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Federation
Equestre Internationale News
28 July 2003
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EU Pony Championships in Necarne Castle (IRL)
- EU Dressage Championship for Young Riders and Juniors in Saumur
(FRA)
- Samsung Super League
- FEI Open European Endurance Championship - change of date
- Big media interest in the Europeans Jumping
- FEI/PSI Jumping and Dressage Challenge
- World Driving Pairs Championship in Jardy (FRA)
- Congratulations to Jack Pemberton
- FEI World Reining Masters Series
- Israeli rider wins an International Grand Prix
- Pippa Funnel leads the Eventing World Riders Rankings
- Sports development: seminar in Jamaica
- In Memoriam Karl Bodenmüller
EUROPEAN PONY CHAMPIONSHIP IN NECARNE CASTLE
The 2003 European Pony Championship in the three Olympic discipline
was organised from 22 to 27 July in Necarne Castle (IRL).
SHOW JUMPING -
Great Britain dominated the Jumping championship. This is their
sixth consecutive team victory and they were untouchable. Sophie
Broome, the niece of David Broome, riding Spottie Dot Com was
without doubt the most exciting British partnership - she is a
tiny little girl and the pony was huge! Denmark was going for
Silver into the second round but fell apart, leaving the battle
between the Dutch and Irish team for the remainder of medals.
The very strong Dutch team finally earned the Silver medal in
front of an Irish team delighted to earn a medal on their home
turf.
The Individual winner is Swiss: the 15 year old Julie Delaporte
lives in Geneva. Her pony, Sabra, was quick in all competitions
and had just that much extra speed in the five-pony individual
jump-off in which Hannah Paul/Mister Amontilano (GBR) took silver
ahead of Sophie Broome and Spottie Dot Com. The height of the
fences in the final leg of the individual competition was no less
than 1m40.
The sensation of the Jumping Championship came from French-owned
Connemara pony Dexter Leam Pondi ridden by 13 year old Alice Chambaud
who won both of the early qualifying rounds and who looked like
he could clear 1m60 with the greatest of ease. The pony was very
strong in the individual final and Alice had some difficulty with
him - he is a stallion and has bred some foals - but he put in
a stunning double-clear in the team competition on the final day.
EVENTING - German Dressage expertise won the day by a considerable
margin. Necarne is in County Fermanagh which is a very hilly country
and some of the ponies ran out of steam on the hills and had problems
to finish the cross country. Fence 15, a double of corners just
four fences from the end of the course, proved the most influential
obstacle as it required very accurate riding.
Germany earned the Team Gold medal ahead of France and Belgium.
German team members Julia Weiser and Charlotte Offeney took the
individual Gold and Silver medals respectively. The home crowd
was delighted when Dubliner, Sara Glynn, took the Bronze with
Aero Flyer, a pony consistently placed in these championships
over a number of years. Germany took four of the top five individual
places.
DRESSAGE - The standard of Dressage was incredibly high. Not surprisingly,
Germany took the Team Gold medal, but the Dutch team, which included
Marrigje Van Baalen, a niece of Coby Van Baalen, finished a close
second, just 12 marks behind. British team, in bronze medal position,
included Lorna Edmonds, daughter of well-known British TV personality
Noel Edmonds. She also finished individually sixth.
All Individual medals went to Germany, with the Gold to Katharina
Winkelhues who was defending her title.
The facilities at Necarne Castle were excellent. The sand arena
in Walled Garden was an ideal location for Dressage. The cross-country
course is truly all-weather and had been significantly altered
for the championships.
EUROPEAN DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR JUNIORS AND YOUNG RIDERS
L'Ecole Nationale d'Equitation de Saumur (FRA) successfully organised
the European Dressage Championships for Juniors and Young Riders
from 22 to 27
July 2003.
The Netherlands and Germany confirmed their supremacy in Dressage
and shared most of the individual and team medals. Germany earned
the Young Riders European team title with a total of 4756 points,
ahead of the Netherlands (4710) and Belgium (4493), while the
Netherlands won the Junior Championship
with a total of 4086 points ahead of Germany (4056) and Sweden
(3786).
Thamar Zweistra (NED) on Hexagon's Kyrian earned the Gold medal
of the Young Riders' Championship, ahead of Jan Andreas Vierbrock/Directeur
(GER) and Jessica Werndl/Duchesse (GER). The Junior individual
title went to Angela Van der Berg (NED) and Mix while the Silver
and Bronze medals went to German
riders Dirk Vierbrock/Willi the Kid and Christina Sprehe/Wyoming.
