Tag Archives: FEI

Breeds, Championships, Competitions, Dressage, FEI, FEI

German & Dutch Breeding Excellence Showcased in Ermelo

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

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

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

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

5-Year-Olds

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

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

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

6-Year-Olds

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

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

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

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

7-Year-Olds

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

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

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

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

by Sophie Baker

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

*Featured/Spotlights, 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

Championships, Competitions, Driving, FEI

Boyd Exell Storms into Lead after Marathon

BRAM CHARDON with his horses – FREDDY, JAMES BOND, JUVENTUS, and MAESTRO © FEI/Martin Dokoupil

The odds of defending champion Boyd Exell (AUS) winning a record-breaking 7th consecutive world title look stronger than ever after his display of dominance on the marathon. Using a team of experienced horses who are marathon specialists, including one from his indoor team, he produced a foot perfect round over a demanding course to win on 110.4. Added to his dressage score of 33.53, his running total of 143.93 propels him 9.2 points ahead of Chester Weber (USA), who slips to second on 153.13.

The European Champion Bram Chardon (NED) has not yet won an individual world medal, but he has given himself a great chance to change that after his strong and consistent round which saw him score 114.62 for second. Combined with his dressage mark, he rises up the standings to third on 157.74, 4.61 behind Chester.

Hopes were high for marathon maestro Michael Brauchle (GER) who is often a winner in this phase. On the course immediately after Boyd, they split the spoils between them with four quickest times each through the eight obstacles. But a few hesitations and a late penalty ball in number seven kept him off the top spot for third on 115.73 and eighth going into the cones.

Fresh from his win in Austria in mid-August, Glenn Geerts (BEL) was one of the last out of the day. He drove a confident round for fourth on 117.16 which elevated him to fourth overall and puts him in sight of an individual medal. Another one who can go into Sunday’s cones with medal hopes is Germany’s Georg von Stein who was fifth on 118.75 to move into fifth overall, despite adding four penalty points to his times with two knockdown balls.

Always competitive on the marathon, Koos de Ronde (NED) contributed to the change in team order as his score combined with Bram’s put The Netherlands in the lead on 320.74. With only two on the team, the pressure was on Tor van den Berge of Australia to drive well which he did to keep them in contention on 323.59. But there’s no room for cone or time penalties as the strong German team are only 0.18 behind on 323.77, although they have some breathing space as they are ahead of the Belgians who are lying fourth on 336.17.

Organisers believe there were 16,000 spectators who came to watch the marathon which was set on hilly ground above the town and stud. Despite it being another hot and dusty day, hordes of fans arrived early to enjoy the spectacle, clustering around the obstacles which were arranged on either side of a central gravel track. With music playing there was a festive feeling, and the loudest cheers were reserved for the nine Hungarian drivers, two of which were driving Lipizzaner horses that are kept at the Stud Farm. The team has also improved their chances of a medal thanks to the typically bold rounds from father and son Jόzsef Dobrovitz Snr and Jnr who contributed to their success.

by Sarah Dance

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

Championships, Competitions, Driving, FEI, FEI

Sandmann Takes the Lead after Day One at Szilvásvárad

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FULL RESULTS

by Sarah Dance

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

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

Haerkens Heralds New Era as George Shows Enduring Class

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FULL RESULTS – GRADE IV

FULL RESULTS – GRADE V

by Bryn Palmer

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

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

USA Earn Their Stars and Stripes on Opening Day in Versailles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FULL RESULTS

by Bryn Palmer

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

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

Paralympic Equestrian Stars All Set to Dance on Versailles Stage

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

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

Olympians Go Head-to-Head but It’s Victory for Germany in Arville

Team Gold – Germany: Jérôme Robiné on Black Ice; Michael Jung on Kilcandra Ocean Power; Libussa Lübbeke on Caramia 34; Calvin Böckmann on The Phantom Of The Opera / FEI – Libby Law

After a disappointing Olympic experience in Paris, Team Germany proved that they are still one of the best in the world, with a decisive win at the sixth leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ held at Arville, Belgium.

