British Success at Mondial du Lion
The world’s most promising young eventing horses gathered in France for the 40th anniversary of the FEI WBFSH Eventing World Breeding Championships for Young Horses at the Mondial du Lion, Le Lion d’Angers this weekend. Among an exceptional field of talent, British athlete Tom McEwen and his Irish-bred mount Brookfield Danny De Muze captured the coveted seven-year-old title with a faultless performance.
McEwen’s Dominant Victory
McEwen and Brookfield Danny De Muze produced a double clear to secure victory on an impressive score of 29.6. The partnership’s consistency throughout the competition proved decisive, with McEwen full of praise for both his owners and his exceptional mount.
“I have had some really good results here and I’m delighted for the owners—Chloe and John Perry and Alison Swinburn,” said McEwen. “I am really pleased for the horse who has been going really well all year. I haven’t run him much because the ground has been so hard in the UK. I felt we made a few mistakes on Thursday in the Dressage, but he was brilliant yesterday and jumped foot-perfect today. It’s really nice for the owners, who are unbelievably good at coming second and third.”
A Modern Sport Horse
Sired by I’m Special de Muze, Brookfield Danny De Muze exemplifies the modern eventing prospect. McEwen highlighted the horse’s exceptional qualities that make him a complete package for the sport.
“He’s a very modern-day sport horse. He’s got a great gallop and, as you saw today, a fantastic jump—so for me, he’s the full package. The course today was very open and then went a bit twisty, and I could easily catch up time later on just because he’s so quick to turn around.”
Showcasing the Future of Eventing
McEwen reflected on the broader significance of competing at Le Lion, emphasising the championship’s role in developing the next generation of elite eventers.
“The reason you come here is to showcase the young horses, and as Le Lion shows, it’s not just the winners that follow the path. Take Lordships Graffalo, who finished eighth here—you can see how phenomenal he’s become. For me, yes, obviously we are here to compete and win, but at the same time it’s about producing these lovely horses in an incredible spectacle, with plenty of people, and seeing how they first learn to deal with atmosphere.”
Seven-Year-Old Championship Results
McEwen’s clear round in the final jumping phase secured the title ahead of a competitive field. Belgium’s Lara de Liedekerke-Meier came agonisingly close to claiming a rare double victory, competing on Helios but dropping a rail at oxer number eight to settle for second place.
Ireland’s Ian Cassells and Noa W completed the podium in third, marking an impressive double medal haul for the Irish athlete after also finishing runner-up in the six-year-old class with Rutland Flamenco. France’s Benjamin Massié and Indigogrey Savigny AA climbed an extraordinary 36 places—from 40th after Dressage to fourth overall—claiming the best French result in the seven-year-old championship.
De Liedekerke-Meier’s Six-Year-Old Victory
In the six-year-old championship, Belgium’s Lara de Liedekerke-Meier claimed top honours with Tara Van Het Leliehof, a mare by the stallion Pegasus Van’t Ruytershof. The Belgian combination delivered a faultless performance in the final jumping phase to clinch the title on a score of 25.5, marking de Liedekerke-Meier’s first-ever victory at Le Lion after nearly twenty appearances since 2007.
“It’s incredible—you work so hard for that. I knew the horse was exceptional, but there’s a difference between knowing it and doing it. It’s the judges liking your horse, a bit of luck on the course, and so many things you can’t control. Today I had to cope with my nerves, which were not under control until after fence 4b, but then I felt she was jumping incredibly and I could relax a little bit and make it happen. It’s a sweet victory.”
A Superstar in the Making
De Liedekerke-Meier praised her mare’s exceptional qualities, particularly her composure in the jumping phase after the demanding cross-country day.
“It’s the first time she has done the jumping after the Cross-Country. She was a bit impressed by the crowd when she went in there, but she’s a polite horse and I think she’s a superstar for the future.”
The Belgian star, who also claimed victory at Boekelo just a week earlier, expressed heartfelt gratitude to her support network: “This is the kind of emotion that keeps us going through the hard times and the injuries. I may be the one in the spotlight, but this victory belongs to the whole team.”
Six-Year-Old Championship Podium
Ireland’s Ian Cassells achieved his first-ever podium at the Mondial du Lion, finishing second in the six-year-olds with Rutland Flamenco after a double clear round. The USA’s Hallie Coon and Tykillen Tango completed the top three after climbing from tenth place following Dressage.
The Future of Eventing
As the curtain closed on the 40th edition of the FEI WBFSH Eventing World Breeding Championship, the event once again proved its reputation as a showcase for the sport’s future stars—where the next generation of world and Olympic champions begins its journey.
