Tag Archives: featured

*Featured/Spotlights, Driving, World Equestrian Games

Four-in-Hand Drivers Ready for Titanic Battle

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Title defender Boyd Exell (AUS) won the CAI3* competition in Horst (NED) earlier this season. Photo: Rinaldo de Craen/FEI.

Lausanne (SUI), 24 August 2014 – Some 46 four-in-hand drivers from 17 nations, including world champion and title defender Boyd Exell from Australia, are getting ready for the titanic battle, which will get underway on 4 September at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy.

Exell will be facing a tough competition as his biggest opponent Chester Weber form the USA has firmly put his foot down this season, with victories at the key international Driving events at Windsor (GBR), Saumur (FRA) and Aachen (GER). The 2012 silver medallist, who recently became father of a baby son, Douglas, also won the test event at Caen in 2013, leaving nothing to chance.

But the Australian has proven to be an excellent competitor in all circumstances and is able to keep a cool head under pressure, which guarantees a nail-biting competition until the very last minute.

Dutch driver Theo Timmerman is also aiming for a place on the individual podium. The 2013 European four-in-hand champion won in Riesenbeck (GER) and finished second at the CAI3* events in Horst (NED) and Saumur. Timmerman is in great form and is determined to improve on his individual fourth place at the FEI World Four-in-Hand Championships 2012.

Timmerman’s teammates IJsbrand Chardon and Koos de Ronde will do everything not only to defend their team gold, which has been in Dutch hands since 2008, but will also be battling it out for the individual honours. De Ronde finished third at Windsor, Saumur, Aachen and Riesenbeck, while Chardon settled for a top five placings at Windsor, Vecsés and Riesenbeck, trying to find the right combination of horses for his four-in-hand team.

With Germany’s leading driver Christoph Sandmann, Hungarian top drivers József Dobrovitz and Zoltán Lázár, and former world champion Werner Ulrich from Switzerland, the outcome of the competition for the individual medals is anyone’s guess.

Host nation France is well represented with eight competitors – three team members and five individuals – amongst whom several drivers from whom strong performances in the individual phases are to be expected.

A special spotlight will be on the Lusitano stallion Xisto, part of the four-in-hand of Portuguese driver Manuel Campilho. Xisto was photographed by Portuguese photographer Filipa Scarpa, who has won the top prize in the FEI Solidarity World Photo Grand Prix for her stunning image of the 11-year-old stallion.

A total of 14 teams will line up in the nations competition, in which the Netherlands is the defending champion.

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy is the world championship debut for 22-year-old Josef Leibetseder jr, (AUT), 24-year-old Edouard Simonet (BEL), 35-year-old Sébastien Mourier (FRA), 27-year-old Sébastien Vincent (FRA) and 41-year-old François Vogel (FRA).

At 22, Hungary’s József Dobrovitz Jr. is the youngest driver whereas Carlo Mascheroni (ITA) is, at 74, the oldest athlete of the entire Games.

The course design is in the capable hands of FEI Level 4 Course Designer Richard Nicoll (USA), former chairman of the FEI Driving Committee, who was in charge of the course at the previous Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010 in Kentucky to great success.

The experienced Dr. Klaus Christ from Germany, who is also a member of the FEI Driving Committee, leads the Ground Jury.

Driving timetable:
Wednesday, 3 September: Horse Inspection
Thursday, 4 September: Dressage Part 1
Friday, 5 September: Dressage Part 2
Saturday, 6 September: Marathon
Sunday, 7 September: Obstacle Driving Competition

By Cindy Timmer

Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy (FRA) on 23 August – 7 September brings together close to 1,000 riders and 1,000 horses from 74 nations for 15 days of world-class competition in Jumping, Dressage and Para-Equestrian Dressage, Eventing, Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining.

For more information, see: www.normandy2014.com.

History Hub

The FEI World Equestrian Games™ are held every four years in the middle of the Olympic and Paralympic cycle. They were first hosted in Stockholm (SWE) in 1990 and have since been staged in The Hague (NED) in 1994, Rome (ITA) in 1998, Jerez (ESP) in 2002, and Aachen (GER) in 2006. The first Games to be organised outside Europe were the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Kentucky (USA) 2010.

Visit the FEI History Hub here.

Media contacts:

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

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

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Press Relations
malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 33

Denise Devillaire
Manager Press Relations
Denise.devillaire@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 57

*Featured/Spotlights, World Equestrian Games

Let the Games Begin!

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Horseman extraordinaire Lorenzo was one of the highlights of the Opening Ceremony of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 at the Stade d’Ornano in Caen, Normandy, on 23 August in front of a sellout crowd of 21,000 spectators. (Arnd Bronkhorst/FEI)

Normandy (FRA), 23 August 2014 – A parade of athletes from the 74 participating nations, an incredible musical and hi-tech lightshow extravaganza featuring over 100 horses, the Garde Républicaine and giant Mexican waves entertained a sellout crowd of 21,000 for the Opening Ceremony of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy at the D’Ornano Stadium last night.

FEI President HRH Princess Haya and Laurent Beauvais, President of the Games Organising Committee and President of the Lower Normandy Region, welcomed athletes, officials, sponsors, spectators and media to Normandy for two weeks of world class equestrian sport in the heart of horse country.

Laurent Beauvais spoke warmly of the 3,000 volunteers that will be working at the venues to optimise the Games experience, and many of them had the opportunity to parade in front of the spectators as part of tonight’s ceremony.

“We have brought together 3,000 smiles to welcome you: 3,000 sets of open arms,” Laurent Beauvais said. “The volunteers bind our organisation. We can all be so proud of them. For months now they have been our greatest ambassadors for the Games, the greatest ambassadors for Normandy and indeed the greatest ambassadors for France!”

