Eventing: European Championships: Britain poised in second place after dressage at the HSBC FEI Eventing European Championships 2011

Dressage at the HSBC FEI Eventing European Championships may not have all gone GB’s way but despite this the professionalism of the British quartet has won through. The team of Mary King, Piggy French, William Fox-Pitt and Nicola Wilson chased every mark, pulling through to maintain their overnight position and finish in second place after the dressage phase of the competition on 121.90.

The score keeps them in touch of home nation Germany who leads the competition by 23.20 points going into the cross country phase. It also sees off competitive scores from the Italians in third and the Swedish in fourth on 128.30 and 128.70 respectively.

Four of the five Brits currently lie in the top 20 of the individual standings with championship rookie Laura Collett top of the bunch. Cantering down the centre line for her first senior call-up as an individual the 21 year old proved she can more than hold her own with Mr Jason Houghton’s 12 year old gelding Rayef. The pair rode a polished test for 35.4 to go into joint fourth place after dressage, scoring 9’s for their trot work.

“He was such a good boy, I’m so chuffed with him” said Laura. “He’s been quiet all week as there’s not much atmosphere elsewhere but he got quite bright going into the arena. As soon as we went in he knuckled down though and is becoming a real performer as he gets used to these bigger occasions. Apart from one mistake in his final change he was faultless; this test is definitely up there with his best.”

Mary King ends the dressage best of the team riders in 10th position with the 14 year old Irish Sports horse Imperial Cavalier owned by Miss Janette Chinn and Mr & Mrs Edwin Davies. They rode a smooth, consistent test to produce their best score together of 38.80.

“Thank goodness the test wasn’t yesterday!” said Mary “Today Archie [Imperial Cavalier] got control of his nerves, he was very bright but much more relaxed; at WEG he was uncontrollable; better in Badminton and now finally seems to be beginning to settle. There’s quite an atmosphere in there and the wind has picked up but I was pleased he let me ride him; I’m really thrilled.”

Just behind her team mate, Piggy French’s 40.40 she posted yesterday proved good enough for 11th place after a confident ride with the 13 year old bay gelding Jakata owned by her father, Wally French and Michael Underwood. Meanwhile trailblazer Nicola Wilson’s 52.70 with Opposition Buzz places them 39th in the individual standings.

Reigning world silver medallist and team anchorman William Fox-Pitt recovered from a shaky start in the arena on Cool Mountain, regaining their poise and producing some wonderful work for 42.70 to go into 17th place.

“He got edgy towards the end of his warm up and carried this into his test” explained William. “He’s usually very reliable and steady but I presume this atmosphere just reminded him of all the excitement in Lexington! It’s a shame as overall the horse has improved so much and is a stronger, much more capable horse. It’s disappointing that he just didn’t quite do it here.”

Germany currently occupies the top four spots with Ingrid Klimke heading the leader board on 30.00 penalties after a sublime test that rocked the crowd with FRH Butts Abraxxas. They may may have won the dressage phase but it’s still all to ride for as we head into the cross country tomorrow.

Captain Mark Phillips has designed the course that he hopes will “keep the attention of the best riders while giving those with less experience a way to get round.”
Commenting on the test ahead William said: “It’s an inviting, galloping course that should ride really well, there are lots of little places where things could go wrong but it’s the timing of the course that will prove crucial, it needs to be tight enough to force some penalties.”




FYI:

Britain come into the championships as World and European team Champions and are chasing their ninth successive European title as well as individual honours.

The host nation Germany are bidding for a first European team gold since 1973

All the British riders are on the UK Sport funded World Class Programme which works with talented riders to maximise their potential and deliver success on the world stage in the three Olympic sports of dressage, eventing, showjumping and the Paralympic sport of para-equestrian dressage. The Programme has been funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, through Exchequer and National Lottery funds, via UK Sport since 1998.

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Polly Stockton out of competition following a minor injury to her horse Regulus

Note:  Ingrid Klemke (GER) Currently in the Lead on 30.0
Polly Stockton out of competition following a minor injury to her horse Regulus

Unfortunately Polly Stockton’s ride Regulus, owned by Mrs Anne Henson, has sustained a minor injury that will prevent him from competing this weekend at the FEI European Eventing Championships 2011, Luhmulen, Germany. The combination were selected to compete as individuals in the championship and due to contest the dressage element of the competition this morning.

Team GBR Eventing Performance Manager Yogi Breisner commented: “Regulus came out for exercise this morning and Polly reported he didn’t feel quite right. It was decided it was in the horse’s best interests not to run him. It’s nothing serious and his long term health will be unaffected but it’s obviously very disappointing for all concerned.”

Polly will remain in Germany until the end of the Championships to support her team mates who are chasing their ninth successive European title as well as individual honours. Their chances remain unchanged by the unfortunate withdrawal of Polly and Regulus.

