Tag Archives: Show Jumping

Competitions, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

Greya Is Great in Traverse City

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FULL RESULTS

by Catie Staszak

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

Competitions, FEI, FEI, Show Jumping

Young Jumping Talent Shines in Lier

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

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

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

Children

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

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

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

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

Ponies

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

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

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

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

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

Young Riders

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

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

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

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

Juniors

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

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

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

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

FULL RESULTS

by Sophie Baker

press@fei.org
www.fei.org

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

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

Martin Fuchs ©Rolex/Thomas Lovelock

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

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

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

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

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

The highlights film can be seen here:

Victoria Carles
Rolex SA
victoria.carles@rolex.com

Merrick Haydon
rEvolution
mhaydon@revolutionworld.com

Competitions, Show Jumping, Spruce Meadows

Vogel Takes the Victory Once Again in the CANA Cup

Photo: Spruce Meadows Media

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read more here.

© 2024 Rolex – Rolex Grand Slam

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

Decorated Olympian Ben Maher Announced as London International Horse Show Ambassador

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Competitions, Equestrian Sport Prod., Show Jumping

Jad Dana and Leonidas Race to Victory in $10,000 Palm Beach Equine Clinic 1.40m Stake

Jad Dana & Leonidas © Cassidy Klein

The 2024 ESP Labor Day horse show got underway Friday morning with the 1.40m Open Jumper Stake, sponsored by Bainbridge Companies. Nine horse-and-rider pairs tried their hand at Hector Loyola’s (PUR) course, with six trying their hand at the jump-off. In the end, Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) put in the quickest clear round with a time of 41.151 seconds aboard Condara, owned by Victoria Heurtematte. Earning second with a clear 41.318 second time was Richard Neal (USA) and his own Catemaco LS, while Jad Dana (LBN) rounded out the top results with a four-fault time of 38.863 aboard Leonidas, owned by Burr Associates Inc.

Saturday’s highlight class on the Derby Field was the Florida Coast Equipment 1.35m Open Jumper Stake with seven competitors dueling for the victory on the Hector Loyola-designed course. Coming out on top was Abigail Mc Ardle (USA) and Samuel Parot’s I&H Boogy Woogy with a double-clear time of 39.038 seconds. Taking the second-place title was Lia Screnci (USA) and her own Puccini Van Orti, with a clear time of 42.742 seconds. Rounding out the podium in the 1.35m Open Jumper Stake was Juan Manuel Bolanos Barrios (ESA) aboard Rondalla LS, owned by BZB Barn LLC, with a fault-free time of 43.253 seconds.

Saturday’s highlight hunter competition on the Derby Annex field was the $2,500 USHJA National Hunter Derby (Hunt & Go), sponsored by Parlanti. A total of five riders went head-to-head with Isabel Coleman (USA) coming out on top with her own Fenway, with scores of 87 and 87 for a total score of 174. Earning the red rosette was Isabella Rowan (USA) and Irocco Grey S, owned by Carolex Stables LLC, with scores of 82 and 83 for a combined score of 165, while Francesca Rowan (USA) earned third with total score of 157 aboard Casallix, owned by Carolex Stables LLC.

Jad Dana (LBN) rose to the occasion Sunday morning, sealing the victory in the $10,000 Palm Beach Equine Clinic 1.40m Stake. Dana navigated Leonidas, owned by Burr Associates Inc., through the Héctor J Loyola (PUR) designed 12-obstacle course. Dana cleared the timers in a rapid fault-free time of 35.499 seconds to take the win.

Abigail Mc Ardle (USA) finished as runner-up with a time of 36.663 seconds with Olympia Van Het Eikenhof, owned by Sweetwater Jumpers LLC, while Luis Fernando Larrazabal (VEN) and Condara, owned by Victoria Heurtematte, took third with a four-fault time of 38.247 seconds.

To view full results from ESP Labor Day, please click HERE.

