Former British U21 European Champion Phoebe Locke now rides for Germany

As of June 1, 2026, 26-year-old Phoebe Locke will no longer be riding for her British homeland, but for Germany. She is already listed with GER nationality at the FEI and yesterday she also published the news on her social media channels. The decision has a family background. She writes:

“After a successful career under the British flag, my decision represents a deeply personal and symbolic change – one that is rooted in my German heritage and my family history.”

As she told EQUI PAGES, Phoebe Locke does indeed have German roots, as her grandfather was German. However, she grew up in England and was already highly successful as a little girl.

With 128 and 138 cm ponies, Phobe Locke rode from ribbon to ribbon on the show jumping course, including at the Horse Of The Year Show and in Hickstead, two of the most prestigious competitions in Great Britain.

In 2014, Locke decided to give up the jumping saddle and concentrate on eventing. Her talent was quickly discovered.

Five EMs for GBR

In her very first season, Phoebe Locke was entered for the European Pony Championships, initially as an individual rider. In the following years, however, she not only became a national champion, but also a permanent fixture in the successful British bush teams. She never returned home from a European Championship without a medal. She won gold twice, silver once and bronze once.

Phoebe Locke won her first four-star competition at the age of 20, making her the youngest rider in history to achieve this. She rode several times in British teams at the FEI Nations Cup.

She made her five-star debut last year in Luhmühlen, was clear in the cross-country, but had to withdraw her horse before the second conformation test.

Utilizing the opportunities in Germany

Locke runs his own training and commercial stable in Somerset in the Cotswolds. She doesn’t want to give it up either, as she explained to EQUI PAGES. “I’ve built up a business here with horses for sale at four and five-star level right up to ponies.” She has worked hard to build this up and does not want to lose it under any circumstances. The goal, however, is to continue to represent Germany at international shows – and preferably also at championships.

According to Locke, there are an incredible number of couples in England who ride at this level. “I think there could be some really interesting opportunities for me in Germany. It’s incredibly difficult to get into a British team. And I think the support the Germans have with their training in Warendorf and everything is really exciting.”

There are fewer riders in Germany. As a result, everything is more individual and the training opportunities are a great incentive for her. “I’ve had fantastic success,” says Locke. “But I probably never had the horse that would have made me eligible for the Olympic Games or World Championships.” But that is exactly her goal.

“I would like to find owners who will help me fulfill my dream of riding for Germany in LA.”

She had a really good horse in recent years, which she then sold to Kitty King. “I had to run the business. I made some really good decisions in the process. As a result, I can now concentrate a bit more on gaining a foothold in top-level sport myself.”

Conclusion: “I’m really looking forward to riding for Germany from now on and hopefully I can make you proud and win medals for Germany.”

First state, then start

As the chairwoman of the German eventing committee, Dr. Annette Wyrwoll, explains, the process for Locke to ride for Germany has been underway for 1.5 years. The rider made the request back then. But before she was allowed to compete under the German flag, she had to obtain German citizenship, which was made possible by her German grandfather. Only with the certificate in hand could she apply for a German competition license.

This means that the FN has fulfilled all the requirements to be able to ride under the German flag. However, Dr. Annette Wyrwoll emphasizes that whether the dream of LA and/or other championships comes true depends solely on the performance. No distinctions are made.

Incidentally, Phoebe Locke is not the only young British rider who has taken on German nationality and now rides with the abbreviation GER instead of GBR. Since 13 May, this also applies to U25 rider Georgina Herrling, who has German parents but grew up in England. She was individual European pony champion in 2017 and rode her best horse, Cooley Now or Never 2023, to sixth place at the U21 European Championships. She has also completed numerous four-star competitions with the 14-year-old Irish horse.