FEI Young Rider and U25 European Championships: Individual placings and final qualification

After two days of top-drawer competition at the FEI European Championships for Young Riders and U25s (8 – 13 Juy 2025), the individual medals were decided, with top placings and spots in Sunday’s Freestyle rewarded to five British riders.  

U25s

Annabella Pidgley defied a difficult draw as the first rider to present on Friday, the opening day of individual competition, to place as top Brit in the U25 medal class. With her mother Sarah Pidgley’s Vamos Amigos, Annabella rode a test of outstanding power to impress Henning Lehrmann (E – GER), Christine Prip (H – DEN), Isobel Wessels (C – GBR), William Warren (M – USA) and Dr Vincenzo Truppa (B – ITA). The pair’s passage was a real highlight throughout the test, and was rewarded by the panel; unfortunately a small mistake in the two-tempi changes just kept the score behind it’s high trending figure – but a superb score of 71.872% would leave Annabella in good shape overnight. At the end of the class, the Danish-based, Berkshire-born Brit finished in a highly commendable sixth place.  

Team newcomer Harrison Ashton (pictured) continues to have the week of dreams at the Europeans, building on his team test form to produce another personal best score of 70.308%. With Henri Rouste’s Millenium-sired mare Million Dreams, Harrison rode with poise and precision; despite only partnering the young mare since the start of the season, the partnership between horse and rider is clear. The pair concluded the round in 11th place, achieving a place in the Freestyle final. Speaking on social media, Harrison commented: “Still trying to process this... 11th in the Individual Grand Prix at the European Championships. I honest can’t believe what Millie has done this week. She came here as the least experienced and one of the youngest horses in the field, and she’s handled everything like she’s been doing it for years. Getting through to the final is something I didn’t think was possible – and to do it with her, at this stage in her career, is just unbelievable.”  

Lilah Gibbs and her own Dude III achieved a place inside the top twenty, with a brilliant 68.128%. The pair produced high quality pirouettes, passage and trot work, with plenty of admirable lightness; a mistake in the one-tempi changes were the only factor holding back the score, which still reflects a super debut effort for this combination. Fellow debutant Charlotte Lutener has also done a great job in the arena with Full Fusion; a handful of small mistakes kept today’s score to 64.513%, but this pair have much to look forward to after their first ever European Championship experience.  

The Individual gold medal belonged to Germany’s team test winners Anna Schölermann and Springborgs Guardian, who really stood out from the field with 74.718%. Moritz Treffinger and the handsome stallion Cadeau Noir also repeated their team placing to be rewarded with individual silver; whilst Denmark’s Sara Aagaard Hyrm stepped up to the third spot on the podium with Atterupgaards Cooper.  

Young Riders

Mette Dahl bounced back from the team test to place as best of the Brits in the Young Rider Individual contest, achieving a fantastic tenth place with Fiona Bigwood’s Fidelio van het Bloemenhof. The duo rode a balanced, accurate test with plenty of highlights to earn 69.912% from Marlena Gruca Rucinska (E – POL), Maria Colliander (H – FIN), Frederico Pinteus (C – POR), Patricia Wolters (M – NED) and Elke Ebert (B – GER). Speaking on social media Mette said, “so proud to have achieved tenth place! Ready for the kur tomorrow morning!” 

Teghan Cantrell-Bennett is another of the Brits to be experiencing a dream debut. With her mother Christine Cantrell’s 20-year-old Woodlander Donna Summer, Teghan repeated the form that earned them great marks in the Team test riding once again with lovely harmony, lightness and ease; the score would be 69.529%, earning them a climb in the leaderboard and a fantastic 13th place. This also sees the duo progress on to the Freestyle final on their very first attempt – what a great achievement.  

Isobel ‘Izzy’ Lickley and India Durman-Mills both showed their experience in giving their best to their horses. With Robert and Nicola Lickley’s KWPN mare Katniss, Izzy rode for every mark following an early mis-step on a trot volte which dropped a fantastic trending mark. The combination give a fantastic picture and produced some strong work to recover their score to 66.971%. Whilst India did an exemplary job of giving Verity Saul’s Escade confidence and kindness in the impressive Kronberg arena; their Individual score was 65.118%, but the horsemanship was a 10/10.  

In the contest for the coveted Individual medals, Germany’s Lana-Pinou Baumgürtel and her chestnut mare ZINQ Emma FH NRW were astounding throughout their test, earning 75.206% for gold. Dutch team medallist Anniek van Dulst stepped up into the silver medal position with My First Choice – Dutopia, whilst the consistent Danish combination of Anna Teibel Raben and Sparaday earned a well-deserved bronze.  

Congratulations to all British riders, their super horses, grooms, owners, families, supporters and the BD support network.  

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TIMES AND RESULTS

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Results – top three and British riders  

U25 Individual  
1. Anna Schölermann and Springborgs Guardian, 74.718% (GER) 
2. Moritz Treffinger and Cadeau Noir, 73.025% (GER) 
3. Sara Aagaard Hyrm and Atterupgaards Cooper, 73.000% (DEN)  
6. Annabella Pidgley and Vamos Amigos, 71.872% (GBR) 
11. Harrison Ashton and Million Dreams, 70.308% (GBR) 
20. Lilah Gibbs and Dude III, 68.128% (GBR) 
38. Charlotte Lutener and Full Fusion, 64.513% (GBR)  

Young Rider Individual   
1. Lana-Pinou Baumgürtel and ZINQ Emma FH NRW, 75.206% (GER) 
2. Anniek van Dulst and My First Choice – Dutopia, 72.735% (NED)  
3. Anna Teibel Raben and Sparaday, 72.706%% (DEN) 
10. Mette Dahl and Fidelio Van het Bloemenhof, 69.912% (GBR) 
13. Teghan Cantrell-Bennett and Woodlander Donna Summer, 69.529% (GBR) 
33. Izzy Lickley and Katniss, 66.971% (GBR) 
40. India Durman-Mills and Escade, 65.118% (GBR)