Category Archives: Championships

Portuguese Horse Coltaire Z Withdrawn from FEI European Jumping Championships

Madrid (ESP), 16 September 2011 – The Portuguese have withdrawn Coltaire Z (Frutuoso de Melo) from today’s team final at the FEI European Jumping Championships in Madrid (ESP) for veterinary reasons. The 14-year-old stallion, which was in 36th place in the individual standings, has a leg injury.

The Portuguese team was lying in 10th place overnight and had earned a place in today’s top-10 team final, but as Portugal had fielded a team of only three horses, Coltaire Z’s withdrawal means that the Portuguese have now had to pull out of today’s team final.

Winningmood (Luciana Diniz), in 10th overnight, and Maestro St Lois (Joao Mota), in 35th, will both jump in today’s competition as individuals.

Under FEI Rules for Jumping Championships and Olympic Games, the withdrawal of one of the top 10 teams does not allow for a replacement team to be promoted into the team final.

Italian chef d’equipe Stefano Scaccabarozzi put in a written request to the Ground Jury asking for permission for the 11th-placed Italian team to compete in today’s team final. This request was considered by the Ground Jury under Article 326.3.2 in Chapter II (Continental Championships) of the Rules for Jumping Championships and Olympic Games. The Rules state that round two of the team competition (the team final) “is open only to the 10 best placed teams and those teams equal on penalties for 10th place after round one of the team competition.”

Continue reading Portuguese Horse Coltaire Z Withdrawn from FEI European Jumping Championships

FEI European Jumping Championships 2011 Day 2

FIERCE BATTLE FOR THE MEDALS AS DUTCH LEAD THE TEAMS AND NAGEL HEADS INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS, by Louise Parkes

Germany's Carsten-Otto Nagel and Corradina jumped to the top of the individual rankings at the FEI European Jumping Championships 2011 in Madrid, Spain today. The Dutch are leading the team rankings going into tomorrow's team decider. Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

Madrid (ESP), 15 September 2011 – The Dutch have stormed to the front going into tomorrow’s second and deciding round of the Team Championship while Germany’s Carsten-Otto Nagel leads the individual rankings after another thrilling day at the FEI European Jumping Championships 2011 in Madrid, Spain today.  But it remains a very close-fought affair in both competitions, with less than a fence between the quartet from The Netherlands and the Germans in second place, while the French are almost six points further adrift in third, and only four faults separates the top nine in the individual rankings.

Overnight leader, Olivier Guillon from France, plummeted to ninth when, last into the ring, Lord de Theize hit the wall at fence four in an otherwise flawless tour of the 13-fence track.  But it was the open water that was the talking point at the end of the day, as almost half of the 67 starters picked up penalties here.  Course designer, Spain’s Santiago Vareles, got an unexpected, and almost unprecedented, round of applause from the riders at the post-competition press conference when he agreed that the presentation of this obstacle should be re-examined and that he would get to work on it right away. “Tomorrow we will make some changes to be more fair for the horses at the water jump, it will be good for the sport and better for the horses,” he said. The alterations are expected to include a taller take-off board.

OPENING QUESTION
The 1.60m cheese-hole-style red wall, and topped with gold-coloured blocks, was the opening question on the first testing line of fences and was followed by a 1.70m-wide oxer at fence five which led to the triple combination at six – oxer, vertical, oxer.  After circling right to the 1.60m planks which caused relatively few problems it was then left-handed to the next challenging line that began with another 1.70m-wide oxer and then the influential 4.10m-wide water, with most riders opting for a holding five strides to the following vertical.  And there was plenty more to come, with the massive triple bar – 1.58m tall and stretching across a full 2.10m – leading to the penultimate candy-coloured double that punished many who had made it all the way there before dropping a pole.

Continue reading FEI European Jumping Championships 2011 Day 2

Strong Field Set to Vie for 2011 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship

Rebecca Hart 2010 National Champion. Photo by Fire and Earth Photography

Lexington, KY – A star-studded field of 22 horse-and-rider combinations is set to contest the USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship this weekend in Saugerties, NY. Held September 16-18 during the NEDA Fall Festival elite competition will be held in Grades 1a- IV. These championships are held in conjunction with the Saugerties CPEDI3*, which will host riders not only from the U.S. but also Bermuda, Canada, Ireland, and Mexico.

