Ermelo 25: Para Dressage European Championships Preview

The stage is set at the Dutch National Equestrian Centre in Ermelo (NED) for the FEI Para Dressage European Championship 2025 where on the 3 - 7 September, a grand total of 20 nations will descend upon the impressive venue to contend for the European titles.

Throughout the five days of competition, 57 combinations from across the five Grades will head down the centreline, representing their country in three separate competitions. Wednesday and Thursday will see the Individual champion crowned, then on Friday and Saturday, thirteen of the Nations will step forward to contest the Team title and finally, the crowd-pleasing Grand Prix Freestyle will take place on Sunday for the best placed individuals to compete for the medals once more.

Over the decades, the Championship has grown in both scale and profile. Initially centred on individual tests, the format expanded to include team competitions and Freestyle to Music, ensuring that every athlete’s artistry and technical mastery could shine. Today, medals are awarded in the Individual, Freestyle, and Team competitions across the five Para Dressage grades, reflecting the diversity and inclusivity of the sport.

Held biennially, the FEI Para Dressage European Championship continues to embody the values of determination, equality, and the unbreakable connection between human and horse. In 2025, Ermelo, Netherlands, will welcome the continent’s finest para equestrian athletes for a celebration of sporting brilliance and human spirit — an unmissable highlight on the international equestrian calendar.

Britain are represented by a mix of experience and Championship first timers, with Gabriella Blake and Strong Beau heading to their second Europeans and Mari Durward-Akhurst with her Paralympic bronze medallist and team GB stalwart, 18-year-old Athene Lindebjerg heading up the team. Joining them are Jemima Green on a quality young horse in the 7-year-old Fantabulous, and Nicola Naylor who has been notching up some exciting scores ahead of her debut with Humberto L.

British combinations

Grade 1 | Gabriella Blake (32) from Wolverhampton, West Midlands, with Gavin and Estelle Blake and her own Strong Beau (grey, gelding, 16yrs, 15hh, Spinway Blackthorn x Balda Beau, Breeder: Ms S. Amos GBR)

Grade 1 | Mari Durward-Akhurst (31) from Amersham, Buckinghamshire, with Diane Redfern, Nick Durward-Akhurst and Romilly Hart’s Athene Lindebjerg (black, mare, 18yrs, 17hh, Gribaldi x Diamant, Breeders: Ulla and Kristian Bech DEN)

Grade 2 | Jemima Green (36) from Alresford, Hampshire, with her own Fantabulous (chestnut, gelding, 7yrs, 16.1hh, Foundation 2 x Furst Romancier, Breeder: Rainer and Angelika Ahlers GER)

Grade 4 | Nicola Naylor (64) from Ashford, Kent, with Rosalind Emery Kay and her own Humberto L (bay, gelding, 13yrs, 16.2hh, Cachet L x Haarlem, Breeder: J. Lamers NED)

Timetable 

Tuesday 2 September	Horse inspection	09.00 BST
Wednesday 3 September	Grand Prix A - Grade II	08.30 BST
	Grand Prix A - Grade I	10.15 BST
	Grand Prix A - Grade III	14.00 BST
Thursday 4 September	Grand Prix A - Grade IV	08.30 BST
	Grand Prix A - Grade V	12.00 BST
Friday 5 September	Grand Prix B - Grade III	08.30 BST
	Grand Prix B - Grade II	11.00 BST
	Grand Prix B - Grade I	12.30 BST
Saturday 6 September	Grand Prix B - Grade V	08.30 BST
	Grand Prix B - Grade IV	12.30 BST
Sunday 7 September	Para Grand Prix Freestyle - Grade III	07.30 BST
	Para Grand Prix Freestyle - Grade II	09.00 BST
	Para Grand Prix Freestyle - Grade I	10.00 BST
	Para Grand Prix Freestyle - Grade V	12.15 BST
	Para Grand Prix Freestyle - Grade IV	13.45 BST

How to follow 

Live streaming is available via ClipMyHorse / FEI.TV throughout the week with a subscription. 

British Dressage will cover the show with live results, stories and exclusive photos on all social media channels, whilst British Equestrian will also deliver behind the scenes content and live results too.