Equestrian

Months in the making, the eagerly awaited cross-country day at the Agria FEI European Eventing Championships 2025 was set to be a true test of talent. It was to be Captain Mark Phillips’s final major event course design responsibility, and he set a track which ensured the medals would not be won in the dressage phase. Set in the expansive parkland surrounding the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Blenheim Palace, the 5710-metre course featured 31 fences and the riders were looking to finish inside the 10:01 time allowed.  

Yasmin Ingham was the trailblazer for the British team, Piggy March would go second, Tom McEwen took the penultimate spot, then the anchor role was in the hands of Laura Collett. The individuals were Caroline Harris and Bubby Upton and, as senior team debutants, they’d be sporting their new cross-country hat silks respectively sporting numbers 199 and 198 for the first time.

Yasmin Ingham and Rehy DJ 

Manx rider Yasmin Ingham took on her inaugural team pathfinder role with great enthusiasm and duly delivered in the dressage phase on Thursday with Janette Chinn and The Sue Davies Fund’s Rehy DJ. Their 29.0 penalties left them in ninth individually but, importantly, helped the British team into silver after the dressage.

‘Yaz’ was most complimentary about Captain Mark Phillips’s course and has previously said she’d need to ‘be on her A game from the start’. As she and ‘Piglet’ circled the start box, led by groom Alison Bell and supported by mum Lesley, Yaz certainly had her game face on, fully focused on the task. Three, two, one… they were off, with the first few fences easily cleared.

The first combination fence came at six – the Suregrow Dew Pond – and, despite being early in the running order, a sizable crowd had already migrated to the fence to support the first British rider through. Yaz, based in Cheshire, saw her line and kept Piglet exactly to it with positive riding. The Joules main arena fences were taken out of stride, then it was on to the Agria Angles at 10 with Blenheim Palace as a backdrop. This was followed by three substantial corner fences on a line with forward distances between – a balance of riding boldly, but keeping the line so as not risk a run out. Piglet and Yaz sailed through, making it look like a training exercise.

At 18, the Subaru Splash – an iconic feature at Blenheim, where combinations jump the fence in, then negotiate a wide water crossing at the foot of Bladon Bridge – Yaz was very deliberate in her instructions, but Piglet answered with a neat jump in and was straight at the out element which is tightly angled. Just two fences later was another water fence – the GFS Saddles Water – Piglet had a little wriggle and chipped in at the second element, but was clever and cleared it well.

At fence 22, the FEI Mounds, the duo jumped the first element well However, as they approached the ‘B’ element, Piglet appeared to misread the wide corner, catching the back rail and ejecting Yaz out the side door. A fall on the cross-country means elimination so, sadly, their campaign was over. Both Yaz and Piglet walked away unscathed, but it was a blow for the British team and the pairing who’d been foot-perfect to that stage.

“He was absolutely magnificent on the first part of the course,” Yaz explained. “He was up on his minutes by minute six and he made it all feel really, really good and as I’d planned. I got to the rails and rode the line I planned, but he just didn’t quite read the corner as I hoped he would and caught his left front on the back rail, which caused him to crumple, and I came out the front door. It was no fault of his, no fault of mine – just one of those things. The main thing is we’re both okay and we live to fight another day. We’ll be cheering the guys on for the rest of the day.”

Caroline Harris and D. Day 

Gloucestershire-based rider Caroline Harris is renowned in the sport for her skill and ability on cross-country day but, when you’re on your British squad debut, the prospect of a championship course takes on a new dimension. With Lucy Matthews, Fiona Olivier, Marie Anne Richardson and Heather Royle’sD. Day, Caroline had showed some disappointment with their dressage score of 34.4, which left them 30^th of the 55 runners. However, she admitted it wasn’t the horse’s best phase and today’s test was much more suited to his talents – jumping and galloping.

Competing as individuals, the duo set off with great intent, D. Day’s ears pricked and his eyes looking for each fence. As they progressed over the first few fences, the sun made a welcome appearance on an otherwise grey morning. Into the bustling main arena they went, beautifully meeting the wide tables of the Joules Pavilion, with D. Day’s knees tucked up tight.

