Australia’s Kevin McNab and Wilfred Lancer retained a top ten placing from nearly 90 combinations with their Thursday dressage score of 29.4, as the first phase of the GFS Saddles 8 & 9 Year Old CCI4*S concluded at Blenheim International in the UK on Friday.
Four Australian combinations posted their dressage scores on Friday:
Isabel English and Cil Dara Bombay S: 31.6 (23)
Sarah Clark and Casallia S: 34 (37)
Sammi Birch and Parkfield Artie Blou: 35.5 (49)
Kevin McNab and Faro Imp: 35.9 (52)
The leading score for the CCI4*S was achieved by New Zealand rider Samantha Lissington, who recorded an impressive mark of 22.4 aboard Quantas R.
The Aussies will now look to Saturday’s jumping phase:
Kevin McNab and Wilfred Lancer: 8.22am local time (5.22pm AEST)
Sammi Birch and Parkfield Artie Blou: 9.20am local time (6.20pm AEST)
Sarah Clark and Casallia S: 9.37am local time (6.37pm AEST)
Isabel English and Cil Dara Bombay S: 9.48am local time (6.48pm AEST)
Kevin McNab and Faro Imp: 5.03pm local time (2.03am AEST next day)
The 2025 edition of Blenheim International not only hosts the prestigious CCI4*-S for up-and-coming equine stars, but also the Agria FEI Eventing European Championship (CCI4*-L).
Dressage showdown at The Palace: Jung tops the leaderboard, as Germany edge ahead
Germany maintained a narrow lead after the second day of Dressage at the Agria FEI Eventing European Championship 2025 in Blenheim Palace. Thanks to a superb late performance from Michael Jung of Germany and FischerChipmunk FRH, their combined score of 74.4 pushed them just ahead of Great Britain on 75.8. France sits in provisional third with 90.7.
In the individual standings, Jung’s score of 18.3 put him at the top of the leaderboard, followed by Laura Collett of Great Britain and London 52 in second on 20.6 and compatriot Tom McEwen and JL Dublin in third on 26.2.
Day two delivered a true masterclass of Dressage in the stunning setting of Blenheim Palace. Ground Jury member and British Dressage judge Sandy Phillips summed up the quality of the competition: “It really was the gold standard. We had some very high-class competitors, and they put on an amazing show, showing the balance and suppleness that are essential for achieving top marks in this phase.”
The morning session saw Tom McEwen deliver a strong performance on JL Dublin, finishing the day in third. He spoke warmly about the atmosphere of competing at home: “Paris was unbelievable – it had French flair but English patronage, with lots of Union Jacks, but [Friday], competing at home is a dream come true. It’s definitely a privilege and an honour, so I’m excited to get the competition underway.”
Laura Collett received the biggest cheer of the day after a superb test with London 52, the horse with whom she has already claimed two Olympic team golds and an individual bronze. Their last appearance at Blenheim was seven years ago, when they won the 8 & 9 Year-Old Championship.
“He is a total showman. He goes in there and just loves showing off to a crowd. I was shaking when I came out, he owes me absolutely nothing, but he just keeps delivering. He’s done this test so many times now that he’s got a bit wise to it; he thought he should have halted at X, which was a shame, but otherwise he was completely with me.”
Collett admitted her build-up hadn’t been entirely smooth: “I had a lesson on Tuesday and missed every single flying change. I had a complete meltdown; it was a disaster. Then [Friday], just as I was about to ride into the arena, he grabbed the bit and tried to run off. But once inside, it’s as if butter wouldn’t melt. He knows everyone’s watching and he’s ready. He tests my nerves that way, but I just have to trust the system, and trust that he knows when it matters. To get that real wow factor, he apparently needs a palace and a big crowd. He just knows when it really counts.”
Dressage leader Michael Jung was equally delighted with his performance on the 17-year-old FischerChipmunk FRH: “I am really excited and very proud of FischerChipmunk, he’s just an amazing horse. A big thank you to his owners, my friends at the Fischer Group. It’s such a joy to ride this horse every day. He was really good in front of me; I could always ride him forward from my legs. Of course, there are always little things to improve, but that’s normal.”
Looking ahead to Cross-Country, Jung added: “I am very excited for tomorrow. It’s a beautiful course with lots of options for every rider. FisherChipmunk is a powerful horse. For sure the first water, then the combination through the arena and the middle section, will be very intense.”
Despite his long list of major international titles, this is Jung’s first visit to Blenheim Palace: “It’s a really beautiful place. I love coming to England, there’s so much history here, especially in our sport. I love going to Badminton and Burghley; it’s not always possible, but I was really looking forward to Blenheim. We’re very lucky with the weather, the conditions are excellent, and I think we have a great track.”
Interactive cross-country course.
Source: FEI press release by Eleanore Kelly
