Tag Archives: Show Jumping

Competitions, FEI, Show Jumping

Dutch Make It a Hat-Trick of Furusiyya Victories at Copenhagen

Leave a comment

(left to right) William Greve, Suzanne Tepper, Jur Vrieling and Hendrik-Jan Schuttert. Photo: FEI/Annette Boe Ostergaard.

Copenhagen (DEN), 24 May 2013 – The Dutch are clearly on a roll after recording their third victory of the inaugural Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping series at Copenhagen in Denmark today.  Winners at the opening leg at Al Ain, UAE in February, they also topped the first round of the Europe Division 1 league just a week ago in La Baule, France. And today another new combination of horses and riders took the lead from the outset and added only four faults to their first-round zero score to head the line-up at the Danish venue where six nations – Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Poland and Sweden – were all hunting for qualifying points ahead of the series Final which will take place in Barcelona, Spain in September.

France finished second with the host nation in third, while the British slotted into fourth ahead of Sweden and Poland in joint-fifth place.  Both Belgium and Switzerland added 16 faults second time out, but this was still good enough to take seventh and eighth places respectively as only eight of the 13 countries went through to the second round.

Put It Up to Them

London 2012 Olympic Games course designer, Great Britain’s Bob Ellis, really put it up to them at this Europe Division 2 event with a course that asked them to turn and re-balance, and to measure their distances carefully.  And as if that wasn’t quite enough, he set them an enormous question just three fences from home, with the open water followed by the triple combination of vertical, to oxer, to vertical before tackling the offset final oxer at fence 12.

Time and again horses coped well with the early part of the track only for it all to fall apart here.  Jur Vrieling wasn’t only competing on the Dutch team, he was also acting as team manager for the day, and the much-experienced 44-year-old said of the course, “When I walked it I thought it was difficult enough; it’s the first time in my life that I had a triple combination after the water and I was really a bit surprised by it!  But it ended up very well for us.  It makes the victory even nicer after a difficult task – because you can say that it was quite something for the horses to jump!  It (the course) was very nicely built, but it was tough enough,” he added.

Bit between Their Teeth

At the end of the first round the Dutch already had the bit between their teeth as their only mistake was made by their opening rider, Hendrik-Jan Schuttert (Up to Date HS) who had been a member of the winning side at La Baule a week earlier. And the host country was looking strong with only the four faults registered by Andreas Schou (Allerdings) on the board following clears from both Thomas Velin (Chopin van Het) and Thomas Sandgaard (Amarone). Poland and France were next in line with eight faults apiece while Sweden was on nine, Britain and Belgium were each carrying 12, and Switzerland had racked up a total of 13.

These eight nations qualified for round two, but, with 16 faults, the Irish had to settle for the best of the rest in ninth place ahead of Norway with 20 faults in 10th, Finland in 11th place with 25 faults, Germany in 12th with 28 and Italy’s 32 first-round faults leaving them lying 13th and last.

Hardly Flinched

Once out in front, the Dutch hardly flinched, pathfinder Schuttert going clear second time out and anchorman Vrieling clinching it with the only double-clear of the day with his very handsome grey, Zirocco Blue VDL, which ensured the four collected by Willem Greve second time out was all they had to add.  Suzanne Tepper had provided a vital first-round clear with KM Wish but the horse seemed to tire in the round two with three fences down.

The Danes slipped to third when having to count three four-fault results this time out, and that allowed the French to move into runner-up spot as both Nicolas Delmotte (Number One d’Iso Un Prince) and Timothee Anciaume (Quorioso Pre Noir) kept a clean sheet so they only had to add in the one mistake made by Aymeric Azzolino’s impressive French-bred, Looping D’Elle.

The British meanwhile improved two places when Jesse Drea’s second-round clear with Touchable meant they could drop the eight collected by Tim Davies (Salome ll) and count just the single errors from opener David McPherson (Octavio) and anchorman Geoff Billington (Uppercut) – the latter providing the only British clear of the first round.

Result a Delight

For rider and Chef d’Equipe Jur Vrieling, the Dutch result was a delight.  “I am very pleased,” he said.  “I think all three of the other riders had a really good round.  When you start the first round well then it’s just about keeping your head and staying positive – it went really well for us,” he explained.  And talking about his own horse, Zirocco Blue, he added, “He’s a breeding stallion, breeding a lot in Holland and he is a really fantastic horse, and for sure one for the future.  I think you can say the same for Willem Greve’s Carambole – these are two exceptional horses.”

Greve agreed: “My horse is a nine-year-old stallion I produced myself since he was four.  I took a lot of time with him, and gave him a lot of time to develop himself. I was very pleased with the way he jumped today. I think he jumped the first round beautifully and the second round even better!  We took a bit of the pressure off Jur who was the last rider of our team, and he did it brilliantly.  We all had a share in this win, so that makes it feel really good, and we have a really good team atmosphere so we are very happy!” said the 30-year-old rider.

Tepper has been enjoying an ever-upward curve in recent months with KM Wish.  “I have her for two years now and she’s really good with lots of scope and she’s fast.  A month ago we won a Grand Prix in Poland, then we were on the Nations Cup team that was second in Drammen and we were second in the Grand Prix there.  I think she was getting tired when we had those fences down in the second round,” she added.

Schuttert has been riding the 12-year-old Up to Date since the horse was five years old. “I rode two Young Riders Europeans with him.  In the first round today I had one down; I came in a bit big into the combination (the double at fence three) but afterwards it came good in the second round where I had a clear.”

Surprised Them Today

Course designer, Bob Ellis, certainly surprised them today. “I was very pleased,” he said. “I think that we had 10 or 12 clear rounds in the first round and I think 6 or 7 in the second round. I think that I am actually the lucky Mascot for the Dutch team; everywhere I seem to be they seem to win, including many medals at the Games! – and the sun shone for us today”.

