Category Archives: Disciplines

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T., Training/Clinics

Olympic Medallist and YouTube Star to Headline London Int’l Masterclass Hosted by Richard Waygood

Photo: London International Horse Show

The organisers of The London International Horse Show have announced the next instalment of the LeMieux Masterclass Series.

Taking place on Sunday 17 December in the New Horizon Plastics London Arena, world-renowned coach Richard Waygood MBE will present Grassroots to Glory, starring Olympic medallist Laura Collett MBE and YouTube personality and equestrian Megan Elphick. The masterclass will be a 360-degree review of achieving competition success, aimed at both amateurs and experienced riders alike.

The 45-minute session will feature a demonstration of top-level techniques broken down into stepping-stone exercises for the audience to take home and put into action. Waygood will guide the audience through an exploration of producing a successful competition partnership all the way from establishing the essentials and improving technique, to making those all-important steps up the levels – illuminated by a few of his own tips and tricks learnt across his long and successful career.

Currently the British Equestrian Federation’s Technical Director and Eventing Performance Manager, Waygood has a string of achievements, including riding at Badminton and Burghley Horse Trials, his long tenure as Riding Master of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, and an MBE for services to equestrianism. Waygood will be joined by Laura Collett and Megan Elphick, who will be putting into action his words of wisdom.

Olympic medallist and multiple Champion Laura Collett is no stranger to the London International. Having previously starred in the Show’s Dressage Unwrapped Masterclass in 2022, Laura returns to the venue on a high following her brilliant win at the 5* Luhmühlen Horse Trials aboard London 52. The chance to learn from Laura – one of the brightest stars of international eventing – is sure to be a real treat for the Show’s audience.

YouTuber Megan Elphick joins the Masterclass following a popular appearance in last year’s Winter Survival Guide Masterclass with Pippa Funnell. Megan, who inspires a huge number of followers by sharing her grassroots journey in her vlogs, will be helping Richard and Laura demonstrate the essentials of good foundations to a horse’s education.

Waygood said, “I’m really pleased to be bringing this LeMieux Masterclass to the London International Horse Show this year. It has been brilliant to be so closely involved with the Show’s Masterclasses in previous years, and with the introduction of the New Horizon Plastics London Arena, it’s fantastic to be able to put these demos at the heart of the Show. Laura and Megan are great fun – and it’s looking to be a great line-up!”

Simon Brooks-Ward, Show Director, said, “We are delighted to be welcoming back Richard, Laura, and Megan to the London International. It’s a real pleasure to be able to put top-level riders in front of our keen audience to share their knowledge. We know there is a strong appetite to learn and the LeMieux Masterclass series will deliver in spades.”

More information about The London International Horse Show, including how to buy tickets, can be found here.

For more information, please contact:
Niki McEwen / rEvolution / nmcewen@revolutionworld.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., FEI, Show Jumping

Results from FEI European Championships for Ponies in Jumping, Dressage, Eventing in Le Mans

Individual Medals: GOLD: GER-Nell Röming and Marlon 192. SILVER: Sina Brügger and Next Generation. BRONZE: Marlene Hayessen and Betty Boo 14. FEI European Championships for Ponies | Eventing. Photo: FEI / Libby Law

Outstanding performances by German athletes in the Dressage and Eventing competitions, earning 5 out of 5 golds, and Ireland taking top spots in both Team and Individual Jumping at the FEI European Championships for Ponies in Jumping, Dressage, and Eventing 2023 held in Le Mans (FRA).

