Category Archives: Vaulting

This Week in International Disciplines – April 27, 2011

Eventing

Tamra Smith stormed to victory with Mar de Amor by nearly 14 points in the CIC3* at the Twin Rivers Ranch in California. The pair won the dressage and never looked back, adding just a few time faults on both the cross country and the show jumping. Their final score was 53.6. Barbara Crabo and Eveready II were second on a score of 67.3 after picking up 13.6 time faults on the cross country, and Pam Fisher and Sea Lion rounded out the top three on the strength of a clear show jumping round.

Jolie Wentworth and Governess scored a win in the CIC1*, capitalizing on a clear show jumping round to win by three-tenths of a point over Olympic Silver medalist Gina Miles, who was second on her dressage mark of 50.9 with Sunspite Patronus. Erin Kellerhouse and Parfait were third with a score of 52.4 after one rail in the final phase kept them from the top spot.

In the Revere CCI2*, the Gold medalist from the 2009 Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships presented by Gotham North won another close division  on the colorful paint, Project Runway. Their final score of 54.4 gave them a narrow lead over Anna Collier and Uppercrust D, who finished on a score of 54.9. Dressage winner Lauren Billys on Ballingowan Ginger were third after picking up time faults on the cross country.

Continue reading This Week in International Disciplines – April 27, 2011

Four FEI World Cup Finals under One Roof – Watch the Action Live on FEI TV

Leipzig (GER), 27 April 2011 – For the first time in history four FEI World Cup Finals will take place under one roof. Watch high quality, uninterrupted LIVE coverage on FEI TV according to the following timetable (all times are in GMT):

Thursday 28 April
Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Final I – 13.10 GMT – 15.15 GMT
Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Grand Prix Qualifier – 15.55 GMT – 19.05 GMT

Friday 29 April
Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Final II – 12.40 GMT – 15.15 GMT
FEI World Cup Driving Qualifier – 19.40 GMT – 20.25 GMT

Saturday 30 April
FEI World Cup Vaulting Final – 09.35 GMT – 11.15 GMT
Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Freestyle Part One – 15.55 GMT – 17.45 GMT
Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Freestyle Part Two – 18.40 GMT – 19.55 GMT

Sunday 1 May
FEI World Cup Driving Final – 09.25 GMT – 10.45 GMT
Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping III – 11.40 GMT – 15.00 GMT

Continue reading Four FEI World Cup Finals under One Roof – Watch the Action Live on FEI TV

Shutterfly Joins the Leipzig Line-Up

News from 2010/2011 FEI World Cup Finals by Louise Parkes

Lausanne (SUI), 26 April 2011 – Three-time Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping champion, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, has decided to compete her great gelding, Shutterfly, at the 2010/2011 final which opens at Leipzig, Germany tomorrow, 27 April.  Originally entered with Checkmate and Kismet, Meredith has substituted the latter for the 18 year old veteran who helped her secure the prestigious title at Las Vegas (USA) in 2005 and 2009 and at Gothenburg (SWE) in 2008. This means that not only is the German rider vying for a record-breaking fourth series victory, but Shutterfly may also go into the record books as the first horse to claim the honours on four occasions.  The only other horse to win three titles was Rodrigo Pessoa’s legendary stallion Baloubet du Rouet who scored a spectacular back-to-back hat-trick for his Brazilian rider between 1998 and 2000.

Some facts and figures about the 2010/2011 FEI World Cup Finals at Leipzig:

For the first time in the history of international equestrian sport, four finals will take place under one roof between 27 April and 1 May – Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping, Reem Acra FEI World Cup dressage, FEI World Cup Driving and FEI World Cup Vaulting.
Leipzig staged its first national event in 1998 and in 2002 held its first international show – the FEI World Cup Jumping final – Germany’s Otto Becker reigned supreme on that occasion with Dobel’s Cento.
Leipzig, the trade and cultural capital of eastern Germany, is closely associated with world-famous literary figure Johann Wolfgang von Goethe who studied law at Leipzig University.
A total of 50 competitions will take place at the Leipziger Messe exhibition centre between 27 April and 1 May.
The total prizemoney for the Finals is €1.6 million.
A total of 31 nations will compete in all four FEI World Cup events.
21 nations will be represented in the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping final.
There are 11 lady riders amongst the 43 starters in the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping final.
Course designer for the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping final is Frank Rothenberger.
German footing expert, Oliver Hoberg, will ensure excellent ground conditions for horses and riders.
Stable Management has been allocated to Team Australia.
100,000 visitors are expected to attend the event – at the 2010 Leipzig fixture a total of 70,000 spectators turned up over the four-day fixture.
Three halls – each sized 21,000 square metres, will be in use during the final.
Hall 1 – 9,500 seats, arena size 40/80 metres, Hall 2 – 3,000 seats, Hall 3 – stabling for 900 horses, 750 of these are allocated for competition horses.
President of the Organising Committee is Volker Wulff.

