The FEI Eventing European Championships for Young Riders and Juniors 2025 in Strzegom (POL) highlighted the unpredictable nature of Eventing, with the Jumping phases proving decisive in both the Young Riders and Juniors categories. This year the French proved to be a golden generation after collecting numerous podium finishes in both championships.
In the Junior competition, Team France claimed gold with an impressive final score of 91.2 which put them well ahead of Belgium, who finished on 114.2. Meanwhile, Spain—rarely seen on the podium in Eventing – were just a whisker behind, taking bronze with a score of 114.9.
The Young Rider Championships saw frequent changes to the leaderboard throughout the event, but once again France showcased their strength in the Jumping phases to secure gold, finishing on 121 penalties. Ireland took silver with 123.4, and Great Britain claimed bronze on 130.0 penalties.
Juniors
The French squad sat in second place after the Dressage phase, just behind Germany. However, after delivering fast and clear Cross-Country rounds, they entered the final Jumping phase as overnight leaders. The Cross-Country course, designed by the world-renowned Marcin Konarski, rewarded bold and accurate riding.
The French team included Matis Cogniet, who also secured individual bronze on Vivendi Hero, and Tess Carrere on Graphit De Fay Z—both of whom completed the competition on their Dressage scores. They were joined by Maxime Goutailler on Berlioz d’Ile and Rachel Weiler on Riviero, who summed up her team’s performance after a tense final phase:
“It was so incredible, we were so nervous because we had not a lot of points in front of the other teams but we have done it, so we are so happy.”
Rachel Weiler
(FRA)
On the individual podium, Ella Howard claimed gold after jumping a double clear on her 14-year-old KWPN gelding, Marchwood. Her final score of 28.1 edged ahead of Germany’s Pia Sophie Schreiber and Cliemann, who finished on 29.4. Matis Cogniet (FRA) also ended on 29.4 but took bronze, as Schreiber was closer to the optimum time in the Jumping phase.
Speaking after her win, 17-year-old Howard said: “It’s amazing. I’m very lucky, this is my fourth time at a Championship and I would watch people win on the podium before so for it to be me, I can’t really believe it to be honest. My horse has been wonderful all week. He’s such a sweet horse in the stable and when he comes out, he just knows when to perform when it matters. He’s such a special horse and really deserves this win. I am still in Juniors so next year we will try and get here again.”
Young Riders
The Young Riders Championship came down to a nail-biting finish. France climbed the ranks from fourth after Dressage to take the top spot, thanks to strong Cross-Country and Jumping performances over technically demanding and highly influential courses. They entered the Jumping phase in second place behind Ireland, but after Ben Connors incurred two rails down, gold went to France.
The winning team was made up of Valentin Quittet Eslan on Casanova D’Ems, Verane Nicaud on Baron d’Etat, Alizée Bourguet on César des Hauts Crêts, and Paul Barret on Qualified by Van ‘T Huka.
Nicaud spoke on behalf of her victorious team:
“I think we all feel really amazing and grateful for the team we had and the horses we had. We were dreaming about a medal but a gold on- it was exceptional. And it’s my last year so it’s especially exceptional. A lot of emotion from all of us and we have two medals—a team and individual—so I was really happy to compete with such great riders.”
Verane Nicaud
(FRA)
The individual medals saw Germany’s Hannah Busch take gold aboard Crystall-Annabell, with Valentin Quittet Eslan (FRA) claiming silver on Casanova D’Ems, and Sophie Weening (NED) and Konan securing the bronze.
Strzegom has proven to be a lucky venue for Busch, who also won individual gold in the Junior Europeans here last year. In her first year as a Young Rider, she repeated the feat. Busch, riding the ever-reliable 14-year-old Crystall-Annabell, entered the final phase with a rail in hand. Though one pole did fall, she held her nerve to secure the title.
“I have no words to describe this because it is just such a surprise and I am so proud of my horse. She did such a wonderful job. I feel happiness and very grateful for having achieved everything I could achieve. My horse and my team and my family make it special- this whole community is just supporting one another. The last week was such a wonderful time.”
FULL RESULTS
Image: FEI / Martin Dokoupil