It wasnt a good day to be a British rider at the Agria FEI European Eventing Championships today unless your name was Laura Collett or Tom McEwen.This brilliant pair who made up 50% of the Olympic gold medal-winning teams at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Games kept British hopes of a medal alive by galloping home clear to lie first (Laura) and third (Tom) overnight.Laura and London 52 pulled off the second fastest time of the day when finishing with six time-faults to add. They were 10 seconds quicker than dressage leaders Michael Jung and FischerChipmunk FRH the reigning individual Olympic champions to sneak ahead going into tomorrows showjumping finale.The difference between them is just 1.7 penalties, meaning tomorrows round will need to be fault-free in order to clinch individual gold.Tom is also in the hunt for an individual medal, lying third at this stage with JL Dublin.Its all a bit of a blur, to be honest, said Laura after her round. I had great advice from Tom, who had a brilliant ride, and he said, look, just save a little bit for the end, you cant use up too much at the start, and really get stuck in.There were problems all over the course, so there wasnt just one particular fence that we had to focus on. It was hard work out there, but I couldnt have asked any more of him [London 52]. He just kept on fighting.He was quite feisty at the start, which put me off a bit because I couldnt find a rhythm. Halfway through I gave him a terrible ride through the rollercoaster thing and I thought, right, youve got to stop doing that and then he was magic. He galloped all the way to the end.Top 3 after cross-country: Laura Collett (centre), Michael Jung (left) and Tom McEwenIts been hideousSix British riders galloped out of the startbox today, but only two came home. The other four team members Yasmin Ingham and Piggy March, plus individuals Caroline Harris and Bubby Upton all fell off.It means Britain is now out of contention for a team medal.Its been pretty hideous, Im not going to lie. I watched the first few and was like, Oh God. Once I got on [London 52], I thought hes my horse of a lifetime and he gives me no reason not to trust him.[British team trainer] Chris Bartle has very much helped over the last few years in saying just trust him, trust his jump, dont try and do too much, put him on the line and let him do the rest.This year he has come out and shown that thats what he likes as well. He is an amazing jumper, so to have that feeling and belief in him, and when he rewards me like that, its just a hell of a feeling.Laura said she and her team have really worked on the horses fitness since Luhmuhlen in June.Weve really worked on on his fitness because I felt like I hadnt quite got him to the point that Ive maybe had him before, she explained.Whether its because hes a bit older or hes just more laid back with everything now, we didnt give him a huge break after Luhmuhlen and although he hasnt run very much weve kept him really fit. It showed today and hopefully it will pay off tomorrow, and hell feel amazing when he comes out.Germany charges aheadGermanys lead has increased significantly in the team contest and, barring a disaster, wining gold looks likely tomorrow.They are way ahead on a collective score of 113.7, compared to Ireland (150.7) and Switzerland (161.3), who are sitting in silver and bronze respectively.Team France is close behind on 167.1, while Austria sits on 183.7 at this stage.Any fences down tomorrow will cost four faults each, plus there will be time-faults for exceeding the time. Michael Jung said his nation had luck on their side today.We had a great day, the team riders and also the individuals, said Michael. In the end it went how we wished it could and we had the luck on our side this time.FischerChipmunk was a little bit surprised at the first water, but looking at the screen every horse was a bit surprised there. Everything else went how I wished and Im very happy to put a bit of pressure [on Laura] tomorrow.Images by Tim WilkinsonUseful linksFull individual standings after cross-countryFull team standings after cross-countryRelated contentBritain crashes out of contention for a European team medalTom McEwen gets first score for Britain on the cross-country leaderboardIts Europeans cross-country day! These are the fences to watch and whyHow to watch from homeThe post Laura Collett sits in gold position after a day of mixed fortunes for Britain appeared first on Your Horse.

