What a day of cross country in Aachen.

Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH produced one of the rounds of the championship to take the individual lead, finding another gear when it mattered and coming home inside the time. Just behind, Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo made another championship track look effortless, with Laura Collett and Tom McEwen keeping three British combinations firmly in the individual medal hunt.

Nicole, Annie and Ali Barrett unpack a cross country day that delivered everything you could want from a World Championship, from the standout rounds and biggest movers to the moments that changed the team competition. They also look ahead to a final day where Jung has no fence in hand and the individual medals are incredibly close.

Plus, we head into Riders' Corner with Austin O'Connor and the Irish camp after all five Irish combinations jumped clear, leaving Ireland fourth and within touching distance of a team medal.

And Annie brings us reaction straight from the mixed zone, including Ros Canter, Michael Jung, Will Coleman and Ian Cassells after tackling an Aachen track that proved fast, intense and hugely influential.

Highlights • Michael Jung and fischerChipmunk FRH take the lead • Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo make it look easy • Britain delivers under pressure • Tamie Smith and Lillet 3 produce a standout round • Will Coleman and Diabolo impress for the USA • Ireland goes five from five clear across country • Andrew Hoy and Vassily de Lassos deliver again • The biggest movers and moments from cross country • Everything to play for on the final day

The Aachen Diaries are powered by brands that know what it takes to keep horses feeling, looking and performing at their best.

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Connolly's RED MILLS More than 100 years of equine nutrition expertise, with feeds developed to support horses from everyday riding to the highest levels of performance. Explore RED MILLS

Horseware Ireland Born in Ireland and built around making life better for horses and riders, Horseware has been pushing equestrian innovation forward for more than 40 years. Explore Horseware Ireland

Support the brands supporting the show and follow the Aachen Diaries all week for stories, insight and everything happening from the heart of the World Championships.

Dressage is done in Aachen, and after 87 combinations, the World Championship could hardly be better poised heading into cross country.

Nicole, Annie and Brayden look back on a brilliant two days of sport, with Julia Krajewski and Uelzener's Nickel taking everyone by surprise to lead on 22.0 ahead of Laura Collett and London 52. There are standout performances from Austin O'Connor and Colorado Blue, Tamie Smith and Lillet 3, and Andrew Hoy and Vassily de Lassos, while the team competition could not be tighter. Great Britain lead Germany by just 0.8 penalties, with France and New Zealand separated by only 0.3 behind them.

Then it's all eyes on Saturday.

Course designer Giuseppe della Chiesa joins Nicole to take us inside a championship track with almost 80 fences on the ground, multiple routes and very different ways of getting home. He explains where the intensity builds, why riders will need to know every option and why he thinks only around five combinations could make the optimum time.

Plus, Annie brings us reaction straight from the mixed zone as the riders reflect on their tests and turn their attention to a course being described as big, technical and seriously influential.

Highlights • Julia Krajewski and Uelzener's Nickel take the lead on 22.0 • Laura Collett and London 52 deliver under pressure • Austin O'Connor and Colorado Blue produce their best championship test • Tamie Smith and Lillet 3 impress on their championship debut • Andrew Hoy and Vassily de Lassos put themselves right in contention • Less than a second separates Great Britain and Germany • Giuseppe della Chiesa takes us inside his Aachen cross country course • Why Saturday could turn the leaderboard upside down • Rider reaction ahead of cross country

The Aachen Diaries are powered by brands that know what it takes to keep horses feeling, looking and performing at their best.

FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips Developed by veterinarians and backed by research, FLAIR Strips support the nasal passages to help horses breathe easier during exercise. Discover FLAIR

Foran Equine Scientifically formulated supplements designed to support equine health, performance and recovery, produced to pharmaceutical-grade standards in Ireland. Explore Foran Equine

Carr & Day & Martin Caring for horses since 1765, Carr & Day & Martin combines centuries of experience with trusted products across coat, hoof, leather and horse care. Explore Carr & Day & Martin

Connolly's RED MILLS More than 100 years of equine nutrition expertise, with feeds developed to support horses from everyday riding to the highest levels of performance. Explore RED MILLS

Horseware Ireland Born in Ireland and built around making life better for horses and riders, Horseware has been pushing equestrian innovation forward for more than 40 years. Explore Horseware Ireland

Support the brands supporting the show and follow the Aachen Diaries all week for stories, insight and everything happening from the heart of the World Championships.

The first day of eventing dressage is in the books at Aachen and we have our first World Championship scores on the board.

Nicole catches up with European Champion and Olympic medallist Tina Cook after a full day watching from the stands. They break down the tests that caught their eye, a strong start for the Kiwis and what we might see when some of the biggest names in the field head down the centre line on Friday.

We also hear the story behind Gemma Stevens and Flash Cooley from his owner Pru Dawes. Twenty years after watching the 2006 Aachen World Championships on repeat as an 11-year-old, Pru is back with her own horse representing Great Britain. She talks about the journey that brought them here, her friendship with Gemma and what it means to see a horse she has loved since he was four on this stage.

Plus, Annie heads into the mix zone for immediate post-test reaction from riders including Sophia Hill, Phillip Dutton, Sam Lissington, Ian Cassells and Jessica Phoenix, before joining Nicole to look ahead to a huge Friday of dressage.

With JL Dublin setting the early standard and fischerChipmunk, London 52 and Lordships Graffalo still to come, just how low could those scores go?

Highlights • Tina Cook's take on day one of dressage • A strong opening day for New Zealand • The tests and horses that caught the eye • Pru Dawes on the story behind Flash Cooley • Rider reaction straight from the mix zone • The new championship dressage test and the challenges it created • How low could the scores go on Friday? • fischerChipmunk, London 52 and Lordships Graffalo still to come

The Aachen Diaries are powered by brands that know what it takes to keep horses feeling, looking and performing at their best.

FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips Developed by veterinarians and backed by research, FLAIR Strips support the nasal passages to help horses breathe easier during exercise. Discover FLAIR

Foran Equine Scientifically formulated supplements designed to support equine health, performance and recovery, produced to pharmaceutical-grade standards in Ireland. Explore Foran Equine

Carr & Day & Martin Caring for horses since 1765, Carr & Day & Martin combines centuries of experience with trusted products across coat, hoof, leather and horse care. Explore Carr & Day & Martin

Connolly's RED MILLS More than 100 years of equine nutrition expertise, with feeds developed to support horses from everyday riding to the very highest levels of performance. Explore RED MILLS

Horseware Ireland Born in Ireland and built around making life better for horses and riders, Horseware has been pushing equestrian innovation forward for more than 40 years. Explore Horseware Ireland

Support the brands supporting the show and follow the Aachen Diaries all week for stories, insight and everything happening from the heart of the World Championships.

The horses are here, the course has been walked and the World Championships are underway in Aachen.

Nicole is joined by owner Pete Cattell from the heart of the action to talk about what it means to have a horse representing Ireland at a championship like this, the strength of the teams lining up and a cross country course that could have a huge say in who leaves Aachen with a medal.

We also get a first look at some of the biggest names of the week, with fischerChipmunk, London 52, Lordships Graffalo and JL Dublin all catching the eye. Nicole catches up with Tilly Hughes and Adam Short, the grooms behind two of the championship favourites, to hear how London 52 and JL Dublin have settled in and what life inside the British camp looks like ahead of the competition.

Plus, Brayden Lissington takes us inside the New Zealand camp as Sam Lissington prepares to compete as an individual with Lord Seekonig, Eventing Manager teams are being locked in and there are plenty of podium predictions flying around.

