Tag Archives: Olympic Games

Olympic Games, Show Jumping, USEF

USEF Names Short List for the US Olympic Show Jumping Team

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Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has named 10 athletes and their horses to the Short List for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Show Jumping Team. The athletes and their horses will compete in designated CSIO/CSI observation events taking place May 12 – June 26, 2016.

The following athletes and horses have been named to the Short List for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Show Jumping Team (in alphabetical order):

Lucy Davis (Los Angeles, Calif.) and Old Oak Farm’s Barron, a 2004 Belgian Warmblood gelding

Margie Engle (Wellington, Fla.) and Elm Rock Partners, LLC’s Royce, a 2004 Oldenburg stallion

Kent Farrington (Wellington, Fla.) with Robin Parsky and his own Gazelle, a 2006 Belgian Warmblood mare, and Amalaya Investments’ Voyeur, a 2002 KWPN gelding

Lauren Hough (Wellington, Fla.) and The Ohlala Group’s Ohlala, a 2004 Swedish Warmblood mare

Reed Kessler (Lexington, Ky.) and Kessler Show Stables’ Cylana, a 2002 Belgian Warmblood mare

Laura Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) with Old Willow Farms, LLC’s Deauville S, a 2006 Holsteiner gelding, and Zeremonie, a 2007 Holsteiner mare

Beezie Madden (Cazenovia, N.Y.) with Abigail Wexner’s Breitling LS, a 2006 Dutch Warmblood stallion, Cortes ‘C’, a 2002 Belgian Warmblood gelding, Quister, a 2004 Selle Francais gelding, and Simon, a 1999 KWPN gelding

Todd Minikus (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Jack Snyder’s Babalou 41, a 2005 Oldenburg mare

Callan Solem (Glennmore, Pa.) and Horseshoe Trail Farm, LLC’s VDL Wizard, a 2003 KWPN gelding

McLain Ward (Brewester, N.Y.) with Double H Farm & Francois Mathy’s HH Azur, a 2006 Belgian Warmblood mare, and Sagamore Farm’s Rothchild, a 2001 Warmblood gelding

Further information regarding the U.S. Olympic Show Jumping Team selection process can be found on USEF.org. All nominations to the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team are subject to approval by the United States Olympic Committee.

From the USEF Communications Department

Competitions, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Olympic Games, Para-Equestrian, Show Jumping

Six Nations Make Olympic and Paralympic Débuts at Rio 2016 Equestrian Events

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Lausanne (SUI), 24 March 2016 – A total of six nations will be making their Olympic and Paralympic debuts at Rio 2016 when they field athletes for the equestrian disciplines of Jumping, Dressage, Eventing and Para-Equestrian Dressage.

Five National Olympic Committees will be sending equestrian athletes to an Olympic Games for the first time at Rio in August – Chinese Taipei and Qatar for Jumping, the Dominican Republic and Palestine for Dressage, and Zimbabwe for Eventing, while Uruguay will be sending its first Para-Equestrian Dressage athlete to the Paralympics.

Rio 2016 is the first Olympic and Paralympic Games ever to be held in South America and a total of nine South American countries will compete in equestrian at Rio 2016, with Peru securing its first individual qualification in Jumping.

A total of 43 nations have earned qualification for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games across the three disciplines of Eventing, Dressage and Jumping, with 30 countries targeting the equestrian medals at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, where Para-Equestrian Dressage will celebrate 20 years in the Paralympic Movement.

“We are thrilled to be welcoming new nations to the Olympic and Paralympic equestrian family and to have 43 flags at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and 30 for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.

“It’s a testament to the increasing global appeal and universality of our sport to see equestrianism represented at the top level in so many countries. The Olympic and Paralympic Games are the pinnacle of our sport and we are looking forward to absolutely top class equestrian action during both Games.”

The Olympic equestrian events get underway the day after the Opening Ceremony in Rio on 6 August 2016 in Deodoro, where the world’s best athletes will compete for team and individual medals in Eventing, Dressage and Jumping.

The Rio 2016 Para-Equestrian Dressage action kicks off on 11 September for what promises to be the largest celebration yet of high-performance sport for people with an impairment, where athletes will target individual medals across grades Ia, Ib, II, III and IV, as well as team medals.

The full list of qualified Olympic nations is here and Paralympic nations here, with summaries on the Olympic and Paralympic qualified nations below:

Olympic summary

Jumping – maximum 75 starters

27 nations: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Egypt, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Morocco, Netherlands, Peru, Portugal, Qatar, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela.

15 teams: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Netherlands, Qatar, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United States.

12 nations represented by individuals only: Belgium, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Egypt, Ireland, Italy, Morocco, Peru, Portugal, Turkey, Uruguay, Venezuela.

Dressage – maximum 60 starters

25 nations: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Palestine, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Ukraine, United States.

11 teams: Australia, Brazil, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, United States.

14 nations represented by individuals only: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Dominican Republic, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Palestine, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Ukraine.

Eventing – maximum 65 starters

24 nations: Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United States, Zimbabwe.

14 teams: Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, United States.

10 nations represented by individuals only: Belarus, Belgium, Chile, China, Ecuador, Finland, Japan, Puerto Rico, Spain, Zimbabwe.

Nations fielding full teams in all three Olympic disciplines: Australia, Brazil, France, Great Britain, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden and the United States will field full teams in all three Olympic disciplines.

Total – 43 nations:
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Palestine, Peru, Puerto Rico, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela, Zimbabwe.

All documents on the Rio 2016 Olympic Games qualification process are here.

