Category Archives: Olympia

Driving, FEI, Revolution Sports

Chardon Is in the Driving Seat

Leave a comment

Olympia, London 20 December 2013 – The Netherlands’ long-standing champion driver, IJsbrand Chardon, linked speed, accuracy and boldness in an outstanding display of driving skill to win the FEI World Cup qualifier at Olympia, The London International Horse Show.

Olympia is the only show in the world to host three FEI World Cup qualifiers: dressage, carriage-driving and, tomorrow, the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup qualifier. This is the seventh of nine driving legs, with a final in Bordeaux in February.

In a tense final round, Chardon beat his compatriot Koos de Ronde and new German sensation Michael Brauchle, who dropped from second to third place in the final run-off. Britain’s Georgina Hunt, the first woman ever to be granted a wild card at a qualifier, put up a terrific show to finish seventh.

A shock result was the omission from the top three of world number one Boyd Exell, who was left an impossible margin to catch up after collecting two knock-downs.

Drivers and officials were unanimous in their praise for the organisation at Olympia. “The spectators are very close to us and their enthusiasm and support was amazing,” Chardon remarked. “The noise was deafening.”

Klaus Peppersack, president of the ground jury, said, “The hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I have been to all the qualifying events and would have to say that I have never experienced an atmosphere like it. It is quite the best audience in the world.”

Earlier in the afternoon, Laura Renwick raised the Olympia roof when she became the first senior British rider to win a jumping class this week.

Riding David Perry’s brilliant Oz de Breve, Laura won the Earls Court Olympia Christmas Cracker by just 0.23sec from the flying Swede Peder Fredericson on yesterday’s speed class winner H & M Sibon. Peder is now H & M Leading Rider of the show.

Laura was drawn at exactly halfway down the 32-strong class and put up an immaculate round, meeting the final line of fences to perfection. “Oz is small and agile but he also has a big stride and covers the ground well, which is why he won,” explained Laura, who will ride the French-bred 11-year-old in tomorrow’s Longines FEI World Cup qualifier.

“I’ve had a few ups and downs this year and so to win here at Olympia has put me on a real high. I didn’t go into the arena thinking I’d win, but we met every fence on the right stride and I found myself where I wanted to be all the way round. It was very smooth.”

The honour of taking the first British win of the week went to young rider Jess Dimmock, who had the thrill of a lifetime when triumphing in the Under 23 British Championships, sponsored by Dodson & Horrell and The World Class Programme.

This class at Olympia is probably the most prestigious competition for young riders in the world – previous winners include the current world number one, Scott Brash. “If I can follow in even half of Scott’s footsteps it will be fantastic,” said Jess.

Riding her own Capella ll, Jess was first to go in the five-horse jump-off and produced a steady clear, which proved good enough to win. Scarlett Ward, who was carrying forward one time fault from the previous round, also went clear to finish second on Milena 8. Jessica Mendoza was third on Spirit T with one fence down.

Jess missed last year’s Olympia because Capella had to have colic surgery. “He is my horse of a lifetime and he nearly died last year, so for him to come back and win is a fairytale,” said Jess, who is trained by Tim Stockdale. “This means everything to me.”

Audio Links

IJsbrand Chardon (NED) http://www.olympiahorseshow.com/wp-content/uploads/chardon.mp3

Laura Renwick (GBR) http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Renwick.MP3

Final Placings

For details of the final placings in the Extreme Driving FEI World Cup, please click HERE.

For more information, please visit the website at www.olympiahorseshow.com.

Olympia, The London International Horse Show

Throughout the week of 16 December, the Olympia Exhibition Hall, located in West Kensington, London will play host to packed timetable of all things equestrian and boasts a total of over 80,000 visitors. The show mixes top class equestrian action including FEI World Cup Jumping, Dressage and Extreme Carriage Driving with family entertainment, such as The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art display and the Osborne Refrigerators Shetland Pony Grand National which raises money for Great Ormond Street Hospital. Olympia Horse Show celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 2007 and is regarded as one of Europe’s oldest equine competitions. Olympia Horse Show’s official charity for 2013 is veterinary charity, the Animal Health Trust, which works behind the scenes to monitor equine disease around the world and undertakes extensive on-going research to minimise the risk of injury to sport horses. The evening performance on Wednesday 18 December will be dedicated to the Animal Health Trust and 50p from every seat sold will go to the charity.

For more information, please contact Hannah Grissell, Revolution Sports + Entertainment
Email: hannah@revolutionsports.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 207 592 1207

Competitions, FEI, Show Jumping

Maikel Pulls Off a Gem of a Win at Olympia

Leave a comment

Olympia, London 21 December 2013 – Maikel Van der Vleuten made history at Olympia, The London International Horse Show when he matched his father Eric’s achievement in 2009 by winning the Longines FEI World Cup qualifier presented by H & M.

The packed house was treated to a thrilling 11-horse jump-off which built to the dream finish – the very last rider into the arena pulling off victory. Riding VDL Groep Sapphire B for The Netherlands, Maikel beat Belgium’s Francois Mathy Jr on Polinska des Isles by the tiny margin of 5/100th of a second.

Britain’s Daniel Neilson, riding in Olympia’s international classes for the first time, produced an inspired performance on Varo M to take third place.

Penelope Leprevost (FRA) on Nice Stephanie and Lars Nieberg (GER) on Leonie W also produced double clears to finish fourth and fifth.

Scott Brash (Hello Ursula Xll, sixth), Michael Whitaker (Viking, seventh) and Peter Charles (Murka’s Odie de Frevent, 10th) kept home hopes alive by making it into the jump-off but they all faulted.

An enthralled audience had their hearts in their mouths as Michael made an audacious switch-back turn to the fifth fence, a move which gave him the fastest time of all, but the gallant Viking unfortunately hit the upright black-and-white Longines FEI World Cup fence.

