Eventing: Rolex Kentucky: The Press Take A Course Walk -- From the Back of a Horse

A group of 12 riders toured the 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event**** cross-country course on Thursday, April 28 on the Rolex Ride The Course media trail ride.     Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

Writer and Photographer Kim MacMillan took a 2011 Rolex Kentucky course walk -- on horseback at the invitation of Rolex Kentucky title sponsor Rolex Watch. She and several of our fellow members of the working press were invited to take a ride with USEF President and Canadian Chef d'Equipe David O'Connor, Course Designer Derek DiGrazia, and 4* rider Bobby Costello. With a few photos and a video clip shot by Kim's husband Allen to serve as proof that some members of the press can ride, Kim and the others learned that the course looks a bit different when the view is from the back of a horse.

 The e-mail in my inbox said “Rolex Ride the Course invitation” - it was from Merrick Haydon at Revolution Sports Marketing Group in England, the marketing firm for Rolex Watch. I was intrigued and opened it to find I had been invited as one of a select group of journalists to ride the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event**** course to see the obstacles from the perspective of the rider. I couldn’t resist replying that I would be happy to join the ride.

Mother Nature did her best to do away with the plans for the ride, which was originally scheduled for Wednesday, April 27, the day before the start of dressage. The ride had to be postponed because of tornado watches and warnings in the area on Wednesday, but immediately following the press conference for the first day of dressage on Thursday, we were whisked away in golf carts from the media center to the Head of the Lake obstacle where we met our mounts - horses and ponies from the Kentucky Horse Park (KHP) trail ride string.

Kim MacMillan and Pocahontas stand near four-star rider Robert Costello as they listen to David O’Connor talk about the Head of the Lake obstacle on the 2011 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event****.   Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

As the wrangler matched us with our horses, she pointed at me and said, “You, the short lady,” with a smile and I looked around to find she was addressing me as I was, in fact, the shortest, and probably the oldest at “50-something”, rider in the group. She paired me with a wonderful, mild-mannered Appaloosa named Pocahontas, the only mare in the group, primarily because she was wearing a western saddle with the shortest stirrups.

The horse matching continued with our host USEF President and Olympic gold medalist David O’Connor being paired with a red roan named Scout and fellow four-star rider and our co-host Robert (Bobby) Costello getting the ride on a slightly frisky dark horse. After all of us, two hosts, three KHP wranglers and seven journalists, were assigned horses, we got underway with a train of golf carts with Haydon, a photographer and television camera following us. O’Connor led and as he turned Scout he said, “Welcome to the first annual Rolex media trail ride.”

David O’Connor mounts up to start the Rolex Ride The Course media trail ride on his horse Scout. Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

We first turned our attention to the Head of the Lake complex (jump numbers 18 a-b, 19 a-b and 20) which due to the excessive amounts of rain (Lexington had the most rainfall in April on record since they started keeping track in the 1800’s) was quite deep. Karen O’Connor in her Wellies waded out as far into the Lake as she could without overflowing her boots to show us the depth and David and Bobby discussed the approach and options. They were trying to let water out in order to lower the depth to an acceptable level by Saturday.

Video by Allen MacMillan - Karen O’Connor in the Head of the Lake and David O’Connor and Bobby Costello with journalists on trail ride.

As we rode the course and I looked at the jumps through Pocahontas’ ears, I couldn’t help being glad I was a journalist and not a four-star rider! It was an interesting challenge for all of us, many trying to take notes with pen and paper or snapshots with small cameras in an effort to try to remember enough details to write about our unique experience.

Then we went up the hill to the east of the course and stopped at number 11 a-b-c-d, the Sunken Road, normally a 3’9” jump over rails, then down a 3’7” bank into a dry road bed, then up a 3’7” bank and over another 4’7” brushed bench, but now also a water obstacle with water rushing down the sunken road in the middle. (Later on Saturday I would be stationed there to photograph in the morning and it had only a little water in it then.)

We continued on to number 15 a-b the double corners, a set of 3’11”open corners that O’Connor and Costello talked quite a bit about from their viewpoints as riders and as coaches for other riders. The corners were assembled with frangible pins. O’Connor and Costello also fielded questions about number 13 a-b, the Land Rover Hollow, which was further to the east, but due to the soft course and late hour, we did not ride out that far.

David O’Connor mounted on Scout (red roan on right) addresses the journalists on the Rolex Ride The Course media ride on April 28, 2011. Photo by Allen MacMillan/MacMillan Photography

Our trail ride then turned back west and we stopped at number 7 a-b-c, the Bridgestone Park Question, which was a set of 3’8” vertical rails, then a 5’3” wide coffin (ditch) and a 3’10” cabin jump after the coffin. The coffin was completely obscured by water and they had a sump pump working - it had been going for over a day at that point and would continue to work until Saturday morning. During this stop on the ride a journalist asked O’Connor about whether or not they would leave this obstacle on the course or remove it if the water didn’t go down enough for the horses to see the coffin. He replied if the water did not go down it may have to be removed; happily through huge amounts of work on the part of the course crew and with Mother Nature slowing down the rain (although we did have some more rain on Thursday evening), the Bridgestone Park Question did remain a part of the course on  Saturday.

In our last few minutes on the ride I asked O’Connor and Costello what obstacles would cause them concern if they were riding the course. They had slightly different answers, but both agreed their plan would depend on the horse they were riding at the time.

We then wandered down the hill to the steeplechase infield and discussed the infield water and other obstacles, after which our media ride sadly ended at the water truck filling spot on Nina Bonnie Boulevard. We walked back to the media center in the covered arena, a bunch of happy journalist saddle bums!

The concept of riding the course with the four-star riders gave the questions and answers a less formal and more hands-on feel. It was different from the formal press conference setting and gave us all a bond because we were riding together. My thanks to Rolex Watch and Revolution Sports, Mr. O’Connor,  Mr. Costello, Mr. di Grazia and Mr. Haydon, the Kentucky Horse Park staff and especially Pocahontas. It was an experience I will never forget.

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Dressage: USEF Announces Dates and Location for 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions By Joanie Morris

Lexington, KY - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has announced the dates and location for the 2011 Collecting Gaits Farm/USEF Dressage Festival of Champions which will also serve as the USEF Selection Trials for the US Dressage Team for the 2011 Pan American Games.

The competition will be held over four days, September 8-11, 2011, at the USET Foundation Headquarters in Gladstone, NJ.

The best horse/rider combinations in the following divisions will vie for national dressage championships: Grand Prix, Intermediaire I, Young Adult 'Brentina Cup,' Young Rider and Junior. For the first time in 2011, a National Pony Dressage Championship will also be run. 

The Intermediaire I National Championship will also serve as the USEF Selection Trial for the US Dressage Team for the 2011 Pan American Games.

The Pan American Games will run in Guadalajara, Mexico in October, the U.S. Dressage Team will be looking to repeat their Gold medal effort from 2007.  

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Compounded Horse Medications: Legal and Ethical Issues Free Webinar at TheHorse.com, June 1

Lexington, Ky. (May 17, 2011)—Compounded medications fulfill a critically important role in horse health care. While many of these tailored medications are prepared appropriately and lawfully, other compounds aren't what their manufacturers claim they are; several investigations have found that compounded medications can contain more or less active ingredient than intended, resulting in problems ranging from lack of efficacy to death of horses receiving the medication.

When are compounded medications appropriate, and when are they illegal? What can tip you off that a compounded medication might not be safe for your horse? Find out in TheHorse.com's free webinar on compounded horse medications on June 1, 8-9 p.m. EST (brought to you by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica).

