In just a few hours we’ll be officially underway with competition at the 2023 FEI Eventing European Championships for Seniors, held this year at Haras du Pin in France. It’s an important trial on all accounts, and we can’t wait to see how things shake out by the end.
As is tradition here at EN, we’ve compiled everything we know about each combination competing this weekend into one comprehensive Form Guide. You can also learn more about this weekend’s competition in our Ultimate Guide and our Team primer. Use the link list below for more information on #Euros2023.
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Want to jump straight to a specific nation? Click the links below to jump directly to their section. They nations are listed in drawn order in the list below:
1. Ireland
2. Belgium
3. Germany
4. Netherlands
5. Italy
6. Switzerland
7. Sweden
8. Poland
9. Denmark
10. France
11. Great Britain
12. Austria
13. Denmark
14. Finland
Daniel Dunst and Chevalier 97 – TEAM
Thirteen-year-old Westfalian gelding (Cürten – Laola, by Falkenhof’s Lancer). Owned by O. St. Auto-Pichler Autovermietungs u. Handels GmbH.
4* dressage average: 38.3
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆.5
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 2
The need-to-knows: It’s been since 2015 that Austrian individual representative Daniel Dunst competed at the European Championships, and for this cycle he’s paired up with the 13-year-old Chevalier 97. Daniel acquired the full-time ride on Chevalier 97 from fellow Austrian Peter Pichler ahead of the 2021 season. To that point, the horse competed in pure show jumping — save one 2*-S event in 2019 with Daniel — through the CSI2* level. Showing talent for the versatility test that is eventing, Chevalier 97 easily stepped up to the 4* level last spring, and this year Daniel’s come out with the intention of now asking for more competitive performances. They’ve turned in two clear and inside the time cross country rounds this year so far.
It’s a must-succeed weekend in many ways for the Austrians, who have not yet achieved qualification for the Olympics. The pathway through the Europeans is likely the most realistic option they have to qualify a team. The Austrians finished sixth in the 2021 Europeans, and doing this or better this weekend could keep them in play for Paris.
Fun Fact: Chevalier 97 is the third horse with which Daniel has been selected to compete at the European Championships.
Katrin Khoddam-Hazrati and Oklahoma 2. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Katrin Khoddam-Hazrati and Oklahoma 2 – TEAM
Thirteen-year-old Trakehner mare (Sixtus – Osterfreude V, by Donaumonarch). Bred by Herald Riedl. Owned by Nico Hauf and the rider.
4* dressage average: 37.2
XC speed rating: ☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 1
The need-to-knows: This will be a third Championship appearance for seasoned Oklahoma, who was part of the Austrian team at 2021’s European Championships in Avenches and then went to Pratoni last season. She was 38th at the Euros in 2021, and the Austrian team finished sixth – but the World Championships proved a touch trickier, and she and Katrin were eliminated on course. They began this year with another disappointing run at Montelibretti, but Katrin has since put the wheels back on the bus, and seasoned Oklahoma — who has 17 four-star runs to her name — has had three good, steady clears at the level since. She’s not here to fight for a medal — her first phase isn’t quite in the mix — but she can deliver a solid round and help the Austrian line-up aim for a completion. With just three combinations on the team this year, that’s exactly what they need.
Fun fact: Katrin has historically chosen not to work with a trainer, but instead to self-educate and focus on the production of her horses without outside influence.
Austria’s Lea Siegl and Van Helsing P. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Lea Siegl and Van Helsing P – TEAM
Thirteen-year-old German Sporthorse gelding (Van Gogh – Carisma P, by Carismo). Bred by Pfitzmann Gbr. Owned by Harald Siegl.
4* dressage average: 32
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 0
The need-to-knows: At the 2021 Europeans, Lea and Van Helsing P finished best of the Austrian contingent, taking individual 16th place after delivering a 28.7 on the flat, cruising around for eight time penalties across the country, and jumping clear on the final day. They’ve got course form at Haras du Pin, too; they came here, as most of Europe did, for last year’s CCIO4*-S, which had over 100 entries and was the final prep run for Pratoni for the majority of the entered horses. They jumped clear, adding 7.6 time penalties — but in that seriously high-calibre field, that was only enough to put them in 44th. Still, don’t underestimate them: they’ve won at CCI4*-S and CCI4*-L this year (Strzegom Nations Cup and Montelibretti, respectively), their dressage scores have improved considerably over the last few seasons, and Lea is a gutsy, fierce rider who crosses the country with a maturity beyond her years. They come here having not been out of the top ten in any international in a year, and she’ll be looking to carry that trend on. If she can do it, that’ll be an enormous moment for Austria – but in this field, she’ll have to hope for a good, strong course to exert plenty of influence.
Fun fact: At just 22, Lea was the youngest rider in the Tokyo field – but only by the tiniest of margins: Switzerland’s Robin Godel was born one day before her. She managed to qualify an impressive three horses for Tokyo, but opted for top horse DSP Fighting Line. She’s trained by her father, Harald, who rode for Austria at the 2004 Athens Olympics, and she and Katrin were just the second and third women ever to represent Austria in eventing at the Olympics.
Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and Hermione d’Arville. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Lara de Liedekerke-Meier and Hermione d’Arville – TEAM
Ten-year-old Belgian Sporthorse mare (Royaldik – Kyra du Relais Pachis, by Kashmir van Schuttershof). Bred by Larga sprl. Owned by Five Star Eventer sprl and Larga sprl.
4* dressage average: 31.4
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 1
The need-to-knows: Lara has been a stalwart of the Belgian team since her teens, when she first represented the country at the Pony Europeans. In total, she’s ridden in eleven Europeans across the Pony, Junior, Young Rider, and senior levels, and made her World Championships debut in 2010 riding Nooney Blue, her Young Riders partner. Nooney is now a lynchpin of Lara’s extensive breeding programme, and some of her offspring are moving up to the top levels now. Hermione isn’t a daughter of Nooney, but she’s an integral part of the production line at Arville, the Belgian castle estate at which Lara and her husband, German eventer and Belgian chef d’equipe Kai Steffen Meier, base their operation and run an international horse trials, too. She’s also on excellent form this year, as is Lara, who comes to Haras du Pin off the back of a top ten placing at Aachen with Ducati d’Arville, top ten placings in Luhmühlen’s ultra-competitive CCI4*-S with Hermione and Hooney, and a fourth place finish in the CCIO4*-S at Jardy last month with Hermione. Belgium leads the way comfortably in the Nations Cup series, but is hoping to clinch their Paris qualification here, and the tangible confidence within the ranks will help them. They’re ready to put a tough few years – which culminated in a first-fence freak fall at Pratoni for Lara and Hermione — behind them, and so we should too.
Fun fact: Lara, who has a Master’s degree in Commerce, was raised by eventing parents: “For as long as I can remember, there have always been horses around me. I got my first pony when I was eight years old. It wasn’t a very easy journey from the start [of her competitive eventing career]. I was often eliminated. I was told that I lacked fighting spirit to get to the top level. There were a lot of pitfalls but I think it forged my character.”
Karin Donckers and Fletcha Van’t Verahof. Photo by William Carey.
Karin Donckers and Fletcha van’t Verahof – TEAM
Eighteen-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Vigo D’Arsouilles – Southern Queen xx, by South Gale xx). Bred by Peter Van Dame-De Smedt. Owned by Joris De Brabanderer, Carl Bouckaert, and the rider.
4* dressage average: 27.1
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆.5
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 1
The need-to-knows: There’s no horse and rider combo in this field that’s amassed the breadth and depth of experience that Karin and her stalwart partner Fletcha have. This will be their eighth championship together; they’ve previously competed at the 2015, 2017, and 2019 Europeans, the 2014, 2018, and 2022 World Championships, and the 2016 Olympics. The 2014 World Championships is, perhaps, the most interesting one to look at here: it was also held at Haras du Pin, in a horrendously wet year, and Karin and Fletcha gritted their teeth and finished fifth individually. Now, in what is probably the horse’s last hurrah as a team mount (though he’s so tough that we can’t really rule out a Paris bid, if this week’s efforts to qualify as a nation go to plan), he brings 35 four-star runs and three five-star runs’ worth of experience to the table, and is ready to be a banker combination that can seal the deal if the going gets tough. Expect to see them in one of the most highly-pressurised roles, working as pathfinder or anchor — and expect them to make it happen, too, as they haven’t had an FEI cross-country jumping penalty since 2018.
Fun fact: It’s not in any way fun, but Karin, who made her Olympic debut back in 1992 after a successful Young Rider career, is one hell of a tough cookie: in 2000, her barn burned down, and while most of the horses were saved, three — including the Olympic-selected Better Times — were killed on a nearby motorway. Through the tremendous heartbreak of the loss, Karin regrouped, qualified another horse for the Games — and then broke her back on the steeplechase. By 2003, though, she was back on the Belgian team, and together, they won a medal at the European Championships that year, and has since been a lynchpin for her country and regularly found in the top ten at the Championship level.
Cyril Gavrilovic and Elmundo de Gasco. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Cyril Gavrilovic and Elmundo de Gasco – TEAM
Nine-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Dollar de la Pierre – Waldbluete, by Baloubet du Rouet). Bred by Johan Nicolas. Owned by the rider.
4* dressage average: 33.9
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 0
The need-to-knows: This will be a first Senior Championship for Cyril, who has ridden for Belgium at two Junior and two Young Rider European Championships previously. Over the last year or so, young Elmundo has stepped up to the plate as a four-star horse: he had an educational, rather than competitive, run at the Blenheim eight- and nine-year-old CCI4*-S in 2022, but has since finished in the top ten in three CCI4*-S runs and in a CCI4*-L, too. He made his four-star debut here last year in a huge field of over 100 competitors, many of whom were in their final prep run for Pratoni, and finished fiftieth after adding romping home clear and just one second over the optimum time. That’s particularly exciting – and the two rails and 36.7 dressage score are both limiting factors that have been improved upon substantially since that debut run. This is still an early career moment for the nine-year-old, but one that’ll be very exciting to watch as we consider the upward trajectory of the Belgian eventing front.