Hundred-six riders from 20 nations competed in the Championship,
which also saw some stars of Dressage in the public, such as Olympic
champion Anky Van
Grunsven.
Complete results on www.cadrenoir.fr
SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE
British Brilliant on Home Ground at Hickstead!
The British stormed to victory on their home ground in Hickstead
today, catapulting themselves into third position on the Samsung
Super League leaderboard and firmly underlining their return to
the top level of international show jumping.
Their hunger for a win had been clear since early in the season
and, despite a disappointing result in Aachen, they looked to
be ever-improving in recent months but today they were simply
the best, although they were almost forced into a jump-off with
France.
The French were unlucky when a mistake from Michel Robert and
Galet D'Auzay at the very last fence denied them a two-way jump-off
with the eventual winners and it was a close-fought thing right
to the end.
As has happened so many times over the years, the derby-style
Hickstead fences produced plenty of surprises and Belgium's chances
were shattered when Dirk Demeersman's Clinton simply refused to
take on the water-jump and then Jean Claude Vangeenberghe also
suffered elimination as Richebourg appeared to become anxious
after clearing the water and jammed on the brakes at the following
double.
Nick Skelton has made a remarkable recovery from the career-threatening
neck injury he suffered two years ago and his double-clear rounds
with Arko were absolutely classic.
Scott Smith and Cabri d'Elle had a fence down in each round but
Richard Davenport and Luc almost matched Skelton's perfection
as they floated around
the ring first time out and only the middle element of the double
caught them out at their second attempt.
Robert Smith and Mr Springfield sealed the early advantage when
fault-free in round one and with just eight faults on the board
after three riders had completed their score could not be improved
and the Yorkshireman did not have to return to the ring as the
result was already confirmed.
"This was a tremendous morale booster" said British
Chef d'Equipe afterwards. "Our main objective for this year
is to qualify for the Olympic Games and then to stay in the Samsung
Super League for next season but we always wanted to win this
one - its special to us" he said. "I only got nervous
when I thought we really had a chance - I would have been happy
if we had been within the top three so I'm really delighted -
this is a good feeling and great for British show jumping"
he added.
After Hickstead France still heads the Samsung Super League leaderboard
with only a half-point advantage over the Irish while the British
have rocketed to third ahead of Germany in fourth, Belgium in
fifth and Holland, Sweden and Italy further down the order.
More news and quotes on www.samsungsuperleague.com
Results:
1. Great Britain - 8 faults: Nick Skelton/Arko 0+0, Scott Smith/Cabri
d'Elle 4+4, Richard Davenport/Luc 0+4, Robert Smith/Mr Springfield
0+DNS.
Equal 2. Ireland - 12 faults: Kevin Babington/Carling King 0+4,
Cian O'Connor/Waterford Crystal 0+0, Billy Twomey/Luidam 4+4,
Peter Charles/Corrada 8+4.
France - 12 faults: Michel Hecart/Quilano de Kalvarie 4+4, Edouard
Couperie/For de la Hardiere 4+16, Reynald Angot/Tlaloc M 0+0,
Michel Robert/Galet d'Auzay 0+4.
4. Holland - 16 faults
5. Germany - 32 faults
6. Sweden - 32 faults
7. Italy - 36 faults
8. Belgium - Eliminated
SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE LEADERBOARD
1. France - 37 points
2. Ireland - 36.5 points
3. Great Britain- 26 points
4. Germany - 21 points
5. Belgium - 13.5 points
6. Holland - 10.5 points
7. Sweden - 10 points
8. Italy - 8 points.
SAMSUNG NATIONS CUP SERIES
Switzerland leads the standings of the Samsung Nations Cup Series
with 28 points ahead of Spain (21 pts) and the USA (19 pts). The
next events of the Series will take place this week-end in Lummen
(BEL) and Budapest (HUN).
The best team of the Samsung Nations Cup Series at the end of
the season will be promoted to the Samsung Super League 2004.
FEI EMIRATES AIRLINE OPEN EUROPEAN ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS CHANGE
OF DATE
The 2003 European Endurance Championship, to be held in Punchestown
(IRL) in conjunction with the European Eventing Championship,
will take place on FRIDAY 19 SEPTEMBER 2003.
The Organising Committee, representatives of the FEI and the Ground
Jury met last week to consider the implications of a change of
date requested by a certain number of NFs. The original date for
the ride was Sunday 21st September. After considering the various
issues involved (including the fact that the World Young Riders
Endurance Championship takes place in Italy the following week)
the decision was made in the interest of the competitors and the
further development of Endurance to run the event on Friday 19th
September 2003.