Britains Yasmin Ingham has confirmed that she and Rehy DJ are both sound and well after being eliminated for a rider fall on the cross-country course at the Agria FEI European Eventing Championships this morning.The British pathfinders parted company at the second element of the FEI Mounds at fence 22ab, a corner on top of a mound. It followed an oxer on top of a separate mound.The incident wasnt shown on camera and so it wasnt immediately clear what had caused the fall when an E, signalling elimination, appeared next to their names on the leaderboard.I rode the line [and] distance I planned to ride, and he just didnt quite read the corner as Id hoped he would and he caught a left front [leg] on the back rail, which caused him to crumple on landing and I just came off out the front door, explained Yasmin. It was no fault of his, no fault of mine, its just unfortunately one of those things. The main thing is that were both okay and well live to fight another day, so well be cheering the rest of the guys on now.Not the day we were hoping forThe pair had looked to be on great form until Yasmins fall.He was absolutely magnificent on the first part of the course, up on all our minutes. He made it all feel really, really good, she said. The next British combination, individuals Caroline Harris on D.Day, also parted company at the same fence, but were unharmed.Eventing Performance Manager, Richard Waygood, confirmed that all four British riders and their horses Piggy March also fell off Halo and Bubby Upton was decanted by Its Cooley Time are unhurt.Today is not the day we were hoping for, but the most important thing is that all riders and horses are back in camp and none the worse for wear, he said.It means Britain is out of contention for a team medal, however Laura Collett and London 52 hold individual gold overnight and Tom McEwen is in bronze with JL Dublin.Our riders are guttedRichard added that Britains purple patch they came to Blenheim as the reigning Olympic and European Champions had to end eventually.Good sport is never knowing the outcome until the final competitor has crossed the finish line. Sometimes, the smallest things can completely rewrite the leaderboard and thats what makes eventing so exciting, he said.The British team have had a fantastic run of success in recent years, but sport goes in cycles and the bubble has to burst at some point. For that to happen at a championship on home soil is unfortunate our riders are gutted for themselves, their horses and their connections, but also for the British public, who have turned out in their thousands to support us and now wont see us in a position to defend our team title.Yaz, Caroline, Piggy and Bubby all came out today and gave it one hundred percent, but it just wasnt their day. However, the sign of a true sportsperson is being able to turn disappointment into a strength and I know that theyll come back from this stronger and with an even greater drive to succeed as we campaign towards the FEI World Championships next year and LA 2028.Tomorrow is another day and well now turn our focus to cheering on Tom and Laura as they campaign for a spot on the individual podium.Main image of Yasmin Ingham and Rehy DJ at Blenheim today by Tim WilkinsonUseful linksFull individual standings after cross-countryFull team standings after cross-countryRelated contentLaura Collett sits in gold position after a day of mixed fortunes for BritainTom McEwen gets first score for Britain on the cross-country leaderboardBritain crashes out of contention for a European team medalHow to watch from homeThe post The bubble has to burst at some point: update on the British riders who fell off at the Europeans appeared first on Your Horse.