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

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 45

Leipzig Media Contact:
Andreas Kerstan
andreas.kerstan@comtainment.de
+49 4307 827970

Twenty Americans Head to FEI World Cup Finals in Leipzig, Germany

Shawna Harding and Come On III. Photo: SusanJStickle.com

Lexington, KY – The United States will have strong representation in Germany for the 2011 FEI World Cup Finals (April 27 – May 1), with 20 of the country’s best riders ready to leave their mark on Leipzig. For the first time the World Cup Finals in dressage, driving, jumping and vaulting will all be held under one roof, with the US sending competitors to vie for top honors in the dressage and jumping. The US will also use the Leipzig Exhibition Hall to showcase up-and-coming jumping riders in the European Youngster Cup Finals and the CSI3*.

With three riders competing in the 2011 Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final, the US is poised to excel on the world stage. The American effort will be led by Catherine Haddad and her own Winyamaro. Based in Germany, the pair punched their ticket to the Finals by finishing fifth in the Western European League, which is widely known as the toughest Reem Acra World Cup Qualifying League.

California’s Jan Ebeling returns to World Cup stage with his partner from the 2009 Finals, Raflaca. The pair won most recently at the Festival of the Horse CDI-W in March. Shawna Harding and Come On III make their FEI World Cup Final debut, they look to capitalize on the consistent form they displayed throughout the winter season. Under the guidance of Technical Advisor Anne Gribbons, these three riders will compete in a field of 18 competitors from 11 countries, including former FEI World Cup Champions Edward Gal, Isabel Werth and Ulla Salzgeber.

Continue reading Twenty Americans Head to FEI World Cup Finals in Leipzig, Germany

FEI World Cup Finals Make History in Leipzig

Leipzig (GER), 4 February 2010 – For the first time in the history of equestrian sport, four FEI World Cup Finals will be held under the same roof. The Rolex FEI World Cup Final Jumping, the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Final Dressage, the FEI World Cup Final Driving and the FEI World Cup Final Vaulting will all be held in the German city of Leipzig between 27 April and 1 May 2011.

A maximum of 43 riders from 14 qualifying leagues will line out for the Final of the 2010/2011 Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping series. And the host nation of Germany, the most prolific winners of the coveted title with eight victories in total and seven of those recorded over the last nine seasons, looks set to challenge strongly once again. Last weekend in Zurich (SUI), defending champion Marcus Ehning recorded the fifth German victory from the nine qualifying legs staged so far in the Western European League. Ehning is one of four riders who have clinched the trophy on three occasions during the 33-year history of this series which, this season, sees 132 qualifying competitions taking place around the globe.

At the Final, the fate of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping title is decided over three tough competitions culminating in a thrilling Grand Prix on the last afternoon. It is the ultimate accolade in the sport of indoor international Jumping, and the one they all want to win.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13184

52 Weeks in the Pursuit of Excellence

With every eye on the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, 2010 was the Year of the Horse in the United States as the world arrived on our doorstep in Lexington, KY, for 16 days of competition, demonstration and fun. It took years of planning and didn’t kick off until the end of the ninth month of the year.

Here is how 2010 unfolded before, during and after the Equestrian Event that stopped the American Equestrian community in its tracks. Anyone who makes a life with horses knows it’s not only about the few days a year when the world is watching – it is about every day of every year.

