Bringing the Form: Looking at the major contenders for Millstreet 2026
Millstreet 2026 will host the inaugural FEI Eventing World Championship for U25s - a new championship designed to bridge the gap to Senior level. At this early stage, who emerges as contenders and which nations look strongest on paper?
The eventing calendar gains a significant new fixture in 2026 as Millstreet International Horse Trials in Ireland prepares to host the inaugural FEI Eventing World Championship for U25s from 22-26 July. Run at CCI4*-S level, this championship addresses a long-standing gap in the sport's development pathway, offering riders their first true team championship experience between Young Rider level and Senior competition.
The importance of this new category extends beyond simply adding another event to the calendar. For years, talented riders have faced a big transition from Young Rider championships to Senior level without a stepping stone. The U25 Worlds creates exactly that opportunity, allowing emerging talent to learn the pressures and protocols of championship eventing while competing against peers.
Germany's Championship-Tested Leaders
Early form indicators suggest Germany will arrive at Millstreet with serious medal ambitions. Calvin Böckmann, the current FEI U25 World Number One, produced the highest-rated performance by a U25 rider at CCI4*-S level in 2025.
His 98 HPR at Arville aboard The Phantom of the Opera stands as the year's benchmark. His career-best HPR also came in 2025 when he finished 4th individually at the Senior European Championships. That Senior Championship debut has given Böckmann invaluable experience under pressure, and paired with his elite cross country speed and clean show jumping record, it makes him one of the leading contenders.
Another headline act for Germany is Libussa Lübbeke who brings gold medal experience to the equation. A sports soldier at Warendorf alongside Böckmann, Lübbeke was part of the German team—with Michael Jung, Jérôme Robiné, and Malin Hansen-Hotopp—that claimed gold at the European Championships in Blenheim. Her 95 HPR aboard Caramia 34 at Arville shows she can produce elite CCI4*-S performances in her own right, reinforcing Germany's depth heading into Millstreet.
Germany's strength is measurable as well as visible. When taking each qualified rider's best HPR at CCI3*-L level and above, and averaging the top four scores per nation, Germany leads the field with an average of 94 - the highest of any nation. It reflects not just one standout performance, but sustained elite-level quality across their likely team.
Great Britain's Depth
At this early stage, the qualification numbers tell a compelling story about British Eventing’s production line. With 26 riders already qualified—compared to nine each for the USA and Germany—Great Britain has huge depth.
The average HPR of their top four eligible riders sits at 91, placing them firmly among the leading contenders and demonstrating that quality matches quantity.
Alice Casburn represents perhaps the most intriguing British prospect. A proven performer at five-star level with five top-ten finishes including four at Burghley, she could be tempted to focus on the four-star level this year as her partner Topspin turns 18. Championship experience runs deep for this combination: Topspin competed at both Junior and Young Rider European Championships, claiming individual bronze at the latter. For Casburn, the U25 Worlds would represent the natural next step in a progressive championship pathway that has already proven successful.
The British depth chart extends well beyond the headline names, with five additional riders posting standout four-star performances in 2025:
- Barnie Brotherton & DHI King Nelson - 92 HPR
- Tom Woodward & Low Moor Lucky - 90 HPR
- Jago Jackson & Glynndale Prometheus - 88 HPR
- Tara Dixon & Master Smart - 87 HPR
- Anya Strilkowski & K - 85 HPR
Each has demonstrated the ability to produce high-quality CCI4*-S performances, giving British selectors enviable depth as they shape a four-rider championship team.
The Wider Competitive Picture
While Germany and Great Britain dominate early discussions, several other nations have athletes capable of disrupting the expected order. Australia’s Oliver Barrett posted a 91 HPR at Scone in New South Wales, while Sweden’s Amanda Andersson matched that mark with a 91 at Strzegom. The US is represented by Molly Duda, whose 85 HPR at Bramham underlines the American potential.
That individual strength is mirrored in broader squad depth. France and Ireland each have six riders already qualified, giving them credible team foundations, while New Zealand and the Netherlands are also building toward competitive line-ups. With teams allowed to field three or four riders—and individuals permitted even without a full team—the championship is likely to feature a wide mix of established powers and emerging contenders.
A Championship with Long-Term Impact
The inaugural FEI Eventing World Championship for U25s is more than a new line on the calendar. It represents a structural shift in how the sport develops its next generation.
Millstreet will not simply crown the first U25 world champion - it will reveal which nations are building sustainable pathways and which riders are ready to bridge the gap to Senior competition.
In many ways, this is not just a championship - it is a preview of the sport’s future.
Stay in the Loop on All Things Eventing
Get the latest predictions, key stats, and storylines delivered where you want them.
👉 Follow us on Instagram: @equiratings_eventing
🎙️ Listen to The Eventing Podcast: Deep dives, performance analysis, and the stories behind the numbers. Available on all major podcast platforms.
📲 Join our WhatsApp Channel: Real-time insights, straight from the team to your phone — no noise, just eventing.