Highlights • First impressions of the Aachen cross country course • Why time could be so influential on Saturday • The championship favourites looking ready to go • Inside the British camp with Tilly Hughes and Adam Short • Pete Cattell on having MGH Zabaione at a World Championship • Brayden Lissington on Sam and the New Zealand camp • Team and individual podium predictions • The race to become Eventing Manager World Champion

Guests

Pete Cattell is a longtime event horse owner whose horses have competed at the highest level of the sport. He is at Aachen with MGH Zabaione, ridden by Pádraig McCarthy for Ireland.

Tilly Hughes is the groom of Laura Collett's London 52.

Adam Short is the groom of Tom McEwen's JL Dublin.

Brayden Lissington joins us from inside the New Zealand camp, where Sam Lissington is competing as an individual with Lord Seekonig.

The Aachen Diaries are powered by brands that know what it takes to keep horses feeling, looking and performing at their best.

FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips Developed by veterinarians and backed by research, FLAIR Strips support the nasal passages to help horses breathe easier during exercise. Discover FLAIR

Foran Equine Scientifically formulated supplements designed to support equine health, performance and recovery, produced to pharmaceutical-grade standards in Ireland. Explore Foran Equine

Carr & Day & Martin Caring for horses since 1765, Carr & Day & Martin combines centuries of experience with trusted products across coat, hoof, leather and horse care. Explore Carr & Day & Martin

Connolly's RED MILLS More than 100 years of equine nutrition expertise, with feeds developed to support horses from everyday riding to the very highest levels of performance. Explore RED MILLS

Horseware Ireland Born in Ireland and built around making life better for horses and riders, Horseware has been pushing equestrian innovation forward for more than 40 years. Explore Horseware Ireland

Support the brands supporting the show and follow the Aachen Diaries all week for stories, insight and everything happening from the heart of the World Championships.

We are live from Aachen and World Championship week has officially begun.

Nicole and Annie are sitting ringside at the first horse inspection, taking in everything that makes Aachen so special. The crowds, the atmosphere, the scale of the venue and a championship field that looks every bit as good in person as it did on paper.

They talk through the team draw and what Great Britain's late position could mean, who might take the individual spots for the major nations and why Tammy Smith and Lilette could be an exciting call for the USA. Plus, first impressions from the trot-up, plans to get out on the cross country course and a little bit of champagne and chocolate along the way.

A quick diary from the heart of Aachen as one seriously exciting week gets underway.

Highlights • First impressions from Aachen • Why this championship already feels so special • The team draw and a late spot for Great Britain • Who could take the individual spots • Tammy Smith and Lilette's medal potential • Live reactions from the first horse inspection • What Nicole and Annie are looking forward to this week

Guests

Annie Bishop is EquiRatings' US-based eventing analyst and a regular voice on the Eventing Podcast.

The Aachen Diaries are powered by brands that know what it takes to keep horses feeling, looking and performing at their best.

FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips Developed by veterinarians and backed by research, FLAIR Strips support the nasal passages to help horses breathe easier during exercise. Discover FLAIR

Foran Equine Scientifically formulated supplements designed to support equine health, performance and recovery, produced to pharmaceutical-grade standards in Ireland. Explore Foran Equine

Carr & Day & Martin Caring for horses since 1765, Carr & Day & Martin combines centuries of experience with trusted products across coat, hoof, leather and horse care. Explore Carr & Day & Martin

Connolly's RED MILLS More than 100 years of equine nutrition expertise, with feeds developed to support horses from everyday riding to the very highest levels of performance. Explore RED MILLS

Horseware Ireland Born in Ireland and built around making life better for horses and riders, Horseware has been pushing equestrian innovation forward for more than 40 years. Explore Horseware Ireland

Support the brands supporting the show and follow the Aachen Diaries all week for stories, insight and everything happening from the heart of the World Championships.

World Championship week is here and we are officially ready for Aachen!

Nicole is joined by Sam Watson, Diarm Byrne, Annie Bishop and Spike Milligan to take a proper look at the field and try to work out just how this championship might unfold.

