Category Archives: Competitions

*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

Competitions, Dressage, FEI, FEI

Danish Olympic Stars Kick Off Opening Leg in Herning

Nanna Skodborg Merrald (DEN) riding Blue Hors Zepter – winners of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2022/23 – Neumünster (GER). Copyright © FEI/Stefan Lafrentz

With the full silver-medal-winning Danish Olympic Dressage team in action, host nation Denmark is setting the stage for the first qualifier of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2024/2025 in the Western European League. Not only will these standout Danish athletes be competing for victory in Herning (DEN), but Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden will be all vying for the podium alongside them.

The ‘Danish dynamite’ will be out in full force in Herning: Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, Nanna Skodborg Merrald, and Daniel Bachmann Andersen will be competing their Olympic partners Mount St John Freestyle, Blue Hors Zepter, and Vayron for the first time since the Freestyle Final at the Paris Olympics. Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and her partner, Mount St. John Freestyle (owned by Laudrup-Dufour & Zinglersen ApS and Mount St John Equestrian LLP), took first place in the Grand Prix Special in Paris and secured a fifth-place finish in the Freestyle Final. They’re looking to write a new chapter in their short but already impressive international career with their FEI Dressage World Cup™ debut in Herning.

Nanna Skodborg Merrald and Blue Hors Zepter (owned by Blue Hors ApS) have already made their mark with a second-place finish in the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final 2023 in Omaha (USA), individual silver at the FEI Dressage European Championships 2023 in Riesenbeck, and another second place with Blue Hors Don Olymbrio in the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final in Riyadh (KSA) this year. In Herning, she’ll be looking to secure her first World Cup points with the 16-year-old Zepter on the road to the Final in Basel next year.

Daniel Bachmann Andersen and the mighty Vayron (owned by the athlete and Rudolf Spiekermann) have, besides Olympic team silver, already won European team bronze and will be making their World Cup debut in Herning. They’ll be joined by fellow Danes Nadja Aaboe Sloth, Lone Bang Zindorff, and Anna Zibrandtsen.

The Danish athletes will surely put up a fight on home turf in the Boxen Arena in Herning, but they’ll face fierce competition from four other nations: Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden.

Patrik Kittel (SWE), who clinched the 2024 Final in Riyadh with Touchdown and also won last year’s opening leg in Herning, will be competing with Forever Young HRH (owned by the athlete and Gestüt Peterhof), with whom he finished second in this year’s World Cup qualifier in Neumünster. His compatriot Maria von Essen will also be on hand, bringing the 12-year-old Invoice (owned by Alexanders Hovslageri & Häst AB) to Herning.

Germany is sending a strong contingent of five combinations, led by the experienced Ingrid Klimke. The German ‘Reitmeisterin’ will be riding the mare First Class (owned by Gut Hülsen GmbH & Co.KG), who made her World Cup debut in Neumünster this year with an eighth-place finish.

One of last season’s rising stars, Raphael Netz, will also be in Herning, competing Great Escape Camelot (owned by Theres Boss and Sonja Kristina Krall), with whom he finished fifth in the Final in Riyadh. Germany’s squad is rounded out by Maik Kohlschmidt, Bianca Nowag-Aulenbrock, and Carina Scholz.

The Netherlands will be represented by two seasoned combinations, both riding home-bred horses: Marlies van Baalen will saddle up Habibi DVB N.O.P (owned by Dressuurstal van Baalen B.V. and Titus de Vries), her mount for the FEI Dressage European Championships 2023 in Riesenbeck, with whom she also finished second in the World Cup qualifier in Mechelen last year. Thamar Zweistra will bring her top horse Hexagon’s Ich Weiss (owned by Stal Hexagon B.V.).

With the grey stallion she has already competed at the FEI Dressage World Championships 2022 in Herning and in no less than three FEI Dressage World Cup™ Finals: Leipzig, Omaha, and Riyadh. For Belgium, Alexa Fairchild will round out the start list in Herning with her own Lusitano Mala Skala’s Hermes.

With this year marking the 38th season of the FEI Dressage World Cup™, will Denmark claim its first victory since Anne Grethe Jensen and Marzog in 1986? After what promises to be a strong start in Herning, we’ll have to wait for the answer until the Final, taking place in Basel (SUI) from 2-6 April 2025.

While this season’s Final will be held in Switzerland for the first time in history, Switzerland has already had two victories in the FEI Dressage World Cup™: Christine Stückelberger and Gaugin de Lully took the titles in Essen in 1987 and ‘s-Hertogenbosch in 1988.

