Category Archives: Championships

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Show Jumping

David O’Brien Wins Back-to-Back Young Jumper Classes at Kentucky Summer Classic

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Lexington, Ky. – Aug 4, 2021 – The 6-Year-Old Jumper class took place in the Rolex Stadium Wednesday afternoon during day two of the Kentucky Summer Classic. These special classes allow riders the opportunity to expose their up-and-coming jumper prospects to the sport of show jumping in a formal setting. The courses are specifically designed to be educational and age-appropriate for both horse and rider. Irish rider David O’Brien added two more wins to his name, coming off of a one-two shut out yesterday in the 7-Year-Old Class. He triumphed over his fellow competitors taking home a first-place podium with Olivia SCF and a second-place finish aboard Out Of The Blue SCF.

Patricia Stovel and Caught Me Looking Win the Tricolor in $500 TAKE2 Thoroughbred Hunter Championship

Thoroughbreds were the stars of the show on Wednesday afternoon taking the spotlight in the Claiborne ring on the second day of competition at the Kentucky Summer Classic. Eager to showcase their versatility outside of the racetrack, the mounts and their respective riders vied for the $500 TAKE2 Thoroughbred Hunter Championship. Following solid placings on Tuesday in the first two over fences rounds in the division it was ultimately Patricia Stovel and Caught Me Looking who topped the talented field to earn the tricolor.

For more information about the Kentucky Horse Shows, please visit www.KentuckyHorseShows.com.

Championships, Competitions, FEI, Vaulting

Historic Gold for The Netherlands at FEI Vaulting World Championships for Juniors

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Sam Dos Santos (NED) on Chameur, lunged by Rian Pierik (FEI/Photos Les Garennes)

FEI Vaulting returned in great fashion over the weekend, as Boulerie Jump in Le Mans, France hosted the biennial FEI Vaulting World Championships for Juniors 2021.  An arena that has housed many momentous Vaulting moments once again provided the stage for Vaulting history, with Sam Dos Santos winning gold in the individual male competition, securing a first ever medal in Vaulting for The Netherlands.

Austria’s Anna Weidenauer took top honours in the female category, whilst Germany once again proved a Vaulting powerhouse taking two golds, with Arne Heers & Lily Warren untouchable in pas-de-deux and retaining the prestigious squad title.

Fifty-six competitors lined up at the start of the week in the female category showing an unprecedented standard. Coming into the final round it looked to be a two-way tussle between defending champion Mona Pavetic (GER) and Austria’s Anna Weidenauer.  Weidenauer, leader after the first round, lost some of her 0.12 advantage to Pavetic in second round compulsories, resulting in a nail-biting finish.

Hailing from URC Wildegg, which has previously produced multiple female champions, Anna Weidenauer held her nerve to add her name to the history books. Alongside lunger Maria Lehrmann and Chivas 14, she took the top step of the podium on a combined score of 7.974, narrowly taking the title from the 2019 champion Mona Pavetic (7.931), with bronze going to Germany’s Gianna Ronca (7.820).

History was made in the individual male category as 15-year-old Sam Dos Santos lead throughout all four rounds of the competition to secure the first ever medal for The Netherlands in Vaulting. Together with his lunger Rian Pierik and horse Chameur, his dynamic, expressive freestyle impressed both judges and audiences alike.  The Dutch trailblazer finished on a combined score of 8.360 marking a historic moment for Vaulting in The Netherlands.

The silver medal went to Germany’s Philip Goroncy (8.263), with his fellow compatriot Simon Stolz taking bronze (7.731).

In the pas-de-deux category Arne Heers and Lily Warren were in a league of their own.  Together with their horse Capitano 59 and lunger Sven Henze, they scored a spectacular 8.732 in the final round to finish on a combined total of 8.578, an impressive 0.5 ahead of their nearest competitors.

Anna Weidenauer secured her second medal of the day as she partnered with Paul Ruttkovsky to take the second step on the podium (8.083).  Whilst having only secured their first ever Vaulting medal mere hours earlier, Sam Dos Santos & Elise Van De Ven took The Netherland’s medal tally to two, taking bronze (8.037).

