Classy Czechs Cruise To Victory At Europe Division 2 Opener In Linz

On an day of ever-changing fortunes for many of the other sides, a crack foursome from the Czech Republic took the lead at the halfway stage and held on to secure a convincing victory in the opening leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 Europe Division 2 League at Linz in Austria. Zuzana Zelinkova, Emma Augier de Moussac, Ondrej Zvara and Ales Opatrny finished on a final tally of just two faults to leave them well ahead of the runners-up from Ukraine who completed with eight. Team Germany lined up third ahead of Poland in fourth, while the exciting young side from Luxembourg slotted into fifth ahead of Finland in sixth place.

The was great joy in the Czech camp in the aftermath, and a sense that they have really arrived. Success in Europe Division 2 of the Furusiyya series is not entirely new to them as they also came out on top in Budapest, Hungary last season. But today’s result, which earned them the maximum 100 points towards qualification for the Furusiyya 2015 Final, suggests a significant strengthening of their position, backed up by a brilliant performance from their second-line partnership of 23-year-old Augier de Moussac and her 10-year-old gelding, Charly Brown, who produced the only double-clear of the competition.

The right level

Franz Madl’s 12-fence track was pitched at just the right level, with less-experienced riders gaining valuable experience while the more seasoned campaigners were still well-tested. A double – vertical to oxer – preceded the big 4-metre-wide open water which claimed a large number of victims in both rounds and that was followed off a wide right-handed sweeping turn to a 1.60m wall that represented the Austrian national flag and crest. The early drama of the day included a spectacular display of naughtiness from Finland’s path-finding 11-year-old grey, Lennox Luis, who threw a temper tantrum when asked to turn away from the out-gate and go down to the wall, and who wasn’t satisfied until he threw himself on the ground and unseated his rider, Henri Kovacs.

Meanwhile the end of the course presented plenty of questions, with the penultimate triple combination taking a heavy toll. Augier de Moussac commented afterwards, “it was partly difficult because it was at the end of the track and the time was short. If you over-rode to the triple bar going in, then it was easy to have the vertical down or meet the last oxer on a bad stride” she explained. And talking about the open water she added, “I’m lucky I have such a good jumper because I hate water, I always add a stride going in and Charly was brilliant in both rounds!”

Reduced to eight

The maximum permitted quota of 13 teams was reduced to eight for the second round which began with another spectacular display from Kovacs’ Lennox Luis, but this time of the very best kind as the horse jumped brilliantly from start to finish, collecting just a single time-fault when over the 77 seconds time-allowed. This boosted Finnish morale, but despite a much-improved second effort they would only succeed in moving up two places, from eighth to sixth. The Turkish team carried 14 faults into the second round and didn’t improve from seventh spot when hampered by elimination for their opening rider Derin Demirsoy who parted company with his 12-year-old Holsteiner, Colino, after a mistake at fence five.

Luxembourg carried 12 faults after impressive four-fault efforts from Christian Weier (Global) Victor Bettendorf (Sorbier Blanc) and Noemie Goergen (Smint 2), and, adding only nine more they moved up one place to finish fifth. But the real battle was played out between the Ukrainians who carried eight into round two, the Germans, Poles and Hungarians carrying just four faults each and the Czechs out in front on a zero score.

Chances were dashed

Hungarian chances were dashed by the addition of 28 to see them plummet down the order, and Poland moved on to a 16-fault scoreline despite a last-to-go clear from Marek Lewicki and Abigej. Jorne Sprehe’s clear with Luna, that included a breath-taking leap over the water, ensured Germany only had to add nine to their tally, but three clears from the Ukraine pinned the Germans back to third spot, Katharina Offel (Quebracho Semilly), Cassio Rivetti (Forlap) and Rene Tebbel (Cooper 75) never putting a foot wrong.

