Tag Archives: Show Jumping

Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Show Jumping

Paget Is Supreme at Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials

September 8, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Jock Paget (NZL) and Clifton Promise win the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR), the last leg of the HSBC FEI Classics series. (Photos: Kate Houghton/FEI).

Lausanne (SUI), 8 September, 2013 – Jock Paget kept an admirably cool head in the pressurised last few minutes of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, final leg of the HSBC FEI Classics, and became the fifth New Zealander to lift the top prize here at this much-respected British CCI4*.

Kiwi riders have won 12 of the last 26 Burghleys, but it’s 14 years ago that a rider captured both Badminton and Burghley in the same season on the same horse (Great Britain’s Ginny Leng on Master Craftsman).

Paget’s dual-winning mount, Frances Stead and Russell Hall’s handsome New Zealand Thoroughbred Clifton Promise, an ex-racehorse, seemed to grow in confidence around Richard Jeffery’s Jumping track. He only hit the last fence, by which time the Land Rover Trophy, and third place in the HSBC FEI Classics series, was in the bag. “I was nervous because I wanted to win, but I knew I had two rails in hand and I had a lot of confidence in how Promise was jumping in the warm-up,” explained Paget. “I have altered a few little things with him this year, since my training with [European Champion] Michael Jung, and now give him a little more room in front of fences. “It’s really only just sinking in that I’ve won Badminton, let alone Burghley, but I know that it’s a very special achievement.”

Clifton Lush, the horse on which Paget was lying second after Cross Country, was unfortunately withdrawn overnight due to a bruised fetlock, but he should be back in action in time for Paget to contest the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing (winning Badminton, Burghley and Kentucky in succession) next spring.

One of Paget’s chief mentors, Andrew Nicholson, was second, third and eighth – another record – in a Kiwi whitewash. “I brought three horses and I still can’t beat him,” the 52-year-old Nicholson joked about his former protégé. “When Jock first came to me, in 2009, he may have looked like a monkey up a pole, but I still thought he had a lot of natural talent. What was most important was that he wanted to learn; he was always running around watching the top riders, like William Fox-Pitt and Pippa Funnell, and that’s how you become successful yourself, by looking and learning.”

No horse has ever won back-to-back Burghleys, but Andrew came very close to achieving that accolade with second place on the 2012 winner, Avebury (he was also first and second with Mr Smiffy in 2000 and 2001).

He also finished third on his 2012 Pau winner Nereo and eighth on Calico Joe and rounded off an extremely lucrative payday by scooping the $150,000 HSBC FEI Classics title for the first time. He has also extended his lead in the $50,000 HSBC Rankings, which he has led all year.

“It does feel like a great achievement to have been so consistent,” he said. “That’s really what staying at the top is all about.”

Although nine of the 19 horses jumping in the morning session went clear, there were none from the 24 in the afternoon. Nicholson had a fence down apiece on Avebury and Nereo and, with the latter horse, overtook William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Parklane Hawk after they hit the second and third elements of the treble at fence 10.

“I think he was still in too much of a forward gear after Cross Country,” said Fox-Pitt, who finished second in the HSBC FEI Classics. “But Jock’s achievement is fantastic and I hope he enjoys the moment. This has been a brilliant competition; it was a proper four-star and the Cross Country and the optimum time had exactly the right influence.”

Ingrid Klimke’s (GER) FRH Butts Abraxxas does not have the best of Jumping records, but he went clear on his last CIC3* run and Klimke said she had decided not to practise in between. The strategy seemed to work well, as they only hit the third fence to rise two places to fifth.

Jonelle Richards, sixth on The Deputy with 12 penalties, and Sir Mark Todd, seventh with four faults on the inexperienced Oloa, a horse the double Olympic gold medallist has mooted as a future championship ride, completed the New Zealand domination. European team silver medallist Ludwig Svennerstal (SWE) enjoyed his best CCI4* result so far when finishing ninth on King Bob and Kristina Cook (GBR) was 10th on Do Novo News.

This is HSBC’s last year of sponsoring the Classics, after six highly successful years when the series has captured riders’ imaginations and led to sporting tussles of the highest calibre, most famously between Andrew Nicholson and William Fox-Pitt. “It’s definitely raised the profile of the four-star events,” commented Nicholson, who is the only rider ever to have won the HSBC FEI Classics with tree 4-star victories (Pau, Kentucky and Luhmühlen). “It has made me travel to Kentucky and spend time working out what horses to take to Pau and Luhmühlen.”

Catrin Norinder, Director of Eventing at the FEI, said: “It’s been a super series for Eventing and a great success and we are so grateful to HSBC for all their interest and generosity.” She confirmed that the both the FEI Classics and the FEI Nations Cup Eventing, which has proved so popular, will continue and that plans are already in hand for reviewing both series and for seeking financial backing.

HSBC Training Bursary

The HSBC Training Bursary, worth $1,000 to the most successful CCI4* first-timer, was awarded to Alex Postolowsky (GBR) who finished 36th with a clear Cross Country round at her first Burghley on Paul Newbert’s Islanmore Ginger, an Irish-bred 15-year-old chestnut gelding by Giorgione.

Postolowsky, 28, is based near Burghley in Lincolnshire and earned plenty of local support. “I’ve grown up with this event, competing in the Pony Club showjumping, in the young horse classes, and as a spectator. It still hasn’t sunk in that I’ve actually competed here; it seemed an untouchable dream,” she said. “I have J-P Sheffield [fellow rider] to thank for all this. I thought I wasn’t ready, but he said, ‘If you don’t get a move on, you’ll be 62 before you ride at Burghley!’ It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, yet I only decided to go for it a month ago.” The pair completed Boekelo CCI3* last year.

About the winner – Jonathan Paget (NZL)

Jonathan Paget (NZL) – known in the sport as Jock – has made a remarkable rise to stardom in Eventing.

He only started riding at the age of 18 when he was an apprentice bricklayer in Sydney, where his family then lived, and tried his hand at the rodeo. He began training with Kevin McNab (AUS) in Queensland and progressed from never having jumped a fence to competing at CCI3* level in two years.

In 2007, Paget returned to New Zealand and started riding Frances Stead’s Clifton horses. His first CCI4* was Kentucky in 2010, after which he was selected for the Kiwi squad for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, where he was seventh individually on Clifton Promise.

Paget has been based in Dunsfold, in the south of England, working closely with senior New Zealand riders Mark Todd and Andrew Nicholson, and Dressage trainer Andrew Gould, since February 2011. He has been fifth at Burghley twice, in 2011 and 2012 on Clifton Lush, and winner of the British Open Championships this year. With Clifton Lush, he was part of the bronze medal New Zealand squad at the London 2012 Olympic Games , finishing 10th. The pair was later second at Pau and, in May, they won Badminton.

Full results on: www.burghley-horse.co.uk.

Audio links:

Commentary on Jonathan Paget’s winning ride: http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Comm_2013.mp3

Jock Paget: http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Paget_end_bur.mp3

Andrew Nicholson: http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/andrew_nicholson_burghley_end.MP3

William Fox Pitt: http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/wfp_burghley_end.MP3

Full standings will be available here: www.fei.org/fei/sponsors/hsbc-and-fei/fei-classics.

