Category Archives: Breeds

Breeds, Championships, Competitions, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

Lanaken Showcases the Best of Young Horse Breeding and Talent

Katrin Eckermann (GER) and Sascinora NRW © FEI/Hippo Foto – Dirk Careman

The FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championship for Young Horses 2024 in Lanaken (BEL) concluded after several days of intense competition, with entries from across the world showcasing the best of young horse breeding and talent. Held at the renowned Zangersheide, this year’s event brought out the finest five-, six-, and seven-year-old Jumping horses, with several familiar bloodlines making their mark once again.

5-Year-Olds

The five-year-old final saw a strong field of competitors after two rounds of qualifiers, with 54 combinations making it to the ultimate test. Out of the initial 232 entries, 108 jumped clear in the first qualifier, demonstrating the depth of talent in this age category. In the Final, 20 horses contested the jump-off.

Ireland’s Niamh McEvoy secured the top spot with Orange de Baugy, posting a faultless round in a time of 36.15 seconds, going one-better on her second placing from last year’s final in this age category. Bred by L.A. Geertzema and owned by GBBS International Ltd., the KWPN mare (Dominator Z x Barbarian) impressed with consistent performances throughout the competition. McEvoy’s jump-off round set a high standard, placing her over two seconds ahead of her closest competitor.

Italy’s Diego Pagano with Zuly (Zirocco Blue VDL x Toulon) represented the MASAF, the Italian sport horse studbook, and followed in second place with a time of 38.44 seconds. Third place went to Belgium’s Lotte Teuns aboard Jolidiams des Tocrias (Diamant de Semilly x Opium de Talma), a Selle Français gelding. The combination produced a clear round in 39.04 seconds, narrowly securing a podium finish.

6-Year-Olds

The six-year-old final saw 20 horses and athletes competing in the jump-off, with less than two seconds separating the top five combinations. Katrin Eckermann, who won this class in 2023 aboard Cascajall, had another remarkable year in the category with both a win and a third place.

She led from early on with her first ride, Iron Dames Earl of Alice (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x Cinsey, BRAND). Returning later on the Westphalian mare Sascinora NRW (Stakkato-Boy RM x Firth of Lorne), Eckermann was intent on adding another win to her collection. An incredibly fast and clear round on the mare – bred by Otmar Eckermann – saw her take the lead and remain in contention for both gold and silver with only three riders left to go.

However, fellow German athlete Kendra Claricia Brinkop and the Stephex Stables-owned stallion Sniper Des Lilas Blancs (Hamilton du Chapitre x Calvaro Z, BWP) neatly filled the gap between Eckermann’s two rides and took silver, securing back-to-back victories for Eckermann in this age group.

7-Year-Olds

The seven-year-old class is often considered the pinnacle of young horse development, with combinations facing technically difficult 1.45m courses designed to challenge both scope and precision. Irish breeding was on full display in this class, with Irish Sport Horses taking both gold and bronze.

Last year’s six-year-old champion, Cascajall, ridden by Katrin Eckermann, was considered a strong contender, but an unfortunate pole in the first round kept them from advancing to the jump-off, leaving them in 15th place overall.

Of the seven combinations who did advance, one of the standouts was 21-year-old sensation Mathieu Bourdeaud’Hui. The Belgian rider, already well-regarded for his talent in producing young horses, laid down a strong challenge aboard the BWP gelding Remco van den Uilenbos (Nixon van het Meulenhof x Triomphe de Muze) and took the lead with only two combinations left to compete.

Ireland’s Niamh McEvoy was next in the ring riding Sevilla van de Berghoeve Z (Stakkato Gold x Diamant de Semilly, ZANG), and despite coming home in record time, a knock at the final rail dashed her hopes of another podium finish.

It was a case of saving the best for last when Irishman Michael Pender rounded out the class onboard the Irish Sport Horse mare HHH Mercedes (Can Ya Makan x Couletto). The combination looked as if they’d been competing at Grand Prix level for years, cruising round at lightning speed. They were fast enough to take a half-halt to the final fence and yet still edge out Bourdeaud’Hui, crossing the timers in 38.30 seconds to clinch victory.

In third place was another pairing of Irish rider and Irish Sport Horse in Michael Duffy and BP Royalty, a bay gelding by Comme il Faut and out of an Obos Quality 004 mare.

