Category Archives: Competitions

Competitions, Show Jumping, Spruce Meadows

Vogel Takes the Victory Once Again in the CANA Cup

Photo: Spruce Meadows Media

The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping crossed the Atlantic Ocean for the third Major of the calendar year – the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament. Taking place from 4-8 September, the world’s leading horses and riders are gathered in the breathtaking venue for five days of top international sport.

As one of the most anticipated competitions in the equestrian calendar, Thursday’s pinnacle class – the CANA Cup – brought together 44 combinations in a thrilling display of skill, precision, and stamina. The world-class field were not only aiming to claim this prestigious prize but also hoping to earn a spot in Sunday’s coveted CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex.

It was a star-studded line-up that included the current Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping live contender, André Thieme, three-time Olympic gold medallist, Ben Maher, as well as last year’s victors of CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei.

First to master Leopoldo Palacios’ beautifully crafted course was Canada’s Erynn Ballard – much to the delight of the home crowd. She was soon joined by teammate Tiffany Foster who ensured there would be a jump-off after a faultless and fast round. At the first break, eight additional riders had successfully produced clear rounds including Kevin Staut and Daniel Deusser, as well as the American duo of McLain Ward and Lillie Keenan.

Several class favourites including Britain’s Scott Brash – the only rider thus far to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping – and Ireland’s highest-ranked rider, Daniel Coyle, did not quite produce the rounds they would have desired with time faults and one pole, respectively.

In total, 17 riders cleared the 1.55m course faultlessly, with one rider – Armando Trapote – electing not to jump off. Entering the ring in the same order that they jumped in the first round, it was first to go, Erynn Ballard, who once again set the standard for the following riders with a clear in a time of 43.41 seconds. Known for his speed, Britian’s Matthew Sampson and his grey stallion Daniel looked to have beaten Ballard’s speed; however, he added strides down to the final white CANA oxer left combination in second place.

Ballard held the lead, until thirteen to enter into the iconic International Ring, Max Kühner, came home 0.76 seconds faster than the Canadian. His lead was quickly usurped by next to jump, Richard Vogel and the huge-striding stallion United Touch S, who took the lead by over one second. The remaining three riders, which included Steve Guerdat and Ben Maher, the World Nos. 2 and 3, could not match the performance of the young German, meaning that he claimed the class once again.

Speaking on his victory, Vogel stated: “I am thrilled with how United Touch S jumped – he loves the atmosphere and the arena here. He felt very good, and so we will be trying to continue this form into Sunday’s Grand Prix. I don’t have to push him too much in the jump-off as he has such a powerful stride and gallops very easily. It is our biggest advantage – he can just jump out of his rhythm. We try to use this advantage as much as possible, and today luckily it turned out well.”

Read more here.

© 2024 Rolex – Rolex Grand Slam

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, FEI, Olympic Games, Para-Equestrian

USA Maintains Gold Rush with Para Dressage Team Triumph in Versailles

L-R: Team Nederlands (silver medal) Team USA (gold medal) and Team Germany (bronze medal). © FEI/Liz Gregg

The United States continued their best Para Dressage performance at a Paralympic Games by edging Netherlands for gold in a dramatic conclusion to the Team event at Château de Versailles.

Personal best scores by Individual gold medallists Fiona Howard – a stunning 80.000% on Diamond Dunes in Grade II – and Rebecca Hart, who scored 78.567% with Floratina in Grade III, proved critical after another strong Grade I performance by Individual silver medallist Roxanne Trunnell on Fan Tastico H.

That left the USA on a total of 235.567, beating the Dutch tally of 232.850, with Germany taking bronze on 223.751.

The United States’ previous best Paralympic medal haul was two golds and a bronze at both Atlanta 1996 and Tokyo 2020. They so far have three golds and one silver at Paris 2024. USA also became the first nation other than Great Britain to win a Para Dressage Team event at a Paralympic Games.

But it was a tense finale after the Grade IV duo of Sanne Voets on Demantur (76.567%) and Demi Haerkens with Daula (78.216%) had set the early pace for Netherlands.

Trunnell, the first USA athlete to go, scored 77.000% with Fan Tastico H in Grade I, before Howard and the stallion Diamond Dunes delivered the highest individual score of Paris 2024 to date, eclipsing Sara Morganti’s 79.458% on Mariebelle for Italy in Grade I earlier in the day.

While there was excitement around Versailles that it could be a new Paralympic record, due to changes in the tests since the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, it is not possible to make direct comparisons or officially recognise it as a record, but it undoubtedly remains a remarkable achievement.

“I came out the ring and thought, ‘that felt really good’, but you never know,” said 25-year-old Howard, who now has two golds in her first Paralympic Games. “Whatever the score was, I was super proud of him.

“He felt amazing and did everything I could have asked. But then seeing it reflected on the scoreboard was just the cherry on top. What a horse… he is so special.”

That superlative display nudged the USA ahead going into the concluding Grade III, but when Rixt van der Horst and Royal Fonq scored 78.067% for the Dutch, Hart entered the arena on Floratina knowing she needed a personal best score to take gold.