Presenter: Scott Stanley, PhD, Professor of Equine Analytical Chemistry at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, has focused his research efforts in the fields of equine analytical chemistry and pharmacology, and he has published more than 100 scientific research papers on topics of drug detection, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and veterinary compounding. His current research interests relate to the use of biomarkers for the detection of biopharmaceutical agents. Stanley will also be available to answer questions online via live text chat during this event, and he will be assisted by:

John Tuttle, DVM, Equine Technical Manager at Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica. After spending 15 years in mixed and equine-only private veterinary practices, he entered industry veterinary work as a technical services veterinarian with Fort Dodge Animal Health, followed by his current position at Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica. His main interests include equine preventive medicine and herd health.

Sign up now for this Webinar at www.TheHorse.com/Webinars. Your registration allows you to watch the video presentation and ask questions live during the presentation, and you can submit your questions via e-mail prior to the Webinar to be answered during the live event. We hope you can join us!

Any questions about the webinar can be directed to THWebinars@TheHorse.com.

Minimum System Requirements:

·         256 megabytes (MB) of RAM; 512 MB recommended.

·         Broadband Internet connection or access to a high-speed network highly recommended.

·         Speakers/headphones on your computer to hear the audio.

·         Flash Player 8 or higher.

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KHC CONTINUES TO COORDINATE KENTUCKY SUPPORT TO HORSES AFFECTED BY NATURAL DISASTERS

Lexington, KY, May 17, 2011 – The Kentucky Horse Council (KHC) provides a central coordination point for Kentucky equine rescue efforts to support horses affected by hurricanes, tornados, floods, fire and other natural disasters. KHC has experience responding to equine crisis through the US Disaster Relief Fund and the Save Our Horses (SoHo) Fund.

“Supporting the efforts of other states to address the needs of horses impacted by natural disaster is the best way we can help them recover.  By coordinating fund raising efforts within the state, we enable Kentuckians to show their concern for all horses,” remarked Anna Zinkhon, President of the Kentucky Horse Council.

The Kentucky Horse Council has been speaking with representatives from the Alabama Horse Council regarding the extensive tornado damage and destruction across the state.  The Alabama Horse Council is coordinating efforts to provide feed for those horses affected by the raging storms and they need financial assistance.

Through the US Disaster Relief Fund, the Kentucky Horse Council will purchase hay needed to care for horses that have either been displaced by the storms, or whose owners are unable to care for them as a result of the storms.   

“Several individuals have been going door to door checking on horse owners.  This is a really time consuming task that only reaches a few affected individuals.  The goal of the Alabama Horse Council, at this time, is to organize a means for all affected Alabama horse owners to get the help they need following a standard procedure,” commented Dr. Gary Koepp, Alabama Horse Council Disaster Coordinator.

Currently the Alabama Horse Council is working with the Department of Agriculture and Alabama Extension to identify the best method by which to provide assistance to horse owners affected by the tornados.

When any state needs assistance due to a natural disaster, KHC notifies its members and the Kentucky horse community and begins the process of responding to the needs of the affected horses, typically by purchasing feed which the local response agencies then distributes to affected horses.

For current information or to donate visit www.kentuckyhorse.org/disaster-relief/.

ABOUT THE KENTUCKY HORSE COUNCIL - The Kentucky Horse Council is a non-profit organization dedicated, through education and leadership, to the protection and development of the Kentucky equine community. The Kentucky Horse Council provides educational programs and information, outreach and communication to Kentucky horse owners and enthusiasts, equine professional networking opportunities through KENA, trail riding advocacy, health and welfare programs, and personal liability insurance and other membership benefits.  The specialty Kentucky Horse Council license plate, featuring a foal lying in the grass, provides the primary source of revenue for KHC programs.

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Reining: World: McCutcheon and Schmersal to represent U.S. at Inaugural FEI World Reining Final - By Joanie Morris

Lexington, KY - The inaugural FEI World Reining Final gets underway in Malmo, Sweden this week as part of a four-day reining event at Bökeberg, Skåne. The United States will be represented by two of its top reining athletes, Tom McCutcheon and Craig Schmersal.

World Champion and Team Gold medalist from the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, McCutcheon heads to Malmo with the momentum of a banner year at his back. He was named 2010 USEF Equestrian of the Year and his WEG horse, Gunners Special Nite, was crowned 2010 Farnam/USEF Horse of the Year. Gunners Special Nite won't be making this trip, so McCutcheon will be relying on Darlins Not Painted, a 9-year-old American Paint Horse mare owned by Turnabout Farm.

"I always look forward to the opportunity to represent the U.S.," said McCutcheon. "It's always great to show in front of European reining fans, they're loud and they love reining!"

McCutcheon will be joined by WEG Teammate and Individual Silver medalist, Craig Schmersal, who will ride Miss Lil Addy Tude in her first overseas appearance. The 9-year-old American Quarter Horse mare just finished second in the CRI5* at the Ariat Kentucky Reining Cup, proving she can be a formidable opponent in a big venue.

The Final in Malmo marks another important opportunity for the U.S. Reiners to prove their prowess on the world stage. Each National Federation is only invited to send two athletes (with one horse each) to contend for $100,000 in prize money. The one-round event takes place at 19:00 CEST on Saturday May 21.

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Nations Cup: THE SUPER-EIGHT LINE UP FOR THE FEI NATIONS CUP™ 2011 SEASON by Louise Parkes

FEI NATIONS CUP™ - 2011 SEASON PREVIEW
Lausanne (SUI), 10 May 2011

FEI TV: enjoy LIVE programming, highlights, interviews and archive footage at www.feitv.org

The FEI Nations Cup™ Top League series this year reverts to the eight-leg, eight-team format that was originally established in 2003, and next Friday the 2011 season is set to kick off at La Baule in France.

The most enduring of all FEI disciplines, Nations Cup jumping has stirred the hearts and souls of competitors and spectators alike for more than a century now, and the air of excitement and expectation ahead of the new season is tangible.

Visiting many of the most prestigious venues on the international equestrian circuit, the FEI Nations Cup™ has a cachet all of its own. It is always an honour to be selected to represent your country, and riders proudly fly their national flags in this annual battle for supremacy. But it’s not just about which country fields the strongest sides, this series is also a test of the leadership skills of the all-important Chefs d'Equipe, and a test of the character, courage and determination of the competitors who must ride the waves of the fluctuating fortunes that always accompany competitions of this calibre.

Some of the most thrilling moments come not from the winning side, but from the teams that are fighting to stay in the game and avoid relegation. This season the competing nations are France, Germany, USA, Ireland, Great Britain, The Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark.

TOUGH CONTEST
Last season saw a particularly tough contest because four teams dropped down to the Promotional League in order to re-create the eight-nation format for 2011.  This time around just two nations will face demotion, but even the defending champions from France know how quickly things can go wrong.

When the Samsung Super League was first established in 2003 the French were the dominant force, taking the title in both of the first two seasons. But their performances then deteriorated and they suffered relegation, only to return with renewed vigour to sweep the honours again during the Meydan-sponsored seasons in 2009 and 2010. There is little doubt that the host nation will be the ones to beat this Friday on their home turf, but Chef d'Equipe, Henk Nooren, is taking no chances as he sends out his top-guns to make the best possible start.

