Tag Archives: vaulting

Championships, Competitions, FEI, Vaulting

US Athletes Look for Success at 2017 FEI World Vaulting Championships for Juniors

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Lexington, Ky. – Artistry, athleticism, and talent will be on display this week when U.S. vaulting is showcased at the 2017 FEI World Vaulting Championships for Juniors. Running from August 2-5, 2017, in Ebreichsdor, Austria, the U.S. brings a contingent of 14 vaulters competing for titles in the Individual Female, Individual Male, Pas de Deux, and Squad Junior Championships. Chef d’Equipe Mary McCormick and Assistant Chef d’Equipe Jessica Garrod will guide the U.S. vaulters.

Individual Female Championship
Tessa Belardi (Aptos, Calif.) and Ana Schult (Longmont, Colo.) will make their first appearances at the junior world vaulting championships. They will be joined by Bodhi Hall (San Jose, Calif.), who competed in the 2015 junior world vaulting championships. She will vault on First NoBady, a 2004 PZHK gelding, and will be assisted by Lunger Emma Seely.

Recently, Belardi placed third in the Individual Female CVIJ2* competition at the Pacific Cup CVI in May and she will vault with Diva 506, a 2003 Oldenbug mare, and Lunger Carolyn Bland. Schult won the Individual Female CVIJ2* title at the Pacific Cup CVI. She will vault with Dresdn, a 2007 Hungarian Warmblood gelding and Lunger Elke Nousse.

Individual Male Championship
Luke Overton (Stanwood, Wash.) makes his return to the FEI World Vaulting Championships for Juniors after competing in 2015. Jace Brooks (Eagle Mountain, Utah), the 2016 Silver Individual Male USEF/AVA National Champion, will join Overton. Both competed in the Pacific Cup CVI and Canada Cup CVI in May where they placed first and second in both competitions, respectively. Overton and Brooks will vault with Dresdn and Lungers Stefanie Nussmuller and Devon Maitozo, respectively.

Pas de Deux Championship
Hall, a 2015 junior world vaulting pas de deux champion with Michelle Guo, will team up with Caroline Morse (Los Gatos, Calif.) for a chance at the 2017 title. The pair began vaulting together in the spring of 2016 where they have earned four top three finishes. Most recently they won the Pas de Deux CVIJ2* competition at the Canada Cup CVI. They will vault with First NoBady, a 2004 PZHK gelding, and Lunger Nousse.

Bridget Kiernan (San Mateo, Calif.) returns to the FEI World Vaulting Championships for Juniors following a third place finish with Sarah Dunn in 2015. She brings a new partner in Janie Salisbury (Atherton, Calif.). The pair placed first in Pas de Deux CVIJ2* competition at the Pacific Cup CVI. They will vault with Diva 506 and Lunger Bland.

Squad Championship
A talented squad has high hopes in the FEI Squad Championship. Miki Yang (Los Altos Hills, Calif.) and Audrey Kiernan (San Mateo, Calif.) are the most experienced vaulters in the squad, having represented the U.S. at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and the 2015 FEI World Vaulting Championships for Juniors. Their teammates, Belardi, Bridget Kiernan, Annika Malmstrom (Palo Alto, Calif.), and Lena Nicoletti (Sunnyvale, Calif.), are up for the challenge of their first world championship appearance. Earlier this year at the Pacific Cup CVI, the squad finished second in the CVIJ2* squad division. The squad will vault with Amontillado 9, a 2008 Holsteiner gelding, and Lunger Bland.

Watch the entire championship live on FEI TV.

Find out more about the 2017 FEI World Vaulting Championships for Juniors.

From the US Equestrian Communications Department

Competitions, Dressage, Driving, Eventing/H.T., FEI, Show Jumping, Vaulting

United States Impresses at 2017 World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen

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Laura Kraut and Zeremonie. Photo by Shannon Brinkman.

US brings home silver in FEI Nations Cup competitions; numerous top finishes for individual athletes

Aachen, Germany – The United States sent 18 equestrian athletes and fielded two FEI Nations™ Cup teams to compete at the World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen in Aachen, Germany July 14-23.

“It’s the Wimbledon of our sport; there is no question,” said Robert Ridland, Chef d’Equipe of the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping team. “It is one of the most prestigious places to compete. The top riders are all saying: we are bringing our ‘A’ game here, we are bringing our best horses.”

The U.S. athletes certainly came prepared to compete, with plans and goals laid out. The following are some highlights of the U.S. athletes’ week in Aachen.

Show Jumping

On Tuesday, July 18, 2004 and 2008 Olympic team gold medalist Elizabeth “Beezie” Madden (Cazenovia, N.Y.) and HHS Hercules, Abigail Wexner’s 2009 Irish Sport Horse gelding, took third place in the Sparkassen Youngsters Cup, a class for seven and eight year olds, with zero faults and a time of 67.51.

The following afternoon, Lauren Hough (Wellington, Fla.), 2000 Sydney Olympian, and Ohlala, The Ohlala Group’s 2004 Swedish Warmblood mare, competed with 58 other riders and took fifth place with zero faults and a time of 43.20 in the Turkish Airlines Prize of Europe. Later that afternoon, Hough went on to take fifth with Waterford, Laura and Meredith Mateo’s 2003 KWPN gelding, with zero faults and a time of 38.43 in the Prize of StadteRegion Aachen. In addition, 2008 Olympic team gold medalist Laura Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) and Whitney, Artisan Farms, LLC and Torrey Pines Stables’ 2003 KWPN gelding, took third in the same class, with zero faults and a time of 37.45.

Thursday proved to be an exciting day for U.S. Show Jumping. Madden and Breitling LS, Wexner’s 2006 Dutch Warmblood stallion, won the STAWAG-Prize, with zero faults and a time of 66.01. Kraut and Whitney placed third with zero faults and a time of 69.86. Later that evening, Kraut and 2004 and 2008 Olympic team gold medalist McLain Ward (Brewster, N.Y.) led the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team to a silver medal tie with Switzerland in the Mercedes Benz FEI Nations Cup CSIO5* Aachen with double clear performances aboard Zeremonie, Old Willow Farms’ 2007 Holsteiner mare, and HH Azur, Double H Farm and Francois Mathy’s 2006 Belgian Warmblood mare, respectively.