HSBC’s Training Bursary

At the centre of HSBC’s sponsorship is a commitment to the development of the sport of Eventing at every level. As part of its support of the HSBC FEI Classics, HSBC has introduced a Training Bursary. This is a unique award which is presented to the highest placed rider never to have previously completed a 4-star level event. The winning rider receives a training voucher to the value of US $1,000 to be spent on sessions with a trainer of the athlete’s choice approved by the FEI and National Federation.

HSBC, the platinum partner of the FEI and global sponsor of Eventing, has supported the HSBC FEI Classics series, which unites the top end of the international Eventing circuit, since 2008.

In our HSBC FEI Hub, you can access the HSBC FEI Classics 2012/2013 series standings, HSBC Rankings and all news relating to the current and past series.

Prize money

The HSBC FEI Classics prize fund is the largest on offer in the sport of Eventing on an annual basis. At the end of the HSBC FEI Classics 2012/2013 season, the five riders with the highest number of points collected across the six HSBC FEI Classics events will share a total prize fund of US$333,000 split as follows: 1st – US$150,000 (Series Champion); 2nd – US$75,000; 3rd – US$50,000; 4th – US$33,000; 5th – US$25,000.

HSBC Rankings

The rider at the top of the HSBC Rankings at the end of the 2013 Eventing season will receive a US $50,000 bonus. The winning rider will be announced in December 2013.

Join the FEI on Facebook & Twitter.

Our signature Twitter hashtags for this series are #HSBC and #Eventing. We encourage you to use them, and if you have space: #HSBC FEI Classics #Eventing

By Kate Green

Media Contacts:

Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials:

Bridget Burbidge
Press Officer
bridget@jbpromotions.co.uk
+44 7850 822 820

FEI:

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

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

Jennifer Wood, Show Jumping

Germany Triumphs in $350,000 BMO Nations’ Cup at Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’

September 8, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Hans Dieter Dreher and Colore. Photos © Spruce Meadows Media Services.

Farrington and Blue Angel Take $125,000 Suncor Winning Round 1.50m Victory

Calgary, AB, Canada – September 7, 2013 – Saturday at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ is always full of national pride, and this year was no different. Eight top teams from around the world went head to head, and the winning nation for the second year in a row was Germany with teammates Hans Dieter Dreher/Colore, Christian Ahlmann/Asca Z, Daniel Deusser/Evita van de Veldballe, and Lars Nieberg/Leonie. Earlier in the day, the $125,000 Suncor Winning Round 1.50m was held in inclement conditions, but that didn’t bother Kent Farrington (USA) and Blue Angel as they captured their second win of the week. The ‘Masters’ concludes tomorrow with the prestigious $1 Million CN International, part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

The action was exciting in the BMO Nations’ Cup as eight teams competed in the first round. The top six returned for the second round; the United States and Switzerland finished with 12 faults in the first round to tie for seventh place. Following the second round, three teams stood on eight faults – Belgium, Germany, and France – and they would proceed to a jump-off. One rider was designated from each team, and it came down to their performances.

First in for the jump-off was Francois Mathy (BEL) on Polinska des Isles, one of only two double clear rounds. They put in a solid ride, but a slip in front of the penultimate oxer caused four faults. Their time of 39.54 seconds would slot them into second place at the end.

Hans Dieter Dreher (GER) and Colore went in next and had speed from the start, with Dreher pushing Colore’s huge stride into overdrive. They finished clear in 40.36 seconds for victory.

As the last in the ring, Penelope Leprevost (FRA) and Dame Blanche van Arenberg had to be quick and clear. But it was not to be, as they pulled a rail at the second jump for four faults. Their slightly slower time of 39.70 seconds left France in third.

Germany stood in the winner’s circle for the ninth time in the history of the Nations Cup at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’, going back to 1977 when West Germany was the first champion. This is their second win in a row, and led by Chef d’Equipe Heinrich Engemann, they notched an impressive four clear trips in the first two rounds over a challenging course set by Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela. Weather also played a factor as rain came down during a majority of the competition.

With a clean sheet from Germany’s first three riders in the second round, anchor Lars Nieberg and Leonie, a 10-year-old Westphalian mare by Larenco x Grandeur owned by Josef Waning, did not have to return for the second round. Nieberg was also clear in the first round. Ahlmann, Dreher, and Deusser each had four faults in the first round.

Engemann spoke about his decision to choose Dreher for the jump-off: “Hansi’s horse jumped really well in the first and second round. The horses had not so much experience in this level. We know Hansi is a fighter and he’ll try when he goes in the jump-off. That’s why we put him in the jump-off for us. He did a really good job and we are happy.”

Dreher has been riding Colore, an 11-year-old Holsteiner stallion by Contender x Lord owned by Paul Buecheler, for just 10 months and this was the horse’s first Nations Cup. “Today I’m very, very proud of him,” Dreher expressed. “He jumped amazing today, and I hope it will stay like this. I tried to be clear and as fast as possible. I think it was okay!”

Ahlmann was very happy with Asca Z, a 10-year-old Holsteiner stallion by Ascari x Carthago Z owned by Stoeterij Zangersheide. “My horse, he jumped really good in the first round,” Ahlmann said. “I was lucky with one down. He has not so many experiences in this kind of level. The second round he felt a lot better and he jumped it much more easy and felt really, really good. He made a really big step forward in these kinds of classes.”

Daniel Deusser and Evita van de Veldballe, a nine-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare by Wandor vd Mispelaere x Clinton owned by Stephex Stables, showed strongly as well. It was also Evita’s first Nations Cup. “She’s just nine years old this year and has not the most experience in classes like that. I thought she did a good job today,” Deusser noted.

Deusser was complimentary of the course design by Palacios, knowing the conditions that affected the grounds. “The ground was okay, but the circumstances were that it rained a lot. It feels different to ride in the sun or rain. It was not crazy big. But the good horses and the non-experienced horses, they all had nearly the same result,” he explained. “The teams were really, really close together in the first round, and we didn’t have any really bad pictures in this class. I think he did a super job today.”

Ahlmann said that the team was pleasantly surprised at their result. “It feels really good, especially since we didn’t expect it,” he affirmed. “We were really motivated, but some of us had our second horses today. We were really happy in the second round. Lars made it possible with his clear at the end (of the first round). Everything worked 100%. We are 100% super happy, especially with Hansi. He did a great job in the jump-off.”

Engemann added, “Spruce Meadows has some of the biggest shows in the world and a really important Nations Cup. When we have an invitation to come here, we want to have a really strong team and try to win. For us it was really important to show, and in the end, we really had to win the class.”

Second place finishers Belgium were led by Mathy and Polinska des Isles, who were double clear. Pieter Devos and Candy had four and zero, Olivier Philippaerts and Cabrio van de Heffinck scored four and one, and Nicola Philippaerts had eight in the first round with Vadetta VH Mettenhof, but returned for an all-important clear in the second round to put them into the jump-off.

Penelope Leprevost and her handy mare Dame Blanche van Arenberg had an impressive double clear performance for France. She was joined by teammates Kevin Staut on Estoy Aqui de Muze HDC (0,4), Eugenie Angot with Old Chap Tame (4,0), and Marc Dilasser on Obiwan de Piliore (4,13) in the third place finish.

