Competitions, Dressage, FEI, FEI

Laudrup-Dufour Shines in Herning with Freestyle Victory

Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour (DEN) and Mount St John ©FEI/Pernilla Hägg

On home soil in Denmark, Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour clinched a commanding victory with Mount St John Freestyle in the opening leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2024/2025 in the Western European League. Fellow Dane Daniel Bachmann Andersen and Vayron secured second place, while Sweden’s Maria von Essen prevented an all-Danish podium by finishing third with Invoice.

The Danish crowd came out in full force to support their home favourites, and they were not disappointed. In Friday’s Grand Prix, Mount St John Freestyle (owned by Laudrup-Dufour & Zinglersen Aps and Mount St John Equestrian LLP) captured the hearts of the audience and went on to deliver an even more stunning performance in the Freestyle. Scoring an impressive 88.965%, Laudrup-Dufour set a benchmark that no other competitor could match. “Already in the warm-up, she felt incredible. And Freestyle adored the arena,” said Laudrup-Dufour shortly after her ride.

Daniel Bachmann Andersen, teammate of Laudrup-Dufour in Denmark’s silver-medal-winning team at the Paris Olympics, guided the powerful Vayron (owned by the athlete and Rudolf Spiekermann) to second place with a score of 84.905%. These two combinations were the only ones to break the 80% barrier, setting themselves apart from the rest of the field. While their Paris teammate Nanna Skodborg Merrald initially claimed third place in the Grand Prix with Blue Hors Zepter (owned by Blue Hors Aps), some mistakes in their Freestyle dropped them to seventh place, opening the door for other competitors. Maria von Essen (SWE) seized that opportunity, moving up from seventh in the Grand Prix to third in the Freestyle with Invoice (owned by Alexanders Hovslageri & Häst Ab).

Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Mount St John Freestyle impressed at the Paris Olympics, finishing second in the Grand Prix and winning the Grand Prix Special. However, they slipped to fifth in the Freestyle. “Freestyle surprised me a bit in Paris. She was a little stressed from the prize-giving ceremony after the Grand Prix Special. Here in Herning, she was much calmer, as Cassidy did the prize-giving,” Laudrup-Dufour remarked.

Laudrup-Dufour’s Freestyle routine is technically demanding but also holds deep personal significance: “I love challenging myself. You need to stay sharp. For me, this is much more than just a floor plan and a piece of music. Every song and every movement remind me of something.”

As for the remainder of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ season, Laudrup-Dufour is still undecided. “I’ll make a plan with my trainer later. We’ve been invited to ride at the Top 10 in Stockholm, and after that, we’ll see.”

The five-member judging panel, consisting of Susanne Baarup (DEN), Kurt Christensen (DEN), Mariette Sanders-van Gansewinkel (NED), Alice Schwab (AUT), and Magnus Ringmark (SWE), unanimously placed Laudrup-Dufour at the top. They were equally unanimous in their decision to place Daniel Bachmann Andersen and his impressive bay Vayron in second.

Bachmann Andersen was delighted with his horse’s performance: “Vayron felt amazing in the warm-up already; he had much more focus than in the Grand Prix, where he was a little fresh, and I made a mistake in the tempi changes. Today he was more settled and focused. He is a very sensitive horse, but the more the audience applauds, the better he performs. His self-confidence was at its highest today. I feel he is really starting to believe in himself.”

Maria von Essen, riding Invoice, a horse she has had since he was two-and-a-half years old, claimed the third position. After winning the Grand Prix and finishing second in the Freestyle at last year’s FEI Dressage World Cup™ qualifier in Gothenburg, von Essen was pleased to secure a podium finish in Herning’s strong field. Starting sixth, she managed to hold on to a top-three spot. “My horse felt just amazing today; he really rose to the occasion,” said von Essen, who borrowed an old Freestyle routine from Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, with whom she shares trainer Kyra Kyrklund.

The competition for the remaining top spots was intense. German athlete Bianca Nowag-Aulenbrock came closest to breaking into the top three, riding the cheerful mare Florine OLD (owned by Elisabeth von Wulffen) to a solid fourth place with a harmonious performance.

Lone Bang Zindorff, representing Denmark, secured fifth place with Thranegaardens Rostov (owned by Bang Dressage Aps), just ahead of Germany’s Carina Scholz and her experienced seventeen-year-old partner Tarantino (owned by Sportpferde Scholz). Nadja Aaboe Sloth (DEN) guided her own Favour Gersdorf to another score in the 78% range, joining Zindorff, Scholz, and Merrald in a closely contested battle for the top spots. Ninth and tenth places went to German athletes Raphael Netz with Great Escape Camelot and Ingrid Klimke with First Class.

FULL RESULTS

by Bettine van Harselaar

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

*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

*Featured/Spotlights, Horse Care/Protection

1,000 Burros Need Your Help: An Opportunity That Only Comes Up Every 20-30 Years

Photo credit: Ginger Kathrens.

Every 20-30 years the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is supposed to create a long-term management plan for wild horse and burro herds, called a Herd Management Area Plan (HMAP). These HMAPs outline management actions that will be carried out over the coming years; they can include what is prohibited and what should be done, along with alternatives.

Right now, BLM is asking for public input for the Bullfrog HMAP. The wonderful burros who live in this HMA often go into the town of Beatty during the dry summer months due to a lack of water on the range. BLM’s solution for this — as it seems to be for everything/in every situation — is removal.

Now is the time for us to call upon BLM to create humane solutions that:

  • Ensure adequate water sources are available and protected in the HMA to help keep burros on the range, off of the roadways, and out of the town.
  • Take safety measures/establishing measures to keep the burros safe. For instance, because the HMA is cut in half by Hwy 95, a burro crossing might be in order.
  • Reassess and increase the “Allowable” Management Level (AML) to a reasonable and humane number — right now BLM only allows 58 to 91 burros on approximately 130 square miles. This AML was set 27 years ago and needs to be reevaluated!

Please click here and take one minute to make your voice heard. Due October 18.

Thank you for taking action — without your action, change will not happen!

The Cloud Foundation
www.thecloudfoundation.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
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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

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