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 CLINCH HISTORIC TEAM VICTORY by Louise Parkes

The British team of (L to R) Emile Faurie, Charlotte Dujardin, Carl Hester and Laura Bechtolsheimer won the team title at the FEI European Dressage Championships 2011 in Rotterdam (NED) today.  Photo: FEI/Peter Nixon.

FEI EUROPEAN DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS 2011 - Day 2, Team Championship
Rotterdam (NED), 18 August 2011

Britain claimed team gold for the first time in the 25-year history of the FEI European Dressage Championships when Carl Hester and the fabulous stallion, Uthopia, produced a dream performance at the Kralingsbos stadium in Rotterdam, The Netherlands today.  With his country already in front at the halfway stage following yesterday's good results from first-line rider Emile Faurie and Elmegardens Marquis and the new British star partnership of Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, 44-year-old Hester racked up a score of 82.568 which left him with the leading individual mark of the competition and took the pressure off anchor Laura Bechtolsheimer with Mistral Hojris.

The result is a triumph for British Dressage which, over the last three years, has risen up the ranks and now looks like the most threatening force in the sport ahead of next year's Olympic Games on their home turf.

"Some of us have seen Great Britain through the dark days - 20 years ago this would never have seemed possible - so it's a truly historic moment for us, and London should be a sell-out now!" Hester said proudly this evening.

BATTLE FOR SILVER
Germany pipped The Netherlands by just over three points in the battle for the silver medals, Isabell Werth's test with El Santo NRW slotting her temporarily into individual second place with a score of 75.213.  "I was unhappy with the piaffe, but the rest was very good", she commented afterwards. And she laughed when adding that "his piaffe was really good during the prize-giving this evening!".

Team-mate Matthias Alexander Rath was pleased with his score of 79.453 with Totilas, the horse that set the world of Dressage alight with spectacular performances for Holland's Edward Gal during the FEI European Championships at Windsor (GBR) two years ago. The 27-year-old German has the unenviable task of following in Gal's record-breaking footsteps, but he showed that his relationship with the great stallion is growing stronger and more secure.

He admitted this evening that he feels under plenty of pressure every time he goes in the ring, but said that being at these championships is no different to anywhere else. "There is always pressure riding Totilas, but he always tries his best for me and he tries not to make mistakes. I have a lot of fun with him every day I ride him", Rath pointed out.

Fun and great sport have been the theme of these championships so far, and Gal, the hero of the 2009 Championships but this time around the man who provided the drop-score for the defending champions from The Netherlands after a tense test with Sisther de Jeu, said "in the warm-up I won, but when I came into the ring it was all gone!".  Like the Germans, the Dutch admitted that the British were always the favourites to take the 2011 team title. "It wasn't a surprise to be honest", said Isabell Werth. "We all expected them to be very strong."

BREATH-TAKING TEST
Hester and Uthopia were amongst the first group in action this morning and produced a breath-taking test. The crowd gasped with delight as the stallion sprang off the ground in his first extended trot which earned an average score of 9.6, and that set the tone for the rest of the performance which included lovely piaffe, pirouette and tempi changes. The final extended trot was so extravagant that it drew gasps and giggles from the sidelines and 10s from the judges.  Hester admitted that he wasn't sure what was happening when he heard people laughing - "I thought maybe there was a dog in the ring or something!" he said afterwards.

But it was just the sheer enjoyment of witnessing a horse and rider working in perfect harmony, and there were many tear-filled eyes, and faces wearing foolish grins, as the British partnership drew to a final halt to rapturous applause. Hester dropped the reins and Uthopia seemed to be smiling himself as he left the arena with an air of total relaxation.

"He felt more controlled that he did at Hickstead where he was almost wildly flamboyant", commented the rider afterwards. "He felt really light in my hand today. He's a 10-year-old but he behaves more like an old man! He used to be the opposite, big and bouncy, but he's settling - this is only his sixth Grand Prix in his life and I'm still finding out about warming him up.  I rode him twice today - you see everyone else doing it so you think, yeh I better go back out there and do the same!" he added.

ALREADY DECIDED
By the time last-line British rider, Bechtolsheimer, went into action the fate of the 2011 gold medals was already decided so she was only riding for an individual finishing spot that would earn her a place amongst the top-30 who will line out in Saturday's Grand Prix Special for the Individual medals. That didn't take the edge off her desire to do well however.

"I wanted to do a great performance, to show that Alf and I are in good form, but he was tense, the noise and the atmosphere got to him and he was really strong today. He was stronger than he has ever been actually, and at one stage I was just holding on for dear life!" Bechtolsheimer said.  Her score of 77.280 was good enough for individual fifth place however behind team-mate Dujardin who kicked off the British success yesterday.

Rath was pushed down the order by The Netherlands' Adelinde Cornelissen, last to go in the entire competition with Jerich Parzival and delayed for over 30 minutes after a thunderstorm and lightning strike on the showgrounds led to a temporary halt to the competition. Cornelissen is a cool customer however, and with 81.155 slotted into individual second spot ahead of the German rider. With so many wonderful individual performances over the last few days, it seems spectators are in for a real treat when the action resumes on Saturday and again in Sunday's Freestyle.

Hester must now be hot favourite to head the Special, but this evening he was just savouring the delight of what he, and his team-mates, have achieved so far.  "Every now and then you have a dream ride and I had it today, it was very smooth, especially for a horse so young.  I've never had one like this before - I'm so glad he came into my life before my retirement.  I'm so very lucky to have him.  Today was a great day for us, and for our sport at home," he concluded.

