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Championships, Competitions, Dressage, FEI, Para-Equestrian

Final Day of JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships Sees Britain Top Again

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Grade 1a Freestyle gold medallist Sophie Christiansen (GBR), celebrating with compatriot Anne Dunham who took silver and bronze medallist Sara Morganti (ITA), at the JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships in Herning. (Photo: Liz Gregg/FEI).

Herning (DEN), 25 August 2013 – Great Britain was once again the main winner on the final day of the JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships in Herning (DEN) today.

British riders took three gold and two silver medals across the five Grades in the individual Freestyle competition.

Natasha Baker, double London 2012 gold medallist and individual champion yesterday, started the winning streak, scoring an impressive 77.650% for a convincing victory in the Grade II Freestyle with Cabral. Germany took silver and bronze as they did in the individual, with Angelika Trabert winning silver on Ariva Avanti (74.200%), and Britta Näpel on Aquilina 3 taking bronze with 73.250%.

Next in the arena were the Grade Ib riders and, true to form, Austria’s London 2012 gold medallist and European individual champion Pepo Puch was in dominant form. He rode Fine Feeling S to score 79.200% to win his first European Freestyle title. Great Britain’s Ricky Balshaw once again took silver on LJT Enggaards Solitaire with a career best of 76.800%, while Denmark’s Stinna Tange Kaastrup was a third-time bronze medallist on Steffi Graf, with 71.250%.

Britain’s dominance continued in Grade Ia. In a close-fought competition Sophie Christiansen claimed her third gold of the week riding Janeiro 6 to a winning score of 78.100%. Team mate Anne Dunham and LJT Lucas Normark took the silver with 77.350%, while the popular Italian combination of Sara Morganti and Royal Delight took the bronze with 76.100%.

The first three Freestyle results mirrored those of the individual tests, but the Grade III Freestyle reversed that trend. The Netherlands’ 2011 European bronze medallist Sanne Voets, runner-up in yesterday’s individual, took gold on Vedet PB with a score of 76.500%, while individual winner and current World and Paralympic champion Hannelore Brenner and Women of the World took silver for Germany with 75.700%. France’s José Letartre repeated his individual bronze on Warina with 72.850%.

The final event of the day, Grade IV, saw Great Britain’s Sophie Wells once again in tremendous form. Riding Valerius, the London 2012 double individual silver and team gold medallist and reigning double World and multiple European gold medallist scooped gold with a commanding score of 80.250%, the first rider of the week to break the 80% mark. The Netherlands’ Frank Hosmar and Alphaville took silver with 76.900%, his country’s second medal of the day. Denmark’s Line Thorning Jørgensen and Di Caprio took bronze, their first medal and the host nation’s fifth medal of the championships with a score of 72.950%.

After her win, Britain’s Natasha Baker said: “I can’t believe it I really can’t. I thought on Thursday that I’d be stone last. I really did not expect it at all. He’s just got better each day but he’s still not got as good as I know he can be, which is a little bit frustrating for me. He’s just an amazing horse and I know that there’s so much in there, but I haven’t been able to show it off. Hopefully I’ll get the opportunity next year in WEG (FEI World Equestrian Games) to do that. It’s been an amazing week in the office. My first triple gold! Lots and lots of bling.”

She also took to Twitter to comment: “I have the BEST horse in the world. Another Freestyle gold. Such a superstar! What a competition.”

Austria’s Pepo Puch was equally pleased with his commanding performance. “I’m really happy,” he said. “The mare really likes the music and does the rhythm very well.” He performed to a medley of Johann Strauss tunes, including the famous Radetzky March. “We are from Vienna, so it is something from home. It is music that I hold close and which means something to me emotionally.”

Britain’s Sophie Christiansen took the gold from team mate Anne Dunham by less than one percentage point. “That was close,” she said. “I thought she might just do it because that looked like a really good test. At the end of the day I did the best that I could, and may the best rider win. I’ve got the best horse and I’m just so glad I can show him off to the world.”

On whether or not she may need to get a new cabinet to house her growing collection of medals, she joked: “I think there’s going to be an IKEA trip when I get home. It was very close but I’m really glad I could get my titles back again.”

The rivalry between Christiansen and Dunham (who has competed at 11 out of 13 FEI World Equestrian Games, European Championships and Paralympic Games) is one that Christiansen feels helps keep both of them at their best. “When I started as a little 13-year-old Anne was at my first RDA (Riding for the Disabled Association) national competition. Back then I didn’t really know who she was and when I competed with her I was a good five or ten per cent behind. She clocked me at a young age and ever since it’s been back and forth between us every year. She’ll win, then I’ll win, then she’ll win so both of us to keep on pushing. To have that in the same country is really good.”

The Netherlands’ Sanne Voets gave a scream of delight when she saw she had won and tears of joy streamed down her face. “I could feel that I would make it today,” she said. “I went to bed early last night, slept very well and did not wake up before the alarm rang. Then I braided his mane and from that moment on I felt like today is the day and it was going to be everything or nothing – and it became everything!

There was emotion in Sophie Wells’ voice too, as she said of her win: “It feels amazing. I’m just so proud of him. We went into the 10-minute box and the speakers were so close that he did feel like he was going to be a little hot. But we went round the outside and when I reassured him he took a breath and concentrated. It’s only his second championship so it’s quite a big thing for him and it’s a big atmosphere, but he listened to me all through the test and produced some of his best work. I was able to take some risks and he was in the right place to do that and it paid off.

“I’m absolutely thrilled for him. In the walk over I started crying and I’m not a crying person. I’m just really proud of him.”

So the Championships come to an end with Great Britain snatching seven of the 11 gold medals up for grabs, as well as four silvers. But it wasn’t just about Team GB. Anyone who saw Pepo Puch could be left in no doubt about his supremacy in the Grade Ib, although Ricky Balshaw’s emergence back on to the scene may give the Austrian something to think about.

There were strong performances too from the German riders, with a number of silver medals and one gold, while the smiling face of Denmark’s Chef d’Equipe Lis Lihme showed how happy she was with her team’s five bronze medals, including two individual and a team medal for Stinna Tange Kaastrup.

Summing up the competition, Amanda Bond, Deputy Chair of the FEI’s Para-Dressage Committee, said: “This has been another step on in the evolution of Para-Dressage. Last year’s Paralympic Games was phenomenal in terms of public perception of the sport and interest in it. We’ve been integrated once before at WEG in Kentucky in 2010, but there we were a little bit out on the side in an arena by ourselves.

“Here we’re right in the centre of everything and it has tested the sport, the riders, horses and support teams. Even in the course of the week, however, they have grown into that. The horses are more settled and people have been able to deal with the hullaballoo a little bit more. It’s another step on the journey for me as far as the sport is concerned.”

All the results: http://results.scgvisual.com/2013/herning.

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FEI TV: key performances and interviews with medal winners will be available as video-on-demand from the JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships on www.feitv.org.

By Rob Howell

Media Contacts:

At Herning:

Britt Carlsen
Press Officer
bc@wiegaarden.dk
+45 96 570 580

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Dressage, FEI

Dujardin Makes It Individual Double Gold with Fabulous Freestyle Victory

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(L to R): Freestyle silver medallist Helen Langehanenberg (GER), gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) and bronze medallist Adelinde Cornelissen (NED). Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

Herning (DEN), 25 August 2013 – Olympic double gold medallists, Charlotte Dujardin and the wonderful gelding Valegro, produced another magical performance to win Freestyle gold at the Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships 2013 in Herning, Denmark today.  It has been quite a week for the 28-year-old rider who began by breaking the world record Grand Prix score to help the British to team bronze on Thursday, before coming out the following day to clinch the individual Grand Prix Special title.

The buildup to this afternoon’s Freestyle was an emotional one, and expectation was at an all-time high.  It certainly didn’t disappoint, with quality work from all 15 of the qualified riders and a breath-taking winning ride from Dujardin during which she and her wonderful horse held everyone under their spell.

Holding the Lead

Dujardin’s trainer and mentor, Carl Hester, was holding the lead before the final group took their turn.  His score of 81.696 with his London 2012 Olympic team gold medal winning ride, Uthopia, reflected a test that lacked some of its usual sparkle, but the horse’s amazing trot extensions were still very much in place as he overtook Denmark’s Anna Kasprzak and Donnperignon.