Great Britain placed fourth on 13 faults, Canada was fifth with 20, and Ireland scored 21 for sixth place.

Farrington Does It Again

Winning twice during the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ is not easily accomplished, but top American rider Kent Farrington showed speed was the key in the $125,000 Suncor Winning Round 1.50m. He and Blue Angel, an 11-year-old AES mare by Luidam x Ascendent owned by Robin Parsky, returned second to last in the second round. The top eight from the first round came back with a clean slate, and it was Farrington’s ride of 44.26 seconds that secured victory.

While the weather may have been unforgiving, the footing in the International Ring held up well, Farrington said. “I don’t think the ground was that bad, more just uncomfortable. It’s cold and wet, and the ground splashes a little bit. They’ve invested a lot of money into the field here and there is a great base underneath,” he remarked. “Even if it rains a lot, the (horses) still jump pretty good.”

Since speed was the name of the game, Farrington felt he had a bit of an edge. He said, “She’s naturally very fast and she’s a brave horse. She’s competitive all on her own. It’s a matter of trying not to make too many errors and sticking to my plan. She’s naturally fast by herself and I’m a naturally fast rider. It’s a good combination.”

Setting the early pace and slotting into second place was crowd favorite Eric Lamaze (CAN) and Quelmec du Gery, who stopped the clock in 44.41 seconds. Ian Millar (CAN) and Star Power were third in 44.56 seconds.

Lamaze had to move down in the original first round order when Quelmec du Gery pulled a shoe in the warm-up. With the shoe back on and with bell boots, he jumped around well with an incredible hind end clearance at each jump.

Lamazed pointed out, “I used a back pair of boots on him today, which I haven’t used [before]. When I had the skinny down with his back end (earlier in the week), I thought I’d try it. (Former owner) Penelope [Leprevost] said she put these boots on once in a while to really kick his hind end into gear, but told me to be careful because he really reacts. But I like a horse that reacts like that!”

Having only ridden Quelmec du Gery since June, Lamaze has not had a lot of opportunities to push for speed. “The jump-off… I mean, you have Kent and Ben in the back (behind you),” said Lamaze with a smile. “I’ve never gone fast, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. But it’s $125,000, we’re at the ‘Masters’, let’s learn what he can do. I think he’s going to be a very fast horse actually. He’s very handy to go fast with; it doesn’t matter how fast you get to a fence, he slows up to jump it. I was thrilled.”

The Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ concludes tomorrow with the $50,000 Telus Cup 1.50m speed in the All Canada Ring, then the highlight of the week, the $1 Million CN International. For full results and more information, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

To view an online version of this press release with more photos, please visit: http://www.sprucemeadows.com/press/view_release.jsp?id=314.

Based in Calgary, Canada, Spruce Meadows is the brainchild of the Southern family who built a Show Jumping complex at the foothills of the Alberta Rocky Mountains. It was in 1976 that the first Spruce Tournaments were held, with annual spectator attendances reaching over 50,000 by the end of the decade. Today, Spruce Meadows boasts one of the greatest outdoor equestrian venues in the world and offers an incredible experience for riders and fans alike. Spruce Meadows focuses on the organization and hosting of show jumping tournaments of unmatched quality for junior, amateur and professional athletes in a manner that reflects basic family values in a clean, green and welcoming environment that celebrates the horse and encourages the breeding and training of quality sport horses and the teaching and development of athletes. For more information on Spruce Meadows, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

Spruce Meadows Media Services
katie.macleod@sprucemeadows.com
403.974.4232
www.sprucemeadows.com

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Eventing/H.T., Show Jumping

Jonathan Paget Wins 2013 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials

September 8, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

(Burghley, UK, 8 September 2013) Current Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing prize contender, Jonathan Paget (NZL) riding Clifton Promise, held his nerve in the final show jumping phase to win the 2013 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. Andrew Nicholson (NZL) finished in both 2nd place riding Avebury and 3rd place riding Nereo.

A New Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Prize Contender

Having now won both the 2013 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and the 2013 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, Paget is now in the unique position of being able to compete for the US$350,000 Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Prize – to do so, he will need to complete the third and final challenge of winning the 2014 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, with a win making him only the second person to be a Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing Champion, joining Pippa Funnell.

Rider Quotes

Jonathan Paget riding Clifton Promise

Q. Congratulations – incredible. You made that incredibly easy with that cushion of having two fences down – that must have been quite nice?

It was very nice knowing that I didn’t have to panic about the time and ride around and just jump the jumps as best we could.

Q. When you reflect on this year, just how amazing does it feel to do what you have done?

It is a very special year – I’m obviously never going to forget this year – I just hope I can be consistent and keep improving.

Q. What is it about Clifton Promise – to win the two big ones in this country on the same horse in the same year – the last time that was done was 1989 – there’s something special about this horse isn’t there?

Absolutely, he’s an incredible horse and always has been. He’s a full New Zealand thoroughbred, he does great dressage, he’s a lion cross-country and doesn’t want to touch a pole in the show jumping! He’s everything you could wish for in an event horse and he’s tough.

Q. Will you now be thinking about the Rolex Kentucky next year and the Grand Slam, which is now very much on the agenda?

Yes, absolutely – I need to make a plan now for Rolex and work back and try and go there and nail it.

Q. Overall, a few years ago when you were being taught by Andrew Nicholson, did you think in your wildest dreams that you could be heading for a Rolex (Grand Slam of Eventing Prize) potential?

Yes, you always dream about that. I would have been able to say back then yes I will definitely be able to this in this amount of time but it’s something that I wanted and something that I’ve worked towards and it’s great that it’s happened.

Andrew Nicholson riding Avebury & Nereo

Q. Congratulations, you’ve just finished in both 2nd and 3rd place – how was that on Avebury?

Avebury was just a bit casual; he’s normally a very big gate jumper and perhaps I was a bit casual too. But, I wouldn’t have won it anyway – I think if I had gone clear then Jock (Jonathan Paget) would have jumped the last clear because he knew he could have the last down and pretty much just let that happen.

Q. You mentored Jonathan by helping start his career in Eventing – how good is he doing the double – Badminton and then Burghley?

It’s a great achievement and what a fabulous horse. He’s trained it himself – it hasn’t been one that someone else produced – he got it off the racetrack when it was young and he’s had a lot of faith in him and it’s rewarded him.

Q. New Zealand dominating the leaderboard – it’s looking good for next year’s World Equestrian Games

It’s really great – like I’ve said before, it’s great being part of the rebuilding of our squad!

Copyright Free Audio Post Final Show Jumping Day Press Conference

For an audio interview of the post-Show Jumping press conference featuring Jonathan Paget and Andrew Nicholson please click link here: http://po.st/BurghleySJPressConf.