In the squad competition Germany triumphed taking top honours on a score of 7.805.  With Michelle Arcori on the lunge and horse Elias 75, the highly decorated team from Ingelsberg fought off tough competition from the field who were all vying for the much sought-after squad title.  It was a fight to the end with the United States of America taking silver (7.669) and Switzerland bronze (7.655).

This week marked Vaulting’s triumphant return on the world stage, with the emergence of new stars and another nation staking a claim on the medals; for National Coach of the Netherlands Claire De Ridder, the momentous achievements of Sam Dos Santos, Elise Van De Ven, and the depth of talent they have coming through, she hopes can inspire the next generation.

“It is really incredible; we knew before he (Dos Santos) came here how talented he was, but he didn’t have competition experience.

“I hope from the achievements here this weekend that the sport will evolve more in The Netherlands. I hope it inspires younger Vaulters and shows them that it is possible to win medals and have these successes.  I am excited for the future; we have so much talent coming through.

“To see everyone here, united, it really brings people together and that is what Vaulting is all about.”

By Hannah Eccles

Media contact:

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

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Show Jumping

Celso Ariani and Ukulman De La Nutria Blaze to Victory in $25,000 Kentucky Summer Classic

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Lexington, KY – July 29, 2021 – On Thursday evening, the nation’s top athletes gathered at the Kentucky Horse Park’s Rolex Stadium in hopes of securing the win in the $25,000 Kentucky Summer Classic Grand Prix during the Kentucky Summer Horse Show. Saving the best for last, Brazil’s Celso Ariani and Ukulman De La Nutria topped an eight-horse jump-off by almost three seconds as the final pair in the ring. Daisy Farish and RMF Retro placed second, while Kaitlin Campbell and Dandy rounded out the top three.

Christopher Payne Pulls Out Hat Trick Earning Three Championship Titles

After picture-perfect rides in the hunter arena at the Kentucky Summer Horse Show (KSHS), Christopher Payne emerged with not one, but two championship ribbons in the StoneLea ring on Thursday morning. Payne piloted two Still Water Farm LLC entries, Gratitude and Reign, to take multiple top-three placings in the combined Green Hunter and High Performance Conformation Hunter division as well as the Green 3’6” Hunter division, respectively. Payne put the cherry on top by claiming the Hagyard Grand Professional Hunter Champion, presented by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, on Imagine after beating a competitive pack of 34 entries to take home top honors in the Green 3’0” Hunter division.

For more information about the Kentucky Horse Shows, please visit www.KentuckyHorseShows.com.

Championships, Competitions, FEI, Show Jumping

A Hat-Trick of Team Gold for Brilliant Belgians

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Belgium’s Thibeau Spits, Emilie Conter, Maartje Verberckmoes, Alexander Housen, and Thibeau Philippaerts with Chef d’Equipe Rik Deraedt. (FEI/Leanjo De Koster)

Germany’s Mathias Westendarp claimed the Individual Young Rider title, Great Britain’s Ava Vernon topped the Juniors, and Hungary’s Gyula Szuhal Jr. was crowned Children’s champion at the FEI European Championships 2021 for Young Riders, Juniors, and Children which drew to a close at Herdade da Comporta in Vilamoura (POR).

But in the battle for the Team medals, Belgium secured an incredible hat-trick of wins in all three categories.

Juniors

The Junior Team title was the first to be confirmed when “the fantastic five” led by Rik Deraedt, who has been Chef d’Equipe for more than 10 years, claimed the honours for Belgium. Bart Jay Jr. Vandecasteele (Mac Jack Courtier), Aurelia Guisson (No Limit), Anthony Philippaerts (J’Adore ven het Schaeck), Tristan Guisson (Naturelle), and Evelyne Putters (Uith de Rotes) completed on a final score of 9.83.

Silver medal spot went to Switzerland’s Linus Hanselman (Walk for Me), Noah Keller (Julia’s Diamond Princess), Geraldine Strauman (Silver Surfer), Thibault Keller (Badaboum One), and Gaetan Joliat (Verone de Hus Z), who finished with 14.98 on the board. And team bronze went to Great Britain’s Ava Vernon (Jolie Fleur), Amelie Gachoud (The Precious One), Claudia Moore (Hardesther), Oliver Fletcher (Hello William), and Lila Bremner (Memphis VD Vaart), whose final scoreline showed 16.56.

