NFED Worldwide Equestrian News

Mary King reigns at Burghley

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 20:51:34 +0100

Mary King and the white-faced chestnut Apache Sauce have a two-point lead after the first day of Dressage at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, the fourth leg of the HSBC FEI Classics™. (Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI)

Mary King (GBR) showed all her experience to take the lead after an eventful first day of Dressage at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), the fourth leg of the HSBC FEI Classics™.

King, 49, has been riding at Burghley for more than 20 years – she won it in 1996 on Star Appeal – but a momentary lapse in concentration which meant she had to correct an error of course will have cost her valuable marks.

Riding the 14-year-old white-faced chestnut Apache Sauce, fourth here in 2008, she missed part of the final canter work and, on arriving at halt, had to be interrupted by Ground Jury member Marilyn Payne (USA).

“I haven’t done that for years,” a smiling King said afterwards, confessing to a “blonde moment”.

She continued: “But when I went back and did the flying changes, they came off much better! You never know how Apache Sauce will go; sometimes he can be a real ‘red-head’, but he was on his best behaviour today.”

King’s long-time team mate William Fox-Pitt (GBR), a five-times winner of Burghley and currently second in the $333,000 HSBC FEI Classics™, is in second place on the handsome Argentine Thoroughbred Macchiato – also having suffered a minor aberration.

Fox-Pitt was penalised with an error of course after entering the arena more than 45 seconds after the bell had rung. “I had got myself into a position where I couldn’t see the clock. I’ve never done that one before!” he explained.

“Macchiato has started to really come on in the Dressage,” added Fox-Pitt, who won Luhmühlen in 2008 on the 12-year-old bay gelding. “He’s a sensitive and forward-going horse who always tries to please.”

Despite her contrasting lack of experience, third-placed Laura Collett (GBR), 21, contesting her first Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, managed not to forget any of her test.

She produced a composed performance on Ginger May Killinghurst, a 15-year-old chestnut mare by Dallas, who has previously been ridden at four-star level by Andrew Nicholson (NZL) and M-J Tumbridge (BER). Collett is a former Junior and Young Rider European Champion, but she admitted: “Those courses now look rather small compared to this!”

Describing her first Burghley as “amazing”, she has walked the Cross-Country with British team manager Yogi Breisner and pronounced it: “A lovely course – as big as you would expect. I’ve had some serious braking problems with Ginger May Killinghurst, but I’ve borrowed a new bit from Lucy Wiegersma and hopefully that will do the trick. I’m definitely going to take the long route at the first of the Dairy Mound Corners.”
Enjoying perfect sunny conditions, 38 of the 77 starters have now performed their Dressage tests in front of Martin Plewa (GER), Marilyn Payne (USA) and Les Smith (GBR), seven of them scoring under 50.

Performances of interest included Pippa Funnell (GBR), back at Burghley for the first time since 2004, in fourth place with the French-bred Mirage d’Elle; Marina Köhncke (GER), seventh on the beautiful bay mare Calma Schelly and making her Burghley debut – her first four-star event since the Sydney Olympics 10 years ago; and Kate Walls (GBR), whose horse Alter Ego, in ninth place, has made a remarkable recovery from breaking his back in a fall at Luhmühlen last year.

But it could be all change tomorrow (Friday). Renowned Dressage expert Ruth Edge (GBR) is still to come on her 2007 Luhmühlen winner Two Thyme, who has been carefully prepared for Burghley, and World silver medallist Clayton Fredericks’ (AUS) first CCI4* with new ride Be My Guest will be of interest.

King and Fox-Pitt still have their second horses to come, and strong performances are expected from the defending champion, Oliver Townend (GBR) on Carousel Quest, plus other former winners Mark Todd (NZL) with Major Milestone and Andrew Nicholson (NZL), on Avebury.

Results
1 Mary King/Apache Sauce (GBR) 44.8*
2 William Fox-Pitt/Macchiato (GBR) 46.8*
3 Laura Collett/Ginger May Killinghurst (GBR) 47.0
4 Pippa Funnell/Mirage d’Elle (GBR) 48.2
5 Capt Geoff Curran/The Jump Jet (IRL) 48.8
6 James Robinson/Comanche (GBR) 49.0
7 Marina Köhncke/Calma Schelly (GER) 49.3
8 Anna Warnecke/Twinkle Bee (GER) 50.5
9 Kate Walls/Altar Ego (GBR) 51.7
10= Nici Wilson/Oingy Boingy (GBR) 52.0
10= Michael Pollard/Wonderful Will (USA) 52.0
*error of course

FEI announces detection times for Methylprednisolone Acetate

Wed, 1 Sep 2010 15:21:10 +0100

The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) has announced detection times for Methylprednisolone Acetate, a frontline treatment for lameness in the equine athlete. The findings from recently completed studies on the use of intra-articular Methylprednisolone Acetate show the detection times as 28 days for the 200mg dose and 14 days for the 100mg dose.

The FEI recognises that any strategy to reduce the level of doping and medication offences must contain an element of guidance and education. With this in mind there has been an increased effort to provide detection times for substances that are in common usage. The detection time is the time taken for an active substance administered to a horse by a specified route and dosage to fall below a level at which the FEI would declare a sample positive.

It is important to note that detection times may vary depending on dose and number of injection sites used. Please note that a detection time is not the same as a withdrawal time. The withdrawal time must be decided by the treating veterinarian and is likely to be based on the detection time plus an appropriate safety margin to allow for individual variation.

Tapner and Fox-Pitt poised to pounce on HSBC FEI Classics™ at Burghley

Wed, 1 Sep 2010 07:03:25 +0100

Paul Tapner (AUS) and William Fox-Pitt (GBR) are the riders with most to gain from a big result at this weekend’s Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR, September 2-5). It is the fourth leg of the 2010 HSBC FEI Classics™, which carries a prize-pot of US$333,000 to be shared by the five most successful riders across five CCI4* events.

The current standings leader, Andreas Dibowski (GER), who has a healthy 7-point lead over this year’s Badminton and Lexington winners, is an absentee from Burghley, and Tapner and Fox-Pitt are poised to pounce.

Tapner, who looks set to make his debut on the Australian squad at the forthcoming Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™, has two horses with useful CCI4* form: Kilfinnie, 15th last year, and Stormhill Michael, 10th at Badminton.

Fox-Pitt, bidding for a record sixth victory at Burghley, has the Argentine Thoroughbred Macchiato, a winner at Luhmühlen in 2008 and fifth at Badminton last year, plus the German-bred Seacookie, seventh at Burghley in 2009.

Two more riders handily placed in the top 10 of the HSBC FEI Classics™ rankings have rides at Burghley: the 1996 winner Mary King (GBR) with the veteran Apache Sauce, fourth here in 2008, and her home-bred mare Kings Temptress, and Andrew Nicholson (NZL), the victor in 1995 and 2000, with the brilliant jumper Armada and a choice of either Nereo or Avebury.

In reality, though, the HSBC FEI Classics™ is still wide open and any number of riders could make their mark this weekend. None will be more aware of that than the defending champion, Oliver Townend (GBR). If he recaptures the Land Rover trophy at Burghley on Carousel Quest, he will be the first rider in Burghley’s 49-year history to win it back-to-back on the same horse.

More than 80 horses from 13 nations are entered; the field ranges from the vast experience of double Olympic champion Mark Todd, 54, a five-times winner at Burghley who brings a new ride, Major Milestone, to 22-year-old Georgie Strang (GBR), who is lucky enough to have the ride on the wonderful 19-year-old Master Monarch, a CCI4* winner and third here in 2004 with Andrew Hoy.

Other Burghley debuts to watch are that of former Junior and Young Rider European Champion Laura Collett (GBR); Alex Hua Tian, who becomes the first Chinese representative to compete at Burghley, and Aistis Vitkauskas, who will be the first Lithuanian competitor.

Kai Rüder (GER), 10th last year, rides the only stallion in the field, Le Prince des Bois. There are two nine-year-old horses in the field: first-timer Kerry Varley’s (GBR) Bluestone Luke and Pascal Leroy’s (FRA) Minos de Petra; while Jean-Luc Goerens (FRA) and Marychope de Marast represent the senior combination – their combined ages add up to 73 years.

The Cross-Country Course Designer, Mark Phillips (GBR), has made several changes to his track and says that it will be a softer test than last year.
Riders will be delighted to hear that he has altered the line at the Discovery Valley (fence 6), which caused more than 25% of the field to fault last year, there’s a new option at the famous Trout Hatchery (fences 8, 9, 10) and the second corner at the influential Dairy Farm (17) has been re-sited onto flat ground.

However, riders familiar with Captain Phillips’ courses know that Burghley, with its undulating terrain, always offers a true Cross-Country challenge which never fails to produce a worthy winner and a thrilling competition.

Follow live results and coverage on www.burghley-horse.co.uk

HSBC FEI Classics™ Standings (after 3 of 5 events)
1 Andreas Dibowski (GER)22
2 William Fox-Pitt (GBR) 15
3 Paul Tapner (AUS) 15
4 Sharon Hunt (GBR) 15
5 Ingrid Klimke (GER) 12
6 Phillip Dutton (USA) 12
7 Mary King (GBR) 12
8 Becky Holder (USA) 10
9 Daisy Berkeley (GBR) 10
10 Andrew Nicholson (NZL) 8

HSBC FEI Classics™ Calendar of Events in 2010
1. 21-25 April - Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event (USA)
2. 30 April - 03 May - Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR)
3. 17-20 June - Luhmühlen presented by E.ON Avacon (GER)
4. 2-5 September - Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR)
5. 4-7 November- Les Etoiles de Pau (FRA)

Michael Jung is new HSBC FEI World Cup™ Champion as Germans dominate Schenefeld

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 09:16:06 +0100

Michael Jung was crowned the HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing Champion for 2010 at the last event of the season, Schenefeld (GER), where he emphasised his domination of the series by finishing second, third and fourth behind the winner, Julia Mestern (GER) on FRH Schorsch.

After 12 events in 10 countries and three continents, Jung, who is being hailed as one of the world’s most exciting young riders, emerged supreme as the only rider to have won two events, at Marbach (GER) and Strzegom (POL).

His reaction on learning that he has won US$50,000 of HSBC prize-money was: “This is wonderful for me because as a professional rider I am always thinking about earning money. This will now allow me to relax and prepare my top horse, Sam, for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Kentucky next month.

“The HSBC FEI World Cup™ has provided great opportunities for me to prepare three horses to top level. It couldn’t have been better and I’m very pleased and grateful.”

It was an all-German line-up at Schenefeld – only two of the 16 finishers were non-German, Sweden’s Malin Larsson, 15th, and Belarusian rider Aleksandr Faminou, 16th.

The main beneficiary in HSBC FEI World Cup™ points was Dirk Schrade (GER), who finished sixth on Gadget de la Cere and earned enough points to be propelled into the top 15 riders who will share the US$180,000 prize-pot.

Schenefeld was a mandatory outing for the senior German squad preparing for Kentucky, and Julia Mestern, who rose from fifth place after Dressage to take the lead with one of only two Cross-Country rounds inside the optimum time, admitted that she felt considerable pressure with a host of experienced riders breathing down her neck in the final Jumping phase.

The 14-year-old FRH Schorsch is Mestern’s only event horse – she has also competed him in Dressage and Jumping, and she herself spends most of her time riding Dressage horses.

“I am so pleased, I love my horse,” she said afterwards. “It was very nerve-racking when Michael (Jung) rode three clear Jumping rounds – there was only 0.2 of a penalty between us – but my horse felt all weekend as though he wanted to win.”

Ingrid Klimke (GER), the Dressage leader on Butts Abraxxas, finished in fifth place after accumulating Cross-Country time penalties and having two Jumping rails down.

Her team mates had mixed results: Frank Ostholt (GER) withdrew Mr Medicott after Dressage, but Andreas Dibowski (GER) took a soaking fall in the double water complex with Butts Leon and Dirk Schrade (GER) retired King Artus after two refusals at the water-filled ditch in the coffin.
There were 15 clear Cross-Country rounds from the 19 finishers, and little change to the order in the final Jumping phase. All riders praised the excellent going, which drained well despite the heavy rain.

All in all, it was a fitting climax to the 2010 HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing, as all eyes now turn to the fourth leg of the HSBC FEI Classics, at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR) next weekend, and the forthcoming Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™.

Results
1 Julia Mestern/FRH Schorsch (GER) 39.0 + 0 + 0 = 39
2 Michael Jung/Weidezaunprofi’s River of Joy (GER) 36.0 + 3.2 + 0 = 39.2
3 Michael Jung/La Biosthetique Sam (GER) 39.8 + 0 + 0 = 39.8
4 Michael Jung/Leopin (GER) 45.8 + 1.2 + 0 = 47.0
5 Ingrid Klimke/Butts Abraxxas (GER) 34.8 + 4.8 + 8 = 47.6
6 Dirk Schrade/Gadget de la Cere AA (GER) 40.8 + 7.6 + 0 = 48.4
7 Andreas Dibowski/FRH Fantasia (GER) 42.2 + 8.4 + 0 = 50.6
8 Andreas Ostholt/Franco Jeas (GER) 47.8 + 4.4 + 4 = 56.2
9 Kai Rüder/Leprince des Bois (GER) 38.6 + 12 + 8 = 58.6
10 Anna Siemer/Charlott 23 (GER) 51.0 + 7.6 + 1= 59.6
Full results on www.schenefeld-eventing.de

National TREC champions out-class record field

Sat, 28 Aug 2010 08:06:10 +0100

Record numbers of competitors travelled from as far afield as Southern Ireland to compete at the BHS TREC Championships of Great Britain.

The Championships, sponsored by South Essex Insurance Brokers, were held at Bryn Sion Liveries, North Wales. Competitors had earned their place at the finals at qualifying events held across the country.

The Level 2 Individual title was won by Kirsty Wylde from Lincoln with her 13.2hh Highland pony, Iona of Dykes. The Pairs honours at this level were awarded to Midlands duo Jan Oldham (Derbyshire) on Josh and Rachael Wilmot (Nottingham) with her 17-year-old Fell pony, Grindle. This is only the pair’s second season competing together after winning the Novice BHS TREC League in 2009.

At Level 3, the Individual title went to Clare Reynolds and her “horse of a lifetime” Starlight Sylvester, following great POR and PTV phases. Clare, who comes from Kent, is one of the long listed riders to represent Team GBR in Austria in September. The Level 3 Pairs Champions were Izzy France (Redditch) on Just Jake and Sue Lee (Warwickshire) on her “pink pony,” Daisy.

Daniel Nolan from Warwickshire fought off tough competition to be crowned Level 4 Individual Champion of Great Britain. Daniel became the recipient of a saddle kindly donated by the Worshipful Company of Saddlers.

A special prize was awarded to a particularly brave little Exmoor pony, Ariel, who on the journey to the Championship from their Middlesbrough home, was stuck in her lorry as it caught on fire. Paula Scott, Ariel’s owner and Kat Evans struggled through the smoke to get to Ariel and released her. Ariel calmly walked out of the lorry onto the hard shoulder of the motorway. Despite all the drama, Paula and Ariel went on to take the runners-up spot in the Level 3 Pairs class with their partners Kathy and Misti Blue.

Special prizes were also awarded to the best presented horse and rider at both veterinary inspections. The recipient of this prize was Julia Izzard’s Jock Scotch Broth, who is off to enjoy his retirement at the grand age of 23 years young. Kent-based-rider Julia and Jock also finished in seventh place in the Level 3 Individual class.

The vets, from Liverpool University Hospital, added an extra prize to the presentation for the best veteran, which was presented to Carolyn Hird-Rogers’ 34-year-old horse Jake. The vets thought that despite his age, he coped extremely well, finishing ninth in the Level 2 Pairs class with their pairs partner Elaine Dawson on Linford.

Mairead Moynihan travelled from Ireland to lend her support to her Irish comrades, but also came to present, along with Welsh Chef d’Equipe Cath Cromarty, the Irish/Welsh friendship trophy to the Owens family for all their work and support.
England were once again proud winners of the Nations Cup, with Ireland, Wales and Scotland following on respectively.

Riders prepare for final HSBC countdown at Schenefeld

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 08:05:58 +0100

The HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing for 2010 climaxes at Schenefeld in Germany this weekend (August 27-29) as riders bid to boost their rankings in this valuable US$180,000 series.

The world-beating German squad will be at Schenefeld in their entirety, as it is a compulsory selection trial before they head to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Kentucky to defend their Eventing team gold medal won at the 2006 Games in Aachen.

Michael Jung (GER), who heads the HSBC FEI World Cup™ leaderboard with two victories, at Marbach (GER) and Strzegom (POL), is a definite starter, as are compatriots Andreas Dibowski, Kai Rüder and Kai-Steffen Meier, all of whom are in the current top 10 of the rankings, plus Ingrid Klimke, Frank Ostholt, Dirk Schrade, Simone Deitermann and Anna Warnecke.

Six other nations are represented - Belarus, Brazil, Finland, Japan, Spain and Sweden – and riders such as Viachaslau Poita (BLR) and Aliaksandr Faminou (BLR), first and third at Minsk (BLR), have a good chance of enhancing their status in the HSBC rankings.
Germany’s team manager, Hans Melzer, comments: “I am expecting a positive three-star class that offers serious challenges, yet does not ask the utmost. Hinni Groth (Organiser) and I share a similar philosophy, so I am sure the Cross-Country course will be the best possible.”
Follow the competition on www.schenefeld-eventing.de

FEI TV: Highlights of Schenefeld will be shown on www.feitv.org

Calendar of events
1. Tallahassee (USA), 5-7 March
2. Kihikihi (NZL), 2-4 April
3. Sydney (AUS), 7-9 May
4. Marbach (GER), 7-9 May
5. Chatsworth (GBR), 15-16 May
6. Tattersalls (IRL), 27-30 May
7. Strzegom (POL), 24-27 June
8. Minsk (BLR), 21-25 July
9. Rebecca Farm, Kalispell (USA), 22-25 July
10. Malmö (SWE), 13-15 August
11. Haras du Pin (FRA), 18-22 August
12. Schenefeld (GER), 26-29 August

Standings (after 11 of 12 events)
1 Michael Jung (GER) 142 points
2 Megan Jones (AUS) 138
3 Phillip Dutton (USA) 131
4= Clarke Johnston (NZL) 128
4= Lucy Wiegersma (GBR) 128
6 Alexey Korshunov (RUS) 125
7= Kai Rüder (GER) 122
7= Andreas Dibowski (GER) 122
9= Sonja Johnson (AUS) 119
9= Kai-Steffen Meier (GER) 119
11 Ruth Edge (GBR) 110
12 Andrew Downes (GBR) 104
For the full rankings, see www.feiworldcup.org

British actor Jeremy Irons supports 2010 FEI Awards

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 07:57:06 +0100

Distinguished British actor and enthusiastic horseman Jeremy Irons is supporting the 2010 awards organised by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the governing body of horse sport. He is calling on the equestrian community to nominate deserving individuals before the 30 August deadline.

Irons, whose acting career spans theatre, TV and cinema, is well known for his roles in films such as The French Lieutenant's Woman (1981), Dead Ringers (1988), Reversal of Fortune (1990), Damage (1993), Lolita (1997), The Merchant of Venice (2004) and Appaloosa (2008). His talent has earned him many prestigious Best Actor awards.

Commenting on the FEI Awards, Irons said:
“As a keen rider, I can think of nothing better than to celebrate those individuals who dedicate so much of their time, energy and love to the sport. The FEI Awards are a unique chance for you to nominate and celebrate those individuals whose devotion deserves recognition.”

The awards, which were launched last year, acknowledge outstanding achievement in the following five categories:
Ø Athlete of the Year, for the rider, driver or vaulter who has shown exceptional sportsmanship and prowess;
Ø Rising Star, supported by HSBC, for a rider between the ages of 14 and 21 who has demonstrated significant talent and commitment;
Ø Development, supported by Alltech, for a development project, individual or organisation demonstrating skill, dedication and energy in expanding the sport;
Ø Against All Odds, to celebrate a disabled rider or an individual who has overcome extreme personal difficulties to achieve proficiency in equestrian sport;
Ø Groom of the Year, for the often uncelebrated, yet important person who works behind the scenes.
For more information and to make nominations, please visit www.feiawards.org

Uruguay’s Marcelo Chirico claims individual gold in Singapore

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:59:26 +0100

Marcelo Chirico (URU) and Links Hot Gossip were the stars in Singapore today, clinching individual gold in a jump-off against Mario Gamboa (COL), who had to settle for silver, while Dalma Rushdi H Malhas (KSA) won out in a six-way jump-off for the bronze on another scorching day – inside and outside the YOG Jumping arena.

All riders from Sunday’s first individual round, with the exception of Maria Victoria Paz (ARG) who was eliminated, went forward to today’s second round. They were jumping in reverse order of merit, which meant that the nine riders with clears in Sunday’s competition were last into the arena today.

Course Designer John Vallance (AUS) upped the degree of difficulty for today’s individual final and this was reflected in the number of clear rounds. The obstacle that caused most grief was fence 4, a Liverpool, with wings made in the image of the Singapore Flyer, which was on a related line from the double.

Although there were foot-perfect performances from five of those that had faulted on Sunday, it appeared that there would be no double clear rounds. But Marcelo Chirico (URU), 20th on the startlist, produced the first double zero and spectators had to wait until the last rider, Mario Gamboa (COL), who was also faultless to guarantee a South American jump off for the gold and silver medals.

Australian rider Thomas McDermott rode an extremely smooth and balanced round but faulted at the second last fence, while Samantha McIntosh (RSA) also produced an excellent round, but unfortunately had a rail down at 10. A medal was still in reach for these two riders, however, as they joined a quartet of others on four penalties to go against the clock for bronze. Also in the decider for third place were Dalma Rushdi H Malhas (KSA), Abdurahman Al Marri (QAT), Wojciech Dahlke (POL) and Mohamad Alanzarouti (SYR).

As there were six athletes jumping off for the bronze medal, the excitement was considerable, with riders speeding up and cutting corners in a bid for the fastest time. After the dust had settled, it was Dalma Rushdi H Malhas (KSA), riding a tight course for a faultless clear and the fastest time on the colourful Australian Paint Horse, Flash Top Hat, who secured the bronze medal.