Fun fact: The 31-year-old, who’s currently ranked 100th in the world, set up his training base in Saint Aubin de Medoc, France, two years ago; previously, he studied at the Cadre Noir in Saumur and then did a stint working for William Fox-Pitt before managing a much larger riding school. He’s got his sites firmly set on the next two Olympics, and has successfully utilised crowdfunding to help him achieve some of his goals along the way.
Tine Magnus and Champagne Pia Z. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Tine Magnus and Champagne Pia Z – INDIVIDUAL
Fifteen-year-old Zangersheide gelding (Chablis I – Qurieuze-Pia Z, by Quinar). Bred by Lenaerts Wilfried. Owned by Maessen – Geurts.
4* dressage average: 31.9
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆.5
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆.5
Predicted poles: 1
The need-to-knows: Current Belgian National Champion Tine makes her Senior Championship debut after having represented Belgium at the Junior and Young Rider levels in 2009 and 2012, respectively, and her partner for the week is the horse with whom she won that CCI4*-S national title — a horse who himself has appeared at Junior and Young Rider European Championships for Belgium with former pilot Laurine Thijs. Tine and Pia have been together since mid-2020; a year later, they moved up to four-star, and have had some promising results beyond that Arville win. Their final prep run, a seventh-place finish in the CCIO4*-S at Strzegom, will give them confidence in what is just their third CCI4*-L start — their first, at Boekelo last year, ended with an uncharacteristic elimination, but they began the year by putting that to bed with a smart, steady clear at the level at Montelibretti. This will be their first introduction to the pressures of a Senior call-up, but sunny Tine has always been good at maintaining a healthy dose of perspective and keeping her eyes on the prize.
Fun fact: Tine balances her eventing career with working for her family’s farm, which is one of two farms in Belgium that grows mini chicory — or endives — to supply to supermarkets. Tine’s roles on the farm are varied; she’s part of the administrative team, can be found driving tractors and getting stuck into the physical labour of the job, often transports goods, and works in processing, too.
Senne Vervaecke and Google Van Alsingen. Photo ©FEI/Massimo Argenziano
Senne Vervaecke and Google Van Alsingen – INDIVIDUAL
Twelve-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Watch Me – Pinot Brun van het Pannehof, by Forever). Bred by T. Magnus. Owned by BVBA Alsingen.
4* dressage average: 39.1
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 2
The need-to-knows: This is Senne’s Senior team sophomore appearance: he made his debut riding longtime partner Google at Pratoni last year, finishing 36th individually after a mid-30s dressage, a clear cross-country with 10.8 time penalties, and a frustrating three rails down on that achingly tough showjumping course. Senne’s no stranger to championship pressure — he’s represented Belgium at six Junior and Young Rider European Championships, and at just 26 years, he’s a great prospect for the future of Belgian eventing.
Fun fact: Senne is so deeply entrenched in Belgian eventing that it would be fair to say the whole community is basically family: his father, Kris, is also a team competitor, and Belgian rider Maarten Boon, who has been on recent teams, used to babysit a young Senne. Now, it’s gone full circle, and Senne is Maarten’s child’s riding coach.
Jarno Verwimp and Mahalia. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Jarno Verwimp and Mahalia – TEAM
Eleven-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Elvis ter Putte – Cohiba, by Condrieu xx). Bred by Luc de Busser. Owned by the rider.
4* dressage average: 31.4
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆.5
Predicted poles: 1
The need-to-knows: When Jarno made his Senior championship debut last year at Pratoni, he did so as the youngest rider in the field at just 21 – and Mahalia was one of the youngest horses, too, at just ten. But you’d never have guessed their relative inexperience from their performance, which saw them put a competitive 30 on the board in the first phase, come home clear with 8.4 time penalties, and then — frustratingly — take two poles in the tough final phase for an overall top 30 placing. It becomes even more impressive when you consider the journey that the pair has been on together; he’s produced the smart mare throughout her international career, taking her to an eleventh-place finish in the 2019 Seven-Year-Old World Championships and then partnering her at the Young Rider European Championships two years later. Since Pratoni, they’ve had third and second place finishes in the CCI3*-S and CCIO4*-S Nations Cup at Montelibretti, respectively, helping the Belgian team to the win in the latter, and they were tenth in the Nations Cup at Chatsworth, too, where conditions were seriously tough and few people made it around. Keep an eye on them this week – for one thing, they’re well capable of scoring significantly lower than their dressage average suggests, and we’ve seen them go down to the mid-20s at four-star.
Fun fact: We love a good international eventing friendship, and Jarno’s bestie is in this field representing another team: Nadja Minder of Switzerland is one of his nearest and dearest, and when he finished second to her at Baborowko last year, one of the highlights of the week was seeing them share a cuddle on the podium. They’ll no doubt be cheering one another on from the sidelines this week, as they did at Pratoni.
Hanne Wind Ramsgaard and Amequ Torino. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Hanne Wind Ramsgaard and Amequ Torino – INDIVIDUAL
Eleven-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding (Toulouse – Flying Colors, by Cosmeo). Bred and owned by rider.
4* dressage average: 42.3
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆.5
Predicted poles: 2
The need-to-knows: When Hanne made her Senior Championship debut at Pratoni last year as one of two individual competitors, she did so off the back of a significant personal effort – she and fellow competitor Mia Hastrup did all the fundraising themselves at both the corporate and grassroots level, as no federation funding was available to them. And the pride in what she’d done was palpable: even though she confesses that dressage isn’t homebred Amequ Torino’s favourite phase, and they scored a 45.1 in the ring there, she never stopped beaming. That’s the easiest way to spot her on cross-country, too – just look for the person having the most fun, and that’s probably Hanne. They nailed down an all-important clear round at the World Championships, and though they sadly didn’t proceed to the final phase, they certainly made progress on their big mission: promoting the sport across Denmark. “Eventing is not the biggest sport in Denmark, but it’s growing,” she said to EN. “And if we want the sport to grow… we’re not coming here to win the medals. We need to show that this is actually possible. If you can dream it, you can do it.”
Fun fact: Hanne is an amateur rider – though a high-flying one, having previously competed to five-star with her former top ride, Vestervangs Arami. Her day job? Maintenance of kindergartens. She trained as a carpenter originally, and there’s not much she can’t mend or build. Perhaps a stint dabbling in course design and building could be in her future…
Veera Manninen and Sir Greg
Thirteen-year-old Oldenburg mare (Sir Gregory – Raffinesse, by Royal Diamond). Bred by Regina Wriggers. Owned by Equisport Tolmu Team & Nuuttila Pia & Tolmunen Petri.
4* dressage average: 34.4
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆.5
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 1
The need-to-knows: 23-year-old Veera makes her Senior Championship debut with her 2021 Young Rider Europeans mount, with whom she finished seventh on that occasion. They might feel like a bit of a ‘whodat?’ entrant, but don’t make the mistake of underestimating them – they’ve picked up some serious results in their career together, including fourth place at both Strzegom CCIO4*-S and Sopot CCI4*-L (where they finished inside the time, too) this year alone. They’ve also had another seventh in a CCI4*-S at Strzegom, and an eleventh, so Poland is a particularly happy hunting ground for them. They’ve had a couple of wobbles, too, mind you — they began their year with a very uncharacteristic 20 in a CCI3*-S at Kronenburg, and their last FEI run saw them fall at Jardy last month, which is the only time that’s ever happened to them. With any luck, the experience will have sharpened them up, just as that 20 did at the start of the season, and they can go back to their usual form, which has seen them finish in the top ten in 18 of their 26 FEI starts.
Fun fact: Veera’s parents run a riding school, Teitillä Stables, and it was there that Veera fell in love with horses – and with eventing, in which her mother also competed. The family remains a huge part of Veera’s mission to get to Olympics next year.
Karim Laghouag and Triton Fontaine. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Karim Laghouag and Triton Fontaine – TEAM
Sixteen-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Gentleman IV – Grenouil Fontaine, by Nightko). Bred by Sophie Pellisier. Owned by Phillippe Lemoine, Guy Bessat, S.A.R.L. Ecurie Karim Laghouag, and Camille Laffitte.
4* dressage average: 32
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆.5
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆.5
Predicted poles: 0
The need-to-knows: It’s difficult not to wish you were besties with the effervescent Karim Laghouag, whose zest for the sport and, well, for life in general, is always palpable even in high-stakes competition. He’s been tapped with his tried-and-true partner, Triton Fontaine, for this year’s home turf Championships and are a solid pick for a leaderboard-climbing pair.
At 16 this year, Triton Fontaine is contesting his first European Championships, having finished on the team podium and in individual 12th with Karim in Tokyo as his sole championship to date (2021). But as I said, he’s a tried-and-true partner, very nearly taking the win at Pau last fall and competing in numerous Nations Cup and 4*-L competitions throughout his international career.
This will be Karim’s fourth time heading to Europeans, and he brings forward what looks to be his best horse thus far with a strong shot at helping France to a banner weekend to set them up well for a home Olympics in just under a year’s time.
Fun Fact: Karim kept it in the family early on, training with his uncle Pierre Defrance for 15 years.
Stephane Landois and Chaman Dumontceau. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Stéphane Landois and Ride For Thaïs Chaman Dumontceau – TEAM
Eleven-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Top Berlin du Temple – Cocagne des Pins, by Narcos II). Bred by E.a.r.l. Ecurie du Montceau. Owned by S.C.E.A. Ecurie du Cerisier Bleu.
4* dressage average: 28
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 1
The need-to-knows: Stéphane Landois gets his first senior squad call up this year but brings forward championship experience, having competing in Junior Europeans in 2009, 2013, 2014, and 2015. He’s also got a slew of strong results on his more recent record with this week’s partner, Ride for Thais Chaman Dumontceau. This pair delivered a resounding win in Nations Cup competition at Chatsworth this spring, besting a handful of 5* winners while he was at it.
