Tag Archives: Olympic Games

Dressage, Eventing/H.T., FEI, Olympic Games, Show Jumping

Equestrian Sport Gallops into the Rio Limelight

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Lausanne (SUI), 20 July 2016 – Equestrian sport arrives in Rio with its head held high, the bit between its teeth and on the crest of a wave of expansion across the globe.

The Rio 2016 sport entries (FEI Definite Entries) are all in, and a total of 200 athlete and horse combinations from 43 countries will chase their dreams of glory in three separate disciplines, soaring over massive obstacles in Jumping displaying athleticism and grace in Dressage, and powering around a cross-country track in Eventing. What sets them apart from the rest is that they will do it in partnership with another living being – the horse.

The #TwoHearts campaign in the lead-up to Rio 2016 has helped explain this extraordinary coming together of human and animal as a single athletic unit. This is a sport with a rapidly growing fan-base, and some of the most captivating stories in town!

The skill and excitement of nurturing the natural instincts and courage of this noble creature and competing in harmony with it continues to hold huge appeal. The number of people engaging in equestrianism around the globe continues to grow dramatically.

“Since 2007 there has been an 83 percent increase in the number of international competitions, and young people are being drawn into equestrian sport in greater numbers than ever before” says Sabrina Ibáñez, Secretary General of the international governing body, the FEI. “Our sport really appeals to the youth culture. The Brazilian Dressage team is a good example, with all four members below the age of 25, and one of them holding the distinction of being the youngest equestrian athlete at these Games.”

At the age of just 18, Giovana Prada Pass will be competing against 62-year-old Julie Brougham from New Zealand, highlighting another of the exceptional qualities of equestrian sport in which athletes of all ages – and both genders – compete together on a level playing field.

Experience counts for a lot at Olympic level, and New Zealand’s Sir Mark Todd (60) is the man with the most as he heads into his eighth edition of the Games. His two individual gold medals don’t go even part of the way towards telling the amazing story of this legend who was crowned the “Greatest rider of the 20th century” by the FEI, having competed in both Jumping and Eventing at the Olympic Games in Seoul (KOR) in 1988 and Barcelona (ESP) in 1992, before deciding to call it a day after taking individual bronze at the Sydney 2000 Games. Retirement didn’t suit him, however, and only someone of his calibre could succeed in setting himself a new target of returning to the sport just a few months before the qualification deadline for the Beijing Games in 2008. The rest is history.

Another comeback king is Australian eventer Shane Rose (43) whose 20-year Olympic journey includes team silver in Beijing along with a whole lot of heartache. The true grit of this rider who has battled cancer, experienced more disappointments and broken more bones than it seems possible, is just one of the things that has earned his place in his country’s squad.

And the selection of William Fox-Pitt for the British Eventing team is another incredible tale. Many others might have decided to hang up their boots after a major head injury like the one Fox-Pitt suffered last year, but the former world number one and double Olympic silver medallist has made a remarkable recovery and will be chasing down that elusive gold at his fifth Games in just a few weeks’ time.

Family connections abound, with husbands and wives, life-partners and cousins listed amongst the 75 Jumping, 65 Eventing and 60 Dressage horse and rider combinations (FEI definite entries) Brothers Michael (56) and John Whitaker (60), who between them have competed at nine Olympic Games, are in the British Jumping squad, while at the other end of both the age and experience spectrum, that young Brazilian Dressage team includes brother and sister Luiza (24) and Pedro (22) Tavares Almeida, with Pedro’s twin Manuel (22) as the team reserve.

“We have a really wide age-range in our fan-base due to the nature of our sport and we expect a huge following during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games!” says Sabrina Ibáñez.

Equestrian sport has been part of the Olympic Games since 1912.

Team and individual medals are awarded in three disciplines – Dressage, Eventing and Jumping.

Team USA holds the record for the greatest level of participation, with 236 horse and rider combinations competing throughout the history of the Games.

Team Germany has won the most medals, collecting a total of 75 to date.

The equestrian events of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games will be staged in the Deodoro Olympic Park alongside basketball, BMX, canoe slalom, fencing, hockey, modern pentathlon, mountain biking, rugby sevens and shooting.

The Deodoro Olympic Park is the second largest Olympic cluster of the Rio 2016 Games venues.