This season’s Western European League consists of 11 qualifiers, with Herning as the opening leg. The second leg will be in late October/early November in Lyon (FRA), followed by Stuttgart (GER) and Madrid (ESP) in November. December will see legs in London (GBR) and Mechelen (BEL). The new year kicks off with Basel (SUI) on the second weekend of January, followed by Amsterdam (NED) two weeks later. February will feature action in Neumünster (GER) and Göteborg (SWE), and the WEL qualifiers will conclude in March in ’s-Hertogenbosch (NED).

The top 9 combinations from the Western European League will qualify for the 2025 FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final, along with the reigning champion, Patrik Kittel. He will automatically qualify if he competes in at least two qualifiers this season.

Further information about the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2024/2025 series here.

by Bettine van Harselaar

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

Competitions, London International Horse Show, Revolution Sports

Showing to Take Centre Stage at London International Horse Show

Following the tremendous success of the inaugural London International Showing Series in 2023, London International Horse Show is set to once again host the Series finals from 18-22 December in the New Horizon Plastics London Arena. This year’s event will feature 21 classes offering a wide variety of competition, such as the Agria Rising Star Racehorse to Show Horse and the BSPS Junior Performance Pony. New for 2024 is the BSPS Heritage First Ridden Working Sports Pony Class.

The London International Showing Series has gained a reputation as an esteemed yet inclusive competition, encouraging participation from amateurs with home-produced horses and ponies. Qualifiers were held at 52 agricultural and county shows across the country over the spring and summer and the Series has led to a significant rise in entries, showcasing the passion and dedication within the Showing community. The finals will not only crown Champions but will also celebrate the hard work, perseverance, and commitment demonstrated by all competitors throughout the year.

Speaking about the finals of the London International Showing Series, Nigel Hollings, Chief Showing Steward at the Show, commented: “The Showing finals at London International Horse Show are truly unique and exciting, as they are the only Showing finals held in the capital city. I’m absolutely thrilled to be Chief Showing Steward at London International this year; it is going to be a good one!”

Many riders are over the moon to have earned a spot at one of Britain’s most renowned equestrian events and the opportunity to compete at London International Horse Show marks the fulfilment of a lifelong dream. Among the finalists is Danielle Boot with her striking piebald horse, Lucky Llamedos (Paddy), who has qualified for the New Horizon Plastics Coloured Native/Cob/Traditional Horse/Pony final. Danielle and Paddy, who enjoy hacking, jumping, and even side saddle, have achieved one of Danielle’s childhood dreams by earning their place to compete at the distinguished Show.

Several competitors are returning to the finals for the second year running. Lisa Marshall and her six-year-old heavyweight cob, Cracker, who was gifted to her by her husband for her 40th birthday, will once again compete in the Rising Star Heavyweight Cob Class. Jo Rose and Castle Wizzard (Roy) are also returning after competing last year in the BSPS Performance Pony not exceeding 158cm category, having secured qualification again this year on their first attempt.

Other inspiring qualifying stories include Lucy Richards-Lowe and her horse, Toptime Spargo, who was purchased as an unbroken five-year-old for just £400, and the combination are now, eight years on, set to compete this December. Also appearing this year is Grace Morgan with her pony, Treflan Robin Goch (Larry), who only began Showing last year. After watching the BSPS Performance Pony class at the Show last year, Grace was inspired to ‘give it a real go’ and has qualified for the very same class for ponies not exceeding 148cm.

The London International Showing Series was developed in partnership with the British Show Pony Society (BSPS), the British Show Horse Association (BSHA), and the Association of Show and Agricultural Organisations (ASAO). The Series’ ‘Rising Star’ classes, open exclusively to amateur members of the BSHA who have produced their own horses, provide a unique platform for competitors to showcase their skills in a supportive, peer-driven environment. The BSPS classes are open to all, with a key emphasis on pony performance. Both BSPS and BSHA are committed to supporting the finalists at every step, offering guidance and expertise as they prepare for the December finals.

Simon Brooks-Ward, Show Director of London International Horse Show, stated: “We are thrilled to be hosting the finals of the London International Showing Series for the second year in a row. It is great hearing the stories of those who have qualified, and we are excited to witness the action unfold in the New Horizon Plastics London Arena.”

The London International Showing Series starts on Wednesday 18 December; to purchase tickets, please click here.