Marcelo Chirico (URU) was first in to jump off for the gold and silver medals and once again his skilful riding and harmonious partnership with Links Hot Gossip, produced a smooth clear round. Mario Gamboa (COL) and LH Titan were next to jump and, when they faulted at the second fence, the Uruguayan was guaranteed the title of Youth Olympic champion and the coveted gold medal, with the Colombian claiming silver.

Results
YOG Equestrian Events, Individual Final – 1, Marcelo Chirico (URU), Links Hot Gossip, 0/0/0 penalties, 42.35 seconds; 2, Mario Gamboa (COL), LH Titan, 0/0/14, 60.63; 3, Dalma Rushdi H Malhas (KSA), Flash Top Hat, 4/0/0, 38.05.

FEI WORLD YOUNG ENDURANCE HORSE CHAMPIONSHIPS 2010 23 August

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 09:04:02 +0100

FRENCH DOMINATE PODIUM AT FEI WORLD YOUNG ENDURANCE HORSE CHAMPIONSHIPS
100th Anniversary of Compiègne celebrated in style

French riders were in sparkling form when taking all three medals in the Eight Year Old division, while only Spain's Monica Comas Molist stopped them from doing the same in the battle for the Seven-Year-Old honours at the FEI World Young Endurance Horse Championships at Compiegne, France. Cecile Totain, Laetitia Goncalves and Roman Lafaure secured a clean sweep for the host nation in the senior 160kms section for the eight-year-olds, while the Spaniard separated gold medallist Melody Thoelissat and Clementine Manoha as the home runners also flexed their muscle in the seven-year-old class run over 130kms..

This prestigious fixture, filled with the oysters-and-champagne lifestyle that has long been associated with this particular endurance venue, might be considered a "jolly" affair by some, but that couldn’t be further from the reality. Compiègne is a tough, competitive track requiring skilled and tactical riding and, of course, a talented horse. It is well-recognised as one of the toughest courses on the International circuit but, some years ago, the course was modified and the competition was run over flatter terrain with speed being the main focus. Last year the track was modified again, reintroducing more technical aspects of the sport.

This FEI World Championships attracts the cream of the crop of young endurance horses and often those that will be a force to be reckoned with in the future. The 2010 event was no exception, with representatives across the two categories from Sweden, Belgium, Spain, USA, Argentina, Qatar, Portugal, Slovakia, Germany, Great Britain, Brazil, the Netherlands and of course, a strong contingent from the home nation of France.

IDEAL TRACK CONDITIONS
The area had plenty of rain in the run-up to the event providing ideal track conditions. However the day of the event dawned hot and humid and temperatures remained high during the day, something that would become evident in the performance of those horses that weren’t paced with the extreme weather conditions in mind.

The seven- year-old category was run over 130kms in four stages and had a total of 39 entries. There were plenty of well-known endurance names on the start-list, as is always expected at this popular event. First to vet-in at Vet Gate 1 was French rider Pierre Michel Dolay with his mount Khersiko du Courtisot but, as always, the fight was on and just two minutes behind arrived former World Champion Miguel Vila Ubach (ESP) with horse Balkanny who averaged just over 19.7kph. Two combinations failed to qualify at Vet Gate 1, namely Sabrina Arnold (GER), 2009 bronze medal winner in the same event, and Mustak Khan Iliyas Khan (QAT).

As the day continued the temperatures continued to climb and it was easy to see the toll the heat was taking on the front runners. Dolay continued at a strong pace but had dropped to third by the second Vet Gate. Belgian entrant Jean Philippe Cohard had now moved into first with Hillkili de Prazila, but their attempt was to end at the next vet as the horse failed to qualify due to lameness.

SPEEDS
The speeds remained fairly constant throughout the day with the front runners travelling at just over 18kph. First over the line was 21-year-old Melody Theolissat (FRA) with her chestnut gelding Padichah du Paon, three minutes ahead of second-placed Monica Comas Molist from Spain riding the chestnut Arab mare Princesse de Campagne. Whilst these horses crossed the line ahead of the rest, it was clear to see that both were tired, reflecting the testing conditions of the day and the humidity in the forest. However, both were fully recovered by the time they were presented to the Veterinary Panel. Those that had paced themselves a little more cautiously arrived just over 20 minutes later, all looking fresh and well. Vying for the final podium position were two French riders, Clementine Manoha and Sonia Bourle, but the French-bred Arab mare Padisha la Majorie came across the line just three seconds ahead to claim the bronze medal for Manoha. This was the pair’s first attempt at this distance and also their first podium position. A total of 18 horses and riders successfully completed the 130kms, with Slovakian entrant Feras Boubol coming in over the line last, completing at a speed of just over 14.5kph.

The eight-year-old category was run over 160kms in five stages and had a total of 21 entries. Once again there were many well known names in the start-list including a couple of horses competing in this age category that had challenged for the seven-year-old title in 2009. The riders in the longer-distance category paced themselves well and were travelling generally at around 17kph, a rate that the horses seemed comfortable with.

This category had a higher completion rate of 62%, consolidating the argument that has come from France for a long time – riders take greater care when tackling the longer distances, thus providing a higher completion rate. They are also well known for their preference for five-stage 160km rides, rather than the more traditional six stages – once again the French say that riders take greater care under this format.

YOUNG TALENT
Highlighting once again the young talent currently on the scene in France, two of the three podium positions were taken by young riders. The winner, at just over 18.5kph following a fast final loop, was French rider Cecile Totain with Aljay des Agachiols. This was the pair’s second 160km completion of 2010 following their respectable placing in Dubai in January this year. Totain herself is no stranger to success having also topped the podium in Florac last year.

One minute later 21 year old Laetitia Goncalves and the bay gelding Dahmhorr del Tochas claimed runner-up spot. Another young rider to complete the podium was Roman Lafaure for France riding Orient al Cabiret, who stopped the clock just one minute further behind. This talented chestnut gelding had challenged for the seven-year-old title last year but unfortunately failed to qualify at VG4 – so this was the perfect podium finish for 2010.

FEI Director of Non-Olympic Sports, Ian Williams, commented that he was pleased with the conduct of the Championships. As always, the venue was top level with a professional organisation. He also highlighted just how well those horses that had been well-paced looked at the end of the competition, and that despite the hot and difficult conditions both Championships still fielded high completion rates, not an easy task at such a highly-competitive Championship.

Full results at http://www.compiegne-endurance.com

FEI JUNIOR EUROPEAN EVENTING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2010 23 August 2010

Tue, 24 Aug 2010 09:01:50 +0100

GERMAN JUNIOR EVENTERS SWEEP TO VICTORY

German youngsters continued their extraordinary run of form through the 2010 sub-senior FEI Championship calendar as the Junior squad claimed the team title as well as individual gold and silver at the FEI Junior European Eventing Championships in Bad Segeberg at the weekend. In command from the outset, the winning team completed 15 points clear of the silver medallists from France, while Italy claimed bronze ahead of Ireland. And in the individual rankings the formidable strength of the German challenge was set in stone as the home runners filled five of the top six placings.

A total of 74 competitors from 16 nations lined out at the German venue from 19 to 22 August, and 2009 bronze medallist, Celina Nothofer, demonstrated her determination to improve on her result of 12 months earlier when stamping her authority on the dressage arena with the leading score of 35.20. However time penalties on the cross-country course would rob her of the ultimate accolade and she had to settle for silver as team-member Alina Meister, lying second after dressage, overtook her when adding nothing to her first-phase score of 39.00. Individual bronze went to Tim Rogers, the only member of the British team to escape penalty on cross-country day.

A BIT SURPRISED
German Chef d'Equipe Mathias Otto-Erley declared himself "a bit surprised" by his side's superb results "because our top three combinations were not fit to compete including Celina Nothofer's bronze medal winning horse from last year". Over a weekend when family-bred horses excelled however, Nothofer brought out the half-sister to her 2009 ride to show that last year's result was no fluke.

With Alina Meister (Hill Dream) in second, Dustin Albrecht (Locsley) in third and Josephine Wilms (Corvette D) in 16th place, the Germans went into cross-country day with confidence. Final team member Ben Leuwer (Cappuccino) was lying 62nd at this stage but was one of only four to remain on his dressage score for the remainder of the weekend. The cross-country track set by well-known German designer Burkard Beck-Broichsitter proved plenty testing, and one of the most influential obstacles came early, at the flower-fence combination located on the rise at fence four where downhill impulsion proved the undoing of many. All four of the German team stayed clear to solidify their position however, but a strong performance from the French, when Chloe Deschamps (Mimosa de la Fieffe), Esteban Nedelec (Matin du Neipo) and Julie Jalaguier (Nabeul de Soulac) all returned without penalty and Estelle Gaillard (Marquis de Caeneuve) collected just two time faults, ensured they would have to stay sharp on the final afternoon.

And the jumping track was no walk in the park either. As the German Chef d'Equipe pointed out afterwards, "you had to find a rhythm and stay with it, if you weren't moving forward all the time you would quickly lose your chance. The arena was big, so there was always a danger of taking too long to get from fence to fence and therefore running up time faults" he explained. Wilms collected two of those while Albrecht collected a total of eight faults, but this presented no great danger to German chances as they breezed home to take gold, while France took silver and the Italian side of Martina Camilla Crippa (Jenga), Francesca Malaspina (Cancun), Umberto Riva (Milady de la Loge) and Francesca Banchelli (Joker d'Helby) secured bronze.

INDIVIDUAL GLORY
And with one of those precious jumping clears - there were only nine, and in the final analysis Germany had two of them - then Meister and her 15 year old Anglo Arab horse, Hill Dream, jumped to individual glory. "I can hardly believe it - I never imagined that this would happen!" said the delighted 18 year old who lives just 20 minutes away from the venue at Bad Segeberg. "I was in the German gold medal winning team in 2009 but I was eliminated in the cross-country so I was worried about being on the team this time because I didn't want to put pressure on my colleagues like I did last year at Waregem!" she said.

Silver medallist Celine Nothofer, who will turn 18 later this month, is the daughter of Theo Nothofer whose scoring system will be in joint-operation during the forthcoming Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, and was well-pleased with the result of her latest ride, Simba. And like his German counterpart, Great Britain's bronze medallist Tim Rogers was also riding a home-bred horse, the 11 year old Corrieview Owen. The British duo's single mistake in the final phase left them on level-pegging with German individual rider Lara Adelheim (Gentano) on a score of 46.30. But Rogers, who is based with British senior team member Lucy Wiegersma in England, got the nod over Adelheim who, in one of the hard-luck stories of the weekend, was denied a medal on her championship debut when further adrift of the optimum cross-country time.

Mr Beck-Broichsitter declared himself pleased with the way his cross-country course jumped. "My aim was to get as many teams and riders home as possible and only six were eliminated in the cross-country phase from 74 starters - I'm very happy with that" he pointed out. And FEI Representative, Dr Hanfried Haring, complimented the Organising Committee "for a well-planned, well-organised and very friendly event".

Full results at http://www.eecj.de/2010/

Baldwin in HSBC driving seat at Haras du Pin

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 08:19:58 +0100

Britain’s Emily Baldwin spearheaded a competitive international field to win her first ever HSBC FEI World Cup™ event, at the inaugural Haras du Pin (FRA) CIC3*-W, the penultimate competition in the 2010 series.

Baldwin, 29, and her 14-year-old Dutch-bred Drivetime, are an experienced combination and are renowned for producing elegant, expressive Dressage tests, so it was no surprise to see them lead this phase.

They slipped to fourth with a handful of Cross-Country time penalties, but then regained the top spot with a clear Jumping round to finish just 2.2 penalties ahead of Belgium’s Karin Donckers on Lamicell Charizard.

Baldwin and Drivetime, by Zuidhorn, are now heading for the Pau CCI4* (FRA) in November, the last of the five 2010 HSBC Classics™. “I’m absolutely thrilled,” said Baldwin. “It’s my biggest win to date. I have won a CIC3* before, but not an HSBC FEI World Cup event. My horse is quite a character in the stable yard anyway, and now he will be very pleased with himself!”

Nicolas Touzaint (FRA) finished third and best of the home side on Tatchou. Touzaint overtook long-time Cross-Country leader Fabrice Lucas (FRA) on Keep du Mesnil with a characteristically fast round inside the optimum time but hit two Jumping rails. Lucas, unfortunately, was one of five riders who had to withdraw before the final Jumping phase. Fifty-five completed the Cross-Country, with 48 clear rounds, seven of which were inside the optimum time.

An impressively large field of 59 started the competition, and the Dressage was of such a high standard that double-figure time penalties or Jumping rails down proved expensive: Paul Tapner (AUS) and Kilfinnie slipped from sixth to 13th with three rails down, Jean Teulere (FRA) and Matelot du Grand Val went from ninth to 22nd, and Lucinda Fredericks (AUS), fourth after Dressage on Prada, dropped to eventual 20th with 11.2 time penalties and two Jumping rails down.

All riders were united in praising the efforts of the Haras du Pin organising team, headed by the le Goupil family, and the excellent standard of the footing.

Course-Designer Pierre le Goupil commented: “I designed the course to make riders concentrate. It’s nice to be back at Haras du Pin – it’s been a long time coming and we’ve all worked hard to make it happen.”

No-one managed to trouble the top of the HSBC FEI World Cup™ rankings table, and Michael Jung’s (GER) position at the head of affairs remains safe. However, Ruth Edge (GBR) made a meteoric rise from 24th place after Dressage on Carnaval Prince to sixth with one of only eight clear Jumping rounds, and this, added to sixth place at Chatsworth (GBR) back in May, has proved significant: she is now in 11th place on the points leaderboard.

John-Paul Sheffield (GBR), was the other main beneficiary, his 10th place at Haras du Pin on Crown Farm Consort added to fifth at Chatsworth moves him into equal 13th place with Frank Ostholt (GER).

With just one more event to run, Schenefeld (GER), next weekend, these riders will have an anxious wait to see if they can remain in the top 15 of the HSBC FEI World Cup Eventing rankings and therefore gain a share of the generous US$180,000 prize pot which will be presented during the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR).

Results
1 Emily Baldwin/Drivetime (GBR)40.0 + 5.6 + 0 = 45.6
2 Karin Donckers/Lamicell Charizard (BEL) 40.8 + 4 + 3 = 47.8
3 Nicolas Touzaint/Tatchou (FRA) 41.6 + 0 + 8 = 49.6
4 Donatien Schauly/Seculaire (FRA) 49.4 + 0 + 4 = 53.4
5 Regis Prud Hon/Debiut (FRA) 49.0 + 0.4 + 4 = 53.4
6 Ruth Edge/Carnaval Prince (GBR) 50.8 + 2.8 + 0 = 53.6
7 Eddy Sans/Kramique (FRA) 46.2 + 0 + 8 = 54.2
8 Pascal Leroy/Glenburny de Leou (FRA) 49.6 + 0.8 + 4 = 54.6
9 Arnaud Boiteau/Expo du Moulin (FRA) 52.2 + 2.4 + 0 = 54.6
10 John-Paul Sheffield/Crown Farm Consort (GBR) 53.8 + 4.4 + 0 = 58.2
Full results on www.legrandcomplet.com
Caption: Emily Baldwin (GBR) and Drivetime in action

Race for individual medals still wide open at Youth Olympic Games

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 08:19:14 +0100

Another steamy day in Singapore greeted competitors and spectators for round 1 of the Youth Olympic Games Individual Jumping Competition, with all the riders going back to zero scores for a brand new start after the Teams medal decider.Singaporean precision meant that the first competitor from Chile rode into the arena today at exactly 9.30am, ready to jump the course presented by international Course Designer, John Vallance (AUS). The fences were a little higher and wider, with oxers looking squarer than those for the Team Competition. This is appropriate now that the horse and rider combinations have got to know each other better and should be able to handle the elevated degree of difficulty. Distances in the course were very even and fair with a flowing line. A triple combination was also included to test the riders.

There were nine clear rounds in today’s competition, with most of them being ridden very smoothly and effectively. Competitors who went clear were Marcelo Chirico (URU), Thomas McDermott (AUS), Mohamed Abdalla (EGY), Timur Patarov (KAZ), Dominique Shone (CAN), Guilherme Foroni (BRA), Samantha McIntosh (RSA), Wojciech Dahlke (POL) and Mario Gamboa (COL).

Abdurahman Al Marri (QAT) and Juan Diego Saenz Morel (GUA) also looked like going clear, but were out of luck at the last obstacle and had it down, putting them on four penalties each. There were six riders in total who finished today’s competition with four penalties. The obstacles that caused most trouble were fence 7, an oxer on a related distance from fence 6, which was often ridden too long, and fence 12, an airy vertical, standing on its own a long way from 11.

Carian Scudamore (GBR) and Valentina Isoardi (ITA) both had to sit out today’s competition as their horses were lame and had to be withdrawn in the interests of horse welfare. In keeping with the rules, there is no substitution of horses at this stage of the event. Although obviously disappointed that they would take no further part in the competition, the British and Italian riders both have a Youth Olympic team gold medal as a wonderful memento of their time in Singapore.

After today’s round, the medal positions are very open going into the highly anticipated final round on Tuesday, which will be the last equestrian competition for the Youth Olympic Games.

Gold for Team Europe at Youth Olympics

Sat, 21 Aug 2010 10:43:22 +0100

Team Europe has won the coveted team gold at the Youth Olympic Games after a nail biting jump-off between three teams in a day of unsurpassed excitement in the jumping arena.

Three teams - Europe, Australasia and Africa – were all on four penalties going into today’s second round and it proved to be a battle to the end for these continents. It looked as though Europe would clinch gold when their last rider, Nicola Philippaerts (BEL), cleared fence after fence with Gippsland Girl in what was looking like another wonderful clear for Europe. But a rail down at the last fence left Europe, Australasia and Africa tied on eight penalties, forcing a jump-off against the clock over a shortened course to determine the medal placings.

Both Europe and Australasia picked up four faults in the crowd-pleasing jump-off, but Europe’s faster overall time earned the gold, Australasia got silver and Africa bronze, to the huge delight of the riders and their supporters. After the historic presentation of medals for the first ever Youth Olympic Games equestrian competition, the riders galloped joyously around the ring on their lap of honour, elation at winning an Olympic medal evident on every smiling young face.

There were once again some very smooth clear rounds, including those by Martin Fuchs (SUI) who went clear in both rounds of the competition and in the jump-off, where he upped the pace slightly and rode a very tight round on Midnight Mist, for the fastest time.
There was marked improvement between Wednesday’s first round and today’s performances, with an increased number of clear rounds. Faultless rounds came from Carian Scudamore (GBR), Guilherme Foroni (BRA), Timur Patarov (KAZ), Jake Lambert (NZL), Caroline Chew (SIN), Mario Gamboa (COL), Dominique Shone (CAN), Sheikh Ali Abdulla M Alqassimi (UAE), Thomas Mc Dermott (AUS) and Samantha McIntosh (RSA). Jasmine Lai (HKG), Wojciech Dahlke (POL) and Xu Zhengyang (CHN), who had not previously gone clear, raised their game against the clock to contribute to their teams’ overall score with a clear.

Caroline Chew (SIN) was once again the local hero and after her harmonious clear round on Gatineau, the crowd were in ecstasy. But it wasn’t just those who delivered foot-perfect round that earned the appreciation of the spectators. The crowd supported all the riders and the air was abuzz with excitement as each competitor entered the arena. Clear rounds were greeted with enthusiastic cheering and even those who weren’t so lucky were applauded enthusiastically as they left the arena.

Quotes
FEI President, Her Royal Highness Princess Haya:
“I think it’s absolutely fantastic for our Federation that one of our equestrian athletes, Caroline Chew, gave the oath at the Opening Ceremony of these historic Games. The level of competition here has been incredibly good and it seems there is a high percentage of second generation equestrian athletes here, compared to other sports. We’ve seen a wonderful competition and I am really looking forward to our future with the Youth Olympic Games. This is a great moment in equestrian history!”

FEI Director of Jumping, John Roche:
“It’s a pleasure to watch young athletes from so many different countries working together and revelling in each other’s successes. The Olympic values of friendship, excellence and respect are alive and well at the equestrian venue!”
Team Europe Chef d’Equipe, Corinne Bracken (GBR):
“It’s just so exciting! The team are fantastic. They worked together really well out there and knew exactly what they had to do. I wouldn’t change one thing!”

European Team member, Martin Fuchs (SUI):
“I am very excited and happy about our team winning. I like this horse, she’s very careful and I am looking forward to the individual event.”

Results
Teams Jumping Competition – final standings – 1, Europe; 2, Australasia; 3, Africa; 4, Asia; 5, South America; 6, North & Central America & Caribbean Islands.

Vive la France as stars descend on Haras du Pin

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:19:38 +0100

The 2010 HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing series arrives in France this weekend (August 18-22), at Haras du Pin in Normandy. This is a new venue for the series, but not in sporting history – the magnificent national stud at du Pin has hosted some historic Eventing fixtures, including the 1969 European Championships.

A star-studded cast of more than 50 competitors from 12 nations have entered the penultimate leg of the HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing series and many, especially the two-horse riders, have a strong chance of completely re-organising the rankings, which carry a lucrative prize-pot of US$180,000.

This is an important team trial for the home side before the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™, and they are fielding a strong contingent, including the 2007 FEI World Cup champion, Nicolas Touzaint (FRA). It will be a first outing in the 2010 series for the former dual European Champion and he could immediately make his mark with Tatchou.

Other French riders to watch include Gwendolen Fer, winner of the HSBC Training Bursary at Pau (FRA) last year, Pascal Leroy with old stalwart Glenburny de Leou and the up-and-coming Minos de Petra, and the 2002 World Champion Jean Teulere on Loberon de Sourire and Matelot du Grand Val, fifth at Pau.

Two who have already won an HSBC FEI World Cup event this year and will be hoping to challenge Michael Jung (GER), the current rankings leader, are Oliver Townend (GBR) the Tattersalls victor, who rides Imperial Master, and Sam Griffiths (AUS), who captured the Chatsworth (GBR) leg and rides the former racehorse Danaan Prince.

Others who could top up their points include Clayton Fredericks (AUS), who will be hoping to better his eighth place at Malmö last weekend, Ruth Edge (GBR) and Fiona Hobby (GBR).