Princess Haya, speaking in French and English, also expressed her gratitude to everyone involved in making the Games possible. “On behalf of everyone here tonight, and everyone around the world who will enjoy these seventh World Equestrian Games, I want to thank the people of Normandy for so warmly welcoming us to this beautiful region,” Princess Haya said.

“I also want to thank the World Equestrian Games Foundation, Alltech, and the many volunteers who have given so generously of their time and energy. These Games could not happen without you. And of course, I want to thank all of the athletes who have come to Normandy to pursue their dreams. You are at the pinnacle of our sport; you have earned the right to be here through your hard work and dedication.

“Whether you win or lose, these Games are sure to be a highlight of your career. I am confident that you will represent our sport well and prove yourselves to be true champions. I wish you all the best of luck.”

Princess Haya then invited French Prime Minister Manuel Valls to declare the Games open, the first time in the history of the World Equestrian Games that there has been a Prime Minister at the opening ceremony.

The top-level French Government delegation also included Bernard Cazeneuve, Minister of the Interior, Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stéphane Le Foll, Minister of Agriculture Affairs and government spokesman, and Thierry Braillard, Under Secretary for Sport.

French team member and former athlete representative on the FEI Bureau, Kevin Staut, and Anne Prain, President of the Ground Jury for Para-Equestrian Dressage, took the FEI pledge on behalf of the athletes and judges.

On behalf of all the FEI officials, Anne Prain spoke of the spirit of fair play and integrity, while the athletes’ pledge was given by Kevin Staut: “In the name of all riders, I promise that we shall take part in the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them, committing ourselves to our sport without doping, in the true spirit of welfare of the horse and of sportsmanship, for the glory of equestrian sport and the honour of our teams.”

A total of 478,000 tickets of the 500,000 on offer had already been sold before tonight’s Opening Ceremony, and with top sport across the FEI disciplines from now until 7 September, a fantastic spectator experience is guaranteed over the next 15 days!

Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy (FRA) on 23 August – 7 September brings together close to 1,000 riders and 1,000 horses from 74 nations for 15 days of world-class competition in Jumping, Dressage and Para-Equestrian Dressage, Eventing, Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining.

For more information, see: www.normandy2014.com.

History Hub

The FEI World Equestrian Games™ are held every four years in the middle of the Olympic and Paralympic cycle. They were first hosted in Stockholm (SWE) in 1990 and have since been staged in The Hague (NED) in 1994, Rome (ITA) in 1998, Jerez (ESP) in 2002, and Aachen (GER) in 2006. The first Games to be organised outside Europe were the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Kentucky (USA) 2010.

Visit the FEI History Hub here.

Media contacts:

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

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

Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 Organising Committee:

Amélie Patrux
Press Officer
presse@normandie2014.com

JRPR, Show Jumping, World Equestrian Games

Goldstein to Compete for Israel at Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games

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Danielle Goldstein and Carisma. (Photo courtesy of Jean Dupuis – FotoJumpBXL)

Wellington, FL (August 22, 2014) – Danielle Goldstein has been named to compete for Israel at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Goldstein will compete her 1999 Swedish Warmblood mare Carisma (Cardento 933 x Maraton 600).

Goldstein’s goal is to be the first female to ride for Israel on an Olympic team, and competing at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games is a major step towards achieving that goal.

Contact: Danielle Goldstein
Starwyn Farms, LLC
Dani.goldstein@gmail.com
(917) 544 3349

Dressage, Jennifer Ward

David Marcus to Compete at Central Park Horse Show

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David Marcus and Don Kontes. Photo Credit – Sue Stickle, www.susanjstickle.com.

New York, New York – Canadian Olympian David Marcus of Campbellville, ON, will be among the world’s best riding at the 2014 Central Park Horse Show, presented by Rolex, to be held in the heart of New York City from September 18 to 21.

As part of the Central Park Horse Show, presented by Rolex, the Central Park Dressage Challenge, presented by The Axel Johnson Group, will see 13 Olympic-caliber dressage athletes facing off on the transformed Trump Rink in Central Park on Saturday night, September 20. Among those scheduled to compete are five-time Olympic gold medalist Isabell Werth of Germany and reigning World Equestrian Games team gold medalist Hans Peter Minderhoud of The Netherlands.

David Marcus, a 2012 Olympic Games veteran and a member of the Canadian Dressage Team for next week’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, has also received an invitation to compete.

“I am extremely honoured to have been asked to participate in the Central Park Horse Show in New York City,” says Marcus, 33. “I believe events such as this one are integral to the future of our sport, and it’s not often that we get to showcase dressage to a new and different audience.”

In the enviable position of having two top grand prix mounts, Marcus has elected to ride Don Kontes, a 14-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding owned by Deborah Kinzinger, in the inaugural event. His other mount, Chrevi’s Capital, also owned by Kinzinger, will be enjoying a rest following the World Equestrian Games.

“I am looking forward to bringing Don Kontes out for this show,” said Marcus. “He deserves a bit of the limelight now!”

Marcus made his grand prix debut at the beginning of 2012 and, six short months later, was competing at the 2012 London Olympic Games. In 2013, he topped the North American World Cup League to qualify for the annual World Cup Final. In June, Marcus won the Grand Prix at CDI-W CornerStone Spring into Dressage, the official test event for the 2015 Pan American Games, before being named to the Canadian Dressage Team for the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

Marcus operates David Marcus Dressage, a full-service dressage training facility located one hour west of Toronto. For more information on David Marcus, please visit www.davidmarcusdressage.com.

Contact: Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439
www.startinggate.ca

*Featured/Spotlights, Western/Reining, World Equestrian Games

Show Stopping Competition in Store for Reining Fans

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USA team veteran Tom McCutcheon, who won individual gold at the Alltech World Equestrian Games™ 2010 in Lexington, KY aboard Gunners Special Nite, will be defending his title in Normandy alongside wife Mandy. (Peter Nixon/FEI)

A bit of history

In 1998 the FEI World Equestrian Games™ were held in Rome (ITA). Thanks to the interest of the National Reining Horse Association (NRHA), the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) and European reining horse associations, the organisers of the Games agreed to offer the sport of Reining the possibility of hosting a demonstration, prior to the Dressage Freestyle. The competition, in which 11 nations were represented, was staged in front of a full house. Reiners performed to perfection and the result was a standing ovation from the knowledgeable crowd.