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

Competitions, FEI, Show Jumping

German Giants Clinch Longines League of Nations Crown

Team Germany (L-R: Andre Thieme, Jana Wargers, Otto Becker, Christian Kukuk, Richard Vogel) © FEI/Leanjo de Koster

In a cliff-hanger of a finale to the very first Longines League of Nations™ season, Team Germany reigned supreme at the Real Club de Polo in Barcelona, Spain; The Netherlands finished second and Sweden pipped Ireland for third place.

It was a close-fought affair with the Germans and Dutch already out in front at the halfway stage when sharing a zero scoreline but with France, Sweden, and Brazil nipping at their heels when carrying just four faults into round two.

The Irish carried eight while the USA and Spain carried 12 apiece, but the Swiss were already on the ropes with 24 first-round faults and there would be no chance of recovery. At the end of the day, however, they did manage to finish ahead of the French who were eliminated when anchorman Kevin Staut had an unscheduled dismount.

“I think no-one can say now that the format isn’t working – it’s super exciting!” said course designer Santiago Varela.

With the best three results from each four-member team counted in round one, but just three riders returning and all scores counting in round two, it was unpredictable and thrilling once again.

“With this format you have to wait until the very end, because everything can change in just a second!” Varela said. That was exactly how it played out.

The plank on the vertical at fence nine was the bogey of the first round, with a choice of a long five or short six strides from the previous oxer. When fences were raised in round two, however, it was the double of verticals at fence seven on the 12-obstacle track that proved the biggest challenge.

The Germans began to look vulnerable when Andre Thieme and his 2021 European individual gold-medal-winning mare Chakaria put four faults on the board as his team’s second-round pathfinders. When compatriot and newly-crowned individual Olympic champions, Christian Kukuk and Checker, had two down, they seemed to be really losing their grip.

Maikel van der Vleuten and his Olympic double-bronze-medal-winning gelding Beauville Z NOP piled on the pressure with a second clear to give the Dutch an enormous boost, but Kim Emmen and her grey gelding Imagine dropped both elements of the double at seven on the way to a 12-fault total, and now, quite suddenly, the two countries were back on level pegging.

Second-last to go, Germany’s Richard Vogel set off with the big-striding stallion United Touch S, who looked positively regal as he soared home clear to throw it down to the final Dutch duo of Harrie Smolders and Uricas van de Kattevennen. If this pair could keep a clean sheet, it would go to a jump-off, because both sides would finish on a 12-fault tally. But the first pole on that bogey double at seven hit the floor to bring the Dutch tally to 16 and hand victory to Otto Becker’s German side.

Becker has a particularly strong connection with the ring in Barcelona, as this is where he rode his final Nations Cup for Germany back in 2008. “I’m proud and honoured with our win here today!” he said.

At the press conference, fourth team-member Jana Wargers said that she understood the decision to leave her and her mare Dorette OLD on the sidelines for the second round.

“We decided that the other horses were just in a bit better shape than my one today,” she explained.

Olympic champion Kukuk talked about his eight-fault second round that left Team Germany on the edge in the closing stages.

“I just had a feeling I wasn’t accurate enough… I could feel that probably condition-wise, he (Checker) was not on his peak right now. His last show was Paris (Olympic Games), and that’s a few weeks ago. Everything was set up for that goal and then he had kind of a break after and now it’s the first big show again.”

He realised that Kim Emmen’s 12 faults really let him off the hook.

“Unfortunately for her, she had a not-so-good round and suddenly we were equal again. And then Richie had an absolutely outstanding second round, and that’s why we are in the end now the happy winners!” he added.

Thieme blamed himself for his single second-round error with Chakaria. After clearing the tricky double that had claimed so many previous victims, he said he was “kind of happy and relaxed because I realised that I was the first one who jumped that vertical/vertical clear at that point.” But the seven strides bending to the following oxer “were just 20 centimeters too long and she had to make a really kind of a big jump, which she did very well. And then the six strides (to the vertical at fence nine) became extra, extra short and I didn’t quite get her back like I did in the first round…”

He was grateful to team-mate Vogel for wrapping it up with his effortless clear.

“Today was a great day for us!” said Vogel, who is ranked 10th in the world.

He is one of many riders who relies implicitly on the help of his groom. “I have to thank Felicia (Wallin). She actually had him mostly in training since Paris. We gave him a bit of time off, and we did Spruce (Meadows, Canada) and then another bit of time off. So, since Spruce, I was, to be honest, not too much in his saddle and around him because I was in America. She overtook the training and clearly did a pretty good job. So, I guess we have to keep it that way now. The plan works!”

