“How did your test go today? He was little bit tense, with the atmosphere, but he was okay with the test. And are you excited to be here at Blenheim this week? It’s good to be here, he is very excited and after we saw the cross country course, he say, okay, I’m here for that and it would be cool. “
Luc Chateau, France
“He was fabulous. Yeah, I was delighted with his test. He tried so hard, and he was more accurate…It’s so exciting being here for, but it’s so real honour to be able to represent my special on home. And to be the pathfinder is even more exciting, so I really feel like Piglet and I are with such a great partnership now we’ve been together for many years and we’re very ready for this challenge. I’ve had Piglets since he was six, and we’ve gone all the way up the levels together. We actually represented Great Britian Young Rider Europeans and Fontaineble in 2018 so to be here at our first senior championship to as a pair together as feels like a long journey, but he’s just been the most fantastic horse and he’s had plenty of amazing results that five star level and to be here on a British team is just a cherry on top.”
Yasmin Ingham, Great Britain
“Dressage is oftentimes the hardest part for us, but everything went, the way I would have liked it to, so I’m very pleased. Have you had a course walk and what are your thoughts on that? Of course looks fun. Yeah. I’m excited to ride it. So, I think it looks nice. Looking forward to it.”
Senne Vervaecke, Germany
“Its quite a fair bit, you know, it’s 32 to jump out there. And tell us what your thoughts on the track. The track is testing, is intense, it’s quite a lot of jumping effort for the horses, you know, they use the undulation of Blenheim I think in a very clever way, I think you need to be quite aware of everything every single jump from the first to the last. And remind me about this horse and his character. What’s he like? He’s he’s a very cool horse. He’s usually quite quiet, can’t really be bothered to do anything. And then you take him to a show and he actually lights up, and he’s just sometimes even too exuberant. But, you know, it’s a good problem to have and I think Saturday would be fun.”
Giovanni Ugolotti, Italy
“It’s a big one. know, like yeah kicking off a championship like that with the backdrop and especially on Saturday, I guess everybody will be watching. So, there’s no better horse to have than Toblerone to do that. So, yeah, it’s just fun and an honour. You’ve got such a lovely partnership, remind me a little bit more about just how special it is to you and your journey together. He’s just, the most special horse to me. He got me everywhere, somehow, around the world, it just happened, and he’s such a character, I know him now so well and also my mom, who’s my groom. He communicates really with you. He’s so, so cool, so special. Like, his character really makes your day, every day better. Just give me your thoughts on the test. Well, to be fair, not 100% happy, he was quite tense, and normally, we can also in the big stadiums we can make points with harmony and like, calmness and, yeah, so he’s not the biggest mover, but normally we don’t really have that and that lacks to today, so he was quite tense.”
Nadja Minder, Switzerland
“I was on the whole really quite pleased with him. In his head, he’s a real trier and he almost tries a little too hard. And that couples with him not being the best mover in the world when he gets a little tense, he gets heavily penalised for it. We’re very aware of it by no means being a dressage competition here, looking at the course that’s out there. So I’ll be aiming to try and finish as closer that as possible. What are your thoughts about the track? I think it’s pretty serious track, to be honest. I only had a quick look around. I think an easy enough start. Very typical Mark Phillips, he puts you on one line and you have to accept a lot of angle. and there’s no deviation from it. So I think we’re going to see plenty of mistakes. But it’s the championship, so I think it’s going to be good sport on Saturday. Thank you”
Padraig McCarthy, Ireland
“Really pleased with him. He’s a really sweet horse. He really wants to please you, and he kind of tries. Sometimes he tries a bit too hard, and you have to say it’s okay. But I couldn’t have asked any more in there. Like, he was such a star. He’s very inexperienced, as although he is ten, we struggled with the splint as an eight year old, which actually took near a year to settle it down so he’s missing a lot of mileage. So to go in there and ride like that, I’m over the moon. I couldn’t ask anymore. It’s just building blocks from here, perfecting and asking a bit more. But, I’m so happy. When I got kind of midway through my test, and I think when he felt so rideable, I felt like I could breathe. And I was like, “This is okay, Keep going.” I did have a moment around the outside. I was like, “Where do I go after this movement?” But yeah, it was just, it’s where the highlight was going in there and being as rideable as he was outside. So that’s a huge thing.
Sarah Ennis, Ireland
“Tell us about your test. How did it feel in there? Uh, yes, I think it was a good test. He’s a a big horse, but he’s very consistent in his pace. Yeah, I’m just I think he was a good attitude, and with me and I was I had good feeling. I’m just a bit.. not pleased with my flying change because he he’s very good at it. Normally, he never missed one. And yeah, just lost a bit of energy in the turn and yeah, so that was not a good change, which affects the mark, but except that, I’m very happy with him. And how was it getting that late call up? Yes, it was a surprise, really. that I assume as I knew, I was a reserve, really started getting in fit for this. So, yeah, now we can only do our best.
