Competitions, Equestrian Sport Prod., Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Brian Cournane Steals the Spotlight in Thrilling $10k Perfect Products Stake

Capt. Brian Cournane & Dothraki Warlord © Cassidy Klein

The 2024 ESP Fall III horse show kicked off on Friday with competitive energy setting the tone on the Derby Field at Equestrian Village. The featured $10,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.40m Open Stake ended on a thrilling note as Natalie Dean (USA) and Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) shared the top spot, each completing the course with a clear round in 37.633 seconds. Dean, who was first to go in the class with Dotcom D’Authuit, owned by Marigold Sporthorses LLC, set an impressive pace for the rest of the field. Larrazabal rose to the challenge with Octavia VD Bisschop, owned by Victoria Heurtematte, to match Dean’s time exactly. Dean also claimed the third-place position with her second entry, Crescendo MB Z, owned by Marigold Sporthorses LLC, with a time of 39.807 seconds.

In the afternoon, the Derby Annex Field shifted gears, spotlighting hunter riders in the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, sponsored by Pilates Rocks. American rider Bryce Richardson showcased her expertise aboard her own entry, Sambuca Q, claiming the top score of 168 to clinch the win. Securing the red rosette was Tricia Barr (USA) and her own Party Started, with an impressive score of 167. Rounding out the top placings was Debra Ward (USA) aboard Tavish, owned by Cinthia Ane-McGreevy, with a score of 153.

Saturday’s schedule featured the exhilarating Florida Coast Equipment 1.35m Stake on the Derby Field, where Great Britain’s Blair Willmer, the only rider to advance to the immediate jump-off, put on a display of precision and speed aboard Arizona to capture the top spot with a time of 37.936 seconds. Securing the second-place title was Ryan Genn (USA) and Concenthaga PS, owned by Bridlebourne Stables LLC, with a 4-fault, first-round time of 74.02 seconds, while James Brennan (IRL) secured the third-place title with a 4-fault time of 76.272 seconds aboard Reemah O.L., owned by Crooks Show Jumping LLC.

The weekend reached its grand finale on Sunday with the $10,000 Perfect Products Stake, where anticipation and skill were on full display. USA’s Capt. Brian Cournane, riding Dothraki Warlord, owned by Glenbeigh Farm LLC, ninth to go in the lineup, and delivered a masterful performance, stopping the clock in a clear 41.85 seconds to secure first place.

Andrew Welles (USA) finished in a close second aboard his own Cismet 4, with a time of 42.626 seconds. Taking third was Alexandra Welles, who rode Quality-Time Van Het Heieinde, owned by Andrew Welles LLC, to a flawless round, finishing in 43.376 seconds.

To view full results from ESP Fall II, please click HERE.

Wellington International
news@wellingtoninternational.com
www.wellingtoninternational.com

Competitions, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

Whitaker Wins Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Qualifier in Helsinki

Robert Whitaker (GBR) and Vermento ©FEI/ Hanna M. Heinonen Photography

Robert Whitaker (GBR) and Vermento won the second leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Western European League 2024/2025 in Helsinki (FIN). With ease he dominated the competition in the Finnish capital, while Kevin Staut (FRA) and Dialou Blue PS took second place and Steve Guerdat (SUI) and Is-Minka came in third.

It was an afternoon full of agility, control, and focus at the Helsinki Ice Hall. Jorge Guilherme (BRA) designed a course with 13 jumps, with a total of 16 efforts. In one word, it was tight. Short turns and lines demanded full focus.

Although this course was challenging, way more athletes made it to the jump-off than last week in Oslo (NOR). Out of the 39 athletes, 13 advanced to the jump-off. To compare: last week, there were four out of 40.

Amanda Landeblad (SWE) and For Killy had the honour of discovering how fast the jump-off could be completed. As the first of the 13 athletes qualified for the jump-off, she started the fight for qualification points. Beforehand, she had given herself a stern pep talk. “I don’t ride fast jump-offs, but I have decided to do so now,” she said with a smile. She kept her word. From the first moment the rhythm was there, and with short turns she completed the course faultlessly in 38.89 seconds. This was enough for seventh place.

