Germany sits in pole position in both the team and individual events at the Agria FEI European Eventing Championships at Blenheim Palace after the opening day of dressage. 

Malin Hansen-Hotopp leads the way individually with Carlos Quidditch K on 27.8. Blenheim has been a happy hunting ground for Malin and the 13-year-old Holsteiner gelding as the pair won the CCI4*-L title here in 2022.

“I’m really happy. I was a little bit afraid that he’s too much ‘on’ because when I came down [to the arena] he was just getting up and up with the head and just looking around but then I really pushed him forward and he was okay,” explained Malin. 

“It’s really special [to be back here]. I didn’t feel the pressure to be on the team or not because I just thought, ‘okay, I was a winner here so it doesn’t matter if I’m coming back or not, because it won’t be better than that’. I had just a fabulous week here. I think with Kentucky together last year, it was one of my greatest competition weeks.”

2, Libussa Lubbeke and Caramia 34 (GER)

Half a penalty in arrears are compatriots Libussa Lubbeke, who is making her senior debut this week, and her homebred mare Caramia 34. They are pathfinders for the German team who top the team leaderboard on a score of 27.8.

“I was really happy with the walk and how concentrated the horse was. It’s just a pleasure to be here with her,” said Libussa. 

3= Yasmin Ingham and Rehy DJ

Best of the Brits is Yasmin Ingham who piloted the 15-year-old gelding Rehy DJ into equal third along with France’s Sebastien Cavaillon on Elipso De La Vigne. Britain and France sit joint second in the team event on a score of 29.

“His test was great today. I thought there was lots of highlights in there and he tried super, super hard, so I was delighted,” said Yasmin, who is the reigning world champion with Banzai du Loir.

“We’ve been working super hard with Chris Bartle and Sarah Higgins on the flat. They’ve been instrumental in my dressage training just trying to gain those small margins, because that’s all it takes. I’m not riding a big, flashy horse, so I need to be accurate and try and maximise each mark for each movement the best we can.

3= Sebastien Cavaillon and Elipso De La Vigne (FRA)

Sebastien, who is making his senior championship debut for France this week, was disappointed with his dressage mark with the 11-year-old Selle Francis gelding he has been riding for six years.

“Everybody tells me that is was a fantastic test but the score was not good for me, 29 is a bad score for him. This year in Bramham he made a score of 26 and here was better for me,” said Sebastien.

5, Piggy March and Halo (GBR)

Piggy March and Halo, who are also part of the British team, are the only other pair to break the 30 barrier at this stage and occupy fifth. 

“I had a couple of really expensive uncharacteristic mistakes so it’s really disappointing. I’ve been so excited to be here and he’s such a fab horse I wanted to show him at his best and do the best for the team and everything so to have the mistakes that we did is frustrating,” said Piggy, who is back on a senior British team for the first time since 2021. 

“I’ll moan for 10 minutes but it’s still sub 30, we’re here, we’re at the Europeans, part of the team and he’s a great horse so I need to move on, kick on and all the rest of it.”

6, Sarah Ennis and Dourough Ferro Class Act (IRL)

Sixth place belongs to Ireland’s Sarah Ennis riding the 10-year-old Irish Sports Horse Dourough Ferro Class Act.

7, Melody Johner and Erin (SUI)

Melody Johner and Erin’s result of 31.5 leaves them in seventh and has helped the Swiss team to fourth.

8, Benjamin Massie and Figaro Fonroy (FRA)

Benjamin Massie and Figaro Fonroy, who are riding as individuals for France, lie eighth.

9. Nicolai Aldinger and Timmo (GER)

German individuals, Nicolai Aldinger and Timmo, a 15-year-old Holsteiner gelding, sit ninth.

10. Giovanni Ugolotti and Duke of Champions (ITA)

Italy’s Giovanni Ugolotti and Duke of Champions round out the top 10 on a score of 32.8. Italy lie fifth in the team competition at this stage.

The second day of dressage will get underway tomorrow (Friday 19 September) at 1030 with Pietro Majolino and Vita Louise DH Z for Italy.

For the full list of results click here.

Images by Tim Wilkinson/Your Horse.

Related content