Category Archives: *Featured/Spotlights

Special features, spotlights, headlines

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, FEI, Show Jumping, World Equestrian Games

U.S. Tops First Day of Jumping World Championships, Presented by Rolex

1 Comment
Mario Deslauriers

Lexington, Ky., Oct. 4, 2010 — U.S. riders Mario Deslauriers, on Urico, and McLain Ward, on Sapphire, set the pace in the first leg of the team competition at the Jumping World Championships, presented by Rolex. Their performance led the U.S. team to the top of the team rankings, with two more days of team jumping to go at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Deslauriers and Urico stopped the clock after a clear round in 71.25 seconds. Ward and Sapphire, riding almost five hours later in the field of 121 horses, fell just short, in 71.79 seconds.

Sandor Szasz of Hungary, who is competing in his first international championship and has never placed in a major international competition before, surprised his competitors and the roaring crowd in the Rolex Arena by urging Moosbachhofs Goldwing through the finish in 73.24 seconds.

Continue reading U.S. Tops First Day of Jumping World Championships, Presented by Rolex →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Show Jumping, World Equestrian Games

Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010 Day 10 Eventing/Jumping

Leave a comment

Michael Jung

CORRECTED FINAL RESULTS FOR EVENTING CHAMPIONSHIP, JUMPING BEGINS THIS MORNING … by Louise Parkes

Lexington, 4 October – Please find below corrected final results for the Eventing Championship at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky which finished yesterday with Great Britain taking the team title and Germany’s Michael Jung securing an all-the-way individual win with La Biosthetique Sam.

ALLTECH FEI WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES – EVENTING, FINAL RESULT

Team: Great Britain 139.40; 2, Canada 151.50; 3, New Zealand 154.50; 4, USA 160.30; 5, Germany 200.70; 6, Belgium 227.10; 7, Ireland 236.50; 8, France 245.70; 9, Japan 334.10.

Individual: 1, La Biosthetique Sam NRW (Michael Jung) GER 33.00; 2, Cool Mountain (William Fox-Pitt) GBR 42.00; 3, Nereo (Andrew Nicholson) NZL 43.50; 4, Gazelle de la Brasserie (Karin Donckers) BEL 44.40; 5, Redesigned (Pippa Funnell) GBR 45.50; 6, Imperial Cavalier (Mary King) GBR 46.20; 7, Clifton Promise (Jonathan Paget) NZL 46.40; 8, Vettori (Stuart Tinney) AUS 47.60; 9, Port Authority (Stephanie Rhodes-Bosch) CAN 48.20; 10, Neville Bardos (Boyd Martin) USA 49.50.

Continue reading Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010 Day 10 Eventing/Jumping →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Show Jumping, World Equestrian Games

Cross-Country Keeps Germany’s Jung atop Eventing World Championships

1 Comment

October 2, 2010 – Lexington, KY – As the day’s third-last starter, Germany’s Michael Jung and La Biosthetique-Sam FBW made the cross-country course look easy at the Eventing World Championships, presented by Reem Acra.  The pair added nothing to their dressage penalty score of 33.00, to keep the lead they took yesterday in the dressage phase at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Creeping up behind Jung after equally impressive rounds are Great Britain’s William Fox-Pitt on Cool Mountain, finishing on their dressage score of 42.00, and USA’s Becky Holder on Courageous Comet, finishing on 42.50.

Of the 79 horses that started today’s course, 60 finished (75.9%).  Some 13 riders, including Jung and Fox-Pitt, finished faster than the ideal time of 11:14 and added nothing to their dressage penalties.

Continue reading Cross-Country Keeps Germany’s Jung atop Eventing World Championships →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Show Jumping, World Equestrian Games

Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010 Day 9 Eventing Final Result

1 Comment

The British team of Nicola Wilson, Tina Cook, William Fox-Pitt and Mary King celebrate their team gold medal winning performance in the Eventing Championship at the WEG. Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

TEAM GOLD FOR BRITAIN AS JUNG TAKES INDIVIDUAL TITLE FOR GERMANY by Louise Parkes

Lexington, 3 October – In a nail-biting conclusion to the Eventing Championship at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky today, the British stood firm to claim team gold and Germany’s Michael Jung did likewise to take the individual title.  Jung’s win was delivered with consummate ease when, last into the arena, he produced another flawless performance from his 10 year old gelding La Biosthetique Sam.  And Britain’s William Fox-Pitt, whose polished ride with Cool Mountain secured individual silver, paid the highest compliment to the winner, who led the competition from the outset.  When asked what he thought of the German rider’s result, he said, “Quite honestly it’s a case of Michael Jung – 1, the rest – nowhere! He’s so far ahead we’ve all got our work cut out for us for the next two years!”

