Olympics queen Ros reveals why she won't defend European eventing titles
One of Louth’s sporting superstars, equestrian queen Ros Canter, has revealed she won’t be defending her European titles next month, even though she is the hot favourite to win.
Horse-rider Ros, 39, who landed an Olympic Games gold medal in Paris last summer, was due to represent Great Britain again at the Agria FEI European Eventing Championships at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire.
She took home gold in both the individual and team eventing at the last edition of the championships in France two years ago aboard loveable horse, Lordships Graffalo, nicknamed Walter.
And after victory at the Mars Badminton Horse Trials earlier this year, she was expected to shine again when the Europeans return to England for the first time in 20 years.
But while she is undeniably at the peak of her powers, she has disclosed that she won’t be riding at Blenheim Palace because she is expecting her second child, a sibling for six-year-old daughter Ziggy.
Therefore, instead of looking forward for another tilt at glory, she is back home at the family riding, training and livery yard at Home Farm in Hallington, concentrating on domestic matters.
Ros said: “It's exciting that the European Eventing Championships are coming to Britain and that my sponsor, Agria, which is the UK’s only provider of lifetime equine insurance, is supporting such a major competition.
"Of course, in one sense, I’m sad not to be competing there. But my husband Chris, Ziggy and I are all very excited to be expecting another baby early in 2026.”
Reflecting on the significance of a European Championships staged on home soil, Ros added: “When we competed in Paris in 2023, the French crowd were unbelievable.
“I can just imagine that the Brits will try and replicate that at Blenheim. It will be an amazing atmosphere to experience.”
Ros, who lives in South Elkington, fulfilled a lifelong dream when claiming Olympic gold in the team eventing at Paris, alongside fellow riders Laura Collett and Tom McEwen.
“The first emotion was probably relief,” she recalled. “During the competition, there were a few ups and downs along the way that meant I felt a lot of pressure right through until the end.
“But the moment we actually won the gold medal, it was a case of thank goodness we've done it and then you really get to enjoy it.
“The few hours after winning the gold medal were some of the most emotional, but the best emotions, I've ever felt.
“Olympic gold was something that I really wanted to achieve. I've ticked that box now and it's a feeling of relief.”
With the pressure of Olympic attainment now off her shoulders, Canter has been afforded a fresh perspective this season.
Success has also come at a five-star trial in Germany, riding another of her horses, Izilot DHI, and she won a hotly-contested four-star competition at Hartpury in Gloucestershire a week before announcing her pregnancy.
“I've felt more open-minded about this year,” she admitted. “I've enjoyed riding and training my horses, thinking outside the box a little bit more.”
Eventing, which sees horse and rider compete across three disciplines of cross-country, dressage and show jumping, incurs a huge amount of sacrifice for those at the top of the sport.
Canter herself juggles aiming for the sport’s highest honours with raising her six-year-old daughter.
“Ziggy is really proud of me, which is nice,” Ros went on. “She was excited about the Olympics.
“A few months before, I was creeping out at 5am to go to the gym and she woke up, wanting to come with me. She didn't understand why I was always leaving.
“So I sat her down and I explained to her what the Olympics were, why they were important and why they represented a dream.
“From that moment on, she got behind it. She watched it on the telly. She thought that when I got my medal and I was waving, I was looking straight at her, so that was nice.”
Canter still expects to be at Blenheim on foot as a spectator, supporting Team GB and her sponsors, Agria, while the focus for the next few months falls on family more than sport.
She said: “I will certainly be cheering my teammates on — just without the pressure and the nerves!”
The Agria FEI European Eventing Championships at Blenheim Palace take place from Thursday, September 18 to Sunday, September 21.
THIS article has been kindly provided by Will Jennings, of Sportsbeat.