Category Archives: FEI

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, FEI, FEI

Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Wins Put Cornelissen Back as World Number One

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Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival in the first leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2012/2013. (Annette Boe Ostergard/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 7 November 2012 – Olympic silver medallists Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival are back at the top of the FEI World Dressage Rankings. After two months in the number two slot, the Dutch duo is back on top after brilliant winning performances in the opening qualifiers of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2012/2013 in Odense (DEN) and Lyon (FRA). The defending Reem Acra FEI World Cup champions, the world’s best Dressage combination for 14 months from 30 June 2011 to 31 August 2012, head the rankings once again with 2,879 points.

Olympic champions Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) and Valegro, who had taken over from Cornelissen and Parzival in September and October, are now back in second with 2,867 points. Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg and Damon Hill NRW are third (2,626).

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Competitions, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

FEI Launches Transformed FEI Nations Cup Jumping Series

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FEI President HRH Princess Haya announcing the 16 million Euro four-year sponsorship package for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup

Istanbul (TUR), 6 November 2012 – The FEI Nations Cup Jumping will have a fabulous new look – and a new name – from 2013 onwards, following finalisation of a 16 million Euro four-year sponsorship package from the Saudi Equestrian Fund. The series will now be called the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup.

The sponsorship deal, worth four million Euro per annum and running through to the end of 2016, was announced at the FEI Bureau’s first meeting at the Federation’s General Assembly in Istanbul (TUR). The Bureau has given its unanimous approval for new rules for the series, completing the remodelling process initiated in April of this year.

“This is a truly historic occasion,” FEI President HRH Princess Haya said in making the announcement. “We have transformed a historic series and modernised it, without losing the fabulous tradition that dates back over 100 years. Now we have a series that will really catch the imagination of sports fans and the attention of the world’s media. We’re ready to take on the top sports.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, FEI, Show Jumping, USEF

US Jumpers Ready for Competition at CSIO-W Buenos Aires

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Quentin Judge and HH Carotino (Shawn McMillen Photography)

Lexington, KY – Four U.S. riders head to Argentina this week to take part in FEI Nations Cup competition at the prestigious CSIO-W Buenos Aires. The show, running November 6-11, hosts the final Nations Cup for the U.S. jumpers to compete in for 2012. American riders Charlie Jacobs, Quentin Judge, Catherine Pasmore and Alison Robitaille will be under the guidance of Norman Dello Joio as he provides veteran leadership in the role of Chef d’Equipe.

Jacobs (Boston, MA) makes a return trip to CSIO-W Buenos Aires after having made his first Nations Cup appearance for the U.S. last year. The talented amateur brings his two winning partners from 2011’s competition back to Argentina this week. With Leap of Joy, Jacobs won the featured Grand Prix, the Ericsson Grand Prix. He and Deeridge Farms’ 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding look to score a repeat victory in 2012. Jacobs will also ride CMJ Sporthorse’s 13-year-old Irish gelding Flaming Star, with whom he sped to the victory in the 2011 Nissan International Speed Derby.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

Super Schwizer Seizes Third Round Victory for Switzerland

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Pius Schwizer and Verdi III on their way to victory in the third leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping. Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

Lyon (FRA), 4 November 2012 – Switzerland’s Pius Schwizer swept to victory with Verdi in the thrilling third leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2012/2013 Western European League series at Lyon, France this afternoon.  The big guns were out in force today including a heavyweight line-up of home runners, but Frank Rothenberger’s course saw just seven of the 40 starters go through to the second-round jump-off.

France and Switzerland were each represented by two riders in the race against the clock, but it was the Swiss who came off best when the ever-more-impressive partnership of Paul Estermann and Castlefield Eclipse slotted into third behind Belgium’s Ludo Philippaerts and Challenge vd Begijnakker.

“I’m very happy”, said Schwizer who has had to ask the 10 year old gelding Verdi to step up to the plate since his top ride, the mare Carlina, was sold earlier this year.  “This was a tough class; Frank (Rothenberger) didn’t make it easy for us and the competition was top level so I’m very pleased about my win today,” he pointed out.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Events, FEI, FEI

Adelinde and Parzival Make It Two-in-a-Row at Lyon

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Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival being presented with their trophy by Heather Schmidt representing Reem Acra. Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

Lyon (FRA), 2 November 2012 – Defending champions, Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival, once again stamped their authority all over the opposition when racking up their second successive victory in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Western European League qualifier at Lyon in France tonight.  The Dutch partnership scored a massive 89.375 to leave them well clear of runners-up Valentina Truppa and Eremo del Castegno from Italy, while it was a very satisfying day for Kristina Sprehe who slotted into third with Desperados FRH.

In yesterday’s Grand Prix the 26 year old German rider endured an uncomfortable time as her 11 year old stallion bubbled over with excitement to finish well down the line in eighth place.  Tonight however they produced a much more focused performance to edge ahead of Sweden’s Patrik Kittel and Watermill Scandic HBC in the final line-up.