When asked if it is difficult to build a course in the Copenhagen arena because of the trees and the shadows they create, he said, “You’ve got the gradients as well which take its toll with the course but no, it’s not difficult. What is difficult is that you’ve got 13 teams through all sorts of levels, to be fair to everybody, you’ve got some very good teams and some lesser teams. It wasn’t a monster of a course; there were a couple of big verticals and not terrific spreads but it was difficult enough in the last line, very difficult,” he pointed out.  Plenty of the riders today would agree with that, but the winning Dutch proved more than equal to the challenge.

The Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2013 series now moves on to St Gallen in Switzerland next week for the third leg of the Europe Division 1 series.  For information on the Swiss fixture, check out website www.csio.ch or contact Press Officer Peter Wyrsch at Email peter.wyrsch@csio.ch or Tel +41 79406 5207.

For information on today’s leg at Copenhagen, check website www.firstgrandprix.dk or email Press Officer Trine Gronvaldt at presse@spr.dk, Tel + 45 22 71 40 40.

Facts and Figures:

13 nations competed in today’s Europe Division 2 leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup in Copenhagen, Denmark.

8 went into the second round.

Course designer was Great Britain’s Bob Ellis who built the track for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The teams fighting for points towards qualification for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona, Spain in September were Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Poland and Sweden.

The youngest horses competing in today’s competition at Copenhagen were both 8-year-olds and ridden by British riders – David McPherson’s Octavio and Geoff Billington’s Uppercut ll.

The oldest horse was the 16-year-old Bischof L ridden by Poland’s Andrzej Lemanski.

One double-clear in today’s competition from The Netherlands’ Jur Vrieling and Zirocco Blue VDL.

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 Copenhagen:

Trine Grønvaldt
Press Officer
presse@spr.dk
+ 45 22 71 40 40

At Revolution Sports + Entertainment:

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

Awards, FEI, Revolution Sports, Show Jumping

Oleg Krasyuk Wins the Furusiyya Round of the Day in Rome

Leave a comment

The Furusiyya Round of the Day award is presented to the horse & rider combination who is judged to have best displayed qualities such as harmony, partnership, balance and skill throughout their two rounds, values represented and embodied by Furusiyya. Oleg Krasyuk, riding Nobylis, was judged to have ridden beautifully to produce two double-clear rounds on the day, which helped his team into the jump-off and ultimately the winner’s podium.

– At the 2012 FEI General Assembly in Istanbul, it was announced that Furusiyya would become sponsor of the FEI Nations Cup until 2016.

– “Furusiyya” is a single Arabic word and 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.

– The new structure of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping has come about through intense consultation between the Saudi Equestrian Fund and the FEI with the sport’s stakeholders around the world.

– 39 countries have signed up to take part in the 2013 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping and 21 Nations will host qualifiers.

– The Saudi Equestrian Fund was created by HM King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz by Royal Decree in November 2009 to give the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a lasting legacy in equestrianism through sport and cultural events.

– The Saudi Equestrian Fund supports the Kingdom’s national show jumping team, Saudi Equestrian, which won a team bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

– The Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping is now a genuinely international competition which gives all nations – whether from developed or developing countries – the opportunity to compete on a level playing field and qualify for a highly prestigious Final.

– The Final of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping will be staged at the Real Club de Polo in Barcelona, Spain from 26-29 September 2013.

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

Competitions, FEI, Show Jumping

Historic Win for Ukraine at Thrilling Furusiyya Leg in Rome

Leave a comment

The Ukrainian team on the podium at Piazza di Siena in Rome today after winning the seventh leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2013 series. Photo: FEI/Beatrice Scudo.

Rome (ITA), 24 May 2013 – On their debut in Europe Division 1 of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping series today at the Piazza di Siena in Rome (ITA), the Ukrainian team came out on top in a thrilling three-way jump-off and entered the history books of equestrian sport.

Cassio Rivetti, Oleg Krasyuk, Ulrich Kirchhoff and Katharina Offel were flying the flag of the Ukraine for the very first time at this top level of the sport.  And they demonstrated their formidable combined strength when taking on the giants and taming them all, although Rivetti’s jump-off round was a nail-biter as he racked up three time faults during the slow clear that clinched it.

Crack sides from Germany and France had to settle for second and third places while the host nation made a brilliant recovery from an edgy first round effort to finish fourth ahead of Great Britain and Sweden in joint-fifth.  The Swiss team, so impressive when runners-up at La Baule (FRA) last week, had to settle for seventh while the Spanish team finished eighth when collecting 44 faults.

Extraordinary Competition

It was an extraordinary competition during which no less than six riders recorded double-clears, yet so many of the favourites stumbled when things didn’t go to plan.  Yesterday, French Chef d’Equipe, Hans Hoorn, predicted that there could a few surprises and he was right about that.  But he wasn’t banking on double-elimination for his own Roger-Yves Bost (Nippon d’Elle) which seriously compromised his side’s chances despite foot-perfect performances from both pathfinder Kevin Staut (Silvana HDC) and anchorman Patrice Delaveau (Orient Express HDC).

And the home crowd was completely taken aback when the first man into the ring, their own Emanuele Gaudiano, was eliminated for two refusals at the third fence with Cocoshynsky in the first round.  However, amidst all the drama, the track created by Italian course designer Uliano Vezzani provided fantastic sport that played out until the very last fence was jumped.

No Allowance

Vezzani made no allowance for the fact that only six of the eight starting nations were top-league material, setting a big, bold course that, true to his style, demanded control of the horse and complete concentration from both horse and rider.

The poles fell all around the track, with even the vertical at fence two claiming a significant number of victims. But it was the triple combination at fence six and the line from the open water at nine to the double at 10 that proved most troublesome, while the run from the penultimate vertical at 11 to the final water-tray oxer at 12 was also the undoing of many.

By the end of the first round it had already turned into a pitched battle between the Germans, French and Ukrainians who were all sharing a four-fault tally.  The British were next in line on eight thanks to clears from Nick Skelton (Big Star) and Tina Fletcher (Hello Sailor) while Skelton’s fellow London 2012 team gold medallists Scott Brash (Hello Sanctos) and Ben Maher (Cella) each had two fences down.

