News

British Equestrian announces squad of five for FEI Jumping European Championship 2025

Friday, 27 June 2025

British Equestrian and the British Showjumping Selectors can today confirm the five jumping athlete and horse combinations that will be submitted to the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) as our definite entries for the Longines FEI Jumping European Championship 2025, set to take place in A Coruña, Spain from 16–20 July.

Definite entries for the British Equestrian jumping squad, in partnership with Agria, are below, listed in alphabetical order by athlete surname with any direct reserve horses then listed in preferred order:

• Scott Brash (39), based in Horsham West Sussex and originally from Peebles, Scotland, with Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham’s Hello Folie (chestnut, mare, 10yrs, 16.2hh, Luidam x Diament de Semilly, Breeder: Claire Gouin FRA)

• Ben Maher (42), from Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, with Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright’s Point Break (bay, stallion, 11yrs, 16.2hh, Action-Breaker x Baloubet du Rouet, Breeder: Nya Äppelvikens Ridskola AB SWE), first direct reserve Dallas Vegas Batilly (bay, mare, 12yrs, 16.2hh, Cap Kennedy x L’Arc De Triomphe, Breeder: Jean Claude Viollet FRA) and second direct reserve Enjeu de Grisien (bay, gelding, 11yrs, 16.2hh, Toulon x Andiamo, Breeder: Elevage de Grisien S.C.E.A FRA)

• Jessica Mendoza (29) based in Wellington, Florida and originally from Horsham, West Sussex, with her own In The Air (black, mare, 12yrs, 16.2hh, Air Jordan x Indoctro, Breeder: C. Den Boer NED)

• Matthew Sampson (34), from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, with Rachel Gredley, William Gredley and Unex Competition Yard Ltd’s Medoc de Toxandria (bay, gelding, 13yrs, 16.2hh, Der Senaat III x Kelvin De Sainte Hermelle, Breeder: Werner Dierckx BEL)

• Donald Whitaker (32), based in Dagobertshausen, Germany and originally from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, with Reitsportanlage Dagobertshausen GmbH and his own Millfield Colette (grey, mare, 12yrs, 16.1hh, Cornet Obolensky x Clearway, Breeder: Sue Jaggar GBR)

Non-travelling reserves

• First reserve: Robert Whitaker (42), from Henfield, West Sussex, with Caroline and Brian Stephen Blatchford’s Vermento (black, stallion, 12yrs, 16.3hh, Argento x Skippy 12, Breeder: John and Clare Whitaker GBR)

• Second reserve: Joseph Stockdale (25), from Roade, Northamptonshire, with Barbara Hester and Laura Stockdale’s Ebanking (chestnut, stallion, 11yrs, 16.3hh, Etoulon x Aranebel, Breeder: V. Vriend GER)

At the time of release, the names of the grooms for each horse have not been confirmed, but will be announced prior to the Championship.  

Jumping Performance Manager Di Lampard commented; “This is a hugely exciting group with a mix of experience and huge potential. Both Ben and Scott have horses making their championship debut, Matt makes a long-awaited first senior championship appearance, Jess is back in the squad for the first time since being named as reserve for Rio 2016 and Donald will be looking to build on the experience he gained at the last European Championships in Milan with a new horse.

“Collectively the combinations have shown consistently good form this year. We aim to build on this, peaking to be competitive at A Coruña, while using the valuable experience as we build towards next year’s World Championships.”

Selection decisions are subject to the athlete and horse maintaining fitness and performance, and this list may be amended at any point up to midnight on Monday 30 June.

The funding that the British Equestrian World Class Programme receives from the National Lottery and UK Sport is pivotal in preparing our teams for senior championships and supporting them on the ground.

British Equestrian is also extremely grateful for the support we enjoy from our partners – Agria, Bates Saddles, Dodson & Horrell, NAF, SEIB and Toggi – and team suppliers – Equi-Trek and Lotus Romeo. We’re indebted for the year-round support they provide to the World Class Programme and British teams, which helps us to best prepare for senior championships.