Paralympic summary

Para-Equestrian Dressage – maximum 78 starters

30 nations: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay, USA.

14 teams: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, USA.

2 nations can field composite teams: France (4 individual slots) and Russia (3 individual slots).

15 nations represented by individuals only: Argentina, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Latvia, Mexico, Portugal, Slovakia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay.

All documents on the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games qualification process can be accessed here.

FEI Media Contacts:

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
Email: ruth.grundy@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 145

Leanne Williams
Manager Press Relations
leanne.williams@fei.org
+41 79 314 24 38

Competitions, Olympic Games, Show Jumping

La Baule Caught in the Games!

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Photo – PSV Jean Morel.

Three months to go before the equestrian events at the Rio Olympic Games! Before all eyes turn to Brazil, it is actually in Loire Atlantique that the Jumping enthusiasts will have a foretaste of Olympism. And with good reason! From 12th to 15th May, the François André stadium will host the unique Officiel de France and five star show of the week end, the CSIO5* of La Baule… with the best riders and horses in the world on the starting list, and exciting times on the program.

CSIO5* – Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by Longines: on the way to Rio!
The team competition, Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by Longines, will have a look of Olympic rehearsal. 95 days away from the real team event in Rio, the 8 nations in the running in La Baule (Germany, Belgium, Brazil, France, Great Britain, The Netherlands, Switzerland, USA) will do their best to draw attention and take the upper hand over their opponents in front of the head coaches looking to build their ideal team.
Friday 13th May at 2 pm, 1m60 class, two rounds.

CSIO5* – Derby of the Pays de la Loire Region: legendary and unique!
Janou Lefèbvre is the only rider who won the mythical Derby of La Baule three times (1963, 1969, 1971). In 1971, with Rocket, she even clinched victory in the Derby then in the Grand Prix that she won 4 times (1962, 1971, 1974, 1975). Over the past 53 years, like Janou Lefèbvre, only the top jumping riders succeeded in this mythical class combining traditional and natural fences. Second highlight of the week end, the Derby of the Pays de la Loire Region is one of a kind, being the only Derby in a CSIO5* in the world.
Saturday 14th May at 1pm, 1m45 class, A rules against the clock without jump off.

CSIO5* – Grand Prix Longines of La Baule: the apotheosis
In 2015, the young Irish prodigy Bertram Allen won the Grand Prix Longines of La Baule with Romanov. Grande finale of the 4 days of competition, the Grand Prix Longines of La Baule brings together every year a lot more stars than its label. Olympic, World, European champions, World Cup winners… all of them dream of clinching victory there.
Sunday 15th May at 1pm, 1m60 class, A rules against the clock with jump off.

CSI U25 – FFE Top20 Young Talents AC Print : revelation in La Baule
The French Federation chose its Officiel de France to launch a brand new sports project open to young jumping riders, aged 18 to 25. The 10 best French and international new talents will compete face to face in three innovative classes. A great opportunity to reveal the rising stars…
Thursday 12th May at 9am (1m40), Friday 13th May at 8am (1m40), Saturday 14th May at 6.45pm

(1m45)

CSI1*: VIP and amateurs on the starting list
The Amateur riders would never miss a chance to compete in La Baule. For them, win in one of the CSI1* classes means get a feel if high level sport. Qualifier, mini Derby, Grand Prix … the CSI1* has everything of a great moment of sport. With 50 experienced amateur riders, this competition is in full swing, every year, in front of an enthusiastic public. Among the VIPs competing, Guillaume Canet, Julien Courbet and his daughter Lola, Cassandra Foret, and for the first time Benjamin Castaldi.
Thursday 12th May at 10.15am (1m10) and 11.50am (1m20), Friday 13th May at 9.15am (1m15) and 6.1Opm (1m25), Saturday 14th May at 8.30am (1m20) and 10.40am (1m20), Sunday 15th May at 8am (1m15–1m20) and 4.40pm (1m30-1m35).

Longines Jumping International of La Baule: key figures
15 nations, 138 riders, 274 horses, 360 boxes, 19 classes, 607 000 € of global prize money, 35 000 spectators during the 4 days, 16 000 m2 for the grass arena, (2 football fields), 90 exhibitor booths, 100 countries broadcasting TV, 120h of TV programmes broadcasted in the world, 4,06 million TV viewers for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by Longines…
CSIO5* Officiel de France: 8 classes, 68 riders, 90 horses
CSI1*: 8 classes, 50 riders, 64 horses
CSI U25: 3 classes, 20 riders, 20 horses

www.labaule-cheval.com

Véronique GAUTHIER / Agence Consulis
veronique-gauthier@club-internet.fr
mob: +33 672 770 600

Bruno OPPENHEIM / O.I.C
bruno.oppenheim@wanadoo.fr
mob: +33 614 422 795

Benefits, Community/Charity

Join Scialfa and Springsteen for USET Foundation Olympic and Paralympic Benefit, Rockin Rio

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Wellington, FL – November 16, 2015 – Mark your calendars! Reserve the date! The United States Equestrian Team Foundation presents the party of the season, Rockin Rio, an Olympic and Paralympic Games benefit event on Friday, January 22, 2016 in Wellington, FL.

Patti Scialfa and Bruce Springsteen, honorary chairpersons for the benefit, will make sure it is a fun night, and a generous evening as well. This all supports the USET Foundation’s effort to raise much needed funding to further support the United States Equestrian Team horses and riders as they prepare to compete at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

USET Foundation Executive Director Bonnie Jenkins commented, “It’s going to be an incredible event and we are definitely expecting a sell out! The night will feature a fabulous live auction, a phenomenal band and, of course, Patti and Bruce as our honorary chairs want to make this event a record- setting fundraiser for our United States Equestrian Teams.”

