Thursday, 18 September 2025
With Wednesday’s opening ceremony declaring the 37th Agria FEI Eventing European Championships officially underway, it was down to the business end of the Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials with day one of dressage. The responsibility of judging the 55 championship tests fell to ground jury of Sandy Philips (GBR – President), Valerie Pride (USA) and Katrin Eichinger-Kniely (AUT).
Three of Britain’s eventing squad of six were in action today, two of the team in Yasmin Ingham and Piggy March, and debutante Caroline Harris riding individually.
Reigning World Champion Yasmin Ingham, originally from the Isle of Man, is no stranger to the British squad, having featured over the last three years with Banzai du Loir. A return to Blenheim for ‘Yaz’ is a sentimental one because it was here that she and Banzai scored their first big win together, which put them on the map. However, this year, it’s long-term ride Rehy DJ who she partners. Owned by loyal supporters Janette Chinn and The Sue Davies Fund, ‘Piglet’ has been with Yaz since 2017, when she took him on as a relative novice, and they’ve climbed the ladder together, including being part of the British team at the 2018 FEI Young Rider European Championships, narrowly missing out on a team and individual medal. They now have three CCI5* completions to their credit and, while the bubbly Irish-bred gelding may not be as flashy as some, he always gives his all.
Cheshire-based Yaz has learned how to craft a test and gain the small margins with Piglet through working with coaches Chris Bartle and Sarah Higgins. No marks are left in the arena through extreme accuracy and presentation but, today, she rode into the huge Blenheim Palace arena just that bit taller, proud to be partnering the horse who’s been on a huge journey with her through his first championship test. They started brightly, Piglet looking sprightly and enthusiastic in his work, with Yaz riding for every mark. There was one moment in the rein-back when Piglet tucked his head in slightly, which impacted the marks, but only marginally. The test had a pleasing flow and rhythm, and most importantly was mistake-free with no marks lower than six, topping out at 8.5. It was just the solid performance the team was looking for to get them underway.
“He was fabulous, I thought he tried so hard. There were lots of highlights – he did some beautiful changes, his trot work was great, he was very accurate,” said Yaz animatedly. “I think here at the prestigious European Championships, I’m delighted with a score of 29.0 for him. He’s not the most flashy or glamourous of horses, but he tries very, very hard and his highlights are Saturday and Sunday,” she said.
Being pathfinder is a huge responsibility, but what does Yaz make of the role? “It’s really exciting to be here at a home championship and to be leading the Brits as a team is, of course, lots of pressure, but Piglet and I have a long partnership together and we’re very much up for the challenge. I’m very excited to be pathfinder – there’s pressure to get that clear round and the time, but I know the drill. We’ll go out and ride to the plan and ‘stick to the system’, as Chris [Bartle] always says. And that plan will be clear inside the time.
“I’m incredibly lucky to have such a special relationship with this horse and it’s very special to be given this opportunity to ride at Blenheim. We’ll give it our very best and hopefully we’ll come out on top on Sunday,” she explained.
And her first impression of the all-important cross-country course for Saturday? “It’s a wonderful course with the up and down terrain. Captain Mark Phillips has done a wonderful job which asks questions from start to finish. It’s incredibly intense and we’ll have to be on our ‘A game’ from the start,” Yaz replied.
Gloucestershire rider Caroline Harris didn’t have your typical start to a professional riding career as, up until the age of 10, she called inner-city London her home. Her father encouraged her and her sister to take up riding. She wasn’t an instant fan but was eager to be better than her sibling, so she stuck with it and, today, she made her eagerly awaited senior championship debut for Great Britain.
Her equine partner, D. Day, owned by Lucy Matthews, Fiona Olivier, Marie Anne Richardson and Heather Royle, was also not originally destined for top-flight eventing. He was bred by part-owner Fiona Oliver as a pleasure horse, but went to Caroline and they quickly developed a formidable partnership.
D. Day entered the main Palace arena and looked thoroughly excited to be at his first championships but, sadly, that impacted his relaxation and suppleness. Caroline did her best to manage the test and the flow was good, but just with some tension. There was a good square halt over the centre line, but then a rather noisy plane appeared in the leaden skies and D.Day focused on that during his walk tour, which pegged back the marks to threes and fours. Caroline rode bravely and did her utmost to encourage some relaxation, but D. Day wasn’t at his most aimable – it was a sterling job by his jockey in the situation.
