Category Archives: Competitions

Competitions, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

Greya Is Great in Traverse City

Kent Farrington (USA) and Greya FEI/Andrew Ryback Photography

Kent Farrington (USA) was the first to crack the code to a clear round over a technical course in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Traverse City — the first leg of the 2024-25 North American League season. He’d remain “first” for the rest of the day.

First to return for the jump-off. First to jump double-clear. Ultimately, first on the leaderboard.

Farrington and his talented mount Greya bested a seven-horse jump-off to earn an important five-star victory and valuable qualifying points toward the World Cup Finals in Basel (SUI) next April. The accomplished pair simply could not be caught over Alan Wade’s (IRL) short course, with a winning time of 37.19 seconds.

Samuel Hutton (GBR) and Melusina Bvl Z came closest — within two-tenths of a second — and finished second (37.36s). They were followed by Alise Oken (USA) and Gelvera, who boldly left out a stride to the penultimate line and appeared ahead of the pace before fanning wide and losing ground to the final two fences (38.44s).

“[Going] first, I thought the [jump-off] would be fast, but I didn’t think it would be wild,” Farrington said. “The first part of my round was secure, and then at that point going to the last jump, I thought I played it a bit safe.

“I thought I had done a pretty aggressive round that someone would have to try hard to catch. It got a little closer than I would have liked, but we had luck on our side today.”

Natural footspeed, a ground-saving track, and efficiency over the fences proved keys to victory. Farrington weighed the option of leaving out a stride in the first line, but it wasn’t the correct option for his partner. Instead, he planned for an extra stride and a tight, time-saving turn to the next fence.

“My strategy was to ride [Greya’s round] and try to put the pressure on the ones behind me,” Farrington explained. “I took the chances where I thought I could. I maybe could have done one less [stride] up the first line… but it wasn’t there [for me]. My short eight [strides] ended up very quick.”

Farrington began to eye the NAL opener as a target following his return from the Paris Olympic Games. Farrington and Greya were selected to represent the U.S. for the assignment, but Farrington made the decision to withdraw when his horse developed a cough.

“First I had to get her feeling better. She had a bad cough that made us unable to compete,” he shared. “I had to give her 10 days of no riding, let her get some antibiotics and get her back to America. From there, we said, ‘Let’s just see how she goes, at her own pace.’ I let her feel good with some tiny rounds last week, and then we built up this week. Today she felt great, and I thought she performed great. I’m exciting to get going.”

Farrington has always thought highly of Greya, first discovering the mare as a 5-year-old in Europe. He elected to keep her overseas for a year before importing her and beginning to work with the mare in his stable. From there, it’s been a careful, calculated, and exciting development process.

“She’s a sensational horse,” he gushed. “She was always extremely, extremely careful. She had a bit of a wild personality, but she’s always been an exceptional athlete and a special horse. I’m very proud of what she’s developed into. We’re still at the very start of her career. I’m excited to see where it goes.”

Currently the world’s 10th-ranked jumping athlete and a former World No. 1, Farrington has competed in the World Cup Finals on seven occasions, but his best finish came at Riyadh (KSA) — with Greya and Toulayna, who competed in the opening day’s speed competition.

“We went to World Cup Finals last year, and it went great. It was a big step up for [Greya],” Farrington reflected. “I would like to do it [again] with two horses, like I did last time. I would say [Basel] is definitely in my sights. Hopefully my horses are in good form when that time comes around.”

Farrington has assumed an early lead in the North American League standings with 20 points. Oken sits second with 17 points, followed by Daniel Bluman (ISR) with 15 points.