Follow the event on www.legrandcomplet.com

FEI TV: Highlights of Haras du Pin will be shown on www.feitv.org

Calendar of events
1. Tallahassee (USA), 5-7 March
2. Kihikihi (NZL), 2-4 April
3. Sydney (AUS), 7-9 May
4. Marbach (GER), 7-9 May
5. Chatsworth (GBR), 15-16 May
6. Tattersalls (IRL), 27-30 May
7. Strzegom (POL), 24-27 June
8. Minsk (BLR), 21-25 July
9. Rebecca Farm, Kalispell (USA), 22-25 July
10. Malmö (SWE), 13-15 August
11. Haras du Pin (FRA), 18-22 August
12. Schenefeld (GER), 26-29 August

Standings (after 10 of 12 events)
1 Michael Jung (GER) 142 points
2 Megan Jones (AUS) 138
3 Phillip Dutton (USA) 131
4= Clarke Johnston (NZL) 128
4= Lucy Wiegersma (GBR) 128
6 Alexey Korshunov (RUS) 125
7= Kai Rüder (GER) 122
7= Andreas Dibowski 122
9= Sonja Johnson (AUS) 119
9= Kai-Steffen Meier (GER) 119
11 Andrew Downes (GBR) 104
12 Frank Ostholt (GER) 101

Youth Olympic Games Team Jumping off to a flying start

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:57:25 +0100

The Youth Olympic Games equestrian events got off to a flying start at the beautiful Singapore Equestrian venue today, with Australasia, Africa and Europe sharing the lead after the first round of the Teams Jumping competition.

Clear rounds came from Australasia’s Thomas McDermott (AUS) and Jake Lambert (NZL), Africa’s Abdalla Mohamed (EGY) and Samantha McIntosh (RSA), Europe’s Martin Fuchs (SUI) and Carian Scudamore (GBR) and Marcelo Chirico (URU), riding for the South America team.

Six teams represented the different continents of Asia, Australasia, North and Central America and Caribbean Islands, Africa, Europe and South America competed. There were five riders on each team, with the best three scores to count. At the end of the first competition, Australasia, Africa and Europe are out in front on just four faults apiece

The riders are competing on borrowed horses and all of them have shown a vast improvement since first teaming up with their horses on 14 August, just three days before the first class. As well as the seven clears, most were on only four or eight faults -an excellent result for their first day of competition.

The atmosphere was absolutely electric in the stands with a capacity crowd, consisting of many local school children - future Youth Olympic Games champions perhaps - who really got behind the riders. As local hero Caroline Chew (SIN) entered the arena, the roof almost lifted off the stadium with the cheering. Throughout the competition, the buzz in the riders’ stand was very upbeat, with teams bonding closely and supporting each other before and after their rounds.

Even though this is the first Youth Olympic Games experience for all the young riders, several of them are not the first in their families to compete at Olympic level. Australian rider Tom McDermott’s father Greg and Belgian athlete Nicola Philippaert’s father Ludo are both Olympians, while Martin Fuchs (SUI) has two people to draw advice from as his father Thomas as well as his uncle Markus were on Swiss Olympic teams.

Asian team member, Mohamad Alanzarouti (SYR), described how it felt to be the first rider into the arena to kick-start the Youth Olympic equestrian events in Singapore: “It was strange at the beginning to be the first rider on course”, he said. “I am feeling better now, but I want to concentrate on working on the type of fences that I had down, so I can be prepared for the next round.”

FEI Director of Jumping, John Roche, was impressed with the achievements of the young riders: “It is great to see that all the athletes have coped so well with the challenge of riding horses other than their own. With three teams finishing the first round with 4 penalties each, medal positions are still very open going into the second round. It is very encouraging to see so much young talent”.

Equestrian Athlete Role Model, Lisen Bratt Fredricson (SWE), commented: “I think it was a really nice course, a very fair course. I was very impressed to see that so many of the riders were riding very softly, staying calm and not letting their nerves affect them. They were taking their time and riding well. My advice to the competitors for round two is to work on the things that may have gone wrong today, but also to focus on the positive aspects of their rounds. Also, the athletes need to remember to enjoy themselves and soak up the atmosphere of being part of an Olympic event.”
The second round of the team competition takes place on 20 August. Individual competition kicks off on Sunday, 22 August.

Youth Olympic Games (Equestrian), Team Jumping, Standings after 1st round - Equal 1, Australasia, Africa and Europe, 4 penalties; equal 4, Asia and South America, 12; 6, North & Central America & Caribbean Islands, 16.

Germany shares European Young Riders team gold with Great Britain

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:56:35 +0100

The German Young Rider team has been declared joint-gold medallists with the British team of the 2010 European Young Rider Eventing Championships in Pardubice (CZE). The German team was originally awarded team silver behind the British quartet of Tom McKeown, Emily Parker, Laura Collett and Emily Llewellyn, but a subsequent decimal-point correction to the Dressage scores meant that the two teams remarkably finished on exactly the same score.

The FEI will now provide four additional gold medals for the members of the German team - Sonja Buck, Franziska Roth, Freya Fuellgraebe and Sabine Deparade.

Catrin Norinder, FEI Eventing Director stated: “There was no appeal by the German team. The FEI corrected a very simple mistake that had been made in the rounding off of the decimal points in Dressage which had not been done according to the FEI Rules. We want to be fair to all the athletes and it was agreed that awarding two sets of gold medals was the best solution.”

The individual placings remain unaltered with Emily Parker (GBR) as the individual gold medalist.

Youth Olympians counting down to landmark event

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 22:56:26 +0100

The Asian team will be pathfinders for the first equestrian event of the Singapore Youth Olympic Games, Round One of the team Jumping event, following this morning’s draw. This historic competition gets underway tomorrow at 9.30am Singapore time in front of a sell out crowd.

The order of go for the team Jumping event is:
1, Asia;
2, Australasia;
3, North & Central America & Caribbean Islands;
4, Africa;
5, Europe;
6, South America

The equestrian athletes at the Youth Olympic Games drew their horses for the jumping competitions on 13 August. They have had training sessions with their equine partners since 14 August, mainly focusing on bonding with their horses and familiarising themselves with the style and temperament of their new mounts.

Teams are made up of different nations from each continent, giving the riders an opportunity to bond with athletes from other countries and focus on working together tomorrow for the good of their continent's team.

The nationalities in each of the continental teams are:
Asia (SYR, KAZ, QAT, SIN, UAE)
Australasia (HKG, NZL, CHN, OMA, AUS)
North and Central America & Caribbean Islands (USA, BAR, PAN, GUA, CAN)
Africa (ZIM, ALG, LBA, EGY, RSA)
Europe (SUI, POL, ITA, GBR, BEL)
South America (BRA, ARG, CHI, COL, URU)

Chef d'Equipe of the European team, Corinne Bracken (GBR) commented that her team is looking to tomorrow’s competition with "a mixture of apprehension and excitement”. "The European team has bonded really well, and are truly living the Olympic dream”, Bracken said. “It's also been a wonderful opportunity for the equestrian competitors to watch future champions in other sports, such as gymnastics, which has been very inspiring."
Australasian team rider, Jasmine Lai (HKG), said: “I am enjoying the experience of riding a different horse and I am very excited about competing in the team event tomorrow. Being part of the Youth Olympic Games is a once in a life time opportunity”.

“We too are very excited about tomorrow’s competition, as it’s the first of its kind”, John Roche, FEI Director of Jumping, said “it’s a wonderful opportunity for young athletes from all over the world to be able to measure their talents against their fellow competitors, which of course, will result in gold, silver and bronze medals for riders from three continents.”

To keep updated with daily news on the equestrian competitors and events, visit www.fei.org and the FEI Youth Olympic Games Blog.

FEI Congress hailed as invaluable contribution to debate in-competition use of NSAIDs

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 22:55:09 +0100

The FEI Congress on Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) Usage and Medication in the Equine Athlete has been hailed as an invaluable contribution to the debate on the in-competition use of NSAIDs. In a ground-breaking approach by the FEI, the Congress brought together the most up-to-date scientific data and non-scientific aspects of NSAID usage for over 200 delegates from 29 countries at the two-day Congress, which wound up at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland, today.

The second day of the Congress clearly demonstrated that this is a debate that cannot be viewed purely from a scientific perspective and that ethical values and legal issues also have to be taken into account.

Following yesterday’s mainly science-based presentations, FEI General Counsel Lisa Lazarus opened this morning’s session by outlining details from nine European countries that prohibit or may prohibit the use of NSAIDs under national law.

In light of these legal issues, Ms Lazarus stated that the FEI has two options: either abandon any proposed change in the treatment of NSAIDs, maintaining the status quo that NSAIDs cannot be administered to sport horses during FEI competition anywhere in the world; or permit the use of NSAIDs at appropriate levels as far as the FEI and its members are concerned, but make it clear to all Athletes and participants that the FEI’s rules do not supersede national law, and that anyone participating in the sport in any of the nine countries must note that national laws prohibit, or may prohibit, the use of NSAIDs.

Lynn Hillyer (GBR) of the British Horse Racing Authority, explained that the Racing Authorities of Europe, Hong Kong, North and South Africa, Australasia, Asia and the Middle East (except Saudi Arabia) rule that horses must not race under the effects of any drugs, but acknowledge that medication is necessary – off the racetrack - to ensure a horse’s physical well-being. “In other words, medication should be an aid to recovery, not a tool to enable a horse that should be resting and recuperating to race or train.”

Stephen Schumacher, Chief Administrator of the Equine Drugs and Medications Programme of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), stated that the USEF Equine Drugs and Medications Rules allow NSAIDs usage with quantitative restrictions. “We believe that the welfare of our horses is not put into jeopardy with the judicious use of NSAIDs and their use may in fact be beneficial”, he said.

Dominik Burger, President of the Veterinary Commissions of the Breeding Associations for Swiss sport horses, spoke on the breeding perspective. He concluded that the issue would benefit from a pluralistic ethical analysis based not just on the welfare of horse and rider but also on regional and global public values like integrity, equity, justice, duties and responsibility.

Steve Maynard, Laboratory Director at Horseracing Forensic Laboratory Sport Science, outlined that quantitative analysis, applied to determine the exact level of a substance being present in the body, is significantly more costly than qualitative analysis carried out to detect the presence of a substance.

The public perception of equestrian sports, sponsors and the media perspective were all aired in this morning’s panel discussion, when panelist British journalist Brough Scott asked some hard-hitting questions about the possible repercussions of reintroducing NSAIDs in competition.
Sven Holmberg, FEI First Vice President chaired the final debate on the pros and cons of the in-competition use of NSAIDs. Tim Ober (USA) and Mike Gallagher (CAN) spoke for the use of NSAIDs and Peter Kallings (SWE) and Christian Paillot (FRA) spoke against their use.

FEI Veterinary Director Graeme Cooke, who had earlier updated participants on the work of the FEI List Group, summarised both sides of the debate, drawing on key points from all the speakers over the two days. The FEI has achieved a number of key objectives through the Congress, he said, gathering up the science that had become available since 1993, bringing together the scientific and non-scientific, providing an opportunity to hear related views, and ensuring there will be a record of this unique event in order to inform not just National Federations, but everyone with an interest in the debate and allowing for further review before the FEI General Assembly in November.

In his final summing-up, the FEI First Vice President, who chaired the Congress, stressed the importance of keeping the debate alive between now and the vote on in-competition use of NSAIDs in November, so that the decision taken at the FEI General Assembly is one that is founded on sound knowledge and in the best interest of the sport and the horses.

“There is no doubt that both sides of the Atlantic and the rest of the world have the same clear goal in mind: that the welfare of the horse is really paramount to whatever we do”, he said.

A report on the Congress will be sent out to all National Federations, and the FEI website will continue to offer a feedback area for comments. To maintain the flow of information for National Federations that were unable to attend the Congress, videos of all speeches and power point presentations, as well as the panel sessions and full debate, will be made available on the FEI YouTube Channel later this week.

FEI President welcomes “long overdue” Congress on NSAIDs

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 07:26:32 +0100

FEI President HRH Princess Haya welcomed the FEI initiative to hold a Congress on Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) Usage and Medication in the Equine Athlete, declaring it as long overdue and the first real opportunity to bring together all the new science on NSAIDs since the FEI’s 1993 ban on their use in competition.

“Knowledge and an understanding of all aspects in the debate on NSAIDs is key to an informed decision”, the FEI President stated in her opening address. “What we all most want from this Congress above all else is to give us, the FEI family, the tools and the confidence to have the wisdom to do what we all so clearly have shown we want to do - that is what is right for our partner, the horse”, she said, emphasising the universal message of the Congress and the paramount principle of the sport, the welfare of the horse.
The President was speaking at the first day of the Congress, which is being held in the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Switzerland. During today’s three sessions, 12 leading research experts outlined the current state of knowledge on NSAIDs to over 200 Congress participants representing 29 nationalities.

Congress participants heard that there is a substantial amount of new scientific evidence on the nature of NSAIDs, including improved ways of detecting them, their effect on the body and their side effects, as well as the effect of low levels of intake and combining different NSAIDs.
Sven Holmberg, FEI first Vice President and Congress Chairman, expressed his pleasure that so many leading experts had agreed to speak and also stressed the importance of the two-day conference for the external perception of equestrian sport. “The way our sport is perceived is fundamental to our ability to attract interest from the general spectator, from the media and from future sponsors. The outcome of this Congress should not only guide us in future discussions but also give the outside world the right message.”

Pierre-Louis Toutain (FRA), Professor of Physiology and Therapeutics at the National Veterinary School of Toulouse, suggested that the FEI should first express formally whether its priority was horse welfare or a level playing field . Professor Toutain also presented a paper on the possible side effects of long-term use of NSAIDs on behalf of Professor Johanna Fink-Gremmels (GER), who was unable to attend the Congress.

Pain control
Dr Wayne McIlwraith (NZL), Director of the Orthopaedic Research Center at Colorado State University (USA) and former President of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, gave an overview of existing studies on the effectiveness of NSAIDs in pain control. These show that the most commonly used NSAIDs, phenylbutazone and flunixin, both have significant effects on lameness, with results depending on the timing and duration of dosage. A combination of both drugs has demonstrated an even greater clinical improvement, but with proven side effects, he warned. He also described how more specific types of NSAIDs had less risk of slowing healing processes in the joint.
Professor Ken Hinchcliff, Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Science at the University of Melbourne (AUS), said that studies to date had insufficient sample numbers to provide a high level of confidence in the findings.

Peter Kallings, Director of Research at the Swedish-Norwegian Foundation for Equine Research, supported that argument but added that other studies show that NSAIDs allow a horse with a musculoskeletal condition to compete better despite injury. “This type of therapeutic use could threaten the welfare of the equine athlete” he stated.

Jon Foreman, Associate Dean of the University of Illinois (USA), stated that recent preliminary data has shown that the analgesic benefits of half-doses wane rapidly and, if used as per the proposed timeline, have no masking effect at the time of competition. He suggested that it was logical to allow half doses to be used after one competition to promote equine welfare through improved recovery before the horse was asked to compete again the following day if required.

Dr Martial Saugy, Director of the Swiss Laboratory for Doping Analyses who outlined the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) perspective on NSAIDs, complimented the FEI on the impressive level interest and the quality of the questions that had been asked at the Congress. He clarified that NSAIDs are not prohibited in human sports, but are an area of concern. He questioned whether the increasing intake of medication, particularly NSAIDs, in human athletes was purely for therapeutic reasons.

World Horse Welfare
Roly Owers Chief Executive of World Horse Welfare, (GBR), referred to the FEI Code of Conduct, which states: “Participation in competition must be restricted to fit horses” and that “no horse showing lameness should compete”. He questioned whether a horse that requires treating with NSAIDs in order to be ‘fit’ or ‘to alleviate signs of lameness’ should compete in an FEI competition. The stakes are high, both for the FEI and horse sport globally, he concluded, asking if the general public was ready to accept the use of NSAIDs in competition and if it was the right message to give to the ordinary rider.

The first day’s programme concluded with a panel discussion on the different approaches to the use of NSAIDs in FEI competition. Chaired by John McEwen, Chair of the FEI Veterinary Committee, the panelists were Yves Rossier (CAN), Phillipe Benoit (FRA), Yogi Breisner (SWE), Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) and Richard Davison (GBR).

The second day’s programme will focus more on the non-scientific angle of NSAIDs and their use in competition. The legal perspective from nine European jurisdictions that restrict the use of NSAIDs under national law will be outlined and Congress participants will also hear the sponsors and media viewpoints, enabling a full overview of the subject.

The perspective from other sports on the in-competition use of NSAIDs will be discussed in the first panel session and the pros and cons of reintroducing NSAIDs to FEI sport will be the subject of the afternoon’s debate, with Tim Ober (USA) and Mike Gallagher (CAN) speaking in favour of using NSAIDs in competition and Christian Paillot (FRA) and Peter Kallings (SWE) speaking against their use.
The Congress is a means of providing up-to-date information on all aspects of the debate to allow for an informed decision when the National Federations vote on the use of NSAIDs in competition at the FEI General Assembly in Chinese Taipei, 1-6 November 2010.

Niklas Lindbäck claims HSBC honours on home ground at Malmö

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 07:25:06 +0100

Niklas Lindbäck scored a popular home win in the 10th leg of the HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing at Malmö (SWE) and boosted Swedish spirits at what was an important national team trial before the forthcoming Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Kentucky (USA) next month.
Lindbäck, who rose from 10th after Dressage on Mr Pooh to take the top spot after Cross-Country with the second-fastest round, held on to win with a clear over the coloured poles. “I’m so very pleased with my horse and with my whole team. It’s great to win on home ground and I’m glad the crowd appreciated it. It’s been a good competition in which riders were certainly put to the test”, he said afterwards.
Two other Swedish riders finished in the top 10, Katrin Norling and her experienced Pandora Emm, third, and Malin Larsson on Piccadilly, ninth. But aside from Australian visitor Clayton Fredericks’s eighth place on Brookleigh, German riders were the main beneficiaries.
Dressage leader Simone Deitermann (GER) was second on her Badminton hero Free Easy NRW, while three of her compatriots are now making serious headway on the FEI HSBC World Cup™ rankings, which are still led by Michael Jung (GER).
Andreas Dibowski (GER), fourth at Malmö on FRH Fantasia, and Kai Rüder (GER), fifth on Saaten-Unions Charlie Weld, are now in equal seventh place, and Kai Steffen-Meier (GER), seventh on TSF Karascada M, is in equal ninth in the rankings. With two events left to run, the second of which is in their home country at Schenefeld later this month, the Germans look assured of some of the US$180,000 HSBC prize-pot.
Heavy rainfall on Friday and Saturday at Malmö was testing for organisers and riders alike, and only one rider achieved the optimum Cross-Country time, Sweden’s Sandra Gustafsson on Top Select. Lindback’s score of 1.2 penalties was the next fastest by far; with only one other rider, Frank Ostholt (GER) on La Fair, sixth, scoring time penalties in single figures (9.6).
Riders approved a new loop around the lake on the course designed by Guiseppe della Chiesa (ITA), which they said improved the flow of the track. One of the most influential fences was the treble of narrow white seats at 9, while Frank Ostholt (GER) retired Air Jordan, fifth after Dressage, after a stop at the water. There were 21 clear rounds from the 43 Cross-Country starters and 31 completed, of which two were withdrawn before Jumping.
Now, the action moves to France, to the new HSBC FEI World Cup™ venue of Haras du Pin, where a strongly international field is expected as riders make a last dash for valuable points.

Results
1 Niklas Lindbäck/Mr Pooh (SWE) 47.8 + 1.2 + 0 = 44.0
2 Simone Deitermann/Free Easy NRW (GER) 38.4 + 16.8 + 0 = 55.2
3 Katrin Norling/Pandora Emm (SWE) 45.6 + 10 + 0 = 55.6
4 Andreas Dibowski/FRH Fantasia (GER) 41.2 + 10.4 + 4 = 55.6
5 Kai Rüder/Saaten-Unions Charlie Weld (GER) 40.2 + 13.6 + 8 = 61.8
6 Frank Ostholt/La Fair (GER) 53.6 + 9.6 + 0 = 63.2
7 Kai-Steffen Meier/TSF Karascada M (GER) 54.0 + 12.8 + 0 = 66.8
8 Clayton Fredericks/Brookleigh (AUS) 45.6 + 18 + 4 = 67.6
9 Malin Larsson/Piccadilly Z (SWE) 52.0 + 12 + 4 = 68.0
10 Marina Köhncke/Calma Schelly (GER) 47.0 + 21.2 + 0 = 68.2

Full results on www.ridsport.se
Photographs: High-resolution photographs for editorial use only are available at: www.feiphotos.org
Caption: Niklas Lindbäck and Mr Pooh claimed the HSBC honours on home ground in Malmö, Sweden (Photograph: Lotta Gyllensten/ FEI)
FEI TV: Highlights of Malmö will be shown on www.feitv.org

Calendar of events
1. Tallahassee (USA), 5-7 March 2
2. Kihikihi (NZL), 2-4 April
3. Sydney (AUS), 7-9 May
4. Marbach (GER), 7-9 May
5. Chatsworth (GBR), 15-16 May
6. Tattersalls (IRL), 27-30 May
7. Strzegom (POL), 24-27 June
8. Minsk (BLR), 21-25 July
9. Rebecca Farm, Kalispell (USA), 22-25 July
10. Malmö (SWE), 13-15 August
11. Haras du Pin (FRA), 18-22 August
12. Schenefeld (GER), 26-29 August

Standings (after 10 of 12 events)
1 Michael Jung (GER) 142 points
2 Megan Jones (AUS) 138
3 Phillip Dutton (USA) 131
4= Clarke Johnstone (NZL) 128
4= Lucy Wiegersma (GBR) 128
6 Alexey Korshunov (RUS) 125
7= Andreas Dibowski 122
7= Kai Rüder (GER) 122
9= Sonja Johnson (AUS) 119
9= Kai-Steffen Meier (GER) 119
11 Andrew Downes (GBR) 104
12 Frank Ostholt (GER) 101

BRC National Horse Trials Championships

Sat, 14 Aug 2010 07:07:08 +0100

For the second year running British Riding Clubs (BRC) Horse Trials ran at Washbrook Farm, Aston-le-Walls, with competitors taking on the challenge of the long format which is not very often seen at horse trials events any more.

The event was sponsored by South Essex Insurance Brokers (SEIB), whose marketing manager, Nicky Mackenzie, was on hand to present the prizes. BRC are also grateful to the Worshipful Company of Saddlers who generously donated bridles and vouchers to the lucky winners. The Junior Intermediate section was sponsored by Tri-Zone who generously gave saddlecloths to all first to tenth placed teams and individuals. Wendy McCaughan from Kanteq Body Protectors gave the winning team in the Senior Intermediate made to measure body protectors. The Senior Novice winning team, individual and over forty five competitor were presented with rugs made and embroidered by Friday Fox and Iain Asher from Friday Fox was an Open competitor himself.

