Britain second in closely fought Rotterdam thriller

Lottie Fry delivered two back-to-back victories at Rotterdam CHIO (19–22 June 2025), spearheading a strong British challenge that narrowly missed out on top honours in the CDIO5* FEI Nations Cup™ hosted in the Netherlands.

The final standings went down to the wire in the Nations Cup competition as the British quartet of Lottie Fry, Laura Tomlinson, Sadie Smith and Tom Goode produced a combined total of 215.152 to finish just 0.435 behind the home side. The Netherlands claimed the win on 215.587, with Belgium completing the podium on 205.609.

Fresh from their FEI World Cup™ Final triumph in April, Lottie and Van Olst Horses’ Glamourdale (Lord Leatherdale x Negro) produced a standout performance in Thursday’s Grand Prix, scoring 75.109% to take the win.

“I have to say, it was such an amazing test and such an amazing feeling," Lottie said. "We were really working as one in the arena, and everything I asked, he gave. He was just incredible. Unfortunately, there was quite a big misunderstanding, which we didn't get back from very easily, so two very expensive marks there, but apart from that I was so happy coming out [of the arena] because of the feeling he gave, and he was so happy to be doing it. He was really excited, and you don't need more than that.”

The superstar duo returned in style for Sunday’s Grand Prix Special, wowing the Rotterdam crowd with a sensational performance that earned 80.276% and secured victory by a margin of more than 10%.  “Glamourdale gave his absolute all – it felt like he wanted to make up for our canter pirouette on Thursday that did not go to plan,” Lottie reflected. “The one-tempi changes were spot-on.”

"Until now, Rotterdam hadn’t really been my lucky place, but today Glammy gave me so much confidence. He really thrives in this kind of atmosphere – he loves people and the crowd. The stadium setup is different from, say, the European Championships, but the enclosed feeling actually gives a great sense of focus. This was a fantastic way to kick off our outdoor season.” 

Gloucestershire-based Laura Tomlinson added crucial strength to the British team effort. Aboard her own and Ursula Bechtolsheimer’s Fürstenball-sired nine-year-old gelding Full Moon II, she achieved a stellar 70.956% to finish fourth, just outside the podium placings, before going on to claim third in the Special on another superb score of 69.170%.

With just a few months of Grand Prix experience under their belt, Sadie Smith and Swanmore Dantina (Dante Weltino x Charatan W) rose to the occasion for a confident overseas and senior team debut. The pair posted 69.087% in the Grand Prix before raising the bar in the Freestyle to score 74.040% and place ninth.

“Literally the best week ever. I had the most amazing time riding on my first Nations Cup team. After many years of dreaming, I got to wear the British flag! Dia was a little nervous on the first day of the Grand Prix, but we still managed 69% to go towards the team finishing second! We then went on to score 74% in the freestyle and finish ninth,” said Sadie, taking to social media to reflect on the week. She also extended her thanks to her coach Carl Hester and to Anne van Olst for warming her up both days, adding, “the whole team made it such a special experience. It takes so many people to make it happen and I’m so grateful.”

Completing the British contingent, Tom Goode also delivered strong results with Richard Jackson’s Fürstenrausch PS, another talented 10-year-old gelding sired by Fürstenball. The pair earned 68.609% for a solid Grand Prix test before returning for the Grand Prix Freestyle, where they earned an impressive 74.020% to finish in the top ten.

Reflecting on the British performance, BD International Director Judy Harvey said: “We had an interesting team in Rotterdam with three young horses just starting out in CDIOs and a World Champion in Glamourdale. We also had one rider competing on a senior team for the first time, another rider looking to regain confidence, and two established team riders with European Team Golds and Olympic medals already in their trophy cabinets. What a great team it proved to be, everyone was fully supportive of each other and whilst there were a few little mistakes here and there, the quality of the way of going of all four Team GB horses was something to be very proud of.

“We finished second in the Team competition by a tiny margin but in my eyes they were all winners. They all achieved their personal goals. The three young horses performed brilliantly in the intense Rotterdam Arena, and Lottie and Glamourdale threw down the gauntlet to the rest of Europe with an amazing 80%+ in the Special.”

This result puts Britain third on the FEI Nations Cup leaderboard with 24 points behind joint leaders the Netherlands and Germany on 35 points as we head towards the penultimate leg of the series which is set to take place at Aachen in Germany in July.

Results – top three and British placings

CDIO5* Grand Prix
1.    Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale, 75.109% (GBR)
2.    Hans Peter Minderhoud and Taminiau, 72.739% (NED)
3.    Marlies van Baalen and Habibi DVB, 71.957% (NED)
4.    Laura Tomlinson and Full Moon II, 70.956% (GBR)
11.    Sadie Smith and Swanmore Dantina, 69.087% (GBR)
14.    Thomas Goode and Fürstenrausch PS, 68.609% (GBR)

CDIO5* Nations Cup
1.    Netherlands – 215.587
2.    Great Britain – 215.152
3.    Belgium – 205.609

CDIO5 Grand Prix Special*
1.    Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale, 80.276% (GBR)
2.    Juan Antonio Jimenez-Cobo and Quartar, 69.404% (ESP)
3.    Laura Tomlinson and Full Moon II, 69.170% (GBR)

CDIO5* Grand Prix Freestyle
1.    Hans Peter Minderhoud and Taminiau, 81.905% (NED)
2.    Marlies van Baalen and Habibi DVB, 77.700% (NED)
3.    Thamar Zweistra and Luxuriouzz, 77.360% (NED)
9.    Sadie Smith and Swanmore Dantina, 74.040% (GBR)
10.    Thomas Goode and Fürstenrausch PS, 74.020% (GBR)

FULL RESULTS

Photo ©  FEI/Leanjo de Koster