The Czechs however had it in the bag after third-line rider, Zvara, returned with five faults when his grey stallion, Cento Lano, hit the oxer at fence six and was a little late through the timers. Zusana Zelinkova and her fabulous and flashy stallion Caleri ll, whose only mistake first time out was at the wall, returned with just a single time penalty and when Augier de Moussac posted a second clear then Zvara’s error only moved their running total onto an unbeatable six faults. So when Ales Opatrny and Acovardo set off it was cosmetic, his single time fault in another brilliant tour of the track negating Zvara’s five and increasing the winning margin by a full six faults.

The team from the Czech Republic won the first leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 Europe Division 2 League at Linz, Austria today: (L to R) Ales Opatrny, Emma Augier de Moussac, Chef d’Equipe Martin Ohnheiser, Zuzana Zelinkova and Ondrej Zvara. (FEI/Herve Bonnaud)

Great team spirit

“We have great team spirit, we support each other a lot” said Augier de Moussac who competed on last year’s winning Czech team at Budapest and at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy with her other top ride, Danthe. “Charly Brown is a new horse for me, my sister broke her wrist last year and he was only jumping up to 1.35m until last summer with her. He’s come a long way in a very short time!” explained the talented French-born rider who has been based with her trainer, Vincent Voorn, in Eindhoven, Holland for the last 18 months.

“I believed we could hold on!” she said, when asked about her team being in the lead at the halfway stage. “Our horses all jumped grand, but it’s only my second time in a Nations Cup and I didn’t know what to expect exactly. My horse stayed very calm in both rounds though.”

And Martin Ohnheiser, who made his debut as Czech Chef d’Equipe today, could hardly believe how things worked out. “I’m absolutely over the moon; what a great feeling!” he said.

Next Friday, 15 May, two legs of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping series will take place. La Baule, France hosts the second round of Europe Division 1, and for all details on the French fixture go to http://www.labaule-cheval.com or contact Press Officer Veronique Gauthier, Email veronique-gauthier@club-internet.fr

The second leg of Europe Division 2 will be held on the same afternoon at Odense in Denmark, and for further information on the Danish fixture check out website http://www.firsthorsegrandprix.dk

Result:

1. Czech Republic 2 faults: Caleri ll (Zuzanna Zelinkova) 4/1, Charly Brown (Emma Augier de Moussac) 0/0, Cento Lano (Ondrej Zvara) 0/5, Acovardo (Ales Opatrny) 0/1.

2. Ukraine 8 faults: Quebracho Semilly (Katharina Offel) 4/0, Forlap (Cassio Rivetti) 5/0, Chadino (Ferenc Sxzentirmai) 0/4, Cooper 75 (Rene Tebbel) 4/0.

3. Germany 13 faults: Che Guevara (Joerg Oppermann) 4/8, Luna (Jorne Sprehe) 4/0, La Luna (Andreas Kreuzer) 0/4, Cashmoaker (Denis Nielsen) 0/5.

4. Poland 16 faults: Wavantos vd Renvillehoeve (Lukasz Wasilewski) 4/9, Osadkowski van Halen (Piotr Morsztyn) 0/4, Emperio van’t Roosakker (Zuzanna Gowin) 0/8, Abigej (Marek Lewicki) 16/0.

5. Luxembourg 21 faults: Global (Christian Weier) 4/1, Sorbier Blanc (Victor Bettendorf) 4/4, Smint 2 (Noemle Goergen) 4/13, Kiwi du Gibet (Charlotte Bettendorf) 8/4.

6. Finland 23 faults: Lennox Luis (Henri Kovacs) Elim/1, Cue Channa (Sebastian Numminen) 4/4, Celestine (Satu Liukkonen) 8/1, Vincente (Maiji Mallet) 5/4.

7. Turkey 27 faults: Colino (Derin Demirsoy) 5/Elim, Chaccomo (Cagri Basel) 1/5, Chiara (Husnu Dinc) 8/4, Dadjak ter Puttenen) Omer Karaevli) 8/4.

8. Hungary 32 faults: Esprit (Emil Orban) 0/12, Zordon (Balazs Horvath) 0/8, Chacco Boy (Mariann Hugyecz) 4/8, Casinger (Gyula Szuhai) Ret/23.