The Junior Novice Championship was won by Evenlode RC. North Lincs claimed second place and also the All Four Scores to Count title while Rochdale and District came third. Overall Individual went to Matthew Izod, riding Archer, from Evenlode who was also a member of the winning team. Rearsby Lodge took the Championship crown and All Four Scores to Count in the Junior Intermediate section with Area 3 coming a close second. Ardingly RC finished in third position. Overall Individual went to a delighted Olivia Potter on Zimbo from Saffron Walden and District.
The Senior Novice Champions came from Berkely and District RC. In second place were Mid Somerset and finishing third and taking the All Four Scores to Count trophy was Rearsby Lodge, who seemed to be having a successful day in all classes. The Overall Individual went to Kathy Emery riding Wizard from Mid Somerset RC.

The Alexa King Under 25 award was won by Megan Pountney from Bromyard and District RC. For the first time this year an award was presented to the best overall Over 45 rider. This was won by 66-year-old Barbara Wood from Meon RC.
Successfully defending their title in the Senior intermediate class were Carleton RC, who took home the Laurie Punnett Perpetual Trophy. This was very much a family affair with three members of one family in the team - Lucie Hustler, Johnny Hustler and Harriet Hustler were joined by Casey Parker. Carleton also won the All Four Scores to Count Trophy. In second place was East Midlands Dressage Group and finishing third were Lakes RC. The Overall Individual title was won by a very pleased Joanna Brown on Irish Storm III from Rockingham Forest RC.
The Senior Open saw fierce competition but the title went to North Lincs RC. In second place and taking the All Four Scores to Count was Area 4, whose team included James Crosland riding Thornwick Ring of Kerry, who became Individual Open Champion. Finishing third were Area 12. The Carefree Memorial Trophy, which is presented to the highest placed homebred horse, went to Nikki Williams riding Kings Fiddler from New Forest RC.

Fredericks returns to favourite Swedish venue

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:32:00 +0100

Clayton Fredericks (AUS) returns to the scene of one of his greatest triumphs for the 10th leg of the 2010 HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing series, which takes place this weekend (August 13-15). The Swedish seaside town of Malmö, where the Cross-Country course runs right down to the beach, is where Fredericks won the FEI World Cup Final in 2005, the victory that kicked off a roll of success which was to include Olympic and World silver medals.

Fredericks, who has made the long journey from Britain with his Burghley horses Brookleigh and Be My Guest, is just one of a large cast of international stars hoping to pick up valuable points in the FEI World Cup Eventing rankings which, with three events left to run, are currently led by Germany’s Michael Jung (GER).

Jung’s compatriots are out in force at Malmö, including Kai-Steffen Meier, who is currently in eighth place with 107 points after a second-place finish at Marbach (AUS) and 11th at Strzegom (POL) and could easily better his position with higher placings on TSF Karascada M or Pretty Darling.
Kai Rüder, for whom Sweden is an easy journey as he lives on an island in the Baltic, could also dramatically improve his HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing ranking of equal 21st from a third place at Marbach. He rides his four-star stallion Le Prince des Bois, also Burghley-bound, and Saaten-Unions Charlie Weld.

The strong German entry also includes Andreas Dibowski with the lovely mare FRH Fantasia, recently third at Luhmühlen, last year’s Malmö winner, Marina Köhncke with Calma Schelly, and Frank Ostholt with Saumur winner Mr Medicott plus La Fair and Air Jordan.
Ostholt’s wife, Sara Algotsson, is part of the 10-strong Swedish squad, which includes the 2008 Malmö winner Viktoria Carlebäck, and Niklas Jonsson, who hopes to improve on his ranking of equal 27th on 61 points.
The nations of Lithuania, Denmark, Japan, Brazil, the USA, Netherlands, Poland and Finland are also represented. The Ground Jury comprises Martin Plewa (GER), Nick Burton (GBR) and Christian Landolt (SUI) and the Technical Delegate is Andy Griffiths (GBR). Giuseppe della Chiesa (ITA) is again Cross Country Course Designer.
Follow the event on www.malmo.se/malmocityhorseshow

Photographs: High-resolution photographs for editorial use only are available at: www.feiphotos.org

Calendar of events
1. Tallahassee (USA), 5-7 March 2
2. Kihikihi (NZL), 2-4 April
3. Sydney (AUS), 7-9 May
4. Marbach (GER), 7-9 May
5. Chatsworth (GBR), 15-16 May
6. Tattersalls (IRL), 27-30 May
7. Strzegom (POL), 24-27 June
8. Minsk (BLR), 21-25 July
9. Rebecca Farm, Kalispell (USA), 22-25 July
10. Malmö (SWE), 13-15 August
11. Haras du Pin (FRA), 18-22 August
12. Schenefeld (GER), 26-29 August

Standings (after 9 of 12 events)
1 Michael Jung (GER) 142 points
2 Megan Jones (AUS) 138
3 Phillip Dutton (USA) 131
4= Clarke Johnston (NZL) 128
4= Lucy Wiegersma (GBR) 128
6 Alexey Korshunov (RUS) 125
7 Sonja Johnson (AUS) 119
8 Kai-Steffen Meier (GER) 107
9 Andrew Downes (GBR) 104
10 Viachaslau Poita (BLR) 78
11= Mary King (GBR) 74
11= Karen O’Connor (USA) 74
13= Mara Dean (USA) 71
13= Chris Burton (AUS) 71
13= Sam Griffiths (AUS) 71
13= Oliver Townend (GBR) 71
For the full rankings, see www.feiworldcup.org
Prize-money distribution (in US$)

“One in 1.3 billion” rider encourages equestrian world to send nominations for FEI Awards

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 14:58:33 +0100

China’s first Olympic Eventing rider Alex Hua Tian is urging the equestrian community to make its nominations for the five-category 2010 FEI Awards.
Hua Tian, whom the Chinese media dubbed the “one in 1.3 billion” in the run-up to the Beijing 2008 Olympics, won the FEI’s HSBC Rising Star Award last year. The award rewards a rider aged between 14 and 21 who demonstrates significant talent and outstanding commitment. The judging panel, chaired by FEI President HRH Princess Haya, selected Hua Tian for his riding skills and the unwavering dedication that enabled him to cope with intense press scrutiny and pressure before and during the 2008 Olympic Games.
“I was deeply moved to have been nominated by my instructors, Nicola Ward, a New Zealander who, with her Irish Husband, John, taught me in Hong Kong when I was eight years old and by Tamara Weal, who taught me in England when I was 11,” said Hua Tian. “I am sure that in every Pony Club, Riding Club or community there must be many outstanding young riders, who would be hugely inspired to have their passion and dedication encouraged by being nominated for the FEI Awards. I know I was.”
Hua Tian says media coverage of his FEI Award helped to further raise the profile of the sport in China. Since taking part in the CCI4* at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials in Great Britain in April, he has continued to work towards his goal of competing at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
For more information on the FEI Awards and to send nominations, visit: www.feiawards.org

FEI WORLD BREEDING DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR YOUNG HORSES 2010 9 August 2010

Mon, 9 Aug 2010 21:40:03 +0100

Denmark's Andreas Helgstrand and Uno Donna Unique took gold in the 6 year old division of the FEI World Breeding Dressage Championships for Young Horses at Verden, Germany. Photo: Karl-Heinz Freiler.

DANISH BREEDING AND RIDING DOMINATES

Last year’s silver medallist moved up the ranks to take gold at the FEI World Breeding Dressage Championships in Verden yesterday (Sunday). Uno Donna Unique (s.Don Schufro), ridden by Denmark's Andreas Helgstrand, was the undisputed World Champion of the 6 year old division at the German fixture in which Danish horses excelled. The new 5 year old World Champion however comes from Holland. Astrix (s.Obelisk) helped Emmelie Scholtens to win her second consecutive title.

The points for Uno Donna Unique, awarded by Dr Wojciech Markowski, Elisabeth Max-Theurer, Jennie Loriston-Clarke and Angelika Frömming were spectacular - a total of 9.46. Equally spectacular was the way the judges had to mark down Helgstrand’s other horse, last year’s gold medallist Hönnerups Driver (s. Blue Hors Romanov). Due to ‘exaggerated movements’, ‘passage-like trot’ and problems with the contact, Driver this time only earned in 12th place with a score of 7.80.

The new World Champion Uno Donna Unique has grown stronger and more stable, showing three superb basic gaits, and the judging panel were highly impressed.

ONE RIDER, TWO MEDALS
One lady rider took both silver and bronze. Aboard the powerful Hanoverian Soliere (s.Sandro Hit), Eva Möller from Germany earned 8.66, only slightly more than the result of her other ride Blickpunkt (v.Belissimo M), who gained his second consecutive bronze medal with a mark of 8.54. Again Blickpunkt excelled in trot, while Soliere showed the better canter.

“Winning silver and bronze makes the whole thing complete for me”, said Möller who was third with Blickpunkt last year and who won the Bundeschampionat in Germany in 2009 with the Belissimo M offspring. “My husband Ulf bought both horses when they were foals, so this really is special to us.”

Fourth place went to another Don Schufro offspring, Rebelle, ridden by Maria Andersen from Denmark (8.42). Don Schufro is also the dam sire of the fifth placed horse Skovens Rafael, ridden by Denmark's Lotte Skaerbek. This approved son of Blue Hors Romanov showed tremendous potential for Grand Prix (8.38).

EMMELLE AGAIN

In the 5 year old division Holland's Emmelie Scholtens emulated her success in the 6 year old section at the previous Championships. In 2009 she took gold with Westpoint, this time she rode Astrix – also a KWPN bred stallion – to take the 5 year old honours.

“This time was a lot more relaxed”, said Emmelie after the prize giving ceremony. “Last year was my first time, there was a lot of pressure. This time I just had a lovely ride. Obviously, after Thursday, when he won the qualifier, there was a bit of pressure, but I had a great time on him anyway. He is such a nice character! Anyone can perform the test I had with Astrix today!”

Three very good basic gaits, a beautiful dressage model, a golden temperament and very good rideability - Astrix (Obelisk out of an Olivi dam) has it all.

The winning horse achieved a score of 9.18 points while second placed Lissaro van de Helle (Lissabon x Matcho A) was awarded 9.08 as Claudia Ruscher claimed both silver and bronze. This was a superb result for the German rider who was competing in her very first World Championships at Verden. The Hanoverian bred and approved Lissaro van de Helle equalled the quality of the gold-medal-winning Astrix in walk and canter, but had to give way in trot.

POWERFUL GAITS

Bronze went to Ruscher and Stedinger’s son Schumacher (8.76), who made a huge impression with his powerful gaits. “Lissaro is a very quiet stallion”, said Rüscher, comparing her two rides. “He’s bothered by nothing, he just does his job. Schumacher is a little more delicate, but he has a great mentality.”

Fourth place went to one of the greatest dressage talents in the field: Damon Jerome H, by the former double World Champion Damon Hill. Ridden by Uta Gräf from Germany this stallion missed the bronze medal by only 0.02 points. Two Danish horses, second generation offspring of Sandro Hit, were placed fifth and sixth, the light-footed Grevens Sa Va (s.Soprano), ridden by Camilla Ahlers Pedersen finishing ahead of the expressive Törveslettens Stamina (s.Stedinger), ridden by fellow-Dane, Andreas Helgstrand.

Full results at www.verden-turnier.de

European champion takes over number one slot in Rolex Rankings

Mon, 9 Aug 2010 21:38:09 +0100

European champion Kevin Staut (FRA) has taken over the number one slot in the Rolex Rankings for the first time in his Jumping career. (Photograph: Kit Houghton/FEI)

European champion takes over number one slot in Rolex Rankings
European champion Kevin Staut has jumped up to claim the world number one slot in the latest edition of the Rolex Rankings published by the FEI today.
The 29-year-old Frenchman, who won individual gold at last year’s Alltech FEI European Jumping Championships™ in Windsor, has moved up from third to take over the Green and Gold armband from Olympic champion Eric Lamaze (CAN).
Lamaze, who held the world number one position last month, has now dropped down to second ahead of Switzerland’s Pius Schwizer.
Staut has been a pivotal member of the French team that last week claimed its second successive victory in the Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ series in Dublin. His consistent performances in the series have now been further rewarded with a first-ever world number one slot in the Rolex Rankings for the popular French star.
View the full Rolex Rankings at www.fei.org

FEI OPEN EUROPEAN ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR JUNIORS AND YOUNG RIDERS 2010, KREUTH (GER).

Mon, 9 Aug 2010 21:35:33 +0100

Laetizia Pegaz riding Kouleur du Parc (Arab) won the 2010 European individual title when finishing second behind the UAE's Ahmed Ali Al Sabri (Alizee de Majolaine) at the Open European Endurance Championships for Juniors and Young Riders at Kreuth, Germany last week.

TEAM FRANCE DOMINATES YET AGAIN - UAE TAKES OPEN INDIVIDUAL TITLE

The small village of Kreuth is any horse person’s dream – a complete village based entirely around equestrian sport. The venue is well established and has hosted Endurance, Eventing, Reining and Dressage International competitions, but this is the first time an FEI Championship has been hosted in Kreuth. The site, comprised of various arenas, cross country courses, a hotel and large airy barn for stabling, is nestled in the Bavarian countryside approximately two hours south of Munich (GER) on the south east edge of the Taubenbach Forest. It is a perfect venue for Endurance, with extensive vet-gate space, a flat grass trot-up area and ample parking for crew vehicles. The route is principally made up of gravel forest tracks.

Sixteen nations were entered for the FEI Open European Junior and Young Rider Championships with a total of 51 horse/rider combinations. Unfortunately three horses failed the pre-ride vetting, one horse each from Italy, Portugal and Hungary. The biggest impact of these vet-outs was for Hungary who had only brought three horses. The loss of their third horse would mean they would no longer be able to challenge for a team position and would now only field two individual riders. The usual European nations were out in force, although some with fewer riders than normal. Teams were entered from Belgium, the Czech Republic, Spain, Germany, Italy and Portugal. As this was an Open Championships there were some entries from further afield, namely Argentina, the United Arab Emirates and the USA, although none of these nations sent a team.

LOOPS
The Championship comprised of three loops; Yellow (40km), Red (30km) and Blue (20km) all with one central vet-gate. The Yellow loop was ridden first, followed by the Red (ridden twice) and then finally the Blue. The first riders into Vet-Gate 1 certainly lived up to initial expectations of a competitive ride, with the first seven riders coming in at more than 19kph. The sole entry from the UAE, Ahmed Ali al Sabri was holding first place with his mount Alizee de Marjolaine averaging 20.2kph with a two-minute lead over second place Miguel Borger Caeiro (POR). At this stage the French looked very strong,with all of their riders through the first vet-gate, five of which were in the top 12. Likewise Germany looked competitive holding fourth, fifth and sixth places, although their other riders were a long way down the list. It seemed that Belgium would do well with a good team tactic, all six of their riders competing together, occupying places 14th through to 19th. Following Italy’s loss of one rider prior to the start they were to lose another two riders at Vet -Gate1, shattering their hopes of a team placing. Austria’s team hopes also faded here when they lost one of their three riders.

With the arrival of the riders into the second vet gate came the arrival of rain and cooler temperatures. The front runners continued at a good speed, with the UAE still holding first position averaging 19.23kph. Sole British entry Beth Langley and her pony HS Ametista put in the fastest second loop at 19.6kph bumping her up into fourth position. Langley is experienced on the International scene and finished 13th in the World Championships in Balbona (HUN) last year. For Lea Vogler (FRA), now lying third, this ride was her debut at Championship level.

SLIPPED
Al Sabri (UAE) was still in first position at the third vet-gate, but his lead slipped to just four seconds ahead of Lucie Marin (FRA) with her mount Lamiah el Oued. This experienced pair already have one gold medal under their belt (Gold in CH-Open-EU-JY-E in Oviedo, ESP in 2008), and they also just narrowly missed out on a podium position in the CH-M-JY-E in Babolna (HUN) last year. Belgium's Selena De Wasseige riding Kalah Grey (Silver, Oviedo, 2008), held third position at Vet-Gate 3. On the team front, France continued to dominate with four riders in the top six. Langley (GBR) and Borger Caeiro (POR) dropped to sixth and seventh respectively, but the competition was still tight with just three minutes between the top eight. With just 20km to go, it would take a steady nerve and competent rider to take this title.

Keeping true to form, the first horse to cross the line was Alizee de Marjolaine with rider Ahmed Ali al Sabri (UAE). This pair really pushed on the last loop and came in 40 seconds ahead of a racing finish for second place between two French riders. Following a very fast final loop speed of over 27kph this pair raced over the line with Championship debutant Laetitia Pegaz (Kouleur du Parc) just beating her very experienced compatriot Lisa Riou (Favela) who, incidently, is also long listed to represent France in the forthcoming Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Fourth place was taken by Belgian rider Selena de Wasseige (Kalah Grey), just over a minute behind, and a further four minutes later came fifth placed Beth Langley (HS Ametista) from Great Britain.

France led the Team ranking from start to finish, not too much of a surprise with their consistently impressive performances on both the Junior/Young Rider and Senior International circuits, under the guidance of their inspirational Chef d’Equipe Jean-Louis Leclerc. Team Silver went to Belgium with Spain completing the podium in third position. All horses crossing the finish line successfully passed the vet with a high overall completion rate of over 60%.

MEYDAN FEI NATIONS CUP Dublin (IRL), 6 August 2010

Sat, 7 Aug 2010 08:48:51 +0100

The Dutch team won the last leg of the 2010 Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ in Dublin, Ireland today to earn their place in next year's top-level series. Picture (L to R - Front) FEI Director of Jumping John Roche, Dutch Chef d'Equipe Rob Ehrens, The President of Ireland Mrs Mary MCAleese, President of the Royal Dublin Society Dr Tony Scott and Mr Paul McAuley, General Manager Emirate Equestrian Centre for Meydan. (Back) team members Eric Van der Vleuten, Harrie Smolders, Jur Vrieling and Marc Houtzager. Photo Credit: Tony Parkes.

DUTCH DELIVER IN DUBLIN AS FRENCH CELEBRATE SECOND SERIES VICTORY

In a thrilling conclusion to the 2010 Meydan FEI Nations Cup™, the team from The Netherlands put up a tremendous fight to win the last round in Dublin today where the French were crowned series champions for the second successive year. The Dutch came to the Irish fixture knowing that only victory would guarantee them a place amongst the elite nations in 2011 and, inspired by their Chef d'Equipe Rob Ehrens, and ably assisted by the only two double-clear rounds of the competition from Eric Van der Vleuten and Marc Houtzager, they succeeded in their mission in the finest of style when finishing on a four-fault total.

The French arrived knowing they already had the series title in their grasp, but that didn't take any of the fight out of them. Chef d'Equipe Laurent Elias said yesterday "we come to Dublin to win, just like everywhere else. We had a great start to the season with three victories and we know we are the champions again, but we have a great team here and we want to win this Aga Khan Cup and finish off our great season in the best way" he added.

TRAILING
The Dutch however left all the others trailing in their wake, Ireland and the USA sharing runner-up spot on 20 faults, while the French finished fourth with 24 ahead of the British with 28. For Spain, making their debut in the top level this season, it was a deeply disappointing day. Lying sixth on the 10-nation leaderboard, they could not afford to be overtaken by any of those below them who were all lying in the bottom-four relegation zone. But they were undermined by a finishing total of 32 faults, which was only good enough for equal-sixth place alongside Sweden, and when The Netherlands earned the maximum 10 points as today's victors the two nations swopped places - the Dutch moving up into sixth on the overall league standings and therefore qualifying for next year's series, while Spain dropped to seventh and will now be relegated to the Promotional League in 2011 along with Sweden, Switzerland and Poland.

Clear rounds for some of the early riders seemed to suggest that Bob Ellis's track might be a little too kind, but that wasn't how it turned out. The man who will set the questions for riders at the 2012 Olympic Games in London had given them a tough task and the fences fell at every point around the course, but particularly regularly at the triple combination which was the last obstacle on the track - the front pole of the final element denying many riders that vital clear. The vertical following the water at fence seven did its job as expected too when riders couldn't quite regain enough control, while both parts of the double at fence five also regularly hit the floor.

SURPRISE
It seemed the Swedes might be about to spring a surprise similar to the one they sprang on their home ground at Falsterbo last month when they went into the second round as joint-leaders with the eventual winners carrying just four faults. Peder Fredricson had lifted Swedish hearts with a great opening clear from H&M Arctic Aurora Borealis which was followed by eight from Alexander Zetterman with Isaac. Then older brother Daniel Zetterman produced a fabulous round from the grey, Glory Days, before Henrik Von Eckerman and LB Paola returned with just four on the board after lowering the vertical that followed the double.

The Dutch however were already digging in, Van der Vleuten's clear with the nine year old VDL Utascha and Houtzager's anchorman fault-free effort with Tamino leaving them looking strong while Jur Vrieling and VDL Bubalu made it all the way to the penultimate vertical before picking up four faults there and Harrie Smolders made his only mistake with Exquis Walnut de Muze at the vertical after the water.

Next in line was the USA with eight on the board, four each from Beezie Madden (Coral Reef Via Volo) and Cara Raether (Ublesco) and a clear from last man Rich Fellers (Flexible) while McLain Ward's eight (Rothchild) provided the discard. Ireland, Great Britain and France all shared a first-round tally of 16 while Spain and Switzerland carried 20 each into round two, but Germany missed the cut when only eight nations returned to the ring. The first-round German total of 28 proved much too expensive.

GAME OVER
By the time Holland's Vrieling followed Van der Vleuten's second clear with a great round from the stallion Babalu it was already game over however, Swedish chances rapidly disappearing when Von Eckerman picked up 16 faults and both Fredricson and Daniel Zetterman left three fences on the floor. Alexander Zetterman's four fault effort this time was in vain. The Irish rallied with clean sheets for both Cian O'Connor (K Club Lady) and Denis Lynch (Nabab's Son), adding only the four picked up by pathfinder Billy Twomey (Tinka's Serenade) who has been pivotal to Ireland's survival in the top-level series this season. And this brought them on to level pegging with the Americans whose only clear in this round came from Madden. The French meanwhile could only manage a single clear in each round, while the British got it together in the closing stages when both Tina Fletcher (Hello Sailor) and Nick Skelton (Carlo) were fault-free second time out but it was only good enough for fifth place.

