The defending champions from Great Britain are bidding to become the first-ever five-time Eventing team champions when the equestrian events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games spring into action in two days’ time. The British victory in Tokyo three years ago was the crest of a wave that carried them on to complete domination at the European Championship 2021 in Avenches (SUI) a few months later where they collected team gold and the entire set of individual medals. And although things didn’t go as planned at the World Championship in…
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News
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Annabella Pidgley Achieves Gold Medal at FEI European Championships for Under 25s
At the age of only 19, Annabella Pidgley has achieved a gold medal at the FEI European Championships for Under 25s at Reiterhof Stückler in St Margarethen, Austria, from 17 – 21 July 2024. The now European Champion in freestyle competition (under 25s), rode Sarah Pidgley’s gelding Gio, improving on her individual silver medal earned on Saturday 20 July. Berkshire based Annabella took the top step of the podium ahead of Germany’s Helen Erbe and Carlos FRH by riding an outstanding artistic performance to achieve a winning score of…
Charlotte Dujardin Provisionally Suspended
The FEI has officially announced that Charlotte Dujardin has received provisional suspension effective immediately from the date of notification, 23 July 2024. This decision to provisionally suspend Britain’s most decorated female rider renders her ineligible to participate in the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games or any other events under the jurisdiction of the FEI. During this period of suspension, she is prohibited from participating in any activities related to competitions or events under the jurisdiction of the FEI or any competition or event under the jurisdiction of a National Federation…
Oliver Fletcher’s Golden Farewell
Oliver Fletcher secures the Young Riders individual gold medal On the very last day of the FEI Jumping European Championship for the Youth, British rider Oliver Fletcher delivered the performance of his career, securing the Young Riders individual gold medal. The victory marks a true milestone in Fletcher’s journey, as he adds to the history of British show jumping with his ninth European Championship appearance and sixth European medal. Fletcher, riding Hello William, entered the final round of the competition in second position, trailing closely behind France’s Jules Orsolini. With…
Para equestrian squad for Paris 2024 Paralympic Games
The Para Equestrian Squad for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games have been announced and its a strong leading lady line-up for team GBR! The squad featues three medal-winning combinations from Tokyo 2020, in addition to the current para dressage world number one, who will be making her Paralympic Games debut. Natasha Baker Natasha Baker (Grade 3) has been selected for her fourth Games and her second with Keystone Dawn Chorus. As a new partnership in Tokyo, they won team gold, individual silver and freestyle silver, adding to the five golds…
Cannes Stars Extend Championship Gap in Germany
Dominating 2024 and taking their 4th win of the season, Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames pulled out all the stops to win GCL Riesenbeck, Germany this weekend as the only team to finish on a clean sheet. Local heroes Katin Eckermann and U25 rider Sophie Hinners secured back to back wins, just a couple of short weeks ago. Riding Iron Dames Cala Mandia Nrw and Iron Dames Singclair yesterday, the emotional duo extended their championship lead to 26 points after success in the heart of Germany. Saturday was a…
Team GB Wins Children Team Gold while Spain take Bronze
Coming Home: Team GB Wins Children Team Gold Medal at FEI Jumping European Championship News just in! In a win that has filled the British public with pride, Team GB won the Children Team Gold Medal at the FEI Jumping European Championship. This historic victory was made possible by the exceptional performance of the Children team and their dedicated coach, Clare Whitaker at Kronenberg, Peelbergen Equestrian Centre. Many tried, Clare Whitaker made it: remember today as the day Great Britain got the better of Spain in a European title! Rumors…
Equestrian injuries and accidents: Learning to stay safe and promoting healing
There are many reasons why horseback riding is enjoying a popularity resurgence at the moment. Apart from promoting better physical fitness overall by improving balance, strength and stamina, riding a horse can also improve your mental health, enhancing your mood, allowing you to focus on learning new skills and challenging your own abilities. The connection between rider and horse can be powerful and complex since horses are intelligent and sensitive animals with the ability to respond to hundreds of different instructions and perform very complex and difficult manoeuvres with the…
Filly found tied to bike makes an astonishing recovery