When the third athlete in the jump-off, Steve Guerdat, entered the ring, the other athletes watched the master at work. He has already won the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final three times, with three different horses: Albfuehren’s Paille in Las Vegas (USA) 2015; Corbinian in Göteborg (SWE) 2016; Alamo in Göteborg 2019). With great control and overview, he steered Is-Minka faultlessly around. The new time to beat was 37.56, almost one-and-a-half seconds faster than Landeblad. Although he could have been even faster, had he ridden tighter in the turn from the first to the second obstacle.

Whitaker rode with his stallion Vermento. Because of his size, he wasn’t expected to be the fastest horse, but he proved to be the most agile one. He gained metres throughout the jump-off by turning short, especially in the turn to the FEI vertical. He clocked a time of 36.84 seconds, and made it even harder for the athletes who followed.

Kevin Staut and Dialou Blue PS rode smartly, flew through the double jump and gained time with that. It turned out to be enough for second place. ‘Number two’ seems to be Staut’s favourite position lately, and the French athlete is completely fine with it. “We have now finished second three times in a row,” Staut said, referring to Oslo one week ago and Barcelona (ESP) at the beginning of this month. “I prefer to be second three times than taking a risk and winning one time and then maybe having to miss the next competition.”

Mario Stevens (GER), who has been competing with his partner Starissa FRH since June 2021, played it safe. It resulted in a clear but relatively slow round. With 40.10 seconds, he finished eighth.

Edouard Schmitz (SUI), the athlete who took second place last week in Oslo, was now determined to bring home a few more points for the World Cup Final in Basel (SUI), but he ended up disappointed with his own performance. He and Gamin van’t Naastveldhof had one fence down on the second combination and went home empty-handed. “But this is not the end of the world,” he said afterwards, referring to the 12 more legs remaining.

Guerdat, on the other hand, is doing good business when it comes to claiming qualification points: “I have a few (5) points from last week in Oslo, and good points today (15). Now it’s up to me to secure my qualification for the Final soon.”

After this second leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ – Western European League 2024/25, the standings are as follows: Yuri Mansur (BRA) leads on 25 points, while Kevin Staut (24 points) and Peder Fredricson (SWE – 21 points) are second and third, respectively, followed by Gregory Wathelet (BEL), Robert Whitaker, and Steve Guerdat, each with 20 points.

The next leg takes place on 3 November in Lyon (FRA), followed by Verona (ITA) and Stuttgart (GER). Whether Whitaker will be in Lyon next Sunday isn’t certain. “I will discuss my schedule with the Chef d’Equipe. Personally, I prefer Madrid (ESP) and A Coruña (ESP) in December. It seems good to me to jump two shows in a row.”

What’s already certain is that the British athlete is more than happy for now. “Vermento was amazing. He looked ahead to every fence. I think our round yesterday helped him. Then we had a fence down. He is a horse that doesn’t want to make mistakes, so I think that made him extra sharp today. He gave me the chance to guide him to victory.”

FULL RESULTS

by Mirjam van Huet

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

Competitions, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

‘Major’ Victory for Pessoa at Washington

Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) and Major Tom © FEI/Shawn McMillen Photography

Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) has always known that Major Tom had every quality he could want in an equine partner. But channeling the horse’s brimming talent was a work in process.

His patience with the 11-year-old chestnut paid off with a stellar victory Saturday night at the Prince George’s Equestrian Center, as they bested a five-horse jump-off in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Washington (USA). First to return over Nick Granat’s (USA) short course, the pair produced a round that simply couldn’t be matched. Not only could no one match their time, but only one other competitor could manage to keep all the rails up — defending champion, Katie Dinan (USA).

Pessoa’s winning time was 38.77 seconds. After winning the 2023 event with Brego R’n B, Dinan finished second on this occasion with a newer mount in Out of the Blue SCF (40.27s). Kristen Vanderveen secured third with Bull Run’s Jireh. After her stirrup fell back behind Vanderveen’s saddle, the pair brought a single rail down when crossing the timers in 39.63 seconds.