Scialfa, a USET Foundation Trustee, and husband Bruce Springsteen are the parents of Jessica Springsteen, who has successfully competed at the highest levels of show jumping and has represented the United States on Nations Cup teams internationally. The family believes strongly in supporting the athletes and the United States’ goal to bring home medals.

“Helping this country’s equestrian athletes and supporting the United States Equestrian Teams has been a family affair for us,” said the Springsteens. “We recognize the hard work and commitment it takes for riders to reach the pinnacle of the sport, and hope that as Honorary Chairs for the USET Foundation’s Rockin Rio we can help make this benefit a huge success benefiting our riders as they prepare and compete at the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio.”

Invitations are in the mail, so make sure to mark your calendars for this wonderful evening. Buy a table or your tickets now. It will sell out! For further information, please contact: Nancy Little, USET Foundation (908) 234-1251, or nlittle@uset.org.

The United States Equestrian Team Foundation (www.uset.org) is the non-profit organization that supports the competition, training, coaching, travel and educational needs of America’s elite and developing international, high-performance horses and athletes in partnership with the United States Equestrian Federation.

Contact: Rebecca Walton
USET Foundation
phone 561.753.3389 fax 561.753.3386
rjw@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

FEI, Olympic Games

Olympic Formats Take Centre Stage at FEI General Assembly

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Olympic formats were the focus of today’s session at the FEI General Assembly in San Juan (PUR), with FEI President Ingmar De Vos (left) leading discussions with National Federations on proposed changes to Olympic competition formats. The three Olympic discipline Chairs, Frank Kemperman (Dressage), John Madden (Jumping) and Giuseppe Della Chiesa (Eventing) detailed the proposals to delegates. (FEI/Richard Juilliart)

Puerto Rico (PUR), 12 November 2015 – Olympic formats were the focus of this afternoon’s session at the FEI General Assembly in San Juan (PUR), with FEI President Ingmar De Vos leading discussions with National Federations on proposed radical changes to Olympic competition formats.

“Olympic Agenda 2020 is a driving force in this process, but even prior to that we already knew that changes needed to be made to our formats and the presentation of our sport,” the FEI President said in his opening address.

“But why do we want to change our formats and the way our sport is presented? The answer is really quite simple, because we want to remain relevant in today’s ever changing sporting landscape and gain the exposure and visibility our sport deserves.

“As the IOC President aptly said at the IOC Session in Monaco last December, ‘to change or to be changed: that is the question’. This is why we are here today: to lead that change.

“We need to take advantage of the excitement and drama of our sport, make it easier to understand, attract young and larger audiences, be broadcast friendly and see more nations represented in our sport.”

Olympic Agenda 2020

In today’s session, the FEI President underlined the implications of Olympic Agenda 2020, and the move from a sport-based to an event-based Olympic programme for Tokyo 2020, before opening the floor to the Olympic equestrian discipline Chairs, John Madden (Jumping), Frank Kemperman (Dressage) and Giuseppe Della Chiesa (Eventing).

John Madden underlined the interest and understanding the IOC President Thomas Bach has of equestrian sport, which was clearly demonstrated during his official visit to FEI Headquarters last week, and the very real need to respond to the Olympic Agenda 2020 recommendations.

Maria Gretzer, the Swedish Olympic Jumping rider and athlete representative on the FEI Executive Board since 2013, strongly echoed this view on the back of her experiences at the recent IOC Athletes Forum in Lausanne (SUI).

Harmonising Olympic equestrian sport with a cap of three team members across the three disciplines was one of the key proposals in today’s session, with the by-product of increasing the number of flags at the Olympic Games. Separating individual and team events and removing team drop scores were also put forward.

Under the new proposals, Dressage would have a total of 15 teams and 15 individual athletes, using heats to qualify the top 18 for the individual final, maximising the emotion and drama of the sport.

In Jumping, there would be 20 teams and 15 individuals, with a jump-off for first place in both individual and team. If team gold is decided by a jump-off, all three team horse/rider combinations would compete against the clock but only the best score would count. Other proposed changes would see the team Jumping mirroring the current successful Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ format, with just the top 10 teams starting with zero penalties in the medal-decider final.

In Eventing, the Dressage phase would be condensed to a single day using a shorter test, and the traditional format of Dressage, Cross Country and Jumping would be kept to retain the essence of the discipline, protect horse welfare and ensure reliable immediate results.

The individual Jumping phase would be used as the qualifier for the top six or seven teams to go through to the team final, with the potential of having all three team members in the arena together, jumping one after another, so that a team result would be instantly available.

Following input from Open Forums at this year’s Pan American Games, the Longines FEI European Eventing Championships and the Asia-Pacific qualifier for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Boekelo (NED), it was suggested that an alternative name, such as “Equestrian Triathlon” could improve understanding of the sport for a mainstream audience.

The proposals generated healthy debate amongst the National Federation representatives.

Timeline

The FEI will present more detailed format change proposals based on feedback from today’s session at the FEI Sports Forum 2016 in Lausanne (SUI) on 4-5 April. New formats will then be voted on at the FEI General Assembly 2016, before being submitted to the IOC before its Executive Board meeting in early 2017.

All presentations made at today’s dedicated Olympic formats session can be viewed here.

