The team placings will be decided today at the FEI European Jumping Championships in Madrid, Spain. The Dutch lead from Germany in second in the team championship, while Germany's Carsten-Otto Nagel heads the individual placings.

It remains a close-fought affair in both competitions, with less than a fence separating the top two teams, and only four faults separating the top nine in the individual rankings.

Hot competition

The weather is incredibly hot in Madrid, and the competition is just as scorching. The British team of Ben Maher, Nick Skelton, Guy Williams and John Whitaker currently lie in fourth place, just outside the medals, while Nick Skelton currently lies third individually.

They moved up from their fifth place on the opening day of competition (Wednesday), which saw the team members take part in a speed class. Nick Skelton produced a superb clear inside the time on the grey Carlo. Guy, making his championship debut, was the next in the arena with his own Titus II, and they posted eight faults. Next to go was Ben Maher with Tripple X III, who posted another British clear. Last to go John Whitaker (on Peppermill) had a rare refusal midway through an otherwise clear round.

Yesterday, Nick Skelton showed his immense skill round a testing 1.60m course to produce another faultless round that the commentators described as ‘being a joy to watch’. Guy and Titus II lowered three fences, meaning they became the dropped score for the team. Ben and Tripple X III landed slightly short at the open water to incur four faults, while the same fence caught out John and Peppermill. 

Medal fight

The final team competition today will see the top ten teams coming forward to fight for their place on the medal podium, while Sunday will see the individual medals being decided. With Nick Skelton in third place, Ben Maher in 15th and John Whitaker in 22nd, Great Britain is one of the few nations with three riders appearing so high on the ranking list.

Rob Hoekstra, Team Manager and Chef d’Equipe, commented: “The horses are jumping well, and we’ve just been a bit unlucky with the water - but then again so have many. If we can keep this formula going then we’re in with a chance. Lots of things can happen in the last day of competition, especially when people are riding under extreme pressure. We’re fighting to be on the podium, we’re close to it and if we carry on like this then it’s definitely possible.”

Great Britain’s reserve rider Scott Brash is competing in the additional international classes, and he secured second place in the 1.45m speed class with the gelding Bon Ami.