The Swiss and Italians were already on 16, with Sweden on 20 and the Spanish bottom of the order with 24.  But while the Italians really pulled it out of the bag in round two with a single time-fault from Francesco Franco (Cassandra), a fault-free effort from Roberto Turchetto (Baretto) and another clear from Juan Carlos Garcia (Bonzai van de Warande) it fell apart for the Swiss with 21 more to add.  And Rob Hoekstra’s expression said it all when Skelton’s pure perfection, and a four-fault result from Brash, were scuppered by 16 from Fletcher and 17 from Maher.

Could Have Sealed It

Germany could have sealed it before the end of the second round if, last-to-go, Ludger Beerbaum and Chaman left all the fences up.  Daniel Deusser’s double-clear with the lovely grey, Cornet D’Amour, and a foot-perfect run from Carsten-Otto Nagel and Corradina set them up for a four-fault final total if their last man could stay clear, but the tricky double after the open water didn’t come up right for Beerbaum’s stallion who kicked out the first element, and with Philipp Weishaupt’s Monte Bellini providing an eight-fault discard score they now moved on to eight.

And although both Staut and Delaveau never put a foot wrong, the single second-round error from Simon Delestre and Classic Bois Margot had to be included in the French scoreline after Bost’s stallion once again ground to a halt at the first element of the triple combination. So a jump-off was on the cards with an eight-fault tally for them too.

A spectacular double-clear from Oleg Kraysuk ensured that only one of the four-fault results from Rivetti and Kirchhoff would have to be taken into account if last-line Ukrainian, Katharina Offel, could come home with nothing to add with Pour le Poussage.  Under intense pressure, she did just that, so that ensured a three-way third-round battle against the clock.

Led the Way

Beerbaum led the way for Germany over the new six-fence track, but hit the penultimate vertical to leave the door ajar when crossing the line in 40.84 seconds.  Delaveau was chosen to represent France, but he also left one on the floor in the slower time of 41.84 seconds so now it was all up to Rivetti.  A slow clear seemed like the best option, but he pushed it to the limit when clocking up 50.61 seconds which left him with three time faults.  He admitted afterwards that he had cut it very close – “I thought I’d take my time, but I didn’t mean to take that much time!” he said.  Kirchhoff teased him by saying, “He liked it so much in there that he didn’t want to come out!” but the smiles on the Ukrainian team-members faces said it all.

Great Camaraderie

Kirchhoff pointed out that there is great camaraderie between the four riders who have, over the last few weeks, moved their horses to his base near Milan (ITA) where he trains them along with Heinrich Willem Johannsman.  Kraysuk was understandably thrilled to have produced a double-clear on his debut at this top level of the sport and with a horse he has only been riding for a few weeks. His 12 year old gelding, Nobylis, made it all look effortless. “He jumped fantastic; I have only had him since Arezzo and I have a super feeling with him.  This is a very good start for me – a top team, a good sponsor, it’s just right!” said the man who claimed the Furusiyya Round the Day award.

Chef d’Equipe, Najib Chami, who hails from Lebanon and shares his time between there and his other home in Rome, and who has only been managing the Ukrainian team since the beginning of the year, seems to have powerful force at his disposal.  Kirchhoff said, “Yes, I believe that together we are a force to be reckoned with!” On a personal note Kirchhoff, who took individual and team gold for Germany at the Olympic Games in Atlanta, USA in 1996, pointed out, “I have not competed in Nations Cup for two and a half years and I only started in January with this team.  But we made a plan to go the big shows including Arezzo and Mannheim and now here in the Rome Nations Cup.  It’s working out pretty well!” the former German rider pointed out.

There was nobody arguing with that, and after two legs of the Europe Division 1 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2013 series Ukraine lies third on the leaderboard, with Great Britain in second and France in the lead.  Each of the eight Division 1 teams can select only four of the eight Division 1 events at which to collect points however, so it is still wide open going to the next top league round at St Gallen, Switzerland next Friday.

For information on the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping leg in Rome, go to website www.piazzadisiena.com or contact Press Officer Caterina Vagnozzi at email c.vagnozzi@gmail.com or Tel +39 335 610 7070.

Facts and Figures:

8 nations competed in today’s Europe Division 1 leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup at the Piazza di Siena in Rome, Italy.

4 countries – France, Great Britainn, Ukraine and Spain – were fighting for points towards the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Final which will take place in Barcelona, Spain in September.

Course designer was Italy’s Uliano Vezzani.

CSIO Rome 5* celebrates its 81st anniversary in 2013.

The winning Ukrainian team was making its debut in top-league FEI Nations Cup Jumping today.

There was a thrilling three-way jump-off against the clock between Ukraine, Germany and France.

6 double-clear rounds – from Ukraine’s Oleg Kkrasyuk (Nobylis), Germany’s Daniel Deusser (Cornet d’Amour), French riders Kevin Staut (Silvana HDC) and Patrice Delaveau (Orient Express), Italy’s Juan-Carlos Garcia (Bonzai van de Warande) and Britain’s Nick Skelton (Big Star).

Three eliminations – Emanuele Gaudiano and Cocoshynsky for two refusals in round one and Roger-Yves Bost and Nippon d’Elle at the same fence in both rounds.

Quotes:

FEI Director Jumping, John Roche – “We had great sport over a great course today.  On behalf of the FEI I’d like to thank the Organising Committee and the Italian Federation for a super competition at this very historic site and to thank Furusiyya for all their support.”

Ulrich Kirchhoff – “You run a wonderful show here in Rome; everyone is very nice to us and we really appreciate it.”

Uliano Vezzani – “The course was difficult enough and big, but it is a Nations Cup in Rome so it is very important for me.”

Daniel Deusser (GER) – “My horse (Cornet D’Amour) is in the best shape of his life. He is quite young and last year we grew together. This is the first year that he has done these kind of classes every week. I’ve had him for 11 months and you could feel his potential for the start. At the moment he is really good.”

Kevin Staut (FRA) – “I’m very happy with my mare Silvana; she jumped both rounds fantastically well. She’s really given everything each round.”