Can Laura Collett and London 52 add a World title to their European crown? Is this the final head-to-head between two championship greats in London 52 and fischerChipmunk? And with Lordships Graffalo, JL Dublin, Diabolo, Falco and plenty more waiting in the wings, who actually comes out on top?

The team also looks at the nations fighting for the medals, what we can expect from Giuseppe Della Chiesa's cross country track and, of course, puts their reputations on the line with their team and individual podium predictions.

Highlights • The London 52 vs fischerChipmunk rivalry and one final championship showdown • Who can challenge for individual gold • How strong are Great Britain and Germany? • The USA, New Zealand and Ireland's medal chances • What to expect from the Aachen cross country • The combinations flying under the radar • Team and individual podium predictions

Guests

Sam Watson is an Olympian, World Championship team silver medallist and EquiRatings co-founder.

• Diarm Byrne - co-founder and CEO of EquiRatings.
• Annie Bishop - EquiRatings' US-based eventing analyst and podcast regular.
• Spike Milligan - top equine vetrinarian and one of the Eventing Podcast's regular voices.

Our World Championship coverage

The Championships Diaries is powered by brands that know what it takes to keep horses feeling, looking and performing at their best.

FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips Developed by veterinarians and backed by research, FLAIR Strips support the nasal passages to reduce airway resistance, helping horses breathe easier, conserve energy and recover faster. Discover FLAIR

Foran Equine Scientifically formulated supplements designed to support equine health, performance and recovery, produced to pharmaceutical-grade standards in Ireland. Explore Foran Equine

Carr & Day & Martin Caring for horses since 1765, Carr & Day & Martin combines centuries of experience with trusted products across coat, hoof, leather and horse care. Explore Carr & Day & Martin

Connolly's RED MILLS More than 100 years of equine nutrition expertise, with scientifically formulated feeds developed to support horses from everyday riding to the very highest levels of performance. Explore RED MILLS

Horseware Ireland Born in Ireland and built around making life better for horses and riders, Horseware has been pushing equestrian innovation forward since the creation of the iconic Rambo Original. Explore Horseware Ireland

Support the brands supporting the show and follow the Championships Diaries for stories, insight and everything you need from the heart of championship eventing.

Twenty years ago, Zara Tindall and Toytown became World Champions at Aachen. Now, Zara joins Nicole to look back on the week that cemented one of eventing's great partnerships.

From arriving as reigning European Champions to cross country around a very different Aachen and a final show jumping round that didn't exactly go to plan, Zara takes us inside the moments she remembers from 2006 and the horse who always seemed to rise to the biggest occasions.

She also reflects on what Toytown meant to her career, winning BBC Sports Personality of the Year later that year, the riders and athletes who inspired her, and why she thinks Laura Collett and London 52 have every chance of following the same European to World Championship path this year.

Highlights • Zara and Toytown's road to World Championship gold • What Aachen was really like back in 2006 • Cross country with a horse who would always find a way through the flags • The dramatic final show jumping round and missing the bell • Why Toytown was the horse of a lifetime • Winning BBC Sports Personality of the Year • Why Zara thinks Laura Collett can do the double

Guest

Zara Tindall is a World and European Champion event rider and Olympic silver medallist. She won both individual titles with the legendary Toy Town and has represented Great Britain at the highest level of the sport.

The summer heat brings plenty of challenges for horse owners, and keeping horses healthy goes far beyond topping up the water bucket.

Spike is joined by Red Mills nutritionist Louise Jones to discuss how hot weather changes your horse's nutritional needs, why hydration deserves more attention than many of us give it, and the practical management changes that can make a real difference. They also cover summer weight gain, electrolytes versus salt, supporting hoof health in dry conditions, and the small changes that can help horses stay comfortable through the hottest part of the season.