FULL RESULTS

by Catie Staszak

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

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

Jad Dana Soars to New Heights in $10,000 Greenberg Traurig 1.40m Stake

Jad Dana & Leonidas © Cassidy Klein

The 2024 ESP September horse show commenced on Friday morning with the 1.40m Open Jumper Stake, sponsored by Bainbridge Companies. In this competitive event, eleven horse-and-rider pairs took on Andy Christiansen’s (ECU) intricate course, with seven trying their hand at the jump-off. Michael Murphy (USA) secured the top position with the fastest clear round, finishing in 34.42 seconds on Kaida CM, owned by South Coast. Hadden Frost (GBR) took second place with a clear round time of 35.439 seconds aboard his own horse, Insider BH. Diego Javier Vivero Viteri (ECU) rounded out the top three with a clear time of 35.95 seconds on Daddy’s Destiny, owned by Nicole Velazco Magana.

The $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby (Hunt & Go), sponsored by Parlanti, was the day’s main hunter event in GDF Hunter Ring 2. Kierstin Antoniadis (USA) excelled with her horse, Vegas de Launay, earning first place with a combined score of 176. Keri Kampsen (USA) earned second place aboard Check Please, owned by Kampsen and Lexy Reed, with a score of 175.75, while also securing third with Barolo, also owned by both Kampsen and Lexy Reed, with a score of 174.

Saturday featured the Zen Elite Equestrian Center 1.35m Open Jumper Stake on the Derby Annex, where sixteen riders competed on Andy Christiansen’s course. Juan Manuel Gallego (COL) emerged as the winner with a double-clear performance on Niagara D’ive Z, owned by Gabriela Salazar Martinez, finishing in 42.499 seconds. Diego Javier Vivero Viteri (ECU) took the second spot with a clear round in 43.96 seconds on Dreamer De La Pointe, owned by Sebastian Rodriguez. The third position was claimed by Natalie Thornell (USA) with Jamiroquai, owned by Loveland Equine Investments, who achieved a fault-free time of 47.453 seconds.

On Saturday, the $1,000 2’6”/2’9” Hunter Derby (Hunt & Go), sponsored by ProElite, showcased the talents of top hunters. Emma Ensor (USA) claimed first place with her own Woodlands Teddybear, achieving a total score of 172. Emma Butchard-Nagata (USA) earned second with a score of 171 on Dia Diamond, owned by Marcia Germain. Kim Barone (USA) rounded out the top three with a score of 169 on Rupaul, owned by Cynthia Bulwicz.

Competition concluded on Sunday with the $10,000 Greenberg Traurig 1.40m Stake, but not before Lebanon’s Jad Dana galloped to victory aboard Leonidas in a competitive jump-off.

With only three of the thirteen pairs advancing to the jump-off, the class was sure to leave no stone unturned. Pulling out all the stops and emerging victorious, Dana and his mount, Leonidas, owned by Burr Associates Inc., put in the fastest round with a four-fault time of 32.484 seconds.

Juan Manuel Gallego (COL) secured the runner-up spot with a time of 35.355 seconds on Niagara D’ive Z, owned by Gabriela Salazar Martinez. Rounding out the podium was Dana on his second mount, Know It All, owned by Burr Associates Inc., with a time of 38.82 seconds.

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

Wellington International
news@wellingtoninternational.com
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Competitions, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

Young Jumping Talent Shines in Lier

Team USA, Juniors: Ann Kursinski, Avery Griffin, Alexa Elle Lignelli, Reese Merna, Propp Clara, Elise Stephens © Hippo Foto Media – Dirk Caremans

The FEI Jumping Nations Cup Youth Final took place in Lier, Belgium after four days of hard-fought competition amongst some of the world’s top young riders. There was a strong showing for Great Britain, Ireland, and Belgium in particular, but each of the riders and horses showed exceptional skill and talent for the future.

In each category, four riders competed for each team, with the top three scores counting towards the team’s total each day. In the one-round final, all teams started with a clean slate of 0 points, with the potential for a jump-off if teams were tied after the first round.