“It’s always a bit intense being the ‘closer’ for your team and it was a very pressure-cooker situation,” said the 39-year-old, who along with Trunnell and Kate Shoemaker was part of the USA team that took bronze at Tokyo 2020.

“I was definitely doing the math. I think my previous best was a 75-something, so it was a jump. Rixt was right before me and I knew they had put in a solid first two rides and that she was going to deliver too. I had a quick peak at the board and went ‘OK, let’s go, game on’. I knew we had to do something pretty special.

“It was quite electric out there. She (Floratina) was feeling the atmosphere and feeling good and feeling fresh. I just needed to make sure I took all that energy and used it in a positive manner.”

The combination’s score of 78.567% brought the USA home, leaving Van der Horst with mixed feelings after winning her second silver medal of these Games.

“It was a tense feeling going into the test,” she said. “I knew I had to deliver a really good test. For myself, I set the goal of at least 78 or something, hopefully a little bit more, and I achieved it, so that was good.”

Germany earned their third medal at Versailles by edging out Italy for bronze. Anna-Lena Niehues and Quimbaya 6, who took Individual bronze in Grade IV, scored 75.351%, before Grade V Individual silver medallist Regine Mispelkamp and Highlander Delight’s earned 75.500%.

There was also a first Paralympic medal – after three previous fourth-place finishes in Individual events – for the oldest Para Dressage competitor in Versailles, 69-year-old Heidemarie Dresing. She scored 72.900% with Dooloop in Grade II to give Germany a total of 223.751, with Italy on 223.166 despite Morganti’s 79.458% with Mariebelle.

“It’s incredible. She really listened to me and we were one single thing together, which is what we worked for. You can always improve, but today, in my condition and her condition, it was perfect.”

France finished fifth while Great Britain, who had won all seven previous Para Dressage Team events since Atlanta in 1996, finished sixth.

“We’ve been in front for such a long time,” said GBR’s Natasha Baker, who scored 75.367% on Dawn Chorus in Grade III. “We didn’t expect to be bringing home the Team gold in Tokyo so that was unreal. The rest of the world has caught up with us now. It’s just going to be a case of us trying to find ways that we can sneak back to the top again.”

Norway’s Jens Lasse Dokkan, the only Para Equestrian athlete to compete at all eight Paralympic Games since Atlanta in 1996, confirmed that Paris 2024 is likely to be his swansong.

“I felt the emotion today,” said the 63-year-old. “I knew this would be my last Paralympics. I haven’t made a final decision about carrying on riding, but right now, I feel I want to retire.”

FULL RESULTS

by Bryn Palmer

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

Community/Charity, Competitions, London International Horse Show, Revolution Sports, Show Jumping

Decorated Olympian Ben Maher Announced as London International Horse Show Ambassador

Three-time Olympic gold medallist, Ben Maher, has been announced as an Official Ambassador of the 2024 edition of London International Horse Show, which this year runs from 18-22 December at ExCeL London.

The British Show Jumper, who is currently ranked World No. 2, was part of this summer’s gold medal winning team at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games aboard his stunning 11-year-old mare, Dallas Vegas Batilly. This sensational result added to his two previous gold medals, having won team gold at London 2012, and individual gold in Tokyo 2020, means Maher holds the title of the most decorated British Olympic Show Jumper of all time.

This December, Maher will return to ExCeL London to defend his Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ title, having secured the victory last year in one of the most exhilarating jump-offs to ever take place at the Show. Last to go in the class, and riding Enjeu de Grisien, Maher produced a textbook round to take the win from teammate Scott Brash by just 0.62 seconds.

Show Jumping commences at ExCeL London on Wednesday 18th December with The Ivy Stakes in the afternoon followed by the return of the LeMieux Puissance in the evening, which was last year won by specialists Guy Williams and Mr Blue Sky for the third year running. The Christmas Pudding Speed Stakes takes place on Thursday afternoon and the famous London Grand Prix on Friday evening – a class visitors will not want to miss. The weekend is then capped off in style with the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ on Sunday 22nd December where the finest horse and rider combinations will gather to compete for the prestigious prize.

Speaking on his role as an Official Ambassador for the Show, Maher stated: “I am delighted to be an Ambassador at this year’s London International Horse Show. As riders we travel around the world, so it is incredibly special to be back in England for our final competition before Christmas. The atmosphere is fantastic, and having all our friends and family supporting is a truly amazing experience.”

As an ambassador, Maher will extend the narrative of the Show beyond the event itself, providing an insight into how a rider prepares for such a prestigious event. Through activities such as an appearance on the Show’s Live Zone, Maher’s ambassadorial role will enable fans to experience exclusive behind the scenes content and will facilitate unique insights into the life of a top international Show Jumping competitor.

Show Director, Simon Brooks-Ward, stated: “We are delighted to announce Ben Maher, one of the country’s finest Show Jumpers, as an Official Ambassador. He has had so much success at the Show and is always a crowd favourite when he enters the arena. Following his recent success in Paris over the summer, we are thrilled to be welcoming him back to London ExCeL and look forward to watching him be a part of more unmissable sporting moments.”

In addition, to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the British equestrian athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the Show will welcome the Team GB Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian heroes, including Maher, in a medal parade which will take place during the evening performance on Wednesday 18 December.