Jumping Individual Podium
1° Paddy Reape (IRE) & Fernando
2° Ellen Hammarström (SWE) & Ocean des As
3° Kian Dore (IRL) & Sparkling Lackaghmore Joey

Jumping Team Podium
1° Ireland
2° Sweden
3° Great Britain

Dressage Individual Podium
1° Lilly Marie Collin (GER) & Cosmo Callidus NRW
2° Julie Sophie Schmitz-Heinen (GER) & Chilli Morning WE
3° Liezel Everars (BEL) & FS Capelli de Niro

Dressage Individual Freestyle Podium
1° Lilly Marie Collin (GER) & Cosmo Callidus NRW
2° Liezel Everars (BEL) & FS Capelli de Niro
3° Maria Theresa Pohl (GER) & Der Kleine Sunnyboy WE

Dressage Team Podium
1° Germany
2° Denmark
3° Belgium

Eventing Individual Podium
1° Nell Röming (GER) & Marlon 192
2° Sina Brügger (GER) & Next Generation
3° Marlene Hayessen (GER) & Betty Boo 14

Eventing Team Podium
1° Germany
2° France
3° Ireland

Check the full results here.

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

*Featured/Spotlights, Driving

The Para Equestrian Digest — Emma Golding and Mossy

The Para Equestrian Digest speaks to Para Driver Emma Golding, who has represented Ireland in six Para World Championships for Singles, about her unique relationship with her one-eyed gelding Mossy.

About The Para Equestrian Digest

The FEI launched The Para Equestrian Digest in February 2022. The online magazine was created for Para Equestrian athletes and the people connected to the sport so they can share – in their own words – their personal experiences and disability stories. The Digest puts the spotlight on an athlete or project in Para Equestrian sport with the aim of improving disability awareness and inclusion.

Previous editions of The Para Equestrian Digest: https://www.fei.org/stories/para-equestrian-digest.

Media contact:

Vanessa Martin Randin
Senior Manager, Media Relations & Communications – Corporate Campaigns & Advocacy
vanessa.randin@fei.org

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

Momentous Triple Vaulting Championships Promise a Thrilling Week

Averill Saunders at the Burlington Capital FEI Vaulting World Cup Final 2023 in Omaha (USA) – FEI / Richard Juilliart

Excitement is building until the largest Vaulting Championships in history takes place in Flyinge (SWE).  The FEI Vaulting European Championship will be held in combination with the FEI World Championship for Juniors and the premiere of the FEI World Championship for Young Vaulters. Hosting the three Championships is a challenge embraced by the Swedish hosts and much anticipated by the athletes and spectators, with 26 nations and 135 horses expected to present themselves to the Ground Jury.

The first medals will be awarded to the Senior athletes on Friday, 28 July. In the hotly contested Female class, Switzerland has a strong showing with Ilona Hannich, Danielle Bürgi, and Nadja Büttiker. Bürgi, who has had an excellent season showing her calibre on multiple horses, finished second at the FEI Vaulting World Cup™ in Omaha (USA) and the CVI3* in Bern (SUI), and won the CVI** Masterclass in Wiesbaden (GER). Büttiker has a wealth of experience and Hannich has significantly increased her level as evidenced by her fourth-place finish at the CHIO Aachen (GER) in June 2023.

Austria’s Eva Nagiller will be aiming for a podium finish, after a disappointing run at the FEI Vaulting World Championship in Herning (DEN) in 2022 due to her horse becoming unsettled.

It is a family affair for Germany, as each athlete will be lunged by their parent. Kathrin Meyer, winner of the FEI Vaulting World Cup™ in Omaha in 2023 and more recently champion of CHIO Aachen, has had an almost perfect season. She will start the event as the favourite and will be lunged by her mum Sonja. Much of her competition comes from 2022 FEI Vaulting World Championship silver medallist Julia Sophie Wagner, also lunged by her mother Katja, and Alina Ross, who is striving for her first senior medal alongside her father Volker.

The family theme continues with the Brüsewitz Brüder (Brüsewitz brothers) trio, the Male contingent from Germany, comprising Viktor, Thomas, and honorary brother Jannik Heiland. While they have a plethora of medals, a senior gold medal has been elusive.

The biggest title challenge comes from the youngest contender, Frenchman and current Vice-World Champion Quentin Jabet. The 20-year-old vaults with such precision and grace that he will be hard to beat. Fellow countryman Theo Gardies also has a unique style and ability worthy of championship glory. It is a narrow but strong field with multiple highly decorated athletes, which will make for a tight and exciting battle.

