British Equestrian Podcast

Team GBR have landed in Luhmühlen for the FEI Eventing European Championships! As the weather oscillates from scorching sunshine to tempestuous thunderstorms, Matt and Rachel reflect on what's coming up this week and the key role that grooms play in a championships team. Rachel speaks to Chloe Fry, who's here as groom for Kitty King and Vendredi Biats, about her first championship experience and how she keeps her charge's grey coat looking its best for the first horse inspection.  

Rotterdam, you've been amazing! As the final day in the first leg of the tour comes to an end, Matt and Rachel sit in the empty stands – with the stadium being taken down around them – and reflect on their personal highlights of the week. Plus, Rachel catches up with Chef de Mission Vikki Underwood for her take on proceedings, and Sophie Wells and Georgia Wilson after their successes in the para-equestrian dressage Freestyle. 

It's a team silver medal for Team GBR's para-equestrian dressage athletes! Rachel catches up with Chef d'Equip Georgina Sharples after the medal ceremony to get her take on how her team have performed this week. Matt and Rachel also recount the rest of the action from the day.

Team GBR's showjumpers are going to Tokyo! In the latest Tour Diary episode, Matt and Rachel are celebrating Scott Brash, Amanda Derbyshire, Ben Maher and Holly Smith's team bronze medal and securing of one of the coveted Olympic Games qualification slots. Rachel catches up with Ben and Chef d'Equipe Di Lampard after the medal ceremony to talk about what this result means. Plus, YouTuber This Esme chats about being in Rotterdam with the FEI. 

After a 16-hour day in Rotterdam with three disciplines competing, Matt and Rachel are running on adrenaline (and quite a lot of caffeine and sugar!). In the latest tour diary episode, an elated Gareth Hughes recounts his performance in the Grand Prix Special, Nicky Greenhill explains how she navigates the arena as a visually-impaired para-equestrian dressage rider, and Scott Brash sums up Britain's performance after the first round of the team jumping competition. Plus, Sophie Wells reflects on her silver medal-winning performance in the Grade V para-equestrian dressage. 

Episode two of the Europeans Tour Diary is here, and it's all about what's happened on the fourth day of competition. Wednesday has been a great day all-round for Team GBR in Rotterdam. Ben Maher came third in the jumping speed class, while Georgia Wilson and Mari Durward-Akhurst put in very strong performances in the para-equestrian dressage. Rachel catches up with all of them, plus Georgia's coach Sophie Wells, to chat about their performances. 

The FEI European Championships are finally underway! Tuesday has been a day of highs and lows for the Brits, with some amazing Grand Prix dressage performances followed by the shock elimination of Charlotte Dujardin. Matt and Rachel reflect on what's happened, and also catch up with dressage riders Gareth Hughes and Lottie Fry. Plus, Gareth's daughter, Ruby, chats about her involvement with vaulting. 

With the European Championships fast approaching and some fantastic results from British riders to celebrate, Matt and Rachel can barely contain their excitement. After hearing some updates from the team at the Ready Steady Tokyo test event in Japan, including para-equestrian dressage rider Natasha Baker, they catch up with leading equestrian photographer Jon Stroud, who'll be joining them out in Rotterdam and Luhmühlen, to hear about his career and what it's like to work at a major championships. 

There's less than a year to go until the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games! The Ready Steady Tokyo test event for the equestrian disciplines takes place next week, and Team GBR has sent two athletes to compete. Rachel chats to Vikki Underwood, Performance Director for Team GBR's World Class Programme, to find out what the team are hoping to gain from their visit to Tokyo. Alex van Tuyll, who's travelled out to Tokyo with the test event horses, also reveals what goes into travelling horses long-distance. Plus, Matt and Rachel reflect on the upcoming FEI European Championships. 

The squad for the FEI Para-equestrian Dressage European Championships has been announced! Two of the riders on the squad, Sophie Wells and Mari Durward-Akhurst, chatted to Rachel at the Hartpury Festival of Dressage ahead of selection about how they got involved in the sport, a bit about their top horses and how they prepare for competition.