A number of Olympic medallists and athletes came to compete at the beautiful venue, including Olympic champions Michael Jung (GER), which added to the excitement for riders and spectators. Despite Jung retiring on the cross country, the German team’s finishing score of 109.2 was good enough for first. France finished in second place on 119.2, whilst Great Britain finished third on 121.0, with the home nation Belgium in fourth on 143.0.

The German team might have been spearheaded by three-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Jung and the experienced four-star horse Kilandra Ocean Power, but German Chef d’Equipe Rodolphe Scherer chose to select three younger riders to make up the team. It proved to be the right decision to take since the three younger riders’ scores were the ones to count, after Michael Jung’s cross-country retirement.

23-year-old Calvin Böckmann and The Phantom of the Opera finished second overall. 26-year-old Jérôme Robiné and Black Ice finished 11th individually, whilst 23-year-old Libussa Lübbeke and Caramia 34 picked up a few time penalties on the cross-country to finish in 22nd.

Speaking after their win, Scherer spoke on behalf of the German team about their performance in Arville. “I am happy for the result because of the result but also because three of our riders were our younger riders. I came here with a lot of ambition because Calvin and Jérôme were reserved for the Olympics, so it was a good team to come here.

“They all competed well. I am happy for these young riders, because it’s a new generation and it’s good to see them win together.”

The Cross-Country course caused its fair share of drama with very few jumping clear rounds inside the time. There were a number of athletes picking up jumping penalties, as well as retirements and eliminations at some of the combinations.

“It was a nice course, but it was a tough course with lots in it,” summed up Scherer, who himself competed at two Olympics for Team France. “You need to ride and be clever. It was more difficult if you look at the time. If you compete quiet, it’s okay, but if you ride for the time, of course it’s a little bit more difficult. But it was really encouraging for horses and very fair. Arville is a nice competition.”

He also explained what happened to the team’s most experienced rider on course, Michael Jung. “Micky had one run out at the water. He jumped good into the eater, then turned and you have a skinny on the way out, and the horse was a little bit behind the leg on the turn and he had a little run out. After that, he jumped up to the coffin, which he jumped well, then stopped because he knew that he could relax for the team and that the team could win without him. Little mistakes happen, one minute you win a gold medal and the next you have a run out.

“I think the Nation’s Cup is a perfect test for trainers, riders, and for the team spirit. It’s really important to understand that sometimes Eventing is not only an individual sport; sometimes it’s a team sport. For me it’s very important for the spirit and for the experience.”

Ten teams came forward for this leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup, many of them fielding athletes who had competed in Paris. Second placed France fielded a strong team, including two riders who helped team France to team silver, Nicolas Touzaint and Gireg Le Coz (reserve athlete).

The Series now moves to Lignières (FRA) from 26 to 29 September, the penultimate leg before the final, which takes place in Boekelo (NED) in October. This result put France out in front of the team standings on a score of 290 points, with Germany in second place on 240 points.

FULL RESULTS

by Eleanore Kelly

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, FEI, Olympic Games, Show Jumping

Kukuk Claims Olympic Individual Jumping Crown

Christian Kukuk (GER) and Checker 47 © FEI/Benjamin Clark

With the only double-clear performance on the final day of equestrian sport at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games equestrian venue in Versailles (FRA), Germany’s Christian Kukuk definitively claimed the Individual Jumping title with Checker 47, while Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat took silver on Dynamix de Belheme and The Netherlands’ Maikel van der Vleuten clinched bronze with Beauville Z.

Things didn’t go Germany’s way in last week’s Team competition, but that never threw the new Olympic champion off his stride. In the qualifier for the Individual medals, 34-year-old Kukuk and his 14-year-old grey gelding left a fence on the floor, but their fast time assured them of a place in this top-30 showdown.

This time there was no mistake. On an afternoon filled with drama, excitement and gripping sport, their two foot-perfect rounds simply could not be matched.

The scale of the track was like nothing any of the riders had seen before. The fence measurements were colossal, with five of them standing at a massive 1.65cms and spreads as wide as 190cms. There were 15 obstacles in total with 19 big jumping efforts before they would cross the finish line.

