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Federation
Equestre Internationale News
Samsung Super League
Coming Your Way Very Soon!
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With
just ten days to go before the Samsung Super League series begins
at La Baule, the National Federations have nominated their squads
and the stage is set for what promises to be a tough and thrilling
opening leg.
Next
Monday the definite entries for the French fixture will be confirmed,
but it is already clear that the new series has captured the interest
and commitment of many of the best riders in the world so, this
summer, we can look forward to some gigantic clashes as each participating
nation strives to prove it is the greatest - not just once - but
time and time again!
The
eight-strong German nomination includes both Ludger Beerbaum and
recent World Cup winner Marcus Ehning, while Angelique Hoorn and
Jan Tops are two of the five Dutch nominees. The British, at last
shaking off the malaise of recent years, are back in fighting
form with a new-look squad including young Richard Davenport and
the veteran Michael Whitaker while Jerry Smit and Roberto Arioldi
are amongst the nine proposed by the Italian Federation.
The
Irish selection is already made with just four riders listed including
last year's Samsung Nations Cup Leading Horse and Rider combination
of Cian O'Connor and Waterford Crystal along with Peter Charles,
who this season is armed with the former Lesley McNaught ride,
Pershing. Malin Baryard, who came so close to taking the World
Cup title in Las Vegas is amongst the Swedish entry along with
Peter Eriksson but the host country is taking no chances.
Three
of the four stallions which took team gold at WEG in Jerez are
likely to be lining out in this opening leg so Eric Levallois,
Reynald Angot and Gilles Bertran de Balanda should be in action.
However Dollar du Murier is at stud, so Eric Navet has not put
himself forward.
French
Chef d'Equipe, Jean-Maurice Bonneau, should be feeling quite confident
then that his boys will put on a good show on their home ground
but he had an interesting conversation with Belgium's Ludo Philippaerts
in Las Vegas. Just how seriously the top riders are taking the
Samsung Super League challenge was underlined when Ludo explained
to the Frenchman that he has weighed up the season ahead of him
and has decided to put all other commitments aside while he concentrates
his energies on the Super League circuit in 2003.
With
excellent prizemoney and shows providing competitive opportunities
to boost rider rankings on the computer listing, there is every
reason to embrace the Samsung Super League series fully. Points
are also available for good individual performances in the Nations
Cup classes so Ludo has revised his plans with all of that in
mind.
The
all-important draw for the Nations Cup competition takes place
during the official launch of the Samsung Super League series
at 20.45 on Friday May 9th in La Baule and, as soon as the result
is known, we will send you the full details. A good position in
this opening leg could be very significant indeed so every Chef
d'Equipe will be hoping to pick No. 8 out of the hat!
As
the series draws nearer there has been further clarification of
the situation regarding the participation of teams at each event.
In La Baule, Rome, Hickstead, Dublin and Rotterdam only the eight
Super League teams will compete while at St. Gallen, and for the
final event in Barcelona, the national teams are also invited.
A team from the United States of America has, exceptionally, been
invited to Aachen.
A
reminder of the schedule for this first running of the Samsung
Super League series:
Round
Venue/Date Nations Cup Day
1. La Baule FRA (8-11 May) Sunday 11 May
2. Rome ITA (22-25 May) Friday 23 May
3. St Gallen SUI (29 May-1 June)Sunday 1 June
4. Aachen GER (17-22 June) Friday 20 June
5. Hickstead GBR (23-27 July) Friday 25 July
6. Dublin IRL (6-10 August) Friday 8 August
7. Rotterdam NED (28-31 August)Friday 29 August
8. Barcelona ESP (18-21 September)Sunday 21 September.
Eight
super competitions, eight super teams but only one Samsung Super
League winner! Which country will it be? In ten days time the
story will begin to unfold...
Press
kits and further information on La Baule are available on website:
www.labaule-cheval.com.
YOU
CAN SEE IT ON TV!
The
first leg of the Samsung Super League series at La Baule will
be broadcast as follows -
Broadcaster Broadcast Date Repeats
Equidia
(Host Broadcaster) Sun 11 May 18.00-19.30 Sun 11 May 23.00-00.30
Eurosport
Wed 14 May 22.00-23.00 Thurs 15 May 09.00-10.00
CNBC
Sports (Europe GMT) Sat 24 May 13.00-14.00
(Asia HKT) Sat 31 May 15.00-16.00
ESPN
Star Sports (Star Asia) Wed 21 May 18.00-19.00
Sun 25 May 04.00-05.00
(Star SE Asia) Wed 21 May 18.00-19.00
Thurs 22 May 04.00-05.00
(Star India) Thurs 22 May 14.30-15.30
Sat 24 May 05.00-06.00.
M-NET
Fri 6 June (no time confirmed)
TV4
Weds 14 May 20.00
NOS (Netherlands) Live/Delayed Live
RAI (Italy) Live/Delayed Live
TVE (Spain) Live/Delayed Live.
Want to know more? You can check the full rules for the Samsung
Super League series on the FEI website, section reference - rules
http://www.horsesport.org/fei/reference/reference_03/ref_03_02.html
The
Samsung Super League consists of the eight most prestigious horse
shows at which the world's eight best national teams compare their
merit. The Super League is connected to the Samsung Nations Cup
Series through a promotion/relegation system at the end of each
season.
Samsung
Electronics, one of the world's largest electronics companies,
is committed to supporting international sporting events thereby
returning corporate profits to the public and working towards
a more harmonious and equitable society.
For more information:
www.horsesport.org
.
