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Federation
Equestre Internationale News
23 September 2003
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EUROPEAN
EVENTING CHAMPIONSHIP
GREAT BRITAIN WINS TEAM GOLD, FRENCH TOUZAINT EARNS THE INDIVIDUAL
GOLD
Sunday 21 September, after a tense afternoon round the packed
show jumping arena at the European Eventing Championship, Great
Britain won the Team Gold
in convincing style.
With
four fences in hand going in to the final phase, the first team
member in the packed show jumping arena William FOX-PITT had 2
fences down. The next rider, defending European Champion, Pippa
Funnell, did a brilliant clear round and the final rider Leslie
LAW had one down.
Great
Britain finished on a score of 147.60 with France in the Silver
medal position with 160.20. Bronze went to Belgium on 196.00.
Belgium,
Ireland and Austria earned their tickets for the Olympic Games
in Athens 2004.
The
Individual title went to French rider Nicolas TOUZAINT on a score
of 35.00 TOUZAINT had one fence down today in the final show jumping
phase.Already on Saturday, The 23-year old rider on Galan de Sauvagère
had taken the lead with 31 points (29.8 after Dressage and only
1.20 time penalties after Cross Country).
Swedish rider Linda ALGOTSSON jumped clear to remain in Silver
position and British rider Pippa FUNNELL's clear round elevated
her to the Bronze medal position.
Complete
results on www.sporthorseshow.com
EUROPEAN OPEN ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP
THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES AND FRANCE SWEEP THE OPEN EUROPEAN ENDURANCE
CHAMPIONSHIP
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) swept the FEI Open European Endurance
Championship finishing just seconds apart in the top three places
at the Punchestown Race Course on Friday 18 September. For the
Europeans, France won both the individual and team medals. Virginie
Simon riding Elza De Gion in a ride time of 10:21:35 captured
the individual title and the French team consisted of Sunny Demedy,
Barbara Lissarague and Emilie Lambert.
Led by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the top three
crossed the finish line arm in arm amidst a large cheering crowd.
H.H. finished in a ride time of 10:20:45, riding Provocative.
H.E. Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, the eldest son of
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed, followed in second in a ride time of 10:20:46,
riding Gimini Courth House. Third went to Mohammed Ali Al Shafar
in a ride time of 10:20:47, riding Shikira.
"We participate all the time in this sport and sometimes
we win, sometimes we lose," said H.H. "When we win we
are very happy. Today the luck was with us. We very much enjoyed
our trip to Ireland. They are wonderful people and we were able
to see our horses at Kildangan Stud".
The 160 km event began before sunrise at 5:30 am with 77 seven
starters although the field dwindled to 69 after the first 40
km. There was rain the night before, but only clouds filled the
sky on the day, with a cool temperature of about 16 degrees Celsius.
At the conclusion of the first phase or loop, H.E. Sheik Rashid
was in the lead with his younger brothers close behind. Hansjorg
Bendier of Switzerland led the European contingent. Bendier and
H.E. Sheik Rashid switched places following the second loop and
the team of Emile Lambert, Sunny Demedy and Barbara Lissarague
of France was close behind in third, fourth and fifth individually,
but in the lead for the team competition.
H.E. Sheikh Rashid was still leading following the third loop,
but his younger brother H.E. Sheikh Hamdan moved up to within
one minute for second place. Jean-Louis Molitor of Belgium was
now the highest European and Valerie Kanavy of the United States
moved into fourth position. France was still leading the team
competition, Germany was second and Portugal was third, with all
three in contention.
After four loops, the United Arab Emirates looked unbeatable sitting
in the top three spots with Kanavy still holding on to the fourth
spot. Belgium's Molitor was still the highest European rider.
Going into the final loop, H.E. Sheikh Rashid still led the way,
but Simon moved up to second and H.H. Sheikh Mohammed moved up
to third. France was able to retain their lead in the team competition.
The trail consisted of six phases of varying distances and five
veterinary holds to monitor the welfare of the horses throughout
the day.
Complete results on www.sporthorseshow.com
RINY RUTJENS OF THE NETHERLANDS WINS THE WORLD DRIVING PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP
The World Pairs Driving Championship, was organised from 17 to
21 September 2003 at the Haras de Jardy (Jardy stud), and saw
a record number of 23 nations competing.
Riny Rutjens (NED) who was in the lead after the Dressage test
on the first day of the championship, won the individual title
ahead of French Pierre Jung who saved the honour of French driving
with a superb silver medal, only a matter of time separating him
from the gold. Australian Boyd Exell, who was fairly confident
after the marathon, lost the title with three knockdowns and one
point of time penatly, slumping down to 6th place.
