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Cornelissen Wins Reem Acra Final Grand Prix

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Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival on their way to victory in the Grand Prix at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final. Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton

The defending champions, Adelinde Cornelissen and her mighty chestnut gelding Jerich Parzival, swept to victory in the Grand Prix at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands this afternoon. And the 32-year-old Dutch rider was much relieved that she could live up to expectations on her home turf after a long and restless night.

Held over during the first horse inspection yesterday, Parzival passed with flying colours when re-inspected this morning and produced the winning score that pinned Germany’s Helen Langehanenberg and Damon Hill into second while Italy’s Valentina Truppa and Eremo Del Castegno finished third. But as Cornelissen admitted after heading the field, “It wasn’t the best preparation – and I could maybe have slept a few more hours last night!”

The morning was overshadowed by the tragic news that Dressage team coach, Holger Schmezer, who had travelled with the three German contenders to ‘s-Hertogenbosch, had passed away suddenly the previous evening. And the presentation ceremony was tinged with great sadness as the riders and spectators stood for a minute’s silence as a mark of respect.

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US Completes First Leg of 2012 Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final

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Shawna Harding and Come On III (Susan J. Stickle/PhelpsSports.com)

‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands – The standard was set early this afternoon at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final, as a field of 18 performed the Grand Prix test at the Indoor Brabant. The two American entries of Shawna Harding and Jan Ebeling closed out the first leg of the 2012 Final, riding in the 16th and 18th spots respectively.

Harding (Aiken, SC) appeared with her own Come On III in their second Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final and rode a tactful test. The 13-year-old Danish Warmblood was rewarded for fluid trot half-passes and solid gaits. A mistake in the two-time changes cost the pair in an otherwise pleasant performance.

“Shawna had a commendable ride; she got every drop from the horse,” said USEF Dressage Technical Advisor Anne Gribbons. “It was a clean and solid test with the horse nicely on the aids. She got everything out of the horse.”

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Fellers Sprints to the Lead of the 2012 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final Following the Speed Leg

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Rich Fellers and Flexible jump to the lead of the 2012 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final (SusanJStickle.com)

‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands – Competition got underway at the Indoor Brabant Thursday evening in the 2012 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final with the first leg of the four round competition. Of the 37 combinations that went to task over Louis Koninck’s 13 obstacle course, nine were representing the United States. With the faults converted format, riders needed to ride forward and efficiently while still jumping carefully. American Rich Fellers rode like a man on a mission to set a blazing pace no else could catch to head the field after day one.

Fellers (Sherwood, OR) guided Harry and Mollie Chapman’s Flexible to a clear round to stop the timers at 60.26 seconds. The pair surged to the head of the field on the strength of tight, efficient turns and the 16-year-old stallion’s natural speed.

This is the second time the pair has won the initial round of a Finals after having lead after day one at the 2010 Rolex/FEI World Cup Finals in Geneva, Switzerland. Additionally, they were second overall in the 2008 edition of the competition held in Gothenburg, Sweden.

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Fellers and Flexible Shine in Rolex Opener

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Rich Fellers and Flexible won the opening leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2011/2012 Final. They are pictured being presented with a watch by Magalie Dubois Vaucher from Rolex.

The oldest horse in the competition, the 16-year-old Irish-bred Flexible, won the first leg of the Rolex FEI World Cup Final 2011/2012 for America’s Rich Fellers at the Brabanthalle in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands tonight.

Living up to his name, the stallion’s super-tight turn to the double of verticals at fence five on the 13-fence track set by Dutch course designer Louis Konickx proved pivotal in every sense, and none of the rest could match his pace as he broke the beam in 60.26 seconds.

Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat and Nino des Buissonnets were over a second slower when slotting into second, while the remarkable Rik Hemeryck finished third for Belgium with Quarco de Kerambars, despite having the dubious distinction of being first into the ring.

Pius Schwizer (SUI) and Ulysse lined up fourth ahead of Kevin Staut and Silvana HDC for France in fifth, while reigning FEI European Champion, Rolf-Goran Bengtsson from Sweden, was sixth with Casall La Silla.

