Strong performances by the first two German riders have put their team in the lead after the first day of dressage at the Agria FEI Eventing European Championship at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire (GB).
Malin Hansen-Hotopp and Carlitos Quidditch K (pictured) head the leaderboard on 27.8 and team pathfinder Libussa Lübbeke is now in second place on Caramia 34 with 28.3.
Yasmin Ingham, who was first to go for Great Britain with Rehy DJ, is in joint third place with France’s Sebastian Cavaillon riding Elipso de la Vigne on a score of 29.
Piggy March is fifth on the stallion Halo, on 29.4, putting the British team second at this stage.
Malin, 47, who runs a farm in rural east Germany, already has the advantage of good form around the undulations of the beautiful park at Blenheim as she and the 13-year-old Holsteiner Carlitos Quidditch K won the CCI4*-L here in 2022.
“My horse was fabulous three years ago, but I know that I will still need to be focused,” said Malin, who was team pathfinder in Germany’s silver medal team at the 2023 European championships at Haras du Pin, France.
“It’s really special to be back here on the German team, and I must admit I am a little bit happier not to be first to go this time – Libussa is a really cool rider.”
Libussa, 24, is making her senior team debut on a 15-year-old Hannoverian mare that was bred by her parents and has already taken her to team gold and silver medals at Young Rider level .
“It’s a big step up to a senior championship and we never thought that she would reach this level so this is like a dream to be representing Germany and we are just enjoying it.”
World champion Yasmin, a member of the winning British team in 2023 on Banzai du Loir, is also riding her Young Rider medallist, another 15-year-old, who she has been competing for nine years.
“We are a great partnership and I was delighted with him,” she said.” He tried so hard, he was accurate and his flying changes were amazing. It’s so exciting to be here and a real honour to be pathfinder for the British team.”
Sebastian Cavaillon, France’s second rider, also comes to Blenheim with good form, including a third place at Bramham in June. “We know that the course here will be strong, and that Captain Mark Phillips is a very good designer, but we are ready for that – that’s why we came to Bramham, to prepare for the hills here.
“My horse has a great galloping stride and is a very good show jumper. A mark of 29 is bad for him actually, and I am quite disappointed, but that is the sport.”
Other riders to perform their dressage tests today include the hugely experienced Belgian rider Karin Donckers, for whom this is a 30th senior championship and a 15th Europeans. She scored 34.9 on Ceres de la Brasserie, a daughter of her former team ride Gazelle de la Brasserie, and is in 15th place.
Karin is one of only a few riders to have ridden at the 2005 Blenheim Europeans, where she finished fourth individually. “It’s nice to be back again and see the Palace again,” she said. “Everything is so ‘horsey’ in England, and it’s so green and lovely.
“Representing my country never gets old and as long as I have the right horse and am able, I will keep going.”
At the other end of the experience spectrum, Kumru (Kuki) Say made history as the first Turkish rider to compete at a championship. She and Baladin de L’Ocean LA are in 21st place on 37.1.
Tomorrow, the third and fourth team riders will perform their dressage tests, starting at 10.30am.
In the GFS Saddles 8 & 9 Year Old CCI4*-S, Britain’s Gemma Stevens is now in pole position riding the Rex Syndicate’s Cooley Park Muze on a score of 22.9. Fiona Cashel is second on Monbeg Cazador on 25.0 and Ireland’s Sian Coleman is third on Kilroe Frolic on 26.8.
German team pathfinder Libussa Lubbecke has made a great start on her senior team debut, taking an early lead in the dressage phase at the Agria FEI Eventing European Championship at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire (GB).
She scored 28.3 penalties on her family’s home-bred Caramia 34, to put her 0.7 ahead of Great Britain’s first team rider, Yasmin Ingham on Rehy DJ.
“It is like a dream,” said Libussa. “We bred this mare, my brother rode her and then I won medals on her at Young Rider level, but we never thought she would be a five-star or a championship horse, so we are just enjoying it. It was always an ambition to ride for Germany at senior level, which is a big step up, so we are enjoying it.”
Yasmin, the reigning world champion, was also riding her Young Rider medal-winning team horse, the 15-year-old Irish Sport Horse Rehy DJ, known as “Piglet”.
“It is so exciting to be here at Blenheim, a real honour,” said Yasmin, a member of the winning team at the 2023 Europeans in France.
