Dutch football legend Johan Cruyff has died of cancer at the age of 68. The three-time world player of the year, guided Holland to the World Cup final in 1974 and as a manager he spent eight years in charge of Barcelona.
“On March 24 2016 Johan Cruyff (68) died peacefully in Barcelona, surrounded by his family after a hard fought battle with cancer. It’s with great sadness that we ask you to respect the family’s privacy during their time of grief,” read a statement on the World of Johan Cruyff website.
“With great sadness we have learned of the death of Johan Cruyff. Words are not enough,” wrote the Dutch football federation on Twitter.
Ajax issued a short statement that read:
“Johan Cruyff has died in Barcelona at the age of 68. The greatest Ajax player of all time had suffered with lung cancer since October last year. Ajax share in this great loss and wish the families much strength.”
Cruyff, who was a heavy smoker until undergoing heart surgery in 1991, made his illness public in October last year. He was regarded as one of the game’s greatest players. He led Ajax to three consecutive European Cups from 1971 to 1973 and was the linchpin for Holland as they were beaten 2-1 in the final of the 1974 World Cup by West Germany.
He went on to become a huge fan favourite at the Camp Nou, eventually coaching the Catalan club to a first European Cup triumph in 1992 as well as winning four successive La Liga titles between 1991 and 1994, having managed Ajax from 1985 to 1988.
Barcelona tweeted: “We will always love you, Johan. Rest in peace.”
As a player Cruyff scored 392 times in 520 games over a 19- year career but his influence reached far beyond creating goals, thanks to his qualities as a leader, thinker and speaker.
As a coach he had 242 victories in 387 matches, with 75 draws and 70 losses.
The International Cricket Council today announced that Taskin Ahmed’s suspension from bowling in international cricket has been upheld, following a review hearing conducted by a Judicial Commissioner.
Taskin was reported as having a suspected illegal bowling action by the match officials in Bangladesh’s opening match of the ICC World Twenty20 India 2016 against the Netherlands in Dharamsala on 9 March. He undertook an independent assessment at the ICC-accredited testing centre in Chennai on 15 March.
This independent assessment found that some of Taskin’s standard deliveries exceeded the permissible level of elbow extension and, as such, his bowling action was found to be illegal and he was suspended from bowling in international cricket with immediate effect.
Taskin exercised his right to request an expeditious review of his case by a Judicial Commissioner. The hearing was conducted yesterday by Michael Beloff QC over a tele-conference call that lasted several hours and in which numerous legal challenges were made on behalf of the player.
Having carefully considered those arguments and the responses of the ICC, Mr Beloff has now notified all parties concerned of his decision that Taskin’s suspension from bowling in international cricket shall be upheld and indicated that a written reasoned decision will be provided in due course.
In the meantime, Taskin may, at any time following appropriate remedial work, apply to the ICC for a re-assessment of his bowling action, which shall be carried out in the same manner as the initial independent assessment.
In the event of such re-assessment concluding that Taskin has remedied his bowling action and that his elbow extension is within the permissible level on all of his standard deliveries, his suspension shall be lifted and he shall be permitted to resume bowling in international cricket.
…Netherlands’ Ahsan Malik cleared to resume bowling
Zimbabwe’s left-arm fast bowler Brian Vitori has been reported with a suspect bowling action during the third Twenty20 International (T20I) against Bangladesh, which his side won by 31 runs in Khulna on Wednesday.
The match officials’ report, which was handed over to the Zimbabwe team management after the match, cited concerns about the legality of the 25-year-old’s deliveries.
Vitori’s bowling action will now be scrutinised further under the ICC process relating to suspected illegal bowling actions reported in Tests, ODIs and T20Is. He is required to undergo testing within 14 days, and, during this period, Vitori is permitted to continue bowling in international cricket until the results of the testing are known.
Meanwhile, the ICC has also confirmed that, following remedial work and a re-test, the bowling action of Netherlands’ fast bowler Ahsan Malik is legal and he can now resume bowling in international cricket.
Zimbabwe’s Brian Vitori photo credit icc-cricket.com
Since being reported in July during last year’s ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier, Ahsan had remodeled his bowling action prior to applying to have his action re-tested. The result shows that the level of elbow extension measured for all deliveries bowled was now within the 15-degree level of tolerance permitted under the ICC regulations.
The umpires are still at liberty to report Malik in the future if they believe the bowler is displaying a suspect action and not reproducing the legal action that was analysed during the re-test.
To assist in comparing the action used in the lab to the action used in upcoming matches, umpires have been provided with images and video footage of the remodeled legal action of the bowler.
There was high drama in the final of the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier 2015 on Saturday when Ireland defeated Bangladesh by two wickets to clinch victory off the last ball of the game in Thailand Cricket Ground in Bangkok.
The two sides went into Saturday’s final having previously booked the last two coveted places in next year’s ICC Women’s World Twenty20 India 2016 when they won their respective semi-finals on Thursday. But both sides were determined to finish the competition on a high as Bangladesh, having won the toss, reached 105 for three, thanks chiefly to a 74-run third-wicket partnership between Nigar Sultana (41) and Rumana Ahmed (38 not out). Leg spinner Ciara Metcalfe was Ireland’s best bowler and returned economical figures of three for 14 runs.