Other audio available here:

Commentary on Jonathan Paget’s winning ride
http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Comm_2013.mp3

Jock Paget
http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Paget_end_bur.mp3

Andrew Nicholson
http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/andrew_nicholson_burghley_end.MP3

William Fox Pitt
http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/wfp_burghley_end.MP3

Results after Cross-Country

1 Jonathan Paget/Clifton Promise (NZL) 41.1
2 Andrew Nicholson/Avebury (NZL) 46.3
3 Andrew Nicholson/Nereo (NZL) 47.3
4 William Fox-Pitt/Parklane Hawk (GBR) 50.3
5 Ingrid Klimke/FRH Butts Abraxxas (GER) 52.2

For more information on the 2013 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials and full Results/Leaderboard, please visit www.burghley-horse.co.uk.

Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing

In 2001, Rolex created the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. This prize is awarded to the rider who manages to win the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials event in any consecutive order. Until now, only British rider Pippa Funnell has managed this staggering achievement, winning the title in 2003.

Revolution Sports + Entertainment
T: +44(0)207 592 1207
E: tim@revolutionsports.co.uk

*Featured/Spotlights, Show Jumping

Ben Asselin Wins $205,000 Encana Cup 1.60m at Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’

September 7, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Ben Asselin and Makavoy. Photos © Spruce Meadows Media Services.

Martin Fuchs and Conte Della Caccia Clear 1.95m to Win ATCO Electric Six Bar

Calgary, AB, Canada – September 6, 2013 – Speed and power described the two competitions on the schedule today at the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’. Opening up the evening was the $205,000 Encana Cup 1.60m, and the fastest in the jump-off was Calgary’s own Ben Asselin on Makavoy. The $75,000 ATCO Electric Six Bar featured four rounds of thrilling jumping as Martin Fuchs (SUI) cleared 1.95m for victory on Conte Della Caccia. The Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament hosts the best show jumpers in the world through Sunday, September 8. The highlight events of the week are the $350,000 BMO Nations’ Cup on Saturday and the $1 Million CN International, part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, on Sunday.

There were 23 entries in the $205,000 Encana Cup, but only three were able to advance to the jump-off in driving rain. First to return was Christian Ahlmann (GER) on Taloubet Z. They had a rail at fence 15, an oxer off a right-hand rollback, for four faults and finished with a time of 46.73 seconds. Francois Mathy (BEL) and Espadon van de Kranenburg also had four faults, but with a slower time of 55.08 seconds.

Last in, Asselin and Makavoy were efficient through the turns and as they cleared the final oxer, the crowd burst into cheers when the scoreboard flashed #1. They posted a time of 53.94 seconds for the win. “We originally had [planned] a pretty fast track to try to have a clear round, but when I walked up everyone told me that both riders had four faults. I took a bit of a risk going so slow in the jump-off because if I had a rail down, I probably would have been third, but Makavoy was just unbelievable. He didn’t want to touch any rails,” Asselin explained.

Staying cool as the last in the ring was something Asselin had to accomplish. “I really had to work on keeping myself cool around the entire track. Even coming down to number one, my heart was racing. Coming down to the last fence I really had to stay cool. When I landed from that last fence all those emotions just let go,” he revealed.

He said of his partner Makavoy, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding by Hors La Loi II x Ahorn, “He’s quite a little horse, but he has a huge heart. He has a ton of power and has a lot of motor. He’s quite sensitive to ride. He gives you a lot of confidence on that size track. He really takes you down to the jumps and always wants to get to the other side of the jumps. It’s a really fun horse to ride. He’s really quick and he has his own style over the top of the jumps, but he gets himself over them.”

Asselin is just 19 years old, and this was his first win in the International Ring. “It’s surreal,” he said with a huge grin. “I’ve been dreaming about winning in the International Ring forever, let alone in the ‘Masters’ Tournament. The caliber of horses and riders is spectacular all week. I really came into this division as a true rookie. I haven’t done that many tracks this height. I had no plan on winning anything. I have an incredible horse and he showed me he could do it.”

Martin Fuchs Clears 1.95m to Win ATCO Electric Six Bar

As the only rider to clear 1.95m, 21-year-old Martin Fuchs of Switzerland took the victory in the $75,000 ATCO Electric Six Bar competition with Conte Della Caccia. It was his second Six Bar win in 2013; he has shown three horses in four Six Bar competitions this year. “It’s cool; I like it a lot,” he smiled.

Joining Fuchs in the fourth and final round, but unable to clear the fences remaining, were Eugenie Angot (FRA) and Pirate Adalou, Lars Nieberg (GER) and Galippo 5, and Shane Breen (IRL) with Touch of Chilli. They tied for second place.

Fuchs has ridden Conte Della Caccia, a 10-year-old Holsteiner stallion by Canturo x Corrado I, for a year and a half, and they have moved up to the 1.60m level. Fuchs will compete for Switzerland in tomorrow’s BMO Nations’ Cup and Sunday’s $1 Million CN International.

He noted, “I took him here to Spruce Meadows to do his first five-star Nations’ Cup and grand prix. I think he’s my future horse. He’s not so experienced yet, but I hope to be good tomorrow.”

Fuchs felt that tonight’s Six Bar was great preparation for the weekend. “I knew after the first round that he was in top form and he likes it. With the crowd that really supported me and him, it really helped and he wanted to go bigger and bigger,” he said. “It was a good exercise for him. He’s a really strong horse and he wants to go to the jump. Here he started waiting and in the last round I could give some pressure for the last jump, which I usually cannot do. I think it’s good for tomorrow; he’s waiting and he did some gymnastics today!”

While Fuchs had a fantastic third place finish in the International two years ago, but this was his first win and experience in a winner’s presentation at Spruce Meadows. He said, “I’m really happy and proud. The people stay for the prize giving and stay to watch you. In Europe, in the prize giving you’re alone and you’re looking for the people and nobody’s there to cheer for you. It’s really special for us to come here and to do an extra round and they keep screaming and clapping. It’s really something special.”

The Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ continues tomorrow with the $125,000 Suncor Winning Round 1.50m and the $350,000 BMO Nations’ Cup. For full results and more information, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

Spruce Meadows Media Services
katie.macleod@sprucemeadows.com
403.974.4232
www.sprucemeadows.com

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

Brilliant Win for Brazil, While Austria Snatches Last Qualifying Spot for Furusiyya Final

September 6, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

(L to R) Carlo Bernardini, Bruno Quadrelli and Riccardo Boricchi from CSIO 3* San Marino Arezzo Organising Committee, Brazilian team members Rodrigo Pessoa and Alvaro de Miranda, Chef d’Equipe Jean-Maurice Bonneau, team members Marlon Zanotelli and Eduardo Menezes, FEI Jumping Director John Roche and Lazzaro Volpinari, President San Marino Equestrian Federation. Photo: FEI/Stefano Secchi.

Arezzo (ITA), 6 September 2013 – The last qualifying leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup 2013 series certainly lived up to expectations with thrills, spills and a gripping battle before Brazil won through and Austria clinched the only remaining qualifying spot for the series Final. France and Switzerland shared second place ahead of a courageous British side who didn’t have the easiest of days. But for the host nation it was an emotional afternoon as they went into the second round jointly in the lead, but lost their chance in the very closing stages to finish fifth.