Ireland’s Tom Wachman and Fireball were leading the Individual rankings ahead of Britain’s Vernon and Alice Laine from France going into Saturday’s finale. But a fence down in the third round of competition proved costly for Wachman who had to settle for fifth place in the final analysis, behind Laine in fourth.

It was a close-fought battle for the podium placings, with Vernon clinching gold on a score of 4.39 while Belgian siblings, Tristan and Aurelia Guisson, took silver and bronze on 4.4 and 4.6, respectively.

Young Riders

And then the Belgians won the Young Riders Team title. Thibeau Spits (Classic Touch), Emilie Conter (Balento CS), Maartje Verberckmoes (Guidam’s Willow the Second), Alexander Housen (Casillas van de Helle), and Thibeau Philippaerts (Khan vd Kattevennen Z) racked up a total of 21.35 for gold while Ireland’s Jack Ryan (BBS McGregor), Sean Monaghan (Dalvaro), Harry Allen (Guinness), Jason Foley (Clyde VA), and Kayleigh Soden (Ard Leaderman) took silver on 23.56.

Jodie Hall McAteer (Kimosa), Lily Attwood (Karibou Horta), Siena Charles (Ornellaia), Jack Whitaker (Scenletha), and Robert Murphy (Highcross Violet) clinched bronze for Great Britain on 28.72. Whitaker, son of British Jumping legend Michael Whitaker, was lying second in the Individual rankings going into the final day behind Germany’s Mathias Westendarp with his gelding Stalido in pole position, while in bronze at this stage was Russia’s Igor Schibrik who produced some great jumping with his 10-year-old gelding Cornet’s Spirit.

However, in Sunday’s Individual Final, Schibrik slipped to fifth, and it was team gold medallist Emilie Conter from Belgium who stood on the third step of the podium, while Whitaker held on to silver medal spot and Westendarp stood firm for the gold.

Children

The French side of Dan Eschmann (Valdiva Frivole), Margaux Chereau (Vidocq de Paline), Timothee Goffinet (Valserine du Bois), Lana Messina (Quactus du Leon), and Cassandre Roquain (Balzane des Roches) were top of the Children’s leaderboard after Friday’s second competition. However, they dropped to equal-fourth with Ireland the following day which allowed the second-placed Belgians to rise to the top.

Estee Bomere (History van’t Ameldonk Z), Yari van den Branden (Gerard), Nikita van der Meerschen (Impressario), Seppe Wouters (Porthos Maestro), and Brent de Schrijver (LIV Good vd Kattevennen Z) won through on their total of four faults. Silver went to Italy’s Vittoria Callabro (Abete), Giovanni Vincoli (Qitana VDV), Angelica Francesca Pellicari (Vasco vd Jukschot Z), Nicolo Paolo Monari (Touch d Arrogance), and Maria Ilaria Grilli (Saetta del Terricio) who finished with eight.

Great Britain took the bronze when Tabitha Kyle (Desterly), Emily Fisher (Heedestar), Madison Seedhouse (Emara Giguellerie Z), Noora von Bulow (Lucky Lisa), and Eve McCoy (Non Stop) posted a final tally of 11.

Exciting finish

The Children’s Individual Final was the most exciting finish of the week when coming down to a five-way jump-off to decide the medals. Finland’s Hugo Kogelnig riding Vermont 2 galloped home in a fast time of 30.72 seconds, but Hungary’s Gyula Szuhai Jr. riding Perthy Jackson snatched away the gold when crossing the line in 30.43. Switzerland’s Lou Puch and Vitalhorse Un Amour La Goula collected eight faults to slot into fifth place, and there was the closest contest for bronze between Belgium’s Seppe Wouters and Czech Republic’s Anna Marie Vitek (Chacco’s Amke), who both had a single fence down and were separated by just over half a second on the clock, Vitek getting the medal-winning edge.