Children

The top 6 teams competing for the title were Sweden, Poland, The Netherlands, Great Britain, Ireland, and Italy. It was nail biting until the very end, with the outcome hinging on the very last fence. There was a possibility for a straight win, or a two, three, or four-way jump off all possibilities until the fourth rotation of riders. In the end, it was the Dutch team who took the title for the third time in a row, on a perfect score. In second place was Great Britain and the Irish team in third.

Sweden kicked off the action. Maisie Riley and Lorenzo of Great Britain faced a setback with a refusal at the water, giving them 15 penalties in total and putting some pressure on the remaining team members with the best potential score of 4 from their opening rider Emily Gulliver’s score.

The team from The Netherlands finished on a total of 0, with only one rider – Joep Schaap – picking up four penalties in total. The final Dutch rider, Stella Heijligers, had retired from competition the day before to save her horse for the final. A clear would ensure that the Italians had to go clear too, having lost one rider to elimination and therefore having no dropped score available to them. Her decision was a good one, with a clear securing their place on the podium.

Gabriel Zagni Minucci had no wiggle room whatsoever, knowing that a clear would secure a jump off, whereas two poles would completely put them out of medal contention. He was clear until the very last, and then a hesitation from the pair and four faults plus time penalties put them into fourth place overall.

Ponies

The pony teams competing for glory were Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, Ireland, Great Britain, Belgium, Sweden, and The Netherlands.

Great Britain emerged victorious with a consistent performance, finishing with just one fault across the entire three rounds of jumping. This victory follows their success at the FEI Jumping European Championships for Ponies. Neighbours Ireland came in silver, and Belgium third.

The Netherlands – always hot favourites at any Jumping event – ended up 4th after a shaky start. First rider Bethany Vos and third rider Mienie Vos had expensive rounds with 23 and 10 penalties, respectively – putting one of the favourite teams out of medal contention despite a stellar start to the competition earlier in the week.

The Swiss team had an unlucky day at the office, with an elimination and two expensive rounds putting them on a final score of 24, at the bottom of the table. The Irish, having won the competition four times in the past, were hoping to add a fifth gold medal to their tally. Their six-penalty score, however, wouldn’t be quite enough to take another win.

Third last to go was Robin Vermier, who had the luxury of being able to finish ahead of the Dutch even with one pole down. Her calm, collected clear aboard Kristal Sparkle Van Begeveld secured a podium finish.

Young Riders

In the young rider category, the six teams competing for glory were Belgium, Austria, the USA, Great Britain, Italy, and Switzerland. The Young Rider winning team – Belgium – was crowned after a three-way jump off for the podium positions, with each team’s total points and time counting towards the win.

The Austrians were at a disadvantage with only three available riders throughout the day. Despite that, they managed to advance to the jump-off, but faced immense pressure without a discard score when it reached the second round.

Belgium’s Mathieu Guery set the tone for the jump off with a clear round on Callac de Cyrmanol, helping his country to a third win at home in Lier for the Young Rider FEI Nations Cup Final, with the first rotation riders for Italy and Australia chalking up clears too – albeit slower.

Antonia Weixelbraun of Austria clocked up a fast round with four penalties. Both the Belgian and Italian teams had three clear rounds on the board by the conclusion of the jump off, automatically putting Austria into bronze medal position without the ability to drop Weixelbraun’s four-penalty round. Italy’s final combination, Martina Simoni and Dalvaro 2, needed to jump an incredibly fast clear to clinch first, shaving off over three sounds. They delivered a collected and well-ridden round without a pole, but weren’t fast enough to match the pace, meaning Italy had to settle for silver.

Juniors

The final competition of the day was the Juniors title, which was contested by the USA, The Netherlands, Czechia, Belgium, Ireland, and Sweden. Once again, the order of the podium came down to the very last set of riders, in an ‘anything could happen’ race to the finish line, which ultimately saw the USA take gold, Sweden silver, and the Czech Republic bronze.

A flurry of clear rounds from early on kicked off the event in style, with teams USA and Netherlands edging themselves out as contenders for the win with a perfect 0 on the scoreboard for both teams following the third rotation of riders.