Vaulting aficionados will be looking to see if Germany can remain dominant in the sport despite filling only one of their two Pas-de-Deux spaces. Diana Harwardt and Peter Künne have the nation’s hopes on their shoulders. As silver medallists at the FEI Vaulting World Championships in Herning (DEN) in 2022, there is high expectations for them to pick up the torch passed from retired teammates 2022 FEI World Champions Chiara Congia and Justin van Gerven.

Bronze medallists at the 2022 FEI Vaulting World Championship, Rebecca Greggio and Davide Zanella, will endeavour to turn the tables and bring gold home for Italy.  Both couples will face stiff competition from Switzerland and Austria. Ilona Hannich competing together with Li Laffer for Switzerland will be going after their first Championship bid, while Austrians Eva Nagiller and Romana Hintner will try to replicate or improve on their 2019 FEI European Championship bronze medal finish.

Germany’s Team Norka is on course to take the top step of the Squad podium again, and although they are in a different composition to the last few years, they have had a solid season.  Their biggest rivals are the Swiss, whom they have defeated twice this year. The third podium step is where it might get interesting, as the lack of an Austrian entry throws the floor open. The Swedish have the home advantage and they have been working hard towards this goal for a long time. Nordic rivals, Denmark, has seen medal success in recent years and will ride that wave to aim for further glory.  However, the Netherlands could ruin it for them both, as their squad has been quietly progressing and has an equal opportunity to steal the third position.

The final competition of the event will be the Official Team. One squad and two individuals from each country will combine to be crowned European Champions. Much like the Squad competition, and sadly due to the absence of a French and Austrian Squad, it looks to be a fight for the top between Germany and Switzerland. Germany has something to prove after missing out on an Official Team medal at the 2022 FEI World Championships, proving that even the best can falter under pressure. There will certainly be pressure for the Netherlands, Sweden, and 2022 vice-World Champions Denmark, as the podium lies tantalisingly close.

FEI Vaulting World Championship for Juniors

The FEI Vaulting World Championships for Juniors has an exceptional number of Female entries. A record fifty-six have declared, including Polina Shovkova and Kateryna Panasenko, Ukraine’s first representatives at a Vaulting Championship.  They will take to the circle aboard Filon, lunged by Kevine Moneuse (FRA).  Historically the World Junior Female title is reserved for Austria, and Clara Ludwiczek, Antonia Mayerhofer, and Katharina Feldhofer will try to keep up the tradition.  Switzerland offers three strong contenders, Leonie Linsbichler, Mara Hofer, Noemi Licci, and the quality presented by Germany is just as high with Mia Kluge, Mirja Luise Krohne, and Laura Seemüller.

It is not only these heavyweight nations who hold Europe’s medal chances. Oceane Gehan brings high hopes for France, while Giorgia Varisco could claim her place in history for Italy. Nora Sandberg Müller is the top choice for the home nation. Of course, the title could head across the pond with Hannah Wildermuth (USA), who has had an excellent season but has not yet met the full might of European talent. The quality of participants is undoubtedly high, and success will go to those who manage the pressure of high-level competition, both mentally and physically. Of course, the calibre and composure of the horses and lungers may be the deciding factor.

Dutch Junior Male World Champion Sam dos Santos returns to defend his title after competing at the Senior Championship in Herning (DEN) in 2022. Since his victory at the FEI World Championships for Juniors in Le Mans (FRA) in 2021, he has proven himself at a level to take on and prevail over many of the top Senior Men. Triumph is not inevitable as there are other high-grade juniors out to take his title. The bronze medallist at the FEI Vaulting European Championship for Juniors in Kaposvar (HUN) in 2022, Arnee Heers, is the front runner for Germany, and his young teammate Lukas Heitmann might also manage a medal at his first major Championship. Synonymous with excellence in Male vaulting, France has two hopefuls: Baptiste Terrier and Louis Dumont.  Each must show exceptional rounds if they are to win the class for France for the first time.