He sees Felicia as a vital member of his team. “I’m very glad to have her by my side and the horses are very happy to have her by their side. We’ve worked together for three and a half/four years now. We’re a young team. She is 24 and I am 27 – we are heading in the same direction, and we have high hopes for the future. She and United have a very special bond. If he could pick between me and Felicia, he always goes to Felicia. Their bond is special. She rides him very well. I’m the one that does the flat work that is more educating for him, which is also important. She’s the one that goes in the forest with him and gives him a happy time, which I find very important to have the right balance there. Now, since I was away for two weeks, I said not only in the forest for two weeks, but also for work in between – and she did it very well!” he pointed out.

Felicia and the other winning team grooms, Sofie Karlsson, Heidemarie Jaeckel, Ulla Uusitalo, and Johanna Klare, all received special awards at the prize-giving ceremony, while Ariel Grange, owner of the mare Legacy competed by Ireland’s Daniel Coyle, won the Best Horse title for her performances throughout this first Longines League of Nations™ series.

Coyle also took a four-way share of the €200,000 bonus on offer for the Best Individual Performances in the Final along with Germany’s Vogel, The Netherlands’ van der Vleuten, and Armando Trapote – the latter lifting the home crowd when also posting a double-clear with Tornado VS. Coyle was back on the presentation podium once again when joining van der Vleuten and Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann to share the Best Athlete Award. All three produced five clear rounds during the season.

The Rookie of the Season title went to America’s Callie Schott, and of course Chef d’Equipe of the Season was Germany’s Otto Becker, whose team also won the opening leg of the inaugural series in Abu Dhabi in February.

At the end of the day the Longines League of Nations™ Final 2024 scoreboard showed Sweden getting the edge over Ireland for third place based on their faster times when finishing on 20 faults. Brazil slotted into fifth with 24, USA and Spain shared a 28-fault scoreline for sixth and seventh placings, and Switzerland racked up a big 40-fault result to finish eighth ahead of the French.

FULL RESULTS

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

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

Luis Fernando Larrazabal Wins $24,999 Score at the Top Grand Prix at ESP October

Luis Fernando Larrazabal & Baroness © Sportfot

The 2024 ESP October horse show got underway on Friday with the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby, sponsored by Pilates Rocks, on the Derby Annex field. Keri Kampsen (USA) delivered an impressive performance with Check Please, co-owned by Keri Kampsen and Lexy Reed, claiming victory with a score of 172. Kampsen also took second place, riding for Tracy Thompson, with a score of 166 aboard Bonbon, owned by Legacy Equine LLC. Wrapping up the top placings was Jodie Camberg (USA) aboard Kascht VDL, owned by Kallie Nemmers, with a score of 164.

“This is my first summer not leaving and it’s been great,” explained Kampsen. “I love the shows here. It’s easy, it’s friendly, the horses all get a chance to really get acclimated to the jumps and are able to get a feel for it, so that when we get to WEF [Winter Equestrian Festival], it’s not such a big deal.”

Kampsen earned the prestigious USHJA National Hunter Derby Overall Series Award presented by Parlanti, and a $1,000 Parlanti gift certificate, for her outstanding performances throughout the Summer Series. Kampsen accumulated the highest total points in hunter classes, demonstrating remarkable consistency and skill across all competitions. Her dedication, horsemanship, and excellence in the ring have set her apart as a top competitor this season. This achievement is a testament to her hard work, focus, and passion for the sport.

The $10,000 Bainbridge Companies 1.40m Open Stake kicked off competition Saturday morning on the Derby Field. Tanimara Maria Macari Carrillo (MEX) captured first place with a double-clear performance aboard her own horse, Febvre De Lusse, clocking in at 39 seconds. Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) earned second place on Baroness, owned by Leeann Ablin, with a clear time of 39.667 seconds, while Juan Jose Bancalari Elmudesi (DOM) secured third with a time of 40.481 seconds aboard his own entry, Cascais HC.

Following the conclusion of the 1.40m Open Stake, the Derby Field hosted the Omega Alpha 1.35m Stake, where Erynn Ballard (USA) dominated the competition, earning first, second, third and fifth place. Delivering a flawless double-clear round aboard Highlander, owned by Ilan Ferder, Ballard secured the blue ribbon with a time of 46.272 seconds. Ballard secured second with Ilan Ferder’s Lissabon with a time of 47.967 and third place with Chatadel PS, owned by Jose Salgado Negrete, with a time of 49.72 seconds.

