The German national anthem rang out yet again as the team were victorious at Waregem (BEL), seventh leg of the FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing 2015, where they beat the home side of Belgium by nearly 50 penalties.
This was Germany’s third win this season, following victories at Houghton Hall (GBR) and Aachen (GER), but Britain, who have participated in the most contests, still head the FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing leaderboard by a significant nine points going into the last leg at Boekelo (NED) next month.
Germany led throughout at Waregem and was the only team to have all four riders complete Tom Ryckewaert’s (BEL) excellent Cross Country course.
Team members Andreas Ostholt (Pennsylvania 28), Julia Krajewski (Samourai du Thot), Anna-Maria Rieke (Petite Dame) and Andreas Dibowski on the veteran FRH Butts Avedon finished second, fifth, sixth and 15th respectively. Belgium’s best rider was Julian Despontin, in eighth place on Waldano 36.
The Netherlands finished third, with the experienced Tim Lips their best rider in 17th place on Trademark, more than 50 penalties behind Belgium.
The Cross Country phase proved influential – especially the elusive optimum time – and considerably re-ordered the leaderboard, producing a surprise individual CIC3* winner in British team member Nana Dalton (GBR) on Abbeylara Prince.
Waregem is not an easy track on which to make up time, as it has some wooded sections, and Dalton was the only rider to come home with time penalties in single figures; she had been only 26th after Dressage and 14th after a clear Jumping round.
Australia was second after the Dressage and Jumping phases by only 5.8 penalties, but the individual leader, Christopher Burton, retired Tempranillo after a couple of run-outs on the Cross Country and Andrew Hoy had three refusals at fence 18 on Algebra, dropping the team to fifth. Paul Tapner finished best of the quartet in individual fourth place on Bonza King of Rouges.
Britain ended up in fourth place after team member Sarah Bullimore had a run-out with Reve du Rouet in the water complex (fences 22-23). Her team mate Francis Whittington had a rider fall from West Side here, and Coral Keen also fell, at fence 19, from Wellshead Fare Opposition.
The scene is now set for a thrilling finale at Boekelo, which always attracts a strong field.
Great Britain will be under pressure to hang on for a second FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing victory since the series inception in 2012, but the mighty Germans, defending champions, will press them right to the line, and both nations will have to fend off challenges from Australia, France and the flying Kiwis.
Germany scored its third win in FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing this season, this time at Waregem (BEL), from left to right: Andreas Dibowski, Annamaria Rieke, Andreas Ostholt and Julia Krajewski. (Hanna Broms/FEI)
Results from Waregem
1 Germany, 179.0
Andreas Ostholt/Pennsylvania 28, 57.6; Julia Krajewski/Samourai du Thot, 59.9; Anna-Maria Rieke/Petite Dame, 61.5; (Andreas Dibowski/FRH Butts Avedon, 69.5)
2 Belgium, 227.6
Julian Despontin/Waldano 36, 63.8; Joris Vanspringel/Lully des Aulnes, 67.9; Pieter de Cleene/Havanna van’t Castaneahof, 95.9; (Virginie Caulier/Nepal de Sudre, RET Cross Country);
3 Netherlands, 280.5
Tim Lips/Trademark, 72.1; Alice Naber-Lozeman/Coral Estate Harry Belafonte, 102.3; Nienke Van Roekel/Coral Estate Sagnoi, 106.1; (Raf Kooremans/MC B Vulcano, EL Cross Country)
4 Great Britain, 1142.8
Nana Dalton/Abbeylara Prince, 59.6; Sarah Bullimore/Reve du Rouet, 85.9; Coral Keen/Wellshead Fare Opposition, EL Cross Country; (Francis Whittington/West Side, EL Cross Country)
5 Australia, 1147.9
Paul Tapner/Bonza King of Rouges, 58.4; Sam Griffiths/Foxdon Sunny Jim, 89.5; Christopher Burton/Tempranillo, RET Cross Country; (Andrew Hoy/Algebra, EL Cross Country)
6 France, 1174.5
Helene Vattier/Quito de Balière, 68.6; Regis Prud’Hon/Debiut, 105.9; Geoffroy Soullez/Qokery Ko, EL Cross Country; (Koris Vieules/Rejoind Moi, EL Cross Country)
FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing 2015 Leaderboard after 7 out 8 events
1 Great Britain 49 points
2 Germany 40
3 Australia 35
4 France 32
5 Netherlands 29
6 Belgium 17
7 Ireland 15
8 Sweden 10
9 New Zealand 9
10 USA 7
11 Spain 6
12= Poland 4
12= Canada 4
The FEI Awards 2015, which celebrate the world’s exceptional equestrians, need your nominations – by Friday!