FEI General Assembly 2015 – live on FEI TV

The FEI General Assembly 2015 starts at 09.00 local Puerto Rico time (GMT -4 hours) and will be broadcast live and free on www.feitv.org.

Online registration for the FEI Sports Forum 2016 will open at the end of February here: www.fei.org/fei/about-fei/sportsforum.

Media Contacts:

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

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 787 506 145

Shannon Gibbons
Manager Press Relations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

FEI, Olympic Games

IOC President Talks Olympic Agenda 2020 during Official Visit to FEI HQ

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Straight from the horse’s mouth: International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach was greeted at Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Headquarters by the stallion Sarango after meetings with an FEI delegation headed by President Ingmar De Vos and Secretary General Sabrina Zeender. Also pictured are Eventing athlete Alex Hua Tian (CHN) and German Dressage athlete Kristina Bröring-Sprehe. Brazilian Jumping athlete Pedro Veniss (out of shot) also met with the IOC President. (Liz Gregg/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 4 November 2015 – International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach commented favourably today on the high level of compliance in equestrian sport with the 40 recommendations in Olympic Agenda 2020 during an official visit to the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) headquarters in Lausanne (SUI), the Olympic capital.

“Olympic Agenda 2020 is the strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement and it is impressive to see how compliant the FEI and equestrian sport already are with many of the recommendations,” President Bach said. “We have targeted gender equality as a key goal of Agenda 2020 and equestrian sport has always been at the forefront on this, with men and women competing against each other for the medals.”

“Equestrian sport has been part of the Olympic movement since 1912 and the growth of the sport has been phenomenal, but it is good to know that the FEI was already working on a number of these areas, including good governance and a full review of the competition formats, even before we rolled out Agenda 2020. The sport touches many cultures and people of all ages and I have great admiration for what equestrian athletes achieve through the unique relationship between horse and rider; it’s truly awe-inspiring.”

During a presentation to the IOC President, FEI President Ingmar De Vos stressed how the FEI and equestrian sport are proactively embracing Olympic Agenda 2020. “We see it as an invitation to continue on the path we are already on to grow and develop the sport, a launch pad to further improve our sport and make it relevant in the modern sporting climate. We are confident that we tick many of the Agenda 2020 boxes, and we’re working hard to add the tick to the missing ones. We are pushing the boundaries, while respecting the traditions of our sport.”

Ingmar De Vos explained how the ongoing review of the competition formats, in full consultation with the member National Federations, athletes and stakeholders, is aimed at making equestrian sport more dynamic, easier to understand, and accessible for a wider fan base and for youth audiences. Sport presentation is also key and the FEI is continuing to work on development and further expansion of broadcast coverage of equestrian events.

The FEI Secretary General presented details on how the FEI operates, focusing on good governance and best practice, crucial elements for an international governing body. She also advised the IOC President that the equine health certificate which will ensure the safe import and export of all horses competing in the equestrian events at next year’s Olympic Games has been published today by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA).

President Bach, German team gold medallist in fencing at the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, also met with three fellow Olympians – China’s youngest Olympic Eventer Alex Hua Tian, German Dressage rider Kristina Bröring-Sprehe, team silver medalist at London 2012, and Brazilian Jumping athlete Pedro Veniss, who is bidding to make a return to the Olympic stage on home soil in Rio. And there was a surprise equine athlete, the Spanish stallion Sarango, who greeted Thomas Bach and the athletes during the visit to FEI HQ.

President Bach and the IOC delegation met with FEI President Ingmar De Vos and FEI Secretary General Sabrina Zeender on the date marking 275 days to go to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The IOC delegation also included Director General Christophe de Kepper, Pierre Fratter-Bardy, Head of Summer Sports, and Mark Adams, Director of Communications.

FEI 1st Vice President and Chair of the FEI Jumping Committee John Madden, FEI Executive Board member and Chair of the FEI Dressage Committee Frank Kemperman, and Giuseppe Della Chiesa, Chair of the FEI Eventing Committee were also part of the FEI delegation that met the IOC President.

“Equestrian is the only Olympic sport where men and women compete against each other for medals in all the disciplines,” Kristina Bröring-Sprehe said. “It’s only when you get a bit older that you realise just how special this is, and it’s one of the many reasons why equestrian sport is so popular with women of all ages. Knowing how important gender equality is to the Olympic movement, it’s been really empowering to talk to Thomas Bach about this today.”

“Eventing is my real passion,” said Alex Hua Tian, the man who carried the hopes of 1.2 billion Chinese at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. “It’s not just a sport, but a way of life, and we have a unique partnership with our horses where big decisions have to be made, communicated and executed in a heartbeat. Trust, courage and precision is what our sport is all about, as well as building on joint strengths, and forgiving and compensating for each other’s weaknesses. We have very deep relationships with our horses, and it has been fascinating to discuss this with the IOC President today.”

“Brazil is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world and, just like the equestrian community, the Brazilian people are vibrant and welcoming,” said Pedro Veniss, who was part of the Brazilian Jumping team at the 2008 Olympic Games. “Our melting pot of cultures in Brazil and in our sport is very exciting. As a Brazilian equestrian athlete, I am so proud that we are staging the first Games in South America and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

“The Rio 2016 Olympic Games is now just around the corner, and it has been a huge pleasure for us all at FEI HQ and our equestrian ‘family’ to have IOC President Thomas Bach with us today,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said. “We are looking forward to seeing our top athletes, both human and equine, displaying their unique talents to all those who are lucky enough to get to Rio and see the action in person, as well as all those watching from home. The Games will be incredible.”