Kukuk’s rise to the top step of the podium began when he posted the first clear in the opening round.

“It’s the toughest course I have ever jumped, the toughest course I have ever seen and Checker made it feel like just another Grand Prix!” he said after leaving the ring when eighth to go.

Maikel van der Vleuten quickly followed suit with Beauville Z, but for many just a single frustrating four faults would deny them a jump-off spot, several making it all the way to the final LA28 oxer before hearing that hit the ground, including America’s Laura Kraut/Baloutinue and Austria’s Max Kűhner/Elektric Blue P. The double at fence five also proved a major challenge, horses having to stretch wide across the spread at the second element, although it was the first-element vertical there that put paid to the chances of defending individual champion Ben Maher from Great Britain with Dallas Vegas Batilly.

As it came down to the final seven horse/rider partnerships, there were still only two clears on the board, so the packed stadium of spectators were on the edges of their seats when longtime world number one, Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann, set off with the living legend that is King Edward. Things were going perfectly until they turned to the open water at fence six.

As the man whose sensational record with the little 14-year-old chestnut gelding includes team gold in Tokyo three years ago explained, “We got a bit close to the water, got a high jump on that, and I didn’t see the six (strides to the next), because I landed a bit steep at the water, so I really had to get him back for the seven (strides). And that made a short jump over the Paris jump and then I had to really go for the time.”

It all became a bit chaotic when they landed after the next oxer at fence eight, and in a flurry of confusion between horse and rider, the pair parted company for elimination. The line of the track should have taken them right, but they went in different directions when the horse dived to the left to avoid the start-sign at the edge of the arena.

Tearfully, von Eckermann explained afterwards, “He’s easy to the right and I followed too much to go with him, and somehow in one second, he went a bit left and I lost my balance to the right. And then he got a bit upset from that and went a bit left again and I really tried to get him right, but then the start stands were there and I couldn’t get him in front of that and he turned left and I went right.” It was the most unexpected departure for the multiple champions.

But Switzerland’s Guerdat hadn’t seen all that, because he was on his way into the ring to produce the third clear of the day with the smoothest of rounds from his individual European Championship winning mare, Dynamix de Belheme.

There was nothing smooth for his compatriot Martin Fuchs immediately afterwards, however, because he lost his left stirrup after jumping the second element of the double at five and couldn’t get it back, somehow managing to make it all the way to the massive last oxer before Leone Jei hit that to take them out of medal contention.

The final four all faulted, including the last man into the ring, Frenchman Julien Epaillard. He was looking well on his way to making it a four-way contest in the jump-off, until, to gasps of despair from the home crowd, his mare Dubai du Cedre hit the second element of the double at fence 12.

Now it was down to the final three-way face-off in which Kukuk and Checker 47 would lead the way. They didn’t flinch, galloping home quick and clear in 38.34 seconds to put it up to the remaining two.

Van der Vleuten and Beauville Z were next in, but with a fence down in 39.12 seconds, they left it open for Guerdat and Dynamix de Belheme to steal it with their last run of these Games. The Swiss star didn’t succeed, however, lowering the second-last in 38.38 seconds, which pushed the Dutchman down to bronze and settled him into silver medal spot.

Guerdat, the 2012 individual Olympic champion with Nino des Buissonnets, said he was content with his Versailles result. “We all aim for gold but to have to the second one (silver) is also very special! My mare has been spectacular today and of course I’m upset about my jump-off; it wasn’t what I wanted, but I want to focus with pride about our second Olympic medal!”

“Jump-offs are still our weakness with Dynamix, for the last year I’m trying to train that as much as possible, but you don’t get too many tries. Today I was kind of confident because it was doable; the time wasn’t crazy, but it was a mess; my jump-off wasn’t good enough, but I really don’t mind. I’ll have enough time to think about it in the future, but right now I just want to enjoy the medal I have won – not the one I have lost!