At fence 11, the Subaru Sensation, they had a good jump over the first part, but Caroline had to ask him just to lengthen to make the ‘B’ and ‘C’ elements – athletic as ever, D. Day responded and they were clear. At the Raging Bull Roller Coaster, they met the first element spot-on. With the undulations, they were off stride at ‘B’ element but, like a pony, D. Day cleverly chipped in and they were clear.

It was then on to the showcase water at 18 – the fence at the top of the hill was cleared in style and D. Day was keen as mustard down the hill to the Subaru narrow brush to jump into the water, but Caroline expertly kept him balanced and they flew in. The dramatically angled ‘C’ element was easily negotiated and they were off up the climb to the far end of the course.

At the GFS Saddles Water, they jumped in neatly, but misjudged the fence out and D. Day had no choice but to nip out to the left, so 20 penalties was awarded. They jumped it the second time and were quickly on their way. On to the fence where Yaz had her fall, the FEI Mounds at 22. The first part was neatly jumped, but they met the second part on a half stride, D. Day just couldn’t take off and Caroline tumbled off. It wasn’t to be the squad debut they wanted or deserved, having gone so well to that point.

Piggy March and Halo 

Back in British championship team colours after a four-year gap, Northamptonshire’s Piggy March has been keen to seize the chance afforded to her by the selectors with Jayne McGivern’s Halo. A mark of 29.4 in the dressage wasn’t quite what Piggy had hoped for, both for the British team and her individual aspirations because it left her 12^th individually. However, with Yaz’s elimination for the team, it would now be crucial for medal contention.  

The plucky grey stallion may not be the biggest, but he jumps like he has springs in his hooves and he came out of the start box with his ears pricked forward. One of the most experienced riders currently on the circuit, Piggy has produced him this season for this very moment, working hard on his fitness to combat the terrain of Blenheim. The first few fences were made light work of and at the first combination, the Suregrow Dew Pond, Piggy was careful to let her charge have a look to take in the water and the crowds, but kept her legs tightly wrapped around his sides to make sure he kept straight.

Into the main arena in heavy drizzle, Piggy rode the tightest of lines so as to not waste a second, with Halo keenly taking on the two Joules fences with ease. The Agria Angles were superbly negotiated, with Piggy using her expert judgement to adjust the stride length to meet the fences in the perfect spot. Halo was neat and clever at the Raging Bull Rollercoaster at 15, then it was on to the Subaru water, where he was also super, clearly enjoying his trip around the iconic park.

At fence 20, the GFS Saddles Water, Halo jumped bold as brass into the water and took a keen hold to the second element, a wide, fixed corner in the water. He latched on to it but met it on the wrong stride. Bravely, he picked up, but was just too far off the fence to clear it and he and Piggy parted company, with the rider unceremoniously ending up in the water. The disappointment was clear to see from Piggy – the horse had been going so well and, in a split second, their day was ended. Their elimination also meant Great Britain were out of the team competition but, most importantly, both horse and rider were none the worse for their parting of the ways.

Tom McEwen and JL Dublin

With the team medal chances over, Gloucestershire-based rider Tom McEwen could switch his focus to his own fortunes, those of his equine partner, JL Dublin, and owners James and Jo Lambert and Deirdre Johnston. ‘Dubs’ has been European Champion in the past with former rider Nicola Wilson, but Tom has yet to win a senior European championship medal. With a 26.2 dressage leaving him third going into the cross-country phase, could this be his best chance yet? He’d need a good trip across the country to keep him in contention.

Dubs is never happier than when he’s sporting British team colours and he cantered to fence one with a keen look, fully focused on his rider and the 30 or so fences ahead. The first half dozen fences were sailed over and at the first combination, the Suregrow Dew Pond, Dubs put a little skip stride in as the water caught his gaze, but then jumped smoothly out. Into the arena, where quite a crowd had gathered, and Dubs ran through the four jumping efforts as if on rails, never wavering and leaving the spectators whooping with delight.