The penultimate rider, Jules Denutte of Belgium, required a clear to stay ahead of The Netherlands and the Czech Republic, keeping them on the podium. One fence came down, which edged Czechia into bronze place thanks to their quick pace.

Elise Stephens, as the USA’s fourth rider, delivered a clear to force Sweden’s hand. The last rider of the day, Liam Nilsson, couldn’t afford even a time penalty if they were to secure a jump off for the gold. When Nilsson cantered into the arena, the challenge was simple – jump a clear and secure the jump off with the USA. Have a pole or penalty, and the USA would take the victory. Having ridden in three European championships, he’s no stranger to pressure – but faced a setback when his mare Ulla Bella Hastak got strong into the double and tipped a rail, meaning the Swedes would settle for silver.

FULL RESULTS

by Sophie Baker

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

Breeds, Championships, Competitions, Dressage, FEI, FEI

German & Dutch Breeding Excellence Showcased in Ermelo

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

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

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

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

5-Year-Olds

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

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

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

6-Year-Olds

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

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

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

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

7-Year-Olds

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

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

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

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

by Sophie Baker

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

Championships, Competitions, HITS, HITS, Hunter/Equitation

Brian Feigus Wins Inaugural $100k ClipMyHorse.tv Hunter Classic at HITS Hudson

Brian Feigus and Four Aces. Photo © ESI Photography

Hunter competition during HITS Championship week at HITS Hudson Valley in Saugerties, New York came to an exciting conclusion on Sunday, September 8, with the inaugural $100,000 ClipMyHorse.tv Hunter Classic. The class represented the culmination of not only an incredible week of top sport, but of an amazing summer season. Exhibitors and spectators alike gathered around The Ring to witness some of the nation’s top hunter horse-and-rider combinations. In the end, it was Brian Feigus of Morriston, Florida who realized he did not need any extra cards up his sleeve as he piloted Four Aces to the top prize.

Riders in the exciting new class were invited to participate, bringing the best of the best in the discipline to compete head-to-head. Each pair contested the single classic hunter round set at 3’6”, overseen by three judging panels. Judges Chris Wynn and David Beisel represented panels one and two and were positioned in different locations around the arena, while MaryLisa Leffler, Linda Andrisani, and Keri Kampsen represented the third panel observing the round from the ClipMyHorse.tv livestream on a monitor. Scores from each panel were then added together to yield a final mark and placing.

Kerry Kocher designed an elegant and flowing classic hunter track for the 20 horse-and-rider combinations to contest, but as they have proven since the start of their partnership, Feigus and Four Aces are a hard act to follow. Laying down a trip worthy of three scores in the 90s, the Florida native and the nine-year-old Holsteiner gelding by Acodetto 2, owned by Marita Zuraitis, received the three highest marks of the class, earning a 92.00, 93.00, and 90.00 to effectively close the book on the competition with a 275.00 point total.

Read more.

For more information, visit HitsShows.com.

Championships, Competitions, Endurance Riding, FEI, FEI

Historic Podium at the FEI Endurance World Championship 2024

Virginie ATGER (FRA) on CHAM DE LA PALUD © FEI/Massimo Argenziano

For the first time in the history of the FEI Endurance World Championships, teams from China and Malaysia secured a spot on the podium, taking second and third places, respectively, while host nation France took gold.

The individual medals went to Melody Théolissat (France) riding Yalla de Jalima (bronze), Saeed Ahmad Jaber Abdulla Al Harbi (United Arab Emirates) with Castlebar Cadabra (silver), and HH Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa (Bahrain) with Everest la Majorie (gold). HH Sheik Nasser retained his world title, which he won at the 2022 FEI Endurance World Championship in Butheeb (UAE) with his horse Darco la Majorie.