In 2000, the FEI officially recognised Reining and the western discipline made its FEI World Equestrian Games™ debut in 2002. Success and interest were high in Jerez de la Frontera, venue of the 2002 Games, and this continued to be the case in 2006 and 2010.

The first-ever Reining team medallists at FEI World Equestrian Games™ were the USA who took the gold; Canada was in silver, and Italy in bronze. The individual champions were the Americans Shawn Flarida and Tom McCutcheon, who took gold and silver respectively, and Canada’s Shawna Sapergia, who won the bronze.

In 2006, the podium of the team competition was a two-peat while Duane Latimer of Canada claimed the individual title, after a run-off for the gold, followed by Tim McQuay (USA), who took silver, and by another American competitor – Aaron Ralston (USA) – who won the bronze. Four years later, in Kentucky, the USA team members wore the gold medal around their neck once again. This time around, they were followed by a great team from a much smaller European country, Belgium. Once again, Italy took the bronze.

The individual medallists at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky, saw Tom McCutcheon and Gunners Special Nite win the gold medal for the host nation, Craig Schmersal (USA) and Mister Montana Nic were in silver and 2006 individual champion Canada’s Duane Latimer claimed the bronze aboard Dun Playin Tag.

Excitement builds as the Games approach

In the upcoming Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy, a total of 24 nations will compete: 16 will be represented by teams while eight will feature individual riders only. A total of 87 combinations will leave their mark in the prestigious arena.

Once again, the team favourites are without a doubt the USA. The Kentucky Reining Cup served as the selection trial for the squad. For the third year in a row, Shawn Flarida won the championship and earned a spot on Team USA aboard Michell Kimball’s Spooks Gotta Whiz. Mandy McCutcheon was a close second aboard father Tim McQuay’s Yellow Jersey, and third was Jordan Larson with Heritage Farm’s HF Mobster. Joining the three team members will be American citizen, Italian-born Andrea Fappani, who qualified with two of his horses: Silver Spurs Equine’s Smoking Whiz and Custom Cash Advance. Since the athletes cannot ride more than one horse at the Games, the other two squad members will be Troy Heikes on Denise Bixler’s Lil Gun Dun and Tom McCutcheon with Jennifer Marley’s Dun Git A Nicadual. Tom is a team veteran, but Heikes and Fappani, like Mandy and Larson, are new to the Games.

A team first for Mandy McCutcheon

Amanda “Mandy” McCutcheon is no stranger to top Reining competition but has never made it on the FEI World Equestrian Games™ team before. “This is all new for me,” says the non-professional rider, who is also the first woman to be selected on the American team. “The selection trial made me nervous, but the next part is just fun. I am so grateful to be able to ride a horse like this and can’t thank my parents enough for having given me this opportunity. It’s pretty generous!”

Yellow Jersey on the other hand was part of Team Italy in 2010, under the saddle of Stefano Massignan.

Top contenders

Canada has been on the team and individual podium since 2002 and this year, Josiane Gauthier, Lisa Coulter, Matt Hudson and Cody Sapergia will be riding for their flag. Coulter has represented Canada in FEI competition at the 2009 Kentucky Cup, at the 2010 Games in Lexington, KY, and at the FEI World Reining Final 2011 in Sweden. In addition to her successful career as a competitor, Coulter also adds her expertise to the Canadian Reining Committee as a volunteer.

Josiane Gauthier relocated to North Carolina from Quebec in 2000 to start working with her father, Francois Gauthier, who was a member of Canada’s silver medal winning Reining team at 2006 Games. Josiane Gauthier has achieved her goal of becoming a professional Reiner and will now follow in her father’s footsteps.

Breaking on to the Reining scene in Italy as a young trainer, Hudson relocated back to Canada after four years in Europe to train at Equine Plus in Quebec.

Currently residing in Lermoos, Austria at the ranch of Tina Künstner-Mantl and Klaus Mantl of Jac Point Quarter Horses, Sapergia is close to the heart of Reining in Europe.

Italy, another nation well used to the podium, is also getting ready to defend the medals they have earned. Stefano Angelucci (team reserve in 2010), Pietro Artinghelli, Stefano Ferri, Gennaro Lendi (individual gold at the FEI Reining World Championships 2008) and Giuseppe Prevosti will be vying for the medals. The sixth rider will be Manuel Cortesi.

Team Belgium is preparing to defend the silver won in the previous edition of the Games and, once again, husband and wife Bernard and Ann Fonk will be riding for their country. Team veteran Cira Baeck, alongside Piet Mesdagh will be joining them.

As the years have gone by, the level of competition has grown immensely. In the 2006 edition in Aachen, 68 participants from 21 countries showed. This year, athletes representing 24 countries are bound to thrill the crowd.

By Simona Diale

Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy (FRA) on 23 August – 7 September brings together close to 1,000 riders and 1,000 horses from 74 nations for 15 days of world-class competition in Jumping, Dressage and Para-Equestrian Dressage, Eventing, Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining.

For more information, see: www.normandy2014.com.

History Hub

The FEI World Equestrian Games™ are held every four years in the middle of the Olympic and Paralympic cycle. They were first hosted in Stockholm (SWE) in 1990 and have since been staged in The Hague (NED) in 1994, Rome (ITA) in 1998, Jerez (ESP) in 2002, and Aachen (GER) in 2006. The first Games to be organised outside Europe were the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Kentucky (USA) 2010.

Visit the FEI History Hub here.