Result:
GOLD - Great Britain 238.678  : Elmegardens Marquis (Emile Faurie) 70.426, Valegro (Charlotte Dujardin) 78.830, Uthopia (Carl Hester) 82.568, Mistral Hojris (Laura Bechtolsheimer) 77.280.
SILVER - Germany 226.110: Damon Hill NRW (Helen Langehanenberg) 71.079, Donnperignon (Christoph Koschel) 71.444, El Santo NRW (Isabell Werth) 75.213, Totilas (Matthias Alexander Rath) 79.453.
BRONZE - The Netherlands 222.645: Moedwill (Sander Marijnissen) 70.578, Exquis Nadine (Hans Peter Minderhoud) 70.912, Sisther de Jeu (Edward Gal) 70.912, Jerich Parzival (Adelinde Cornelissen) 81.155.
4. Sweden 214.437:  Bocelli 1044 (Rose Mathisen) 68.024, Lennix (Cecilia Dorselius) 66.763, Favourit (Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven) 69.939, Watermill Scandic HBC (Patrik Kittel) 76.474..
5. Spain 211.580 : Faberge (Beatriz Ferrer-Salat) 67.842, Jade De MV (Claudio Castilla Ruiz) 66.900, Fuego de Cardenas (Juan Manuel Munoz Diaz) 73.404, Prestige (Jordi Domingo Coll) 70.334.
6. Denmark 209.985:  Jonstrupgaardens Raneue (Lisbeth Seierskilde) 69.970, Exquis Clearwater (Anne Van Olst) 68.632, Blue Hors Romanov (Sune Hansen) 67.660, Digby (Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein) 71.383.
Full results at http://goo.gl/b23Ods

Facts and Figures:
This was Great Britain's first ever gold medal in the 25-year history of the FEI European Dressage Championships.
Their total score of 238.678 set a new European record.
The defending champions from The Netherlands took bronze behind Germany in silver medal position.
Three teams qualified for the London 2012 Olympic Games as a result of their placings in the FEI European Championships 2011 team event - Sweden, Spain and Denmark who finished fourth, fifth and sixth.  The three leading nations - the British gold medallists, the silver medallists from Germany and the bronze medallists from The Netherlands previously achieved Olympic qualification at last year's Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Kentucky.
The top individual score of the team championships was registered today by Great Britain's Carl Hester riding the 10 year old Uthopia - 82.568.
This horse is jointly-owned by the rider and former Irish international event rider Sasha Stewart.
The Netherlands' Adelinde Cornelissen was last to go with Jerich Parzival and came closest to Hester's leading score when earning a mark of 81.155.
Germany's Matthias Alexander Rath and the black stallion Totilas which broke many records during his short but remarkable career with Holland's Edward Gal slotted finished individuall third with a mark of 79.453.
The competition was temporarily suspended with just three riders left to go due to a lightning strike on the showgrounds at Rotterdam.  Switzerlan'ds Hans Staub and Warbeau had completed some of the early movements when the thunder-storm struck and the judges decided, for safety reasons, to stop the competition.  It restarted 30 minutes later.
The Judges Supervisory Panel (JSP) changed 40 marks out of a total of 16,000.  These 40 marks were spread over 24 horse/rider combinations.

Quotes:
Carl Hester (GBR) - "I've got a wonder-horse, but I was nearly more emotional about Charlotte and Valegro yesterday - they are so good and so young, it was just so pleasant". Carl Hester, talking about Uthopia - "he is owned by Sascha (Harrison) and myself and her father, I bought him for her when he was a four year old. He was the first horse I looked at for her and although he's not big he feels like a huge horse, he's massive to sit on, she found him a bit too much as a 5 year old.  I called her and told her I'd found a small one for her, and that the next one would be a big one for me but there never was a next one!  Hopefully we will keep him until the Olympic Games - people are ringing every week for that horse but he's not for sale until after the Olympic Games.  He's a lovely horse, you could put your grandmother on him, and yet when he goes in the arena his movement is so expressive!"

Isabell Werth (GER) - "All of our riders made mistakes today, some unforced errors as they say in tennis, so we have to do better to come closer and be more competitive".

Matthias Alexander Rath (GER) - "In the one-tempi we had a little mistake and in the end also, but I was really happy with my horse".

Adelinde Cornelissen (NED), when asked how she coped while being held before her test due to the thunderstorm "you have to cope and stay concentrated, it wasn't the perfect preparation, you don't plan on a half-hour of walking, but you have to deal with it.  I went to the indoor arena".

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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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Dressage: European Championships: Great Britain's Team Preview

17 August 2011

British dressage riders; Laura Bechtolsheimer (Mistral Hojris), Carl Hester (Uthopia) Charlotte Dujardin (Valegro) and Emile Faurie (Elmegardens Marquis) will be representing Britain at this week’s FEI European Dressage Championships at the Kralingse Bos arena in the Dutch city of Rotterdam (17 - 21 August). The team will be one of a record number of 16 contesting the Championships.

The British team comes with good form as the current European and World team silver medallists. While it will be a team debut for the young and exciting combination of Dujardin and Valegro, the team has the experience of three former Olympic, World and European Championship team riders. Laura Bechtolsheimer and Mistral Hojris, winners of an individual bronze medal at the European Championships at Windsor in 2009 and silver at last year’s World Equestrian Games, are currently second in the FEI world rankings and it is anticipated that the combination will be amongst those fighting for individual honours.

Carl Hester made his team debut 21years ago and has a record 51 National titles to his name. He was a member of the silver medal winning team at the 2009 European Championships and 2010 World Equestrian Games. With Uthopia, he has this year been posting high scores in Europe; scoring over 80% on their last two outings at Fritzens (AUT) and Hickstead (GBR) where the combination gained a personal best score for Hester of 81.80% in the Freestyle.

The Championship team test will be only the sixth international grand prix test for Dujardin, a pupil of Hester for five years. In January the twenty-six-year old scored 74% per cent on her winning international grand prix debut in Vidauban (FRA) and has since recorded grand prix wins at Saumur (FRA), Fritzens and Hickstead, including beating her tutor. 

The Gloucestershire based trio of Bechtolsheimer, Dujardin and Hester will be joined by Oxfordshire based Emile Faurie winner of European individual bronze and team silver in 1993 and a further team bronze at Hickstead in 2003. With Elmegardens Marquis, who shares the same sire, Michellino, as Mistral Hojris, Faurie has impressed with consistent good scores particularly at the recent Aachen CDIO (GER).

There will be strong opposition from both the Dutch and German teams. Germany, formerly undefeated in European Championships from 1965-2005,  now have former Dutch world record holding mount Totilas (Matthias Alexander Rath) on their side and will be keen to re-establish their authority on the Championships since relinquishing the Championship title to the Dutch in Turin (ITA) in 2007. The Dutch, who also won at Windsor in 2009 will be determined to hang on as the best in Europe and will be banking on the experience of this year’s high scoring World Cup winner Jerich Parzival (Adelinde Cornelissen) who will also be one of the favourites, along with Totilas, for individual honours.