It was a first Longines FEI World Cup win for Maikel, the fifth Dutch winner since 1979, and he and Eric are the first father-son combination to win this class at Olympia, described by the FEI’s World Cup Director John Roche as “one of the jewels in our crown”.

“It’s a super atmosphere here, a beautiful place to win,” he said afterwards. “Everything happened very fast in the class and I relied on my Dutch colleagues to tell me what to do in the jump-off.”

Of his 14-year-old grey mare by Mr Blue, he commented: “She is always brave yet careful. She keeps developing in the right way and she always wants to do a clear round.”

Daniel Neilson, 23, is one of Britain’s brightest young prospects and is now running his own business in Brentwood, Essex. “Riding at Olympia is something you aim for at the start of your year,” he said. “There isn’t a crowd like it anywhere else in the world.

“British show jumping is on a high and it’s great for young riders like myself as it makes you push forward. I had a good feeling when I walked the course here, as my horse is naturally fast and also very careful. I have saved him especially for it.”

Portuguese course-designer Bernardo Costa Cabral pronounced himself a happy man. “I am very pleased,” he said. “It was all about detail, and there was pressure on riders to make the time on that final turn which is why the planks [fence 11] was so influential.”

The Longines FEI World Cup series moves on to Mechelen (BEL) with Britain’s Scott Brash still heading the Western League rankings and Maikel Van der Vleuten now in third place at this halfway mark.
Audio Links

Please find a copyright free audio link with:

Maikel Van der Vleuten (NED) – http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/VDL.MP3

and in Dutch – http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/VDL_dutch.MP3

Final Placings

For details of the final placings in the Longines FEI World Cup Qualifier, please click: http://eventcontent.hippoonline.de/857/docs/WC_J_London.pdf.

For more information, please visit the website at www.olympiahorseshow.com.

Olympia, The London International Horse Show

Throughout the week of 16 December, the Olympia Exhibition Hall, located in West Kensington, London will play host to packed timetable of all things equestrian and boasts a total of over 80,000 visitors. The show mixes top class equestrian action including FEI World Cup Jumping, Dressage and Extreme Carriage Driving with family entertainment, such as The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art display and the Osborne Refrigerators Shetland Pony Grand National which raises money for Great Ormond Street Hospital. Olympia Horse Show celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 2007 and is regarded as one of Europe’s oldest equine competitions. Olympia Horse Show’s official charity for 2013 is veterinary charity, the Animal Health Trust, which works behind the scenes to monitor equine disease around the world and undertakes extensive on-going research to minimise the risk of injury to sport horses. The evening performance on Wednesday 18 December will be dedicated to the Animal Health Trust and 50p from every seat sold will go to the charity.

For more information, please contact Hannah Grissell, Revolution Sports + Entertainment
Email: hannah@revolutionsports.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 207 592 1207

*Featured/Spotlights, Driving, FEI

IJsbrand Chardon Flies to Victory in London Olympia

Leave a comment

IJsbrand Chardon (NED) was in flying form in the electrifying atmosphere of London Olympia (GBR) to win the seventh leg of the FEI World Cup Driving season 2013/2014. (Rinaldo de Craen/FEI)

London Olympia (GBR), 20 December 2013 – IJsbrand Chardon (NED) put down an excellent performance in the electrifying atmosphere of London Olympia (GBR) to win the seventh leg of the FEI World Cup Driving season 2013/2014. Reigning FEI World Cup Champion Koos de Ronde (NED) finished second ahead of the youngest competitor in the field, Germany’s Michael Brauchle.

Dutch World Championship course designer Johan Jacobs built the course in the massive arena in Geneva (SUI) last week and was faced with the challenge of laying out a good course for the drivers in the much tighter but atmospheric arena at Olympia. The course was the perfect combination of technical and fast elements and was easy to follow for the spectators. In a new feature, the action was also shown on the giant screen above the arena, with the letter of the marathon obstacles lighting up as the drivers passed the gates, adding to the excitement amongst the knowledgeable crowds in the packed stands.

IJsbrand Chardon put the pressure on himself by knocking a ball off the first obstacle in the first round. Knowing his opponents Michael Brauchle and Boyd Exell were still to come; Chardon let off the handbrake and put down a really fast time to secure his place in the Winning Round. Brauchle also qualified for the Winning Round, which put the pressure on Exell. The four-time FEI World Cup Champion knocked two balls down in the first marathon obstacle and really had to up the speed, but more though he took a very risky shortcut to the last obstacle, the earlier mistakes dropped him to fifth and out of the Winning Round.

The youngest competitor in the field, 23-year-old Michael Brauchle, has improved at every outing. He used his outdoor marathon mare Jamaika in the lead of his team together with the grey gelding Eclair. Brauchle put these two horses together for the first time in Stockholm three weeks ago. Unfortunately he knocked three balls down, but he was still pleased with third and a place in the Winning Round. Brauchle is currently in fifth place in the standings with one more competition to go in Leipzig (GER) from 17-19 January, after which the six finalists will be announced.

Koos de Ronde had to leave two of his most experienced indoor horses at home because of minor injuries and was driving an alternate team at Olympia. Whilst warming up for the FEI World Cup competition, de Ronde decided to make a last-minute change of horses. He put Palero, who was in the lead of his team when he won in Hannover, in the wheel, a position he had never been in before. His left leader horse Charley caused some excitement when he jumped over the traces in the first marathon obstacle, but luckily immediately jumped back again, preventing de Ronde from getting extra penalty seconds. The Dutchman gave everything he had and set the second fastest time in the Winning Round for the runner-up spot. He is now certain to defend his title at the FEI World Cup Driving Final in Bordeaux (FRA) from 8-10 February 2014.