“I intended to ride Darco here in Monpazier, but he got a slight injury,” the champion said the day after the competition. Instead, he decided to ride Darco’s half-brother, Everest la Majorie. This 10-year-old gelding finished second at last year’s test event in Monpazier, just 25 seconds behind Darco. “I knew Everest was also a top-level horse, but I didn’t expect us to win.”

When asked what the public can expect from him at the next FEI Endurance World Championship in Al Ula (2026), he replied with a spontaneous laugh: “Doing this a third time?”

The team world title stayed with France as the French team successfully defended their top position they claimed in Butheeb in 2023. Ahead of the competition, national coach Jean-Michel Grimal admitted he had a tough time selecting his final team of five from the seven rider-horse combinations available. “They’re all good, and the horses are in perfect condition. There’s no reason to favour one combination over another. But only five can compete, so I had to choose. I based my decision on instinct. On Saturday night, we’ll see if my instinct was right.”

The rest is history: his instinct was rewarded with a gold medal. “It’s been a great sports summer. First the Olympic Games in Paris, with lots of medals for France (fifth place in the medal table) and then the FEI Endurance World Championship in Monpazier, with gold for our team and bronze for Melody Théolissat with Yalla de Jalima.”

China’s performance was a surprising highlight, considering this year marked only the second time the country had fielded a team at the FEI Endurance World Championship. Among the team were father Bo Sui and daughter Jiahe Sui. At 15 years old, Jiahe was the youngest competitor at this year’s Championship. “Incredible” and “never expected,” she said after their victory. “Our goal as a team was simply to finish the ride and try to be in the top five, so securing second place is fantastic!”

The ride, which started at 5:30 am, had a challenging beginning for the young rider. “It was still dark, and it was pouring rain. All the horses were steaming. Because of the mist and the heavy rain, I couldn’t see anything except the rider in front of me. I completely trusted my horse (Eiwa de Bozouls), and she did brilliantly.”

Jiahe’s love for equestrian sport runs in the family; her father is a true horseman. He owns a stable in China with 70 Arabian horses and was the first Chinese rider to complete the world-famous Tevis Cup Endurance ride in the United States back in 2018. He began his equestrian career with western riding. “But I prefer Endurance because the rides are longer, which means I can spend even more time with my horse. From western riding, I’ve learned how to relieve my horse with the correct posture and seat.”

Malaysia was determined to reach the podium, but their ride didn’t start as planned. Rider Tengku Muhammad Syukri Tengku Mahmood said, “We wanted to follow the French team, but … the rain pouring down and the mud on the ground … it was impossible for us to keep up with France. So, we decided to ride at a slower pace.” That approach earned the team a well-deserved bronze.

Results Here

by Mirjam van Huet MCM Tekst

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Revolution Sports, Show Jumping, Spruce Meadows

Martin Fuchs Wins CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix at Spruce Meadows

Martin Fuchs ©Rolex/Thomas Lovelock

Geneva, 9 September 2024 –Martin Fuchs delivered a supreme performance to win the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix, presented by Rolex, at the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament 2024 to claim a back-to-back victory. Competing against the world’s top show jumpers, Fuchs and his grey gelding, Leone Jei, triumphed after three demanding rounds, defending their title and becoming the new Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping live contender.

Regarded as one of the sport’s toughest challenges, the CPKC ‘International’ Grand Prix demands the greatest levels of precision, agility, and excellence from both horse and rider. Fuchs and Leone Jei exhibited these qualities in abundance, navigating each round with remarkable skillfulness to secure the coveted title.

Out of 38 starters, the top 12 progressed to the second round, including previous victors of the title – Steve Guerdat in 2021 and Daniel Deusser in 2022. Richard Vogel also advanced to the second round with the fastest four-fault score, alongside Kevin Staut.

