* The first European Eventing Championships were held at Badminton in 1953. Britain won team gold and the individual title, with Major Laurence Rook taking top honours.
* Britain’s run of team success was ended in 1962 when Russia were crowned European champions at Burghley.
* British teams have won all nine of the Europeans held on British soil since 1962.
* Germany are seeking a double hat-trick at Blair Castle in Scotland this week — three successive team gold medals and a hat-trick of individual titles for their star rider Michael Jung.
* If Jung triumphs at Blair, he will become the first rider to win three successive European crowns since Britain’s Ginny Leng between 1985 and 1989.
* Blair title favourites Germany are the reigning Olympic, World and European team eventing champions.
* The British team failed to obtain a medal in Malmö two years ago — the first time it didn’t win anything since 1993.
* British star William Fox-Pitt will chase his 20th major championship medal this week — his glittering collection includes six European team golds.
* The cross-country course at Blair Castle has been designed by Ian Stark, who won 16 major championship medals during his eventing career, including six European team gold with Great Britain.
Image: Michael Jung will be defend his team and individual title at the Longines FEI European Eventing Championships at Blair Castle in Scotland this week, by Kit Houghton, courtesy of the FEI