Media contacts:

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

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

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Press Relations
malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 33

Denise Devillaire
Manager Press Relations
Denise.devillaire@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 57

Dressage, Para-Equestrian, World Equestrian Games

U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Team Leaves Aachen for France

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Rebecca Hart and Schroeter’s Romani. Photos Courtesy: John Stevenson.

Caen, France – August 22, 2014 – The 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ (WEG) U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Team and Chef d’Equipe Kai Handt left Aachen and Training Camp for Caen, France, August 22. Riders had a successful week working with Chef d’Equipe Kai Handt, their coaches, and the U.S. support staff. Horses and riders will now settle in at La Prairie Racecourse in Caen, France at the Para-Dressage facilities before their August 24 trot-up. The U.S. Team and Individual athletes include: Sydney Collier (Ann Arbor, Mich.) and Victoria Dugan’s Willi Wesley; two-time Paralympian (2008 and 2012) and 2010 WEG athlete Rebecca Hart (Unionville, Pa.) and Schroeter’s Romani, owned by Rebecca Hart in conjunction with Margaret Duprey, Cherry Knoll Farm, Sycamore Station Equine Division, Barbara Summer, The Ruffolos, and Will and Sandy Kimmel; Angela Peavy (Avon, Conn.) and Rebecca Reno’s Ozzy Cooper; 2010 WEG athlete Susan Treabess (Winters, Calif.) and Kathryn Hill’s Kamiakin; and Roxanne Trunnell (Rowlett, Texas) and her own Nice Touch. August 25-27, begins the Para-Dressage competition with the Team Test, followed by August 27-28 Individual Test, finishing with the exciting Freestyle competition on August 29. All five grades will be participating at the Games Grade Ia, Ib, II, III, and IV.

2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Team

The following horse-and-athlete combinations have been named to the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage Team (in alphabetical order):

Sydney Collier (Ann Arbor, Mich.) and Victoria Dugan’s Willi Wesley.
Willi Wesley is a 2000 Warmblood gelding. (Grade Ib)

Rebecca Hart (Unionville, Pa.) and Schroeter’s Romani, owned by Rebecca Hart in conjunction with Margaret Duprey, Cherry Knoll Farm, Sycamore Station Equine Division, Barbara Summer, The Ruffolos, and Will and Sandy Kimmel.
Schroeter’s Romani is a 2003 Danish Warmblood mare. (Grade II)

Angela Peavy (Avon, Conn.) and Rebecca Reno’s Ozzy Cooper.
Ozzy Cooper is a 2006 Trakehner gelding. (Individual athlete Grade III)

Susan Treabess (Winters, Calif.) and Kathryn Hill’s Kamiakin.
Kamiakin is a 2005 PRE stallion. (Grade IV)

Roxanne Trunnell (Rowlett, Texas) and her own Nice Touch.
Nice Touch is a 1995 Dutch Warmblood mare. (Grade Ia)

Roxanne Trunnell and Nice Touch
Roxanne Trunnell and Nice Touch

Learn more about the Para-Dressage discipline at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Normandy, France: http://www.normandy2014.com/the-disciplines/8/para-dressage.

Support the Team and its future to the 2016 Paralympics in Rio with the USET Foundation’s Jonathan Wentz Memorial Challenge: http://uspea.org/the-jonathan-wentz-memorial-challenge/.

Learn more about the U.S. Para-Equestrian Dressage discipline or give a tax-deductible donation to support the development of the sport with the USPEA 501(c)(3)t: www.USPEA.org.

By: Lindsay Y. McCall

To view an online version of this press release with more photos, please visit: http://uspea.org/category/recent-uspea-press-news/.

About United States Para-Equestrian Association:

The USPEA is a network of riders, judges, national federation board members, and equestrian enthusiasts. The association gives athletes the ability to get involved and expand their knowledge and experience in the Para-Equestrian sport. The USPEA encourages para-athletes to participate in all disciplines under the para-equestrian umbrella.

The USPEA is a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) which serves as the National Governing Body for the equestrian sport. This relationship between the USPEA and USEF is to encourage para-equestrian competitors, leisure riders, coaches, fans and enthusiasts to network and get involved with the entire equestrian sport.

Ultimately the goal of the USPEA is to foster growth in the para-equestrian discipline. From growth in the number of participants to growth as a team, and growth in the experience and knowledge of all involved. From local horse shows to international Olympic Games, the USPEA will provide para-equestrians the knowledge of what they need to succeed. The USPEA connects with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), and USEF which provides Para-Equestrians the top equestrian resources.

In June 2010, the USPEA earned its 501 (c)(3) status which has encouraged supporters to help supply funding to the Para-Equestrian Team as a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF).

For more information about the USPEA, please visit www.USPEA.org or contact USPEA President Hope Hand by e-mail: Wheeler966@aol.com or by phone: (610)356-6481.

*Featured/Spotlights, Endurance Riding, World Equestrian Games

Eagerly Anticipated Endurance Event at Iconic Site

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Maria Alvarez Ponton (ESP) and Nobby on their way to individual gold in the Endurance event at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2010. (Kit Houghton/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 21 August 2014 – Endurance will see an impressive number of starters for the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy, beating all previous records by almost 10% when the 160-kilometre ride gets underway on Thursday 28 August.

The competition takes place in Sartilly, just over 100 kilometres from the main Games venue in Caen and a total of 47 nations from as far afield as China, Colombia, Kazakhstan and Thailand will be welcomed onsite when the stables open next Monday 25 August.

The definite entries for the discipline show a total of 173 athletes, with 198 horses declared. National Federations are able to enter up to five athletes and seven horses for the pre-ride inspection, with chefs d’equipe declaring their final horses after the inspection.

The 2014 Games has seen the introduction of a higher minimum speed, this year set at 15kph, to ensure that all horses competing are fit enough to deal with the distance and tough questions asked on track. And for the first time at Championship level, the 160km track is made up of only five loops rather than the more traditional six-loop format.

