FEI Children on Horses European Championships: Top ten team finish

The first ever quartet representing Britain as a team at the FEI European Championships for Children on Horses produced a top ten performance in esteemed company and hot competition (1 - 2 August 2025). 

Children on Horses 

A convincing team from Germany achieved a remarkable win in the Children on Horses team competition, securing the gold medal by almost 20 points with three counting scores of over 80%. A valiant effort from Belgium delivered the neighborouring nation a silver medal, whilst the Netherlands completed the podium in bronze. Britain's quartet of Melissa Hargreaves, Rose Punchard, Oriana McNamara and Lily Waller McSweeney all made their championship debuts in Le Mans, and did a solid job in the team competition to earn seventh place in a really high quality class. 

Oriana McNamara and Andrea McNamara's Lafite earned Britain's top score, 70.167%, confirming their excellent form throughout the season with a great test on the international stage. The London-based teen and Lafite, a nine-year-old gelding by Bordeaux and out of a Vivaldi mare, have shown great confidence throughout the week, delivering two consistent, tidy tests for scores of 69% and 70%, coping admirably with the step up to international championship competition. 

With Willinga Park Sky Diamond (Sir Donnerhall x Don Schufro), Lily Waller McSweeney also completed her successful week at the European Championships with a well-ridden performance in the team competition. The combination achieved a score of 69.559%, with a technical mark of 66.867% and a brilliant quality mark earning 72.250%. 

Rose Punchard showed outstanding mettle to bring Samantha Bloor's 16-year-old gelding Elason back to great form in the team competition, after handling an off-day in the Preliminary round with age beyond her years. In the team test, the elegant pair earned 69.434% from Sandrine Trimborn (H - FRA), Thomas Kessler (C - GER), Janine Van Twist (B - NED) and the quality judges at E Eva-Maria Vint-Warmington (EST) and Malgorzarta Pawlowska (POL). 

After showing a wonderful performance in the Preliminary competition, Derbyshire-based Melissa Hargreaves had to give her ride Lagerfeld W with exemplary kindness and support as he found the atmosphere on Team test day a little overwhelming. Melissa can be proud of the riding skill and sensitivity that she showed in the arena, and know that there'll be plenty of days in the future where the high scores will be back on the board. 

With plenty of experienced gained and great riding demonstrated, congratulations go to Melissa, Rose, Lily and Oriana on their European Championship tests, along with theirr families, grooms, coaches and support teams at home. The team were supported in Le Man by Chef d'Equipe Tom Hobday, Performance Manager Nina Boex, Coach Advisors Peter Storr and Clive Halsall and team vet Robert Oulton. 

Results - top three and British riders

Children on Horses team standings
1. Germany - 244.893
2. Belgium - 226.210
3. The Netherlands - 222.467
7. Great Britain - 209.160

Children on Horses Team test
1. Laura Kohoutek and Shakeela FRH, 82.784% (GER)
2. Elise Van Os and Reliv Van'T Amaryllishof, 81.134% (BEL)
3. Lilly Kasslemann and Vodka Soda, 81.064% (GER)
28. Oriana McNamara and Lafite, 70.167% (GBR)
30. Lily Waller McSweeney and Willinga Park Sky Diamond, 69.559% (GBR)
31. Rose Punchard and Elason, 69.434% (GBR)
53. Melissa Hargreaves and Lagerfeld W, 62.534% (GBR) 

FULL RESULTS