There were two separate plots unfolding throughout the competition. The first was the battle for supremacy on the day, and the second was the battle for that tantalising last remaining place available to just one team from the Europe Division 2 league at the inaugural Furusiyya Final which will take place in Barcelona, Spain in two weeks’ time. Austria, Italy and Poland all started today with a chance of making it to sunny Spain, and with the greatest number of points as today’s competition began, their sixth-place finishing spot would ensure it was the Austrians who would make the cut.

Thriller

Clever course-building set the stage for a thriller from start to finish. As course designer, Italy’s Uliano Vezzani, said afterwards, it wasn’t easy to find the right balance for riders and horses with such a wide range of experience. Some were making their Nations Cup debut while others were very seasoned campaigners. The course tested them all however, and Sweden’s day started with a big surprise when Rolf-Goran Bengtsson’s 10-year-old stallion, Clarimo ASK, declined to go any further than the first fence in the opening round. To the crowd’s amazement the very handsome grey horse stopped halfway between the opening vertical and the following triple bar, possibly having taken a dislike to the nearby lake which is one of a number of derby-course features in Arezzo’s lovely Boccaccio Arena.

The vertical at fence three stood a full 1.60m tall and a right-hand turn then brought them down to the oxer at four and the following triple combination with a one-stride distance between each element at fence five. From there it was left-handed to the red oxer at six and a roll-back to the open water at seven. It was here that the opening round for Britain’s last-line partnership of Matthew Sampson and Lennox Luis came to an end. The grey gelding refused to go down to the water and when Sampson tried to encourage him the horse was having none of it and the rider ended up on the floor.

Vezzani set them the traditional test of accuracy after the open water with two fences on a snaking line. The first was a not-inconsiderable oxer, 150m x 150m, and then a gate of narrow white planks that headed towards the arena entrance. Time and again horses ran strongly to the oxer and riders couldn’t gather them up enough to adjust their angle in order to meet the white planks on a good stride. This proved the bogey fence of the day.

Influential

The following double, oxer to vertical, also proved influential when horses were distracted by passing the entrance, while the penultimate oxer was followed by a right-hand turn down the side of the arena to the final water-tray vertical. A number of riders made it all the way there only to make a last-minute mistake.

Ireland’s day got off to a bad start when Capt Michael Kelly’s Drumiller Lough pulled up very lame after stopping at the second element of the triple combination. There was relief all round however when his Irish army groom quickly spotted that the front shoe had slipped back so that the horse then stood on the clip. Once the shoe was removed the 10-year-old gelding left the arena feeling a lot better. But this didn’t help Irish chances and when they were drawn level with Colombia on 12 faults at the end of the first round they lost out on a place in round two by just 0.83 seconds.

Belgium, Poland and The Netherlands also sat it out during the second round when just eight of the 12 starting nations returned, with Italy, France and Brazil holding sway at the top of the order when each carrying four faults and Austria, Switzerland and Sweden just a fence behind carrying eight. The British returned carrying nine ahead of Colombia with 12.

Gargantuan Battle

And it turned into a gargantuan battle between the leading teams, with a great start for the host nation when Luca Maria Moneta and Neptune Brecourt went clear to match the second-round effort of Brazilian openers, Rodrigo Pessoa and Citizenguard Cadjanine Z.

The French began to slip with a double-error from David Jobertie and Quastor de la Vallee, and four faults from each of the remaining team members saw them adding 12 to their tally which seemed likely to leave them well out of the reckoning on a final score of 16 alongside the Swiss. But there was a lot more excitement to be played out.

It was still neck-and-neck between Brazil and Italy, Eduardo Menezes, making his Nations Cup debut for Brazil, lowering only the vertical at fence three with Calavda before Italy’s Filippo Moyersoen and Loro Piana Canada hit the second element of the double at 10. But Roberto Turchetto and Baretto got into a muddle at the third fence and also hit the troublesome vertical at nine to return with a total of 10 faults including time which left the Italians very vulnerable. And when Alvaro de Miranda and AD Uutje hit only the final fence and then Marlon Zanotelli delivered the second part of the only double-clear performance of the day with Clouwni it was clear that Brazil would finish with a total of just eight faults.

Now it was left to Italian veteran, Juan Carlos Garcia, to save the day and force a jump-off by going clear. But the home crowd groaned as Prince de la Mare hit the second element of the triple combination, the oxer at six and the second element of the double at ten for a total of 12 faults which proved the second-round discard. The Italian finishing score of 14 would only be good enough for fifth place and suddenly their hopes of getting to the Furusiyya Final were gone.

Steadier Day

Austria enjoyed a much steadier day, adding four-fault scores from Dieter Kofler (Glock’s Prince de Vaux), Julia Kayser (Sterrehof’s Ushi) and Stefan Eder (Chilli van Dijk NRW) and therefore discarding the 17 collected by Astrid Kneifel (Royal des Bisson) to complete alongside the Swedes on a 20-fault final scoreline. And Chef d’Equipe Thomas Istinger’s side are now on the road to Barcelona along with Sweden and Belgium from the Europe Division 2 league.

Italy’s plunge down the order saw the French and Swiss rise to joint-runner-up spot with their 16 faults apiece while the British finished a very close fourth with 17 at the end of the day despite finishing with only three team scores after a second elimination for Matthew Sampson. The Swiss team consisted of Martina Meroni (Socrates ll), Fanny Queloz (Celtic), Barbara Schnieper (Ragrusa H) and Claudia Gisler (Touchable).

The Brazilian team, led by Chef d’Equipe Jean-Maurice Bonneau, were understandably delighted with their result. And there was the sense of the start of a new era for this country today. A combination of great experience and rising talent suggests this team could be a real force for the future.

Alvaro de Miranda said, “I’m very pleased to be part of this team. These three (his team-mates) are very good riders and it’s great to have new people on the team like Marlon. He has always been one of our greatest talents in Brazil and he fought hard to get here. Also Rodrigo is here with a horse with some potential but the mare is not easy – but an accomplished rider like Rodrigo is a great man to have on our team. I saw Eduardo in the States (USA) and he jumped some brilliant rounds there. He did a beautiful clear in the first round.”

Today’s Test

Pessoa talked about today’s test. “The course in general was very good,” he said. Describing the line of fences from the water to the vertical at fence nine, he pointed out, “It’s difficult always after a water; there are always problems and today there were a lot of difficulties running to the oxer and then the white gate which was close to the exit gate. But horses jumped well and the ground conditions were good. We were the lucky winners and I’m delighted with our performance in general,” he added.

Menezes said he was “very pleased and honoured to be in this team. This was my first Nations Cup ever!” but it was Zanotelli’s double-clear that really impressed today.

He said, “I was given a great opportunity to come here and I’d like to thank Doda (Alvaro de Miranda) and Athina (Onassia de Miranda), Jos Lansink and my boss for their confidence in my and to our Chef d’Equipe also.” The young Brazilian rider has been working with horse-dealer and producer Enda Carroll at Ashford Farms in Belgium for over two years having previously worked with Belgian international rider Ludo Philippaerts.

“This horse was bought in a half-share by Athina and Doda along with my boss and Jos Lansink. He (Clouwni) was about to be sold when Doda and Athina stepped in after we jumped really well in the Grand Prix at Chantilly. We want to keep him for the WEG (World Equestrian Games in 2014) and because we want to build a strong team for the future. And of course we have an even bigger goal – Rio in 2016!” he pointed out with a big grin.

