Tag Archives: CHIO Aachen

*Featured/Spotlights, Show Jumping

Nick Skelton Wins Rolex Grand Prix at CHIO Aachen and First Stage of Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping

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Nick Skelton (GBR) riding Big Star, Rolex Grand Prix, CHIO Aachen 2013 © Rolex/Kit Houghton.

30 June 2013 – Aachen, Germany – Nick Skelton (GBR) today proved that things really do get better with age when he won the Rolex Grand Prix at CHIO Aachen and thereby becomes the first ‘live’ contender for the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping in 2013.

Riding his favourite horse Big Star, Skelton was one of only three riders who went double clear in the first two rounds, and he then topped off a stunning afternoon of Show Jumping with a clear, quick round in the jump-off, beating the 26-year-old Swiss rider Janika Sprunger riding Palloubet d’Halong into second place, and Patrice Delaveau (FRA) on Orient Express HDC into third. Daniel Deusser, riding Cornet d’Amour, was the leading German rider in fourth place, and unlucky to have a time fault in the first round, his only penalty over two rounds of jumping.

This is Skelton’s fourth victory in the Rolex Grand Prix at CHIO Aachen and makes him the most successful rider to compete in the highlight of the famous World Equestrian Festival. His first title was over 30 years ago in 1982 when riding Everest If Ever, and he has had subsequent victories in 1987 and 1988 riding Raffles Apollo.

Commenting on his win today, Skelton said, “My first win here was a long time ago; Janika probably wasn’t even born then, but although I am getting on a bit it’s all about your horse and how good a horse you have. I’m lucky that I’ve got a good horse and can keep going.”

Forty horse and rider combinations qualified for the Rolex Grand Prix, and the first round saw eight go clear. The format of the competition dictates that numbers reduce to 18 for the second round, and faults are carried forward.

The second round saw eight of the eighteen go clear including successful rounds from Rolex Testimonees Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER) on Bella Donna and Steve Guerdat (SUI) on Nino des Buissonnets, but only three went through to the jump off which was won so emphatically by Nick Skelton.

The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping features three of the world’s greatest equestrian shows – the CHIO Aachen, the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament and CHI Geneva – and is the first global initiative to reward the outstanding rider who wins the Grand Prix at each show in succession. The winner of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping will be rewarded with a €1 million bonus prize.

Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping – The Rules

The rules of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping are simple: any rider that wins the Grand Prix at each of the three shows consecutively will receive €1m on top of the prize-money for each show’s Grand Prix. Moreover, any rider that wins two out of the three shows’ Grands Prix will also receive a bonus.

If the Grands Prix at two shows are won in succession, the bonus will be €500,000. If a rider is successful in qualifying for the “two out of three mode”, but doesn’t claim the victories at two consecutive shows’ Grands Prix, the bonus will be €250,000. It is only the rider that counts, not the horse, i.e. it is possible to claim the bonus riding different horses. This system is infinite; it is not limited to a calendar year.

Three wins in a row – €1,000,000
Two wins in a row – €500,000
Two wins out of three (not consecutively) – €250,000

Websites:

www.rolex.com
www.rolexgrandslam.com

Media Enquiries:
Revolution Sports + Entertainment
Rod Kohler
rod@revolutionsports.co.uk
+44 7770 647 662

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, Driving, Show Jumping

US Closes Out 2013 CHIO Aachen with Another Set of Strong Results on Final Day

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Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 (Shannon Brinkman)

Peters Sixth, Madden Seventh, Driving Team Sixth

Aachen, Germany – The 2013 CHIO Aachen came to a close on Sunday with its ninth and final day of competition. The U.S. competitors continued to produce strong finishes to complete one of their most successful trips to the prestigious German venue in recent years.

Dressage

The Aachen CDIO5* concluded Sunday in the Deutsche Bank Stadium as 15 combinations performed their Freestyles in the Deutsche Bank Prize. The United States was represented by three London Olympic Games veterans, with Steffen Peters, Tina Konyot and Jan Ebeling achieving their highest scores of the weekend.

Leading the charge for the U.S. was Peters (San Diego, CA) and Four Winds Farm’s Legolas 92 with a score of 78.675%. The 11-year-old-Westphalian gelding was again rewarded for his excellent piaffe and passage. The combination also received high marks for their music and its interpretation. However, they did struggle with the one time changes keeping them from achieving an even higher score.

The 2012 USEF National Grand Prix Dressage Champions finished the Deutsche Bank Prize in sixth place.

