The grandeur of Blenheim Palace (GBR) provided a fitting stage for the Agria FEI Eventing European Championship 2025, where Team Germany stormed to victory, securing team gold with a decisive finishing score of 124.9 penalties. In a dramatic weekend of competition, Ireland celebrated their first European medal in 30 years, climbing from seventh place after Dressage to claim silver on 161.9 penalties, while France completed the podium, taking bronze on 167.5.
In the individual competition, the medals reflected the strength of enduring horse-and-athlete partnerships. All three podium finishers delivered flawless double clears under immense pressure. Competing before an electrified home crowd, Great Britain’s Laura Collett and her superstar partner, London 52, rose to the occasion, finishing on 27 penalties to be crowned European Champions of 2025.
At 36, Collett described the moment as one she had long dreamed of. “I am so delighted for the horse. He’s deserved an individual title for so many years, so to finally pull it off- and to do it on home soil, is just a real dream come true.”
Collett’s victory marked Great Britain’s 21st European individual title since the Championships began in 1953.
Hot on her heels was Germany’s Michael Jung with FischerChipmunk FRH, leaders after Dressage and reigning Olympic Champions from Paris. Despite their formidable form, they had to settle for silver on 28.3 penalties. Britain’s Tom McEwen and JL Dublin completed the podium, taking bronze on 33 penalties.
The German team combined experience and emerging talent to perfection. Alongside triple Olympic champion Jung, the line-up featured 24-year-olds Libussa Lübbeke & Caramia 34 and Jérôme Robiné & Black Ice, as well as Malin Hansen-Hotopp & Carlitos Quidditch K, who at 47 describes herself modestly as a “semi-professional rider,” balancing Eventing with farming and raising three children.
It was a commanding display that secured Germany’s seventh team gold medal at a European Championship. Chef d’Équipe Annette Wyrwoll reflected with pride:
“When we came here, we hoped to be on the podium but we didn’t expect to be first. To be in Great Britain, to beat the British- I never expected it. Our riders and our horses were great, and it was simply bad luck for the others.”
Michael Jung, adding another medal to his glittering career, was quick to praise his teammates and the sport itself:
“England is a very big country, especially in eventing. It’s such a strong nation. When I was young, I always watched videos of Badminton and Burghley. To stand on the podium and receive the gold medal here is a dream. In the end, we were all very well prepared, from the first rider to the last. The Dressage was under pressure, the Cross-Country was perfect, and we can all be proud of our horses, our team, and the people working behind the scenes. We are already excited for the big championships in Germany at Aachen next year.”
Asked whether representing Germany at major events gets easier with experience, the triple Olympic and triple European Champion was characteristically humble. “Every championship starts with zero, it’s always a new day. Paris last year, with the view of Versailles, was unbelievable. Then to come here, in front of this castle, with such perfect conditions, it has been an amazing championship and a really special competition.”
While Jung and Collett are no strangers to battling for top honours, this year’s contest at Blenheim gripped spectators to the very last round. Collett, under enormous pressure, held her composure to deliver a clear Jumping round and clinch the coveted title.
She credited the atmosphere and the connection with her horse. “I definitely felt like the whole crowd was riding with me. The support we’ve had from arrival to today has been phenomenal. London absolutely adores the crowds, he thought every single person was there for him! It brings out his very best, and that’s pretty special. He’s unbelievable- there aren’t enough word to describe what he has done for me and what he means to me and I know I will never get another one like him.”
With Germany’s dominance, Ireland’s breakthrough, France’s consistency, and Britain’s home triumph through Collett, the Agria FEI Eventing European Championship 2025 will be remembered as a showcase of skill, resilience, and partnership at the very highest level of the sport.
Full results HERE.
More News