That’s the future. For today it was a great victory on Italian soil and the perfect end to the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup 2013 qualifying series. All that remains now is to see which country will take the spoils at the inaugural Final in Spain where 18 nations will battle it out before the brand new trophy is awarded.

For further information on the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping qualifying leg at CSIO 3* San Marino Arezzo, Italy, go to www.csiosanmarinoarezzo.com or contact Press Officer Caterina Vagnozzi, Email c.vagnozzi@gmail.com, Tel: +39 335 610 7070.

The inaugural Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Final will take place at Real Club de Polo in Barcelona, Spain from 26-29 September 2013. For all information on the Spanish fixture, go to website www.csiobarcelona.com or contact Press Officer Isabel Suter at Email isuter@rcpolo.com or Tel +34 760 258 222.

Official result here.

Facts and Figures:

12 nations competed in today’s last qualifier in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2013 inaugural series – Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, France, Great Britain, Italy, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden and Switzerland.

This was also the 10th and final round of the Europe Division 2 series.

Four countries were chasing points – Austria, Italy, Poland and Sweden. The Swedish team were already qualified for the Final along with Belgium.

Following today’s competition, 3 nations from Europe Division 2 have qualified for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Final which will take place at Real Club de Polo in Barcelona, Spain from 26 to 29 September – Belgium, Sweden and Austria.

A total of 18 nations will compete at the Barcelona Final.

Course designer for today’s competition was Italy’s Uliano Vezzani.

12 fences, 15 jumping efforts on the first-round course with two fences standings at 1.60m – the vertical at fence three and the final water-tray vertical.

Just one double-clear performance – from Brazil’s fourth-line rider Marlon Zanotelli with Clouwni.

Today’s event took place at Arezzo Equestrian Centre in Tuscany, Italy.

CSIO 3* San Marino Arezzo sees the renewal of the hugely popular San Marino international fixture previously staged at Modena between 1991 and 2001 and organised by the team of the late Maestro Luciano Pavarotti.

Quotes:

Uliano Vezzani, Course Designer – “It’s not easy to build a course for so many different riders and horses but was very happy because the horses jumped very, very well; there was a good result and I was very happy with the competition.”

Carlo Bernardini, OC CSIO San Marino Arezzo – “I’d like to thank Jean Maurice Bonneau because we were very excited to get the call to say there would be a great Brazilian team coming to Arezzo. We had a great result today; until the very last horse in the second round, everyone in Italy was waiting for the result!”

John Roche, FEI Jumping Director – “It is a great pleasure to be in Arezzo for the 12th edition of CSIO San Marino which was previously organised in Modena by Maestro Luciano Pavarotti. Just a few days ago, on 3 September, the Republic of San Marino celebrated it 1,712th birthday! San Marino is the oldest Republic in the world and the third-smallest country in Europe – only Vatican City and Monaco are smaller. I’d like to thank the Organising Committee at Arezzo for taking the initiative of bringing this great show back into the international calendar.”

Standings:

The full standings for Europe Division 2 of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2013 series can be found at this link.

For further information on the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping series, check out this link.

“Furusiyya” (Arabic: فروسيه) this single Arabic word conveys so much, embracing the idea of horsemanship, chivalry, and equestrian knowledge in general. The term is a derivation of faris, or horseman and faras, a horse.

Longines is the Official Timekeeper of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping series.

Longines has been based at Saint-Imier (SUI) since 1832. Its watchmaking expertise reflects a strong devotion to tradition, elegance and performance. It has generations of experience as the official timekeeper at world championships and as a partner of international sports federations.

Longines’ passion for equestrian sports began in 1878, when a timepiece was made with a horse and jockey engraved on the watch face. Over the years, the brand has built strong and long-lasting links with equestrian sports. In 1926, for the first time, the brand was involved as timekeeper for the Official International Equestrian Competition of Geneva. Today, Longines’ involvement in equestrianism includes Jumping, Endurance and flat racing.

Longines is a member of The Swatch Group S.A., the world’s leading manufacturer of horological products. With an excellent reputation for creating refined timepieces, the brand, whose emblem is the winged hourglass, has outlets in over 130 countries.

By Louise Parkes

Media contacts:

At FEI:

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

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133

At Arezzo:

Press Officer
Caterina Vagnozzi
cvagnozzi@gmail.com
+39 335 610 7070

At Revolution Sports + Entertainment:

Tim Welland
tim@revolutionsports.co.uk
+44 7787 780 036

Competitions, Show Jumping

Strong Start for Eric Lamaze at Spruce Meadows “Masters”

September 6, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Eric Lamaze guided Powerplay to a second place finish in the $125,000 CANA Cup. Photo Credit – Spruce Meadows Media Services.

September 5, 2013 – Calgary, Alberta – Canadian Olympic Champion Eric Lamaze is off to a strong start at the CSIO5* Spruce Meadows “Masters” tournament, placing second in the $125,000 CANA Cup on Thursday, September 5. The five-day international show jumping competition runs September 4 to 8 in Calgary, AB.

Lamaze was one of five riders to successfully negotiate the first round track, featuring jumps set at a height of 1.60m by two-time Olympic course designer Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela. In the jump-off, Lamaze guided Powerplay to another clear round, stopping the clock in 44.55 seconds. It was not quite fast enough, however, to catch Penelope Leprevost of France, who had crossed the timers in 43.77 seconds riding Dame Blanche van Arenberg.

“Powerplay is going to learn to go a bit faster, but he’s not much of a race horse,” said Lamaze of the nine-year-old Holsteiner gelding acquired three months ago by owner Artisan Farms. “He spends a bit of time in the air and he has a big stride, but he’s learned a lot. Penelope didn’t beat me by that much, though, so he’s getting better at it.”

Of his jump-off strategy, Lamaze noted, “I didn’t see Penelope go. I just rode the plan that I had made for my horse and I was happy with the pace. If it was good enough, it was. If it wasn’t, that was okay, too. I was happy with the result.”

Lamaze settled for second place and $25,000 in prize money in the $125,000 CANA Cup. Vancouver’s Tiffany Foster, who is coached by Lamaze, was the next Canadian in the final standings, finishing eighth with Verdi III after incurring one time fault in the opening round.

In preparation for Thursday’s event, Lamaze rode both Powerplay and Quelmec du Gery, a nine-year-old Selle Francais gelding owned by Artisan Farms, in the $50,000 1.50m ATCO Structures & Logistics Cup held Wednesday afternoon in the International Ring. Powerplay jumped double clear to place eighth while Quelmec du Gery, the former ride of Leprevost, jumped clear with one time fault.

“The plan was to do a smaller class yesterday, the 1.50m, and then move Powerplay up to the 1.60m today and get ready for the Nations’ Cup,” explained Lamaze, 45. “So far, the plan is working beautifully. I’m very pleased.”

Lamaze and Foster will be teammates for the third year in a row in Saturday’s $350,000 BMO Nations’ Cup, riding alongside Lamaze’s 2008 Olympic silver medal teammates Ian Millar of Perth, ON, and Mac Cone of King City, ON. Lamaze will ride Powerplay in the team competition while Foster will ride Verdi III, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding also owned by Artisan Farms. Both horses were acquired at the end of May from Swiss Olympian Pius Schwizer.