Jean Jacques Mathis, Belgian Chef d’Equipe for the Pony and Children categories, was “happy and amazed by the rare, if not unique, result achieved” by his athletes. And he could be proud that many of the competitors on the Young Riders team were also coached by him earlier in their careers.

Rik Deraedt, Belgian Chef d’Equipe for Juniors and Young Riders, talked about the great team spirit in the Belgian camp and the level of talent that shows so much promise for the future.

Results here.

By Louise Parkes

Media contact:

Shannon Gibbons
Media Relations and Communications Manager
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

Championships, Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Tryon, USEF

TIEC to Host USEF CCI4*-L Eventing National Championships for 2021 and 2022

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Lexington, KY – June 24, 2021 – US Equestrian is pleased to announce that the USEF CCI4*-L Eventing National Championship will return to the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, N.C. in 2021 and 2022. The National Championship will be held in conjunction with the Tryon International Three-Day Event.

The USEF CCI4*-L Eventing National Championship was held at TIEC for the first time in 2020, and competitors had high praise for the facilities at the venue and the staff’s dedication to producing a world-class event. Tryon’s White Oak cross-country course was created for the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games™ and is known for its scenic rolling terrain in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

“We are very excited to host the Tryon International Three-Day Event CCI4*-L again this November,” said Sharon Decker, President of Tryon of Tryon Equestrian Properties, Carolinas Operations. “Our 2020 event was extraordinary, and with spectators welcomed this year, we will have the chance once again to showcase the highest levels of this sport on what many of our riders have declared one of the best cross-country courses in the world. We cannot wait!”

The 2021 Tryon International Three-Day Event is set to take place November 10-14. The event will host CCI1*-L, CCI2*-L, CCI3*-L, and CCI4*-S divisions in addition to the CCI4*-L. Additionally, the East Coast Final for the inaugural Adequan® USEF Eventing Youth Team Challenge will be held in conjunction with the event, making for an exciting week of late-season eventing.

For more information, visit Tryon.com/eventing.

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, USEF

Clara Propp and Arabesque Emerge Victorious at USEF Jr. Hunter Nat’l Championship – East Coast

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Clara Propp and Arabesque.

Devon, Pa. – July 14, 2021 – The final day of competition at the 2021 Adequan®/USEF Junior Hunter National Championship – East Coast, hosted by the Brandywine Horse Shows, concluded Wednesday in the Dixon Oval of the Devon Horse Show Grounds with the Junior 3’3” Hunters. Bringing forth some of the nation’s top up-and-coming junior riders, competition was stiff as horse-and-rider combinations vied for the Grand Junior 3’3” Hunter Champion title. After seeing a total of 213 entries in the Small Junior 3’3” Hunter 15 & Under, Small Junior 3’3” Hunter 16-17, Large Junior 3’3” Hunter 15 & Under, and Large Junior 3’3” Hunter 16-17 divisions, Clara Propp and Arabesque emerged victorious to be crowned Grand Junior 3’3” Hunter Champions.

Read more here.

Phelps Sports
info@phelpssports.com

Championships, Competitions, Eventing/H.T.

German Day in Baborówko

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30 May 2021 was the last day of Equestrian Festival Baborówko. 200 riders with 350 horses from 25 countries all over the world competed for a prize pool unparalleled in Polish eventing – over 90 000 EUR.

In the most important class of the show, the CCI4*-S for the prize of the patron of the event, Mr Roman Roszkiewicz, with a prize pool of 70 000 EUR, the leader after dressage and cross-country was Ingrid Klimke (GER) with SAP HALE BOB OLD. However, the rider had an unlucky but harmless fall in the CCI3*-S cross country, which made it unable for her to compete in the four-star jumping trial. The second and third place after two trials belonged to Michael Jung (GER) with FISCHERCHIPMUNK FRH and FISCHERWILD WAVE. The rider confirmed his fantastic shape and finished the jumping with two clear rounds to take the first and second place. Third went to Sandra Auffarth (GER) with LET’S DANCE 73.

