Category Archives: Eventing/H.T.

Triple Gold for Ireland and Germany; French Rider Defends Eventing Title

Mia Allegra Lohe, Tovdals Golden Future Imperial, GER. Photographer: Leszek Wójcik.

All of the medals have been decided at the 2020 FEI Pony European Championships in Strzegom. The rivalry ended in the eventing, showjumping individual final, and dressage Freestyle.

Eventing

Irish riders Ben Connors with Cornafest Fred, Josh Williamson with Ardeo Fireman, Matthew Love with Lucky for Some, and Claire O’Ryan with Carhu Melody took the lead after brilliant cross-country trials. Even three knockdowns and the added 12 penalties could not threaten their win, with the result of 104,1, and they took home the gold medal. The best one of them was Ben Connors, who was clear in the jumping trial and finished with the silver individual medal (28,9).

Team silver went to Germany, with the result of 107,6. They kept their second position through all of the trials. Team member Merle Hoffmann with Penny Lane WE finished with the bronze medal individually (31).

The French, defending their last year’s title, lost their dressage lead in the cross-country, after one of their riders had a run-out at the last combination and that knocked them down into third. They added 8 penalties to the score, but that kept them in the bronze medal position, finishing with the score of 108,9.

The best one of them was once again Mae Rinaldi aboard Boston Du Verdon. The dressage leader went over the XC clear and perfectly inside the time, and delivered yet another perfect round, to finish at 25,6. “It’s amazing. My pony was fantastic all week. Yesterday’s cross-country was long, with demanding fences and combinations, but Boston was great as always. Today we were under a lot of pressure, but my pony jumped great and I’m really happy to win the European Championships for the second time in a row!”

Dressage

Germany was unbeatable this year. Their riders took home the gold medal twice, winning both the team classification and Freestyle, and took all the spots at the podium in the individual class.

In the Freestyle, the best one of them was Mia Allegra Lohe with Tovdals Golden Future Imperial – 80,355%; the silver went to Maddy Dijkshoorn from the Netherlands with Boogie De L’Aube – 77,795%.

There was also a historic success for a Polish rider. Veronica Pawluk with D’Artagnan 187 took home the bronze medal, with the result of 77,490%.

Showjumping

Ireland took it all, both in the team and individual classifications. In the individual final, the two decisive rounds have confirmed the amazing form of the Irish, that have dominated the podium. Two riders in green jackets finished all of the 5 courses at this year’s championships on a zero-penalty score. The champion had to be determined in the jump-off. There the win belonged to James Derwin with Rincoola Babog – the same one that secured the team’s gold medal on Friday with his faultless round. Silver went to James Brennan aboard the 9-year-old MHS Glow, and bronze to Coen Williams with Saxton Freedam, who also did not make any mistakes on the jumps throughout the week, but finished the first round with three points for time.

Results: https://zawodykonne.com/zawody/6/tour/865

Contact:
www.strzegomhorsetrials.pl
press@strzegomhorsetrials.pl

LOTTO Strzegom Horse Trials: The Countdown Is On!

Photo: Mariusz Chmieliński.

The competition for valuable points in the third leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup and the fight for the medals of the Polish Championship takes place in Morawa.

The LOTTO Strzegom Horse Trials competition will start with almost 350 horses at the start, nine cross-country tracks, riders representing 22 countries, and great riders, including the current Olympic champion.

The equestrian triathlon, as eventing is often called, is one of the most spectacular horse sports. It consists of three tests: Dressage, Cross-country, and Show Jumping. During the four days of the tournament, the horse and rider combinations will compete in ten international classes, ranging from one to four stars, including the FEI Eventing Nations Cup. The show will also be the playground of the Polish Championships of seniors, young riders, and juniors.

