Tag Archives: FEI

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

Dutch Driver IJsbrand Chardon Has Won Four-In-Hand FEI World Cup Driving Qualifier in Bordeaux

February 6, 2011 Associate Editor 1 Comment

Chardon20110205_4823 — Chardon went for it all the way in Bordeaux. Photo: FEI/Rinaldo de Craen

CHARDON IN TOP FORM IN BORDEAUX by Cindy Timmer

Dutch driver IJsbrand Chardon won last night’s FEI World Cup qualifier in Bordeaux in breath taking style. Wild card driver Chardon stayed ahead of Tomas Eriksson in second guaranteeing the Swede the sixth and last starting place for the Final in Leipzig. Werner Ulrich knocked two balls down in the winning round to finish third.

The atmosphere was superb on Saturday evening in the Palais des Expositions in Bordeaux. The drivers put on a perfect show, cheered on by the many enthusiastic spectators and the great music.

Second wild card for Coudry

As in Geneva, French four-in-hand driver Thibault Coudry had been given a wild card to compete in front of his home crowd in Bordeaux. The 30-year old farmer and truck driver drove a good round with his team of Polish warmblood horses and a French trotter. But the competition in Bordeaux was too strong this year for the 2010 winner of the French World Cup leg who ended in fourth.

Battle for Leipzig

Dutch driver Theo Timmerman, Sweden’s Fredrik Persson and Tomas Eriksson and Switzerland’s Daniel Würgler all had a last chance in Bordeaux to claim the sixth and last starting place for the Final in Leipzig. Würgler knocked three cones down in the course, designed by German course designer Falk Böhnisch, to lose his chance for Leipzig. Despite the use of one of Boyd Exell’s top horses Pascal in he lead of his team, Fredrik Persson could not manage to qualify for the Winning Round. By coming sixth, Persson also knew his chances for a starting place in the Leipzig line-up were gone. Timmerman had improved his team compared to the warm-up round, but he finished fifth despite his efforts.

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

Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2010/2011 – Round 10, Bordeaux

February 5, 2011 Associate Editor Leave a comment

WILY WEISHAUPT IS BEST IN BORDEAUX – by Louise Parkes

Bordeaux (FRA), 5 February 2011 – Philipp Weishaupt and the stallion Catoki brought the German tally of wins in the 2010/2011 Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Western European League qualifying series to a sensational six this evening at Bordeaux in France. The 25 year old rider from Munich was one of 12 in the thrilling second-round jump-off, and he steered a line against the clock that proved too good for the rest and brought him through the finish more than a half-second quicker than French runner-up Simon Delestre. Third place went to Beijing Olympic silver medallist Rolf-Goran Bengtsson from Sweden while Ireland’s latest super-star, Billy Twomey, was less than a second off the winning time when slotting into fourth.

Weishaupt was more than happy at the end of the day. “Those 20 points were very important to me,” he said. “I really wanted to get to the final in Leipzig, but I needed more points and now I think it’s possible so I’m very pleased!” he added. The Germans look a formidable force going to the final on their home turf. With six victories in the ten qualifying competitions staged to date, they will surely be the ones to beat when the action gets underway on April 27.

Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping, Vaulting

FEI World Cup Finals Make History in Leipzig

February 4, 2011 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Leipzig (GER), 4 February 2010 – For the first time in the history of equestrian sport, four FEI World Cup Finals will be held under the same roof. The Rolex FEI World Cup Final Jumping, the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Final Dressage, the FEI World Cup Final Driving and the FEI World Cup Final Vaulting will all be held in the German city of Leipzig between 27 April and 1 May 2011.

A maximum of 43 riders from 14 qualifying leagues will line out for the Final of the 2010/2011 Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping series. And the host nation of Germany, the most prolific winners of the coveted title with eight victories in total and seven of those recorded over the last nine seasons, looks set to challenge strongly once again. Last weekend in Zurich (SUI), defending champion Marcus Ehning recorded the fifth German victory from the nine qualifying legs staged so far in the Western European League. Ehning is one of four riders who have clinched the trophy on three occasions during the 33-year history of this series which, this season, sees 132 qualifying competitions taking place around the globe.

At the Final, the fate of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping title is decided over three tough competitions culminating in a thrilling Grand Prix on the last afternoon. It is the ultimate accolade in the sport of indoor international Jumping, and the one they all want to win.