For further event information, and competition timetables please visit: http://www.ecdressage2011.com/

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Jumping: HITS and HRTV Join Forces

HITS joins forces with HRTV, the Network for Horse Sports, and A Good Show to bring equine show jumping competition to broadcast television starting with the 2011 Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix
                  
SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK (August 16, 2011) — HITS, Inc. is pleased to announce a multi-year partnership with HRTV and A Good Show (AGS) to bring coverage of the 2011 Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix and other select competition from the national HITS show series to broadcast television. As part of the deal, HRTV and A Good Show will also provide a free, live webcast of the second-annual Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix and first-ever Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final on Sunday, September 11.

"This is an exciting partnership that will, for the first time ever, bring both national and international coverage and attention to a U.S. show jumping series,” said Tom Struzzieri, HITS President & CEO. “We believe that by working with HRTV and A Good Show we will once again raise the bar for American show jumping and provide an opportunity for the world to watch some of the best in equestrian sport.”

In addition to the Pfizer Million coverage, this agreement will extend to include coverage of select high-profile events showcased at the 2012 HITS Desert Circuit in Thermal, California and the 2012 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit in Ocala, Florida.

HRTV, the Network for Horse Sports, is a 24/7 multimedia network dedicated to serving the news, information and entertainment needs of one of the world’s largest, but most under served audiences - horse fans. Leading with the finest in thoroughbred racing, HRTV also delivers programming for virtually all equine sports.

Programming on HRTV informs, excites and entertains fans and enhances riders’ relationships with their equine partners. From top-notch coverage of horseracing at the world’s greatest racetracks with the sport’s most knowledgeable commentators, to award-winning documentaries, world-class equestrian events and competitions, and “how to” information from leading English and Western discipline trainers, HRTV covers the world of horses.

HRTV also features the most significant and competitive contests in the English world, such as Show Jumping, Dressage, Eventing and Carriage Driving for each year’s Aachen World Horse Festival, FEI World Cup Jumping and Dressage events and now, for the first time ever, the U.S.’s HITS season finale with the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix.

“We are excited to be the TV outlet for the high profile HITS series, beginning with the September 2011 Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix,” said Jim Bates, Executive Vice President and General Manager of HRTV. “This multi-year agreement assures us that we can further fulfill our commitment to serve the viewing needs of horse competitors and fans, worldwide.”

Television and webcast productions of the Pfizer Million, Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final and the other select HITS competitions will be handled by A Good Show, creators of quality, cutting-edge network and cable sports and entertainment television. Master of extraordinary outdoor event coverage with difficult logistical details, AGS’ Founder and Executive Producer David Kiviat has produced and directed network sports programming for 30 years, including the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska, the Tour De France, and horse racing’s Triple Crown, just to name a few.

"A Good Show is proud to realize our long-time vision of a multi-year association with HITS, bringing our experience and innovation to launch this exciting, new equine sports television series,” said Kiviat. “HITS’ premiere show jumping events are second to none, and AGS brings the series to its perfect home HRTV, the Network for Horse Sports, strengthening global brand awareness through comprehensive distribution across all media platforms."

Kiviat and his AGS team of producers, directors, camera operators and editors have a long history in contributing to cutting edge sports television. The team has worked with major networks ABC, CBS, NBC, ESPN, Versus and FOX, and has an impressive 20+ National EMMY Awards to their credit, as well as over a hundred EMMY nominations.

Acclaimed voice-over talent, Mike Moran has signed on to provide expert equestrian commentary for both the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final and Pfizer Million. Aside from being a professional trainer and horse sport expert, Moran has hosted and anchored numerous broadcast sporting events and been the voice of many national branded ad campaigns for Sprint, Adidas and Quaker Oatmeal. Moran will team up with talent from HRTV for round-by-round coverage of the competition on Sunday, September 11.

A dedicated landing page for the webcast for the Pfizer Million will be created in the coming weeks, and viewers from around the world will have an opportunity to watch the richest day in show jumping from wherever they are on the planet! For more information on the webcast of the Pfizer Million, please visit HitsShows.com.

About HRTV
HRTV, The Network for Horse Sports, is a 24-hour, television-based multimedia network dedicated to horseracing from the world’s greatest racetracks, as well as a wide-range of world-class equestrian competitions. HRTV also features original programming and award-winning documentaries covering a variety of racing and general equestrian topics. The live stream of HRTV is available on a subscription basis to high-speed Internet users worldwide at hrtvlive.com. The HRTV television network is presently available via cable, Telco video and satellite in more than 19 million U.S. homes.

About A Good Show
A Good Show is a consortium of some of television’s most creative and innovative visionaries, producing high quality, cutting edge network and cable sports and entertainment television shows. AGS represents a powerful global production capability with experience and resources on all continents, and all of today’s many distribution outlets and opportunities. Whether live, short-turn-around or post-produced, AGS captures the athletic experience, world-class performance and superior quality product that best represents the essence of respect for athlete, sport and brand. Combining the thrilling and exciting action and drama of athletic competition with storytelling and hero building, AGS’ coverage is both entertaining, and educational. AGS’ forte is extreme, extraordinary outdoor event coverage with difficult logistical details and leverages over 35 years of media experience with all business aspects of production, distribution, social media capitalization, sponsor relations, and marketing/branding initiatives. More information is available online at: agoodshow.tv.

HITS, Inc. produces high-quality, international-level hunter/jumper horse shows. Based in upstate New York in the village of Saugerties, HITS has been producing shows since 1982 and is now a nationwide company with world-class circuits in California, Florida, Arizona, New York and Virginia. In 2010, HITS took the industry to new heights when it hosted the first-ever Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix. HITS will once again offer the most innovative weekend in show jumping history in 2011 when it hosts the second annual Pfizer Million and the inaugural Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final, September 10-11, at HITS-on-the-Hudson in Saugerties, New York.

For more information and a complete schedule of classes and events, visit HitsShows.com.

WEG Central® - For the latest news in equestrian sport!

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.

WEG Central® - For the latest news in equestrian sport!

Changes to the 2011 Eventing: USEF: Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team Short List for the Pan American Games

From the USEF Communications Department
Lexington, KY- The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) announces the following changes to the 2011 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team Short List for the Pan American Games:

Alexandra Slusher with Last Call and William Coleman III with Obos O'Reilly have withdrawn from consideration for the 2011 Pan American Games.

The first ranked substitute Shannon Lilley with Ballingowan Pizzaz and second ranked substitute, Alexandra Slusher with Pierre have been added on the Short List.