Gireg Le Coz, France
“You just finished your test with DDay there. What’s sort of your overall thoughts about how that went? It was okay. There definitely could have been a lot that was better, he actually got more tense than like going there. He’s usually very relaxed. But yeah, it was fine. What was sort of the highlights for you in there? I think we could have done the whole thing and a lot better, fine. But it’s our first time. She tried hard and this isn’t our strong point, so hopefully we’ll go cross country and re group”
Caroline Harris, Great Britain
“So, how was your test today? Oh, pretty good. The beginning was not the best. The first halt was a bit, he was a bit nervous, but then I thought I think I could write him really well. He was focused. I had one more little mistake for starting the canter, but I was really happy. It’s my second time with him here, so we really like it here and I had a good feeling, so, I’m looking forward to Saturday. When were you last here? It was 2022. I was first reserve for Pratoni del Vivaro for the German team. And last year I was in Pau with him. So we trained for the muddy weather, but luckily, we don’t have the muddy weather here yet…don’t say that, I have an early starting number!”
Nicolai Aldinger, Germany
“You’ve just finished your test with Stormhill Riot. Can you talk us through how you found that? Yeah, I was delighted with him. Hes always found the dressage had really hard work. Had to work incredibly hard, a lot harder than any other horse to be able to actually do everything needs to do. The changes were a bit of a struggle a couple of years ago. We worked really hard and then it was really difficult to find a balance between having him in front of my leg, not too excited and he felt absolutely perfect in there. I was very pleased with the preparation we had. For once, it’s not the norm to be able to prepare a big competition without hiccups. For once we managed to do it, which was great. And I think you know, you could say hes not a horse that moves like Velegro, he’s never going to get the eights, but everything was correct, he got the changes. I was very pleased, he tried really hard”
Daniele Bizzarro, Italy
“Mélody, 31.5 is the score of today. How are you feeling? We always want to do some sort of better and much better because we are in a European championships. But I think with the horse, I haven’t had him as long. So it’s really good and he can be so, so on fire we saw yesterday in the horse inspection. So I think he was really with me and polite and it was a good moment. Do you think he’s going to be fit for this course? I think he’s fit. We have a chance. So I think he’s really okay, but I think Saturday, I will have to think very fast because he’s thinking much faster than me.
Mélody Johner, Switzerland
“She’s a very young mare. She’s only nine and a homebred, so just being here, riding for the team is incredibly special. She was very good. She can be a bit hot on the flat, and she really contained herself, which is all we could ask from her at this the stage. She’s not exactly built for dressage. She’s built to gallop and jump, and so she finds it really difficult. She tried very hard today and, you know, the score is working progress and her flat work and the strength is all at work in progress, but I’m very happy with her, very, very happy with her.”
Paolo Torlonia, Italy
“36.8 for you, walk us through your test. I’m happy this because the nerves of my horse was cool enough and it could be very nervous and so it points out, I think. Well, you just mentioned the nerves of the horse. You are such an experienced rider. You’ve done so many championships and Olympic Games. Do you still get nervous?. Normally not. It ends, maybe in the morning a little bit, but it ends when I’m sitting on the horse.”
Harald Ambros, Austria
“Karen, 34.9 for you today. How was that test? You know, it’s it’s a new horse on the championship level. Overall, I’m happy, you know, I know where the horse is, I know it can improve, but I was happy with how she did. You are one of the riders that was here 20 years ago for a different championship. How good is it to be back? Yeah, it’s nice to be back. I’ve been back with eight or nine year olds, Fletcher at one time, but, yeah, it’s nice to see the palace again. And how do you think that course going to suit your horse on Saturday? I hope good. She reminds me a bit of Gazelle, so if she does like her mother, I’ll hope it will be good, but of course, with a new horse on a championship level, and especially here in Blenheim, I think it’s, you know, it’s a proper four star course. I’ll know where I am on a Saturday evening”.
Karin Donkers, Belgium
“Piggy, 29.4 and into third place, you must be delighted with that. I made a few very uncharacteristic mistakes and hes felt fantastic today. And so, you know, yeah, some great bits and like I said, some uncharacteristic bits that you know, it is a bit disappointing, but no, it’s still a 29, it’s still sub 30. There’s still a lot such a long way to go on here on the team, it’s really exciting. haven’t done that for a while. And so, yeah, I can have my 10 minute moan and then try to move on, but he’s a lovely little horse, but just frustrating the stakes, but a mark to like. Well, we’ve got more days to come. How do you think that cross country course is going to suit your horse? Yeah, hopefully, you know, I’m excited to get out there.”