Stéphane and Chaman Dumontceau have amassed multiple wins at the 4* level, in fact, and will have relished their time in training camp ahead of this week to put the finishing touches on. Earmark this one as a potential to make their mark, and with excellent timing as we’ll certainly be seeing multiple pairs that will also be in contention for the Olympic squad. Stéphane has done his part thus far, earning a spot on the French long list. A competitive finish here would necessitate consideration for a first Olympics appearance next summer.
Fun Fact: Stéphane previously trained out of Saumur and then trained with fellow Frenchman Thomas Carlisle. Less of a fun fact, but crucially important to the Chaman story, is the tragic passing of his former pilot, Thaïs Meheust, who passed away following a fall on cross-country in the national young horse championships with Chaman at Haras du Pin in 2019. Her big dream was to ride at the Paris Olympics, and now, her friend Stéphane is helping her live her dream in spirit – and her family are very much still involved, having set up the Ride for Thaïs Foundation to raise money for safety devices in eventing. Their Senior Championship debut is as much Thaïs’s debut as it is their own.
Gireg le Coz and Aisprit de la Loge. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Gireg Le Coz and Aisprit De La Loge – INDIVIDUAL
Thirteen-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Quppydam des Horts – Image de la Loge, by Dollar du Murier). Bred by S.C.E.A. Elevage de la Loge. Owned by Augustin and Frederique Grand.
4* dressage average: 29.9
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆.5
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 1
The need-to-knows: Gireg le Coz and Aisprit De La Loge burst onto the top level scene last year with an impressive debut at Badminton, finishing in the top 20 at this first effort (Gireg’s first completion at the level). They followed that up with a 13th place finish this year, all but stamping their ticket to Haras du Pin as a result.
This pair’s record at the 4* level is slightly mottled with a few blips, and they’ll be ruing an early ending to their competition at Aachen last month — a missed fence on cross country would be the culprit of their elimination. But despite this, the pair have shown multiple times that they can equally be competitive when it matters, and that’s the side of the coin they’ll be aiming for this week. Their run in the CCIO4*-S here last year was impressive – but for a missed flag penalty, they were nearly immaculate in all three phases.
Fun Fact: Aisprit de la Loge came to pair with Gireg after his owners, Augustin and Frederique Grand, watched the eventing competition at WEG in 2014, held in Caen, France. They purchased the horse as a four-year-old for Gireg to compete, and he’s been his partner ever since.
Gaspard Maskud and Zaragoza. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Gaspard Maksud and Zaragoza – TEAM
Ten-year-old Anglo European Sporthorse mare (Cevin Z – Saracen’s Pride, by Saracen Hill xx). Bred by Jane Young. Owned by Les Haras Nationaux.
4* dressage average: 30.4
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆.5
Predicted poles: 0
The need-to-knows: Another very impressive pair of rising stars is Gaspard Masked and Zaragoza, who were perhaps one of the most popular pairs at last year’s World Championships at Pratoni del Vivaro. Pulling off a surprising sixth place individual finish in Italy — the first championship aside from Young Horse Championships at Le Lion in Gaspard’s career — proved that guts, determination, talent, and willingness to dive in headfirst can sometimes work out exactly as you hoped.
For her part, Zaragoza beat out the best of the best in the polling for the 2022 EquiRatings Horse of the Year, earning 50,000 votes from 50 different countries, firmly cementing her in eventing lore. Another notable on her record: she’s proven she can be competitive at Haras du Pin, which could certainly work in her favor for another impressive finish this week.
Fun Fact: Gaspard may be short on senior championship experience, but don’t count him out: he won the French Junior championship at just 16. He eventually opted to move to the UK, basing with Andrew Nicholson as well as Sam Griffiths to further his eventing education.
Benjamin Massie and Edition Fonroy. Photo by Alex Jeffery.
Benjamin Massié and Édition Fonroy – INDIVIDUAL
Nine-year-old Selle Français mare (L’Arc de Triomphe – Starlette Fonroy, by Quick Star). Bred by Jean-Luc and Florence van Hoencker. Owned by Jean-Luc van Hoencker.
4* dressage average: 34.8
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 1
The need-to-knows: Reserve pair Benjamin and Fonroy are an eleventh-hour addition to the French line-up after Héloïse Le Guern and Canakine du Sudre withdrew just after the horse’s final gallop at training camp, due to some sensitivity in a foreleg. But what a solid replacement this duo is: at just nine years old, catty, clever Fonroy has a number of very good results to her name so far. Most recently? A super run amongst the finest of company at CHIO Aachen’s CCIO4*-S, in which the pair finished 13th; they were also eleventh in her sole CCI4*-L run at Boekelo last year and sixth on her CCI4*-S debut last June. That’s all she’s got as far as four-star experience goes, but in ten FEI runs, she’s been clear nine times, just retiring on course in her debut CCI3*-S two years ago. She’s quick, she’s game, and she really jumps – so as long as that overrules her inexperience, she could really make a name for herself this week with championship debutant — but nevertheless very experienced — Benjamin aboard.
Fun fact: Benjamin, who began eventing at eighteen after spending his teens showjumping, has been quietly amassing some considerable five-star experience, beginning with his impressive debut back in 2010. At the age of 24, he made his first five-star start at Badminton, riding Haston d’Elpegère, a horse he’d competed just a handful of times. Together, they delivered one of just four clear rounds inside the time across the country. He’s a serious jockey in this phase, and that’ll go a long way to helping Fonroy find her feet in her own Senior championship debut.
Nicolas Touzaint and Absolut Gold HDC. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Nicolas Touzaint and Absolut Gold HDC – TEAM
Thirteen-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Grafenstolz – Belle Meralaise xx, by Verglas xx). Bred by Philippe Patenotte. Owned by Haras des Coudrettes.
4* dressage average: 31.1
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 0
The need-to-knows: Nicolas Touzaint and Absolute Gold HDC are another Olympic-seasoned pair on the French roster, again demonstrative of the impressive depth the French are exhibiting in this Games build-up. This pair were a pair of the bronze medal-winning squad in Tokyo, finishing sixth individually to earn Nicolas’ highest Olympic placing in five starts. This will be a jaw-dropping tenth European Championship appearance for Nicolas, who’s twice been crowned the individual winner (2003, 2007) and finished inside the top 12 three times.
This pair had an unfortunate early ending to their time in Pratoni, parting ways at the 17th fence on cross country. It was a rather shocking ending to the weekend, as the pair had never so much as had a cross country penalty in their international career together to that point. But you live and learn and you’re thankful you get to try again, and that’s exactly what they’ll be out to do this week.
Fun fact: Nicolas, whose uncle Thierry is the team chef d’equipe, was something of a child prodigy: he was just 20 when he competed at his first Olympics in 2000, and he became the youngest-ever European Champion when he was 22. He’s also the only Frenchman ever to win Badminton, which he took in 2008 with Hidalgo de l’Ile.
Nicolai Aldinger and Timmo. Photo by Mariusz Chmieliński.
Nicolai Aldinger and Timmo – INDIVIDUAL
Thirteen-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Timolino xx – Windgold, by Carlos D Z). Bred by Ole Lehmann. Owned by Jutta and Michael Spethmann.
4* dressage average: 33.5
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 1
The need-to-knows: Nicolai gets his first Europeans call-up this week with the 13-year-old Timmo, who’s been tactfully produced as he’s come up the levels. The proof is in the pudding as the pair have collected increasingly competitive results in recent months. They were set to move up to the 5* level at Luhmühlen in June of this year, but a badly-timed knock ahead of the first inspection put paid to that plan. They rebounded with a clear cross country at the notoriously tricky and twisty CHIO Aachen, and they’ll have since been fine-tuning to ensure they can put in their strongest performance this week. They’re seriously reliable across the country, and haven’t had a cross-country jumping penalty since the gelding’s second four-star back in 2020.
Timmo is in fighting fit for his big debut this week, and while it’s likely that he and Nicolai are tapped to compete as individuals, it’ll be an ideal experience-building event for a pair that’s got big moves yet to come.
Fun Fact: Nicolai previously trained under Olympic rider Andreas Dibowski.
Sandra Auffarth and Viamant du Matz. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Sandra Auffarth and Viamant du Matz – TEAM
Fourteen-year-old Selle Français gelding (Diamant de Semilly – Heralina X, by Voltigeur le Malin X). Bred by Roger Sevette. Owned by Nikolaus Prinz von Croy.
4* dressage average: 31.4
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 0
The need-to-knows: Sandra Auffarth probably didn’t pack her cowgirl hat for France (honestly, I’d say that’s a mistake), but she’ll certainly be recognizable with her Olympic, World Championships, and most recently Kentucky partner Viamant du Matz. They’re one of a strong German squad this week, which features two former World Champions as well as a healthy influx of younger horses and riders, and though they had a 20 at the Tokyo Olympics, they’re one of Germany’s banker pairs across the country. Viamant du Matz is 14 this year and Sandra has repeatedly remarked at how well he’s felt as he’s gotten on. Dressage has been the biggest point of improvement, she’s said, though they also get in a fair bit of practice in the show jumping ring as well — as does Sandra separately, jumping her string of pure show jumpers in classes such as the Hamburg Derby. With Mat, she finished fourth at Kentucky this year, adding nothing to their first-phase score of 30.4.
When this pair is at their most competitive, they deliver a sub-30 dressage mark as a starting point. If they can squeeze into the 27 or even into the 23 range displayed in 2020, they’ll be well-placed in the early going — but even if they start on a 30, they’re consistent, quick performers in both jumping phases and would be equally counted upon to climb steadily up the standings.
Fun Fact: Here’s that cowgirl hat, in case you missed it.
Malin Hansen-Hotopp and Carlitos Quidditch K. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Malin Hansen-Hotopp and Carlitos Quidditch K – TEAM
Eleven-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Quiwi Dream – Amsterdam, by Cassini I). Bred by Miriam Kuhl. Owned by Bodil Ipsen.