The Spanish recovered to rack up three four-fault efforts second time out but it was all too late. Their fate was sealed as they joined the Swedes in sixth place while the Swiss limped home with another 20 to add in round two for last place.

Rob Ehrens was immensely proud of the effort his team made today. Asked if he was under huge pressure ahead of this final leg of the series he said "it has been difficult for us during the whole season. I really admire my riders but also the horse owners, the sports federation and all the people who supported us and made this possible. I’m also a really happy coach that I have no problem at all getting good riders to all the top league shows. They always said yes when I called them. It went slowly, slowly, slowly at the beginning of the season, then a little bit better, but four penalty points over two rounds today - I'm really delighted!" he said. He added "we always speak together and the most important thing for us over the whole season is the welfare of the horse. We have a couple of younger horses so you can’t put them in to all shows, you have to make a mix and it worked out well in the end. Harrie was always there when I needed him, the same with all the riders, we do everything with good harmony" he pointed out, saying with a grin "we had a little less beer yesterday evening and I put them to bed early and it all worked out fine!"

STARTED WELL
Speaking on behalf of the French team, reigning European champion Kevin Staut said "we started really well with three good victories, then we changed a little bit the horses and riders, so we could finish all the time in the top four in each round of the series". He said that that the focus for France will now be turned to the forthcoming Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky and he said ominously "we would like to continue like this". He continued - "a lot of French riders did a really good job to help us through all the rounds of the Meydan series and I'd like to thank all the owners, sponsors and all the people around the French team who were really concentrated on helping us. This result is really good for everybody" he pointed out.

Rob Ehrens pointed out that it was due to the "great idea that came from Jacob Melissen to create a fund, through a syndicate, to keep horses in Holland - that we have a great horse like Utascha. Its really good for us that we can keep the best horses in our own country, especially next year which is the year before the Olympic Games when so many horses are sold".

FEI Director of Jumping, John Roche, congratulated Dublin Horse Show "for organising a fantastic event and for improving facilities so that they are now world-class". And he added "I'd like to thank Meydan for their support for the last two seasons, without which none of this would be possible".

Laurent Elias was in complete agreement, "yes, thank you to Dublin - the French team is always very happy to participate here" he said, adding, "and I'd like to congratulate the Dutch team - once again they have proven that they are a superb equestrian nation!".

For further information on the last leg of the 2010 Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ in Dublin go to website www.dublinhorseshow.com or contact Press Officer JP Montgomery at Email: jp@rds.ie or Tel: +353 1 6680866.

RESULT:
1. The Netherlands 4 faults - VDL Groep Utascha SFN (Eric Van der Vleuten) 0/0, VDL Bubalu (Jur Vrieling) 4/0, Exquis Walnut de Muze (Harrie Smolders) 4/8, Tamino (Marc Houtzager) 0/0.
2. Ireland 20 faults - Tinka's Serenade (Billy Twomey) 0/4, Hallmark Elite (Dermott Lennon) 12/8, K Club Lady (Cian O'Connor) 8/0, Nabab's Son (Denis Lynch) 8/0.
2. USA 20 faults - Coral Reef Via Volo (Beezie Madden) 4/0, Ublesco (Cara Raether) 4/8, Rothchild (McLain Ward) 8/8, Flexible (Rich Fellers) 0/4.
4. France 24 faults - Mylord Carthago HN (Penelope Leprevost) 0/8, Kellemoi de Pepita (Michel Robert) 8/4, Admiable (Marie Pellegrin Etter) 8/0, Kraque Boom (Kevin Staut) 8/4.
5. Great Britain 28 faults - Murka's Pom D'Ami (Peter Charles) 8/12, Billy Congo (William Funnell) 12/12, Hallo Sailor (Tina Fletcher) 4/0, Carlo (Nick Skelton) 4/0.
6. Spain 32 faults - Guarana Champeix (Rutherford Latham) 8/4, Herald (Pilar Cordon) 8/4, New REmake de Servery (Fernando Fourcade Lopez) 12/4, Action Breaker (Sergio Alvarez Moya) 4/5.
4/16.
6. Sweden 32 faults - H&M Arctic Aurora Borealis (Peder Fredricson) 0/12, Isaac (Alexander Zetterman) 8/4, Glory Days (Daniel Etterman) 0/12, LB Paola (Henrik Von Eckermann) 4/16.
8. Switzerland 40 faults - Tresor V (Steve Guerdat) 16/4, Kiamon (Werner Muff) 12/12, Upanisad di San Patrignano (Jane Richard) 8/4, Carlina IV (Pius Schwizer) 0/12.
9. Germany 28 fautls in FIRST round - MacKinley (Mario Stevens) 8, Calado (Jorg Naeve) 8, Neolisto Van Het Mierenho (Andreas Knippling) 12, Leoville (Philipp Weishaupt) 13.

2010 MEYDAN FEI NATIONS CUP™ - FINAL STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 8 AT DUBLIN:
1. France - 53.5
2. USA - 44.0
3. Great Britain - 42.5
4. Ireland - 38.00
5. Germany - 35.5
6. Netherlands - 31.00
7. Spain - 25.5
8. Sweden - 18.00
9. Switzerland - 16.00
10. Poland - 0

MEYDAN FEI NATIONS CUP Dublin (IRL), 5 August 2010

Thu, 5 Aug 2010 18:07:45 +0100

FRENCH TO THE FORE AS THE LAST LEG GETS UNDERWAY

The French, who cannot be beaten for the 2010 Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ title, will be first into the ring for the final leg of the series at the Royal Dublin Society Showgrounds in Dublin, Ireland tomorrow.

The draw took place this morning, and the order-of-go for the competition which begins at 2.55 pm local time is as follows:

1, Ireland; 2, Great Britain; 3, Sweden; 4, USA; 5, Ireland; 6, Germany; 7, Netherlands; 8, Switzerland; 9, Spain.

With their last-to-go draw, the Spanish are in with a chance of holding on to their place in the series for 2011. Lying sixth on the leaderboard going into this final clash, the country which only joined the top-league series for the first time this year is in danger of being overtaken by The Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland who are all currently situation in the bottom-four relegation zone in the 10-nation series. A bad day for Spain tomorrow could prove very expensive, but team manager Marco Fuste is thinking positive. "We have our best team possible here - its tough, and we are going to have to fight hard tomorrow, but we are expecting a good result and I am very happy with our place in the draw" he pointed out.

UPBEAT MOOD
Sweden's Gosta Asker was also in upbeat mood this morning. "We have had to change our team since Hickstead because Malin's (Baryard-Johnsson) horse went lame there but we have won already this season and we know we need to win again tomorrow - so is the plan! We have the two young Zetterman boys on our team and I'm sure they will be giving it their very best" he added.

Rob Ehrens from The Netherlands was less optimistic. "We have lost a lot of horses this season. We had several good young horses, but you can't put them into every show if you want to keep them in good shape. It hasn't been easy" he explained. And Switzerland's Rolf Grass was not holding out any great hopes for his side either. "We have not had enough horses to stay competitive in the series over the last three months. I'm afraid we are not strong enough" said the man who, however, boasts the World No. 2 Pius Schwizer amongst his team.

NO COMPLAINTS
Great Britain's Rob Hoekstra had no complaints. His team's superb victory on their home turf in Hickstead last Friday leaves them lying second to the leading French, and with no worries about next season. However Dublin's Aga Khan Cup is one of the most coveted trophies on the international circuit. It has been hotly-contested since 1926 and Britain's record of wins in the Dublin arena has been an impressive one. America's George Morris has had to make some swift changes to his side since Hickstead also, but he is happy that his team will give a good account of themselves tomorrow. "We lost a couple of horses last weekend - it was totally unconnected to the footing at Hickstead, just bad luck - but fortunately Beezie (Madden) was in Holland so we could call her up and Laura Kraut was in England - she is competing here in Dublin as an individual. It has worked out fine" he expalined.

Germany's Sonke Sonkssen is confident - "my four boys will do their very best" he said, while the host nation's Chef d'Equipe, Robert Splaine, is relieved that tomorrow his team can concentrate on winning the competition without having to worry about their place on the 2010 Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ table. Lying fifth going into this last leg of the series the Irish are assured of a return to the top-league again next year. "That will be our whole focus tomorrow - winning the Aga Khan Cup. It means everything in the world to the Irish people, more even than the win in Aachen which was a very special moment for us. The Irish people deserve that we should go out there tomorrow and win this trophy for them, and if we don't then it won't be for lack of trying" he pointed out.

PACKED
The stadium is expected to be packed with almost 30,000 spectators as the closing contest of the 2010 Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ series gets underway tomorrow afternoon. Show Director Pat Hanley said the Dublin organising committee has worked hard over the last 12 months to continue upgrading facilities at the historic showgrounds which is celebrating its 137th horse show. "We invested in a major upgrade fo the warm-up ring and fence material and we are delighted to have Bob Ellis and a lot of the team who will be building the courses at the London Olympic Games here with us this week. I'd like to thank Meydan - we really appreciate their support and we all look forward to a great day's sport tomorrow" he concluded.

For further information on the last leg of the 2010 Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ in Dublin go to website www.dublinhorseshow.com or contact Press Officer JP Montgomery at Email: jp@rds.ie or Tel: +353 1 6680866.

2010 MEYDAN FEI NATIONS CUP™ - STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 7 AT HICKSTEAD:
1. France - 48.5
2. Great Britain - 38.5
3. USA - 37.5
4. Germany - 35.5
5. Ireland - 31.5
6. Spain - 23.0
7. Netherlands - 21.0
8. Sweden - 15.5
9. Switzerland - 15.0
10. Poland - 0

FACTS AND FIGURES
Tomorrow's competition is the eighth and last leg of the 2010 Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ series.
The Royal Dublin Society Showgrounds is celebrating its 137th horse show this year.
2012 Olympic Course designer Bob Ellis and Assistant Course Designer Alan Wade will be creating tomorrow's challenge for the nine competing nations.
This series began as a 10-nation tournament, but Poland withdrew from the last tow legs of the series due to inability to field a team.
In the Dublin betting shops, the French are 2/1 favourites to win tomorrow's competition.

QUOTES
French Chef d'Equipe Laurent Elias, when asked if his team will be competitive tomorrow despite the fact that they are already assured of the 2010 Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ title - "our position on the leaderboard makes no difference to us tomorrow - we have a really good team here and we will be going out there to win - nothing less than that will do" he insisted.

Bob Ellis, course designer - "We have great teams with great horses - tomorrow's competition will be difficult but not too difficult - I think we can expect great jumping and great sport".

MEYDAN FEI NATIONS CUP™
A Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ event is organised as a five-star Nations Cup, i.e. a competition in which official teams representing nations compare their merit. At each event the teams gain points according to their placing. At the end of the 2010 season the team with the highest points wins the Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ and the four teams with the lowest points are relegated to the FEI Nations Cup series (Promotional League). Two teams from the Promotional League will join the Top League in 2011.

The complete rules, latest news, results, standings and photos are on www.meydanfeinationscup.org

The World’s Top 10 Teams: France, the USA, Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, The Netherlands, Sweden, Great Britain, Spain and Poland.

The World’s Best Eight Venues:
La Baule (FRA), Friday 14 May; Rome (ITA), Friday 28 May; St. Gallen (SUI), Friday 4 June; Rotterdam (Ned), Friday 18 June; Falsterbo (SWE), Friday 9 July; Aachen (GER), Thursday 15 July; Hickstead (GBR), Friday 30 July; Dublin (IRL), Friday 6 August.

To learn more about the FEI go to www.fei.org

To learn more about Meydan, the title sponsor of the Meydan FEI Nations Cup, go to www.meydan.ae

FEI EUROPEAN EVENTING CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR YOUNG RIDERS

Wed, 4 Aug 2010 07:09:13 +0100

The victorious British team after winning gold at the 2010 FEI European Eventing Championships for Young Riders at Pardubice last weekend.

BRITISH WHITE-WASH AT PARDUBICE

British riders proved invincible when taking their sixth consecutive team gold as well as the individual title at the 2010 FEI European Eventing Championships for Young Riders which was staged at the world-famous Pardubice Racecourse in the Czech Republic from 30 July to 1 August.

It was a close-fought affair in each case however, the winning team heading a powerful challenge from Germany by just 0.10 penalties while Emily Parker had just an 0.8 point advantage over Sweden's Hannes Melin to take the individual honours. The Swedish team came third while Germany's Sonja Buck claimed individual bronze.

TOOK THE LEAD
Parker took the lead on cross-country day after dressage leaders - Nicolas Astler and Jhakti du Jonlie from France who scored 42.8 in the first phase - were eliminated for a fall. But the marks at the top end of the scoreboard were extremely tight, and the British girl had little breathing space going into the final jumping phase. Competing in reverse order of merit, Buck was third-last into the ring with Ohio and, despite lowering one fence, hung on to bronze medal position, but Hannes Melin's great clear with Gaston KLG really piled the pressure on the 20 year old Parker. The British girl held her nerve however and returned without touching a pole with her horse Treefers which she describes as "tricky but good and honest, and always wanting to do his best".

It was an emotional moment, and Parker wept with a mixture of relief and joy afterwards because nothing less than a clear round would ensure that her country would take that coveted team gold once again. "I knew I had to go clear" she said, "but Treefers just jumped out of his skin".

TEAM EFFORT
It was a real team effort, with great results from all four British riders. Emily Llewellyn (Society Spice) completed with a score of 51.3 having added just four faults in the final jumping test to the 1.20 time penalties picked up on the cross-country course while Laura Collet (Fernhill Cristal) added exactly the same number of penalities in the second two phases to complete on a final tally of 55.40. The fourth British team member was Tom McEwen (Major Sweep) who kicked off with a dressage score of 51.10 and added nothing on cross-country day but 12 in the jumping ring for a total of 63.10.

The final British score was 149.80 and the highly competitive German side of Sonja Buck (Ohio), Freya Fullgraebe (Oje Oje), Franziska Roth (Dictus J) and Sabine Deparade (Khira De) were tantalisingly close behind when finishing on 149.90 while Swedens Hannes Melin (Gaston KLG), Frida Andersen (Herta), Christoffer Forsberg (Grafman) and Amanda Staam (Highlander KLT) were more than 30 marks further in arrears in bronze medal position on a scoreline of 184.30.

A total of 11 teams took part, and there were 64 starters but only 40 finishers with 21 eliminations and three retirements during the exciting weekend of competition. Great Britain has an exceptional record in these Championships which began in 1981, with 57 medals to their credit over the last 29 years.

FEI NORTH AMERICAN JUNIOR AND YOUNG RIDER CHAMPIONSHIPS 2010

Wed, 4 Aug 2010 07:06:48 +0100

The Area 3 Young Rider Eventing team of Missy Miller, Emily Renfoe, Danielle Dichting and Devon Brown celebrate their gold medal winning performance at the 2010 FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championship in Lexington last weekend. Photo: Anthony Trollope.

US RIDERS HAUL IN THE GOLD

The 2010 FEI North American Junior & Young Rider Championships came to a close on Sunday August 1st at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, USA - home of the forthcoming Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Top American, Canadian and Mexican riders between the ages of 14 and 21 showcased their talents in Jumping, Dressage, Eventing and Reining but it was the host nation that dominated affairs when taking nine gold medals.

Jumping

US riders swept the boards in both the Individual and Team Young Rider Jumping Championships. Ali Wolff and H & M Necoll made an amazing comeback after pulling two rails during the First Individual Qualifier to claim Young Rider Gold. They began their rise to the top by completing two clear efforts in the Team Competition. The pair then moved into the first place position during the last round of the Finals and held their lead with another clear to finish on a total of 9.93 faults. Catherine Pasmore and My Boy took the Silver Medal with 10.65 faults and Jessica Springsteen and Vornado Van Den Hoendrik took home the Bronze after accruing 13.44 faults.

The US teams were divided into zones, and Zone 10 took home Young Riders Team Gold with a 16-fault total after two rounds. The squad included Richard Neal with Cavalier Tommi Tank, Taylor Siebel aboard Thunder-Ball, Saer Coulter riding Chalan, and Lucy Davis showing Nemo 119. The silver and bronze medal winners were determined by a jump-off between Zone 5 and Zone 2 when both accumulated 32-faults.

Silver went to Zone 5, with just 10 faults in the jump-off. The team included Ali Wolff with H & M Necoll, Kirstie Dobbs aboard Kolette, Theo Genn riding Paradox, and Taylor McMurty showing Just An Illusion. Zone 2's Jessica Springsteen with Vornado Van Den Hoendrik, Karen Polle aboard Cachette Z, Katie Dinan riding Couletto K James, and Reed Kessler showing Mika took bronze with 12 faults in the final round.

The Canadians dominated the Junior Jumping Championships however when taking Team and Individual Gold here. Ben Asselin from Calgary produced a stunning victory to take the Individual title. With his talented mount Lolita he led the competition from start to finish and completed five fault-free rounds throughout the week-long event. The Silver Medal was presented to the USA's Meg O’Mara and Sinatra IV who collected only four faults, while Bronze went to fellow-American Jocelyn Neff and Gaja 20 who finished on a total score of eight.

Asselin's great result helped the Alberta squad that also included Alexandria Smith (Calira), Bretton Chad (Calle 11) and Jasmine Wiggins (Little Milton) into team gold medal position while the USA took silver and bronze. Zone 10's Audrey Coulter (Roden Burghs California), Lindsay Douglas (Pernot), Jocelyn Neff (Gadja 20) and Kendall Skreden (Esperanto) made up the Silver side while Hayley Barnhill (Toucan Tango), Michael Hughes (Pracht), Frances Land (Merlin) and Paige Coles (Pacific Touch) from Zone 4 took bronze.

Dressage

Dressage began with the team events for both Young Riders and Juniors. Young Riders Team Gold went to the Region 5/6 line-up that included Jhesika Wells on Intrepid, Laura DeCesari on Cheenook II, Brandi Roenick on Nobel, and Madeline Birch on Starlight and who finished with a score of 199.842. The Ontario Team followed close behind with a score of 198.421 and included Morgan Lane and Caravella, Jaimie Holland and Fleurina, Laura O’Sullivan and Pik Czar, and Amy Jager with Key West. The Bronze Medal went to Region 4/8 when Hans Baertsch and Rubinstar GB, Tessa Dick and Lord Chalk Hill, Mary Bahniuck Lauristen and Rossignol-ISF, and Meagan Davis and Bentley registered a total score of 196.421.

The British Columbian Team were Junior Team champions with a joint score of 201.297 from Esmee Ingham on Norseman, Monica Houweling on Stentado, and Sylvie Fraser on World Star LHF. Silver went to Megan Adams and N.A.S.H, Stephanie Early and Panash, Jamie Pestana and Winzalot, and Genay Vaughn and Warnja from Region 7 while Stephanie Bedford and Wahlen, Rebecca Cohen and Downtown, Alexandra Kitchen and Ronaldo, and Clare Krska and Romincka from Region 3/4 were awarded bronze.

The Young Rider Individual tests were held during the second day of competition. The harmonious bond between Jhesika Wells and Intrepid led them to Gold with a score of 70.000%. Megan Lane proved to be a strong opponent for Wells when, riding Caravella, she earned a mark of 68.947% to claim Silver while Bronze went to Jaimie Holland on Fleurina with 68.211%.

During the Junior Riders Individual test, Winzalot lived up to his name when earning 71.105% to scoop Gold for Jamie Prestana. Catherine Chamberlain and Verdicci were close behind with 70.368% in Silver Medal position while Stephanie Bedford and Wahlen earned 67.632% and Bronze.

The final competition for Dressage was the Individual Freestyle, and Winzalot earned a second Gold for Jamie Prestana in the Junior Rider section ahead of Catherine Chamberlain and Verdicci in Silver and Esmee Ingham and Norseman in bronze.

The Individual Young Rider Freestyle Gold Medal went to Jaimie Holland and Fleurina who scored 72.700%. Jhesika Wells and Intrepid finished with a 70.550% for Silver while Megan Lane and Caravella took home Bronze with a mark of 70.350%.

Eventing

The CH-Y** and CH-J* Eventing Championships came to a close on Sunday with almost a clean sweep for US riders. Kelly Pugh and Copycat Chloe captured the CH-Y** individual Gold Medal when adding just four cross-country time penalties to her dressage mark of 51.9 and then jumping clear in the final phase to finish with just 55.9 penalties. Missy Miller and TSF Amazing Grace were close behind in Silver medal position on a final score of 58.7 while Danielle Dichting's 62-fault total with Tops snatched Bronze.

Kelly Loria and Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds were highly impressive when leading the CH-J* competition from start to finish, earning just 40 penalties in the dressage ring and adding nothing more to clinch the Gold Medal. Silver went to Claire Kelley and Clifton Peekachu with 50.5 penalties and Lizzie Snow took Bronze with 54.6 from Pop Star.

In the CH-Y** Team Eventing, Area 3 took home the Gold. Individual Silver Medalist Missy Miller (TSF Amazing Grace), Emily Renfoe (Walk the Line), Danielle Dichting (Tops), and Devon Brown (Dynamic Image) completed on a total of 217.8 to take the win. Area 6 and 7 finished in Silver medal position guided by Individual Gold Medalist Kelly Pugh (Copycat Chloe), Tessa Beckett (Sound Prospect), and Natalia Gurmankin (Tequesteris). Area 5 and 9 rounded out the placing for the Bronze Medal with Jacob Fletcher (Falcon Splash), Brittany Lunney (Cool Dancer), Anisa Tracy (Tigger VIII), and Karen Shull (Fernhill Figaro).

For the CH-J* the Gold Medal went to Area 6,7,8, led by individual champion Kelly Loria and Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds. Her team mates included Individual Bronze Medalist Lizzie Snow with Pop Star, Noelle Varga riding BC Great Scot, and Madison Reeb aboard Raquel and they completed with a total score of 190.9. Area 4 took Silver with 194.4 points accumulated by Individual Silver Medal winner Claire Kelley and Clifton Peekachu, J. Taylor Humphrey and Super Nova, Autumn Schweiss and The Real Deal, and Michelle Mercier and Sir Malcolm. Pulling one back for the Canadians however was the combined side from British Columbia and Quebec which secured a total of 199.3. This medal-winning team consisted of Nayla Charbonneau (Princeton Pride), Sophie Laframboise (Way Cool), and Kaherine Martineau (H.M. As Spirits Go).