IJsbrand Chardon drove the same team of Lipizzaner horses he won with in Budapest and came second in Geneva. After de Ronde had two mistakes and Brauchle three mistakes in the Winning Round, Chardon had a nine-second advantage. But rather than slowing down and driving safe, IJsbrand treated the enthusiastic crowd to a fabulous round, beating de Ronde’s time by just 0.19 seconds. One knockdown wasn’t enough to keep the four-time World Champion from his second victory of the season.

European Champion Theo Timmerman (NED) finished fourth, ahead of Boyd Exell, who competed with a wild card. Daniel Schneiders (GER) didn’t have the necessary speed in his team and came sixth. Second wild card driver Georgina Hunt (GBR) drove her outdoor team nice and smoothly through the obstacles. Several British four-in-hand drivers competed in three indoor driving events to qualify for the prestigious FEI World Cup Driving competition at Olympia, and Hunt was thrilled to be able to compete at Olympia and was very pleased with her horses, with which she hopes to qualify for the FEI World Cup Driving in the near future.

Quotes:
IJsbrand Chardon (NED): “I really enjoyed competing at Olympia. I won the test event here in 2011 and the spectators and atmosphere are just perfect. I am of course pleased that I have won, but I would have liked it even better to have won it when Boyd had made it to the Winning Round.”

Koos de Ronde (NED): “During the warm up, one of my horses turned out to be not fit so I decided last minute to bring another horse in. I just went for it and I am very pleased that it worked out well for me.”

Michael Brauchle (GER): “My outdoor leader horse Jamaika helps me for 90%; she is really good. She has a great heart and the will to work. In the Winning Round my other lead horse got a bit too strong which resulted in three balls falling. They just need more fine-tuning.”

Audio: IJsbrand Chardon (NED) talks about his FEI World Cup Driving win at London Olympia here.

Results in detail can be viewed here.

The 2013/2014 FEI World Cup Driving series now moves on to Mechelen (BEL) on Monday 30 December.

For information on the next leg, go to www.jumping-mechelen.com or contact Press Officer Edith de Reys, edith.dereys@skynet.be, +32 475 659 281.

For more information on FEI World Cup Driving, please check the FEI website and the series’ comprehensive press kit.

By Cindy Timmer

Media Contacts:

FEI:
Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Press Relations
malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 33

At London Olympia:
Jo Peck
jopeck@hpower.co.uk
+ 44 1753 847 900

*Featured/Spotlights, Show Jumping

It’s an Italian Job as Luca Leaps Puissance Wall at Olympia

Leave a comment

Olympia, London 19 December 2013 – Italian rider Luca Moneta won the hearts of a packed house at Olympia, The London International Horse Show, when he cleared 7ft 2in in a thrilling Alltech Christmas Puissance.

Unbelievably, it was Luca’s first puissance win, but he is having a fantastic visit to London as he is currently H & M Leading Rider of Show.

The competition went to five rounds with only Guy Williams, on Richi Rich lll, and Luca on the gallant nine-year-old mare Quovo de Vains making it through to the final round.

Guy’s grey mare just brushed a brick with his knee, leaving Luca to take the gamble. He admitted afterwards that he had been apprehensive, but was encouraged by the audience. “The crowd here are real horsemen; they make you feel as if they are riding with you,” he said.

“I’m really emotional. The mare wasn’t just jumping with her body, but with her heart. What made me really happy is that she led me to the fence. She really wanted to do it.”

The evergreen John Whitaker, 58, who has won this epic class more times than any other rider, was cheered to the rafters for finishing third on Zantos. Laura Renwick was fourth on the appropriately named Roller Coaster.

The Duchess of Cornwall, again enjoying her annual visit to Olympia, presented the prestigious Raymond Brooks-Ward trophy, which is given in memory of the late commentator and show director by his three sons, Simon, James and Nick, to the most promising young rider of the year.

This year’s recipient was showjumper Louise Saywell, 23, a member of the Lottery-funded World Class Development squad, who was a last-minute call-up to the British team at the FEI Nations Cup final in Barcelona in September.

Olympia first-timer Jur Vrieling from the Netherlands made the most of his horse VDL Babalu’s fast pace to win the Kingsland Christmas Stakes, a speed class.

“I’d not seen [eventual runner-up] Pius Schwizer’s round, but I did see Harrie Smolders go,” said Jur. “My horse is not as good as making tight turns as Harrie’s, so I made the most of jumping off his good gallop.”

Jur, a team silver medallist at the London 2012 Olympic Games with VDL Bubalu, joked about how this city must be lucky for him.

“I hope I get to come back here again, particularly to this show,” he said. “When you arrive, everything looks beautiful. But when the crowd turns up it is something amazing. They stand right behind you and make you want to win.”

Anticipation of a first British winner is now running high at Olympia. The afternoon jumping class, the Snowman Stakes, sponsored by Shelley Ashman International, was won by Sweden’s Peder Fredericson on H & M Siborn, who beat Luca Moneta on Connery by nearly two seconds.
Audio Link
Luca Maria Moneta (ITA) – http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Moneta.MP3

Final Placings
For details of the final placings in the Alltech Christmas Puissance, please click: http://eventcontent.hippoonline.de/857/sta_erg/11_ergENG.htm?style=longines.

Olympia, The London International Horse Show will be televised throughout the week on BBC Online, the BBC Red Button and Eurosport. Live coverage of the Longines FEI World Cup presented by H&M will be broadcast on BBC 1 between 13:45 and 16:30 on Saturday 21 December 2013.

For more information, please visit the website at www.olympiahorseshow.com.