“Going first is always a little bit difficult, but on the other hand, you make your plan and you try to stick to it, and I think I did that pretty well [tonight].” Pessoa said. “I’m really pleased that we came out on top today.”

Clear rounds were hard to come by. Granat’s first round course featured no fewer than three verticals set at maximum height, with another trio just centimeters lower. With the rounded shape of the arena, questions came up quickly, challenging even the most experienced of combinations, including Olympic veterans Laura Kraut (USA) and Baloutinue and Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and James Kann Cruz. It was no problem, however, for Pessoa and Major Tom, who navigated the track with an eye-opening level of poise and precision. Confidence brimming, their mastery of the evening carried over to the short course, where they never appeared rushed while setting an uncatchable standard.

“I knew that it was always possible to go faster, but I was happy with [my horse’s] performance, and I knew I was going to be right there or thereabouts,” Pessoa said.

“Of course, looking back, I was a second-and-a-half behind, and I could have easily in some ways made that up,” Dinan said. “For sure, I’m still in a relationship-building phase with [my] horse, and I was thrilled with my double-clear. To be second behind Rodrigo — I’ll take that!”

While Dinan has been partnered with “Bridie” for a year, Pessoa has ridden Major Tom for four. He attributed their success to a newfound level of relaxation and maturity for his mount. Major Tom was highly touted as a young horse in Europe under the tutelage of Michael Duffy (IRL) when Philippe Guerdat (SUI) brought the horse to Pessoa’s attention.

“He always showed a lot of quality… but he’s very, very sensitive, and so we’ve taken extra time [with him] and didn’t want to push him as a 9-year-old. We really took it easy,” Pessoa said. “I really feel that now he’s getting more and more relaxed.

“The jump was always there, but his mind was always [going] 200 miles per hour. Now he’s taking his time and taking deep breaths everywhere and can really rely on his quality. He’s one of the best horses I’ve ever had, but he really needed that time to get in his own space and be more comfortable.”

This marked Major Tom’s second time competing at the venue after making his debut at Washington in 2022 with a single knockdown.

“He’s more comfortable outside, because he has a very big stride,” Pessoa said, “but it was part of the plan to come here, to [practice] inside a little bit.”

Kent Farrington (USA) continues to lead the NAL standings. After winning in Traverse City with Greya, he finished seventh at Washington with 9-year-old Myla; he now has 30 points. Daniel Bluman (ISR) sits second with 27 points, followed by Vanderveen (USA).

FULL RESULTS

by Catie Staszak

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

Eventing/H.T., London International Horse Show, Revolution Sports, Show Jumping, Training/Clinics

Final LeMieux Masterclass Featuring Pippa and William Funnell Announced

London International Horse Show has announced details of the last of the five Masterclasses in this year’s LeMieux Masterclass Series that will feature in the New Horizon Plastics London Arena at the Show. The ‘Training the Eye: The Art of Selecting Young Horses’ Masterclass will take place on Thursday 19 December at 13:30 and will be hosted by one of equestrian sports’ most decorated and admired couples, Pippa and William Funnell. The Masterclass is designed to elevate a potential buyer’s skills in selecting top-quality horses for sport or investment.

In this exclusive LeMieux Masterclass, spectators will gain unparalleled insights from two of the sport’s most respected professionals, who bring with them decades of experience in breeding, training, and evaluating young horses.

Event rider Pippa Funnell has had success at the highest level of the sport, including team Olympic silver medals in Sydney (2000) and Athens (2004) as well as individual gold in the FEI European Championships in 1999 and 2001. The crowd-favourite eventer is also a six-time CCI5* winner and was the first woman to become World No. 1.

Her husband, William, is one of Britain’s finest Show Jumpers and has represented the country in numerous Senior Championship teams. Earlier this year, he cemented his name in the history books when he became the first five-time winner of the iconic Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby. Together they founded The Billy Stud, where they breed and produce the next generation of elite sport horses.

