Britain’s dressage heroes delivered a spectacular performance to secure team silver at the FEI Dressage European Championships 2025 in Crozet, France. The British quartet of Carl Hester, Charlotte Fry, Becky Moody, and Andrew Gould claimed their ninth European Championship team medal in a thrilling competition beneath the cloudy Alpine skies.
Dramatic Team Medal Decider
The second day of Grand Prix competition at Crozet proved to be a nail-biting affair, with six teams vying for podium positions. Germany ultimately claimed their landmark 50th European gold medal and 26th team title, whilst Britain secured a well-deserved silver medal finish.
Final Team Standings:
- Germany – 229.644
- Great Britain – 226.785
- Denmark – 223.385
- Belgium – 220.062
- Netherlands – 218.137
- Sweden – 217.935
Carl Hester’s Masterclass Performance
Thirteen proved to be a lucky number for dressage icon Carl Hester, competing in his 13th European Championship. Riding Fame, his trusted partner from the 2023 Reisenbeck gold medal team and Paris Olympic bronze, Hester delivered a masterful performance that earned 76.087% and placed him at the top of individual standings.
“I am just thrilled!” declared Hester. “He is such a genuine horse. He’s nice to ride, he’s fun to ride and he’s fun to ride around the Grand Prix because he doesn’t run out of energy – and he’s like that every day, whether you’re at home or in an arena.”
The compact Bordeaux gelding Fame showcased his trademark power and precision throughout the test. Hester’s conservative approach to the first extended trot gave way to increasingly confident work, culminating in his signature pinpoint-accurate zig zag and masterful pirouettes on the centreline.
Charlotte Fry Under Pressure
World Champions Charlotte ‘Lottie’ Fry and Glamourdale faced the ultimate pressure test, going last for Britain with medal hopes hanging in the balance. The striking black stallion, owned with Van Olst Horses, needed to score 78.729% to retain Britain’s European gold medal from Reisenbeck 2023.
Despite a spectacular extended canter that earned two tens and five nines from judges, an early flying change and challenging pirouettes meant their final score of 75.869% secured silver rather than gold. Nevertheless, it was a crucial contribution to Britain’s medal success.
Becky Moody’s Vital Contribution
Becky Moody and Jagerbomb provided the foundation for Britain’s medal hopes with an outstanding 74.829% on the opening day. After Andrew Gould and Indigro were sadly eliminated on veterinary grounds, Moody’s performance became even more crucial to the team’s success.
Individual Medal Prospects
All three British combinations qualified for Friday’s Grand Prix Special and individual medal competition:
- Carl Hester and Fame – 5th place (15:55 CET / 14:55 BST)
- Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale – 6th place (14:50 CET / 13:50 BST)
- Becky Moody and Jagerbomb – 8th place (15:10 CET / 14:10 BST)
Building on Olympic Success
This silver medal represents excellent progress for British dressage, building on their bronze medal success at the Paris Olympics. Carl Hester reflected on the achievement: “Every medal is special, every occasion is special and you never, ever take anything for granted. It was just so lovely to be back on a team again and build on last year – we had bronze in Paris, so to come here and take silver is really exciting for all of us.”
Championship Highlights
The competition at Crozet showcased the highest level of international dressage, with Germany’s Isabell Werth contributing to her 13th European team gold medal. The event demonstrated the incredible depth of talent across European dressage, with multiple combinations breaking the 80% barrier.
Britain’s success at the FEI Dressage European Championships 2025 continues their proud tradition in the sport, with the team now looking ahead to individual medals on Friday. The performances from Hester, Fry, and Moody have set the stage for what promises to be an exciting conclusion to the championships.
Coverage of the individual medal competition will continue on Friday, with all action available live on FEI.TV powered by ClipMyHorse.TV.