Konyot (Palm City, FL) and her own 15-year-old Danish Warmblood stallion Calecto V closed out their time in Aachen by scoring 74.900% in the Freestyle for 10th place. The 2010 USEF National Grand Prix Champions received high marks for their choreography and interpretation of their music.

Riding Ann Romney, Amy Ebeling, and Beth Meyers’ 16-year-old Oldenburg mare Rafalca, Ebeling (Moorpark, CA) finished the Deutsche Bank Prize in 13th place after scoring 72.025%. The 2012 London Olympic Games veterans were rewarded with high scores for their canter work.

Chef d’Equipe Robert Dover was very pleased with all the American riders efforts over the week in Aachen. He was pleased not only with U.S. performances in CDIO5* competition but also the showings in the CDI-U25 and CDI4* divisions.

“Our American dressage riders came to Aachen to make a very strong statement regarding our place as a world power in the sport and they did just that. Not only did our team produce Bronze in the Nations Cup and move all 4 riders to the Individual Championships with our 3 best getting into the Freestyle; they ended with the great Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 in 6th place, Tina Konyot and Calecto V in 10th and Jan Ebeling and Rafalca in 13th place! Furthermore, Shelly Francis rode brilliantly on Doktor in her first season back in Europe after many years to achieve just under 70% in the Grand Prix Special as well as producing super tests with Danilo in the Small Tour,” said a proud Dover. “Suzie Dutta placed 6th with Currency DC in the 4* Grand Prix Special, showing potential for a huge score very soon. Finally, Caroline Roffman, America’s first representative in Europe in the U25, thrilled the judges and the public with absolutely gorgeous tests, especially in the Freestyle which earned over 76% and 2nd place. The world of Dressage has witnessed a new star being born here in the Aachen stadium and I cannot wait to come back next year with even more horses and riders ready to win at all divisions.”

The 2013 Reem Acra/FEI World Cup Final champions, Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg and Damon Hill completed a sweep of the Aachen CDIO5*, winning the Freestyle after scoring 85.300%.

Beezie Madden and Cortes 'C' (Shannon Brinkman)
Beezie Madden and Cortes ‘C’ (Shannon Brinkman)

Jumping

CSIO5* competition wrapped up Sunday in the Main Arena with the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen. Beezie Madden (Cazenovia, NY) was looking to claim her second career victory in prestigious class after having claimed top honors in 2007 with Authentic. In 2013 she would partner with Abigail Wexner’s 11-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding Cortes ‘C’. The combination produced a faultless effort in the first round, they then returned in round two to produce a four fault trip. Their second round time of 71.27 left them in seventh place.

Great Britain’s Team Gold medalists from London Olympic Games, Nick Skeleton and Big Star, won the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen as the only pair clear in the jump-off. Janika Sprunger and Palloubet d’Halong of Switzerland were second and France’s Patrice Delaveau and Orient Express HDC collected third place honors.

Earlier in the day, Madden produced a four fault trip with Wexner’s Vanilla in the SAP Prize. The 11-year-old Danish Warmblood mare finished in in 26th place.

Driving

The CAIO-4 competition came to a close Sunday in Aachen with the Fendt Nations Cup cones phase to determine final team standings. The U.S. Team of Chester Weber and Jimmy Fairclough finished in sixth place on a score of 305.15.

Chester Weber (Shannon Brinkman)
Chester Weber (Shannon Brinkman)

Driving a team he co-owns with Jane Clark, Weber (Ocala, FL) had a single ball down on Sunday to add three points to the team score. In the Individual competition, which concluded on Sunday after the marathon, the four-time FEI World Championship medalist finished in third place on a score of 125.78.

Fairclough (Newtown, NJ), driving a team leased from Koos de Ronde, had a single ball down and incurred an additional 5.79 points for exceeding the time. He finished 23rd individually.

The Netherlands claimed top honors in Fendt Nations Cup competition on a score of 262.85, finishing in second was the team from Germany on a score of 270.11. Third place honors when to Sweden who finished on a total of 286.77.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Teams here.

Dressage, Driving, Eventing/H.T., Show Jumping, USEF

Saturday at CHIO Aachen Ends with Top Placings for Weber, Roffman, as Eventing Wraps Up

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Chester Weber finished third overall in individual four-in-hand driving competition at CHIO Aachen (Shannon Brinkman)

Aachen, Germany – A full day of competition at CHIO Aachen Saturday included eventing cross country, the four-in-hand driving marathon, and a full schedule of dressage and jumping competition. Strong performances in every discipline were highlighted by a second place finish for Caroline Roffman in the CDI-U25 Freestyle and a third place overall for Chester Weber in the CAIO-4 individual competition.

