The six British horses and riders who will compete at next month’s Agria FEI Eventing European Championships have been named by British Equestrian.
The squad consists of two-time Olympic team gold medallists, Laura Collett on London 52 and Tom McEwen riding JL Dublin, as well as Yasmin Ingham with Rehy DJ. Piggy March (Halo), Caroline Harris (D Day) and Bubby Upton (Its Cooley Time) complete the line up.
“This is a really exciting group of horses and riders, which combines experience alongside new talent — both human and equine,” said Eventing Performance Manager Richard Waygood.
“We’re fortunate to have Laura and Tom returning with their accomplished Olympic rides, it’s a new championship ride for Yaz, while Piggy brings forward her next generation championship horse.
“Both Bubby and Caroline have been in outstanding recent form and are worthy debutants — it’s exciting for our sport to have new faces in the squad.
“Overall, the line-up is ideal for current and future performance as we look toward next year’s FEI World Championships and LA28 [the Olympics], while still being competitive at Blenheim.
“I’d also like to thank all of our owners for their support and the faith they put in our World Class Programme.”
Home soil
This year’s Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials (18–21 September) will play host to the Europeans, which are back on UK soil for the first time since those at Blair Castle a decade ago.
It also marks 20 years since the eventing Europeans was last held at Blenheim Palace, when Zara Tindall was crowned the European Champion.
“Hosting such a prestigious event on home soil is a huge moment for our sport, and we look forward to seeing the entire community — members, supporters, and fans — come together to cheer the team on,” said British Eventing Chief Executive Rosie Williams.
Reigning champions
Britain are the reigning European team champions after victory at Haras du Pin in France in 2023, when Yasmin was a member of the gold medal-winning team and Ros Canter was crowned individual champion.
Team GB were also the victors at the Europeans in Switzerland in 2021, when a British whitewash saw the all-female squad win every individual medal as well: Nicola Wilson (individual gold), Piggy March (silver) and Sarah Bullimore (bronze).
If Britain takes gold again this year, it will be the 25th European team title.
“Huge congratulations to those selected for the British Squad ahead of the Agria FEI Eventing European Championship. They should feel immensely proud of what they’ve achieved to date, and we at Agria are honoured to be title sponsors of this iconic event,” said CEO Vicki Wentworth.
“I can promise we will be the ones shouting them on at the top of our voices from the sidelines!”
The squad in full
Laura Collett, 35, from Salperton in Gloucestershire will partner Karen Bartlett, Keith Scott and her own London 52, 16-year-old bay gelding. Groom: Tilly Hughes.
Caroline Harris, 35, from Stroud in Gloucestershire will ride 11-year-old D Day, who is owned by Lucy Matthews, Fiona Olivier, Marie Anne Richardson and Heather Royle. Bred by Fiona Olivier, the gelding’s groom will be Nellie Smith.
Yasmin Ingham, 28, from Nantwich in Cheshire and originally from The Isle of Man, will ride Janette Chinn and The Sue Davies Fund’s 15-year-old Rehy DJ. Breeder: Ireland’s Noell Russell IRL. Groom: Alison Bell
Piggy March, 45, from Maidwell in Northamptonshire will pilot Jayne McGivern’s Halo, a 12-year-old grey stallion. Breeder: Germany’s Bernard Hobe. Groom: Hannah Chowen
Tom McEwen, 34, from Stroud in Gloucestershire will campaign James and Jo Lambert and Deirdre Johnston’s JL Dublin, a 14-year-old dark brown gelding. Breeder: Germany’s Volker Göttsche-Götze. Groom: Adam Short
Bubby Upton, 26, from Newmarket in Suffolk will partner the Five Time Syndicate and her own Its Cooley Time, a 10-year-old grey gelding. Breeder: Ireland’s Ishennisnag Stud. Groom: Kirsty Campbell.
Bubby also has her long-term ride Cola, on whom she was eighth at this year’s Badminton, as a direct reserve.
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