A young filly that was found tied to a bike, emaciated and covered in lice is now almost unrecognisable nearly five months after being rescued. Rescued and cared for by the World Horse Welfrare, the 18-month-old skewbald was found by Field Officer Becky Bedson at a site in Hertfordshire. The pony, now named ‘Pedals’ , is now ready for rehoming following careful rehabilitation at World Horse Welfare’s Norfolk Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Snetterton. Pedals’ story On February 28, 2024, the equine charity’s UK support team received a report…
Colitis in adult horses under the spotlight
Colitis in adult horses will come under the spotlight by a team of researchers who aim to investigate and document the clinical and clinicopathological features of condition. The research, led by Tim Mair, CVS Equine Veterinary Director and Specialist in both Equine Internal Medicine and Equine Soft Tissue Surgery at Bell Equine Veterinary will also look at treatments, underlying causes and outcomes where there is minimal published data. The new study will review 100 cases of colitis in adult horses and 100 controls referred to seven equine veterinary hospitals in the UK; five CVS…
Jodie Kidd named a Director of Hickstead
Jodie Kidd has been named as a Director of Hickstead, making her the third generation in her own family to take the seat. An avid equestrian and polo player, Jodie has followed in her father’s stride with her love for the sport. As a child she frequented the famous showground competing on ponies while her father Johnny Kidd held his role as a Director. Before Johnny, it was his mother Janet Kidd, the first Patron of Hickstead, who played an instrumental part in setting up the showground. Jodie’s godfather was…
Stark message issued to struggling horse owners on rehoming
In response to the escalating cost of living crisis, World Horse Welfare and Blue Cross are joining forces to prevent the threat of a surge in equine welfare cases this winter. The two charities are urging horse owners who are already struggling financially to consider rehoming their horses during the summer months, rather than waiting until winter when conditions are harsher and more horses will be seeking new homes. Recent findings from a cost of living survey conducted by World Horse Welfare on behalf of the National Equine Welfare Council…
Excitement as FEI Vaulting World Championships heads to Switzerland
Excitement is mounting as the FEI Vaulting World Championship for Seniors, alongside the FEI European Championship for Juniors and Young Vaulters, returns to Switzerland for the first time since it was hosted in Bulle in 1986. The event, set to kick off in Bern on July 17th, promises fierce competition and showcases the pinnacle of Vaulting excellence, with the world’s best vaulters competing for glory. FEI Vaulting World Championship for Seniors Germany’s female competitors present a formidable challenge, led by 2023 European Champion Kathrin Meyer, who aims for her first…
Dressage star Carl Hester takes biopic in his Stride
Carl Hester, who will ride in his seventh Olympic Games this year in Paris, is getting the biopic treatment. “Carl Hester’s journey has done for dressage what ‘Billy Elliot’ did for ballet,” says Drew Curtis, co-producer of the Carl Hester biopic, Stride. Hester will work with veteran producers Drew Curtis (Ironclad, The Ecstasy of Wilko Johnson) and Richard Conway (The Ecstasy of Wilko Johnson, Sexy Beast) to produce Stride, a feature set to tell the story of his remarkable career from humble beginnings on the tiny channel island of Sark to triumph…
Ros Canter back on top of FEI Eventing World Athlete Rankings
After losing the top spot in the FEI Eventing World Athlete Rankings nine months ago, Ros Canter has reclaimed the number one position. She replaces Olympic gold medallist and compatriot Oliver Townend, who has held the top spot since October 2023. Sitting in third last month, Canter’s made an impressive ascent. As the reigning European Champion, she stands out as the only athlete to surpass the 500-point mark, boasting 519 points. Townend follows in second place with 492 points, while fellow Brit Tom McEwen secures third with 454 points. “I…
Germany makes winning twice as nice at Falsterbo
FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ 2024 – Written by Catie Staszak It was a narrow race for the 2024 FEI Dressage Nations Cup title heading into the final leg at Falsterbo (SWE), with Germany and Denmark separated by just two points. But when it came time for the CDIO4* FEI Grand Prix test at the Falsterbo Horse Show, Germany didn’t let the Danish get within 10 points of them. It was a convincing victory for the Germans on the day, which secured them a second consecutive series title. Led by Chef d’Equpe…
Equestrian teams named for Paris 2024
British Equestrian has today, Wednesday July 10th, named the official equestrian teams for Paris 2024. Each team will consist of three combinations and one alternate horse and rider. The three disciplines forming the equestrian division in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are dressage, eventing and jumping. Team athlete names are listed alphabetically below, and the running order will be named in accordance with the competition regulations in Paris. GBR Dressage Olympic Team Alternate combination: GBR Eventing Olympic Team Alternate combination: GBR Jumping Olympic Team Alternate combination: Further information on the competition…