ESP October concluded competition on Saturday with the $1,000 2’6”/2’9” Hunter Derby, sponsored by ArthramidVet, highlighting the talents of top hunters. Mackenzie Katz (USA) claimed the win aboard Crush, owned by DMK Equestrian LLC, with a combined score of 168. Megan Edrick Wexler (USA) took second place with Vincente, owned by Patricia Woodman-Hooker, scoring 162. Joanne Clemente (USA) rounded out the top three with Channing, owned by Horselux LLC, with a score 155.

ESP October wrapped up on Sunday with the $24,999 Score at the Top Grand Prix, where Venezuela’s Luis Fernando Larrazabal galloped to victory on Baroness in a thrilling jump-off.

Out of twenty-one entries, twelve horse-and-rider pairs advanced to the jump-off. Larrazabal secured the win with a fault-free time of 39.383 seconds on Baroness, owned by Leeann Ablain. Robert Blanchette (IRL) finished in second place with a time of 39.905 seconds on Chardonnay, owned by Ridersmith, LLC. Clinching the third-place title was Erynn Ballard (CAN) and Ilan Ferder’s Mullentine Shalom, with a double-clear time of 41.089 seconds.

To view full results from ESP October, please click HERE.

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

Championships, Competitions, Driving, FEI, FEI

Jessica Wächter and Weronika Kwiatek Take Top Spots in France

Jessica Wächter (GER) and Gucci FST ©FEI/FFE/PSV

Germany’s Jessica Wächter sealed her supremacy in producing young horses at world level as she won both the five- and seven-year-old categories, narrowly beating Poland’s Weronika Kwiatek in the older class – but it was a win for Weronika in the six-year-old category.

The 9th FEI Driving World Championship for Young Horses was held for the second year in a row at the Federal Equestrian Park in Lamotte-Beuvron, the headquarters of the French Equestrian Federation. It was also the second week in a row that France hosted an FEI Driving World Championship, hot on the heels of the FEI Driving World Championship for Single Horses at Haras du Pin, Normandy (FRA), where some of the same athletes were competing.

Five-Year-Olds

After two days of qualifying rounds, the competition started afresh on Saturday morning with the Dressage, followed by the Combined Marathon on Sunday. Jessica clinched the first win of the event in the five-year-old category on a score of 16.08 with Carlo 570, a Sathu gelding owned by Martin Philipp. It is her second world title in this category after her win in 2021 with Dream Catcher FRH and the second time she has won two titles at the same event, which she last did in Mezöhegyes (HUN) in 2019. The wins give her an impressive tally of FEI Driving World Championship for Young Horses titles since her first in 2018 with FST Charly Brown, the same horse she drove in Le Pin last week.

Fresh from her individual silver and team gold in Le Pin, Marion Vignaud (FRA) was second on 14.48 with her KWPN mare Oh La La La SH; she was also seventh in the same class with another of her own horses, Oakley DH. Only 0.06 behind in third was Morgane Pennec (FRA) and Impuls (14.42).

Six-Year-Olds

Winner of the six-year-old category, Weronika is another young horse specialist who has consistently placed highly since the series started in 2015, and this was her second world title after she won the seven-year-olds in 2021 with Roncewal. She was also in Le Pin the previous week, but this time she was driving Elektroda, a mare owned by Grzegorz Swiatek, to win on a score of 17.36. It was close for second and third as Bettina Winkler (GER) and Herman 91 scored 15.93, 0.14 ahead of Fabrice Martin (FRA) and Idromel Noir on 15.79, who were the five-year-old winners last year. Also having a busy event was the new FEI Driving World Championship for Single Horses Champion, Mario Gandolfo (SUI), who finished fifth with Johnson Du Signal after they were third last year.

Seven-Year-Olds

Finally, with only 0.34 between the top three in the seven-year-old category, it was Jessica who edged ahead by only 0.2 to lead with her own Sathu mare Gucci FST on 16.77, despite knocking a ball and losing 0.3 from their score of 8.50 in the Combined Marathon. Weronika and Milo V ended on 16.57, although they tied on 8.50 in the second phase with Mario and Lemmy-K, who were third on 16.43, not able to repeat their wins in both the five- and six-year-old classes in 2022 and 2023.

