Sophia Rogers lands double gold at the FEI Jumping European Championships for Ponies, adding the individual title to the Team Gold earned two days earlier with Neil 55
Monday 03 August 2026
 - Libby Law Photography.jpg "Sophia Rogers lands double gold at the FEI Jumping European Championships for Ponies, adding the individual title to the Team Gold earned two days earlier with Neil 55")
In her final pony year and the third consecutive year of representing Great Britain, Sophia Rogers struck double gold with the super-consistent and exceptional Neil 55 at the FEI Jumping European Championships for Ponies. She added the prestigious Individual Gold medal to the three Team Gold medals earned from 2024, finally claiming the individual title which had eluded her, until now.
“I’m quite ecstatic,” said Sophia. “I knew that once I jumped a clear, the worst I was coming out with was a silver. It’s a dream to even get to the European Championship and get on a podium. It’s an honour to win.”
The British contingent was on fire, claiming three of the top four places. Lucia Caroline slipped Holly Blue into the bronze position with Henry Leggott just missing out on the podium in fourth on Blossom’s Big Claim.
Twenty-three riders representing eight nations came forward to face French course-designer Xavier Trouilhet’s 10-fence, 13-effort 1.35m track containing three doubles. Six riders had maintained their form to jump double clear in the Nations Cup and carried only the penalty points from day one’s 1.30m Table C speed; zero points awarded to the winner and followed pro rata down the line according to their position in the line-up.
“The courses abroad are so, so different to the ones everyone is used to back in England. I’m fortunate enough to compete in my third pony European Championship thanks to British showjumping and Clare Whitaker. So, I’m used to these courses and the technicality of them all. For this year, the courses in Le Mans favoured Neil in himself as he loves when the fences are bigger and I know a couple of the fences in the last round went up to 140m. Time was tight so I had to stay tight to the fences and keep on my plan that my trainer [Jason Moore] and I decided would fit me best,” said Sophia.
Ireland’s Ted Fagan led the way on Ballyfore Rosie as the final day dawned with Sophia and Neil 55 lying in the Silver position 3.63 points in arrears. After round one of the individual, the tension was on a knife-edge with three Irish and three British riders in contention in the top 12 places.
Three Brits added clear rounds in round A of the individual, carrying only their penalty points, but Ireland led the way as Ted Fagan also jumped clear. The Brits had to dig deep, and the pressure heightened as riders jumped in reverse order of merit with Ted last to go.
It went to the wire and again, it was a battle between Britain and Ireland, the same as the team competition 48 hours earlier.
Henry Leggott, making his European Championship debut and on his original 5.86 penalty points from day one, opted for accuracy with Blossom’s Big Claim but heartbreakingly picked up one time fault. Lucia Caroline, 14, another European Championship debutante, held her nerve to jump a magnificent clear on Holly Blue to keep her in a medal position.
Then it was Sophia’s turn. The atmosphere was taut with tension and nerves, however, she rode the sensitive but supremely talented Neil with care and skill to deliver a beautiful clear round. She was guaranteed a silver medal but gold was in reach and the pressure was transferred to final-drawn Ted Fagan for Ireland.
Sophia felt the tension: “In my own mind I definitely put pressure on myself as I knew I was capable of gaining an individual medal, but to what I got today is astonishing. Once I was in that ring I just had to switch off and stick to my plan. I trust Neil with my whole heart and this whole show has been amazing.”
Now you could hear a pin drop. The British and Irish riders and their connections held their collective breath. Ted was riding the round of his life, but the oxer going into the double fell, and although he jumped the final line clear, that one rail shattered his dreams, dropping him to the silver position. Sophia had won Gold with Lucia in Bronze.
“I was positioned in second after the teams so I knew that if I kept my cool Neil would help me out. Obviously, I was so, so nervous as everyone would be, but after all it’s played out in my favour. I’m still lost for words on what to say as it’s quite a surreal and bittersweet ending as this is my last pony Europeans especially with my one and only Neil,” said Sophia.
“I want to thank my mum, because she helps me behind the scenes and got my pony ready for me while I was staying calm with my trainer. Everybody plays a part in this achievement of mine.
Sophia took over the reins on Neil 55, a 14-year-old gelding by Otangelo x Koriander, from her sister Izabella, who won Team bronze at this event in 2023. Neil has been a part of the Rogers family since the pony was three years old.
“To sum up Neil as a character and just himself, I would honestly have a never-ending list. I’m sure thank you will never come quite close to how I feel with him as he’s helped me and allowed me to achieve things I know I didn’t think I was capable of. I know that the rest of the team would agree with me when I say Neil is so, so needy and loves attention. He always has to partner up with another horse to become friends for the week. He has his quirks as he’s horse shy, so I have to watch out in the warm-up arenas on who’s going past and coming towards me. Overall, what can I say other then I believe Neil is the bestest pony I’ve ever sat on! I trust my pony with my whole heart, and I love him so much. It’s worked out so well.”
I just want to say thank you for everyone behind the scenes to even get me where I am today, but definitely most of all my biggest supporters are my nanny, mum and sister. And I love them for it. Thank you to Jason Moore for the help this week and British Showjumping for choosing me for teams.”
Sophia became the first athlete to win Individual and Team gold since her compatriot Jack Whitaker completed the feat in 2016. Her future plan is to “hopefully take the reins of my sister’s horse to do Juniors next year.”
Lucia was equally delighted: “I didn’t expect to come home with two medals. My pony is brave and tries her hardest all the time. She’s the best.”
Henry Leggott finished fourth on Blossom’s Big Claim and Raphaela Dawson, initially on 8.25 with Woody Allen Van Duyversputten added four faults to her score in the second round of the team competition but jumped double clear on individual day to leap up the order to seventh.
“They all rode fantastically well; Sophia jumped a very good second round then all she could do was sit and wait, Lucia ride well and kept her cool while Henry and Raphaela handled the situation and pressure well,” said Pony Chef d’Equipe Clare Whitaker.
FEI Jumping European Championship for Ponies Individual
Boulerie Jump, Le Mans, France – 2 August 2026
1st Sophie Rogers (GBR) & Neil 55 – 3.63/0/0/0/0 = 3.63
2nd Ted Fagan (IRE) & Ballyfore Rosie – 0/0/0/0/4 = 4.00
3rd Lucia Caroline (GBR) & Holly Blue – 4.65/0/0/0/0 = 4.65
4th Henry Leggott (GBR) & Blossom’s Big Claim – 5.86/0/0/0/1 = 6.86
7th Raphaela Dawson (GBR) & Woody Allen Van Duyversputten – 8.25/0/4/00 = 12.25
Image: Libby Law Photography