“Today was exciting as always – Aachen is the pinnacle of sport. To go double clear tonight with Zeremonie was thrilling,” said Kraut.

World number one ranked and 2016 Olympic team silver medalist Kent Farrington (Wellington, Fla.) and his mount Uceko, R.C.G. Farm’s 2001 Dutch Warmblood gelding, pulled out a beautiful win on Friday in the North Rhine-Westphalia with zero faults and a time of 46.65. When asked about Uceko and winning in Aachen, Farrington responded: “He [Uceko] is really special. He loves grass arenas. I’ve had him since he was six years old, and I’m so proud that he is 16 and still winning here at Aachen. It was an amazing day.”

On Sunday, Ward and HH Carlos Z, Double H Farm’s 2002 Zangersheide gelding, won the SAP-Prize, with zero faults and a time of 60.21. That evening Kraut and Zeremonie, Ward and HH Azur, Farrington and Voyeur, Amalaya Investments’ Voyeur 2002 Dutch Warmblood gelding, Hough and Ohlala, and Madden and Darry Lou, Wexner’s 2008 Dutch Warmblood gelding, all competed in the prestigious Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen. In the end, Kraut went head-to-head with Gregory Wathelet from Belgium, Luciana Diniz from Portugal, and Marc Houtzager from the Netherlands in the final jump-off. Kraut placed fourth with four faults and a time of 48.01.

Additionally, Zeremonie and Old Willow Farms were presented with the prestigious Halla Challenge Trophy by Hans Gunter Winker for the most successful horse at CHIO Aachen. Kraut was also awarded with the “Prize of the Federal Minister of the Interior,” an award of a special trophy given to the best jumping athlete of the entire show, presented by the Federal Minister of the Interior, Hans-Peter Friedrich.

Dressage

The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team came to Aachen ready to compete. The first phase of the FEI Nations Cup CDIO5* began on Thursday, July 20, with the Preis der Familie Tesch Grand Prix. 2016 Olympic team bronze medalist Laura Graves (Geneva, Fla.) and Verdades, Graves and Curt Maes’s 2002 Dutch Warmblood gelding, took second place behind Germany’s Isabell Werth with a score of 79.514%. The U.S. team sat in second place after the first phase.

“Three of our four horses have never shown at Aachen before,” said Robert Dover, Chef d’Equipe for The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage team. “Two of these horses are in their first season of showing internationally in Europe and one of them is in his first handful of CDIs in his life. Maybe that’s why, by the end of the day, I was a little over-wrought with emotion.”

On Saturday, the second and final phase of the FEI Nations Cup continued in the MEGGLE-Preis Grand Prix Special. With the German audience hanging on to every passage, piaffe, and pirouette, Graves and Verdades took on Werth and her mount, Weihegold OLD, performing a truly masterful test, and scoring a 81.824% that catapulted them to the top of the class standings – on Graves’ 30th birthday, no less. Combined with the rides of the remaining team members, The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team went on to claim the silver medal behind Germany and ahead of Sweden.

“Today was my day,” Graves said. “My horse gave me a great birthday present. I could not be more pleased with him. And, there is nothing like a stadium of Germans singing happy birthday to you. That is really memorable.”

Graves and Verdades went on to take third place in the Deutsche Bank Prize Grand Prix Freestyle on Sunday, with a score of 82.550%.

Eventing

U.S. eventer Hannah Sue Burnett (The Plains, Va.) placed seventh overall in Aachen, with RF Demeter, Jacqueline Mars’ 2002 Oldenburg mare. After Thursday’s dressage test, with 39.90 penalties and the jumping phase, with a time of 87.22 and zero faults, the combination went into Saturday’s cross-country phase sitting in fifth place. Finishing the course clear and with just eight time penalties, Burnett and RF Demeter finished seventh in the overall line-up with a final score of 42.50 penalties.

“The time is difficult to make here in Aachen,” said Burnett. “This was really my first time that I’ve tried to be fast on her [RF Demeter]. I was only eight seconds over, which is really good. It is a really fun feeling here. Everybody cheers so much and there is so much involvement from the crowd. I love that feeling and I love this event.”

Combined Driving

Chester Weber (Ocala, Fla.) represented the United States in combined driving in Aachen. On Wednesday, July 19, Weber masterfully guided Bastiaan, Fritz Grupe’s 2006 KWPN gelding; Boris W, Weber’s 2006 KWPN gelding; First Edition, Weber’s 2009 KWPN gelding; and Splash, Jane Clark’s 2003 Dutch Warmblood gelding, to a second place finish in the Prize of Fa. Horsch, Der Entorger Dressage Four-In Hand with 41.28 penalties.

On Friday, Weber went on to take second again in the Top Score Driving Competition with 1800.00 points, with Boris W, First Edition, Maestoso Jupiter, Weber’s 2007 Hungarian Warmblood gelding, and Splash in the traces.

Vaulting

U.S. Vaulters performed well at Aachen with numerous top-ten finishes.

From the US Equestrian Communications Department

Dressage, Driving, Eventing/H.T., Show Jumping, USEF, Vaulting

US Equestrian Declares Contingent for World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen

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A group of 18 athletes to represent the U.S. across five featured disciplines

Lexington, Ky. – US Equestrian has announced the athletes that will participate in the 2017 World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen, July 14-23, in Aachen, Germany. CHIO Aachen will showcase The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team and Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team in FEI Nations Cup™ action, as well as two additional dressage athlete-and-horse combinations, two eventing athlete-and-horse combinations, four vaulters, and one four-in-hand combined driver in individual competition.