Olympia, The London International Horse Show

Throughout the week of 16 December, the Olympia Exhibition Hall, located in West Kensington, London will play host to packed timetable of all things equestrian and boasts a total of over 80,000 visitors. The show mixes top class equestrian action including FEI World Cup Jumping, Dressage and Extreme Carriage Driving with family entertainment, such as The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art display and the Osborne Refrigerators Shetland Pony Grand National which raises money for Great Ormond Street Hospital. Olympia Horse Show celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 2007 and is regarded as one of Europe’s oldest equine competitions. Olympia Horse Show’s official charity for 2013 is veterinary charity, the Animal Health Trust, which works behind the scenes to monitor equine disease around the world and undertakes extensive on-going research to minimise the risk of injury to sport horses. The evening performance on Wednesday 18 December will be dedicated to the Animal Health Trust and 50p from every seat sold will go to the charity.

For more information, please contact Hannah Grissell, Revolution Sports + Entertainment
Email: hannah@revolutionsports.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 207 592 1207

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, FEI

Dujardin and Valegro Smash Freestyle World Record to Win Reem Acra Leg in London

Leave a comment

New York fashion designer and sponsor, Reem Acra, with Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, who broke the Freestyle world record with their winning performance at Olympia. Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

London (GBR), 17 December 2013 – New York fashion designer, Reem Acra, was one of many to watch in awe as Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro smashed the Freestyle world record with a breath-taking winning performance at the London International Horse Show in Olympia tonight.  The result provides the 28-year-old rider and her mighty steed with the full set of world records for the sport of Dressage.

Double-gold medallists on home turf at the London 2012 Olympic Games, the combination has not been seen in public since adding the European individual title to their stunning list of achievements at Herning in Denmark this summer.  But their legions of fans were well-rewarded for the wait, as the dynamic duo marched resolutely to make it not just a British win in front of their home crowd at the much-loved Christmas fixture, but another watershed moment in the story of this most remarkable partnership.

Beirut-born Reem Acra chose the right night to make an appearance at one of the qualifiers she has been sponsoring for the last four years.  In another pivotal moment for the sport, Dujardin pinned the man who previously held the Freestyle record, Edward Gal, into runner-up spot.  It was also at Olympia that the Dutchman and the fabulous black stallion, Totilas, set the target at 92.30 back in December 2009, and tonight Gal produced a really strong test with Glock’s Undercover for a mark of 87.425 to finish almost seven percentage points clear of impressive young Dutch cohort Danielle Heijkoop who slotted Kingsley Siro into third.  Britain’s Michael Eilberg and Half Moon Delphi finished fourth, while The Netherlands’ Hans Peter Minderhoud and Glock’s Romanov recovered from an uncharacteristically bad day in yesterday’s Grand Prix to finish fifth ahead of Denmark’s Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein and the veteran Digby in sixth.

It was a glittering evening from start to finish, and, as Dujardin said tonight, the end result was “the best Christmas present!”

In her sights

After winning yesterday’s Grand Prix in which she finished more than four points clear of Gal and his black gelding, Dujardin admitted that she had the Freestyle record in her sights. “That’s the one I’ve got left to break, but whether I’ll do it here, obviously that’s what I want to do, but you know it just all depends on the night really and how it goes.”  As it happened, the night went just fine.

The golden pair followed Gal and Undercover into the atmospheric cauldron of Olympia’s Grand Hall, and you could hear a pin drop as the triumphal musical score created for their sensational Olympic appearance began to play.  Dujardin and Valegro needed to exceed Gal’s target score with Undercover whose self-discipline and self-belief seems to be growing with every outing.  The 12-year-old horse demonstrated some fabulous work with rock-solid piaffe and flowing canter to really throw down the gauntlet to the reigning Olympic individual champions, but nothing could throw that pair off their stride.  Quite often they have won despite major blunders, including yesterday’s error as they began their canterwork.  But tonight there would be no mistake.  “I had the ride of my life!” said Dujardin afterwards. “I thought at the Europeans, he gave me such a great feeling. I tried to recreate that without any blips, and that’s what I got!” she added.

Early target

It was Hans Peter Minderhoud who set the early target when third to go.  Although Glock’s Romanov looked ready to explode if he got the opportunity, his rider turned all that energy into pure performance for a mark of 77.675, therefore making massive amends for the exceptionally poor 13th finishing spot in yesterday’s Grand Prix.  And he was still out in front until Dutch counterpart Heijkoop posted 80.625 for a wonderful test with Kingsley Siro.  The 28-year-old rider who was a member of this summer’s gold medal winning team at the ECCO FEI European Championships is blessed with a quiet seat and a soft hand which allows her to keep her horse perfectly in balance, and the 14-year-old gelding breezed through wonderful extended canter, passage and piaffe to pull well ahead of the rest with just four more to go.

Next were Denmark’s Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein and her great servant, the 16-year-old Digby who was retired from team competition this summer and who is now only making special guest appearances. But the Donnerhall gelding has clearly lost none of his lust for work as he registered a very creditable 76.900.  It was Gal however who put paid to Heijkoop’s dominance, only to be immediately displaced at the top of the leaderboard by Dujardin and her dancing horse. The power, the presence, the symmetry between horse and rider and the synchronicity with the musical score worked so perfectly.

Fellow-Briton Michael Eilberg ended the evening with a lovely test from the charming grey mare Half Moon Delphi for his score of 78.700 which would place him fourth, but it was golden girl Dujardin and her 11-year-old gelding Valegro who would take all the limelight as the 8,000-strong crowd gave them a standing ovation.

All I wanted to do

Talking afterwards, Dujardin said, “You all know I came here thinking about breaking the world record; that’s what I wanted to do, but thinking it and doing it is something else. To think I have that world record, in fact all three now, is fantastic… and to do it on home ground and in front of the supporters is incredible,” she pointed out.

She expressed her appreciation to friend, trainer and mentor Carl Hester who finished eleventh of the fifteen starters tonight with Fine Time.  “Thanks to Carl and for all those days of screaming at me! And thanks to everyone that has made this happen. I couldn’t do it without them,” she said, adding, “And thanks to Carl and Roly (co-owner of Valegro) who allow me to ride such a great horse!”  Talking about her winning score, Dujardin said, “I wasn’t sure how high it was going to be, but when I finished that left pirouette that went wrong at the Europeans, then I could breathe. What a ride!”