His squad includes the man who currently tops the Rolex Rankings, World No 1 and reigning FEI European Champion Kevin Staut, along with Simon Delestre, Penelope Leprevost, Olivier Guillon and the living French legend Michel Robert. Just four riders will line out for each team in Friday's two-round competition which will only be extended to include a third round if two or more nations are tied at the end of round two.

World No. 4 and 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ gold medallist Marcus Ehning heads up the German squad that also includes Philipp Weishaupt, Thomas Muhlbauer, Carsten-Otto Nagel and Heiko Schmidt, while the British side will be selected from Nick Skelton, Peter Charles, David McPherson, Robert Smith and William Funnell. The heavyweight Dutch squad consists of Marc Houtzager, Vincent Voorn, Albert Zoer, Jur Vrieling and Eric van der Vleuten, while America's George Morris has Ashlee Bond, Rich Fellers, Margie Engle, Charlie Jayne and Christine McCrea on call-up. Few will have forgotten the spectacular performances of Bond and her lovely chestnut Cadett who produced three sensational double-clears in the early stages of the 2009 season.

ON-FORM
Robert Splaine's Irish team includes the on-form Billy Twomey, currently at No. 7 in the Rolex Rankings and winner of last Saturday's leg of the Global Champions Tour at Valencia in Spain. He is joined by Cian O'Connor, Shane Carey, Cameron Hanley and Shane Sweetnam, and the Irish can always be relied upon to fight the good fight under any circumstances.

Belgium returns to the FEI Nations Cup™ family this year after some time in the shadows. They clawed their way back to top-level competition with a clear victory in last season's Promotional League, and with the experience and expertise of 2010 world champion Philippe Le Jeune and 2006 world champion Jos Lansink along with the talent of Dirk Demeersman, Judy-Ann Melchior and Jerome Guery they should be a force to be reckoned with. They will also be hungry to show that their country deserves its place amongst the elite nations of the world once again.

Denmark completes the line-up, having earned a spot in the top-level league this season through victory at the Promotional League Final in Barcelona, Spain last September. Emilie Martinsen, Torben Frandsen, Henrik Gundersen, Thomas Sandgaard and Tina Lund will be facing a whole new standard of sport when they ride into the La Baule arena next Friday, but the word on the street is that this is a side that should not be under-estimated.

SET THE STAGE
Friday's competition will set the stage for the season, but there is a long summer of intense excitement ahead as the teams move on to Rome (ITA), St Gallen (SUI), Falsterbo (SWE), Aachen (GER), Hickstead (GBR), Dublin (IRL) and finally Rotterdam (NED) before the destination of the FEI Nations Cup™ trophy for 2011 is decided at the end of August.

Join us as we witness the highs and lows, the delights and disappointments, the dramas, twists and turns of another exceptional sporting tournament at the end of which the FEI Nations Cup™ trophy will be presented to the best jumping nation in the world.  You can follow it all LIVE on FEI TV - www.feitv.org

For further information on the first leg of the 2011 FEI Nations Cup™ series at La Baule, consult www.labaule-cheval.com

Facts and Figures
102 years of team competition - the FEI Nations Cup™ series is striding purposefully into its second century.
8 top nations - France, USA, Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands, Great Britain, Belgium and Denmark.
8 competitions at 8 world-class venues -La Baule in France, Rome in Italy, St Gallen in Switzerland, Falsterbo in Sweden, Aachen in Germany, Hickstead in Great Britain, Dublin in Ireland and Rotterdam in The Netherlands.
4 riders per team.
2 rounds of jumping - and possibly a third-round jump-off against the clock if teams are tied at the end of the second round.
2 new nations for 2011 - Denmark and Belgium - who emerged from the 2010 Promotional League.
1 title-holder - the French have been the dominant force since the Top League FEI Nations Cup™ concept was first devised in 2003 - they were crowned champions for the first two Samsung-sponsored seasons in 2003 and 2004, and again under the Meydan banner in 2009 and 2010.

FEI NATIONS CUP™
The FEI Nations Cup™ is a five-star competition in which official teams representing nations compare their merit. At each event the teams gain points according to their placing. At the end of the 2011 season the team with the highest points wins the FEI Nations Cup™ and the two teams with the lowest points will be relegated to the FEI Nations Cup Promotional League. The highest placed team from the 2011 FEI Nations Cup Promotional League Final and the highest placed Team on the FEI European Nations Cup Promotional League standings immediately prior to the 2011 FEI Nations Cup Promotional League Final will join the FEI Nations Cup™ Top League for 2012.

FEI Nations Cup™ 2011 calendar:
La Baule (FRA), Friday 13 May; Rome (ITA), Friday 27 May; St Gallen (SUI), Friday 3 June; Falsterbo (SWE), Friday 8 July; Aachen (GER), Thursday 14 July; Hickstead (GBR), Friday 29 July; Dublin (IRL); Friday 5 August.; Rotterdam (NED), Friday 26 August.

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Eventing: Sydney: Johnstone sets the target with double Down Under

 Clarke Johnstone on Orient Express wins again in Sydney at the second leg of the FEI World Cup™ Eventing 2011. Photo: Rachel Smith/FEI

FEI PRESS RELEASE

Lausanne (SUI), 9 May 2011

As anticipated, Antipodean riders seized the chance to steal a march on their northern hemisphere colleagues in the 2011 FEI World Cup™ Eventing series by targeting the second leg, at Sydney’s Weekend of Equestrian World Cups (AUS).

New Zealander Clarke Johnstone followed up his victory at Kihikihi (NZL) last month by travelling across the Tasman Sea to pick up another win aboard Orient Express, his team bronze medal-winning mount at last year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Kentucky (USA).

Only three riders have won two FEI World Cup events in a season: Michael Jung (GER) last year, Megan Jones (AUS) in 2009, and Nicolas Touzaint (FRA) in 2007. Johnstone’s two wins, plus a third at Kihikihi, gives him an impressive tally of 119 points.

With riders’ three best results counting towards the final rankings, which carry a first prize of €28,000 the New Zealander could prove hard to beat. He has further chances to improve his tally as he sets off for Britain this month to further his ambition of selection for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Cross-Country at Sydney produced a thrillingly tight finish, with just 1.6 penalties covering the top three riders. Olympic silver medallist Shane Rose (AUS) was in pole position on Taurus, the horse on which he was also placed fourth at Kihikihi, but two fences down dropped them to eventual third.

In a repeat of Kihikihi, Chris Burton (AUS) finished second to Johnstone, moving up a place with a clear Jumping round on Holstein Park Leilani, the horse on which he made his Australian squad debut last year. However, Burton, fastest of the day across country on Newsflash, picks up valuable extra points for fifth place on that horse and is now second in the FEI World Cup™ Eventing rankings, 11 points in arrears.

Despite his nerves, Johnstone managed to keep a cool head and produce a clear Jumping round to clinch victory. “It was all pretty nerve-racking,” he admitted. “We gave one jump a little rub and because I was so nervous it probably wasn’t my most stylish jump ever!”

Summing up his overall performance, Johnstone said: “In the Dressage, I missed one flying change, but ‘Blue’ (Orient Express) went really well and he was just fantastic across country. It was fast and furious to get the optimum time because the track is hilly and twisty, but we rode it last year and almost got the time, so I knew what I had to do.”

Sixteen combinations went clear across country, but the overnight Dressage leader, Tim Boland (AUS), fell foul of fence 14, correctly predicted by former Australian team coach Wayne Roycroft to be the most difficult fence, a sequence of angled apexes. There were nine stops in total here, including for Shane Rose on his other horse, APH Moritz. Chris Burton also had a mishap with his second string, Haruzac, recording a fall on the flat at a corner. Twenty of the original 30 starters completed the competition.