Reining

Canada made a clean sweep of the Young Rider Individual Medals in Reining. Nancy Pratch rode Rooster Kicker to a score 215 for Gold, while 2000 Gold Medallist Darcy Wilson rode Miss Cielo Chex into the Silver medal position with 213.5 and Vanessa Strotman followed very close behind aboard Listos May Day Hobby for Bronze with 212.5.

In the Team competition, the side from Alberta, led by Nancy Pratch and Rooster Kicker and including Kaylynn Malmberg and Pickin Around, Sage Sapergia and Shiners Q Chex, and Chloe Beveridge and Tucker Genuine Jewel took Gold. Silver went to the USA-East team of Amanda Holtz and Summer Aristocrat, Caroline Blackshear and Kidsgotitall, and Erin Duddy and Too Busy Cashin Chex. The USA-West team of Thea Arnold and PKM Imjusttwosmart, Alexandra Woolery and Little Devil Whiz, and Breanne Bertrand and Stoned Chick slotted into Bronze medal position. The final scores here were Alberta 629.5 (Gold), USA-East 626.5 (Silver) and USA-West 622.0 (Bronze).

Quotes:

Ben Asselin – Junior Show Jumping Individual and Team Gold: “Lola is quite a hot mare, she’s got a lot of blood, which is a really big help jumping that many rounds. It’s really tough on the horses having to jump two rounds in the Nations Cup, two rounds again today. I think all the blood that mare has really helped, she just has the biggest heart.”

Kelly Pugh – CH-Y** Individual Gold Medalist and Team Silver Medalist -
“This is the next step for us, towards our goals, both mine and my horse. The whole weekend was amazing, dressage finally came together, cross country couldn’t have been better.”

Jaimie Holland – Dressage Young Riders Freestyle Gold Medalist - “You can never take winning for granted, you always aim for improvement. I have never ridden under the lights before and it was a wonderful experience. It pumped my horse and I up and I was amazed by her response; it was unbelievable.”

Nancy Pratch – Individual Reining Gold Medalist – “The running pattern helped me win today. My horse thrives on a running pattern because he can stop on a dime and really gets his bum into the ground.”

Results:

For complete results or more information about the 2010 FEI American Junior & Young Rider Championships visit www.youngriders.org/Results.aspx.

CENTRAL AMERICAN AND CARIBBEAN GAMES - MAYAGUEZ 2010

Wed, 4 Aug 2010 07:05:01 +0100

Colombian dressage rider Marco Bernal and Farewall IV took double-gold at last week's Central American and Caribbean Games in Puerto Rico. Photo Credit: Anwar Esquivel Contreras

DRESSAGE – Team and individual gold for Colombia’s Marco Bernal

The equestrian events of the Central American and Caribbean Games were held in San Juan some 300 kilometres from the main Games venue in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. The people of San Juan had this unique opportunity to enjoy the Games and Dressage was the first discipline to take place in Bayamon Park.

The team competition was interrupted for some time just before the last few riders due to a tremendous rain-storm, but the action continued when the storm abated. Colombian rider Marco Bernal’s mark of 70.053% with Farewall IV was instrumental in helping Colombia to team gold ahead of silver medalists, Guatemala, whose top scorer was Christa Dauber with 69.789%. Team bronze went to Mexico.

Two days later the individual medals were contested in the Prix St George. Riders participated in reverse order of merit from the team results, but only the Prix St George scores counted for the medals.

Antonio Rivera (MEX) riding Naval, a Spanish bred stallion that had finished fifth in the previous rankings, scored 69.530% to squeeze into the medals and claim the bronze. Yvonne Lozos (DOM) took silver with 70.737% and Marco Bernal held on to add the individual title to his team gold with 71.526%.

Guatemala's Christa Dauber lost some rhythm and with 68.895%, almost a full point less than her Nations Cup ride, lost out on the medals to finish fourth place.

A total of 25 Dressage riders from nine countries finished this XXI edition of the Central American and Caribbean Games that included not only countries from Central America, but also those in the Caribbean, including Mexico which is geographically in North America, but with some of the country in the Caribbean.

EVENTING – Team gold for Mexico

Staged at one-star level, the Eventing discipline attracted riders from eight countries. Course designer José Luis Ortelli (ARG) helped to encourage participation in this discipline, which has had low numbers of starters in previous Games.

Heavy rain before the start of competition forced Technical Delegate Paul Weier (SWI) to make a number of changes to Ortelli’s cross-country track. The 2,520 metre course had at least eight fences inside the Jumping stadium, which allowed the hundreds of spectators to see most of the course from the stands. There was plenty of vocal support for the athletes, particularly when the Puerto Rican riders were out on the course as they were leading after Dressage.

Unfortunately Michelle Romero, who had led after the Dressage was eliminated, and after a second elimination for the host nation, Puerto Rico was out of the team competition. This allowed Guatemala and Mexico to finish in a close rivalry, followed by Colombia and Venezuela after Cross Country.

No rider finished within the time allowed cross country, but 12 jumped with no fence penalties and 23 out of 31 starters recorded a completion score. All of the five teams, however, suffered an elimination of one rider, so none of the teams could afford a drop score for the Jumping phase.

Bibi, the overnight leader for Alvaro del Valle (GUA), was eliminated at the final horse inspection prior to Jumping, putting paid to Guatemala's chance of a team medal. However the two remaining riders from Guatemala were now holding onto first and third position, with Mexican Erik Arambula in second.

Although time penalties abounded, the Jumping made no changes to the team order, so Mexico was awarded the gold, silver went to Colombia and bronze to Venezuela. Guatemala claimed gold and bronze in the individual standings for Tiziana Billy and Sarka Kolackova, with the silver going to Mexico's Erik Arambula. One rider, Mark Watring (PUR) competed in both Eventing and Jumping.

JUMPING – Venezuala’s Pablo Barrios claims double gold

The heavy rain that had featured during both the Dressage and Eventing disciplines, did not let up during the Jumping and competition had to be stopped several times. Venezuelan Pablo Barrios and Quick Star set their seal on things from the outset, taking an early lead over compatriot Andrés Rodríguez riding Da Vinci in the opening class.

There was heavy rain during the Nation's Cup also. Competing in the reverse order of their faults from the first qualifier, the speed competition, the last riders competed during a thunderstorm that caused some faults for the last rider from each country.

At the start of the competition Venezuela was on top as they had two riders in first and second places after the first qualifier, and Mexico was in second as their riders were third and fourth, but México had edged ahead by a small margin after the first round. But when two of the Mexican riders had four faults each and all four from Venezuela were faultless over the fences, although they picked up some time faults, the gold was awarded to Venezuela. México held on to take the silver, with bronze going to the host country, Puerto Rico, who gained their very first medal in equestrian competition. As equestrian was the only sport taking place in San Juan, the people from Puerto Rico, called Boricuas, really enjoyed it.

After a day off, the Grand Prix was held on Friday morning. This was a beautiful day without rain (Puerto Rico had 71 days of rain this season) and once more the riders competed in reverse order of merit.

Andrés Rodríguez from Venezuela was out in front, but when his horse Da Vinci, crashed through the triple bar, the first element of the double in the final line, he lost the lead to Pablo Barrios who was clear. In the second round Mexican rider Juan Carlos Franco was clear, and his teammate Alberto Michán had a fault at the wall depicting Mayaguez. Rodriguez also faulted at the wall, but a second fence down left the door open and dropped him out of the medals, leaving Mexico’s Michan and Franco guaranteed silver and bronze and waiting the result of Barrios, who had one rail in hand. He made one mistake, but his score was still good enough to secure the gold ahead of Mexican riders Alberto Michán and Juan Franco in silver and bronze.

FEI EUROPEAN PONY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Wed, 4 Aug 2010 07:02:03 +0100

Ireland's Bertram Allen took individual show jumping gold riding Acapella Z at the FEI European Pony Championships at Bishop Burton College in Yorkshire, England last Sunday. Photo Credit: Helen Revington.

EVENTING - BRITISH TAKE TEAM GOLD, INDIVIDUAL TITLE GOES TO GERMANY

In a competition dominated by an influential cross-country course, Great Britain secured team gold at the FEI Pony European Eventing Championships held at Bishop Burton College in East Yorkshire, England.

The dressage leaderboard was completely re-arranged after the cross-country phase over Eric Winters' technical 20 fence course of 30 jumping efforts. The gold medal winning team of Grace Walker (Noble Springbok), Sophie Beauty (Done and Dusted), Sam Ecroyd (Catherston Nutsafe) and Alfie Bradstock (Montezuma II), second after dressage, pulled into a convincing lead, when all four team riders posted clear cross-country rounds – three of them within the time. For good measure two Brtish individual riders also returned with a clean sheet.

The dressage leaders from Germany dropped to second, but their most senior rider Marissa Braig (Andy) - a member of last year’s gold medal-winning team - held the individual lead while Belgium leapt up the rankings from seventh to a potential bronze medal position after all four team-members including sisters Idalie and Sophie De Cartier De Marchienne, Clara Davoine and Seppe Peters went clear.

Other countries were not so fortunate. Individual dressage leader Bianca Walton from Denmark was one of 13 who collected penalties for refusals and Dutch rider Edith Chardon, second after dressage, was eliminated for accumulated refusals at fence 4, a double of off-set flower boxes. The fence, described by course designer Eric Winter as ‘two parallels in a field’ proved the nemesis of quite of few and three riders were eliminated here for falls. Thirty seven of the 49 starters completed, and all passed the final veterinary inspection to go to the final day’s show jumping which looked a formality for the British team.

Sixteen combinations, including two of the British team, went clear while another 13 added just four faults to their score and the main positions in both team and individual competitions remained unchanged. Great Britain won team gold with a margin of 43.1 penalties while British rider Grace Walker and the pony veteran Noble Springbok claimed individual silver. “All six riders have been exceptional – after yesterday’s cross-country we could not be anything other than proud,” said British Chef d’Equipe Ginnie Keen.

Germany took team silver and Belgium took bronze. Marissa Braig and Andy claimed individual gold for Germany, Grace Walker took silver for Great Britain and Ireland's Sarah O’Brien took bronze. Sarah improved from 13th to third after cross country and jumped clear in the final phase to take bronze with the brilliant little grey Ice Cool Bailey who provided her brother, Joseph, with exactly the same medal in the 2009 Championships.

DRESSAGE - HISTORIC TEAM VICTORY FOR THE NETHERLANDS, GERMANY TAKES INDIVIDUAL TITLE

A closely-fought competition that went right to the wire gave The Netherlands pony team the coveted team gold ahead of their long-time adversaries from Germany. While the margin of victory was small – less than three marks – the scale of the victory was as huge as that of the Dutch senior riders at last year’s European Championships, because Germany dominated this pony competition for the previous 20 years.

The Dutch team of Dana van Lierop (Equestricons Lord Champion), Antoinette te Riele (Golden Girl), Maria van den Dungen (Rembrandt DDH) and Suzanne van de Ven (Majos Cannon), scored an average of 73.741% against an average of 73% for the German team members and their four palomino ponies . “I am really happy because this group has been working together for several years to achieve this gold,” commented Dutch Chef d’Equipe Tineke Bartels. "They all did a good job and as three riders move on from ponies next year it's good for them to get gold at the end of their pony careers." Denmark claimed team bronze with an average score of 68.741%, and the home team of Great Britain, with an average score of 67.5% and just four marks behind, finished fourth of the 11 teams.

Thirteen-year-old German rider Jessica Krieg headed the team competition with the seven-year-old stallion Danilo ahead of Dutch rider Maria van den Dugen and Rembrandt DDH, and In the individual test Jessica continued to dominate. The youngster who is trained by Stephanie Meyer-Biss won the gold medal with 76.737%. The silver went to last year’s individual champion, Antoinette te Riele from Holland riding the palomino mare Golden Girl. This partnership who are trained by former Olympic medallist Coby van Ballen earned a score of 75.842% while Germany's Charlott Walterscheidt and the stallion Deinhard B, the 2008 champion under Sönke Rothenberger, took bronze with a mark of 74.684%. These three riders also dominated the final day’s Kur with Antoinette te Riele and Golden Girl, in a repeat of last year’s result, gaining the edge with her performance set to a musical score by Abba.

SHOW JUMPING - GERMANY WINS TEAM GOLD, IRELAND TAKES INDIVIDUAL HONOURS

In contrast to their dressage counterparts, German pony show jumpers secured their first European team gold medal for almost twenty years. Kaya Luthi (Karwim), Miriam Zell (Wombel) and Laura Klaphake (Jerome) pulled rank in the competition over the Irish whose rider Bertram Allen topped the leader board with Acapella Z and led his side (Bertram Allen, Tom Foley, Shane Kenny and Emma O'Dwyer) to silver. The Irish were forced into a two-way jump-off with Belgium when both sides finished with 12 faults after the first two rounds but pipped their rivals when producing the quickest three tours of the track in the medal-decider.

Bertram Allen, contesting his first European Championship, continued as he started when taking individual honours in the final competition of the championships with Acapella Z whcih he has ridden for two years. It was the perfect way for the young man from County Wexford to celebrate his 15th birthday and he completed both competitions on a clean sheet . “It is always a privilege to train good horses and good jockeys. I have trained this partnership from day one, and they have always been on an upward curve,” commented the Irish gold medal winner's trainer, former Irish army show jumping star Capt Con Power.

Allen's nerve was tested to the limit when he went into the individual final in the lead but without any room for error because Belgium's Julie de Pelsmaeker was hot on his heels with just a single time fault while Holland's Niels Knape was carrying only two time penalties. The Irish rider was competing the 13 year old Mexican-born Acapella Z which was bred to be a horse but, born a twin, never grew big enough and so was eligible for pony competitions. She produced several foals before being broken as an eight-year -old and was exported from the world-famous La Silla Stud in Monterrey to the equally-famous Zangersheide Stud in Holland before eventually finding her way to Scotland where she was spotted and bought by the Allen family. Pelsmaeker stayed clear to take silver with Sambo Lino while Knape took the bronze.

It was the perfect result for Ireland's Pony High Performance Coach Ian Fearon who now retires from the role. "This was a fantastic performance by Bertram. He incurred no penalties at all throughout the entire weekend, and his pony showed all the attributes needed to win a major championship. He has been outstanding all year and today's medal is proof of his ability" he said.

For full results of the FEI Pony European Championships visit http://vikingfm.bauerweb.co.uk/FEI-Pony/press.html

FEI WORLD SINGLES DRIVING CHAMPIONSHIP 2010

Wed, 4 Aug 2010 07:01:32 +0100

DOUBLE GOLD FOR GERMAN SINGLE DRIVERS

After a nerve-wracking obstacle driving competition at the FEI World Single Driving Championships in Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy, Germany took home both individual and team gold. Thorsten Zarembowicz is the new World Champion. Poland’s Bartolomiej Kwiatek took the silver and Italy's Cristiano Cividini won the bronze medal.

World Championship course designer Christian Iseli is known for his challenging obstacle driving courses, and at Pratoni he built another selective course, sticking to his motto ‘Not easy, but Iseli!’ The course, which was underestimated by most of the drivers, consisted of many sharp turns and the tight time frame made it difficult, but neverthless do-able.

Nearly all 70 world-class drivers had knockdowns or time penalties until the number seven in the standings, the reigning Polish Champion Bartolomiej Kwiatek, entered the arena. He made the course look easy and set the only double clear round, driving his 9-year-old Silesian stallion Lokan. The competitors who started after him all had faults, so Kwiatek moved up to silver. The 37-year-old Cristiano Cividini was on silver before the start of the cones, but the horse trainer had two knockdowns and time penalties and took home the bronze medal instead.

Leader of the individual standings Thorsten Zarembowicz was last to go, and the excitement grew during his course drive as he knocked three balls down and exceeded the time allowed. Luckily, Zarembowicz’ advantage over Kwiatek was big enough to secure his individual and golden team medal. Switzerland won the silver team medal, the Austrian team won the bronze.

Quotes:
Thorsten Zarembowcz (GER):
“I came to this World Championship without any expectations. My team member Mareike Harm owns the horse I am competing with and the mare is only 8 years old. I have been working at the Driving Stable of World four-in-hand Champion Michael Freund and his brother Fred for the past ten years. From November 1st, Freund will reduce his stable and I will be self-employed. To win the gold medal is a fantastic boost at the right time for me. The secret of the successes of our stable is that we train every horse each day, no matter what the weather conditions are.”

Bartolomiej Kwiatek (POL):
“My victory in the obstacle driving competition was quite easy actually. I just sat on my carriage and took the reins in my hand, Lokan did the rest. I had showed him the course plan in the stable and I think this has worked!”

Cristiano Cividini (ITA):
“I am the happiest Italian driver on these show grounds! I was under a lot of pressure and I see my bronze medal as a victory for the complete Italian driving sport. I hope my performance will give the driving sport in Italy the impulse it deserves. My horse Tango is only eight years old so I hope to be successful with him again in the future.”

Final individual standings:
Thorsten Zarembowicz (GER) 119,05
Bartolomiej Kwiatek (POL) 122,68
Cristiano Cividini (ITA) 126,16
Michael Barbey (SUI) 128,06
Henrik Hoper Nielsen (DEN) 128,53
Christoph Dieker (GER) 131,42
Isidor Weber (AUT) 131,49
Rudolf Pirhofer (AUT) 132,66
Eric Renaud (SUI) 133,49
Anne-Violaine Brisou (FRA) 135,44

Final Nations Cup standings:
Germany 243,24
Switzerland 252,75
Austria 264,15
France 272,61
Poland 272,66

Results obstacle driving competition:
Bartolomiej Kwiatek (POL) 0
Eric Renaud (SUI) 2,68
Detlef Bohlmann (GER) 3,00
Kimberley Stover (USA) 3,00
Thomas Sjoberg (SWE) 3,00
Ian Bertram (GBR) 3,00
Franz Schiltz (LUX) 3,00
Weronika Kwiatek (POL) 3,00
Isidor Weber (AUT) 3,39
Leonhard Risch (SUI) 3,56

Swiss Supreme Court rejects Norwegian Olympic appeal

Mon, 2 Aug 2010 23:03:18 +0100

The Swiss Supreme Court has rejected the appeal filed by Tony Andre Hansen (NOR) against his disqualification from the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The Supreme Court has ordered Mr Hansen to pay costs of CHF 5,000 and legal fees to the FEI of CHF 6,000.
Mr Hansen’s horse Camiro tested positive for the prohibited substance Capsaicin during the 2008 Olympic equestrian events in Hong Kong and the rider was provisionally suspended on 21 August 2008. The case was heard by a three-member panel of the FEI Tribunal, which issued its final decision on 22 December 2008. Mr Hansen was suspended for four and a half months (135 days), from 21 August 2008 to 2 January 2009 and was also disqualified from all placings with Camiro at the 2008 Olympic Games.
Mr Hansen appealed the FEI Tribunal decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), based in Lausanne, Switzerland. On 4 December 2009, CAS dismissed the appeal and upheld the final decision of the FEI Tribunal.
Mr Hansen subsequently appealed the CAS decision to the Swiss Supreme Court, but that appeal was rejected in the Court’s decision of 30 July 2010. The FEI was notified of the decision today. There is no appeal against a decision of the Supreme Court.
As a result of the legal procedure, the Norwegians are stripped of the Jumping team bronze medal, which will be awarded to the Swiss team that originally finished in fourth place at the 2008 Olympic Games.

British team announced for European TREC Championships

Mon, 2 Aug 2010 23:02:14 +0100

Following a year of intensive training and competitions the BHS TREC Young Riders and Senior squad has been announced to represent Great Britain and The British Horse Society at the European TREC Championships in Austria on the 3-5 September 2010.

The Young Riders Squad comprises:
Rebecca Harris riding her own Rispa Fra’ Kalfholti
Sarah Pollard riding Miss G Moore’s Flanally Doo
Eleanor Barnard riding Hilary Barnard’s Harvey
Anne Bolton – hiring from Austria

Senior Team Squad comprises:
Anna Weston riding her own Whizz
Julian Brown riding his own Otter
Jackie Bennett riding her own Bradley
Kathryn Bean riding her own Millicent Millie
Caroline Brammer riding her own Rinaldo
Hilary Barnard riding her own Rhinefield Impulse

The non-travelling reserve:
Daniel Nolan (Tornado)

The four riders to comprise the Senior Team at the Championships will be decided at the BHS TREC SEIB Championships of Great Britain 2010.
For further information and pictures, please contact: Alison Coleman, The British Horse Society, 01926 707737 or a.coleman@bhs.org.uk

FEI WORLD SINGLES DRIVING CHAMPIONSHIP 2010

Mon, 2 Aug 2010 06:36:07 +0100

SWISS DOMINANCE AND GIRL-POWER IIN THE MARATHON

Sun, 1 Aug 2010 09:07:23 +0100

Lucie Musy-Comune (SUI) won the World Championship marathon at Pratoni del Vivaro (c) Hippoevent

Perfect conditions created a wonderful environment for the marathon of the FEI World Single Driving Championship in Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy. Undulating tracks on a green meadow and the obstacle site nicely embedded in the hilly landscape ensured great sport.

The eight obstacles built by Austria’s course designer Christian Iseli offered the competitors countless route options. Two of them included extra large water elements, built and flagged in a modern and horse friendly way.

Before the start of the World Championship, the possible hot weather conditions in the summer in Italy was much talked about, but it could not have been better today. Twenty-seven degrees Celsius was the highest temperature reached. The marathon was heavy, but fair and selective, absolutely ideal for World Championship competition.
.
A young Swiss driver took the marathon victory. With the 10-year-old Freiberg gelding Lukas, Lucie Musy-Comune not only drove fast, but also without mistakes and knock downs, which allowed the 25 year old reigning Swiss Champion to win the World Championship marathon honours. Second place also went to a Swiss driver. Michael Barbey drove his KWPN-gelding Solo V. fast through the obstacles, setting top ten times in seven obstacles.

The third place in the marathon went to Anders Hansen from Denmark. Hansen has represented his country at seven World Pairs and Single Driving Championships since 2003. The farm manager drove a fast course with his 11-year-old polish gelding Barslunds Kanton.

Germany’s Thorsten Zarembowicz has kept his lead in the individual standings after the dressage and the marathon. Zarembowicz came 18th in the marathon and is over 10 points ahead of Italy's Cristiano Cividini and the current World Champion Jan van den Broek from the Netherlands. Tomorrow’s final obstacle driving competition will decide which drivers and teams will bring home the medals. Germany leads the nations Cup, ahead of Switzerland and the Netherlands.