Peder Fredricson (SWE) – “It’s a really nice show and this is my third time here. It was my first Nations Cup with this horse (H&M Cash In) and he went well in the first round and was then he was a little tired in the second round, but he will be great in the future. I will rest him now for the weekend and ride another horse in the Grand Prix.”

Juan Carlos Garcia (ITA) – “To make double clear at home makes me feel completely different than at other Nations Cup. The horse (Bonzai van de Warande) is going very well and I’ve been taking very good care of him over the last month so that he can compete here in Rome in the Nations Cup – for an Italian it’s very important to perform well in Rome!”

Christina Liebherr (SUI) – “I was quite happy in the first round, but in the second round she (Callas Sitte) felt a bit tired, but she is now 15 and we have been together a long time. The challenge for our Swiss team is hard as we do not have a lot of experience, whilst the teams in the jump-off have top riders, but we are looking forward to our home show in St Gallen next week, and I have two horses ready to go, so we are very excited.”

Nick Skelton (GBR) – “The horse is jumping great and he is in really good form, and I couldn’t really ask for more. Hope he can jump on Sunday as well as he did today. It was not too technical but was big.”

Oleg Krasyuk (UKR) – “This was my first big Furisiyya Nations Cup and to go double clear makes me super happy – it’s like a feeling of your son being born. We have a fantastic team at the moment and we have a great sponsor in Aleksander Onishchenko and we must thank him so much for everything that he has done for the team.”

Link to Press Conference Audio http://po.st/hoJqQF.

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 Rome:

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

USEF Names Teams for CSIO5* Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ and CSIO5* Rotterdam

Leave a comment

Lexington, KY – The following teams and riders have been named by the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) to represent the U.S. in Nations Cup competition at the CSIO5* Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ and CSIO5* Rotterdam. The United States has been invited to compete with two teams at the CSIO5* Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ held June 13-16, 2013 in Calgary, Canada. For the CSIO5* Rotterdam, the U.S. will be represented by one team June 18-23, 2013 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

CSIO5* Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’

The United States will be represented by two teams at the CSIO5* Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’, a Stars Team and a Stripes Team. A designated “point team” will be named at a later date. The “point team” will earn points towards the U.S. qualifying for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Season Series Final in Barcelona, Spain September 26-29, 2013.

Stars Team
The following combinations will represent the U.S. on the Stars Team at the CSIO5* Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’:

Reed Kessler (Lexington, KY) on her own Cylana
Cylana is a 2002 Belgian Warmblood mare

Kent Farrington (Wellington, FL) on Robin Parsky’s Blue Angel
Blue Angel is a 2002 Anglo-European mare

Charlie Jayne (Elgin, IL) on Alex Jayne and Maura Thatcher’s Chill R Z
Chill R Z is a 2003 Zangerscheide stallion

Christine McCrea (East Windsor, CT) on Candy Tribble and Windsor Show Stables’ Zerly
Zerly is a 2004 KWPN mare

First Alternate:
Charlie Jacobs (Boston, MA) on CMJ Sporthorse LLC’s Flaming Star
Flaming Star is a 1999 Irish gelding

Stripes Team
The following combinations will represent the U.S. on the Stripes Team at the CSIO5* Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’:

McLain Ward (Brewster, NY) on Grant Road Partners LLC’s Super Trooper De Ness
Super Trooper De Ness is a 2002 Belgian Warmblood stallion

Katie Dinan (Wellington, FL) on Grant Road Partners LLC’s Nougat Du Vallet
Nougat Du Vallet is a 2001 Selle Francais gelding

Brianne Goutal (New York, NY) on Remarkable Farms LP’s Nice de Prissey
Nice de Prissey is a 2001 Selle Francais stallion

Rich Fellers (Sherwood, OR) on Harry and Mollie Chapman’s Flexible
Flexible is a 1996 Irish Sport Horse stallion

First Alternate:
Candice King (Wellington, FL) on Bellissimo LLC’s Kismet 50 or Stateside Farm LLC’s Campbell VDL
Kismet 50 is a 2001 Belgain Warmblood mare
Campbell VDL is a 2004 Holsteiner stallion

Team selection for the CSIO5* Spruce Meadows ‘Continental’ was based on athlete’s ranking on the May 3, 2013 Rolex/USEF Show Jumping Ranking List. Additionally, the Chef d’Equipe had the discretion to replace up to two athletes who would have otherwise been named to the team due to ranking on the Rolex/USEF Show Jumping Ranking List.

CSIO5* Rotterdam

Four of the following combinations will represent the U.S. at the CSIO5* Rotterdam:

Beezie Madden (Cazenovia, NY) will ride Abigail Wexner’s Cortes ‘C’
Cortes ‘C’ is a 2002 Belgian Warmblood gelding

Laura Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, FL) on Cherry Knoll Farm, Inc.’s Cedric
Cedric is a 1998 Holsteiner gelding

Lauren Hough (Wellington, FL) on Laura and Meredith Mateo’s Quick Study
Quick Study is a 1999 Selle Francais gelding

Karl Cook (Woodside, CA) will ride Signe Ostby’s Jonkheer Z
Jonkheer Z is a 2002 Zangerscheide stallion

Lucy Davis (Los Angeles, CA) will ride Old Oak Farm’s Barron
Barron is a 2004 Belgian Warmblood gelding

Team selection for the CSIO5* Rotterdam was based on athlete’s ranking on the May 10, 2013 Rolex/USEF Show Jumping Ranking List. Additionally, the Chef d’Equipe had the discretion to replace up to two athletes who would have otherwise been named to the team due to ranking on the Rolex/USEF Show Jumping Ranking List.

Robert Ridland will serve as Chef d’Equipe for the U.S. teams at CSIO5* Spruce Meadow ‘Continental’ and CSIO5* Rotterdam.

To learn more about the CSIO5* Spruce Meadow ‘Continental’, visit: http://www.sprucemeadows.com.

To learn more about the CSIO5* Rotterdam, visit: http://www.chio.nl/EN.

Follow the 2013 U.S. Jumping Team here.