Out to make history for his country, Jakub Roguski could become the first decorated Polish vaulter.  He finished sixth at the 2022 FEI European Championships for Juniors and has been producing quality performances this season. Other notable performers to look out for are Andrej Menhert of Slovakia and Switzerland’s Romain Simonet.

The Junior Pas-de-Deux class is the essence of girl power as every combination is a female partnership.  As in the senior category, Germany has elected to only present one pair: Lisa Marie Wagner and Timea Bonekat.  Austrians Anja Huber and Katharina Feldhofer could upgrade their 2022 European bronze medal but will have to fend off team-mates Sarah Victoria Köck and Clara Dick, as well as Italy’s Giorgia Varisco and Greta Gemignani, who are on course for a first Junior medal.

It is gratifying to see the increasing number of nations participating in the Championships. This year both Brazil and Canada will premiere a Junior Squad. Fierce competition awaits in the form of European Champions Switzerland. They will present the same 2022 victorious squad, albeit on a different horse – Lagrima.  They too will have to stave off competition from formidable squads from Italy, Germany, and Austria.

FEI World Championship for Young Vaulters

The Young Vaulter class was established in 2022 to bridge the gap between Junior and Senior level. The format is mainly the same as the Senior competition although the athletes, aged 16-21, perform only three of the five obligatory exercises within their Technical Test. A hugely successful 2022 FEI European Championship in Kaposvar (HUN) has led to a positive uptake in participants, with the prize to become the maiden World Champion, an alluring prospect.

Joint favourites in the Female category are current European Champion from Germany Alice Layher, with her medal winning combination and Averill Saunders, who is on the hunt for Canada’s first Vaulting medal.  Saunders has a strong chance of achieving that dream if she can control her mind and remain free of the heel injury which hampered the middle of her season.  Switzerland’s Michelle Brügger and Alicia Bärtschi will be pushing their nation towards the top of the table, alongside 2022 Junior European Champion Anna Weidenauer (AUT), who has moved into the higher age bracket this year.

Determination and dedication come in the form of Caroline Morse (USA), who has flown over her own horse Grasshopper AF for the best chance of success. Desiring to be the one to bring home honours for her country, compatriot Melanie Ford has teamed up with a German combination San Felice Z and Christina Ender. The youngest competitor at 17 years old is Italy’s Giada Samiolo, not that you could tell from her string of good results this year. Alongside Giorgia Fanucci, either would be worthy to stand on the rostrum for Italy.

Ruben Delauney (FRA), the 2022 FEI Male European Champion for Young Vaulters, has now progressed into the Senior category which leaves the title space open. Inevitably, it will be Austria versus Germany in a tussle for the top. 2022 Silver and Bronze medallists, Philip Clement and Fabian Lipp, will try to better their results for Austria, while 2022 FEI Junior European Champion Bela Lehnen (GER) has been in superb form, and is joined by Philip Goroncy and Jonathon Geib, each looking for German glory.

It will be an action-packed week of Vaulting, with quality horses, incredible skills, and a rollercoaster of emotions. The culmination of years of preparation and teamwork, it all comes down to mental toughness, steadfast horses, and a little bit of luck. History will be made once again as we eagerly anticipate the crowning of new champions.

by Joanne Littlejohn

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

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

France Takes FEI Eventing Nations Cup Honours on Home Turf

Gwendolen Fer (FRA) riding Romantic Love – FEI/Libby Law Photography.

The home side dominated the French leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ from beginning until end. Their overall score of 101.5 put them well ahead of Belgium, who completed on 142.8. Third place went to Great Britain who finished on 149.9.