Set a victory target of 106, Ireland appeared to be coasting after Cecelia Joyce had steered the side early on with a breezy 32, but a flurry of middle order wickets put the pressure on thanks mainly to the efforts of Bangladesh duo Rumana Ahmed (two for 16) and Nahida Akter (two for 18). However Laura Delany (26 not out) held her composure to guide Ireland home off the last ball of the game to send Ireland into raptures in damp, challenging conditions.
Speaking after the Trophy final, a delighted Ireland captain Isobel Joyce said: “It’s an amazing feeling and I’m so proud of my team for getting over the line in really tough conditions. Bangladesh are an excellent bowling team, especially Salma Khatun who was bowling the last over, who is so experienced and would back herself every time to keep any team under eight (runs).
“I’m really delighted for Laura Delany because she didn’t have it her own way during her innings, but she stuck in and was there to help the team and Lucy O’Reilly over the line. The team took it one ball at a time, which is important especially in Twenty20 (cricket), rather than thinking about the whole match which can overwhelm you, because if we needed 12 or 13 runs off the last over it might have been too much. I think the fact that we scored well in the first few overs took the pressure off a little bit at the back end.”
Ireland
Bangladesh Women’s coach Janak Gamage reflected: “The plans was to bat first and get close to 115 runs, but unfortunately it just wasn’t enough. I thought our bowlers did very well throughout the tournament and though we’re disappointed today, we’ll look forward to playing in the World Twenty20. Our target is to play well during the tournament and win a few games, but we know it will be a real challenge.”
Bangladesh’s Rumana Ahmed was named the player of the series after claiming 14 wickets in the tournament.
Bangladesh and Ireland will join reigning champion Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies in the event proper, which will be staged alongside the men’s event from 11 March to 3 April 2016.
Meanwhile, Papua New Guinea defeated China by seven wickets to clinch the Shield final with Tanya Ruma’s 37 not out helping her side reach the victory target of 94 with eight balls remaining.
Zimbabwe had early secured the 3rd place Trophy play-off when it defeated Scotland by three wickets, thanks mainly to an inspired all-round performance from skipper Chipo Mugeri who took two wickets for 17 runs and then scored 47 not out to guide the Africans home. In the Shield play-off, host Thailand beat Netherlands by nine wickets thanks to Naruemol Chaiwai’s 34 not out at the Asian Institute of Technology
Scores in brief:
Trophy Final
At Thailand Cricket Ground, Bangkok
Bangladesh Women 105-3, 20 overs (Nigar Sultana 41, Rumana Ahmed 38 not out; Ciara Metcalfe 3-14)
Ireland Women, 106-8, 20 overs (Cecelia Joyce 32, Laura Delany 26 not out; Rumana Ahmed 2-16, Nahida Akter 2-18)
Ireland Women won by 2 wickets
Player of the Match: Rumana Ahmed (Bangladesh Women)
Trophy 3rd Place Play-Off
At Thailand Cricket Ground, Bangkok
Scotland Women, 94-4, 20 overs (Fi Urquhart 19, Rachel Scholes 19; Chipo Mugeri 2-17)
Zimbabwe Women, 95-7, 19.5 overs (Chipo Mugeri 47 not out, Pellagia Mujaji 18; Kirstie Gordon 3-21)
Zimbabwe Women won by 3 wickets
Player of the Match: Chipo Mugeri (Zimbabwe)
ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers. Trophy final Bangladesh v Ireland.
Shield Final
At Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok
China Women, 93-4, 20 overs (C Zhou 26, Zhao Ning 20; Ravina Oa 1-14, Sibona Jimmy 1-14)
Papua New Guinea Women, 94-3, 18.4 overs (Tanya Ruma 37 not out, Varoi Morea 30; F Song 1-20)
Papua New Guinea won by 7 wickets
Player of the Match: Tanya Ruma (Papua New Guinea Women)
Shield 3rd Place Play-Off
At Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok
Netherlands Women, 70, 19 overs (Sterre Kalis 21; Sornnrin Tippoch 2-11)
Thailand Women, 71-1, 14.1 overs (Naruemol Chaiwai 34 not out; Elt de Lange 1-12)
Thailand won by 9 wickets
Player of the Match: Naruemol Chaiwai (Thailand Women)
Bangladesh and Ireland have booked the last two coveted places in next year’s ICC Women’s World Twenty20 India 2016 when they won their respective semi-finals of the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier Thailand 2015, over Zimbabwe and Scotland respectively, in Bangkok on Thursday.
Bangladesh and Ireland will now join reigning champion Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies in the event proper, which will be staged alongside the men’s event from 11 March to 3 April 2016.
In the first match of the day at Thailand Cricket Ground, Bangladesh defeated Zimbabwe by 31 runs to book their place in the final of the Trophy and a place on the plane to India. Having been restricted to 89 for five wickets, thanks in large part to Fargana Hoque’s run-a-ball 43, an inspired bowling display, led by Rumana Ahmed (who took four wickets for eight) then helped the Asian side to victory as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 58.