Nominations for these prestigious awards, which put the spotlight on excellence, courage, commitment and dedication in the equestrian world, are open until midnight CEST this coming Friday (28 August). Nominate your champions now at http://www.feiawards.org.
World Jumping champion Jeroen Dubbeldam, who just a few days ago won individual and team gold at the FEI European Jumping Championships 2015 in Aachen (GER), was the Reem Acra Best Athlete 2014. The Dutchman is urging everyone to cast their votes for the 2015 Awards:
“The FEI Awards are incredibly important to equestrian sport, and there is a category dedicated to every member of our community that makes this sport a reality”, he said. “We are all dependent on each other to get to the next level in equestrian sport – it is truly a team effort.
“Stand up and be counted, and vote for your favourite equestrians, be they riders, grooms or projects that are helping our equestrian community to be bigger and stronger.”
World Jumping champion Jeroen Dubbeldam, who just a few days ago won individual and team gold at the FEI European Jumping Championships 2015 in Aachen (GER), was the Reem Acra Best Athlete 2014. The Dutchman is urging everyone to “stand up and be counted” by placing their nominations for the FEI Awards 2015 before midnight on 28 August 2015. (FEI/Daniel Kaiser)
FEI Awards 2015 – five categories
The Longines Rising Star Award – won last year by Lambert Leclezio, the 17-year-old who became the first athlete to represent Mauritius at a World Championship when he competed at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014, is for equestrians aged 14 to 21 who demonstrate outstanding sporting talent and commitment.
The Reem Acra Best Athlete – awarded to Dutch jumping legend Jeroen Dubbeldam, this award celebrates the athlete who over the last 12 months has demonstrated exceptional skills in the arena, and has taken equestrian sport to a new level.
The Against All Odds Award – acknowledges people who have pursued their equestrian ambitions despite physical issues or extremely difficult personal circumstances. Last year this award was won by Para-Equestrian Dressage athlete Sydney Collier (USA) with her service dog Journey. Collier, also named 2014 Junior Equestrian of the Year by the United States Equestrian Federation, has relentlessly pursued her dreams while dealing with the rare Wyburn Mason syndrome. She is aiming to represent the USA at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
The Best Groom Award – dedicated to the vital behind-the-scenes team members, who work around the clock to make sure horses get the best care and attention, this award was won last year by Jackie Potts (GBR), who has spent over 20 years as groom and right-hand woman in the stables of the multiple Olympic, World and European Eventing medallist, William Fox-Pitt (GBR).
The FEI Solidarity Award – presented to equine therapy centre Equal Ark (SIN) last year, this award will be presented to an FEI Solidarity or equestrian development project, or an individual or organisation that has demonstrated skill, dedication and energy in expanding equestrian sport.
Glittering Gala
Hollywood actress Bo Derek, star of the romantic comedy “10” and recently cast in the cult Sharknado series on US cable network SyFy, is the Chair of the Jury of the prestigious FEI Awards 2015.
The winners of the awards will be flown to the glamorous FEI Awards Gala presented by Longines in Puerto Rico’s capital San Juan, where they will be presented with their awards by Bo Derek in front of over 350 guests from the global equestrian community.
Switzerland’s Simone Jäiser held on to the lead she established in yesterday’s technical test to scoop gold at the FEI European Vaulting Championships 2015 in Aachen, Germany today.
The 28-year-old, who was individual bronze medalist at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy (FRA), showed great body control and strength in today’s Final freestyle, and couldn’t be overtaken despite a brilliant performance from Germany’s Corinna Knauf who had to settle for silver, while Austria’s Lisa Wild took the bronze.
