Friday at the May International Horse Trials in Bicton, Devon marked the start of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™. Sunny skies and close scores set the stage for a thrilling weekend.
Teams from Australia, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand and the United States faced off in the first leg of the 2025 FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ series. After finishing third last year, Great Britain has come out strong, taking the early lead with a combined score of 74.6, 12.5 points ahead of New Zealand’s 87.1. The U.S. currently sits in third on a score of 91.2. Olivia Dutton and the Sea of Clouds Partnership’s Sea of Clouds are the highest-placed U.S. riders in the division, earning a near-personal best 29.7 to sit in 12th after dressage.
Laura Collett and London 52 lead the TopSpec CCI4*-S incorporating the FEI Eventing Nations Cup. Photo by ESP Photographic.
One of the most decorated duos in the competition, Laura Collett and her Olympic partner London 52 delivered a show-stopping test to score 18.5, their first sub-20 since the Paris 2024 Games. The 16-year-old gelding, owned by Collett, Karen Bartlett and Keith Scott, reminded everyone why they’re one of the most consistent pairs in the sport.
Before Collett’s afternoon ride, New Zealand briefly held the top spot thanks to Samantha Lissington’s impressive 23.9 on Lord Seekonig, affectionately known as “Charlie”, fresh from a win in the CCI4*-S at Oudkarspel this year.
Laura Collett’s Nations Cup test shook up the competition in the TopSpec CCI4*-S, surpassing her overnight score on Dacapo. She is followed by New Zealand Nations Cup rider Lissington in second and Kitty King on Vendredi Biats, or “Froggy” to his friends, sitting in third on 24.5. With less than a fault separating second through fifth, it’s shaping up to be a close competition.
Kitty King and Dassett Flight Path lead the Equilume CCI2*-L. Photo by ESP Photographic.
The dressage in the Equilume CCI2*-L yesterday was already proving to be a close call, with Tom McEwen and Jason Wood only a point apart in the top two. Another day of dressage has seen a competitive test from Kitty King on Elizabeth Golby’s Dassett Flight Path narrowly nipping the lead from McEwen with a score of 26.7. A pair not to ignore, off the back of an exciting six-year-old season, having been to Le Lion d’Angers Young Horse Championships in 2024, he is proving to be a future star for Kitty. “I was hoping he would come here and now have the mileage and experience to show himself off and really put in a good performance, so I was delighted to pull it off with him,” commented Kitty, post dressage. “He did a lovely test, he was really rideable and is just a joy to work with.”
Elizabeth Barratt and Ride For Thais Chaman Dumontceau lead the British Young Rider National Championships sponsored by Succeed. Photo by ESP Photographic.
Echoing Collett’s double dominance, the Succeed British Young Rider National Championships saw Elizabeth Barratt and Barratt Eventing’s Ride For Thais Chaman Dumontceau, take the top spot from her other ride Big Boss Melo, who now lies in fourth place going into cross country. Closely behind are Finn Healy with Greannanstown Monbeg Joe (second, 0.7 behind) and Jemima Howden on Monbeg Whisper (third).
Ros Canter and Armscote Explorer
lead the Symonds & Sampson CCI3*-L. Photo by ESP Photographic.
Staying on theme with the day, the Symonds & Sampson CCI3*-L saw the overnight leader take the top spot from themselves, with five-time 5* winner Ros Canter and her second ride Armscote Explorer taking the lead off Silvester Finesse, holding consistent with her score only 0.2 marks ahead. She is proceeded by Tom McEwen and Shannondale Arnold, who lie close behind on 25.3, with Barnie Brotherton on Whixley Qualitas and Tom McEwen’s other ride, Maestro, both sitting on 27 penalties.
With only a few points in play across all sections, this weekend will see two thrilling days of cross country and show jumping action.
Bicton International (UK): [Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Timing & Scoring] [Live Stream]