The FEI World Cup™ Eventing action now moves across the world to Great Britain, where northern hemisphere-based riders will have their first chance to climb the rankings at Chatsworth (May 14-15).

Results

1 Clarke Johnstone/Orient Express (NZL) 45.4 + 0 + 0 = 45.4

2 Chris Burton/Holstein Park Leilani (AUS) 45.9 + 0 + 0 = 45.9

3 Shane Rose/Taurus (AUS) 44.4 + 0 + 8 = 52.3

4 Stuart Tinney/Vettori AUS) 46.3 + 6.4 + 0 = 52.7

5 Chris Burton/Newsflash (AUS) 53.5 + 0 + 0 = 53.5

6 Megan Jones/Kirby Park Allofasudden (AUS) 50.0 + 2.8 + 4 = 56.8

7 Craig Barrett/Sandhills Brillaire (AUS) 56.7 + 4.4 + 0 = 61.1

8 Soigne Jackson/Gold (AUS) 63.2 + 0 + 4 = 67.2



FEI World Cup™ Eventing Standings (after 2 of 7 events)

1 Clarke Johnstone (NZL) 118

2 Chris Burton (AUS) 108

3 Shane Rose (AUS) 70

4 Stuart Tinney (AUS) 34

5 Brent Jury (NZL) 32

6 Megan Jones (AUS) 30

7 Craig Barrett (AUS) 28

8 Soigne Jackson (AUS) 26

9 Heath RYAN(AUS) 2

10 Tallara Barwick (AUS) 2

11 Crystal Conning (AUS) 2

12 Wilhelm Enzinger (AUS) 2

13 Cassie Lowe (AUS) 2

14 Simon Gordon (NZL) 2



FEI World Cup™ Eventing Calendar 2011

Kihikihi (NZL) 7-10 April

Sydney (AUS) 6-8 May

Chatsworth (GBR) 14-15 May

Strzegom (POL) 23-26 June

Minsk (BLR) 13-17 July

Malmö (SWE) 5-7 August

Le Pin au Haras (FRA), 18-21 August 2011

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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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Eventing: Chatsworth: The World’s leading riders to compete at Chatsworth

Over 500 entries have been received from 11 countries for the annual Chatsworth International Horse Trials which are to be held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 13th – 15th May.  Amongst the entries received are team gold and individual silver medallist William Fox-Pitt, Zara Phillips, Ruth Edge, Pippa Funnell, Lucy Wiegersma,  Paul Tapner, Oliver Townend, Polly Stockton, Jeanette Brakewell, Lucinda and Clayton Fredericks  and Andrew and Bettina Hoy –  to mention a few!

Chatsworth, home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, is one of the country’s most spectacular settings for a horse trial with the cross country course, designed by former Olympic silver and European gold medalist Ian Stark, running through the beautiful parkland on the banks of the river Derwent which provides great spectator viewing.

Chatsworth is now firmly established as one of the leading events in the calendar with the prestigious FEI World CupTM Eventing on Sunday being the focal point.  The finale of the FEI World Cup TM Eventing will be the Show Jumping phase in the main arena on Sunday afternoon, run in reverse order of merit.

This year the Event has chosen to support the Derwent Rural Counselling Service (DRCS) which is an independent charity and confidential counselling service based in Bakewell.

Over ten fully qualified, experienced and professionally supervised counsellors provide help for anyone experiencing personal problems such as bereavement, depression, stress and anxiety, marital, relationship and family problems.

Provisional Timetable:
Friday, 13th     8 am Gates open

9am Burghley Dubarry Young Event Horse 5 year old qualifier  2 p.m. Brocklehursts Inter-hunt Relay and a  display of Dressage to Music by Claire Llewelyn and Olympic Gold medalist Shear H20.

Saturday,  14th    8 am Gates open  8.30 am Dressage; 8.30 am Show Jumping; 9.30 am Cross Country and the special attractions
Sunday, 15th   8 am Gates open; 9.00 am Dressage; 8.30 am Show Jumping;  9.30 am Cross Country.

In addition to the three days of great equestrian sport the event hosts a huge range of special attractions that will appeal to all the family.  Be captivated by the magical performances each day by the world renowned horse whisperer Jean Francois Pignon with his famous grey horses from Calvission or enjoy the favourites including the Pony Club mounted games; Sue Carson Dressage display; Katy Cropper Sheep Dogs, Birds of prey displays; Pilsley School Maypole dancing, The Bakewell Silver Band and the Burbage Band and especially for the children Punch and Judy, face painting and a climbing wall.

Also a huge selection of quality trade stands - including country clothing, Rural crafts, fashion and equestrian products. The Farmyard and equine area has a variety of animals including a pony and a donkey.  Full catering, fast food outlets and bar facilities will be available throughout the event.

During the two weeks prior to the Horse Trials shops and businesses in Bakewell and Baslow have been invited to take part in a Shop Window Display competition  to celebrate the Horse Trials and as a way of ensuring the local community know what is going on at Chatsworth. The 2010 winner was Stewarts of Bakewell and Mr & Mrs Stewart were presented with a Hamper from the Chatsworth Farm Shop and tickets to the Event.  The competition will again be  judged by the Duchess of Devonshire.

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Dressage: Totilas: Photo Gallery of Totilas' Foal Crop!

 Horse and Hound has published a gallery of photos of Totilas' foals:  enjoy!

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/galleries/v/dressage_001/famous-horses/totilasfoals/William3+copy.jpg.html

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Driving: World Cup: Leipzig: Extraordinary Exell dominates World Cup Driving again!

Australian Carriage Driver Boyd Exell yesterday secured his third consecutive FEI World Cup victory in the Leipzig Messe, Leipzig, Germany, to become only the second driver to score a hat-trick of World Cup competitions.

This incredible performance reinforced Exell’s current dominance of the sport. Exell is currently the most decorated athlete in the sport holding every major Driving title. In 2010 he won the individual gold medal at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in the USA, the International Driving Grand Prix at Royal Windsor Horse Show and the CAIO at Aachen as well as the FEI World Cup title.  Exell is also a six-time British National Champion.

Exell led from start to finish and whilst he made one mistake in the first round he remained ahead of the rest of the field.

“I know with my team that I have enough speed that I can make one mistake, so I thought ‘don’t panic yet’, explained Exell following his victory.

“My horses are brilliant,” commented Exell, “there is no other team that is faster than them at the moment.”  Exell uses a very experienced team of horses for the indoor competitions, their ages range from 18 to 22 years.  The horses know the job and are not distracted by the intense noise and excitement of the crowd.  To his credit Exell’s outdoor success are achieved with an entirely different team of horses.

Hungary’s Jozsef Dobrovitz performed very well to drive two clear rounds with his team of Lipizzaner horses to finish second, ahead of IJsbrand Chardon from the Netherlands.

Born in Bega, NSW, 38 year-old Exell left Australia in 1993 to pursue his driving and riding career in the United Kingdom.  He now lives in Leicester, England, with his wife and two children.