The British triumph was the first in a World Championship since 1994 and it was achieved in the best possible way, with clears from Fox-Pitt, Mary King (Imperial Cavalier) and Nicola Wilson (Opposition Buzz) while Tina Cook (Miners Frolic) had two fences down. There was turmoil on the leaderboard, with the USA slipping out of medal contention and having to settle for fourth place while the sensational Canadians moved up into silver and New Zealand took bronze.

Continue reading Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010 Day 9 Eventing Final Result →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, World Equestrian Games

Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010 Day 8 Eventing Cross Country

Leave a comment

Dressage leaders Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam from Germany maintained their lead in the Eventing Championship following a superb cross-country round at the WEG today. Photo: FEI/Dirk Caremans.

BRITISH TEAM GALLOPS INTO THE LEAD, BUT GERMANY’S JUNG STILL HEADS INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS…..by Louise Parkes

Lexington, 2 October – After walking the cross-country course earlier in the week, riders agreed that the result of the Eventing Championship at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky would not be decided in the dressage arena, and they were proven right today.  But no-one could have imagined just how influential Mike Etherington-Smith’s 28 fence track would be.  On a day of high drama and fantastic competition, and in front of a massive crowd of over 50,000 spectators, the dressage team order was dramatically altered as the British were the only ones to stand firm.  However Michael Jung kept the German flag flying high with a brilliant late run from La Biosthetique Sam to hold onto individual pole position.

“The atmosphere all around the park with such huge crowds was very special for me,” a jubilant Michael Jung said.  “I had a lot of fun today, and so did my horse.  I’d put the saddle on him and ride it all over again right now if I could!” said the excited leader.

ROCKETED UP THE LEADERBOARD
As the final jumping phase gets underway tomorrow morning Jung has a nine point advantage over Britain’s William Fox-Pitt who rocketed up the leaderboard from 12th to second place when one of 12 to come home clear and inside the time today.  And America’s Becky Holder lies third, separated from silver medal position by only 0.5 penalties after a thrilling cross-country run with the aptly-named Courageous Comet.  She cannot rest easy however because Germany’s Ingrid Klimke and FRH Butts Abraxxas are just 0.4 further in arrears while New Zealand veteran, Andrew Nicholson is less than one point further adrift in fifth place with Nereo.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12260

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Show Jumping, World Equestrian Games

Germany Remains Dominant in Dressage at Eventing World Championships

Leave a comment

October 1, 2010 – Lexington, KY – Germany’s Michael Jung and La Biosthetique-Sam FBW took the lead today in the Eventing World Championships, presented by Reem Acra, at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.  Jung’s score of 33.00 put him in the top spot, while countryman Simone Deitermann, riding Free Easy (36.00), held on to the third spot after leading following day 1.  Italy’s Stefano Brecciaroli, riding Apollo van de Wendi Kurt Hoeve, stands second with a 35.50.

Germany took the lead in the team race, with 114.30 penalty points. Great Britain is next (128.50) and Sweden is third (131.20), followed by Australia (131.80), Italy (135.90), New Zealand (138.30) and the United States (140.00).

Marilyn Payne, president of the ground jury, commented that today’s top rides were especially enjoyable to watch.  “It’s so exciting to give 8s and 9s,” she said.  “What else can I do?  This is the most exciting thing as a judge: to be able to judge horses and riders like this.”

Jung was the third-last rider to start today and performed a beautiful dressage test, despite the fact that his horse is “an absolute bundle of energy.”  “The last few years, he has just performed beautifully,” said Jung.  He also added that the duo competes in dressage competitions at home in Germany, which might have helped his score today.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12255

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, FEI, World Equestrian Games

Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010 Day 7 Dressage Freestyle

1 Comment

The Netherlands' Edward Gal, who claimed Dressage Freestyle gold at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, USA tonight. Photo: FEI/Dirk Caremans.

GAL AND TOTILAS MAKE IT A GOLDEN HAT-TRICK ON A NIGHT TO REMEMBER by Louise Parkes

Lexington, 1 October – The brightest stars in the sport of dressage sparkled again tonight as The Netherlands’ Edward Gal and the amazing black stallion Moorlands Totilas claimed their third gold medal of the week in the Grand Prix Freestyle at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, USA.  On Tuesday they joined their Dutch counterparts to scoop the team title, on Wednesday they topped the Grand Prix Special, and tonight they made it a hat-trick when taking centre-stage on the Freestyle podium.  They’ve broken so many records over the last year that another came as no surprise – they are now the first partnership ever to win three World titles at a single Championship, but the Dutch duo didn’t steal all the limelight on this extraordinary evening.