The Young Horse competition takes place over four days and follows a different format. On Thursday, there is a qualifying phase which combines Dressage movements and a sequence of Cones. The top 50% then proceed to the Dressage on Saturday but on Friday, the lower 50% drive again for a place in the final phases, although the number permitted to go through at this stage is set by the officials. Sunday’s Combined Marathon takes place in an arena and consists of one or two Marathon type obstacles and Cones depending on the category. The course designer was Johan Jacobs (NED), who also designed the World Singles courses the week before.

The marking system also differs because the highest score wins. In the Dressage, the four judges work collaboratively and award marks out of 10 which are then averaged to give a single mark at the end, and they award one mark for the Combined Marathon. For the final placings, the scores from the Dressage and the Combined Marathon only are added together and any penalties are deducted from the total.

In total, 44 athletes came forward from 14 nations, the furthest travelled being Jodie Mckeone from Australia.

Athletes compete as individuals and there is no team competition, and each athlete can enter two horses per age category. The emphasis is on the performance of the horse and marks are awarded in accordance with the scales of training appropriate to the horse’s age and development.

FULL RESULTS

by Sarah Dance

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

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

Team Belgium Jumps Their Way to Victory in Eventing Nations Cup

Team Belgium (L-R) Lara de Liedekerke-Meier; Senne Vervaecke; Wouter de Cleene; Seppe Vilain. © FEI/ Libby Law Photography

A challenging Cross-Country course meant that the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ at Lignières (FRA) was never going to rest on Dressage scores. The Belgian team’s prowess in both Jumping phases gave them their first Nations Cup victory of the season in the penultimate leg the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ on French soil.

They finished on a score of 143.9 after three of their four riders jumped double clears in the Jumping and Cross-Country phases. The other two teams competing were Great Britain and France, but they lagged far behind in second and third, respectively, with scores of 1084.90 and 1108.60, after both teams lost two riders each to eliminations or withdrawals.

Team Belgium moved their way up the leaderboard from last in the Dressage to second after the Jumping rounding it off with a victory after three solid Cross-Country performances around this demanding course. This was particularly impressive given their most experienced team member Lara de Liedekerke- Meier was eliminated on her mare Hooney D’Arville, while Steppe Vilain was best of the Belgians on Kawa de la Cour Z. They finished with a double clear and just 12-time penalties and look a promising combination for the future.

Sense Vervaecke jumped a double clear with the 13-year-old mare Google Van Alsingen, with whom she competed at various FEI European Championships. The pair had 14.8 Cross-Country time penalties. Wouter de Cleese riding the 14-year-old Holstein mare Quintera made up the Belgian quartet. They put in a solid performance to jumped clear in both phases with 19.2 time penalties in the Cross-Country.

Former Olympian Kai-Steffan Meier is the Team Manager for the Belgian team and summed up his team’s performance:

“It was a very strong Cross-Country course, and the ground was a factor due to the rain. After a good and solid Dressage and Jumping performance, I am obviously delighted with three clear rounds on the Cross-Country. That this put us on the top of the podium is the cherry on the cake.”

In this CIC4* short format competition, the Cross-Country saw a number well-seasoned equine and human athlete combinations have faults or eliminations, a stiff track designed by Pierre Le Goupil, course designer at the last Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The Jumping faults were peppered around the course, but the early part of the track was particularly eventful for some athletes. The Cross-Country clock also proved hard to beat, with no participants jumping clear inside the time.

The Nations Cup Series now moves to The Netherlands where once again the prestigious Boekelo will play host to the final of this popular Series from 10 to 13 October, which will run as a long format four-star competition. Despite a disappointing experience at their home event, France continues to lead the overall standing on 370 points.

FULL RESULTS

by Eleanore Kelly

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

Championships, Competitions, Driving, FEI, FEI

France Retains Team Gold in Le Pin au Haras

Marion Vignaud (FRA) and First Quality. ©FEI/M Guillamot

Host nation France retained team gold at the FEI Driving World Championship for Single Horses – but only just! In a thrilling contest, they totalled 298.59 to stay ahead of rivals Germany by only 1.32 for silver (299.91), who was only 0.84 ahead of Switzerland for bronze (300.75).

After two days of Dressage, when France’s Marion Vignaud and First Quality and Tony Ecalle with Kensington tied for second place on 44.25, the team had a clear lead over Germany of 11.65 and Switzerland of 16.24 going into Saturday’s Marathon. But it was a day of mixed fortunes for the French as team members gained penalties and saw their initial advantage shrink.