Already world team champion in 1995, Pierre Jung discovered the
joy of an individual medal by achieving an almost perfect cones
phase, with only 3 point penalty. Bit by bit, he moved up from
6th to 2nd place in the final placings, thanks to the faults accumulated
by the other competitors. Riny Rutjens's two faults were however
not enough for the Frenchman to win the title and Rutjens ended
2.70 points ahead of him.
The bronze medal went to Poland's Roman Kuzs, who, despite a fault
in the cones, moved up one place.
Hungary kept its world title and won the gold medal. The silver
medal went to Poland, surprise guest on the podium, and the bronze
to the Netherlands.
Complete results on www.aso-equitation.com
FEI TOP DRIVER AWARD FOR PAIRS
Thanks to her victory in Jardy, Riny Rutjens is the winner of
the 2003 FEI Top Driver Award for Pairs, supported by van der
Wiel.
A ceremony was held in conjunction with the World Pairs Championship
during which Mr van der Wiel handed over the 2002 Top Driver Award
Trophy to the
winner Ladislav Jirgala (CZE).
1ST SEASON OF THE SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE CONCLUDED IN BARCELONA
DELIGHT DESPITE DISASTER FOR FRANCE IN FINAL!
In a gripping conclusion to the inaugural Samsung Super League
series, France suffered a heavy defeat in Barcelona last Sunday,
but still claimed the league trophy by a ten-point margin.
The Irish had to settle for joint-second in the final standings
after an emphatic victory in this leg by Germany whose final rider,
Ludger Beerbaum, never had to jump a fence while the Italians,
clinging desperately to the bottom of the leaderboard, rose manfully
to the occasion, avoiding relegation when adding an extra 12 points
to their total as double-points were awarded.
Sweden however must compete in the second division next season
as, despite a brave struggle by Malin Baryard, Helena Persson,
Royne Zetterman and Helena Lundback their equal-fourth placing
today was not good enough to save them.
Few could have predicted the Barcelona result as the Spanish squad,
taking part as host country but not entitled to Super League points,
slotted into runner-up spot. The Italians, so very weak thoughout
much of the series, shared third with Belgium while Sweden and
Britain divided fifth, Holland was sixth, the Irish were seventh
and the normally brilliant French came last.
Even more remarkably, the Dutch, Italians and Germans shared the
lead on a zero score at the end of the first round when France,
Sweden, Spain and Belgium were next in line with just four faults
each. The British carried eight into round two but the Irish were
already in trouble, bringing up the rear with 16 on the board
at the halfway stage.
The absence of so many of their top riders had left them vulnerable
and when Harry Marshall's opening 12 faults from his Gijon Grand
Prix winner Splendido was discarded they still had to count four-fault
results from both Lt Shane Carey and Cian O'Connor along with
the eight collected by Nations Cup debutante Marie Burke.
A clear round from Carey and Killossery second time out brought
some improvement to the Irish position but with eight more to
add when both Marshall and O'Connor each lowered a single pole
this time, their finishing score of 24 was always going to leave
them well down the order.
The French meanwhile were badly hampered by a second-round fall
for Bruno Broucqsault when he got it all wrong at the double,
and having to count 12 faults from Laurent Goffinet and Flipper
d'Elle, eight from Hubert Bourdy and Eve de Etisses and four from
Florian Angot and First de Launay they were obliged to add 24
further penalties to their first-round tally to complete on a
total of 28.
The Dutch also fell apart in the second round when both Eric van
der Vleuten (Audi's Jikke) and Jan Tops (Roofs) left two fences
on the floor and Albert Zoer (Lowina) and Gert Jan Bruggink (Joel)
each made a single error to finish with 20 but the Italians were
seriously impressive, clearly driven to give their very best under
extreme pressure.
Massimo Grossato (Loro Piana Elkintot), Vincenzo Chimirri (Askoll
Rosa) and Roberto Arioldi (Loro Piana Le Mato) had all jumped
clear first time out while Bruno Chimirri (Landknecht) had two
down and all four riders faulted just once at their second attempt
to leave Italy on level-pegging with Belgium.
Stanny Van Paesschen and O de Pomme had provided the Belgian discount
score when picking up 16 faults in his opening effort but a clear
round next time out added to four faults each from Ludo Philippaerts
(Parco) and Jos Lansink (AK Caridor Z) left them on a concluding
total of 12.
All four Swedish team members faulted once in round two to leave
them with 16 faults along with Britain's Michael Whitaker (Abrisca),
Scott Smith (Cabri d'Elle), Richard Davenport (Luc) and Robert
Smith (Marius Claudius) but the Spanish only had to add Jesus
Garmendia Echevarria's single error with Espoir de la Haye to
finish with eight on the board and that was good enough for second
place.
The Germans showed just how effective they could have been throughout
the Super League if they had chosen to send out their big guns.