In addition, Boyd Martin and Cold Harbor have been granted permission by the USEF Eventing Selectors to be excused from competing at the Mandatory Outing at Richland Park August 25-28, 2011, for logistical reasons. Martin will be preparing to represent the U.S. on the 2011 Land Rover U.S. Eventing Team at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials to be held September 1-4, 2011, in the U.K., and will be unavailable to compete at Richland Park.

The complete Short List as of August 15:

Emily Beshear/34/Somerset, VA/Here's to You/11/Thoroughbred/G/ Deep Purple Eventing

Hannah Sue Burnett/25/Ocala, FL/Harbour Pilot/8/Irish Sport Horse/G/ Jacqueline Mars

Anna Collier/35/Vancouver, WA/Upper Crust D/10/KWPN/G/ Anna Collier

Bruce Davidson Jr./35/Ocala, FL/Absolute Liberty/8/Thoroughbred/M/Sharon Will

Jonathan Holling/34/Ocala, FL/ Downtown Harrison/7/Trakehner-Thoroughbred Cross/G/ Constance Holling

Shannon Lilley/32/Gilroy, CA/Ballingowan Pizzaz/9/Irish Sport Horse/G/ The Lilley Group

Boyd Martin/32/Cochranville, PA/Cold Harbor/11/Canadian Sport Horse/G/ Dana Diemer

Maxance McManamy/19/Templeton, CA/Project Runway/7/Trakehner/G/ Maxance McManamy

Michael Pollard/30/Dalton, GA/Schoensgreen Hanni/8/German Sport Horse/M/ Natalie Pollard

Kristin Schmolze/28/Califon, NJ/Ballylaffin Bracken/11/Irish Sport Horse/G/ Kristin, Janet, and William Schmolze

Alexandra Slusher/24/Auburn, CA/Pierre/10/Hanoverian/G/ Sandy Campbell

Tamra Smith/36/Murietta, CA/Mar de Amor/11/Selle Francais/G/ Leigh Mesher

Lynn Symansky/28/Middleburg, VA/Donner/8/Thoroughbred/G/Lynn Symansky

Jolie Wentworth/30/Martinez, CA, /Good Knight/9/Canadian Sport Horse/ Tracy Bowman

Sharon White/37/Summit Point, WV/Rafferty's Rules/13/AUS WB/ Adrienne Classen

Ranked Substitutes as of Aug. 15, 2011:

1. Kevin Keane/56/Kennett Square, PA/Fernhill Flutter/9/Irish Sport Horse/G/ Kevin Keane

2. Jennifer Taxay Kelly/47/Agua Dulce, CA/Taboo/7/Thoroughbred/M/ Jennifer Taxay Kelly

3. Matt Flynn/27/Potomac, MD/Breakthrough/7/Irish Sport Horse/G/ Dr. and Mrs. A Patrick Flynn

WEG Central® - For the latest news in equestrian sport!

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.

WEG Central® - For the latest news in equestrian sport!

Aussie challenge for the 2011 FEI Eventing World Cup title

Australian Christopher Burton will join riders from 12 countries on 47 horses in France this weekend to contest the final leg of the FEI Eventing World Cup series at the Haras du Pin national stud farm in Normandy.

29-year-old Burton is currently in second place on the FEI World Cup leader-board behind Clarke Johnstone of New Zealand. Burton will start two horses this weekend in his bid to claim the 2011 FEI World Cup Eventing title,  his 2010 World Equestrian Games mount Holstein Park Leilani and  Newsprint, a winner of the 2008 Adelaide CCI4* and runner-up in 2010.

“I am grateful to the owners of the horses, Jean and Jade Findlay and Lou Verway for the opportunity to have these horses in Europe and for the chance to challenge for the World Cup title,” said Burton.

“I will be trying to win it. Both these horse are capable of very good performances, Barry [Newsprint] had a god run at Gatcombe and Leilani is going well so fingers crossed I will be in with a good chance.”

Points gained at each qualifier count towards a prize pot awarded to the best riders at the end of the series. After eight CIC-W3* events in eight countries across three continents, the three most successful riders will share a valuable prize fund worth € 32'000.

In 2010 Australia’s Megan Jones finished second overall out of 133 riders from 25 nations.

In June, Burton relocated from Sydney to the United Kingdom to campaign for next year’s Olympic Games. He took a strong team of horses with him and is already achieving some impressive results in the Northern Hemisphere. Earlier this month Burton placed fifth at the British Open Championship at Gatcombe riding Newsprint.

Johnstone and Burton have gone head-to-head twice in the FEI World Cup series so far this year, at Kihikihi (NZL) and Sydney (AUS).  Johnstone has won both classes aboard his talented New Zealand Thoroughbred Orient Express whilst Burton finished a close second on both occasions riding Holstein Park Leilani. Johnstone will be competing on Orient Express this weekend.

Johnstone currently sits on 118 points on the FEI World Cup leader-board, Burton on 108 and in third place is Aliaksandr Faminou of Belarus, who will not be competing this weekend.

Australia will also be represented in the CIC3*-W at Haras du Pin by world class competitors Clayton Fredericks (2005 and 2008 FEI World Cup winner and Olympic Silver medallist), Sam Griffiths (2010 World Equestrian Games representative) and Paul Tapner (2010 Badminton winner and 2010 World Equestrian Games representative).

The CIC3*-W start list includes some of the best riders from around the globe. The living legend Mark Todd (NZL), 2011 Badminton winner and dual gold medallist, will return to ‘Le Pin’.  Last year’s Le Pin winner, Emily Baldwin (GBR) is back to defend her title.

The Haras du Pin national stud-farm will welcome a record 266 horses from 14 nations participating in three international classes over the weekend. Riders from Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Czech Republic, France, Great-Britain, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Republic of South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, and USA are taking part.

For all 2011 Haras du Pin results stay tuned to http://www.legrandcomplet.com/english/start-lists-results/

For more information regarding the FEI World Cup Eventing including the point allocation system, series rules and leader boards please see the FEI web site,  http://www.feiworldcup.org/Eventing/Pages/FEIWorldCupEvents.aspx

WEG Central® - For the latest news in equestrian sport!

Dressage: FEI: IT'S A SILVER ANNIVERSARY FOR FEI EUROPEAN DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS, BUT WHO WILL TAKE THE GOLD? - by Louise Parkes

FEI EUROPEAN DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS 2011 - PREVIEW
Lausanne (SUI), 11 August 2011

(Watch the FEI European Dressage Championship Trailer on the video player on the right WegCentral sidebar.)