Of the 12 who advanced, five jumped clear, with only Martin Fuchs, Darragh Kenny, and Daniel Deusser successfully navigating Leopoldo Palacios’ challenging second-round course to secure the double clears needed for the final jump-off. Fuchs was first to tackle the shortened jump-off course, and despite four faults, his final score was enough to secure his fourth Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Major title. Kenny, riding VDL Cartello, followed with six faults, while Deusser and Killer Queen VDM finished third with eight faults.

The equestrian world now turns its attention to the CHI Geneva in December, where Fuchs uniquely claimed sequential victories in 2019 and 2021. This year, he will return to his home Major aiming for a third Rolex Grand Prix win at the CHI Geneva, while also continuing his pursuit of the sport’s ultimate challenge – the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping. This prestigious prize is awarded to any rider who consecutively wins the Grand Prix at three of the four Majors: The Dutch Masters, the CHIO Aachen, the CSIO Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ Tournament, and the CHI Geneva.

The highlights film can be seen here:

Victoria Carles
Rolex SA
victoria.carles@rolex.com

Merrick Haydon
rEvolution
mhaydon@revolutionworld.com

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

7th Consecutive Individual Gold for Exell and 12th Team Gold for the Netherlands in Szilvásvárad

Bronze CHESTER WEBER of the United States pours champagne over gold BOYD EXELL of Australia. Copyright FEI/Martin Dokupil

History was made in Hungary as Boyd Exell (AUS) and The Netherlands won record breaking gold medals in front of passionate crowds at the State Stud Farm.

Boyd’s quest for his 7th consecutive gold seemed assured after the dressage on Friday afternoon, when he was only kept off the top spot by Chester Weber’s (USA) mesmerising test. But the Australian had done enough to stay in touch, knowing he had brought specialist marathon horses to Hungary, selected after he attended the test event last year.

As expected, they dominated Saturday’s demanding marathon over undulating ground and through the eight obstacles to take a commanding lead. With such a huge advantage coming into the final cones phase, victory was never in doubt, even if one ball rolled for three penalties, which gave him a total of 146.93. To add to the already fantastic day for the Australians, Boyd and Tor van den Berge won their first world medal with bronze (340.77).

“It’s super! There should be special congratulations for Tor, and I am so impressed with how it went because with two members on a team, there’s no drop score and everything has to count. We’ve been close before, and we’ve been knocking on the door, but it’s finally happened at a World Championship.

“The public here made it really memorable, especially during the marathon with such huge crowds who stayed all day. And it was great to see a full stadium during the opening ceremony and again today. I have worked with the Hungarian drivers for the last one and a half years to improve their performances, so I feel very comfortable here.”

“What a wonderful experience this has been at a World Championship as it can be really tough. But being in front of a crowd like that was incredible and I am very lucky to have a teammate like Boyd,” said van den Berge.

Another who helped secure his podium place after the marathon was Bram Chardon (NED), who won his first individual world medal with silver, helped by a winning double clear cones round. His total of 157.74 contributed to the unprecedented 12th team gold for The Netherlands, which gave his father Ijsbrand his 32nd world medal and 14th gold. Together with Koos de Ronde, they won the team competition on 322.69.

“The training at home has been good and we made the right choices, bringing some new horses who gave extra impulsion on the marathon, and especially today in the cones, the young horse was fantastic. After a rough season this is the best possible outcome,” said Chardon.

“I think it was an excellent event. The arena and the stabling were super, and the marathon was a true World Championship one with great obstacles and the unbelievable spectators. So, I have a very good impression about it all,” said de Ronde.

Dressage winner Chester Weber (USA) kept his cool to maintain a podium place for the bronze despite rolling two balls in the cones to end on 159.13. Fredrick Persson (SWE) was 4th overall on 166.97, helped by his double clear cones for 3rd place. Second in the cones was Jérôme Voutaz (SUI), who was one of the first to drive in the morning on an eliminated score after the marathon, and he produced a double clear that was not matched until the day’s last session.

All three German team members drove in the final cones session as the top eight drivers came forward in reverse order. There were no individual medals for them, but a well-deserved silver team medal on a score of 330.33 for Mareike Harm, Michael Brauchle, and Georg von Stein (who was 5th on 169.49).