“I am very pleased with of my horses, especially with FISCHERCHIPMUNK FRH and FISCHERWILD WAVE, which are in a great shape. We had some demanding conditions, but that’s just eventing,” said Michael Jung (GER). “It was a hard show, but shows like that are necessary, especially in this season, where we have to take advantage of every occasion to prepare for Tokyo. I’ve been to Baborówko two years ago. Now there are new great arenas. To achieve good results, we need good conditions and that’s what we have here.”

The CCI4*-S also determined the podium for this year’s Polish National Championships, for the third time in Baborówko. We witnessed a great performance by Paweł Spisak with Banderas. The rider finished the class as the best Polish athlete, and secured his 9th gold medal of the National Championships. Mateusz Kiempa defended his silver with Libertina, and bronze went to the home rider of Baborówko Equestrian Association, Paweł Warszawski with Lucinda Ex Ani 4.

“We are very glad that some of the best eventers decided to visit Baborówko. We’re happy that in these difficult times and after a year-long break we managed to safely carry out the event, taking advantage of the potential of our new and modernized infrastructure,” says Henryk Święcicki jr., the director of the show.

There was a change in the lead after the jumping for the CCI4*-L, for the trophy of Lotto. Fouaad Mirza (IND) was in the first and second place with SEIGNEUR MEDICOTT and DAJARA 4. However, he had faults in the jumping trial and so the win went to Aminda Ingulfson (SWE) with HOT CUP VH) after a clear round. Fouaad finished second and third.

In the CCI3*-S, for the trophy of Kuhn, the first three placings went to German riders. Michael Jung was victorious with KILCANDRA OCEAN POWER, second went to Hanna Knüppel riding GEKE EQUIGRIP’S LEVINIO, and third to Peter Thomsen with COOL CHARLY BLUE.

Lotte Palmgren (FIN) with GENIALE 11 took the lead after jumping in the CCI2*-S for the trophy of Concordia Grupa Generali, and kept her position in XC. Felix Etzel (GER) was second with PROMISING PETE TSF, and Esteban Benitez Valle (ESP) with ESCARA GP was third.

The CCI2*-YH for six-year-old horses, for the trophy of Kunowo Stables, ended with the win of Andreas Dibowski (GER) riding CRISTALLIK. Merel Blom (NED) with DENIM took second, and third went to Louise Romeike (SWE) with MADAME D’ ENGELBOURG Z.

The leaderboard of the CCI1*-Intro remained unchanged since Saturday – Jerome Robine (GER) kept his lead with COBY R, Merel Blom (NED) with THE BLACK SWAN was second, and Malin Petersen (SWE) went home with the third riding HULDA.

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

Championships, Competitions, Endurance Riding, FEI

It’s Team Gold Again for Spain as UAE Dominates Individual Podium

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On left is gold medallist Salem Hamad Saeed Malhoof Al Kitbi riding Haleh, on right is silver medallist Mansour Saeed Mohd Al Faresi with Birmann Aya. (FEI/Christoph Taniere)

The defending champions from Spain claimed team gold once again at the Longines FEI Endurance World Championship 2021 at San Rossore in Pisa, Italy; the UAE dominated the individual podium when clinching the top two places.

The was the first championship to run under the new FEI Endurance Rules, and history was made when Boni Viada de Vivero became the first Chilean rider to stand on a World Championship podium when scooping individual bronze, while Brazil also celebrated their first-ever medals when taking team silver ahead of France.

In a dramatic competition it seemed that the individual title looked set to also fall into Spanish hands when Omar Blanco Rodrigo and his brilliant grey, For Ferro, moved up from fifth to first after the second loop and stayed out in front until the closing stages. However, the speed and supreme fitness of the UAE horses, Haleh, who clinched gold for Salem Hamad Saeed Malhoof Al Kitbi, and Birmann Aya, who slotted into silver medal spot for Mansour Saeed Mohd Al Faresi, saw them surge ahead in the final loop to finish neck-and-neck and hand-in-hand without a challenger in sight.

Heart rate

Haleh’s heart rate never went above 50 beats per minute and at the very end of the 160km test registered just 47. At the final vet-check, the 10-year-old French-bred gelding looked completely unfazed as he nibbled some grass while the Australian-bred Birmann Aya, who has a tremendous record for speedy finishes, was also chilled with a heart rate of 54.