The couple will guide the crowd through their young horse training secrets and the critical aspects of horse selection, including evaluating conformation, pedigree, performance potential, and temperament. With their proven expertise, the audience will learn how to spot untapped talent and make informed decisions that will set up potential buyers for success in the auction ring and help them to develop the confidence to assess horses like a true professional.

Speaking on the Masterclass, Pippa Funnell stated: “Joining the London International Horse Show to share my experience through a Masterclass is truly special. Identifying potential in a young horse is both an art and a skill, requiring a keen eye and thoughtful observation. I look forward to sharing insights on what I look for in a future champion, from conformation to temperament, and helping others develop their own ‘eye’ for spotting talent. It’s an exciting journey that starts long before the competition arena, and I’m excited to pass on the knowledge I’ve gained over the years.”

Throughout the Masterclass, Pippa will ride several horses from the Brilliance Horse Auction Co.’s Collection to help demonstrate the qualities that are important to look for in a young horse. Following the tremendous success of last year’s inaugural auction at the Show, this December the Brilliance Horse Auction Co.’s Collection will feature 12 world-class sport horses who will be available for bidding on the evening of Saturday 21 December, both in-person auction and online via live streaming.

Show Organiser, Simon Brooks-Ward, commented: “We are delighted to announce the final Masterclass of our educational and entertaining LeMieux Masterclass Series. Both Pippa and William Funnell have had tremendous success not only in their respective sports, but also in breeding world-class sports horses. They are sure to provide invaluable insights to help the audience unlock the secrets to selecting future champions.”

To purchase tickets to the LeMieux Masterclass Series, please click here.

For more information, please contact: Niki McEwen / rEvolution / nmcewen@revolutionworld.com

*Featured/Spotlights, Horse Care/Protection

Quick Action to END Gonacon Sterilization of Teddy Roosevelt Horses

TRNP mare with a tracking collar. Photo: Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates.

Please take a quick action for the wild horses living in the Teddy Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. The U.S. Park Service has captured the horses in the Teddy Roosevelt National Park (TRNP) to administer the permanent sterilant Gonacon. We said it before (and we’ll keep saying it): as few as two applications of Gonacon can permanently sterilize horses. This happens because Gonacon literally destroys reproductive organs (i.e. ovaries).

Again, big CONGRATULATIONS to local citizens, especially the grassroots group Chasing Horses Wild Horse Advocates, in North Dakota who fought hard and succeeded in stopping the Park Service’s plan to permanently remove horses. Locals rallied support from Governor Doug Burgum and Senator John Hoeven, who went to bat to stop the Park Service’s ill-conceived removal plan.

Please take quick action here to end the use of Gonacon, which WILL STERILIZE and ultimately DESTROY this beloved herd.

Without your action, change will not happen!

Stay tuned. More updates on TRNP are coming.

The Cloud Foundation
www.thecloudfoundation.org

Competitions, Equestrian Sport Prod., Hunter/Equitation, Show Jumping

Marie Hecart Wins $24,999 CCTV Agent Grand Prix

Marie Hecart & Edonna D’Udine © Cassidy Klein

The 2024 ESP Fall II horse show got underway on Friday with the $10,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.40m Open Stake on the Derby Field at Equestrian Village. Mexico’s Tanimara Maria Macari Carrillo delivered a blazing double-clear aboard her own Febvre De Lusse, stopping the clock at 32.188 seconds for the win. Alberto Michan (ISR) and his own Joint De Canabis Van De Doornhoeve, followed closely with a time of 34.886 seconds to earn second while Capt. Brian Cournane (USA) and Dothraki Warlord, owned by Glenbeigh Farm LLC, earned third, clocking in at 35.482 seconds.