To purchase your tickets to the London International Horse Show 2024, please click here.

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

Championships, Competitions, Driving, FEI, FEI

Sandmann Takes the Lead after Day One at Szilvásvárad

Anna Sandmann (GER) with her horses Fredie U, Harley, Iwan Van De Martha Hoeve Texel, and Max Van Het Rodeland – © FEI/Martin Dokoupil

After the first day of competition of the FEI Driving World Championship Four-in-Hand in Szilvásvárad (HUN), Germany’s Anna Sandmann took the lead on 40.99 after a polished test, which pleased all the judges, ahead of her father Christoph Sandmann, who closed the late morning session on 46.78. Both were coached ahead of their tests in the warmup arena by current World Champion Boyd Exell (AUS).

As a member of the Hungarian team that won the nation’s last gold in Kecskemét in 2004, József Dobrovitz was last to go on the opening day. He delighted the home crowd with a return to form score of 51.38 to take third place. Only a slight deviation in his final walk movement detracted from what was otherwise a well-rewarded test.

Joining him on the national team is his son József Jnr, who opened the second session of the morning with a solid mark of 57.44 for eighth place. Keeping the host’s hopes alive of a return to the podium, father and son have put the team into the lead overnight, although only they the French had two drivers compete on day one.

The Dutch challenge for a 12th gold team medal started well with Koos de Ronde finishing fourth on 51.91. His long-legged Dutch Warmbloods produced a consistent test, but they are marathon specialists and their strength lies in the fast times they clock through the obstacles. Another marathon maestro and the first of the German team to drive, Michael Brauchle slotted just behind in fifth with 52.77.

Hosts Hungary also have six individuals, and they included Ferenc Galbács Jnr and István Váczi, who are based at the Stud Farm and drove teams of Lipizzaners to finish 11th on 59.83 and 16th on 62.16. Hungary also fielded the youngest athlete of the event with 18-year-old Peter Juhász, who already has international experience as a young driver and is now supported by the Hungarian Military.

In the team competition, France’s Maxime Maricourt scored 57.30 for seventh, and the experienced Benjamin Aillaud with his Lusitano horses scored 57.90 for ninth. Of the two Americans, veteran driver James Fairclough made a return to the world stage after the team gold at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon (USA) six years ago. Driving Dutch Warmbloods, one of which belongs to teammate Chester Weber, his mark of 60.23 put him into twelfth.

Judge Barry Capstick said afterwards: “Anna Sandmann did a fabulous test, and her father wasn’t far behind her! The venue is tremendous, the surface is good, and for a Thursday, what a great attendance in the stands. Everything about it so far is super.”

At an event and venue where the passion for driving and sense of history is everywhere, the morning session opened with 73-year-old legend Lászlό Juhász as test driver. It was a special appearance as he was a member of the winning team 40 years ago when Szilvásvárad last hosted a Four-in-Hand World Championship.

Friday’s first morning session opens with Wieslaw Sadowski for Poland, followed by current European Champion Bram Chardon (NED). In the second session, Chester Weber (USA) promises to produce another winning test, but come the afternoon, Boyd will pull the stops out to set himself up for his 7th consecutive title.

Dressage supremo Mareike Harm for the German team is also likely to be in the top three with a sub-40 mark. Ijsbrand Chardon (NED), who has competed at more World Championships than anyone else, is also in the final session of the day. But there’s no doubt that the home crowds will be eagerly awaiting 2004 champion and Hungarian hero Zόltan Lázár, who rounds off the second morning session.

FULL RESULTS

by Sarah Dance

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www.fei.org

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, FEI, Olympic Games, Para-Equestrian

Haerkens Heralds New Era as George Shows Enduring Class

Individual podium Grade V. L-R: Regine Mispelkamp (GER), Michèle George (BEL), and Sophie Wells (GBR) © FEI/Liz Gregg

Demi Haerkens (NED) confirmed her status as a rising star of Para Dressage as she claimed Grade IV gold with Daula on her Paralympic Games debut on the second day of Individual medal events at Château de Versailles. The 26-year-old, who came to the fore by winning European Championship gold last year, excelled in the sunlit arena to finish with a score of 78.722%.

Defending champion Sanne Voets (NED), partnering Demantur again after they won double gold and team silver at Tokyo 2020, had to settle for silver with 76.528%, taking Voets’ overall Paralympic medal tally to five.

The one-two lifted Netherlands into second place on the Para Dressage medal table at Paris 2024 with a gold and two silvers, behind USA on two golds and a silver.

“It feels amazing,” said Haerkens, after waiting for 11 other combinations to go before her gold medal was confirmed. “She (Daula) really deserved this gold. My horse was a superstar today. We have been together three years now and every year our bond grows.

“It was such a lovely ride. She was so focused, with such lovely quality and softness. We didn’t make any mistakes. She was with me and dancing with a lot of quality. She was amazing. Now I want to go to the stable and give her big cuddles.”

Voets, 37, said a tour of the royal stables at Château de Versailles last year had resonated with her as she prepared for a fourth Paralympic Games.

“They showed me a lot, and how they still work with horses every day, with such a beautiful motto,” she said.