January: 2010 began with honoring the champions from the previous year at the 2010 USEF Annual Meeting. Dressage superstar Steffen Peters repeated as Equestrian of the Year. It was a monumental task to get him from a horse show in California to Louisville, but it was all worth it when he was there, in person, to accept his Dressage award. The night before, his beloved horse, Ravel, was honored as the Farnam/Platform USEF Horse of the Year after storming through 2009 winning on both sides of this country (including the Rolex/FEI World Cup Final) and sweeping the CHIO Aachen in Germany – a first for an American combination. Owner Akiko Yamazaki was on hand to collect the award honoring America’s champion of 2009. Find the details here: http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=5264&star=true and http://www.usef.org/_IFrames/newsdisplay/viewPR.aspx?id=5265&star=true. There would be even bigger plans for this pair in 2010.

Continue reading 52 Weeks in the Pursuit of Excellence

The EQUUS Foundation and the USEF Launch America’s Favorite Equestrian

WESTPORT, CT – December 17, 2010 – America’s Favorite Equestrian is an interactive fundraising effort presented jointly in partnership by The EQUUS Foundation and The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) to raise funds to advance the equestrian sport on an annual basis.

Using mobile texting, you can vote to select America’s Favorite Equestrians and support The EQUUS Foundation with a $5 gift. 100% of all donations will be used to support charitable causes. A minimum of $10,000 in “sport welfare” grants will be awarded, with an additional $5,000 grant awarded to the equestrian discipline generating the most votes.

The objective is for the America’s Favorite Equestrians to be an ongoing program with all equestrian disciplines/breeds represented and the winners recognized in a permanent “Hall of Fame”. The original intent was to launch the inaugural program in conjunction with the World Equestrian Games, which is why initially the eight disciplines of dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, jumping, para-dressage, reining, and vaulting were selected. The affiliates of the United States Equestrian Federation representing these disciplines selected the equestrians.  But, there were some logistics involved in establishing the mobile texting system and developing the website, which delayed the launch until December.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12751

The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

Steffen Peters – Individual Bronze – USA. Photos by Diana De Rosa

Bringing the World to Kentucky

“What a journey this continues to be,” said Dr. Pearse Lyons, as he sat mesmerized by the incredible talent he was witnessing on September 25 as he watched each performer showcase their talents during the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.  It had been four years since Dr. Lyons had made the decision for his company, Alltech, a worldwide leader in animal nutrition, health and performance, to be the first major sponsor of this event.

This day was especially significant and he wasn’t about to miss even one beat of the evening’s performances.

“As the first performers entered the arena, I felt a great sense of relief and a sense of achievement,” commented Dr. Lyons after pausing for a moment to answer the question of how significant it was to have the Games start officially. “That relief wasn’t just for me but for our people at Alltech and for WEG.  We all planned it and our people and the WEG people came together to get the job done.  It’s been a great example of a team effort.  So, how do I feel?  I feel really delighted, especially to see our people really get into it and get involved.”

Continue reading The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

2010 Radio Show Episode 125 by SUCCEED – Final Day of WEG Coverage


Daily radio coverage of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games continues with a wrap up of the day’s events. We recap the Jumping Rolex Top Four results, Para Dressage Individual Freestyle, Combined Driving Obstacles final results, Vaulting Freestyle Team Finals competition today as we record at the International Equestrian Festival in front of a live audience. Listen in.

2010 Radio Show Episode 125 by SUCCEED – Show Notes and Links:


  • Coverage: Follow all the coverage of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games on the Horse Radio Network.

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USA Claims Gold in Vaulting World Championships at Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

October 10, 2010 – Lexington, KY – If you asked the Team USA vaulters how they were feeling this afternoon, they’d answer with a chorus of screams. They feel that good, because they pulled out a come-from-behind win to earn the team gold medal at the Vaulting World Championships, held as part of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

“We really connected today — we looked each other in the eye,” said team member and coach Devon Maitozo. “Our horse was just beautiful, and we had the love of the audience with us, which helped. We just were in our bodies today.”

Today was a contrast from the previous team freestyle competition on Friday, when two team members fell from their horse, because, said Maitozo, the team horse, Palatine, was spooky in the arena. The U.S. team had led after the compulsory exercises, but then dropped to third place after the fall, behind Germany and Austria.

To prepare for Sunday’s round, Maitozo said, “We made a different plan for the horse and for ourselves. We took a step back from the intensity of the energy before. We really calmed ourselves down, collected ourselves, and the horse had a longer warm-up but a much more calm warm-up.”

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12332