Driving

After a trying final phase of individual CAIO-4 competition Saturday, Chester Weber (Ocala, FL) once again proved to be one of the world’s foremost four-in-hand drivers. Behind a team he co-owns with Jane Clark, Weber steadily and successfully navigated the Wohnwelt Pallen Marathon course in Aachen on his way to a third place overall finish.

A stunning first place dressage test on Thursday, a fifth place finish in Friday’s cones phase, and a 14th place finish Saturday earned Weber a spot on the podium with an overall score of 125.78. Leading the pack was reigning FEI World Champion Boyd Exell of Australia on a score of 118.46, and in second was The Netherland’s Koos de Ronde with an overall score of 124.81.

Driving a team of horses leased from de Ronde was American Jimmy Fairclough. Fairclough (Newtown, NJ) was 20th in the marathon and ended up in 23rd place overall.

Though Saturday concluded the individual CAIO-4 competition, the final phase of team competition awaits Weber and Fairclough on Sunday. With the team dressage and marathon phases complete, final placings will be determined by the Prize of H&T Automotive Components obstacle (cones) competition. Currently, the U.S. team of Weber and Fairclough sits in fifth place.

Dressage

U.S. dressage riders had top performances against stiff competition at the 2013 CHIO Aachen. Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 were the top U.S. pair in the CDIO5* Grand Prix Special with an eighth place finish. Caroline Roffman and Sagacious HF had an impressive showing in the CDI-U25 Grand Prix Freestyle claiming second place honors. In the CDI4* Small Tour Shelly Francis and Danilo were tenth in the Intermediaire I Test.

Caroline Roffman (Wellington, FL) and Sagacious HF performed a wonderful Grand Prix U25 Freestyle for the Preis der Liselott und Klaus Rheinberger Stiftung class. The pair did a daring compilation of movements timed well to their music, especially the piaffe and passage. With Hyperion Farm, Inc.’s 14-year-old Royal Dutch Warmblood gelding, Roffman executed two tempi flying changes around the corners and along the short side of the arena, as well as one-handed two tempi flying changes on the centerline. The pair was rewarded with a 76.275% to finish in second place.

Eventing

Cross country day proved to be influential at the Aachen CICO3* at the 2013 CHIO Aachen. Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister tackled the final phase with determination and finished in tenth place in a field of world-class horses and riders. The Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team finished in seventh place after unfortunate results plagued them throughout the day. Though a disappointing end, the horses and riders come away with valuable experience that will serve them well when they next contest an international competition on such a grand stage.

Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister on their way to a tenth place finish (Shannon Brinkman)
Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister on their way to a tenth place finish (Shannon Brinkman)

Coudray (Ojai, CA) and Ringwood Magister had a stellar round over Rüdiger Schwarz’s cross country course with 35 jumping efforts. The pair made light work of the extensive, challenging course. Adding 14.8 time penalties to their dressage score, she and Jatial Inc.’s 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding finished in tenth place with a score of 57.8.

Jumping

Saturday morning was the final leg of the Sparkasse Youngsters Cup. Laura Kraut and Stars And Stripes’ Bonito R gave it their all, but finished with 12 faults. They finished with a total of 14 points which was good for 21st place overall in the Sparkasse Youngsters Cup.

In the Prize of AachenMünchener, Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, FL) piloted A. Le Bon & F.X. Le Bon’s Jubilee d’Ouilly to a four fault round and a 13th place finish.

Kraut’s fellow U.S. rider Beezie Madden (Casenovia, NY) will look to find success Sunday in the CSIO5* Aachen highlight class, the Rolex Grand Prix. She and Abigail Wexner’s Cortes ‘C’ will be first on course tomorrow. You can hear what she has to say about the Grand Prix and CHIO Aachen on USEF Network.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Teams here.

Competitions, Dressage

Roffman Second in CDI-U25 Freestyle at CHIO Aachen

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Caroline Roffman and Sagacious HF (Shannon Brinkman)

Peters Eighth in Grand Prix Special, Francis Tenth in CDI4* Small Tour

Aachen, Germany – U.S. dressage riders had top performances against stiff competition at the 2013 CHIO Aachen. Steffen Peters and Legolas 92 were the top U.S. pair in the CDIO5* Grand Prix Special with an eighth place finish. Caroline Roffman and Sagacious HF had an impressive showing in the CDI-U25 Grand Prix Freestyle claiming second place honors. In the CDI4* Small Tour, Shelly Francis and Danilo were tenth in the Intermediaire I Test.