The following athlete-horse combinations will comprise The Dutta Corp. U.S. Dressage Team for FEI Nations Cup CDIO5* Aachen led by Chef d’Equipe Robert Dover:

Laura Graves (Geneva, Fla.) with her own and Curt Maes’ Verdades, a 2002 Dutch Warmblood gelding
Olivia LaGoy-Weltz (Haymarket, Va.) with her own and Mary Anne McPhail’s Lonoir, a 2004 Danish Warmblood gelding
Adrienne Lyle (Ketchum, Idaho) with Salvino Partners, LLC’s Salvino, a 2007 Hanoverian stallion
Kasey Perry-Glass (Wellington, Fla.) with Diane Perry’s Goerklintgaards Dublet, a 2003 Warmblood gelding

The following dressage athlete-horse combinations will compete in the Aachen CDI4*:

Shelly Francis (Loxahatchee, Fla.) with Patricia Stempel’s Danilo, a 2004 Hanoverian gelding
Arlene “Tuny” Page (Wellington, Fla.) with her own Woodstock, a 2003 Dutch Warmblood gelding

The following athletes will make up the Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team for FEI Nations Cup CSIO5* Aachen led by Chef D’Equipe Robert Ridland:

Kent Farrington (Wellington, Fla.)
Lauren Hough (Wellington, Fla.)
Laura Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.)
Beezie Madden (Cazenovia, N.Y.)
McLain Ward (Brewster, N.Y.)

Nations Cup horses will be named at a later date.

The following eventing athlete-horse combinations will compete as individuals in the Aachen CICO3*:

Hannah Sue Burnett (The Plains, Va.) with Jacqueline Mars’ RF Demeter, a 2002 Oldenburg mare
Lauren Kieffer (Middleburg, Va.) with Team Rebecca, LLC’s Veronica, a 2002 Dutch Warmblood mare

The following combined driving athlete will compete in the Aachen CAIO4*:

Chester Weber (Ocala, Fla.) competing tentatively with Amadeus, Weber’s 2005 Dutch Warmblood gelding; Bastiaan, Fritz Grupe’s 2006 KWPN gelding; Boris, Weber’s 2006 KWPN gelding; First Edition, Weber’s 2009 KWPN gelding; and Splash, Jane Clark’s 2003 Dutch Warmblood gelding

The following vaulting athletes will compete in the Aachen CVIO4*:

Daniel Janes (Stanwood, Wash.)
Elizabeth Osborn (Menlo Park, Calif.)
Kristian Roberts (Moss Beach, Calif.)
Emily Rose (Santa Cruz, Calif.)

For more information about the 2017 World Equestrian Festival CHIO Aachen and a schedule of events, visit chioaachen.de.

From the US Equestrian Communications Department

Competitions, FEI, Vaulting

Italy and Germany Take Home Male, Female and Pas-De-Deux

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Germany’s Jannis Drewell shares a #TwoHearts moment at the FEI World Cup™ Final in Dortmund (GER) after winning the male category. (Gustavo Lorenzo/FEI)

Dortmund (GER), 5 March 2017 – The stars of this thrilling series were under pressure to peak when it mattered for this Final, and they did just that in front of fascinated crowds.

Italy’s Anna Cavallaro fended off tough competition from Germany’s Kristina Boe to take the women’s title, and the hotly contested pas-de-deux was won by Italy’s Silvia Stopazzini & Lorenzo Lupacchini – a first for Italy – who put on a show-stopping display of their ‘The Little Prince’ routine.

In the men’s category, vaulters had a tense wait until Sunday morning to find out who would be crowned champion, and after just missing out on the title last year Germany’s Jannis Drewell returned to top form. He performed both rounds with stunning conviction to lift the trophy in front of his home crowd.

Head-to-head

Cavallaro, competing in her seventh World Cup Final, shocked audiences on day one with the début of a brand new freestyle theme. Her wolf interpretation impressed the judges to score 8.662, allowing her to take the lead over Boe (8,418).

You could feel the tension in the Westfallenhalle as Cavallaro with her lunger of 20 years Nelson Vidoni and star horse 11-year-old Monaco Franze 4 entered the arena for day two. She managed to hold her nerve to take her third FEI World Cup Vaulting title under intense pressure on a final score of 8,654.

Boe, the 29 year-old doctor known for her exceptional artistic impression, made a foot perfect second round performance of her zombie freestyle linking a number of risk moves, and with Don de la Mar and lunger Winnie Schluter, she finished second on 8,534.

Mum knows best

FEI European Champion Jannis Drewell (GER) hit unbelievable form at this year’s Final, leaving the crowd in awe as he performed his Sherlock Holmes routine.

Despite miss-timing one ground-jump of high risk, he gave everything with his mother and lunger Simone Drewell and Diabolus 3 scoring 8,720 to take the highly coveted title in front of his home crowd.

Lukas Heppler (SUI) once again teamed up with Monaco Franze 4, with whom he won the opening qualifier in Madrid, and after a nervous first round performance, he excelled on the second day finishing second on 8,554.

“It has been a long journey to get here,” said Drewell. “Last year was my first time in the World Cup and I finished second. I had a conversation with my mother before the second round where I asked about the ground jump as it is high risk. It’s always the way; I should have listened to my mother – but I am so happy it was enough to take the title even with that mistake.”

Italian gold rush

Silvia Stopazzini and Lorenzo Lupacchini, the breakthrough pairing of this season’s World Cup, performed their ‘Little Prince’ freestyle – a routine packed with difficulty and creative flair – to win the pas-de-deux on a total score of 8,695.

Germany’s Theresa-Sophie Bresch and Torben Jacobs maintained pressure on the Italian pairing throughout the competition and with their Swan Lake freestyle won second place on 8,689.

Vaulting Future

“Vaulting has come so far since becoming part of the FEI World Cup series,” said FEI Director of Vaulting Bettina de Rham. “Vaulting is now much closer to our other World Cup disciplines – Jumping, Dressage and Driving. Every vaulter competing at the World Cup is of the highest standard, and it is extremely difficult to qualify for the Final, let alone win. We’re really proud of the World Cup and all the athletes competing in this exciting series.”

#FEIWorldCupVaulting – Follow us on Twitter & Instagram @FEI_Global

FEI Media Contact:

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

Competitions, FEI, Vaulting

Germany Lights Up Leipzig

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Kristina Boe. (Stefan Lafrentz/FEI)

Leipzig (GER), 22 January 2017 – The last FEI World Cup™ Vaulting series qualifier before next month’s Final exceeded all expectations in Leipzig (GER) with audiences at the Partner Pferde treated to a dramatic showdown with stand-out performances and home-nation athletes winning all three disciplines.