“They work with the belief that our horses don’t owe us anything, that the horses are not an instrument for us to reach our goals and reach our ambitions, but that we are an instrument for our horse to develop them into beautiful, strong, healthy, happy athletes.”

Anna-Lena Niehues (GER), who took time off in 2023 to give birth to daughter Nelly, took bronze on Quimbaya 6 with 75.222%, edging Frenchman Vladimir Vinchon on Pegase Mayenne into fourth on 72.889%.

World number one Kate Shoemaker (USA) finished out of the medals in fifth after her horse Vianne spooked during their performance.

“It is the first spook she has ever had with me,” she said. “Something must have caught her eye. It was just an unfortunate moment. But horses are horses, and if we wanted to ride motorcycles, we would ride motorcycles.

“Regardless, I love her more than anything in the world and she is certainly forgiven because there are going to be a lot of beautiful days in future.”

Michèle George (BEL) showed her enduring class as she won her sixth Paralympic gold medal, defending her Grade V Individual title on Best of 8.

The 50-year-old, who won double individual gold at Tokyo 2020, finished well clear with a superb score of 76.692% to take her overall Paralympic medal tally to seven.

“I’m incredibly happy. She (Best of 8) was amazing. For me, it felt like a gold medal because I had nearly no mistakes and she was really dancing with me. I enjoyed every second of it. It means a lot,” she said.

George will aim to repeat her Tokyo feat of winning both Individual Grade V golds in Saturday’s Individual Freestyle event. “I really look forward to showing people how she can dance with our music, because she adores it,” she added.

Regine Mispelkamp (GER), partnering Highlander Delight’s, added a silver medal to her individual Freestyle bronze from Tokyo, scoring 73.231%.

The 53-year-old, who coaches athletes and trains horses for Dressage at her own stables near Kerken (GER), hopes to continue for possibly two more Paralympic cycles.

“I have two young horses who are coming on, so I am thinking about 2028 and maybe 2032,” she said. “It is the best thing I do and when I do it, I am not thinking about my illness.”

Sophie Wells (GBR), partnering LJT Egebjerggards Samoa after her original horse Don Cara M was ruled out, won her ninth Paralympic medal by taking bronze – Great Britain’s third of these Games – with 72.257%, adding to her previous four golds and four silvers.

“It’s not ideal,” she said of her late change in horses. “But she was so brave going into that arena. She got a little bit nervous, but she is eight years old. I held her hand through the whole test. She listened to me and I couldn’t be prouder of her for that.”

After a rest day on Thursday, Para Dressage resumes at Versailles on Friday with the team event, with three athlete/horse combinations from each nation joining forces in a bid for a place on the podium.

Great Britain have won all seven team golds since 1996, but will face strong competition from the likes of USA and Netherlands if they are to maintain that sequence.

The final set of Individual medals will be decided on Saturday, 7 September, as the top eight from the Individual tests in each of the five Grades compete in the Freestyle events.

FULL RESULTS – GRADE IV

FULL RESULTS – GRADE V

by Bryn Palmer

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, FEI, Olympic Games, Para-Equestrian

USA Earn Their Stars and Stripes on Opening Day in Versailles

L-R: Katrine Kristensen (DEN), Fiona Howard (USA) and Georgia Wilson (GBR), Individual Podium – Grade II © FEI/Liz Gregg

Team USA enjoyed a superb opening day of Para Dressage action at Paris 2024 with two golds and a silver in the first three Individual medal events at Château de Versailles.

Rebecca Hart on Floratina (Grade III) and Fiona Howard, partnering Diamond Dunes (Grade II), both struck gold before Roxanne Trunnell, double gold medallist from Tokyo 2020, took silver on Fan Tastico H in Grade I behind Rihards Snikus (LAT) and King of the Dance.

The trio of medals already makes Paris 2024 Team USA’s most successful Paralympic Games in Para Dressage, after just three of the 11 events across four days of competition.

They surpassed the two golds and a bronze won at Atlanta 1996 and at Tokyo 2020, where Trunnell – on Dolton – won the USA’s first two individual golds for 24 years and also won team bronze alongside Hart on El Corona Texel, and Kate Shoemaker with Solitaer 40.

Hart, 39, kick-started the gold rush by winning her first individual medal at her fifth Paralympic Games on Floratina, having previously finished fourth in Beijing and fifth at London 2012.

“It’s been 25 years of trying to get to this point and being close many, many times,” she said. “To actually get it, I feel like I’m going to wake up at any moment. It’s just surreal. It feels like a dream.

“This is my first gold ever. We’ve worked so hard as a country with my fellow athletes to really develop our programme and step up our game. Four years later, here we are.

“It’s a huge venue and the entire atmosphere was phenomenal. I was just trying to stay with her and focused, because it felt so easy. I just needed to stay on my game and get the test done.”

Hart and Floratina were the penultimate combination to enter the arena in the morning rain and they claimed the win with a score of 77.900%.

Rixt van der Horst (NED) took silver with 76.433% – her sixth Paralympic medal overall at her third Games – on new horse Royal Fonq, her partner since December.

“He’s really special,” she said. “He has such a kind and honest character. His quality is amazing. I think we click really well and have developed a really special bond in the short time we have had together.”