FULL RESULTS

by Sophie Baker

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

Breeds, Championships, Competitions, Dressage, FEI, FEI

German & Dutch Breeding Excellence Showcased in Ermelo

Bart Veeze (NED) riding Red Viper © FEI/Leanjo de Koster – DigiShots

After four days of competition, it was a chestnut clean sweep and a showcase of the quality of Dutch and German breeding specifically at this year’s Longines FEI WBFSH Dressage World Breeding Championships for Young Horses 2024 in Ermelo (NED).

Among the top 15 horses — five in each age category — six were German-bred and five were Dutch-bred.

The 5 -,6-, and 7-year-old winners were all chestnuts, too; a distinct change from the dark bay Dressage horses the world has become accustomed to. For those who follow this event every year, there were plenty of familiar faces Dressage enthusiasts will recognise, including a two-time world champion in Life Time FRH.

5-Year-Olds

The 5-year-old test is always the most hotly-contested category and due to the focus on potential – rather than schooling – technicalities, it tends to attract stud farms wanting to show off their top progeny. Of the 46 five-year-olds in this year’s field, 22 were stallions, 9 mares, and 15 geldings.

The KWPN stallion Red Viper (Romanov x Sir Sinclair) led from start to finish, with a win and 92% in the preliminary test and a convincing win in the finals. Ridden by the Dutch jockey Bart Veeze and bred by Coen Kerbert, he scored 93.800% for the win – the only score above 90 in the class – thanks to impressive marks of 9.4 for trot, 8.8 for walk, a competition high 9.7 for canter, 9.2 for submission, and 9.8 for perspective. The horse was almost faultless, with the judging panel saying the trot displayed exceptional elasticity and shoulder freedom, the canter as balanced, powerful, and uphill.

The second placed combination – Westfalen stallion Glamdale WP NRW (Glamourdale x Millennium) with Germany’s Stefanie Ahlert – was over 3% behind on 90.2%. Jeanna Hogberg piloted the Swedish stallion Severucci HT (Secret x Rubinrot) to third on 90.000%.

6-Year-Olds

Danish Warmblood mare Valerie B, ridden by Anne-Mette Strandby Hansen, topped the 6-year-old first qualifier, scoring an outstanding 90.800%. In 2023, Valerie B won the Preliminary rest for 5-year-olds, but was beaten out in the finals by Quinn G and Carl Hedin’s Instagram sensation, stallion Skyline to B.

Merita Hagren and Alkaline (Secret x Zalmiak Firfod) were one of the surprises during the final round, clocking up a huge 92% with 9s and 9.5s across the board to finish with second place. Despite only placing in 6th during the preliminary test, the chestnut stallion was described as “lovely, springy, and elastic” by judge Peter Storr. Talking about the canter, he said, “It has a lot of airtime, and it’s truly elastic and energetic. We did have an argument about where to go with the marks and decided on a 9.5.”

The pressure was on for the remaining few combinations, as Alkaline was followed immediately into the ring by winners of the preliminary test, Valerie B and Anne-Mette Strandby Hansen. Unable to replicate their preliminary performance, the pair finished fourth in the final with 87.2%. Despite scoring a perfect 10 for her trot, mistakes in the flying changes and canter cost her valuable points. Having placed second in the first round, the chances of a podium finish looked excellent for Segantini 6 with Olympian Dorothee Schneider aboard, but some small mistakes put them out of the placings too.

The penultimate combination of the day was Quinn G, winner of last year’s 5-year-old final. Having claimed a tied 4th place in the preliminary final, Fiona Bigwood rode a foot perfect test aboard the DWB mare by Quaterhit/Fassbinder. The mare was destined to be a two-time champion, scoring an incredible 95, including a perfect 10 for both the walk and the trot with very little for the judges to offer other than praise for an “overall, lovely horse.” The KWPN mare Nice Touch W (Dettori/Florencio) took third place, ridden by Charlotta Rogerson.

7-Year-Olds

It’s always wonderful to watch the progression from 5-year-old classes to 7-year-olds in terms of schooling, balance, and collection. 44 combinations took to the arena on the first day.

Charlott-Maria Schürmann of Germany dominated both the preliminary and final tests with her Hanoverian stallion, Life Time FRH. Bred by Johannes Hesselink, Life Time FRH (by Livaldon x Fürstenball OLD) earned a score of 81.175% in the preliminary round. In the final, they went even further, chalking up an impressive 84.129%, with standout scores including a 9.5 for walk, 9.5 for submission, and a 9.5 for perspective. The judging panel said, “We think you had a nice feeling on your horse today. We had that feeling too,” and immediately praised the stallion’s “beautiful frame and correct education.”