ENDS

The selected team comprises:

• William Fox-Pitt riding the Hon. Mrs Teresa Stopford Sackville’s Cool Mountain
• Piggy French riding Mr Wally French and Mr Michael Underwood’s Jakata
• Mary King riding Miss Janette Chinn and Mr & Mrs Edwin Davies’s Imperial Cavalier
• Nicola Wilson riding Miss Rosemary Search’s Opposition Buzz
Competing as an individual:
• Laura Collett riding Mr Jason Houghton’s Rayef

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Vaulting: FEI: British News: Double delight for Vaulters in France

Reigning World Champion, Joanne Eccles, has successfully defended her senior female European title at the European Championships in Le Mans, France (16-21 August).

Joanne (22) from Tillicoultry in Scotland, retained the title that in 2009 made her the first Team GBR vaulter to win an FEI Vaulting Championship medal, after a stunning performance aboard her long-standing partner W H Bentley, lunged by father John Eccles.

Her final score of 8.553, one of her highest scores this year, came just 0.02 ahead of Germany’s Sarah Kay, who finished on 8.533, illustrating how closely fought the senior female competition has been this year.

Joanne commented on her result; “It was really good in there. It was a pretty much almost perfect test and was really hard to judge what the score would be at the end. It’s been a tough few days but I’m absolutely ecstatic with the result. In 2009 it was amazing to win my first Championship medal but this time it almost means more as I’ve had to fight so hard for it.”

As well as taking the individual title, Joanne and sister Hannah (19) produced a stunning test in another closely fought competition to take Silver in the Pas de Deux, with a final score of 8.411, just 0.008 behind the eventual Gold medallists, Germany (8.419). Bronze went to Austria, who finished on 8.245.

This is only the second Championship medal for Great Britain in the Pas de Deux, after the sisters achieved Silver at the FEI Pairs Championships last year in Austria.

The pair, who are members of the Wee County Vaulting Group, compete the Pas de Deux on W H Bentley, again lunged by their father John.

Chef d’Equipe for the Vaulting squad, Lucy Bell added; “It’s been a long week and has been very tense and tight throughout the two competitions. There was a lot of pressure going into the arena today but as always brilliant performances were delivered on both counts; it’s a fantastic result for both Joanne and Hannah and for British Vaulting.”

For full competition details visit www.boulerie-jump.com

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Dressage: FEI: European Championships: British riders add silver and bronze individual medals to the European team gold already in the bag

British Equestrian Federation Press Release
Date: 20/08/11. For immediate release

GB’s Carl Hester and Laura Bechtolsheimer once again rose to the fore in magnificent form to claim individual titles in today’s grand prix special. Their medals add to the team gold already won two days ago by the accomplished quartet of riders at a championship where British dressage has truly come of age. The pair claimed silver and bronze respectively in a nail-biting contest at the FEI European Dressage Championships 2011, Rotterdam, 20 August.

Dutch threat Adelinde Cornilessen was first of the big guns to ride with her reigning European Champion horse Parzival.  Despite an error of course they set the bar high, posting a massive score of 82.113% for their home crowd that the British and German riders would have to go all out to beat.

GB’s team rookie and talk of the town, Charlotte Dujardin was first to try her hand with Valegro. The young combination wowed the judges as they had in their grand prix test but a couple of expensive mistakes kept them out of the eventual shakeup to finish sixth with a healthy 76.548%.

Laura Bechtolsheimer was having the “ride of her life” with the huge chestnut gelding Mistral Hojris until he dropped off the hand after the extended walk. “When a big horse like that loses the impulsion it’s hard to keep everything together and the errors creep in.” She explained. “He got away from me in the grand prix test on Thursday; maybe I warmed him up just a bit too much to be sure the same wouldn’t happen again today.” But beautiful riding still coaxed him round for a score good enough for 79.196%.

Penultimate rider to go, Carl Hester, knew he was in with a shout if he and his horse Uthopia, who he co-owns with Sasha Stewart, could repeat the quality of work they’d produced just two days before for the grand prix. The pair danced their way through a sparkling test, again producing spectacular extended trot and passage work but an unfortunate slip-up in the one time changes caused a third Brit to drop vital points. “I was completely focussed trying to ride my extensions for 10’s and the passage as high as I could get them. It felt amazing until he tripped in the canter work, I got out of timing and we just lost our rhythm.” said Carl who still earned a PB of 81.682%.

Only the record breaking super-stallion Totilas, last to go with his new German rider Alexander Matthias Rath, could knock a Brit from the podium. Instead Rath, who has struggled all week to create the magic we know his mount is capable of had to settle for 77.039%.

Adelinde’s proved a score that couldn’t be beaten and the Dutch lifted gold leaving the rest of the spoils for the British: Carl Hester claimed silver, his first ever individual medal and Laura Bechtolsheimer equalled her 2009 European performance to take the bronze.