CDIO5*

In the MEGGLE-Preis class, 30 CDIO5* horse-and-rider combinations performed the Grand Prix Special before a packed Deutsche Bank Stadium. Steffen Peters (San Diego, CA) and Legolas 92 executed a lovely test demonstrating beautiful extended trot and half-passes and quality piaffe and passage movements. A mistake in the one tempis flying changes marred an otherwise excellent test. Peters and Four Winds Farm’s 11-year-old-Westphalian gelding scored a 73.375% to finish in eighth place.

“After the Grand Prix the expectations were pretty high for the Grand Prix Special and Legolas started out with wonderful trot work,” said Peters. “It was the first time we ever got an 8.5 for the trot extensions. Even at the walk he was very relaxed. The piaffe and passage too was wonderful. Unfortunately there were the mistakes in the one tempis but overall still a good score; he placed well, and we still have another chance tomorrow.”

Tina Konyot (Palm City, FL) and Calecto V demonstrated their typical expressive style before the judges. The pair’s flowing test only contained a mistake in the one tempi flying changes. She and her own 15-year-old Danish Warmblood stallion finished in 13th place with a score of 71.104%.

Jan Ebeling (Moorpark, CA) and Rafalca had a mistake-free test, receiving high marks against a star-studded field of competitors. Ann Romney, Amy Ebeling, and Beth Meyers’ 16-year-old Oldenburg mare was in top form, earning a 70.417% for Ebeling to end up in 15th place.

Shelly Francis (Loxahatchee, FL) and Patricia Stempel’s 10-year-old Oldenburg gelding Doktor had to execute their test in the rain but performed a solid test. The pair earned a 69.042% to finish in 22nd place.

Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg and Damon Hill NRW took top honors with a score of 80.667%. Anna Kasprzak of Denmark and Donnperignon finished in second with a 77.354%, while Isabell Werth of Germany and Don Johnson FRH were third with a 76.437%.

CDI-U25

Caroline Roffman (Wellington, FL) and Sagacious HF performed a wonderful Grand Prix U25 Freestyle for the Preis der Liselott und Klaus Rheinberger Stiftung class. The pair did a daring compilation of movements timed well to their music, especially the piaffe and passage. With Hyperion Farm, Inc.’s 14-year-old Royal Dutch Warmblood gelding, Roffman executed two tempi flying changes around the corners and along the short side of the arena, as well as one-handed two tempi flying changes on the centerline. The pair was rewarded with a 76.275% to finish in second place.

“It was an amazing experience,” commented Roffman of her time at the CHIO Aachen. “To be part of a team, have people supporting you, and showing you the ropes for hopeful future experiences on teams. People like Steffen, Tina, Jan, and Shelly with so much experience, and of course Robert [Dover, Chef d’Equipe] and Jenny [Van Wieren-Page, Managing Director of Dressage], sort of learning the ways from them. It has been an amazing experience, probably the most memorable horse show or horse-related experience I have.”

Roffman was awarded a Dutta Corp. flight to train and compete in Europe and had an impressive showing at the prestigious European CDI.

She went on to thank the numerous people who helped her get to Aachen. “I mean I wouldn’t be out here without Al Guden who of course owns Sagacious and gave me the privilege of riding him, my mom and my dad, my trainer Juan Matute, Robert Dover, Debbie McDonald who stood behind me on this. Tim Dutta helped me get here with the sponsorship of a flight. All the other people back home who are making all the other horses I am supposed to be riding still going and of course Sierra Keasler who has helped me and groomed for me. It has been a huge team effort. Thanks to Dr. Rick Mitchell and Julie Mitchell for keeping my horse healthy and happy and everyone. It takes so many people; it’s a village.”

Nanna Skodborg Merrald of Denmark and Millibar won the class with a score of 78.475%, while The Netherlands’ Diederik Van Silfhout and Arlando were third with a 73.950%.

CDI4* Small Tour

In the WOTAX-Preis class, Francis rode the Intermediaire I Test with Danilo as part of the CDI4* Small Tour competition. The pair performed a smooth test with a nice reinback, extended trot, and half passes. She and Patricia Stempel’s nine-year-old Hanoverian gelding scored a 68.974% to finish in tenth place.