Listen to an audio link of Boyd Exell following yesterday’s competition;

http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/FEI_Exell_end.mp3

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Driving: Leipzig: World Cup: BOYD EXELL CLAIMS HAT-TRICK IN FEI WORLD CUP™ DRIVING FINAL - by Cindy Timmer

FEI WORLD CUP FINAL DRIVING 2010/2011

Leipzig (GER), 1 May 2011

Watch our news round-up from today’s thrilling FEI World Cup™ Driving Final on FEI YouTube Channel
Boyd Exell from Australia has successfully defended his FEI World Cup™ Driving title in a thrilling finish in Leipzig (GER) to become only the second driver to score a hat-trick of World Cup victories. The popular Australian sped to victory in front of an enthusiastic and ecstatic crowd that packed the Leipzig Messe to capacity. Hungary’s Jozsef Dobrovitz drove two brilliant rounds with his team of Lipizzaner horses to finish second, ahead of IJsbrand Chardon from the Netherlands.

Happy to be first
Jozsef Dobrovitz was happy to go first in the Final round. In Budapest he had won the warm-up competition but made mistakes in the Final round, so he felt the starting grid Leipzig would favour him. His only goal in the first round was to equal Boyd’s time on the first night and to stay clear as well. Dobrovitz put in an amazing performance to meet both his goals and pile the pressure on his opponents.

No expectations
Second starter IJsbrand Chardon was determined to make up for his mistake on the first night, but his leader horses started pushing against each other in the warm-up arena and there was not enough time left for IJsbrand to fix it. The result was three knockdowns on course, but Chardon kept on driving at such high speed that he finished in a record time of 113.89 seconds, to slot into second behind Dobrovitz. Chardon had no expectations of making it to the Winning Round but Georg von Stein (GER), Werner Ulrich (SUI), Koos de Ronde (NED) and Tomas Eriksson (SWE) all made mistakes, which kept Chardon in second place. After Exell had conquered the course in a fast time despite one knockdown, it was clear that the colourful trio was going to battle it out in the Winning Round.

Kisses
Chardon’s horses went much better in the Winning Round and the four-time World Champion drove his team of Lipizzaner horses, which are formerly owned by Jozsef Dobrovitz, at full speed. But he was unable to make up for his mistakes in the first round and finished third in the overall standings.

Dobrovitz had the full support of the enthusiastic spectators in the sold out Leipziger Halle and felt he could fly. He beat his own time by three seconds and finished with another clear round. Dobrovitz and his team were extremely happy with their performance and he thanked his horses by giving them all four a big kiss after leaving the ring. This was much appreciated by the spectators who were able to follow this wonderful scene on the big screens inside the arena.

Extraordinary Exell
After the first night, Boyd Exell decided to change the bit of his leader horse Spitfire in order to speed his team up a bit. Boyd did not feel any pressure from Dobrovitz, as he knew the times were beatable. He was a little worried though that he wouldn’t be able to hold the horse in a lighter bit. The new set-up worked however and Boyd felt the team was very light in his hands, which resulted in very fast and easy looking rounds.

Boyd’s leaders went a bit too fast in the Winning Round, causing a ball to fall, but it didn’t endanger his lead as Boyd’s speed was just right. Boyd had received some good advice from Tomas Eriksson on his way in for the Winning Round, which made him decide not to drive at full speed.

Mistakes
Tomas Eriksson went for a top-three placing but made a mistake himself coming out of obstacle nine on the course, designed by World Championship course designer Dr Wolfgang Asendorf. Eriksson’s leader horses were not in the good form they were in on the first night, dropping the Stockholm World Cup winner to fourth. Budapest winner Werner Ulrich was also determined to make it a top three finish, but took a risk at the wrong moment and ended up fifth. Koos de Ronde had an uncharacterstic round with three knockdowns. Koos’ leader horses, which are normally very fast, didn’t seem to want to go forward, leaving Koos down in seventh in the Leipzig Final.

Change of plans
Wild card driver Georg von Stein had only heard last Thursday that he could compete after the initial wild card driver Christian Plücker had to withdraw because of two unfit horses. Von Stein started training his outdoor team of horses several weeks ago and had some second thoughts after the first night. Despite some mistakes that he blamed himself for, he was very pleased with his horses and will now change his outdoor schedule in order to be able to qualify for next season’s FEI World Cup™ Driving! Von Stein came sixth in the overall standings in Leipzig.

Quotes:
Boyd Exell: “The only pressure I had was not to hit obstacle two and 10. I knew the times of Dobrovitz and Chardon were beatable and I thought to myself ‘let’s go!’ in the Winning Round.

Jozsef Dobrovitz: “I have lent my second black horse to my son, who is competing in his first international driving competition with a horse team this weekend. He would normally also have driven with my wheelers, so we had a lot of discussion to decide who was going to drive which horses! I am very happy with my horses and my own performance, everything came together at the right time.”

IJsbrand Chardon: “I had a good feeling and was very motivated but once by leader horses started pushing I could not do anything. I decided to keep on driving and I could only pray that I would make it to the Winning Round, because normally you know you have no chance with this many mistakes. The Winning Round went much better. Initially I went for the first place, but after the first round I was very pleases with my third position!”

Listen to the stars from today’s FEI World Cup™ Final Driving with audio links following today's competition:
Boyd Exell
http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/FEI_Exell_end.mp3

Jozsef Dobrovitz - Hungarian with English Translation
http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/FEI_Dobrovitz.mp3

Ian Williams, FEI World Cup Driving Director
http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/FEI_Williams_end.mp3


FEI World Cup™ Driving Final Leipzig:

1.    Boyd Exell (AUS) 242,12

2.    Jozsef Dobrovitz (HUN) 247,52

3.    IJsbrand Chardon (NED) 254,88

4.    Tomas Eriksson (SWE) 133,10

5.    Werner Ulrich (SUI) 139,07

6.    Georg von Stein (GER) 140,76

7.    Koos de Ronde (NED) 151,32


For information on the Final go to www.partner-pferd.de or contactPress Officer Andreas Kerstan, phone +49 4307 827970, e-mail: andreas.kerstan@comtainment.de

More information: www.feiworldcup.org

FEI World Cup™ DRIVING 2010/2011
CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

1.    Hannover (Ger) 28-31 October 2010

2.    Stuttgart (Ger) 17-21 November 2010

3.    Stockholm (Swe) 26-28 November 2010

4.    Budapest (Hun) 3-5 December 2010

5.    Geneva (Sui) 9-12 December 2010

6.    Mechelen (Bel) 26-30 December 2010

7.    Bordeaux (Fra) 4-6 February 2011

8.    FINAL Leipzig (Ger) 27 April – 1 May 2011

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Eventing: Rolex Kentucky: King Crowned Champion of 2011 Rolex Kentucky CCI4* presented by Bridgestone; Halpin Takes USEF National CCI4* Championship on First Try - By Joanie Morris

Mary King and Kings Temptress.
Photo by Shannon Brinkman/USEF.

Lexington, KY - Mary King was not going to be stopped in her quest to take a Rolex watch back to Great Britain. Lying first and second after the cross-country at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by Bridgestone -  with Kings Temptress and Fernhill Urco - she did not flinch in the final show jumping phase and jumped an immaculate double-clear round on both horses.

For the first time in history, the champion and reserve champion of America's only CCI4* was the same rider. King was confident and excited coming into the show jumping, and she rode with a professionalism that was inspiring.

Kings Temptress added nothing to her fourth-placed dressage score of 47.7, they jumped immaculately around Saturday's cross-country course and then sealed the win over today's jumping track. King took home top honors with her 11-year-old homebred mare, who is now owned by Derek Rostron Baden. Her closest competition was her stablemate, Fernhill Urco, who emerged from his first CCI4* with second-place honors after only adding eight time faults to his dressage score. The Portuguese-bred grey gelding owned by Sue and Edwin Davies and Janette Chinn, jumped an immaculate clear round and really proved himself at the level. His clear round, jumped out of order due to the proximity of the placings, gave King great confidence to know that whatever happened with the second horse, the top honors were going home with the British veteran.