Natasha Baker (GBR), in her first Paralympic Games since becoming a mother last year, took bronze – her ninth Paralympic medal after six golds and two silvers – on Dawn Chorus with 73.167%.

“I had 20 months out of competition when I had Joshua, and a year out of the saddle,” said the 34-year-old. “That’s the longest I’ve ever had out of the saddle. I’m just super, super happy with her.”

Howard, 25, maintained the USA momentum as she took Grade II gold on Diamond Dunes in her debut Paralympic Games with a superb performance to finish on 76.931%.

“We haven’t been a partnership for that long – only since March when we did our first competition,” she said. “I just trusted him, and he gave me everything in there. I am so proud of him. He’s never let me down.”

Katrine Kristensen (DEN), who also became a first-time mother last year after winning double gold at the FEI World Championship in 2022, took silver on Goerklintgaards Quater with a score of 73.966%.

“I was crying a lot because this is so huge. After becoming a mom, I have worked very hard to gain my physical strength again and to balance being a mom and training at this level. But I succeeded.

“I have never ridden in such a beautiful arena as this before, with all the audience. I promised myself when I finished to just look up and enjoy it, and I did,” said Kristensen.

Georgia Wilson (GBR), on Sakura, added another Paralympic individual bronze to her collection after two at Tokyo 2020, scoring 73.414%, with 69-year-old Heidemarie Dresing (GER), the oldest athlete in Versailles, edged into fourth place on Dooloop.

The final event of the opening day saw an emotional triumph for Rihards Snikus (LAT) in his fourth Paralympic Games, going one better than Tokyo 2020 to take gold in Grade I. The 36-year-old, who won silver in both the Individual and Freestyle events in Tokyo, turned in a brilliant display partnering King of the Dance to triumph with a score of 79.167%.

“It was a really beautiful performance; we enjoyed watching it,” said Latvia’s chef d’equipe Darja Tikhomirova, speaking on behalf of Snikus, who is also the reigning Grade I world champion and an active DJ in his spare time. “I think it was one of Rihards’ best ever performances. After Tokyo, we came home and said, ‘okay, next time let’s get gold.’

“It’s great for para sports in general in Latvia, because people can see it’s not only classic sports we know, like athletics or cycling. Equestrian is also a sport for people with disability, where they can improve how strong they are, how perfect they can ride, how wonderful technically they can be. It’s always great to show that you have no limit.”

Trunnell (USA), the double individual gold medallist from Tokyo, had to settle for silver on Fan Tastico H after finishing on 78.000%.

She paid tribute to the influence on US fortunes of Michel Assouline, who spent 12 years as head coach of Great Britain’s para equestrian team before joining Team USA in 2017 as head of para equestrian coach development and high-performance consultant.

“He is really good,” Trunnell said. “He got us all straightened up, training harder, with better horses. We have evolved our training and been working so hard. It’s nice to see it pay off.”

Sara Morganti (ITA), on Mariebelle, collected her third Paralympic Games bronze medal – after two in Tokyo partnering Royal Delight – on a score of 74.625%.

FULL RESULTS

by Bryn Palmer

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Dressage, FEI, Olympic Games, Para-Equestrian

Paralympic Equestrian Stars All Set to Dance on Versailles Stage

Sanne Voets (NED) and Demantur at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. © FEI/Liz Gregg

Established stars will seek to hold off the challenge of emerging athletes as Para Dressage makes its entrance to Paris 2024 at the spectacular Château de Versailles. A total of 76 athletes from 30 nations will assemble for four days of competition spread across five days from Tuesday, 3 September to Saturday, 7 September.

The first two days will be Individual Medal Events in all five Grades.

Grade III will open proceedings on Tuesday and will also be the last of the five Individual Freestyle Events – featuring the top eight combinations – on the final day of action.

But Denmark’s Tobias Thorning Joergensen will be unable to defend the two Individual titles he won on his Paralympic Games debut at Tokyo 2020, withdrawing on Sunday after his horse Jolene Hill was deemed not fit to compete.

The 24-year-old was widely seen as the favourite in Grade III after also striking double gold at the FEI World Championship 2022 on home ground in Herning – plus silver in the team event – and two more individual golds at last year’s FEI Para Dressage European Championship in Riesenbeck (GER).

All the horses that were presented on Monday’s First Horse Inspection passed.

Great Britain’s Natasha Baker, the most successful of all the Para Dressage athletes in Paris, with four individual golds, two team golds, and two individual silvers – both at Tokyo 2020 – will be seeking a return to the top of the Grade III podium.

The 34-year-old returns on Dawn Chorus for her fourth Paralympic Games, but her first as a mother, having given birth to son Joshua in April 2023. “It makes me incredibly proud. To be at the top of my sport again is such an incredible feeling, especially with Joshua as my number one supporter. I’m really excited for the new challenge and to see what we can achieve in Paris.”

The opening day will also see medals decided in the Grade II individual test, where the likes of Austria’s Pepo Puch – with seven Paralympic medals, including two silvers in Tokyo 2020 – on Sailor’s Blue and Britain’s Georgia Wilson – double bronze medallist in the Grade II Individual and Freestyle in Tokyo 2020 – on Sakura will go for gold in the absence of 14-time Paralympic champion Lee Pearson (GBR).