Facts and Figures:

Linz in Austria presented the first leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping European Division 2 League today, with the team from the Czech Republic coming out on top.

A total of 13 nations started in the first round, with nine chasing points towards the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 Final which will take place in Barcelona, Spain in September.

8 teams went through to the second round.

Course designer was Austria’s Franz Madl.

10 horse-and-rider combinations jumped clear in the first round including 3 from the Czech Republic who led the way at the halfway stage.

Only four jumped clear in the second round.

Just one double-clear performance on the day, from Czech Republic’s second-line horse-and-rider partnership Charly Brown ridden by Emma Augier de Moussac.

Quotes:

Emma Augier de Moussac: “I was born in France, but I’ve been meeting all of the other team riders through the years and we are always there for each other”

Zuzana Zelinkova: “Today was an absolutely super day of sport, and getting first place is just amazing. This is our second Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ win following our triumph last year in Budapest. I really want to thank my teammates for their unbelievable performance!”

Emma Augier de Moussac: “I am ever so proud to be part of this team. You can never get tired of winning and I want to experience more moments like this.”

Ondrej Zvara: “The course today was great, and it went very well. My horse doesn’t usually make many faults to start with, and the challenging part – the triple – he dealt with well so a great day overall.”

Franz Madl (Course Designer): I would firstly like to congratulate the Czech team for their magnificent win today. I am, however, disappointed that Austria couldn’t make it further!”

Louise Parkes

An Open Letter To Amaju Pinnick, NFF President From Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello

I would love to join the Global Football Chief, Sepp Blatter in commending you for a job welldone since you resumed office eight months ago, surviving all manners of football crisis.

Having said that, I want to implore you to come home and do your statutory duty as enshrined in the rule book of Nigerian Football. Nigerians are beginning to be aware that you are the first federation president to pilot the administrative affairs of Nigerian football from the United Kingdom because they can count the number of times you visited the Glass House in Abuja since you resumed office. Its so bad that some have started calling you visiting NFF president.

Rumour millers have gone to town that you are in the UK on health grounds. If there is any iota of truth in the speculation, I feel you need bed rest to recuperate fully instead of junketing all over the UK. I have prayed fervently for God to heal you Sir.

You are lucky that the chief scribe of the federation, Dr Sanusi Mohammed is an experienced football administrator who can handle the secretariat well with little or no input from you, but despite your hard stance on e-administration, you ought to know that certain responsibilities that require your physical presence may suffer greatly with this your disturbing long absence.

How do you defend it that while cobwebs has taken over your office at the Glass House, you have rather busied yourself with the responsibility of scouting for players. Even when we all know that charity should begin at home, you are more preocupied with sourcing of Nigerian players in Diaspora.

We expected you to come out with a long term programme for the U-13 to develop the abundant talents at the grassroots but your knack for foreign based players seems to have crippled such expectation even before it is hatched and actualised.

I stand to be corrected Sir, how many imported overseas bred footballers have made Nigeria proud? None that I know, most of the guys that brought shine to the nation were grassroots players, presently, the best team in Nigeria is the U-20 Flying Eagles, an initiative of Sani Lulu a former NFF President.

Sir my humble advice is that you start your own and stop looking for what is not! Big names or living abroad don’t play soccer, talent does. Our Okocha, even Kanu were discovered in Nigeria. I urge you again to focus on grassroots development.

NFF President, Amaju Pinnick

Before I rest my case, I appeal you allow the technical guys do their job and stop usurping their responsibility by the scouting jamboree. It is not your duty Sir. What’s it with your constant meeting with Sepp Blatter? Will that develop our soccer?

The Falcons, the most successful football team in Nigeria, move around without security, they are women, no single security personnel is attached to these girls. They move about in a rickety coaster bus and their hotel is below their standard. You are far away to see the dehumanizing treatment they undergo in camp. They deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.

The Falcons will soon be leaving the country for the Women World Cup and of course the U-20 are in Germany but as the head of the federation you should and its your duty to visit them before departure, in case you don’t know this, psychologically it helps.

