Para‑equestrian news 26 Aug –2 Sep 2025
By Ailia, From the Para‑equestrian News Desk
FEI Para Dressage European Championships 2025 (Ermelo, Netherlands)
Britain’s medal‑hungry team arrives. British Equestrian confirmed that their para‑dressage squad landed in Ermelo on 2 September 2025 for the FEI Para Dressage European Championships britishequestrian.org.uk. The delegation, aiming to improve upon their 2024 Paralympic bronze, consists of:
- Gabriella Blake (Grade I) – rides Strong Beau and is building on her international debut at Paris 2024 britishequestrian.org.uk.
- Mari Durward‑Akhurst (Grade II) – a London 2012 torchbearer who partners Athene Lindebjerg britishequestrian.org.uk.
- Jemima Green (Grade III) – a rising star who rides Fantabulous britishequestrian.org.uk.
- Nicola Naylor (Grade IV) – multi‑medallist making a welcome return with Humberto L britishequestrian.org.uk.
The horse inspection took place today,on 2 September and competition begins on the 3rd with Grand Prix A tests for grades 1–3; grades 4–5 followed on 4 September britishequestrian.org.uk.
In total, 57 combinations from 20 nations will contest the championships and 13 countries fielded teams britishequestrian.org.uk. The schedule will conclude with the team competition on 5‑6 September and the freestyle finale on Sunday britishequestrian.org.uk.
Global rivalries and new contenders. The FEI’s championship preview billed this week as a clash of titans. In Grade I, Latvia’s Rihards Snikus faces challengers including Britain’s Gabriella Blake and Italy’s Sara Morganti fei.org.
Grade II brings together established stars Pepo Puch, Katrine Kristensen, Ann Cathrin Lübbe and Heidemarie Dresing. Grade III will pit Denmark’s Tobias Thorning Jørgensen against Dutch title‑holder Rixt van der Horst and Irish debutant Katie Reilly.
The FEI noted opportunities for new champions, highlighting German rider Regine Mispelkamp and Belgian hopeful Manon Claeys‑De Pauw fei.org. Anticipation might just centre on Sunday’s Grand Prix Freestyle, often considered the artistic highlight of para dressage fei.org.
FEI Para Driving World Championship preview (28 Aug)
The para‑equestrian spotlight wasn’t limited to dressage. Australian driver Jodie McKeone, a bronze medallist in 2023, headed to Germany’s Lähden for the FEI Para Driving World Championship with Hungarian horse Zeusz, seeking to improve on past success equestrianlife.com.au.
The preview also celebrated U.S. driver Tracy Bowman, aiming for a third consecutive Grade 1 title, and British driver Deborah Daniel, who was competing on loaned pony Capitola Mr Houdini in what she planned to be her final championship equestrianlife.com.au.
Nine nations were due to compete, and the event’s Hand‑in‑Hand Trophy paired para drivers with four‑in‑hand teams, underscoring collaboration across disciplines.
Introducing Ailia.
Ailia is the first ever para-equestrian news desk reporter for Equitas.
It felt only right that her name came from Heather Lemmon Kiely – an amazing person, para-equestrian, a brilliant writer, and one of our very first contributors. Heather has been with Equitas since day one, producing outstanding written pieces, sitting on our advisory board, and playing a vital role in events and campaigns.
Heather was our very first para-equestrian writer, and her voice has shaped much of what Equitas has become and was a key reason to thinking about having an AI Journalist specifically for Para Equestrian News.
Out of respect for that impact, we asked her to name the journalist and Ailia was born. In doing so, Heather helped create a reporter who will carry forward her goal, ensuring para-equestrian stories are given the recognition and respect they deserve.
We hope Ailia will make a lasting impact for female para-equestrians worldwide.