“I either had to steal one or win one to make my career complete” joked Carl “I’ve come here with a young horse and he’s produced the best work he’s capable of at this time. Our focus was the grand prix and the team medal but I just enjoy riding the special so much, to win silver is amazing.”

“Should’ve, would’ve, could’ve” quipped Laura “I’m still really happy with bronze and especially to get two British riders on the podium is just fantastic! I’m so proud!”

Earlier in the day Britain’s fourth rider Emile Faurie and the 12 year old Dutch bred gelding Elmegardens Marquis posted a respectable score of 68.542% to finish in eventual 21st place.

Carl Hester, Laura Bechtolsheimer and Charlotte Dujardin all ride in tomorrow’s final, the grand prix freestyle to music competition, where a second set of individual medals is up for grabs.

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Historic first Championship Gold medal for British Dressage

18 August, 2011

Spectacular rides from each of the British quartet sealed an historic victory for Team GBR at the FEI European Dressage Championships 2011, Rotterdam, 18 August 2011.  Each rider gave their all to secure the first gold medal ever won in dressage on the World stage and in doing so, fulfilled the hopes of a dressage nation that has risen to meteoric success in three short years. Their final team score of 238.678 set a new European record and sealed an emphatic win over Germany and the Netherlands.

Gloucestershire-based Charlotte Dujardin first ignited British hopes, setting alight day one of the competition with the 9 year old Valegro, who is co-owned by her mentor Carl Hester and Roly Luard.  Riding only their sixth International Grand Prix test together the pair produced a sparkling test to score a PB of 78.30% that was also good enough for fourth. Alongside Emile Faurie’s trailblazing score of 70.426% that he banked with Joanne Vaughan’s Elmegardens Marquis, the Brits had laid down the gauntlet for the competition.

Excitement rose as Carl Hester produced a breathtakingly beautiful test with the 10 year old Uthopia, causing the crowd to gasp and murmur, as he put the horse he co-owns with Sasha Stewart through its paces. Their score of 82.568%, another personal best, confirmed it, catapulting the team into the lead and leaving Carl top of the scoreboard.  “This is a dream” he commented “and even more fantastic because we’ve had the horse since he was a 4 year old; he’s a family pet who’s turned into a superstar.”

Even without Laura’s score, Germany would have needed 85.165% to knock Team GBR off the gold medal position after expensive mistakes from each of their first three riders. In the cauldron of pressure of the Kralingse Bos arena Alexander Matthias Rath and Totilas made uncharacteristic errors in the onetime changes and final passage for 79.453% to seal the win for Britain.

Meanwhile, Laura Bechtolsheimer rode superbly to guide a hot Mistral Horjis home for 77.280%, to finish in fifth place, and help Britain break the European record for a team test. “He was very flighty in there and too bothered by the noise which pushed him over the edge. I felt like a small blonde girl on a big ginger horse, rather than the harmonious picture we usually go for!” she joked. “Still I don’t think I can be too upset, this is still fairly indescribable.”

Charlotte summed up saying: “We came here all hoping to win gold, so it’s kind of crazy that we have!”

The British victory left the Dutch and Germans to fight it out for silver. After a heroic performance from Adelinde Cornelissen and Parzival (NED) the Netherlands finished in third place with a total of 222.645, behind the Germans on 226.110.

All British riders will compete the Grand Prix Special on Saturday, after Emile finished in eighteenth place.

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Dressage: FEI: European Championships: BRITISH TAKE THE LEAD IN TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP AS DUJARDIN SHINES by Louise Parkes

Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro produced a sparkling test to put Great Britain in the lead after the first day of the team competition at the FEI European Dressage Championships 2011 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands today.  Photo: FEI/Peter Nixon.

FEI EUROPEAN DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS 2011 - Day 1, Team Championship
Rotterdam (NED), 17 August 2011

FEI TV: Join us LIVE on FEI TV for high quality, uninterrupted coverage of the FEI European Dressage Championships 2011 at www.feitv.org

Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) and Valegro created a great buzz of excitement with a delightful late-morning test at the FEI European Dressage Championships 2011 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands today that put the British on course for team gold for the first time in the 25-year history of the event.

A score of 78.830 from the 26 year old who has been working as stable-rider for team-mate Carl Hester for the last four years, has cemented the British position.  And it is now up to Dujardin's boss, Hester riding the exciting Uthopia, and to Laura Bechtolsheimer with Mistral Hojris, to capitalise on the advantage provided by their considerably less-experienced colleague whose score, along with that of veteran Emile Faurie's mark of 70.426 with Elmegardens Marquis, brought the British tally to 149.256.

Germany lies second as the action resumes in the morning, but they are heading the third-placed defending champions from The Netherlands by only just over a single point, so the battle for silver and bronze promises to be a close-fought affair.