But they will face competition from another great Dane, Katrine Kristensen, a double World Champion in 2022, and 69-year-old German Heidemarie Dresing, who, after two fourth-place finishes in the Grade II individual events on her Games debut aged 66 in Tokyo, won double gold at the European Championships in Riesenbeck in 2023. Dresing, riding Dooloop, will be the oldest para equestrian competitor in Versailles.

At the other end of the age scale, Frenchwoman Chiara Zenati, one of three 21-year-old para equestrians competing at Paris 2024, will carry home hopes of a medal on Swing Royal in Grade III, after finishing fifth on her Paralympic Games debut as an 18-year-old in Tokyo.

“The fact that the Games are in France puts higher pressure on me than if they were somewhere else. My biggest dream for Paris will be to win a medal,” said Zenati.

Another 21-year-old, Italian Carola Semperboni, will partner the oldest horse competing at these Games – 21-year-old Paul – in the Grade I events, where Roxanne Trunnell of the United States will seek to defend the first of her two individual titles from Tokyo on day one.

Since Tokyo, the 39-year-old has retired her golden mount Dalton and teamed up with another black gelding, Fan Tastico H.

Trunnell will face competition from Latvia’s Rihards Snikus on King of the Dance, a combination which took double silver in Tokyo, and Italy’s Sara Morganti, who won double bronze in 2021 on Royal Delight, but now partners Mariebelle after winning World Championship Freestyle gold in 2022.

Another one to watch in Grade I, the category for athletes with the greatest impairment and ridden in walk only, is Britain’s Mari Durward-Akhurst. The 30-year-old, currently ranked world number one, will be making her Paralympic Games debut riding Athene Lindebjerg, the black mare who won gold with eight-time Paralympic champion Sophie Christiansen (GBR) at Rio 2016.

Norway’s Jens Lasse Dokkan, meanwhile, will continue his remarkable record of competing at every edition of the Paralympic Games since Para Dressage was introduced to the programme in 1996.

The 63-year-old, who won his first Paralympic Games medal at Sydney 2000 and has five overall, will compete – on Aladdin – in his seventh Games after finishing fourth in both individual Grade I events in Tokyo.

The second day of competition will see the individual test medals decided in Grades IV and V, which will be ridden in walk, trot, and canter. These are the two Grades in which the athletes have the lowest level of impairment.

Dutchwoman Sanne Voets, on Demantur, will be seeking a fifth Paralympic medal – a haul including double individual gold and team silver from 2020 – in Grade IV, with fellow Tokyo medallists, 64-year-old Swede Louise Etzner Jakobsson on Goldstrike B. J. and Belgian Manon Claeys, now riding Katharina Sollenburg, likely to be contending again.

Another Paralympic Games debutant, 26-year-old Dutch athlete Demi Haerkens on Daula, announced herself by winning European Championship gold last year.

Grade V could see another battle between 50-year-old Belgian Michèle George, whose two Individual golds on Best of 8 in Tokyo took her Paralympic medal tally to five golds and one silver, and Great Britain’s Sophie Wells, a four-time Paralympic champion with eight medals overall. Wells returns for her fourth Games and will now partner LJT Egebjerggards Samoa in Paris, after a minor veterinary issue ruled out her original horse Don Cara M.

Brazil’s Rodolpho Riskalla on Denzel, a silver medallist from Tokyo, and German Regine Mispelkamp on Highlander Delight’s, who won Freestyle bronze at the same Paralympic Games, are others likely to be in contention.

After a rest day on Thursday, 5 September, the team event – where Great Britain will target an eighth consecutive gold medal since 1996 – is scheduled for Friday, 6 September with three athlete/horse combinations from each nation joining forces in a bid for a place on the podium.

The final set of medals will be up for grabs on 7 September in the Individual Freestyle Events in each of the five Grades in what is expected to be a dramatic conclusion to the Para Dressage in Versailles.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Eventing/H.T., FEI, Show Jumping, Strzegom

Eventing Gold for Great Britain and Germany

Jasmine Underwood and Indian Girl G. Photographer: Leszek Wójcik

The final trials of show jumping at the FEI Eventing European Championships for Young Riders and Juniors in Strzegom were action-packed, and seconds decided on the podium places. Great Britain scored gold both in the team and individual classification in the young rider category, and Germany went double gold in the junior category.

Young Riders

Four seconds over the time in the showjumping took away the leading position from Lisa Gualtieri riding A D’Aunis, and the French had to settle for silver with 26,7.

The gold, after a clear round, went to Great Britain’s Jasmine Underwood riding Indian Girl G – 26,4, and the bronze to her teammate Isabelle Cook with Mexican Law – 27,5. These results helped the British team win the team classification, advancing from third after the cross-country – 93,3. Darcy Zander with My Eastwood Brightside and Joshua Levett riding This Ones On You also stood at the highest step of the podium.

“It was a very challenging weekend, but I wouldn’t have been able to win if it wasn’t for my wonderful horse. I am proud that we can work together,” said Jasmine Underwood right after the win.

The team silver went to France: Lucas Brun with Anapurna De Soulac, Valentin Quittet Eslan with Casanova D’ems, Alizee Bourgue with Cesar Des Hauts Crets, and Lisa Gualtieri with A D’aunis – 94,9.