Speaking after the first semi final, a delighted Jahanara Alam, Bangladesh Women’s captain, said: “From the beginning, we were under a little pressure. The wicket wasn’t good, it was on the slower side. But Sharmin and Fargana got a very good partnership, which is why we reached 89. We had the confidence, we knew if we scored 80-plus, then we have a strong bowling and fielding side. We again proved that we are a good side. The team is very happy, there is a lot of excitement today. This is the first time we have qualified for the ICC Women’s World T20. Last time, we directly played in the event, but this time we needed to qualify, so we’re very happy.”
Ireland secure place in ICC Women’s World Twenty20 India 2016
The action then turned to a showdown between European rivals Ireland and Scotland. Teenager Lucy O’Reilly put in a disciplined display and clinched two late wickets to claim figures of three for 16, with Robyn Lewis chipping in with two wickets for eight runs as Scotland reached 77 for nine, thanks in large part to Fi Urquhart’s 21. In reply, Ireland started strongly and maintained that momentum throughout with openers Clare Shillington (34) and Cecelia Joyce (36 not out) leading from the front with a first wicket partnership of 58 that helped Ireland chase down the target with nine wickets and 8.3 overs to spare.
Ahead of Saturday’s final, Ireland captain Isobel Joyce has hailed her side’s efforts in overcoming Scotland. “We’re really excited and this was the aim for us since we knew the tournament was going to be in Thailand. We really want to win the tournament, but the first job is done for us.
“Cecelia (Joyce) and Shillers (Clare Shillington) know that they have licence to play their shots and they really took the wind out of Scotland’s sails early on. Lucy (O’Reilly) is our number one fielder and our go-to bowler when we need to finish off the innings. She has got a lot of different balls in her armory and it’s unbelievable to think that she’s only 16 years old, so we’ll be looking forward to seeing what she can do in India.
“It’s on to Bangladesh now and we will take it one match at a time. The plan will be to focus on our game because they (Bangladesh) have very smart spinners. But we will play the balls that are bowled (to us) and do our best.”
Meanwhile, in the Shield semi-finals, Papua New Guinea clinched a one-wicket last ball victory over the Netherlands and will now face China who defeated host Thailand by five runs.
The losing sides in both the Trophy – Zimbabwe and Scotland – and the Shield – Netherlands and Thailand – will now face off in a third/fourth place play-offs.
Papua New Guinea Women, 106-9, 20 overs (Pauke Siaka 31, Sibona Jimmy 21; Christine Erkelens 3-9)
Papua New Guinea won by 1 wicket
Player of the Match: Pauke Siaka (Papua New Guinea Women)
At Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok
China Women, 82, 20 overs (C Zhou 31; S Laomi 2-16)
Thailand Women, 77-8, 20 overs (O Kamchomphu 11; L Yingying 2-3, F Song 1-13)
China won by 5 runs
Player of the Match: L Yingying (China Women)
Saturday’s fixtures:
1000-1245: 3/4 Trophy P-Off – Zimbabwe v Scotland, TCG
1000-1245: 3/4 Shield P-Off – Netherlands v Thailand, AIT
1345-1630: Trophy Final – Bangladesh v Ireland, TCG
1345-1630: Shield Final – Papua New Guinea v China, AIT
The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced that, for the first time ever, four female match officials have been selected for the forthcoming ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier 2015, which will take place in Bangkok, Thailand, from 28 November to 5 December.
Experienced New Zealander Kathleen Cross will be joined by Australia’s Claire Polosak, England’s Sue Redfern and West Indies’ Jacqueline Williams for the qualifier which will see eight sides (Bangladesh, China, Ireland, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Thailand and Zimbabwe) fight out for the two available spots in the ICC World Twenty20 India 2016, which will be staged alongside the men’s event from 11 March to 3 April 2016.
The trailblazing quartet’s selections are a further positive step forward, and also reasserts the ICC’s commitment to, the development of the women’s game. It is hoped that these appointments will also inspire more women to become involved in officiating and participating in the game.
The quartet will be joined by fellow umpires Allan Haggo and Nigel Morrison, while ICC Graeme Labrooy will be the match referee. ICC Umpire Coach Denis Burns will also attend the week-long tournament and provide support and assistance to the match officials.
Taumarunui born Cross became the first woman to be named in an ICC umpires’ panel when she was added to the ICC Associate and Affiliate panel of umpires in 2014. She has previously umpired in the ICC Women’s World Cups in 2000, 2009 and 2013, the Women’s World Cup Qualifier in 2011 and the Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier in 2013. In recent years, Kathy has also worked at men’s senior events including the ICC World Cricket League Championship Divisions 3 and 5.
“Each tournament brings something new for women’s cricket and this latest development hopefully shows that the quality of umpiring is getting better and better, as the calibre of teams is certainly improving,” Cross remarked.
She added: “I have enjoyed the experience of officiating in different parts of the world, but I have been alone, as a woman, in the middle for quite some time. So, it’s great for all of us to have this opportunity in Thailand this week at such an important tournament. I think that the selection of four females can set down a pathway for more people to come through the system.”
At 27, Australia’s Polosak is the youngest official at the tournament and recently made history when she was appointed as third umpire for the Matador One-Day Cup to become the first female to officiate in a List ‘A’ Australian competition. Hailing from Goulburn, the high-school science teacher has since progressed to be involved as third umpire in the Queensland versus Cricket Australia XI match in October and as reserve umpire in several domestic matches.