You made a lot of promises during your campaign, you even said some sponsors are already on ground waiting for you to resume office, it is our turn to now wait for them to surface or what is going on. Not forgetting that the Nike contract was signed in the UK without a single member of the NFF marketing department, I noticed that and I don’t understand why, whatever happens to professionalism and due process.

Sir, the NFF Secretariat needs to be run professionally, little things like intercom are not in place there, you cannot bring the desired change by your continued stay in London, go there, supervise and see for yourself.

It was thoughtful of you to send referees and coaches to london on capacity building in conjunction with some NGOs, Mr President I think that a huge number of Referees and Coaches might benefit from the requisite training if you bring in the resource persons, you will minimize costs and reach out to many.

The League Management Company is doing well especially on social media coverage, Sir, can you please help improve it more by setting up a management company for the running of the Women league and also be firmer in issues surrounding player’s contracts

NFF Glass House On Fire last year

The burnt NFF building is under re-construction, it still baffles me why you have the N50 million war chest from Gov Goodswill Akpabio and still could not furnish and relocate to the Sunday Dankaro House new secretariat complex.

I suppose it is better to pack into the new building and enjoy the newness and freshness.

As I wish you all the best in your office, have it in your mind that I write this letter for the genuine interest for football, with no hard/ill feelings. I hope my points will be taken, noted and acted upon.

Thanks
twitter @AderonkeW

Russian Boxing Team Host Italia Thunder In The Second WSB Quarter-Final

The second quarter-final in Season V of the World Series of Boxing (WSB) is a two-legged affair between Russian Boxing Team and Italia Thunder.

Russia has home advantage for both legs as they finished second in Group A of the Regular Season, while Italy placed third in Group B.

A phenomenal home record from Russia enabled them to win six matches in front of their own fans, all by a 5-0 scoreline.

After a quiet start to Season V, Italy found their form midway through the campaign, and the Season II Champions ended the group stages by becoming the first team to defeat Astana Arlans Kazakhstan this season, and they will face Khazakstan again in the semi-finals if they defeat Russia at this stage.

Ray Just Arena, Moscow is the venue for this quarter-final clash, where on Sunday 10th May and Monday 11th May fans across the world can watch the action free, live and on demand from 17:00 (GMT +3) at AIBABoxingTV.com.

Week 13 Group A Match Ukraine Otamans vs Russian Boxing Team

The speedy Light flyweights (49 kg) begin this quarter-final as Russia’s Vadim Kudriakov meets Italy’s Gianluca Conselmo.

Both of these boxers are making their first appearance of the season, and in such a high stakes match, who will be able to avoid the pressure and claim a priceless opening win for their team?

Kudriakov defeated Conselmo in this competition back in December 2013, which will give him extra confidence heading into the rematch.

Two more debutants compete at Bantamweight (56 kg), where Russia’s Andranik Grigoryan competes against Riccardo D’Andrea.

Valentino Manfredonia Vs Hrvoje Sep (Italia Thunder vs Astana Arlans Kazakhstan)

Russian Light welterweight (64 kg) Vitaliy Dunaytsev dominated all four of his matches at home during the group stages, and he looks for another decisive performance in Moscow when he battles the rugged Belarusian Maksim Vislaukh, who is fresh off an appearance in the Great Silk Way Tournament.

Despite not making his first appearance of Season V until the fifth week of action, Petr Khamukov quickly made his mark in the competition with four successive stoppage wins, and the powerful Russian eventually finished top of the Middleweight (75 kg) rankings with a 6-0 record.

Mixing power and beautiful fundamentals, Khamukov has been unbeatable so far in this campaign, but Italy’s Salvatore Cavallaro is a tough opponent.

Cavallaro won both of his home matches in the Regular Season, and though he lost all three of his away bouts, he is a very difficult boxer to face as he has a great defence and ample resilience.

This could be the best fight of the night as power meets poise in the middle of the ring.

Petr Khamukov (Russian Boxing Team) vs Salvatore Cavallaro (Italia Thunder)

The action in the first leg finishes at Heavyweight (91 kg) where 2013 AIBA World Championships silver medalist Evgeny Tishchenko meets 2-1 Fabio Turchi.