Austria’s Victoria Max-Theurer and Della Cavalleria OLD won the class with a score of 77.316%, Patrik Kittel of Sweden and Deja were second with a 75.263%, and Denmark’s Andreas Helgstrand and Polka Hit Nexen scored a 74.447% for third.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Dressage Team here.

By Kathleen Landwehr

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T.

Coudray Finishes in Tenth, Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team Is Seventh in Aachen CICO3*

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Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister on their way to a tenth place finish (Shannnon Brinkman)

Aachen, Germany – Cross country day proved to be influential at the Aachen CICO3* at the 2013 CHIO Aachen. Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister tackled the final phase with determination and finished in tenth place in a field of world-class horses and riders. The Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team finished in seventh place after unfortunate results plagued them throughout the day. Though a disappointing end, the horses and riders come away with valuable experience that will serve them well when they next contest an international competition on such a grand stage.

Coudray (Ojai, CA) and Ringwood Magister had a stellar round over Rüdiger Schwarz’s cross country course with 35 jumping efforts. The pair made light work of the extensive, challenging course. Adding 14.8 time penalties to their dressage score, she and Jatial Inc.’s 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse gelding finished in tenth place with a score of 57.8.

“I am over the moon,” exclaimed Coudray. “He was absolutely playing with the course today. It obviously caused so much trouble. It was very, very tough. Very experienced riders had trouble. I went later in the day and I had not seen a clear round all morning, but he gave me such a good feel out there on the challenging course.”

Clark Montgomery (Wiltshire, UK) and Universe hit a rough patch at 10c, having two refusals at the skinny triple brush following the Normandy bank. However, he and Jessica Montgomery, Carole Montgomery, Janet Higgins, and Elizabeth Smith’s 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding finished strongly throughout the rest of the course. The pair collected 85.6 penalties to finish on a score of 152.2 in 35th place.

Will Faudree (Hoffman, NC) and Pawlow set out on course looking to have a top performance for the U.S. team, but after Jennifer Mosing’s 14-year-old Irish Thoroughbred gelding pulled both front shoes early on course, it wasn’t meant to be. The pair had refusals at 8b, the corner in the Rolex water complex, and 21a at the STAWAG double corners complex, and then had an unfortunate fall at the last fence when the gelding lost his footing on the landing. Both horse and rider were not hurt in the fall.

Marilyn Little (Frederick, MD) and RF Smoke on the Water began the course on mission but lost her line to 8b, the corner in the Rolex water complex, resulting in rider fall for Little. Both she and Raylyn Farms Inc. and Phoebe and Michael Manders’ 8-year-old Wurttemburger gelding came away unharmed, with an unfortunate result marring an otherwise successful year for the pair.

Of the 41 starters, three horse-and-rider combinations retired on course and three were eliminated.

Australia’s Christopher Burton and Holstein Park Leilani claimed the win after having the only double clear round of the day, finishing on their dressage score of 35.6. Sandra Auffarth (GER) and Opgun Louvo added four time penalties to their dressage score to settle for second place with a 35.8. Germany’s London Olympic Games double Gold medalist Michael Jung and La Biosthetique-Sam FBW incurred six time penalties to finish in third place.

Germany held onto the lead to claim victory in the team competition with a score of 134.6. Great Britain finished in second with 182.6, while Sweden was third with 219.0.

Learn more about the Aachen CICO3* here.

Follow the 2013 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team here.

By Kathleen Landwehr

Competitions, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Show Jumping

Land Rover US Eventing Team Sits in Sixth with Coudray in Tenth Individually at Aachen CICO3*

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Will Faudree and Pawlow (Shannon Brinkman)

Aachen, Germany – The fifth and final discipline hosted at the 2013 CHIO Aachen kicked off Friday, with many of the top eventers from throughout the world going head-to-head. Two of the three phases of CICO3* competition were held as elite combinations performed their dressage tests and went to task over a demanding show jumping track.

The U.S. will head out onto Saturday’s cross country in sixth place with all to play for. The four Land Rover Competition Grant recipients represented the U.S. admirably on Friday in Aachen’s electric atmosphere.

Dressage

Competition in the Aachen CICO3* began early Friday morning in the Deutsche Bank Stadium with 42 combinations completing their dressage tests. At the conclusion of the dressage, the U.S. stood in sixth place in the team standings but within striking distance on a score of 133.4. Germany held the early lead with a team total of 109.4, Australia stood second with a score of 120.2, and third place was occupied by the Swedish team on a score 123.60.