Lamaze will also ride Powerplay in the grand finale, the $1 million CN International, presented by Rolex, on Sunday, September 8. The grand prix is one of three events comprising the new Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, which offers an unprecedented €1 million in bonus money to any rider who can win all three grand prix events in succession at CHIO Aachen, CSIO Calgary, and CHI Geneva. To date, Lamaze and his 2008 Olympic gold medal partner, Hickstead, are the only horse-rider combinations to have won all three events.

Based in Vrasene, Belgium, and spending the winter season in Wellington, Florida, Spruce Meadows is the only Canadian venue where Lamaze competes. Lamaze is the all-time leading money winner at Spruce Meadows, having won more than $3.8 million to date at the Calgary venue alone. A Rolex testimonee, Lamaze enters Sunday’s $1 million CN International, presented by Rolex, as a two-time winner, having won the prestigious event on two occasions, in 2007 and 2011, riding the legendary Hickstead.

Contact: Jennifer Ward
Starting Gate Communications
Cell: (613) 292-5439
www.startinggate.ca

*Featured/Spotlights, Show Jumping

Penelope Leprevost Takes Top Prize in $125,000 CANA Cup 1.60m at Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’

September 6, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Swail Goes 1-2 in $50,000 ATCO Structures & Logistics Cup 1.50m

Calgary, AB, Canada – September 5, 2013 – The Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ continued today with two top competitions in the International Ring. Taking the top prize in the $125,000 CANA Cup 1.60m was Penelope Leprevost (FRA) and Dame Blanche van Arenberg. The luck of the Irish was with Conor Swail today when he finished first and second in the $50,000 ATCO Structures & Logistics Cup 1.50m on Martha Louise and Lansdowne. The Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament hosts the best show jumpers in the world through Sunday, September 8. The highlight events of the week are the $350,000 BMO Nations’ Cup on Saturday and the $1 Million CN International, part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, on Sunday.

The $125,000 CANA Cup 1.60m had 39 entries, but only five were able to find the clear track to the jump-off. The course designer for this week is Leopoldo Palacios of Venezuela. First in the jump-off was Olympic gold medalist Steve Guerdat (SUI) on Carpalo. They had eight faults in 43.99 seconds for fifth place.

Leprevost, who has won silver medals at European Championships and FEI World Equestrian Games, and Dame Blanche van Arenberg, a 10-year-old Belgian Sport Horse mare by Clinton x Codexco, were next in and set the winning pace in 43.78 seconds with a clear round.

Leprevost revealed, “This is the first time I’ve gone fast with my mare. The dressage and the control is not perfect, but she always tries. My problem is in the turn; she doesn’t do them so good. The mouth is difficult. But in a straight line, she can go fast. She’s very careful. I tried to do my best.”

World Number One Ben Maher gave it a try on Cella, but a rail in 45.52 seconds left them in third place. The only clear round in the jump-off gave second place to Olympic gold medalist Eric Lamaze (CAN) and Powerplay. They were just off the pace in 44.56 seconds. Beezie Madden, also an Olympic gold medalist, was the last one in with Cortes ‘C’. After an early rail, they slowed down to finish in 48.40 seconds for fourth place.

This was Leprevost’s first time competing at Spruce Meadows, and she has only ridden this horse for four months. However, she felt confident that Dame Blanche van Arenberg would be able to handle the atmosphere of the International Ring. “I’m surprised she went so fast. I’m not surprised that she won. She has a super mind,” she described. “She jumped for the first time in Aachen (too) and was great, so I wasn’t worried about it.”

Regarding Spruce Meadows, she complimented, “It’s unbelievable. We heard a lot of super things about this show, but the difference when you can ride and come in the ring, it’s amazing.”

For Lamaze, setting a plan with his young, talented horse is paramount. “I have to be patient,” he acknowledged. “I don’t know have so many at the moment at this level. I have to do everything right and I have to get to know him and make him a better horse than he is today. I still have to take my time and be realistic about what I do, have a very solid plan, and stick to it. I have a good plan for this horse and so far it’s working.”

When he went in the jump-off today, he was not thinking of getting the most speed out of Powerplay. He explained, “To be honest, Powerplay is going to learn to go a bit faster, but it’s never going to be his forte. He’s not much of a racehorse. He spends a bit of time in the air, and he has a big stride. But he’s learned a lot. I basically didn’t see Penelope go, but I just rode the plan that was challenging enough for my horse, but wasn’t going to destroy my Nations Cup either. For me, I was happy with the pace.”

Swail Leads the Way with Two Horses

In a great display of horsemanship, Ireland’s Conor Swail guided both of his horses to the top of the leaderboard in the $50,000 ATCO Structures & Logistics Cup 1.50m. There were 41 entries in the class, and 14 in the jump-off. Swail went fifth in the order on Lansdowne in the jump-off and with a daring approach to the final oxer, he took the lead with a clear round in 37.06 seconds. Six horses later, Swail was back on Martha Louise, and with efficient turns and an open stride, they brought the winning time down to 35.80 seconds for the win. Fellow Irishman Dermott Lennon rode Keonan Stables Ltd’s Hallmark Elite to third place in 37.13 seconds. In fourth was Hans Dieter Dreher (GER) with Magnus Romeo with a time of 38.51 seconds, while Nicola Philippaerts (BEL) and Early Morning Mist placed fifth with a time of 39.17 seconds.

“I had an awesome day today,” Swail acknowledged with a big smile. “The two horses were absolutely fabulous. To come first and second in front of the international riders, the fantastic riders that are here, is really special. It’s lovely here and there was a nice crowd here today. It’s always lovely to win at Spruce Meadows.”

In addition to his 1-2 in the International Ring, Swail also won the $15,000 Oxford Properties Group Cup 1.30m with Arista and the $25,000 Phillips, Hager & North Cup 1.40m on Game Ready in the All Canada Ring.

While Swail was quick with Lansdowne, he did feel that Martha Louise, a nine-year-old Swedish Warmblood mare by Maoubet de Pleville x Wolfgang, had a good chance of catching him. He explained, “Lansdowne is a big mover, but he’s a little slower than Martha. I knew Martha could probably be a little quicker around the same. I was surprised when she was so fast actually. She was smoking. The first bit was so fast and she turned so well after the wall that I knew all I needed to do was be patient at the last four jumps. She had it done by then.”

Martha Louise has been a proven performer this year for Swail, who sold her to his owners, Susan & Ariel Grange, after the winter circuit. She placed in 11 of 12 classes during the Spruce Meadows Summer Series, and went on to finish in the ribbons at the Dublin CSIO and the three-star events at the P.S.I. FEI European Jumping Championships before coming to the ‘Masters’. She was third yesterday and picked up the win today. “Her record has been absolutely phenomenal here,” Swail affirmed. “She looks like she could be pushing Lansdowne for the top spot, the way she’s been going.”

Swail was pleased with the way Lansdowne has rebounded after jumping in the European Championships in Denmark just 10 days ago. “It was as big as I’ve ever jumped and as big as he’s ever jumped. He struggled a bit and I’m really happy how he’s come out of it. This is the next big test,” he said.