It wasn’t only Danish supporters who had a tear in their eye a little earlier when, during the first break, the horse that has brought so much success to Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, the 16-year-old Digby, was officially retired.

This pair set the target as the first group of riders took their turn when posting a score of 79.554, and would eventually finish in ninth place.  Looking as fresh and well as ever, Digby got a standing ovation from the crowd who waved him and his rider out of the arena for the very last time.  But before they left, zu Sayn-Wittgenstein pointed out, “I’ll be back even though Digby won’t!”  And the rider’s mother, Princess Benedikte of Denmark who bred this wonderful horse, was as tearful as everyone else.

Final Five

The Netherlands’ Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival were first to go of the final five, and the defending European Freestyle champion, and her horse whose life has been more than a little interesting this year, set a big new target when putting 86.393 on the board.  All Parzival’s trademark bounce and energy seems to be back following his fantastic recovery from treatment for a heart condition, and, earning 9.5 for piaffe amongst his many high scores, he ensured the rest would have to be on their toes.

Edward Gal’s Glock’s Undercover was much more relaxed today than he was in Friday’s Grand Prix Special, and this Dutch duo produced more of their seamless transitions and strong piaffe and passage which earned a mark of 9.1.  But their score of 84.911 left Cornelissen still out in front until Dujardin entered the arena.

The softness of Valegro’s slow and deliberate piaffe, the power of the trot extensions, the athletic quality of the lateral movements and the wonderful passage had everyone enthralled.  Dujardin coordinated every movement with the stirring musical score she used at last summer’s Olympic Games in London.  The precision with which she arrived on queue for each of the pirouettes that were executed to the sound of the ringing of London’s Big Ben was awe-inspiring.  Today’s performance was possibly just as spine-chilling as the one that earned them Freestyle Olympic gold 12 months ago. There was just one significant glitch.  “In the last pirouette I caught him with the spur and it made him jump.  Other than that it was brilliant!” as Dujardin said afterwards.

Germany’s Kristina Sprehe and Desperados FRH were second-last into the ring and posted 81.875 for an impressive test, but the last threat to Dujardin’s dominance lay with reigning Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage champions Helen Langehanenberg and Damon Hill from Germany.  Their performance wasn’t perfect and they lost their rhythm toward the very end, but there was some fine work shown for a mark of 87.286 which would be more than good enough for silver, ahead of Cornelissen in bronze.

Fantastic Ride

“I had a fantastic ride today.  A lot was down to the fact that Grandad (Dujardin’s friend and mentor Carl Hester) told me to give Valegro a day off yesterday because it would be good for him so that he would be fresh today – and he was right!  He (Valegro) felt really great when he came out today,” Dujardin said.

Langehanenberg was very happy to be on the podium, having missed out by the narrowest of margins at last summer’s Olympic Games. “In London I was so close to a medal, and here I have succeeded twice,” she said with a big smile. “I had a great feeling again today, and I’m proud of him (Damon Hill).  I made a slight mistake but it is as it is.  It has been a brilliant week and so full of fun!” she added.

Cornelissen said she was “extremely happy.  We came for the team, and to go home with two individual medals is just great!”  Her delight stems as much from the knowledge that her gelding is feeling happy and well again after his ill-heath earlier in the year. “I’m still building him (Jerich Parzival) up, and I have such a fantastic team around me – I owe these medals to them,” she insisted.

Dujardin was asked why she doesn’t wear a top hat like many of the other riders. “I wear a crash hat – I don’t wear a top hat because I had a really bad fall and fractured my skull.  I was knocked out for about ten minutes and I would never take the risk again.  I don’t feel safe in a top hat, and I don’t think it’s an issue that I don’t wear one,” she said.

She did have a top-hat on when coming into the ring for the prize-giving, however, because she borrowed the one that had been sported throughout the day by flamboyant and hugely popular ringmaster, Pedro Cebulka, whose colourful attire makes him something of a legend on the international equestrian circuit.  It was all in the way of fun, something that has permeated the top-class competition enjoyed in all three equestrian disciplines in Herning over the past week.

Talked about Test

The newly-crowned gold medallist talked about her test today. “I’m very, very happy; I didn’t want to risk too much and make a mistake. You don’t want to be frightening your horse; I felt he was with me all the way and that he enjoyed it and we danced our way through it.”  She said she had initially decided to do a new Freestyle for the European Championships but changed her mind about that.  “People at home were wondering why I wasn’t using the Olympic Games music.  I only ever did it three times and everyone loved it so much.  I didn’t want to use it again because I felt it belonged to London 2012, but everyone likes it, including the judges, and it is technically difficult, so I thought I’d do it again,” she explained.

Ground Jury member, Leif Tornblad, said that the progressive excellence of the sport of Dressage has created challenges not only for the competitors, but also for the judges. “Now the challenge is to know that you may see the best you can ever imagine!  It’s not easy for the judges, and we are as excited as the public and the riders! We don’t know the marks that the other judges give; it’s not so easy to be always in unison.  Maybe Charlotte didn’t break a record today but she broke my record – I’ve never given marks as high as that!” he pointed out.

Relief and Satisfaction

There was a sense of relief and satisfaction as this great week of Championship competition drew to a close, and there was a bit of silliness in the air as well.  British rider, Richard Davison, took the opportunity during this evening’s press conference to tease Adelinde Cornelissen about bursting into tears when asked about Jerich Parzival’s health scare following Friday’s Grand Prix Special.  “I have a question for Adelinde,” Davison said. “Can you talk us through how emotional it has been?” But the rider was ready for him, and told the press conference, “He has a bet that I’m going to cry again, but I’m not going to cry!” to which Davison replied, “Well then that’s just cost me ten euro so!”

Langehanenberg was happy too. “The most emotional moment for me was after the Grand Prix (team competition won by Germany) when I just rode in and everyone was clapping and crying – that was perfect and the most emotional moment – it was really special.”

Frank Kempermann, Chairman FEI Dressage Committee, put the ECCO FEI European Championships into perspective.  The entire event was like a piece of carefully-crafted theatre with plenty of drama alongside the best of good sport.  “On behalf of the FEI I’d like to thank the artists – the riders and the horses – and also a big thanks to the organiser and sponsors for giving us all a fantastic time in Denmark,” he said.

Result: Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Freestyle Championship – here.

Facts and Figures:

Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin became the first British rider to win European Freestyle gold when victorious on the final day of the Blue Hors European Dressage Championship 2013 today.

It has been a spectacular week for the 28-year-old who took double-gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games. This week she once again broke the world record in the Grand Prix to help earn team bronze for her country, before clinching individual gold in both Friday’s Grand Prix Special and today’s Freestyle.

A total of 15 riders lined out in today’s Freestyle in which Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg and Damon Hill NRW took silver ahead of The Netherlands’ Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival in bronze medal position.

Digby, the 16-year-old gelding ridden to great success by Denmark’s Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, was officially retired after competing for the very last time in today’s Freestyle at the Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships in Herning.

Quotes:

Helen Langehanenberg GER, Freestyle silver medallist: “It has been brilliant fun to be part of these Championships.”

Jens Trabjerg, Event President: “We had 61,500 visitors this week.”

Charlotte Dujardin, Freestyle gold medallist: “The Grand Prix felt amazing.  I can’t say I came here to do as well as I’ve done – I thought I’d try to get as many golds as I could but it has been such a fantastic week!”

British Chef de Mission, Will Connell MBE, talking about the achievements of British riders this week: “Following the successes of London (Olympic Games) was always going to be very challenging, but I think that Herning has demonstrated London was certainly not a flash in the pan. Perhaps one of the most pleasing aspects has been the success of those rider/horse combinations that were not in London.”

FEI YouTube: http://youtu.be/ebFqaMesPo8

For further information on the ECCO FEI European Championships 2013, go to website: http://european-herning.dk/GB.aspx.

FEI Online Press kits

Extensive information on the P.S.I. FEI European Jumping Championships, Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships and JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships, can be found in the FEI’s Online Press Kit Zone: www.feipresskits.org. Each press kit includes an event preview, athlete biographies, competition timetable, Championships history and key contact details.

FEI TV

The P.S.I. FEI European Jumping Championships and Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships will be live on FEI TV, the FEI’s official online video platform, starting on 20 August at 16.45 local time – see the complete live schedule here: www.feitv.org/live. Key performances and interviews with medal winners will be available as video-on-demand from the JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships.