Leading the effort in the first phase for the Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team was 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games veteran Will Faudree (Hoffman, NC) and Jennifer Mosing’s Pawlow. The 14-year-old Irish Thoroughbred has completed many of the world’s most prestigious CCIs and demonstrated his experience with one of his best tests to date on Friday. The talented combination scored 40.6 and stood 13th following the dressage.

“I was very happy with him in dressage. He was very rideable,” said Faudree of his experienced mount. “I made a mistake in the beginning but we were able to patch it together. I was pleased with his mark but I know there is still more to come so I am looking forward to getting there.”

Tiana Coudray (Ojai, CA) rode in the second spot for the U.S. with Jatial Inc.’s 12-year-old Irish Sport Horse Ringwood Magister. The 2012 Olympic Games veterans performed their trademark accurate dressage test which was only marred by a mistake in the first half pass. They headed into the evening’s show jumping on a score of 43 in 20th place.

“I was really, really happy,” said Coudray about her dressage test. “It’s amazing when you have a 43 in dressage and are well down on the scoreboard. I couldn’t be happier with my horse.”

Riding Raylyn Farms Inc. and Phoebe and Michael Manders’ RF Smoke on the Water, Marilyn Little (Frederick, MD) slotted into 28th place with a score of 49.8. The 8-year-old Wurttemburger gelding continues to mature each time down centerline and showed great potential for the future on Friday morning.

Clark Montgomery (Wiltshire, UK) and Universe had the unenviable task of being the first competitors in the ring but were undeterred in their effort. Jessica Montgomery, Carole Montgomery, Janet Higgins, and Elizabeth Smith’s 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding was rewarded with high marks for his trot work to finish the first phase on a score of 50.6 to stand 31st.

Following the completion of the dressage, Germany’s London Olympic Games Individual Bronze medalists Sandra Auffarth and Opgun Louvo led the individual standings on a score of 31.8.

Jumping

The jumping phase of the competition was held Friday evening in the Main Stadium. Many horses seemed to be affected by the noisy atmosphere as rails were routinely coming down over Frank Rothenberger’s 12-obstacle course. The U.S. team remained in sixth place with a two-phase total of 141.4 going into Saturday’s cross country. When the phase was over, the U.S. team remained in sixth place with a score of 141.4 going into tomorrow’s final phase. Germany maintained their lead on a score of 113.4 while Great Britain moved into second place on the strength of tidy jumping on a total of 132.6 and Australia fell to third with a 133.2.

Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister (Shannon Brinkman)
Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister (Shannon Brinkman)

Coudray and Ringwood Magister were the top U.S. performers and had one of 15 clear rounds. While the Irish Sport Horse gelding was quite strong, Coudray kept him organized and on task to remain on their dressage score of 43.0, moving them up to 10th place.

“I am thrilled,” proclaimed Coudray about her jumping round. “We have been playing with bits and I was trying new bit today since the large stadium encourages the horses to get strong. He jumped fantastic and handled the atmosphere great.”

Faudree rode Pawlow masterfully as the gelding took in his surroundings in the expansive arena. Unfortunately the pair had one rail at the penultimate fence, 11C, moving them down to 18th place with a score of 44.6.

“I was happy. He jumped fantastic,” said Faudree. “I was anxious to jump clear through the triple and tipped too much with my body and he just tapped the back rail [of the oxer]. Overall, it went well and I am looking forward to tomorrow.”

RF Smoke on the Water was also feeling fresh in the Main Stadium. Little used her show jumping expertise to keep the gelding rideable, having one rail at fence three. The pair sits in 29th place with a score of 53.8.

Montgomery and Universe were the first combination in the arena and unfortunately had four rails over the course. The pair, regarded for their tidy jumping, experienced a disrupted warm-up before the show jumping following the completion of the Tank & Rast-Preis – Jump & Drive. They look to return to form on Saturday. They sit on a score 66.6 in 39th place heading into tomorrow’s cross country.

Germany’s Auffarth and Opgun Louvo remained in the lead with a double clear round to stay on their dressage score of 31.8.

Montgomery will be the first rider out on cross country at 10:00am CEST followed by Little at 11:20am CEST. Faudree will leave the start box at 11:44am CEST followed by Coudray at 12:16pm CEST.

Learn more about the Aachen CICO3* here.

Follow the 2013 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team here.