At the Subaru Sensation complex, the duo was sublime – the neatest of the day, with Tom sitting still and letting the horse do the jumping. At the tricky Raging Bull Rollercoaster, they again showed their style with a smooth trip through. At the top of the hill above the main water, the huge brush was taken and Dubs bowled down the hill to the skinny brush to jump into the water, which he took on boldly, resulting in Tom needing to ‘hail a cab’ to keep the balance, but they were clear and cantered through the water to take the final element on the tightest of angles, much to the crowd’s delight.

Tom rode a very deliberate five sides at the GFS Saddles Water from the hanging log in to the big corner, having learned from Piggy’s misfortune earlier, and it worked perfectly because they were safe. At the other British ‘bogey fence’, the FEI Mounds at 22, Tom again used the feedback from his compatriots and rode for a good shot in over the sizable parallel before kicking on for the four strides, as opposed to holding for five, which worked perfectly. Dubs skipped neatly through the CrossCountry App Wooded Hollow and he still looked full of running, but time was now becoming a factor and Tom had to chase the clock without emptying the tanks. A quick clock check at fence 28, the Brookfield Bullfinch, showed they had just under a minute to get home. It was going to be tight.

The second to last, the maximum dimension Fischer Stickpile, was made to look like a twig and through the final combination, the Zip Travel Tray, Tom wasted no time and kicked for home. They safely negotiated the Agria Finale and Tom rode every stride to bring the finish line closer. They crossed the line on 10.18, 17 seconds over the optimum time – the fastest round of the day at that stage. It was 6.8 time penalties to add to their dressage of 26.2 to give a two-phase total of 33.0, which was the leading score for now, but with the top two still to come.

“The British public are amazing – it’s completely full and there’s little hubs where it’s completely packed out. Dubs was just loving it!” declared Tom after his round.  “For me, it was just settling him down for the first couple of minutes and, luckily, all the combinations are built on positive strides because I was holding him throughout all of them. He was loving it and it suited his way of going,” he added.

What about his ride? “Most things jumped as they walked and Mark [Phillips, course designer] has allowed you, from beginning to end, to ride in a flowing rhythm and the horses get in that state of mind,” he said appreciatively.  

Having ridden around, did he think anyone could make the 10.01 optimum time? “The time is doable, but you have to be as quick as you are smooth, which is quite a tough combination,” he responded.

And did his plan change knowing the team hopes had been dashed? He simply said; “It’s a massive shame but it doesn’t change anything for me. I’m riding Dubs and that’s what I focus on, not on what anyone else is up to.”

Bubby Upton and Its Cooley Time

Bubby Upton, who hails from Newmarket, is another to a long-awaited senior championship debut, having made the nominated entry list for a number of championships in previous years. Her partner for this prestigious moment was the precocious 10-year-old Its Cooley Time, with whom Bubby won the CCI4*-L class at Bramham in June. Despite this victory, the uber-talented grey gelding – who’s known as Finn – is low on mileage at this level, so this would be his biggest test to date.  In Friday’s dressage phase, he delivered with a 28.9 to leave them eighth going into the cross-country phase as individuals.

They set off, with Finn wanting to take charge, but Bubby quietly urging him to focus and listen to her. They began to settle over the first opening fences and by the Suregrow Dew Pond, he was with her, albeit with a high head carriage. Bubby rode him expertly through the water to give him time to have a look, but keeping the momentum. They flew into the main arena and skipped effortlessly through the Joules fences. The Subaru Sensation combination was taken beautifully, with the 10-year-old looking at ease over the big corners, and the Palace Treasure Chest that followed was jumped in equal style.

The Raging Bull Roller Coaster, which had caught out several combinations, was negotiated in a neat and tidy manner, and Bubby let Finn open up towards the main water to try and get up on the clock. They jumped the brush at the top of the hill in style and Bubby worked to keep the youngster balanced down the steep slope. Finn was bold into the water, taking no notice of the gaping space beneath the fence, and he cantered through the long straight of water with his ears pricked. He locked onto the angled hedge out, but just chipped in a short stride, causing him to land steeply and stumble on landing, which unbalanced Bubby and she hit the deck. She was up on her feet quickly and ran to check Finn, who appeared none the worse for his experience. Another British rider’s hopes ended with a rider fall when going so well.

