Facts & Figures of the European Dressage Championships as Crozet is About to Start

Virginia and Ian Lundin's Jiva Hill stables in Crozet (FRA) has set the stage for the 2025 European Dressage Championships, the most anticipated international dressage competition of the year. 

The stable name Jiva is an acronym of Ian and Virginia's name combined with their two children, Jenna and Axel. The word also means "life" in Sanskrit.

It All Started in 1963

The FEI European Dressage Championships began in 1963 in Copenhagen (DEN), ending the unofficial “European champion” title which was given at an Grand Prix each year.  In 1963 fifteen athletes competed and there was no team medal as only two nations had entered teams and the FEI Rules required at least three teams in order to have a team competition. Individual gold went to Henri Chammartin (SUI) Wolfdietrich

Throughout its history, the Championship has evolved in format and scale. Originally limited to individual competition, a team event was added in 1965. Since then, the event has grown to include Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special, and Grand Prix Freestyle segments, with medals awarded in each.

From 1965 to 2005, Germany remained undefeated in the team competition until the Dutch finally managed to break the German’s 40-year winning streak to take the title in 2007.  Since then, Germany and The Netherlands have continued to battle for the title, with Great Britain upsetting tradition and claiming gold in 2011.

The 2015 European Championship in Aachen (GER) had a record number of 18 teams.

Fun Facts

In 1985, two equine full-brothers competed in the Dressage European Championship — Ahlerich, who carried Germany’s Reiner Klimke to success, and Amon, who was in the Dutch team with Annemarie Sanders. Four years later, the athletic Rembrandt, who was out of a full-sister to Ahlerich and Amon, Nicole Uphoff won two gold and a silver with Nicole Uphoff (GER). Germany has claimed an incredible 25 team titles.

Germany’s Isabell Werth’s personal medal collection numbers a staggering 27 from the European Championships alone, including triple gold at both the 2019 Championships in Rotterdam (NED) and Gothenburg (SWE) two years previously. In the 2021 edition of the European Championship, Isabell Werth partnered Weihegold, the (at the time) 16-year-old mare with which she won Olympic team gold in Rio de Janeiro (BRA) in 2016 and triple gold at the FEI European Championship in 2017.

Isabell Werth also holds the record in having ridden the most European Championships: 16.  The male rider who has shown at the most Europeans is Carl Hester (GBR) with 12 appearances.

2025 Europeans in Crozet

Held biennially, the FEI European Dressage Championship continues to be a celebration of precision, harmony, and the deep bond between human and equine partners — a true highlight of the international equestrian calendar.

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (GER) won a double gold medal plus a silver team medal during the 2023 edition in Riesenbeck (GER)

For the very first time in history, the European Dressage Championship will take place on French soil. From 27 to 31 August, Crozet (FRA) will welcome 63 horses and athletes ready to contest the European titles. Fourteen countries will field teams.  

With no qualification slots for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games at stake, many nations have opted to send a blend of experienced combinations alongside new names and talented younger athletes. For those debutants, Crozet provides the perfect stage to gain valuable championship experience, and perhaps even deliver a breakthrough performance.

Eurodressage is on the scene to cover this event.