This was the fifth leg of this popular series which took place for the first time at Haras de Jardy, Normandy and attracted nine European nations as well as Australia. The victorious French team was made up of experienced team members Maxime Livio and Gwendolyn Fer, together with up-and-coming talent, Julie Simone and Camille Lejeune. All four riders performed well enough to put them inside the top ten with Livio winning the CCIO4*-NC individually on the impressive grey, Api Du Libaire, and Lejeune finishing in second place aboard Dame Decoeur Tardonne.

Speaking after the event, the triumphant Livio summed up the result for his team and his own performance with his Selle Francais gelding. “It’s always a great feeling to have such a win, especially when we are in France for the French team. I am very pleased especially for this horse because he has come back at the high level just this week and he concluded with a win and I am so happy. It was his first big show of the season, so the pressure was a little higher. It is always a pleasure to ride at Jardy because it’s a nice place for the horses, and it was a pleasure to come back with one of my top horses and I was pleased. I really appreciated his mentality because he was really connected with me.”

With world-renowned course designer Pierre Michelet in charge of the cross-country, riders knew they would face a tough test. The French designer has designed a number of championship courses, including the Rio Olympics, the 2014 FEI World Championships in Haras du Pin, and Pau CCI 5*. Whilst France led throughout, the cross-country course shook up the order beneath that. Germany, who was second behind France after the first phase, had only one rider complete the competition and therefore finished in 10th, the bottom of the table.

Camille Lejeune commented on the severity of the cross-country course, which proved to be particularly influential and saw a number of eliminations, retirements, and both jumping and time faults throughout the day. “That was the first time for the Nations Cup in Jardy. It was a very tough course, very twisty, lots of fences and a lot of jumps. Something like 40 jumps in six minutes 38, so it was a very quick race. Everything was great with my horse.”

Livio was happy to be riding a more experienced horse on the cross-country. “The course was technical, with many combinations and big angles and different striding with many choices for the riders, but my horse is very experienced, so I was quite confident. The time here is always difficult, so I decided to go for the time at the beginning of the course and then just feel my horse. From beginning to end, he was very motivated and focused on each fence, so he finished inside the time and I think he enjoyed a lot, the course.”

The sixth leg of the Nations Cup plays out in Avenches (Switzerland), which takes place from 20-23 July. The Series will conclude at Boekelo (NED) from 4-8 October, where the final Paris Olympics team place will be awarded to the highest place nation not already qualified. Belgium, who is one of those nations looking for a place in Paris, continue to lead the series on 440 points. They have targeted the Nations Cup for the purpose of helping their chance of qualification, and have sent a team to everyone so far.

FULL RESULTS HERE

by Eleanore Kelly

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, FEI

Germany Prevails in Battle of Champions at Aachen

Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (GER) riding TSF Dalera BB (© FEI/Stefan Lafrentz)

The podium looked nearly identical in the FEI Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special as Germany, Denmark, and Great Britain battled for top honors in the FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ at Aachen (GER), and as the start list reached its end in the Special, only the top two athletes in the FEI Dressage World Ranking remained — Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (GER) and Charlotte Fry (GBR).

The reigning individual Olympic and FEI Dressage World Cup™ Champions, von Bredow-Werndl and DSF Dalera BB took their second victory of the week Saturday at the World Equestrian Festival, receiving 81.021% in the Special to go along with a Grand Prix win Thursday (82.304%). Those scores clinched a fourth Nations Cup victory of the 2023 season for Germany.

Led by von Bredow-Werndl, Isabell Werth (DSP Quantaz), Frederic Wandres (Bluetooth OLD), and Sönke Rothenberger (Fendi), Germany’s winning total was 468.285 points, the sum of the team’s top three scores in both tests. Denmark finished second with 460.097 points, followed by Great Britain (459.756 points).

“For me, it is not as much about winning, but instead about the development. It still feels like there is room for improvement. [TSF Dalera BB] felt so, so good,” said von Bredow-Werndl.

The Grand Prix Special was particularly impressive for Germany, who did not have a rider finish outside of the top 10. For Rothenberger, the test was especially meaningful, as he and his 9-year-old stallion Fendi improved their score by nearly five percentage points after having some tense moments in the Grand Prix.