Chile’s Viada de Vivero produced the most mature of rides, and the 27-year-old got a great reception from the Italian supporters as he is based in Italy. Lying 19th after the first loop he improved to 17th, 16th, 10th, and then fifth before clinching third and bronze with the nine-year-old As Embrujo.

Al Kitbi was never far off the lead, however, finishing the first two phases in third place, moving into second after loop three and staying there until the final push over the 20km sixth-phase course. In contrast, Al Faresi, who is also 25 years old, was lying 13th after the first loop but improved to third by loop four and in the end only one-hundredth of a second separated him from his gold-medal-winning compatriot.

Team

But the individual gold and silver medallists were the only two of the five-man UAE team to complete. A total of 12 countries contested the team title but just three finished, and it was a major battle for the medal placings. The strong side from Bahrain were big favourites, but HH Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa retired and his four running mates were all eliminated. The gold and silver medallists from Spain and Brazil each finished with just the essential three team-members, while the bronze medallists from France completed with an impressive four.

And although the Spanish appeared to be running away with it at the outset, they were under intense pressure when their two main contenders were eliminated for metabolic issues for their horses. Jaume Punti Dachs and Alex Luque Moral claimed individual gold and silver along with team gold at the last World Championships in Samorin, Slovakia four years ago, but Luque Moral’s Eryvan was vetted out after Phase 4 and the Punti Dachs’ JM Bucefala experienced the same fate after Phase 5.

So Blanco Rodrigo could take no chances with For Ferro over the last 20km; he must finish safely if his team was to stay in with a chance, and when he clinched individual sixth spot and Angel Soy Coll finished fourth with Warrens Hill Chayze, that bolstered the Spanish effort.

Desperately close

It was desperately close, however, because the third score posted by 2008 and 2010 individual gold medallist Maria Alvarez Ponton was critical and there was huge tension while her horse, Mandany, was closely examined at the final vet-check. But a big roar went up when he was passed, leaving her in individual 15th place and finalising the total team time of 23:10:34 which left Spain in gold but just 3:01 ahead of Brazil in silver while the French posted 23:43:01 for the bronze.

The Brazilians lost Rodrigo Moreira Barreto at the first vet-gate, but Philippe de Azevedo Morgulis (Saiph SBV), Andre Vidiz (Chambord Endurance), and Renato Salvador (Uzes Trio) stood firm to finish eighth, ninth, and tenth, respectively, thereby giving the victorious Spanish a real run for their money.

The French, who claimed team silver at the last four World Championships, lost Charles Cappeau and Camil des Ormeaux after the fourth loop, but Nicolas Ballarin (Anir de la Teuliere), Gaele Ollivier Jacob (Pot Made), Margot Thomas (Kalon Milin Avel), and Roman Lafaure (Akim Cabirat) all completed to ensure their place on the podium.

Dream result

For the new individual champion Al Kitbi, it was a dream result.

“I’m in this sport now 11 years and this is my first World Championship and I’m so proud of it!” he said.

The final loop was particularly tough. “Until the last five kilometres the rest were pushing and making it hard for us, and in the final vet-check I was so nervous, I thought my heart might burst!”

For Chile’s Boni Viada de Vivero, was a day he will always remember. “I can hardly believe it! I knew I had a good horse, but to have one that’s in the top-three in the world – now that is just incredible!” he said.

Results here.

FEI YouTube

By Louise Parkes

Media contact:

Shannon Gibbons
Media Relations and Communications Manager
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

Championships, Competitions, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Show Jumping

Daniel Coyle and Legacy Win $137k Hagyard Lexington Grand Prix CSI3*

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Lexington, KY – May 15, 2021 – The penultimate day of the kick-off week to the 2021 Kentucky Horse Shows series welcomed international show jumping competitors to the famed Rolex Arena Saturday, May 15. As the highly anticipated event of the Kentucky Spring Horse Show (KSHS), the $137,00 Hagyard Lexington Grand Prix CSI3* invited a field of 43 international horse-and-rider combinations to vie for the lion’s share of the purse. The competitive field of experienced contenders gathered with their sights set on closing out the evening with a win. It was a fight for a double-clear finish, but it was ultimately Ireland’s Daniel Coyle and Ariel Grange’s Legacy to notch yet another first place during their trip to Lexington to claim the coveted spot in the winner’s circle.