A new helmet specifically designed for vets while working with horses is in the pipeline following a meeting between key stakeholders from the equine veterinary sector.Veterinary staff can currently choose from riding helmets and headwear used by emergency services, but none of this safety gear has been specifically engineered for the unique demands of equine veterinary practice. This gap in design and functionality has sparked a collaborative effort to explore what a truly effective and practical helmet for veterinary professionals should look like, what the differing safety tests are and what helmets are currently available which may meet these requirements and be adapted for use within the veterinary industry, said a statement.The meeting brought togetherveterinarians, veterinary nurses, yard managers, practice leaders, researchers, and health and safety expertsfrom CVS Equine and theUniversity of Liverpool.Representatives fromhelmet manufacturer Uvex also attended.This initiative represents a significant step forward in improving workplace safety for equine veterinary professionals in terms of helmet design, said Sophie Ignarski, equine director at CVS. It is recognised that cultural change within the equine veterinary sector will take time, but CVS is committed to driving this change by investing in research, implementing policy based on the evidence and exploring helmet design. If the adoption of protective helmets saves just one life or prevents someone from sustaining life-changing injuries, then it is worth it.Alarming statisticsDuring the meeting, frontline professionals shared their experiences and challenges with current helmet options. Discussions centred around the need for helmets that balancesafety, comfort and practicality, such as the ability to attach accessories including head torches and visors.It was held in response to recentresearch,led byDr. John Tulloch and funded byCVS Group, which highlighted the high risk of injury faced by equine vets and nurses.The study, published inPreventive Veterinary Medicine, revealed alarming statistics around head injuries sustained during routine equine care, prompting CVS to take decisive action, said the statement. As a result, the company has now made it mandatory for all employees handling horses to wear protective helmets.Charlie Tomlinson, clinical director at Hale Vets in Wiltshire, suffered a traumatic brain injury while nerve blocking a horses front leg. Since the accident she has always worn a safety hat when treating horses and urges other vets to do so.Cultural shift requiredThe meeting also addressed thecultural shiftrequired to normalise helmet use in equine veterinary settings. The statement added: Participants explored strategies to overcome resistance, promote adoption and embed safety as a core value within the profession.The group agreed that collaboration between veterinary professionals, researchers, and manufacturers is essential to develop a helmet that meets both safety standards and the practical realities of the equine veterinary industry. The next steps are further consultation and trials of different types of PPE helmets and accessories, with the goal of offering a helmet choice that is not only protective, but also widely accepted and adopted across the industry.Main image ShutterstockRelated contentVet group launches campaign for all vet staff to wear safety helmets around horsesResearch into how riding helmets perform in rotational falls could lay groundwork for new standardsEquine vet who suffered brain injury at work backs campaign for all vets and staff to wear hats around horsesHow to care for your riding hat so that it offers maximum protection for your headThe post Plans for new safety helmet specifically designed for equine vets appeared first on Your Horse.

Section Key Points Introduction Vocal fold augmentation helps with laryngeal paralysis, improving airway function and swallowing in horses. Understanding the Anatomy and Functionality The larynx is vital for breathing, swallowing, and vocalization; malfunction leads to complications. Procedures and Techniques Conducted under sedation with local anesthesia; bulking agents injected include polytef paste, Arthramid, and bone cement. Challenges and Complications Risks: inflammatory responses, necrosis, dissipating effects, mucosal ulceration, and dysphagia post-surgery. Success Rates and Clinical Outcomes Measured by reduction in respiratory noise and improved swallowing; variable long-term success. Key Considerations Include patient selection, material choice, surgical expertise, and postoperative monitoring. Implications for Enhancing Equine Performance Successful surgery enhances health and performance; equine supplements and attire support overall health. Complementary Care Incorporate vitamins and supplements to boost immunity; use protective gear for health and comfort. Caring Beyond the Clinic Optimal care includes choosing the right stable and turnout rugs for warmth and protection. Concluding Thoughts Vocal fold augmentation is evolving, with potential to enhance horse quality of life and performance. Exploring Vocal Fold