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Associations/Breeds, Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, FEI

FEI Solidarity Launched with Unanimous Support of National Federations

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The creation of FEI Solidarity was unanimously approved by the National Federations gathered in Lausanne (SUI). (c) Hugues Siegenthaler/FEI

Lausanne (SUI), 6 May 2011 – FEI Solidarity, modelled on the hugely successful Olympic Solidarity programme, has been enshrined in the FEI constitution with the unanimous approval of National Federations attending today’s FEI Extraordinary General Assembly in the Olympic Museum in Lausanne (SUI). FEI Solidarity, which aims to organise assistance to the National Federations, in particular those which have the greatest need, has now been drafted into the FEI Statutes. Assistance from the FEI Solidarity programme will take the form of programmes created jointly by the FEI and the National Federations.

“Today is a very special day for the FEI,” FEI President HRH Princess Haya said. “Thanks to our member federations, the FEI’s development efforts have now been given the prominent place in our Statutes that they so richly deserve. FEI Solidarity is a mirror of Olympic Solidarity and I am incredibly grateful to the IOC for guiding us through the creation of this new structure. For years we in the FEI have been struggling to find the best mechanism to deliver development to our sport and today our National Federations have given us a concrete solution.”

“I would like to congratulate the FEI on this exceptional initiative,” IOC President Jacques Rogge commented. “FEI Solidarity, following the example of Olympic Solidarity, will be providing assistance to the national equestrian federations, particularly to those with the greatest needs, so that they can develop their own potential and expand the sport in their country. This shows how committed the FEI is to the global future of equestrian sport and I am confident that the newly created FEI Solidarity will be very successful.”

Continue reading FEI Solidarity Launched with Unanimous Support of National Federations →

Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Events, FEI, Show Jumping

Kevin Staut Becomes First Athlete Representative on FEI Executive Board

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Kevin Staut (FRA)

Lausanne (SUI), 6 May 2011 – Kevin Staut, one of France’s most successful Jumping riders, has become the first athlete to be appointed to the FEI Executive Board. His appointment was ratified at today’s Extraordinary General Assembly at the Olympic Museum in Lausanne (SUI).

Staut (31), who has held the number one spot in the Rolex Rankings for Jumping since July 2010, has ridden on numerous Nations Cup teams for France and claimed individual gold at the Alltech FEI European Jumping Championships in 2009.

Staut will serve a three-year term on the Executive Board alongside First Vice President John McEwen (GBR), Second Vice President Pablo Mayorga (ARG), Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa (BRN) Chair of Group VII, Richard Nicoll (USA) Chair of the Driving Committee and FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos (BEL).

“Sports governance can so often be about politics, and the appointment of an athlete representative on the Executive Board is an historic event for the FEI. It will give us a constant reminder that sport should always be at the heart of everything we do,” explained FEI President HRH Princess Haya. “Kevin is a consummate horseman who will represent the best interests of athletes across all of our disciplines. He is widely admired by all of us and we are delighted that he joins the Executive Board.”

Continue reading Kevin Staut Becomes First Athlete Representative on FEI Executive Board →

Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, FEI, Media/Radio/TV Sources

Dressage Radio Episode 102 – Reem Acra FEI World Cup Final

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German dressage journalist Kim Kreling joins Chris this week to review the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final from Leipzig, Germany. Take a listen right here.

Dressage Radio Episode 102 – Show Notes and Links:

  • Host: Chris Stafford
  • Photo Credit: Adelinde Cornelissen by the FEI
  • Guest: Kim Kreling

_______________________________________________

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Kentucky Three-Day, Show Jumping

King Reigns Supreme at Second Leg of HSBC FEI Classics in Kentucky

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Mary King (GBR) finishes first and second in the second leg of the HSBC FEI Classics in Kentucky (USA). (c) Amy Dragoo/FEI

Lexington, KY (USA) – Mary King (GBR), a regular visit to the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event for many years, at last goes home with a coveted Rolex watch, plus the lion’s share of the prize-money. In a superb display of cool horsemanship, she finished first and second and now has a convincing 10-point lead over Badminton winner Mark Todd (NZL) after the second leg of the HSBC FEI Classics.