The atmosphere in Aachen’s Deutsche Bank Arena was at an all-time high, with Vaulting fans getting together on Facebook prior to the event to coordinate their colours. Spectators in the north stand wore black, while those in the east wore red and in the west stand they wore yellow to represent the host nation flag. And it proved well worthwhile when, in a competition filled with dramatic errors but courageous recoveries, Team RSV Neuss-Grimlinghausen took gold for Germany in the hard-fought squad final.
Female final
Jäiser went way out in front in today’s competition, scoring 8.668 for a performance that oozed comfort, confidence and class when 12th to go of the 15 starters. But the 22-year-old German, Corinna Knauf, followed with a routine that placed her first in this fourth and final test. With no mistakes, and movements so smoothly blended, she posted 8.747, which was the best of the day. However, all athletes carried their scores from Thursday’s opening compulsory competition, Friday’s first freestyle and yesterday’s technical test into today’s deciding freestyle, so Knauf’s final tally of 8.280 slotted her in behind her Swiss rival.
Second-last to go, and lying fourth going into this final afternoon, Germany’s Christine Kuhirt made an elegant start to her jazz-themed performance, but struggling with an early off-floor movement and late with her dismount, her score of 8.103 would only be good enough for fifth on the day and left her just off the podium. Now it was all down to Austria’s Lisa Wild who was last to go.
Creating a sensation
The 20-year-old became known as “the backflip queen” after creating a sensation with the dare-devil movement at the FEI World Vaulting Championships in Le Mans, France, three years ago, and was considered a strong contender for the 2015 European title after her victory at the FEI World Cup™ Vaulting Final in February of this year. She is always a big hit with spectators everywhere she goes and, as she entered the arena today with her lunger Nina Rossin and horse Robin, she knew she was still in with a chance of taking the title if she was prepared to take the risk.
She had moved into third with a strong technical test yesterday and was working her way through an impressive routine today until she finally attempted the back-flip exercise, but it didn’t come off. Without enough height she crumpled when landing on Robin’s back, but the crowd appreciated her courage in attempting the movement that would have earned her extra marks for the high degree of difficulty, and the judges rewarded her with 8.452, which brought her closing total to 8.207 and was good enough for the bronze.
Newly-crowned champion Jäiser was thrilled with her result. “I can’t believe that now I am the European champion. It’s a big dream, I hoped it, but I never believed it would happen – it’s fantastic. My performance was good, there were no mistakes, or only a little one that I could make it so that the audience couldn’t see it very well! So I’m very happy!”, she said.
The reigning world champions from Germany, Team RSV Neuss-Grimlinghausen, clinched European squad gold at the FEI European Vaulting Championships 2015 in Aachen (GER) today. (FEI/Daniel Kaiser)
Squad finale
It was an even more nail-biting finish in the squad, with nerves and pressure affecting some of the strongest sides, while others really rose to the challenge.
Team Ecurie de la Cigogne went out in front for France, with their flier, Christopher Robin Krause, and their fabulous horse Watriano R reinforcing a tremendously solid team effort that was filled with grace and elegance, ensuring it was a pleasure to watch. The strength of the three-tier movements was particularly impressive, with Krause holding position and presenting the picture of lightness and athleticism. When their score of 8.877 went up on the board, the 14-year-old and his older squad-mates Christelle Haenell, Cleone Fritsch, Clement Taillez, Remy Homberq and Anthony Presle put it right up to the remaining three teams. And one by one, they all felt the pressure.
Austria’s Team Wildegg had three fall errors including two in a triple stance, but they made a strong recovery to post 7.669 considering the extent of their drama. And then the reigning world champions from Germany, Team RSV Neuss-Grimlinghausen, ran into trouble with two dismount falls and another in a triple movement. However, such was the complexity of their programme, that high horse scores and artistic marks earned 8.863 and brought their final scoreline to 8.597. So Pauline Riedl, Julia Dammer, Jannika Derks, Leonie Falkenberg, Mona Pavetic and Johannes Kay could now only be denied the top step of the podium if Switzerland’s Team Lütisburg could produce something very special indeed when last to go. But they were in trouble from the outset with a fall in their very first movement, and another later in their programme. Although Nadja and Martina Buttiker, Ramona Naf, Nathalie Bienz, Raffaela di Maria, and Kyla Seiler finished strongly, their final overall score of 8.104 left them over 4.5 points behind the German champions, but only 0.42 ahead of the bronze medalists from France.
