History is made at the Agria FEI Eventing European Championship 2025
In the shadow of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Blenheim Palace, over 45,000 people witnessed history being made on Sunday 21st September, as Great Britain’s Laura Collett and London 52 rode to individual gold glory in the Agria FEI Eventing European Championship and Team Germany continued their international dominance taking home the team gold.
It was a week of incredible moments in a spectacular setting, with 17 nations competing in the Championship, Captain Mark Phillips bid goodbye to international eventing course designing, Team Ireland took home their first European medal since 1995, and the horses and riders of tomorrow showcased their talents in the GFS Saddles 8 & 9 Year Old class and evoke™ Eventer Challenge.
Over the course of four days, 427 riders took to the hallowed Blenheim turf, showcasing phenomenal talent, from seasoned professionals to the next generation. It was in fact a full circle moment for gold medallist Laura Collett and London 52, having won the 8 & 9 Year Old class title herself at Blenheim Palace in 2018. All eyes will now be on the 2025 winner Samantha Lissington and Quantas R, as they progress. The evoke™ Eventer Challenge also saw upwards of 320 riders making up 113 Pony Club and Riding Club teams from all over the UK take part in a hybrid competition of show jumping and cross country.
It was in fact an award bonanza, as lucky recipients received accolades throughout the week. To start the week, Pietro Majolino (ITA) and Lea Siegl (AUS) took home the Best Dressed Award, sponsored by Hiho Silver in the British Horse Feeds Speedi-Beet Trot Up. Next it was the turn of Sarah Ennis’s (IRE) Dourough Ferro Class Act, groomed by Emily Singleton, who was awarded The Best Turned Out prize, sponsored by British Horse Feeds.
Groom Debbie Carpenter was awarded the European Championship Grooms Prize, receiving a hamper of delicious goodies from Blenheim Palace and an Agria Horse First Aid kit. This award was a recognition by the Organising Committee of the vital role grooms play at the event. The British Grooms Association and International Grooms Association were delighted to see grooms celebrated in so many ways at the event. Initiatives included fast food lanes for grooms, dedicated mentions in commentator notes, names displayed on scoreboards, and lively grooms’ parties - all designed to recognise and reward the essential contribution of grooms to the success of the sport.
The awards were also numerous for the over 200 exhibitors, with Townfields Saddlery (Large Stand), Koy Clothing (Medium Stand) and Enzo Lodges (Small Stand), all winning big. To top it off, His Grace, The Duke of Marlborough awarded the Longstanding Service Awards to Helen Frampton (Grandstands and Hospitality Manager), Hugh Moss (Sector Steward), Christine Poulton (Crossing Points) and Sharon Hogan (Cross-Country Start and Finish), who have supported and volunteered during the horse trials for over a decade.
In addition to the thrilling international competition, visitors were treated to incredible events across the four days. Official Charity Partner, Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), saw 613 people jump on Anton and Charlie, the mechanical horses, with each ride gaining a £5 charity donation from event sponsor Agria. Even influencers Meg Elphick and actor Joe Ashman had a go!
“It has been an event to remember”, says Event Director Katrina Midgley. “Not only have we welcomed 37% more visitors than 2024, but we have seen the cream of international eventing grace Blenheim’s grounds.
As part of the event’s social outreach, over 115 participants from the RDA and urban riding school groups were welcomed to experience Blenheim in all its glory. Hannah Thompson, Children’s Manager of Ride High, who support children with social anxiety says: “This was a wonderful opportunity for our members as none of them had ever experienced such an event before. Simply being at such a large-scale event, in such a venue was a new experience and they had a lot of opportunities to make personal progress in areas such as confidence, social skills and self-esteem – not to mention watching the cross-country competition!”
Vicki Wentworth, CEO of lead sponsor Agria, comments: “It’s been a privilege to help bring the FEI European Eventing Championships back to Britain at the Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials. As a pan-European business we have loved hearing many languages spoken at the Event, including from seven of the Agria nations taking part, and witnessing riders from as far afield as Hungary, Turkey, and Lithuania demonstrate elegance in dressage, courage and stamina across the championship cross-country course, and precision over the show jumps. The whole week has captivated spectators, celebrated sporting excellence and horse welfare, and will live long in the memory of all at Agria.”
“This is an event like no other,” concludes Katrina Midgley. “We cannot thank the competitors, their support staff, our team, Blenheim Palace and His Grace, The Duke of Marlborough enough for all the effort and hard work. It has been an incredible week of talent, both experienced and new, and I for one, cannot wait to see what the next generation of riders will do for our sport. We look forward to seeing you all in 2026!”
The Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials will be back next year from 17th – 20th September. For more information, please visit www.bpiht.co.uk.