Sinead Halpin of Gladstone, NJ, brought Manoir de Carneville to their first CCI4* and rose to the occasion to sit amongst two of the greatest in the game at the press conference. Owned by Carrig, LLC, the 10-year-old Selle Francais jumped for fun in the Rolex Stadium around Richard Jeffery's show jumping course and gave Halpin the 2011 USEF National CCI4* Eventing Championship on her very first try. Their score of 53.1 (they picked up 4.4 time faults on the cross-country) was good enough to move her up from fourth after cross-country to third place behind King's pair and just ahead of William Fox-Pitt, the 2010 winner for Great Britain. 

"I'm beside myself," said Halpin. "He's so proud of himself. It's really nice having a horse like that. He was a little tired walking up to the ring, and then he heard the crowd from the horses before him and he woke up, he doesn't get nervous he gets really excited."

Sinead Halpin and Manoir De Carneville.
Photo by Shannon Brinkman/USEF

Halpin is enjoying the moment with her beloved horse, affectionately known as 'Tate'. With her name added to a list of national champions that reads like the U.S. Eventing Hall of Fame, Halpin has bright plans for the future. She contested the Boekelo CCI3* last fall in Holland as part of a USEF Developing Rider program and that experience has resonated with her.

"Burghley is certainly something I've thought about," said Halpin. "I tried to keep my focus here. But that would be very exciting to do. Going to Boekelo last fall was huge. I would be thrilled to go to Burghley...but after Tate goes out in the field for at least a month with no shoes." 

Halpin jumped up one place in the standings when Clayton Fredericks, riding for Australia, had one rail down on Be My Guest to drop to fourth. The 2007 winner had a foot-perfect round on the cross-country course on Saturday.

Halpin spent a stint working for Fox-Pitt after getting her initial foundation with David and Karen O'Connor. She conveyed her initial frustration that Fox-Pitt wouldn't teach her, until she realized that she needed to learn by watching him, not by having him talk her through each step. 

"I told her that I'm not going to stand on the ground and tell you what to do," said Fox-Pitt. "You have to figure it out. Eventing is a mental game. She came with all the talent in the world. But she was over-keen to be too good...she relaxed over time and has a fantastic horse. I felt very proud watching her jump today."

Fox-Pitt was also proud of his own horse. Neuf des Coeurs, a 10-year-old Selle Francais, romped through the test of his first CCI4* and jumped his way to fourth place on his score of 57. 

"He's an awfully nice horse," said Fox-Pitt. "I found him for his owners, they've been with me for a long time."

Neuf des Coeurs is owned by David and Margie Hall and Judy and Jeremy Skinner, who have been involved in the careers of a number of other of Fox-Pitt's horses.

The USEF Reserve National CCI4* Champion was Hannah Sue Burnett on Richard Thompson's St. Barths.

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Jumping: World Cup: Leipzig: Americans Hang Tough: Three Jump Into Top 12 at the 2011 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final - By Helen Murray

Beezie Madden and Coral Reef Via Volo.
Photo by Rebecca Walton/Phelps Media Group.

Leipzig, Germany - The Rolex/FEI World Cup Final came to a close Sunday afternoon in Leipzig, Germany, with two final rounds of jumping. The U.S. had strong representation in this competition as they sent seven of the 27 riders into the ring. In the third and final competition, riders jumped two rounds over Frank Rothenberger's demanding 1.60m courses. The entire field would contest the first round, with 19 riders returning to the arena one last time to determine who would be crowned champion.

Beezie Madden (Cazenovia, NY) and Coral Reef Via Volo jumped two impressive clear rounds to tie for the win of the class as well as tie for fourth place in the overall World Cup Final ranking on a score of 12. Coral Reef Ranch's exciting Belgian Warmblood mare made easy work of the 12-obstacle course. In the second round, Madden made an incredible save heading to the double combination, fence 11, after Coral Reef Via Volo spooked at the crowd heading to the double combination after fence 10.

"She went amazing," Madden said. "There's probably nothing she can't jump, and I had a lot of confidence in that when I went out there."

Madden was the highest-placing female rider in the 2011 Rolex/FEI World Cup Final and she and Coral Reef Via Volo were one of only two combinations to jump two clear rounds.

McLain Ward and Grant Road Partners' Antares F were poised to duplicate Madden's clean sheet for the day, until rolling the final rail in second round. In their first round of the day, the combination jumped a brilliant clear round to finish well within the time allowed.

The Brewster, NY, native was extremely impressed with the gelding's performance throughout the competition.

"I'm thrilled with Antares, I couldn't have been happier, he was amazing all week," Ward said. "First time doing the championships with him certainly couldn't have been happier with the horse. Today, I thought we jumped the jump."

Ward finished the 2011 World Cup Final in 10th place on a score of 14. In the last two competitions of these championships, he rode Antares F after utilizing Sagamore Farms' Rothchild for the speed leg on the first day. Rothchild added to Ward's successful weekend by collecting third-place honors in Saturday's Sparkassen Cup-Grand Prix of Leipzig.

Margie Engle of Wellington, FL, finished the Rolex/FEI World Cup Final on a score of 18 to collect 12th place. Like Ward and Madden, Engle and Gladewind Farm, Garber, Griese and Hidden Creek Farm's Indigo produced a fault-free performance in the first round. In the following round, the big striding gelding got a little too close to the first element of 11A rolling the pole out of its cups.

Engle was extremely pleased with Indigo's performance and the maturity he demonstrated.

"He's a good boy, he wanted to be good all the way through," Engle said. "Its been a great learning experience for him as a young horse, its a lot for him. One thing nice to see is that I still have plenty of horse left.  He could  go another round."

The fourth U.S. combination to take part in rounds one and two on Sunday was Richard Spooner and his own Cristallo. In both rounds the talented pair collected four faults in otherwise classy performances. The Californian finished on a score of 19 and tied for 13th place.

Rich Fellers, Michelle Spadone and Ashlee Bond all competed in today's final round of the World Cup Final for the U.S. Fellers and Spadone found the large track difficult on the their third day of World Cup jumping, collecting 12 and 20 faults, respectively. Bond and Little Valley Farm's Cadett 7 elected to retire midway through the course after having a difficult trip at the beginning of the course.

U.S. Chef d'Equipe George Morris was very happy with this year's Finals and veteran riders.

"Great horse show, great horse show," Morris said. "Great horses, great competition. I think our top group, which are older people with great horses and great experience are world-class."

Germany's Christian Ahlmann was crowned the 2011 Rolex/FEI World Cup champion after finishing on a score of four. Eric Lamaze and Hickstead finished second and Jeroen Dubbeldam and BMC van Grunsven Simon finish third.