HELD THE LEAD
Second into the arena, it was Helen Langehanenberg (GER) and Damon Hill NRW who held the lead after the first tranche of riders completed. But there was a tension about the work produced by the German duo who were awarded a score of 71.079. Meanwhile Faurie's calm, controlled ride on the big bay gelding Elmegardens Marquis included some lovely piaffe, but few could have expected that his compatriot Dujardin would produce a personal-best performance on her debut at championship level to place the British in a position of such strength.

Christoph Korschel and Donnperignon bolstered German chances with a score of 71.444 just before Dujardin entered the arena.  But, like Langehanenberg, he admitted afterwards that his test included too many mistakes. "In the tempi changes we are normally good, but we lost a lot of points there and it was disappointing for me, I expected more", Koschel said afterwards.

In contrast, Dujardin had no such complaints.  From the outset her test oozed confidence and coordination, her relationship with the nine-year-old Valegro played out through her lightness of hand as they blended together for a flowing performance that began with an average score of 8.9 for extended trot and hardly wavered.  It was clear the judges were enjoying what they were seeing, and as Ground Jury President, Poland's Wojtek Markowski, said afterwards, "it was a fantastic ride for Charlotte!".

SENSATION
In her first season at Grand Prix level, Dujardin is already a sensation.  "This feels amazing, I'm thrilled even to get here, very excited, very keen and wanting to do well", she said today.  Asked if she felt under huge pressure this morning, she explained that Valegro had done all his work to perfection during the warm-up so she was amazed when he produced the same result in his test.  But her attitude helps her a lot.  "I don't see going into the arena any different from outside. I go down the centre line like I do at home, I forget about where I am and I just concentrate", she explained.

In stark contrast, that centre line has become something of an issue for The Netherlands’ Hans Peter Minderhoud and Exquis Nadine.  The mare, now 16, really lost her cool in the closing stages of their test during last year's Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Kentucky and although she held firm in the earlier part of her test today there was a mistake after the extended canter "and going down the centre line I never know what she is going to do!" the rider admitted.  He held her together, but, as he said "I hoped to do a little better". The pair earned a mark of 70.912 which, when added to the impressive 70.578 from relative newcomer Sander Marijnissen riding Moedwill, brought the Dutch tally to 141.490, just 1.033 behind the German first-day total.  Nadine of course has had a long and remarkable career that has embraced European and World Championships along with Olympic Games.

All eyes are now, however, on the British going into tomorrow's second-half of the team event.  They took team silver at the FEI European Championships in Lipica, Slovenia in 1993, Faurie was a member of the side that claimed bronze at Hickstead in 2003 and two years ago, again on their home turf at Windsor, they were silver medallists once again.  It seems the path to gold is clearly laid out before them - but Hester and Bechtosheimer have to take them the rest of the way.

Result (at halfway stage of team championship):
1. Great Britain 149.256 - Elmegardens Marquis (Emile Faurie) 70.426, Valegro (Charlotte Dujardin) 78.830;
2, Germany 142.523 - Damon Hill NRW (Helen Langehanenberg) 71.079, Donnperignon (Christoph Koschel) 71.444;
3, The Netherlands 141.490 - Moedwill (Sander Marijnissen) 70.578, Exquis Nadine (Hans Peter Minderhoud) 70.912;
4, Denmark 138.602 - Jonstrupgaardens Raneue (Lisbeth Seierskilde) 69.970, Exquis Clearwater (Anne van Olst) 68.632;
5, Sweden 134.787 - Bocelli 1044 (Rose Mathisen) 68.024, Lennox (Cecilia Dorselius) 66.763;
6, Spain 134.742 - Faberge (Beatriz Ferrer-Salat) 67.742, Jade de MV (Claudio Castilla Ruiz) 66.900; 7, Switzerland 130.851 - Ronaldo 11 (Markus Graf) 64.696, Rokoko N (Elisabeth Eversfield-Koch) 66.155;
8, France 128.526 - Le Guerrier (Anne-Sophie Serre) 65.152, Passe Partout (Sebastien Duperdu) 63.374;
9, Finland 127.812 - Axis TSF (Terhi Stegars) 68.131, MD Waterford (Alexandra Malstrom) 59.681; 10, Belgium 127.402 - Question de Liberte (Johan Zagers) 62.584, Donnerfee (Claudia Fassaert) 64.818;
11, Norway 124.149 - Orlando (Cathrine Rasmussen) 63.906, Carte d'Or (Camilla Kalseth) 60.243;
12, Poland 68.650 - Martini (Beata Stremier) 69.650;
13, Portugal 67.173 - Ziripiti (Maria Caetano) 67.173;
14, Austria 66.474 - Fabriano 58 (Renate Voglsang) 66.474;
15, Italy 61.292 - Harmonia (Ester Soldi) 61.292;
16, Russian Federation 55.699 - Vodevil (Yulia Vinnitskaja) 55.699.