In contrast, Switzerland’s Mario Gandolfo and Favela – eventual individual winner – and Stefan Ulrich with Samito powered through the course to take first and third in the phase to rise to second and third places. Germany’s Ciara Schubert with Lassila and Anne Unzeitig with De Niro 29 also had fast drives to finish second and sixth and bring the top three teams even closer.

Although Sunday’s Cones proved to be decisive for the individual standings, it impacted the teams less as the top five stayed the same. French hopes for team glory were kept alive by Tony and Kensington, who produced a double clear, and Clement Deschamps with Brume de Chablis, who knocked one cone for three penalties. For Germany, Anne and Marie Tischer drove low penalty rounds to keep the pressure on. Maintaining their cool, with both team and individual podium places in their sights, Stefan and Mario also drove double clears.

As overnight leaders, and carrying the hopes of the home crowd, Marion and her 14-year-old KWPN gelding First Quality were last to enter a hushed arena. Until the very last oxer at number 20, it seemed that a first individual gold would be theirs, but in a split second it all changed. Just as the cheers started, a ball rolled in the final oxer, and they dropped to silver. It was a case of history repeating itself as the same happened at the last World Championship in the same arena in 2022. Despite the disappointment, the celebrations came as the French had done enough to seal their team victory, their second since the Championship started in 1998.

A past winner of FEI Driving World Championship for Young Horses, that late ball meant Mario won his first gold in this Championship by only 0.51 with a total of 149.25, as well as the first team bronze. For Marion, silver with 149.76 and team gold was still a great achievement. For Stefan Ulrich, who was on the silver medal winning team at the FEI Driving world Championship for Pair Horses a year ago in Le Pin, it was also a double podium finish with two bronzes and a total of 151.50.

In an interview after the Marathon, Mario paid tribute to his 10-year-old mare Favela. “We know the Marathon well here and have come for three years. It is well suited to Favela, and she loves it. She showed it here today because it was a very physical Marathon, but she recovered well. The course designer did his best for the horses, and it was beneficial for horse welfare because we had time to walk between the obstacles.

“I’m lucky to have a lot of people from my region who came here to see the World Championship. The Swiss team is good at the Cones, and although we are going to feel a bit of pressure, we are going to trust in our horses.”

It was a successful championship for Luxembourg who just missed out on podium places. Marie Schiltz with former Young Horse Champion, 16-year-old Frodo, is the number two ranked driver and finished fourth on 151.72. The team included her father Franz with San Remo Royal and Nicolas Candel with Festinov, and they were fourth on 315.56, ahead of a delighted British team who were fifth on 329.26.

Both Canadian and USA squads made the long journey to Europe for the event and enjoyed some successful results. Based in The Netherlands, Canada’s Kelly Bruder is the number one ranked driver and with her 16-year-old gelding Flip, was last to drive in the Dressage on Friday afternoon. They produced a mesmerising test to win on 40.65 and lead going into the Marathon, but they couldn’t retain their position and slipped away from medal places.

The American squad was impacted by a tip up in the second obstacle from one of their members and an elimination in the Cones. But their hopes were kept alive by Taylor Bradish and Katydid Duchess, who drove a great Marathon for fourth, and after the Cones, was the highest placed American to finish sixth.

Adding to the Swiss success, veteran driver and former World Four-in-Hand Champion Werner Ulrich, competing as an individual while his son was on the team, came fifth (154.73). Both were driving horses that had been on the silver medal winning Horse Pairs team a year ago.

Proving that age is no barrier in Driving, athletes ranged in age from 20 to 78, and the horses ranged in age from 8 to 19. In all, 79 athletes and 84 horses from 19 nations gathered in the stunning surroundings of the historic French national stud in Normandy, which is resplendent after a multi-million Euro investment. The Orne Quarry arena was the setting for the Dressage and Cones, while the beautiful Hautbois parkland, laid out in front of the Chateau at the heart of the equestrian complex, was the setting for the Marathon. Combining history with modern values, at the core of the ‘Versailles of the Horse’ is a sustainable approach to all aspects of the equestrian competition.

Rounding off the closing ceremony, Chair of the FEI Driving Committee Joaquin Medina (ESP), praised the organisers and venue for hosting a triumphant World Championship where, at all times, the welfare of the horses was put first.