“In preparation for the [Grand Prix], I had a really good feeling. He was super training in the main arena, and I underestimated the atmosphere [during competition],” Rothenberger said. “I don’t have a spooky horse, but I could feel he was getting quite tense, and I couldn’t support him how I would have liked to support him.”

“It took two and a half days in between [the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Special] to give him security in the arena. That was my main goal, and I’m really happy with the confidence we could give him. This was the third Special [Fendi] has ever done, and I’m really happy with how well I could get him back on my side. I’m really proud of him,” said Rothenberger.

Ultimately, consistency was the deciding factor when it came to separating the world’s top combinations. Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin (Imhotep) and Charlotte Fry (Everdale) were repeatedly on von Bredow-Werndl’s heels, but Wandres and Werth were never far behind, either.

“It’s always a good thing when you can show consistency, especially in team competition and especially with Bluetooth OLD. In the Grand Prix, he had a very harmonious and exceptional round,” Wandres said. “The feeling we started with [in the Special] in the extended trot to passage, forward and backward, he felt so amazing. I’m proud of him to shine in an arena like that.”

Germany extended its lead in the FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ standings with 56 points. Sweden sits second with 32 points, followed by Denmark with 28 points.

The 2023 FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ season concludes at Falsterbo (SWE) on 16 July 2023.

FULL RESULTS

by Catie Staszak

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

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

Dutch Edge Closer to Olympic Qualification with Eventing Nations Cup Win

Janneke Boonzaaijer (BEL) rides ACSI Chanp de Tailleur. FEI – Libby Law

A demanding cross-country test shook up the order at the fourth leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ which took place at Strzegom (POL). Strong performances in this phase meant that The Netherlands walked away as the worthy winners. Despite having one rider eliminated on the cross-country, the Dutch finished on a final score of 133.8 with their other three riders finishing inside the top ten riders. Team USA were runners-up on 142.8, whilst Belgium finished in third on 166.1 penalties. Nine teams came forward to compete including host nation Poland who did not have such a happy time with none of their three riders completing the competition.

Dutch Chef d’Equipe Andrew Heffernen was delighted with the result. “These guys performed so well. It was a really tough competition and it was really refreshing to see such a strong and forward thinking and demanding cross-country course. It also gave us good pictures. There were no nasty falls or moments and that was really good for the sport. These guys performed fantastic and that is why we won. I am very proud.”

The Germans led the first phase with the Dutch team in third after the dressage, but this would certainly not prove to be a dressage competition. Germany slipped to eighth after the cross-country course designed by Marcin Konarski took its toll on so many combinations. Konarski has been designing international courses at Strzegom for 20 years and his accolades include World Cup Finals and Senior European Championships. The venue is famed for its technicality and big bold jumping efforts and this year was no exception. “This year’s course has a lot of technical questions. There are also a couple of very bold jumps where the horses have to show a lot of bravery,” he said.

Experienced Dutch rider Merel Blom-Hulsman, who has been a mainstay of the Dutch team for over a decade, summed up the challenge: “It was hard to get this win. It was a difficult course with a lot of technical questions and big jumps in between so I think we all really had to push to the end, so it was quite a difficult challenge.”

The Dutch team lost their fourth member Stephen Hazeleger, who was one of 13 athletes to come to grief on the cross-country. Fortunately, their other three team members achieved fast and clear cross-country rounds to put them well ahead of the rest of the field going into the final phase. Although they had a 25-penalty margin ahead of USA in second, the pressure was still on with all three athletes’ scores to count in the jumping phase, who held onto their nerves as well as first place.

There was further pressure on the result this year, as the Series takes on extra significance as the last chance to earn a single Team slot to Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Five of the nations competing are not yet qualified, including The Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Austria. The FEI Eventing European Championship at Pin du Haras (FRA) this August and the 2023 Pan American Games at Santiago (CHI) in October will provide further chances for nations to qualify.