Hester meanwhile reflected on the development of his pupil and the extraordinary Valegro and on their record-breaking win tonight. “I was clever enough to give the ride to the right person rather than trying to do it myself. It was a privilege to see. It’s important for us older riders to see the sport develop. Roly (Luard) bought him (Valegro) for me, and I had to say let’s try and develop a partnership with Charlotte.  It is very exciting to see new people come in, and inspirational to young riders to see how quickly someone with talent and with a truly exceptional horse can go and win gold medals and break world records. We all love that story. I’m very, very, very proud of her,” said the 66-time British national dressage champion.

Poignant moment

Before the hectic prize-giving ceremony there was a poignant moment for Dujardin’s London 2012 silver medal winning team-mate Laura Tomlinson who officially retired her great horse Mistral Hojris, more popularly known as Alf.  Tomlinson and Alf were instrumental in Britain’s steady ascent in the world of international Dressage in recent years, and the 28-year-old rider said tonight, “I want to celebrate all he’s given me and the sport.  Alf is leaving British Dressage in very safe hands.”  She admitted that tonight’s performance by Dujardin and Valegro left her “speechless”, and she wasn’t the only one to be staggered by pair who now hold the full hat-trick of records – for Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle – tightly in their grasp.

Gal wasn’t too surprised that his Freestyle record, set in the very same arena four years ago, has now been broken. “Valegro is an amazing horse and Charlotte is a very good rider; I like them both. I always knew that someday it will happen,” he said.

For further information on the fourth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2013/2014 Western European League series at Olympia, London, go to www.olympiahorseshow.com or contact Press Officer Jo Peck, Email JoPeck@hpower.co.uk, Tel +44 1753 847 900.

The next leg will take place in Amsterdam, The Netherlands on Saturday 25 January 2014.  For all information on the Dutch leg of the series, go to www.jumpingamsterdam.nl or contact Press Officer Charlotte Gunnink, Email media@jumpingamsterdam.nl, Tel: +31 205445720, Mobile +31 6383 25326.

Detailed result here.

Facts and Figures:

Olympic double-gold medallists and reigning European individual champions, Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro from Great Britain, broke the world record for Grand Prix Freestyle when posting the winning score of 93.975 at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Western European League qualifier at Olympia, London tonight.

The previous record of 92.3 was set by The Netherlands’ Edward Gal and Totilas at Olympia in 2009.

The London International Horse Show at Olympia presented the fourth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2013/2014 series.

New York fashion designer, Reem Acra, is in her fourth year of sponsorship of the FEI World Cup Dressage series, and the Beirut-born designer to the stars attended tonight’s event.

Riders from seven nations – Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Great Britain, The Netherlands – competed in today’s Grand Prix Freestyle to Music.

Dujardin and Valegro also won yesterday’s Grand Prix with a score of 84.851.

The Ground Jury for tonight’s competition was: At H, Susan Baarup DEN; At C, Andrew Gardner GBR; At M, Isabel Judet FRA; At E, Eddy de Wolff van Westerrode NED; At B, Isobel Wessels GBR.

Quotes:

Charlotte Dujardin, when asked if she was affected by the intensity of the atmosphere and close proximity of the spectators:  “I can shut all that out, just focus on what I have to do. I don’t see anything around me, don’t hear anything. We were definitely loved up!”

FEI Dressage Director, Trond Asmyr: “It was just fantastic to be here on a night like this. There was no real discussion who would win after the rides; it was fantastic. As far as the development of British dressage is concerned, I’ve been following it for over 15 years now and it’s no surprise you are at the level you are – developing every year, consistent and thorough work and you are at the pinnacle of it!”

Andrew Gardner (judge at C): “I can remember the days when I finished (marking) a test and gave a 9 or two 9s – I can’t tell you how many 10s I gave today. I lost count; it was top class, really fantastic sport!”

Roly Luard, co-owner of Valegro, talking to Charlotte Dujardin at the post-competition press conference: “Myself and Carl are so proud of you and the horse and everything you’ve achieved; it’s just amazing!”

British rider Laura Tomlinson talking about the official retirement of her Olympic and European team gold medal winning ride, Mistral Hojris (stable-name Alf) tonight: “It was very emotional for me retiring Alf in front of a crowd like that; to think my days of training Alf is over.”

Edward Gal: “Last year I had (a score of) 74, now 87, so for the WEG maybe we will get 96!”

Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2013/2014 Western European League – Standings after Round 4 at Olympia, London here: http://eventcontent.hippoonline.de/857/docs/WCDRE_04.pdf.

WATCH IT ALL AGAIN!  The full world record breaking performance of Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro will be available soon on FEI TV and as highlights on FEI YouTube channel.

Audio Links:

New York fashion designer and series sponsor, Reem Acra: http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Reem_acra.MP3

Charlotte Dujardin: http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Dujardin_WR.MP3

Edward Gal: http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Gal_end.MP3

Carl Hester: http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Hester.MP3

Reem Acra FEI Hub http://fei.org/fei/sponsors/reem-acra-and-fei gives access to extensive information about the series.

FEI World Cup Dressage, the only worldwide series in this discipline, has entered its 28th season. The series, created in 1985, is comprised of four leagues: Western European, Central European, North American (including Canada) and Pacific (Australia, New Zealand, Asia). Each FEI World Cup Dressage qualifier consists of a Grand Prix test, which in turn is a qualification for the Freestyle to Music competition, where league points are accumulated towards places in the Final. Judged on both technical and artistic merit, the FEI World Cup Dressage combines art, sport and partnership between horse and rider at the highest level and consistently proves a winning formula with audiences all over the world.

The complete rules, calendar, updated ranking and results are available here.