#RoadToRio

The Rio 2016 Olympic equestrian action gets underway on 6 August at the Olympic Equestrian Centre in the Deodoro Olympic Park, the second largest Rio 2016 Games cluster.

Two hundred of the world’s best human and equine athletes will compete for medals in the Olympic disciplines of Eventing, Dressage and Jumping over 12 days of intense competition.

About IOC President Thomas Bach
See biography: http://bit.ly/1S6jWuW.

About the athletes
Alex Hua Tian: www.alexhuatian.com/key-facts
Kristina Bröring-Sprehe: www.fei.org/bios/Person/10015852
Pedro Veniss: www.fei.org/bios/Person/10006326/Pedro_VENISS

Rio 2016 Olympic Games – qualified nations

The following nations have qualified Olympic team spots for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games:

Jumping: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, USA, Qatar

Dressage: Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, USA

Eventing: Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, USA

*Brazil, as host nation, earns automatic team qualification for Rio 2016. Individual athletes’ places will be decided according to world rankings.

About Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) www.fei.org

The FEI is the world governing body for horse sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and was founded in 1921. Equestrian sport has been part of the Olympic movement since the 1912 Games in Stockholm. The FEI is the sole controlling authority for all international events in the Olympic sports of Jumping, Dressage and Eventing, as well as Driving, Endurance, Vaulting and Reining. The FEI became one of the first international sports governing bodies to govern and regulate global para sport alongside its seven able-bodied disciplines when Para-Equestrian Dressage joined its ranks in 2006. The FEI now governs all international competitions for Para-Equestrian Dressage and Para-Driving.

Media Contacts:

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

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
ruth.grundy@fei.org
+41 787 506 145

Shannon Gibbons
Manager Press Relations
shannon.gibbons@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 46

*Featured/Spotlights, Dressage, Olympic Games

Japan Pips South Africa by the Narrowest of Margins

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A sixth-place finish for Masanao Takahashi and Fabriano clinched a qualifying spot at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games for the Japanese team. (FEI/Karl Heinz Freiler)

Perl (GER), 12 September 2015 – There was joy and heartache in equal measure at the special Olympic qualifier staged in Gestut Peterhof in Perl, Germany yesterday where Japan pipped South Africa by the narrowest of margins for a coveted team slot at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

In a competition that swung in favour of both sides at various stages, it seemed the result could go either way. But in the end Team Japan came out on top by just 0.06 percentage points to clinch it. There was some compensation for the disappointed South Africans when Tanya Seymour, who produced a lovely test to finish fourth in the competition with Ramoneur, earned her country one of the two individual qualifying spots on offer, the other going to Korea when Dongseon Kim finished eighth with Bukowski.

A total of 34 athletes from 17 nations lined out in the 2* Grand Prix competition staged within the framework of the CDI4* Dressage Gala at the charming German venue, and 21 were chasing the Olympic qualifying slots. There were only two countries in contention for the single team berth – Japan and South Africa – while competitors from Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Korea, Morocco, Palestine, Philippines, Singapore and Chinese Taipei also battled it out for the individual qualifying places. This special qualification event was open to competitors from FEI Olympic Groups F and G and to the FEI Olympic Group C countries Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

Good start

Kazuki Sado got the Japanese effort off to a good start when posting 65.180 with the 11-year-old gelding Ziroco, and when Akane Kuroki scored 66.280 with Don Luka and Shingo Hayashi earned 65.640 with Ramses der II they already had the edge.

The South Africans, however, were chasing them hard, a big score of 68.880 from Tanya Seymour and Ramoneur seriously boosting her side’s chances when added to Denise Hallion’s 63.220 with Wervelwind, and Katherine Berning’s 63.180 with Brisbane. With three riders gone for each team, the leaderboard showed Japan out in front on a total of 197.1 but the South Africans were less than two points adrift on 195.82.

There was huge pressure on the last competitor from each side, and a great 68.420 from the final South African partnership of Nicole Smith and her 17-year-old mare, Victoria, really put it up to Japanese anchorman Masanao Takahashi.

The 33-year-old has only been partnering the experienced Fabriano for a few months now, the 16-year-old stallion previously competing at two European Championships, the London 2012 Olympic Games and the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy, France with Austria’s Renate Voglsang on board. Takahashi, who was a team bronze medallist at the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar in 2006, produced progressively good results with the horse at Wiesbaden, Capelin and Verden this summer, however, and yesterday their 68.600 was good enough to fill sixth place in the competition and to swing the pendulum of good fortune in his country’s direction by the tiniest of margins.

Surprised but happy

Japanese Chef d’Equipe, Shinichi Terui, said afterwards, “I was surprised today but very happy we are going to Rio! The South Africans were very strong, and their last rider was particularly good, so in the end I think we are lucky!” However, he commended his team for their great result. “All four riders did a very good job today. They were under a lot of pressure, and I’m really happy with how they coped with that,” he pointed out.

South African Chef d’Equipe, Jenny Neill, said, “It was so tight with the marks, but I’m very pleased with our performance; our team has come so far and I am excited by how well they did today and very happy that we have qualified one individual for Rio. Hopefully we might also get another individual qualified as well. But while I’m very excited I’m also very disappointed – in the end, however, it is what it is!” she added.

She said she wasn’t surprised that Tanya Seymour had produced such a strong result to finish fourth in the class that was, predictably, dominated by German riders – Uta Graf taking top spot with Lawrence followed by Stella Roth in second with Rubin Action while Hendrik Lochthowe finished third with Maggie’s US Latin.