World number one Kristina Boe led throughout the competition with two commanding freestyles. In the male category, Daniel Kaiser came back from second in the first round to win with a masterful display, and Torben Jacobs and Theresa-Sophie Bresch closed with a high-class Pas De Deux.

Convincing lead

Boe put on a dominating display on home soil to secure her second consecutive World Cup qualifier on 8,469. Together with 16-year-old gelding Don de la Mar and lunger Winnie Schlüter, Boe looked at ease in the Partner Pferde arena, captivating the audience with every arm move, jump and bounce contributing to her zombie characterisation.

Silvia Stopazzini (ITA), whose grace and flexibility shone throughout the competition, finished second with Hot Date Tek and lunger Laura Carnabuci on an impressive 8.266, with Nadja Büttiker (SUI) finishing third (7,893) and series leader Anna Cavallaro (ITA) placing fourth on 7,791 due to a tumble from her horse in the first round.

Masterful display

The men’s division came down to a nail-biting stand-off between Germany’s Jannik Heiland and Daniel Kaiser. Together with Rockard H and Winnie Schlüter, Heiland led after the first round with a stunning freestyle set to classical music. He was elegance personified, showing exceptional harmony, flexibility and strength.

With only 0.1 point separating the two vaulters, the second round decider was electrifying.

Last year’s FEI World Cup™ Vaulting Final winner Daniel Kaiser drew on his competition experience with a freestyle masterclass on the second day. With lunger Nina Vorberg and 15-year-old gelding Sir Bernhard he gave everything to place first with a score of 8,634. Heiland, not quite able to recreate the seamlessness of his first round performance, finished second on 8,558, with Francesco Bortoletto (ITA) entertaining the Leipzig crowd finishing third on 8,118 in an incredibly hard-fought men’s final qualifier.

Recreating historical moment

The Pas De Deux category was won by Theresa-Sophie Bresch and Torben Jacobs (GER) who recreated the theme that won them the gold medal at the 2011 FEI European Vaulting Championships. Their adapted freestyle reflected their growth in the sport over the past five years. Together with lunger and former world Vaulting champion Patric Looser and Picardo they put on an emotive performance to finish on 8,615.

Italy’s Silvia Stopazzini and Lorenzo Lupacchini came back from a tough first round freestyle to place second on Rosentolz 99 with lunger Laura Carnabuci finishing second on 8,271, and Jolina Ossenberg-Engels and Timo Gerdes (GER) rounded out the podium on 7.786.

Dortmund Final beckons

At the FEI World Cup™ Vaulting Final in Dortmund on 2-5 March fans will find out who is able to hold their nerve and push the boundaries to take their prestigious titles.

The top six female and male athletes and top four Pas De Deux from the series will head to the Final.

In the female category, Kristina Boe and Anna Cavallaro will face tough competition, especially from Silvia Stopazzini with her three consecutive second place finishes in the qualifiers.

The male category, Switzerland’s Lukas Heppler has shone throughout this World Cup season but will face a tough task to fend off competition veterans including last year’s World Cup winner Daniel Kaiser and 2015 FEI European Champion Jannis Drewell (GER). Jannik Heiland is also one to watch with a high-scoring freestyle.

In the Pas De Deux class top honours could go to any one of the pairings, but based on current form Silvia Stopazzini and Lorenzo Lupacchini and Theresa-Sophie Bresch with Torben Jacobs will head into the Final as the favourites.

Get involved – #FEIWorldCupVaulting

Leipzig Results:

Female Individual: 1. Kristina Boe (GER) 8,469; 2. Silvia Stopazzini (ITA) 8,212; 3. Nadja Buttiker (SUI) 7,893; 4. Anna Cavallaro (ITA) 7,791; 5. Regina Burgmayr (GER) 7,551; 6. Marina Mohar (SUI) 7,129.

Male Individual: 1. Daniel Kaiser (GER) 8,634; 2. Jannik Heiland (GER) 8,558; 3. Francesco Bortoletto (ITA) 8,118 ; 4. Lukas Heppler (SUI) 8,048; 5. Erik Oese (GER) 7,872; 6. Balazs Bence (HUN) 7,603; 7. Lorenzo Lupacchini (ITA) 7,539; 8. Thomas Brüsewitz (GER) 6,976.

Pas de Deux: 1. Torben Jacobs & Theresa Sophie Bresch (GER) 8,615 ; 2. Silvia Stopazzini & Lorenzo Lupacchini (ITA) 8,271; Jolina Ossenberg-Engels & Timo Gerdes (GER) 7,786 ; 4. Zoe Marcuccio & Syra Schmid (SUI) 7,318.

By Hannah Eccles

FEI Media Contact:

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

Competitions, FEI, Vaulting

Cavallaro, Heppler, Stopazzini, and Lupacchini Take Titles in Salzburg

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Silvia Stopazzini and Lorenzo Lupacchini. (Tomas Holcbecher/FEI)

Salzburg (AUT), 11 December 2016 – Under the lights of the incredible Meivisto Amadeus Horse Indoors arena in Salzburg (AUT), Lukas Heppler (SUI) won the male competition in spectacular fashion at this third leg of the FEI World Cup™ Vaulting series, while Italy dominated as Anna Cavallaro lifted the female title and Silvia Stopazzini and Lorenzo Lupacchini got their World Cup campaign off to a perfect start winning the pas-de-deux.

Salzburg certainly lived up to its reputation for delivering fascinating FEI World Cup™ Vaulting qualifiers with highly competitive classes across the board.

Rising to the pressure

Just 0.1 point separated the top three female athletes going into the second round, leaving no room for error.

Under intense pressure Anna Cavallaro, the favourite in Salzburg after her win in Madrid, drew on her vast competition experience to perform a near perfect second round, scoring 8,499 to win on Monaco Franze 4 with lunger Nelson Vidoni.