“A few days before the show, my good dressage leader had a foot abscess so he couldn’t come, and as dressage is my strongest phase, it was a bit disappointing. So, we had a marathon horse in the lead and he did his very best, so it was a great outcome for us to come 6th and then for the team to get silver too. The show was fantastic, and we enjoyed being in the town and had fun here too,” said Harm.

Dreams of another medal for the hosts didn’t come true, but they finished 5th behind Belgium in the team event, helped by a strong cones round from Jόszef Dobrovitz (HUN), who responded emotionally to the cheering crowd at the end. He later said in the press conference that the organisation and preparation of the event were brilliant, and that the Hungarian audience is the best in the world!

It has been a triumphant 26th Four-in-Hand World Championship and the stadium buzzed with a 6,500-capacity crowd who relished the spectacle at the State Stud Farm. The organisers were thrilled to host the event 40 years after the historic 7th World Championship in 1984, when Lászlό Juhász won double gold. As the test driver here, he was celebrated alongside his fellow legendary Hungarian drivers throughout, from the opening to the closing ceremonies.

by Sarah Dances

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

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

Multiple Medal Glory on Final Day as USA Tops Para Dressage Medal Table

L-R: Sara Morganti (ITA), Rihards Snikus (LAT), and Mari Durward-Akhurst (GBR), Individual Freestyle Grade I © FEI/Liz Gregg

Two more Individual gold medals on the final day of Freestyle crowned the United States’ best ever Para Dressage performance at a Paralympic Games as they topped the medal table at Château de Versailles.

Fiona Howard, partnering Diamond Dunes in Grade II, and Rebecca Hart with Floratina in the concluding Grade III both won their third golds at Paris 2024, after also triumphing with Roxanne Trunnell and Fan Tastico H in Friday’s Team event.

That took the USA’s tally to seven medals overall – five golds, one silver, and one bronze – to smash their previous Paralympic Games best of two golds and a bronze achieved at Atlanta 1996 and Tokyo 2020.

Saturday also brought the second Individual gold medals of these Games for Demi Haerkens (NED) and Daula in Grade IV, Michèle George (BEL) with Best of 8 in Grade V, and Rihards Snikus (LAT) on King of the Dance in Grade I.

Haerkens’ double gold, and a third silver medal in Paris for Rixt van der Horst and Royal Fonq in Grade III, saw the Netherlands finish second in the Para Dressage medal table for the third successive Paralympic Games, with six overall.

The first of the final day’s five events saw Haerkens confirm her status as a rising star of Para Equestrian as she and the chestnut mare Daula backed up their gold in the Individual test with a personal-best Freestyle score of 83.840%, featuring music from Vangelis and Era.

“It’s insane,” said the 26-year-old, who also won a silver in the Team event on her Paralympic Games debut.

“It’s very intense, long days, but it’s so good to be here and to perform in that beautiful arena with so many people, with the music you choose. It feels amazing that everything was on point. I think she enjoyed it as much as I did.”

Anna-Lena Niehues (GER) and Quimbaya 6 scored 80.900% to take silver, adding to their two bronzes in the Individual test and Team event.

Kate Shoemaker (USA) and Vianne set a challenging target of 80.170%, but had to settle for bronze, Shoemaker’s first individual Paralympic medal after a Team bronze in Tokyo, leaving defending champions Sanne Voets (NED) and Demantur fourth, with 79.880%.

George (BEL) claimed her seventh Paralympic Games title and fourth successive Freestyle gold, having won on FBW Rainman in Grade IV in 2012 and 2016 and current horse Best of 8 in Grade V at Tokyo 2020.

The combination earned a mark of 81.470%, but the 50-year-old indicated she would be looking for a new partner before Los Angeles 2028 comes around.