Tishchenko is 4-1 this season, and specialises in making powerful boxers look ordinary, and as Turchi was stopped by Abdulkadir Abdullayev in the first week of the competition, he could be in for another difficult night against the decorated Russian Heavyweight.

FCT SWAN Pledges Support For New NFF’s General Secretary

The Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, SWAN, FCT chapter has vowed to support the Nigeria Football Federation in its bid to reposition the game of football in the country.

This was part of the decisions reached in a meeting between the executive members of SWAN FCT Chapter and newly confirmed General Secretary of the NFF, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi at the Glass House in Abuja.

Led by its Chairman, Comrade Kayode Adeniyi, newly elected SWAN FCT chapter exco comprising of Vice Chairman Ndubeze Chidoka, Secretary, Martins Odiete, Assistant Secretary Bunmi Haruna, Treasurer, Salifu Usman and Financial Secretary, Ikenna Okonkwo did not mince words while tabling issues concerning the not too cordial relationship between both parties in the past. But after due deliberations the parties agreed that a good working relationship between the NFF and the media is important for the game of football to move forward in Nigeria.

Though members of the Executive took turns to bare their mind on critical issues of importance, Chairman, Kayode specifically demanded the media should not been seen as “enemies of the house”, rather sports writers should be viewed as partners in progress.

He maintained “We have been partners in progress as far as the development and growth of football is concerned. When we write stories that you are not comfortable with, it is not to bring you down, rather it is to draw your attention to some things that needed to be done. So, we are not supposed to be seen as people that are against anyone in this house.”

“The federation has been doing a lot but there is need to do more in uplifting the standard of football in Nigeria. We have plans to partner with various sports organizations including NFF in our monthly Physical Health Exercise (Walking and Jogging), Kayode concluded.”

Responding, NFF General Secretary Dr. Sanusi paid glowing tribute to members of Fourth Estate of the Realm particularly SWAN FCT chapter and assured of his readiness to work harmoniously with the media.

According to him “We in the federation are committed in our resolve to deliver and work with everyone who has one or two things to contribute in developing Nigeria’s football. All we are pleading with you is to always be objective while criticizing us.

“There are many positive things happening in Nigeria football, Why will someone take special interest in writing only when he feels something is not going well? Let your members always verify their facts before publishing. On our part, we will continue to partner with the media.”

FEI Classics™: Nicholson And Nereo Hold Onto Badminton Dressage Lead

Andrew Nicholson (NZL), the man who has completed the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials more times (33) than any other rider, is still in pole position on Nereo after a fascinating two days of Dressage at this fourth leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015.

The 53-year-old Kiwi, who performed his test early yesterday morning, is still out in front of the 81 starters, although his lead has shrunk to just 1.2 penalties over world number two William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and the 15-year-old stallion Chilli Morning.

Nicholson’s former ride, Armada – a full brother to Nereo – is in close contention in third place with Oliver Townend (GBR) on 39.2. Ingrid Klimke (GER) is fourth on Horseware Hale Bob on 40.2 penalties, and New Zealander Jock Paget’s two rides, Clifton Lush and Clifton Promise, are in fifth and sixth place, separated by a mere 0.4 of a penalty.

With judges now able to award half marks under new FEI rules, the scores are tightly bunched – just 10 penalties cover the top 29 horses – making for a thrilling day’s Cross Country tomorrow.

Andrew Nicholson (NZL) and Nereo take a commanding lead after the first day of Dressage at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, fourth leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015. (Jon Stroud/FEI)

Nicholson admitted that he was quite surprised to find himself still in the lead after some strong performances by fellow competitors today. “I expected to end up about fifth,” he said, “but Nereo felt very smart yesterday and I thought that if anyone beat me they probably wouldn’t be very far in front.”

Fox-Pitt, who is bringing his world bronze medal horse to Badminton for the first time, was rueing a couple of fluffed flying changes in an otherwise immaculate test. “It’s frustrating because Chilli is a horse that is normally very solid in this movement, but I’m very happy with him overall and he feels fantastic,” he said.