King, 49, who was third at Badminton last weekend on Imperial Cavalier, has made history as the first rider in modern times to win a CCI4* on a home-bred horse, Kings Temptress by Primitive Rising, coincidentally the sire of last year’s winner, Cool Mountain, out of King’s own mare Kings Mistress.

In addition, King joins an elite band of riders – Ian Stark (Badminton 1988), Mark Todd (Burghley 1987) and Blyth Tait (Burghley 1998) – to finish first and second at a CCI4*.

She jumped clear on both her horses, and, having ridden out of order on the Davies family’s 10-year-old Fernhill Urco, at his first CCI4*, had the luxury of knowing she was unbeatable before she entered the stadium on Derek Baden’s Kings Temptress.

Continue reading King Reigns Supreme at Second Leg of HSBC FEI Classics in Kentucky →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping, USEF

Americans Hang Tough: Three Jump into Top 12 at the 2011 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final

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Beezie Madden and Coral Reef Via Volo. Photo by Rebecca Walton/Phelps Media Group.

Leipzig, Germany – The Rolex/FEI World Cup Final came to a close Sunday afternoon in Leipzig, Germany, with two final rounds of jumping. The U.S. had strong representation in this competition as they sent seven of the 27 riders into the ring. In the third and final competition, riders jumped two rounds over Frank Rothenberger’s demanding 1.60m courses. The entire field would contest the first round, with 19 riders returning to the arena one last time to determine who would be crowned champion.

Beezie Madden (Cazenovia, NY) and Coral Reef Via Volo jumped two impressive clear rounds to tie for the win of the class as well as tie for fourth place in the overall World Cup Final ranking on a score of 12. Coral Reef Ranch’s exciting Belgian Warmblood mare made easy work of the 12-obstacle course. In the second round, Madden made an incredible save heading to the double combination, fence 11, after Coral Reef Via Volo spooked at the crowd heading to the double combination after fence 10.

“She went amazing,” Madden said. “There’s probably nothing she can’t jump, and I had a lot of confidence in that when I went out there.”

Continue reading Americans Hang Tough: Three Jump into Top 12 at the 2011 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

Ahlmann Claims Rolex FEI World Cup in Thrilling Finale

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On the winners' podium for the 2010/2011 Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping final at Leipzig, Germany today: Eric Lamaze, Christian Ahlmann, and Jeroen Dubbeldam. Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

Leipzig (GER), 1 May 2011 – Germany’s Christian Ahlmann claimed the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2010/2011 title in a thrilling finale on his home ground in Leipzig today with superb jumping from his stallion, Taloubet Z.  Sharing the lead with fellow-countryman Marco Kutscher, the 36-year-old rider added just four faults to an otherwise foot-perfect performance to finish ahead of reigning Olympic champion Eric Lamaze from Canada, while The Netherlands’ Jeroen Dubbeldam rocketed up from overnight 11th to finish third when producing one of only two clear double clears on the final afternoon.

There was huge disappointment for Kutscher who had the world’s most prestigious indoor title in his sights until his luck ran out at the very end.  Such was the unforgiving nature of Frank Rothenberger’s testing courses however that the slightest of errors proved very costly indeed.  Today’s jumping was about scope, speed, courage, accuracy and, most importantly, the rideability of the horses.  In the end it was Ahlmann’s 11-year-old Taloubet Z who put all the ingredients together to create the winning formula.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13781

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, FEI, FEI, USEF

Jan Ebeling and Rafalca Finish Eleventh in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final

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Jan Ebeling and Rafalca. Photo by Aly Sanderford/ Phelps Media Group.

Leipzig, Germany – A strong field of 15 riders from nine nations contested Saturday evening’s Grand Prix Freestyle, to bring the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final to a close. There were three nations that qualified three riders each for tonight’s class: the United States, The Netherlands and Germany. America’s Catherine Haddad-Staller, Shawna Harding and Jan Ebeling performed up-tempo freestyles in front of a large audience in Hall One of the Leipzig Exhibition Center.

Haddad-Staller (Vechta, Germany) and her own Winyamaro started the evening’s competition with an impressive freestyle. The music selection played up the Hanoverian gelding’s expressive gaits and allowed for his character to shine through. Highlights of Haddad-Staller’s test included expressive lateral work and her one-handed canter extension. The pair rode to a score of 70.161% and finished the Grand Prix Freestyle in 12th place.