Full results at http://goo.gl/b23Od

Facts and Figures:
30 riders competed on the first day of the Team Competition at the FEI European Dressage Championships in Rotterdam, The Netherlands today.

Great Britain's Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro set the arena alight when last into the arena this morning with a great test that earned a mark of 78.830.

Charlotte, 26 years old, has been stable-rider for team-mate Carl Hester for the last four years.
This is her first season of Grand Prix competition.

16 nations are competing in the team event at the FEI European Dressage Championships 2011.

Quotes:
British team member Emile Faurie, talking about his horse Elmegardens Marquis "I was pleased with him, he was relaxed and did everything I asked of him today".

Germany's Helen Langehanenberg "I was happy with my horse but sadly we had some mistakes - they were bad for us and expensive for us."

Britain's Charlotte Dujardin, when asked if Valegro, which is owned by Carl Hester, is for sale "He's not mine - I don't know!"

Britain's Charlotte Dujardin - "I have the best job in the world - I have nothing but fun working for Carl.  I have been riding Valegro since he was five and he was very successful as a young horse.  He's like a power machine, he's always with me and he was great today.  He's never seen cameras before or anything like that, but he just takes it all in his stride".

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Dressage: European Championships: Brits head the dressage leader board at the halfway stage

Thanks to stunning performances from the two British riders Charlotte Dujardin and Emile Faurie, Britain leads the grand prix team competition at the half way stage of the European Championships 2011. The team posted 149.256 to sit 6.733 points clear of nearest rivals Germany (142.523) with the Dutch close behind on 141.490.

Emile Faurie riding Joanne Vaughan’s Elmegardens Marquis led out as trailblazer for the Brits. He rode a cool, calm test with the 11 year old Michellino gelding to bank a reassuring 70.426%.

“I’m really chuffed!” commented Emile “Max stayed relaxed and concentrated through the whole test. We had a small blip going into the arena where there’s a lot going on but as soon as I turned left I knew I had him with me. Everyone knows he is a hot, excitable horse but he has masses of talent. We’ve had a good season, both of us have come here well prepared and this has been our aim for the year.”

“Of course our ultimate goal is London but there are so many brilliant combinations in Britain we’re really going to have to go some to make the cut. We had to get a championship under our belt to even put ourselves in with a chance.”

“I knew I would be first to go for the team and that we had to get a solid base score on the board so I’m really proud of the horse for what he did today. I’m certain there is at least another 5% in him and his owner Joanne has always believed in him.”

26 year old Charlotte Dujardin made her championship team debut count, taking the arena by storm with the nine year old Negro bred gelding Valegro co-owned by Carl Hester and Roly Luard. The pair rode a confident and polished test that belied their relative inexperience, sweeping them into the lead with a massive personal best of 78.830%.

“I’m over the moon and to score a PB is really special, especially with two extra judges sitting there to watch our every move!” said Charlotte. “After Hickstead we’ve been able to sharpen up a few things and come here ready to rock and roll. Blueberry [Valegro] is so brilliant in his mind; he wants to do it and learns so fast.  He grows out of mistakes he makes in weeks, problems that other horses would take a season to get over.”

“I’m so lucky to have Carl behind me; he’s made it all possible really – he’s so supportive and keeps me on the straight and narrow. I’ve just had fantastic opportunities and owe it all to the support of the people around me, Roly Luard, who half owns Blueberry, the Lottery funding behind us, and the whole World Class support team. It’s all incredible.”

34 competitors are yet to ride and with top horse and rider combinations still to come including British team mates Carl Hester and Laura Bechtolsheimer, tomorrow's competition promises an exciting climax before the individual sections, the grand prix special and grand prix freestyle classes take place on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 August respectively.

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Eventing: British Team head to Germany for the HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships 2011

15th August 2011
British Equestrian Federation Press Release 

In just over a week’s time the British Senior Eventing team will begin competition at the Senior European Championships in Luhmühlen, Germany. The team will go there focused on producing their best performances in what is the final Championship before the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Polly Stockton’s ride, Westwood Poser suffered a slight injury during training and will not be able to compete at Luhmühlen; she will now be taking her reserve horse Regulus to contest the Championships.

The selected squad comprises:

Laura Collett riding Mr Jason Houghton’s Rayef
William Fox-Pitt riding the Hon. Mrs Teresa Stopford Sackville’s Cool Mountain
Piggy French riding Mr Wally French and Mr Michael Underwood’s Jakata
Mary King riding Miss Janette Chinn and Mr & Mrs Edwin Davies’s Imperial Cavalier
Polly Stockton riding her own and Mrs Anne Henson’s Regulus
Nicola Wilson riding Miss Rosemary Search’s Opposition Buzz
Download the British Senior squad booklet from the British Eventing website here: http://bit.ly/pJTLtt

Lucy Wiegersma and Francis Whittington are the reserve riders with Woodfalls Inigo Jones and Sir Percival III respectively.