Commenting on her appointment, Polosak said: “Being selected to umpire at this tournament is very humbling and I am looking forward to working with, and learning lots from the other very experienced officials.
“I am excited about the opportunity to travel to another country to umpire. There are many who wish to, but few get the chance. The fact that there are four female umpires at this tournament is not only special to other aspiring female cricket umpires showing there is a real pathway available, but also to anybody who has goals and wants to work hard and achieve them in any facet of their life.
“At the moment my umpiring goal is to be the best umpire I can, concentrating on the game that is in front of me. I always strive to be on top of my game for the players and to give them the respect that I am trying as hard as I can for them. Umpiring is unique in that I think it is very difficult to succeed without a strong support network. I couldn’t umpire without the support of my family, my partner Evan, nor the coaching from Cricket Australia and New South Wales Cricket Umpires and Scorers state director Darren Goodger.”
England’s former left-arm spinner Redfern, who appeared in six Tests and 15 ODI’s from 1995 to 1999, including featuring in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 1997. Since then she has officiated regularly throughout the non-first class arena including ECB Premier League cricket (men) and some MCCU 2 day cricket. She will be involved in county second eleven cricket in the forthcoming season. Over the last few years she has undertaken local and national appointments, mostly in men’s cricket, as well as formal qualifications to be given the opportunity to officiate in Thailand.
Sue’s ambitions moving forward are to continue to improve in men’s domestic cricket in England whilst working towards officiating at the upcoming ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 and then ultimately becoming a professional umpire.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to be given the opportunity to test my skills and be part of such an important tournament,” Sue said, adding: “As a former international player, I understand how seeing female umpires is incredibly powerful and demonstrates to women they can undertake any role in cricket they wish. It is important for the game to progress but, at the same time, it’s imperative I perform on-field and deliver to ensure the players get the best experiences. I will be using the time to share ideas with and learn things from others to further enhance my skills.”
Williams hails from Jamaica and recently made her international debut, when she stood in the first One-day and first Twenty20 Internationals during the Pakistan Women’s Tour of the West Indies.
Upon her return from Thailand, she will make history when she will become the first female umpire to officiate in the WICB Regional fist-class competition.
“I am very happy to be appointed to such an event. My preparation work has gone very well and it’s a continuous process. Being the first female from the Caribbean is a humbling feeling and I will do my very best to set a standard that other women will be excited about cricket umpiring and take on the task. I am looking forward to working with the PCT (Playing Control Team) and learning as I go along,” Williams said.
Former England captain and Chair of the ICC Women’s Committee, Clare Connor, commented: “To have four female umpires appointed for the forthcoming ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier in Thailand is a great step forward for the ICC’s overarching strategy with Members to increase the representation of women across all aspects of the game.
“Huge strides have been taken with regards to the playing profile of women’s cricket in recent times, and it is just as important that this momentum is carried into every facet of the sport, including areas such as coaching and officiating.
“To do this, collectively we need to make sure that we are proactively supporting and developing female officials across the world by giving them appropriate opportunities to officiate at the highest level.”
Match Officials (alphabetical order):
Umpires: Kathy Cross, Allan Haggo, Nigel Morrison, Claire Polosak, Suzanne Redfern, Jacqueline Williams
Match referee: Graeme Labrooy
Umpire coach: Denis Burns
Fixtures (umpire appointments will be announced in due course):
Saturday 28 November
1000-1245: Thailand v Bangladesh, TCG; 1000-1245: Ireland v Netherlands, AIT; 1345-1630: PNG v Scotland, TCG; 1345-1630: China v Zimbabwe, AIT
Sunday 29 November
1000-1245: China v Ireland, TCG; 1000-1245: Scotland v Bangladesh, AIT; 1345-1630: Zimbabwe v Netherlands, TCG; 1345-1630: Thailand v PNG, AIT;
Tuesday 1 December
1000-1245: Thailand v Scotland, TCG; 1000-1245: Bangladesh v PNG, AIT; 1345-1630: Zimbabwe v Ireland, TCG; 1345-1630: Netherlands v China, AIT
Thursday 3 December
1000-1245: Trophy Semi Final 1 A1 v B2, TCG
1000-1245: Shield Semi Final 1 A3 v B4, AIT
1345-1630: Trophy Semi Final 2 B1 v A2 , TCG
1345-1630: Shield Semi Final 2 B3 v A4, AIT
Friday 5 December
1000-1245: 3/4 Trophy P-Off LTSF1 v LTSF2, TCG
1000-1245: 3/4 Shield P-Off LSSF1 v LSSF2, AIT
1345-1630: Trophy Final WTSF1 v WTSF2, TCG
1345-1630: Shield Final WSSF1 v WSSF2, AIT
The quarterfinals schedule of the inaugural WBSC Premier12 has been determined, following an electric Opening Round (Games 1-30) that has generated record TV ratings in the host nation and concluded Sunday night with world No. 1 Japan and No. 7 Canada having gone undefeated to win their respective groups, while four of the Top 12 competing nations have been eliminated.
All four quarterfinals contests will take place on Monday in Taoyuan and Taichung (all times local):
Gm. 31: CAN (A1) vs MEX (B4) in Taichung at 12:30p
Gm. 32: CUB (A2) vs KOR (B3) in Taichung at 18:30
Gm. 33: USA (B2) vs NED (A3) in Taoyuan at 12:30p
Gm. 34: JPN (B1) vs PUR (A4) in Taoyuan at 18:30
The winner of Game 31 will face the winner of Game 33, while the winner of Game 32 will meet the winner of Game 34 in the semifinals.