When asked tonight if competing with Jerich Parzival is a more enjoyable experience these days, Cornelissen, who was described as “The First Lady” during the press conference, referred to the change in the character of her 15 year old gelding.  “Yes, he’s not nearly as spooky as he used to be, he doesn’t worry and he’s much more relaxed so I can work on his self-carriage and suppleness – and it’s nice that everyone is noticing the difference and that they are liking it!” she pointed out.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, FEI, FEI, Vaulting

Spectacular Gymnastics Expected When FEI World Cup Vaulting Season Opens in Munich

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Switzerland’s Simone Jäiser vaulting on Luk heads the rankings in the female competition. (Photo: Daniel Kaiser/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 30 October 2012 – The FEI World Cup Vaulting 2012/2013 series opens with the first of five qualifiers in Munich (GER) this week (1-4 November), when 15 athletes from seven nations will battle it out at the Olympic arena and show Individual Freestyle-to-Music routines including extraordinary gymnastic moves. The next stop for the world’s most talented horse acrobats will be one month later, when the legs in Salzburg (AUT), from 6-9 December, and Paris (FRA), from 7-8 December, run parallel. World Cup points can also be collected in Leipzig (GER), from 17-20 January, and Bordeaux (FRA), 8-10 February.

The FEI World Cup Vaulting series is open to the world’s top male and female vaulters, with the best three results counting towards the classification for the Final. The six female and male vaulters with the highest scores will then come together at the FEI World Cup Vaulting 2012/2013 Final in Braunschweig (GER), which runs from 14-17 March 2013.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Driving, Events, FEI, FEI

Boyd Exell Starts in Top Form in Hannover

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Boyd Exell (AUS) was in top form in Hannover. ©Rinaldo de Craen/FEI.

Hannover (GER), 28 October 2012 – Four-time FEI World Cup Driving Champion Boyd Exell (AUS) had an excellent start of the FEI World Cup Driving’s 12th season in Hannover, Germany this weekend. Exell and his team of horses were in top form and they performed as if their last World Cup competition had taken place only last week and not eight months ago at the previous season’s Final held in Bordeaux (FRA) in February. Exell won the opening leg in Hannover ahead of IJsbrand Chardon (NED) and Tomas Eriksson (SWE).

Exciting Winning Round
Boyd Exell drove a very fast and clear first round and challenged Chardon who followed him in the arena. Chardon drove his team of Lipizzaner horses at high speed throughout the course, but had one knockdown and was unable to beat Exell’s time.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, FEI

Nicholson Crowns a Great Year with Victory at Pau

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Andrew Nicholson (NZL) and Nereo, triumphant at Les Etoiles de Pau. (Kit Houghton/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 28 October 2012 – Andrew Nicholson (NZL) crowned perhaps the best season of his long and distinguished career when he won Les Etoiles de Pau (FRA), the first leg of the 2012/2013 HSBC FEI Classics, on Libby Sellars’ talented chestnut Nereo this weekend.

The only rider to complete on his Dressage score, Pau was Nicholson’s fourth consecutive international victory this autumn, following Burghley, Blenheim and Boekelo, and his fourth CCI4* triumph in a career that has spanned some 30 years.

“This is what it’s all about,” said the hard-working New Zealander as he was congratulated afterwards. “Winning one CCI4* in 10 years is pretty good and to win two in two months feels amazing.

“I’m proud to be riding such classy horses, which is what I do this sport for. Nereo is probably the best Cross Country horse in the world and in the Jumping phase I knew that if I did my job we could win.”

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, FEI

Paget Shows All His Promise at Pau

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Jonathan Paget, who was foot-perfect across country on Clifton Promise to take the lead at Les Etoiles de Pau. (Kit Houghton/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 27 October 2012 – Jonathan Paget (NZL) rode across country with typical New Zealand verve to take a slender lead at the end of a thrilling day at Les Etoiles de Pau, the first leg of the HSBC FEI Classics 2012/2013.

Olympic champion Michael Jung (GER) is breathing down Paget’s neck after an equally classy display on Leopin FST, while Paget’s compatriot Andrew Nicholson, who steered two horses round clear and inside the optimum time, is third on Nereo, and young Astier Nicolas (FRA) thrilled the large home crowd with a flamboyant clear on Jhakti du Janlie to claim overnight fourth.

Just one Jumping rail covers the top four riders after a day of unexpected drama over a Cross Country course which rewarded bold, committed riding.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, FEI

Burton and Underdiscussion Do the Talking at Pau

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Christopher Burton and Underdiscussion, leaders after Dressage with the excellent mark of 34.8 at Les Etoiles de Pau. (Image: Kit Houghton/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 26 October 2012 – Christopher Burton, Australia’s latest Eventing star, performed an outstanding Dressage test on Underdiscussion, to sweep into the lead at Les Etoiles de Pau, the first leg of the 2012/2013 HSBC FEI Classics.

After a test that was full of impulsion and expression, Burton was awarded the only 10 of the day, by Ground Jury President Christian Landolt (SUI) for the halt, and heads a strong field with the good score of 34.8.

Burton has 1.0 penalties in hand over the equally exciting young New Zealand competitor Jonathan Paget on Clifton Promise. Both riders are now based in Britain and were pathfinders for their teams at the London Olympic Games, Paget finishing 10th and winning a team bronze medal on the same horse, and Burton finishing 16th overall on Holstein Park Leilani.

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