Silvia Stopazzini, competing in the individual female as well as the pas-de-deux classes, wowed the crowds and judges as she commenced her FEI World Cup™ Vaulting 2016/2017 campaign with an elegant bird interpretation that perfectly balanced strength, control and grace. Partnering with nine-year-old gelding Hot Date Tek and lunger Laura Carnabuci, she scored 8.266 for a routine to watch out for as the World Cup progresses.

Regina Burgmayr (GER), who placed second after the first competition, scored 7.906 to finish fifth on day two, leaving the door open for Switzerland’s Nadja Buttiker (7.976) and Marina Mohar (7.945) who finished third and fourth respectively.

Unstoppable in Salzburg

Switzerland’s Lukas Heppler, after winning in Madrid and placing second in Paris, continued his dominance in Salzburg in spectacular fashion, performing his Marco Polo freestyle that excels both technically and artistically.

Lukas Heppler (SUI) and Ramazotti 155 (Tomas Holcbecher/FEI)

Competing on his third horse of the tournament, Ramazotti 155, Heppler continued to show his calibre as a world class vaulter, adapting to a range of horses and still performing outstanding routines. With lunger Melanie Neubauer, he won on a score of 8.541.

The 2015 FEI European Champion Jannis Drewell’s Sherlock Holmes routine was not enough to challenge, and with a more reserved performance than usual he took second place (8,260) on Lago Maggiore 25 with his mother and lunger Simone Drewell.

Balazs Bence (HUN) once again entertained the World Cup crowd pulling up from sixth in the first round to finish third on 8,079, pushing Daniel Kaiser (GER), last year’s FEI World Cup™ Vaulting winner, into fourth place after he suffered a fall from the horse at the end of his freestyle.

Golden day for Italy – when two become one… or four become one!

Italy’s Silvia Stopazzini and Lorenzo Lupacchini in their first season together proved that their individual skills fit perfectly in pas-de-deux. On top of this, they performed for the first competitive time on Rosenstolz, who had previously only worked with individual vaulters in international competition.

“Today our performance was much better than yesterday, and I feel relaxed in this arena. I love competing under the lights here in Salzburg,” said Silvia Stopazzini. “Lorenzo is one of my best friends and I really enjoy performing with him; he is secure and I trust him completely.”

The 2011 FEI European pas-de-deux champions Torben Jacobs and Theresa Sophie Bresch (GER) made their World Cup début together finishing second on a score of 7.761. Torben, who won the FEI World Cup™ Vaulting pas-de-deux last year with Pia Engelberty, is now back with Bresch following Engelberty’s retirement from the sport.

Syra Schmid and Zoe Macuccio (SUI) rounded off the podium taking third place on 7,247, with a much improved performance of their 007 routine.

Next stop Mechelen

FEI World Cup™ Vaulting kicks back into action in Mechelen (BEL) on the 27-29 December (full programme: http://www.jumping-mechelen.com/en/program).

Current world vaulting number one Kristina Boe (GER) will commence her FEI World Cup™ Vaulting campaign in Mechelen, hoping to go one better after finishing runner-up in the FEI World Cup™ Vaulting2015/2016.

Get involved – #WorldCupVaulting

FEI Media Contact:

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

Competitions, FEI, Vaulting

Taillez, Derks and the Chevrels Prevail in Paris

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Clément Taillez with Dyronn and lunger Cedric Cotton. (Erin Cowgill/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 26 November 2016 – The FEI World Cup™ Vaulting second qualifier at the Salon du Cheval in Paris (FRA) saw top individual honours go to Germany’s Janika Derks and France’s Clément Taillez, with the French brother and sister Lucie and Simon Chevrel winning the pas-de-deux.

The annual Paris qualifier got off to a dramatic start with several vaulters taking unexpected tumbles from their horses in the first competition, making the second vital for securing World Cup points, and this led to a fascinating two days.

Derks dominates

The favourite coming into Paris, Janika Derks faced an extra challenge of competing on a borrowed horse, but this did not deter her. With the 12-year-old Quartz d’Obliche and lunger Fabrice Holzberger she secured the top spot on a final score of 8.164 with her creative clown routine.

Derks, who finished fourth individually at this year’s FEI World Vaulting Championships for Seniors in Le Mans (FRA), vaults with the well-known club Neuss Grimlinghausen. Currently ranked world number two, she is now aiming to win her first FEI World Cup™ Vaulting title.

Switzerland’s Pascale Wagner pulled up considerably with her second round performance. Oozing confidence she took second place (7.579), and overtook wildcard Manon Noel (FRA) whose apt ‘Ice’ themed freestyle routine scored 7,522 in front of her home crowd in wintery Paris. Isabel Fiala (AUT) unluckily replicated her Madid qualifier, suffering a tumble from her horse in the first round to finish fifth (6.573).

Knowing each other 100%

Clément Taillez (FRA) gave two outstanding performances to take the title with Dyronn and lunger Cedric Cotton on 8.547 points. His artistic ‘dance’ freestyle received plaudits from three of the four judges who marked his technical elements in excess of 9.

“This is the first time I’ve scored a 9.4 for artistic, which is very cool,” said Taillez. “My horse was really good as usual – we know each other 100%, so it’s always a pleasure.”

Straight off the back of his win in Madrid (ESP) last Friday, Lukas Heppler (SUI) continued his convincing start to his World Cup campaign and with Edmonton, lunged by Koen Akkerman, he rounded off a successful weekend finishing second on 7.662.

Showman Balázs Bence (HUN) recovered from having to improvise to the wrong music, which ultimately impacted his artistic score, putting in a crowd pleasing performance in the second round to place third (7.579). Vincent Haennel, silver medallist at the FEI World Vaulting Championships for Seniors in Le Mans, finished fourth on 7.461 with his Napoleon-themed freestyle, with Theo Dennis placing fifth on 7.220.

Unplanned exits

The FEI World Cup™ Vaulting pas-de-deux category got its 2016/2017 series off to an unpredictable start. Lucie and Simon Chevrel, bronze medalists at the FEI World Vaulting Championships for Seniors, made an abrupt exit off their horse on both days of competition during their breathtaking performance on the slightly unsettled Sweetie de la Fosse.