 

FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

Thirteen Teams at Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Eighth Qualifier in Copenhagen

Leave a comment

Lausanne (SUI), 23 May 2013 – The eighth qualifier of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2013 will take place at the Copenhagen CSIO 3* in Denmark this Friday 24 May attracting a field of 13 teams.

The starting order, which was determined by a draw held at Copenhagen this evening, will be as follows:

  1. Poland
  2. Ireland
  3. Italy
  4. Netherlands
  5. Great Britain
  6. France
  7. Denmark
  8. Switzerland
  9. Germany
  10. Sweden
  11. Belgium
  12. Finland
  13. Norway

Six teams – Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Poland, and Sweden – will be competing for Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping points in Europe Division 2. The latest Europe Division 2 standings can be consulted here.

Tomorrow’s competition will begin at 13.00 CEST (local time in Denmark, GMT+2 hours) and will be broadcast live on FEI TV, 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

“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.

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 Copenhagen:

Trine Grønvaldt
Press Officer
presse@spr.dk
+ 45 22 71 40 40

At Revolution Sports + Entertainment:

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

FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

Eight Teams at Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Seventh Qualifier in Rome

Leave a comment

Lausanne (SUI), 23 May 2013 – The seventh qualifier of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2013 will take place at the Rome Piazza di Siena CSIO 5* in Italy this Friday 24 May attracting a field of eight teams.

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

  1. Italy
  2. Sweden
  3. Great Britain
  4. Germany
  5. France
  6. Switzerland
  7. Spain
  8. Ukraine

Four teams – France, Great Britain, Spain, and Ukraine – will be competing for Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping points in Europe Division 1. The updated Europe Division 1 standings can be consulted here.

Tomorrow’s competition will begin at 15.15 CEST (local time in Italy, GMT+2 hours) and will be broadcast live on FEI TV, 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

“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.

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 Rome:

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

Eirin Bruheim Captures Amateur Jumper Championship for Norway at GCT Wiesbaden

Leave a comment

Eirin Bruheim and NLF Newsflash at GCT Wiesbaden. Photo By: SportFot.

Wiesbaden, Germany – May 22, 2013 – The Global Champions Tour event in Wiesbaden proved to be the best show yet for Norway’s Eirin Bruheim and her new mount, NLF Billy On Show. The pair dominated the competitive Amateur Jumper division, winning all three classes and claiming the championship award for Bruheim’s Nordic Lights Farm.

Bruheim and NLF Billy On Show began their streak with the Amateur Jumper Speed class, where they clocked in a full second ahead with all the fences intact to claim the winning prize. The next day they competed in the Accumulator Amateur Jumper class. Once again they were on point, this time finishing over three seconds faster than the rest of the field with a clear effort. The duo once again led the lap of honor, but their week was not complete yet.

On Sunday, 24 competitors gathered at the arena for the final event in the Amateur Jumpers. Nine horse and rider combinations managed to best the first round track and advance to the tiebreaker. Four produced double clear efforts, but it was Bruheim and NLF Billy On Show who stole the show. They galloped through the timers two seconds ahead of the leader, capturing their third win at the Amateur Jumper Championship.

“Wiesbaden was an amazing show,” expressed Bruheim. “NLF Billy On Show jumped amazing in all three classes, and I really feel like we are starting to build a wonderful relationship. I have learned a great deal since coming to Europe and it has been a fantastic opportunity. It was for sure a weekend that will be hard to beat. I am so proud of my horses, and it was an honor to earn these wins while representing Norway.”

The weekend was also successful for Bruheim’s second mount, NLF Newsflash. The duo placed sixth with a clear round in the speed class and then had just a single rail during Sunday’s jump-off event for another sixth place finish.

Nordic Lights Farm will continue showing throughout Europe during the spring and summer.

Nordic Lights Farm is a 70-acre establishment located in Tomball, TX, that was founded in 2007 by the Bruheim family to help further the equestrian goals of 20-year-old Eirin Bruheim and 18-year-old Lene Bruheim. Both girls have worked their way up through the ranks and are currently competing at the top levels in the hunter and jumper divisions aboard their incredible string of horses.

Rebecca Walton for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

NBC Sports Network to Air the 2013 American Gold Cup

Leave a comment

North Salem, New York – May 20, 2013 – Stadium Jumping, Inc. and Old Salem Farm announced today that the 43rd annual American Gold Cup Grand Prix, a CSI4*-World Cup Qualifying competition, will air on NBC Sports Network in a one hour presentation on Sunday, Sept. 22, at 4:30 pm ET. The televised event will provide national high-profile exposure for the event, the sport of show jumping and highlight Westchester County and Old Salem Farm as premier equestrian sports destinations.

“Last year it was an all-star cast,” said Michael Morrissey, president of Stadium Jumping and American Gold Cup organizer. “We wanted everyone to have a good experience and go away thinking this was the climax of the season. We feel we really accomplished that. This year, we are particularly excited to share The American Gold Cup in this incredible venue to a national television audience.”

“NBC Sports Network’s coverage offers a rare opportunity for sponsors and advertisers to reach an incredibly large, mainstream audience,” continued Morrissey. “We encourage interested sponsors and advertisers to contact us about this unique marketing opportunity.”

“The American Gold Cup is a prestigious equestrian event and we are happy to provide coverage to our viewers on NBC Sports Network,” said Mike Perman, Vice President, Programming, NBC Sports Group.

Following last year’s enormous success, Old Salem Farm in New York’s Westchester County, will again serve as the picturesque setting for the American Gold Cup.  Old Salem Farm offers state-of-the-art facilities surrounded by 120 gorgeous acres. In 2012, the North American Riders Group (NARG) named The American Gold Cup one of the Top 25 Best Horse Shows in North America. The owners at Old Salem have made many renovations over the past few years to create one of the most extraordinary show facilities in the world.