With a start time of 7am, combinations will set out to tackle one of the most technical courses in recent Championship history. Loop 1, La Lucerne is 37.9km long and stretches to the north of the venue. Loop 2, Avranches is 35.8km long, and includes the stunning bay with the incredible backdrop of Mont Saint-Michel.

Champeaux, the third loop, is 32.8km long and covers ground to the west of the venue. The penultimate loop, Jullouville, is 33.1km long while the final loop, Dragey, is the shortest at just 20.4km long, stretching out to the south-west of the venue.

This year will see many familiar faces, both equine and human, battling for the ultimate title in Endurance riding. Expectations are high for the home nation, France, which has one of the most consistent track records of podium positions over recent years. France took team gold in Jerez de la Frontera (ESP) in 2002 as well as Aachen (GER) in 2006. The French also scooped team silver in 2010 in Kentucky (USA) and will no doubt be looking to step back up to first place on home soil.

Whilst the French team fields some new faces on the Championship scene, one of the most experienced team riders of all is included in the line-up. Jean Philippe Frances has, since 1997, represented his country at Championship level no less than 10 times and will certainly be looking to claim the gold in front of his home crowd.

Alongside France, there will be a keen interest in the UAE, Germany, Spain and Oman, who have dominated the top spots over recent years. But, with the emergence of some exciting new Endurance nations such as Costa Rica and Slovakia, the race is wide open. Both the United States, who narrowly missed out on a team medal in the 2012 World Championships at Euston Park (GBR), and New Zealand have a high chance of bringing home a medal, with both nations showcasing young, upcoming talent alongside experienced, seasoned combinations.

On an individual level the event is just as open. With the notable omission of the Endurance great Nobby, who is now enjoying his well-earned retirement, the status of favourite equine must be held by the incredibly talented 15-year-old mare, Yamamah (previously named Kurrajong Concorde and bred by FEI Award Winner Meg Wade of Australia), which is declared as one of the squad horses for the UAE. Another familiar name on the definite entries list is the legendary Easy Fontnoire, which was part of the silver medal French team in Kentucky. Four years on, this 12-year-old mare will now be partnered by Saudi athlete Tarek Taher.

Many young riders are included in the 2014 line-up and they pose a formidable threat to the senior opposition. Oriana Ricca (URU), winner of the 2013 Pan-Am Games, will partner Talita Kumi, the Spanish horse she rode to fourth place in the Junior/Young Rider World Championships in Tarbes (FRA) last year. Kelsey Russell (USA), who finished fifth in the same Championships aboard Valerie Kanavy’s My Wild Irish Gold, will once again partner this talented bay Anglo-Arab, competing in their first senior Games.

With such high levels of team work required, Endurance is often thought of as a family, all-inclusive discipline and this year is no exception. Nearly 60 years cover the ages of the athletes, with the youngest entrant being 14-year-old Constanza Laliscia (ITA), with the oldest – 72 year old Rouslan Gekiev from Russia – turning 73 just three weeks after the event.

No less than six teams include family connections. Both Germany and Luxembourg field sisters, Melanie and Sabrina Arnold competing for Germany, and Mickels and Valy Schmartz flying the Luxembourg flag. The well-known faces of Heather and Jeremy Reynolds will both be part of Team USA, whilst Spain will be represented by well-known husband-and-wife team, Jaume Punti Dachs and Maria Alvarez Ponton. The Spanish family links at the Games don’t stop there, as fellow team member Javier Cervera has a cousin competing in the Jumping at D’Ornano Stadium in Caen.

New Zealand has selected mother and daughter Andrea and Georgia Smith, who will both be competing on home-bred horses. And finally, it really is a family affair for Australia, with mother and daughter Penny and Alexandra Toft competing and father Peter Toft acting as chef d’equipe.

With such widespread talent the Endurance event at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy is sure to be one of the closest contests in a long time and is most certainly not one to be missed.

For the non-Olympic athletes competing in Endurance, the FEI World Equestrian Games™ is the absolute pinnacle of their sporting career, with many years of training and dedication going into just one day of performance. With horse welfare and fair play top of the agenda, the opportunity to watch the talents and abilities of these top level combinations competing across the dramatic French countryside is eagerly anticipated.

Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy (FRA) on 23 August-7 September brings together close to 1,000 riders and 1,000 horses from 74 nations for 15 days of world-class competition in Jumping, Dressage and Para-Equestrian Dressage, Eventing, Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining.

For more information, see: www.normandy2014.com.

History Hub

The FEI World Equestrian Games™ are held every four years in the middle of the Olympic and Paralympic cycle. They were first hosted in Stockholm (SWE) in 1990 and have since been staged in The Hague (NED) in 1994, Rome (ITA) in 1998, Jerez (ESP) in 2002, and Aachen (GER) in 2006. The first Games to be organised outside Europe were the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Kentucky (USA) 2010.

Visit the FEI History Hub here.

By Berry Pattison

Media contacts:

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

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

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Press Relations
malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 33

Denise Devillaire
Manager Press Relations
Denise.devillaire@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 57

Eventing/H.T., Phelps Media Group

FEI CCI** at Colorado Horse Park

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One of the three water complexes of the Colorado Horse Park cross-country course. Photos by Cristy Cumberworth.

Expect Top-Notch International Eventing Competition

Parker, Colo. – August 20, 2014 – The Colorado Horse Park will hold the eventing highlight of the year, CCI 2*/1*, Training and Novice 3-Day, National Horse Trials and Area IX Championships.

The Concours Complet International or CCI events are designated international competitions of the equestrian sport of eventing, governed and assigned ratings by the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI).

The three-phase competition kicks off on Friday, August 22 and runs through Sunday, August 24, with dressage on Friday, cross-country on Saturday and show jumping on Sunday.