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, Driving, Eventing/H.T., Show Jumping

Another Successful Day at CHIO Aachen for US

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Caroline Roffman and Sagacious HF (Stockimageservices.com)

Weber Maintains Lead Following Cones Phase, Roffman Is Second in CDI-U25

Aachen, Germany – Strong performances continue from the U.S. competitors at the 2013 CHIO Aachen. In the CAIO-4 competition, Chester Weber maintained his Individual lead following the cones phase. Caroline Roffman rode Sagacious HF to a second place finish in the CDI-U25 Grand Prix Test, while Laura Kraut had a second place finish of her own with longtime partner Cedric.

Dressage

Caroline Roffman made quite a statement in Aachen’s Deutsche Bank Stadium with Sagacious HF in the CDI-U25 Grand Prix. With the Hyperion Farm, Inc.’s 14-year-old Royal Dutch Warmblood gelding, Roffman (Wellington, FL) rode a lovely, flowing test with quality piaffe and passage movements. The pair earned a score of 68.953% as the first combination to come down centerline in the Preis der Liselott und Klaus Rheinberger Stiftung class to finish in second place.

In the CDI4* Big Tour competition, Susan Dutta and Currency DC performed the Grand Prix Special in the Lindt-Preis class. She and Tim Dutta Inc.’s 13-year-old Oldenburg gelding moved well between the challenging sequences of movements in the test, earning a 67.042% to finish in sixth place.

Roffman withdrew her own Her Highness O from Aachen CDI4* Intermediaire I competition for veterinary reasons. Roffman, Team Veterinarian Dr. Rick Mitchell, and Chef d’Equipe Robert Dover had the welfare of the horse as top priority.

Driving

CAIO-4 competition continued Friday in Aachen with the Prize of Soers cones phase, which counted towards Individual standings, and following its completion Chester Weber remains atop the leaderboard.

Weber (Ocala, FL), driving a team he co-owns with Jane Clark, left all the balls in place but collected 1.19 points for just exceeding the time. The four-time FEI World Championship medalist was the winner of both Wednesday and Thursday’s driven dressage phases and looks to continue his domination in Aachen.

Weber leads the individual standings on a score of 32.39, two points ahead of reigning FEI World Champion Boyd Exell of Australia.

Also competing for the U.S. is Jimmy Fairclough (Newtown, NJ) with a leased team from Koos de Ronde. He stands in 25th place after collecting 22.09 points in the cones on Friday.

Competition continues Saturday with the marathon, which will be the final phase in Individual competition and the second portion of Team competition.

Following Thursday’s driven dressage, the U.S. lies second on a score of 98.5 behind the Dutch Team who lead on 87.29.

Laura Kraut and Cedric (Shannon Brinkman)
Laura Kraut and Cedric (Shannon Brinkman)

Jumping

Laura Kraut continued her streak of success this summer with a second place finish in Friday’s RWE-Preis von Nordrhein-Westfalen. On Cherry Knoll Farm Inc.’s Holsteiner gelding Cedric, Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, FL) cleared the lengthy sixteen-obstacle course of German course designer Frank Rothenberger with a clean, efficient first round.

She carried that success into an exciting jump-off and put together an aggressive, nimble round, but wasn’t quite able to catch Germany’s Ludger Beerbaum. On Chaman, Beerbaum’s 38.12s effort was almost a half second faster than Kraut and Cedric’s 39.77s round.

Also representing the U.S. were Beezie Madden and Abigail Wexner’s Cortes ‘C’. They had a couple of unfortunate rails down and finished in 27th place (from a field of forty-eight) with eight faults.

Eventing

The fifth and final discipline hosted at the 2013 CHIO Aachen kicked off Friday, with many of the top eventers from throughout the world going head-to-head. Two of the three phases of CICO3*competition were held as elite combinations performed their dressage tests and went to task over a demanding show jumping track.

The U.S. will head out onto Saturday’s cross country in sixth place with all to play for. The four Land Rover Competition Grant recipients represented the U.S. admirably on Friday in Aachen’s electric atmosphere.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Teams here.

Publications/Media, Revolution Sports, Show Jumping

Rolex Releases Exclusive Films in Build-up to Rolex Grand Prix at the CHIO Aachen

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To celebrate the CHIO Aachen and the first event of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, Rolex has produced three films featuring Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, winner of the Rolex Grand Prix in 2005; Frank Kemperman, CHIO Aachen Show Director; and Michael Mronz, President of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Steering Committee for 2013.