Following the quarterfinals, the next phase of this new flagship global tournament will move to Japan’s Tokyo Dome, where the semifinals, bronze medal match and the Premier12 global championship finale (Games 35-38) will take place from 19-21 November.
NB: Dates for the semifinals (Games 35 on the 19th and 36 on the 20th) are subject to being changed for one another following the outcome of the quarterfinals.
Opening Round – Final Standings
Pos.Group A Wins Losses
1 Canada 5 0
2 Cuba 3 2
3 Netherlands 3 2
4 Puerto Rico 2 3
5 Chinese Taipei 2 3
6 Italy 0 5
Pos.Group B Win Losses
1 Japan 5 0
2 United States 3 2
3 S. Korea 3 2
4 Mexico 2 3
5 Venezuela 2 3
6 Dominican Rep. 0 5
All 38 games of the 2015 WBSC Premier12 are being live-streamed and free-to-view on the WBSC YouTube channel for those territories not covered by WBSC’s global broadcast partners.
Special real-time game coverage, instant replays via SnappyTV and post-game features are also being presented in collaboration with Twitter, the Official Social Media Partner of the WBSC Premier12.
Former Netherlands manager Guus Hiddink wants to build a football centre for the visually impaired in North Korea.
According to reports, Hiddink who managed South Korea at 2002 FIFA World Cup wants to build a futsal ground in North Korea and is set to travel to Pyongyang on Thursday to discuss his plans.
“(I want to build futsal grounds) not just in Pyongyang, and hopefully in other cities in the North… we can make a plan to work with kids as well,” he told South Korean cable TV outlet MBN.
The Guus Hiddink foundation have constructed 13 futsal grounds for the visually impaired in South Korea,
The World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) today announced the prize money distribution for the first-ever WBSC Premier12™ global baseball championship, which will be staged from 8-21 November in Japan and Taiwan.
The WBSC will award US$ 3.8 million for the 38-game world baseball competition that will bring together the Top 12 nations (the “Premier12”) in the WBSC Baseball World Rankings.
The 2015 Premier12 winner will be awarded US$ 1.0 million, while each participating National Team will be guaranteed at least US$ 150,000 for less than two weeks of competition. The overseeing National Federations will distribute a minimum of 50 per cent of the prize money to the competing athletes.
2015 WBSC PREMIER12 PRIZE MONEY ALLOCATION
Position
Prize Money ($US)
Winner
1,000,000
2nd Place
600,000
3rd place
400,000
4th place
300,000
5-8th place
225,000 each
9-12th place
150,000 each
Total
3,800,000
The 2015 WBSC Premier12 will be the top international baseball event of the year, not only offering the largest purse but also the highest payout of world ranking points.
Earning the right to compete in the WBSC Premier12 are world No. 1 Japan, No. 2 United States, No. 3 Cuba, No. 4 Chinese Taipei, No. 5 Netherlands, No. 6 Dominican Republic, No. 7 Canada, No. 8 South Korea, No. 9 Puerto Rico, No. 10 Venezuela, No. 11 Italy and No. 12 Mexico.
Top-ranked Japan and rival South Korea will meet in the first-ever WBSC Premier12 contest on 8 November at the 40,000-seat Sapporo Dome.
Among tune-up contests for the WBSC Premier12, South Korea will host Cuba for two games to officially open the new Gocheok Sky Dome, the first domed baseball stadium in the nation, from 4-5 November.
Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League: The Netherlands’ Harrie Smolders Claims Top Honours at the Washington International Horse Show
The Netherlands’ Harrie Smolders expertly navigated two challenging courses to win the $125,000 Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Qualifier at the CSI4* Washington International Horse Show. In his third visit to the historic competition, the Dutch rider etched his name into the President’s Cup for a second time, having won the headlining class in 2006.
“This show suits me,” Smolders said. “I don’t know why, but the results are always good. And for our stable, it’s been very successful this week. My student Jos Verlooy (BEL) was fourth in tonight’s class and won the Puissance on Friday night, and is the leading rider of the show. It’s a bit busy with the classes going on and telling my students all the information that I know, but it really worked out.”
Smolders drew the final position in tonight’s order of go, which allowed him the advantage of basing his strategy on the others’ performances. Only one other rider, Callan Solem (USA), rode double clear in the jump off of six horse-and-rider pairs, directly before Smolders’ turn.
“I didn’t see many go in the jump off, but I heard the results, of course,” Smolders said. “So then there was no one clear until Callan put some pressure on because she had a fantastic round. She wasn’t super fast, but she put the pressure on. I was quite pleased that she was clear because that meant I had to go. I had to decide. There was no other option.”
At the beginning of his final round, Smolders lost valuable time when his mount Emerald (Diamant de Semilly x Carthago) slipped in an early turn, forcing the rider to add an extra stride.
“I knew I was getting close so I tried to make the turn to the last two fences quite short,” Smolders said. “I knew I was close. To be honest, I didn’t know if it was enough.”
But luckily for the Dutch rider, it was just enough, winning the class by 11-hundredths of a second.