“This is the last time that I ride Best of 8 in a Paralympic Games, so it was emotional,” she said. “She’s 14 and will still participate in competitions because every morning she wants to train and it’s a real pleasure. I love it. But for LA she will be too old, so this means a lot. Making the incredible happen at the right time, it’s so important.”

Regine Mispelkamp (GER) and partner Highlander Delight’s posted 80.100% to take a second Individual silver at Versailles, and were also part of the German team which won Team bronze.

Sophie Wells (GBR), on LJT Egebjerggards Samoa, won her 10th Paralympic Games medal and second Individual bronze of Paris 2024 with a score of 75.445%, mirroring the podium from the Individual test.

Snikus (LAT) upgraded Individual silver from Tokyo 2020 for gold for a second time at Paris 2024 as he partnered King of the Dance to victory in the Grade I Freestyle.

The 36-year-old and his bay gelding scored 82.487% to a joyously uplifting soundtrack. “We chose happy music because we are a happy team,” said Latvia’s equestrian chef d’equipe Daria Tikhomirova, speaking on behalf of Snikus.

“I get an artistic pleasure to see him, like in the theatre when you hear a good opera or see a wonderful performance. It’s the result of a huge effort by his technical trainer and the whole team. I think it was his best Freestyle ever. It was just amazing.”

Sara Morganti (ITA), going last on Mariebelle, earned her second medal of these Paralympic Games by taking silver with 81.407%, upgrading her bronze from the Individual test and taking her overall Paralympic tally to four medals.

Mari Durward-Akhurst (GBR) responded well after a disappointing Individual test on her Paralympic Games debut to claim bronze on Athene Lindebjerg, scoring 77.747%.

The day ended with two more golden moments for the USA, Howard and Diamond Dunes delivering another remarkable personal-best performance in their debut Paralympic Games to triumph in the Grade II Individual Freestyle.

The 25-year-old and her chestnut stallion earned a score of 81.994% to back up their gold in the Individual test and contribution to the USA’s victory in the Team event.

“When I came into these Games, I just wanted to put down the best tests I could,” Howard said. “It was my first Paralympic Games and I just wanted to do my best and help out the team. But this has gone above my expectations.

“On the third day, you have to dig a little deep because my muscles are definitely tired, but I have such a great partner in Diamond Dunes and he knows his job. He gave me everything, just like the past two times. I couldn’t have asked for any more.”

Georgia Wilson (GBR) and Sakura won silver with 79.374%, adding to their bronze in the Individual test, while 69-year-old Heidemarie Dresing (GER) – the oldest Para Dressage athlete at Paris 2024 – won her first Paralympic Individual medal after three previous fourth places, taking bronze on Dooloop with 76.127%.

Hart rounded things off by clinching her second Individual gold with Floratina – and third overall including the Team event – in a tense finale to the Grade III Freestyle.

The 39-year-old and her bay mare, going last, kept their nerve to score 83.534%, the highest individual score of the four days of competition in Versailles.

“That was so wonderful,” said Hart. “I was a little concerned when we started cantering, but I was like, ‘She will come back to me; she always does.’ It’s just electric. I told her she was fine. She went, ‘Are we OK?’ and I said, ‘Yes, we’re fine,’ and she said, ‘OK, I trust you,’ and it was such a magical moment. Then we hit the markers the way we needed to.”

It was tough on Van der Horst, who had posted a superb score of 83.007% with Royal Fonq, but had to settle for a third successive silver medal at these Paralympic Games and a fifth overall, to go with three bronzes.

“It was not good for my heart,” she said of watching the final combination deny her gold. “I was so eager to get gold today and a bit disappointed it didn’t work out, but we can be really proud. Three silver medals is pretty good.”

Natasha Baker (GBR) also signed off with a second Individual bronze in Versailles on Dawn Chorus with a mark of 77.140%, and a 10th Paralympic Games medal overall.

FULL RESULTS

by Bryn Palmer

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

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.

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