been to Haras du Pin before, and it’s a fabulous setting and a really beautiful course. I’m sure WEG will be well attended next year. If we can get the same level of support and the same atmosphere as there was in London last year it will be fantastic.”
Gemma said she was “so so chuffed” with Arctic Soul who “jumped his socks off”.
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
A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.