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Jorgensen First into the Ring at Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final

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The Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage trophy on display at the Brabanthalle in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands today. Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

The draw for the Grand Prix, the opening competition of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage 2011/2012 Final, took place at the Brabanthalle in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands, this afternoon. And Denmark’s Lone Jorgensen got an early surprise when pulling her own name out of the hat as first to go with FBW de Vito when the action gets underway tomorrow.  However, although drawn in number two position, defending champion, Dutch rider Adelinde Cornelissen, must wait until tomorrow before she knows if she will start.  Her 15 year old gelding, Jerich Parzival, was sent to the holding box during the first veterinary inspection today, and will be presented for re-examination in the morning.

The order-of-go for the Grand Prix is as follows:

1, FBW de Vito (Lone Jorgensen) DEN; 2, Jerich Parzival (Adelinde Cornelissen) NED; 3, El Santo NRW (Isabell Werth) GER; 4, Krawall (Jenny Schreven) NED; 5, Hiscox Artemis (Richard Davison) GBR; 6, Damon Hill (Helen Langehanenberg) GER; 7, Eremo del Castegno (Valentina Truppa) ITA; 8, IPS Tango (Hans Peter Minderhoud) NED; 9, Randon (Michal Rapcewicz) POL; 10, Toy Story (Patrik Kittel) SWE: 11, Skovlunds Mas Guapo (Mikaela Lindh) FIN; 12, Dorina (Siril Helljesen) NOR; 13, Ekwador (Katarzyna Milczarek) POL; 14, Don Auriello (Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven) SWE; 15, Girasol (Nadine Capellmann) GER; 16, Come on III (Shawna Harding) USA; 17, Jaybee Alabaster (Rachael Sanna) AUS; 18, Rafalca (Jan Ebeling) USA.

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Hemeryck to Lead the Way in Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Final Opening Leg

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Christian Ahlmann will defend the title he won on home turf last year when the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2011/2012 Final gets underway in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

Belgium’s Rik Hemeryck will be pathfinder as the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Final 2011/2012 gets underway at the Brabanthalle in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands tomorrow.  The draw for the opening Speed class took place this evening, and the order-of-go is as follows:

1, Quarco de Kerambars (Rik Hemeryck) BEL; 2, Carisma (Emilie Martinsen) DEN; 3, VDL Groep Verdi (Maikel van der Vleuten) NED; 4, Hallmark Elite (Dermott Lennon) IRL; 5, Uraya (Charlie Jayne) USA; 6, Sabrina (Marcus Ehning) GER; 7, Regina Z (Harrie Smolders) NED; 8, Aslan (Ljubov Kochetova) RUS; 9, Souvenir (Philipp Weishaupt) GER; 10, Kassini Jac (Ludo Philippaerts) BEL; 11, Taunus (Francie Steinwedell-Carvin) USA; 12, Cortes C (Beezie Madden) USA; 13, Special (Luiz Francisco de Azevedo) BRA; 14, Uceko (Kent Farrington) USA; 15, Cinnamon (Tilt Kivisild) EST; 16, Flexible (Rich Fellars) USA; 17, Ulysse (Pius Schwizer) SUI; 18, Nino des Buissonnets (Steve Guerdat) SUI; 19, Baronez (Kirsten Coe) USA; 20, Titus (Edwina Tops-Alexander) AUS; 21, Lennox (Luciana Diniz) POR; 22, Chaman (Ludger Beerbaum) GER; 23, Wkd Pepperpot (Sameh El Dahan) EGY; 24, Silvana HDC (Kevin Staut) FRA; 25, Uwwalon (Michelle Spadone) USA; 26, Ducati (Pedro Junqueira Muylaert) BRA; 27, Taloubet Z (Christian Ahlmann) GER); 28, Ornella Mail HDC (Patrice Delaveau) FRA; 29, Casall La Silla (Rolf-Goran Bengtsson) SWE; 30, Cristallo (Richard Spooner) USA; 31, Lascar 41 (Benas Gutkauskas) LTU; 32, Indigo (Margie Engle) USA; 33, Cantaro 32 (Ali bin Khaled Al Thani) QAT; 34, Corlana van Klapscheut (Eric Lamaze) CAN; 35, Satisfaction (Marco Kutscher) GER; 36, Abbervail van het Dingeshof (Denis Lynch) IRL; 37, Willem (Yuyu Ninomiya) JPN.  You can also find the list on this link.