Details of Definite Entries for the FEI European Dressage Championships 2011 which will take place from 17 to 21 August.


The FEI European Dressage Championships 2011 will celebrate 25 years of spectacular sport as the action gets underway at the Kralingse Bos arena in Rotterdam (NED) next Wednesday morning.  The world of Dressage has undergone significant change since Switzerland's Henri Chammartin and Wolfdietrich won the first Individual title in Copenhagen (DEN) IN 1963, and while only 16 riders from eight nations lined out in that inaugural fixture, participation is at an all-time high this time around with 66 competitors from 21 nations and a total of 16 teams vying for the coveted medals.

Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Great Britain, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Switzerland, Sweden and the Ukraine will all be represented in what promises to be an epic battle over four tough days of competition beginning on 17 August.

INCREASINGLY COMPETITIVE
The FEI European Dressage Championships, as we know them today, emerged from the FEI Grand Prix events that date right back to 1927 and which became increasingly competitive throughout the 1950's.  The winners were often referred to as European Champions, so it came as no surprise when Chammartin, FEI Grand Prix champion in 1955, 1958 and again in 1959, claimed gold at the first official FEI European Dressage Championship four years later. In fact he was a double-medallist in 1963, also taking bronze with his second ride Woerman while Germany's Harry Boldt and Remus finished in silver-medal position.

Two years further on, in 1965, the first Team Championship took place in which the three Dressage powers of the time - Germany, Switzerland and the Soviet Union - finished in that order while Chammartin won his second Individual title.  The great Swiss rider, who recently passed away at the age of 92, also competed in five consecutive Olympic Games between 1952 and 1968 and collected five Olympic medals including gold in Tokyo in 1964.

NO STOPPING THEM
Once the Germans got a taste for success at team level, there was no stopping them for the next 40 years as they scooped 21 team titles in a row.  And although Switzerland's Christine Stuckelberger (in 1975 and 1977 with Granat), Austria's Elisabeth Theurer (in 1979 with Mon Cherie), Denmark's Anne-Grethe Jensen (in 1983 with Marzog), Margit Otto Crepin from France (Corlandus in 1987) and The Netherlands' Anky Van Grunsven (in 1999 with Bonfire) claimed individual gold during that time, Germany also cleaned up the majority of the Individual titles - 15 in total between 1963 and 2003.

The German title-holders included legendary triple-champion Reiner Klimke and double-champion Liselott Linsenhoff.  In 1991 at Donaueschingen (GER), two separate Individual competitions were staged for the first time and Germany won both - Sven Rothenberger and Andiamo coming out on top in the Kur to Music and Isabell Werth topping the Grand Prix Special. The same format was used in Lipica (SLO) two years later when Werth came out ahead again, and 1989 champion Nicole Uphoff secured the German double by winning the Kur.

There was a change to the format in 1995 at Mondorf in Luxembourg where all riders competed in the Grand Prix, the top-24 went through to the Grand Prix Special and the top 12 qualified for the Kur, or Freestyle.  The scores from all three competitions decided the Individual champion, and there was no doubt about the result as Werth and Gigolo won all before them.

DOGGED AT EVERY TURN
The German star was being dogged at every turn however by a Dutch rider called Anky van Grunsven who, riding Bonfire, took silver behind Werth in 1995 and 1997 before clinching Individual gold at Arnhem (NED) in 1999.  The winds of change were blowing, and although Salzgeber and Rusty reigned supreme for Germany during the next two Championships, Van Grunsven and Salinero took the Individual title again at Hagen (GER) in 2005 where the Dutch finished a close second in the Team Championship.

Since then, the The Netherlands has not looked back.  Following the re-introduction of the two-medal Individual formula, Werth claimed gold in the Grand Prix Special at La Mandria (ITA) in 2007, but Van Grunsven won the Kur to Music and the Dutch team overcame Germany for the very first time.  Two years ago in Windsor (GBR), Dutch supremacy was further cemented when Adelinde Cornelissen and Parzival claimed the honours in the Grand Prix Special, Edward Gal and the spectacular Moorlands Totilas produced a record-breaking 90.750% to win the Freestyle and the team of Cornelissen, Gal, Imke Schellekens-Bartels and Anky Van Grunsven won gold.

The rising fortunes of British dressage also became evident as the side of Maria Eilberg, Carl Hester, Laura Bechtolsheimer and Emma Hindle took silver ahead of Germany's Matthias Alexander Rath, Monica Theororescu, Ellen Schulten-Baumer and Susanne Lebek.

BIG QUESTIONS
There are lots of big questions ahead of next week's 2011 Championships including - can the Germans return to a position of prominence, or will the Dutch continue their winning streak? And how about the British who took silver at last year's Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Kentucky? The heart-stopping stallion, Totilas, is now in the hands of Germany's Matthias Alexander Rath and the partnership is going from strength to strength.  Can this horse set the world of international dressage alight once again, as he did so sensationally at Windsor two years ago?  The German team is truly formidable, with the on-form Helen Langehanenberg and Damon Hill NRW joined by Christoph Koschel (Donnperignon) and multiple-champion Isabel Werth, this time riding El Santo NRW.  It is a side oozing experience and talent, and will surely be a tough nut to crack.

But the Dutch have 2011 Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage champions Cornelissen and Parzival, Gal with Sisther de Jeu, Hans Peter Minderhoud with Exquis Nadine and Sander Marjinissen and Moedwill on call-up.  It has taken The Netherlands a long time to establish themselves at the top of the world order, and they have no intention of yielding that position, especially not on their home turf.  The British meanwhile are determined to hold their ground, and if Laura Bechtolsheimer and Mistral Hojris can re-produce the form that gave them silver in both the Grand Prix Special and Freestyle in Kentucky last October, and Carl Hester continues his meteoric rise with the stallion Uthopia, then the British side that also includes Charlotte du Jardin (Valegro) and Emile Faurie (Eimegardens Marquis) will be serious contenders.

There will, no doubt, be some surprises along the way, but one thing is for sure - the FEI European Dressage Championships 2011 promise the best of top-quality sport.  Don't miss a beat - complete competition reports, results, updates, behind-the-scenes information, fact and figures and more can be found on www.fei.org as well as dedicated FEI Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages.  Join us for the ride....   