“I must say Callan did a super round,” Smolders said. “She put some pressure on. I was also pleased because I knew what to do. Otherwise, if there’s no one clear, you have to decide what to do, but now I had no choice but to go.”
Indoor challenge
The course designed by Anthony D’Ambrosio (USA) challenged the 28 riders by utilizing the long and narrow arena.
“There’s not an abundance of space, and the ring is quite narrow in relation to its length,” said D’Ambrosio, who also happens to hold the show’s Puissance record that he set in 1983. “It’s a particular type of ring, and it’s a little bit of a puzzle to get a World Cup Qualifier course in there. But for the most part, things ride fairly smooth, and we’ve had some nice competitions. I would say that it keeps me on my toes. I think it keeps the riders on their toes as well.”
Nonetheless, D’Ambrosio had predicted ahead of the class’s start that six would ride clear and into the jump off, which ultimately proved to be accurate.
“The first course was quite tough,” Smolders said. “When I walked it, I thought it was not too big, but my horse is quite scopey. The ring is quite long but not so wide, and the fences down the sides and right off the rail were quite tough for the horses.”
D’Ambrosio purposefully set a demanding course to ensure that the right horse-and-rider combinations would earn the valuable points toward qualifying for the culminating event in the spring.
“I strive to design a course that rewards the riders who are capable of going to the World Cup Final,” D’Ambrosio said. “World Cup Qualifiers have to have a standard that is somewhat similar in consistency. It’s to prepare the horses and riders to have the accuracy to jump the dimensions. That’s an important part of my job.”
Solem gave some credit for her final round to fellow competitor McLain Ward (USA) who inspired her to ride for the first double clear in the jump off.
“I was fortunate to have the counsel of McLain,” Solem said. “And he said, ‘Callan you have to try to win. Harrie’s going to be so fast. You have to do it.’ He encouraged me to do four in the first line, and he said, ‘You’re third a lot; try to win this class.’ I really appreciated that encouragement. Going to these shows on my own, trying to find my way a little bit, and producing the horses; I’m always trying to leave them better than I found them and sometimes it’s nice for me to have a little push to say, ‘Come on, you’re good enough, go ahead and try.’ I appreciate that.”
Harrie Smolders (NED) and Emerald (left), winners of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping at the Washington International Horse Show, were presented with a Longines watch by Taylor Mace, National Event Manager for Longines. (StockImageServices.com/FEI)
A breakthrough year
Smolders has had the ride on his flashy, 11-year-old, chestnut stallion for the past five years.
“I had him as a 6-year-old,” Smolders said. “He was always an amazing talent with great scope, technique, and rideability, but I must say this year is his biggest breakthrough. He’s very consistent in the big classes, the World Cup Qualifiers. Now that he’s 11, I feel that he has the experience in his body, and is physically able to compete at the highest level.”
The next stop for horse-and-rider team is the National Horse Show in Lexington, Ky. for their second Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League qualifier. Then Emerald will fly back to Europe, where he’s scheduled to compete in the World Cup qualifier in Madrid in November. Smolders hopes to qualify Emerald for the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final in Gothenburg (SWE) in March.
“He’s a very spectacular horse,” Smolders said. “He’s a bit of a stallion, a bit of a character, but his talent and technique are endless. When people see him once, they normally never forget him.”
Solem is also hoping to qualify her 12-year-old gelding, VDL Wizard (Gentleman x Ahorn), for the World Cup Final.
“I’m very lucky to have him and every day that I ride him is such a pleasure,” Solem said. “He loves this sport so much. He’s taken to whinnying at the in gate before he goes. He really likes to do it. He had a rough start when he came as a seven-year-old. He was riddled with this and that and he didn’t really do much for the first three years. So even though he’s 12, he’s more like a ten-year-old. He’s just getting fit and strong and ready to peak in this next year, I hope.”
“I am also going to do Kentucky next week and hopefully Toronto after that and those couple of last World Cups in Florida,” she continued. “I didn’t do the first two [World Cup qualifiers]. I had gone to Europe this summer so I thought the horses should have a little break and freshen up for the fall, so I’m a little bit behind. But if we keep doing a good job, hopefully we’ll be at the Final.”
Results
1. Emerald (Harrie Smolders), NED, 0 faults/39.32 seconds (JO);
2. VDL Wizard (Callan Solem), USA, 0/39.43 (JO);
3. H&M Forever D Arco ter Linden (Nicola Philippaerts), BEL, 4/38.17 (JO);
4. Sunshine (Jos Verlooy), BEL, 4/40.07 (JO);
5. Cafino (Victoria Colvin) USA, 8/38.93 (JO);
6. Emilie de Diamant A S (Jack Towell), USA, 8/41.91 (JO);
7. Simba de la Roque (Conor Swail), IRL, 4/66.00
8. Valeska (Charlie Jayne), USA, 4/66.12.
Led by intrepid two-time World All-around champion Simone Biles and returning 2012 Olympic champion Gabrielle Douglas, the U.S. women met their own expectations in surpassing the rest of the world during qualifications in Glasgow Saturday afternoon.
The American team combined for a total of 236.611 points, more than five points ahead of Russia, which took silver to U.S.’s gold at the 2012 London Olympics. They were more than nine points ahead of a rising British team that has so far given an inspired performance at its home World Championships.