Second was Leonie Richter of Germany, riding the Hanoverian stallion Vitalos FRH (by Vitalis x De Niro), the silver medallist of the six-year-old horses in 2023 and the five-year-old horses in 2022. Vitalis FRH had placed fifth in the preliminary round but moved up to secure second place in the final with a score of 83.222%.

Vitalos FRH, bred by Josef Bramlage, received a perfect 10 for trot in the final. Hans Peter Minderhoud of the Netherlands retained his third-place position from the preliminary round in the final, scoring 80.993% with the KWPN stallion Glock’s Massimo (by Glock’s Toto JR. x Bretton Woods).

by Sophie Baker

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

*Featured/Spotlights, Breeds, Hunter/Equitation, Western/Reining

Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit Crowns Season with Successful Record-Breaking Event

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Kim Burritt and Do You Have a Winner, Cody Parmenter Photography.

Tampa, Fla. – Dec. 31, 2021 – The 2021 Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit culminated a successful season with another record-breaking event showcasing the nation’s top Quarter Horses and riders from all over North America. Under the show management services of An Equine Production, more than 500 exhibitors and 20,000 entries competed in the renowned horse show at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center from December 27-31.

Competitors at the five-day event enjoyed beautiful weather and ideal conditions while earning significant year-end points and phenomenal awards. High Point winners in 15 divisions received sought-after Porta Cool Coolers and Reserve High Point received a comfortable sling chair. The overall third place in each division received a backpack, useful for riders of all ages.

Kim Burritt of Murfreesboro, Tennessee was the Select High Point Award Champion with her horse Do You Have a Winner. This was her first appearance at the Gold Coast, making it memorable by walking away with the Porto Cool cooler. Competing at the Gold Coast has been on her bucket list for years, and she felt that the time was right to compete this year.

The Youth 14-18 High Point Award Champion was Alexa Black of Springfield, Ohio riding Huntin a Hot Cowgirl. The 18-year-old was third in the division last year and was very happy that it all came together at the 2021 Gold Coast. The week was especially important for Black as she is nearing the end of her competing as a Youth rider.

Rachel Trebesh of Fairhope, Alabama also walked away with a coveted award after riding No Doubt I Shine to the Senior High Point Award Champion and Amateur High Point Reserve Champion. The pair moved up in the standings during Friday’s competition to close out the show. Trebesh spoke highly of her horse, noting how much he loves his job and enjoys competing.

For additional information on the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit, please visit flgoldcoastcircuit.com.

Breeds, Competitions, Western/Reining

Canadians Trek 37 Hours to Compete at Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit

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Blair Woodley and Mister Wise Guy, Cody Parmenter Photography.

Tampa, Fla. – Dec. 30, 2021 – Circuit Awards were presented in several divisions on the fourth day of the highly anticipated Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit. With riders traveling from across North America to compete at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center, the Woodley family from Sudbury, Ontario, Canada showed their dedication after traveling 37 hours for a chance at the ribbons. Blair, Judi, Justin, and Tanya drove with three horses in tow to the Florida State Fairgrounds, leaving temperatures of -21° Celsius at home, approximately -6° Fahrenheit, to enjoy a balmy 80° in Tampa, Florida.

“We were more than happy to leave the weather at home behind,” Judi said. “We love this show. The weather is beautiful and the organization, the facility, and the people make it worth the trip.”

“This is our second visit,” added Blair. “We came in 2018 but could not come again until this year because our borders were shut down due to COVID-19. We had to be double vaccinated just to hit the border this time. We’ll need to fill out more paperwork and get tested before we cross the borders to get back home, but it is worth it. We love to show our horses here.”

Unlike his parents, Justin is showing at the Gold Coast for the first time. He said, “It’s fantastic here, an excellent change from our cold weather up north. It’s nice to be able to come here and do what we love in such a beautiful environment and beautiful facility.”

Blair will compete in the Open Trail and Western Riding, while his wife Judi will participate in the Select Amateur Trail and Select Amateur Showmanship. Their son Justin will ride in Amateur Trail, Western Riding, and Horsemanship. Justin’s wife Tanya also made the 37-hour trek to cheer the Woodley family on and offer added support.