The Colorado Horse Park’s spectacular cross-country course spans over many acres and was originally designed by David O’Connor, Olympic Gold Medalist and current Chef d’Equipe of the U.S. Eventing Team. The course is now designed by highly-regarded, international eventing competitor and trainer James Atkinson. Atkinson has represented Canada in international competition on many occasions. The course includes many unique obstacles, including impressive and solid natural jumps, ditches, banks, open spaces and three water complexes.

Members of the media and spectators are welcome at all events. Shop at equestrian-themed boutiques and enjoy great food and fresh brewed coffee drinks throughout the event. General admission and parking are free. The competition starts at approximately 8:00 a.m. each day.

Sydney Conley Elliott and SaffariO
Sydney Conley Elliott and SaffariO

About the Colorado Horse Park

Celebrating its 20th Anniversary, the Colorado Horse Park was founded by visionary Helen Krieble who acknowledged the need for a high-volume horse show and horse boarding facility to serve Colorado. The Colorado Horse Park welcomes more than 75,000 visitors per year and hosts over 40 competitions annually. CHP features a derby arena designed by Olympic-designer Linda Allen and a cross-country course designed by Olympic Gold Medalist David O’Connor and eventing super-star James Atkinson. There are 300 permanent stalls with capacity for more than 1,000 stalls.

The picturesque property, located only minutes from the town of Parker, hosts international equestrian events in multiple disciplines. Visitors enjoy the beautiful Colorado Rocky Mountain surroundings and access to miles of trails and open space. The Colorado Horse Park is committed to supporting equestrian education and amateur athletics, preserving open space, fundraising for local charities and supporting the community.

Visit CHP at: http://coloradohorsepark.com/.

Fast Facts Colorado Horse Park CCI **/* Training Three-Day, Novice Three-Day and Horse Trials:

Date:
Friday, August 22, 2014 to Sunday, August 24, 2014

Event Organizer:
Vivien VanBuren
303-883-6560
vniviv@cs.com

Event Secretary:
Rick Dunkerton
rdunkerton@amscalc.com
(601) 498-3330

Official Veterinarian:
Littleton Equine Medical Center
(303) 794-6359

Show Grounds Address:
7375 E Bayou Gulch Rd, Parker, CO 80134

From North: I-25S exit Ridgegate Parkway – go east under the freeway. Ridgegate Parkway to S. Chambers Road, approx 3 miles (Traffic light) – turn right/south onto Chambers Road. At end of Chambers Road turn left/east onto Hess Road. Hess Road to Parker Road/Hwy 83 – turn right/south onto Hwy 83 approx 4 miles to Bayou Gulch Road. (Traffic light). Follow signs to Colorado Horse Park.

From South: I-25N, exit Founder’s Parkway. Founder’s Parkway to Highway 86, approx 4 miles (traffic light). Turn east/left onto Hwy. 86 to Franktown/Hwy 83. At Franktown go north on 83 approx. 7 mi. to Bayou Gulch Rd. (Traffic light), turn right/east onto Bayou Gulch Rd. Follow signs to Colorado Horse Park.

Important Note for Competitors:

VS has not been reported at the Colorado Horse Park, however all horses competing are required to have a health certificate dated 3-5 days before arrival stating that the horse is VS free. All horses will be checked by a veterinarian upon arrival. Please enter the Horse Park by the main entrance on Bayou Gulch Road.

Carrie Wirth for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12230 Forest Hill Blvd.
Suite 214
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
www.phelpsmediagroup.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T., World Equestrian Games

Strong Competition Assured as Record Entry Heads for Haras du Pin

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Defending world champion Michael Jung with La Biosthetique Sam FBW, seen here on route to gold at the 2010 Games in Kentucky, will be bidding to retain his title at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy and claim a team spot for Germany at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. (Kit Houghton/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 20 August 2014 – No wonder the Eventing competition is a sell-out at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy (FRA) on 28-31 August. A record entry of 97 combinations from 28 nations is heading for the spectacular backdrop of Haras du Pin, the French National Stud founded by Louis XIV known as “the Equestrian Versailles”, where the Dressage and Cross Country phases will be held followed by a nail-biting Jumping finale at the Stade d’Ornano in Caen, with six team places at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games also up for grabs.

Four years ago at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2010 in Kentucky (USA) Germany’s Michael Jung embarked on his record-breaking run of gold medal success. He dazzled the world there with his superb horsemanship on La Biosthetique Sam FBW, before the pair went on to amass four more gold medals at the 2011 European Championships and London 2012 Olympic Games.

Jung, 32, is now attempting to win his fifth successive title, following double gold at the FEI European Championships on Halunke FBW last year, and he has the 14-year-old Sam, looking as well as ever, back in action after having last season off.

Jung’s main rival is likely to be his team mate Sandra Auffarth with her brilliant chestnut gelding Opgun Louvo, team gold and individual silver and bronze medallists in 2011 and 2012 and recent winners of the Aachen CICO3*, and the combination many people consider is the one to beat.

In fact, it’s hard to look past the Germans for team gold in Normandy, when you factor in Ingrid Klimke on her European team gold and individual silver medallist FRH Escada JS, Dirk Schrade on the sparky chestnut Hop And Skip, Andreas Ostholt on the exciting prospect So Is Et and the consistent Peter Thomsen on Horseware’s Barney.

However, other nations are hungry for medals. Astonishingly, Australia has never won a world team or individual title. The nearest they came in recent years is team bronze and Clayton Fredericks’ individual silver medal in Aachen (GER) in 2006.

Perhaps this will be the year that omission is rectified, as they field two CCI4*-winning combinations in Sam Griffiths (Paulank Brockagh) and Christopher Burton (TS Jamaimo), plus team newcomer Bill Levett on the 2013 Saumur CCI3* winner Shannondale Titan and Paul Tapner with the Badminton 2014 Cross-Country leader Kilronan. The British-based quartet are joined by two highly experienced home-based riders in Shane Rose (CP Qualified) and Stuart Tinney (Pluto Mio).