Facts and Figures:

• This is the 25th edition of the FEI Championships and only the second time for the event to take place in The Netherlands.
• The venue at Kralingse Bos, a 200 hectare forest located in the heart of Rotterdam, has been home to the world-famous CHIO Rotterdam since 1948.
• Germany has won the FEI European Dressage Team Title on 21 occasions, undefeated between 1965 and 2005.
• The defending team champions are the Dutch, winners at the 2009 Championships in Windsor (GBR) and also at the previous Championships at La Mandria (ITA) in 2007.
• Dutch riders are also the current title holders in both the Freestyle to Music (Edward Gal and Moorlands Totilas) and Grand Prix Special (Adelinde Cornelissen and Parzival).
• The three best ranked teams from the FEI Olympic Groups A (North Western Europe), B (South Western Europe) and C (Central Europe) will qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games, excluding Great Britain, The Netherlands, German and the USA who are already qualified.
• A record number of 16 teams will compete at the 2011 Championships in Rotterdam (NED).  Previously the largest number of competing nations was 14 - at Hickstead (GBR) in 2003 and again at Hagen (GER) in 2005.
• The legendary Dr Reiner Klimke won three individual titles - at Aachen in 1967 riding Dux and again in 1973 riding Mehmed.  His third victory was in
• Copenhagen                                                                                 
• (DEN) in 1985, partnering Ahlerich.
  At the FEI European Championships in Windsor (GBR) In 2009, The Netherlands' Edward Gal and Moorlands Totilas smashed the Freestyle world record with a mark of 90.70%, achieving a spectacular 29 perfect-10 scores.
  President of the Ground Jury for the FEI European Dressage Championships 2011 at Rotterdam (NED) is Gislain Fouarge (NED) who has officiated at the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong, the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2006 in Aachen (GER), the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2010 in Kentucky (USA) and at two FEI World Cup™ Finals.  Mr Fouarge was elected the FEI's first Dressage Judge General in January 2011.

WEG Central® - For the latest news in equestrian sport!

Jumping: Spruce Meadows: USEF: Fellers, Hough, Madden and Spooner to Jump for U.S. at CSIO5* Spruce Meadows Masters Tournament

 By USEF Communications Department
Lexington, KY- The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) will be represented by four show jumpers at the CSIO5* Spruce Meadows Masters Tournament, which runs September 7-11, 2011, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Please click on any athlete name for more information about that jumper.

The following horse/rider combinations have been named to represent the U.S.

Rich Fellers and Flexible (15-year-old Irish Sport Horse stallion owned by Mollie and Harry Champman)
 
Lauren Hough and Quick Study (12-year-old Selle Francais gelding owned by Laura and Meredith Mateo)  

Beezie Madden and Coral Reef Via Volo (13-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare owned by Coral Reef Ranch)
 
Richard Spooner and Cristallo (13-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Richard Spooner)

WEG Central® - For the latest news in equestrian sport!

USEF: Magical Diamond and Kirklen Peterson Garner Overall Green Grand Hunter Pony Championship at 2011 USEF Pony Finals

Magical Diamond and Kirklen Peterson Garner Overall Green Grand Hunter Pony Championship at 2011 USEF Pony Final

August 10, 2011

By Rebeccah Walton/Phelps Media Group

Lexington, KY -  The 2011 United States Equestrian Federation Pony Finals continued today at the picturesque Kentucky Horse Park with the conclusion of the Green Pony Hunter divisions. Ponies and riders from each division completed their over fences phases, competing for the top honors, as well as the championship and reserve championship titles. At the end of the day, Kirklen Petersen and Magical Diamond claimed the Green Pony Hunter Grand Championship title after winning the Medium Green Pony Hunter Over Fences and the Medium Green Pony Hunter Championship.

The first class of the day for the USEF National Hunter Pony Championships, presented by Sallee Horse Vans, was the Small Green Pony Over Fences. Emma Lemke and Chatterbox, owned by Frank Hernandez of Cordova, TN, jumped to the top of the leaderboard with scores of 85, 82, and 85, taking home the blue ribbon prize. Lindsay Levine and Bit of Laughter, owned by Scott Stewart of Wellington, FL, followed in the second-place position after earning an 83, an 83, and an 81. The third-place ribbon went to Emma Kurtz and Quicksilver Butterfly, owned by Kate Taylor of Pittsford, NY, who received scores of 84, 79, and 80. At the end of the class, the overall points were tabulated and Levine was named with Overall Small Green Pony Hunter Champion aboard Bit of Laughter. The reserve championship honors were presented to Kurtz and Quicksilver Butterfly.

"This is Bit of Laughter's first time at Pony Finals," commented Levine. "He is still very young and very green, so you have to stay in the middle and keep him going because if you fall out he falls off his lead. The course today was good. I thought he was going to spook on the out of the diagonal line because he isn't as experienced as my other ponies, but he was really good."

Bit of Laughter and Lindsay Levine. Photo by Shawn McMillen.

The Medium Green Pony Hunters were next, and it was Magical Diamond's stunning performance over fences that helped him win all the top awards with Kirklen Petersen in the irons. The duo took home the blue ribbon prize in the over fences class with scores of 85, 88, and 83.75, which would be good enough to claim the Overall Medium Green Pony Hunter Championship. Elizabeth Foster and Born Free Farm of Dover, MA own Magical Diamond.

"I started showing Magical Diamond at WEF and he was great, he was circuit champion," explained Petersen. "He needs a loose ride, you just help him find the jumps, but he's not green at all for the most part. The course was pretty good, I hate bending lines, but the rest was good. I am really happy and I really like Pony Finals because it's the biggest show of the year and I get to spend time with my friends."

The pair's excellent performance over the last two days was good enough to earn them the Overall Green Grand Hunter Pony Championship, as well. Magical Diamond's owner Elizabeth Foster said, "It's hard to describe riding him. When I am trotting on him I feel like I am floating on air. He is really easy to see distances on. Once you click with him it is indescribable. I have been so excited and nervous for them, my heart is still pounding!"

The Overall Medium Green Pony Hunter Reserve Championship went to Meredith Darst and Easter Monday, owned by Carol Dornish of Delaware, OH, who were ranked third going into the final phase and placed fifth over fences. The second-place prize in the over fences was presented to Isabella Hendrickson of Shaker Heights, OH, and Woodland's Stevie Ray, who had scores of 86, 82, and 83.5. Sierra Lesny of New Cumberland, PA, and Gidget picked up the third-place honors after receiving scores of 82, 83, and 84.

Meredith Darst and Faunti. Photo by Shawn McMillen.