As a highlight to Thursday’s competition, Circuit Awards were presented to top competitors. Jayna Lagace, 16, of Higganum, Connecticut won the Level 3 14-18 Youth Trail on Huntin Hotty Tottys. She has been competing at the Gold Coast since she was three years old and believes this is her best year yet.

Trainer Jamie Dowdy of Marshfield, Missouri made her first appearance at the Gold Coast. She brought five horses and students with her to show, and so far, she has already earned Champion or Reserve in three different Circuit Award divisions, including champion in the L2 Junior Western Pleasure riding Bestseatnthesouth and the L1 Green Western Pleasure Reserve Champion with Southern Decadence.

For additional information on the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit, please visit flgoldcoastcircuit.com.

Breeds, Competitions, Driving, Hunter/Equitation, Western/Reining

Amateur Riders Make Time to Shine at Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit

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Jeanie Presler and Lovies Lil Rey, Cody Parmenter Photography.

Tampa, Fla. – Dec. 29, 2021 – Unlike professional horsemen, amateur riders need to make a plan in order to take time away from their careers and attend the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit. Throughout the week they come to Bob Thomas Equestrian Center at the Florida State Fairgrounds to enjoy what matters the most to them, spending time with their families and riding their horses in one of the most prestigious Quarter Horse shows in the country.

Kaleena Weakly of Shelbyville, Illinois is a part-time graphic designer and a stay-at-home mom. Weakly has a lengthy and successful show record at the Gold Coast. She took a four-year break to care for matters at home, and now she and her family use the five-day event as a holiday vacation. Weakly won the Amateur Hunter Seat Equitation class with her horse Definitely a First, making the family vacation a memorable one.

Jeanie Presler of Nokomis, Florida is a Mixed-Animal General Practitioner. She returns to the Gold Coast after a 20-year hiatus due to a demanding school and career schedule. The VRH Amateur Ranch Horse divisions were new to Presler and her Reined Cow Horse Lovies Lil Rey. It worked out well as she and her eight-year-old birthday present finished on top in the VRH Amateur Ranch Horse Reining class.

Leah Roehl of Ruther Glen, Virginia is busy as a government worker and a mother of five children. It took a great deal of planning for Roehl to make it to the Gold Coast. The support she receives from her family and friends makes the herculean effort to compete all worthwhile. Roehl and her gelding AlDoWhatYouLove won the Senior Pleasure Driving and L1 Novice Amateur Working Hunter classes.

For additional information on the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit, please visit flgoldcoastcircuit.com.

*Featured/Spotlights, Breeds, Driving, Hunter/Equitation

Rodger Call Is Super at the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit

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Rodger Call, Cody Parmenter Photography.

Tampa, Fla. – Dec. 28, 2021 – The Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit is renowned for hosting Quarter Horse competitors of all ages at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center vying for the coveted year-end awards. This year, the five-day event includes a unique participant, Rodger Call of Midway, Utah, the only Super Select rider out of the more than 500 exhibitors and 20,000 plus entries at the Florida State Fairgrounds.

“To be a Select rider you have to be 50 years old, and to be a Super Select rider you need to be at least 70 years old. I am the only Super Select rider at this show,” Call said proudly. “I turn 80 years old next month.”

Call has been competing at the Gold Coast for decades, even though it means taking two flights in two different airport terminals to arrive in Tampa.

“This show is one of my favorites. I have been coming here for years,” said Call. “I can remember when the hedges around the arena were really short and now, they’re huge! Years ago, there were elephants in the barns behind the arena that were part of the parade.”

Call will be competing in the driving and hunter divisions. He has been training with Chuck Briggs since 1989, although he receives additional support both in and out of the arena.

“We’re like family here; we all encourage each other,” said Call. “Trainer Linda Crothers rode my horse, Go Big Sky, to High Point Horse of the nation and Sandy Vaughn coaches me when I compete in the pleasure driving. Even though I don’t have my horses at her barn, she offers to help. We have a good group of people. Sometimes we go out to dinner after the show and have a great time.”

Horses have always been a family affair for Call. He grew up in Northern California where his father imported some of the first King Ranch Quarter Horses. On Friday nights, he and his dad would enjoy competing in team roping jackpot classes. When his son Robert wanted to ride in the jumping events, Call changed from riding Western to English.