Quotes:
Lucie Musy-Comune (SUI):
“Lukas went superbly I own this horse since July 1st. He was my wedding gift and I have now won the World Championship marathon with him. It was a great feeling to drive here and he remained top fit until the last obstacle. We were fast enough and we had no knock downs, so we won!“

Michael Barbey (SUI):
“The marathon was very good, everything went perfectly. I had a good feeling already at the first course inspection. Christian Iseli has built the obstacle very open and varied, that was ideal for my horse.“

Anders Hansen (DEN):
“I started this marathon with great respect. My horse was in top condition; he did not even sweat until the third obstacle. Unfortunately I had one knock down, this was one too many and this cost me the victory, but I am happy.“

Course Designer Christian Iseli (AUT):
“The most important thing is that we did not have any accidents. The drivers used the many possible options, which I had created for them and it was a very selective competition. Many of the 35 knockdowns were knocked down and have made an essential contribution to the competition results. My intention is to get the drivers not just to drive at full speed, but to drive with their head!s“

Individual standings after dressage and marathon:
Thorsten Zarembowicz (GER) 108,19
Cristiano Cividini (ITA) 118,42
Jan van den Broek (NED) 118,82
Mareike Harm (GER) 121,19
Rudolf Pirhofer (AUT) 122,35
Henrik Hoper Nielsen (DEN) 122,53
Bartolomiej Kwiatek (POL) 122,68
Anne-Violaine Brisou (FRA) 124,18
Michael Barbey (SUI) 124,36
Christoph Dieker (GER) 124,86

Nations Cup standings after dressage and marathon:
Duitsland 229,38
Zwitserland 246,37
Nederland 246,75
Denemarken 249,72
Oostenrijk 250,45

Results marathon :
Lucie Musy (SUI) 65,82
Michael Barbey (SUI) 66,38
Anders Hansen (DEN) 66,77
Ben Simonsen (FIN) 67,41
Cristiano Cividini (ITA) 68,24
Henrik Hoper Nielsen (DEN) 68,64
Oivind Mikkelsen (NOR) 69,57
Rudolf Pirhofer (AUT) 70,00
Anne-Violaine Brisou (FRA) 70,04
Francisco Folque (POR) 70,05

GERMANY LEADS AT WORLD SINGLE DRIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS IN PRATONI

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 18:30:16 +0100

Thorsten Zarembowiz (GER) is the new Dressage World Champion in the Single Horse class. (c) Hippoevent

Germany’s Thorsten Zarembowicz has set a new standard in the Single Horse Driving scene by putting down a wonderful score of 35,20 penalty points and taking the lead at the FEI World Single Driving Championships in Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy. The German Team is leading the Nations Cup after the first phase of the combined driving competition.

After two days of dressage in which the best 72 Single Horse drivers in the world showed their skills, Thorsten Zarembowicz is the new man to beat in dressage.
Zarembowicz bettered the score of the title defender Jan van den Broek from the Netherlands by over six penalty points. The 31-year old manager of the driving stable of former World Champion Michael Freund drove a wonderful test with the 8-year-old Holsteiner mare Sunrise. His test thrilled both the spectators and the judges.

The 2008 World Champion Jan van den Broek drove a somewhat careful, but nice test. Jan normally drives with more risk, but this time opted for a cautious Dressage Test in the wonderful arena of Pratoni del Vivaro and came second with 41,73 penalty points.

Third and fourth places in the dressage rankings are held by German drivers as well. Zarembowicz’ team member Mareike Harm, who is also the owner of the leading horse Sunrise, came third with a score of 43,90, ahead of German individual driver Christoph Dieker with 46,72.

With two team drivers in the Top Three, Germany is leading the Nations Cup with 79,10 points, ahead of The Netherlands with 95,00 points and Austria with 106,20 points.

The competitors are now preparing themselves for the next phase. The marathon is the next large hurdle to overcome in order to win a World Championship medal. World Champion course designer Christian Iseli from Austria has prepared a big mission for the single drivers with and a wonderful but hilly marathon course with eight challenging obstacles. The weather and ground conditions are excellent for a big day for the single horse driving sport, which will result in a fantastic marathon battle.

Results dressage/individual standings:
Thorsten Zarembowicz (GER) 35,20
Jan van den Broek (NED) 41,73
Mareike Harm (GER) 43,90
Christoph Dieker (GER) 46,72
Cristiano Cividini (ITA) 50,18
Arja Mikkonen (FIN) 50,69
Detlef Bohlmann (GER) 51,58
Bartolomiej Kwiatek (POL) 51,97
Rudolf Pirhofer (AUT) 52,35
Saskia van Heesch (NED) 53,25
Christiaan Provoost (NED) 53,25

Standings Nations Cup after dressage:
Germany 79,10
The Netherlands 95,00
Austria 106,20
Poland 109,10
France 111,70

MEYDAN FEI NATIONS CUP Hickstead (GBR), 30 July 2010

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 21:21:08 +0100

Pictured after the British triumph at the seventh leg of the 2010 Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ in Hickstead were: (L to R) Claire Walker, Meydan's Sponsorship and Site Services Manager, Hanfriend Haring, FEI Bureau Member, team members William Funnell, Tina Fletcher, Chef d'Equipe Rob Hoekstra, team members Peter Charles, Michael Whitaker, Daisy Bunn, Director CSIO Hickstead and Andrew Finding, Secretary General British Equestrian Federation. Photo : Kit Houghton.

BRITISH TRIUMPHANT ON HOME GROUND AT HICKSTEAD

The British team pulled off the latest in the long list of big surprises of the 2010 Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ series when scoring an emphatic win on their home turf at Hickstead this afternoon. In a competition that saw the form-book once again turned on its head, and which saw riders enduring the most extreme of fluctuating fortunes, they crushed the opposition when proving themselves the only ones fully capable of mastering the mighty Hickstead track.

Germany finished a full 15 faults behind in second place ahead of the USA in third and France in fourth while The Netherlands slotted into fifth. The Irish, superb winners at Aachen just two weeks ago, struggled into sixth place while Spain and Sweden - each lumbered with a massive 40-fault score - shared seventh. Switzerland meanwhile finished last, and it looks very much like the Swiss and Swedes are beyond rescue at the lower-end of the leaderboard going into next Friday's final competition in Dublin.

The bottom four teams on the 10-nation leaderboard will be relegated to the Promotional League in 2011 and the Dutch, Swedes and Swiss are holding those last four places along with the Polish team, which this week withdrew from the remainder of the series and is already destined for the second-division.

FORMIDABLE
Bob Ellis's track was nothing less than formidable and Kevin Staut's pathfinding 12-fault first-round score for France gave an early indication of just how difficult it would turn out to be. The British had covered all the angles however. "When we walked the course we all took the decision to take a longer line from the first fence to the second and to get ourselves into a good rhythm and not worry too much about the time - and it paid off in bucket loads" said team-leader Peter Charles afterwards.

The water tray under the oxer at the second element of the double at fence three led to plenty of double-takes and that was, unmercifully, followed by the wide open Hickstead water and then the traditionally tough Hickstead planks. There was no let-up anywhere on the 12-fence course and the white gate at fence nine hit the deck regularly while the final line of a double to the 1.60m Meydan vertical claimed a large number of victims. '"It was a big one alright" admitted Charles.

BIT BETWEEN THEIR TEETH
Not one rider returned a clean sheet at the end of the first round but the British already had the bit between their teeth with only four faults between them after single time penalties from both Charles (Murkas Pom D'Ami) and William Funnell (Billy Congo) and just two time penalties from Tina Fletcher (Hello Sailor) were counted, Michael Whitaker's eight with GIG Amai providing the discard score.

Germany was lying second with 14 faults ahead of the hopeful Swedes in third with 18 while the Dutch were just one fault further in arrears on 19 and the USA carried 21 into round two. The Irish had an uneasy time of it when picking up 26 and when Julien Eppaillard's 17 faults with Master Davier was dropped the French still had to take 13 from Nicolas Delmotte (Luccianno) and Staut's 12 with Silvana into account which left them well down in seventh place despite a great four-fault effort from Marie Pellegrin Etter and Admirable.

SUNK
The Spanish were already sunk however by 16-fault results from three of their riders, and despite an incredible second-round resurgence when adding only 4 faults to the 36 already on the board they couldn't be rescued.

The British had it all sewn up by the time second-line rider, William Funnell, followed Charles' example by just exceeding the time for one fault and when Tina Fletcher, wife of former British rider Graham Fletcher and a close runner-up for the Hickstead Derby title this year, did likewise then Whitaker didn't have to return to the ring. Great second-round clears from Daniel Deusser (Cabreado) and Lars Nieberg (Lord Luis) cemented Germany in second place but the Swedes plummeted down the order when adding 22 faults to their tally and it was the USA who rose up to replace them despite the massive 50 fault tally for Robert Kraut and Graf Lando. A smart clear from McLain Ward (Rothschild), and just single mistakes from Cara Raether (Ublesco) and Rich Fellers (Flexible) left them with only eight more to add.

SECURED
The day belonged to the home team but not even a win in Dublin next week can now prevent the French from taking the Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ series title as their three early wins have secured their position as double-champions. The British fancy their chances of matching the French score on the leaderboard by adding maximum points again in seven days time, and on current form it will be difficult to oppose them.

Charles said today that they owe their fresh run of success, after several seasons of poor form, to "the great support we have behind the scenes" and he praised his new Chef d'Equipe Rob Hoekstra - "he picked a winning team today". Hoekstra said he was "highly delighted" with today's result which has improved Great Britain to second in the league standings. "It was great to win here in front of the home crowd" he pointed out. "When we set out this season the plan was to try to simply finish in the top six of the Meydan series so that we would stay in the top league for 2011. Now I think we can finish in the top three - and that's fantastic!" he added.

He will send the same four riders along with veteran Nick Skelton to Dublin, so now it seems the British may be the ones to beat at the hallowed Irish showground. Other team managers have more on their minds however. Like how to work the miracle that will keep their nation at the top end of the nations cup game.....

For further information on the British fixture at Hickstead go to website www.hickstead.co.uk or contact Press Officer Peter Jeffery at (Tel) +441273834175 or (Email) jeffery.communications@btopenworld.com
The NEXT leg of the series takes place in Dublin, Ireland on Friday 6 August. For all information on the Irish fixture go to website www.dublinhorseshow.com or contact Press Officer JP Montgomery at +353 1 6680866.

RESULT:
1. Great Britain 7 faults: Murkas Pom D'Ami (Peter Charles) 1/1, Billy Congo (William Funnell) 1/1, Hallo Sailor (Tina Fletcher) 2/1, GIG Amai (Michael Whitaker) 8/DNS.
2. Germany 22 faults: Cabreado (Daniel Deusser) 5/0, Calado (Jorg Naeve) 5/9, Catoki (Philipp Weishaupt) 9/8, Lord Luis (Lars Nieberg) 4/0.
3. USA 29 faults: Ublesco (Cara Raether), Graf Lando (Robert Kraut) 33/17, Rothchild (McLain Ward) 5/0, Flexible (Rich Fellers) 8/4.
4. France 34 faults: Silvana (Kevin Staut) 12/0, Mister Davier (Julien Epaillard) 17/0, Admirable (Marie Etter Pellegrin) 4/5, Luccianno (Nicolas Delmotte) 13/13.
5. Netherlands 35 faults: VDL Bubalu (Jur Vrieling) 1/9, Exquis Walnut de Muze (Harrie Smolders) 12/0, Opium VS (Marc Houtzager) 9/8, Heechhiems Tersina (Nathalie van der Mei) 9/8.
6. Ireland 36 faults: Carmena Z (Shane Breen) 12/9, Hallmark Elite (Dermott Lennon) 9/Elim, Je T'Aime Flamenco (Billy Twomey) 5/1, Nabab's Son (Denis Lynch) 12/0.
7. Spain 40 faults: Herald (Pilar Cordon) 16/0, New Remake de Servery (Fernando Fourcadez) 16/0, Lord du Mont Milon (Jesus Garmendia) 16/4, Action-Breaker (Sergio Alvarez Moya) 4/5.
7. Sweden 40 faults: H&M Actrice (Malin Baryard-Johnsson) 5/5, H&M Arctic Aurora Borealis (Peder Fredricson) 4/12, LB Paola (Henrik Von Eckermann) 9/5, Quintero La Silla (Rolf-Goran Bengtsson) 9/13.
9. Switzerland 36 faults in FIRST round: Tresor V (Steve Guerdat) 8, Kiamon (Werner Muff) 16, Zekina (J Richard) 32, Ulysse Z (P Schwizer) 12.

2010 MEYDAN FEI NATIONS CUP™ - STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 7 AT HICKSTEAD:
1. France - 48.5
2. Great Britain - 38.5
3. USA - 37.5
4. Germany - 35.5
5. Ireland - 31.5
6. Spain - 23.0
7. Netherlands - 21.0
8. Sweden - 15.5
9. Switzerland - 15.0

YOUTH OLYMPIC HORSES COME OUT OF QUARANTINE IN SINGAPORE

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:56:12 +0100

The thirty horses that are to compete in the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in August came out of their two-week post-arrival quarantine in Singapore today.

For the first time in Olympic history, a ballot will be organised to pair the horses with the 30 young riders competing in the individual and team Jumping events at the Games. The horses were specially trained over an eight-month period at Glen Haven Park in Queensland, Australia.
The Singapore Youth Olympic Games take place from 14 to 26 August.

Launch of The Eden Valley Loops

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:39:01 +0100

The British Horse Society has launched the Eden Valley Loops project at a celebratory event in Penrith.

The BHS secured match funding of £18,500 to produce 135 km of routes designed for horse riders, off road cyclists and walkers based in Cumbria.

The grant is part-funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in Rural Areas, and awarded by the Cumbria Fells and Dales Local Action Group, Rural Development Programme for England.
The Eden Valley Loops also provide a key link to the Pennine Bridleway, and are a welcome addition to The British Horse Society’s National Bridleroute Network. The BHS aims to extend the network further north, linking the Loops to other major routes.
BHS Senior Executive (Access), Heather Clatworthy, said: “Thanks to the grant we were awarded, we were able to make so much more of this opportunity. We must also thank the many volunteers who have given up their time and energy to this project. The project will provide a significant boost to Cumbrian Tourism and in turn the local economy surrounding the routes. This is a beautiful part of the world that I highly recommend exploring on horseback.”
BHS Director of Access, Safety and Welfare, Mark Weston, said: “The Eden Valley Loops open the beautiful Cumbrian countryside up to everyone who wants to explore it. So many volunteers have worked hard on this project for many years, and it is great to see the routes now open for riders.”
Feedback from members of the public, volunteers, landowners, council and local authority attendees has been very positive.

FRENCH FIRST INTO THE RING AT HICKSTEAD

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:37:48 +0100

The French, 2009 series champions and leaders throughout the 2010 season, will be pathfinders when the seventh leg of the Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ series gets underway at Hickstead, Great Britain tomorrow afternoon.

The draw took place this afternoon, and the order-of-go for the penultimate leg of the 2010 series is as follows: 1, France: 2, USA; 3, Sweden; 4, Ireland; 5, Switzerland; 6, Great Britain; 7, Germany; 8, The Netherlands; 9, Spain.

John Roche, FEI Director Jumping, explained why the Polish team will not participate in the last two legs of the series. "I'd like to pay tribute to the great effort the Polish team have put into their campaign in the Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ this season. They have enjoyed participating in the series and we have enjoyed watching them compete. However unfortunately they cannot put a team together for the last two legs, here at Hickstead and again in Dublin next week, because they don't have a sufficient number of horses. We are sorry to lose them - I believe we have all been filled with admiration for their sportsmanship and courage throughout this summer" he pointed out.

PRESSURE
The pressure is intense at this late stage of the eight-leg tournament, but the only concern the French may have is whether they can follow up their 2009 series victory by making it a double after next week's last leg in Ireland. US Chef d'Equipe said "it's always a great pleasure to return to Hickstead - its one of my favourite venues". The US team last won at the British venue in 2007, and he will be hoping for a good result tomorrow from his strong side which is currently holding second place on the league table. As always however, the nation really under the spotlight is the host country, although British Chef d'Equipe, Rob Hoekstra, rejected the suggestion that his veteran squad are feeling the heat.

"I've got three riders on my team that have won 10 Hickstead Derbies between them - they're not feeling the pressure at all, but I am!" he joked. New to the British team management role this season however, Mr Hoekstra has injected a new energy into his side which is currently lying fourth on the leaderboard. However as third-placed Chef d'Equipe, Ireland's Robert Splaine, said "nothing is assured yet". His team's chances of avoiding relegation to the Promotional League - the fate in store for the bottom-four teams at the end of the series - were significantly improved by the superbly executed Irish win at the last leg in Aachen two weeks ago. However he is still feeling cautious. "Yes, we've improved our position, but we are still not safe - there are five teams really under pressure and all these countries will be fighting for their show jumping lives tomorrow!" he said.

NO CHANCE
The four teams currently lying in the relegation zone are The Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden and Poland, but while the latter have no chance of escaping the drop down to the second-division there is always the possibility that one of the other three could produce a late run of success that would maintain their place amongst the elite of team jumping. That, of course, would be at the expense of one of the those presently holding a top-six position - so its still wide open, and tomorrow afternoon's penultimate leg of the 2010 Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ series promises to be a mighty battle.

You can watch all the action live on FEI TV tomorrow afternoon, Friday 30 July, beginning at 13.45 local time.

For further information on the British fixture at Hickstead go to website www.hickstead.co.uk or contact Press Officer Peter Jeffery at (Tel) +441273834175 or (Email) jeffery.communications@btopenworld.com

Facts and Figures
Hickstead presents the seventh leg of the 2010 Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ series.
The defending champions are the German team who won in both 2008 and 2009
Due to the withdrawal of the Polish team from the last two legs of the series at Hickstead and Dublin, just nine teams will line out in Friday's competition.
The trophy awarded to the winners at Hickstead is the Prince of Wales Cup.
Germany has won the British Nations Cup on 10 occasions, but the home team has taken the honours 34 times.

2010 MEYDAN FEI NATIONS CUP™ - STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 6 AT AACHEN:
1. France - 43.5
2. USA - 31.5
3. Ireland - 28.5
4. Great Britain - 28.5
5. Germany - 28.5
6. Spain - 21.5
7. Netherlands - 17.0
8. Switzerland - 15.0
9. Sweden - 14.0
10. Poland - 0

THE HEAT IS ON AT HICKSTEAD

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:31:36 +0100

The pressure is intense ahead of this Friday's seventh leg of the 2010 Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ series in Hickstead. The Sussex venue has staged the British Nations Cup since taking on the mantle of the Royal International Horse Show in 1992, but the atmosphere is expected to be more highly-charged than ever before as the top show jumping nations in the world battle it out for the right to remain amongst the elite in their sport.

This season's Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ series has turned into an epic battle, because four of the 10 competing countries will be relegated to the Promotional League following the last leg in Dublin next week. After six of the eight competitions have been completed it could hardly be a closer-fought affair, and this Friday's penultimate clash will be pivotal in deciding who stays in and who goes out. One country that is definitely destined to say farewell to superleague jumping in 2011 however is Poland. With no points accumulated after six courageous competitive efforts, and now unable to field a team, they have withdrawn from both Hickstead and the final leg in Dublin.

UNASSAILABLE
The French are unassailable at the head of the leaderboard and the USA looks secure in second place but, in the strangest twist, the next three countries - Ireland, Great Britain and Germany - all share the same score and are only 7 points ahead of Spain in sixth place. If any of those teams should slip up now in the closing stages, then they could be overtaken by The Netherlands, Switzerland or Sweden and could find themselves facing life in the Promotional League next season. For this to happen the Dutch, Swiss or Swedes need a lot of luck and some sensational performances, but in this unpredictable sport surprises are always just over that next jump or around that next corner.....

The home team from Great Britain has a tremendous record as winners on their home turf, but it is Germany that returns to defend the title this week. The Germans beat the French in a two-way jump-off against the clock last July when Janne-Fredericke Meyer was the heroine of the day, producing the only double-clear of the competition before going clear once again in the jump-off to make it a back-to-back double for her country which clinched the Prince of Wales Cup for the tenth time. Meyer is not included in Otto Becker's German selection this time around however as the listed riders include Jorg Naeve, Philipp Weishaupt, Lars Nieberg, Daniel Deusser and Mario Stevens.

SELECT
Laurent Elias will select his French line-up from Nicolas Delmotte, Olivier Desutter, Julien Epaillard, Marie Pellegrin-Etter and Kevin Staut. Remarkably, individual European Champion Staut has not missed one leg of the 2010 Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ this year, alternating between pathfinder and anchorman roles throughout the series. Should Pellegrin-Etter be selected for this Friday's competiion there could be an interesting dynamic as she may well be competing against her husband, Daniel Etter, in the Swiss team. And Pellegrin-Etter's recent run of form, which includes fourth place in the Grand Prix in Falsterbo, suggests this is very likely. Joining Daniel Etter in the Swiss squad are Jane Richard, Steve Guerdat, Werner Muff and Pius Schwizer.

George Morris' US squad includes Rich Fellers, Robert Kraut, Todd Minikus, Cara Raether and McLain Ward while Irish team manager Robert Splaine has made just a single change to the side that scored an emphatic and historic win at Aachen two weeks ago. Cian O'Connor is on hold for next week's Dublin event so US-based Shane Sweetnam, who has been campaigning the European circuit this summer and who lined out earlier in the season, has been called back into action alongside Shane Breen, Dermott Lennon, Billy Twomey and Denis Lynch.

Spain's Marco Fuste will choose from his five-man squad that includes Manuel Anon Suarez, Sergio Alvarez Moya, Julio Arias Cueva, Pascal Levy and Fernando Fourcadez Lopez while Rob Ehrens has Marc Houtzager, Harrie Smolders, Gerco Schroder, Nathalie Van der Mie and Jur Vrieling in his Dutch selection. Meanwhile Swedish Chef d'Equipe, Gosta Asker, will be hoping that Rolf-Goran Bengtsson, Peder Fredricsson, Malin Baryard-Johnsson, Svante Johannson and Henrik Van Eckerman can produce the kind of sparkle that won their home leg of the 2010 Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ series.