Augmentation in Horses: Procedures, Challenges, and Success Rates In the equestrian world, veterinary advancements are always evolving to improve the health and performance of our equine companions. Vocal fold augmentation in horses has emerged as one such innovative procedure. This surgical intervention primarily addresses complications due to laryngeal paralysis, notably improving airway function and swallowing issues. Understanding the Anatomy and Functionality The horse's larynx plays a crucial role in breathing, swallowing, and vocalization. When laryngeal paralysis occurs, it causes the vocal folds to malfunction, leading to complications such as airway obstruction and dysphagia. Here, vocal fold augmentation comes into play. Procedures and Techniques The augmentation procedure is carried out under standing sedation, minimizing risk. Local anesthesia is applied, and a needle is carefully inserted, typically via the cricothyroid ligament, to inject a bulking agent into the vocal folds. Substances used for this include polytetrafluoroethylene (polytef) paste, Arthramid, and bone cement. Studies reveal that injecting polytef paste submucosally can increase epiglottic thickness by 29-40%, improving airway closure and reducing aspiration risk. This key technique is especially helpful following prosthetic laryngoplasty surgeries. Challenges and Complications Despite its promise, vocal fold augmentation is not without challenges. Certain materials, such as bone cement, can trigger inflammatory responses, necrosis, or tissue sloughing. In some cases, augmentation effects dissipate within months (source). Improper injection can lead to complications like mucosal ulceration or granuloma formation. Moreover, post-surgery, late-onset symptoms such as dysphagia and coughing are significant concerns, sometimes requiring repeat treatments or alternative strategies. Success Rates and Clinical Outcomes Clinical success is often measured by reductions in respiratory noise and improved swallowing function. Augmentation paired with prosthetic laryngoplasty offers extensive benefits for recurrent laryngeal neuropathy. A documented case involved a Thoroughbred racehorse exhibiting coughing post-laryngoplasty. Partial improvement was noted within 24 hours post-surgery, though symptoms reappeared within three months, showcasing variability in long-term success (source). Key Considerations for Horse Owners and Veterinarians Patient Selection: Ideal for horses with specific laryngeal dysfunctions. Material Choice: Important to choose the right bulking agent. Surgical Expertise: Requires precise endoscopic guidance. Postoperative Monitoring: Vigilance for inflammation or recurrence of symptoms is essential. Implications for Enhancing Equine Performance With successful surgical intervention, equine health and performance can be significantly enhanced. This gives owners and riders the ability to maintain optimal conditions for sporting or recreational events. Various equine supplements and attire, including our Jodhpur Collection, can further support overall equine health and performance. Complementary Care for Your Horse Alongside surgical procedures, incorporating everyday vitamins and supplements can help in bolstering a horse's immune system, ensuring their readiness for recovery and activity. Similarly, horse owners should consider equipping their horses with protective gear such as horse fly protection for general health and comfort. Caring Beyond the Clinic Beyond clinical settings, horse care extends into their everyday environment. Choosing the right stable and turnout rugs can ensure optimal warmth and protection. Check out options for stable rugs and turnout rugs available at Just Horse Riders. Concluding Thoughts The field of vocal fold augmentation in horses is continually evolving, with procedures showing promise for enhancing horse quality of life and performance. Despite challenges, emerging materials and techniques are refining the approach to increase success rates and minimize risks. As research progresses, these interventions might offer even better clinical outcomes for equine patients. For more insights and quality products, visit our homepage.```html```

Key Topic Details Understanding Senior Horses Horses over 15 years are classified as seniors, representing a large part of the equine population with evolving care needs. Signs for Retirement Indicators such as difficulty in performing tasks, behavioral changes, and chronic joint pain suggest retirement readiness. Veterinary Care Regular veterinary care is crucial for early health intervention and prolonging active years. New Roles Retired horses may take on roles such as companionship, light activities, or breeding. End-of-Life Planning It's essential to plan end-of-life stages, focusing on humane options and dignity-preserving environments. Nutritional Needs Proper nutrition through vitamins and supplements is key to maintaining a senior horse's health and weight. Living Environment Comfort and safety are critical in selecting stable and turnout rugs and equipment for retired horses. Pain Management Regular health checks