Jumping: 27 countries, 15 teams, 75 horse/rider combinations

Eventing: 24 countries, 13 teams, 65 horse/rider combinations

Dressage: 25 countries, 11 teams, 60 horse/rider combinations

The Rio 2016 sport entries (FEI Definite Entries) also include 34 reserve horses and 33 reserve riders. The Jumping rider Ferenc Szentirmai (UKR) is a competing athlete and also has a reserve horse.

The countries represented are:

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, Korea, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Palestine, Poland, Peru, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Republic of South Africa, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.

By Louise Parkes

FEI Media Contacts:

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

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

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

Eventing/H.T., Olympic Games, USEF

USEF Substitutes Traveling Reserve for U.S. Olympic Eventing Team

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Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has made a substitution to the U.S. Olympic Eventing Team Traveling Reserve. Maya Black has withdrawn Dawn and Jonathan Dofelmier’s Doesn’t Play Fair due to veterinary concerns. The gelding is expected to make a full recovery and Black looks forward to a return in the 2017 season.

The following combination will now serve as the traveling reserve:
Lynn Symansky (Middleburg, Va.) and The Donner Syndicate, LLC’s Donner, a 2003 Thoroughbred gelding

Further information regarding the U.S. Olympic Eventing 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

Olympic Games, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Matt Williams and Valinski S Stamp Their Tickets to 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro

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Matt Williams and Valinski S. Photo Courtesy of FEI.

Wellington, Fla. – June 28, 2016 – Every four years, fans and competitors prepare for the highly anticipated Olympic Games. While fans eagerly await the chance to wave their countries’ flags and cheer on their favorites, athletes train rigorously for the chance to wear their countries’ colors and compete against the best in the world for a gold medal.

For Matt Williams and the Wyndmont, Inc. team, the training has officially paid off.

It was about a month ago, when Williams got word that he had been named to the short list to represent his native country of Australia during the Games. However, Williams can now rest assured that his spot on the Australian Show Jumping Team is secure.

“I’m very grateful to be selected for a third time,” Williams said. “This Olympic selection probably means the most to me as it has taken a lot to get to this point. The last four years since London have had a lot of ups and downs.”

He will proudly wear his country’s green and gold colors aboard Wyndmont’s top-performing Dutch Warmblood, Valinski S, co-owned by Mark and Carolyn Alter as well as Ronnie Beard and Michael Dorman. The pair has been successful, producing top results at some of the most distinguished competitions, most notably winning the $100,000 Sullivan GMC Truck Grand Prix at HITS Ocala.

Valinski S was originally trained and ridden by Wyndmont’s Michael Dorman. After meeting Williams during a horse show in 2015, Dorman decided to hand the reins over to him, recognizing their incredible potential together. Dorman continues to ride Valinski S regularly, and assists Williams at the ring with Ronnie Beard when they are competing.

“We are very excited to see all of the hard work by the entire team at Wyndmont, including co-owners Mark and Carolyn Alter, pay off,” said Beard. “At Wyndmont, we believe in achieving excellence in the sport, and thanks everyone behind Matt and Valinski S we were able to make this dream a reality. Wyndmont has helped numerous athletes represent their country on the world stage, and we are very excited to be traveling to Rio next month.”

Williams and the 14-year-old bay gelding also secured third-place finishes in the $216,000 Lugano Diamonds CSIO4* Grand Prix during the Winter Equestrian Festival and in the $50,000 HITS Grand Prix during the HITS Ocala Winter Circuit.

This will be Williams’ third appearance in the Olympic Games, but his first aboard Valinski S.

“Each Olympics I’ve had different horses, but the most important thing I think is to know how to get your horse to peak at the right time for such a big event,” Williams said. “I only got the ride on Valinski about eight months ago. When I first rode him, I immediately had a bond with him, but never knew he would be as good as he’s turning out to be. He’s really risen to all his challenges so far and keeps fighting for me every time I ask for a bit more.”

Williams made his Olympic debut in Beijing in 2008, along with Edwina Tops-Alexander. The two riders competed in London in 2012, and will be making their third consecutive trip to the Games again this summer.

The two other spots on the team have been filled by Scott Keach and James Paterson-Robinson This will not be the first trip to the Games for either of these riders. It will be their second. Keach last competed for a gold medal 28 years ago, riding on the Australian Eventing Team in the Seoul 1988 Olympics. Paterson-Robinson is riding for his second consecutive Games, last competing in London in 2012.

“I think I have a great horse, and we have a very good team this year,” Williams said. “In our sport it’s very hard to predict these things, because anything can happen with horses. If we can get three good team scores each day, we have a good chance of doing well.”

While legendary horseman, Ronnie Beard, travels with Williams to Brazil, Michael Dorman will remain stateside working with the team’s young horses and training clients. Founded by Beard with Dorman, Wyndmont Inc. provides classical horsemanship to annual and seasonal equestrian clientele. For more information, visit Wyndmont.com.

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

Competitions, Olympic Games, Show Jumping

USEF Names US Olympic Show Jumping Team for Rio 2016 Olympic Games

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Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has named four athlete-and-horse combinations to the U.S. Olympic Show Jumping Team and one traveling reserve combination for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Show Jumping competition at the Games will take place August 12-19, 2016 at the Deodoro Olympic Equestrian Center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The following athlete-and-horse combinations will compose the Team (in alphabetical order):

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

Kent Farrington (Wellington, Fla.) and Amalaya Investments’ Voyeur, a 2002 KWPN gelding

Beezie Madden (Cazenovia, N.Y.) and Abigail Wexner’s Cortes ‘C’, a 2002 Belgian Warmblood gelding

McLain Ward (Brewster, N.Y.) with Double H Farm and Francois Mathy’s HH Azur, a 2006 Belgian Warmblood mare

The following athlete-and-horse combination has been named as the traveling reserve:

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

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

Dressage, Olympic Games, USEF

USEF Names US Olympic Dressage Team for Rio 2016 Olympic Games

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Clockwise from top left: Laura Graves, Steffen Peters, Allison Brock, and Kasey Perry-Glass.

Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has named four athlete-and-horse combinations to the U.S. Olympic Dressage Team and one traveling reserve athlete-and-horse combination for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. One direct reserve horse has also been named. A direct reserve horse would be an automatic replacement should the original horse on which the athlete was named need to be substituted. Dressage competition at the Olympic Games will take place August 8-15, 2016 at the Deodoro Olympic Equestrian Center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The following athlete-and-horse combinations will compose the Team (in alphabetical order):

Allison Brock (Loxahatchee, Fla.) with Claudine and Fritz Kundrun’s Rosevelt, a 2002 Hanoverian stallion

Laura Graves (Geneva, Fla.) and her own Verdades, a 2002 KWPN gelding

Kasey Perry-Glass (Orangevale, Calif.) with Diane Perry’s Dublet, a 2003 Danish Warmblood gelding

Steffen Peters (San Diego, Calif.) with Four Winds Farm’s Legolas 92, a 2002 Westphalian gelding

Direct Reserve
Four Winds Farm’s Rosamunde, a 2007 Rheinlander mare

The following combination has been named as the traveling reserve:

Shelly Francis (Loxahatchee, Fla.) with Patricia Stempel’s Doktor, a 2003 Oldenburg gelding

Further information regarding the U.S. Olympic Dressage 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

Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games Long Lists Announced

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Photo: Ralph Macek/FEI.

Lausanne (SUI), 21 June 2016 – The FEI has published the long lists (FEI nominated entries) of athletes and horses for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The full nominated entries are available at these links (see the “Nations Participating” section at each link):

Rio 2016 Olympic Games
Rio 2016 Paralympic Games

The 43 nations that have earned their Rio 2016 Olympic Games slots will now focus on making their final selection of teams and individual athletes from these nominated entries, and these will be submitted by the National Olympic Committees to the Rio 2016 Organising Committee by the deadline of 18 July.

The 30 nations heading to the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games will also be deciding on the selection of their 78 athletes, with National Paralympic Committees handing this final list to the Rio 2016 Organising Committee by the deadline of 15 August.

The final lists of athletes heading to the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be published on the FEI website.

About Rio 2016 #RoadToRio

21 June marks 45 days to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, where equestrian sport will celebrate 104 years in the Olympic Movement. A total of 200 human/equine athlete combinations will compete at the Olympic Equestrian Centre in the Deodoro Olympic Park, the second largest Rio 2016 Games cluster – 75 in Jumping, 65 in Eventing and 60 in Dressage.

The equestrian action gets underway with the Eventing horse inspection on 5 August, the day of the Olympic Opening Ceremony, after which the world’s best horses and riders will compete for six sets of medals over 12 days of intense competition.

The Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, opening on 7 September, promise to be the largest celebration yet of high-performance sport for athletes with an impairment, with Para-Equestrian Dressage set to celebrate 20 years in the Paralympic Movement. A total of 78 Para-Equestrian Dressage athletes will compete for 11 sets of medals across four days of competition starting on 11 September.

Rio 2016 Olympic Games

The FEI nominated entries list is compiled based on information submitted by the National Federations (NFs) on or before 20 June 2016 in accordance with the FEI General Regulations and the FEI Regulations for Equestrian Events at the Olympic Games.

As per Article 606.2.2.3 of the FEI Regulations for Equestrian Events at the Olympic Games NFs are responsible to ensure that Horses which do not meet ownership requirements as laid down by FEI, are not entered for the Equestrian Events at the Olympic Games.

Official Final Entries for Rio 2016 (Rio Sport Entry deadline) must be received by the FEI by 18 July 2016 (Article 607.3 of the FEI Regulations for Equestrian Events at the Olympic Games).

Rio 2016 Paralympic Games

The FEI nominated entries list is compiled based on information submitted by the National Federations (NFs) on or before 20 June 2016 in accordance with the FEI General Regulations and the FEI Regulations for Equestrian Events at the Paralympic Games.

As per Article 606.2.2 of the FEI Regulations for Equestrian Events at the Paralympic Games the NF of the Athlete is responsible to ensure that the Horse fulfills the registration criteria.

Official Final Entries for Rio 2016 must be received by the FEI by 15 August 2016 (Article 607.3 of the FEI Regulations for Equestrian Events at the Paralympic Games).

FEI Media Contacts:

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

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

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

Eventing/H.T., Olympic Games, USEF

USEF Names US Olympic Eventing Team for Rio 2016 Olympic Games

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Lexington, Ky. – The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has named four athlete-and-horse combinations to the U.S. Olympic Eventing Team and one traveling reserve for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Four direct reserve horses have also been named. A direct reserve horse would be an automatic replacement should the original horse on which an athlete was named need to be substituted. Eventing competition at the Olympic Games will take place August 5-9, 2016, at the Deodoro Olympic Equestrian Center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The following athlete-and-horse combinations will compose the Team (in alphabetical order):

Phillip Dutton (West Grove, Pa.) and Caroline Moran, Simon Roosevelt, and Thomas Tierney’s Fernhill Cubalawn, a 2003 Holsteiner gelding
Direct Reserves
HND Group’s Mighty Nice, a 2004 Irish Sport Horse gelding
Ann Jones and Thomas Tierney’s Fernhill Fugitive, a 2005 Irish Sport Horse gelding

Lauren Kieffer (Middleburg, Va.) and Team Rebecca, LLC’s Veronica, a 2002 KWPN mare
Direct Reserve
Marie Le Menestrel’s Meadowbrook’s Scarlett, a 2007 Thoroughbred cross mare

Boyd Martin (Cochranville, Pa.) and Blackfoot Mystery Syndicate, LLC’s Blackfoot Mystery, a 2004 Thoroughbred gelding
Direct Reserve
Gloria Callen’s Welcome Shadow, a 2005 Thoroughbred cross mare

Clark Montgomery (Tetbury, England) and Holly and William Becker, Kathryn Kraft, and Jessica Montgomery’s Loughan Glen, a 2003 Irish Sport Horse gelding

The following combination has been named as the traveling reserve:

Maya Black (Clinton, Wash.) and Dawn and Jonathan Dofelmier’s Doesn’t Play Fair, a 2005 Holsteiner gelding

View the complete list of reserve combinations.

Further information regarding the U.S. Olympic Eventing 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

FEI, Olympic Games, Publications/Media

FEI Signs Landmark Agreement with Olympic Channel

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Lausanne (SUI), 6 June 2016 – The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the global governing body for equestrian sport, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Olympic Channel. The FEI is one of 27 International Federations to have signed an agreement with the IOC to work together to bring sport to a massively increased television audience worldwide.

“Sport touches many cultures and people of all ages and, in our efforts to maintain a long-lasting positive impact worldwide, we are delighted to be part of this ground-breaking initiative value and to provide content to the Olympic Channel,” FEI President Ingmar de Vos said. “This is a unique opportunity to open a global window on our sport, encouraging fans around the world to pursue their potential through sports contribution.

“By sharing our sport and our athletes’ stories on the Olympic Channel, we will be part of a new global network, together with our International Federation counterparts within the Olympic Movement, inspiring generations through the power of sport at its very best.”

IOC President Thomas Bach, who recently chaired a joint Olympic Channel Board of Directors meeting at the newly inaugurated OCS facilities in Madrid, said: “The Olympic Channel will mark a major shift in how the Olympic Movement connects with young people all year round. The International Federations have embraced the Olympic Channel and we look forward to working with them on the exciting programming and promotional opportunities. The newly formed Olympic Channel team is making steady progress, with the emphasis on ensuring the product is right and the quality of the programming matches our ambition. We look forward to announcing the 2016 launch date in the coming weeks.”

Mark Parkman, General Manager of Olympic Channel Services, said: “Preparations for the launch of the Olympic Channel are on course and the announcement of these cooperation agreements with our IF partners is another important step forward. We expect to make further announcements regarding collaborations with other IFs and stakeholders in the near future. Content production has begun, the technology and platforms are being tested, and there is a growing sense of energy and excitement here among the Olympic Channel team as we prepare for launch this year.”

The creation of an Olympic Channel was one of the key recommendations of Olympic Agenda 2020, aiming to provide a new way to engage young people and core fans in the Olympic Movement, while also promoting the Olympic values on a consistent basis.

The Channel will broadcast live sports events, news and athlete stories, as well as historical Olympic footage and official films from the IOC’s archives. There will also be a focus on educational and youth-oriented programming, sustainability, sports science and nutrition, and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.

The Olympic Channel collaborations aim to complement the International Federations’ current broadcast and distribution arrangements. The Olympic Channel team is currently working with the IFs to create innovative partnerships, including live event coverage, highlights, magazine shows, news coverage and original programming.

In addition to the FEI, OCS has concluded agreements with Badminton World Federation (BWF); International Basketball Federation (FIBA); International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF); International Boxing Association (AIBA); International Canoe Federation (ICF); International Fencing Federation (FIE); International Golf Federation (IGF); International Gymnastic Federation (FIG); International Hockey Federation (FIH); International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF); International Judo Federation (IJF); International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM); International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF); International Ski Federation (FIS); International Swimming Federation (FINA); International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF); International Tennis Federation (ITF); International Triathlon Union (ITU);International Weightlifting Federation (IWF); United World Wrestling (UWW); World Archery Federation (WA); World Curling Federation (WCF); World Rowing Federation (FISA); World Rugby (WR); World Sailing (WS) and World Taekwondo Federation (WTF).

As well as its ongoing discussions with other IFs, the Olympic Channel Services team is working to build and strengthen collaborations with athletes, National Olympic Committees, Rights-Holding Broadcasters, Worldwide TOP Partners, Organising Committees for the Olympic Games, candidate cities, recognised sports organisations, as well as with major digital and social media platforms.

About OCS

Two corporate entities are charged with creating and operating the Channel – Olympic Channel Services (OCS) SA (Switzerland) and OCS SL (Spain). In addition, a newly formed IOC Olympic Channel Commission has been appointed. olympicchannelservices.com

About the Olympic Channel

The Olympic Channel is a digital-first, multiplatform global Olympic media entity, which aims to broadcast the Olympic Movement and its inherent values all year round, especially in the periods between the Olympic Games.

The primary objectives of the Olympic Channel are the following:

  • Provide a platform for the continuous exposure of Olympic sports and athletes beyond the Olympic Games period and help create anticipation while providing opportunities to “re-live the experience” after the Games
  • Continuously highlight the relevance of the Olympic Movement’s ideals to the challenges of today’s world
  • Provide a platform for sharing the IOC’s very rich patrimonial assets and archives with the world and create additional value and content for the IOC archives
  • As a matter of priority, engage the young generations around the world using methods that are relevant to them, building understanding, entertainment and education.

At launch, the Olympic Channel will be a digital platform, with on-demand content available across the web, mobile, tablet and other connected devices where fans can experience the power of sport and Olympism 24 hours per day, 365 days a year. Audiences will also be able to access content and engage through a variety of social media platforms as part of the Olympic Channel network.

Media Contacts:

FEI:

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

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

IOC:

IOC Media Relations Team
pressoffice@olympic.org
Tel: +41 21 621 6000
www.olympic.org

Community/Charity, Olympic Games, Publications/Media

Olympic Equestrian #TwoHearts Campaign Captures Hearts around the World

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Lausanne (SUI), 17 May 2016 – A powerful video demonstrating the unique and extraordinary bond between the Olympics’ most muscular athlete – the horse – and their courageous riders has been released, less than three months before the start of the Rio 2016 Games.

Around the world in 80 days – or just a bit over! – #TwoHearts will spread the spirit of a sport that has been at the core of the Olympic Movement for over a century and in which – uniquely – men and women compete head-to-head for the same medals.

In its largest ever global campaign, the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), world governing body for horse sport, will shine a new spotlight on the sport in a way that has never been done before, celebrating the remarkable relationship between equestrian athletes and their horses and how their two hearts beat as one in the drive to win.

Over the coming weeks, the FEI is rolling out a series of emotive and engaging content via its social channels that will inspire passion and excitement for the sport in new and old fans alike.

“The #TwoHearts campaign emphasises the special bond between horse and rider, introducing our sport in a new way to fans around the world,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said. “Equestrian sport is all about the connection, intuitive link and committed partnership between the two athletes, which make our sport one of the most compelling at the Olympic Games.”

The equestrian events at the Deodoro Olympic Park will provide thrilling action for on-site fans and spectators around the world as 200 horse and rider combinations from 43 countries compete for six gold medals in Jumping, Dressage and Eventing. Global fans will marvel at the sight of Olympic riders working in harmony with the body, mind and soul of the Olympics’ strongest athlete, the horse.

Fans can support the campaign by posting and sharing photos and video content on social media using #TwoHearts.

To learn more about the #TwoHearts campaign and to share your heart with the equestrian athletes, click here or engage with FEI on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For additional information about the Equestrian events at the Rio 2016 Olympics, click here for details about the sport, key facts, rules and more.

FEI Media Contacts:

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

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

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

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

Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Matt Williams and Valinski S Named to Australian Show Jumping Team Short List

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Matt Williams and Valinski S.

Wellington, Fla. – May 16, 2016 – It is an exciting time for athlete Matt Williams and the team at Wyndmont, Inc., as they count down the last few months before the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Williams has recently been named to the short list to represent his native country of Australia during the Games.

Before the trek to Brazil, Williams will travel and compete aboard top mount Valinski S in the FEI CSIO5* Sopot Nations Cup June 9-12. It will be a first for Williams, who has never competed in Poland before.

“I’ve ridden horses in Poland, but this would be the first time I compete there,” said Williams, who last represented Australia as part of the Nations Cup Team at HITS Ocala. “We’ll have a good team of riders there. It’ll be nice team bonding.”

Williams and Valinski S seized their first victory together in the $100,000 Sullivan GMC Truck Grand Prix at HITS Ocala. The two took a short break at the end of the winter show season, but are back on form and ready to compete again this spring.

In order to prepare for Europe, Williams and the Wyndmont team will participate during the first week of the HITS Saugerties Series with Valinski S. Williams and trainer Ronnie Beard will then travel to the Nations Cup in Poland, while Michael Dorman stays stateside with the rest of the Wyndmont team.

Valinski S and Williams will also compete at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in preparation for the Games, and hope to return to Saugerties for the HITS Million Grand Prix in the fall.

“We’re going there to get good results, but the main focus will be on having Valinski ready to go after Europe for Tryon and then Rio,” Williams said about the upcoming competition. “It’ll be great to have him jump nice and confident, and to get a couple bigger tracks under his belt again. He’s going to be nice and fresh.”

The next few weeks are busy for Williams, Valinski S and the Wyndmont team, but the preparation for Rio has been in motion since the beginning of the year.

Founded by Beard with Michael Dorman, Wyndmont Inc. provides classical horsemanship to annual and seasonal equestrian clientele. For more information, visit Wyndmont.com.

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