“Tanya can do a 69 or 70 (percent score) and Nicole (Smith) also. Our riders are all based across Europe but Tanya was born in South Africa, then her parents moved to Australia before coming to Germany. She and the other riders all come back frequently to South Africa to support our sport with clinics and training,” she explained. And in true sporting fashion, Jenny Neill concluded, “We wish the Japanese all the best; they have lovely horses and good riders.”

Full result here.

Facts and Figures:

Today’s special qualification event was open to competitors from FEI Olympic Groups F and G and to the FEI Olympic Group C countries Kazakhstan, Kyrgystan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

2 nations were represented by teams: Japan and South Africa.

21 competitors from 11 nations competed for the Olympic qualifying spots.

Japan claimed the single team qualification spot, pipping South Africa by a narrow margin of just 0.6 percent.

2 individual qualifying spots were earned for their countries by South Africa’s Tanya Seymour who finished fourth with Ramoneur and Korea’s Dongseon Kim who finished eighth with Bukowski.

The full list of teams now qualified for Dressage at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games is: Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and USA.

Canada and Mexico have also earned individual qualifying slots.

By Louise Parkes

Media Contacts:

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

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
Email: ruth.grundy@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 145

FEI, Olympic Games, Show Jumping

Japan and Australia Qualify Teams, Taipei’s Wong Clinches Individual Olympic Slot

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Isheau Wong claimed an individual qualifying spot for Chinese Taipei at the Group G FEI Olympic Games qualifier staged in Hagen (GER) today. (FEI/Fotodesign gr.Feldhaus)

Hagen (GER), 25 August 2015 – Japan and Australia claimed the last two team berths in Jumping for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Group G FEI qualifier in Hagen, Germany today. And it was a big afternoon for Isheau Wong, when the 26-year-old rider from Chinese Taipei clinched the sole individual place on offer.

A total of 27 athletes from 12 nations – Australia, Brunei, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, China, the Philippines, Korea, Singapore and Thailand – lined out in the competition staged at Hof Kasselmann. There were five countries in contention for the team qualification, and this was the biggest ever Group G qualifier. Only four countries competed in the same event in Aachen (GER) four years ago, two with teams and two individuals.

Held the lead

The Australians held the lead on an eight-fault scoreline at the end of the first round today, but they only had a single-point advantage over the Japanese in second place. The three-member Hong Kong side of Reanea Leung (Lalik), Kenneth Cheng (Jockey Club Caballo) and Jacqueline Lai (James Brown) were next in line with 24 on the board, while Chinese Taipei brought up the rear with 39. The Philippines’ Lucas Lorenzo (Lobelia), Joker A Arroya (Concept) and Marie Antoinette Leviste (Maximillian) were also only a three-strong side, so Lorenzo’s elimination left them on the sidelines at the halfway stage.

And it was three great second-round clears that clinched pole position for Japan, Toshiki Masiu recovering from a 12-fault first effort to leave the course completely intact second time out with Taloubetdarco KZ, and Daisuke Fukushima and Cornet adding nothing to their four-fault first effort. Tadahiro Hayashi and Corana’s M&M collected five faults on their first tour of the arena but when they were foot-perfect in round two the Japanese had already sealed their berth for Rio, so Taizo Sugitani and Avenzio, clear in round one, didn’t have to go again.

Disappeared from the reckoning

Australian anchor Jamie Kermond (Quite Cassini) didn’t compete either in the second half, because the rest of the opposition had disappeared from the reckoning so his country’s passage to Rio was already secured.

Elimination for Reanea Leung put paid to Hong Kong’s chances, and when Po-Hsaing Huang (Cassilia) who was eliminated in round one, didn’t return to the ring, and then Tina Lu (Cobos) was eliminated during her second effort, only Jasmine Chen (Vegas de Sainte Hermelle) and Isheau Wong (Zadarijke V) completed for Chinese Taipei.

And with just four faults to her scoreline, collected at the water jump in the second round, Wong found herself in a two-way battle with New Zealand’s Samantha McIntosh in the battle for the individual qualifying spot.

It was something of a dilemma for Wong. “Sam was my trainer for a long time so I had very mixed feelings about the fact that we were up against each other. We would always both want the best for each other, but today I had to be her rival on the field of play. I didn’t see her round against the clock so I just tried to be as fast as I could!” the Dutch-based rider explained afterwards. Breaking the beam in 36.38 seconds she was more than three seconds quicker than the considerably more experienced Kiwi contender.

Talking about her 11-year-old Dutch mare, Zadarijke V, Wong said, “I got her two years ago; she was competing with a Young Rider and had never done anything very big. She’s bred for dressage, not jumping, but from the very start we were the perfect match. We have formed a great partnership, and I have to thank her for everything!” the rider said.

Interesting link

There was an interesting link between the Rio-bound individual rider and the winning Japanese team. “I don’t have a trainer just now, but I used to train with Taizo Sugitani and went back to him for a few lessons before coming here and it really helped me. It’s great that now both of us are qualified for Olympics!” Wong said.

Japanese Chef d’Equipe, Hirokazu Higashira, was thrilled with his side’s performance. “Our aim was to win and to qualify for Rio and we did exactly what we came here to do!” he said. About his team, he continued, “All of our riders are based in Europe and Toshiki is with Piet Raymakers in Netherlands and has been competing in the Global Champions Tour. Taizo has a lot of experience and the other two are still young, but they are very talented,” he added.