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

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

Eventing Gold for Great Britain and Germany

Jasmine Underwood and Indian Girl G. Photographer: Leszek Wójcik

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

Young Riders

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

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

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

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

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

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

Juniors

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*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

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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

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Competitions, FEI, Olympic Games, Show Jumping

Brilliant British Claim Gold in Jumping Team Final

L-R: Scott Brash, Harry Charles, and Ben Maher from Team GBR © FEI/Benjamin Clark

Great Britain claimed Jumping team gold in fine style at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Versailles (FRA) with spectacular performances from Ben Maher/Dallas Vegas Batilly, Harry Charles/Romeo 88, and Scott Brash/Jefferson. It was a clean, crisp result for the new Olympic champions, without a single fence down and counting only two time faults to seal it in the Team Final.

Team USA had to settle for silver medal spot with a final scoreline of just four faults, and in the battle for bronze, it was France that clinched it thanks to quicker combined times for their three combinations, who edged the Dutch off the podium by the narrowest of margins – 0.57 seconds – when both sides completed with seven faults on the board.

This was Britain’s third team title in the history of Jumping at the Games. The first was recorded by Wilfred White/Nizefela, Douglas Stewart/Aherlow and Harry Llewellyn/Foxhunter in Helsinki in 1952, and there was a very long wait before they did it again on home ground in London 2012. Both Maher and Brash were young guns in their 20s when competing in that four-man side 12 years ago alongside Nick Skelton and Harry’s father Peter Charles. This result resonated with that, although this time around Maher and Brash were the veterans while 25-year-old Charles was the relative rookie.

In the qualifier, Germany produced three clean sheets and looked set to threaten strongly for the title, but despite a faultless round from Philipp Weishaupt and Zineday, poles down for both Christian Kukuk’s Checker 47 and Richard Vogel’s United Touch S at the first element of the penultimate double left them sitting in fifth place at the end of the day.

The defending champions from Sweden were expected to bounce back when only Peder Fredricson and Catch Me Not S had mistakes on the course, but all three team members had a fence error to drop them behind Germany into sixth place.

The Dutch were unlucky. Kim Emmen and Imagine produced one of 11 clear rounds over the bright, beautiful but technically-demanding 14-fence track created by Santiago Varela (ESP) and Gregory Bodo (FRA), while Harrie Smolders collected only a single time fault with Uricas van de Kattevennen. However, Maikel van der Vleuten and his Tokyo 2020 individual bronze-medal winning ride Beauville Z had an awkward ride down the triple combination at fence 10 and took out the final oxer element for four faults and an additional two for time.

Meanwhile, the French began with just three time faults for pathfinder Simon Delestre and I Amelusina R 51, followed by a superb clear from Olivier Perreau and Dorai D’Aiguilly, who were called in late to the side. The crowd was on the edges of their seats as Julien Epaillard and Dubai du Cedre set off as, with just those three faults on the board, they were well within sight of at least silver. But a mistake at the Jardin à la Française oxer at fence nine left the hosts on level-pegging with The Netherlands, their narrow advantage on the clock giving them that third podium placing.

The British looked convincing from the outset, Maher and Dallas Vegas Batilly finishing just shy of the time-allowed of 79 seconds for a single time fault, while Charles and Rome 88 were crystal clear. By the time Brash and Jefferson entered the ring as anchors and the very last to go, the Americans were counting only four faults for Laura Kraut’s mistake at the first element of the triple combination, because both Karl Cook with Caracole de la Roque and Ward and Ilex had been foot-perfect.

The pressure was at boiling point as Brash set off with everything hanging in the balance. A fence down and gold would go to the USA, and two down would drop his country right out of contention. But in the years since that historic London victory at the age of 26, the Scottish-born rider has become a master of his art with a reputation for nerves of steel. As he and Jefferson galloped through the finish with just a single time penalty popping up on the scoreboard, it was time for big British celebrations.

When asked about winning the second Olympic team gold medal of his sparkling career, Brash said, “A gold medal doesn’t get old! It’s incredible, obviously, to win in London in front of our home crowd, which was one of the best days of my life, but here is right up there! I mean what an unbelievable setting, what a beautiful venue for our sport, and facilities for the horses were incredible.”