and pain management get ahead of issues, supporting a high quality of life. Fulfilling Retirement Maintaining respect, regular interaction, and light exercise contribute to positive retirement experiences. Social Connections Ensuring interaction with other horses supports mental stability and playful behavior. Care Recommendations Caring for senior horses should be tailored to individual needs, combining professional advice and personal observation. Further Resources Scholarly resources provide insight into senior horse management, enhancing understanding and care strategies. Conclusion A respectful, enlightened approach to senior horse care enriches their retirement, fostering health and companionship. Retiring Your Senior Horse: A Comprehensive Guide As horse owners, we form deep, lasting bonds with our equine companions. Understanding when and how to retire your senior horse involves balancing health considerations, companionship needs, and quality of life. In this article, we'll explore signs your horse might be ready for retirement and how to ensure they enjoy their golden years. Understanding Senior Horses Horses over 15 years of age are typically classified as seniors. These majestic creatures face various challenges as they age, which demands careful management and considered decisions regarding their retirement. While they represent about a third of the global equine population, the nuances of their care are still evolving. Signs Your Horse Might Be Ready for Retirement Deciding when to retire a horse isnt about the number of candles on their birthday cake. Its more about their health and comfort levels. Here are some indicators that your horse might be ready for a restful routine: Difficulty performing usual tasks or signs of pain or lameness. Behavioral changes such as reluctance to work or changes in gait. Chronic joint issues or soreness following exercise. If these signs become apparent, it could be time to consider reducing their workload or moving them into full retirement [1]. The Role of Veterinary Care in Prolonging Active Years Regular veterinary care is your best ally in ensuring a high quality of life for your senior horse. Early intervention in health issues can often prolong their active years, keeping them as fit and pain-free as possible. Transitioning to New Roles: Companionship and Breeding For many retired horses, their new role focuses on companionship or lighter activities. For instance, a significant number of retired Thoroughbreds become either pleasure or companion horses or are used for breeding. This transition can provide continued value and companionship to both the horse and its owner [2]. Planning for End-of-Life Decisions As much as we hope to avoid it, planning for the end-of-life stages for your horse is crucial. When confronted with severe health conditions, euthanasia is sometimes the most humane option. On the brighter side, creating a loving, stress-free environment allows for natural passing, preserving the horse's dignity throughout its life. Nutritional Needs of Senior Horses Senior horses have distinct dietary requirements to maintain health and weight. At Just Horse Riders, we offer essential Everyday Horse Vitamins & Supplements that focus specifically on the needs of our cherished senior friends. Ensuring they receive proper nutrition will have profound impacts on their health and well-being, allowing them comfortable, healthy later years. Creating a Comfortable Living Environment The physical environment of a retired horse should focus on comfort and safety. Providing Stable Rugs and Turnout Rugs ensures warmth and protection against weather changes. Selecting high-quality equipment, like those from our Jodhpur collection, can also contribute to maintaining comfort. Prioritizing Pain Management and Health Checks Regular health checks and pain management plans are crucial in senior horse care. Constant communication with your vet helps to address health issues before they escalate, making all the difference in prolonging a horse's quality of life and activity levels. A Fulfilling Retirement: Respect and Care Offering respect for your horse's dignity while maintaining their well-being ensures that retirement is a positive chapter in their life. Regular interaction and light exercise within their capabilities can maintain their spirits and foster the strong bond you share. Ensuring Social Connections Horses are social creatures. An integral part of retirement is ensuring your equine buddy still has regular interaction with fellow horses. Social bonds keep them mentally stable and engage their playful sides, which is important for their overall health. Summarizing Recommendations for Senior Horse Care In summary, whether deciding to follow a more leisurely course or maintaining light activity, care for the senior horse should tailor to their individual needs. Rely on both professional guidance and personal observation to navigate this transition successfully. Exploring More Resources For more in-depth insights into managing your senior horse, consider reading the recent survey by the Gluck Equine Research Center or the guidelines by Dr. Reynolds Cowles. These resources provide scientifically-backed advice and expert perspectives. Conclusion: Embracing Retirement with Your Horse Balancing the respect and care for an older horse enables an enriched, content retirement. As their companion, your decisions make a significant impact on their remaining years, ensuring they pass through them with dignity, health, and cherished companionship.```html```