Call added, “I also used to compete at the Gold Coast with my wife Ann before she passed away in 2007. We would always have both a junior and senior horse to show. Next year, my junior horse becomes a senior, so Chuck found me a junior horse that has a lot of potential. That is what keeps me going: potential and having fun. That’s what riding does. It keeps me active, happy, and looking forward to tomorrow.”

For additional information on the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit, please visit flgoldcoastcircuit.com.

*Featured/Spotlights, Breeds, Western/Reining

Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit Competitors Enjoy Ideal Conditions on Opening Day

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Kyla Jackson and Cadillac in Black. Cody Parmenter Photography.

Tampa, Fla. – Dec. 27, 2021 – Beautiful weather and top showing conditions greeted the nation’s best Quarter horses and riders on the opening day of the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit Monday. Showcasing two “in-hand” divisions at the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center, the first day of the five-day event featured classes in showmanship and halter at the Florida State Fairgrounds.

The Gold Coast is considered a significant stop in the Quarter Horse Circuit. Under the direction and show management services of An Equine Production, the Florida Gold Coast Horse Circuit was awarded the coveted distinction of top American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) quarter horse show in 2020. This renowned event continually attracts competitors from across the country to vie for coveted circuit awards and valuable year-end points.

One of the competitors traveling from coast to coast was Kyla Jackson. The 17-year-old trekked all the way from Vacaville, California to claim the circuit award championship in L3 14-18 Showmanship at Halter with her horse Cadillac in Black. It was her first time competing at the Gold Coast and her mother, Maureen, appreciated her dedication. It took all day to make it to the Sunshine State, arriving just a few hours before her class.

Another first-time competitor, Penni Himes, captured two circuit awards. After watching her daughters Grace and Isabella ride in the Gold Coast for the last four years, Penni felt it was finally time for her to take a turn in the arena. The Bristol, Indiana resident was named circuit award champion in both the L1 Novice Amateur Showmanship and the L2 Select Showmanship with Grace’s 10-year-old gelding Essentially Good.

For additional information on the Florida Gold Coast Quarter Horse Circuit, please visit flgoldcoastcircuit.com.

Breeds, Community/Charity

Budweiser Clydesdales Will Lead Military Bowl Parade Once Again in 2021

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The Military Bowl Foundation announced that the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales will continue their tradition of headlining the gameday Military Bowl Parade from Downtown Annapolis to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, prior to the 2021 Military Bowl presented by Peraton, benefiting the USO, on Monday, December 27.

This year’s Military Bowl Parade steps off at City Dock at 10 a.m. ET and proceed through historic downtown along Main Street and West Street en route to the stadium. Admission to the parade is free.

The parade annually attracts thousands of spectators lining the streets of Annapolis to view a wide variety of groups participating in the parade. The parade also features several Recipients of the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military honor presented for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty.

A color guard will lead the procession, followed by the Budweiser Clydesdales, musical groups, civic organizations, military-themed groups, and youth clubs, including Anne Arundel Youth Football Association (AAYFA) championship teams. (The Bowl invites AAYFA championship teams to participate in the parade and receive complimentary game tickets each year.) Each team participating in the Military Bowl will be represented by its marching band and spirit squad.

“The Military Bowl Parade is an annual tradition bringing together residents who live nearby and football fans who travel to the National Capital Region to cheer on their teams,” Military Bowl President & Executive Director Steve Beck said. “It is a special moment when the Parade starts and groups begin making their way through historic downtown to the stadium. The Military Bowl is very appreciative of our partners at Katcef Brothers Inc., who arrange the participation of the Budweiser Clydesdales.”

This year’s Military Bowl presented by Peraton, benefiting the USO, will be held on Monday, December 27, kicking off at 2:30 p.m. ET and televised on ESPN. The game once again will match teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the American Athletic Conference. Proceeds from the Bowl benefit the USO and Patriot Point, the Military Bowl Foundation’s retreat for wounded, ill and injured service members, their families, and caregivers.

About the Author – EOA Staff

Eye On Annapolis is a community-based site focusing strictly on Anne Arundel County. These staff postings are general news postings made by our team of bloggers throughout the day and are not attributed to any one particular staff person.

www.eyeonannapolis.net

Breeds, Show Jumping

Breeders Uncovered with Keeley Durham

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(Photo: Keeley Durham)

What is the proudest moment of your career so far, either in riding, equestrian, or breeding?