While he plans to show Lansdowne in the BMO Nations Cup on Saturday and the $1 Million CN International on Sunday, his feeling on Saturday will be the deciding factor. “We’ll see how Saturday goes,” he pointed out. “If he handles himself well, I’ll be looking forward to Sunday. If he doesn’t, I don’t have to go. I’m not going to go if I don’t think I can win. There’s always other years, and there’s going to be a lot of years left in that horse. He’s growing all the time. I think hopefully he’ll be a horse to watch out for in the next three or four years.”

Swail added, “I have to thank my owners. I’m so lucky I have some fabulous horses. I’m #36 in the world now, which is the highest ranking I’ve ever been; 37 was my highest before!”

The Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ continues tomorrow with the Mercedes-Benz “Evening of the Horse.” It will feature “Name the Foal” contest awards, the $205,000 Encana Cup 1.60m, the $75,000 ATCO Electric ‘Circuit’ Six Bar competition, the German State Studs Stallions Spotlight Performance, and a Symphony of Fireworks. For full results and more information, please visit www.sprucemeadows.com.

Spruce Meadows Media Services
katie.macleod@sprucemeadows.com
403.974.4232
www.sprucemeadows.com

Jennifer Wood Media, Inc.
Equestrian Public Relations
info@jenniferwoodmedia.com

Competitions, Show Jumping

US Team Ready for CSIO5* Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’

September 5, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Lexington, KY – With several top performances at Nations Cup competitions this year, the U.S. aims to continue its winning ways in the Nations Cup competition at the CSIO5* Spruce Meadows ‘Masters,’ September 7, in Calgary, Canada. In the $350,000 BMO Nations Cup, Beezie Madden, Lauren Hough, Kirsten Coe, and Lauren Tisbo will represent the U.S. with Robert Ridland serving as Chef d’Equipe.

The 2013 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final champion, Madden (Cazenovia, NY), has led numerous U.S. Nations Cup teams to exceptional performances this year. She helped the U.S. earn victory in the $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup presented by G&C Farm at CSIO Wellington as well as to second-place finishes in Rotterdam and Hickstead and a third place finish in Dublin.

At the CSIO5* ‘Masters,’ Madden will ride Abigail Wexner’s Simon and Cortes ‘C’.
Simon is a 1999 Dutch Warmblood gelding.
Cortes ‘C’ is a 2002 Belgian Warmblood gelding.

Hough (Wellington, FL) has a résumé full of impressive Nations Cup efforts and hopes to add another strong performance to the list. She won the Massimo Dutti Prix in June on the Longines Global Champions Tour stop in London and the Trofeo Warsteiner at the CSI4* Coruna a month later.

At Spruce Meadows, Hough will ride Laura and Meredith Mateo’s Quick Study and The Ohlala Group’s Ohlala.
Quick Study is a 1999 Selle Francais gelding.
Ohlala is a 2004 Swedish Warmblood mare.

Coe (Royal Palm Beach, FL) was a member of the winning Nations Cup team at the CSIO3* Bratislava and has continued to earn top finishes throughout the season. At Spruce Meadows, she finished second in the $50,000 RBC Financial Group Cup during the ‘Canada One’ CSI-W 4* tournament and fifth in the $400,000 CN Reliability Grand Prix World Cup Qualifier during the ‘National’ CSI5* tournament.

Coe will ride Ilan Ferder, Lovsta Stuteri, and Tal Milstein’s Baronez and Zojasper this week.
Baronez is a 2001 Belgian Warmblood mare.
Zojasper is a 2004 KWPN stallion.

Tisbo (Wellington, FL) is a rising star in the jumping world. She won the $35,000 PwC Cup, finished second in the $50,000 Lafarge Cup, and third in the $35,000 Progress Energy Canada Cup during the CSI5* ‘North American’ at Spruce Meadows.

At the CSIO5* Spruce Meadows ‘Masters,’ she will ride Tequestrian Farm, LLC’s Roundthorn Madios and Catharina 9.
Roundthorn Madios is a 2002 Irish Sport Horse gelding.
Catharina 9 is a 2004 Mecklenburg mare.

To learn more about the CSIO5* Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’, visit: http://www.sprucemeadows.com/tournaments/view_tournament.jsp?id=29.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Jumping Team here.

Publications/Media, Revolution Sports, Show Jumping

The Making of Spruce Meadows – The Final Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Film

September 5, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

5 September 2013 – The world renowned Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament started on 8th September, and marks the second show of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. Following the release of two special films dedicated to celebrating this significant occasion, Rolex has released the third and final film.

In the concluding film of the series, Eric Lamaze, Linda Southern-Heathcott and Ian Allison identify the different components that make the course and competition at Spruce Meadows world famous.

View all three films on the World of Rolex YouTube channel

Download a high resolution version of the film

To support the partnership with Spruce Meadows and the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping, Rolex has also produced a dedicated press pack which provides detailed information on the brand’s equestrian sponsorship and the background to its long-term relationship with the sport.

The Rolex press pack can be downloaded here.

For further media information, please contact:
Rod Kohler
Revolution Sports + Entertainment
T: +44(0)207 592 1207
E: tim@revolutionsports.co.uk

Competitions, FEI, Show Jumping

12 Teams at Last Qualifier in Arezzo

September 5, 2013 Associate Editor Leave a comment

Lausanne (SUI), 5 September 2013 – The 21st and last qualifier of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2013 series will take place at the San Marino CSIO 3* at Arezzo, Italy this Friday, 6 September, attracting a field of 12 teams.

The starting order, which was determined by a draw held at Arezzo today, will be as follows:

Great Britain
Belgium
Colombia
Sweden
Brazil
France
Italy
Poland
Ireland
Switzerland
The Netherlands
Austria

Four teams – Austria, Italy, Poland, and Sweden – will be eligible for Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping points in Europe Division 2. The standings after nine events in that division are available here.

Tomorrow’s competition will begin at 15.00 CEST (local time in Italy, GMT+2 hours) and will be broadcast live on FEI TV, the FEI’s official online video platform.

The FEI is providing a wide range of online information resources in connection with the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping.

Dedicated webpage

Our dedicated webpage gives you access to useful information, including the calendar, latest results, updated standings, rules and news from the series.

Social Media

The FEI is posting news, images and videos on Facebook www.facebook.com/the.fei and Twitter www.twitter.com/myfei_home. Please follow us and share our content.

Our signature Twitter hashtags are: #Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup #Jumping

Longines is the Official Timekeeper of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping series.

Media contacts:

At FEI:

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

Malina Gueorguiev
Manager Media Relations
Email: malina.gueorguiev@fei.org
Tel: +41 787 506 133

At Arezzo:

Press Officer
Caterina Vagnozzi
cvagnozzi@gmail.com
+39 335 610 7070

At Revolution Sports + Entertainment:

Tim Welland
tim@revolutionsports.co.uk
+44 7787 780 036

Horses in the South – An Equine News Publisher

Tag Archives: Show Jumping

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The Making of Spruce Meadows – The Final Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Film

12 Teams at Last Qualifier in Arezzo

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