The FEI Jumping European Championship 2023 in Milan, Italy, got underway on Tuesday, with the first horse inspection. It was a relatively calm trot-up where all horses passed, looking healthy, happy, and fit to compete. Many of the horses and riders also took time for some cuddles and snuggles while waiting for their turn to jog.
First out in this photo special from the trot-up at the Ippodromo Snai San Siro is Switzerland's Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei – defending team champions from Riesenbeck in 2021 and defending vice champions individually. For Switzerland, there is added pressure in Milan this week: They still need their Olympic qualification for Paris.
All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping, all rights reserved. If copyright violations occur, a penalty fee will apply.
Best friends: Spain's Armando Trapote and Tornado VS.
Ukraine's Oleksandr Prodan and Moneymaker van't Meulenhof having a little cuddle.
France's Julien Epaillard takes a moment with Dubai du Cedre.
Spanish details...
The look of love: Willem Greve admiring the stunning Highway M TN.
Simon Delestre's Dexter Fontenis Z waiting for his turn.
Petronella Andersson's Castres van de Begijnakker Z enjoying some cuddles.
Papa Roach and Victoria Gulliksen share a special bond.
Austria's Alessandra Reich and Oeli R waiting to jog.
Thumbs up from Ireland's Denis Lynch who had his hands full with his stallion Vistogrand.
Lichtenstein's Jennifer Hochstadter and Golden Lady.
Some were more playful than others... Here Harry Charles with Casquo Blue.
The wildest was Gerfried Puck's Equitron Naxcel V, who put on a real show....
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Dourados 2 also made sure to keep Duarte Seabra busy.
The stallions were especially playful, here Faltic HB tries to get a hold of Ben Maher's pants.
Ben 431 was a handful and planted his hoof on Gerrit Nieberg's foot.
Darc de Lux playing around with Andreas Schou.
Cordial at his best behaviour for Megane Moissonnier.
Emanuele Gaudiano's stunning Crack Balou.
Some decided to not make a fuss at all...
...while others decided to use the opportunity to strike a pose.
Rolf-Göran Bengtsson was in a good mood, and so was Zuccero.
Do you have a treat for me? Harrie Smolders' super cute Uricas v/d Kattevennen.
Long John Silver 3 N.O.P. waiting for his turn with Jur Vrieling.
Muzzle snuggle: Kasper H. Hansen and the gorgeous Zero K.
Hold me close: Katanga v/h Dingeshof.
Jana Wargers' Limbridge showing off his cute face.
Belgium's Olivier Philippaerts and H&M Miro.
András Jun. Kövy's E-Up posing for the cameras.
Marcus Ehning's Stargold looking ready to shine.
Best dressed: The Spanish riders looked very stylish at the trot-up. Here Eduardo Alvarez Aznar and Bentley de Sury showing off their good looks.
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