I have been fortunate to have had some amazing moments in my career thus far. In terms of my riding career, I have a few proudest moments, including winning the Young Riders class at the Horse of the Year Show in 1991 and being part of the Young Rider Team that won gold at the 1992 European Championships in San Remo on Welham. As an owner, Welham was an amazing horse; after my career with him, he went on to compete with John Whitaker and won so many classes. His biggest achievement was winning the Grand Prix at CHIO Aachen. Then as a breeder, it definitely has to be breeding Argento.

How did you get into the breeding side of the sport?

When John [Whitaker] was riding Welham, we were once down at Nick Skeleton’s yard and he suggested that I should get a broodmare and start producing more young horses. I thought this was a great idea, but I did not really act upon the idea until about two months later when John asked me to go and collect something for his cattle from a local farmer, and I ended up coming back with a two-year-old mare named Flora May. We bred from her aged three, before we broke her in and it all really started from there. After her first foal we jumped her for a little while before she had her second foal – which ended up being Argento.

Did anyone mentor you on how to breed successfully?

I never really had a mentor – I go mainly off instinct and gut feeling. But now, I spend more time looking at the pedigree of the horses than I used to when I first started.

Read more here.

© 2021 Rolex – Rolex Grand Slam

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

OS and Holsteiner Mares Claim 2021 Titles

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Kevin McNab and Cute Girl. (FEI/Libby Law)

Mares topped both divisions at this year’s FEI WBFSH Eventing World Breeding Championships for Young Horses 2021 at Lion d’Angers in France, where Germany’s Anna Lena Schaaf steered the OS studbook’s Lagona 4 to victory in the 6-Year-Olds, while Australia’s Kevin McNab and the Holsteiner, Cute Girl, topped the 7-Year-Old category.

The hugely popular event, which is designed to help develop future stars, attracted a massive 40,000 spectators along with many of the world’s best Eventing athletes and super-talented young horses once again.

6-Year-Olds

Anna Lena Schaaf only turned 20 in August, but she already has a reputation for producing quality horses, and with Lagona 4 (Lavagon/Ile de Cartina/Cartani 4) she led the 6-Year-Olds from start to finish. Posting 25.8 in the Dressage phase, the pair had a narrow advantage of just 0.7 penalties over Thomas Carlile and the mare Fair Lady des Bourcks in second.

Fellow Frenchman Nicolas Touzaint was lying third with another Selle Francais, the gelding Fibonacci de Lessac HDC, who was awarded a score of 26.8 by judges Nice Attolico Guglielmi (ITA), Xavier Le Sauce (FRA) and Nikki Herbert (GBR), while newly-crowned Olympic individual Eventing champion Julia Krajewski from Germany was lying fourth with the Hanoverian gelding Chintonic 3 on a score of 27.9 going into Saturday’s cross-country phase.

A total of 46 starters set off over the 22-fence cross-country track and three were eliminated while one retired, but the top six places remained unchanged.

Schaaf said, “It’s still a really crazy feeling being in the lead in such a good competition! It was great riding the cross-country today; my horse was really focused and I had the feeling she really enjoyed the crowd so I’m super excited for tomorrow! Usually she is a great showjumper but we have to see… maybe she will be a little bit tired after the cross-country but I’m looking forward to it.”

As it happened, Lagona was foot-perfect once again to leave the final result beyond doubt. But three fences down saw Thomas Carlile and Fair Lady des Broucks plummet to 17th place, so when Touzaint was clear, he rose to runner-up spot. Meanwhile, a single error saw Krajewski and Chintonic drop from fourth to fifth and two new names appeared at the top of the final leaderboard.

Bounced up

Rebecca Chiappero was lying 14th with the Irish Sport Horse Bonmahon Chelsea after dressage, but bounced up to tenth on Saturday after a brilliant cross-country clear. When the pair collected just 0.8 for time in an otherwise flawless showjumping round, their final tally of 31.7 saw the Italian rider stand on the third step of the podium. Fourth went to Australia’s Isabel English and the ACE-bred Cil Dara Dallas who were ninth after dressage, eighth after a clear cross-country run, and who moved up four places when collecting just two time faults.