Fellow American, Shawna Harding, followed Haddad-Staller into the ring with an equally fun ride, scoring 67.625%. Harding (Aiken, SC) and her own Come On III started their test with a high degree of difficulty by performing tempi-changes upon her entrance on the centerline. Come On III was more relaxed in his extended walk tonight than he was during Thursday’s Grand Prix test and had beautiful half-passes in both the trot and canter. This pair ended their test with an exclamation point by finishing completely in sync with their music. Harding and Come On III finished in 14th place.

Continue reading Jan Ebeling and Rafalca Finish Eleventh in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final →

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Driving, Events, FEI, FEI

Boyd Exell Claims Hat-Trick in FEI World Cup Driving Final

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Leipzig (GER), 1 May 2011 – Boyd Exell from Australia has successfully defended his FEI World Cup Driving title in a thrilling finish in Leipzig (GER) to become only the second driver to score a hat-trick of World Cup victories. The popular Australian sped to victory in front of an enthusiastic and ecstatic crowd that packed the Leipzig Messe to capacity. Hungary’s Jozsef Dobrovitz drove two brilliant rounds with his team of Lipizzaner horses to finish second, ahead of IJsbrand Chardon from the Netherlands.

Happy to be first
Jozsef Dobrovitz was happy to go first in the Final round. In Budapest he had won the warm-up competition but made mistakes in the Final round, so he felt the starting grid Leipzig would favour him. His only goal in the first round was to equal Boyd’s time on the first night and to stay clear as well. Dobrovitz put in an amazing performance to meet both his goals and pile the pressure on his opponents.

No expectations
Second starter IJsbrand Chardon was determined to make up for his mistake on the first night, but his leader horses started pushing against each other in the warm-up arena and there was not enough time left for IJsbrand to fix it. The result was three knockdowns on course, but Chardon kept on driving at such high speed that he finished in a record time of 113.89 seconds, to slot into second behind Dobrovitz. Chardon had no expectations of making it to the Winning Round but Georg von Stein (GER), Werner Ulrich (SUI), Koos de Ronde (NED) and Tomas Eriksson (SWE) all made mistakes, which kept Chardon in second place. After Exell had conquered the course in a fast time despite one knockdown, it was clear that the colourful trio was going to battle it out in the Winning Round.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13776

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Events, FEI, FEI

Cornelissen’s Dream Comes True

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The Netherlands' Adelinde Cornelissen claimed the Reem Acra FEI World Cup 2010/2011 Dressage title tonight in Leipzig, Germany with a superb performance from Jerich Parzival. Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

Leipzig (GER), 30 April 2011 – The dream came true for the Netherlands’ Adelinde Cornelissen tonight when the biggest Sugar Plum Fairy of them all, the magnificent Jerich Parzival, danced to victory in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup 2010/2011 Final at Leipzig, Germany.  To the strains of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite the 14-year-old gelding produced another powerful performance in the hands of his 31-year-old rider who has endured plenty of disappointments over the last few years.  But at last it was her turn to stand in the limelight she has so long deserved.  The spotlight is not something Parzival revels in, as his post-presentation antics confirmed, but the partnership has now entered the equestrian history books as the 11th Dutch winners of the coveted title.

Repeating the result of yesterday’s Grand Prix, Denmark’s Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein and Digby finished second, while Germany’s Ulla Salzgeber steered Herzruf’s Erbe into third.  The 2010 title-winner, Edward Gal (GER), finished fourth with a great performance from the ever-more-confident Sisther de Jeu, while Germany’s Isabell Werth and Satchmo were fifth ahead of Sweden’s Patrik Kittel and Watermill Scandic in sixth.

The spectators had strong opinions about what they saw in the Leipzig arena tonight and didn’t hold back in expressing them, but they celebrated Cornelissen’s win with all the enthusiasm a new champion deserves.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13771

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, FEI, FEI, Vaulting

FEI World Cup Vaulting Final 2010/2011

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Leipzig (GER), 30 April 2011 – Patric Looser (SUI) today became the very first title holder of the inaugural FEI World Cup Vaulting Finals held in Leipzig (GER).

Germany’s Simone Wiegele claimed the inaugural women’s FEI World Cup Vaulting title.

FEI 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

Leipzig Media Contact:
Andreas Kerstan
andreas.kerstan@comtainment.de
+49 4307 827970