The American Gold Cup scheduled for September 11-15, 2013 will feature a full array of jumper classes, including sections for Children and Adult Jumpers, Low and High Junior/Amateur Jumpers, plus the Open Jumpers.  New this year, the ASPCA Maclay Regional Championships will be held on Saturday evening in the Old Salem Farm indoor arena. The featured event, the coveted $200,000 American Gold Cup, will be held on Sunday September 15, 2013 and broadcast on NBC Sports Network the following Sunday, September 22, 2013.

For further information, visit: www.stadiumjumping.com or www.theamericangoldcup.com.

43rd Annual American Gold Cup Fast Facts

What: The $200,000 American Gold Cup FEI World Cup Qualifying Competition CSI4*-W

When: September 11-15, 2013

Where: Old Salem Farm, 190 June Road, North Salem, NY

Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily with the ASPCA Regional Championships on Saturday night.

Facility: Old Salem Farm is New York State’s Westchester County’s premier equestrian facility, offering 26 annual competitions, boarding, top-level training and sales. It offers state-of-the-art facilities surrounded by 120 gorgeous acres.

Stabling:
Stalls are 10 x 10 and housed under canvas. The FEI stalls are 10 X 12 and stabling area will be secured by fencing with 24/7 security. FEI horses will be scheduled to school separately from non-FEI horses. Schedules will be posted and riders will be given notification of times during the horse inspection.

Parking:
Available on the grounds

Directions:
From Interstate 84 or Interstate 287: Take interstate 684 to exit 8 (Hardscrabble Road, turn right. Old Salem Farm is on the right.

Information:
Before Show – before 9/7/12 941-744-5465 800-237-8924
During Show – 914-669-5610  ext 201
Stable office – 941-744-5465
Prize List Advertising – 941-744-5465
Vendors – Matt Morrissey 941-915-3457

Website: www.stadiumjumping.com

Television: The 2013 American Gold Cup will air on NBC Sports Network Sunday, September 22 at 4:30 p.m. EST.

Charity Partners:

JustWorld International
http://www.justworldinternational.org/

ASPCA
http://aspca.org/

Sponsorship Opportunities:

April Wehle
561.459.9259
aprilw@stadiumjumping.com

Connie Sawyer
518.461.6288
sawyer.equestrianevents@gmail.com

Advertising Opportunities:

Mary Silcox 800-237-8924
mary.silcox@stadiumjumping.com

Ring dimensions and footing:
Grand Prix Field 350′x450′, footing bluegrass mix turf. Grand Prix Annex 200′x250′, Schooling 130′x170′. Jumper Annex 146′x307′, Schooling 155′x173′. Indoor 115′x195′, Schooling 74′x135′. Hunter 138′x243′, Schooling 108′x158′. Footing in all arenas is all weather German-designed fiber and sand.

Management:
Stadium Jumping, Inc
STADIUM JUMPING INC.: Corporate Office
1301 Sixth Ave. West, Suite 406
Bradenton, FL 34205
Tel: 941-744-5465
Fax: 941-744-0874

Stadium Jumping
www.stadiumjumping.com

Old Salem Farm
http://www.oldsalemfarm.net/horse-shows

American Gold Cup Media Inquiries:
Phelps Media Group International
Mason Phelps
mpjr@phelpmediagroup.com
Carrie Wirth
cw@phelpsmediagroup.com
561-753-3389
www.phelpsmediagroup.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Show Jumping

Laura Kraut and Cedric Lead the Longines Global Champions Tour Rankings after Wiesbaden

Leave a comment

Laura Kraut and Cedric rose to the top of the Longines Global Champions Tour rankings yesterday during the Grand Prix of Wiesbaden with a jump-off time of 45.12 seconds. Photo courtesy of the Longines Global Champions Tour.

Wiesbaden, Germany – May 19, 2013 – Laura Kraut and Cherry Knoll Farm’s Cedric rose to the top of the Longines Global Champions Tour rankings yesterday during the Grand Prix of Wiesbaden. Kraut’s winning jump-off beat out two-time Champion Edwina Tops-Alexander and her all-star horse Cevo Itot du Chateau by a mere two tenths of a second.  Kraut now sits in the top spot on 77 points, leading the Global Champions Tour standings, and she has her eye set on the fourth leg of the GCT at the Olympic Park in London.

Yesterday saw a first-class lineup of horse and rider combinations in the jump-off, all fighting for the €285,000 in Grand Prix money, but it was Kraut and Cedric who took home the lion’s share.

“It is Cedric’s fourth win on the Global Tour and I am very proud of him,” Kraut stated. “We have a long way to go, but I am just pleased to start off as strong as I have. I am excited about all the upcoming events, London in particular.”

The start list for the third Longines Global Champions Tour boasted 50 of the fastest horse and rider combinations across the globe. The best 18 riders made it through to the second round, and it became clear that the jump-off would see a true battle of the best between top riders Edwina Tops-Alexander, Hans-Dieter Dreher and Laura Kraut. It came down to six in the jump-off, but Kraut and Cedric would prove consistent with their accuracy and speed.

The tension mounted in the stands as the best in the world went neck-to-neck for the coveted championship. Four-time Olympic medalist Ludger Beerbaum took his turn at the short track, clearing all of the obstacles and becoming the pathfinder for the jump-off round. Gregory Wathelet attempted to shave the seconds off of his track, but a slice to the vertical cost him a clean round with a final total of four faults earned.

Tops-Alexander and Itot took over the lead with a fantastic time of 45.35 seconds. Although Dreher gave it his all, he would fall short with a clean round in 46.76 seconds. The tension was palpable as Kraut and Cedric entered the ring. Their performance in the jump-off was the epitome of top riding, demonstrating their long-time partnership as a true bond and understanding throughout their round. They completed the course in 45.12 seconds, never touching a single rail. They captured the victory, and outshined the competition to take the win and stand at the pinnacle of the podium.

“I think it was a good second round course; I had a lot of confidence. I didn’t feel I was that efficient in the jump-off, but I think the mad gallop to the last fence,” Kraut said. “I was a bit lucky; it made the difference. I am very pleased. It is Cedric’s fourth win on the Global Tour and I am very proud of him.”

