News
FEI European Championships 2026: Children Preliminary B and Junior Team test
- Written By: British Dressage | Maddie Hinchliff
- Published: Fri, 17 Jul 2026 09:30
The Children on Horses team start off the competition on the right stride with two personal best scores and two top ten finishes from Sebastian Houlston and Amelia Dovey in the opening Preliminary B competition, whilst Junior team put in a strong effort to finish in ninth.
© Lukasz Kowalski 2026
Children on Horses
Sebastian Houlston (pictured) was the final British rider down the centre line in the Preliminary B with Full Fusion BS, where he rounded off the competition with a bang to finish on a personal best score of 75.977%, placing him in ninth position. Seb and Flo showcased an attentive, precise test that was three percent higher than their previous best score, achieved at Hickstead CDI in May. The pair gained a 68.036% technical score, and Seb earned an 83.500% rider score. The judges rewarded Seb with 8.4 for both his Precision and General Impression, whilst awarding 8.3 for both his Seat and Effectiveness of Aids. Reflecting on his time in the white boards, Seb stated “It felt quite overwhelming to start, and then as I went through my test it just started to feel like I was riding a ‘normal’ test. My test went really well overall, she [Flo] felt really good in the contact. My highlight was definitely my counter canter though because it felt well balanced and supple. Getting a personal best is so exciting, and I’m really glad I could overcome those initial nerves and ride such a good test!”
Amelia Dovey was the British pathfinder of the competition, coming away with a striking first score of 75.792% to finish a fraction behind Seb in tenth. This is a personal best for the duo, beating their previous score of 73.232% from the Hickstead CDI. Amelia and Jackson danced their way around a beautifully balanced and accurate test, earning an average technical score of 69.464% and rider score of 82.000%, including scoring 8.4 for her General Impression. Speaking after her test, Amelia commented “I felt Jackson was with me the whole time in the test. I was really happy to finally be out there in the big environment after so many days of travelling. I’m really excited for the team test, it feels there’s so much more to come!”. After the final standings came in on Thursday, Amelia said “I’m really happy that we managed to score a PB, it really shows how far we have come in such a short space of time.”
Stella McComb was the second rider down the centre line on Wednesday, coming away with a strong overall score of 70.060% to finish 22nd in front of judges Thomas Lang (E – AUT), Knut Danzberg (E – GER), Maarten Van der Heijden (H – NED), Alban Tissot (H – FRA), Gabriela Valeriánová (B – CZE). Stella and Dos Alamos produced an energetic, harmonious test, scoring an average technical mark of 65.714% and 75.000% rider score. From the judges, Stella scored 7.8 for her Rider Positioning and Seat, and 7.5 for her General Impression. An unfortunate couple of errors, which Stella proficiently and effectively corrected, proved costly at times. Despite this, when speaking after her test, Stella commented “I felt like my test went really well, there are a couple of bits to improve on before the team test, but I felt like my horse and I really bonded in the arena and overall, it went really well”.
The first rider to go this morning was Isabelle Stuart with Prince May the First. At just 11 years old, Isabelle produced a superbly soft and rhythmical test to finish on 68.256% and finish in 31st position. Isabelle and Prince showed excellent regularity and swing throughout all three paces, but gained super marks for his relaxed, active walk work. Unfortunately, they had an expensive break in the first medium trot, which Isabelle coped with brilliantly. As a technical mark, the duo scored 65.536%, but Isabelle gained a 70.500% rider score, earning 7.2 for Precision, and 7.0s across the board for her Seat, Effectiveness of Aids and General Impression. Speaking after her test, Isabelle reflected to say “I was really excited, a bit nervous, but I really enjoyed competing today. The highlight of the test was definitely the final halt… it was perfect!”
Juniors
Despite being the last to go, Isla Sully rounded off the team campaign with Vagabond de Massa to finish on a strong final score of 69.666% and place 13th individually. Isla and Vagabond posted an incredibly strong test, trending between 70 and 72% for most of the way round. Unfortunately, they had a blip on the final centre line, which proved to be incredibly costly and dropped them just below 70%. Throughout the trot tour, the pair were producing consistent average scores of 7.0 and above, produced fantastic walk work, and in the canter were scoring between 7.0 and 7.5 for the flying changes. “I was really pleased overall, and it felt like it went really well. There are definitely some improvements to make so I’m really looking forward to the individual today.”
