British Dressage Youth European Championship Selection 2026

The British Dressage Under 25 and Under 21 Selectors have announced the combinations they have selected to represent Great Britain at the 2026 FEI European Championships across the five different age categories.

The Selectors are pleased to confirm that the combinations below have been selected to compete in this year’s FEI Children on Horses, Pony, Junior, Young Rider and U25 European Championships.

The FEI Under 25 and Young Rider European Championships are due to take place in Pilisjaszfalu, Hungary, from 6 – 12 July, followed by the Juniors and Children on Horses, which will be held at Olomouc in the Czech Republic from 13 – 19 July.  Finally, the Pony European Championships will be held at Le Mans in France, from 28 July – 2 August.

Judy Harvey, International Director at British Dressage, commented: “We have seen some exciting progression of our youth riders this season and we are delighted by the level of improvement they have demonstrated, so there is a lot to look forward to this summer. This year marks a significant milestone for BD, as it will be the first time that we have sent a team to represent Great Britain in all five age categories.

“We have several exciting medal prospects, so it will hopefully lead to a thrilling competition. The U25 & U21 European Championships are a great environment for the development of our young riders, and we wish them all the best of luck.”

Congratulations to all riders who’ve worked hard to achieve progress and qualification results throughout the spring season. We wish the best of luck to all selected combinations on their respective visits to Hungary, Czech Republic and France. 

Selected Combinations

Under 25s

Harrison Ashton based in Dortmund, Germany, and originally from Preston, Lancashire with Henri Ruoste and Equeco GmbH's Spectre (black gelding, 2013, San Amour I x De Niro 6, FWB)

Lilah Gibbs from Greater London and her own Dude III (black gelding, 2011, Dancier x Rubinstein, HANN)

Annabella Pidgley based in Uggerhalne, Denmark, and originally from Windsor, Berkshire with Sarah Pidgley’s Gio (chestnut gelding, 2011, Apache x Tango, KWPN)

Georgina Nicholls from Alresford, Hampshire and her own Briarwood Notorious (chestnut gelding, 2015, Negro x Gribaldi, WBS)

Direct Reserves

Harrison Ashton based in Dortmund, Germany, and originally from Preston, Lancashire with Henri Ruoste and Jesse Honka's Million Dreams (black mare, 2015, Millennium x Sandro Hit, OLDBG)  

Annabella Pidgley based in Uggerhalne, Denmark, and originally from Windsor, Berkshire with Sarah Pidgley’s Vamos Amigos (bay gelding, 2012, Vitalis x Hotline, WESTF)

Reserves

Ruby Hughes from Bishops Itchington, Warwickshire and Fenella Quinn and Abigail Lyle’s Farrell (bay gelding, 2011, Fabregas x Davignon, HANN)

Sophie Taylor from Kidderminster, Worcestershire and her own Jerrydale (bay gelding, 2014, Everdale x Havidoff, KWPN)

 

Young Riders

Mette Dahl from Balcombe, West Sussex with Fiona Bigwood’s Daytona Platinum (bay gelding, 2011, Dante Veltino OLD x Charon, OLDBG)

Myles Graham from Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire with Daniel Sherriff and Lindsey Roberts’ Fred Astaire WD (chestnut gelding, 2014, Fiderbach OLD x Benvenuto, HANN)

Demi Howard-Cartwright from Sunningdale, Berkshire with her own Newton Astro Nascente (chestnut gelding, 2016, Apache x Don Schufro, OLDBG)

Ruby Hughes from Bishops Itchington, Warwickshire with Emma Blundell’s Mount St John Jazz Dance (bay mare, 2014, Jazz x Hemmingway, KWPN)

Direct Reserve

Mette Dahl from Balcombe, West Sussex with Fiona Bigwood’s Fidelio Van Het Bloemenhof (chestnut gelding, 2009, Fidertanz x Jazz, BWP)

First Reserve

Morgan Haerr from Conwy, Wales with her own Grolschstar (bay gelding, 2011, Arlando x Zeoliet, KWPN)

 

Juniors

Ella Grace Dovey from Malvern, Worcestershire with Hannah Dovey, Verity Jenner and Katie Hardouin’s Escomond (bay gelding, 2015, Escolar x Caprimond, OLDBG)

Sofia Games from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire with Katie Oliver-Games’ Bovary JBM (chestnut mare, 2019, Baron x Dacaprio, HANN)

Oriana McNamara from London with Andrea McNamara’s Active Solaris (black gelding, 2014, Sezuan x Fidermark, OLDBG)

Isla Sully from Glastonbury, Somerset with Cassandra Sully’s Vagabond de Massa (bay gelding, 2009, Reito x Xaquiro, LUSIT)

Direct Reserve

Ella Grace Dovey from Malvern, Worcestershire with Harriette Williams’ Creto (black mare, 2010, Conteur x Falkenstern II, HANN)

First Reserve

Abigail Gray from Banchory, Aberdeenshire with Jo Cooper, Patricia Webster and David Webster’s Jack Diamond (bay gelding, 2014, Electron x Diamond Hit, KWPN)

 

Ponies

Ella Fraser from Sutton, Norfolk and her own Brouwershaven’s Viceroy (bay gelding, 2009, Jurjen H x Speyksbosch Nelson, NWPCS)

Amelia Goodear from Chesterfield, Derbyshire and her own Furioso V.H. Enkershof (bay gelding, 2015, Coelenhage's Purioso x De Goede Ree Now Or Never, NWPCS)

Martha Jones from Colwyn Bay, Conwy and Lily Cawley’s Cognac IX (palomino gelding, 2008, FS Chambertin x Waldermar, KNHS)

Queenie Moule from Barnet, Hertfordshire and her own Amden Supreme Golden Dancer (palomino gelding, 2016, Dating AT x Scampi, GRP)

First Reserve

Georgie Morgan from Hereford, Herefordshire and Claire Morgan’s Brouwershaven’s Jasper (bay gelding, 2012, Valerio x Vita Nova’s Hanassie, NWPCS)

 

Children on Horses

Amelia Dovey from Malvern, Worcestershire and Hannah Dovey’s Sheepcote Jackson (chestnut gelding, 2013, Johnson x Don Primero, BE)

Sebastian Houlston from Bedale, North Yorkshire and Charlotte and Robert Lutener's Full Fusion BS (bay mare, 2010, Blue Hors Zack and Mooiman, KWPN)

Stella McComb from Gibraltar and her own Dos Alamos (dark bay gelding, 2009, Dressage Royal x Dream of Glory, HANN)

Isabelle Stuart from Virginia Water, Surrey and Lady Katherine Stuart’s Prince May the First (bay gelding, 2008, Prins Alfred x Voltaire, NRPS)

Direct Reserve

Amelia Dovey from Malvern, Worcestershire and Leslie Forlee’s Boccelli 6 (liver chestnut gelding, 2007, Belissimo M x Riccione, WESTF)

First Reserve

Sophia Parry from Abergele, Conwy and Morgan Haerr’s Floran (bay gelding, 2006, Florestan II x Rosenkoenig, RHEIN)

Travelling with the teams will be U25 Chef d'Equipe Tom Hobday and U21 Performance Manager Nina Boex. From everyone at BDHQ, we would like to wish the teams the best of luck at the Championships.

Photo- Lukasz Kowalski 2025