By Louise Parkes

Media contacts:

At FEI:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133

At Olympia:

Jo Peck
Press Officer
JoPeck@hpower.co.uk
+447887 551879

Competitions, Dressage, FEI

Record Breaking Night at Olympia

Leave a comment

Olympia, London 17 December 2013 – She came and she conquered. British Olympic and European Champion Charlotte Dujardin is the new holder of the world record score for freestyle. With her champion partner Valegro the pair scored 93.975% in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle at Olympia, The London International Horse Show. The score beat the former world record of 92.3% set by Edward Gal and Totilas, also at Olympia, in 2009.

Charlotte and Valegro, owned by her trainer and mentor Carl Hester and longtime supporter Roly Luard, now hold the world record for all three grand prix tests. “I can’t believe it – I am over the moon and just ecstatic,” said Charlotte who was riding to her ‘Great Escape’ music for the last time. “I really wanted to come here and see if I could break the record to this music and at Olympia. It has been such an incredible journey with Valegro – I have achieved so much more than I ever imagined,” said Charlotte.

Each of the five judges individual scores was over the former record – French judge Isabelle Judet awarded an astonishing 96.625% – and the capacity crowd of 8,000, the largest ever on dressage night at Olympia, was on their feet applauding the bold and powerful performance even before the score flashed up on the board.

“Today I have given so many tens I have lost count which is a reflection of the quality of riders, horses and fantastic sport we have seen here,” said judge Andrew Gardner President of the Ground Jury.

Not only did the British pair rob Dutchman Edward Gal of his former title but also demoted him to second place. With the elegant Glock’s Undercover Edward enchanted the audience with a moving freestyle that highlighted the 12-year-old’s ability for piaffe and passage. The Dutch team rider was however gracious in defeat.

“I knew that losing my record would happen one day – so I just have to practice more for the future,” said Edward.

As in last night’s grand prix, young Dutch rider Danielle Heijkoop took third place on her first visit to the London venue with the 14-year-old Gribaldi gelding Kingsley Siro whose test made much of powerful passage and off the floor piaffe.

The British combination of Michael Eilberg and Half Moon Delphi, last to go and following the new record holders had a hard act to follow but gave it their all to a foot-tapping Latin routine that earned fourth place.

Olympia debutante Lara Griffith also had a night to remember gaining ninth place on Andretti H formerly ridden by her mentor Laura Tomlinson who also came under the spotlight. It was however for the last time with her Olympic team gold medal partner Mistral Hojris who was officially retired.

“I am sad that Alf won’t be part of my future journey but glad that he is leaving British dressage in safe hands,” said Laura who won ten championship medals with the 18-year-old chestnut.

Audio Links:

Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) – http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Dujardin_WR.MP3
Edward Gal (NED) – http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Gal_end.MP3
Carl Hester (GBR) – http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Hester.MP3

Final Placings

For details of the final placings in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Leg (Grand Prix Freestyle to Music), please click: http://eventcontent.hippoonline.de/857/docs/R_03.pdf.

Olympia, The London International Horse Show will be televised throughout the week on BBC Online, the BBC Red Button and Eurosport. Live coverage of the Longines FEI World Cup presented by H&M will be broadcast on BBC 1 between 13:45 and 16:30 on Saturday 21 December 2013.

For more information, please visit the website at www.olympiahorseshow.com.

Olympia, The London International Horse Show

Throughout the week of 16 December, the Olympia Exhibition Hall, located in West Kensington, London will play host to packed timetable of all things equestrian and boasts a total of over 80,000 visitors. The show mixes top class equestrian action including FEI World Cup Jumping, Dressage and Extreme Carriage Driving with family entertainment, such as The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art display and the Osborne Refrigerators Shetland Pony Grand National which raises money for Great Ormond Street Hospital. Olympia Horse Show celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 2007 and is regarded as one of Europe’s oldest equine competitions. Olympia Horse Show’s official charity for 2013 is veterinary charity, the Animal Health Trust, which works behind the scenes to monitor equine disease around the world and undertakes extensive on-going research to minimise the risk of injury to sport horses. The evening performance on Wednesday 18 December will be dedicated to the Animal Health Trust and 50p from every seat sold will go to the charity.

For more information, please contact Hannah Grissell, Revolution Sports + Entertainment
Email: hannah@revolutionsports.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 207 592 1207

Competitions, Dressage, Driving, FEI, Show Jumping

London International Horse Show Olympia – Three Live Events on FEI TV

Leave a comment

Scott Brash (GBR), pictured here with Hello Sanctos on his way to victory at the opening leg of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping in Oslo (NOR), heads to the London International Horse Show Olympia as leader of the Longines Rankings (Roger Svalsroed/FEI).

Lausanne (SUI), 16 December 2013 – Tune in to the FEI’s wide range of online information resources for the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage, FEI World Cup Driving and Longines FEI World Cup Jumping at the Olympia Horse Show, the “World’s Best Equestrian Christmas Party”, this week.

Watch live

Live action on FEI TV, the FEI’s official online video platform, kicks off tomorrow (Tuesday, 17 December) with the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Grand Prix Freestyle at 19.40 GMT, followed by the seventh qualifier for FEI World Cup Driving on 20 December at 18.10 GMT and the fifth leg of the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping on Saturday, 21 December at 14.40 GMT (see full FEI TV live schedule here).

FEI TV subscribers can also now watch all the action on their iPhones, as well as iPads, thanks to the new and free FEI TV on the Go application.

In addition to live coverage, the FEI’s official YouTube channel carries interviews with riders, as well as competition and behind-the-scenes footage – feel free to share!

Get the info

Our detailed press kits for each of these series, which are updated after every leg with results and standings, can be downloaded from www.feipresskits.org.

We also have dedicated online hubs, giving you access to all you need to know about these exciting series: Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage hub, FEI World Cup Driving hub, Longines FEI World Cup Jumping hub.