The arenas of Strzegom will host, among others, the current Olympic champion, Julia Krajewski from Germany, her compatriot Andreas Dibowski, the team Olympic gold medalist, as well as Jonelle and Tim Price from New Zealand, currently fifth and sixth in the world ranking of the International Equestrian Federation. We will also see the leading Polish athletes, members of the national team, including Mateusz Kiempa, Jan Kamiński, Małgorzata Korycka, and Kamil Rajnert.

On Thursday, the riders will start the competition with the dressage test. The cross-country tests will be held for three days and promise to be exciting. The athletes will have nine routes to face, with a total length of nearly 35 kilometers. Over 240 obstacles with a maximum height of 120 cm will be placed over the courses. The longest route will measure 5700 meters. The last test of the equestrian triathlon, the show jumping, will require extreme precision and technical skills.

“Not only the sports competition promises to be exciting. After two years of the Covid pandemic and restrictions for the public, this year we are opening the stands to the audiences and we are planning many attractions,” says Marcin Konarski, chairman of the Organizing Committee.

Special attractions await the youngest fans. In the Little Fan Zone, kids be able to ride a pony, learn how to groom a horse, and meet the stars of the show. A special part of the program is a mini cross-country, performed by children on ponies, and willing kids will be able to try their hand at the jumping competition on foot.

The competition will be held from 23 to 26 June at the hippodrome in Morawa near Strzegom. Admission to the competition is free. Parking costs PLN 20.

Entries: https://www.strzegomhorsetrials.pl/images/2022/01/LSHT_ENTRIES_CCI_2022.pdf

Timetable: https://www.strzegomhorsetrials.pl/en/time-table.html

Contact:
www.strzegomhorsetrials.pl
press@strzegomhorsetrials.pl

Sara Kozumplik Reclaims Victory in $50,000 Devon Arena Eventing

Sara Kozumplik and Rubens D’Ysieux.

Devon, Pa. – May 29, 2022 – One of the Devon Horse Show’s most popular events, the $50,000 Arena Eventing, sponsored by Malvern Bank, took center stage Sunday evening, welcoming some of the sport’s top three-day event competitors and their mounts to the iconic showgrounds. Since its inception in 2017, the special class has been highly anticipated and supported by some of eventing’s most esteemed riders. At the conclusion of two action-packed rounds of competition, it was the 2017 inaugural victor Sara Kozumplik and Rubens D’Ysieux who went home with the Devon blue and the lion’s share of the prize money.

Olivia Sweetnam Captures Devon Horse Show Children’s Jumper Championship

The Children’s Jumper division concluded at the 2022 Devon Horse Show Sunday following two days of exciting competition in the Dixon Oval. A total of 20 horse-and-rider pairs put their best foot forward in three total classes hoping to accumulate points towards the division’s overall standings. At the conclusion of the third and final leg of the championship, $2,500 NAL/WIHS Children’s Jumper Classic, sponsored by Westover Companies/Guntram Weissenberger, Jr., Olivia Sweetnam was presented with the tricolor ribbon for her stellar performances on Just Noble throughout the weekend. Sweetnam swept the division, winning all three classes and ultimately receiving the Leonard Tose Memorial Challenge Trophy with a total of 35 points.

John White Claims Carriage Pleasure Drive Championship

Carriage competitors returned to the Dixon Oval at the 2022 Devon Horse Show Sunday, eager to perform before the judges in hopes of taking home a Devon blue ribbon. At the conclusion of the final judging in the Champion Drive-Off, it was John White who took home the Carriage Pleasure Drive Championship.

For more information and results, visit www.DevonHorseShow.net.

Houghton Hall Proves a Happy Hunting Ground for Home Talent

Tom McEwen and Bob Chaplin. (FEI/Libby Law)

A team consisting of multi-medalled riders and young talent scored a home win at Houghton Hall (GBR) in the second leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™. Team GB finished on a three-phase score of 114.0 penalties, a narrow margin over an all-female US team in second on 117.9. Sweden, another all-female quartet, were not far behind on 122.0 penalties, and are now Series leaders on 160 points after a third placing in the first leg, Pratoni del Vivaro (ITA). Britain and Switzerland are in joint second place in the current Series Standings, on 100 points.