Saturday’s excitement began with the $5,000 Arion Sellier 1.35m Stake, where Jad Dana (LBN) and Fleur-De-Lis’ Cherie, owned by the Cherie Group, swept the top spot with a clear time of 37.46 seconds. Taking the podium for the second time this week was Tanimara Maria Macari Carrillo (MEX) and Quenala T, owned by Eickendorf Horses GMBH & Co. KG, with a clear 38.942 second time, while Kayla Savard and her own entry, Jack, placed third with a time of 40.734 seconds.

Later on Saturday, the Derby Annex Field showcased hunters for the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, sponsored by Pilates Rocks. Keri Kampsen (USA) put on a stellar performance aboard Check Please, co-owned with Lexy Reed, to claim top honors with a winning score of 180. Securing the runner-up spot was Kampsen’s student, Gillian Galvin (USA) with Easy B, owned by Gabriella Rivera, with a score of 170. Maggie Alexander (USA) rounded out the podium with a score of 148 aboard her own California Prima Z.

The thrilling conclusion of ESP Fall II came on Sunday with the $24,999 CCTV Agent Grand Prix. France’s Marie Hecart was last to go in the line-up of six riders who all advanced to the jump-off, out of a class of 28. Hecart laid out a perfect round with Edonna D’Udine, owned by Normandie Connection, crossing the timers in a clear 36.214 seconds time. No stranger to the Derby Field, Lebanon’s Jad Dana came in a close second aboard Fleur-De-Lis’ Cherie, owned by the Cherie Group, with a time of 36.261 seconds, just .047 seconds slower than Hecart’s time. Rounding out the podium was Juan Jose Bancalari Elmudesi (DOM) and his own entry, Cascais HC, with a clear time of 39.609 seconds.

“She’s [Edonna D’Udine] a really competitive mare. She’s really fast, she’s really careful, really brave,” explained Hecart. “It’s her first show [in Florida]. She first did the 1.30m and now the Grand Prix and she’s been really good.”

To view full results from ESP Fall II, please click HERE.

Wellington International
news@wellingtoninternational.com
www.wellingtoninternational.com

Competitions, Dressage, FEI, FEI

Laudrup-Dufour Shines in Herning with Freestyle Victory

Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour (DEN) and Mount St John ©FEI/Pernilla Hägg

On home soil in Denmark, Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour clinched a commanding victory with Mount St John Freestyle in the opening leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2024/2025 in the Western European League. Fellow Dane Daniel Bachmann Andersen and Vayron secured second place, while Sweden’s Maria von Essen prevented an all-Danish podium by finishing third with Invoice.

The Danish crowd came out in full force to support their home favourites, and they were not disappointed. In Friday’s Grand Prix, Mount St John Freestyle (owned by Laudrup-Dufour & Zinglersen Aps and Mount St John Equestrian LLP) captured the hearts of the audience and went on to deliver an even more stunning performance in the Freestyle. Scoring an impressive 88.965%, Laudrup-Dufour set a benchmark that no other competitor could match. “Already in the warm-up, she felt incredible. And Freestyle adored the arena,” said Laudrup-Dufour shortly after her ride.

Daniel Bachmann Andersen, teammate of Laudrup-Dufour in Denmark’s silver-medal-winning team at the Paris Olympics, guided the powerful Vayron (owned by the athlete and Rudolf Spiekermann) to second place with a score of 84.905%. These two combinations were the only ones to break the 80% barrier, setting themselves apart from the rest of the field. While their Paris teammate Nanna Skodborg Merrald initially claimed third place in the Grand Prix with Blue Hors Zepter (owned by Blue Hors Aps), some mistakes in their Freestyle dropped them to seventh place, opening the door for other competitors. Maria von Essen (SWE) seized that opportunity, moving up from seventh in the Grand Prix to third in the Freestyle with Invoice (owned by Alexanders Hovslageri & Häst Ab).

Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Mount St John Freestyle impressed at the Paris Olympics, finishing second in the Grand Prix and winning the Grand Prix Special. However, they slipped to fifth in the Freestyle. “Freestyle surprised me a bit in Paris. She was a little stressed from the prize-giving ceremony after the Grand Prix Special. Here in Herning, she was much calmer, as Cassidy did the prize-giving,” Laudrup-Dufour remarked.