“All good, we live to fight another day. He was absolutely flying, but things don’t always go your way,” lamented Bubby. “He got a bit deep, but jumped it well and lost the momentum and pecked. He was giving me an incredible feel and I was feeling full of confidence, excited for the rest of the course. But the most important thing is that he’s absolutely fine,” she said.  

Laura Collett and London 52

Cometh the hour, cometh the duo Britain so often looks to in times of need – Laura Collett and London 52. In the dressage yesterday, they were on superb form to score 20.6, only bettered by the peerless Michael Jung for Germany. Their contribution helped Britain stay within a whisker of Germany and put us firmly on the podium for individual honours. However, an uncharacteristic day for the Brits on the cross-country meant the crowd needed a lift from the combination they hold so dear.

Gloucestershire duo Laura and ‘Dan’ know each other inside and out, and Laura is adept in knowing when to push, when to hold his hand and when to leave him to it. As they set off to the cheers of the expectant fans, Dan, by owned Karen Bartlett and Keith Scott,  grew – he loves an audience, but he was keen! He fought Laura at the first water, but she didn’t fight back, merely positioning him to look and take the jumps in his own time – it was a masterclass in sympathetic riding.

Into the main arena and, again, Dan wanted to be in full control, but Laura patiently asked him to wait without wasting a second and they were soon clear over the Joules jumps. The Agria Angles was made for Dan and his long stride and, with Laura’s expert aids, he made them look like Pony Club fences. The duo was neat as a pin through the Subaru Sensation.

As they progressed, the rain began to fall and umbrellas opened across the park. They got a flier at the evoke® Lodge at 14, before Laura got Dan back for the Raging Bull Rollercoaster where, despite his long legs, he was clever over the ‘B’ element. Many have taken fence 16, the Ha Ha Oxer at pace, but Laura could just feel Dan running on, so she played it safe with a check to place Dan perfectly. The showpiece water was packed with people, all eager to see the combination, and Laura had a very set line of attack. She jumped the big brush and rode diagonally down the hill to pick up the line she’d walked and visualised. She kept him locked in over the narrow brush him, then moved to the far right of the lane marking out the water crossing to line up perfectly for the angled brush out, which his skipped over.

At the influential GFS Saddles Water, they got a good shot in over the hanging log and Laura rode a slightly curving line to the corner to give space for a neat five strides. A tap on the shoulder and Dan locked on, popping neatly over. They were clear through the FEI Mounds, where Laura had a deliberate plan that she executed to the letter – a neat jump in over the oxer, then four bold strides and a firm hold on the left rein to bring the corner into play – Dan answered perfectly.

They jumped the skinny brushes at 28 in great style and looked to have some petrol left in tank – a check of the watch showed she’d need to push to get near the time. They were efficient through the two elements of the Zip Travel Tray, which brought the final fence into view – they took the Agria Finale cleanly and pushed towards the line. An emphatic punch of the air from Laura showed her joy and relief, and the timing beam stopped the clock at 10:16, to add six penalites to her dressage to end the day for a final score of 26.6. It was enough for the lead, but her main medal rival, Michael Jung of Germany, was out on course and could still topple her.

“It was all a bit of a blur, to be honest!” Laura declared at the end of her round. “I had great advice from Tom, who had a brilliant ride. He said to save a little bit for the end, try not to use too much at the start and just really get stuck in! There were problems all over the course – there wasn’t just one particular fence that we had to focus on. It was hard work out there, but I couldn’t have asked any more of him because he was fighting. He was feisty at the start, which put me off a little bit because I couldn’t find a rhythm. I’ve worked hard on his fitness since Luhmuhlen because he’s a bit more laid-back about everything now – we didn’t give him a huge break after Luhmühlen and just kept the fitness up, which showed today. Hopefully, it’ll pay off tomorrow! I’m gutted for the team, but once I was on, I knew I had a job to do, which was clear and fast.”