4* dressage average: 31.3
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 1
The need-to-knows: Malin Hansen-Hotopp makes her senior squad championship debut this week with Carlitos Quidditch K, coming off a top-12 finish at CHIO Aachen last month. This pair has been together since the outset of “Schimmi’s” eventing career, having partnered up when the gelding was five. They eventually stepped into Nations Cup competition and collecting several impressive finishes as they moved to the 4* level. They won the 4*-L at Blenheim last fall and have also finished just outside the top 10 at this venue, Haras du Pin, previously. This is a pair whose partnership and friendship is keenly evident when they leave the start box, and this first European Championship will certainly set them up well for future team appearances.
Fun fact: Malin has been inspired by coach Anne-Kathrin Pohlmeier’s approach to riding dressage tests, as she explained to Horse & Hound: “In the spring, she showed me a video of when she rode a six-year-old at the World Championships for young horses and it was so impressive as she was riding every single [move] for a 10,” she said. “It impressed me so much that I’m riding every test so differently to last year – I’m coming in and saying, ‘ok, let’s go!’”
Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH – TEAM
Fifteen-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Contendro I – Havanna, by Heraldik xx). Bred by ZG Meyer-Kulenkampff. Owned by Deutsches Olympiade-Komitee für Reiterei e.V., Klaus Fischer, Sabine Fischer, and Hilmer Meyer-Kulenkampff.
4* dressage average: 23.2
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆.5
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 0
The need-to-knows: Ze Terminator certainly needs little introduction, as does his partner this weekend fischerChipmunk FRH. Originally nominated to the long list with both Chipmunk and the lesser experienced Kilcandra Ocean Power, the 2022 Kentucky winner eventually got the final nod to head to France this week.
Michael and Chip have collected two 4*-S wins this far in 2023, though the campaign has been relatively light as Michael has opted to prioritize Paris for his top partner. Chip, at 15 this year, is experienced enough to not need a heavy amount of prep runs for a major championship, and the light schedule will have the gelding feeling fresh and fit for the competition ahead. This seasons runs, while impressive on paper, haven’t been quite at Chip’s usual standards, though: they had a mind-boggling 20 at Strzegom in March, and since then have looked good, but haven’t managed to catch the time yet this year. It’s a small margin they’ve been missing it by, but when you’re analysing previous near-perfection, it still feels notable.
We won’t be surprised to see this pair take a lead this weekend, though they will have competition even in the first phase with several other pairs capable of a low-20s mark. If Michael manages a sub-20, he could find himself in sole possession of the lead to defend at the start of cross country.
Michael went on a European Championships tear in the 2010s, earning three consecutive individual titles on three different horses (2011, 2013, 2015), also contributing to team gold medals in each turn.
Fun Fact: Michael Jung shares the same birthday as Harry Potter, which is inarguably the only fun fact you need to know about him.
Jerome Robiné and Black Ice. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Jérôme Robiné and Black Ice – INDIVIDUAL
Thirteen-year-old Irish Sporthorse gelding (Vechta – Brookhall Lady, by Touchdown). Bred by Judith McClelland. Owned by Dorothea von Zedtwitz.
4* dressage average: 31.6
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 1
The need-to-knows: Jérôme Robiné and Black Ice stepped up to 5* level competition this year at Luhmühlen, finishing in an eye-catching tenth place – and likely would have been higher save for two unfortunate rails down on Sunday. Nonetheless, that performance stamped this pair’s ticket to France, and though they may find themselves tapped to compete as individuals this weekend they’ll be collecting invaluable intel as they continue to make a bid for the Paris team next year.
Jérôme is a product of the military-based Warendorf school system, which instills riding skill and horsemanship in each young rider that passes through its ranks. Julia Krajewski is one product of and current coach of this program, to name just one.
Black Ice underwent a few changes of rider in the earlier stages of his career, but since he came into Jerome’s stable he’s notched increasingly competitive results. This is a potential dark horse pair who could impress in their Championship debut.
Fun Fact: Jérôme earned great success in his junior career, competing in five Junior Europeans, earning individual bronze in his first attempt in 2014 and also winning three team medals in the process.
Christoph Wahler and Carjatan S. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.
Christoph Wahler and Carjatan S – TEAM
Fourteen-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Clearway – Kajenna, by Galant Vert xx). Bred by Carl-Friedrich Soehrmann. Owned by Lena Thoenies and the rider.
4* dressage average: 29.5
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 0
The need-to-knows: This week marks the third European Championships appearance for Christoph Mahler and the 14-year-old Carjatan S. They first represented Germany at the Championships at Luhmühlen in 2019, where they finished in 20th individually. They followed that performance up with a seventh place individual finish in the 2021 Championships at Avenches, in which Team Germany also finished in silver position (Christoph competed as an individual). This pair also stepped up to their first World Championship together at Pratoni last fall, finishing very nearly on their dressage mark in 22nd individually and helping the team to gold.
That depth of experience should earn them a team berth this weekend, and they’re hot off a fourth place finish at Aachen to help seal the deal. This is a pair who’s collected a healthy sum of wins in international competition, and they can generally be trusted to deliver a clear and quick cross country when it counts. They’re also quite adept show jumpers, so it’s a good bet that they’ll be a solid finishing score for the Germans’ bid for the podium this weekend. The first phase can be the most frustrating, not because it’s ever bad, but because we know it can be SO good – but since Christoph has perfected the horse’s fitness regime, he can sometimes bubble over and slip up into the 30s, when he’s achingly capable of a mid-20s mark.
Fun Fact: Christoph manages the famous Klosterhof Medingen, originally run by his grandfather Eugen, and its robust breeding operation.
Ros Canter’s Lordships Graffalo Photo by Shelby Allen.
Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo – TEAM
Eleven-year-old British Sporthorse gelding (Grafenstolz – Cornish Queen, by Rock King). Bred by Lordships Stud. Owned by Michael Saul.
4* dressage average: 26.4
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 0
The need-to-knows: We’re lucky to have the 2023 Badminton winners in our presence this week, and they’re a serious contender to take home the full individual honors as well. 2018 World Champion Ros Canter brings forward the incredibly talented Lordships Graffalo for his second (!!) senior championship appearance. Though he’s just 11 years old, “Walter” boasts more experience and successes than some of his counterparts this weekend, with a fourth place individual finish at Pratoni added on to his Badminton win (in addition to a second place finish in his debut at the 5* level in 2022 – no big deal).
We’re familiar with Ros as one of the grittiest riders on the scene, and that grit serves her well in these tough team competitions. She’ll be an excellent leader for the truly deep Team GB, which poses perhaps the most serious threat to win the team gold in France this weekend.
Fun Fact: Lordships Graffalo is a half-sibling to another Ros Canter ride, Pencos Crown Jewel, who also has several top 5* finishes under her belt at the age of 14.
Laura Collett and London 52. Photo by Alex Jeffery.
Laura Collett and London 52 – TEAM
Fourteen-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Landos I – Vernante, by Quinar). Bred by Ocke Riewerts. Owned by Mr Keith Scott, Miss Karen Bartlett and the rider.
4* dressage average: 25.6
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 0
The need-to-knows: Laura Collett and London 52 are household names at this point in their career, yet they just keep adding more and more accomplishments to their already-impressive CV. After having to withdraw from Badminton earlier this year due to an ill-timed minor injury, Laura rerouted her Tokyo partner to Luhmühlen, where she took home her third 5* victory (she first won Pau in 2020, and then Badminton in 2022 – and all three wins came from the front). The victory in Germany proved to all, once and for all, just how versatile “Dan” is as a true-blue event horse. He can attack the biggest fences and the grueling distance at Badminton, he could manage his energy to come home full of it in the high heat on a completely new style of track in Tokyo, and he could still make the notoriously tricky time on the winding road that is Luhmühlen.
That’s a whole lot of growth in the intervening years between this pair’s first Euros appearance in 2019, where they encountered elimination at the hugely influential bird in the water at Luhmühlen, and this second one. This is another pair that’s a serious contender for the individual honors, though the team’s finish will take priority for these riders this weekend.
Fun Fact: Laura is something of a racehorse whisperer, often taking in Thoroughbreds who need to learn the skills of jumping for their careers in the eventing offseason.
Yasmin Ingham with Banzai du Loir. Photo by Shelby Allen.
Yasmin Ingham and Banzai du Loir – TEAM
Twelve-year-old Selle Français gelding (Nouma D’Auzay – Gervoise du Chochet, by Livarot). Bred by Pierre Gouye. Owned by The Sue Davis Fund.
4* dressage average: 26.5
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 0
The need-to-knows: It’s pretty crazy to think about winning a World Championships title before contesting your first European Championship, but that’s exactly what Yasmin Ingham has done. After taking individual gold in Pratoni last year – becoming the first ever non-team rider to do so – and with a handy win at CHIO Aachen in her pocket, the Isle of Man native is now poised to go after another coveted title at Haras du Pin.
Yasmin’s earned herself a reputation for having ice in her veins, and that mental grit earned her two medals in Junior European Championship competition before she entered the senior ranks. It also allowed her the space and skill to leave a disappointing cross country penalty incurred at Kentucky behind to rebound at Aachen this summer. Now, Yas gets her shot to bring the coveted trophy home for the Brits, and could also make a strong bid to collect an individual medal to boot.
Fun fact: Yasmin’s home, the Isle of Man, is a tiny island in the Irish sea that’s just 13 miles wide and 33 miles long.
Tom Jackson and Capels Hollow Drift. Photo by Libby Law.
Tom Jackson and Capels Hollow Drift – INDIVIDUAL
Twelve-year-old Irish Sporthorse gelding (Shannondale Sarco st Ghyvan – Lucky Crest, by Lucky Gift xx). Bred by Jeanette Glynn. Owned by Patricia Davenport, Milly Simmie, and Sarah Webb.
4* dressage average: 31.3
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆.5
Predicted poles: 0
The need-to-knows: Tom Jackson and Capels Hollow Drift finished in a convincing fifth place at Badminton this year despite conditions that necessitated taking a length of time on cross country. This combined with their second place finish at Burghley last fall and a top-20 finish in their very first attempt at the level at Badminton in 2022 makes them a serious “one to watch” pair this weekend and looking ahead to Paris.
