As the sun shone over Ermelo (NED) on the final day of competition, the FEI Para Dressage European Championship 2025 got underway with all five Grades competing today for their individual Grand Prix Freestyle medals.

(Photo:  Rixt van der der Horst winner Grade III. FEI European Championship Para Dressage Ermelo 2025. © FEILeanjo de Koster)

In the first Grade to go, Rixt van der Horst and Eisma’s Royal Fonq N.O.P. of the Netherlands strutted their way to Grade III Freestyle Gold for a score of 80.634.

Riding to a medley of Survivor by Destiny’s Child and Vivaldi, the combination produced their most dynamic test, yet.  “I picked that [Destiny’s Child] song because I’ve been through a difficult time in the past few years, and also Fonq has come a long way and is now shining with me, so I thought the music was really suitable for both of us,” Rixt said of her song choice.

Tobias Thorning Joergensen (DEN) rides on Jolene Hill. FEI European Championship Para Dressage 2025. © FEILeanjo de Koste

“I’m so proud we won gold again this week. An ending like this, it is magical for us to do this here in the Netherlands, it’s just amazing,” she said of her home win with the 10-year-old stallion.  In what was their last dance together in a competitive arena, it was Denmark’s Tobias Thorning Joergensen and Jolene Hill who took the silver with a score of 79.807.

“I was a little in front of the music today but given that was our last ever performance, it doesn’t really matter. What’s really strong about our partnership is our harmony with each other, that’s so important in Para Dressage and is something Jolene and I are really good at,” Tobias said of their test. “I’m just so happy that we are here, we had a good ride and I’m proud of our silver medal. Of course, there were a lot of emotions when I came out of the arena but right now is the right time for her to end with three medals. After everything she’s been through, I’m just proud of her to even be here and for everything she’s done for me and for Para Dressage in Denmark,” he said of Jolene’s retirement and their competition this week.

For the first time this week, the bronze medal went to Francesca Salvade of Italy riding Escari, scoring a Championship personal best of 76.274.

“It’s my first medal at a European Championship so I’m very happy,” Francesca said of her result.  “My horse is a young horse, but he was fantastic. We have been working so hard to get to this point, and there has been a lot of work at home to achieve this score today, so I’m very proud of him,” she said of the eight-year-old Hanoverian gelding.

Francesca Salvade (ITA) rides on Escari. FEI European Championship Para Dressage 2025. © FEILeanjo de Koster

When All Is Said And Done

After a week of incredible competition in Ermelo, there has been a true changing of the guard in Para Dressage sport, with new team and individual champions crowned at the pinnacle of European competition.

Quotes from the week can be found HERE.