Engage

Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/the.fei

Follow and share on Twitter: @myfei_home, @Reem_Acra, @Longines, @OlympiaHorse #driving, #dressage, #longinesjumping

Download the free Longines Live Timing Jumping application from The App Store (iPhone) & Android Markets: www.longines.com/events/equestrian-sports/jumping/live-timing-jumping-application. Combining precision and performance, this is a detailed and exclusive application designed especially for Jumping fans – follow live results, see latest Longines Rankings, view competition schedules, obtain exclusive information and alerts on your favorite riders and get all the latest FEI news.

Media contacts:

At FEI:

Grania Willis
Director Media Relations
Grania.willis@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 42

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133

At Olympia:

Jo Peck
Press Officer
JoPeck@hpower.co.uk
+447887 551879

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, Driving, Show Jumping

Three World No. 1s Compete at Olympia, The London International Horse Show 2013

Leave a comment

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro.

6 December 2013 – Three FEI-ranked world No.1 riders will compete at Olympia, The London International Horse Show which takes place on 16-22 December 2013, as final entries for London’s premier equine show were announced today.

Dressage sensation Charlotte Dujardin, show jumping superstar Scott Brash and carriage driving legend Boyd Exell, who are all currently leading the rankings in their respected sports, are amongst the confirmed entries for what is regarded as the world’s best Christmas equine party. It will be the first time in the history of Olympia that three world No.1s have competed at London’s premier horse show.

Dressage

London 2012 hero Charlotte Dujardin (GB) will compete her Olympic gold medal winning horse, Valegro in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Leg, supported by Horse & Hound on 16 and 17 December. The formidable pair won this competition at Olympia last year and Dujardin, who was shortlisted for The Sunday Times and Sky Sports Sportswoman of the Year earlier this month, will be hoping to repeat that feat.

Amongst those bidding to spoil Dujardin’s Christmas party is Edward Gal (Glock’s Voice) and Hans Peter Minderhoud (Glock’s Romanov) from the Netherlands who are regulars at Olympia. Charlotte’s GB Teammate, Carl Hester will compete Fine Time 13, the horse with which he won the National Championships with in September. A notable absentee is Dujardin and Hester’s London 2012 Teammate, Laura Tomlinson (nee Bechtolsheimer). However, Tomlinson’s stable jockey and Reserve National Champion, Lara Griffith, makes her Olympia debut on Andretti H.

Ben Maher and Noctambule Courcelle
Ben Maher and Noctambule Courcelle

Show Jumping

The Top Three FEI-ranked show jumpers in the world, Scott Brash (GB), Ben Maher (GB) and Ludger Beerbaum (GER), are all triple handed with horses in the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Leg, presented by H&M. Scotland’s Brash, who recently clinched the Longines Global Champions Tour title in Doha, elevating him to No.1 spot this week in the FEI world rankings, brings Bon Ami, Hello Annie and Ursula XII to Olympia. Maher has Aristo Z, Diva II and his London 2012 superstar Tripple X III and will also be reunited with Noctambule Courcelle in the Alltech Christmas Puissance, on whom he won the famous competition in 2010 and 2012. Legendary Beerbaum brings his three top horses Carinou, Chiara 222 and Zinedine.

Other notable entries include European individual gold medallist Roger-Yves Bost (FRA) with Castle Forbes Myrtille Paulois and Britain’s current No.1 female show jumper, Laura Renwick.

Brash said: “To go to Olympia, which is one of my favourite shows, as FEI ranked world No.1 is a very special feeling. This year has been unbelievable for me and there would be nothing better than to top it off with a good week at Olympia.”

Extreme Carriage Driving

Six of the world’s best drivers will compete in the exhilarating Extreme Driving FEI World Cup on 19 and 20 December; the first competition being a warm-up to give the running order of the deciding second.

Koos de Ronde
Koos de Ronde

The line-up includes three 2013 European team gold medallists, Koos de Ronde, IJsbrand Chardon and Theo Timmerman from the Netherlands; two 2013 European team silver medallists from Germany, Daniel Schneiders and Michael Brauchle; and driving on a wild card is two time world gold medallist, four time World Cup Champion and current leader in the FEI Driver standings, Australia’s Boyd Exell. Representing Great Britain is the only female in the competition, Georgina Hunt, who is seven times National Pony Team Champion.

Olympia, The London International Horse Show will be televised throughout the week on BBC Online, the BBC Red Button and Eurosport. Live coverage of the Longines FEI World Cup presented by H&M will be broadcast on BBC 1 between 13:45 and 16:30 on Saturday 21 December 2013.

For more information, please visit the website at www.olympiahorseshow.com.

Olympia, The London International Horse Show
Throughout the week of 16 December, the Olympia Exhibition Hall, located in West Kensington, London, will play host to packed timetable of all things equestrian and boasts a total of over 80,000 visitors. The show mixes top class equestrian action including FEI World Cup Jumping, Dressage and Extreme Carriage Driving with family entertainment, such as The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art display and the Osborne Refrigerators Shetland Pony Grand National which raises money for Great Ormond Street Hospital. Olympia Horse Show celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 2007 and is regarded as one of Europe’s oldest equine competitions. Olympia Horse Show’s official charity for 2013 is veterinary charity, the Animal Health Trust, which works behind the scenes to monitor equine disease around the world and undertakes extensive on-going research to minimise the risk of injury to sport horses. The evening performance on Wednesday 18 December will be dedicated to the Animal Health Trust and 50p from every seat sold will go to the charity.

For more information, please contact Hannah Grissell, Revolution Sports + Entertainment
Email: hannah@revolutionsports.co.uk  Tel: +44 (0) 207 592 1207

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage

London 2012 Hero Charlotte Dujardin Rides with the Household Cavalry

Leave a comment

Wednesday 4 December 2013 – World number one dressage rider and double Olympic gold medallist, Charlotte Dujardin, went back to the roots of her sport today by riding with the Household Cavalry in Hyde Park, London.