This will be Tom’s first time at the European Championships — he was previously selected for the 2015 Euros at Blair Castle, but had to withdraw his horse prior to competition. But worry not – he’s not short on team or championship experience, having earned medals in the Junior Europeans previously.
Purchased as a foal by owners Sarah Webb, Patricia Davenport and Milly Simmie, Capels Hollow Drift has shown prowess for the sport since his young horse years, earning the silver spot on the podium in the FEI WBFSH Young Horse Breeding World Championships in Le Lion d’Angers in 2018. He’s been with Tom ever since his seven-year-old year and now stands poised to be a consistent presence on Team GB for seasons to come.
Fun Fact: Tom is a student of Pippa Funnell’s, and he hails from a horsey family, as his mother was a dressage rider and his father a farrier. His two sisters also participate in eventing.
Kitty King and Vendredi Biats. Photo by William Carey.
Kitty King and Vendredi Biats – TEAM
Fourteen-year-old Selle Français gelding (Winningmood – Liane Normande, by Camelia de Ruelles). Bred by Philippe Brivois. Owned by Diana Brown, Sally Lloyd Baker, Sally Eyre, and Samantha Wilson.
4* dressage average: 27.7
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 4
The need-to-knows: It’s been a year of very nearlys for the ultra-talented Kitty King and the Selle Francais gelding Vendredi Biats. Since finishing in the top 10 individually at the last European Championships, they’ve amassed a collection of equally competitive results. They’ve come tantalizingly close to capturing coveted 4* wins and even were within a breath of winning Luhmühlen, finishing second to Laura Collett and London 52. An early lead at Badminton would slip away after the pair parted ways on cross country in a total unexpected mishap.
All of these “almosts” are fuel to Kitty’s already-intense fire, and she’ll be wanting to finish stronger than she did at Avenches in 2021 (and also perhaps improving on her best Euros finish, seventh individually with Vendredi Biats in 2019), with a full season and a half in between to hone her craft.
Together since “Froggy” was five years old and sourced from Lucy and Padraig McCarthy’s bustling sourcing yard, the partnership Kitty has with her horse is one that’s been cultivated carefully. Look for this pair to put their hard work on display this week, flashing a low-20s score that could even threaten for the first-phase lead.
Fun Fact: Froggy might look a gleaming white unicorn in the ring, thanks to groom Chloe Fry’s incredible efforts, but if you were to see him in his element? “He’s a dirty little Frenchman and he loves the mud,” says Kitty.
Tom McEwen and JL Dublin. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Tom McEwen and JL Dublin – INDIVIDUAL
Twelve-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Diarado – Zarinna, by Canto). Bred by Volker Gottsche-Gotze. Owned by Mr & Mrs J Lambert and Deirdre Johnston.
4* dressage average: 24.9
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆.5
Predicted poles: 0
The need-to-knows: The reigning European Champion horse formerly partnered with Nicola Wilson returns to have another crack at the title this year with Tom McEwen as the rider. Despite their relatively young partnership, Tom and “Dubs” have already found success together: they finished second in JL Dublin’s first 5* attempt at Kentucky this spring and were also second in their first 4*-L together at Boekelo last fall. Though they did have a miscommunication at Aachen, it’s quite easy to forgive that mistake and believe that this pair will be in top form to help the Brits secure a medal in France. It’s certainly a bit odd to see Tom paired up with a horse other than his Tokyo and Pratoni partner Toledo de Kerser, but JL Dublin poses an equally strong threat and once again, this is a pair you can add to your list of potential gold medalists — and if he’s been tapped as Britain’s individual, that’s just a testament to the depth this big eventing power currently boasts.
Fun fact: Apparently Tom McEwen is your name if you’ve got a general need for speed: a quick Google search in the U.S. reveals a drag racer with the same name who was a big winner with the National Hot Rod Association. Big shoes to fill, Tom. Big shoes.
Susie Berry and Clever Trick. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Susie Berry and Clever Trick – TEAM
Eleven-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare (Financial Reward xx – Bonnie Dolly, by Bonnie Prince xx). Bred by Vincent Cousins. Owned by Jayne McGivern.
4* dressage average: 36.2
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 1
The need-to-knows: After competing in six Junior European Championships, finishing as strong as eighth individually in 2013 with Bolero de Ste. Hermelle, Susie Berry gets her first start on the Senior Europeans squad. Of course, she’s already represented Ireland on a World Championships team, making her a full-fledged competitor ready for the next challenge. This time, she’ll team up with the 11-year-old Irish mare Clever Trick, who would be the lesser experienced between horse and rider.
Susie and Clever Trick have a newer partnership, having only struck up last year after Susie took over the ride from Alex Donohoe for owner Jayne McGivern. Save one compulsory retirement at Chatsworth’s 4*-S this spring, though, the pair have delivered consistent results that show promise to continue improving ahead of Paris.
A dressage mark in the 30s won’t be a threat for an early competing position, but if this pair can deliver two clear jumping phases, they’ll have done their role for the Irish, who are at least safe in Olympic qualification with their fifth place finish at Pratoni last fall.
Fun Fact: Susie is a product of the Windrush Equestrian Foundation Young Eventer Program, which offers mentoring and guidance from top professionals for aspiring eventing stars. She’s also spent time training under Piggy March.
Ian Cassells and Woodendfarm Jack O D – INDIVIDUAL
Ten-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Jack of Diamonds – Woodend Ard Hill, by Ardcroney Lad VII). Bred by Noel and Nuala Prendergast. Owned by Nuala Predergast.
4* dressage average: 34.2
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 1
The need-to-knows: This will be the first Senior Europeans appearance for Ian Cassells, who last competing in championship competition as a junior in 2012. Ian brings forward the 10-year-old Irish gelding Woodendfarm Jack O D, who’s proven himself to be a consistent campaigner as he’s progressed up the levels under Ian’s tutelage. They’ve just two blips on their FEI record but have been competitive enough to collect a second place finish in their first 4*-L as well as the 4*-S in Mallow, Ireland earlier this summer.
While this pair’s dressage work won’t earn enough favor from the judges to grab a top spot on the board, they’ve got a nearly-faultless cross country record to lean on Saturday. They are known to have a pole down on the final day, which may keep them from competing as individuals. But should they be tapped as a team combination, a strong completion may be strong enough to climb if the going gets tough.
Fun Fact: Ian has an Honors Degree in Agricultural Science and also captained his university’s equestrian club during his time in school.
Sarah Ennis and Grantstown Jackson. Photo by Alex Jeffery.
Sarah Ennis and Grantstown Jackson – TEAM
Twelve-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Clover Brigade – Winning Lass xx, by Right Win xx). Bred by Caroline Widger. Owned by Peter Cole and Susanna Francke.
4* dressage average: 38.2
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆.5
Predicted poles: 1
The need-to-knows: After missing the 2021 European Championships, three-time European Championships competitor and Tokyo Olympian Sarah Ennis takes another shot at the major stage this week in France. She’s been selected with a younger horse on her string, the 12-year-old Grantstown Jackson. The Irish gelding had a solid season at the 4* level last year, earning a second place finish in the 4*-S at Ballendenisk this spring. He also finished in the top 25 at Boekelo, his sole 4*-L to date, last fall.
Ireland is safe on Olympic qualification but will still be competing for a strong finish at European Championships. They’re also showing some promising depth in younger horses ahead of the Paris Olympics in just under a year’s time, and this weekend gives the squad a chance to test some of those new talents in a high-pressure situation. We’ll get to see some of the stuff horses like Grantstown Jackson are made of, and if things go to Sarah’s plan, we’ll see him come out of this week with much more experience and maturity gained.
Fun Fact: Sarah also has a long-held interest in and talent for sailing, thanks to her growing up near water. She’s also a qualified Divemaster diver.
Jennifer Kuehnle and Polly Blue Eyes – INDIVIDUAL
Fifteen-year-old German Warmblood mare (Concinales xx – Pollyanna’s, by Strohmann xx). Bred by Dagmar Hayessen. Owned by Hans Kuehnle.
4* dressage average: 38.4
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 1
The need-to-knows: 22-year-old Jennifer Kuehnle gets her first Senior Europeans call up this time around, having already one individual gold medal to her name in Junior European competition (2015). She’s represented Ireland five times in Junior Championships, two of which with her current partner, Polly Blue Eyes.
Jennifer and Polly Blue Eyes have been partners since 2018, contesting their first Junior European Championship together the following year and finishing in the top 15. They followed that up in 2021 with a sixth place finish in the 3*-L division of Juniors. They’ve been truly consistent across the country, with just a couple of blips on their record. They’ve only got about a year of competition at the 4* level under their belts, but they’ll certainly be contenders to finish strong for the team and build up that senior experience needed for future apperances.
We’ll be looking at a mid- to high-30s mark for their starting point. They’ll be more than prepared to do some climbing with two clear jumping rounds.
Fun Fact: When the schedules align, you’ll see frequently see Jennifer and partner Cathal Daniels helping each other out with grooming and other horsey partner duties.
Joseph Murphy and Calmaro. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Joseph Murphy and Calmaro – TEAM
Twelve-year-old German Sport Horse gelding (Carpalano – Elster W, by Elsurimo xx). Bred by Hartmut Schack. Owned by Richard Ames, Tanya Ames, Claire Mayne, Charlie Mayne, and Annette O’Callaghan.
4* dressage average: 33.2
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 1
The need-to-knows: Former Laura Collett ride Calmaro would be among the more experienced horses on the Irish squad, with two top-15 5* finishes to his name (he was most recently 9th at Kentucky this spring). With Olympian Joseph Murphy in the irons, he’s poised to be a strong contender to be the top placed of the bunch if he can replicate some of his strongest performances.
Calmaro gives big time old-school event horse, and his rangy nature is well-suited to a long, endurance testing track. While he has shown capability of producing a low-20s mark at lower levels, Calmaro is more likely to hit the board in the low- to mid-30s early on. His excellent cross country record will allow this pair to climb the leaderboard steadily, and if he can collect a clear round on Sunday he’ll have set himself up well to potentially be Joseph’s next Olympic mount.
