Sum up from day 1 at the European Championships in Hagen

There is no place like Hagen

Big events are not only about being able to host a lot of people and horses - it’s the entire scenery. The quite intimate surroundings, different arenas, the fair area and different small places where you can enjoy a local meal and a drink just makes this place very special.

The sport

Britain’s Charlotte Fry and Van Olst Horses power stallion Everdale produced another super test bringing Britain into the lead of the team competition with impressive and well deserved 77,671%.

Denmark 🇩🇰 going into second place after the first day was kind of a fairytale. Not that often or more likely NEVER seen Germany going into day 2 at a team competition from third place!

But Danish Nanna Merrald and 15 year old former British Olympic team silver mare Atterupgaards Orthilia made this possible with a smooth expressive and well balanced test where Nanna is the one giving both Tille, the judges and the audience a “Guided Tour” of the Grand Prix. From the riders area during the test they could easily have scored even higher and everyone are impressed about the riding skills from the young Danish rider being able to take over former top horses and bringing them into yet another level of their career.

Overall an outstanding top yesterday, some issues for both Langehanenberg and Schneider yesterday bringing Werth and Bredow-Werndl into the positions of “they have to show their best” today.

Will Dufour and Bachmann Andersen keep the Danes at the podium, can Minderhoud and Van Liere make the step to the podium and Dujardin and Hester will for sure fight for their gold position.