Horse News From Around the World Today: 7 November 2026
International showjumping has delivered fresh results from Italy and Senegal, with Julien Epaillard continuing his winning form at Verona and Switzerland’s Mike Smits claiming Youth Olympic gold in Dakar. In dressage, Dutch rider Dinja van Liere has completed a double victory with a promising nine-year-old stallion, while British Dressage has launched a new training programme designed to strengthen horse welfare and safety at competitions. Elsewhere, the FEI has celebrated a historic first for women in international carriage driving.
Julien Epaillard continues winning form with Verona five-star victory
French showjumper Julien Epaillard has continued his impressive start to the indoor World Cup season, winning Friday’s CSI5*-W 1.55m competition at Jumping Verona aboard his homebred Donatello d’Auge.
The pair completed the course in 62.53 seconds, defeating compatriot Simon Delestre and Crazy Daisy 13, who finished second in 63.12 seconds. Germany’s Daniel Deusser took third aboard Navarro van het Eelshof in 63.60 seconds.
The victory came just five days after Epaillard won the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup qualifier in Lyon aboard Le Coultre de Muze, demonstrating the strength of his current competition string.
Donatello d’Auge, by Jarnac out of a Hello Pierville mare, has already established himself among Epaillard’s leading horses. His latest performance came against 47 other starters at the 128th edition of Fieracavalli, which hosts the third Western European League qualifier of the season.
For British supporters, attention will turn to Sunday’s €250,000 World Cup Grand Prix, where riders will compete for qualification points towards the 2027 Final in Gothenburg. Britain’s Ben Maher finished fourth in Lyon last weekend aboard Point Break, underlining how closely contested the series has become.
Saturday’s programme includes a 1.50m competition worth €28,200 and a 1.55m two-round class worth €105,500. Sunday’s World Cup qualifier begins at 14:30 Italian time, 13:30 GMT.
The official FEI Verona competition page provides the programme and competition results. British starters in the weekend’s major classes have not been independently confirmed for this report.
Swiss teenager Mike Smits claims Youth Olympic gold in Dakar
Switzerland’s Mike Smits has won individual showjumping gold at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, completing an exceptional week without lowering a single fence.
Riding Barentin de Rampan, Smits produced the fastest of three double-clear performances in Friday’s medal-deciding competition, stopping the jump-off clock in 37.81 seconds.
American rider Liza Tittle secured silver aboard Senji de Reaute in 38.51 seconds, while Colombia’s Alejandro Gutierrez Alcocer claimed bronze with Villeroy van het Harteveld Z in 38.72 seconds.
Twelve combinations had qualified for the jump-off after jumping clear in the opening round, but only the eventual medallists managed to repeat that performance against the clock.
What makes the achievement particularly notable is the Youth Olympic Games format. Riders compete aboard borrowed horses, requiring them to establish a partnership in only a few days rather than relying on the familiarity developed over months or years.
Smits and Barentin de Rampan remained fault-free throughout the qualifying competitions, final round and jump-off, an impressive display of adaptability and consistency.
The equestrian programme also produced a historic team result on Thursday, when Team Asia won gold on 17 penalties, ahead of Inter America on 21 and Africa on 29.
The competition brought together 24 young riders from across the world, giving developing athletes experience of an Olympic environment before progressing towards senior international sport.
No British rider was identified among the confirmed individual medallists. The FEI’s official Youth Olympic Games final report provides the full account of Friday’s competition.
Dinja van Liere completes Verona dressage double with nine-year-old Mauro Turfhorst
Dutch dressage rider Dinja van Liere has completed a clean sweep of the CDI4* Grand Prix competitions at Verona, winning Friday evening’s Freestyle aboard nine-year-old Mauro Turfhorst N.O.P.
The combination scored a personal-best 84.225%, having also won Thursday’s Grand Prix. It was only their second international Grand Prix Freestyle together, making the result particularly significant for a horse still establishing himself at the highest level.
Australia’s Simone Pearce finished second aboard ten-year-old Will Marq with 81.305%, another personal-best performance, while Poland’s Sandra Sysojeva took third with Maxima Bella on 80.130%.
Mauro Turfhorst, a Dutch-bred stallion by Glock’s Zonik out of a Negro mare, has been partnered by Van Liere since he was five. Their first international Freestyle appearance came at the World Championships in August.
The results suggest that the Netherlands has another promising Grand Prix combination capable of challenging established international competitors. For British dressage, Van Liere’s progress adds further depth to the European field ahead of next year’s major international fixtures.
Britain’s Charlotte Fry, Matt Frost and Lily Cawley enjoyed podium and top-ten results at Opglabbeek last week, but no verified British placing has been established in Verona’s Freestyle.
British Dressage launches new marshal training programme to strengthen equine welfare
British Dressage has launched a new educational programme for competition marshals, placing horse welfare, safeguarding and safe arena management at the centre of its training.
Announced on Friday 6 November, the BD Marshal Programme has been developed with experienced British Dressage stewards and selected competition venues, which helped pilot the course.
Marshals are often among the most visible members of a competition team, helping riders navigate busy showgrounds, supervising warm-up areas and supporting the smooth running of classes.
The new programme aims to give them the confidence to recognise welfare concerns, manage situations appropriately and understand when issues should be reported to officials.
Training covers five areas: competition-day responsibilities, British Dressage values, equine welfare, arena management and opportunities for further development.
Participants must be at least 18 years old and hold a minimum of free British Dressage Community Membership. Following completion of the online course and assessment, successful candidates receive a certificate, while their nominated venue receives a red marshal armband to help competitors identify trained personnel.
The initiative is particularly relevant to the wider discussion about equine welfare in British competition. Recognising signs of distress, managing busy collecting rings and ensuring concerns reach the appropriate officials can all contribute to a safer environment for horses and riders.
The course also provides a potential first step towards further steward education, encouraging volunteers and venue staff to develop their knowledge.
Full details and registration information are available in British Dressage’s official announcement.
Anna Sandmann makes history with first female FEI Driving World Cup victory
Germany’s Anna Sandmann has become the first woman to win a four-in-hand FEI Driving World Cup competition, following her breakthrough victory at Lyon.
The 31-year-old secured the result with two clear rounds, finishing ahead of Belgium’s defending champion Dries Degrieck and fellow Belgian Glenn Geerts.
Although the victory took place last weekend, the FEI published a further interview with Sandmann on Friday 6 November, reflecting on the significance of the achievement.
Sandmann is competing in only her second indoor World Cup season, making her success against more experienced drivers particularly notable.
Four-in-hand driving requires competitors to guide a team of four horses through a technical course against the clock. Accuracy, communication and the ability to maintain rhythm through tight turns are essential, with penalties for displaced obstacles.
Sandmann’s victory represents an important milestone in a discipline where women have historically been less prominent at the highest level of four-in-hand competition.
The result also adds another contender to the current World Cup campaign, which brings together leading international drivers across the European indoor season.
The FEI’s interview with Anna Sandmann explores her reaction and the importance of the victory for future female competitors.