Tom McEwen, who won team gold and individual silver medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, led the CCI-S 4* section from start to finish. He was joined by Piggy March, who won team gold and individual silver at last year’s European Championships, and two younger riders who were making their Senior Team debut for Great Britain, although 22-year-olds Heidi Coy and Phoebe Locke have both had success on Youth Teams at the European Championships. Locke was unfortunate to fall off another horse earlier in the day, and was stood down by medics from competing, so her team horse was withdrawn. Despite the precaution, Locke is reported to be in good medical health.

Coy, the daughter of Dairy Farmer, is based with her horses on the family farm in Leicestershire which produces milk for Stilton Cheese. Her double clear to finish third individually on the diminutive mare, Russal Z, was a substantial help to the team. “I have produced her up the levels. The pressure was there. I didn’t want to let my team, my horse, or my owners down. I was mainly thrilled with her fantastic dressage score because this has always been her weaker phase. To follow it up with a double clear — you can’t ask for much more. She has a heart of gold and she tries her best for you even though she looks like a little pony – she is only 15.3hh. I’m so grateful to be on a team with the likes of Piggy and Tom. Phoebe and I did Young Riders and Pony Teams together, so it’s nice for us to be on this team together.”

McEwen, who also scored the fastest cross-country time of the day on Bob Chaplin, summed up the performance: “We were down to three members for the cross-country after poor Phoebe withdrew, but the team has done amazingly. The British team has such strength and depth, they could pick many teams. I was really pleased with my horse Bob, who is off to Luhmuhlen to do his first five-star. He has been phenomenal this year, so I am looking forward to it.”

Discussing the significance of The Nations Cup Series, McEwen said: “They are great for introducing younger people on teams. It’s a good way for them to gain experience and also for everyone to get the swing of things when it comes to team competitions. Otherwise, it comes around once a year and it all feels rather important.”

The FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing Series moves to Strzegom (POL) from 22-26 June, the third of nine events in the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ Series.

Full results here.

by Eleanore Kelly

Media contact:

Shannon Gibbons
Manager, Media Relations & Media Operations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

Swiss Riders Dominate the 4* Classes

Felix Vogg. M&R Photo.

Baborówko, May 29, 2022 – The most prestigious class of Equestrian Festival Baborówko – CCI4*-S – ended with the victory of Felix Vogg (SUI). His compatriot Nadja Minder was the best in the CCI4*-L.

The jumping test in the CCI4*-S, for the prize of the Patron of the Show – Mr. Roman Roszkiewicz – proved to be difficult. In view of the mistakes of the rivals, the leader Felix Vogg (SUI) aboard the 14-year-old Colero could afford one knockdown. It was him that ultimately stood on the highest step of the podium and took home the grand prize of approx. EUR 21,000, with a finishing score of 33,6. Second place went to Germany’s Michael Jung with Kilcandra Ocean Power. Jerome Robine (GER) did great in the jumping with Black Ice, adding points for just two seconds over the time meant that the pair went up into third place.

“I’ve been here two times already and the show is evolving really quickly. I’m happy to come back. The biggest challenge was beating the two guys next to me!” said the smiling winner.

The highest-placed Pole was Mateusz Kiempa riding Lassban Radovix, who finished eighth. Only two combinations manager to go clear and in time – one of them from Poland – Joanna Pawlak and Fantastic Frieda.

In the CCI4*-L, for the trophy of LOTTO, the win belonged to Nadja Minder (SUI) aboard the 15-year-old Toblerone. Belgian Jarno Verwimp jumped up into the second riding Mahalia, and Australia’s Lissa Green topped off the podium with Billy Bandit.

“Today’s course was tough enough, but I made a plan after I watched the other riders and I’m really happy. Showjumping used to be our weak phase, but I think I figured it out now! [Toblerone] is an outstanding eventer and I’m really proud of him. It’s an amazing show here, really professional, warm, and welcoming,” said the winner.