*Featured/Spotlights, Awards, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Dressage, Driving, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping, Western/Reining, World Equestrian Games

USET Foundation Honors WEG Athletes and Special Award Winners

February 2, 2011 Associate Editor Leave a comment

WhitneyStoneCup005484 — Jane Forbes Clark awards Whitney Stone Cup to Tucker Johnson with Brownlee O. Currey. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG.

Wellington, FL – February 2, 2011 – The United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation Board of Trustees hosted a cocktail reception on Friday, January 28, 2011, to honor the equestrian athletes that represented the United States during the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG), the recipients of the Foundations’ Gold Medal Club Anniversary Awards, the Lionel Guerrand-Hermes Trophy, and the Whitney Stone Cup. The reception was held at Player’s Club in Wellington, FL.

The reception opened with lovely remarks by Foundation President Jane Forbes Clark, recognizing the efforts of all the equestrian athletes that represented the United States during WEG, as well as their team of supporters. The United States earned a Team and Individual Gold Medal and an Individual Silver Medal in Reining, an Individual Gold Medal in Vaulting, a Team Silver and Individual Bronze Medal in Driving, and two Individual Bronze Medals in Dressage.

The party also recognized members of the Gold Medal Club, the most loyal and generous supporters of the USET Foundation. These individuals have been a vital and essential source of support to the U.S. equestrian teams. Special awards were presented to those supporters recognizing their giving at the Gold Medal Club level for 10, 15, 25 and 30 years.

Continue reading USET Foundation Honors WEG Athletes and Special Award Winners →

Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Equestrian Assistance, Eventing/H.T., FEI

FEI Eventing Risk Management Action Plan on Target

January 31, 2011 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Lausanne (SUI), 31 January 2011 – The FEI Eventing Risk Management Action Plan, which was launched in January 2010, is on target, as shown by the steady decrease in the percentage of Cross-Country falls.

National Safety Officers (NSOs) from 22 nations who attended the FEI’s annual NSO seminar in Greenwich, London (GBR) on 29-30 January were shown provisional statistics for 2010 which demonstrate that as numbers of international events and participants increase, the incidence of falls continues to decrease.

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

Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2010/2011 – Round 9, Zurich

January 31, 2011 Associate Editor Leave a comment

EhningZurich — Germany's Marcus Ehning, winner of today's ninth leg of the 2010/2011 Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping series in Zurich, Switzerland, is presented with a Rolex watch by Mr Pedro Reiser, Market Manager Rolex Switzerland. Photo: Katja Stuppia/FEI.

EHNING MAKES IT FIVE FOR GERMANY AT ZURICH by Louise Parkes

Zurich (SUI), 30 January 2011 – Marcus Ehning brought the German tally to five wins in the 2010/2011 Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping series with a convincing victory riding Noltes Kuchengirl at the ninth leg in Zurich, Switzerland today. In an exciting seven-way jump-off against the clock, the defending champion pipped British birthday boy, 28 year old Ben Maher riding the rejuvenated Robin Hood W, while Australia’s Edwina Alexander and Cevo Itot du Chateau finished third.

Remarkably, two Spanish riders made the cut into the jump-off and the first of these, Pilar Cordon, slotted into fourth when double-clear with Nuage Bleu while German superstars Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Shutterfly had to settle for fifth with a single mistake against the clock. Today’s result however has promoted Michaels-Beerbaum to runner-up spot in the Western European League standings which continue to be led by World No. 1 Kevin Staut from France whose first-round double-error proved costly today.

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2010/2011 – Round 9, Preview

January 27, 2011 Associate Editor Leave a comment

STAUT CONTINUES TO LEAD STANDINGS AS ROLEX JUMPING SERIES RESUMES IN ZURICH by Louise Parkes

Zurich (SUI), 27 January 2011 – World No. 1, Kevin Staut, continues to lead the Western European League standings as the 2010/2011 Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping series resumes this weekend in Zurich following a four-week break. And, although he is already well-qualified for the final which will take place in Leipzig, Germany from 27 April to 1 May, the Frenchman is listed amongst the star-studded field of competitors at the popular Swiss fixture.

Riders from 19 countries will line out in the preliminary competition which will decide Sunday’s start-list, and the home contingent includes 2010 Zurich champion Steve Guerdat who, despite five outings so far this season, has collected only 15 qualifying points and has plenty more to do if he is to make the cut into the final. Staut has collected a massive 87 points so far, thanks to good results at all but one of the qualifiers to date and to his victory in Geneva in December. Riders are likely to need at least 40 points to have the chance of finishing within the top-18 qualifying group when the Western European league draws to a close at ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands at the end of March.