Topic Details Medium Trot Overview An essential gait in dressage that showcases harmony between horse and rider, enhancing athletic abilities. Understanding the Medium Trot Features extension and reach, maintaining rhythm without increasing tempo, fostering impulsion and uphill balance. Fundamentals Rhythm: Consistent, even steps. Relaxation: Supple through back, neck, and jaw. Preparation Steps Ride steady circles or long sides. Use Shoulder-Fore for impulsion. Straighten and lengthen exiting corners. Exercises Pole Work: Encourage stride lengthening. Circle Lengthenings: Build suppleness. Diagonal Lengthening: Balance and propel down diagonal. Key Tips Maintain Balance: Uphill posture. Use Half-Halts: Maintain rhythm. Mindful Progression: Build strength gradually. Focus on Relaxation: Avoid tension. Consistency and Patience: Increase stride counts progressively. Benefits of Mastering Muscle development for athletic performance. Enhanced rider-horse communication. Foundation for advanced movements. Why Master the Medium Trot? Promotes general horse fitness, dressage scores, and responsiveness. Mastering the Medium Trot: Tips and Techniques for Equine Success The medium trot is an essential gait in dressage and overall horse training that showcases the harmony between horse and rider. By mastering this stride, riders can achieve an expressive, controlled, and balanced performance that enhances their horse's athletic abilities and prepares them for various equestrian disciplines. Understanding the Medium Trot The medium trot differs from the working or collected trot by its extension and reach, maintaining rhythm without increasing tempo. This gait demands the horse's hindlegs to engage, fostering impulsion and an uphill balance, optimizing weight distribution on the hind legs. Fundamentals for a Good Medium Trot Rhythm: The horse maintains consistent, even steps without quickening the pace. Relaxation: The horse remains supple through back, neck, and jaw, enabling fluid stride lengthening.[4] Preparing Your Horse for the Medium Trot Before practicing medium trot strides, ensure your horse can maintain an engaged working trot. This involves the horse actively moving through its back and responding fluidly to aids, seeking contact with the bit. Steps to Introduce the Medium Trot Ride steady circles or long sides: Navigate the arena's long sides and corners to prepare your horse. Apply a half-halt for balance before entering corners.[1] Use Shoulder-Fore: Adopt a slight shoulder-fore position to bring the inside hind leg underneath, crucial for impulsion.[1] Straighten and lengthen: Exiting the corner, guide your horse to lengthen its stride and frame while stretching towards the bit.[1] Exercises to Improve the Medium Trot Incorporating targeted exercises is crucial for developing power, suspension, and balance in your horse's medium trot. Pole Work By trotting over spaced poles, gradually increase spacing to encourage stride lengthening and engagement over the topline. Raising alternate poles on cavaletti enhances suspension over a sudden rush. Circle Lengthenings Establish contact and rhythm on a 20m circle, then use calf pressure for larger strides, adjusting with a half-halt for balance. Repeat in both directions to build suppleness.[3] Diagonal Lengthening Execute a balanced corner and propel down the diagonal into a medium trot. Use a circle for rebalancing if your horse becomes too strong. Key Tips for Success Maintain Balance: Uphill posture with engaged hindquarters prevents hurried or flat trots. Use Half-Halts Wisely: Prepare for and maintain rhythm before and after trot sequences. Mindful Progression: Allow strength building before attempting lengthy sequences. Focus on Relaxation: Avoid tension to facilitate stride lengthening.[4] Consistency and Patience: Progressively increase stride counts as your horse strengthens.[1] Why Master the Medium Trot? The medium trot not only contributes to top dressage scores but also promotes general horse fitness and responsiveness. Among its many benefits, mastering the medium trot: Encourages muscle development in hindquarters for better athletic performance. Enhances rider-horse communication through improved aid precision. Builds a foundation for advanced movements like lengthening and collecting strides. Reliable Resources to Explore For those seeking further guidance, these sources offer in-depth insights: Horse & Hound's guide provides detailed instructions on positioning and aids for the medium trot. Equinavia's pole work exercises aid in strengthening the medium trot. Amelia Newcomb Dressage focuses on circles, diagonals, and half-halts for improvement. Conclusion Mastering the medium trot demands dedication, understanding of biomechanics, and rider sensitivity. With patience and appropriate techniques, you and your equine companion can achieve greater freedom, strength, and elegancea true mark of equine success. For equestrian enthusiasts looking to enhance their gear and support their training, check out The Just Horse Riders Jodhpurs Collection, Horse Riding Boot Collection, and Riding Gloves Collection to make your training journey stylish and effective. Every rider has unique tips and exercises that might benefit others. Share your experiences in the comments and be a part of the global equestrian community!```html```