Competitors will ride three different test within their grade, the horse-and-rider combination with the highest final score will be crowned 2011 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Champion. The Team Test and Individual Championship Test will both count for 40% of the overall score; the final 20% of the cumulative score will be determined by the Freestyle Test.

Seven members of the Kentucky Equine Research U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Team that competed at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games will contest these championships. Jonathan Wentz, Kim Decker, Laura Goldman, Mary Jordan, Rebecca Hart, Robin Brueckmann, and Wendy Fryke look to utilize the experience they gained last fall in Kentucky.

Hart is among the most decorated athletes in para-equestrian competition, having represented the U.S. on both the World Championship and Paralympic stage. She prepared for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games by winning both champion and reserve honors at last year’s National Championship. She will try and claim her fifth championship in six years; she was also the winner of the 2006, 2008, and 2009 National Championships, with Jessica Ransehousen’s Lord Ludger.

Continue reading Strong Field Set to Vie for 2011 USEF Para-Equestrian Dressage National Championship

Barbara “Bebe” Davis Rides Away with Reserve Championship in Inaugural National Pony Rider Championship at 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions

Barbara “Bebe” Davis and her pony Bohdjan are presented with their award by Jim Wolfe and Lois Yunkins. (Photo courtesy of Sue Stickle)

Gladstone, NJ (September 14, 2011) – The inaugural USEF National Pony Rider Championships may have been a small division at the 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions in Gladstone, New Jersey, but for Massachusetts resident Barbara “Bebe” Davis it was a big experience and one she will remember the rest of her life. Competing on her pony Bohdjan, Davis captured the Reserve Championship in the new National Pony division, but also experienced the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat in one single weekend.

Riders in the USEF Pony Rider Championship are the future of dressage riders for our country, and Davis said she would use her experience at Gladstone to grow and as a stepping-stone for future national competitions. Davis grew up in Cohasset, Massachusetts, and her family bought a home in New Jersey to be close to their trainer, Dr. Cesar Parra, and his Piaffe Performance Farm.  “Bohdjan did really well the first day. We came in second with a score of 63.611% while Allison Cyprus came in first with a 63.944%, so I felt confident with such a close race,” Davis said. “During the awards ceremony my pony got scared and he never settled down the rest of the weekend and was certainly nervous during our second test and didn’t perform well. I was disappointed, to say the least, because I didn’t want to let my trainer Dr. Cesar Parra down.”

Parra, who trains Davis out of his Piaffe-Performance farm in New Jersey, praised the 13-year-old rider and said disappointment was the furthest thing from his mind. “I was really proud of Bebe. It’s very special to ride at Gladstone and coming up the hill to the arena, knowing there is a crowd of people on both sides can be intimidating,” Parra said. “Bebe handled it really well and it was a great and growing experience for her. A show like the Festival of Champions makes you a better and stronger rider mentally and no one can ever take the experience, and what you gain from it, away from you.”

Continue reading Barbara “Bebe” Davis Rides Away with Reserve Championship in Inaugural National Pony Rider Championship at 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Festival of Champions

Shelly Temple to Represent US at World Pony Driving Championships

Shelly Temple and Cooper compete in cones at the Germany National Championship in Minden, Germany, August 2011. Photo: Bettina Ruckelshaus

For the second time in her career, US National Champion Combined Pony Driver Shelly Temple and her Morgan gelding LR Ami B-Line (Cooper) will represent the US at the World Pony Driving Championships.  This year the event is held in Lipica, Slovenia, September 22-25, 2011.

Making the US Team has been a yearlong process for Shelly, Cooper, and her navigator/husband, Fran Doto.  They and other members of the long listed drivers have been competing and training under the tutelage of US driving coach, Michael Freund.  Overa August and September several long listed drivers have trained and competed in Europe.  In August, Shelly was 5th at the German National Championship in Minden, Germany where she won the dressage and cones classes for single ponies.

Shelly acknowledges the team aspect of combined driving: “I am thankful for the USEF’s support and the training and instruction from Michael Freund over the past year.  Michael’s coaching has been instrumental at improving all aspects of my driving.  I also appreciate the support of the individual donors and corporate sponsors whose products keep Cooper health, fit, and in top form: Kentucky Equine Research, Kombat Boots, Purina feeds, Omega Fields, ThinLine, Leather Therapy, and Charles Owens.  This is truly a team sport and I couldn’t be competing next week in the World Championships without the generosity of sponsors and all the great people who have donated to Team Catalyst.”