But even with two premature finishes, their Adam and Eve routine proved enough to take the title on a score of 6.707.

Likewise, Zoe Maruccio and Syra Schmid (SUI) suffered an arduous first round, falling multiple times, but showed great resilience to put on a much improved second day performance to score 5.654.

Next stop Salzburg (8-9 December)

After an action packed four days, FEI World Cup™ Vaulting now has a short break before heading to the fairytale city of Salzburg (AUT) for the third qualifier on 8 December (Competition 1) and 9 December (Competition 2).

Spectators will see Germany’s Jannis Drewell and Daniel Kaiser go head to head in World Cup battle for the first time since the two fought it out for the male individual title at the FEI World Cup™ Vaulting Final in Dortmund (GER) in March, where Daniel Kaiser was victorious.

Watch FEI World Cup™ Vaulting in Salzburg live on FEI TV: www.feitv.org.

See full athlete line-up for Salzburg and series here.

Get involved – #WorldCupVaulting

Paris Results:

Female Individual: 1. Janika Derks (GER) 8.164; 2. Pascale Wagner (SUI) 7.579; 3. Manon Noel (FRA) 7.522; 4. Carola Sneekes (NED) 7.469; 5. Isabel Fiala (AUT) 6.573; Coralie Chataigner (FRA) 6,385.

Male Individual: 1. Clément Taillez (FRA) 8.547; 2. Lukas Heppler (SUI) 7.662; 3. Balázs Bence (HUN) 7.579; 4. Vincent Haennel (FRA) 7.461; Theo Dennis (FRA) 7.220.

Pas de Deux: 1. Lucie & Simon Chevrel (FRA) 6.707; 2. Zoe Marcuccio & Syra Schmid (SUI) 5.654.

By Hannah Eccles

FEI Media Contact:

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

Competitions, FEI, Vaulting

Success for Cavallaro and Heppler at Madrid Opener

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Anna Cavallaro with Monaco Franze 4, lunged by Nelson Vidoni. (Daniel Kaiser/FEI)

Lausanne (SUI), 26 November 2016 – Anna Cavallaro (ITA) and Lukas Heppler (SUI) got their FEI World Cup™ Vaulting 2016/2017 series off to the best possible start, storming to victory at the opener in Madrid (ESP).

The World Cup returned to Madrid Horse Week after its début last year to provide an incredible spectacle headed up with a top-class vaulting line-up, including multiple medal winners from past series.

Four horses for eight athletes made the journey to Spain’s capital, which meant that with only Cavallaro vaulting on her usual horse, quick adaptation was needed for the rest who had to perform routines to the highest standard.

Untouchable

Throughout the competition, the favourite Cavallaro proved untouchable, finishing on a final score of 8.423. In her first season with 10-year-old Monaco Franze 4, she showed that together they could be formidable lunged by Nelson Vidoni, who consistently gained horse scores in excess of 8.

Performing to Anastasia’s ‘Once upon a December’ under the lights of Madrid Horse Week, Cavallaro was able to show off her great strength and precision, evident in her effortlessly perfect split jumps.

Her dynamic freestyle showed her continuing growth in confidence with Monaco Franze 4, as she laid down the gauntlet for the female athletes going into the series.

Competing on borrowed horses, and with a short training day before the start of competition, four female athletes battled to the end. Switzerland’s Nadja Büttiker and Marina Mohar, who both borrowed 22-year-old Simbal, finished second (7.708) and third (7.593), with Isabel Fiala (AUT) placing fourth (6.810) after a tumble on day one from Royal Georg Alexander which impacted her final score.

“In Madrid the competition is wonderful, the organisation is fantastic and the arena is beautiful,” said Cavallaro after her win. “I really want to come back and compete at this competition next year.”

Unique vaulting

The four male athletes, also competing on borrowed horses, all posted exceptionally high scores above 8.

The top spot was closely fought between Switzerland’s Lukas Heppler and Germany’s Jannik Heiland. They both competed on Monaco Franze 4 – now recognised as one of the top scoring horses in the sport and in its first FEI World Cup™ Vaulting series – and were lunged by Nelson Vidoni.

Heppler’s artistic aspect of his performance, with strength moves constantly tight and soft on the horse, is one to watch this series as he develops his own unique style of vaulting. His final 8.535 score secured the Madrid qualifier.

Defending FEI World Cup™ Vaulting champion Daniel Kaiser (GER) once again teamed up with lunger Diane Fraser and Simbal, the combination that won the Madrid qualifier last year. His Houdini routine caught the eye of artistic judge Anita Flamand Prochaska (SUI), who awarded him 8.950 on the first day of competition, but after touching down after his dismounts he placed third with 8.176.

Thomas Brüsewitz (GER) rounded out the class finishing fourth competing on Dante lunged by Nelson Vidoni. Dante was a little unsettled as he entered the arena on the first day, but quickly acclimatised and allowed Brüsewitz to perform two tight routines to finish on 8.050.

Next stop Paris (27-28 November)

FEI World Cup™ Vaulting now heads to Paris (FRA) for the second qualifier, with Lukas Heppler and Isabel Fiala joining eleven vaulters vying for all-important World Cup points in individual and pas-de-deux today (Competition 1) and tomorrow (Competition 2).

Watch Paris live on FEI TV: www.feitv.org.

See full athlete line-up for Paris and series here.

Get involved – #WorldCupVaulting

Madrid results:

Female Individual: 1. Anna Cavallaro (ITA) 8.423; 2. Nadja Büttiker (SUI) 7.708; 3. Marina Mohar (SUI) 7.593; 4. Isabel Fiala (AUT) 6.810.

Male Individual: 1. Lukas Heppler (SUI) 8.535; 2. Jannik Heiland (GER) 8.395; 3. Daniel Kaiser (GER) 8.176; 4. Thomas Brüsewitz (GER) 8.050.

By Hannah Eccles

FEI Media Contact:

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

FEI, FEI, Vaulting

FEI World Cup Vaulting 2016/17: The Countdown Begins – Who Will Be Triumphant?