Asking about the horses health and performance history can help you decide if hes the right fit for you. | Adobe StockWhat is the horses performance history? Has he sustained any injuries and if so, what were they? Does the horse require any medications to stay sound and comfortable? Wendy Krebs, DVM, of Bend Equine Medical Center, in Oregon, explains why these questions are necessary to ask a seller when buying a horse, and others that you shouldnt forget in this Ask TheHorse Live excerpt.This podcast is an excerpt of ourAsk TheHorse Live Q&A, So, You Want to Buy a Horse? Listen to the full recording here.About the Expert: Wendy Krebs, DVMWendy Krebs, DVM, is a partner at Bend Equine Medical Center in Oregon. She grew up in Western Oregon, where she participated first in 4-H and later in eventing. She graduated from Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine, in Corvallis, in 2002 and performed a yearlong equine internship, followed by a four-year American College of Veterinary Surgeons equine surgery residency. Her practice interests include surgery and performance horse care, as well as comprehensive preventive care. She lives on a small working ranch in Tumalo with her husband, two young children, and a bevy of animals, including nine horses. She enjoys riding her Oldenburg mare, Aria, emergency-schedule permitting.

Irelands eventing team are back among the medals after a sensational silver at the FEI Eventing European Championship in Blenheim Palace, UK.Dag Alberts team scythed through the field over the course of a massively challenging cross country day on Saturday to lie in second position overnight and, in truth, they never looked like relinquishing their grip on the runner-up spot this afternoon.Gold went to an outstanding German team, led by individual runner up Michael Jung and FischerChipmunk, on a final score of 124.9, with Ireland on Ireland on 161.9 and France in third on 167.5.The result means a first team European medal win at senior level since 1995, and Albert was thrilled to have led the team to a piece of history. What a result, he said. We were quietly confident of coming here and performing well, with a medal of some sort the main aim. Obviously before we came here we knew that Germany would be strong and you can always expect Britain to be thereabouts. Eventing is a sport that will always surprise you and sometimes its a war of attrition.We knew that Mark Phillips would design a really tough cross country and that some people would struggle on it, but we hung on there and got ourselves round it nice and safe, which put us into an excellent position today in the show jumping phase. They all jumped so well out there today, and with a bit of pressure on because the French were breathing down our necks and we needed to be careful Im delighted.I need to thank so many people who have contributed to this medal win. All of our owners, grooms, my coaching team, all the support staff, team vet, Aileen Cartwright in the HSI office and of course the riders. Its a huge team effort and this one is for everyone.In the overall individual standings, four of the Irish placed inside the top 20, with Padraig McCarthy and Pomp N Circumstance leading the way in 12th as Ian Cassells and Millridge Atlantis (ISH) just behind in 14th.Sarah Ennis and Dorough Ferro Class Act (ISH) were one place back in 15th and Robbie Kearns, on his senior championship debut, finished 18th on Chance Encounter (ISH).McCarthy, who delivered a stunning clear round when it was needed most, said: He did what he always does, hes an amazing jumper. I think thats 11 (clear rounds) in a row at four star level.A clear round was obviously very important but he gave me such a good feel over the course of the week. Hes been really fresh throughout and Im just delighted really.The result comes hot on the heels of Austin OConnors Burghley second with Colorado Blue and keeps Ireland superb senior eventing form going, having won Nations Cups in 2024 at home and in Boekelo, and hopes will be high ahead of the World Championships in Aachen next year. Albert added: Well enjoy this result but I think its fair to say we are building an excellent eventing programme and obviously now Aachen will be the next major target. We have an incredible pool of riders and horses now, it was actually very tough to pick six to come here so you would have to be very excited for next year.The post Team silver for Irish at Eventing European Championship a first in 30 years appeared first on .