In the first of the three films, Rolex Testimonee Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum explains why the CHIO Aachen is such a special place and what impact the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping will have on the sport.

http://youtu.be/sJsNDjqrZYY

In the second film, Frank Kemperman and Michael Mronz talk about the eight historic decades of equestrian sport in Aachen, how the venue has changed, and how the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is a natural progression for the sport.

http://youtu.be/bzzF0gQ8Cfo

In the third film, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, Frank Kemperman, and Michael Mronz outline how they all prepare for the highlight of their year: the CHIO Aachen and the Rolex Grand Prix.

http://youtu.be/_PfkG_fF1Fk

Revolution Sports + Entertainment
T: +44(0)207 592 1207
E: tim@revolutionsports.co.uk

Competitions, Dressage, Driving

Chester Weber Takes the Lead at Aachen with Record Score in Dressage

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Chester Weber and his team during the dressage phase of the CHIO Aachen. (Photo courtesy of Scheytt Photography)

Aachen, Germany (June 28, 2013) – American combined driver Chester Weber proved himself worthy of his well-earned nickname, Mr. Dressage, by winning the Preis der Fa. Horsch – the dressage phase of the four-in-hand combined driving at CHIO Aachen in Germany.  Driving his team to a personal international record score of 31.2, Weber dominated this world-class field and beat out current World Champion, Boyd Exell, for the win. “The team was fabulous to drive,” Weber described about taking the early lead in Aachen, “and it is humbling to sit behind them as they are like poetry in motion.”  Following this record score in the individual dressage, Weber also won the Team dressage Pries der Montello Immobilenmanagement GMbH & Co. with a 38.21 on Thursday, putting Team USA in second place overall behind the Dutch.

Weber’s winning team is made up of his own Para and Senate, as well as Splash and Uniek, owned by Jane Clark.  Together, these four horses showed their amazing power, grace and synergy to easily take two dominate the first two phases.  Proudly representing the US, Weber now leads the individual competition in Aachen.  “I truly believe they are the best dressage team in the world,” Weber added about the horses with a chuckle, “but I guess I am partial to them.”

This early victory will help drive momentum as Weber continues with the marathon and cones phases of the prestigious Aachen competition.  As one of America’s most driven and decorated competitors, Weber continues to be a driving force behind American four-in-hand combined driving, and promotes the sport wherever he goes by bringing in the ribbons. For more information on Weber and his combined driving team, visit their website at www.chesterweber.com.

For more information contact:
Chester Weber
chester@chesterweber.com
www.chesterweber.com
1-352-895-1139

Awards, FEI, Revolution Sports, Show Jumping

Gerco Schröder, Winner of the Furusiyya Rider of the Day Award at CHIO Aachen

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Photo: Kate Houghton/FEI.

Gerco Schröder (NED) has been judged as the winner of the Furusiyya Rider of the Day award at the CHIO Aachen (GER).

Schröder, riding his chestnut stallion, London, rode two outstanding clear rounds, which gave his Netherlands team a fantastic win in the Mercedes-Benz Preis, part of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping. The 34-year-old Dutchman was the only rider in the competition to record two faultless rounds, with his team pipping Belgium to first place by just three points.

The Furusiyya Rider of the Day award is presented to the horse & rider combination that is judged to have best displayed qualities such as harmony, partnership, balance and skill throughout their two rounds; values represented and embodied by Furusiyya. The award was judged by Frank Rothenberger, Course Designer at the CHIO Aachen.

– At the 2012 FEI General Assembly in Istanbul, it was announced that Furusiyya would become sponsor of the FEI Nations Cup until 2016.

– “Furusiyya” is a single Arabic word and conveys so much, embracing the idea of horsemanship, chivalry, and equestrian knowledge in general. The term is a derivation of faris, or horseman and faras, a horse.

– The new structure of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping has come about through intense consultation between the Saudi Equestrian Fund and the FEI with the sport’s stakeholders around the world.

– 39 countries have signed up to take part in the 2013 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping and 21 Nations will host qualifiers.

– The Saudi Equestrian Fund was created by HM King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz by Royal Decree in November 2009 to give the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a lasting legacy in equestrianism through sport and cultural events.

– The Saudi Equestrian Fund supports the Kingdom’s national show jumping team, Saudi Equestrian, which won a team bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

– The Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping is now a genuinely international competition which gives all nations – whether from developed or developing countries – the opportunity to compete on a level playing field and qualify for a highly prestigious Final.

– The Final of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping will be staged at the Real Club de Polo in Barcelona, Spain from 26-29 September 2013.

Revolution Sports + Entertainment
T: +44(0)207 592 1207
E: tim@revolutionsports.co.uk