FULL RESULTS

by Sarah Dance

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

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

ESP Florida State Fall Horse Show: A Weekend of Equitation Mastery

Juan Manuel Gallego & Niagara D’ive Z © Sierra Buerkley Photography

The ESP Florida State Fall Horse Show recently took place at the Equestrian Village in Wellington, Florida, offering an exciting weekend of equestrian events, skilled riders, and impressive performances. From Thursday to Sunday, the show highlighted the special connection between riders and their horses, featuring the Region 10 ASPCA/NHSAA Maclay Championship.

The Region 10 ASPCA/NHSAA Maclay Championship showcased riders navigating over fences and ending in a flat phase. Maggie King and her own Ivano S, clinched the first-place position. Reserve went to Faith Schuttemeyer and Davinci, owned by Brittany Purnell, while Anika Spaeth and her own entry, Celtic, secured third.

The THIS/NHS Adult Area Championship followed, featuring an over-fence course and a flat phase. Ella Bostwick atop Malbec, owned by Christine Bostwick, emerged as champion, with Kaitlyn Sheerahamed and her own Dany Villers in second. Securing the third-place title was Sophia Bruny and her own mount, Shakiro.

The Hamel Foundation/NHS 3’3” Area Championship rounded out the equitation championships, with Maxima Lanasa and Lambada, owned by Kate Abajian, securing the top spot. Campbell Cauthen on Lucky Luke, owned by DCTM LLC, took second while Lucy Massucci secured the yellow ribbon aboard Empire, owned by Chase Finizio.

All three equitation classes were expertly judged by Tammy Provost & Virginia Edwards and the courses were designed by Andy Christiansen, Jr.

While the equitation classes were the highlight of the week, our hunter and jumpers did not disappoint. Competition on the field kicked off Thursday morning with the $5,000 1.35m Open Jumper Stake, sponsored by Perfect Products. Eighteen horse-and-rider duos tackled the challenging course designed by Guilherme Jorge (BRA), with ten advancing to the jump-off. Andres Julio Soto Pena (DOM) claimed victory with a swift, clear round, completing it in 39.062 seconds aboard Optimus Blue, owned by Alisa Butska. Isabel Sanchez (DOM) secured second place, finishing her clear round in 39.627 seconds on Peter Lloyd’s horse, Vingtcoeurs Du Chalet. Michael Murphy (USA) earned third with a clear round time of 39.996 seconds riding Barcelona, owned by Lauren Tyree.

The $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby (Hunt & Go), sponsored by Parlanti, served as the highlight of the day on the Annex Derby Field. Lauren Schweppe (USA) delivered an impressive performance on Cali Y, owned by Marjorie Sidman, claiming first place with a combined score of 172. Madison Ramsey (USA) took second aboard MTM Enchanted, owned by Kevin Eufemia, with a score of 171. Taylor St. Jacques secured third on Castleforbes Glenn, owned by Sergent Stables LLC, with a score of 170.

Continuing on with competition on Friday, the Bainbridge Companies 1.40m Open Jumper Stake took place on the Derby Field, where twenty competitors tackled Guilherme Jorge’s course. Luis Pedro Biraben (ARG) won the event with a double-clear effort aboard Vasco 109, co-owned by Miguel Madero and Luis Pedro Biraben, finishing in 38.603 seconds. Michael Murphy (USA) earned second place with a clear round of 38.949 seconds on Kaida CM, owned by South Coast, while Luis Sabino Goncalves (POR) secured third place riding Scoop De Septon Z, owned by Sigma Stables, with a faultless time of 39.279 seconds.

On Saturday, the $1,000 2’6″/2’9″ Hunter Derby (Hunt & Go), sponsored by ProElite, showcased some of the top hunters. Paige Moose (USA) took first place with her own horse, Quintilus, earning a total score of 156. Joanne Clemente (USA) followed closely in second place with a score of 154 on Channing, owned by Horselux LLC. Marjorie Sidman (USA) rounded out the top three with a score of 145 aboard her own entry, Cali Y.

Sunday’s events wrapped up with the $24,999 Winston Preparatory Grand Prix, where Colombia’s Juan Manuel Gallego clinched victory with Niagara D’ive Z after a thrilling jump-off.

Out of the twenty-five participants, nine advanced to the jump-off, making for a tense competition. Gallego and Niagara D’ive Z, owned by Gabriela Salazar Martinez, took first place with the fastest time of 42.926 seconds.

Alannah Wagstaff (USA) secured second place with a time of 42.944 seconds on Great Thing, owned by Mill Pond Farm Inc. Rounding out the podium was Michael Murphy on Kaida CM, owned by South Coast, finishing in 43.383 seconds.

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

Wellington International
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