Millstreet, Ireland, has become the centre of the eventing world this week as the inaugural FEI Eventing Under 25 World Championship gets underway, marking a significant milestone in the sports athlete development pathway.The new championship, contested at CCI4*-S level, has been created to bridge the gap between young rider competition and the senior ranks, giving the sports emerging stars the opportunity to compete for a world title at a pivotal stage in their careers. It also provides valuable championship experience ahead of future senior FEI Championships and Olympic ambitions. A total of 40 athletes representing 14 nations have travelled to County Cork to contest the historic first edition, with competitors from Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, Spain, Sweden and the United States.Alongside the individual competition, team medals are also on offer, with France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland and the United States fielding teams of four riders.The German team arrived in Millstreet as one of the strongest contenders, led by current FEI Eventing U25 world number one Calvin Bckmann. The 25-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough 2025 season, finishing fourth individually at the FEI Eventing European Championship in Blenheim, and entered this championship among the favourites for the inaugural title.After the opening day of dressage, Calvin lived up to expectations by taking the early lead aboard his experienced 16-year-old mare Altair de la Cense, who is owned by Jason, Liam and Simone Bckmann. Their score of 27.6 was one of only two sub-30 performances of the day, putting the German combination in pole position heading into the cross-country.I am more relieved than anything, Calvin admitted after his test, before praising the Selle Franais mare, who has been his partner for the past decade.This is our 10th season together. Weve been through all the levels from juniors, and its kind of cute that people get to see another side of my horse. I only warm her up for about 10 minutes now and keep everything very relaxed. I am blessed that she is so cool, with her ears always pricked. Host nation Ireland also made an encouraging start, with team pathfinder Jennifer Kuenhle producing an impressive test aboard Sammy Davis Junior to sit second on 29.2.Competing in front of a home crowd added extra significance for Jenny, who welcomed the opportunity to contest a world championship on Irish soil.It is so exciting to have a championship in our home country, she said. This is my first time as team pathfinder I am usually the anchor rider and we now cant wait to get out there on the cross-country on Saturday and show them what were made of. Jenny also highlighted the experience of her horse, who has twice finished fourth at major championships.Sammy Davis Junior has been fourth at two championships, one with Cathal Daniels and one with me, and it would be lovely to go one better here. France enjoyed a strong opening day with two riders inside the top four. Individual competitor Lisa Gualtieri and A dAunis sit in third, while team rider Clara Cazeneuve and Dolce Gabana occupy fourth place, strengthening Frances early position in both the individual and team standings.Spains Maral Pir Patau sits fifth aboard Eventing De Fay after producing another polished dressage performance. The Spanish rider is no stranger to Millstreet, having previously competed at the venue during the 2024 FEI Eventing Nations Cup.I feel at home here, he said. I feel so lucky to be here in this arena. I was very happy with my horse he did a good job.Austrias Amy Rose Fruhwirth and Gin Tonic 150 completed the top six after the first day, while Great Britains Alice Casburn shares seventh place with the leading American rider, Meg Pellegrini and Dondante.Alice, currently ranked third in the FEI Eventing U25 rankings, is partnered by the experienced 18-year-old Topspin, with whom she has progressed through Juniors, Young Riders and nine five-star competitions.I do feel pressure, and yet I dont, Alice explained. Its wonderful to have a horse that has done all that. He is not the flashiest, but he is a great team horse and he feels as good as ever. She added that British team pathfinder Tom Bird would play an important role ahead of the cross-country phase.Tom is a good friend of mine and we are both excited to get out there on the cross-country and bring back information to our team-mates.Dressage resumes on Friday afternoon at 2pm before the cross-country gets underway on Saturday. Photograph courtesy of Pam Cunningham/Irish Horse Board. Related contentPole exercises that make clever, confident horsesTina Cooks top tips for jumping on grassRichard Waygoods cavaletti exercisesFive common problems with a riders jumping position solvedThe post History made as first eventing under-25 World Championship gets underway appeared first on Your Horse.