Highlights

• How hot weather changes your horse's nutritional needs
• Hydration, soaked feeds and encouraging horses to drink
• Salt vs. electrolytes: which does your horse need?
• Managing weight gain during the summer months
• Supporting hoof health in dry conditions
• Practical management tips for travelling and competing in the heat

Guests

• Spike – Equine veterinarian and host of the Red Mills Feed Room
• Louise Jones – Equine nutritionist at Red Mills

With thanks to Red Mills for their continued support of the Feed Room series.

📲 Stay Connected This episode is brought to you by Connolly's Red Mills. For expert advice, forage analysis, and feeding support, visit redmills.com or connect with their nutrition team directly. Proud partners of the podcast, Red Mills are here to help you feed your horse with confidence.

The World Championships market is open, which means one thing: it's time to build your team.

Sam Watson is joined by Annie Bishop and Brayden Lissington for their first reaction to the 2026 Eventing Manager market. From Laura Collett and London 52 topping the prices to the value picks further down the list, they explain how they're approaching team selection, debate the biggest decisions, and reveal the five combinations making their first draft teams.

Along the way, they dive into championship strategy, why cross-country reliability matters more than ever, whether it's worth backing your favourites or picking with your head instead of your heart, and share plenty of tips to help you build your team before the market closes.

Highlights

• First reactions to the 2026 World Championships market
• Laura Collett & London 52 vs. Ros Canter & Lordships Graffalo
• Sam, Annie and Brayden reveal their first draft teams
• Championship strategy and finding value in the market
• Tips for building your Eventing Manager team before Aachen

Guests

• Sam Watson – EquiRatings Co-Founder and creator of Eventing Manager
• Annie Bishop – EquiRatings analyst and Eventing Manager expert
• Brayden Lissington – Co-host of Eventing Weekly and Eventing Manager enthusiast

Your team doesn't stop with this episode.

Follow @eventing_manager for daily picks, strategy, leaderboard updates and everything you need ahead of the World Championships.

Seven months after having her daughter, Lucy Robinson was back in the start box with Ember.

In this Red Mills Special, Lucy catches up with Nicole to talk about life since becoming a mum, getting back in the saddle after an emergency C-section, and why she was in no rush to put pressure on herself or Ember. They also discuss returning at the Retraining of Racehorses Championships at Osberton, why dedicated classes for former racehorses matter, and how success can look a little different after a break from competition.

Highlights

Returning to riding after becoming a mum Ember's comeback at the Retraining of Racehorses Championships at Osberton Why dedicated classes for former racehorses matter Redefining success after a break from competition

Lucy Robinson – British event rider, YouTuber, and the rider behind Footluce Eventing

Sponsors:

Connolly's Red Mills are offering 15% off Foran Equine products to Eventing Podcast listeners! Use the code EquiRatingsPodcast15 to receive your discount. View the full collection here.

Note this does not apply to the already discounted Pre-Fuel & Refuel combo packs.

If you have any other questions regarding feeding click here to ask the Connolly's RED MILLS experts.

EquiRatings Eventing Podcast:

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The countdown is on to Scone Palace International Horse Trials, and year two is shaping up to be even bigger.

Nicole is joined by Event Director and LA 2028 Olympic course designer Alec Lochore to go behind the scenes of one of the sport's newest international events. From designing a world-class cross-country course to balancing the needs of riders, spectators and owners, Alec explains what has changed since the inaugural event, how the course has evolved, and why Scone is quickly becoming one of the standout fixtures on the calendar.

They also discuss the realities of running a modern horse trials, the challenge of course design following a difficult few weeks for the sport, and how lessons from events like Scone could shape the road to the Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Highlights

• What makes Scone unique in year two
• How the cross-country course has evolved
• Creating an event for riders and spectators
• Behind the scenes with Event Director Alec Lochore
• Lessons from course design on the road to LA 2028
• Why Scone is more than just a horse trials

Guests

• Alec Lochore – Event Director, Scone Palace International Horse Trials & Course Designer for the LA 2028 Olympic Games