FEI European Championships 2026: Young Rider team finishes fourth

British riders take home fourth place in the Young Rider team competition at the FEI Dressage European Championships, held at Pilisjászfalu, Hungary (6 – 12 July 2026).

Photo - © Lukasz Kowalski 2026

Across two days of hot competition the British Young Rider squad, comprised of Myles Graham, Demi Howard-Cartwright, Mette Dahl and Ruby Hughes, put their best foot forward to produce four fantastic tests and finish in touching distance of the medals, with a combined score of 206.941.

Demi Howard-Cartwright was our trailblazer rider of this championship aboard Newton Astro Nascente (Anton), producing a solid opening test in Demi’s third Europeans appearance. Aboard Anton, Demi rode a steady, solid test to score 65.588% in front of judges Sandy Phillips (GBR – E), Eva-Maria Vint-Warmington (EST – H), Dr Sven-Gunter Rothenburger (NED – C), Nicole Nockemann (GER – M) and Carlos Lopes (POR – B). Reflecting after her test, Demi commented “I was very happy with the accuracy of the test and that I got my tempi changes, which was the goal I went in with. My pirouettes were much better as well, so I was happy with that. Anton felt a little bit spooky so we had a costly mistake in one of our changes where something must have just caught his eye, which was a huge shame because the test was clean and going quite nicely until then. Anton is a horse that goes off the rider’s confidence, so I just had to give him a pat and carry on really”.

Ruby Hughes was second to go aboard Mount St John Jazz Dance (Jillz), producing a positive, accurate test. The duo produced some fantastic work in the walk and trot tour, but a couple of unfortunate mistakes in the canter tour meant that the combination finished on a score of 68.029% to put them in 15th position overall. “I was really happy with her. This is her first time competing in an atmosphere like this and at a European Championships. I haven’t really known Jillz for that long and have only been competing her this season. I was super super happy with the trot and walk tour; she was so well behaved and stayed with me despite the atmosphere. She felt really soft and supple which I was really pleased that the judges really rewarded us for that. Unfortunately, there were a few mistakes in the canter work that were costly but I was actually really proud of it, it felt overall much stronger and I was really pleased with my pirouettes and two-time tempi changes which are normally a big nemesis of mine!”. Looking forward to the Individual Test, Ruby said “I’m just aiming to ride a clean, confident test and I can’t ask for much more than that”.

Myles Graham was third to go for the team with Fred Astaire WD (Freddie), producing an accurate and harmonious test. The trot and canter tour produced lots of solid work, but an unfortunate mistake at the end of the extended canter brought the score down slightly to give them a final mark of 67.941% and placing just behind Ruby in 16th. Speaking after his test, Myles said “I was really happy with Freddie overall. We got all our ‘tricky’ movements like the pirouettes and our tempis, which was one of our main aims along with keeping the trot nice and connected. It was a shame about the mistake at the end, but I wouldn’t change anything about how Freddie went in the test. My warm-up felt spot on, left plenty of time for walk breaks and the noseband check, along with allowing me to correct things without feeling flustered or pressured. We made the decision to compete in the double bridle, which made a huge positive difference and allowed me to keep him more connected. He felt really good.”

The concluding test of the Young Riders came from Mette Dahl and Daytona Platinum (Dino). Mette produced a clean, correct test to come away as the highest scorer with 70.971%, and finish in eighth position overall. Mette and Dino’s test was supple, harmonious and forward, producing highlights such as the four-time tempi changes and balanced, expressive extended trots. Looking back on their time in the arena, Mette commented “I was super ecstatic with how we went today. We have really gained confidence this season, so I was delighted with how he behaved. Dino’s confidence has grown so much since I started riding him in September. Although it’s improving, I’m really pleased with the progress so far! I got a few comments from the judges about taking more risk, so we are definitely going to be giving it a bit more tomorrow as we’ve got that bit more confidence. The warm-up felt the best we had this season; I’m just going to go in tomorrow, ride my lines and give it my all!”

Congratulations go to all the riders and their support teams, as well as Chef D’Equipe Tom Hobday as they look towards the individual tests starting tomorrow (10 July).

Team results- top three and British team

1. Germany – 216.029

2. Netherlands – 214.500

3. Denmark – 214.206

4. Great Britain – 206.941

Times for Individual test

Friday 10 July

Mette Dahl and Daytona Platinum – 11:34 BST

Saturday 11 July

Ruby Hughes and Mount St John Jazz Dance – 07:32 BST

Demi Howard-Cartwright and Newton Astro Nascente – 10:20 BST

Myles Graham and Fred Astaire WD – 10:36 BST

TIMES & LIVE RESULTS