Sofia Games and Bovary JBM were the second highest scoring British combination in the team, performing an active, expressive test on the international stage to come away with 66.879% in 32nd. There were lots of positive moments for Sofia and the young mare, with highlights including a lot of the trot tour, where they were receiving average marks of 7.0 and 7.1 for their shoulder in, 7.2 for their half pass, and 7.0 for their medium and extended trots. In the canter, they produced some fantastic flying changes, scoring 7.4 and 7.0, as well as receiving high praise for their canter half pass, scoring an average of 7.3. Unfortunately, the score was impacted by a couple of blips in the canter work, although they were excellently and efficiently handled by Sofia, who still left the arena with a smile on her face. Commenting on their test, Sofia stated “I was so happy with Bonnie. I was so proud with how she took on the arena at such a young age, she had so much confidence and I was able to hold her hand to give a really good performance. Despite a couple of mistakes, it doesn’t take away from her quality and great attitude. The second half of the trot work was definitely a highlight from my test, she really grew in confidence. I was riding the second shoulder in and just thinking ‘Wow, I love this horse so much!’”.
Ella-Grace Dovey was next to go with Escomond. Ella-Grace and Ernie delivered an accurate, clean test to finish on 65.424% and place 45th. The canter work proved to be a highlight for the duo, earning 7.0s for the flying changes and the second part of the trot work showed growing confidence and boldness. “I’m pleased with how it went” Ella-Grace remarked, “He dealt with the massive environment really well, he’s never been in an arena like this before so for him to go in and not get too shy, I’m really proud of him. He coped with the heat really well as well, he felt a bit tired when he went in but overall I’m really pleased. There were some huge mistakes on my behalf which kept the marks down. I’m really looking forward to the Individual, the test really suits him.”
First to go down the centre line for the Junior Team competition was Oriana McNamara and Solly. Oriana and Solly produced a positive, accurate test to come away with 62.909% and place 61st in front of judges Frederico Pinteus (E – POR), Henning Lehrmann (H – GER), Mariette Sanders-van Gansewinkel (C – NED), Christine Prip (M – DEN), Marlena Gruca Rucinska (B – POL). The canter tour showed lots of strong moments, including scoring average marks of 6.8 for both canter half-passes, and 7.0s for many of the flying changes. Unfortunately, a mistake in one of the later changes and some tension in the walk proved expensive on their final score. Reflecting on their test, Oriana commented “Solly felt incredible in the warmup, and it was one of our best ones yet. The steward came up to me after my test and said he was like Glamourdale going into the arena. Unfortunately, following the first halt Solly got a bit shy and wasn’t entirely with me, meaning we didn’t present to our full potential which I was quite disappointed at, but I could never be disappointed in him. I couldn’t ask for a better partner for my first test at my first Junior Europeans, so to ride down that centre line was just incredible.”
On behalf of everyone at BDHQ, we would like to congratulate all the riders and their teams. Thank you also goes to Chef D’Equipe Tom Hobday and Performance Manager Nina Boex who are out there with the teams and supporting the riders. We wish all competitors the very best of luck as they head into the Children's Team Test and Junior Individual.
Results - top three and British riders
Children Preliminary B
1. Emilija Rucinskaite and Nice Guy STW, 83.548% (Belgium)
2. Linda Schuchmann and Figo de Halliers, 81.066% (Germany)
3. Shirley Vanerom and Ogami van het Beukenhof, 81.000% (Belgium)
9. Sebastian Houlston and Full Fusion BS,75.977% (Great Britain)
10. Amelia Dovey and Sheepcote Jackson, 75.792% (Great Britain)
23. Stella Mccomb and Dos Alamos, 70.060% (Great Britain)
32. Isabelle Stuart and Prince May the First, 68.256% (Great Britain)
Junior Team Test
1. Clara Kohoutek and Dark Dancer 39, 74.545% (GER)
2. Ida Bøllingtoft Asmussen and Gozzip, 72.727% (DEN)
3. Greta Louise Wagner and Vanessa H, 72.333% (GER)
13. Isla Sully and Vagabond de Massa, 69.666% (GBR)
32. Sofia Games and Bovary JBM, 66.879% (GBR)
45. Ella-Grace Dovey and Escomond, 65.424% (GBR)
61. Oriana Mcnamara and Active Solaris, 62.909% (GBR)
Team Placings
1. Germany – 218.029
2. Denmark – 212.302
3. Netherlands – 210.454
9. Great Britain – 201.969
