New Insights into British Eventing Audiences Show Loyal and Passionate Fanbases

New Insights into British Eventing Audiences Show Loyal and Passionate FanbasesNew Insights into British Eventing Audiences Show Loyal and Passionate Fanbases Research conducted by data-driven sports marketing agency Two Circles, around the eventing audience in Britain, has unveiled huge opportunities for sponsorship within British Eventing and confirm eventing has one of the most loyal and passionate fanbases. The research – which saw Two Circles analyse data from 70,000 ticket purchasers, 350,000 tickets and 450,000 digital users – was launched to gain a deeper understanding of the audience engaging with eventing in…

Germany’s Jung aiming for record-breaking four-in-a-row

Double Olympic Champion and reigning three-time European Champion Michael Jung from Germany will be bidding for a record fourth individual title at the 2017 FEI European Eventing Championships, Strzegom, Poland (FEI/Jon Stroud)

written by Kate Green Can anyone break Germany’s firm grip on the FEI European Eventing Championships? That is the question as riders, horses, owners, grooms and trainers from 19 countries, plus a host of volunteers, have been welcomed to the first senior Eventing championships to be held at the Stragona Equestrian Center in Strzegom (POL) from August 17-20 and the first one in Eastern Europe since Bialy Bor (POL) in 1986. The German team is bidding for a fourth successive European team gold medal and world number one Michael Jung,…

Gold for Great Britain at Young Rider Eventing Champs

Bubby Upton cross country credit Adam Fanthorpe

Amazing performances from the British Junior and Young Riders at the 2017 European Eventing Championships saw the up and coming eventing stars return this weekend from Millstreet, Ireland, with an individual champion and two medal winning teams (20th – 23rd July). Juniors A fantastic effort from the Racesafe British Juniors in the final show jumping phase meant they finished with the team silver medal – 11.5 penalties behind gold medallist Germany and a huge 33 penalties ahead of France in bronze. Bubby Upton led from pillar to post in the…

Hoy and Funnell lead the way at Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials

Bettina Hoy and Seigneur Medicott. Image credit Adam Fanthorpe/Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials

Hoy and Funnell lead the way at Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials Dressage Former European champion Bettina Hoy has a sizeable lead in the CCI3* after the first day of dressage at Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials. Riding Seigneur Medicott, an elegant bay 10-year-old owned by Gerd-Hermann Horst, the German rider scored an impressive mark of 32.9. Bettina said: “I’m very pleased – he’s still a very young horse, but he’s a beautiful mover and a beautiful horse. He really tries to concentrate and is lovely to…

Pippa Funnell announced as replacement to Izzy Taylor at Rio 2016

Pippa Funnell riding Mirage D'Elle.jpg-large

BREAKING NEWS  *** Pippa Funnell announced as replacement to Izzy Taylor at Rio 2016 Pippa Funnell to take the reins at Rio Allercombe Ellie, owned by Susan Holroyd and Frances Carter and ridden by Izzy Taylor, has unfortunately incurred a slight injury in training that will prevent the combination from competing as part of the eventing team at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. The combination will be replaced by the first reserve, Pippa Funnell MBE (47, from Surrey) with the late Carol Toliver’s Billy The Biz, who will represent Team…

Alex Hua Tian Takes Leg 2 of the Event Rider Masters

Captain Mark Phillips To Build At Exciting New Three-Leg Eventing Grand Prix Series

Leg 2 of the Event Rider Masters held at Bramham International Horse Trials Chinease rider, Alex Hua Tian yesterday celebrated his triumph on board Don Geniro, for the second leg of the Event Rider Masters (ERM). Overnight leader Clark Montegmary (USA), riding Loughan Glen, had a ‘costly’ pole in the morning’s showjumping, and despite his double clear cross-country, he finished just behind triumphant Alex in second. Said Alex ” I can’t believe it, we were dead last at Chatsworth and to be here having won, it’s absolutely extraordinary” Alex, being…

Sammi Birch Leads the Bramham CCI3* Pack

Sammi Birch (AUS) on Hunter Valley II. Image credit Mike Bain

Day one of the 2016 CCI3* Bramham International Horse trials concluded with x1 elated new mom, Sammi Birch (AUS), leading the pack. Only recently back in the saddle, Sammi proved just how ready she truly is for competing at CCI3* level, having given birth only 11 months ago. She held on to her early lead and was the only rider to break into the sub 40 score! Said Sammi “It was fantastic to get a sub 40 score, I’ve actually come straight from Tattersalls, where we had a little blip, so…