Laudrup-Dufour’s Freestyle routine is technically demanding but also holds deep personal significance: “I love challenging myself. You need to stay sharp. For me, this is much more than just a floor plan and a piece of music. Every song and every movement remind me of something.”

As for the remainder of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ season, Laudrup-Dufour is still undecided. “I’ll make a plan with my trainer later. We’ve been invited to ride at the Top 10 in Stockholm, and after that, we’ll see.”

The five-member judging panel, consisting of Susanne Baarup (DEN), Kurt Christensen (DEN), Mariette Sanders-van Gansewinkel (NED), Alice Schwab (AUT), and Magnus Ringmark (SWE), unanimously placed Laudrup-Dufour at the top. They were equally unanimous in their decision to place Daniel Bachmann Andersen and his impressive bay Vayron in second.

Bachmann Andersen was delighted with his horse’s performance: “Vayron felt amazing in the warm-up already; he had much more focus than in the Grand Prix, where he was a little fresh, and I made a mistake in the tempi changes. Today he was more settled and focused. He is a very sensitive horse, but the more the audience applauds, the better he performs. His self-confidence was at its highest today. I feel he is really starting to believe in himself.”

Maria von Essen, riding Invoice, a horse she has had since he was two-and-a-half years old, claimed the third position. After winning the Grand Prix and finishing second in the Freestyle at last year’s FEI Dressage World Cup™ qualifier in Gothenburg, von Essen was pleased to secure a podium finish in Herning’s strong field. Starting sixth, she managed to hold on to a top-three spot. “My horse felt just amazing today; he really rose to the occasion,” said von Essen, who borrowed an old Freestyle routine from Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, with whom she shares trainer Kyra Kyrklund.

The competition for the remaining top spots was intense. German athlete Bianca Nowag-Aulenbrock came closest to breaking into the top three, riding the cheerful mare Florine OLD (owned by Elisabeth von Wulffen) to a solid fourth place with a harmonious performance.

Lone Bang Zindorff, representing Denmark, secured fifth place with Thranegaardens Rostov (owned by Bang Dressage Aps), just ahead of Germany’s Carina Scholz and her experienced seventeen-year-old partner Tarantino (owned by Sportpferde Scholz). Nadja Aaboe Sloth (DEN) guided her own Favour Gersdorf to another score in the 78% range, joining Zindorff, Scholz, and Merrald in a closely contested battle for the top spots. Ninth and tenth places went to German athletes Raphael Netz with Great Escape Camelot and Ingrid Klimke with First Class.

FULL RESULTS

by Bettine van Harselaar

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Eventing/H.T., Strzegom

Olympic Champion Victorious in the 4*L Class in Strzegom

Photographer: Leszek Wójcik

Michael Jung, riding the 10-year-old stallion Jim Knopf P, wins the 4*-L class, the most demanding competition at the Strzegom October Festival.

Jung, current and triple Olympic champion, was the favourite of this rivalry. The German took the lead after the dressage test, went clear in the cross-country and was clear with a 12-second overtime, and even one drop in the showjumping didn’t prevent him from taking home the first place – the final score being 37.6. Second place went to Clarke Johnstone riding Rocket Man – 43.7. The representative of New Zealand was second after dressage and, despite crossing the finish line late in the cross-country and jumping, he didn’t give it up until the end of the class. The third place on the podium went to Sara Algotsson Ostholt riding Dinathia – 52.7.

The best rider in the 4*-S competition was Johnstone with Domasco. After a clear cross-country, the New Zealander took the runner-up position, moving up as much as nine places after dressage, and he also presented a clear jumping round – 38.6. Second place went to Ben Hobday with Shadow Man, leaders after dressage. The British rider dropped to third after adding overtime points in the XC, and with clear jumping, he secured his second place on the podium – 39.2. Third was Germany’s Nicolai Aldinger with Timmo – 39.6.