By Louise Parkes

Media Contacts:

At Herning:

Britt Carlsen
Press Officer
bc@wiegaarden.dk
+45 96 570 580

At FEI:

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

Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
Email: grania.willis@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 142

Dressage, Training/Clinics

Improve Your Dressage Horse’s Stiff and Hollow Sides, by Jane Savoie

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Pretty much all dressage horses, just like most people, have a stiff and hollow side and, therefore, are either left-handed or right-handed.

There are different theories on why this phenomenon of stiff and hollow sides in horses exists. Some people believe it’s because of the position of the horse in the womb. Other people believe it’s because of the split hemispheres in the brain.

But the bottom line is your horse probably is soft or hollow or weak on one side of his body and stiff or hard or stronger on the other side of his body.

Let’s say your horse is hollow or soft to the left. He’s going to want to over bend his neck to the left, his shoulders are going to fall out to the right, and his haunches are going to fall in to the left.

He’s also not going to take as full of a stride with the left hind leg, and, therefore, not fill the left rein. That is, he’s going to be too light in the left rein.

On the other hand, the right side of his body is stiff. He is stronger with the right hind leg and takes a better step with the right hind leg. But be aware that this may show up as feeling too strong in your right hand.

Benign Antagonism

To fix this problem and allow your horse to become more ambidextrous, use what I call “benign antagonism”.

Benign antagonism simply means that whatever your horse does that you don’t like, very quietly and kindly do the opposite.

So when you’re tracking with the horse with his soft side, his hollow side, in this case, his left side, on the inside of the arena, you’re going to do the opposite of what he wants to do.

Ride with no bend or flexion. You can even ride him in counter flexion.

Flexion

Remember that flexion occurs at the poll right behind the ears. You get either counter flexion or true flexion by turning your entire wrist.

Start with the thumb as the highest point of the hand. Turn your wrist so that your fingernails point up to your face for a second. Then go back to the thumb being the highest point of the hand.

As you turn the wrist, bring your hand a little bit closer to the withers, but don’t cross it over them.

While you’re doing that, support with the other rein. If you don’t support with the other rein, the horse is going to bend further down his neck rather than just position his head at the end of his neck so that you just see his eye or his nostril.

If you’re tracking to the left with the hollow side on left side, do this exercise to give you a frame of reference while schooling.

Halt by the rail, fence, or wall. Line up your horse’s neck straight in front of him. Then either put his chin in front of the middle crease of his chest or turn your right wrist and counter flex him so you see his right eye and right nostril.

This is the position to ride your horse in when you track with his hollow left side on the inside.

The Hollow Side

As you go around to the left whether you’re tracking down the long side, you’re going through a corner to the left, or you’re doing a 20-meter circle, keep his body as straight as a bus with either no flexion or counter flexion.

Doing so is going to align him straighter so that his left hind will take a fuller, deeper step under the body and fill the left rein. It will also prevent him from popping out his right shoulder.

Think about it. If his haunches are drifting to the left and he pushes with that left hind leg, he’s going to be pushing diagonally out across his right shoulder. That contributes to popping out the right shoulder.

So in as simple terms as I can make it, when you track with his hollow side to the inside, ride without bend and no flexion OR no bend and counter flexion.

The Stiff Side

Then when you track with his stiff side on the inside, you want to gently stretch out the hollow side, the outside of his body, so it’s easier for him to bend around your inside leg.

To do this, ride with extra bend.

For example, go on a 20-meter circle to the right in the walk. Then turn onto a 6 or an 8-meter circle.

On the small circle, go over your bending aids – weight on your inside seatbone, inside leg on the girth, outside leg behind the girth, turn your right wrist, support with the left rein so you don’t over bend the neck. Feel your horse curve like a banana around your right leg.

Then go back to your 20-meter circle, but keep your aids on as if you’re asking for bend on an 8-meter circle. Now you’re not going to be able to actually do that.

But if you use your aids as if you could bend your horse on an 8-meter arc while on a 20-meter circle, you’ll be riding with better bend to the right.

Apply the same idea while going down the long side. Instead of going straight down the long side, go down the long side as if you’re on the arc of a 10- or 12-meter circle.

It’s not that you’re doing shoulder-in, and it’s not that you’re doing haunches-in. It actually feels like you’re doing a little bit of both.

Your horse should look like he’s in a little bit of shoulder-in in the front and a little bit of haunches-in behind with his barrel just touching the rail.

You can actually start with a small circle, and then go down the long side with the arc of the circle. Then blend back onto another small circle and continue down the long side with the arc of a circle.

Or you can do an exercise where you’re going down the long side and you alternate between going straight and then bending him as if he’s on the arc of a 10- or 12-meter circle for a couple of strides. Then go straight again. Then bend him again.

To Sum Up

So in order to train your dressage horse to be straighter and more ambidextrous, make his stiff side more “bendable” and his hollow side stiffer.

Use the Connecting Aids to Put Your Horse on the Bit

It’s simple to put your horse on the bit when you use what I call the “connecting aids”. The connecting aids are a combination of three ingredients that you’ll maintain for about three seconds — the length of time it takes to inhale and exhale.

The three ingredients of the connecting aids to put your horse on the bit are the:

1. The driving aids which consist of your seat and your two legs because either one of those aids drive your horse forward.

2. The bending aids consist of your inside rein which asks the horse to look in the direction he’s going, your inside leg on the girth, and your outside leg behind the girth. Each of those aids contributes to bend.

3. The rein of opposition is the outside rein. It’s called the rein of opposition because it opposes too much speed from the driving aids and too much bend from the bending aids.

When you marry those three ingredients – driving aids, bending aids and rein of opposition for about three seconds, you give the aids to put your horse on the bit — the “connecting aids”.

So to put your horse on the bit with the connecting aids:

  • First close both calves.
  • When you feel a surge of energy coming from behind as if your horse wants to lengthen, close your outside hand in a fist to recycle that power.
  • Lastly, if your horse starts to look to the outside, vibrate the inside rein to help keep the neck straight.

Jane Savoie
1174 Hill St ext.
Berlin, VT 05602
Jane’s Website
DressageMentor.com

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Ft. McDermitt Unbranded Wild Horses Saved

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Team effort secures a future for slaughter bound mustangs

RENO, Nev. (August 23, 2013) – On Wednesday, US District Court Judge, Miranda Du, lifted a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) which allowed for the sale of 149 unbranded wild horses captured by the Fort McDermitt Paiute and Shoshone Tribe in northern Nevada. Realizing that these unbranded wild horses were likely bound for slaughter in Canada and Mexico, Ginger Kathrens of The Cloud Foundation (TCF) reached out to Victoria McCullough of the Triumph Project in Wellington, Florida. McCullough in turn asked Florida State Senator Joseph Abruzzo to begin negotiating with the tribe and an offer was accepted today.

Behind the scenes, this effort was a collaboration of not only the Cloud Foundation but other organizations committed to horse protection. These include Suzanne Roy and Deniz Bolbol of American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign (AWHPC), Ellie Phipps Price, a northern California businesswoman, Madeleine Pickens of Saving America’s Mustang, Jim Hart of Liberty for Horses, Sally Summers of Horse Power, and Neda DeMayo of Return to Freedom, who agreed to provide homes for the 149 animals, which includes 16 mares with foals.

“What an incredible, collaborative effort by all involved,” said Ginger Kathrens. “Acting as a team, and with Victoria’s tremendous support, we are able ensure a future for mustangs that were a heartbeat away from a long journey to slaughter.”

Through the collaborative efforts of the wild horse advocacy groups, and private parties, the purchase of all 149 wild horses has been negotiated. The horses will be going to their permanent and temporary homes in California and Nevada today and tomorrow.

This purchase would not have been necessary if the US Forest Service (USFS) and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) weren’t negligent in their duties to protect wild horses and burros as charged by the 1971 Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act. The Wild Horse & Burro Act imposes criminal liability for “willfully” removing wild horses from public lands converting wild horses to private use, maliciously causing the harassment of a wild horse or selling a wild horse on private land. This entire roundup should have been stopped by the BLM and USFS until they determined that no wild horses would be included. Instead, the very agencies charged with protecting our wild horses turned their backs.

Initially the USFS planned to bankroll the helicopter roundup of horses from USFS, BLM and reservation land and transport of horses to a slaughter auction, but the USFS issued a “stand down” when TCF, AWHPC, Return to Freedom, and Western Watersheds threatened to file suit for noncompliance with environmental regulations and violation of first amendment rights. Unfortunately the tribe proceeded with the roundup and removal with the intention of selling all the horses at the Fallon Auction house, known for selling to kill buyers.