The four riders to compete in the Team Competition at the Championships will be selected at event, following the trot up. The remaining two horses and riders will represent Britain as individuals; their results will not affect the overall team score.

All the news and behind the scenes views in the run up to and during the European Championships can be found on both British Eventing and Equestrian Team GBR’s websites visit www.britisheventing.com and www.equestrianteamgbr.co.uk for more details.

All six selected riders are currently on the World Class Programme, which is generously supported by Lottery and Exchequer funding via UK Sport. The Programme incorporates both the Development and Performance Programmes and the Equine Pathway, and works closely with the three BEF Olympic Member Bodies, British Dressage, British Eventing and British Showjumping.

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Eventing: Young Riders: British Young Riders compete in European Championships on home turf

Following a squad training camp at Addington Manor over the weekend, twelve British riders aged between 19 and 21 will this week contest the 2011 Young Rider European Championships at Blair Castle (Perthshire, 18 - 21 August 2011).

See photos and biogs from this year’s squad in our free downloadable booklet http://bit.ly/ooouhP, and view the full list of British Young rider European Championship achievements since 1981 on our website by following this link http://bit.ly/ewgRlL

Chairman of the Young Rider squad, Alex Colquhoun says: “Being part of the building blocks of developing riders of the future is fantastic: we have seen riders such as William Fox-Pitt, Zara Phillips, Piggy French and Tina Cook go from successful young riders to senior team medalists.”

The squad of twelve in alphabetical order is:
Giles Blanchard from Oxfordshire riding his own horse Jeopardy
Rebecca Crosbie-Starling from Lincolnshire riding her own Clifton Clicquot
Laura Cocking from Conwy riding her own Arkendale
Harry Dzenis from Surrey riding his own Rockin Robin
Mary Edmundson from Suffolk riding  Mrs Debbie Edmundson and Mrs Jenny Ellins’ Sonny Early
Dani Evans from Bristol riding Mrs Heather Sheppard’s Uchin
Sophie Jenman from Kent riding her own Geronimo
Sam Lees from Essex riding his own Heads Your Gray
Tom McEwen from Wiltshire riding Miss Leela L Patel & Mr David Hamilton’s Private Rudolf
Willa Newton from Leicestershire riding her father Mr Joey Newton’s Neelix
Wills Oakden from Fife riding Mrs Cindy Onslow’s Button Clover
Gina Ruck from Lincolnshire riding her own Viper Priba

The team of four will be announced on Wednesday following the initial veterinary inspection.

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Eventing: HSBC: Mary King Tops the HSBC Rankings

Mary King (GBR), the first rider to wear the red and white armband featuring “HSBC Eventing World Rankings Leader”.

 
HSBC, in partnership with the FEI, has created a rider armband to identify the current leader in the HSBC Rankings.

The red and white armband featuring “HSBC Eventing World Rankings Leader” will be debuted by Mary King (GBR), remaining with her for as long as she stays at the top of the HSBC Rankings. The armband will be passed on if King is overtaken in the rankings.

In a further initiative, the rider at the top of the HSBC Rankings at the end of the 2011 Eventing season will receive a 50,000 USD bonus.

Mary King, Rolex Kentucky winner and runner-up, currently leads the HSBC Rankings with 634 points – a single point ahead of compatriot William Fox-Pitt (633). Andrew Nicholson (NZL) is third with 506 points.

As the HSBC Rankings are announced on the first day of every month, all eyes at the beginning of August will be on who will be wearing the new armband at the HSBC FEI European Championships 2011 in Luhmühlen (25-28 August).

“I think this is a lovely way for fans to follow the rankings and easily see who the leading rider is,” said Mary King, HSBC World Rankings leading rider for July. “I’m delighted to be wearing it for the first time and hope to be sporting it again this season.”

“Our elite Eventing riders have all been on song this season - it’s been thrilling to watch and is creating immense excitement in the run up to London 2012,” said Catrin Norinder, Director of the FEI’s Eventing & Olympic Department. “Mary King’s performances this season, and especially at the second leg of the HSBC FEI Classics™ at Rolex Kentucky, are extraordinary and we’re looking forward to a great summer of sport.”

The HSBC Rankings were launched in 2008, when HSBC became the global sponsor of FEI Eventing.

This latest initiative follows HSBC’s decision to renew its support for a further three-year term to include title sponsorships of HSBC FEI Classics™ until the end of 2013 and of the HSBC FEI European Eventing Championships in 2011 and 2013.

View the HSBC Rankings here and read about HSBC’s involvement with the FEI and equestrian sports here.
 