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Daniel Kaiser (GER), winner of the FEI World Cup™ Vaulting 2015/16 individual male title (FEI/Liz Gregg)

Lausanne (SUI), 23 November 2016 – This week the thrilling FEI World Cup™ Vaulting 2016/17 season gets underway, as vaulters compete at two different stations, Madrid (ESP) and Paris (FRA), for the all-important points to qualify for the final in Dortmund (GER), March 2017.

The event, which has proved to be an overwhelming success, returns with this promising to be its best year yet.  Many of the stars of this summer’s FEI World Vaulting Championships in Le Mans (FRA) are taking part in the hope of winning the prestigious FEI World Cup™ Vaulting title.

In a sport that is continually growing, crowds are promised jaw dropping routines as vaulters perform a mixture of power and grace moves, all creatively intertwined with music to entertain equestrian audiences, as vaulters battle it out for the titles of individual male, individual female and Pas de Deux.

With the emphasis solely on two rounds of freestyle, vaulters are continually having to push the boundaries of imagination and artistry in order to set themselves apart from the competition.

There is a top class line up, and with a range of championship winners and medallists all vying for the title, it is a tough competition to call. After Madrid and Paris vaulters will head to Salzburg (AUT), Mechelen (BEL) and Leipzig (GER), seeking qualifying for the Dortmund final.

Individual male – a tough battle

Last year’s individual male winner Daniel Kaiser (GER) will compete at the season opener in Madrid, 24-25 November, which successfully hosted its inaugural FEI World Cup™ Vaulting qualifier last year. He will face the challenge from fellow Germans, European silver medallist from Aachen 2015 Thomas Brüsewitz and Jannik Heiland (GER) and from Switzerland’s Lukas Heppler.

Whilst in Paris (26-27 November), FEI World Vaulting Championships 2016 silver medallist Frenchman Vincent Haennel, will be the firm favourite to win in front of the home crowd.  He will have to fend off strong competition from club mate Clement Taillez for those crucial World Cup points. Switzerland’s Lukas Heppler – who will compete at both Madrid and Paris qualifiers – and Hungary’s Balazs Bence will also be hoping to put on the pressure.

Audiences will have to wait until Salzburg, 8-9 December, for the rematch between German countrymen Daniel Kaiser and Jannis Drewell – who battled it out for the title last year.  Jannis finished the year as the ranked number one male vaulter in the world.

Individual female – A new champion

Following the retirement of FEI World Cup™ Vaulting 2016 individual female winner Simone Jäiser (SUI), this division will be closely contested.

Runner-up in last year’s FEI World Cup™ Vaulting, and coming off the back of her most successful season, where she won the silver medal at the FEI Vaulting World Championships 2016 and ranked number one female vaulter in the world, Kristina Boe (GER) will be the frontrunner coming into the winter season. Freestyle specialist Kristina will make her FEI World Cup™ Vaulting 2016/2017 debut in Mechelen (BEL), 27-29 December.

She will have tough competition for the title from previous FEI World Cup™ Vaulting winner Anna Cavallaro (ITA), who is back on top form with her new equine partner Monaco Franze 4. Together they won the bronze medal at this summer’s World Championship. She heads up the Madrid line up which commences at 19.00 local time on Thursday 24 November, where she will face opposition from Austria’s Isabel Fiala and the young Swiss competitors, Marina Mohar and Nadja Büttiker who have positioned themselves at the top of the sport.

The current number two in the individual female world rankings, Janika Derks (GER), will be the favourite for the Paris qualifier which commences on Saturday 26 November at 16:30 local time, where her competition will be Switzerland’s Pascale Wagner and Austria’s Isabel Fiala – who will compete at both Madrid and Paris.

Pas de Deux – Three Hearts

Janika will also contend for the top points with her Pas de Deux partner Johannes Kay (GER), together the FEI World Vaulting Championship 2016 silver medallists.  Battling them for the sought after points on home soil, are French brother and sister combination, bronze medallists from this summer’s championships Lucie and Simon Chevrel, and the Swiss pairing of Zoe Maruccio and Syra Schmid.

It will be in Salzburg when the Pas de Deux competition really heats up with Italians Silvia Stopazzini and Lorenzo Lupacchini hoping to improve upon their fourth place position at this summer’s championship.

This hotly contested class includes the German pairing of Theresa-Sophie Bresch and Torben Jacobs in their comeback season, Torben, who took last year’s FEI World Cup™ Vaulting title with Pia Engelberty, is back with the partner with whom he won the FEI European Championships in 2011, following Engelberty’s retirement from the sport.

Whilst there is no Pas de Deux at the Madrid qualifier, the inclusion of the Pas de Deux class into the FEI World Cup™ Vaulting calendar in 2014 took public interest in the sport to a new level.  The unconditional trust of the pairs is obvious as they perform daring lifts coupled with interesting transitions, expanding the FEI’s Two Hearts concept.

Equally important are the horses who not only allow the vaulters to perform these awe inspiring routines but are also marked themselves making up 25% of the total score. With a mix of experienced and young horses taking part in the tournament – it will be interesting to see the impact our equine partners have on proceedings.

Bettina de Rham, FEI Director of Vaulting, says, “FEI World Cup Vaulting is back for its seventh season with the world’s best male, female and pas-de-deux athletes competing in five qualifiers at amazing venues. We kick off with Paris and Madrid this weekend, followed by Salzburg next month, and Mechelen taking us to Leipzig in the New Year ahead of the Dortmund Final in March.

“This series will certainly be dramatic with the athletes’ routines becoming more sophisticated every year. We’re all now very much looking forward to seeing the world’s best vaulters, lungers and horses perform in this truly thrilling World Series.”

There will be live coverage from Madrid and Paris, with Competition Day 1 on the FEI You Tube channel and Competition Day 2 live on FEI TV from each venue.

Male Category:

Balazs Bence (HUN), Thomas Brüsewitz (GER), Francesco Bortoletto (ITA), Jannis Drewell (GER), Dominik Eder (AUT), Vincent Haennel (FRA), Jannik Heiland (GER), Lukas Heppler (SUI), Daniel Kaiser (GER), Lorenzo Lupacchini (ITA), Ramin Simon Rahimi (AUT), Clement Taillez (FRA).