Germany finished with the bronze medal, with 98,2: Zoe Deusing and Alemania, Isabel Kristin Dalecki with Caruso Jh, Emely Kurbel and Entertain You, and the best one on the team – Mathies Rüder with Bon Ton.

Polish riders Zuzanna Borkowska with Gracja, Katarzyna Brandys with Sel Oscar, and Weronika Król riding Chinuk R with a score of 227.2 penalty points took the fifth place among the 10 competing teams. The last was the highest-ranked home athlete – 11th position, the final result being 35,0.

Juniors

It was Germany who went all clear on the showjumping course – a thing that the Irish, who were in the lead after the cross-country, failed to achieve. The Germans are the new European team champions with 91,1.

Hannah Busch with Crystal-Annabell went up from fourth place after the XC to the first step of the podium – 27.7.

“I felt a lot of pressure before today’s performance, but I tried to relax, calm down, and enjoy the competition with my horse, because this is a special event for me. I couldn’t have done it without my wonderful team, whose support I can always count on,” said the new European champion. Her teammates were Mathis Huisinga and Carlotta, Pita Schmid and Favorita V, and Matti Garlichs and Ludwig 282.

The individual silver went to Irishman Tom Nestor with Cooley Diamond Dancer – 29,9. The rider was in the lead after the second trial, suffered a knockdown and 0,4 for time, and had to say goodbye to his dreams about the gold medal.

Mae Rinaldi from France took home the bronze riding Kirwan – 30,2. A clear jumping round made them advance from 7th overnight.

The team silver medalists are the Irish: Matthew Love and DSL Allegra, Oleana Cowan and Rca Royal Mist, Alex Connors riding Ols King Aragon, and the best of the team: Tom Nestor and Cooley Diamond Dancer – 94.9.

Team bronze went to Great Britain: Coco Lanni and Porsche, Martha Hall and Kbis Starburst, Araminta Spencer-Churchill with Neds Legacy, and Pippa Royle riding My Dream HJ – 100.4.

The home nation of Poland finished in 6th out of 13 competing teams. The best result on the team belongs to Karolina Miś with Go Jack – with a double clear on the XC and jumping, she placed 6th individually with 31,6.

Online results: https://results.strzegomhorsetrials.pl/event.php?event=29#CHEUYT

Contact:
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press@strzegomhorsetrials.pl

*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Driving, FEI, FEI

Hungary to Host FEI Driving World Championship at State Stud Farm

FEI Driving World Championship 2022 – EXELL Boyd (AUS) during Marathon phase B on 24 September 2022. Copyright FEI / Christophe Tanière

World class Driving returns to its historic heartland for the 26th FEI Driving World Championship for Four-in-Hand when the Hungarian Equestrian Federation will welcome 43 athletes from 14 nations to the State Stud Farm at Szilvásvárad, a breeding centre for the country’s ‘national treasure’ Lipizzaner horses.

It’s 40 years since the 7th World Championship was held here at a time when Hungarian drivers dominated the horse fours – the home team won gold and all three individual medals. The nation last hosted the World Championship 20 years ago in Kecskemét, when they also won team and individual golds. Two of those athletes from 2004 will return, winner Zoltán Lázár and teammate József Dobrovitz, whose son József Jnr. is also now a regular member of the Hungarian squad.

President of the HEF is Zoltán’s brother, Vilmos, himself a former World Champion, who states, “This will be a jubilee event, like the 1984 World Championship in Szilvásvárad, which was the pinnacle of the sport. The main goal for this event is to have the same significant impact it did 40 years ago, and to give this wonderful sport new momentum.”

Record Breaking Defending Champion

For the individual gold, the expectation is that Boyd Exell (AUS) will extend his record breaking run as he aims for a 7th consecutive world title. It was a close contest between him and Ijsbrand Chardon (NED) in Pratoni (ITA) two years ago, but Boyd judged his cones round perfectly to stay in front, despite the torrential rain. It will be his 10th World Championship and this season he has continued his hard-to-beat form.

“We at Team Exell are excited and looking forward to the World Championship in Hungary. I’ve driven there many times and really enjoy the energy created by the knowledgeable people who have a passion for driving, which they take very seriously.

“We are going in quietly confident with an experienced team of horses, and I will have my trusted international crew with me as support. However, you can never underestimate the Chardons, and Chester is producing some fantastic dressage this year, so I will be watching out for them!”

Dutch Favourites to Retain Team Title

Of the 11 national teams, The Netherlands is favourite to win an unprecedented 12th world title, one they first took in Apeldoorn (NED) in 1982. Ijsbrand was on the team back then, and has been on every winning team since, taking four individual titles too. Also on the Dutch squad are his son Bram – current FEI World Cup™ and European Champion – plus long-term teammate, Koos de Ronde.

They will be pushed hard by the other nations, including the consistently successful Germans, who took silver in 2022. Their team selectors have six combinations with great experience to draw on, such as 2022 bronze medallist Michael Brauchle, former gold medallist Christoph Sandmann, his daughter Anna, and dressage queen Mareike Harm.