German team triumphant at Houghton Hall

Andrew Hoy in the Eventers Grand Prix

The German team again showed their liking for the beautiful surroundings of Houghton Hall (GBR), third leg of the FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing 2016, and won for the second year running, narrowly beating Australia by just 0.4 penalties. The French, who are having a brilliant season, were third and now head the 2016 series leaderboard ahead of host nation Great Britain, who finished fourth, while Nicola Wilson, who was not in the team, finished first and third on the individual leaderboard. When asked the secret of Germany’s extraordinary consistency, team…

Badminton Welcome New Cross Country Course Designer

Badminton Horse Trials Andrew Nicholson NZL on Calico Joe image credit Mike Bain

Cross Country course designer steps down for Badminton Badminton 2017 will host a fresh new course, designed by Blenheim course designer Eric Winter. Current course designer, Giuseppe Della Chiesa, gracefully bows out following a successful three year reign designing the Gloucestershire based course. Giuseppe felt unable to accept the invitation to continue in his position, after being hailed for bringing a fresh outlook to the Badminton course. Giuseppe expressed how he was a great believer in the benefits of changing course designer from time to time and wished Eric all…

French Dominate Event Rider Masters at Chatsworth International

Izzy Taylor wins the last leg of the 2017 ERM riding Be Touchable

The inaugural Event Rider Masters (ERM) leg 1, was held at Chatsworth International Horse Trials amid an array of equestrian sporting action last weekend. The new CIC*** programme will run over a series of six legs with a total of 10 countries competing. The riders have been selected from the Top 40 FEI ranked riders and include three-time World No.1 William Fox-Pitt, Rolex Grand Slam winner Pippa Funnell, Zara Tindell, Kitty King, Emily King and leading contender for the ERM title, Oliver Townend. The series concludes during the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials on…

Jeanette Brakewell’s Badminton Heartbreak

Jeanette Brakewell RoR Showcase

Hearts were stopped all around the nation at Badminton Horse Trials on Saturday, as GBR hopeful Jeanette Breakwell’s superb round came to a shocking conclusion at the second to last obstacle. Jeanette Brakewell and the 13-year-old Thoroughbred cross mare Lets Dance, affectionately known as Bella, produced a gutsy and otherwise foot perfect round. However, the combination fell foul of the first element at the Rolex crossing, the same fence which sealed the fate of Emily King’s extremely promising début Badminton effort. Jeanette came into the Cross Country with everything still…

Michael Jung Still in Lead Following Cross Country at Badminton

Michael Jung (GER) on La Biosthetique Sam FBW Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials

After a day of intense cross country action here at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, the leader board has seen a lot of change…apart from the leader. Michael Jung of Germany – part man, part eventing machine is in the lead going into tomorrow’s show jumping phase with nine penalties in hand to try and clinch the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing, a trophy not won since Pippa Funnel took the title some 13 years ago. The course took some beating today, and those that were lacking were left wanting whilst…

Jung Remains in the Lead Badminton Horse Trials Day Two

Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials - Michael Jung (GER) on La Biosthetique - SAM. Image credit Mike Bain Photography

Jung Remains in the Lead – Badminton Horse Trials Day Two Day two of dressage is complete at the Badminton Horse Trials, Germany’s Michael Jung remains in the lead as this year’s 77 riders prepare to head out onto the cross country course tomorrow morning. Today’s final dressage rankings saw a shock entry into the top three in the shape of young British rider Emily King coming into second pace. Posting the only other sub-40 test of the entire competition Emily was “over the moon” with her test. With eventing royalty as her mother in…

Jung in Poll Position on Day One of The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials

Michael Jung (GER) on La Biosthetique Sam FBW Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials

Michael Jung set himself up in the best possible position today at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, to not only take the lead after the dressage phase, but also to give himself a fighting chance of claiming the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing that he is chasing this week. Posting the first sub-40 dressage score of the day directly after lunch, Jung of Germany gave his usual masterclass in how to ride for every point on board La Biosthetique-Sam FBW. Despite a less than usual preparation having been in Kentucky until this…