Other members of the USEF World Pony Driving Team are Miranda Cadwell, Jennifer Matheson, Wendy O’Brien, Laurie Astegiano, and Allison Stroud.  Suzy Stafford will compete as an individual.

U.S. Coverage will be available here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/coverage/archives.aspx.

More information is available here: http://www.lipica.org/en/enter-page/305?id=113.

To follow Shelly and Team Catalyst World Championship efforts, visit http://catalystdriving.blogspot.com/.

French to the Fore at FEI European Jumping Championships

Olivier Guillon and Lord de Theize from France on their way to victory in the opening Speed class at the FEI European Jumping Championships 2011 in Madrid, Spain today. Photo: FEI/Michael Steiger.

Madrid (ESP), 14 September 2011 – The French head both the team and individual standings after an exciting opening competition at the FEI European Jumping Championships 2011 in Madrid, Spain today. Just four of the 67 starters were left to go when Olivier Guillon steered Lord de Theize home to snatch the advantage from long-time leaders Beat Mandli (SUI) and Louis. The Swiss partnership were then further demoted to third when the last horse-and-rider into the ring, the surprising Stefan Eder from Austria and his stallion Chili Van Dijk, edged them out with a great run to slot into second.

The 13-fence track set by Spanish course designer Santiago Vareles produced the perfect introduction to the tough week ahead, and there is plenty of tension in the air as, apart from the all-important Championship medals, so many nations are vying for the coveted three remaining qualifying spots available for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

CONVERTED INTO PENALTIES
In the team rankings, Germany lies second after today’s results were converted into penalties, while Sweden is in third ahead of The Netherlands in fourth and Great Britain in fifth. The Swedes were very impressive this afternoon and look to have one of the Olympic qualifying spots well within their sights. These will be allocated to the three highest-placed nations not already qualified. As it stands this evening, Sweden, The Netherlands and the host nation of Spain have the London tickets in their grasp, but they will need to hold on very tight indeed over the next two days as Italy, Ireland and the defending European team champions from Switzerland are hot on their heels.

Continue reading French to the Fore at FEI European Jumping Championships

USEF Names Team for the 2011 FEI World Pony Driving Championships

Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) named the following drivers to represent the United States at the 2011 FEI World Pony Driving Championships in Lipica, Slovenia September 21-25, 2011.

The following drivers will compete on the Team:

Single Pony Championship
Miranda Cadwell (Southern Pines, NC) will drive her own Kabam.
Shelly Temple (Aiken, SC) will drive her own LR Ami B-Line.

Pair Pony Championship
Jennifer Matheson (Aiken, SC) will drive Katrina Becker’s Cees, Dannyloo and Topper.
Wendy O’Brien (Aiken, SC) will drive her own Avalon 279, Ben 65 and Francisco 7.

Team Pony Championship
Laurie Astegiano (Rousssac, France) will drive her own Liezelhof Dave, Mastro’s Baroness, Templedruid Kronos, Templeruid St. Jerneborg and Timmy 97.
Allison Stroud (Unionville, PA) will drive her own Cong Donal, Kilkerin, Edward, Mosby, Mystic and Sir Patrick.

The following driver will compete as an Individual:

Single Pony Championship
Suzy Stafford (Wilmington, DE) will drive her own and Beth Steinke’s Josephine.

Chester Weber will serve as the Chef d’Equipe and Michael Freund will serve as coach.

U.S. Coverage will be available here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/coverage/archives.aspx.

More information is available here: http://www.lipica.org/en/enter-page/305?id=113.

Host Nation Spain Drawn First to Go in FEI European Jumping Championships

Madrid (ESP), 13 September 2011 – Host nation Spain will be hoping to stay out in front after being drawn number one of 16 nations at today’s draw for the starting order in the FEI European Jumping Championships. The Spanish have never won the European Jumping title and are keen to reverse that trend on their home turf at Club de Campo de Villa Madrid this week.

Defending title holders Switzerland are fourth to go; France – the country of reigning individual champion Kevin Staut – are in 13th; and Germany, leaders in the FEI European Championship gold medal tally with six team titles, will start 14th.

The order of go for the FEI European Jumping Championships: 1, Spain; 2, Great Britain; 3, Poland; 4, Switzerland; 5, Ireland; 6, Netherlands; 7, Sweden; 8, Norway; 9, Italy; 10, Belgium; 11, Denmark; 12, Portugal; 13, France; 14, Germany; 15, Hungary; 16, Austria.