"Easter Monday is fun; she has a big stride and jumps really well," noted Darst. "She was really good this weekend. She is still really green, so it's really good that she was able to go in and do such a good job."

In the Large Green Pony Hunter division, Darst stepped up to win the Overall Large Green Pony Hunter Championship aboard Faunti, owned by Meredith Maroonie of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, after placing second in the over fences with scores of 84.5, 81, and 83.75. The duo also received the Overall Green Grand Pony Reserve Championship title.

"I started riding Faunti during WEF," commented Darst. "He is really smooth and his lead changes are really easy. He's green, but he's not spooky or too green. We practiced in the horse show here last week, and we were able to remember each other a little bit since he doesn't live in Florida with me. I really enjoy showing at Pony Finals because the ring is big, so it gives you time and room to think."

The Large Green Pony Hunter Reserve Championship went to today's Large Green Over Fences winner, Savannah Talcott and Someday Came, owned by Madelyn Porter of St. Louis, MO. The duo received scores of 82, 86, and 86 to earn the class's blue ribbon prize. Morgan Ward of Milford, NJ, and Romeo took home the third-place honors after earning scores of 79, 79, and 84.5.

The next presentation was for the Welsh High Score Green Pony, and the winning prize was awarded to Darst for her ride aboard Easter Monday. Taking home the reserve title was Madeline Schaefer and Bieber, owned by Bibby Farmer Hill of Reddick, FL.

The Regular Medium Pony Hunter Under Saddle took place next in the Walnut Ring. The top call went to Meredith Darst and Enchanted Forest, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker of Middleburg, VA, while Kirklen Petersen and Heart's Desire, owned by Stone Ridge of Calgary, Canada, followed in second. Carly Alder and Nemo, owned by Tammy Provost and Wind Haven Farm of Zionsville, IN, took home the day's third-place honors.

The final activity of the day at the USEF Pony Finals was the Lip Sync Show, benefiting Danny and Ron's Rescue. Each team had a wonderful performance during the event, which was held in the Covered Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park.

The 2011 USEF Pony Finals will continue tomorrow with the Medium Pony Hunters' over fences phase, as well as the Small Pony Hunters' model and under saddle phases. In the Covered Arena, the Pony Jumper competition will be getting underway in the evening as they compete for top prizes.

For more information about the 2011 USEF Pony Finals, visit http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2011PonyFinals/.

WEG Central® - For the latest news in equestrian sport!

USEF News: This week in International Disciplines

August 10, 2011 

From the USEF Communications Department

Dressage   
CDI Verden in Germany hosted the 2011 FEI World Breeding Championships and the U.S. was represented in this prestigious event by dressage rider Jennifer Hoffman.  Hoffmann and Florentinus V were eighth in the first qualifying competition for 5-year old horses with a score of 8.42, with Ratzinger Z, Hoffmann was tied for eighth in the 1st qualifying competition 6-year old horses with a score of 8.36.

Hoffman qualified for the Finals in both the 5-and 6-year-old divisions, which was a major achievement given the quality of young horses competing in Verden. Hoffman's own Florentinus V (Florestan x Londonderry) ended up the ninth best 5-year-old in the competition.  Ratzinger V (Riccione x Pablo) finished 14th in the 6-year-old final.

Hoffmann had two sixth place finishes in the 4-year-old classes as well.  Marshal V and Hofmarschall V both impressed the judges in these non-championship classes.
For complete results, please visit http://eventcontent.hippoonline.de/614/614zeitplanENG.htm.

Driving
At the CAI-2 Sachwaiganger in Germany, Misdee Wrigley-Miller and her pair of horses, Riant W and Sarasko, won the dressage phase with a score of 48.90. Fellow American Joe Yoder placed third with a score of 49.79. Both Wrigley-Miller and Yoder retired on the marathon phase but Yoder rebounded in the obstacle phase, guiding Randro and Veron to a fifth place finish with 8.67 total penalties.
Please visit http://www.turnierdienst-brinkmann.de/115.html for complete results.

Jumping

Lauren Hough and Quick Study (Beatrice Scudo Photo)
The U.S. show jumpers dominated the final day of the Royal Dublin Horse Show by picking up three wins, the highlight of which was Lauren Hough's major score in the Longines International Grand Prix of Ireland with Quick Study. Quick Study and Hough dominated the star-studded field of 40, and they were one of only two pairs to jump two clear rounds. Her second round time was three seconds faster than French rider Michel Robert, who ended up second on Kellemoi De Pepit. Hough's teammate Beezie Madden ended up ninth in the Grand Prix on Cortes 'C'.

Madden scored her own victory earlier in the day on Prima. She flew to victory in the Speed Championship by more than three seconds. Laura Kraut scored the third U.S. win of the day in the International 7 & 8-year-old Championship with Woodstock O. Woodstock O jumped two immaculate rounds and the pair was more than a second faster than Madden, who was runner-up on Zhivago.

Kraut also won two classes earlier in the week on Dona Evita, winning the The Failte Stakes and the Power & Speed class where Madden and Cortes 'C' were third. Hough also won on Blue Angel in the Irish Sports Council Classic.

More information and a list of results is available here: http://www.longinestiming.com/sports/equestrian/racearchives/dublin2011/index.htm

Complete coverage is available here: http://www.usefnetwork.com/featured/2011FEINationsCup/

The US was also well represented at the CSI Valkenswaard in the Netherlands. Navona Gallegos and Vatricia finished sixth in the Big Tour 1.45m CSI2* Table A with one jump-off, while Jessica Springsteen and Cincinatti La Silla finished ninth. Cara Raether and Lyonell finished fifth in the Big Tour CSI2* Table A against the clock. In the Medium Tour 1.40m CSI2* Table A with one jump-off, Gallegos and No Fear came in eighth. Cortright Wetherill and Carlos were fourth in the 1.35m CSI1* against the clock, and came in sixth later in the week in the 1.35m CSI1* Table A with one jump-off. Wetherill and Whoops came in third in the 1.25m CSI1* Table A against the clock.

Finishing up the weekend, in the Grand Prix Horse Festival Valkenswaard, Raether and Lyonell were the top-placed Americans, coming in fourth place. Quentin Judge and HH Calvano finished seventh.
For complete results, please visit http://results.scgvisual.com/2011/vw-grass-arena/ .

