British Team Announced for 2025 European Para Dressage Championships

Great Britain

British Equestrian and the British Dressage Para Dressage Selectors have announced the four para dressage athlete and horse combinations that will represent Team GB at the 2025 European Para Dressage Championships.

They are set to take place in Ermelo, The Netherlands, from 3–7 September.

Definite entries for the British Equestrian para dressage squad are listed below:

Grade 1

Gabriella Blake (32) from Wolverhampton, West Midlands, with Gavin and Estelle Blake and her own Strong Beau (grey, gelding, 16yrs, 15hh, Spinway Blackthorn x Balda Beau, Breeder: Ms S. Amos GBR)

Mari Durward-Akhurst (31) from Amersham, Buckinghamshire, with Diane Redfern, Nick Durward-Akhurst and Romilly Hart’s Athene Lindebjerg (black, mare, 18yrs, 17hh, Gribaldi x Diamant, Breeders: Ulla and Kristian Bech DEN)

Grade 2

Jemima Green (36) from Alresford, Hampshire, with her own Fantabulous (chestnut, gelding, 7yrs, 16.1hh, Foundation 2 x Furst Romancier, Breeder: Rainer and Angelika Ahlers GER)

Grade 4

Nicola Naylor (64) from Ashford, Kent, with Rosalind Emery Kay and her own Humberto L (bay, gelding, 13yrs, 16.2hh, Cachet L x Haarlem, Breeder: J. Lamers NED)

Performance Manager Georgina Sharples commented: “This is an exciting group of athletes with a real blend of experience. We have Mari and Gabby, who have both previously won championship medals for their country with Athene Lindebjerg and Strong Beau, and are eager to do so again. Nicola has been on superb form and delivered a consistently impressive campaign with Humberto L for her long-awaited championship debut, while newcomer Jemima has forged a strong partnership with her quality young horse, Fantabulous, and is on an upward trajectory to peak at the Europeans. I feel confident that all four combinations have the talent to deliver on the world stage.

“It’s been an exciting start to the Paralympic cycle and one we hope will continue in Ermelo. While our goals are as competitive as ever and we remain on the hunt for medals, this team line-up also gives us the opportunity to develop some exciting potential for the future as we build towards next year’s FEI World Championship at Aachen and the LA 28 Paralympic Games.”