Like many other nations who are not yet qualified, the Dutch selected a more experienced team on good horses. Their sole objective this season is Olympic Qualification, explains Blom-Hulsman. “There is not a bigger motivator than Paris. We stand up every morning just pushing for Paris and we will keep pushing until we are there, for sure.”

Heffernen reinforced this notion: “We have two Nations Cup competitions coming up in the next few weeks, one in France and one in Switzerland, and of course there is the European Championships, so we are concentrating on those three competitions now, so hopefully we can repeat this performance.”

The FEI Eventing Nations Cup will now move to Haras de Jardy (FRA) which runs from 13-16 July. The Belgians lead the Series at this halfway stage, with a total of 350 points, whilst the Dutch now move up to second with 285 points. The Series concludes in Boekelo (NED) from 4-8 October, where the final team place for the Paris Olympics will be allocated to the highest placed nations not already qualified.

FULL RESULTS

by Eleanore Kelly

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Strzegom

Dutch Team Victorious in the Eventing Nations Cup at Strzegom

The Dutch team went into the lead after great cross-country rounds at a demanding track, and even some knockdowns in the jumping did not threaten their win. The best result on the team belonged to Janneke Boonzaaijer with ACSI Champ de Tailleur. She had one down, but ultimately finished third with 40,5. Sanne de Jong with Enjoy ended up on fifth – 43,8. The team was also represented by Merel Blom-Hulsman with Chinuk R and Stephan Hazeleger with Gold Rush. The Dutch finished with a collective score of 133,8.

“I think the team riders performed so well that actually in the end it was quite easy to win!” said the smiling chef d’equipe Andrew Hefferman. “I’m joking, of course. It was a really tough competition; it was really refreshing to see such a strong, forward-thinking, and demanding cross-country course. I think it was really good for the sport. The guys performed fantastic.”

Second place on the podium went to the USA – 142,8, who became vice-leaders after dressage and kept it throughout the three trials. The American squad consisted of: Jennifer Caras with Trendy Fernhill, Cassie Sanger with Fernhill Zoro, Andrew Mc Connon with Ferrie’s Cello, and Caroline Pamukcu and HSH Blake. The latter had the best dressage score, dropped down to second after cross-country and secured that placing with a clear round – 35,7.

The Belgians on the podium: Tine Magnus and Champagne Pia Z, Karin Donckers and Leipheimer van’t Verahof, Julien Despontin and Honeyblue, and Jarno Verwimp riding Kyba van de Jomaheide – 166,1. They jumped up from fifth after dressage and fourth after XC. The home team of Poland did not manage to finish the rivalry. The last athlete – Julia Gillmaier – withdrew her mare Red Dream Princes before the showjumping to save her strength for the next challenges of the season.

In the individual classification of the CCIO4*S, the winner was Lea Siegl aboard the 13-year-old Van Helsing P – 33,3. The Austrian rider took the lead after the cross country, jumping up from seventh after dressage, and went clear in the showjumping.

There were no surprises in the 4*L, the most demanding class of the event. The winner was Michael Jung with 10-year-old Kilcandra Ocean Power. He took the lead in the dressage, added overtime points in the cross country, and performed a brilliant clear on the showjumping course (44,7). Second place went to Merel Blom-Hulsman (NED) with Vesuve d’Aveyron (52,2), and third to Mia Hastrup (DEN) with Constantin M (59,1).

Swiss athlete Felix Vogg stood on the highest step of the podium in the 3*L, after a clear jumping round. He rode Dao de l’Ocean – 40,5. Janneke Boonzaaijer with Coffee IJS finished second, only 0,3 behind him, and third went to Philip Ryan (IRL) with Amansara – 48,5.

In the 2*L, the win went to Desirée Schmidt (SUI) with Freestyl de la Cense, after a “double clear” – 33,9. She finished before the German Andreas Dibowski with Lillet 3 – 35,8, and Brooke Schmid riding Giandra V. Schloesslihof – 38,2.