It was a very exciting event for Team Cherry Knoll Farm as they watched the exhilarating victory unfold. Kraut will continue to compete in the Global Champions Tour, especially excited to show in the approaching leg in London. Kraut plans on staying at the top of her game with Cedric during the approaching legs of the tour. There is no doubt that the talented horse and rider team will stay in peak condition, and be one to watch as she gives her competitors a run for their money.

To stay informed about the dynamic duo’s results, please visit http://www.globalchampionstour.com/events/.

Kendall Bierer for Phelps Media Group, Inc. International

MEDIA CONTACT:
Phelps Media Group, Inc.
12012 South Shore Blvd #105
Wellington, FL 33414
561-753-3389 (phone)
561-753-3386 (fax)
pmginfo@phelpsmediagroup.com
PhelpsMediaGroup.com

Competitions, FEI, Show Jumping

Determined Dutch Win First Leg of Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Europe Division 1 at La Baule

Leave a comment

(L to R front row) Remi Clero, President of the Organising Committee; Yves Petaireau, Mayor of La Baule: Carmen Barrera, FEI Bureau Member; HE Dr Mohammed Ismail al Sheikh, Saudi Arabian Ambassador to France; and Jacques Robert, Vice-President of French NF. Back row, Dutch team members Leon Thijssen, Frank Schuttert, chef d’equipe Rob Ehrens, Hendrik Jan Schuttert and Albert Voorn. Photo: FEI/Dirk Caremans.

La Baule (FRA), 17 May 2013 – The Netherlands won through when standing firm while those around them crumbled in the closing stages of the opening leg of the Europe Division 1 section of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2013 series at La Baule, France today. Switzerland finished second while Ireland, Great Britain and France shared third place ahead of Germany in sixth, Belgium in seventh and Spain in eighth.

The Swiss seemed to have it in the bag after a superb opening round during which they collected just a single time fault.  But despite a brilliant double-clear from Janika Sprunger, who took the Furusiyya Rider of the Day award for her performances with Palloubet D’Halong, they were obliged to add 10 more to their tally second time out which left them trailing the winning Dutch by three faults.

The Longines timing system was busy all day as so many of the riders fell afoul of the 84 seconds time-allowed.  Frederic Cottier’s track was not over-demanding, but not one of the team that eventually won the competition managed to escape time-faults first time out when 17 of the 32 starters exceeded the target.  Dutch pathfinder, Albert Voorn, collected just a single time penalty in an otherwise foot-perfect run in both rounds with Tobalio, while the impressive young Schuttert brothers, 23-year-old Hendrik and 19-year-old Frank, improved from nine and five faults respectively to seriously bolster their country’s chances in round two with clears that eventually decided the result.

Set the Scene

Bright sunshine and perfect ground conditions set the scene for a great day of sport, and with three of the four members of the London 2012 Olympic gold medal winning side in action it seemed likely the British might, at last, record their first team success at this legendary French fixture.  But although Nick Skelton and Big Star never put a foot wrong to register the only other double-clear of the day, mistakes for Ben Maher and Celia at the oxer at fence two, for Brash Scott and Hello Sanctos at the first element of the triple combination at six and for Robert Smith and Voila at the following vertical at seven saw them sharing last place with Ireland at the halfway stage.

The triple combination and the following vertical off a left-handed sweeping turn were the two bogeys of the first round, with the water-tray under the latter seemingly influential.  The open water at nine provided little or no drama, but the vertical at three, now raised to 1.60m, and the last line that included a double of oxers and the final vertical played their part as round two unfolded.

As it began, the Dutch were sharing fifth place with the Spanish who were also carrying seven faults, Germany and Belgium were in joint-third carrying six, the French were in second with five faults on the board and the Swiss were in the driving seat carrying just the single time penalty collected by Olympic champion Steve Guerdat and Nasa.

Second Attempt

And Guerdat looked set to add just one further time penalty as he came to the last at his second attempt, only for that to fall for a total of five faults.  Since pathfinders, Paul Estermann and Castlefield Eclipse, had already added five to their four from the opening round, that would now ensure a finishing total of at least six faults if the two remaining Swiss team members could go clear. As it turned out, however, that was a big ask.

The French meanwhile were also stumbling, with an additional eight faults after single errors from pathfinder Penelope Leprevost (Topinambour) at the final element of the triple combination, and anchorman Kevin Staut (Estoy Aqui de Muze) at the previous triple bar which only fell twice throughout the day.  Although Olivier Guillon’s eight faults with Lord de Theize could be dropped when Marc Dilasser (Obiwan de Piliere) went clear, French chances were slipping away.

Germany and Belgium lost their grip on the sharp end when collecting an additional nine and 13 faults respectively, while Spain disappeared from the reckoning with 14 more in their account despite an opening clear from Pilar Cordon whose chestnut mare, Coriana van Klapscheut, put in an attention-seeking protest before the start of each of her two lovely jumping exhibitions.  The British and Irish both rallied well second time out when picking up just five faults apiece but it was all too late.  And as it came down to the wire, it was up to the Swiss to win rather than the Dutch to lose, because when last-line Dutch duo of Leon Thijssen and Tyson put the discount score of five on the board, the team total of eight faults was as good as they could make it.

Another fabulous clear from Sprunger and her 10-year-old gelding son of the great Baloubet du Rouet anchored the Swiss tally at six faults provided fourth-line rider, Pius Schwizer, could produce another clear.  But, last into the ring and under incredible pressure, his relatively inexperienced nine-year-old, Powerplay, hit the first element of the triple combination, the white oxer two fences later and added a time penalty for nine faults which meant both Estermann and Guerdat’s five had to be taken into account.  Their 11-fault final tally would be good enough for runner-up spot, but it was Rob Ehren’s Dutch team who would stand on the top step of the podium after a truly determined effort.

Big Days and Experience

At 57 years of age, and with an Olympic individual silver medal in his trophy cabinet since 2000, Albert Voorn knows all there is to know about big days and the experience of winning, and of losing.  Reflecting on today’s success, he said, “We had a great spirit on our team. When one person is not doing well then, at this moment, we are not thinking about failing, we are thinking about what we can do to help.”  He described the talented young Schuttert brothers as “two cool guys”, and talked about the challenges of today’s competition.