New Zealand has known great success at this level, winning team gold at the inaugural FEI World Equestrian Games™ at Stockholm (SWE) in 1990, and again at Rome (ITA) in 1998. Sir Mark Todd was a member of both those teams, and of the quartet that won bronze in 2010. He has a new ride this year in the German-bred Leonidas ll, 14th at Badminton.

The Kiwis again look exceptionally strong with Andrew Nicholson on Nereo, team and individual bronze medallists in 2010 and members of the bronze medal team at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Jock Paget with Olympic team bronze medallist and 2013 Badminton winner Clifton Promise and newcomer Tim Price, who makes his team debut with the Luhmühlen CCI4* winner Wesko.

The host nation, France, also have rejuvenated fortunes and field five hugely experienced riders in Jean Teulere (Matelot du Grand Val), Cedric Lyard (Cadeau du Roi), Denis Mesples (Oregon de la Vigne), Pascal Leroy (Minos de Petra) and Rodolphe Scherer (Makara de Montiege), plus youthful talent in Maxime Livio with the Saumur CCI3* winner Qalao Des Mers.

Great Britain, the defending champions, are an interesting prospect. Three of their great horses from 2010 – Imperial Cavalier (Mary King), Opposition Buzz (Nicola Wilson) and Miners Frolic (Kristina Cook) – have been retired, and only two of their six horses have team experience even if their riders have plenty of medal-winning credentials.

William Fox-Pitt, the individual silver medallist in Kentucky on Cool Mountain, this time rides the imposing chestnut stallion Chilli Morning, individual bronze medallist at the 2013 FEI European Championships. Zara Phillips, world champion on Toytown in 2006, is back in action after their birth of her daughter, Mia, in January and partners her 2012 Olympic team silver medallist High Kingdom.

Kristina Cook and Nicola Wilson have new team rides in De Novo News and Annie Clover respectively. Oliver Townend, who competed as an individual on Flint Curtis at Aachen in 2006, rides Black Tie and Harry Meade makes his long-awaited team debut on Wild Lone, third at Badminton.

This promises to be the most competitive FEI World Equestrian Games™ yet. Nations fielding teams are: Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, France, Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden and USA.

The following nations will be fielding individuals: Austria, Belarus, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, Hungary, Japan, Portugal, South Africa and Russia.

In the field: facts and figures

  • 28 nations; 16 teams; 97 combinations – the previous record, in 2010, was 80 combinations and 24 nations
  • 3 former world champions: Jean Teulere (FRA, Espoir de la Mare, 2002); Zara Phillips (GBR, Toytown, 2006); Michael Jung (GER, La Biosthetique Sam, 2010)
  • 2 dual team gold medallists: Mark Todd (1990, 1998) and Kristina Cook (1994, 2010)
  • 2 riders who have competed at all six previous FEI World Equestrian Games™: Andrew Nicholson (NZL) and Phillip Dutton (USA)
  • 8 partnerships from 2010: Michael Jung & La Biosthetique Sam FBW (individual gold); Andrew Nicholson & Nereo (double bronze); Hawley Bennett-Awad (CAN) and Gin & Juice, (17th and team silver); Jock Paget (NZL) & Clifton Promise (7th); Pascal Leroy (FRA) & Minos de Petra (20th); Sam Watson (IRL) & Horseware Bushman (26t)h; Ruy Fonseca (BRA) and Tom Bombadill Too (36th); Bruce (Buck) Davidson JR (USA) and Ballynoe Castle RM (42nd)
  • 1 horse that competed in 2010 under a different rider: Hop And Skip was previously ridden by Kenki Sato for Japan and is now with Germany’s Dirk Schrade
  • 1 married couple: Tim and Jonelle Price (NZL)
  • 1 pair of brothers: Felix and Ben Vogg (SUI)
  • 4 children of former medallists: Bruce (Buck) Davidson JR, son of dual world champion Bruce Davidson (1974, 1978); Sam Watson (IRL), son of John Watson, individual silver medallist in 1978; Zara Phillips, daughter of team gold medallist Mark Phillips (1974); and Harry Meade, son of the multi-medalled Richard Meade
  • 3 CCI4* winners in the New Zealand squad: Andrew Nicholson & Nereo (Pau, 2012), Jock Paget & Clifton Promise (Badminton, 2013) and Tim Price & Wesko (Luhmühlen, 2014)
  • 2 CCI4* winners in the Australian squad: Christopher Burton & TS Jamaimo (Adelaide, 2013); and Sam Griffiths & Paulank Brockagh (Badminton 2014)
  • 5 gold medals won by La Biosthetique Sam (Michael Jung)
  • 7 gold medals won by Michael Jung in four years
  • 36 years since Sir Mark Todd, 58, first rode in a championship, at Kentucky in 1978; he’s not the oldest rider, however, as that honour goes to Jean Teulere (FRA), who is 60
  • 16 caps for William Fox-Pitt (GBR); other highly-capped riders are Andrew Nicholson and Jean Teulere, 14; Kristina Cook, 12; Sir Mark Todd, 11
  • 50,000 spectators are expected on Cross Country day; more than 70,000 tickets have been sold for the Eventing

Haras du Pin to Stade d’Ornano

The Eventing competition begins with the first horse inspection on 27 August at Haras du Pin, followed by Dressage on Thursday and Friday 28-29 August, and Cross Country on Saturday 30 August. The final Jumping phase to decide team and individual medals will be held in Stade d’Ornano in Caen on Sunday 31 August.

Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy (FRA) on 23 August-7 September brings together close to 1,000 riders and 1,000 horses from 74 nations for 15 days of world-class competition in Jumping, Dressage and Para-Equestrian Dressage, Eventing, Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining.

For more information see: www.normandy2014.com.