This win adds yet another gold medal to the collection Schaaf has already accumulated. It’s only five years since she won double-gold at the FEI Eventing European Pony Championships in 2016; she was a double-gold medallist again in Juniors in 2019 and she claimed team gold and individual silver at this summer’s Young Riders European Eventing Championships in Sweden.

She was delighted for her winning mare: “Like yesterday, she was focused and concentrated, and in the end she really enjoyed the galloping around after the prizegiving and listening to everybody screaming. I think she felt ‘Yes! I’m the best!’”

Also happy was Schaaf’s former trainer at Junior level, Julia Krajewski, who sees big things ahead for her former student. “Anna Lena is an excellent rider as she has proven this weekend, and last weekend when she won her first 4* event. The German team always needs new talent, particularly those who are capable of training young horses,” said the Olympic champion.

7-Year-Olds

In the 7-Year-Old division Australia’s Kevin McNab and Cute Girl (Coventry/Caligula/Clearway) also took the early lead and didn’t let go. Judges Emmanuelle Olier (FRA), Katarzyna Konarska (POL), and James Rooney (IRL) scored their test at 26.9, and they added nothing over the following two phases.

Also competing on their dressage score were second-placed Laura Collett and the Trakehner, Outback, whose dressage mark of 27.2 left them only fractionally ahead of British compatriot Hayden Hankey and Heads Up on 27.4, while yet another of the British contingent, Selina Milnes, was lying fourth with the Irish-bred Cooley Snapchat on 27.5 going into cross-country day – just 0.6 penalty points separating the leading four.

It was a star-studded line-up after dressage, 43-year-old McNab a member of the Australian silver medal winning team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games where 32-year-old Collett claimed team gold, while 42-year-old Hankey is one of the best-known and successful show-horse competitors on the British circuit.

His versatile Irish Sport Horse, Heads Up, was Working Hunter champion at the Horse of the Year Show in 2019 and finished second in the British 7-Year-Old Eventing Championship at Osberton this year. But the pair paid a big price when just over the cross-country optimum time of 9’ 04”, which left them with two time penalties and dropped them to overnight ninth place.

A total of 58 combinations headed out on the cross-country track in the 7-Year-Old championship and five were eliminated, while three retired and just 13 made it home within the optimum time.

McNab had every reason to get it absolutely right. A year ago, he and Cute Girl were eliminated in the 6-Year-Old Championship when missing a fence, but this time the pair cruised home and maintained their lead.

Surprised

“I was actually surprised I didn’t lose more time towards the end, so I came in a little bit quicker than I’d planned. But the round felt really good; she was really solid and she’s matured a lot from last year,” he said.

Collett was equally pleased after her cross-country run. “I’m very, very happy; he was a bit scared of the crowds, but he stayed very honest and kept answering the questions. It’s an awful lot for them to come here if they don’t have much experience and to see so many people and the fences. They are very beautiful and well-built but they are quite spooky for the horses, so it was a very educational day and I’m delighted with him,” she said after galloping home comfortably within the time with Outback.

“It’s such a big atmosphere here and tomorrow is another day and hopefully he comes out feeling well. He’s already exceeded all our expectations this week; he has performed brilliantly and fingers crossed he can do the same tomorrow.” And he did, leaving all the poles in place in the final phase while McNab’s Cute Girl did likewise.

Milnes added 0.8 time penalties to her tally, but still held on for third ahead of compatriots Gemma Tattersall with Johan-Some in fourth and Hankey who climbed back up to fifth when adding only 0.4 for time. British riders filled all the places from second to seventh, and the most prolific studbook in the top-seven was the ISH, taking third, fifth, sixth, and seventh spots.

But the Holsteiner, Cute Girl, was the golden girl, and after numerous attempts to make the podium at this prestigious fixture, McNab was plenty pleased with his result.

Great event

“Le Lion is one of those events we always love coming to, and it’s great when you are at this step of the podium, but at the same time it’s always a great event regardless. It’s great for the horses looking towards their future and even if we weren’t winning, we still enjoy it,” he said.

Collett said that in the final showjumping phase, “The time was very tight and the atmosphere in there was like a Championship, like a Badminton; these young horses haven’t experienced that, so I’m so proud of my horse!”

She echoed the sentiments of many when showering praise on the event organisers. “A massive thank you to the team at Le Lion. Every year they put on a phenomenal event and it’s so important for these young horses to bring them to a place like this – it’s a real honour to be here,” she said.

Results here

by Louise Parkes

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