The modified programme is available on the official web site of
the event (www.sporthorseshow.com ). The schedule will be posted
on the web site on Tuesday 29 July and entries in principle will
be required by Wednesday 6 August 2003.
BIG MEDIA INTEREST FOR THE EUROPEAN JUMPING CHAMPIONSHIP
Some 20 days before the start of the 2003 European Jumping Championship
to be held in Donaueschingen (GER), about 220 journalists from
17 countries have applied for accreditation.
Donaueschingen is the fourth German town to host a European Jumping
Championship. Aachen (four times), Munich (twice) and Mannheim
have also been locations for an EC in show jumping. European Championships
have been held since 1957, and will be carried out for the 27th
time. A team ranking will be decided for the 16th time.
The European Show Jumping Championship on the Internet: www.chi-donaueschingen.de
FEI/PSI WORLD JUMPING AND DRESSAGE FINALS
The FEI/PSI WORLD JUMPING & DRESSAGE CHALLENGE FINALS including
the best riders of the 2002 season of the FEI/PSI worldwide Challenge,
will be organised for the third consecutive year at Hof Kasselmann
in Hagen a.T.W. Germany from 7 - 10 August, in conjunction with
the International Riders
Festival.
This year, the Final of the Dressage Children's competition will
be held using the same format as for the adults, i.e., a Final
on Sunday with change of horses.
Spectators will also have the opportunity to enjoy a special exhibition
on the theme Horses & Dreams.
Web: www.psi-events.de
WORLD DRIVING PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP IN JARDY
Two months before the World Pairs Championship in Jardy (FRA),
15 nations have announced their participation: Denmark, Spain,
Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Australia, Portugal, Czech
Republic, Slovakia, Argentina, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands Antilles,
France and Luxembourg.
The nominated entries and composition of teams will be known on
19 August.
The Championship will be held from 17 to 21 September in conjunction
with a CSI****. The Marathon will be held on Saturday 20 September
as of 9:00.
Complete programme and more information on www.aso-equitation.com
TALKING ABOUT DRIVING.
CONGRATULATIONS TO JACK PEMBERTON
The Chairman of the FEI Driving Committee, Jack Pemberton (CAN)
turns 80 today. Highly respected Official International FEI Judge,
Jack Pemberton represented Canada at the founding meeting of FEI
Driving in 1968. Past President of the Royal Agriculture Winter
Fair in Toronto, Jack Pemberton has been the founding Director
of the Canadian and American Driving Societies. He is the Chairman
of the FEI Driving Committee and Bureau Member since 1994.
Happy Birthday from the FEI Bureau and Secretariat in Lausanne!
FEI INTRODUCES THE WORLD REINING MASTERS SERIES
The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) today announced a
new competition for the discipline of Reining- the FEI World Reining
Masters- developed by the FEI Reining Committee.
"The purpose of the World Reining Master Series is to develop
a program that will encourage the continued growth of Reining
internationally, hopefully leading up to Olympic participation,"
says FEI Reining Committee Chairman Frank Costantini. "It
will definitely preview the up-coming excitement of the 2006 World
Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany.
"One of the goals of this program is to introduce Reining
to even more countries than participated in its debut at the 2002
World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain where eleven countries
participated. We are hoping that a minimum of fifteen countries
will participate in the Reining Masters Series in 2004,"
Costantini said.
In 2004, the FEI World Reining Masters Series will offer qualifying
events for individual riders competing on horses that are six-years-old
and older. There will be significant prize money and prestige
as well as the opportunity for the leading money earner from each
National Federation to compete at the World Reining Masters Series
Finals, held in conjunction with the 2004 NRHA Futurity &
Championship Show in Oklahoma City, OK. In 2005, the World Reining
Masters Finals will be held in Europe at a venue yet to be announced.
"The FEI is very proud to announce these opportunities for
Reining," said FEI Sports Director Michael Stone. "Building
on the momentum Reining created during the 2002 World Equestrian
Games, the Reining Masters Series will be an effective tool in
the continued development and promotion of International Reining
events."
In 2000, Reining was accepted by the FEI for international competition.
Participation in the 2002 World Equestrian Games was a huge step
forward for the sport. The FEI Reining Masters Series will further
promote Reining internationally as well as provide the means for
reining horses, competitors, owners, breeders and enthusiasts
around the world to enjoy the recognition and appreciation they
so richly deserve. Assisting the FEI with the implementation of
Reining as its seventh discipline have been the National Reining
Horse Association and the American Quarter Horse Association.