The top 3 in the CCI3*-S, for the trophy of KUHN Maszyny Rolnicze, belonged to German athletes. Anna Lena Schaaf kept her lead with Lagona OLD until the end. Second place went to Vanessa Bölting with Ready To Go W, and third to zamknął Brandon Schäfer-Gehrau with Fraeulein Frieda 10.

The cross-country trials ended the rivalry in the CCI2*-S and CCIYH2*-S. In the two-star class, for the trophy of Badix, the best rider was Jerome Robine (GER) with Avatar 42. Home athlete Paweł Warszawski with Lucinda Ex Ani 4 was second, and Amanda Andersson (SWE) with Kokos finished third. The best young horse of the CCIYH2*-S, for the trophy of Stadnina Kunowo, was Tullibards Bennysambassador ridden by Emma Brüssau. Second place went to Jasper Peeters (BEL) with Cadell Z, and third to Sanne de Jong (NED) with Larosaleen W.

Results: https://zawodykonne.com/zawody/199/tour/4

More information and the program can be found at: www.festiwal.baborowko.pl.

Swiss Rider in the Lead after the First Day of Equestrian Festival Baborówko 2022

Felix Vogg (SUI) and Cartania. M&R Photo.

Baborówko, May 26th, 2022 – The first out of five days of international competition Equestrian Festival Baborówko is already behind us. The first parts of the dressage trials were played out in the CCI4*-S, CCI3*-S, CCI2*-S, and CCI1*-Intro.

After the first rounds of the highest subsidized class of the show – the CCI4*-S, for the prize of the Patron of the event, Mr Roman Roszkiewicz – the leader is Switzerland’s Felix Vogg riding Cartania. The highest placed Polish athlete is currently Robert Powala riding Quirino Del Castegno.

In the CCI3*-S, for the Kuhn Maszyny Rolnicze Trophy, the top of the leaderboard belongs to German riders. Anna Lena Schaaf is in the first place with Lagona Old, followed by Antonia Baumgart with Ela Lou and Julia Krajewski riding Chintonic 3.

In the 2*-S, for the trophy of Badix, the best result currently belongs to Janneke Boonzaaijer (NED) with Intermezzo Dea. Jerome Robine (GER) lies in second with Coby R, and Jan Matthias (GER) is in third riding Ibsen 27.

The leader of the CCI1*-Intro, for the trophy of Canter Club, is Malin Petersen (SWE) with Dancer Monkey 7, followed by Antonia Baumgart (GER) with Juna R and Lotta Lamberg (FIN) with Come In Like a Rose.

The dressage trials will continue in the CCI4*-S, CCI3*-S, CCI2*-S, and CCI1*-Intro. We will also begin the rivalry in the CCI4*-L for the prize of Lotto, where the athletes will have a chance to qualify for the World Championships, and in the CCIYH2*-S for young horses, for the trophy of Kunowo Stables.

More information and the program can be found at: www.festiwal.baborowko.pl.

Swiss Team Prove Age Is No Barrier in Eventing with Nations Cup Win

L to R: Beat Sax, Mélody Johner, Nadja Minder, Robin Godel, and Chef d’equipe Dominik Burger. (FEI/Richard Juilliart)

It was a double victory for the Swiss, when Robin Godel’s Jumping clear round clinched the individual prize and a win for Team Switzerland. This was the first leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ and took place in Pratoni del Vivaro (ITA). France, who were overnight leaders going into the final day, finished a close second, and Sweden, who were overall winners of the Series in 2021, finished third. The home side Italy was fifth.

It was a tense finish after the French team left Godel no room for error in the Jumping phase. The 23-year-old athlete kept his cool on Grandeur de Lully CH, to incur just one time penalty which sealed the deal for his team. “I was very focused, but I tried to have only good pressure,” he said after his round. “It was an amazing week for the team. We did good on the cross-country; the four riders were very impressive and the horses gave all they had. For the World Championships it is exciting.”