After taking gold at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Tryon (USA), the Americans have a team again with James Fairclough and Chester Weber, who have been winning world medals together since the Jerez (ESP) FEI World Equestrian Games™ in 2002. Belgium took bronze in Pratoni, so will be aiming for the podium again, boosted by a return to form for Glenn Geerts. Throughout the squads the family theme is a strong one, not least for the Hungarians who also have father and son Ferenc Galbács Snr and Jnr, and for the Czech Republic, with brothers Radeck and Jiri Nesvacil Jnr.

As hosts, Hungary is permitted to enter nine combinations, and it would be a dream come true to reward the passionate home crowd with more medals, as they have done in the past. Not only is this a landmark event for the horse-loving nation, but it will be a showcase for the variety of breeds that are used.

Vilmos Lázár – “In the last 40 years, Driving has evolved into a truly professional sport and in addition, the safety and wellbeing of the horses has come to the forefront. The domestic audience has been spoiled in recent decades because we have regularly rewarded them with podium finishes, especially in horse pairs, and most often with gold medals.

Nowadays, the quality of the horses is incredible. We can admire the wonderful Nonius team from the Mezőhegyes Stud Farm, or the two Lipizzaner teams from Szilvásvárad driven by István Váczi and Ferenc Galbács Jnr. We also have the youngest member in the field, Péter Juhász, who thanks to the Federation’s sports development programme and the support of the military, has been able to assemble his team of horses.”

It’s anticipated that gold medals will go the same way as they did two years ago in Italy. But where some nations have entered a larger squad, which athletes will take those valued three team places may not be revealed until everyone is at the venue. For those who visit Szilvásvárad, it will be an opportunity to bask in the rich Hungarian heritage with horses, in a stunning setting nestled at the foot of the Bükk Mountains.

Provisional programme

Wednesday 4 September
10:00 – Horse Inspection
17:00 – Opening Ceremony

Thursday 5 September
10:00 – Dressage Day 1

Friday 6 September
10.00 –Dressage Day 2

Saturday 7 September
10.00 – Marathon

Sunday 8 September
10.00 – Cones
15.30 – Award Ceremony

Full Entries can be seen here.

by Sarah Dance

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

France and Ireland Lead the FEI Eventing European Championships for Juniors and Young Riders

Lisa Gualtieri and A D’aunis. Photographer: Mariusz Chmieliński.

The cross-country trial introduced a considerable reshuffling of the leaderboard at the European Young Riders and Juniors Eventing Championships held in Strzegom.

The French broke the dominance of the British and after successful cross-country rounds become the new leaders in the young rider category. France is represented by: Lucas Brun and Anapurna De Soulac, Valentin Quittet Eslan and Casanova D’ems, and riders who went clear: Alizee Bourgue and Cesar Des Hauts Crets, and Lisa Gualtieri with A D’aunis, who also takes the lead in the individual classification – 25.1.

The leader after dressage, British Jasmine Underwood riding Indian Girl G, crossed the finish line with a seven-second overtime, which dropped her to second place – 26.4. Her compatriot Isabelle Cook with Mexican Law jumped up into third place after a clear run – 27.5.

In the team standings, second place belongs to Germans: Isabel Kristin Dalecki and Caruso Jh, Mathies Rüder and Bon Ton, Emely Kurbel and Entertain You, and the best in the team, Zoe Deusing and Alemania – 90.2. The Brits sit in third: Darcy Zander and My Eastwood Brightside, Isabelle Cook and Mexican Law, and Jasmine Underwood with Indian Girl G – 92.5.

After the cross-country, the home nation of Poland is currently in seventh place – 218.8. The best result in the team belongs to Weronika Król with Chinuk R – 35.0. Clear on the fences, although late by nine seconds, she made her advance from 24th place after dressage to 16th. Zuzanna Borkowska with Gracja, who were the highest ranked of the team after the first trial, were less lucky. Adding 75 penalty points for mistakes on obstacles and exceeding the time allowed, she ranks 39th – 105.9.

In the junior category, the lead in the competition belongs to the Irish – 85.7: Matthew Love and DSL Allegra, as well as three riders with clear XC rounds: Oleana Cowan and RCA Royal Mist, Alex Connors and Ols King Aragon, and the best in the team and first in the individual classification – Tom Nestor and Cooley Diamond Dancer – 25.5. The same score belongs to France’s Rachel Weiler with Riviero – 25.5, and third is Germany’s Ella Krueger with Koenigsblauer – 27.3.

The Germans are moving up to second place: Mathis Huisinga and Carlotta, Pita Schmid and Favorita V, Matti Garlichs and Ludwig 282, and Hannah Busch and Crystal-Annabell – 91.1.

Third place belongs to the British, whose entire team, Coco Lanni and Porsche, Martha Hall and Kbis Starburst, Araminta Spencer-Churchill and Neds Legacy, and Pippa Royle and My Dream H, went clear and brought their dressage score to the finish line – 95.2.

The Polish team lies in fourth with 106,4. Karolina Miś with Go Jack went double clear and went up to 11th with 31,6.

On Sunday, showjumping trials will be held to determine the new medalists of the FEI Eventing European Championships for Young Riders and Juniors.

Online results: https://results.strzegomhorsetrials.pl/event.php?event=29#CHEUYT

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