“He’s usually a very relaxed horse and has been half-asleep all week, so it was rather a bad moment for him to wake up!” added Fox-Pitt, who admits that he faces a long and anxious wait tomorrow as he only has the one ride this year and won’t be going across country until nearly the end of the day.

Townend, the last British rider to win Badminton (in 2009 on Flint Curtis), commented that this was Armada’s best test to date. “It’s all about the long-term work we’ve done together,” he said.

“This is the first time he’s come to Badminton felt he’s ready to do his job in the arena. Usually, you’re sitting on eggshells, but as the test progressed and when we got into the canter, I could ride him more and more.”

William Fox-Pitt (GBR) and Chilli Morning is currently in second place to Andrew Nicholson (NZL) and Nereo after the Dressage phase at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, fourth leg of the FEI Classics™ 2014/2015. (Jon Stroud/FEI)

As anticipated, Klimke (GER) produced a beautifully ridden, accurate test on Horseware Hale Bob, which was only marred by a few moments of tension, notably in the walk. The ever good-humoured German Olympian, who took “Bobby” draghunting as a young horse, explained that he had suddenly heard the hounds in the Duke of Beaufort’s hunt kennels on the Badminton estate.

“He was really opening up at the start, with a lovely shoulder in, and I had a big smile on my face,” she said. “But then he heard the dogs and I had to tell him ‘come on, we’re not hunting’! But it’s good that he’s excited, because he needs to be awake tomorrow for the Cross Country.”

Klimke added: “I’m looking forward to it and don’t feel there is any particular problem fence. My horse has scope and is neat on his feet and well balanced. We’re definitely going for it.”

Riders have been weighing up Giuseppe della Chiesa’s (ITA) Cross Country course, which last year claimed such notable scalps as Nicholson, Fox-Pitt, Sir Mark Todd (NZL), Pippa Funnell (GBR) and Mary King (GBR). As is traditional, the direction has been reversed this year so that it runs anti-clockwise, the route riders tend to prefer, and the general perception is that the intensity has been reduced.

However, the Italian designer, only the fourth in Badminton’s 66-year history, has still set some of the difficult lines for which he is renowned.

The riders will have been carefully assessing the big brush corners at the ISH Studbook Huntsman’s Close (fence 8), which were so influential in 2014, the cunningly placed logs on undulating ground at the Swindon Designer Outlet Mound (15-16), the tricky carved hedges at the Mirage Pond (18), the choice of rolltops at the Shogun Hollow (22) and the curving line through three silver birch rails at fences 25-26, the complex named after Badminton’s official charity, Sense.

“The course is a little bit kinder than last year, with not as many combinations, but you can’t get away from the fact it is still big, it’s still Badminton, and there’s no room for error anywhere,” said the seasoned Kristina Cook (GBR), who is lying 11th on De Novo News.

“There is so much history at Badminton. I rode here when I was 21, many years ago. I was completely terrified then. I’ve had some amazing rides here, and I have also fallen off a few times as well, but that is the respect Badminton needs. Only the best come here.”

Find the start list, drawn order, full rider biographies, virtual course-walk and live results on http://www.badminton-horse.co.uk, and watch the full Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials live on FEI TV: http://www.feitv.org

Results after Dressage
1 Andrew Nicholson/Nereo (NZL) 37.8
2 William Fox-Pitt/Chilli Morning (GBR) 39.0
3 Oliver Townend/Armada (GBR) 39.6
4 Ingrid Klimke/Horseware Hale Bob (GER) 40.2
5 Jock Paget/Clifton Lush (NZL) 40.8
6 Jock Paget/Clifton Promise (NZL) 41.2
7 Paul Tapner/Indian Mill (AUS) 41.9
8 Niklas Bschorer/Tom Tom Go 3 (GER) 42.1
9 Bettina Hoy/Designer 10 (GER) 42.8
10 Aoife Clark/Vaguely North (IRL) 42.9

Kate Green