Delighted

Australian Chef d’Equipe, Irishman Stevie Macken, was delighted with the result posted by Edwina Tops-Alexander (Lintea Tequila), Scott Keach (Fedor), Julia Hargreaves (Vedor) and Jamie Kermond (Quite Cassini) who completed on a 20-fault tally. “There was a lot of pressure here today, and they handled the pressure well enough and we achieved our goal, although on the day the Japanese were a better team,” he said. About his side, he explained, “Edwina’s horse had been going very well and competed in the Grand Prix at Valkenswaard last week, and Jamie was at the World Equestrian Games last year. Julia jumped really good today and Scott Keach is fairly new to us, but he has a lot of experience; he competed as an eventing rider at the Olympic Games in Seoul,” Macken explained.

Based in Ocala in Florida, USA, 50-year-old Keach is making quite a come-back, it seems. “His horse is a nine-year-old with lots of potential, although he was a bit flat today. He travelled over from the US a week or two ago and maybe the travelling contributed to that, but Scott and his horse will be staying over and will compete in Barcelona,” said Macken, referring to the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping Final 2015 which begins on 23 September.

Full result here.

Facts and Figures:

27 athletes from 12 nations – Australia, Brunei, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, China, the Philippines, Korea, Singapore and Thailand – lined out in today’s Olympic qualifying competition for athletes from Group G.

5 nations were represented by teams: Australia, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Japan and Philippines.

Japan and Australia claimed the two available team qualifying spots.

Isheau Wong from Chinese Taipei claimed the single individual qualifying slot.

The full list of teams now qualified for Jumping at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games is: Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Netherlands, Qatar, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and USA.

By Louise Parkes

Media Contacts:

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

Ruth Grundy
Manager Press Relations
Email: ruth.grundy@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 145

Art/Photography, Community/Charity, Dressage, Eventing/H.T., Olympic Games, Para-Equestrian, Publications/Media, Show Jumping

Rio 2016 FEI Reportage Photobook – Share and Enjoy

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Lausanne (SUI), 13 August 2015 – The Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games are now just around the corner, and to celebrate the first Games to be held in South America, the International Equestrian Federation (Fédération Equestre Internationale, FEI) has specially commissioned a stunning online Rio 2016 FEI Reportage photobook.

The Rio 2016 FEI Reportage photobook – www.fei.org/reportage/rio2016testevent – celebrates the passion, joy and athleticism of Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian at Rio, where the sport will mark 104 years in the Olympic movement and 20 years in the Paralympic Movement, and all in one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world.

Images by Raphael Macek

All images in the Rio 2016 FEI Reportage photobook are by Brazilian photographer Raphael Macek. His father, a veterinarian and horse breeder, instilled a passion and love for animals in in him from a young age. After graduating with a fine art degree from New York Institute of Photography, it was not long before Macek’s inspiration turned back to his family roots. Macek now travels the world capturing the beauty and emotions of animals and horses.

Share & enjoy #Rio2016 images

All images in the Rio 2016 FEI Reportage photobook can be shared on Facebook and Twitter with the hashtag #Rio2016.

The Rio 2016 Olympic equestrian action gets underway the day after the Opening Ceremony on 5 August 2016. The world’s best horses and riders will compete for medals in the Olympic disciplines of Eventing, Dressage and Jumping over 12 days of intense competition at the Olympic Equestrian Centre in the Deodoro Olympic Park.

Para-Equestrian Dressage is then set to be a major highlight at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, which start on 7 September, and promise to be the largest celebration yet of high-performance sport for people with an impairment.

rio2Equestrian at Deodoro Olympic Park

The Deodoro Olympic Park is the second largest Rio 2016 Games cluster. Deodoro’s nine venues will host the Olympic sports of basketball, BMX, canoe slalom, fencing, hockey, modern pentathlon, mountain biking, rugby sevens, shooting and the Paralympic sports of wheelchair fencing, Football 7-a-side and shooting alongside Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, and Para-Equestrian Dressage: www.rio2016.org/en/the-games/map-of-the-venues-0.

Rio 2016 Olympic Games – qualified nations

Brazil, as host nation, earns automatic team qualification for Rio 2016. Full details on qualified nations will be updated at http://fei.org/fei/games/olympic/rio-2016 & www.fei.org/fei/games/paralympic/rio-2016. The following nations have so far qualified Olympic team spots for Rio 2016 Olympic Games:

Jumping: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Ukraine, USA, Qatar
Dressage: Australia, Brazil, Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands, USA
Eventing: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Netherlands, USA

The remaining equestrian team places at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games will be decided at continental qualifiers, including the FEI European Championships in Aachen (Dressage and Jumping) and the Longines FEI European Eventing Championships in Blair Castle (GBR), while individual places will be decided according to world rankings.

FEI Media contact:

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

Eventing/H.T., FEI, Olympic Games

Aquece Rio Equestrian Test Event Provides Ideal Preparation for 2016 Olympic Games

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Marcio Jorge (BRA) and Coronel MCJ, who claimed gold at the Rio 2016 test event – the Aquece Rio International Horse Trials – held at the Deodoro Olympic Equestrian Centre, was among those that gave the test event the “thumbs up”. (FEI/Raphael Macek)

Lausanne (SUI), 10 August 2015 – The Aquece Rio International Horse Trials, the test event that wound to a close at the Deodoro Olympic Equestrian Centre yesterday, has been widely acknowledged as a successful preparation for next year’s Rio 2016 Olympic Games, with the opportunity to test field of play, stabling and cross country operations.

Also tested were results, scoring and timing technology, training facilities, veterinary and medical services, sanitary and biosecurity procedures, anti-doping (human and equine), accreditation and media operations.