“I am delighted with his test, he was fabulous. He tried so hard and was so accurate and his flying changes were amazing. We’re a great partnership – I have been riding him since he was six. He is Piglet by name and piglet by nature!”
Switzerland’s Nadja Minder had the daunting role of championship pathfinder and, although she was disappointed that her horse, Toblerone, was lit up by the atmosphere, she said: “There is no better horse to go first. It is fun and an honour. I think the cross-country terrain will suit him and it won’t be a dressage competition!”
Nations’ second team members will perform their dressage tests this afternoon, starting at 2:30pm.
In the GFS Saddles 8 & 9 Year Old CCI4*-S, Australian rider Kevin McNab has taken an early lead on Sofia Von Moltke’s Wilfred Lancer, scoring 29.4. He leads New Zealander Samantha Lissington, riding Lucas Stone by just 0.1 of a penalty.
Tom Jackson was the highest-placed British rider, third on United 36 on 30.2.
IMAGES © PETER NIXON
Riders representing 17 nations have arrived in the magnificent setting of Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, Great Britain, for the Agria FEI Eventing European Championship, which start tomorrow (Thursday, September 18).
As they gathered for a moving opening ceremony in the main arena, Blenheim’s host, the Duke of Marlborough, said: “The Palace itself owes much of its existence to civilisation’s historic reliance on the strength and dependability of the horse.
“It is therefore a great privilege to gather here today, on the 35th anniversary of the Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, within our rolling parkland — the vision and creation of Capability Brown, the renowned 18th-century landscape architect — which provides the perfect setting for this prestigious event.
“This year, we are especially delighted to host the Agria FEI Eventing European Championship. The last time these Championships were held here was 20 years ago, however today we welcome riders and their horses from across Europe, each bringing with them passion, skill, and dedication to this world-class competition.”
All 55 horses passed the first horse inspection and Swiss team pathfinder Nadja Minder riding Toblerone will be first into the dressage arena tomorrow at 10.30am in front of judges Sandy Phillips (ground jury president, GB), Katrin Eichinger-Kniely from Austria and Valerie Pride from the USA.
Nine nations will field teams. Great Britain, the defending champions, have been drawn seventh in the order of countries, with reigning world eventing champion Yasmin Ingham, riding Rehy DJ, as team pathfinder. She will be followed by Piggy March with the stallion Halo and Olympic team gold medallists Tom McEwen (JL Dublin) and Laura Collett (London 52) will perform their dressage tests on Friday.
Germany’s Michael Jung, the only former individual European champion in the field, will be his team’s anchor, riding his Olympic gold medallist FischerChipmunk FRH, competing toward the end of Friday afternoon.
The drawn order of nations is: Norway*, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Turkey*, Belgium, Great Britain, Netherlands*, Hungary*, Lithuania*, Sweden, Finland*, Germany, France, Ireland, Czech Republic*, Luxembourg* (* denotes individuals only). Kumru Say makes history for Turkey, as the first representative of her country to compete in an eventing championship.
Also starting tomorrow is the GFS Saddles 8 & 9 Year Old CCI4*-S, which has attracted a field of nearly 100. First into the dressage arena at 10am is Gemma Stevens riding Chilli’s Jester.
THE SPEEDI-BEET TROT UP
At the first Speedi-Beet trot up of the event, the Best Dressed, with thanks to HiHo Silver, went to Pietro Majolino (ITA) and Lea Siegl (AUT – above).
The Best Turned Out, with thanks to British Horse Feeds, went to Sarah Ennis’ Dourough Ferro Class Act, groomed by Emily Singleton (IRL).
Jess Blackford, Area Sales Manager for British Horse Feeds, who sponsor the Speedi-Beet Trot-up commented, “It is such a privilege to see so many well-presented horses in superb condition at the Trot-up here at the Agria FEI Eventing European Championship at Blenheim Palace. British Horse Feeds, home of Speedi-Beet stands for feeding fibre first as the starting point for a natural and healthy diet. It provides the basis for all equine diets which suits all types of horses in all levels of work. Combining Speedi-Beet with the additional concentrates required for event horses at the top of their game enables the horses to maintain a healthy working digestive system whilst providing the necessary slow and fast release energy for performance. We wish all of the competitors the best for the exciting competition ahead.”