When asked what it was like to enter that cauldron of tension to secure that gold, he replied, “You’ve got to stay focused on your horse; it’s a partnership. You really need to know your horse inside out to be able to jump that course; it’s technical, it’s big, you’re jumping at the highest level, and there’s questions all around that course. So you really need to know your horse inside out and ride the best way possible for them to jump clear. You stay focused and then try and execute your plan and that’s what I tried to do, and thankfully it paid off!” he explained.

Maher said he may have underestimated the time it would take to get around the track, “but we left the jumps up and gave the team a great start!” he pointed out. “We’re talking about 0.3 of a second over the time – I could probably just have turned back shorter after the double of Liverpools (4ab) and taken a bit of a risk, but my horse is younger and our team in a good position anyway,” he explained.

He said he has a lot of faith in Dallas Vegas Batilly. “She’s been very consistent and won already some really good Grands Prix all over the world. We did the championship indoors back in April to give us some experience. There were some question marks over my change of horse last-minute, but I’m in a very fortunate position; she is the more experienced horse in the stable at the moment and I just felt that she was really on form and ready at the right time, and she’s certainly shown that today!” he said.

Charles said he initially thought the course was not too tough, “but that’s how good these course builders are – it rode completely differently to how it walked! It’s probably much more difficult than yesterday but suited my horse better with striding in between the jumps. He likes to jump from a collected canter rather than an open one so I could get to most of the jumps in a holding stride, which was a big benefit. And I wasn’t really too concerned with the time allowed. He was really quick yesterday, so I thought if I just do my normal pace I should be inside and just was. So I was pretty happy about that,” he said.

It was the USA’s third Olympic team silver in a row and their seventh in the history of the Games. Laura Kraut and McLain Ward were both on the silver-medal side in Tokyo three years ago where Kraut’s 14-year-old gelding Baloutinue also competed.

She was surprised by her horse’s single mistake at that bogey triple combination. “He kind of looked at it a little bit and I had maybe too much momentum, but other than that he didn’t put a foot wrong,” she said.

Talking about the course, she pointed out, “What’s been really nice is there’s been no eliminations, no disasters, lots of poles down and time faults, and they have been very crafty with the time allowed. I felt like I was flying, and I only came in a second and a half under the time, so I think it’s just as you would expect – we’re at the Olympics after all!”

Like Kraut, Ward knows a thing or two about the pressure of Olympic competition and he picked up his fifth medal at his sixth Olympic Games.

“Both Laura and I have been particularly blessed (competing for Team USA) for a number of years. What the Olympics represents, its principles, at its very best is something that we really are proud of and look to as a goal. Our team mentality is that this is the pinnacle of the sport. This is what we aim everything towards, not only ourselves, but everybody behind us, and we’re willing to sacrifice a lot of other events throughout the season to try to be primed at the right moment with the right combinations. That’s not to say that sometimes you think you have the recipe right and you don’t. But I think being able to pull that off a few times builds confidence, and everybody keeps delivering, and that perpetuates itself; it inspires the next generation, and it inspires all the people around us and behind us to continue,” he said.

It has taken a while for Karl Cook to build a relationship with the feisty French-bred mare Caracole de la Roque, but it has all come together beautifully now with trust established between them, particularly over the last few months. Their fabulous clear was evidence of that. “You build that trust and understanding over time. I’m thrilled with how she has been here in Paris – she’s a very wonderful horse!” he said.

The French were filled with emotion and delighted to find themselves on the podium. As Epaillard said, “We wanted a medal – and we got it!” It was even more special to do it in front of the French President Emmanuel Macron.

For Olivier Perreau, his bronze was particularly emotional because he earned it on a home-bred mare he has produced himself and which only began to show real potential over the last year. “I took her to the European Championship last year and my aim was always to have her here in Paris – I’m so proud of her and so very, very happy!” he said.

Meanwhile, delighted British Chef d’Equipe, Di Lampard, reflected on the success of her side. “The plan has come together after four years, and I’m completely overwhelmed! They were outstanding; the lads were ice-cool and delivered on the given day! We always put Ben out first; he’s the pathfinder and he’s so good at it. To put Harry in the middle was an obvious one, and his clear round was joyous and probably put even more pressure on Scott! But we know he has ice-cold veins and he delivered in real style,” she said.

FULL RESULTS

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