Speaking about this as a test event for this year’s FEI World Championships for Eventing, Godel said, “It is amazing here; the ground is wonderful; I have never cantered on ground like this. For the World Championships, we want qualification for Paris (Olympics) and that’s the main focus and for sure we will be going for the podium too.”

Pratoni has proved a happy hunting ground for the Swiss, who won the Nations Cup here in 2019. The team this year consisted of two Nations Cup first timers: 62-year-old Beat Sax, who has just one horse to compete and has been eventing for 45 years, and 20-year-old Nadja Minder. They were joined by Tokyo Olympic riders Godel and Mélody Johner.

Six-time Olympian Andrew Nicholson has been coaching the Swiss team for several years and summed up their performance: “It was outstanding. They keep getting better, more confident, and are pulling together as a team. They are passionate and want to do it and they are making the younger ones hungry, which then pushes the older riders.”

Saturday’s Cross-Country shook up the leaderboard and left it tight at the top. Switzerland finished just 0.1 of a penalty behind France going into the final phase. Germany, who led the way after the dressage phase, was relegated to 9th after just two of their team members completed. Sweden, who was in eighth after the dressage, produced four strong Cross-Country performances to climb to third.

Pratoni del Vivaro will be hosting the FEI World Championships for Eventing and Driving, from 15-25 September. Course Designer Giuseppe della Chiesa and Director of the Championships concluded: “From a sports side the cross-country went well here this week. From the side of the organisation, there’s a lot to do yet but we are getting there, and it was very important to have this competition as a Nations Cup and also as a test event. The nature of the soil here is something unique. Horses love it and if it rains, it doesn’t change it and there are very few places in the world like that. It is an important venue as the Olympic venue in 1960 and is one of the very few Olympic venues which is still used for the same purpose.”

The FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing action moves to Houghton Hall (GBR) from 26-29 May, the second of nine events in the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ Series.

Full results here.

by Eleanore Kelly

Media contact:

Shannon Gibbons
Manager, Media Relations & Media Operations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

Christoffer Forsberg Victorious in 4-Star Class in Strzegom

Photo: Leszek Wójcik.

Swedish rider Christoffer Forsberg with Hippo’s Sapporo was the best in the CCI4*-L, the most demanding class of the second leg of Strzegom Spring Open.

Forsberg took the lead after dressage, and despite going over the time in the cross-country and four faults in the jumping, kept it until the end of the rivalry. Second place belonged to Italy’s Marco Cappai with Uter, who was clear in the jumping, but had some time faults. Third belonged to Hanne Wind Ramsgaard riding Ameq Torino (Rawa’s Torino). The Danish athlete was second after the first trial, and jumped up the ranks after a clear cross-country course with time penalties.

In the CCI4*-S, the winner was Aminda Ingulfson from Sweden with Joystick. A few penalties in the XC and a clear jumping round secured her the win before France’s Maxime Livio with Elvis de Hus Z and Belgian Jarno Verwimp riding Mahalia. The best home rider was Joanna Pawlak with Fantastic Frieda, who took home the sixth.

The competition in the 3*-L ended with a significant reshuffle. The three competitors leading after dressage gave up on continuing the struggle after mistakes during the cross-country test. The winner was Maxime Livio from France with Vitorio du Montet, who was 10th after dressage and went clear in the XC, although 2 seconds late. The deciding factor was his clear jumping round. Second place went to Dutch rider Janneke Boonzaaijer with Bouncer, and third to Sweden’s Christoffer Forsberg riding Celladonn.

The three-star short class ended with the victory of Polish rider Wiktoria Knap with Quintus 134. She took the lead after a faultless cross-country round and even a fence down in the jumping did not threaten her win. Finland’s Veera Manninen with Sir Greg finished second, and Austria’s Robert Mandl with Sacré-Cœur was third.