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FEI World Cup Finals Set to Begin in The Netherlands

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Margie Engle topped the North American East Coast League standings. (Photo by Sportfot)

Lexington, KY – The U.S. contingent arrives in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands with expectations of strong performances at the 2012 FEI World Cup Finals. In total, 11 riders have travelled to Holland to compete in the most prestigious indoor competition of the year. The United States will be represented by two dressage riders in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final, while nine jumpers will contest the Rolex/FEI World Cup Final. The Finals will run April 17-22 at the Indoor Brabant.

Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final

Both Jan Ebeling and Shawna Harding make a return trip the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final, after having impressed in 2011. For Ebeling (Moorpark, CA) this will be the third time he has competed Rafalca in the Finals, they also competed in 2009 and 2011. They head to ‘s-Hertogenbosch on the heels of second place finishes at the Mid-Winter Dressage Festival and in the $5,000 FEI Rancho Valencia Grand Prix Freestyle. After making their World Cup debut last year, Harding (Aiken, SC) and Come On III have improved throughout the 2011/2012 season and are poised for a strong result.

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Cornelissen and Parzival on the Trail of a Double at Den Bosch

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The Netherlands' Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival will defend their title on home ground at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage Final in 's-Hertogenbosch next week (18-22 April). Photo: FEI/Karl-Heinz Freiler.

Lausanne (SUI), 12 April 2012 – Adelinde Cornelissen will be hoping to reclaim the Reem Acra FEI World Cup Dressage series title on home turf in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands next week. This Dutch city, which played host to the very first FEI World Cup Dressage Final back in 1986, will welcome 18 competitors from 11 nations to the 2011/2012 finale which begins on Tuesday 18 April.

Historically, riders from The Netherlands have dominated this series, with 11 wins from 26 seasons, and Cornelissen is, undoubtedly, the one they all have to beat this time around. She has been all but untouchable since scooping the Reem Acra title in Leipzig (GER) 12 months ago, going on to claim Grand Prix Special and Freestyle gold, along with team bronze, at the FEI European Dressage Championships in Rotterdam (NED), last August. And her equine partner, the big, bold chestnut Jerich Parzival, showed he has lost none of his edge when sweeping to victory on both of their appearances on the Reem Acra Western European League circuit over the winter months, swamping the opposition with strong scores at both Mechelen (BEL) in December and again in Amsterdam (NED) in January.

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Germany Poised to Set New Record at Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Final in Den Bosch

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Christian Ahlmann will defend his title at the 2011/2012 Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Final. Photo: FEI/Karl-Heinz Frieler.

Lausanne (SUI), 11 April 2012 – In the long and distinguished history of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping series, no country has ever won the title on more than four consecutive occasions.  American riders dominated throughout the early years with seven victories over the first nine seasons, including four between 1980 and 1983, but as the 37 representatives from 19 nations gather at ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NED) next week for the 34th annual decider, it seems Germany is poised to break the mould.

Already with the greatest number of wins to their credit, a total of nine since Ludger Beerbaum’s success with the great mare Ratina Z in Gothenburg (SWE) back in 1993, German competitors have held a firm grip on the coveted crown in recent years. They have been denied only twice since Otto Becker (Dobel’s Cento) held the trophy aloft in Leipzig (GER) 10 years ago, and for the last four seasons they have been all but unstoppable.

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Nine U.S. Jumping Riders Head to the 2012 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final

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Lexington, KY – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will be well represented at the Rolex/FEI World Cup Final April 17-22 as nine American show jumpers will head to ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands for the 2012 Final.

After 30 World Cup Qualifying Events throughout the 2011-2012 season the following riders have qualified in this order in their respective Leagues:

East:

Margie Engle (Wellington, FL) will ride Gladewinds, Griese, Garber, and Hidden Creek Farm’s Indigo
Indigo is a 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding

Michelle Spadone (Kennett Square, PA) will ride Almi Venture’s Uitteraard and Morgan Hill Partners’ Uwwalon
Uitteraard is an 11-year-old KWPN gelding
Uwwalon is an 11-year-old KWPN gelding

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