Female Category:

Regina Burgmayr (GER), Kristina Boe (GER) Nadja Büttiker (SUI), Anna Calvallaro (ITA), Janika Derks (GER),  Isabel Fiala (AUT), Corinna Knauf (GER), Katharina Luschin (AUT)(TBC), Marina Mohar (SUI), Silvia Stopazzini (ITA), Pascale Wagner (SUI).

Pas De Deux Category:

Theresa-Sophie Bresch & Torben Jacobs (GER), Lucie & Simon Chevrel (FRA), Janika Derks & Johannes Kay (GER), Zoe Maruccio & Syra Schmid (SUI), Jolina Ossenberg-Engeld & Timo Gerdes (GER), Alexandra Semeredy & Petra Dragan (HUN), Silvia Stopazzini & Lorenzo Lupacchini (ITA).

Full information on the FEI website here.

Social media hashtags: #FEIWorldCup #vaulting

By Hannah Eccles

FEI Media Contact:

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

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

Championships, Competitions, Dressage, Driving, Endurance Riding, FEI, Para-Equestrian, Show Jumping, Vaulting, Western/Reining

US, Swedish and Dutch Cities Win Hosting Rights to Major FEI Events

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(Photo: Liz Gregg/FEI)

Tokyo (JPN), 19 November 2016 – The Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping and FEI World Cup™ Dressage Finals for the years 2020 and 2021 and the FEI European Championships 2019 in Jumping, Dressage and Para-Equestrian Dressage were among the key events allocated by the FEI Bureau in Tokyo (JPN).

Following the success of the 2015 Finals, the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping and FEI World Cup™ Dressage Finals will return to Las Vegas (USA) in 2020 when the Finals will be hosted at a new venue, the MGM Grand Garden Arena from 15 to 19 April. Las Vegas has previously hosted six FEI World Cup™ Finals, two in Jumping and four combined Jumping and Dressage Finals at the Thomas & Mack Center (2000, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, and 2015).

The new venue, located in the MGM Grand Hotel on the famous Las Vegas Strip, is world renowned for hosting high-profile sporting events such as boxing and basketball, as well as live performances from global superstars like Celine Dion, Elton John and Britney Spears.

Gothenburg’s Scandinavium Arena, spiritual home of the FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final since playing host to the inaugural Final back in 1979, has been awarded the 2021 Finals. The Swedish sporting capital, which has already organised 22 FEI World Cup™ Finals including joint-Finals in 2013 and 2016, will host the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping and FEI World Cup™ Dressage Finals 2021 from 31 March to 5 April.

The 2021 double FEI World Cup™ Finals will kick-start celebrations of the City of Gothenburg’s 400th birthday celebrations.

Rotterdam (NED), another city with a long-standing tradition of hosting major equestrian championships, was announced as host for the triple FEI European Championships 2019 in Jumping, Dressage and Para-Equestrian Dressage from 19-25 August.

“We are delighted to confirm the allocation of some of our major Finals and Championships to major global cities like Las Vegas, Gothenburg and Rotterdam,” FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said. “The organising committees for all these top events have such hands-on practical experience, and understand the process, commitment and dedication involved in organising these important fixtures on the FEI Calendar. We are very grateful to all the organisers who put in bids for these key events and are extremely happy to have the opportunity to showcase our sport in major global cities.”

The allocations were made at the FEI Bureau in-person meeting in Tokyo, prior to the FEI General Assembly (22 November). The Bureau also allocated the following FEI Championships and Finals:

2017

Jumping:
FEI South America Jumping Championships for Young Riders, Juniors, Pre-Juniors & Children, Buenos Aires (ARG) 2-8 October 2017
FEI World Jumping Challenge Final, Algiers (ALG) 26-29 April or 3-6 May (dates to be confirmed)
FEI Balkan Jumping Championships for Seniors, Young Riders, Juniors & Children, Zhitnica (BUL), 31 August – 3 September

Dressage:
FEI European Dressage Championships for Young Riders, Juniors. & Children, Roosendaal (NED), (dates to be confirmed)
FEI Balkan Dressage Championships for Seniors, Young Riders, Juniors & Children, Zagreb (CRO), 30 June – 2 July

Driving:
FEI World Driving Championship for Young Horses, Mezöhegyes (HUN), 7-10 September
FEI Balkan Driving Championship, Floresti (ROU), 29 September – 1 October
FEI World Para-Equestrian Driving Championship for Singles, Izsák (HUN), 28 September – 1 October

Endurance:
FEI Balkan Endurance Championship, Salcioara (ROU), 29-30 September

Reining:
FEI European Reining Championship, Givrins (SUI), 2-5 or 9-12 August (dates to be confirmed)

2018

Dressage:
FEI European Dressage Championship U25, Roosendaal (NED), 25-29 July

Driving:
FEI World Cup™ Driving Final, Bordeaux (FRA), 2-4 February
FEI World Driving Championship for Young Horses, Mezöhegyes (HUN), 13-16 September

Vaulting:
FEI World Cup™ Vaulting Final, Dortmund (GER), 1-4 March

2019

Multi-discipline:
FEI European Jumping, Dressage and Para-Equestrian Dressage Championships, Rotterdam (NED), 19-25 August

Driving:
FEI European Driving Championship, Donaueschingen (GER), 20-22 September

2020

Multi-discipline:
Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping and FEI World Cup™ Dressage Finals – Las Vegas (USA), 15-19 April

Driving:
FEI World Cup™ Driving Final, Bordeaux (FRA), 7-9 February

2021

Multi-discipline:
Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping and FEI World Cup™ Dressage Finals – Gothenburg (SWE), 31 March – 5 April

The FEI Bureau was also informed about the Secretary General’s decision to open a multi-year application process for the FEI WBFSH World Breeding Championships for Dressage and Eventing for 2019 and 2020 in order to align the bidding process with Jumping.

Details on the bidding process for FEI events can be found here.

For further information about the FEI Bureau, its role and composition, please click here.

FEI Media contacts:

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

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