"The FEI Reining Committee was challenged to provide a plan
to stoke the embers of excitement and enthusiasm worldwide that
Reining garnered at the 2002 World Equestrian Games," says
Costantini. "The World Reining Masters Series is primed to
meet the challenge."
There will be a press conference "call-in" session at
9:00 a.m. CDT on Thursday, July 31, 2003. The FEI Reining Committee
Chairman Frank Costantini, FEI Sports Director Michael Stone,
NRHA Executive Director Dan Wall and AQHA Executive Director of
Marketing and Membership Services Don Treadway will be available
to answer questions.
The Teleconference Dial-in Numbers are as follows: United States:
(800) 230-1092; International: 001-(612) 288-0340
ISRAELI RIDER WINS A TOP INTERNATIONAL GRAND PRIX
For the first time, in the history of equestrian sports, an Israeli
rider won a top International Grand Prix: Elad Yaniv, on Dayment
Dayliete achieved this important result for his country in San
Patrignano. The 25-years-old Israeli rider, who has been competing
with this horse for only three months, climbed on the top place
of the podium at the "Wind - Challenge Vincenzo Muccioli
Grand Prix" concluding the San Patrignano CSI.
In the second round - where the 11 riders who went clear in the
first round competed - he preceeded the Swedish rider Henrik Hankancrona,
second on Candelight and the French lady rider Dominique Robert,
who placed third with
Auleto.
Complete results on www.sanpatrignano.org
PIPPA FUNNEL LEADS THE FEI EVENTING RIDERS WORLD RANKINGS
Pippa Funnell (GBR) leads the FEI Eventing Rankings with 455 points,
ahead of William Fox-Pitt (GBR) (389 pts) and Philip Dutton (AUS)
(379 pts). Pippa Funnell, who won CCI **** Lexington (USA) and
CCI**** Badmington (GBR) is leading the rankings since the beginning
of 2003. Her runner-up, William Fox-Pitt, went up from 3rd to
2nd place thanks to his 1st place in CCI*** in Luhmühlen
(GER).
The FEI Eventing Rankings are dominated by British riders who
take five of the Top Ten places. The lady riders are very well
placed with 5 places in the Top Ten. The complete rankings are
published on the FEI website, section consult, Eventing (direct
link http://www.horsesport.org/fei/consult/consult_02/con_02_03.html)
SPORTS DEVELOPMENT
SEMINAR FOR JUMPING JUDGES AND COURSE DESIGNERS IN JAMAICA
The FEI Development Fund has financed a seminar for Jumping Judges
and Course Designers from the Caribbean NFs, which was efficiently
organised on the initiative of the Jamaican Equestrian Federation.
It took place in Montego Bay, in the Half Moon Golf, Tennis &
Beach Club from 27 to 29 June.
The seminar was brilliantly conducted by the Florida based José
Gamarra of Bolivia, FEI International Judge and Course Designer
, notably of the 2003 FEI World Jumping Challenge. National and
FEI Candidate Judges and Course Designers as well as coaches and
riders from Jamaica, Bermuda, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti
and the Caiman Islands took an active part in it.
The Seminar began with the review and interpretation of the new
FEI Jumping Rules effective 1 January 2003. The second day was
devoted to the course design and started by a theoretical part,
followed on the third day by a clinic using the facilities of
Mrs Trina Delisser in Montego Bay. Among other subjects, Mr Gamarra
showed the importance and effect of the shape and colour of the
obstacles on the horses. He also explained how to make good obstacles
using the material available.
The participants were also given the opportunity to meet with
Jacqueline Braissant, FEI Development Project Manager. Their concerns
were mainly related to the FEI World Jumping and Dressage Challenge,
the rules of which were discussed
The representative of Haiti showed an interesting video on the
Haitian equestrian activities, which are definitely competition
oriented, and the progress accomplished over ten years. Their
strategy is based on good quality horses, well qualified international
trainers and exposure of riders in competitions held in Florida
or Europe. It is should also be noted that Dressage riders from
Barbados and Trinidad and Jumping riders from Haiti will participate
in the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo.
The Seminar was held in a very friendly atmosphere reinforcing
the communication and cooperation between the Caribbean NFs.
IN MEMORIAM
Karl Bodenmüller, a former Chef d'Equipe of the Swiss Nations
Cup Jumping team, died on 25 July 2003, aged 82. After a successful
business career and considerable successes as a Jumping rider,
Bondenmüller was the Chef d'Equipe of the Swiss Jumping Team
from 1973 to 1976.
www.horsesport.org
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