Piggy March, Great Britain
“For us, it’s a bit of a disappointing test.. I thought I just never really got in, carrying himself. So it’s just a bit, like, difficult through the whole test. He tries so hard. What are you going to do differently next time? I mean, he’s only 10. This is his first championship, first time since he had such a big atmosphere. I think next time I’ll just, I warm up maybe a bit longer, a bit more gradually, and then go in and just like allow him to be a little bit less.. proud until he feels comfortable and then pick him up.
Sofia Sjöborg, Sweden
“I’m really happy, so I was a little bit afraid that he’s too much ‘on’. And for you coming back as a former winner? How special is that? It’s a really special, I didn’t have the pressure before to come to the team or not because I just thought, okay, I was the winner here, so it doesn’t matter if I’m coming back or not, because it won’t be better than that. So I just had a fabulous week here. It was just, yeah, I think it was Kentucky together last year, it was one of my greatest competition weeks, so the weather was great, and the people we had a good company together here, so yeah. So I was really looking forward to coming back, but I don’t have any pressure, because I couldn’t top that.”
Malin Hansen-Hotopp, Germany
“I’m a little bit disappointed. But it’s okay if you make a good test. It’s a good horse for that. What felt really good about the test today? Hes more uphill on trot and on the canter. But okay, that’s sport. I need to accept that.”
Sebastien Cavaillon, France
“This is your Senior Championship debut, talk me through the emotions right now. Oh, I’m just on such a high, to be honest. He was incredible, he stayed with me, all the way through the test, and he can be a bit of a tense character, but he just stayed with me and he tries so hard. I’m just so proud of him. Whats the history with him Robbie? How long have you, what sort of character is he as well? So, this is my third season riding him, he’d done a 4* long before I got him. But it really feels like this year he’s like really mine, like I feel like complete partnership with him now and he’s a character. Maxine, my groom, she has been looking after him since he was three. So he was 16 now. So shes had all of the different riders through riding him and I mean, she just she knows him inside out, and so she’s been invaluable through the whole process of getting to know. But yeah, no, I just I feel like I’ve known him my whole life”.
Robbie Kearns, Ireland
“Give us your thoughts on that test. He’s very complicated and tricky here, and after Badminton, I’m very happy, even though I know it result that’s not challenging after the dressage, but he was, I think, good. You were here 20 years ago, is that right? Yeah, well, my first Europeans was. And what do you remember about that? It’s funny, you know it was so long ago that I only started to remember the experience when I started riding. I spoke to my wife and said it’s so strange, I have been here, but don’t really remember. But of course, you know, it’s great venue and although it was my first championship so new to me back then, the experience was amazing. It was not a straightforward horse like him, so it was also. And have you looked at the cross country course?”.
Aistis Vitkauskas, Lithuania
Your first senior at European Championships, tell me through what it feels like? Um, yeah, obviously I’m delighted to be here, especially as first ever Turk especially only at 24. I was delighted with his test. He was very comfortable, was very focussed. Small mistakes here and there from my side, but he is a jumping horse. We don’t have much scope to spare, but plenty of heart, so, yeah, looking very much forward to the jump phases. And tell me through your history with this horse. How long have you had him? Um, not very long, actually. Two years now. So a very short partnership. I have been jumping before I’m not that long, not that experienced of an event rider. What sort of character is he? Um He I would say he’s a very arrogant horse, actually, but yeah. He’s lovely. And you’re based in Germany, how long have you been there and what sort of what sort of your set up there? Um. 11 years now, I left home when I was 14, quite young. I’ve been working in big enough shore jumping operations here and there. Yeah, past 11 years. So I actually, my job, my work is backing young horses and I’ve been doing that for a while now.
Kumru (Kuki) Say, Turkey
It’s good good to be here, and on a good horse, especially on after the test. He was today, like every day, positive – ‘I’m happy to go and I’m happy to be here’.
Benjamin Massie, France
It’s nice that we’ve got the first phase out of the way. It is of course amazing, you know, to be here and he tried hard. He was a little bit tense, but he’s only nine, so I’m very happy with him. And for you making your senior championship debut, what does that mean to you? Yeah, it’s amazing, and it’s nice for a smaller country like Norway, trying to put them on the map a bit more over there, really. But you say he’s only nine. Talk to me a little bit about his background and what he’s like? He’s a real trier. He was bought by his owners for their daughter to do under 18 team level eventing. So for the fact that he’s, you know, he stepped up and he’s here is really amazing, and he tries so hard.
Yasmin Olsson Payne, Norway
How are you feeling after that? A little disappointed, yes. I know dressage is always a little bit hard for him and he’s not the easiest horse in the arena. He’s always a little spooky in the arena, and sometimes he loosens up, but today he was a little distracted by everything, and got a little bit tense and stiffened up, but that’s okay. I’m here for the experience and I know we can do better, so hopefully one day we will. I’m looking ahead to Saturday
Florinoor Hoogland, Netherlands