Both the USFS and tribal members claimed that all the horses were domestic and owned by the tribe, but after examining each of the 467 horses, 149 were discovered to be unbranded. Under the 1971 Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act, “wild free-roaming horses and burros” means all unbranded and unclaimed horses and burros on public lands of the United States. The horses were rounded up in an area only a few miles from the Little Owyhee Herd Management Area, and many were driven onto the reservation from federal land with BLM and Forest Service approval.

“The entire deal was fraught with subterfuge. Had it not been for the secret leaking out, all of the horses rounded up would have been transported to a slaughter auction at taxpayer expense,” states Kathrens. “This is a blatant misuse of American taxpayer dollars. With 80% of Americans opposed to slaughter, why should taxpayer dollars be used to fulfill this action?”

Over 300 branded horses were sold at auction on Saturday. Approximately 150 were purchased by local residents and rescue groups, the remainder were purchased by kill buyers.

The Cloud Foundation
107 South 7th St
Colorado Springs, CO 80905
www.thecloudfoundation.org

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Dressage, USEF

Zandor, Fashion Designer O.L.D. and Rebellienne HVH Earn National Titles

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Zandor (Carolynn Bunch Photography)

Wayne, IL – The first three of five 2013 Markel/USEF Young & Developing Horse Dressage National Championships presented by HorseShow.com National Titles were awarded Saturday at the Lamplight Equestrian Center, in Developing Grand Prix and Four and Five-Year-Old divisions. All competitors rode in front of the star-studded panel of Lilo Fore, Anne Gribbons and Sandy Osborne. In the Markel/USEF Developing Grand Prix Horse Dressage National Championship presented by HorseShow.com, Zandor earned his first National Championship. In the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Five-Year-Old National Championships presented by HorseShow.com, Fashion Designer OLD impressed the crowds and judges to head the field. The day came to a conclusion with Rebellienne HVH earning top honors in the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Four-Year-Old National Championships presented by HorseShow.com.

Developing Grand Prix

The field of six Developing Grand Prix horses returned to Lamplight’s Championship Arena to earn the remaining 60% of their championship score by performing USEF Developing Horse Grand Prix Test. They carried forward the score from Thursday’s FEI Intermediaire II Test which composed the first 40% of their score.

Laura Wharton-Mero (Woodstock, GA) and her own Zandor (Florencio x Nancy BS/Amulet) were the winners of Thursday’s Qualifying Class and returned to the Championship Arena looking to earn the National Championship. The nine-year-old KWPN gelding once again demonstrated his aptitude for the Grand Prix movements to finish third in the Championship Class on a score of 66.542% to finish on an overall total of 66.715%.

“Zandor had a nice ride Thursday; he was a little tight at the beginning but got better,” said Wharton-Mero of the expressive gelding. “Today he stayed very consistent; there were a couple bobbles but he stayed consistent.”

Zandor has been a part of the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program since he was a four-year-old and competed in last year’s Developing Horse Prix St. Georges Championship. His win this weekend is not only a testament to the program but also the Wharton-Mero’s training.

“I’ve come through this program; this horse has been doing this since his four-year-old year,” said Wharton-Mero. “It’s a wonderful feeling to win.”

Reserve Champion honors went to Kathy Priest (Versailles, KY) and her own 10-year-old KWPN Wild Dancer (Florett AS x Reality B). The impressive mare improved upon her performance on Thursday to best the field in the Championship Class with a score of 66.708%.

“I’m happy with my girl; she stayed pretty consistent,” said Priest. “I’m happy she hit her one-tempis and the passage piaffe tour is improving. I’m thrilled.”

They finished on a championship score of 66.253%.

Katie Riley (White House Station, NJ) and her own nine-year-old KWPN stallion Zanzibar (Consul x Juventafee/Farmer) secured third place honors with a championship total of 66.090%. On Saturday they cruised to 66.583% to earn second place in the Championship Class as well as the Highest Place U.S. Bred award.

Five-Year-Old Championship

Thirteen entries contested the Five-Year-Old Championship, for which the first 40% of their score was earned in the FEI Five-Year-Old Preliminary Test on Thursday. With the remaining 60% awarded in the Championship Class on Saturday, where combinations performed the FEI Five-Year-Old Final Test.

Fashion Designer O.L.D. (Carolyn Bunch Photography)
Fashion Designer O.L.D. (Carolyn Bunch Photography)

Nadine Burberl (White House Station, NJ) entered the Championship Arena with Michael Davis’ Fashion Designer O.L.D. (Faustinus x Forst-Design/De Niro) knowing that with a strong performance she could claim her first National Title. She did just that scoring 9.060 in the Championship Class to finish on an overall total of 9.012.

Burberl, who is originally from Germany but has been based with Cesar Parra for four years, was impressed with the Oldenburg gelding on both Thursday and Saturday.

“Both rides went amazing; on Thursday we had some work to do and worked on that on Friday,” said Burberl who believes that training a young horse takes time and patience. “It’s not just three weeks; it’s done throughout the year.”

Fashion Designer O.L.D. impressed the judging panel on Saturday with his fabulous gaits including his trot for which he was rewarded a 10, the gelding also received 9.0 for the walk and 8.5 for his canter. Additionally, he received high marks for submission and general impression; 8.5 and 9.3, respectively.

“It’s just amazing; I have goose-bumps every circle, every canter stride,” said Burberl, “and the trot is just amazing.”

Thursday’s winner, DG Dancing Queen (Jazz x Princes Lincom/Junior) and Ashlyn De Groot (Hanford, GA), earned Reserve Champion honors after scoring 8.860 in the FEI Five-Year-Old Final Test; they finished on a championship score of 8.916. DG Bar Ranch’s KWPN mare was awarded 9.2, 9.0, and 8.6 for the trot, walk and canter. A mistake in the simple change kept the talented mare from earning higher submission and general impression score; they were awarded 8.5 and 9.0 respectively.

“I’m just so excited; we all have our days. She’s just such a great horse and fun to work with,” said the 19-year-old De Groot who is a longtime participant in the Young Horse Program. “They (young horses) are fun to work with; you see them learning and progressing; it’s so rewarding.”

Burberl also collected third place honors with another Davis’ ride, Fiderhit O.L.D. (Fidertanz x Fleur/Sandro Hit), on a championship score of 8.620. The Oldenburg mare received 9.5, 9.0 and 8.2 for the trot, walk and canter. She also was awarded 7.8 for submission and 9.0 for general impression, to finish on a score of 8.700 in Saturday’s test.

Qredit Hilltop (Quaterback x Dream Rubina/ Dream of Glory) ridden by Chris Hickey (Colora, MD) was awarded the Highest Place U.S. Bred honor. The Oldenburg/Gov stallion finished in fourth place overall on a score of 8.480.

Four-Year-Old Championship

Saturday came to a close with 13 of the best horses from the 2009 foal crop completing the USEF Dressage Test for Four-Year-Old Horses for a second time to earn the remaining 60% of their championship score.

Rebellienne HVH (Carolynn Bunch Photography)
Rebellienne HVH (Carolynn Bunch Photography)

Brandi Benedict (Lovettsville, VA) and High Valley Hanoverians’ Rebellienne HVH (Rotspon x EM Whitney/Welser) turned heads throughout the week to be named the Four-Year-Old Champion on a score of 8.760. The Hanoverian mare was the winner of Thursday’s Qualifying Class, in a performance made all the more impressive because they competed in the deluge of rain. He returned Saturday and was a little tired but nonetheless persevered to finish third in the Championship Class on a score of 8.720.

“Thursday went really well; it was our first test together; it was interesting in the pouring rain,” joked Benedict. “Today she was a lit bit more tired but still really tried.”

Rebellienne HVH and Benedict have only been partnered together for two weeks but nonetheless were able to earn top marks. On Saturday, the mare’s gaits were regarded highly scoring 8.8, 9.5, and 7.5 for the trot, walk, and canter respectively. Additionally, they received 9.0 for submission and 8.8 on general impression.

Benedict credits the mare’s great performance this week to her early training and breeding.

“All of her training really came through, as did her breeding. I really have to thank High Valley Hanoverians for giving me this opportunity.”

The pair also received the Highest Place U.S. Bred award.