IMAGES © PETER NIXON
Next week, over 150 horse and rider combinations will compete in the Agria FEI Eventing European Championship (CCI4*-L) and coveted GFS Saddles 8 & 9 Year Old class(CCI4*-S). This 2025 Championship sees 33 Olympians, 17 first-time competitors and two debut nations gracing the Blenheim Palace grounds.
The biggest names in European Eventing are set to go head-to-head, with a golden showdown promised between Paris 2024 team gold medallists, Tom McEwen (GB) and Laura Collett (GB), and the Paris 2024 individual champion – and Eventing’s most decorated European rider – Michael Jung (GER). All three riders return on the same horses from the Olympics; JL Dublin, London 52 and fischerChipmunk FRH, respectively. Although the spotlight will be on Great Britain and Germany, as the two most successful nations to date at this level, their European competitors should not be ignored. Sweden is coming off the back of their first-ever Nations Cup victory in Strzegom, Switzerland has their solid Paris 2024 quartet, and Belgium brings experience with their selection of world number 20 Lara de Liederkerke-Meier and 14-time European Championship competitor Karin Donckers.
With a thrilling course conceived by legend Captain Mark Phillips, horses and riders will be challenged on a world-class track designed to test the best without over facing newcomers.
It is not just the Agria FEI Eventing European Championship drawing the crowds this year, with entries for the GFS Saddles 8 & 9 Year Old class ensuring a competition just as nail-biting. Gemma Stevens has a strong line-up, bringing the current 7-year-old World Champion Chilli Morning IV, Millstreet CCI3*-L winner Cooley Park Muze and Chilli’s Jester. Izzy Taylor is also eyeing-up a win, entering the 2023 6-year-old World Champion Barrington Alice, and the 2024 Retraining of Racehorses Elite Eventing Award winner Bayaanaat.
Tom Bird and his horse Lenny are another pair to watch, with the duo securing 10 double clears from 12 starts this season, including a win in the Intermediate at Little Downham in May. Austin O’Connor brings forward his National Novice Champion Diamond Mistress, and French rider Amaury Choplain brings Gin Tonic D’Aury off the back of an individual win in the CCI4*L at Strzegom.
The Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials is also profiling riders of the future, hosting this year’s evoke™ Eventer Challenge, a guaranteed crowd pleaser, highlighting grassroots riders from across the UK as they take part in a fast-paced cross country and show jumping round.
The event will also welcome Meg Elphick on the Thursday and Esme Higgs, better known as ThisEsme, who will meet and greet fans on Saturday. Official Charity Partner, Riding for the Disabled Association, will have a number of exciting events over the weekend, including a Chat Stage talk with Free Rein’s Joe Ashman on Sunday, course walks with international Event riders Bill Levett and Kirsty Chabert on Thursday and Friday, and an opportunity to ride mechanical horses, Charley and Anton.
There really is something for everyone. In addition to four days of thrilling eventing, visitors will be treated to a plethora of exciting experiences, such as Mutts & Butts Dog Agility, falconry displays, a visit from the Heythrop Hunt Hounds and the incredible Shetland Pony Grand National.
For those looking for a spot of relaxing retail therapy, there will be over 200 exhibitors in the shopping village ready to be perused, as well as exclusive hospitality options and delicious local food and drink.
If an appetising treat is on the cards, Fortnum & Mason will be on hand with its scrumptiously iconic picnic hampers. Available to pre-order and collect on site, the hampers will be ready to enjoy at leisure, full to the brim with tasty treats, perfect for a jump-side banquet.
Event Director Katrina Midgley comments, “We are thrilled to welcome such an incredible line-up to Blenheim Palace this September. With a world-class course ready to test the very best, and the GFS Saddles 8 & 9 Year Old class showcasing the exciting next generation, this year promises to be a true celebration of eventing at every level. It’s an honour to see the sport’s brightest stars and future talent compete against the stunning backdrop of Blenheim Palace.”
General admission tickets are available with under 12s going free. VIP ticket options are also on offer from £165, and include in-show parking, breakfast, lunch, access to the VIP Pavilion, garden and lounge, a live stream of all the action, and unlimited tea and coffee.
For tickets, hospitality, and the latest updates, visit www.bpiht.co.uk
If you are unable to attend in person, you can keep an eye on all the Agria FEI Eventing European Championship action on FEI TV (Worldwide).
The Agria FEI Eventing European Championship will also be broadcast live on BBC Sport across BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website, and the app. Coverage will also be available on demand for 30 days after the event.