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Jumping: World Cup: Leipzig: AHLMANN CLAIMS ROLEX FEI WORLD CUP IN THRILLING FINALE - by Louise Parkes

ROLEX FEI WORLD CUP™ JUMPING FINAL 2010/2011 - ROUND 3
Leipzig (GER), 1 May 2011

Caption: On the winner’s podium for the 2010/2011 Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping final at Leipzig, Germany today - Canada’s Eric Lamaze who finished second (on left), newly-crowned Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping champion Christian Ahlmann from Germany (centre) and The Netherlands’ Jeroen Dubbeldam who slotted into third place (right).  Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

FEI TV: enjoy LIVE programming, highlights, interviews and archive footage at www.feitv.org

Germany's Christian Ahlmann claimed the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2010/2011 title in a thrilling finale on his home ground in Leipzig today with superb jumping from his stallion, Taloubet Z.  Sharing the lead with fellow-countryman Marco Kutscher, the 36-year-old rider added just four faults to an otherwise foot-perfect performance to finish ahead of reigning Olympic champion Eric Lamaze from Canada, while The Netherlands' Jeroen Dubbeldam rocketed up from overnight 11th to finish third when producing one of only two clear double clears on the final afternoon.

There was huge disappointment for Kutscher who had the world's most prestigious indoor title in his sights until his luck ran out at the very end.  Such was the unforgiving nature of Frank Rothenberger's testing courses however that the slightest of errors proved very costly indeed.  Today's jumping was about scope, speed, courage, accuracy and, most importantly, the rideability of the horses.  In the end it was Ahlmann's 11-year-old Taloubet Z who put all the ingredients together to create the winning formula.

FIND THE KEY
US riders were first to find the key to the opening track as veteran Margie Engle's spectacular round with the exciting grey, Indigo, was followed by a copybook run from Beezie Madden and the stunning Coral Reef Via Volo.  These ladies however were jumping middle-order in the start-list of 27 runners after the previous two competitions, and it didn't seem that Dubbeldam's clear with BMC van Grunsven Simon, or the equally impressive fault-free effort from 10th-placed McLain Ward and Antares, would prove overly influential.  The remaining nine however struggled to leave all the fences up - defending champion Marcus Ehning from Germany lowering both the second element of the triple combination at fence four and the last element of the final double to slip from contention with Sabrina.

Lamaze's Hickstead always raises the heart-rate, and when the stallion crossed the line clear it piled the pressure on the remaining four.  There was little between the leaders as they jumped in reverse order of merit, and as the final double also caught New Zealand's Katie McVean and Delphi and Dutchman Gerco Schroder left two on the floor on his tour of the ring with Eurocommerce New Orleans, then the German leaders were given more breathing space.

Second-last to go, Kutscher then further secured his advantage with a clear from Cash despite rattling a number of poles, but last man in, Ahlmann fell victim to that tricky final double.

ZERO SCORE
As the second round began only Kutscher remained on a zero score with Ahlmann close behind carrying four, Lamaze on six, McVean with eight and Schroder now carrying nine faults.   Dubbeldam, who had moved into seventh, began to really threaten the leading bunch with another clear and when Ward's lovely grey faulted at the very last on the new course, the big Rolex oxer, and Schroder also left one on the ground then the 2000 Olympic champion's chances were improving all the time.

McVean hit the oxer at fence four and Lamaze dislodged the flimsy top plank on the vertical at 10 so the pressure was further relieved for the leading home runners.  And when Ahlmann stayed cool as a breeze to bring Taloubet Z home clear - he was now guaranteed at least second place.

But it all fell apart for Kutscher when Cash hit the first before bringing down two more for a devastating 12 faults.  The German fans groaned with disappointment for him, but they still had a hero to cheer as Ahlmann claimed the coveted title for Germany for the ninth time in the 33-year history of this great series.

UNBELIEVABLY HAPPY
"I'm unbelievably happy that everything worked out the way it did", said the winning rider. "Taloubet did an amazing job all weekend and the only fault he made was his rider's fault at the last fence in the first round.  He is a horse with quality, scope and power but he has no experience of Championship competition so I'm delighted that he showed today that he can do it", Ahlmann added.

Second-placed Lamaze was more than pleased too. "I'm really thrilled with what happened here this week - I couldn't have asked for any more.  Hickstead is only starting his season, he didn't jump indoors all winter so I'm very happy to be where I am right now.  Every day gets better for me - it just shows what a great horse he is when he can achieve this when he is not even fully fit!" he pointed out.

Dubbeldam admitted that he lived in hope even when lying 11th going into the last competition. “You have to believe it’s possible and I went in today thinking I would go up at least a few places", he said.  "I knew my horse was in top form, I had a super feeling in the first class but then on Friday we had an unlucky eight faults - however I still had a super feeling going into today's competition", he explained.

Ahlmann talked about the "ups and downs" he has experienced with Taloubet.  "He was difficult to control in the beginning - he jumped a lot more forward and it made it difficult for him over the fences so I tried to build him up slowly and carefully, starting in small classes.  It took a lot of time but as you can see today it was well worth the wait!" said the man whose career honours now include Team and Individual gold at European championship level, team bronze from the Olympic Games and team bronze from the FEI World Equestrian Games™ and now the most desired trophy of the international indoor circuit - the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping title.

Result (after 3 competitions) : 1, Taloubet Z (Christian Ahlmann) GER 4; 2, Hickstead (Eric Lamaze) CAN 10; 3, BMC Van Grunsven Simon (Jeroen Dubbeldam) NED 11; Equal 4, Coral Reef Via Volo/Danny Boy (Beezie Madden) USA, Cash (Marco Kutscher) 12; Equal 6, Eurocommerce New Orleans (Gerco Schroder) NED, Delphi (Katie McVean) NZL, Silvana de Hus (Kevin Staut) FRA, Carlina/Ulysse (Pius Schwizer) SUI 13; 10, Antares F/Rothchild (McLain Ward) USA 14; 11, H&M Tornesch (Malin Baryard-Johnsson) SWE 16; 12, Indigo (Margie Engle) USA 18; Equal 13, Action-Breaker/Wisconsin (Sergio Alvarez Moya) ESP, Cristallo (Richard Spooner) USA 19; 15, Catoki/Souvenir (Philipp Weishaupt) GER 20; 16, Couletto/Napoli du Ry (Simon Delestre) FRA 26; Equal 17, G&C Quick Star (Pablo Barrios) VEN, Lord Luis/Lucie (Lars Nieberg) GER 34; 19, Regina Z (Harrie Smolders) NED 45.  Full results at www.engarde.de

PRESS KIT ZONE
Visit our new FEI Press Kit Zone to get everything you need on the FEI World Cup™ Finals 2010/2011.

AUDIO LINKS
Listen to interviews with the stars of the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Final Jumping:

Christian Ahlmann German
http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Rolex_Ahlmann_win_ger.mp3

Christian Ahlmann
http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Rolex_Ahlmann_win.mp3

Eric Lamaze
http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Rolex_lamaze_end.mp3

Jeroen Dubbeldam Dutch
http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Rolex_Dubbeldam_dutch.mp3

Jeroen Dubbeldam
http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Rolex_Dubbeldam.mp3

Katie McVean
http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Rolex_mcvean_end.mp3

Volker Wulff German
http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/FEI_Wulff_ger.mp3

Volker Wulff
http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/FEI_Wulff.mp3

Beezie Madden
http://www.lloydbell.co.uk/access/client_zone/Rolex_Madden.mp3

FACTS AND FIGURES:
27 horse-and-rider combinations started in the third and last competition at the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Final 2010/2011 in Leipzig, Germany today.
Germany's Christian Ahlmann and Marco Kutscher shared the lead with a zero score as the competition began.
Course designer, Frank Rothenberger, presented a first-round track of 13 obstacles with 16 jumping efforts and a second-round track with 12 jumping efforts.
21 riders qualified for round 2 but only 19 competed.
6 riders jumped clear in round 1.
5 jumped clear in round 2.
Only 2 combinations jumped double-clear in today's class - Coral Reef Via Vola ridden by America's Beezie Madden and BMC van Grunsven Simon ridden by The Netherlands' Jeroen Dubbeldam.
Dubbeldam was lying in 11th place as today's competition began, and his double-clear moved him up 8 places to finish third.
Today's winner, Christian Ahlmann, recorded the ninth German win in the 33-year history of FEI World Cup™ Jumping.
Today's win was also the fourth successive German victory.