Dujardin, who will next be seen in action competing at Olympia, The London International Horse Show on 16-17 December, is seen here riding ‘Integrity’, a Cavalry Black who is one of the lead horses in the Household Cavalry parades.

The London 2012 gold medallist, who is shortlisted for this year’s Sunday Times and Sky Sports Sportswoman of the Year Award, said: “It is a true privilege to go back to the roots of the sport that has given me so much joy and an honour to ride a well-known Cavalry Black horse.

“It is so interesting to experience how the sport of dressage has developed from the military and how they use the same skills of training that have been integral to the cavalry throughout history. These same skills are required between horse and rider even today to exhibit the grace and technique in a dressage competition.”

Dujardin will be hoping to win the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Leg, supported by Horse & Hound, for the second year running on 16-17 December at London’s premier horse show in the Olympia Exhibition Hall, Kensington.

Olympia, The London International Horse Show takes place on 16-22 December 2013 and will be broadcast throughout the week on BBC and Eurosport. For tickets and information, visit www.olympiahorseshow.com.

Olympia, The London International Horse Show

Throughout the week of 16 December, the Olympia Exhibition Hall, located in West Kensington, London will play host to packed timetable of all things equestrian and boasts a total of over 80,000 visitors. The show mixes top class equestrian action including FEI World Cup Jumping and Dressage with family entertainment, such as The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art display and the Osborne Refrigerators Shetland Pony Grand National which raises money for Great Ormond Street Hospital. Olympia Horse Show celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 2007 and is regarded as one of Europe’s oldest equine competitions. Olympia Horse Show’s official charity for 2013 is veterinary charity, the Animal Health Trust, which works behind the scenes to monitor equine disease around the world and undertakes extensive on-going research to minimise the risk of injury to sport horses. The evening performance on Wednesday 18 December will be dedicated to the Animal Health Trust and 50p from every seat sold will go to the charity.

For further information please contact:
Hannah Grissell
Email: hannah@revolutionsports.co.uk
Tel: 07786 052926/ 0207 5921207

*Featured/Spotlights, FEI, Show Jumping

Top Ranked Riders in the World among Nominations for FEI World Cup Jumping at Olympia

Leave a comment

Ben Maher on Aristo Z at Olympia 2012. Photo credit: Kit Houghton.

22 November 2013 – Seven of the world’s top 10 FEI-ranked show jumpers are set to compete at Olympia, The London International Horse Show on 16-22 December, as nominations for the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping leg presented by H&M were announced this week, guaranteeing another year of exhilarating top class sport at London’s premier equestrian show.

Amongst the entries include current world number one ranked show jumper Ben Maher (GBR), who has nominated three of his best horses, Tripple X III, Cella and Aristo Z. Since winning team gold at London 2012, Maher’s success on the international circuit has continued to soar, with victories this year in the inaugural Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of London in June, the prestigious Longines King George V Gold Cup at Hickstead in August, team gold at the FEI European Championships in Herning, Denmark, and more recently he bagged the valuable Prize of GEZE GmbH at the highly regarded CSI5* Stuttgart German Masters.

The 29-year-old said: “I love competing in front of the Olympia crowd, and winning two competitions there in 2012 was just fantastic – there is simply no other show like it! 2013 has been an unreal year for me and I just hope that I can put the icing on the cake by winning once again at Olympia.”

Maher’s GB teammate, Scott Brash, has also nominated three of his top horses, including superstar Bon Ami fresh from his two CSI5* successes in one week in Verona, Italy. Brash’s other nominated mounts include Hello Annie and Ursula XII.

Among the 48 nominated riders is Britain’s number one ranked female rider, Laura Renwick, who has nominated four horses. Three members of the Whitaker family, Michael, John and Robert, have also been nominated.

From overseas, strong entries have come from the Netherlands and Germany. Individual silver medallist from London 2012, Gerco Schröder (NED), is nominated along with Sydney 2000 Olympic team gold medallist Marcus Ehning (GER), who is currently ranked third in the world.

Rising Portuguese star Luciana Diniz, who sits one behind Ehning in the FEI Rankings, is nominated with three horses: Upper Star, Winningmood and Fit For Fun 13. This year’s competition has just one potential Irish contender in Cian O’Connor, who has nominated his London 2012 individual bronze medal winning horse Blue Lloyd 12.

The Longines FEI World Cup Jumping leg presented by H&M takes place during the afternoon performance on Saturday 21 December 2013 and limited tickets are still available. Coverage will be broadcast live on BBC1 from 13:45-16:30*.

For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit the website at www.olympiahorseshow.com or telephone the box office on 0871 230 5580.

*TV schedule subject to change, please check listings nearer the time.

Olympia, The London International Horse Show

Throughout the week of 16 December, the Olympia Exhibition Hall, located in West Kensington, London, will play host to packed timetable of all things equestrian and boasts a total of over 80,000 visitors. The show mixes top class equestrian action including FEI World Cup Jumping and Dressage with family entertainment, such as The Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art display and the Osborne Refrigerators Shetland Pony Grand National which raises money for Great Ormond Street Hospital. Olympia Horse Show celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 2007 and is regarded as one of Europe’s oldest equine competitions. Olympia Horse Show’s official charity for 2013 is veterinary charity, the Animal Health Trust, which works behind the scenes to monitor equine disease around the world and undertakes extensive on-going research to minimise the risk of injury to sport horses. The evening performance on Wednesday 18 December will be dedicated to the Animal Health Trust and 50p from every seat sold will go to the charity.

For more information please contact Hannah Grissell, Revolution Sports + Entertainment
Email: hannah@revolutionsports.co.uk – Tel: +44 (0)207 592 1207.