Mythical Carries Becky Gochman To Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Champion

Amateur-Owner riders took to the StoneLea Ring Saturday morning at the Kentucky Horse Park to vie for the title of Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Champion. Awarded to the competitor with the most points accumulated in the Amateur-Owner 3’6”, Amateur-Owner 3’3” 18-35, and the Amateur-Owner 3’3” 36+ Hunter divisions, Becky Gochman and Mythical were the pair to come out on top to be crowned Grand Amateur-Owner Hunter Champion.

For more information, please visit www.kentuckyhorseshows.com.

Championships, Competitions, Endurance Riding, FEI

Athletes from Five Continents to Contest Longines FEI Endurance World Championships 2021

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2016 FEI Endurance World Champion, Spain’s Jaume Punti Dachs. (FEI/Miro Nota)

The line-up for the Longines FEI Endurance World Championship in Pisa, Italy has been confirmed, with competitors from 32 countries and five continents ready to challenge for the 2021 individual and team world titles on Saturday May 22.

Amongst them are the 2016 World Champion, Spain’s Jaume Punti Dachs, and his wife Maria Alvarez Ponton who has taken individual gold twice during her successful career – first at Terengganu in Malaysia in 2008 and again in Kentucky, USA in 2010. Also vying for top spot this time out will be Alex Luque Moral from Spain and Bahrain’s Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa who respectively took silver and bronze at the 2016 World Championships in Samorin, Slovakia. A total of 13 nations will be chasing down the team title.

The event will be staged in the magnificent Parco Naturale Migliarino San Rossore Massaciuccoli, one of the largest and most ancient nature parks in Tuscany.

Landscapes

Close to the lovely city of Pisa, which is considered one of the pearls of Italy with its world-famous Leaning Tower in the Piazza dei Miracoli, the park extends over 23,000 hectares and boasts a huge variety of landscapes.

Its meadows, hills, pine forests, and marshes are bordered by the Tyrrhenian Sea providing a gentle sea breeze. And within the park lies the San Rossore Estate, home to San Rossore Racecourse, the historical home of Italian racing, as well as Villa del Gombo, a presidential home built after World War II. This venue has hosted a number of major FEI Endurance events including the 2019 World Championships for Junior & Young Riders, the World Championship for Young Horses and in 2018 the European Championship for Juniors & Young Riders.

The 2021 Longines FEI Endurance World Championships will get underway at the Racecourse at 07.00 on 22 May when a total of 81 competitors and their horses will set out on the 160-kilometre course. The statistics show a gender balance of 56% men and 44% women on the start list.

All health protocols will be in place as the Show Organisers, who have successfully created the event in a very short period of time, send out a great sporting message.

Preparation 

“While preparation of the field of play and the course proceeds incessantly, not only San Rossore but also the city of Pisa and Tuscany seem to have come back to life. In spite of the problems caused by the pandemic we are ready to safely welcome the delegations from all over the world, well aware of the fact that this great event will have an important economic effect on the tourism and hospitality sector,” says Gianluca Laliscia, the former Endurance champion who heads the Organising Committee company sistemaeventi.it.

Recently appointed FEI Endurance Director, Christina Abu-Dayyeh, says, “While it was an enormous disappointment having to postpone the 2020 edition of the Longines FEI Endurance World Championships due to the ongoing impact of Covid-19, this has only increased our passion to make these Championships even more spectacular in 2021!”

The event will be preceded by a spectacular Opening Ceremony on Thursday, 20 May, in the aptly named Piazza dei Cavalieri beside Pisa’s famous university, the Scuola Normale Superiore.

The Longines FEI Endurance World Championships 2021 will be broadcast live on FEI TV so fans and followers can watch the action unfold from all around the globe.

Website: www.ewc2021.com.

By Louise Parkes

Media contact:

Shannon Gibbons
Media Relations and Communications Manager
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46