History Hub

The FEI World Equestrian Games™ are held every four years in the middle of the Olympic and Paralympic cycle. They were first hosted in Stockholm (SWE) in 1990 and have since been staged in The Hague (NED) in 1994, Rome (ITA) in 1998, Jerez (ESP) in 2002, and Aachen (GER) in 2006. The first Games to be organised outside Europe were the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Kentucky (USA) 2010.

Visit the FEI History Hub here.

By Kate Green

Media contacts:

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

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

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, Para-Equestrian, World Equestrian Games

Record-breaking Para-Equestrian Dressage at La Prairie Racecourse

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Australia’s Joann Formosa, who secured her first Paralympic medal with Worldwide PB at London 2012 with Grade 1b gold, will go head to head with five World, European and Paralympic medallists for what is tipped to be one of the fiercest competitions at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy. (Liz Gregg/FEI).

Lausanne (SUI), 19 August 2014 – Para-Equestrian Dressage at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy (FRA) will see a record-breaking 33 nations and 100 riders and horses compete for medals at the prestigious La Prairie racecourse venue, just a few hundred metres from the centre of Caen.

“Para-Equestrian Dressage will be the biggest it has ever been at a World Games,” said Trond Asmyr, FEI Director, Dressage and Para-Equestrian Dressage. “Sixty riders and horses from 16 countries competed at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010 in Kentucky, where Para-Equestrian Dressage made its début on the World Games programme.

“At this year’s Games, we will see more than double the number of nations competing, and of the 12 countries taking part in their first World Games, three will be doing so in Para-Equestrian Dressage. Hong Kong will compete as a team, and the US Virgin Islands and Latvia will each be represented by individual athletes.”

Road to Rio

The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy is also the first Rio 2016 Paralympic Games qualifier for Para-Equestrian Dressage, and all eyes will be on this major prize. The atmosphere will be electric at La Prairie throughout, but particularly on 28 August when, after four days of gruelling competition, the three medal-winning teams at the Games will secure their nation’s team spot for Rio.

The team competition in Normandy will be contested by 19 nations, including Great Britain, the current World, European and Paralympic champions, which have one of the most experienced squads heading to Normandy. Germany, the London 2012 and Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2010 runners up, will be in hot pursuit, as will the strong Irish, Danish and Dutch teams.

Hot ticket

The Grade 1b competition is tipped to be one of the fiercest competitions in Normandy, with six World, European and Paralympic medallists going head-to-head for the first time at a World Games.

Great Britain’s “godfather” of Para-Equestrian Dressage, Lee Pearson – triple gold medallist at the Sydney, Athens and Beijing Paralympic Games and reigning world champion – will be going all out to defend his title against the likes of Austria’s Pepo Puch, who took freestyle gold at London 2012, individual and freestyle titles at last year’s Europeans and is aiming to clinch his first world title in Normandy.

Australia’s Joann Formosa is also determined to prove that her London 2012 individual gold medal was not a one off, and Great Britain’s Ricky Balshaw, silver freestyle medallist in Beijing and at last year’s JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships in Herning (DEN) also has his eyes on the coveted World title.

Denmark’s Stinna Tange Kaastrup, silver and bronze medallist at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2010, with freestyle gold at the 2011 Europeans followed by bronze last year, and Finland’s London 2012 freestyle silver and Kentucky bronze medallist Katja Karjalainen are also “ones to watch” in Grade 1b in Normandy.

Chasing world titles

In Grade Ia, Great Britain’s Sophie Christiansen will want to continue the superb form of the past few years which saw her win triple gold at London 2012 and the JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships in Herning (DEN) last year. Christiansen now has one gold medal missing from her collection – the world individual freestyle title – and she’ll be looking to add that next week.

But she will face stiff competition from the likes of Singapore’s most-medalled athlete and FEI Solidarity Ambassador Laurentia Tan, Ireland’s Helen Kearney, who won individual silver and bronze and team bronze at London 2012, and Italy’s Sara Morganti, bronze medallist at the 2013 Europeans.

In Grade II, Great Britain’s Natasha Baker will be a force to be reckoned with at her first World Games. Baker won three gold medals at her first Europeans in 2011, and went on to win Great Britain’s first gold of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, finally leaving Greenwich Park with both individual and freestyle gold. At her first Championship team appearance for Team GB at the 2013 European Championships, she scored team, individual and freestyle gold.

Her strongest competition in Normandy is expected to come from Germany’s London 2012 silver and bronze medallists Britta Näpel and Angelika Trabert. The USA’s Rebecca Hart, fifth in London, could also be a medal contender in Normandy, alongside Caroline Cecilie Nielsen (DEN), bronze medallist at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2010.

Grade III is expected to be close between Germany, Denmark and The Netherlands. Hannelore Brenner (GER), the London 2012 individual and freestyle gold medallist and defending world champion, is pitched against Denmark’s Annika Lykke Risum, double bronze medallist at London 2012 and runner up in Kentucky, and Sanne Voets (NED), who won the freestyle title and scored silver behind Brenner in the individual competition at last year’s Europeans.

Four corners

Great Britain’s Sophie Wells will start as favourite in Grade IV, aiming to defend her individual and freestyle world titles. The main competition is likely to come from Belgium’s individual and freestyle London 2012 gold medallist Michèle George, who was also freestyle runner up in 2010, and Frank Hosmar (NED), who took bronze in both events in London, silvers at the Europeans, and silver at the last Games in 2010.

The Para-Equestrian Dressage competition kicks off with the first team test next Monday, 25 August, and the first individual medals will be awarded on Wednesday 27 August. Further individual medals are on offer the following day, and 28 August is an important date as three nations will be celebrating their team spots for Rio 2016 alongside hosts Brazil. The freestyle medals are then all decided on Friday, 29 August.

“The 100 human and equine athletes competing for the Para-Equestrian medals in Caen are sure to provide many great sporting moments at the heart of the Games,” Trond Asmyr said. “We should consider ourselves lucky to witness such great competition.”

By Rob Howell

Media contacts:

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

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