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

Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) Receives 2010 Pierre de Coubertin World Fair Play Diploma

January 27, 2011 Associate Editor Leave a comment

RodrigoPessoaBRAinKentucky2010 — Rodrigo Pessoa competing in the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. Photo © Dirk Caremans

Lausanne (SUI), 27 January 2011 – Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) was tonight awarded the 2010 Pierre de Coubertin World Fair Play Diploma for his generous act of fair play during the Rolex Final Four to decide the individual Jumping medals at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games last October.

The Brazilian Jumping rider, 1998 World and 2004 Olympic champion, and triple FEI World Cup winner was one of the final four fighting for the individual gold. The other challengers were 2008 Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze of Canada, Belgium’s Philippe Lejeune, who had taken part in four FEI World Equestrian Games and eight FEI European Championships, and the young Saudi rider Abdullah Sharbatly for whom competition at this level was a first. While Sharbatly was getting ready to ride Pessoa’s horse Rebozza, he asked the far more experienced Brazilian for some guidance. Pessoa explained at length how to ride the horse, pointed out the most difficult fences, and gave his opponent advice on how to tackle the course. The Saudi rider used Pessoa’s advice to great effect, going on to secure the silver medal, while Rodrigo finished in fourth place just out of the medals. His generous spirited gesture was acknowledged by loud applause from the spectators in Kentucky.

Pessoa is one of three 2010 Pierre de Coubertin World Fair Play Diploma recipients, the other two being Bulgarian judo player Yoana Damyanova and triathlete Raquel Mafra Rocha of Portugal, both of whom competed in the first edition of the Youth Olympic Games held in Singapore last year. Football player Amin Motavassel Zadeh from Iran, decathlete Darius Draudvila from Lithuania and Chinese wrestler Gao Feng were awarded the 2010 Pierre de Coubertin World Fair Play Trophy.

Community/Charity, Contributors/Press, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., FEI, Para-Equestrian

In Memoriam: Elizabeth “Liz” Day (GBR/RSA), 1954-2010

January 25, 2011 Associate Editor Leave a comment

FEI Group IX Deputy Chair Loses Battle against Cancer

Lausanne (SUI), 25 January 2011 – Elizabeth “Liz” Day of South Africa, Deputy Chair of Geographical Group IX, international judge in Dressage, Eventing and Para Dressage, and member of the management committee of the South African National Equestrian Federation (SANEF), passed away just before Christmas after losing her courageous battle against cancer. Her many friends will miss her energy, passion, wise advice, tolerant attitude and sense of humour.

Liz was British born but spent most of her adult life in South Africa. An accountant by profession, she connected with horses at an early age and Dressage became her passion. As a rider, she won the KZN Medium Championships on a Basuto/Thoroughbred pony and recalled this as one of her greatest triumphs.

Continue reading In Memoriam: Elizabeth “Liz” Day (GBR/RSA), 1954-2010 →

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

Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2010/2011 – Round 7, Amsterdam

January 22, 2011 Associate Editor 1 Comment

CornelissenParzivalAmsterdam — Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival on their way to securing their third victory in the 2010/2011 Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage series in Amsterdam today. Photo: Leanjo de Koster, Digishots/FEI.

CORNELISSEN PIPS WERTH IN A THRILLER AT AMSTERDAM by Louise Parkes

Amsterdam (NED), 22 January 2011 – In one of the toughest battles so far this season, Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival held on to win the seventh leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage series in Amsterdam, The Netherlands today. Winner of yesterday’s Grand Prix, the Dutch star was firm favourite going into the competition. But Germany’s Isabell Werth pushed her all the way with a great performance from Warum Nicht while Sweden’s Patrick Kittel and Watermill Scandic finished a close third.

Underlining the quality of today’s competition, just over six points separated the top seven riders and it is clearly now shaping up to a classic finale in Leipzig, Germany in three months time. Kittel showed however that the result may not necessarily be decided between the traditional protagonists from Holland and Germany. On today’s form, he will be chasing the Swedish dream of measuring up to the third-place finish of Jan Brink and Briar at the 2006 final in Amsterdam and even pushing for the ultimate accolade achieved by Louise Nathhorst and LRF Walk on Top on her home turf in Gothenburg back in 1998.

Horses in the South – An Equine News Publisher