Fun Fact: Joseph at one point had his jockey’s license, even winning a few times in point-to-point racing.
Felicity Ward and Regal Bounty. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Felicity Ward and Regal Bounty – TEAM
Twelve-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (VDL Orestus – Edge of Reason, by Senang Hati xx). Bred by Miriam de Feu. Owned by James O’Callaghan.
4* dressage average: 37
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 2
The need-to-knows: Felicity Ward teams up with her World Championships partner, Regal Bounty, for her first Europeans appearance this week. This pair had an excellent spring, capping off with a 15th place finish at Luhmühlen in June.
Despite some uncharacteristic trouble on cross country at Pratoni (an event for which they had been called up from the reserves), this pair is quite dependable to deliver a clear cross country round — and at a championship like this, those are more valuable than gold by the end of Saturday. This will be a challenge this pair will relish, and though show jumping has proven to be their undoing at times, they could firmly place themselves on the radar for Paris with a showing of what they can accomplish this week.
Fun fact: Felicity isn’t just a talented event rider — she’s also an exceptional artist. You can check out her work here.
Evelina Bertoli and Fidjy des Melezes. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Evelina Bertoli and Fidjy Des Melezes – TEAM
Twelve-year-old Belgian Sport Horse mare (Aga Khan – Louna de Sainte-Ode, by Bayard D’Elle). Bred by Hilaire Toussaint. Owned by Az. Agricola di Campello Argenta and Evelina Bertoli.
4* dressage average: 33.5
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆.5
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆.5
Predicted poles: 1
The need-to-knows: Evelina Bertoli certainly isn’t short on championship experience: as a junior, she represented Italy five times in Young Rider and Junior Championship competition and also has two World Chamoionships and a European Championship appearance under her belt. This will be her fourth senior squad appearance, and this time she brings forward the 12-year-old mare Fidjy des Melezes, with whom she finished 43rd with a steady clear. They’ve had some exciting results recently; an eleventh place finish in the very competitive CCI4*-S at Luhmühlen is the highlight, and a third place at Baborowko CCI4*-L is also promising, but a CCI3*-S win at Avenches just before coming here will have put some confidence-building pep in their step too.
Fun fact: You’ll spot several of the Italian riders in uniform — but not necessarily the same one. It’s common for Italians to join the armed forces as riders in order to get funding and support, and Evelina, for her part, is a member of the Penitentiary Police Corps.
Susanna Bordone and Imperial van de Holtakkers. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Susanna Bordone and Imperial Van De Holtakkers – TEAM
Fifteen-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Quidam de Revel – Eva van de Holtakkers, by Argentinus). Bred by Onno Holtrtust. Owned by Maria Giovanna Mazzocchi.
4* dressage average: 33.9
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 1
The need-to-knows: Despite the fact their partnership only began in 2019, Susanna Bordone and Imperial van de Holtakkers already have one Olympic appearance under their belt in Tokyo, where they were the highest-placed Italians in 15th individually. They also headed to Pratoni last year, though they ran into problems on cross-country and were ultimately eliminated. Another elimination followed at Montelibretti’s CCI4*-L in November, but they had two clear CCI4*-L cross-country runs this spring before another E — though this time for a fall on the flat — at Luhmühlen in the CCI4*-S. Their last run earned them sixth at Avenches CCIO4*-S, which will help them to put the wheels back on the bus, but their goal this week will be an all-important completion as the Italians try to book their Paris ticket.
Fun fact: Imperial van de Holtakkers previously competed at the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon with former rider, Belgian Joris Vanspringel.
Fosco Girardi (ITA) and Euphorie. Photo ©FEI/Massimo Argenziano
Fosco Girardi and Euphorie – TEAM
Eleven-year-old Holsteiner mare (Cilian – Unica IX, by Castellini). Bred by Ralf Boettcher. Owned by the rider.
4* dressage average: 35.2
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆.5
Predicted poles: 1
The need-to-knows: This will be a Senior Championship debut for 26-year-old Fosco, who nevertheless has plenty of team experience — he’s ridden on a Pony European team, plus another appearance as an individual, two Junior European teams, and three Young Rider European teams. His partner this week is the former Lorenzo Monachesi ride Euphorie, with whom he finished second at last year’s end-of-season CCI4*-L at Montelibretti. They’ve logged classy clears at four-star at venues including Strzegom, Avenches, and Marbach, and although they began their year with a retirement in a three-star at Montelibretti and had a 20 two runs ago at Strzegom CCIO4*-S, they’ve gone well since and that will hopefully serve to sharpen them up for this big career step.
Fun fact: Eventing’s a family affair for Fosco — his father, Francesco Girardi, evented for Italy at the Olympic Games in 1988 and 1992.
Emiliano Portale and Scuderia 1918 Future. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Emiliano Portale and Scuderia 1918 Future – INDIVIDUAL
Fifteen-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (Fetcher N – Grace Keg, by Le Mistral). Bred by P-Agro AB/fam. Per Håkansson. Owned by Scuderia 1918 Capital Srl.
4* dressage average: 31.6
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆.5
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆.5
Predicted poles: 2
The need-to-knows: This will be just a fifth FEI run for this new partnership, who teamed up at the start of the year; previously, Future was ridden by fellow Italian Pietro Grandis. Their most recent run, in the CCIO4*-S at Strzegom, wouldn’t be an ideal final outing – they retired on course after a 20. But prior to that, they were sixth in Baborowko’s CCI4*-L, third in Arezzo’s CCI3*-S, and sixth in Ravenna’s CCI2*-S. Emiliano has some team experience himself, having ridden in two Senior Europeans and three Young Rider Europeans. The gelding is very capable, as is the rider, but they’ll have to rely on their individual experience to create a positive shared experience this week, because this is still a getting-to-know-you mission.
Fun fact: Emiliano has worked as a selector for Italy’s pony teams, and told the Italian Federation, “as a coach I’m not that demanding. I like to do things well, respecting the individuality and identity of everyone. I get into the group. If I need to play with them, I’ll play; run with them, I’ll run; train with them, I’ll train. I’m always beside them.”
Federico Sacchetti and GRC Shiraz. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Federico Sacchetti and Grc Shiraz – INDIVIDUAL
Ten-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding (Arkansas VDL – Loughnavatta Pearl, by Flagmount King). Bred by Rory Costigan. Owned by Rusticoni Antonio.
4* dressage average: 42.2
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 1
The need-to-knows: 24-year-old Federico is making his first ever Championship appearance this week, and does so mounted on one of the youngest horses in the field. The pair have been together throughout the ten-year-old’s career, and while their first-phase tends to leave them out of the hunt, they’re very capable of delivering a smart, reasonably swift round. They’ve not competed here before, but they do have form over terrain-heavy courses — such as Pratoni CCIO4*-S, where they whizzed around with 1.2 time penalties last year.
Giovanni Ugolotti and Swirly Temptress. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Giovanni Ugolotti and Swirly Temptress – TEAM
Eleven-year-old Anglo European Sporthorse mare (For Ladies Only – Betty Barclay, by Brentano II). Bred by Kristina Rausing. Owned by Krin and Kristina Rausing.
4* dressage average: 29.4
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 2
The need-to-knows: Swirly Temptress probably has the best name in the field, which is an important distinction on the EN scale. The 11-year-old Anglo-European mare is the fourth horse with which Italian WEG rider Giovanni Ugolotti has competed at the European Championships.
Swirly Temptress has been produced by Giovanni since her young horse days — the pair competed in 7-year-old Young Horse Championships at Le Lion as well as in the 8- and 9-year-old championship at Blenheim. They stepped up to the 4* division when competitions resumed late in 2020 and most notably won the 4*-L at Ballindenisk in 2022.
On their day, they can earn a mid-20s mark from the judges, setting them up well to put their mostly-clear cross country record to good use. If they can replicate one of these successful performances this weekend, they’ll be competitive here and have a strong shot at Paris if all roads stay the same.
Fun Fact: Swirly Temptress is still owned by her breeders, Karin and Kristina Rausing. She was originally bred for dressage and was sent to Giovanni to start. She never left.
Merel Blom-Hulsman and Vesuve D’Aveyron – TEAM
Fourteen-year-old Selle Français gelding (Jaguar Mail – Modene X, by Ryon D’Anzex X). Bred by Fabien Lasbouygues. Owned by Radstake Horses.
4*/5* dressage average: x
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 1
The need-to-knows: Merel Blom-Hulsman steps up for an impressive sixth consecutive trip to the Europeans as a member of the Senior team and ninth trip to a European Championship, period (she competed in 2005, 2006, and 2007 as a Junior). With two Olympic Games and two World Equestrian Games also on her CV, it’s safe to say this woman is a competitive warrior.
She’ll team up with the 14-year-old Vesuve D’Aveyron, who is a new ride for her. After taking the reins from former rider Bjinse Venderbosch ahead of the 2022 season, Merel set about forming a partnership with her new partner. They’ve had a couple blips on their short record together, but nothing you wouldn’t chalk to growing pains on paper, and this season they seem to have come out clicking on more cylinders. They won the Strzegom 4*-L in decisive fashion on their dressage score and followed that up with a second place finish in their next 4*-L at the same venue.
Their dressage marks will keep this pair from beating the leaders early on, but they’ll be a good threat to make some leaps up the board come Saturday.
Fun Fact: Merel isn’t only horse-smart — she also holds a degree in law and finance from Rotterdam University.
The Netherlands’ Janneke Boonzaaijer and ACSI Champ de Tailleur. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Janneke Boonzaaijer and ACSI Champ De Tailleur – TEAM
Sixteen-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Quidam de Revel – Vera, by Oberon du Moulin). Bred by A.C. Hoogendoorn. Owned by H J C Roozendaal and Lieke van der Werf.
4*/5* dressage average: x
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 1
The need-to-knows: Returning to their second European Championships together and looking for another shot after encountering elimination in 2021 are Janneke Boonzaaijer and ASCI Champ De Tailleur. Since then, this pair have collected several clear cross country rounds in FEI competition, also capturing their first win at the 4* level in the Polish Baborowko 4*-L in May.
