Eventing writes an unprecedented page in its history this week with the holding of the first FEI U25 World Championship. From this Wednesday, the Irish town of Millstreet is hosting a competition destined to become a decisive step within the sporting progression of young talents, offering for the first time a specific world title for athletes under 25 years of age.
The new competition brings together 40 combinations from 14 countries: Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, Spain, Sweden and the United States. The aim is to bridge the gap between the Young Riders category and elite senior competition, allowing young athletes to contest a world championship at a key stage in their career before firmly establishing themselves among the top tier.
Five countries will also fight for team medals: France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland and the United States, while the rest of the participants will compete for the individual title.
Among the main favourites is the German Calvin Böckmann, current number one in the FEI U25 ranking, who arrives in Millstreet after a standout 2025 season, including fourth place individually at the Eventing European Championship. Great Britain presents a strong team led by Alice Casburn and Jasmine Underwood, ranked third and fifth in the U25 standings, whilst hosts Ireland place their hopes in Godfrey Gibbons, team silver medallist at the 2025 Young Riders European Championship. France also presents one of the strongest delegations, with names such as Vérane Nicaud and Charlotte Bordas, and the United States attends with six combinations headed by Olivia Dutton, Molly Duda and Cassie Sanger.
Millstreet has not been chosen by chance. The Green Glens Arena has a wealth of experience in organising European Championships for Ponies, Juniors and Young Riders, as well as FEI Eventing Nations Cup competitions. The cross-country course has been designed by the British course builder Mike Etherington-Smith, who is responsible for layouts at Olympic Games, World Championships and European Championships, and will put the combinations' accuracy, balance and decision-making ability to the test.
As is usual in Eventing, the championship will take place across the three disciplines. Two days of dressage will establish the provisional standings ahead of Saturday's cross-country, considered the decisive test of the competition. On Sunday, the show jumping course will determine which combinations maintain their focus until the end to become the first ever U25 world champions.