Earning Reserve Champion honors was the KWPN gelding Encore (Jazz x Aloha SE/Sir Sinclair) with owner/rider Amy Miller on a score of 8.736.The pair were the second place finishers in both the Qualifying and Championship Class.

In an interesting twist, they tied with Benedict and Rebellienne HVH in Saturday’s class on a score of 8.720. Generally, when there is a tie it is broken by breeding nationality, but as both were U.S. Bred the tie remained in place. It was then turned to the judges to choose the winner, and it was determined that Encore would earn the red ribbon.

For his performance on Saturday, the gelding received 8.5, 8.5, and 8.8 for their trot, walk, and canter gaits, as well as 9.0 for submission and 8.8 for general impression.

“I got him at the end of his two-year-old year,” said Miller. “On Thursday, he scared himself a bit with the tractors in the other ring but got it back together. Today he tried so hard and you can’t ask for more than that.”

Anna Marek (Williston, FL) and AJ Stapleton’s Elain (Sir Oldenburg x Barliane/Santano) collected third-place honors on an overall score of 8.700. The KWPN gelding was the winner of the Championship class on a score of 8.780. They received scores of 8.8, 8.5, and 8.8 for the trot, walk and canter, in addition to 9.0 for submission and 8.8 for general impression.

The 2013 Markel/USEF Young & Developing Horse Dressage National Championships presented by HorseShow.com comes to a conclusion tomorrow with champions being crowned in Six-Year-Old and Developing Horse Prix St. Georges. The day begins at 8:35am CT with the Six-Year-Old division.

By Helen Murray

To learn more about the 2013 Markel/USEF Young & Developing Horse Dressage National Championships presented by HorseShow.com, visit: http://usef.org/_IFrames/breedsDisciplines/discipline/alldressage/DressageChampionships.aspx.

To see scores from the 2013 Markel/USEF Young & Developing Horse Dressage National Championships presented by HorseShow.com, visit: http://www.foxvillage.com/fvdshowresults/(zdt2hk55gccd1aiflg5fmk45)/ClassList.aspx?sh=1484&st=1.

Championships, Competitions, FEI, Show Jumping

Flying Frenchman Bost Claims Individual Jumping Title in Tense Thriller

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(L to R): silver medallist Ben Maher (GBR), gold medallist Roger Yves Bost (FRA) and bronze medallist Scott Brash (GBR).

Herning (DEN), 22 August 2013 – Roger Yves Bost became only the fifth French rider to claim Individual European gold when galloping to victory in the PSI FEI European Jumping Individual Championship final at Herning in Denmark this afternoon.  Great Britain’s Ben Maher went into the final competition with the narrowest of leads, but a fence down in this afternoon’s opening round saw him having to settle for silver ahead of team-mate Scott Brash who rose from overnight tenth place to take bronze when producing the only double-clear performance of the day.

Bost follows in famous footsteps, as the list of previous French champions is an impressive one.  Pierre Durand and the legendary Jappeloup first topped the podium for France at St Gallen, Switzerland in 1987, Eric Navet reigned supreme on home turf at La Baule, France in 1991, Alexandra Ledermann and Rochet M – the first woman ever to take the title – topped the line-up in Hickstead, Great Britain in 1999 and Kevin Staut and Kraque Boom were winners in Windsor, Great Britain in 2009.

Lived Up to Expectations

The Individual Final more than lived up to expectations, with course-designer, Frank Rothenberger, setting two more super-tough tests.  The first-round track was serious from the outset, and there were plenty of splashes in the open water at fence three which proved more difficult when approached, as it was earlier in the week, from left to right.  A roll-back from the following oxer at four to the vertical at five led, on a left-hand bend, to an oxer at six with its narrow black planks, but it was the latter part of the track that proved most influential.  The triple combination of oxer, vertical, oxer at fence seven looked uncomplicated without any filling material, and the middle element was the tallest at 1.55m.  But riders who faltered in any way at this one very often found themselves on a difficult distance to the following water-tray vertical.  Many went on four strides here rather than taking the option of five, but in both cases caution was required.

Having tackled that question it was then on to the narrow orange wall at nine which stood a massive 1.65m tall, before galloping down to the 1.55m drunken oxer that stretched them out with a 1.90m spread.  Just two fences left to go, and the test was still relentless, as the penultimate 1.55m oxer was followed by a very difficult double of verticals.  The choice here was to approach on a normal six strides or chip in one more to get horses a little higher at the opening element.  The two-stride distance between the two elements was very tight, and of the 25 horse-and-rider combinations who went through to this final day, 15 of them hit at least one element of this.

Fault-Free

Italy’s Luca Moneta was first to go and was clear with Neptune Brecourt until lowering the very last.  He was so quick in achieving his four-fault result however that Rothenberger and the Ground Jury decided to reduce the time-allowed by a significant five seconds, from 80 to 75.  As the course designer admitted afterwards, “Maybe that was two seconds too much.”  Only two riders managed to come home with a completely clean sheet, and the eventual champion wasn’t one of them as Bost and Castle Forbes Myrtille Paulois picked up a single time fault in one of their trademark thrilling tours of the track.

The first of the clear rounds came from Brash and his London 2012 Olympic team gold medal winning ride Hello Sanctos who made the whole thing look very easy, but with a little luck on their side as they survived a little tap at the second element of the final double, with the top pole rolling forward and then gently back into position.  That was always going to be a critical round, and when The Netherlands’ Jur Vrieling and VDL Bubalu put a foot in the water, hit the final element of the triple combination and dropped both elements of the final double and Frenchman Patrice Delaveau steered Orient Express home with eight additional penalties collected at the open water and the middle of the triple combination the British rider was rocketing up the order.

Another Spectacular Exhibition

Switzerland’s Jessica Sprunger and Palloubet D’Halong put in another spectacular exhibition but fell foul of the front element of the last, while Olympic individual champion, Steve Guerdat, was faultless with Nino des Buissonnets to put pressure on the remaining five.  All jumping in order of merit and with less than a fence between them, none could afford the slightest mistake.  So when Germany’s Ludger Beerbaum and Chiara hit the second element of the final double and fellow-countryman Daniel Deusser’s Cornet D’Amour hit the water-tray vertical at eight the tension was rising by the minute.  Like so many others, defending Individual champion, Sweden’s Rolf-Goran Bengtsson, was clear to the very last with Casall Ask.  “On that last line he came back to me great, and I felt I did not want to do too much, but we had faults anyway,” he said afterwards.

Bost’s single time penalty moved him onto a scoreline of just 1.58 penalty points, so nothing but a clear would keep Britain’s Ben Maher out in front.  It wasn’t the dreaded final double that penalised him however.  It was his run from the narrow wall to the drunken oxer.  Moving his mare up a gear to ensure his time was good he arrived on a long stride, and as Cella became airborne it was clear she wouldn’t leave the fence intact.  “It was a silly fence to have down, but it was wide and it was there to be jumped – she was little careful and I was maybe a little too far away,” the British rider said afterwards.

Less Complicated

The new second-round track looked less complicated, but the ten fences would take their toll, particularly the final triple combination.  Only 19 returned to do battle in this round, and nine of them ran into trouble here including Switzerland’s Guerdat whose chances were completely dashed when Nino stopped at the second element and then hit it at his second attempt.

There were four clears this time out, the first registered by Frenchman Aymeric de Ponnat and Armitages Boy. They were lying well down the order in 16th place and it promoted them all the way up to 11th in the final analysis.

Now lying fifth, Brash really piled the pressure on those ahead of him with another amazing tour of the track, with Hello Sanctos looking as fresh as he did when the jumping action began five days ago.  Bengtsson hit the same second element of the triple combination that put paid to Guerdat’s chances just a few minutes later, but Maher wasn’t giving up without a fight and, despite a loud rattle at the oxer at five, the mare returned another fabulous foot-perfect run to throw down the gauntlet.  Bost could afford a time-fault or two, but a pole down would hand the gold medal back to his British rival.  It was all down to this one last effort.

And the man they call Bosty grabbed both the opportunity and the mare who perfectly matches her rider’s unorthodox style, with both hands, steering her through the course and arriving to the last line without incident.  As he headed for the triple combination there was an intake of breath around the stadium, but there was no need to worry.  The 13-year-old mare who he calls “my Princess” or “my Poupee” (my doll) was never going to let him down. The roar from the crowd said it all as one of the most popular competitors in the sport had the gold in his grasp.