The Dutch are under some pressure to try to get their Olympic qualification here or by winning the Nations Cup competition, and while they have this shot at Europeans they’ll do all they can to claim it. Clear cross country rounds, even if they aren’t the swiftest, will be valuable to finish a team — a large portion of the battle when it comes to earning a qualification spot.
Janneke and ASCI Champ De Tailleur have scored as low as a 27.1 in 4* competition, and the lower they can sneak that starting mark, the greater shot they’ll have at finishing strong after the jumping phases.
Fun Fact: Janneke’s father, Gert, rode in the military.
Andrew Heffernan and Gideon. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Andrew Heffernan and Gideon – TEAM
Twelve-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding (Lucky Boy – Cinderella, by Induc). Bred by Bemelmans. Owned by Gill Shea, Yvonne Watson, and the rider.
4* dressage average: 30.8
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 1
The need-to-knows: Don’t skim past that dressage average and think you won’t be impressed in the first phase by the relatively inexperienced Gideon, because he’s been on a serious upward trajectory in the dressage over the last year, and it’s been over 12 months since he was out of the 20s in an FEI competition. In his last international, last month’s Aston CCI4*-S, he went down to 25.4, which was good enough for tenth even with a flag penaly; the time before that, it was a 27.9 and sixth at Millstreet CCIO4*-S. It’s no wonder, really, that the powers-that-be decided that perhaps Andy should forsake his usual chef d’equipe duties this week and put in a shift on a horse instead, because Gideon has quietly become something very cool indeed. He seems to have learned the job at this level now, and hasn’t had a cross-country jumping penalty since 2021, and while he’s not usually the best showjumper, his last two runs have seen him go clear, so let’s see if he make it a hat trick. Don’t expect him to be the fastest horse on course on Saturday, but we reckon he should deliver the goods for the Dutch – and could probably be relied upon to take on a high-pressure role like the anchor position.
Fun fact: Seriously seasoned team stalwart Andy isn’t just an experienced competitor and coach – the British-based Dutchman is also a course designer, and recently took on Hampshire’s Tweseldown Horse Trials from Badminton designer Eric Winter.
Sanne de Jong and Enjoy. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Sanne de Jong and Enjoy – TEAM
Fourteen-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Cartano – Next Joey, by Haarlem). Bred by JJ Koldewijn, J van Zon, and M. de Jong. Owned by Jantien van Zon and the rider.
4* dressage average: 32.1
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆.5
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆.5
Predicted poles: 2
The need-to-knows: This will be Sanne’s third Senior championship – and both of her previous have been with her longtime partner Enjoy. They went to the Avenches Europeans in 2021, though were technically eliminated for missing a fence, and then completed Pratoni last year, though with a 20. This season, they’ve come out firing on all cylinders, looking classy in all four of their FEI runs – which include a second-place finish in the CCI4*-S at Montelibretti, an eleventh-place finish in the CCI4*-L there, a fourteenth-place finish in the CCI4*-S at Baborowko, and a fifth place finish in the CCIO4*-S at Strzegom, where they also went sub-30 in the first phase. They’re working their way towards becoming banker types for the Dutch, and they’ll be hoping to seal the deal by finally getting the happy ending – and the clear round – they deserve at a Championship.
Fun fact: 28-year-old Sanne is the daughter of an eventer mother, who’s now heavily involved with equestrian media, and a course designer father — and to continue the theme of family legacies, she’s riding one of her homebreds this week in Enjoy, who she’s produced through the levels.
Janneke Boonzaiijer and ACSI Champ de Tailleur. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Elaine Pen and Divali – INDIVIDUAL
Fifteen-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare (Cardento – Bernadette, by Nimmerdor). Bred by J. Faber. Owned by C.P.A.J. Leenaars & S.J.A. Leenaars.
4*/5* dressage average: 34.4
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 1
The need-to-knows: Olympian Elaine Pen returns to Europeans for the theird time as a Senior (she also represented the Dutch five times as a Junior in European Championships), this time on a different horse than the familiar red mare Vera. For this challenge, it’ll be the 15-year-old mare Divali stepping up to her biggest test to date.
This pair, competing as individuals this weekend, will be looking to put some of the skills they’ve been honing to a real test, especially as they’ll want to put in a solid showing for the selectors on hand. They’ve got a great cross country record at the 4* level, though they’ve not quite begun to chase too hard for the time. A pesky pole or two down litters their record, so if they can pull the pieces together and finish nearly on their dressage mark, that’ll be mission accomplished.
Fun Fact: Elaines father, Wolter, was a successful Modern Pentathlete, earning a reserve spot for the 1972 Olympics in Munich. Her mother, Hélène Aubert, was a World Championships and European Championships medal-winning in her chosen sport of dressage.
Jordy Wilken and Wilbert Bo – INDIVIDUAL
Fourteen-year-old Hanoverian gelding (Watermill Rolex xx – Winnie, by Woodstock). Bred by Katrin Butterbrodt-Over. Owned by E.R. van Someren and Mea van Someren.
4*/5* dressage average: 34.8
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 2
The need-to-knows:
Fun fact: Jordy, who doesn’t come from a horsey background, has had to find his own ways to fund his riding — and the hard-working, affable rider has been creative in these endeavours. He runs the By Jordy Academy, a coaching programme for young riders, and is also a bit of a YouTube superstar in the Netherlands. He’ll no doubt be documenting his Europeans experience in his jolly, fun style, so give him a follow to see the competition from his perspective.
Joanna Pawlak and Fantastic Freida. Photo by Shannon Brinkman Photography.
Joanna Pawlak and Fantastic Frieda – INDIVIDUAL
Fourteen-year-old Hanoverian mare (For Edition – Pirola, by Pinkus). Bred by Sonja and Klaus Jungclaus. Owned by the rider.
4*/5* dressage average: 41.4
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 1
The need-to-knows: Joanna Pawlak and Fantastic Frieda got their first taste of senior championship competition at the Tokyo Olympics, and though that outing wouldn’t have been to their plan they took away valuable intel to grow from. Now, they’re back for another crack representing Poland, coming off a confidence-boosting 3* win in Poland at the end of July to set them up well for this event.
Fantastic Frieda is 14 this year, and she’s been with Joanna from the outset. That partnership shows in their consistency the last two seasons, putting them into, well, “fantastic” form to make a strong showing here at Haras du Pin.
This pair’s dressage score won’t compete with the leaders, and they’ll need to put the pedal down more on cross country than they’ve historically done in the past in order to make some moves up in the standings.
Fun Fact: Joanna got her first taste of championship competition as a junior, competing three years in a row in Junior Europeans (2008 – 2010).
Frida Andersen and Box Leo. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Frida Andersen and Box Leo – TEAM
Thirteen-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (Jaguar Mail – Box Qutie, by Quite Easy). Bred and owned by Therese Orup.
4* dressage average: 34.2
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆.5
Predicted poles: 1
The need-to-knows: Frida and the former Ludwig Svennerstal ride Box Leo, who she teamed up with in early 2021, have picked up some exciting results across their fourteen FEI starts together, including ten top-eight finishes at events such as Saumur CCI4*-L, Strzegom CCI4*-S, and Sopot CCI3*-L, which they won in the latter part of their first season together. That helped them earn a berth at last year’s World Championships, where they were quick, clear, and impressive for an individual top twenty (and a team qualification for Paris!). Since then., they’ve done three four-stars and never finished lower than eighth in any of them – and that eighth place came at last month’s CHIO Aachen, where they were the sole Swedish representatives in seriously hot company. And course from here? They’ve got that: they looked on excellent form at Haras du Pin CCIO4*-S last August, where they finished 24th out of over 110, but did pick up a 20 in their international run prior to that at Jardy CCI4*-S. That’s been their one blip so far — and it doesn’t look to have negatively impacted them.
Fun fact: 32-year-old Frida made her Olympic debut in 2016 with the homebred mare Herta — a partnership that was largely down to a bit of luck. Her family had downsized their horses when the mare was two, but couldn’t decide which to put on the market. A literal roll of the dice decided that Herta would be the one to stay.
Sara Algotsson-Ostholt and Dynamite Jack – TEAM
Ten-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Diarado – Jermaine, by Grundyman xx). Bred by Josef Auge. Owned by Frank Ostholt and Elke Vietor.
4* dressage average: 33
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆
Predicted poles: 1
The need-to-knows: This will be Dynamite Jack’s first-ever championship — and just his sixth four-star competition, a level at which he’s still very much establishing himself. In his previous five runs at four-star, he’s had blips across the country in three of them (though one was a missed flag penalty). When he’s had clears, they’ve been classy, as at Kronenburg CCI4*-L in June, which he won, and Arville CCIO4*-S last summer, at which he was twelfth. But one of his 20s came in his most recent international at Jardy, and so he’ll be relying heavily on his rider’s considerable experience to help sharpen him up for this major run. Sara’s certainly no slouch: she’s been to six Senior European Championships, four Olympics, and a World Championships.
Fun fact: Sara’s part of an extended family of eventing excellence: her sister, Linda, is a five-time Olympian for Sweden and her husband, Frank, is a two-time Olympian for Germany.
Sofia Sjoborg and Bryjamolga van het Marienshof Z. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Sofia Sjöborg and Bryjamolga Van Het Marienshof Z – TEAM
Twelve-year-old Zangersheide mare (Bamako de Muze – Cryolga M, by Lord Z). Bred by Marienshof Stal. Owned by Juliet Sjoborg, Mattias Sjoborg, and the rider.
4* dressage average: 35.1
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 2
The need-to-knows: 25-year-old Sofia made her World Championships debut last year aboard this mare, with whom she went to the 2022 European Championships as an individual. At that Euros, they finished 13th, despite being just 23 and 10, respectively, at the time. That was just the mare’s third CCI4*-L; the first two were good runs in small fields at Portugal’s Barroca d’Alva, which probably wouldn’t have tipped anyone off about what was to come. But from then on out, they’ve been seriously solid: at Pratoni, they jumped a reasonably steady clear across the country and then delivered a clear showjumping round over a tough course to help secure Sweden the Olympic qualification. The first phase isn’t the mare’s strong suit, but she makes up for it across the country – and on her day, she’s a good showjumper, though it can be hit or miss. In any case, in their third championship together and 23rd four-star, they certainly come in ready to fight for another Swedish team medal.