“I’m in favour of time faults because then the best horse wins. My own horse spooks and also jumps from left to right so I have to take care of him.  Janika’s horse is a top horse, she can ride forward from fence to fence much better than my horse and so can make the time allowed” he explained. But he is concerned about his future with the 13-year-old gelding, Tobalio, which has helped him make a welcome return to the top end of the sport in recent years.

“I called Mr Visser of Eurocommerce in 2011 and said I would like to be one of the riders to fulfill his ambitions.  He didn’t think I was still riding, because I was then doing smaller competitions, but he said ‘absolutely, we are going to do it!’, and two weeks later he called me back.  He had two horses that no-one else wanted to ride and he said you can have them and if you can’t fix them then I won’t keep them.  Try them and if it doesn’t work out I will get other horses for you.  So we did some shows at 1* and at 3* and then I joined the team for La Baule last year and we came second, and then I also competed at Hickstead and Dublin. But because of Mr Visser’s financial situation I maybe will lose my horses.  I put a lot of time into them and emotionally I’m very attached to them.  If they go to the Bank, they will be put up for sale.  So I don’t know about my future with them,” he explained.

Awaits Their Fate

While he waits to learn their fate however, he is going to enjoy them as much as he can, and he has high hopes for Dutch chances throughout this inaugural Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup season. “We will try to get our Olympic team to St Gallen, Rotterdam and Aachen,” he pointed out, “and I’m hoping to go to Falsterbo, Hickstead and Dublin.”

Meanwhile Hendrik Schuttert was just enjoying the moment and the super result achieved for his country with the help of himself and his brother.  “This is our first Nations Cup together so it’s a super feeling that we can compete together in the Nations Cup at the highest level – to win the first time for us, it’s amazing!” he said.

Under the new rules of the Furusiyya series, just four of the teams staring in today’s competition – France, Ireland, Great Britain and Switzerland – were seeking points towards the Final in September and it is the Swiss who gained the highest number of points.

The action in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Europe Division 1 series now moves on to the beautiful Piazza di Siena in Rome (ITA) next Friday, while Copenhagen, Denmark hosts a leg for Europe Division 2 on the same afternoon.

For information on the Italian fixture go to website www.piazzadisiena.com or contact Press Officer Caterina Vagnozzi at email c.vagnozzi@gmail.com or Tel +39 335 610 7070. For information on the Danish fixture, check out website www.firsthorsegrandprix.dk or email csio@spr.dk.

Facts and Figures:

8 nations competed in today’s Europe Division 1 leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup at La Baule, France.

Course designer was Frederic Cottier from France.

The competition took place at the Stade Francois Andre in the heart of the lovely French seaside town.

The start-list included Olympic champion Steve Guerdat from Switzerland and three of the London 2012 Olympic gold medal winning team from Great Britain – Nick Skelton, Ben Maher and Scott Brash.

There were two double-clear performances – from Britain’s Nick Skelton (Big Star) and Switzerland’s Janika Sprunger (Palloubet D’Halong).

Two brothers competed on the winning Dutch team, Hendrik and Frank Schuttert, and the Belgian side included father and son, Ludo and Olivier Philippaerts.

7 horse-and-rider combinations jumped clear in the first round.

9 jumped clear in the second round.

The next leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Europe Division 1 series takes place at the Piazza di Siena in Rome (ITA) next Friday, 24 May.

There will also be a leg of Europe Division 2 taking place in Copenhagen (DEN) on the same afternoon.

A total of 7,000 spectators enjoyed today’s sixth round of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2013 series at La Baule.

Switzerland’s Janika Sprunger was presented with the Furusiyya Rider of the Day award which was judged by international rider and coach, Alice Debany Clero.

Quotes:

Albert Voorn – “With horses every day is a surprise; you never know what they will do!”

Albert Voorn – “We had a good possibility to do very well, but our sport is always unpredictable; you go out hoping to go well; that is all you can ever do.”

Olivier Guillon – “I am a little bit disappointed as my horse went clear in the first round, but it wasn’t the same in the second round; he was a little bit afraid. At the triple we just didn’t have enough legs, but I guess that’s just the way of the sport. As far as the team is concerned, for the next Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping in Rome I will hope that we can improve on this result, although unfortunately I won’t be there.”

Janika Sprunger – “The double clear felt really good and my horse jumped amazing! I am so happy with our performance, and he [Palloubet D’Halong] is at an age, and has the experience, where we can really perform well together. I will go to a three-star show in Germany next week with some other horses, and then with the same to the CSIO5* St. Gallen.”

Frank Schuttert – “I am 2 metres (tall) – as big as a door!”   I ride not only my style for this horse but for all my other horses – this horse has a lot of clears and good results and at the moment this is the best way for me to ride him.”

Hendrik Schuttert – “In the first round I came down a bit slow to the triple bar and hit the back rail. I wasn’t really in my rhythm in the first round and got time faults. I watched my first round on video to see what I did wrong and then I rode a bit more aggressive in the second round and it was much better.”

Frank Schuttert – “I got five penalties in the first round. I too always after my first round watch my video a lot of times to see what I can make better in the second round. There were for some things I could do better, for sure the time, two and a half seconds outside the time was a lot, so in the second round I started a lot more aggressive and you saw my horse jumping better and better – I thought my second round was perfect and I was easily inside the time.”

Hendrik Schuttert – “We come from the east part of Holland; I am one of three brothers. Frank is 19; I am 23. My father used to ride; I think he rode once here in La Baule. I have one other brother who is aged 20 but he does not ride at all. My parents both rode so we started riding at a young age. This is my second year riding in the Seniors, but Frank is still a Young Rider.”

FEI YouTube: http://youtu.be/9oI13OjacZ8.

“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 La Baule:

Véronique Gauthier
Press Officer
veronique-gauthier@club-internet.fr
+33 6 72 77 06 00

At Revolution Sports + Entertainment:

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