IOC Director Gilbert Felli, who was in Rio for the one-year-to-go celebrations and to check in on the test event programme, said he was happy with how things had run at Deodoro for the equestrian test event.

“We are very happy with the test event,” he said. “It’s an excellent tool to put the team together and it’s where you start to build up the team through integration of the different parties – sport, government and the organising committee. It’s why we do a test event, so that we can correct things and make sure everybody understands everything for next year, and Rio has delivered on that.”

Tim Hadaway, FEI Director, Games & Championships, also felt that the test event had been hugely beneficial. “We’ve seen great progress with infrastructure completed in time for the test event and an efficient competition delivered,” he said. “However, there is still a lot of work to do to scale the venue up for next year and to ensure the standard of facilities, services and general experience for our human and equine athlete is of a true Olympic standard in 2016.”

Mike Laleune, General Manager of the Deodoro Olympic Park, which is hosting 15 sports across the Olympic and Paralympic Games, commented from the Rio 2016 Organising Committee perspective. “Overall, I’m very pleased with the results of the equestrian test event,” he said. “It culminates many months of hard work and preparation. More importantly, it gives us a very clear idea what areas require improvement in order to deliver the Olympic and Paralympic competitions next year.”

Ataide Pereira, Sports Manager at the Deodoro Olympic Equestrian venue, was pleased with the way the competition had tested so many operational aspects. “I’m very happy with how the test event went, and I want to say a big thank you to my team who worked so hard to produce the results we had here this week, and to the volunteers that helped us so much. But we have a lot of work still to do to achieve the standard we need for the Games. The best athletes in the world will be here next year, so we need to have the best facilities for them and for their horses, so that they can produce the best results.”

Ruy Fonseca (BRA), team silver and individual bronze medallist at the Toronto 2015 Pan American Games, had planned to ride at the test event but his horse Quaint Normand was not accepted at the first horse inspection. Fonseca stayed on-site to support his team mates in the competition.

“I was here three years ago and thought we need to do a lot of work on the place to make it an Olympic venue,” he said, “but I’ve been very impressed with what’s been done, the effort that’s been put into the venue and how amazing it looks already, 12 months out from the Games. And I’ve heard the same comments from everybody.

“For sure things still need to be done, things need to be polished up, but in my view it’ll be a very special Games. It’s the first in South America and it’s going to provide a really important legacy for our continent for all sports, not just for equestrian. The equestrian venue is one of the best I’ve seen and hopefully it will keep going after the Games as part of the legacy, not just for Brazil but for the whole continent.”

Lars Roepstorff, the FEI appointed footing analyst, was in Deodoro to conduct scientific testing on the all-weather footing. “The material and installation definitely has the potential to provide excellent footing for next year’s Olympic Games,” he said, “but it is vital that the correct maintenance is done over the next 12 months, right up to and during the Games. Everything is in place for excellent Olympic competition next year and as it’s a pre-existing equestrian facility, all our athletes – human and equine – will be really well looked after.”

An official Observers Programme was run concurrently with the Test Event, with representatives from 16 National Olympic Committees and National Federations attending three-days of presentations and meetings.

Australia, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, Sweden and the United States of America all sent delegations to Rio, and the general consensus was that the Observers Programme had been extremely informative.

Will Connell, USEF Director of Sport Programs, commented: “The observers programme, from the equestrian side, has given us everything we need, and it was probably more beneficial being here without horses than with them, as we’ve able to get on with things and go to meetings.

“Having seen this venue for the first time back in 2011, the development and progression has been pleasantly surprising, and they deserve great credit for what’s been achieved. There are of course areas that need working on, but it was encouraging that these had already been identified by the venue management team. They’re not big things and are easily curable. If they carry on developing the venue at this rate it will be one of the best Olympic and Paralympic venues we’ve seen.”

#1yeartogo #Rio2016

Equestrian at Deodoro Olympic Park

The Deodoro Olympic Park is the second largest Rio 2016 Games cluster. Deodoro’s nine venues will host the Olympic sports of basketball, BMX, canoe slalom, fencing, hockey, modern pentathlon, mountain biking, rugby sevens, shooting and the Paralympic sports of wheelchair fencing, Football 7-a-side and shooting alongside Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, and Para-Equestrian Dressage: www.rio2016.org/en/the-games/map-of-the-venues-0.

Rio 2016 Olympic Games – qualified nations

Brazil, as host nation, earns automatic team qualification for Rio 2016. Full details on qualified nations will be updated at http://fei.org/fei/games/olympic/rio-2016 (see “Qualification System” link per discipline). The following nations have so far qualified team spots for Rio 2016:

Jumping: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Ukraine, USA, Qatar
Dressage: Australia, Brazil, Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands, USA
Eventing: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Netherlands, USA

The remaining equestrian team places at Rio 2016 will be decided at continental qualifiers, while individual places will be decided according to world rankings. All athletes competing at the Games must obtain the minimum eligibility requirements.

Share images, video, experiences using hashtags #1yeartogo & #Rio2016.

Rio 2016 Organising Committee is also making images, video, athlete quotes and news available on www.rio2016.com/en and Rio 2016 social media channels. Images of the Rio 2016 Organising Committee programmes and events can also be accessed through the dedicated press room: http://goo.gl/y7dDZs and videos of the Rio 2016 venues and transformations taking place across the city can be found on the Rio City Hall ´Cidade Olimpica´ website: www.cidadeolimpica.com.br/en.

FEI Media contacts:

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

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