Leipzig, Germany – The EY Cup, held in conjunction with the Rolex/FEI World Cup Final, came to close in Leipzig this morning with the final round of the CSI2*. The six Americans riders that have been contesting the competition all week looked to complete their time in Germany on a high note. With each competitor limited to riding one horse, there was all to play for over Frank Rothenberger’s 1.45m course. Twenty-nine combinations would start the first round with six returning to the jump-off.
Reed Kessler of Armonk, NY lead the American effort placing fifth with her Swedish Warmblood Ligist. Throughout the three rounds of the EY Cup, Kessler improved her performance each time she entered the ring. As the sixth horse in the ring, Ligist jumped a confident clear round to be the first to qualify to return for the shortened course.
“I had some really bad luck yesterday, I had a really fast time and he just nicked the back rail in front which is so unlike him. The luck evened out today, as he nicked the first couple, after the first few jumps he started jumping really well. I was definitely excited to be the only clean American.”
Kessler came back for the jump-off and executed a neat methodical round. However, an unfortunate four faults collected for a knock down at the eleventh fence resulted in a fifth place finish.
The winner of yesterday’s EY Cup class, Audrey Coulter, entered the ring determined to join Kessler in the jump-off. She and Copernicus Stables’ Rodenburgh’s California were on target to do so until they collected four faults at the final oxer, finishing in twelfth place.
Fellow American, Caitlin Ziegler rode Artisan Farms’ Valencia to a tactful round over the twelve obstacle course. A rail down at the fourth meant this pair would not return for the jump-off and finish directly behind Coulter in thirteenth.
Charlotte Jacobs, Cayla Richards and Katie Dinan also competed for the US, each collecting twelve faults but demonstrating great promise for the future.
Marie Lutgenau of Germany rode Strolchi to victory in the class with a time of 39.30 seconds in the jump-off.
Kessler, Jacobs, Ziegler and Dinan all qualified to compete at the EY Cup through the Artisan Farms Young Riders Grand Prix Series, while Richards and Coulter qualified with strong performances at HITS Thermal in California.
All six riders gained valuable international mileage throughout the week and were extremely appreciative of the opportunity to compete alongside the riders in the Rolex/FEI World Cup Final.
Kessler summed the sentiment of all the American Young Riders at the conclusion of their time in Leipzig.
“It was generous of Artisan Farms, the Zieglers, to sponsor the series,” said Kessler. “I have been to the World Cup before but you don’t get to ride next to the great riders and see them in the schooling area. You get the whole experience and it’s an amazing experience one most of the riders don’t get.”
Watch live action from the Rolex/FEI World Cup Final on http://www.feitv.com/.
For news, videos, photos, blogs and results please visit: http://usefnetwork.com/2011FEIWCFinals/.
Details about the Finals are available here: http://www.engarde.de/events/index.php?eventID=65.