Top Gear for Ines Joly In €1.5million LGCT Grand Prix in Monaco
There were tears throughout Monte Carlo as Ines Joly and Ambassador Z clinched their first ever 5* Grand Prix win in the €1.5 million Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix du Prince de Monaco. In the most tense atmosphere of the year Max Kühner and EIC Up Too Jacco Blue was pushed into second place when the last fence fell in the high-stakes competition which took place against the picturesque backdrop of Monaco, captivating fans from around the world. With only two riders in the jump-off, Nina Mallevaey was the…
Life After Racing Project Launched For Former Racehorses
The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) have undertaken a project that seeks to improve the understanding of retraining and rehoming former racehorses, and they are calling for owners and ex-owners of retrained racehorses to help! Owners are invited to take part in an online survey to divulge their experiences of taking on a former racehorse, with researchers aiming to secure at least 500 respondents over the course of the next month. The Life After Racing project survey forms part of the RVC’s wider ‘Life After Racing’ project, which outlines the the…
Cannes Stars race to victory in GCL Monaco reclaiming Championship lead
In sensational style Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames rocketed to the top of the podium for the third time this season under the lights in GCL Monaco. U25 rider Sophie Hinners onboard Iron Dames Singclair and Kim Emmen with Imagine secured maximum points to reclaim the overall Championship lead again by 6 points. In the tightest of battles, Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team took home second place as the only other team on double clear. Dream team of Pieter Devos with Casual DV Z and Niels Bruynseels…
Hobby Horse Derby set to headline Hickstead’s Village Green
The Hobby Horse Derby is gearing up to become one of Hickstead’s most talked about classes in the forthcoming Agria Royal International Horse Show taking place from 23-28 July, 2024. With thousands of horses and ponies taking part across the six days of the show, the grounds will be alive with every kind of equine you can imagine, literally! From global superstars showjumping in the huge five-star Nations Cup down to tiny miniature horses … what more could an equestrian want?! The fun on-foot Hobby Horse Derby, will play out…
Simon Delestre and Olga van de Kruishoeve Shine in Monaco
Simon Delestre and Olga van de Kruishoeve turned up the heat to clinch victory in the CSI5* 1.45m speed class on Thursday, July 4 2024, helping open up proceedings in Monaco. Competing in the adrenaline-charged class, Delestre and Olga van de Kruishoeve showcased their prowess, executing tight turns and navigating the tour’s smallest arena with precision. In a heart-stopping performance, the duo clocked an impressive time of 53.59 seconds, edging out fellow Frenchman Roger Yves Bost and his 13-year-old mare Ballerine du Vilpion by more than 2.85 seconds. The sold-out…
Willa Newton Dominates in Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse Classes
Willa Newton has dominated the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse classes at Aston-le-Walls International with horses, Obama, Cyperno MB Z and Cortada. Talking about the British-bred Obama, whom she won the five-year-old class on, Willa Newton said: “He’s a lovely horse, very easy to do. I’ve had the ride since February and taken my time with him, but it’s paying off. Having already qualified for the Burghley final at Vale View he is proving to be Mr Consistent.” Obama made his affiliated debut in early June finishing third in a…
Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Launches in Equestrian Sport
British Dressage has introduced the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower initiative into equestrian sport, enabling riders with non-visible disabilities or conditions to voluntarily share their status. Forming part of a worldwide campaign to increase awareness of hidden disabilities, those choosing to wear the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower, are suggesting they may need more time to understand procedures or perhaps require a helping hand in day-to-day tasks that others may not. The Sunflower can be displayed in a number of different forms, depending on the preference of the user, including as a lanyard, lapel…
Burghley’s Masterclasses: Who’s on the 2024 agenda?
Defender Burghley’s Masterclasses will welcome some the sport’s most familiar faces in 2024, with Dressage Maestro Carl Hester (feature image) and Eventing superstar William Fox-Pitt heading the events most star-studded line-up to date. Taking place alongside the CCI5* competition on Thursday 5th and Friday 6th September, the masterclasses will focus on a selection of the industry’s hot topics including re-educating racehorses and tips on how to prepare for an event at this (Burgley’s) level. Hickstead’s latest record breaking rider, William Funnell is set to help close the affair, with wife…