“Now I know what a warm welcome really means,” said Stephan Ellenbruch (GER), President of the Ground Jury, as temperatures soared and the Spanish summer returned to Club de Campo de Villa Madrid. Speaking at today’s draw, Stephan Ellenbruch said: “Maybe I should give the timetable for the swimming pool before we go into the draw!”

Show director Alfonso Segovia, who competed at both the Munich and Montreal Olympic Games, conducted the draw with FEI Jumping Committee Acting Chair, John Madden.

Continue reading Host Nation Spain Drawn First to Go in FEI European Jumping Championships

FEI European Junior Eventing Championships 2011 – Vale Sabroso (POR)

BRITISH TAKE TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL GOLD by Louise Parkes

L to R - Kevin Seignier from France (Silver), Great Britain's Zoe Brenan (Gold) and David Doel, also from Great Britain (Bronze). Photo: FEI/Michael Steiger.

Lausanne (SUI), 12 September 2011 – Great Britain claimed team gold along with two of the three individual medals on offer at the FEI European Junior Eventing Championships 2011 at Vale Sabroso in Portugal over the weekend.  However the team silver medallists from Germany put up a spirited fight when the side was reduced to just three riders following last-minute injury problems and, leading through the dressage and cross-country phases, they were only pipped at the post in the final jumping test to finish ahead of the bronze medallists from France.

Zoe Brenan took individual gold for Britain riding Latino K while her compatriot, David Doel riding Kings Cross, scooped the bronze when finishing just 0.7 points behind Kevin Seigner and Or du Genet from France who slotted into individual silver spot.

The venue, in the beautiful Alcacer do Sol region, opened its gates to competitors from 15 nations – Italy, Spain, Sweden, Finland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Great Britain, France, Germany, Denmark, Poland, Ireland, Portugal, Switzerland and The Netherlands – with eight countries vying for the team medals and a total of 52 starters.

HELD THE LEAD
The German team of Franziska Dennersmann (Rantan Plan Z), Charlotte Hachmeister (Kassio) and Josephine Wilms (Corvette D) held the lead after the dressage phase, with Ireland in second and Great Britain in third ahead of France.  This was a particularly good result for the Irish who do not always shine in the dressage department, but normally tend to come into their own when the jumping phases get underway.  However the Irish Juniors have clearly raised their game, and on this occasion Tori Dixon and Shadow Light were sharing third place on the individual leaderboard with Belgium’s Valentine Gabriel and Chopin Van’T Kattekwaad going into cross-country day on a score of 45.0.  German team member, Wilms, was lying second with a mark of 44.0 while British individual, Emily King, led the way with a mark of 41.9 from Mr Hiho.

Continue reading FEI European Junior Eventing Championships 2011 – Vale Sabroso (POR)

Steffen Peters and Ravel Close the 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions with a Clean Sweep of the Grand Prix National Dressage Championship

Steffen Peters and Ravel. Photo: SusanJStickle.com

Gladstone, NJ – Steffen Peters went six-for-six at the 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions at the USET Foundation Headquarters. First, he swept the Intermediaire I on Weltino’s Magic (earning a place on the team for the Pan American Games in the process) and then dominated the Grand Prix National Dressage Championship on Ravel – scoring 77.660% in the Grand Prix, 80.083% in the Grand Prix Special, and 81.100% in the Freestyle to average 79.247% to win by more than six percentage points.

On a day when the nation remembered September 11, 2001, the national anthem played proudly in Gladstone, NJ.

Akiko Yamazaki and Four Winds Farm’s 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding cruised to a title that they last won in 2008. Ravel was tired after putting in a tremendous effort in the Grand Prix Special on Friday but America’s dressage superstar hung in there and, despite some mistakes, what he did well – he did very well.

“Interesting, obviously a little tough on the finish line,” said Peters. “There was the one piaffe that didn’t happen and that makes me not think about the other movements that were good… the changes and pirouettes were better than Aachen.”

Ravel always tries, but Peters knew based on how well behaved his superstar was in the prize giving, that the horse is ready for a vacation. He has had a busy few years, competing and winning at the biggest shows across the globe.

Continue reading Steffen Peters and Ravel Close the 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions with a Clean Sweep of the Grand Prix National Dressage Championship