Broadcast schedule (all times BST, subject to change):
Saturday 20th September – 10:45 to 15:30
Sunday 21st September – 10:50 to 12:10 (Jumping – Group 1)
Sunday 21st September – 13:50 to 15:00 (Jumping – Group 2)
Horse & Country will be live streaming the GFS Saddles 8 & 9 Year Old class throughout the week.
IMAGE © LIBBY LAW PHOTOGRAPHY
With just two weeks to go, the anticipation is building for the prestigious Agria FEI Eventing European Championship at Blenheim Palace from 18 – 21 September. All nations have now released the names of their team riders, showcasing a plethora of talent, from first timers to seasoned champions – it is sure to be the event of the season.
The team lists are a ‘who’s who’ of eventing royalty, with Germany’s team featuring Grand Slam winner, triple Olympic gold medallist and triple European Champion Michael Jung and Arville FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ 2025 winners Calvin Böckmann and Libussa Lübekke. Great Britain will present Paris 2024 Olympic gold medallists Laura Collett MBE and Tom McEwen, as well as World Champion Yasmin Ingham, and renowned five-star riders Piggy March, Caroline Harris and Bubby Upton.
From further afield, Turkey will put forward a sole rider, as Kumru Say flies the flag for her country’s first ever appearance at this level of the sport, whilst Norway’s Yasmin Olsson-Payne will make her debut at senior European level riding the nine-year-old Cos Me Will.
Sweden has a strong selection for contention, looking to secure a podium position again after their team bronze at the Europeans in 2021. Christoffer Forsberg and Hippo’s Sapporo TSF, who were a part of the 2021 team, are joined by Frida Andersen who has two Olympics, two European Championships and a World Championships under her belt. Sofia Sjöborg, will bring Govalent for his first Championship, with Amanda Staam and Corpoubet AT – who were part of the Swedish team at the European Championship 2023 and Olympic reserves in Paris, rounding out the team.
Olympians are dotted throughout, with Nicholas Touzaint – former dual European Champion – making the French team following his team silver medal at Paris 2024, and Ireland’s selection consisting of Olympians Susie Berry and Sarah Ennis. Switzerland’s rider selection mirrors that of their Paris selection, with Robin Godel, Mélody Johner, Nadja Minder and Felix Vogg announced, but only Nadja Minder will ride the same horse she took, partnering up again with Toblerone.
Blenheim is preparing to host what promises to be a fiercely contested Championship. The blend of world-class titleholders and first-time competitors will make this year’s Agria FEI Eventing European Championship a weekend to remember.
To find out more, and book your tickets, visit bpiht.co.uk
Please find the full entry list below:
AUSTRIA
Harald Ambros, with Vitorio Du Monete
Katrin Khoddam-Hazrati, with Renegade
Lea Siegl, with Van Helsing P
BELGIUM
Wouter De Cleene, with Quintera
Lara De Liederkerke – Meier, with Hooney d’Arville
Karin Donckers, with Ceres De La Brasserie
Senne Vervaecke, with Google van Alsingen
CZECH REPUBLIC
Jaroslav Abik, with Madock
Pavel Brezina, with Turin
FINLAND
Sanna Siltakorpi, with Bofey Click
FRANCE
Sebastien Cavaillon, with Elipsco De La Vigne
Luc Chateau, with Cocorico de L’Ebat
Alexis Goury, with Je’Vall
Benjamin Massie, with Figaro Fonroy
Astier Nicolas, with Alertamalibo’or
Nicolas Touzaint, with Absolut Gold HDC
GERMANY
Nicolai Aldinger, with Timmo
Calvin Böckmann, with The Phantom of the Opera
Malin Hansen-Hotopp, with Carlitos Quidditch K
Michael Jung, with fischerChipmunk FRH
Libussa Lübbeke, with Caramia
Jérôme Robiné, with Black Ice
GREAT BRITAIN
Laura Collett, with London 52
Caroline Harris, with D. Day
Yasmin Ingham, with Rehy DJ
Piggy March, with Halo
Tom McEwen, with JL Dublin
Bubby Upton, with Its Cooley Time
HUNGARY
Noémi Viola Doerfer, with Piltown Harry
Balázs Kaizinger, with Herr Cooles Classico
IRELAND
Susannah Berry, with Clever Trick
Ian Cassells, with Millridge Atlantis
Aoife Clark, with Full Monty De Lacense
Sarah Ennis, with Dourough Ferro Class Act
Robbie Kearns, with Chance Encounter
Padraig McCarthy, with Pomp n Circumstance
ITALY
Daniele Bizzarro, with Stormhill Riot
Pietro Majolino, with Vita Louise DH Z
Vittoria Panizzon, with DHI Jackpot
Arianna Schivo, with First Lady de Belheme
Giovanni Ugolotti, with Duke of Champions
LITHUANIA
Aistis Vitkauskas, with Commander VG
LUXEMBOURG
Christian Chabot, with Flora-B-Lux
NORWAY
Yasmin Olsson-Payne, with Cos Me Will
SWEDEN
Frida Andersen, with Stonehavens Baby Blue
Christoffer Forsberg, with Hippo’s Sapporo TSF
Sofia Sjoborg, with Govalent
Amanda Staam, with Corpoubet AT
SWITZERLAND
Robin Godel, with Global DHI
Mélody Johner, with Erin
Nadja Minder, with Toblerone
Felix Vogg, with Frieda
TURKEY
Kumru Say, with Baladin De L’Ocean La
You can find the full list of entries for this year’s Agria FEI Eventing European Championship here.
