The FEI Eventing European Championships will take place at the Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials next year, from 18th to 21st September 2025.
It comes 20 years after the Oxfordshire venue previously ran the Europeans, in 2005 when Zara Tindall (then Phillips) won individual gold aboard Toytown and Britain won team gold. It will also be the first senior eventing championship to be held in Great Britain since Blair Castle in 2015.
“It is a great honour to be bringing the FEI Eventing European Championship back to Britain,” said event organiser Katrina Midgley of Stable Events. “Blenheim is such a fitting backdrop, with the palace and the spectacular parkland cross-country course, and we look forward to welcoming the teams and their supporters for a truly memorable occasion.
“Thanks must go to the teams at British Equestrian, FEI, British Eventing, Agria and UK Sport who have been instrumental in securing this exciting fixture.”
Esther Britten, UK Sport’s head of major events, added: “Delivering major events like this continues to demonstrate the UK’s reputation as one of the world’s leading hosts, creating extraordinary sporting moments that reach, unite and inspire the nation.”
New title sponsor
Next year’s Europeans will be the 37th running of the bi-annual eventing championship, which started in 1953, and is set to be the 12th time it has been hosted by Great Britain. It will also mark the 35th anniversary of the first international horse trials at Blenheim.
“Blenheim is long established as a popular and beautiful eventing venue and we are very much looking forward to the FEI Eventing European Championship taking place there,” said FEI eventing director Catrin Norinder.
The 2025 fixture will be Agria’s first as title sponsor of Blenheim.
“Could there be a more thrilling way to celebrate the third UK birthday of our game-changing lifetime equine insurance than by becoming Blenheim’s title sponsor for the 2025 Agria FEI Eventing European Championships?” said Vicki Wentworth, chief executive of Agria UK.
“Agria celebrates another birthday next year — the 135th since it was founded in Sweden — and we can’t wait to host the best riders in Europe — plus owners and horse fans from far and wide — to Blenheim on its 35th anniversary. It’s a brilliant event that always produces a memorable competition.”
Brits are the reigning champions
As well as being the host nation, team Great Britain will start as defending champions. Ros Canter will be the reigning individual champion, after her victory last year riding Lordships Graffalo at the championships held in Le Pin au Haras, France.
The first ever FEI Eventing European Championship was held at Badminton in 1953, where Britain took individual gold and silver, as well as team gold.
British athletes have dominated since then, accumulating a total of 20 individual gold medals. This is more than all other nations combined, including two wins by members of the British Royal Family: The Princess Royal in 1971 and her daughter Zara Tindall in 2005.
The combination of Germany and the Federal Republic of Germany has won 27 individual medals, including six golds.
In the team medal board, Britain has won 24 golds, while France’s total is 18. Germany has won 17 team medals, six of which are gold.
Main image: Laura Collett and Hester at the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials 2023 © Libby Law