The battle for the podium places in the 3*-L competition was between the German representatives Ingrid Klimke and Michael Jung. Jung, who was in the lead after dressage, went overtime at the cross-country and dropped to second place; his showjumping round was clear, but in the face of a faultless performance in both trials by Klimke, he could not regain his leading position. The German athlete on the mare Cascamara won the competition with 32.8 penalty points, while Jung with Polish-bred horses followed: riding Dżoker – second with 33.8, and with Safran – third with 36.7.

Swiss Mélody Johner was victorious in the 3*S, taking home the win with Gratte Cielle Peccau – 40.3, and third with Erin – 43. Second place went to German representative Silva Kelly riding Checkovich – 42.2.

Australian rider Kate Irvine on Codak Xtreme won the 2*L after a double clear in the cross-country and jumping trials – 26.4, ahead of her compatriot Andrew Hoy with Hasenacher Lilly – 31.3, and Polish rider Jan Kamiński riding Annsfort Quietman – 37.3.

The best rider in the 2*S, after clearing the XC and jumping, was Mélody Johner with Captain Thin Lizzy – 31.3, with second going to Germany’s Sophie Leube with Karla – 32.3, and third to Dutch athlete Elaine Pen with Noah De Foja – 34.61.

The 1*-Intro class was dominated by riders from Germany. The winner was Ingrid Klimke with Candy 851 – 27.0, before Antonia Baumgart with Blaya D’ha Z – 32.6, and Libussa Lübbeke with Luzia 23 – 32.6.

European Youth Eventing Masters

In the European Youth Eventing Masters tournament, in the young rider age category, riders competed only in the individual classification. The best one was Swiss Brooke Schmid riding Giandra V. Schloesslihof – 54.9, ahead of Poles Weronika Król with Look At Her – 69.8, and Karolina Miś riding Go Jack – 82.9.

In the junior and pony categories, the teams from Germany were unrivalled. The winning junior squad was composed of: Neel Friedrich Dehn and Haptika, Iliane Hannalisa Hein and Akeby’s Quemiro Silla, Pita Schmid and Favorita V, and Emily Johanna Wolfschmitt and First-Class 6.

In the individual classification, the first place on the podium was taken by Germany’s Leonie Leni Vehring riding Coraleen – 31.3, second went to Czech Marek Pokorny riding Lancome De Bellerose – 33.8, and third to Germany’s Lukas Goertz with Mon Ami Brillante – 33.9.

The best team in the pony category is Amelie Fulst and Fernet, Max Hausser-Knabe and Gwendolyn, Nell Röming and Marlon 192, and Pia Sophie Schreiber and Motsi Mabuse 2.

Individually, first place went to Germany’s Nell Röming riding Marlon 192 – 30.4, ahead of the Dutch Jelle Gorgels with Kwa Kanisa – 37.9, and Eva Tasseron with Bloemendael’s Truffel – 41.3.

A total of 14 competitions were held during the Strzegom October Festival: 7 international classes, the European Youth Eventing Masters tournament, and four national classes.

Online results: https://results.strzegomhorsetrials.pl/event.php?event=31

Contact:
www.strzegomhorsetrials.pl
press@strzegomhorsetrials.pl

Competitions, Eventing/H.T., FEI, FEI

“We Like Mud!” Irish Eventers Dig Deep to Win Nations Cup Final

Team Ireland L-R: Padraig McCarthy and Pomp N Circumstance; Susannah Berry and Clever Trick; Austin O’Connor and Isazsa; Aoife Clark and Sportsfield Freelance. FEI/Libby Law Photography

The Cross-Country course conditions played to the Irish strengths this weekend, as an experienced quartet claimed their second FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ win of the season. After winning their home event in Millstreet (IRL), their victory in this the final leg of the Series in Boekelo (NED), came down to some masterful jumping performances in the Cross-Country and Jumping phases. Their finishing score of 102.6 penalties put them well out in front of Team USA on a final total of 116.1, with Germany trailing in third on 131.9.

Eleven teams came forward to compete in this CCIO4* long-format competition which saw a real shake-up in the leaderboard after the Dressage phase. The Netherlands, who once again played host to this popular and thrilling Nations Cup finale, finished in ninth spot on 298.9 penalties.