The World champion vs. the Olympic champion
After a two-year absence from the sport, Douglas, who is trying to become the first woman since 1968 to successfully defend her Olympic All-around title, has so far made a promising return to World competition. In the meantime, however, Simone Biles has taken her place as the world’s top gymnast. Since 2013, Biles has won seven World titles and looks poised to win more: During Saturday’s qualification, she posted 61.598 points in the All-around, a whopping four points ahead of Douglas, who finished third. In addition, Biles earned the top scores on Vault, Balance Beam and Floor Exercise, meaning she will be present in every final except the Uneven Bars.
Simone Biles
The first eight nations qualify for Rio
Besides the U.S., Russia and Great Britain, China, Italy, Japan, Canada and the Netherlands will return for the women’s team final todday, October 27. By dint of finishing in the top eight, these countries have also qualified a five-person team to the Rio Olympic Games next summer. While the first seven nations were present in London four years ago, the Netherlands will be returning a women’s team to the Games for the first time since 1976.
Romania misses the first Olympic qualification….
The biggest surprise of the women’s competition so far has been the collapse of perennial medal contender Romania, which gave perhaps its worst performance ever at a World Championships Friday. Since 1976, the year Nadia Comaneci emerged as the embodiment of perfection, Romania has brought home a team medal from every Olympic Games and been a medal threat in every team final at the World Championships. Overwhelmed by nervousness and the pressure of upholding their dynasty, World no. 2 Larisa Iordache and her teammates simply crumbled. Romania finished 13th overall.
…but will get another chance at the Rio Olympic Test Event
All is not lost for the Romanians, however: although not among the first eight teams to qualify for the Olympics, they will get a second chance at the Olympic Test Event April 16-19 in Rio. Olympic host country Brazil, along with France, Belgium, Germany, Australia, South Korea and Switzerland will also be in Rio in the spring, aiming to advance a team to the Games. The eight teams will battle for the final four team berths for the Games.
Team Netherlands Celebrate
Aiming for the podium
In the shadow of Biles, European champion Giulia Steingruber (SUI), Pan American Games champion Elsabeth Black (CAN), and Youth Olympic champion Seda Tutkhalian (RUS) have all shown themselves to be solid contenders for numerous podiums in event finals. Lieke Wevers (NED), meanwhile, is proving that good execution can be just as valuable as difficulty in earning good scores. Though lost in the crowd in 16th, a classification that does not reflect her status as reigning World silver medallist, Larisa Iordache (ROU) can only do better in the final.
Ireland scored their first ever win in the FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing in superb style at Boekelo (NED), final leg of the 2015 season, after four fine Cross Country performances over an influential track.
The USA finished second, which was also their best result since the FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing began in 2012. New Zealand was third and, as a result, beat Japan in this Asia-Pacific Olympic qualifier to secure their ticket to Rio 2016.
Great Britain, the only nation to contest all seven legs this year, finished fifth at Boekelo after half the team completed the competition, but they easily sealed their place at the head of the FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing final leaderboard by seven points over Germany.
Ireland’s team manager Nick Turner said he was “absolutely delighted” with the win. “We had a young rider competing in his first CCI3* and some exciting young horses and everyone pulled together and focused,” he added. “It’s a great note to finish on this season and it sets the team up in good spirits for Olympic year.”
It was a thrilling rollercoaster of a competition in which the scoreboard changed dramatically.
New Zealand led after Dressage with Jonelle Price in pole position on Cloud Dancer, the recent winner of the young horse CIC3* at Blenheim Palace (GBR). But although Price gave the black gelding a great ride across country, the Dutch warmblood looked a little green and clocked 14.8 time penalties.
The rest of the Kiwi team – Jesse Campbell on his CCI4* horse Kapaachino, Tim Price (Xavier Faer) and Dan Jocelyn (Dassett Cool Touch) – all went clear as well, but they couldn’t match the speedy Irishmen who were on a mission around Sue Benson’s twisting, technical course.
The 19-year-old Cathal Daniels (IRL), who making his CCI3* debut, set the competition alight with a blazing round on the eight-year-old Rioghan Rua which was the first of only four inside the optimum time of 10 minutes 32 seconds.
Jonty Evans, eventually eighth on another lovely young horse, Cooley Rorke’s Drift, Joseph Murphy (Westwinds Hercules) and pathfinder Padraig McCarthy on Simon Porloe were all equally committed and the Irish quartet shot up from seventh place after Dressage to overtake the New Zealanders by 0.3 penalties.
The American team, whose best rider was Matthew Brown, eventual sixth on Super Socks BCF, also had four clear Cross Country rounds. Marilyn Little withdrew RF Scandalous before Jumping, but Brown, Buck Davidson and Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp went on to ride solid final phase rounds. This was good enough to overtake the New Zealanders, who lost any chance of victory when they added a disastrous 40 penalties to their team score and dropped to third.
France, who have been a consistent presence in the FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing 2015, finished fourth at Boekelo. Their anchorman, Cedric Lyard, retired Qatar de Puech Rouget after two refusals at the double of waters, but Astier Nicolas (Spes Addit d’Or) and Nicolas Touzaint (Crocket 30) finished in ninth and 10th places.