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British News: Funding opportunities for talented riders in England

1 July 2011

Up and coming young riders based in England can now seek the benefit of two British Equestrian Federation (BEF) managed programmes to help them succeed in their goals to be the stars of tomorrow.  A new BEF Excel Talent Programme, built on the success of the Regional Foundation squads, launches this summer with applications opening in August. Meanwhile the established Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme opens its doors for a new round of funding applications from July 1st.

Young athletes with ambitions to reach the top as a show jumping, dressage, para-equestrian dressage or event rider are encouraged to apply.

BEF England Excel Talent Programme

The Excel Talent Programme will offer support and guidance for up and coming riders by offering a tailored pathway to support future sporting success. The Programme, which has been set up through funding from Sport England, will provide riders with the opportunity to access top equestrian specialists including coaches, physiotherapists, vets and nutritionists via a series of high quality performance camps.

The revised, nationalised format will allow the BEF to provide a heightened level of expertise to that available in the Regional Foundation squads, so aiding riders’ development as all-round athletes. Excel Talent Programme managers are working closely with British Dressage, British Eventing and British Showjumping to ensure they add value to what is already on offer through the disciplines.

30 year old Vicky Barrick from Epping is a Grade II para-equestrian dressage rider and a member of the East Midlands Foundation Squad. Vicky has enjoyed a recent run of success with her horse Trust Smartie and attributes her rise in form to the coaching she received through the current programme: “Being on the Foundation Squad has helped me no end, both on and off the horse.  I have been given so many opportunities to learn about all aspects of training and competing; it has taught me not to be a passenger but to be a rider and thanks to the squad training my percentage scores have gone from the 60's to the 70's which is amazing. Being part of a team has been fantastic and I've made some great friends. I’ll definitely be applying for the Excel Talent Programme which sounds like it will offer even more support than before.”

Head of BEF Regional Development Maggie Still added: “The new Excel Talent Programme is born out of the success of the Regional Foundation Programmes. Quality has always been a hallmark of the scheme but now we need to focus the resources that we have on those riders who are close to the World Class pathway. Excel will still enable us to identify talent at a regional level but help us channel our resources into delivering even higher standards of training to take riders to the top.”

Applications open on Monday 1st August and riders should be between 16 and 24 years old on first application. Further information and selection criteria can now be viewed on the BEF website.

TASS

Applications for the Talented Athlete Scholarship Programme (TASS) for equestrian sport launches today (1st July), remaining open until Friday 29th July 2011. Riders from dressage, eventing, para-equestrian dressage and showjumping are invited to apply.

Now in its eighth year, the Government funded programme assists Great Britain’s most talented young athletes who wish to optimise the effectiveness of their sport and their academic programmes. The TASS programme aims to provide a seamless transition for riders, filling the gaps in current provision between the World Class Programmes as well as providing a stepping stone for 'non-funded' riders into the World Class Start, Potential and Performance Programmes.

It enables them to take advantage of a scheme that will propel them towards Olympic medals, whilst ensuring that they can fulfil their academic potential alongside their sporting ambitions. This system is driven through partnership working between Higher Education Institutions, Further Education Colleges National Governing Bodies of Sport and other sports organisations.

The following criteria are used to determine eligibility for the Programme:

• Aged between 15 (16 by 1st June 2012) – 25 years (35 for para-equestrian riders)
• Recognised from performance profile to be a potential future international winner
• Commitment to an agreed annual training programme
• Commitment to an agreed annual competition programme (where applicable)
• Meet minimum academic entry requirements
• Studying at/with an organisation based in England

For more information about the programme and for an application form please visit www.bef.co.uk

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Para Dressage: Top British Para Equestrian Dressage rider Lee Pearson to miss out on selection for the 2011 European Championships

BEF Press Release: 8 June 2011
For immediate release

Nine times Paralympic gold medallist Lee Pearson will miss out on selection for the 2011 European Championships in September this year, the last major championships in the sport before London 2012. The 37 year old from Cheddleton in Staffordshire fell from his horse during a training session, injuring his back and putting him out of the saddle for the next eight weeks.

As a member of the elite World Class Performance Squad Lee received specialist medical support through the Lottery funded Programme where an MRI scan revealed he had fractured three vertebrae and crushed a fourth. “The news came as quite a shock” revealed Lee “I thought I must have sprained it as I’m able to carry on with life pretty much as normal. It’s just uncomfortable to ride; I never dreamed it could be broken.”

Although the fractures are stable and Pearson expects to make a full recovery he has been advised not to ride to allow everything time to heal and will be working closely with World Class Programme medical professionals as he recuperates. The enforced rest will mean he will miss the vital selection events, putting him out of contention for selection for the Para Equestrian Dressage European Championships that take place in September this year. It will also deny him the opportunity to add to the tally of 27 championship gold medals he has won so far in his illustrious career at the top of his sport.