The 2*S was dominated by Swedish rider Louise Romeike, who took the win with Rockett 19 (26,0) and second with Extravagance (29,0). Germany’s Nina Schultes was third with DSP Danakil Desert – 31,0. The highest-ranked Pole was Weronika Król i Look at Her, who finished eighth with 38,9.

Polish riders were unbeatable in the junior 2*S. After two clear rounds, the winner was Karolina Miś with Go Jack – 31,1, and a close second went to Zuzanna Społowicz with Polish-bred Bankier – 31,4. German Matti Garlichs with Ludwig 282 was third with 31,7. In the Pony class, the best score belonged to Anni Müller (GER) with Nightys Flashlight (30,7). Ben Leuwer (GER) wont the 1*-Intro with Balou’s Mascot M – 28,6.

280 horse-and-rider combinations representing 24 countries took part in the 20th jubilee edition of the LOTTO Strzegom Horse Trials.

Online results: http://results.strzegomhorsetrials.pl/event.php?event=21

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

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

Strzegom Horse Trials – FEI Eventing Nations Cup

Photo: Mariusz Chmieliński

The rivalry for valuable points in the fourth leg of the Nations Cup in equestrian triathlon will be decided in Morawa, during the 20th jubilee edition of LOTTO Strzegom Horse Trials.

280 horse-and-rider combinations representing 25 countries will compete in 10 international classes from one to four stars, including the FEI Eventing Nations Cup. This year, the stakes are incredibly high. The Nations Cup series is a chance for teams that have not yet qualified to secure their ticket for next year’s Olympic Games in Paris. There is a record number of teams entered this year. As many as 10 squads will compete in Strzegom, including the representatives of Japan and the United States for the very first time at the venue.

The arenas in Strzegom will host, among others: Germany’s multi-medalist Michael Jung, a double Olympic champion, who also held the titles of European and World Champion; his compatriots Andreas Dibowski and Dirk Schrade, Olympic team gold medalists; and the Dutch Merel Blom, team bronze medalist of the World Equestrian Games. The entry list also includes leading Polish eventers, members of the national team: Paweł Warszawski, Jan Kamiński, Joanna Pawlak, Wiktoria Knap, and Julia Gillmaier.

The competition starts on Thursday, June 22 with the dressage trial. During the first two days of the competition, the riders will present programs assessed by the judges in walk, trot, and gallop. Saturday and Sunday are for spectacular cross-country and showjumping trials – these requiring precision and technical skills.

The program will be complemented by a lot of attractions for spectators. The stuntmen from the Apolinarski Group will present their vaulting skills in a show of jigit, originating from the Caucasus – a Cossac riding style. For dog lovers, the organizers have prepared agility shows performed by the finalists of the “Mam Talent TVN” show. There will also be driving demonstrations, performed by the Youth National Team.

The competition will take place from 22 to 25 June at the hippodrome in Morawa near Strzegom. Admission is free. Car park costs PLN 20.

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

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, Publications/Media

The Para Equestrian Digest — Sanne Voets

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Photo: Door Danny Fotografie

The Para Equestrian Digest speaks to multiple Paralympic Champion, World Champion, European Champion, and National Dutch Champion Sanne Voets (NED) about her time at the Royal Stables in Versailles.

About The Para Equestrian Digest

The FEI launched The Para Equestrian Digest in February 2022. The online magazine was created for Para Equestrian athletes and the people connected to the sport so they can share – in their own words – their personal experiences and disability stories. The Digest puts the spotlight on an athlete or project in Para Equestrian sport with the aim of improving disability awareness and inclusion.

Previous editions of The Para Equestrian Digest: https://www.fei.org/stories/para-equestrian-digest.

Media contact:

Vanessa Martin Randin
Senior Manager, Media Relations & Communications – Corporate Campaigns & Advocacy
vanessa.randin@fei.org