First Individual Medal

“This is my first Senior Individual gold medal; I have some Team Championship medals, but never an Individual one!” he said excitedly afterwards.  Talking about his great mare, he said, “She was very relaxed here; she didn’t want to touch one fence,” and when asked about if her feisty temperament makes her difficult to ride, he replied, “No, she’s not so difficult – I can manage, this is my job!”

Silver medallist Maher was very happy with his result.  “Cella was amazing today.  We had a great second round and I put as much pressure as I could on Roger today but he did too good a job!” he said.  The British rider described his mare as “more of a machine than a horse!  She can be temperamental sometimes but this is her first Championship and I couldn’t be more happy.  I was concerned that she might get tired, but she jumped very well in the last round.  There has been a lot for her to learn from these Championships and I’ve a lot of people to thank including her owner Jane Clark and the British Equestrian Federation for their fantastic support.”

Jane Clark may not yet know of her horse’s fantastic result today because the American horse-owner is currently holidaying in the wilds of Alaska and has been difficult to contact.  Maher eventually got through to her to tell her about Cella’s Team gold medal winning performance on Thursday, but he said today that it could take some time to let her know what happened today.

Came across Their Horses

The gold and silver medallists talked about how they each came across the horses that earned them medals this afternoon.  Bost explained, “I was already riding some of Lady Forbes’ young horses when she asked me to ride Myrtille Paulois,” while Maher said, “I had a meeting with Jane Clark towards the end of the last year because she was looking for a rider for her horses and it was lucky for me that I was the one she chose.  I now have her fantastic string to add to the horses I already had in my stable.”

There was plenty of friendly banter between the medal-winners at the post-competition press conference.  Maher pointed out that “Roger [Yves Bost] said on Tuesday (after the opening speed competition), ‘If I lost a few kilos I could have caught you’ – so I wonder what diet he’s been on for the last few days!”  He congratulated the Frenchman: “Roger rode the round of a lifetime today and he’s the well-deserved winner,” Maher said.

Today’s new champion is 20 years older than 27-year-old Brash who said this evening, “The beauty of our sport is that hopefully we will still be riding past Bosty’s age.  Michel Robert for example looks fit and young and rides as good as ever. I’m looking forward to a long career and I’m looking forward to sitting here one day in Bosty’s seat!”

Knows More Than Most

One man who knows more than most about the joy of wearing an individual European gold medal around his neck is Germany’s Paul Schockemohle, triple-champion with the great Deister at Munich (GER) in 1981, Hickstead (GBR) in 1983 and Dinard (FRA) in 1985.  He continues to be a major influence in the sport, and took up title sponsorship of the PSI FEI European Jumping Championship in Herning.  He said today, “My expectations were not so high but there has been a super atmosphere and everything at the show was good. Frank [Rothenberger, course designer] did a good job and the riders did a good job too.”

He pointed out the vital role of those who support the sport through horse-ownership. He said that at these Championships, “Three owners who are a very, very long time in the sport have been rewarded – Lady Georgina Forbes (Castle Forbes Myrtille Paulois) who sponsored Jessica Kuerten before and now sponsors Bosty, and Jane Clark (Cella) who 35 years ago bought a horse from me!  And Phil Harris (Hello Sanctos) who also sponsored David Broome.  These are three owners who bought into the sport and stayed in the sport, and I want to congratulate them and their riders.”

Wonderful Championships

FEI Secretary General, Ingmar de Vos, concluded the press conference, saying, “On behalf of the FEI I would like to congratulate the riders and also the Organising Committee and the Danish Equestrian Federation for wonderful Championships and a very high-class venue.  This stadium is fantastic for our sport and I’d like to say a special thanks to Jens Trabjerg (Event President) and Bo Kristoffersen (Sport Director).  It has been a pleasure for the FEI to work with such a professional team.  Thanks to ECCO and to Paul Schockemohle’s PSI for their support – but of course these Championships are not over yet and we are looking forward to another great day tomorrow.”

Tomorrow brings the Blue Hors Dressage Individual Freestyle that brings the ECCO FEI European Championships to a close.

Today however the glory belongs to a much-admired Frenchman who never hides his great fondness for his horses.  “There are days like this in which nothing bad can happen and everything goes just right,” he said, “but this was really Myrtille’s day.  I took the week class by class, course by course, without watching what the other riders were doing.  I really tried to do my best.  I have been riding Myrtille now for two years and it hasn’t always been easy.  This arena suited her because it is like an indoor arena so she was more focussed and concentrated on what she was doing.  The first thing I thought when we crossed the finish line today was how much I love my princess!” said the new champion.

Result, PSI FEI European Jumping Individual Championship 2013 – here.

Facts and Figures:

47-year-old Frenchman, Roger Yves Bost, won the PSI FEI European Jumping Individual Championship final at Herning in Denmark today riding Lady Georgina Forbes’ mare, Castle Forbes Myrtille Paulois.

Bost is the fifth Frenchman to win the Individual title in the history of the FEI European Jumping Championship which first took place in Rotterdam (NED) in 1957.

The first French rider to win the Individual title was Pierre Durand riding the legendary Jappeloup.

25 riders started in the first round of the PSI FEI European Jumping Individual Final today.

The first-round course had 12 fences, with the final double of verticals proving the most problematic.

19 returned for the second round over a new 10-fence track.  Again the last fence was the bogey, the triple combination.

British riders Ben Maher (Cella) and Scott Brash (Hello Sanctos) claimed Individual silver and bronze.

Brash produced the only double-clear performance in today’s Individual final with his Olympic team gold medal winning ride, Hello Sanctos.

Winning rider, Roger Yves Bost from France, received an additional prize alongside the Individual trophy – a filly foal by the stallion Casall Ask who was ridden into fourth place today by Sweden’s defending champion Rolf-Goran Bengtsson.

Quotes:

Scott Brash GBR, bronze medallist today – “My horse has been fantastic all week; he got better and better each day and only there are only so many top horses who can do that.  He was a joy to ride today, and he made my life easy!”

Scott Brash GBR, talking about the first-round course – “Today was very hard; the time was very tight but it worked in my favour.”

Ben Maher GBR, silver medallist – “It was always going to be big today.  Frank has set every test possible this week. In the end the time factor today helped both me and Scott because we both ride fast horses.”

Ben Maher GBR, talking about the difficult final double of verticals in today’s first round – “I did it on six strides (from the previous fence) and Roger did that also. My original plan was to do it in seven but I changed my mind.”

Ben Maher GBR – “I’ve never done a World Games yet and I’m looking forward to trying to get on the team next year.”

Gold medallist Roger Yves Bost FRA – “I’ve been riding a long time and I like to have a lot of contact with my horses, but my training is no different to any of the other riders.”

For further information on the ECCO FEI European Championships 2013, go to website: http://european-herning.dk/GB.aspx.

FEI Online Press kits

Extensive information on the P.S.I. FEI European Jumping Championships, Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships and JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships, can be found in the FEI’s Online Press Kit Zone: www.feipresskits.org. Each press kit includes an event preview, athlete biographies, competition timetable, Championships history and key contact details.

FEI TV

The P.S.I. FEI European Jumping Championships and Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships will be live on FEI TV, the FEI’s official online video platform, starting on 20 August at 16.45 local time – see the complete live schedule here: www.feitv.org/live. Key performances and interviews with medal winners will be available as video-on-demand from the JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships.

By Louise Parkes

Media Contacts:

At Herning:

Britt Carlsen
Press Officer
bc@wiegaarden.dk
+45 96 570 580

At FEI:

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

Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
Email: grania.willis@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 142

Dressage, USEF, USEF

Vitalis & Wakeup Unbeatable on Day 2 of Markel/USEF Young & Developing Horse Dressage National Championships

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Vitalis (Carolynn Bunch Photography)

Wayne, IL – The 2013 Markel/USEF Young & Developing Horse Dressage National Championships presented by HorseShow.com continued on Friday with the second and final day of Qualifying Classes. Promising Six-Year-Olds and Developing Prix St. Georges Horses showcased their talents in front of the judging panel of Janet Foy, Bill Warren and Linda Zang in Lamplight Equestrian Centers’ Championship Arena. In the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Six-Year-Old National Championships presented by HorseShow.com, Vitalis impressed the judges as well as spectators to surge to the head of the field. While in the Markel/USEF Developing Prix St. Georges Horse Dressage National Championships presented by HorseShow.com, Wakeup posted the top score of the day.