Pearson is philosophical about the news: “Nothing is set in stone and I could be riding again sooner than I think but either way it’s much more important that I’m injury free and back in form for the London Paralympics next year.”

Equestrian Team GBR Performance Director Will Connell commented;

"All within the World Class Programme and the Federation wish Lee a speedy recovery and we will ensure he receives the very best support along the road back to the Podium.  Lee has been at the epicentre of the Para-Equestrian Team's many medal successes and we will miss him at the European Championships this year.  I am sure however that all the other riders on the Programme will re-double their efforts to ensure GBR secure a number of medals at the Championships.  We look forward to Lee's return in time for London 2012".

Para-Equestrian Dressage Performance Manager David Hunter added:

“It’s very unfortunate that Lee has had this accident and as a result will miss out on the selection process for the European Championships this year. We are relieved to hear though that it has been picked up early thanks to the excellent medical help we have been able to offer through the World Class Programme. We expect to see him back on board soon and fighting fit for London 2012.”

Once the two remaining selection events at Hickstead and Hartpury competitions have concluded in July, five British riders will be selected to compete at the Para Equestrian Dressage European Championships to be held in Moorsele in Belgium, 1-4 September 2011. The squad will each compete for individual medals and four riders will also contest the team competition where GBR will be looking to retain their unbeaten title. British riders have won team gold at every Paralympic, World and European Championship since the sport began. Lee Pearson will undoubtedly be missed by his fellow team mates but with so much strength in depth British medal hopes will still be high.

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Momentous Milestone for Horse Research

From the British Equestrian Federation:

The country’s first free source of research summaries available for the public to use has reached its first milestone, having just passed its 2,000th research upload.

Whilst research might sound like a dry subject, people within the horse world may often have asked themselves whether anyone has ever looked into how much exercise a horse needs to reduce the risks of laminitis, or the effects of rein tension on the bit position in a horse’s mouth. Within the 2,000 research summaries (abstracts) on the British Equestrian Federation’s Researching Equines Database (BEFRED, www.befred.org), you can find the indicators.

The research featured on BEFRED ranges from work carried out by undergraduates to full-blown PhDs and the status attained by each research project (in terms of whether it has been reviewed by independent authorities or not) is always made clear.

Whether your interest lies in horse anatomy, health, breeding, tack or nutrition, you will almost certainly find some related research on BEFRED. This could steer you in your next direction when you are looking to gather information on pretty much anything to do with the horse world.
The British Equestrian Federation (www.bef.co.uk) is the National Governing Body for horse sports in the UK. BEF has funded the development of BEFRED (www.befred.org) from its inception as the former World Undergraduate Equine Research Database in 1999 by Prof Graham Suggett and Arne Suggett, with the strong support of Prof Pat Harris.

BEFRED’s continued development is managed by the BEF and overseen by the BEF’s Research Consultant Dr Georgina Crossman.

Research abstracts have been uploaded by over 45 research establishments and journals and the number currently sits at 2,053. The full research papers supporting the abstracts can be obtained, often at no charge, by following the links on BEFRED.

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Vaulting: Double delight for WEG Gold Medalist Joanne Eccles

Leading equestrian vaulter Joanne Eccles proved worthy of her European and World Champion rankings this weekend (30 April – 1 May) – as she picked up the title in the CVI** Ermelo in Holland, making it two international titles in a fortnight!

Joanne (22) from Tillicoultry, Scotland took the senior female class with her sister Hannah just missing out on second place by just 0.16 of a point. Lunged by their father John Eccles on WH Bentley, the girls also won the pairs class.

Brogan Moffat and Georgia Cox travelled out to compete in the junior individual class; they both vaulted on WVC Anton, lunged by John Eccles, and finished 23rd and 30th respectively.

“This was a great competition,” said Lucy Bell, chef d’equipe of British Equestrian Vaulting, “I’m so pleased for all the girls – and to see Joanne win again is a fantastic achievement and is great for British Vaulting.”

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Video Alert: Eventing: Badminton: Cross-Country Course Walk with Hugh Thomas

Badminton has released an excellent cross-country course walk video hosted by Badminton Course Designer Hugh Thomas and Sharon Hunt...

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Eventing: Britain: The Sponsored Series season opens in Lincolnshire whilst WEG Gold Medal winners shine all over the country.

Lincolnshire’s Oasby Horse Trials hosted the first of two of the eagerly anticipated youth Eventing series this year. The KBIS British Equestrian sponsored class, aimed at under 18 year olds (BE100 U-18) and the Charles Owen Pony Trials, which are part of the selection programme for riders aged 12-15 on ponies between 142 and 148cms in height.

British Equestrian Federation: BEF Announces Changes to the National Equine Anti Doping and Controlled Medication Rules

8th March 2011

The British Equestrian Federation has today announced a new set of National Equine Anti Doping and Controlled Medication rules (BEFAR).