“It was okay, but it definitely could have been better. He got more tense going in there than I thought he would. He didn’t walk, which was a huge shame, but it was fine. It’s our first championship and he tried hard, this [the dressage] isn’t our strong point,” lamented Caroline.
She went on; “He felt brilliant – on really good form. I’m just so proud of him for being here, he’s not a big, flashy horse – he is what he is and we do our best, but he always gives me 100% and I can’t ask anymore. He’s a real character, a lovely person and you struggle to get a picture of him without his ears forward.”
D. Day is a renowned cross-country horse with a win at the top level under extremely challenging conditions, so what does Caroline think of Captain Mark Phillips’s cross-country course? “It’s very decent, the angles are strong and it’s going to take a lot of riding. You need to be bold and attack it – I’m looking forward to it. He knows the [Blenheim Palace] park and hopefully we have a good spin – he’s ready for it,” she said with a wry smile.
Back into the British championship team fray for the first time since 2021, Northamptonshire’s Piggy March has made no secret that she’s back and is ready for her sixth European championship appearance. Her partner for the occasion is Jayne McGivern’s petite Holsteiner stallion, Halo. The duo is very familiar with the parkland at Blenheim Palace, having topped the podium here in 2022 in the prestigious eight- and nine-year-old class and finishing sixth in 2023 in the CCI4*-L.
As the eye-catching grey trotted around the arena, it was clear Piggy was looking for a good performance, knowing Halo was capable of going sub-20 as he had on a few occasions at this level earlier in the season. The entry was relaxed and his quarters just tipped left in the halt, stopping it from being square. The early trot work was forward, fluid and accurate, with well-ridden transitions. In walk, the rein-back was regular and smooth, with all three judges awarding eight, and the remaining movements showed good relaxation.
Into canter, and Piggy went brave in the medium – you don’t come to a championship to play safe – but Halo lost his balance, went disunited and Piggy had to drop to trot to correct him. Ever the professional, Piggy had him quickly back into his stride and the higher marks returned. The flying changes were secure, and they finished with a flourish.
The duo had been trending well in the lead in the early sections, but the blip in the canter brought them back to the scores of the main leading pack. A final 29.4 left them third behind Yaz, with the final section of combinations to go.
After the test, Piggy couldn’t hide her upset; “I had a couple of uncharacteristic, really expensive mistakes. It’s disappointing when you’re here and it means a lot. He’s such a fab horse and you always want to show his best. It’s frustrating – the good bits were really good. I’ll moan for 10 minutes, but it’s still sub-30, we’re here at the Europeans and he’s a great horse. Move on, kick on for the rest of it – it’s frustrating, but that’s the sport,” she said.
But her spirits lifted when asked about what it meant to back in British team kit; “It’s so special – especially on home soil. I even had my nails done to fit in with the colours! It’s really cool, I feel like I’ve been out of it for ages, so I’m very proud,” she said excitedly.
Captain Mark Phillips’s cross-country course has been the main topic of chat throughout they day, but what does someone with the experience of Piggy make of it? “There are a few sneaky problems to be had anywhere. It’s a really good track, it’s certainly a championship track – he’s really spiced up Blenheim for sure! It’ll be a thrills and spills day, but hopefully just thrills for me,” she said.
The standings at the end of day one
At the end of day one of dressage at the Agria FEI Eventing European Championship, it’s Germany who hold the first two steps on the podium, while the third is shared between Great Britain and France. Here are the standings:
Friday is the turn of Gloucestershire-based Tom McEwen and JL Dublin at 11:59, going third for the team, with individual first-timer Bubby Upton – who hails from Suffolk – going at 14:51 with Its Cooley Time. The final British team pairing down the centre line will be Laura Collett and London 52 at 15:54 (all times BST).
By the end of Friday, we’ll have definitive team placings ahead of the eagerly anticipated cross country phase. Can Britain regain the advantage over Germany?
You can catch up on all the action from every phase of the Agria FEI Eventing European Championships on FEI.TV, powered by ClipMyHorse.TV. The weekend’s action will be available to livestream on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website – visit our online Eventing Hub for details. Find times and results on the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials website, plus everything you need to know about the British squad and the competition on our online Eventing Hub.
In addition to the Agria FEI Eventing European Championships, the Agria Blenheim International Horse Trials plays host to the dedicated GFS Saddles 8- & 9-year-olds class – and there’s a bumper entry. Could we see the 2027 European champion amongst the runners? Follow the competition live on Horse & Country TV to find out.