Britain had had four riders in the top 10 but, unfortunately, only two of them were team members: Dani Evans, fifth on Smart Time, and Izzy Taylor, seventh on Briarlands Birdsong. Nicola Wilson, who triumphed as the CCI3* winner on her other horse, Bulana, fell off her team horse Kiltealy Brief at fence seven and Emily Parker did not start across country on Diamond Sundance.
Germany was also down to two riders after falls for Marina Köhncke and Josefa Sommer and Australia crashed out when Paul Tapner withdrew Short Black before Cross Country and Sam Griffiths had a fall with Angelo. Australia’s woes continued when Christopher Burton, who held the individual lead after Cross Country with a superb performance on Monarch’s Exclusive, dropped to 14th with 17 Jumping penalties.
Alice Naber-Lozeman (NED) was crowned national champion when finishing 19th on ACSI Peter Park, but, sadly, the host nation, Netherlands, had no chance when two team members, Tim Lips and Merel Blom, withdrew.
Great Britain, the only nation to contest all seven legs of the FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing 2015, were confirmed winners of this exciting series at Boekelo (NED) today (11 October 2015). (Eventing Photo/FEI)
FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing 2015: the breakdown
Great Britain has been committed to the FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing since the concept started in 2012, always drawing from a pool of younger riders who have not had senior team experience. This year, they won at Ballindenisk (IRL) and Strzegom (POL) and were disappointed not to triumph on home ground at Houghton Hall (GBR) where they were beaten by Germany. They were also third at Fontainebleau (FRA) and fourth at Waregem and, by contesting all seven legs this season, were able to discard their eighth place at Aachen (GER) in the final scoresheet.
Germany have been Britain’s great rivals in the FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing, topping the leaderboard in 2013 and 2014. They won three times this year, in Houghton Hall, Aachen and Waregem (BEL), but missed Fontainebleau and Ballindenisk and so could not overtake Britain this time.
This is the first year Australia has played such a prominent part in the FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing and they have generally drawn on the same quartet of riders for the six events they contested, with their best results being second places at Fontainebleau and Strzegom.
France has been strong in the FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing from the start, and heroically made the long journey to Ireland for Ballindenisk. Their best result in five starts was their win on home ground at Fontainebleau. The Netherlands, fifth in the final table, competed at six out of seven events, their best result being a third place at Waregem.
“This was a fantastic finale at Boekelo,” said the FEI’s Eventing Director Catrin Norinder. “The FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing continues to be an excellent series, especially now that so many countries are beginning to realise the benefits it offers in terms of giving championship and team experience to young horses and riders.”
2 USA 197.0
Buck Davidson/Copper Beach, 67.4; Matthew Brown/Super Socks BCF, 52.6; Elisabeth Halliday-Sharp/HHS Cooley, 77.0; [Marilyn Little/RF Scandalous, WD Jumping]
3 New Zealand
Jonelle Price/Cloud Dancer, 62.9; Jesse Campbell/Kaapachino, 64.5; Tim Price/Xavier Faer, 71.5; (Dan Jocelyn/Dassett Cool Touch, 81.6)
4 France 227.3
Astier Nicolas/Spes Addit d’Or, 54.6; Nicholas Touzaint/Crocket 30, 55.2;Jean-Lou Bigot/Focus, 117.5; (Cedric Lyard/Qatar de Puech Rouget, EL Cross Country)
5 Great Britain, 1,105.2
Dani Evans/Smart Time, 52.4; Izzy Taylor/Briarlands Birdsong, 52.8;
(Nicola Wilson/Kiltealy Brief, EL Cross Country; Emily Parker/Diamond Sundance, WD Cross Country)
6 Germany 1,122.5
Josephine Schaufer/Sambucca 10, 58.9; Anna Siemer/Butts Avondale, 63.6; (Marina Köhncke/Let’s Dance, EL Cross Country; Josefa Sommer/Hamilton 24, EL Cross Country)
7 Australia 1,123.0
Christopher Burton/Monarch’s Exclusive, 58.3; Andrew Hoy/Cheeky Calimbo, 64.7; (Sam Griffiths/Angelo, EL Cross Country; Paul Tapner/Short Black, WD Cross Country)
8 Netherlands 1131.6
Alice Naber-Lozeman/ACIS Peter Parker, 61.8; Andrew Heffernan/Millthyme Corolla, 69.8; (Tim Lips/Brent, WD Cross Country; Merel Blom/Chiccolino, WD Cross Country)
9 Japan 1,135.7
Ryuzo Kitajima/Just Chocolate, 77.6; Yoshi Oiwa/The Duke of Cavan, 58.1; Toshiyuku Tanaka/Ballastar Bay, EL Cross Country
10 Brazil 2,050.8
Gabriel Figueiredo Silva Cury/Grass Valley, 50.8; Ruy Fonseca/Korsica, RET Cross Country; Carlos Paro/Summon Up The Blood, RET Cross Country
FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing 2015 Leaderboard
1 Great Britain 52 points
2 Germany 44
3 Australia 40
4 France 39
5 Netherlands 32
6 Ireland 27
7 Belgium 17
8 New Zealand 17
9 USA 17
10 Sweden 11
11 Spain 6
12= Poland 4
12= Canada 4
13 Japan 2
14 Brazil 0
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