First to come up to the centre line in front of the palace will be Switzerland’s Nadja Minder, partnered with the ever-consistent Toblerone. At 18 years of age, Toblerone is one of the most senior horses in the field, yet still full of energy and experience. With several five-star completions to their name, they make a reliable pair to blaze the trail for Saturday’s crucial Cross-Country test.
Nine nations have fielded teams this year: Switzerland, Belgium, Great Britain, Sweden, Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, and Austria. Athletes from eight additional countries will compete as individuals: Lithuania, Norway, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary. Making their historic debuts at a European Eventing Championship are Luxembourg and Turkey. Their participation marks a significant milestone in the Championship’s history, which began in 1953, when the FEI invited Badminton to host the inaugural event. Only six nations competed that year, with Great Britain the only team to complete and therefore win gold.
Great Britain enters as the strong favourite for team gold in 2025. The host nation is the most decorated in Championship history, with an incredible 24 team golds and a clean sweep of the individual podium achieved on seven occasions. Leading the charge is Yasmin Ingham, the reigning FEI Eventing World Champion, who will be first up for Team GB aboard Rehy DJ. She’s joined by Piggy March, also competing tomorrow, while double Olympic gold medallists Tom McEwen and Laura Collett will start on Friday, piloting their Paris 2024 champions JL Dublin and London 52, respectively.
However, in horse sport, nothing is guaranteed. Germany, with six team golds in their European Championship record, also arrives with serious medal ambitions. Their line-up includes Libussa Lübbeke, Malin Hansen-Hotopp, and Jerome Robine, led by none other than Michael Jung, one of the most successful Eventing athletes of all time. A triple Olympic gold medallist, Jung has also won three consecutive European titles on three different horses, an extraordinary feat of versatility and horsemanship.
After two days of Dressage, all eyes will turn to Saturday’s Cross-Country phase, which always has the potential to dramatically shake up the leaderboard. The course has been designed by Captain Mark Phillips, a former European team gold medallist himself in 1971. He also holds a special connection to this venue: his daughter, Zara Tindall, won the individual title the last time the Championship was held at Blenheim in 2005.
Designing a four-star championship course, Phillips explains, requires a delicate balance: it must challenge the world’s top combinations, while still being inclusive for human and equine athletes from emerging nations.
“Over the years, course design has evolved enormously. When I was riding, it wasn’t unusual for only half the field to complete. Now, thanks to improved training, safer fences, and a better understanding of risk, we expect over half the riders to go clear across country – though not necessarily within the time. If you take all the easy options, you’ll probably be late for tea,” shares Phillips.
Above all, Phillips believes in putting the horse first. “For me, it’s always about being kind to the horse, helping them understand the question, even if the rider makes a mistake. Horses see the world differently. They respond best to blue, yellow, and white, and as prey animals, their eyes are on the sides of their head. That means they can’t focus the way humans do. My job is to help them ‘read’ the fences so they can do their job safely.”
With strong fields, historic milestones, and an iconic setting, the Agria FEI Eventing European Championship 2025 promises to be a thrilling showcase of elite sport, partnership, and national pride. The countdown to the first Dressage bell is on.
Source: FEI Press Release by Eleanore Kelly, edited by Equestrian Life.