“He’s my horse of a lifetime and he gives me no reason not to trust him. To have that feeling and belief in him and for him to reward me like that is a hell of a feeling,” she added.

An influential Saturday rewrites the leaderboards

It was widely acknowledged beforehand that Captain Mark Phillips’s cross-country would be influential and that the time would be difficult to achieve, but many underestimated the full extent of both.

British Eventing Performance Manager Richard Waygood gave his impression of the day; “Today is not the day we were hoping for, but the most important thing is that all riders and horses are back in camp and none the worse for wear.

“Good sport is never knowing the outcome until the final competitor has crossed the finish line. Sometimes, the smallest things can completely rewrite the leaderboard and that’s what makes eventing so exciting.

“The British team has had a fantastic run of success in recent years, but sport goes in cycles and the bubble has to burst at some point. For that to happen at a championship on home soil is unfortunate – our riders are gutted for themselves, their horses and their connections, but also for the British public, who have turned out in their thousands to support us and now won’t see us in a position to defend our team title. 

“Yaz, Caroline, Piggy and Bubby all came out today and gave it one hundred percent, but it just wasn’t their day. However, the sign of a true sportsperson is being able to turn disappointment into a strength and I know that they’ll come back from this stronger and with an even greater drive to succeed as we campaign towards the FEI World Championships next year and LA 2028.

“Tomorrow is another day and we’ll now turn our focus to cheering on Tom and Laura as they campaign for a spot on the individual podium.”

While the individual podium features the same combinations as it did this morning, Laura Collett now takes top spot after going 10 seconds faster across country than Germany’s Michael Jung. She doesn’t have a fence in hand over the reigning Olympic champion, though, and Brit Tom McEwen is in third. Germany’s Calvin Bockmann had the ride of the day, posting the fastest time of 10:15 to climb from 16^th after the dressage to equal fourth, a position he holds with Austrian Lea Siegl.

The individual standings look like:

• 1^st = Laura Collett and London 52 (GBR), 26.6
• 2^nd = Michael Jung and Fischerchipmunk FRH (GER), 28.3
• 3^rd = Tom McEwen and JL Dublin (GBR), 33.0
• =4^th = Calvin Böckmann and The Phantom of the Opera (GER), 36.5
• =4^th = Lea Siegl and Van Helsing P (AUT), 36.5

After the cross-country phase, just six teams remain of the nine who started. Germany has a comfortable cushion over the rest of the field, which gives them firm grasp on an eighth team gold medal.

1^st Germany – 113.7
2^nd Ireland – 150.7
3^rd  Switzerland – 161.34^th France – 167.1
5^th Austria – 183.7
6^th Italy – 211.2

Make or break Sunday

Before the showjumping action can begin tomorrow, there’s the small matter of the second horse inspection for the remaining horses, when the ground jury will inspect them for fitness and wellness following the exertions of today. Once deemed fit, they’ll come forward to contest Paul Connor’s jumping course, where it’s four penalties added for a fence down and 0.4 added for each second over the time allowed.

The first session will get underway at 11:00am and the final, medal-deciding group will jump from 14.00 (subject to change).

Who will stand on the team and individual podiums at the Agria FEI Eventing European Championships 2025? Tomorrow, we find out.

Following the action

You can catch up on all the action from every phase of the Agria FEI Eventing European Championships on FEI.TV, powered by ClipMyHorse.TV. The weekend’s action will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website – both of Sunday’s final jumping sessions will be shown. Session one is scheduled for 10:50 to 12:10, then the final medal session at 13:50 to 15:00 (times subject to change). Find times and results on the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials website, plus everything you need to know about the British squad and the competition is on our online Eventing Hub.

In addition to the Agria FEI Eventing European Championships, the Agria Blenheim International Horse Trials plays host to the dedicated GFS Saddles 8- & 9-year-olds class – and there’s a bumper entry. Follow the competition live on Horse & Country TV to find out.