Fun fact: British-based Sofia, who trains with the Prices and dressage star Laura Tomlinson, with whom she’s based, did a stint at Michael Jung’s yard alongside best friend and competitor Ailsa Wates. They competed against one another at Junior and Young Rider championships and both stepped up to five-star at Pau in 2021.
Amanda Staam and Corpoubet AT – TEAM
Ten-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (Corporal VDL – Bulgari, by Baloubet du Rouet). Bred by Tobias Nilsson. Owned by the rider.
4* dressage average: 34
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆.5
Predicted poles: 0
The need-to-knows: 32-year-old Amanda, who rode on the Young Rider team in 2010, makes her Senior Championship debut this week with the very exciting ten-year-old Corpoubet AT, who has impressed in spades since stepping up to four-star at the tail end of 2021. He made his debut at the level at Sopot, where he won, and then came second a month later in Baborowko’s CCI4*-S. He began last season with a fourth place finish in a CCI4*-S at Kronenburg, and then won his CCI4*-L debut at Sopot — evidently his happiest of hunting grounds — before jumping a quick, classy double clear in the hugely competitive 100+ strong field here last August, finishing 33rd amongst a plethora of World Champs prepares. Then, he was 20th with a steady clear in the prestigious Blenheim eight- and nine-year-olds class, and began this season with a three-star win and a four-star second place at Kronenburg. All that is enough to just about forgive his shock 20 — and frangible penalty — in the CCI4*-S at Jardy, and his frangible penalty in his FEI run prior to that at Strzegom. He’s a horse who knows how to make a mark on a debut, and it’ll be great fun to watch what he makes of this, his Swedish team debut.
Fun fact: Amanda’s a seriously busy woman: not only does she run the family training business and compete at four-star eventing, she’s also a prolific jumping and dressage rider, and breeds two to four foals a year at her home in Sweden.
Lina Forsberg and Kaizen. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Lina Forsberg and Kaizen – INDIVIDUAL
Fifteen-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (Caressini L – Madame Butterfly, by Nocturne). Bred by Johan Björk. Owned by Marie Forsberg.
4* dressage average: 31.9
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 3
The need-to-knows: The Swedish individuals this week are exciting in much the same way as Sofia Sjöborg and Bryjamolga van het Marienshof Z were exciting as individuals in 2021 – that is to say, they stand a very good chance of being the best-placed of the pack on their day. They have something really special on their side: they’ve been on this whole crazy journey together, competing in both the Junior and Young Rider European Championships en route to this momentous occasion, in which they’re making their Senior Championship debut as a team. They’re capable of putting a score on the board that’ll keep them well enough in the hunt (their 4* average of 31.9 is actually what they scored at their prep run at Jardy); they’re seriously speedy across the country and generally very reliable, but for a couple of educational blips at the lower levels and one enormously frustrating fall on the flat at Strzegom this year, and their showjumping… okay, that bit’s their weak point. But they can jump clear, and one-rail rounds aren’t uncommon, so after two good phases, determination could well win out for this pair who’ll no doubt be a part of the Swedish front for the foreseeable future.
Fun fact: Lina previously based with Irish rider Susie Berry while preparing for Junior Europeans.
Robin Godel and Grandeur de Lully CH. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Robin Godel and Grandeur De Lully CH – TEAM
Fifteen-year-old Swiss Sporthorse gelding (Greco de Lully – Miola, by Apartos). Bred and owned by Jean-Jacques Fünfschilling.
4* dressage average: 31.6
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆.5
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 1
The need-to-knows: 25-year-old Robin is rather the darling of the Swiss team, and with good reason: he rides with a natural feel across the country that’s not dissimilar to that of Andrew Nicholson, who has been the team’s cross-country coach since 2019. With Nicholson’s guidance, he and his teammates have stopped playing it slow and safe, waiting for another team to make mistakes, and have begun to take calculated risks instead — and that’s shone through in his results over the last couple of years. He won the Pratoni test event last spring aboard this horse and was part of the victorious Swiss team then, too, and the pair also won the Nations Cup leg at Avenches last summer. Robin also took victory in the CCI4*-L at Strzegom, riding Global DHI, before helping the Swiss team qualify for Paris at the World Championships with this gelding, finishing 15th. They’re hugely reliable across the country, without a blip on their FEI record since 2017, they can score very well on the flat – a 26.8 at Pratoni, for example – and they have a huge amount of mileage at the four-star level. Robin might be young, but he’s a master at coping with pressure, and now that the Swiss have their Paris ticket punched, they’ll be here to consolidate their performances – and fight for their shot at the podium for the first time since 1981.
Fun fact: Reigning Swiss Champion Robin has won that title an impressive five times, and previously represented Switzerland at European Championships at the Junior and Young Rider level.
Mélody Johner and Toubleu du Rueire. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Mélody Johner and Toubleu De Rueire – TEAM
Sixteen-year-old Selle Francais gelding (Mr. Blue – La Guna de Rueire, by Bayard D’Elle). Bred by Edouard Neuhaus. Owned by Peter Thuerler and Heinz-Günter Wickenhaüser.
4* dressage average: 36
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆.5
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 2
The need-to-knows: It’s a third senior championship for this pair, who debuted at the Tokyo Olympics, finishing seventeenth individually, and then went to Pratoni last year, where they were clear and 38th after a tricky showjumping round. In Toubleu de Rueire’s seventeen FEI runs with Mélody, he’s been top ten 12 times. They’ve never picked up any cross-country jumping penalties in an International, and have become a really solid banker pair for the Swiss front, which is on enormously good form this year. This is Mélody’s fourth championship – she also rode at the 2017 Europeans, though was eliminated – and her focus will be on doing what she does best: coming home fast and clear and helping to aim for a spot on that podium. Her showjumping round at Pratoni, which saw her pull four rails, might be weighing on her a bit, but both their FEI runs since then have been one-railers, and that was a very influential day of showjumping, so we can probably safely consider it an outlier.
Fun fact: Toubleu de Rueire doesn’t just look like a unicorn — he’s adopted that role for Swiss riders throughout his career. He’s been a superb partner for Mélody, who started her career as a showjumper, and was Swiss junior jumping champion in 2003. She picked up eventing in 2013 after her husband, Benoit, issued her a challenge. She got the ride on the gelding in 2020, and he was previously piloted by Tiziana Realini, and before that, Sandra Leonhardt-Raith, both of whom are Swiss riders who rode him in Europeans teams.
Nadja Minder and Toblerone. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Nadja Minder and Toblerone – TEAM
Fifteen-year-old Swiss Warmblood gelding (Yarlands Summer Song – Medelyne). Bred by Eric Attiger. Owned by Nicole Basieux.
4* dressage average: 31
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆☆
Predicted poles: 2
The need-to-knows: Nadja might be one of the youngest riders here at just 23, but she rides like a much more seasoned pro – and despite a truly uncharacteristic tumble from Toblerone at last year’s World Championships, she can be relied upon to keep forging on ahead and fighting for her goals. She has a palpably close bond with all her horses, but Toblerone, particularly, is special: they’ve come up from Young Rider Europeans to the big leagues together since 2020, and together, they earned Nadja’s first four-star win, taking the CCI4*-L at Baborowko last spring. Nadja was also enormously impressive at last spring’s Pratoni test event, where she rode two horses and lodged two of the just seven clears inside the time of the week. Though they’ve not yet been to Haras du Pin – they had an entry here last year, but didn’t use it – we can expect to see them tackle the track with their typical gumption.
Fun fact: Toblerone might have a sweet name, but he’s actually a very cheeky chappy – he’s the resident joker of Nadja’s yard, with a real sense of humour and a tendency to keep things rather interesting for everyone on a daily basis.
Felix Vogg and Colero. Photo by Tilly Berendt.
Felix Vogg and Colero – TEAM
Fifteen-year-old Westfalian gelding (Captain Fire – Bonita, by Bormio xx). Bred by Heinrich Stephan. Owned by Jürgen Vogg.
4* dressage average: 29.3
XC speed rating: ☆☆☆☆
Reliability rating: ☆☆☆.5
Predicted poles: 2
The need-to-knows: When Felix and Colero won Luhmühlen’s CCI5* last summer, they were the first Swiss pair to win at the level since XXX did so at Badminton in 1956 (CHECK). On their day, they’re exceptionally competitive — their long partnership so far has seen them finish sixth at Kentucky in 2019 after their stint in the US, nineteenth at the Tokyo Olympics – a result just marred by a frangible penalty at that corner, and place at 12 total four-stars. But that doesn’t mean that the wheels aren’t immune to falling off the bus, which they’ve done a couple of times recently. They had a frustrating 20 penalties in the CCI4*-S at Baborowko in May, which was their final international prep run before they returned to Luhmühlen, where the gelding just didn’t perform as he can on the flat, and though they went clear inside the time across the country, their 33.3 in the first phase and truly uncharacteristic five rails in the final phase meant that the closest they could come to defending their title was a disappointing 20th place. Still, Felix had options for this championship, and the fact that the decision was made to bring Colero suggests that the rider and his support team have gotten to the bottom of it all since then. If that means that they’re coming to Haras du Pin back on form, they will be formidable.
Fun fact: Felix might be Swiss, but he’s also pretty German — he was born and raised there, and he’s spent much of his life training there, too. His major mentor is Michael Jung, with whom he’s based himself for much of his career, but he also works closely with Bettina Hoy to sharpen up the first phase, and he spent a year based in the States with Phillip Dutton, too. Unlike the rest of the Swiss riders, he keeps himself separate from the ‘system’, working independently with his own mentors and trainers instead. Unrelated, but fun: his five-star win came on his 32nd birthday, which is a pretty sweet present, we reckon.
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