“I’m going to enjoy this because I have a few regrets after London (where he won gold). I feel I didn’t enjoy it enough, running from show to show. When I look back, I think this medal is so hard to have, but now I have the chance to get another one. I have an amazing family, especially my wife and my daughter, so I’m definitely going to spend more time in the coming months with them,” he added.

Van der Vleuten talked about the challenge horses and riders faced today. “When I walked the course, I thought I haven’t seen anything like it, so tough in every way; it was big, the jumps were difficult, it was technical, the time-allowed (84 seconds) was okay, it was very long with 15 fences including a triple combination and two doubles, so it was hard for the horses. When I came through the finish, I thought the way my horse did this round was unbelievable; it’s a world-class horse and he deserved this medal today,” he said.

This was the Dutchman’s second successive Olympic bronze medal with his incredibly consistent horse.

Newly-crowned individual gold medallist Kukuk said, “This is the most emotional day in my life! This is the highest you can achieve in our sport. I’m one of only a few ones calling myself Olympic champion – Olympic gold medallist – this is something that will last forever!

“In the next days there probably is also a lot coming up for me, but in this moment I’m just really, really proud and happy for my horse, my family, my staff, my groom, my whole team. I know that this is very lucky, and I really will enjoy this day!”

He went into that three-way jump-off full of confidence. “We only had three clear rounds, so I knew I had a medal, so I felt zero pressure going in the ring. I really enjoyed every single moment when I went in. I told myself, you will try your best like always and whatever happens you will accept it.

“I also I knew what my horse is able to do and what I’m able to do. We won already two Grand Prix this year, so we are very competitive. I tried to find the balance, to not overdo it and to not take the last risk. But still I was that quick that I knew the other two would have to take some risk here and there and then they might have one down. That happened to both of them. They had to try, and they had one down. So I was the only double clear and it makes me very proud!” Kukuk said.

He is the sixth German Individual Olympic Jumping gold medallist and has now placed his name amongst the giants of the sport, including iconic compatriots Hans Gűnter Winkler, who came out on top with Halla at the 1956 Stockholm Games, Alwin Schockemöhle, winner with Warwick Rex in Montreal in 1976, and his boss Ludger Beerbaum, who claimed the title in 1992 in Barcelona partnering Classic Touch.

“This was a very wonderful day,” the new champion concluded.

FULL RESULTS

JUMP-OFF RESULTS

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

Competitions, FEI, Olympic Games, Show Jumping

Flying Frenchman Epaillard Takes Pole Position in Thrilling Individual Jumping Qualifier

Julien Epaillard (FRA) and Dubai du Cedre © FEI/Benjamin Clark

French speed king Julien Epaillard and his queen Dubai du Cedre clinched the coveted last-to-go spot in the Individual Jumping Final with the quickest clear round in the qualifying competition at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Versailles (FRA).

From a starting field of 74, a total of 20 jumped clear over another colourful and challenging track designed by Spain’s Santiago Varela and Gregory Bodo from France, who eight-time Olympian Rodrigo Pessoa from Brazil described as “the two masters”.

Pessoa and Major Tom registered one of those important zero scores to slot into 17th place, so is well within the top-30 from 17 nations that have earned their spot in the medal-decider, in which starters will compete in reverse order of merit. The remaining 10 include the UAE’s 21-year-old Omar Adbul Aziz Al Marzooqi, who picked up just a single time fault when last to go with Enjoy de la Mure, plus the quickest four-faulters.

For Epaillard, this was a lot more enjoyable than Saturday’s team medal-decider in which France claimed bronze.

“It was a lot of pressure in the team. I was last to go and playing for a medal and you don’t want to disappoint anyone! Today the weight was off my shoulders and I rode differently, more relaxed. Also, my mare (Dubai du Cedre) is every day more relaxed and it helped me to have more precision. But it was not so easy because it’s not a big, big, course; it’s more delicate and a bit open, which is not the best for me. I like when it’s a bit short (distances) with my mare, but I’m really happy to be to be in the final tomorrow!” said the man who, with the same 11-year-old mare, claimed individual bronze at last year’s European Championship and runner-up spot at this year’s FEI World Cup Final.

