British squad selections, Burghley’s drawn order, and other things the horse world is talking about

Gearing up for Blenheim Euros

The British squad for the Agria FEI European Eventing Championships has been chosen and it “combines experience alongside new talent – both human and equine”, according to eventing performance manager Dickie Waygood. He adds: “We’re fortunate to have Laura Collett and Tom McEwen returning with their accomplished Olympic rides, it’s a new championship ride for Yazmin Ingham, while Piggy March brings forward her next-generation championship horse. Both Bubby Upton and Caroline Harris have been in outstanding recent form and are worthy debutants – it’s exciting for our sport to have new faces in the squad.”

Find out which horses have been selected

Burghley pathfinder has three rides

Harry Meade will be both the first and last rider out on the Defender Burghley Horse Trials cross-country course if all goes according to plan. With a total of three rides, Harry has been assigned numbers 1, 24 and 61 in the draw. Harry has been recovering from injuries sustained during a rare weekend off from competition during which he managed to part company from his bike, but has had excellent help to ensure his horses are fit and ready to go. Three-time Burghley winner Oliver Townend has confirmed he will take part with Cooley Rosalent. He will ride as number 50, three riders ahead of reigning champion Ros Canter, who has entered Lordships Graffalo. Ros recently announced that she would not be available for team duty at the Blenheim Europeans as she is pregnant with her second child.

Check out the rest of the Burghley draw

British racing to go on strike

British racing is going to stage a one-day strike on 10 September in protest at Government tax plans for online betting that “threaten the very future of our sport”. No race meetings will take place in Britain that day and the sport will host a major campaign event in Westminster to highlight the threat of the Treasury’s proposal on an industry “worth £4.1 billion to the UK economy”. British Horseracing Authority chief executive Brant Dunshea said a tax increase on racing “could be catastrophic for the sport and the thousands of jobs that rely on it in towns and communities across the country”.

Read full story

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2025, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in:

‘Adorable’ but tiny 15kg foal carries a message to would-be horse breeders

How introducing mindfulness in the saddle can help your riding… and improve your relationship with your horse

‘It’s where we aim for from one August to the next’: meet Dublin Horse Show’s leading rider James Smyth

Are you and your horse in tune with each other? Trainer Ben Atkinson reveals why understanding your horse’s body language – and your own – is key to your partnership

Subscribe to Horse & Hound magazine today – and enjoy unlimited website access all year round

Carol Phillips

H&H website editor

Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.