QUOTES:
Course designer, Frank Rothenberger - "we had two wonderful rounds of competition with just two double-clears yet the course didn't take too much out of the horses - for me that is the perfect result and very much as I expected."
John Madden, FEI Jumping Committee - "Everyone rose to the occasion to create a fantastic final here in Leipzig."
Christian Ahlmann - "Taloubet will have a break now for a few weeks and then do the Global Champions Tour and maybe a Nations Cup. I'm not sure about later in the season and the European Championships in Madrid because we will have to see how well he jumps when he goes outside."
Eric Lamaze - "I'm based with Rodrigo Pessoa in Belgium when I am in Europe then I will go to the summer tour at Spruce Meadows."
Show Chairman Volker Wulff - "I'd like to thank Rolex - we have been very happy to work with them throughout their sponsorship of this series, they are great sponsors and help maintain the quality of our shows.  I hope their support will continue for a long time."

FAB FOUR
For the first time in the history of equestrian sport, the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping, Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage, FEI World Cup™ Driving and the inaugural FEI World Cup™ Vaulting takes place under one roof in Leipzig this week, bringing together four world-class disciplines for a fabulous festival of sport.

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Eventing: Rolex Kentucky: AMERICAN TIANA COUDRAY IN THE LEAD GOING INTO TODAYS’S CROSS COUNTRY AT THE SECOND LEG OF THE HSBC FEI CLASSICS™

Photo caption: Tiana Coudray (USA) and Ringwood Magister are in the lead after Dressage at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, second leg of the HSBC FEI Classics™.

FEI PRESS RELEASE
Lexington, KY (USA), 30 April 2011

Following two days of dressage at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, second leg of the HSBC FEI Classics™, America’s Tiana Coudray is in pole position with her Jersey Fresh CCI*** 2010 winner Ringwood Magister.

The duo earned the best marks from the judges for a penalty score of 40.8.

“The trot work was tidy but maybe a bit conservative. It was during the canter work that I felt confident enough to show off what Magister can do — that’s the best bit for him,” said Coudray. “When we cantered down the centre line for the final time that’s when it hit me we’d done a good test.”

Britain’s Mary King is less than a penalty behind the leading duo with her four-star first timer Fernhill Urco.

“I wasn’t expecting such a good test from him. He’s a positive-thinking horse who is always forward and I find him strong but in the last month he’s really improved,” said King, who also occupies fourth with her home-bred bay mare Kings Temptress.

Allison Springer and Arthur lie third while fellow American William Coleman and Twizzel share fifth place with US-based British rider James Alliston aboard Jumbo’s Jake.

Mark Todd (NZL), winner of the first leg of the HSBC FEI Classics™ at Badminton last weekend, is in 17th position riding Grass Valley on a penalty score of 51.8.

A total of 44 riders will contest Derek di Grazia’s 28-fence cross-country track later today, for which days of rain has provided going that is soft in places.

“It’s very jumpable but definitely a four-star test with question after question. I think the ground will be the main challenge,” said King.

Coudray added: “Derek almost puts riders at ease because the course looks so nice but then it catches you out because you’ve underestimated it.”

Allison Springer is first out at 10am local time.

The Cross Country will be broadcast live on FEI TV www.feitv.org at 1pm (13h) GMT.

Results

1 Tiana Coudray/Ringwood Magister (USA) 40.8; 2 Mary King/Fernhill Urco (GBR) 41.7; 3 Allison Springer/Arthur (USA) 42.3; 4 Mary King/Kings Temptress (GBR) 47.7; = 5 William Coleman/Twizzel (USA) & James Alliston/Jumbo’s Jake (GBR) 48.2; 7 Kim Severson/Tipperary Liadhnan (USA) 48.5; 8 Sinead Halpin/Manoir De Carneville (USA) 48.7; 9 Boyd Martin/Remington XXV (USA) 49; 10 Clayton Fredericks/Be My Guest (AUS) 50.2.

Photographs: Free high-resolution photographs for editorial use only will be available at: www.feiphotos.org

HSBC FEI Classics™ Calendar of Events in 2011
1. 21-25 April - Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR)
2. 28 April-1 May - Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event (USA) 
3. 16-19 June - Luhmühlen presented by E.ON Avacon (GER)
4. 1-4 September - Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR)
5. 13-16 October - Les Etoiles de Pau (FRA) 

HSBC FEI Classics™ Leaderboard in 2011 (after 1 out of 5 events)
1 Mark Todd (NZL) 15 points
2Piggy French (GBR) 12 points
3 Mary King (GBR) 10 points
4 Sam Griffiths (AUS) 8 points
5 Niklas Lindback (SWE) 6 points
6 Caroline Powell (NZL) 5 points
7 Nicola Wilson (GBR) 4 points
8 Laura Collett (GBR) 3 points
9 Marina Köhncke (GER) 2 points
10 Andrew Nicholson (NZL) 1 point

HSBC Training Bursary:

HSBC, the platinum partner of FEI and global sponsor of Eventing, has supported the HSBC FEI Classics™ since 2008 and is the title sponsor.

At the centre of this sponsorship is a commitment to the development of the sport of Eventing at every level.

HSBC has introduced a Training Bursary, which is a unique award presented to the highest placed rider at each HSBC FEI Classics™ leg who completes a 4* event for the very first time.

The winning rider receives a training voucher to the value of $1,000, which is spent on sessions with a trainer of the athletes’ choice approved by the FEI and National Federation.

Notes to editors:

HSBC FEI Classics™ prize money
Over the next three years, HSBC will be contributing US$1 million in prize money, which represents the biggest prize fund on offer in Eventing on an annual basis.

At the end of the season, the five riders with the highest number of points collected among the five HSBC FEI Classics™ 2011 events are awarded their share of a total prize pot of US$333,000, split as follows:

1st US$150,000 (Series Champion)
2nd US$75,000
3rd US$50,000
4th US$33,000
5th US$25,000

The HSBC FEI Classics™ 2012 season will begin at Les Etoiles de Pau CCI 4* (FRA) on 12-16 October 2011. This is also the location for the final leg of the 2011 season. Competitors therefore have the unique opportunity to secure points for both the HSBC FEI Classics™ 2011 and 2012 seasons by competing at Les Etoiles de Pau.

1.    Les Etoiles de Pau CCI 4* (FRA) - 12-16 October 2011
2.    Australian International 3 Day Event (AUS) - 18-20 November 2011
3.    Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA) -  26-29 April 2012
4.    Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR) - 4-7 May 2012
5.    Luhmühlen CCI 4* presented by E.ON (GER) - 14-17 June 2012
6.    The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR) - 30 August-2 September 2012

HSBC FEI Classics™ Final Standings for 2010
1 William Fox-Pitt (GBR) 39 points - US$ 150,000 (Series champion)
2 Andreas Dibowski (GER) 37 - $75,000
3 Caroline Powell (NZL) 21 - $ 50,000
4 Mary King (GBR) 18 - $33,000
5 Paul Tapner (AUS) 15 - $25,000
(Full standings on www.fei.org)

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