Dressage and Para Dressage
The recently expanded Riesenbeck International equestrian centre and showground will be host to the FEI European Championships for Dressage and Para Dressage this summer. It’s located Surenburg Forest of Germany, north of Münster.
The extensive equestrian centre is the base of German showjumper Ludger Beerbaum, who played a fundamental part in its development alongside Baron Philipp Heereman. An indoor arena complex is surrounded by a large grass stadium, which played host to the FEI Jumping European Championship in 2021 and the Global Champions Tour earlier this summer, and facilities for driving competitions. With Ludger as its President, the Longines World Equestrian Academy is based at the site, offering training and development to talented young riders from across the world.
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The Dressage Squad
Click on each of the thumbnails below to find out more about the athletes and horses who make up our dressage squad.
The Para Dressage Squad
Click on each of the thumbnails below to find out more about the athletes and horses who make up our para dressage squad.
Latest news
Stay up to date with everything that's happening in Riesenbeck here, or via our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter feeds.
Results and timings
All results and timings are available to view via Longines Timing. The start lists will be updated once competition is underway.
DAILY SCHEDULE – Dressage
| Date |
Activity |
UK time | Local time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tues 5 Sept | First horse inspection | 07:00 | 08:00 |
| Weds 6 Sept | Grand Prix (team competition) | 08:30 | 09:30 |
| Thurs 7 Sept |
Grand Prix (team competition) Medal ceremony |
08:30 16:00 |
09:30 17:00 |
| Fri 8 Sept |
Grand Prix Special (individual competition) Medal ceremony |
09:15 16:00 |
10:15 17:00 |
| Sat 9 Sept | Rest day | N/A | N/A |
| Sun 10 Sept |
Grand Prix Freestyle (individual competition) Medal ceremony |
12:30 16:15 |
13:30 17:15 |
Daily schedule – Para Dressage
| Date |
Activity |
UK time | Local time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 4 Sept | First horse inspection | 07:00 | 08:00 |
| Tues 5 Sept |
Individual test – Grade 2 Individual test – Grade 1 Individual test – Grade 3 Medal ceremony |
07:30 10:00 14:15 16:15 |
08:30 11:00 15:15 17:15 |
| Weds 6 Sept |
Individual test – Grade 4 Individual test – Grade 5 Medal ceremony |
07:30 11:45 14:45 |
08:30 12:45 15:45 |
| Thurs 7 Sept |
Team test – Grade 3 Team test – Grade 2 Team test – Grade 1 |
07:30 10:00 12:30 |
08:30 11:00 13:30 |
| Fri 8 Sept |
Team test – Grade 5 Team test – Grade 4 Medal ceremony |
07:30 10:30 13:30 |
08:30 11:30 14:30 |
| Sat 9 Sept |
Freestyle – Grade 3 Freestyle – Grade 2 Freestyle – Grade 1 Freestyle – Grade 5 Freestyle – Grade 4 Medal ceremony |
07:30 09:00 10:30 12:30 14:00 15:30 |
08:30 10:00 11:30 13:30 15:00 16:30 |
How to watch
All the action will be available to stream live with English commentary on FEI.TV via a subscription to ClipMyHorse.TV. Click here for the full schedule.
At this time, BBC Sport has not confirmed if they'll be showing any coverage of the event. If this changes, this page will be updated accordingly.
Keep an eye on our social media feeds for the ride times of each of our British combinations.
Competition Structure – Dressage
Dressage is a test of horse and rider's ability to perform a range of movements in harmony, across the gaits of walk, trot and canter. Seven judges mark the test from different points around the arena, which measures 60m x 20m. At a World Championships, national federations can put forward teams of three or four riders, with the three highest scores counting towards the final score. Nations unable to put forward a complete team can enter up to two combinations.
GRAND PRIX
The Grand Prix test is used to decide the team medals. Combinations each perform a set test, with judges marking all of the movements out of 10. The scores are then added up and an average taken which, when combined with additional marks for the riders’ seat and aids, is given as an overall percentage score. All four riders will ride the test, but only the three best scores are counted – the team with the highest overall percentage claims the team title.
GRAND PRIX SPECIAL
The top 30-placed riders from the team test then go forward to compete the Grand Prix Special, which is a predetermined test with a higher degree of difficulty than the Grand Prix. No scores are carried forward and, if qualified, all four team members can contest this round. The combination with the highest overall percentage score wins the individual title.
FREESTYLE
The top fifteen combinations of the Grand Prix Special compete in the Grand Prix Freestyle (also known as the kür). The Freestyle test sees combinations ride a floorplan set to music of their choice, based on a list of required movements, with additional marks given for artistic merit and degree of difficulty. If all four athletes from one nation are in the top 15, only three athletes may participate. No scores are carried forward from the Grand Prix Special and the highest percentage takes the title.
Competition structure – para dressage
Para athletes are classified into five grades (1–5) depending on their levels of mobility, strength and coordination. Grade 1 tests are in walk, grade 2 and 3 include walk and trot, and grade 4 and 5 are comprised of walk, trot, canter and lateral work. To assist them during their tests, riders may use additional aids such as looped reins or callers, and federations can enlist 'friend' horses to stand just outside the arena to help the competing horse stay relaxed. There are five judges marking each test, spread at different points around a 40m x 20m arena. National federations can put forward a team of four riders – teams can't contain more than two riders in any one grade.
INDIVIDUAL (Grand Prix A)
All four riders compete against others in their grade in a set test. The test is marked in the same way as in dressage, and the combination with the highest percentage wins the individual medal for that grade.
TEAM (Grand Prix B)
All four riders ride a set test for their grade. The three highest scores are combined to produce an overall score, and the nation with the highest score wins. Riders can choose their own background music to be played during the test, but this won't be judged.
FREESTYLE
In each grade, the top-eight combinations in the Individual test go forward to the Freestyle on the final day. Each combination rides their own floorplan set to music of their choice, based on a list of required movements, with additional marks given for artistic merit and degree of difficulty. No marks are carried forward from the Individual test, and the combination with the highest percentage wins.
Past successes
Want to know how the British team has fared at previous European Championships? Use the links below to find out.