Mitsubishi Motors Cup Results

The Mitsubishi Motors Cup 2017 image credit Adam Fanthorpe - Katie Hancock BE100

Competitors were woken to another day of glorious sunshine and what was to be an exciting climax to the inaugural Mitsubishi Motors Cup (Wednesday 4th May). BE100 Mitsubishi Motors Cup results Claiming the winners title in the Mitsubishi Motors Cup, previously known as the Mitsubishi Motors Grassroots Championships, 33 year old Katie Hancock lead from pillar to post in the BE100 section with Sophie Walker aged 22 taking the BE90. Hailing from St. Columb, a village on the outskirts of Newquay in Cornwall, Katie Hancock riding her own Kilcandra Rambo…

Pippa Funnell withdraws from Badminton

Pippa Funnell withdraws from Badminton Pippa Funnell withdraws from Badminton along with other top British rider Another top name on the circuit has withdrawn from this years Badminton Horse Trials. Pippa Funnell announced the news following her injuries sustained while competing at Withington. The British rider fell from Sandman 7 while competing at the Withington Manor Horse Trials on Sunday 1st May. Pippa was taken to Oxford’s John Radcliffe Hospital and was kept in overnight for further monitoring. The horse, Sandman 7, owned jointly by Pippa Funnell, Jenny and Ruth McMullen…

euro-star Sponsor event riders Tim and Jonelle Price

WIith Burghley House as the backdrop: NZL-Tim Price (RINGWOOD SKY BOY) INTERIM-2ND and Wife, Jonelle Price (CLASSIC MOET) INTERIM-3RD: 2015 GBR-Land Rover Burghley Horse Trial (Saturday 5 September) CREDIT: Libby Law COPYRIGHT: LIBBY LAW PHOTOGRAPHY

euro-star Sponsor Event Riders Tim and Jonelle Price Euro-star sponsor update Euro-star Reitmoden GmbH are pleased to announce their sponsorship of event riders Tim and Jonelle Price. Euro-star will provide the UK based pair, Tim and Jonelle, with clothing for competition and training. The news comes ahead of the pair competing at The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials next month. The eventers, from New Zealand, are well known for their success at the top level of the sport and they are based in the UK near Marlbourough. “euro-star look forward…

Badminton Horse Trials 2016 Course Preview

Badminton Horse Trials Andrew Nicholson NZL on Calico Joe image credit Mike Bain

In his third year as course designer at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials 2016, Giuseppe Della Chiesa has bucked tradition and sends riders the same way out of the Main Arena as last year. First over the ASX Starter then left to the angled hedges may be familiar, but the HorseQuest Quarry now has a completely new look. Entering the pit down a grassy slope the first obstacle is Mike Weaver’s Hay Cart, seen in many locations in the Park. It is then a left loop out of the…

Michael Jung leads German triumph at Fontainebleau

Michael Jung, Olympic and European champion and his wonderful 16-year-old horse La Biosthetique Sam FBW led the German team to victory in the competitive opening leg of the FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing 2016 at the weekend at Fontainebleau (FRA). Jung and Sam also took the individual CIC3* honours for the second year running (Michael Jung was also second on FischerRocana FST) and Sandra Auffarth, the world champion, came third on her great chestnut gelding Opgun Louvo; she was the only rider in the field without cross country time penalties, finishing…

Badminton Horse Trials Welcomes Strongest Ever Field of Competitors

Badminton Horse Trials cross-country course

Mitsubishi Motors 25th year as sponsors of the Badminton Horse Trials is marked by one of the strongest ever fields of competitors. The highlight is undoubtedly the return of both William Fox-Pitt (Parklane Hawk) and Andrew Nicholson (Nereo and multiple Burghley winner Avebury); the German presence is headed by Olympic Champion Michael Jung with La Biosthetique Sam, accompanied by Ingrid Klimke, twice 2nd at Badminton. Others such as Andreas Dibowski, Bettina Hoy and Andreas Ostholt will also compete. Michael Jung also plans to take one horse to Rolex Kentucky, which…

William Fox-Pitt Returns Home

William Fox-Pitt image credit Mike Bain

After arriving back on UK turf less than a week ago, William Fox-Pitt has been discharged from Hospital to continue his recovery within the comfort of his own four walls. The rider has made good progress since his fall at Le Lion D’Angers, France, in October 2015, one month ago today (17/11/2015) where he sustained a head trauma. As a result, he was in a coma for two weeks. He is expected to take the remaining season off. A world renowned event rider, known for his elegance and ability in the…