Six-Year-Old Championship

Six-Year-Old competition got the day started in the Championship Arena, as 12 entries performed the FEI Six-Year-Old Preliminary Test. Friday’s scores will count for 40% of the total championship score.

Charlotte Jorst (Reno, NV) and Skagen Holdings’ Vitalis (Vivaldi x Tolivia/Donnerschwee) proved to be popular winners on Thursday morning. The KWPN stallion demonstrated outstanding, expressive gaits to earn a 9.7, 7.8 and 9.5 for their trot, walk, and canter.

Vitalis was not only rewarded for his movement but also his rideability and potential for the future. For his submission the stallion scored a perfect 10, for which Foy commented, “We could not have thought of anything to make it better.” The judging panel also awarded a mark of 9.0 for general impression.

Vitalis scored a 9.2 on Friday to lead the field heading into the Championship Class.

“Fantastic – I thought it was so much fun,” said Jorst of her winning ride.

Jorst and Vitalis represented the U.S. at the FEI World Breeding Championships for Dressage Young Horses two weekends ago in Verden, Germany and made it a priority to contest these Championships. This is the first time Jorst has competed at this annual event and at Lamplight but is thoroughly enjoying the experience.

“This is my first time to Chicago. I have always wanted to come here and I love it here. The flowers, the atmosphere, everything is great; I am so comfortable here.”

Earning second-place honors on Friday was Alice Tarjan (Oldwick, NJ) and her own Elfenfeuer (Florencio x Elfensonne/Sion) with a score of 7.940. The Oldenburg gelding was rewarded with an 8.5 for his trot with particular praise for the collected trot as well as an 8.6 for the canter. Tension in the walk resulted in a score of 5.9.

The talented gelding was rewarded with a 9.0 for submission after demonstrating suppleness and elasticity as well as a proficiency in the flying changes. They were awarded a general impression score of 7.7.

Riding to third place was Jane Karol (Concord, MA) and her own Sunshine Tour (Sir Donnerhall x History/Alabaster) with a score of 7.800. The Oldenburg mare scored 9.2, 7.3, and 7.2 for the trot, walk, and canter, respectively. She also received scores of 7.0 and 8.0 for submission and general impression.

The Six-Year-Old Championship comes to a conclusion on Sunday as competitors will earn the remaining 60% of their score in the FEI Six-Year-Old Final Test.

Developing Prix St. Georges

The Developing Prix St. Georges Championship kicked off Friday afternoon with 14 entries completing the FEI Prix St. Georges Test for the first 40% of their championship score.

Wakeup was the Reserve Champion in the Developing Prix St. Georges Championship last year and has positioned himself to go one better in 2013. Ridden by his owner Emily Wagner (LaCygne, KS), the eight-year-old American Warmblood gelding presented a confident and polished effort to score 73.465%. Throughout the test, the talented gelding looked thoroughly confirmed in the Prix St. Georges movements.

“I really loved the flow of the movements,” said Wagner. “There were no hiccups; it felt super solid.”

Wakeup (Carolynn Bunch Photography)
Wakeup (Carolynn Bunch Photography)

Wakeup is a graduate of the Markel/USEF Young Horse Dressage Program and earned top honors in the Six-Year-Old Championship in 2011. Wagner always enjoys coming back to these Championships as it proves to be a measuring stick of progress throughout the year as well as an opportunity to compete against the top horses in the country.

“It’s a good check-point, to come here and test yourself against the best in the country. I feel very at home here, the people know him and it’s always great to compete against the best of the best.”

Jorst continued her successful day on Friday by collecting second place in the Developing Prix St. Georges Championship with Skagen Holdings’ Adventure (Special D x Sunette S/Mandrain). The eight-year-old KWPN gelding earned a score of 69.868% for the FEI Prix St. Georges Test.

The talented gelding showed great potential for the future and earned high marks for his lateral work and pirouettes.

On Friday, third place went to Silva Martin (Unionville, PA) and the Rosa Cha W Syndicate’s nine-year-old Warmblood mare Rosa Cha W with a score of 69.605%.

The Developing Prix St. Georges Championships comes to a close Sunday afternoon. Entries will earn the final 60% of their score by performing the USEF Developing Horse Prix St. Georges Test.

The 2013 Markel/USEF Young & Developing Horse Dressage National Championships presented by HorseShow.com continues on Saturday with the Championship Classes in the Four and Five-Year-Old divisions and the Developing Grand Prix. Competition gets underway in Lamplight Equestrian Center’s Championship Arena at 9:15am CT with the Markel/USEF Developing Grand Prix Horse Dressage National Championships presented by HorseShow.com.

By Helen Murray

To learn more about the 2013 Markel/USEF Young & Developing Horse Dressage National Championships presented by HorseShow.com, visit: http://usef.org/_IFrames/breedsDisciplines/discipline/alldressage/DressageChampionships.aspx.

To see scores from the 2013 Markel/USEF Young & Developing Horse Dressage National Championships presented by HorseShow.com, visit: http://www.foxvillage.com/fvdshowresults/(zdt2hk55gccd1aiflg5fmk45)/ClassList.aspx?sh=1484&st=1.

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, Driving

Team Weber Undefeated in Dressage on European Tour

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Team Weber in the dressage phase at Caen. (Photo courtesy of Madeleine Augustsson)

Caen, France (August 24, 2013) – Nine-time U.S. national driving champion Chester Weber proved why the media dubbed him “Mr. Dressage” on his previous European tours by scoring yet another win in the dressage phase at the CAI-A 4 Caen, in Caen, France.  Donimating the field with a score of 34.63, this win leaves Weber undefeated in the dressage phase during his 2013 European season and sets him up for success in the cones and marathon phases at Caen.

Weber’s winning team for this European season include his own Para, Senate, Horus du Bois, Ultra, and Boris W, as well as Splash and Uniek owned by Jane Clark.  Together these horses showed their mettle against the top European teams with a wire-to-wire win at the CAIO Saumur, and top 3 finishes at both Beekburgen and Aachen.  Caen marks the final stop on Team Weber’s European tour; they will travel back to the United States to compete for a tenth national championship title at the Kentucky Classic in September with the ultimate goal being the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy.

“The horses went well,” stated Weber.  “They are a very consistent group and I could not be more pleased with their success this summer.”

Follow Team Weber at www.chesterweber.com and via their link to Facebook.

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

Championships, Competitions, Dressage, FEI

Fabulous Freestyle Final in Prospect

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Adelinde Cornelissen’s Jerich Parzival made a remarkable recovery following a serious health scare this summer to clinch Team gold and Individual bronze at the Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships in Herning, Denmark this week. Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

Herning (DEN), 24 August 2013 – It’s been a spectacular week of sport at the ECCO FEI European Championships in Herning, Denmark and there is huge anticipation ahead of tomorrow’s Blue Hors Dressage Freestyle Final which will bring the event to an exciting conclusion.

After yesterday’s dramatic and emotional Grand Prix Special, in which all of the leading contenders made inexplicable errors of course before British Olympic double-gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro eventually won through for gold, it seems we must expect more of the unexpected.  Even the greatest proponents of this equestrian discipline which has been enjoying such an explosive level of popularity in recent years showed themselves capable of human error, just like everyone else.

Freedom of Expression

Tomorrow of course the Freestyle allows far greater freedom of expression.  As Cornelissen joked yesterday, “You can’t make mistakes in Freestyle” to the same extent because there is no set formula for the test, although certain specific movements are obligatory.  Dujardin, and her trainer and fellow Olympic team gold medallist Carl Hester, who will compete with Uthopia, have both confirmed that they will re-use the magical musical scores that accompanied them throughout their performances at London 2012.  Dujardin will therefore be a tough nut to crack, because not only is the quality of her work with Valegro breath-taking in itself, the patriotic musical accompaniment adds even more weight and stirs the emotions.

Her greatest rivals are likely to be Langehanenberg, who will be last into the arena, and Cornelissen who will be first to go as the final tranche of five riders take their turn.

Always Helpful

The German rider’s last-to-go starting spot is always helpful, and her stallion Damon Hill has been in the form of his life this season, but while their technical excellence is never in doubt, their creativity and expression must be at its theatrical best if they are to overtake all those who have gone before them.

For Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival their very presence at these Championships is already a triumph, and no matter what happens tomorrow afternoon they can return to The Netherlands with great pride.  The horse’s ability to bounce back following surgery for a heart condition is phenomenal in itself, and testament to the extraordinary care and attention he has received, and to the power of the bond that connects him to his devoted rider.  They already have Team silver along with Individual Grand Prix Special bronze in their grasp.

Edward Gal’s Glock’s Undercover is also within the final five into the arena tomorrow, along with Germany’s Kristina Sprehe and Desperados FRH who have shown so much promise and growing maturity over the past week.

All eyes will be on Dujardin, however, who has already placed herself in yet another page of the history books be becoming the first-ever British rider to win Individual gold at the FEI European Championships when topping yesterday’s Grand Prix Special.

Startlist for Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championship, Grand Prix Freestyle – here.

Facts and Figures:

A total of 15 horse-and-rider combinations have qualified for tomorrow’s Freestyle Final of the Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championship in Herning, Denmark.

The line-up includes defending Freestyle champions, The Netherlands’ Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival.

Reigning Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage champions, Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg and the stallion Damon Hill NRW, will be last into the arena.

Great Britain’s Michael Eilberg and the handsome grey mare, Half Moon Delphi, will be first to go at 13.30 local time.

If Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro manage to complete the double and add the Freestyle honours to the Grand Prix Special title they won yesterday, the Olympic double-gold medallists will become the first-ever British partnership to do so in the history the FEI European Dressage Championships which first took place in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1963.

For further information on the ECCO FEI European Championships 2013, go to website: http://european-herning.dk/GB.aspx.

FEI Online Press kits

Extensive information on the P.S.I. FEI European Jumping Championships, Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships and JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships, can be found in the FEI’s Online Press Kit Zone: www.feipresskits.org. Each press kit includes an event preview, athlete biographies, competition timetable, Championships history and key contact details.

FEI TV

The P.S.I. FEI European Jumping Championships and Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships will be live on FEI TV, the FEI’s official online video platform, starting on 20 August at 16.45 local time – see the complete live schedule here: www.feitv.org/live. Key performances and interviews with medal winners will be available as video-on-demand from the JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships.

By Louise Parkes

Media Contacts:

At Herning:

Britt Carlsen
Press Officer
bc@wiegaarden.dk
+45 96 570 580

At FEI:

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

Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
Email: grania.willis@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 142

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, FEI, Show Jumping

All Presented Horses Pass Inspection Ahead of Individual Jumping Final

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Germany’s Daniel Deusser and Cornet D’Amour are lying fourth, and less than a fence behind Britain’s Ben Maher and Cella at the top of the leaderboard, going into tomorrow’s Top-25 Individual Final of the PSI FEI European Jumping Championship at Herning in Denmark. Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

Herning (DEN), 23 August 2013 – The 25 horses who will battle it out for the PSI FEI European Individual Jumping Championship title tomorrow afternoon were confirmed tonight following the Second Horse Inspection.  All the horses presented were given the thumbs-up, and the stage is now set for a thrilling finale to a memorable week in the history of the sport.

There were three withdrawals before the inspection. They were Carsten-Otto Nagel’s Corradina (GER) lying in 25th place, Henrik von Eckermann’s Gotha FRH lying 20th for Sweden and Emanuele Gaudiano’s Cocoshynsky, lying 14th place for Italy.  A total of 30 horses came before the veterinary panel, and the withdrawals allowed the next three to move up into a top-25 starting spot, so Italy’s Luca Moneta and Neptune Brecourt have made the cut along with Denmark’s Andreas Schou (Vivaldi K) and The Netherlands’ Maikel van der Vleuten (VDL Groep Verdi).

Head the Leaderboard

Great Britain’s Ben Maher and Cella head the leaderboard on a zero score going into the first of two rounds of jumping, but they can’t afford to blink because Frenchman Roger Yves Bost and Castle Forbes Myrtille Paulois are only fractionally behind carrying just 0.58 points while defending Individual European champion, Rolf-Goran Bengtsson from Sweden, is only slightly further adrift in third with Casall Ask on 1.63 points.

It promises to be a mammoth battle, with Germany’s Daniel Deusser (Cornet D’Amour) and Ludger Beerbaum (Chiara) in fourth and fifth places ahead of reigning Olympic champions, Steve Guerdat and Nino des Buissonnets who are lying sixth and just over a fence off gold medal position.  And there are just two fences between Maher and Germany’s Christian Ahlmann (Codex One) who has held the No. 1 spot in the Longines rankings for the last eight months and who goes into tomorrow’s final tussle in 11th position.

Italy’s Moneta will be first into the ring when the action kicks off at 13.15 local time.

Flawless Rounds

Maher needs another two flawless rounds from Jane Clark’s wonderful 13-year-old grey mare if he is to become the first British rider to take the Individual European title since John Whitaker who came out on top with the great Milton in Rotterdam (NED) in 1989.

And it would be quite a coincidence if he could do it, because that would make it a British double of team and Individual titles, just as it was 24 years ago when Michael Whitaker, a member of yesterday’s historic British team gold medal winning side, finished close behind his older brother in individual silver spot.

Strong History

The British have a strong history in the FEI European Championships, with six individual and four team titles to their credit, but as Chef d’Equipe Rob Hoekstra pointed out after their long-awaited team victory yesterday their Championships record has not been impressive in the modern era.  Team gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games seems to have changed all that however and, 24 years after he clinched that individual silver, Michael Whitaker is still as competitive as ever and goes into the ring tomorrow with Viking in 18th place and just over two fences off his team-mate Maher at the head of affairs.

Germany holds the record for most wins in the Individual Championship with 14 to their credit since the legendary Hans Gunther Winkler came out on top at the inaugural fixture in Rotterdam (NED) in 1957.  Only eight riders competed that year, but a total of 92 athletes from 22 countries contested the Jumping medals at this week’s ECCO FEI European Championships which, for the first time, have brought together the three disciplines of Jumping, Dressage and Para-Dressage.

Provisional Startlist for Day 4, Third Competition, First Round PSI FEI European Jumping Individual Final – here.

Facts and Figures:

3 horses were withdrawn before this evening’s Second Horse Inspection for the PSI FEI European Jumping Championships 2013 in Herning, Denmark.

That moved the next three horses up into the Top-25 who will battle it out for the Individual title tomorrow afternoon.

The withdrawn horses were Carsten-Otto Nagel’s Corradina (GER) who was lying in 25th place, Henrik von Eckermann’s Gotha FRH who was lying 20th for Sweden and Emanuele Gaudiano’s Cocoshynsky, lying in 14th place for Italy.

The top-30 horses went before the veterinary panel, and when all the presented horses passed inspection that brought Italy’s Luca Moneta and Neptune Brecourt onto the start-list along with Denmark’s Andreas Schou and Vivaldi K and The Netherlands’ Maikel van der Vleuten with VDL Groep Verdi.

Moneta will be first into the ring when the action gets underway at 13.15 local time.

Great Britain’s Ben Maher and Cella head the leaderboard on a zero score going into tomorrow’s first of two rounds of jumping. However Roger Yves Bost and Castle Forbes Myrtille Paulois are only fractionally behind carrying just 0.58 points while defending Individual champion, Rolf-Goran Bengtsson from Sweden, is only slightly further adrift in third with Casall Ask on 1.63 points.

Germany’s Daniel Deusser (Cornet D’Amour) and Ludger Beerbaum (Chiara) are in fourth and fifth places ahead of reigning Olympic champions, Steve Guerdat and Nino des Buissonnets, in sixth place and just over a fence off gold medal position.

For further information on the ECCO FEI European Championships 2013, go to website: http://european-herning.dk/GB.aspx.

FEI Online Press kits

Extensive information on the P.S.I. FEI European Jumping Championships, Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships and JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships, can be found in the FEI’s Online Press Kit Zone: www.feipresskits.org. Each press kit includes an event preview, athlete biographies, competition timetable, Championships history and key contact details.

FEI TV

The P.S.I. FEI European Jumping Championships and Blue Hors FEI European Dressage Championships will be live on FEI TV, the FEI’s official online video platform, starting on 20 August at 16.45 local time – see the complete live schedule here: www.feitv.org/live. Key performances and interviews with medal winners will be available as video-on-demand from the JYSK FEI European Para-Dressage Championships.

By Louise Parkes

Media Contacts:

At Herning:

Britt Carlsen
Press Officer
bc@wiegaarden.dk
+45 96 570 580

At FEI:

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

Grania Willis
Director Press Relations
Email: grania.willis@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 142