IMAGE © LIBBY LAW PHOTOGRAPHY
The Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials (GBR) has been awarded the FEI Eventing European Championship for 2025. The event will take place from 18 to 21 September 2025.
The Oxfordshire venue, home of the Duke of Marlborough, previously ran the FEI Eventing European Championship in 2005. It is the first senior Eventing championship to be held in Great Britain since Blair Castle in 2015.
“It is a great honour to be bringing the FEI Eventing European Championship back to Britain,” said Event Organiser, Katrina Midgley of Stable Events, the organisers of Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials.
“Blenheim is such a fitting backdrop, with the Palace and the spectacular parkland cross country course, and we look forward to welcoming the teams and their supporters for a truly memorable occasion. Thanks must go to the teams at British Equestrian, FEI, British Eventing, Agria and UK Sport who have been instrumental in securing this exciting fixture.”
UK Sport’s Head of Major Events Esther Britten said, “Delivering major events like this continues to demonstrate the UK’s reputation as one of the world’s leading hosts, creating extraordinary sporting moments that reach, unite and inspire the nation.”
“We look forward to working collaboratively with the teams at Blenheim and the FEI on this exciting event which will showcase the best British athletes on home soil in a new location for us.”
It will be the 37th running of the bi-annual FEI Eventing European Championship, which started in 1953, the 12th occasion that Great Britain has been the host nation, and the 35th anniversary of the first international horse trials at Blenheim.
“Blenheim is long established as a popular and beautiful Eventing venue and we are very much looking forward to the FEI Eventing European Championship taking place there,” FEI Eventing Director Catrin Norinder said.
The FEI Eventing European Championship has come a long way since its first edition in Badminton (GBR) in 1953 where the hosts took individual gold and silver as well as team gold.
British athletes have dominated the discipline since then, accumulating a total of 20 gold medals in the individual category, more than all other nations combined, including two very high profile wins by members of the British Royal Family – The Princess Royal in 1971 and her daughter Zara Tindall née Phillips in 2005. The combination of Germany and the Federal Republic of Germany has won 27 individual medals (six golds).
In the team category, the British have also been in leading position, winning gold in 24 out of the 36 editions of this Event. France is the second nation with the most team titles, totalling 18, while Germany has achieved 17 team medals, six of which are gold.
At the most recent FEI Eventing European Championship, held in Le Pin au Haras (FRA) in 2023, Rosalind Canter (GBR) and her horse Lordships Graffalo, along with Team Great Britain, were crowned champions.
Next year will be Agria’s first as title sponsor. “Could there be a more thrilling way to celebrate the third UK birthday of our game-changing lifetime equine insurance than by becoming Blenheim’s title sponsor for the 2025 Agria FEI Eventing European Championships?” said Vicki Wentworth, Chief Executive of Agria UK. “Agria celebrates another birthday next year — the 135th since it was founded in Sweden — and we can’t wait to host the best riders in Europe — plus owners and horse fans from far and wide — to Blenheim on its 35th anniversary. It’s a brilliant event that always produces a memorable competition.”
Sophie Green – Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials
