Tag Archives: Rolex

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Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2010/2011 – Final Preview

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Marcus Ehning (GER) celebrates being crowned Rolex FEI World Cup 2010 champion in Geneva (SUI) with joint runners up Pius Schwizer of Switzerland (left) and Ludger Beerbaum of Germany (right). Photo: Kit Houghton/FEI

CAN MARCUS OR MEREDITH MAKE IT A RECORD FOURTH TITLE? by Louise Parkes

Lausanne (SUI), 15 April 2011 – With less than two weeks to go to the Rolex FEI World Cup 2010/2011 Jumping Final in Leipzig (GER), excitement is at fever pitch and speculation is rife about whether defending champion Marcus Ehning or his German compatriot Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, can secure a historic fourth victory.

Just four riders have been three-time winners throughout the 32 seasons of this most prestigious indoor tournament, which brings together the leading competitors from 14 leagues staged all around the globe.

Two of those won’t make it to this year’s 33rd annual grand finale as Austria’s Hugo Simon, the first man to hold the coveted trophy aloft back in 1979 and winner again in 1996 and 1997, didn’t make the cut and Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa, who proved unbeatable between 1998 and 2000, has already said he won’t be making the trip to Leipzig.

That leaves only Ehning and Michaels-Beerbaum, members of Germany’s gold medal winning team at last year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and multiple champions in their own right, in contention for a record-breaking fourth success.

Continue reading Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2010/2011 – Final Preview →

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The Rolex One to Watch – March 2011

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Kirsten Coe - March's Rolex One to Watch. Photo: Kenneth Kraus/PhelpsSports

13 April 2011 – The Rolex One to Watch for March 2011 is the American rider, Kirsten Coe. Based in Johnston, South Carolina, USA, the 30-year-old jumped from number 366 to 229 during March – a move up the Rolex Rankings of 137 places.

The Rolex One to Watch is a new initiative which identifies the rider who has made the biggest jump within or into the Top 250 of the Rolex Rankings the previous month.

Kirsten Coe, who grew up on the West Coast, spent much of her childhood in the saddle and her skills were honed from an early age on the Desert Circuit in California.

Coe has had a great start to 2011 and was placed fourth with Vernon G in the Green Cove Springs Welcome CSI in January. During the first week in March, Coe and Tristan teamed up to win the $31,000 HITS Welcome Classic presented by Pfizer Animal Health at Thermal, and the following week, riding Kilkenny Randall Z, she was second in the $200,000 Lamborghini Grand Prix.

Continue reading The Rolex One to Watch – March 2011 →

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Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2010/2011 – Round 13, ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NED)

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Ireland's Denis Lynch is presented with his prize by Anthony Schaub from Rolex after securing a place at the 2010/2011 Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping final at Leipzig, Germany next month with a superb victory at the last Western European League qualifier in 's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands today. Photo: FEI/Dirk Caremans.

LYNCH SNATCHES LAST-CHANCE WIN AT ‘S-HERTOGENBOSCH by Louise Parkes

27 March 2011 – Ireland’s Denis Lynch snatched a last-minute place at next month’s Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping final in Leipzig, Germany with a superb victory in the final qualifier of the Western European League series at ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands today.  Riding the gigantic 11 year old gelding Abbervail van het Dingeshof which belongs to his Swiss patron Thomas Straumann, the Irishman produced a stunning round when eighth to go in the thrilling 17-horse jump-off, and could not be caught despite the best efforts of many of the super-stars who followed him.

“It’s my very first World Cup win – I’ve been trying to do this for the last 15 years and I’ve been placed plenty of times but I’ve never come out on top so it feels really good!” Lynch said.  “I wanted to make it to the final and this was my last chance – I’m really happy it worked out and I’m delighted with my horse,” he added.  A total of six Dutch riders went into the jump-off but Jeroen Dubbeldam (BMC Van Grunsven Simon), Eric van der Vleuten (VDL Groep Utascha SFN) and Piet Raijmakers Jr. (Van Schijndel’s Rascin) had to settle for second, third and fourth places respectively while Frenchman, Simon Delestre (Couletto), lined up in fifth.

PRESSURE
This was a day of intense pressure, and Dutch course designer Louis Konickx was feeling it as much as the riders.  “The second part of the start-list was a course-designers nightmare!” he said afterwards.  “I didn’t want to be over the top with my track so I felt I needed to compromise, but the jump-off worked out very well so I’m satisfied,” he added.  The ease with which so many managed to keep a clean sheet first time out was indeed surprising but possibly indicative of the familiarity and comfort so many horse-and-rider combinations have developed after the winter-long indoor season, along with the quality of the 40-strong field.

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13511

Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Eventing/H.T., Events, FEI

FEI Bureau Approves Points System for HSBC FEI Classics 2011

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Lausanne (SUI), 21 March 2011 – The FEI Bureau has approved a revised points system for the HSBC FEI Classics 2011 series.

The new system, which takes on board recommendations from event organisers involved in the series, has now been brought in line with other rankings and standings in Eventing.

Information on the revised points system can be found here.

HSBC has supported the HSBC FEI Classics series since 2008 and will be contributing US$ 1 million in prize money over the next three years, which represents the biggest pot on offer in Eventing on an annual basis.

The HSBC FEI Classics 2011 series, which offers a prize of US$150,000 to the series champion, once again takes in the five four-star events – the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR), Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA), Luhmühlen CCI 4* presented by E.ON (GER), The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR) and Les Etoiles de Pau CCI 4* (FRA).

Continue reading FEI Bureau Approves Points System for HSBC FEI Classics 2011 →

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Rolex One to Watch – February 2011

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Jamal Rahimov - February's Rolex One to Watch

17 March 2011 – The Rolex One to Watch for February 2011 is the Azerbaijani rider, Jamal Rahimov. Based in Belgium, the 23-year-old jumped from number 469 to 198 during February – a move up the Rolex Rankings of 271 places.

The Rolex One to Watch is a new initiative which identifies the rider who has made the biggest jump within or into the Top 250 of the Rolex Rankings the previous month.

Having represented his country at Junior and Young Rider Championships, Rahimov went on to ride at the 2008 Olympic Games. Late in 2009 he won the Grand Prix at the CSI2* event in Paris. 2010 witnessed solid performances by the young Azerbaijani at Arezzo (ITA), Offenburg (GER) and Nantes (FRA). Recent victories include the 2011 CSI2*-W Baku (AZE) Embawood Cup, part of the “Winter Cup” Tournament, which he won with the gelding TOPIC V.V.

For details online featuring the Rolex Rankings please visit: The Rolex Rankings and for a more detailed biography of Jamal Rahimov, please visit the FEI website.

Continue reading Rolex One to Watch – February 2011 →

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McLain Ward and Rothchild Speed to Victory in the $31,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic

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McLain Ward and Rothchild won the $31,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic during week ten at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo © Sportfot

Wellington, FL – March 18, 2011 – McLain Ward (USA) took the win today in the $31,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic with Rothchild, owned by Sagamore Farms. The class was the feature event on Friday at the 2011 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival, which is in its tenth week of competition.

The G&C Farm 1.45m Classic is part of an initiative to increase FEI ROLEX ranking classes at the FTI Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF). Thanks to the support of G&C Farm, owned by Gustavo and Carolina Mirabal, the FTI WEF was able to add eight new FEI ROLEX ranking classes to the schedule. There are now 27 ranking classes during the FTI WEF. G&C Farm has kindly sponsored the 1.45m Jumper division, which adds five of the additional FEI ROLEX ranking classes.

The FTI WEF’s tenth week of competition, sponsored by Artisan Farms, continues through Sunday, March 20. On Saturday, the Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series Classic will run at 1 p.m. followed by the $50,000 Vita Flex Match Races at 7 p.m. Sunday will conclude week ten at The Stadium with the $15,000 Artisan Farms Young Riders Grand Prix at 10 a.m. and the $78,000 Pennfield Feeds FEI CSI 2* Grand Prix at 2 p.m., each held on the grass field at The Palm Beach International Equestrian Center Stadium. The 2011 WEF will continue through April 3 and award more than $6 million in prize money.

Continue reading McLain Ward and Rothchild Speed to Victory in the $31,000 G&C Farm 1.45m Classic →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Eventing/H.T., Events, Kentucky Three-Day, USEA, Western/Reining

Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone, Named One of Kentucky Tourism Council’s Top 10 Festivals and Events for Spring 2011

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Lexington, KY — March 7, 2011 — The Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone, has been named one of the Top 10 Festivals and Events for Spring 2011 by the Kentucky Tourism Council.

The Rolex Kentucky, part of the HSBC FEI Classics and a perennial winner of this prestigious award, is set to be held at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY, April 28-May 1.  It was named as one of the Top 10 Events for Spring because this premier event is the only Four Star, Three-Day Event in the Western Hemisphere and because it brings international attention to Lexington and the Bluegrass State each spring.  While attracting crowds in excess of 100,000 spectators and millions of viewers on international telecasts including a 60-minute domestic broadcast on NBC, the Rolex Kentucky also features an International Sponsor Village and Trade Fair with more than 150 booths and various exciting demonstrations.

Enhancing this year’s event are several new opportunities for spectators!  For the first time, spectators may purchase reserved Tailgating spaces along portions of the famed Cross-Country Course at the Kentucky Horse Park, giving them a chance to experience the action as never before.  The purchase of a Tailgating space provides a reserved location for a passenger vehicle plus general admission for up to eight people.

Continue reading Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone, Named One of Kentucky Tourism Council’s Top 10 Festivals and Events for Spring 2011 →

Competitions, Contributors/Press, Disciplines, Events, FEI, Kentucky Three-Day, USEF, Western/Reining, World Equestrian Games

International Reining and World Championship Freestyle to Be Held during 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone

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Lexington, Kentucky, USA – Equestrian Events, Inc. (EEI), producer of the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone, and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) have announced that the Kentucky Reining Cup, which includes international Reining and the first-ever World Championship Freestyle, will be held in addition to this year’s event at the Kentucky Horse Park, April 28 – May 1.

One of the world’s most prestigious equestrian competitions and the only CCI**** in the Western Hemisphere, the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone, annually attracts 50-100,000 spectators and millions of viewers on international telecasts including a 60-minute domestic broadcast on NBC.

The Kentucky Reining Cup competition, currently pending final approval by the FEI (International Equestrian Federation), will be managed by HorsePower, Inc., Reining’s leading event production firm, and will include a Five Star Reining competition, known as a CRI5* (Concours de Reining International), the sport’s highest level, as well as the first-ever World Championship Freestyle.  The CRI5* will offer $50,000US in prize money and will be the only Five Star Reining event in the western hemisphere in 2011.

Continue reading International Reining and World Championship Freestyle to Be Held during 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, Presented by Bridgestone →

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

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Philipp Weishaupt and the stallion Catoki secured Germany's sixth victory in the 2010/2011 Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping series at Bordeaux, France tonight. Photo: Cecile Grand/FEI.

WILY WEISHAUPT IS BEST IN BORDEAUX – by Louise Parkes

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

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

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13190

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

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

EHNING MAKES IT FIVE FOR GERMANY AT ZURICH by Louise Parkes

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

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

Read more> http://www.horsesinthesouth.com/article/article_detail.aspx?id=13084