Lucy Davis and Hannah had a winning week at the CSI Verden in Germany. Davis and Hannah finished on top in the 1.40m 1st qualifier against the clock of the Big Tour with a clean, fast round, while the pair also finished second in the 1.40m 1st qualifier against the clock of the Medium Tour. Davis finished off the weekend by taking home the top prize in the 1.45m Big Tour Finale with yet another fast, clean round.

Christi Israel and Cracky Z came in fourth in the 1.40m competition against the clock of the CSIAm-A - Large Tour on Thursday and finished eighth in the same class on Friday. In the 1.40m competition in two phases of the CSIAm-A - Large Tour, Israel and Cracky Z finished third while Theodore Boris and La Ina finished fifth. In the CSIAm -B-Medium Tour, Israel finished eighth with Olli in the 1.25m competition against the clock, and then seventh later in the week in the 1.25m competition in two phases of the. On Friday, Theodore Boris and La Ina came in fifth in the 1.25m competition against the clock of the CSIAm-B - Medium Tour.

Please visit http://eventcontent.hippoonline.de/614/614zeitplanENG.htm for complete results.

Maggie McAlary had a successful weekend representing the US at the CSI Leudelange in Luxembourg. McAlary finished on top in the competition against the clock (1.35 m) CSI2* with Quidam van de Kapel with a clean, fast round. With Caliana, McAlary had another first place finish in the CSI2* 1.30m accumulator competition, and also tied for ninth in the CSI2* six bar competition. McAlary and Valeriane FM finished ninth in the CSIYH competition in two phases (1.25 m/1.30 m). The pair also finished second in the CSIYH competition against the clock (1.25/1.30 m) later in the week.

For complete results, please visit http://www.hippo-results.com/index.php?mod=mod_csileudelange2011  

Jumping: FEI: Young Riders: DOUBLE-GOLD FOR VENEZUELA AND ECUADOR - by Louise Parkes

Pictured at the FEI Americas Championships for Young Riders, Juniors, Pre-Juniors and Children 2011 in Guayquil, Ecuador - On podium Pre-Junior Gold Medallist Emanuel Andrade (VEN), Silver Medallist Sofia Ribandeneira (ECU) and Bronze Medallist Javier Lopez (CHI).  In front, Chief Steward Cesar Hirsch (VEN), Gloria de Cuesta, Show Director and President Ecuador NF and Pablo Mayorga (ARG), FEI Second Vice-President.  Photo: Guayquil Press.

FEI AMERICAS CHAMPIONSHIP FOR YOUNG RIDERS, JUNIORS, PRE-JUNIORS AND CHILDREN 2011

Lausanne (SUI), 10 August 2011

Host nation competitors claimed the Junior and Children's titles, while Venezuela scooped gold in Young Riders and Pre-Juniors at the FEI Americas Championships for Young Riders, Juniors, Pre-Juniors and Children 2011 in Guayquil, Ecuador.  Staged at the Guayquil Country Club, which is home to an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, a soccer pitch, an Olympic swimming pool and an equestrian centre with its own veterinary clinic, the event attracted 75 competitors from eight countries including Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Brazil.

Guayquil is the largest and most populous city in Ecuador, and the nerve-centre for the country's business and manufacturing industries.  Ecuador has produced a number of successful riders down the years including 2004 South American Young Riders Jumping Champion, Jose Penafiel.  And the home squad snatched three of the 12 medals on offer during the six-day fixture.

SWEPT ALL BEFORE THEM

The Venezuelans swept all before them in the Young Rider Championships with Luis Fernando Larrazabal steering Sacramento to gold, Martin Jeri claiming silver with Olympe du Fouquet and Luis Muro taking bronze.  Larrazabal is based at G&C Farms in Wellington, Florida, USA along with his brother Juan Andres and is coached by Venezuelan Olympian Pablo Barrios.

Luis Fernando already has an impressive career record, finishing seventh in the Children's Championships in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 2005, fifth in the Pre-Juniors in Caracas, Venezuela in 2006 and taking the silver medal in the Junior Championship at last year's FEI Americas Championships which re-visited Caracas.  And he went one better than his brother, Juan, who was silver medallist in the 2010 Young Riders Championship behind Martin Jeri who took gold on that occasion.  This year Jeri who had to settle for silver with his nine year old chestnut Selle Francais..

PRIME POSITION

It was Ecuador in prime position in the Junior Championship when Priscilla Simpson and Talisman pinned Chile's Paola Labbe and Garrinche into silver medal spot and Colombia's Diero Umana took bronze.  And in the Children's division the host country reigned supreme once again.  Juan Fernando Camacho and Baruk came out on top while Venezuela's Victoria Karam claimed silver for the second successive year, this time riding Vanidosa. Bronze went to yet another of the strong Venezuelan contingent, Clarisa Chumacero riding Medium Plateire.

Pre-Junior competition is fairly unique to the Americas, and Venezuela's Emanuel Andrade and Costa took gold here ahead of Ecuador's Sofia Ribadeneira riding Pedro Navaja while Chile's Thomas Munoz and Barrabas, who finished sixth in this section in 2010, improved their performance to seal the bronze. 

SUPPORTED

FEI Officials from Costa Rica, Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Ecuador supported the riders during the Championships which were open to young people aged between 12 and 21.  Brazil's Marina Azevedo Moraes Santos was course-designer and provided a range of challenging tests that brought the cream of the crop to the top of their game.

Organised by the National Federation of Ecuador, the event was a great success, and Gloria de Cuesta, President of the Ecuador NF and Show Director for the Championships was delighted with the result. "After all the hard work, it was a wonderful reward to have 75 riders and horses from eight countries here in Guayaquil!" she said.

Results:

Young Rider: GOLD - Sacramento (Luis Fernando Larrazabal) VEN; SILVER - Olympe du Fouquet (Martin Jeri) VEN; BRONZE - GM Laroche (Luis Muro) VEN.

Junior: GOLD - Talisman (Priscilla Simpson) ECU; SILVER - Garrinche (Paola Labbe) CHI; BRONZE - Palmorose (Diego Umana) COL.

Pre-Junior: GOLD - Costa (Emanuel Andrade) VEN; SILVER - Pedro Navaja (Sofia Ribadeneira) ECU; BRONZE - Barrabas (Thomas Munoz) CHI.

Children: GOLD - Baruk (Juan Fernando Camacho) ECU; SILVER - Vanidosa (Victoria Karam) VEN; BRONZE - Medium Plateire (Clarisa Chumacero) VEN.

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