After several weeks of rain affecting the ground conditions, the Organisers had to make a number of changes to the Cross-Country course. With horse and athlete welfare in mind, a loop of the course was removed by Course Designer Adrian Ditcham, to ensure footing throughout.

The Irish team consisted of three members of the team who competed at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games this summer: Susie Berry, Aoife Clarke, and Austin O’Connor were joined by the equally experienced and previous Olympian Padraig McCarthy. Three solid and speedy Cross-Country rounds from Berry, Clarke, and McCarthy meant they rose from sixth after the Dressage to pole position going into the final Jumping phase. With just a fence in hand between them and second-placed USA, they kept their cool, with Berry and McCarthy jumping clear rounds and Clark taking just one rail to finish decisive winners of this long-format competition.

Speaking after their performance, Clarke summed up emotions in the Irish camp. “It’s been a brilliant week. The team have performed top of their game, and this win means so much. You can see when we came out (of the prize giving), we were all just over the moon with it. It is a great way to end the year and exciting for next year.

“We like mud. The Irish are good in mud.”

Of the 93 combinations that started in the CCIO 4*-L competition, 72 rode through the Cross-Country finish. Course Designer Adrian Ditcham praised the team at Boekelo for their efforts to ensure a successful competition which offered enough excitement for athletes and spectators, and he was delighted with how it went overall.

“It has been a tough week for me and the team. Some of the things we had to change to get the right footing were absolutely the right decision. When we made those changes to take out the loop in the first part of the course, that changed the balance of the course, but overall, it went great today. I am very pleased with that.”

Clarke spoke highly of the Nations Cup Series and particularly this climax to the season. “The Nations Cup final here in Boekelo is a huge deal and it means a huge amount to anyone competing. It has a real weight to it that is more than some of the individual legs. They (the Organisers) have really done well here; there’s a great atmosphere — it’s built up to a really fun end of the competition. I love Boekelo and would come back every year if I had a horse for it. I love the enthusiasm of the supporters and the work that went in to getting the Cross-Country right. The ground rode well yesterday. It was testing, but it held up really well and the work they have done is just unbelievable.”

Team France was overall leaders in the final standings of the 2024 Nations Cup Series with 425 points. Having finished in the top three at four out of five of the legs they entered, they finished well ahead of Germany in second on 320 points. Great Britain was third with 300 points.

A total of 15 teams competed in The FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ Series this year, which will return to the calendar in 2025.

FULL RESULTS

by Eleanore Kelly

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

*Featured/Spotlights, Horse Care/Protection

1,000 Burros Need Your Help: An Opportunity That Only Comes Up Every 20-30 Years

Photo credit: Ginger Kathrens.

Every 20-30 years the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is supposed to create a long-term management plan for wild horse and burro herds, called a Herd Management Area Plan (HMAP). These HMAPs outline management actions that will be carried out over the coming years; they can include what is prohibited and what should be done, along with alternatives.

Right now, BLM is asking for public input for the Bullfrog HMAP. The wonderful burros who live in this HMA often go into the town of Beatty during the dry summer months due to a lack of water on the range. BLM’s solution for this — as it seems to be for everything/in every situation — is removal.

Now is the time for us to call upon BLM to create humane solutions that:

  • Ensure adequate water sources are available and protected in the HMA to help keep burros on the range, off of the roadways, and out of the town.
  • Take safety measures/establishing measures to keep the burros safe. For instance, because the HMA is cut in half by Hwy 95, a burro crossing might be in order.
  • Reassess and increase the “Allowable” Management Level (AML) to a reasonable and humane number — right now BLM only allows 58 to 91 burros on approximately 130 square miles. This AML was set 27 years ago and needs to be reevaluated!

Please click here and take one minute to make your voice heard. Due October 18.

Thank you for taking action — without your action, change will not happen!

The Cloud Foundation
www.thecloudfoundation.org

Your Southern Source for Everything Horse

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