Meanwhile, it was an excellent day for the Irish when Shane Sweetnam finished second with James Kann Cruz and Daniel Coyle third with Legacy. The Irish team came into the Games full of medal hopes, but ended up in a disappointing seventh place. However, their flag was flying high once again.

It was important to be quick, so that if a fence fell, you could still make the cut with four faults. Posting his clear round in 73.35 seconds, Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz clinched it easily.

He left a fence on the floor in Friday’s team final, but there was no mistake with his 11-year-old grey gelding. “We didn’t really have the rub of the green on Friday actually,” he said. “When I watched the video of my round, it was like he just breathed on that fence. But that’s just show jumping for you. You have to have a little bit of luck, and today we had it on our side,” he added.

Coyle has been spectacular from the outset. His mare Legacy hasn’t touched a pole through three rounds of jumping, and she was still bouncing around the 14-fence course.

“I don’t know what to say anymore!” he said. “She was really fresh again. She’s 14 now, but her mind doesn’t think it! Obviously, she’s feeling great, and in the warmup, already I felt that. I was expecting her to be a little tired, but then when she was fresh, I thought, okay, I need to change a little bit how I want to ride her today, otherwise I’ll end up making a mistake,” he said.

The Irishman wasn’t feeling at his best himself because he had had food-poisoning and was ill all night. “I was under a lot of pressure today in all the wrong ways! But I was just trying to get through the finish with a good score, because after this week my mare deserves to be in the final no matter what. So I would have been disappointed if she wasn’t there,” he said.

The Netherlands’ Harrie Smolders and Uricas van de Kattevennen finished fourth, ahead of Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs with Leone Jei and Steve Guerdat on Dynamix de Belheme in fifth and sixth places. The Swiss failed to qualify for the team final, so it was redemption day.

Reigning European champion Guerdat blamed himself for his less-than-satisfactory performance last Thursday. “My mare doesn’t have that much experience even though she’s 11; she hasn’t jumped so many really big championships, so she can be a little bit spooky, which may have affected her the first day. I didn’t give her enough confidence, so I tried to stay a bit calmer today and trust her, even though it wasn’t that easy prior to the class, but I must say she gave me a great feeling at the first jump and I felt, okay, she’s back to normal, so I could concentrate on giving her an easy ride and not overdo things like I did the first day,” he explained.

Defending individual Olympic champion, Great Britain’s Ben Maher, finished 28th with his mare Dallas Vegas Batilly, who sent the wall tumbling to the ground three fences from home for four faults. He was relieved that his time was fast enough to get him through to the finale.

“I like to keep it exciting!” he said with a laugh afterwards. “We are in and that’s all the matters. I don’t know what happened there. She felt amazing today, but she was very, very lively outside already this morning and she was playing a bit in the warmup, but when I got in the ring, she honestly was jumping as good, if not better, than the other days.”

Trying to understand why his horse seemed to mis-read the fence she demolished, he said, “I guess there’s a big shadow by the wall there now. She just rolled around the corner, and as she took off it just took her by surprise, I think. Luckily, I’m a little older and experienced and we made a quick recovery to get home,” said the man who helped take team gold for his country in Friday’s Jumping team final.

QUOTES:

Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann, who jumped clear with King Edward: “He has so much power and he normally grows into the championships. I mean this is not the first one he does! And he always comes out better and better every day.”

Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa, talking about competing at his eighth Olympic Games, this one with the background of the Chateau de Versailles: “Every Games is different and they are all special, but this one is extra special because of the backdrop, and the atmosphere and not one empty seat! And you have to kind of pinch yourself to get going, because it’s really incredible – the fans really turned up and the sport this week has been incredible – it’s really special to compete in a place like this. It’s unique. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I’m so happy that we got to do it!”

Frenchman Julien Epaillard, talking about his horse Dubai du Cedre: “I can ask her to jump a house! She always tries, she fights, she has such a big heart and so much scope. My biggest problem is to know how to manage her energy in the beginning of the track, whether she will be with me or fighting with me. But she feels really good right now.”

FULL RESULTS

press@fei.org
www.fei.org