Last Sunday they were in a league of their own, Lars Nieberg (Adlantus
As), Marco Kutscher (Montender) and Christian Ahlmann (Coster)
never touching a pole to seal the cleanest of victories and promoting
their country from fifth to joint-second with the Irish at the
end of this tough, eight-round series which has seen so many twists
and turns since it kicked off at La Baule five months ago.
France however are deserving winners of the 2003 Samsung Super
League, having committed themselves wholeheartedly and graciously
to this new concept in Nations Cup jumping which has helped to
bring the sport to a whole new level.
FEI ensured that journalists covering the European Eventing Championships
were kept fully up-to-date and a live TV-link was provided to
the Press Room at Punchestown showing the second round of the
competition.
FEI President HRH The Infanta Dona Pilar de Borbon joined the
6,500 spectators at the sun-soaked Real Club de Polo de Barcelona
to enjoy this final leg of this exciting series which has captured
the hearts and imagination of riders and spectators alike. Eight
Super Teams, eight Super Venues but only one Samsung Super League
title and - this time around - it is VIVE LA FRANCE!
www.csiobarcelona.com.
1. Germany - 0 faults: Lars Nieberg/Adlantus As FRH 0+0, Marco
Kutscher/Montender 0+0, Christian Ahlmann/Coster 0+0, Ludger Beerbaum/Gladdys
S DNS+DNS.
2. Spain - 8 faults: Rutherford Latham/Galoubette Mondain 0+0,
Jesus Garmendia Echevarria/Espoir de la Haye 13+4, Cayetano Martinez
de Irujo/Delon Va 0+10, Christophe Francois/Oxford 4+0.
Equal 3. Italy - 12 faults: Massimo Grossato/Loro Piana Elkintot
0/4, Vincenzo Chimirri/Askoll Rosa 0/4, Bruno Chimirri/Landknecht
8+4, Roberto Arioldi/Loro Piana Le Mato 0+4. Belgium - 12 faults:
Maurice Van Roosbroeck/Le Coup C 4+16, Stanny Van Paeschen/O de
Pomme 16+0, Ludo Philippaerts/Parco 0+4, Jos Lansink/AK Caridor
Z 0+ 4.
Equal 5. Great Britain - 16 faults: Michael Whitaker/Abrisca 4+4,
Scott Smith/Cabri d'Elle 4+0, Richard Davenport/Luc 0+4, Robert
Smith/Marius Claudius 4+8.
Sweden - 16 faults: Malin Baryard/H&M Butterfly Flip 0+4,
Helena Persson/Classic H 4+4, Royne Zetterman/Richmond Park 4+4,
Helena Lundback/Mynta 0+4.
7. Holland - 20 faults: Eric Van der Vleuten 0+8, Jan Tops/Roofs
0+8, Albert Zoer/Lowina 0+4, Gert Jan Bruggink/Joel DNS+4.
8. Ireland - 24 faults: Harry Marshall/Splendido 12+4, Marie Burke/Chippison
8+8, Lt Shane Carey/Killossery 4+0, Cian O'Connor/Waterford Crystal
4+4.
9. France - 28 faults: Florian Angot/First de Launay 0+4, Laurent
Goffinet/Flipper d'Elle 4+12, Bruno Broucqsault/Dileme de Cephe
4+35, Hubert Bourdy/Eve de Etisses 0+8.
SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE LEADERBOARD
1. France - 53.53
Equal 2, Ireland and Germany - 43.75
4. Great Britain - 43.0
5. Belgium - 30.5
6. Holland - 29.0
7. Italy - 25.83
8. Sweden - 23.33 (relegated)
SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE - NATIONAL PRIDE, INTERNATIONAL PASSION!
FEI HIGHEST DISTINCTION AWARDED TO KUN HEE LEE
During the Gala dinner hosted by Samsung Electronics on Sunday
21 September in Barcelona to celebrate the conclusion of the first
Samsung Super League season, the President of the FEI, HRH The
Infanta Doña Pilar de Borbõn presented the FEI Award
for Dedicated and Distinguished Services to Equestrian Sport to
Mr Kun Hee Lee, Chairman of the Samsung Group and IOC Member.
The Award was presented to Mr Jae Young Lee, representing Mr Kun
Hee Lee.
Mr Kun Hee Lee, known as Chairman Lee, strongly believes in the
values of sport, and is for many years a major promoter of sport
in Asia, and also worldwide, through his engagement in the Olympic
Movement and many other sports initiatives.
The support and involvement of Chairman Lee has been of crucial
importance to help emerging nations to develop equestrian sport
in their country, and Samsung Group has been a faithful partner
of the FEI since 1998. Very fond of horses, Chairman Lee has put
in place a structure for the training and participation of Korean
riders in international competitions, which has proven very successful.
Over the last decade, Korea's experience in equestrian sport has
grown stronger, as shown by the recent qualification of a Korean
Jumping team for the 2004 Olympic Games.
www.horsesport.org
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