Tonight’s silver medallist Laura Bechtolsheimer produced a personal best score of 85.35 with Mistral Hojris to become the first ever British rider to take three medals at a World Dressage Championship – in the Team, Special and Freestyle.  It’s been a sensational week for the 25 year old. And tonight’s bronze medallist, Steffen Peters, “put the icing on the cake,” as he said himself, when topping up the record he set on Wednesday when he became the first American to win an individual Championship medal in Dressage in the 78 years since Colonel Hiram Tottle and his horse, Olympic, took bronze at the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 1932.

Continue reading Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010 Day 7 Dressage Freestyle →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Show Jumping, World Equestrian Games

Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010 Day 7 Eventing Championship

Leave a comment

Michael Jung (La Biosthethique Sam) GER took the lead as the dressage phase of the Eventing Championship concluded today at the Alltech FEI WEG. Photo: FEI/Dirk Caremans.

GERMANS CEMENT THEIR POSITION AHEAD OF CROSS-COUNTRY DAY by Louise Parkes

Lexington, 1 October – The German team go into tomorrow’s Eventing Championship cross-country challenge at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games with a 14 point lead over their nearest rivals from Great Britain.  Sweden lies third ahead of Australia in fourth but less than 20 penalties separate the top four nations and just 40 penalties, or two jumping errors, separate the top ten teams.

On a day when the standard of dressage just kept getting better and better it was Germany’s Michael Jung who took over at the head of affairs.  He admitted during the post-competition press conference that he regularly competes in pure dressage, “but not at the World Equestrian Games!” he pointed out.  He described his 10 year old gelding La Biosthetique Sam as “a bundle of energy”, and he used that energy today to post a superb score of 33.0 to go out in front.

ROUSING CHEER
However he is closely followed by Italy’s Stefano Brecciaroli whose test with Apollo van de Wendi Kur Hoeve brought a rousing cheer from the crowd after they put 35.50 on the board.  The handsome Belgian Warmblood gelding, which the rider has been competing for the last two years, really rose to the occasion and the 36 year old rider from Rome, who is a member of the Italian police force, the Carabinieri, was delighted with his result. “I competed in Fontainebleau (FEI European Championships) last year and also in Aachen this summer with this horse,” he explained.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=12252

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Show Jumping, World Equestrian Games

German Riders Take the Lead in Eventing World Championships, Presented by Reem Acra

Leave a comment

Lexington, Ky., Sept. 30, 2010 — Simone Deitermann and Ingrid Klimke of Germany set the standard today in the first day of dressage in the Eventing World Championships, presented by Reem Acra, at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Deitermann, 29, scored 36.00 penalties aboard Free Easy NRW. Klimke scored 41.30 penalties aboard FRH Butts Abraxxas. Deitermann, competing in her first World Games, is riding as an individual, while Klimke, a veteran of several previous World Games and Olympics, has put the German team in first place. Combined with Dirk Schrade’s score of 42.50 on Gadget de la Cere, Germany stands in first place (83.8), ahead of Australia (91.0), Sweden (91.7), Great Britain (93.2) and the United States (96.5).

William Fox-Pitt of Great Britain rode Cool Mountain into third place (42.00), just ahead of Schrade. Fifth-placed Paul Tapner is leading the Australian charge (43.80).

Continue reading German Riders Take the Lead in Eventing World Championships, Presented by Reem Acra →

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Show Jumping, World Equestrian Games

Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010 Day 6 Eventing Championship

1 Comment

Germany's Simone Deitermann and Free Easy NRW took the lead on the opening day of dressage in the Eventing Championship at the Alltech FEI WEG. Photo: FEI/Dirk Caremans.

GERMANS TAKE STRONG LEAD ON FIRST DAY OF DRESSAGE by Louise Parkes

Lexington, 30 September – Germany holds the whip hand after the first day of dressage in the Eventing Championship at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky (USA) today.  Individual rider Simone Dietermann holds top spot after a superb test with Free Easy NRW while Ingrid Klimke lies second with FRH Butts Abraxxas and fellow team-member Dirk Schrade is fourth with Gadget de la Cere. Great Britain’s William Fox-Pitt and his 2010 Rolex Kentucky 4-Star winner Cool Mountain were the only ones to break the German stranglehold when slotting into third, and his result, combined with that of Nicola Wilson (Opposition Buzz) has ensured fourth place for the British in the team rankings going into tomorrow’s closing stage of the dressage phase.

Sweden lies third after Linda Algotsson and the amazing 20 year old Stand by Me slotted into eighth place and Niklas Jonsson (First Lady) finished tenth.  But it is the Australians who are the closest challengers to the leading nation after the opening day.  When Paul Tapner’s fifth place score with his 2010 Badminton winner Inonothing was added to that of Stuart Tinney and Vettori, the total of 91.00 points left the Aussies in second spot, just 7.2 points behind the leaders.

Continue reading Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010 Day 6 Eventing Championship →