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Federation
Equestre Internationale News
FEI News 16 May 2003
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SAMSUNG
SUPER LEAGUE : FRANCE OPEN THE SCORE
The French, already in the driving seat after the first leg of
the Samsung Super League at La Baule last Sunday, look strong
favourites to make it two-in-a-row when they line out in the second
competition of the series in Rome next Friday, May 23.
Brimming with confidence after their convincing opening victory,
they are also returning to the Piazza di Siena as reigning champions
following their success at the 70th anniversary Nations Cup show
there last year. Edouard Couperie, Bruno Broucqsault, Christian
Hermon and Michel Robert will be flying the flag on this occasion
but they can expect powerful opposition from the Germans who are
lurking in second place, only three points off the leaders at
this stage. Helena Weinberg, Franke Sloothaak, Marcus Ehning and
Andreas Ripke will be under orders to snatch the maximum 10 points
and reverse the placings at the top of the table if they can.
The Italian selectors have not yet confirmed their choice of team
and Chef d'Equipe Duccio Bartalucci is keeping an open mind until
after the CSI-A which takes place in Tuscany this weekend. He
has 26 riders to choose from, but still faces a truly tough task
to ensure the best possible result for his country next Friday.
Gianni Govoni, Massimo Grossato and Vincenzo Chimirri look likely
starters but no final decision will be made until next Monday.
The Piazza di Siena, located in the Villa Borghese which this
year celebrates it's centenary as a Public Park, has always been
a favourite venue for riders. Nothing can quite compare with it's
unique setting in the heart of one of the most beautiful and historic
cities in the world, and as always this year's CSIO has attracted
a strong contingent of individual riders along with the eight
competing Samsung Super League teams.
After the 2002 fixture attracted a record crowd and with the Samsung
Super League bringing increased national and international attention
and interest, there is nothing the Italians would cherish more
than to hear their own national anthem ringing out around the
showground when the Nations Cup concludes next Friday. They have
a bit to do to make that happen, but no team will be trying harder.
The website for CSIO Rome is http://www.piazzadisiena.com and
dont't forget
the new Samsung Super League website www.samsungsuperleague.com.
SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE TABLE - AFTER ROUND 1 AT LA BAULE:
1. France - 10 points
2. Germany - 7 points
3. Great Britain - 5 points
4. Ireland - 3.5 points
4. Sweden - 3.5 points
6. Holland - 2 points
7. Belgium - 1 point
8. Italy - 0.5 points.
THE ROYAL DUBLIN SOCIETY PREPARES ARENAS FOR SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE
The Royal Dublin Society's world famous jumping arena in Ballsbridge
has undergone extensive refurbishment in preparation for this
year's Dublin Horse Show (August 6 - 10) which will feature the
Samsung Super League 6th competition.
The countries participating including Ireland are France, Italy,
Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium and Sweden.
Following last year's Show the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) invited
the Sports Turf Research Institute, UK, to examine the main arenas,
subsidiary arenas and Judging rings and recommend procedures for
upgrading and improving where needed.
"Work commenced in the main arena during early spring (February)
to alleviate problems associated with surface water retention
in certain areas. Remedial work associated with drainage was carried
out in these areas while surface levels have been restored. To
date, results are very encouraging", said RDS deputy chief
executive and Dublin Horse Show director, Gerry McAuliffe.
He added. "Drainage and soil compaction has been improved
following mechanical aeration treatments in the form of slitting
and Verti Draining. These treatments are particularly important
in helping create vertical channels for water movement as well
as fracturing and loosening the underline soil profile to maximise
water movement".
"The application of a good quality medium/fine sand (0.25-0.5
mm sand fraction) has also helped improve surface water infiltration
rates and surface stability. This treatment will be continued
on a regular basis,"he said.
Parts of the arena have been reseeded by hand and this will be
followed during favourable weather by mechanical stitch seeding,
all over, to introduce seed into the top layers of the profile.
This will then be carefully maintained with timely applications
of nutrient fertilizer to ensure that a strong, healthy and resilient
sward is restored before the Dublin Horse Show in August.
Intensive restoration work is also progressing in all of the other
grassed rings and arenas. New seed types of the harder wearing
perennial Ryegrass cultivars are being sown in the Simmonscourt
showjumping and international exercising rings.
The three main judging rings are also receiving special attention.
Here hundreds of tonnes of sand, integrated with a Verti Draining
programme are being introduced along with new drainage procedures.
The RDS has also embarked on a machinery replacement programme,
adding a new 3 unit triplex ride on mower for a better sward cut
and also to avoid soil compaction, a Verti Drill and a Cambridge
roller, on the recommendation of the turf consultants.
Work will continue during the summer months to ensure the best
possible ground cover and conditions for both jumping and showing
at the Dublin Horse Show in August.
FEI CALENDAR
Hungarian Equestrian Federation informed the FEI that the Euro
Future Cup of Budapest, due to take place from 6 to 9 June had
been cancelled.
IN MEMORIAM
Richard McDevitt, from 1975 to 1987 President of the American
Horse Shows Association (the US-American NF - now USA Equestrian)
died on 11 April 2003.
McDevitt, a prominent Philadelphia lawyer was, for many years,
the US delegate at the annual FEI General Assemblies. For 26 years
he served as President of the Devon Horse Show. He was a Member
of the Appeals Committee at the 1984 Olympic Games.
www.horsesport.org
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