The draw for the seventh leg of the 2010 Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ will take place on Thursday, and you can watch all the action live on FEI TV on Friday afternoon, beginning at 13.45 local time.

For further information on the British fixture at Hickstead go to website www.hickstead.co.uk

Facts and Figures
Hickstead presents the seventh leg of the 2010 Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ series.
The defending champions are the German team who won in both 2008 and 2009
Due to the withdrawal of the Polish team from the last two legs of the series at Hickstead and Dublin, just nine teams will line out in Friday's competition.
The trophy awarded to the winners at Hickstead is the Prince of Wales Cup.
Germany has won the British Nations Cup on 10 occasions, but the home team has taken the honours 34 times.

2010 MEYDAN FEI NATIONS CUP™ - STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 6 AT AACHEN:

1. France - 43.5
2. USA - 31.5
3. Ireland - 28.5
4. Great Britain - 28.5
5. Germany - 28.5
6. Spain - 21.5
7. Netherlands - 17.0
8. Switzerland - 15.0
9. Sweden - 14.0
10. Poland - 0

Hollywood star endorses 2010 FEI Awards

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:30:40 +0100

American actor and director Robert Duvall has given his support to the annual awards organised by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the governing body of horse sport. The FEI launched the “Oscars of the equestrian world” last year to reward outstanding dedication to horse sport in five categories. Calls for nominations for the 2010 awards opened on July 16.

Hollywood legend Duvall is best-known for his roles in The Apostle, Apocalypse Now, The Godfather and Tender Mercies. His performances have earned him an Academy Award, a BAFTA, two Emmys and four Golden Globe Awards.

Commenting on the 2010 FEI Awards, Duvall said:
“The FEI Awards give you the opportunity to nominate and celebrate those individuals who, without asking for recognition, should be thanked and acknowledged for their own contribution to equestrian sport around the world. As someone with a passion for horses, I urge you to nominate anyone you feel is worthy of the awards and help them to walk the red carpet at the 2010 FEI Awards in Taiwan.”
Duvall has been a keen horseman since his childhood, when he often visited his uncle’s ranch in northern Montana. He has demonstrated his riding skills in several films, including Broken Trail (2006), in which he plays gruff rancher Print Ritter, and Lonesome Dove, the 1989 classic miniseries which saw him leading an epic cattle drive.
Nominations for the FEI Awards are open until 30 August 2010. Further information is available at www.feiawards.org

British Riding Club members prepare for Horse Trials Championships

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 10:33:23 +0100

The 2010 British Riding Clubs National Horse Trials Championships, sponsored by South Essex Insurance Brokers Ltd, are to take place on 6, 7 and 8 August. The event will be held at Washbrook Farm, Aston-le-Walls, Daventry.

This event is the grand finale of qualifiers held across the UK and is one of the few championships to feature speed and endurance phases. Finalists in all of the senior events will tackle Roads and Tracks, Steeplechase and finally the Cross-Country Endurance Phase.

The event will kick off on Friday with the Junior Horse Trials Championships which is a One Day Event. Friday will also see the start of the Open and Intermediate Horse Trials Three Day Event. Saturday sees the start of the Novice Two Day Event. Winning competitors receive rosettes to tenth place with sashes, trophies and an array of prizes for the champions.

Admission to this event is free of charge and spectators are welcome to attend and take advantage of the trade village and catering stands. British Riding Clubs also have their own range of merchandise in a variety of colours and sizes available for you to purchase from World Leisure Wear.
For further information and pictures, please contact: Maggie Smith, British Riding Clubs, The British Horse Society, 01926 707768 or m.smith@bhs.org.uk

Russian rider steals a march in HSBC FEI World Cup™ Eventing

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 08:02:27 +0100

Riders from the U.S. and Eastern Europe have rocketed up the HSBC FEI World Cup™ rankings following competitions at Kalispell (USA) and Minsk (BLR) this weekend.

Karen O’Connor (USA) shoots into equal 10th place with just three events to go after a convincing victory at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, Montana.
Her mount, Mandiba, travelled to the 2008 Olympics as a relative novice; now, with the FEI Alltech World Equestrian Games™ on home territory approaching, the Irish-bred gelding looks the finished package after leading from flagfall to finish on his Dressage score.
“I’m delighted,” said O’Connor. “Mandiba has really matured. He’s become very confirmed in his flatwork and a lot of fun to ride. I was feeling the fruition of a lot of work this weekend.”

Buck Davidson (USA), who climbed from sixth to second on My Boy Bobby, and Phillip Dutton, who dropped a place to third after an unfortunate Jumping round on Truluck, headed a record contingent bringing 18 horses from the East Coast, the first time horses have flown here since 1962.
All were full of praise for the organisation and ground conditions at Rebecca Broussard’s 640-acre estate in the foothills of the Salish Mountains. Davidson said he had fulfilled two ambitions – to compete at the western venue of Kalispell and to see a grizzly bear!
Mara Dean (USA), who withdrew High Patriot when fourth after Cross-Country, summed up: “This is comparable to what you would see in Europe and on the best of the East Coast. It’s amazing to go into town and everyone knows who you are.”
There were 28 starters on Capt Mark Phillips’s revamped Cross-Country course, which included a new keyhole fence into water, and 23 completed with 20 clear rounds. 19 finished the competition.
Results
1 Karen O’Connor/Mandiba (USA) 44.2 + 0 + 0 = 44.2
2 Buck Davidson/My Boy Bobby (USA) 51.2 + 5.2 + 0 = 56.4
3 Phillip Dutton/Truluck (USA) 45.8 + 0 + 16 = 61.8
4 Hawley Bennett/Gin ‘N Juice (CAN) 49.6 + 6 + 8 = 63.6
5 Sharon White/Rafferty’s Rules (USA) 58.6 + 2 + 4 = 64.6
6 Phillip Dutton/Inmidair (USA) 54.6 + 2 + 8 = 64.6

Full results on www.eventatrfarm.com

The HSBC FEI World Cup™ event at Minsk attracted 19 horses from Belarus, Russia and the Ukraine and produced a home win for Viachaslau Poita (BLR), who was successful here in 2008, riding the 14-year-old Trakehner stallion Arbat.
He rose to the top spot after Alena Tselipaushkina (BLR), the only rider to achieve the optimum Cross-Country time, had four fences down in the Jumping phase on Passat and dropped to fourth.
However, Russian rider Alexey Korshunov gained the most HSBC FEI World Cup™ points – he was second on Gavot and fifth on Fort and has leapt into sixth place in the standings.
A total of 14 horses completed the Cross-Country with 10 clear rounds and 10 completed the event, which, said Technical Delegate Andy Griffiths (GBR), was “a great competition”.

Results
1 Viachaslau Poita/Arbat (BLR) 55.6 + 0.8 + 8 = 64.4
2 Alexey Korshunov/Gavot (RUS) 63.8 + 3.6 + 4 = 71.4
3 Aliaksandr Faminou/Gorlinka (BLR) 551.6 + 8.4 + 12 = 72
4 Alena Tselipushkina/Passat (BLR) 52.8 + 0 + 20 = 78.8
5 Alexey Korshunov/Fort (RUS) 61.2 + 13.6 + 4 = 78.8
6 Mykhailo Nastenko/Lankaster (UKR) 62 + 14.4 + 4 = 80.4

New guidelines to enhance rider safety on paths

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:48:05 +0100

New guidance on equestrian gates issued by The British Horse Society will help local authorities, volunteers and land managers ensure that paths are safer and more accessible for riders and carriage drivers.

The guidelines provide specifications and suggestions for gates, catches and other equestrian path furniture such as mounting blocks and anti-vehicle barriers.

BHS Director of Access, Safety and Welfare, Mark Weston, said: “The new guidance advises those responsible for gate installation and maintenances of equestrian path users’ needs. Often routes are rendered inaccessible by poor gates, and with so little safe off-road riding, it is imperative that equestrians are able to easily and safely access what is there.”

An additional guidance sheet provides an important checklist for correct gate installation and advice on self-closing gates which, if not correctly installed, can cause serious injury to horses.

FEI EUROPEAN DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR JUNIORS AND YOUNG RIDERS 26 July 2010

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 16:40:34 +0100

The German team that claimed Young Riders gold at the FEI European Dressage Championships for Juniors and Young Riders at Kronberg, Germany: Chef d`Equipe Maria Schierhölter-Otte, Fabienne Lütkemeier, Louisa Lüttgen, Sanneke Rothenberger and Stella Charlotte Roth. Photo Credit: Stefan Lafrentz

GERMANY DOMINATES THE MEDAL PODIUM AT KRONBERG

German riders proved unstoppable at the FEI European Dressage Championships for Juniors and Young Riders on their home soil in Kronberg when scooping gold in all six categories of competition. And to further emphasise their absolute domination, they also claimed gold and silver in both the Young Riders Individual and Freestyle Championship. The Netherlands took Junior and Young Rider team silver while Danish riders also featured prominently on the medal podium.

Ann-Kathrin Linsenhoff and the Schafhof in Kronberg, Germany, played host to these Dressage Championships for the third time. The wonderful venue where Ann-Kathrin's mother, Liselott Linsenhoff-Schindling, trained her horse Piaff which won the Olympic gold medal in München 1972, previously staged these Championships in 1980 and 1986. Ann-Kathrin herself competed as a Young Rider in 1981 in Rotterdam when she won team gold and individual bronze, and she proudly and generously opened the gates of the Schafhof to a huge number of talented riders and their horses for this 2010 event from 20 to 25 July.

YOUNG RIDERS
From the outset, Germany convincingly took the lead in the team competitions. Sanneke Rothenberger who won Junior gold medals over the previous two years with two different horses - Paso Doble and Deveraux - opted to go for a new challenge this time around and the 17 year old competed against the Young Riders even though she was still eligible for Junior level. The gamble paid off handsomely as her results were well-planned personal bests and she achieved a mark of 75.158% with Deveraux in the Young Rider team event while Stella Charlott Roth and Diva Royal scored 71.895%, Louisa Luttgen and Habitus scored 71.895% and 20 year old Fabienne Lutkemeier and D'Agostini scored a fabulous 75.316% to secure the team title.

Making her debut on the Dutch team was Danielle van Mierlo, a pupil of Coby van Baalen. She sprang a surprise when best of the Dutch Young Riders silver-medal winning side riding BMC Ucento but Germany won by a margin of almost 10 points while just seven points separated the Danish bronze medallists from their Dutch counterparts.

Lutkemeier was in a class of her own when scooping Young Rider individual gold with D'Agostini ahead of Rothenberger (Deveraux) in silver and Holland's Danielle Van Mierlo in bronze medal position, but the Dutch rider was just pushed out of bronze medal spot in the Freestyle Championship by Denmark's Anna Kasprzak (Blue Hors Future Cup) while Lutkemeier and Rothenberger again took gold and silver respectively.

JUNIORS
Germany's Junior Team Champions were Florine Kienbaum (Good Morning M) who achieved a mark of 70.649%, Charlott-Maria Schurmann (World of Dreams) 73.459%, Sophie Holkenbrink (Show Star) 70.649% and Jill de Ridder (Charmeur) 71.73)%. The Dutch silver medallists were close behind and once again Denmark took team bronze, but Germany's Schurmann and World of Dreams reigned supreme in both the Junior Individual and Freestyle - recording a tremendous score of 78.300% in the latter.

Danielle Houtvast, who is a pupil of Leida Collins-Strijk, produced the best result of the Dutch silver-medal-winning Junior team but had to settle for bronze in both the Individual and Freestyle Junior Championships when Denmark's Catherine Dufour and Atterupgaards Cassidy truly rose to the occasion to claim silver in both events. At just seven years old, Atterupgaards Cassidy was one of the most exciting horses at these Championships and underlined the growing confidence and proficiency of Danish dressage.

FEI EUROPEAN JUMPING CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR YOUNG RIDERS, JUNIORS AND CHILDREN 19 July 2010

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:33:20 +0100

Sweden's Douglas Lindelow claimed individual gold in the Young Riders final at the 2010 FEI European Jumping Championships for Young Riders, Junior and Children at Haras de Jardy, France. Photo: Christoph Bricot.

DOUBLE GOLD FOR GERMANY AT JARDY

Germany boasts many of the best riders in the world and the new generation, competing at Haras de Jardy (Marnes la Coquette) over the last week, showed that they are more than ready to step into the big boots of their senior counterparts. The venue, just outside Paris in France, hosted the 2010 FEI Children on Horses, Junior and Young Rider European Jumping Championships from 13 to 18 July and Germany took team gold in Juniors and Young Riders while Great Britain claimed the Children’s team title.

Sweden’s Douglas Lindelow claimed the Young Riders individual title while Belgium’s Olivier Philippaerts was crowned Junior champion and Tressy Muhr of France earned the Childrens individual trophy.

Children on Horses – British Reign Supreme
British youngsters sprang a surprise in the Childrens Team Championship. The four riders trained by Corinne Bracken, coach and leader of the three competing British teams, completed Thursday’s team challenge on a zero score to clinch gold. In silver medal position was Italy with four faults, followed by Ireland in bronze with just five while Belgium and France tied for fourth place.

The four British riders - “talented beyond their young years” according to their coach - have had little exposure during the season. They travelled abroad just once in May of this year when they won the Nations Cup in Bonheiden, Belgium. Then they competed at Children shows at home, to decide the formation of the team: Katie Robertson, Christie Pritchard, Jake Saywell and Millie Allen. Most of them have another year to go at this level but Jake Saywell, who jumped double clear in the team competition and was fourth in the final. will be upgraded to Junior level in 2011.

On Saturday, the British squad were confident about the individual final, but in the end it was dominated by French star, Tressy Muhr. This talented young lady who celebrated her 13th birthday just three weeks ago lives in the south of France and recently earned the National Pony Championship title. She could have competed in the FEI European Pony Championships this summer but instead chose the Childrens category and the decision paid off handsomely.

The British challenged strongly however and it came down to a thrilling jump-off for the individual medals. Four riders were clear throughout the whole championship and after two rounds in the final: Tressy Muhr (FR)/ Lord du Valy, Millie Allen (GBR)/Trueleva, Celine Schradick (GER)/ Contento and Jake Saywell (GBR)/ Cornelius 27. Last to go in the jump-off, Tressy Muhr produced a scorching clear in 37.77 seconds to beat Millie Allen’s time of 38.79 and with one rail down Celine Schradick of Germany took bronze while Jake Saywell’s eight faults saw him having to settle for fourth.

Juniors and Young Riders: Germany more than competitive!
Friday’s Young Riders Team Championship turned into a monumental battle. Four teams were chasing the medals after the first round: Germany, Sweden, The Netherlands and France. But Germany left the rest in their wake with three superb second-round clears to complete on a total of 5 faults. Sweden registered 12 faults to clinch silver and then it fell to Holland’s Ruben Romp to decide the fate of team bronze with France and The Netherlands still very much in the race. Ruben refused to crack under pressure however, and his clear round from Cobos snatched The Netherlands' place on the podium by a single-point margin.

On Sunday, Germany added two individual medals to its tally thanks to Katrin Eckermann/ Carlson 46, who took silver and Andras Kreuzer/Jumex Sport Atlantus who took bronze. Even though they both jumped clear however they couldn’t better the final score of Sweden’s Douglas Lindelow whose score of 0.50 left him beyond reach of all others. He had a full three-point advantage over Katrin Eckermann and never faltered. Lindelow is a National Swedish Champion, winner of the Senior Indoor National Championship and of the 2009 National Young Rider title. He has been riding the mare Taline for over two years and the 19 year old was overcome with joy, breaking into tears as he held his cup in the air.

Dietmer Gugler, the German coach, was emotional too after these victories and the Juniors’ success in the team championship. It was his last season as a coach for Children, Juniors and Young Riders and he said he was happy: “It is really difficult to win the European Championships, there are always five or six teams able to win. My riders did very well, maybe they want to offer me a present!”, he joked. The Junior team gold medals were harder won than the Young Riders’ ones however. The Netherlands and Germany were clear after two rounds and jumped off to decide which country would take gold. Here again, the three German riders were foot-perfect while the Dutch team faulted and had to settle for silver.

With five faults, Belgium climbed up the third step of the Junior Team championship podium. In this team was a young man who has been waiting for his moment of glory - Olivier Philippaerts, 16 year old son of Belgian star Ludo Philippaerts. During this entire season Olivier showed he was a serious challenger, particularly when he was part of the winning Nations Cup team at Reims in France where he also claimed the Grand Prix title at the end of May with the same mare, Carisma. He claimed Junior gold after a jump-off against Denmark’s Camille Ernst who was very unlucky when hitting the final fence. The Netherlands’ Stefani Van Den Brink claimed bronze ahead of Germany’s Maurice Tebbel.

EXELL RETAINS AACHEN TITLE 17 July 2010

Sun, 18 Jul 2010 07:49:02 +0100

Boyd Exell, winner of the CAIO Aachen 2010.

Boyd Exell (AUS) today notched up his third individual victory at Aachen, the most prestigious international Four-in-Hand Driving competition, to add to his wins in 2003 and 2009. The Australian had a head start in the dressage and held onto his lead throughout.
Four times World Champion IJsbrand Chardon (NED) finished second, ahead of Christoph Sandmann (GER), and it was the Netherlands that won the Nations Cup ahead of hosts Germany, with Switzerland in third.

Changed format
The CAIO and World Cup Qualifying competition in Aachen was run in a different format. The Four-in-Hand drivers drove the regular dressage test on Thursday, followed by the obstacle driving competition on Friday. The marathon, broadcast live on television, was run as the final phase to bring the combined driving competition to a dramatic finish.

Dressage
Exell’s outstanding Dressage test was unanimously awarded first place by the international Ground Jury, which included four of the five World Championship judges. Dutch driver Theo Timmerman was second after the Dressage, ahead of USA’s Jimmy Fairclough. Exell drove a near faultless test with his team of black geldings, which were extremely light and elegant throughout. The current World Cup Champion won the CAIO Aachen 2009 with the same horses and says his team is getting better at every show.
IJsbrand Chardon started with a disadvantage after his all-round horse Argus had injured a leg just before the horse inspection and was taken out of the competition.

Obstacle driving competition
Hungary’s Zoltan Lázár and his team of grey Lipizzaner horses won the second phase of the combined competition. Lázár was the first driver to go clear and inside the time on the challenging course, designed by Germany’s Dr Wolfgang Asendorf. The former Pair and Four-in-Hand World Champion proved to be a true show man and treated the spectators in the stadium to a very exciting and fast drive-off round, which he won ahead of home drivers Rainer Duen and Christoph Sandmann. Sandmann is competing in his first outdoor driving event of the season after undergoing knee surgery four weeks ago.

Boyd Exell kept his lead in the individual standings despite one knock down and time penalties. USA’s James Fairclough drove a clear round and kept his third position, just behind Dutch driver Theo Timmerman. Fairclough is driving a team of Dutch and Austrian warmbloods, which have only been together since March of this year. The KWPN leader horses are leased from his compatriot Keady Cadwell, who successfully competed with this pair at the FEI World Pair Driving Championships in Kecskemét 2009. The Austrian full sisters were driven by Georg Moser from Austria in the FEI World four-in-hand Driving Championships in Beesd 2008.
New obstacles on the marathon

Asendorf had designed eight challenging obstacles for the 24 drivers from 10 nations in Aachen. For the first time, he used transportable elements in four obstacles. The beautiful bridge obstacle, which was only built four years ago for the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen, was completely renewed using treated wood. Obstacle 4 and 8 were brand new and more collapsible elements were placed in every obstacle to ensure the safety of the horses. The drivers started in reverse order of merits after dressage and cones, which resulted in an exciting battle between the top drivers.

IJsbrand Chardon had a communication problem with one of his horses in the first obstacle, but got his team back on track from then onwards and drove a very strong marathon. Chardon won the marathon, but only by a narrow margin from Boyd Exell, to leave Exell in front overall. Switzerland’s Werner Ulrich, driving the team of Lusitano horses owned by the Portuguese Stud Sociedad Quinta des Terras, took third place in the marathon.

Quotes
Boyd Exell (AUS): “Unlike in some other countries where it is common, the format where the marathon takes place after the cones is new to me. My horses were a little too fresh for the cones, which resulted in a knock down and time penalties, but other than that I did not mind. I encourage this new format to promote driving and to make it more spectacular and understandable for the media and the spectators. My goal in the marathon was to protect my lead. I went the long way in the first obstacle to see how my horses were doing and after that I just went for it. I even felt like flying in the last obstacle!”
IJsbrand Chardon (NED):”It was not my competition in Aachen this year, but I am very happy that I came second after the misfortune I had when Argus was taken out. I had to use my marathon horse in the dressage and I had to switch my horses around for the cones. In the marathon my horses went very well, they had a lot of power. I am pleased that I have proved that I can stay at the top with an alternate team of horses.”
Christoph Sandmann (GER): “I was operated on my meniscus four weeks ago at the same time as my son Jan, who twisted his knee playing football. I am supposed to sit down with my leg up, but of course I wanted to compete in Aachen. Our team coach Ewald Maier had confidence in me and allowed me to start without having to qualify.
“I was not very pleased with my marathon, it was not good enough. I knocked a ball down with the whip myself and this should not have happened. But I was pleased with my horses as these long obstacles were very demanding.”

Individual results CAIO Aachen (Ger) 14-17 July 2010:
Boyd Exell (Aus) 142,90
IJsbrand Chardon (Ned) 149,19
Christoph Sandmann (Ger) 154,34
Theo Timmerman (Ned) 156,70
Zoltan Lazar (Hun) 159,57
Daniel Würgler (Sui) 160,61
Werner Ulrich (Sui) 169,11
Tucker Johnson (Usa) 171,57
Rainer Duen (Ger) 173,02
Dirk Gerkens (Ger) 173,75

Team results CAIO Aachen (Ger) 14-17 July 2010:
The Netherlands 305,89
Germany 316,65
Switzerland 329,72
Hungary 352,84
USA 367,09
France 414,62

Standings FEI World Cup Qualification after 9 of 15 competitions:
Place Driver NF Total
1 Zoltan Lazar HUN 59
2 Werner Ulrich SUI 58
3 IJsbrand Chardon NED 57
3 Daniel Würgler SUI 57
3 Tomas Eriksson SWE 57
6 Theo Timmerman NED 51
7 Koos de Ronde NED 50
8 Boyd Exell AUS 45
9 Fredrik Persson SWE 44
10 József Dobrovitz HUN 35