Andreas Dibowski with Cristallik won the 2*-L. Going up from third after dressage after clear XC and jumping trials, he triumphed over Dutch athletes Merel Blom with Hallo and Janneke Boonzaaijer with I’m Special N.

Saturday’s cross-country trials revealed the best in the 2*-S and 1*-Intro classes. The win in the 2* as well as the third place belonged to Janneke Boonzaaijer with Mirage and Krek-Mora G. Second went to Andreas Dibowski (GER) with Lillet.

The Intro class ended with Swedish rider Malin Petersen’s victory aboard Hulda, before Elmo Laiho (FIN) with Bali and Pole Ksawery Śniegucki riding Don Fuego Corriente.

The Strzegom Spring Open competition selected the winners of seven international and three national competitions, with 250 horses representing 16 countries.

On-line results: http://results.strzegomhorsetrials.pl/event.php?event=14.

Contact:
www.strzegomhorsetrials.pl
press@strzegomhorsetrials.pl

Swedish Rider Victorious in 4* Class in Strzegom

Photo: Leszek Wójcik.

Christoffer Forsberg was the best in the CCI4*-S, the highest ranked class during Strzegom Spring Open. Polish rider won the two-star competition.

Sunday’s cross-country trial, which determined the winner of the four-star class, kept the audiences at the edge of their seats until the end. Christoffer Forsberg with Hippo’s Sapporo who started as the second to last, was the only one to go over the course clear and inside the optimum time, beating the leading German Nicolai Aldinger by one tenth of a penalty point. Aldinger, riding Timmo, did not have any problems with the fences, but time faults cost him the win and ultimately placed him second. Third went to Sweden’s Frida Andersen with Box Leo.

The best home rider in the class was Wiktoria Knap with Quintus 134, who finished eighth.

The podium of the three-star competition was dominated by Dutch women. After clear XC rounds, Merel Blom took home the first riding Corminta Vom Gwick and second with Vesuve d’Aveyron. Third place belonged to Sanne De Jong with Jersey MBF. Mateusz Kiempa with Libertina, leading after two trials, had time faults and placed just outside the podium.

The best rider in the two-star was Daria Kobiernik aboard Ideal Girl. The Pole was sixth after dressage, and jumped up into the lead after clear rounds in the jumping and cross-country. Second place went to Zuzanna Społowicz (POL) with Bankier, and third to Merel Blom with Hallo 53.

The Top Three in the Intro class was all Polish. Karolina Miś with Go Jack kept her lead from the dressage and was victorious after clear jumping and XC rounds. Katarzyna Brandys with Rio Brava was second, and Wiktoria Szynkiewicz with Hattrick was third.

In the CNC 100, the best score belonged to Mateusz Kiempa with All Night, in the CNC 100-18 the winner was Laura Gillmaier with Red Sunrise 2, and in the CNC 8 the best one was Marcin Michałek with Brylant.

The Strzegom Spring Open competition opened the eventing season in Poland. Four international classes in short format and three national classes were held, and almost 230 horse-and-rider combinations representing 14 countries took part. The next edition of Strzegom Spring Open will take place from 22 to 24 April.

Online results: https://zawodykonne.com/zawody/193/tour/29.

Contact:
www.strzegomhorsetrials.pl
press@strzegomhorsetrials.pl

In the Footsteps of Champions: CCI 4*-L Saumur Complet

© Comité Equestre de Saumur / Photos Les Garennes.

She impressed the audience last year! A few months before winning gold at the Olympic Games, the German rider Julia Krajewski with her mare Amande de B’ Neville won the CCI 4*-L during the 35th edition of Saumur Complet. From April the 28th to May the 1st, Verrie Hippodrome will receive the top world eventing riders… and its public after 2 years absence due to the pandemic. Let’s discover the 2022 program from one of the three most important French eventing.

The press release can be downloaded here.

Daniel Koroloff – E-mail: daniel@blizko-communication.com