Ermelo 25: Fourth for Brits in close-run team contest

With the contest for the team medals running down to the wire, Britain's quartet went within a whisker of the podium, delivering a well-fought fourth place finish. 

In a thrilling day of competition, it was down to the final athlete of the day to determine the team medals at the FEI Para Dressage European Championships 2025 in Ermelo. Germany succeeded in their mission and won their first team gold in history. Second place was for the home nation where the Danish clinched the bronze.

The morning session saw the Grade V competition culminate with the final scores for the German and Dutch teams, completing on 224.454 and 223.362 respectively. Thus, throwing down the gauntlet and leaving only room for the Danish and British teams to try and catch them, when their team scores were being calculated at the end of the Grade IV competition this afternoon. 

For the first time in Para Dressage history a new team are being crowned European champions, and it is Melanie Wienand with Lemony’s Loverboy, Heidemarie Dresing and Poesie 143, Isabell Nowak and Siracusa OLD, and Regine Mispelkamp with Pramwaldhof's Bayala taking the gold for Germany in yet another extremely close competition at this year’s Championship. 

Hampshire rider Jemima Green and her seven-year-old gelding Fantabulous faced a challenging build-up to their team test in Ermelo, with torrential rain delaying their warm-up and a spook in the arena unsettling their start. Supported by coach Georgie Nicholls and cheered on by Fanta’s breeders, the pair recovered well after early tension, showing their strong partnership as relaxation and fluency returned through the more technical movements. Highlights included attentive leg-yielding, an excellent mid-test halt, powerful trot work, and a bravely ridden final medium trot that hinted at Fanta’s future potential. They finished with a square halt and a score of 72.100%, just shy of a personal best, providing a valuable contribution to the British team.

“It was certainly a new experience for us,” Jemima reflected, “He felt very, very good, but he just was a little bit on edge, I would say. He got a little bit disturbed in the 10-minute box by the applause but actually, he had a reaction, then took a breath. So, I'm really pleased because we didn't have what we would say is an ideal warm-up or preparation. 

“I'm thrilled with the score, considering how I thought it could have potentially gone, because he's never experienced weather like it. You never know what you're going to get and there's probably never going to be your ideal what you want, so I hope that's good enough and I know we tried our best in there.”

Wolverhampton rider Gabriella Blake, partnered with her striking grey gelding Strong Beau, also overcame weather delays and the pressure of chasing a team medal to deliver a polished Grade I test in Ermelo. Despite a two-hour competition suspension due to thunderstorms and one small spook in the arena, Gabby showed determination and composure, guiding Beau through an accurate, rhythmical performance marked by precise serpentines, square halts, and steady immobility. Their strong partnership shone throughout, earning 74.000% with two judges awarding over 75%, a result that boosted Britain’s tally and lifted the team onto the podium at that stage of the competition.

“I am very pleased with that – having a little gap in between, then to come back like he did, he was unbelievable. He coped really well and it's the first time I've had to deal with that,” explained Gabby. “I got the walk that I wanted to get on the first day, so he felt incredible.”

“He really looks after me, besides his little blip! I think that was him being a little bit fresh and a bit excited, I don't think it was him being naughty. You know, he does love what he does and I've got a fantastic partnership with him – I absolutely adore him.  

“I just want to thank the National Lottery because I would not be here today without them, and also the World Class Programme – none of this would be possible without them,” Gabby concluded. 

Paralympic medallist Mari Durward-Akhurst and her experienced mare Athene Lindebjerg delivered a brilliant Grade I test, defyin the storm delays disrupting their preparation too. Guided by coach Rob Waine, Mari adjusted her warm-up perfectly and entered the arena with precision and purpose, showcasing Athene’s active walk, accurate serpentines, a square halt, and one of the best free walks of the day. Their harmonious partnership and Mari’s determination delivered the goods, earning a flurry of eights in the closing movements and a superb final score of 75.167%, a valuable boost for both her individual campaign and the British team.

“I'm pleased they've got it done. It's been a long day,” said a relieved Mari. “It’s difficult because I kind of geared myself up and fitted everything in, then it got delayed the first time and that was fine. Then it got delayed the second time and by that point, my body was like, ‘it's five o'clock, it's sleep time now!’, so it was quite hard. But I had Athene and she's just incredible. She helped me out so much in that test. 

“I think she's just such a show queen and we've got a real partnership now. The minute she goes in those boards, she just knows her job and I honestly think something could go off and she wouldn't know.”

Full of gratitude for her home team, Mari concluded: “I just want to say a massive thank you to my home team, and British Equestrian and the National Lottery, because without any of them this just wouldn't be possible, and to Di and Athene because, like I said, she's just incredible. There's not many words to sum up Athene."

Riding Humberto L, Nicola Naylor delivered a composed and empathetic Grade IV Grand Prix B test despite some early tension and a small spook in canter. The pair showed accurate work; the walk work proved a highlight, with the difficult turn-on-the-haunches, extended walk, and repeat sequence ridden with empathy and control. A small spook in canter was quickly recovered, and the movements that followed – including balanced loops and obedient flying changes – gained stronger marks. When the score was announced as 71.406%, it was just shy of the 72.10% needed for bronze, leaving Great Britain heartbreakingly close to a medal.

“I’m feeling pleased with him. I went in there today looking for a bit more expression and, when I got in there, I could feel that he was a bit nervous, so it was a quick decision on how much to go for it and how much to just hold his hand. I ended up holding his hand quite a lot! You could feel he was just that little bit more unsure,” reflected Nicola.

“I think it’s fabulous that it was so close – I think it’s better. If everyone is really fighting for their places, hopefully it’s going to be more exciting, more encouraging and more nations will take part, and more riders will take part. The sport has revolutionised in terms of the quality of the horses and what riders are now able to do. I think it’s great because it’ll make people think they’ve got a chance. It’s an amazing way to start the next cycle, that everyone is so competitive. For all the nations, it’s been exciting, which is how it should be. You never know, we might make it more of a spectator sport!” 

Results 

Team 
1. Germany - 224.454
2. Netherlands - 223.362
3. Denmark - 221.974
4. Great Britain - 221.267
5. Italy - 220.738

Grade I Grand Prix B
1. Rihards Snikus and King of the Dance, 78.375% (LAT)
2. Sara Morganti and Mariebelle, 77.458% (ITA)
3. Mari Durward-Akhurst and Athene Lindebjerg, 75.167% (GBR)
4. Gabriella Blake and Strong Beau, 74.000% (GBR)

Grade II Grand Prix B
1. Heidemarie Dresing and Poesie 143, 77.533% (GER)
2. Katrine Kristensen and Goerklintgaards Quater, 74.533% (DEN)
3. Jemima Green and Fantabulous, 72.100% (GBR)

Grade IV Grand Prix B
1. Louise Etzner Jakobsson and Goldstrike B.J., 72.270% (SWE)
2. Pia Wulff Jelstrup and Zafia, 72.108% (DEN)
3. Alexia Pittier and Sultan 768, 71.811% (FRA)
4. Nicola Naylor and Humberto L, 71.406% (GBR)

FULL RESULTS