Results
Individual Female:
Gold – Simone Jäiser (SUI) 8.321;
Silver – Corinna Knauf (GER) 8.280;
Bronze – Lisa Wild (AUT) 8.207.
Squad Final: Gold – Team RSV Neuss-Grimlinghausen (GER) 8.597; Silver – Team Lütisburg (SUI) 8.104; Bronze – Team Ecurie de la Cigogne (FRA) 8.062.
The Dutch four-in-hand drivers have dominated the dressage phase at the FEI European Driving Championships for Four-in-Hand in Aachen, which got underway yesterday with all 180 horses and 36 competitors.
The four-time world champion IJsbrand Chardon (NED) won this first phase of the Championships, ahead of his compatriot and defending European champion Theo Timmerman.
Spain’s Juan Antonio Real Garcia broke the “Orange domination” by finishing in third place, followed by the third Dutch team member Koos de Ronde in fourth.
With three Dutch drivers now in the top four, The Netherlands has taken an early lead, with Hungary and Belgium lying second and third respectively in the team standings.
Winning test
IJsbrand Chardon was second to go this morning and the 26-time Dutch Champion put down the winning test, despite a small mistake in the second walk when his right leader horse trotted. “I am very pleased with my performance, apart from the walk. The horses formed a nice team together and my wheeler horses were very good today. If the walk had gone well as well, this would have been my best test of the season,” said Chardon.
New wheeler horses
Defending European individual and team champion Theo Timmerman is competing with two new horses in the wheel of his team this season. The start to the season has not been easy, but today in the sunny and beautiful Deutsche Bank Stadion, it all worked out for him. “Our goal this season was to prepare for the FEI World Championships 2016 in Breda. If things had not worked out, that would have been our own choice. We decided not to start in Riesenbeck earlier this month, and we drove a national competition instead to build the four-in-hand even more. It went very well there and also in the training session with our national coach Harry de Ruyter, who kept faith in us. It is super that it worked out well today!” explained Timmerman.
Spain excels
Juan Antonio Real Garcia, the first starter today and finishing third, is trained by triple world champion Boyd Exell (AUS). A multiple four-in-hand champion, Real Garcia is competing with two horses from Exell’s four-in-hand gold medal winning team at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014. “I am very pleased with my test, despite two small mistakes. One of my leaders had a break in the walk and during the one-handed circle, which was a pity,” said Real Garcia.
Close scores
Hungarian drivers Zoltán Lázár and József Dobrovitz set the same score in the dressage today, finishing fifth and putting Team Hungary in second place.
The most experienced Belgian driver Felix-Marie Brasseur and his young compatriot Edouard Simonet finished in 7th and 8th respectively, and with very close scores of 48.79 and 48.90.
Michael Brauchle, whose best phase is normally the marathon, put down the best German performance in the dressage phase. Brauchle finished ninth, followed by his team mates Georg von Stein and Christoph Sandmann.
IJsbrand Chardon (NED) has won the dressage phase of the FEI European Driving Championships for Four-in-Hand 2015 in Aachen – all eyes are now on tomorrow’s second phase, the cones, before the European individual and team champions are crowned after the marathon stage on Saturday, 22 August. (FEI/Dirk Caremans)
Friday cones
The FEI European Driving Championships 2015 will enter the second phase tomorrow (21 August), with the cones competition. As with Saturday’s final marathon stage, tomorrow’s cones phase will see athletes start in reverse order of results.
Driving individual results – dressage phase:
IJsbrand Chardon (NED) 38.81
Theo Timmerman (NED) 39.88
Juan Antonio Real Garcia (ESP) 44.07
Driving team results – dressage phase:
The Netherlands 77.69
Hungary 95.80
Belgium 97.69
The FEI European Jumping Championships 2015 got off to a flying start in Aachen, Germany today with a brilliant victory for Frenchwoman Penelope Leprevost, while the host nation foursome of Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, Ludger Beerbaum, Christian Ahlmann and Daniel Deusser took the early lead in the team standings.
The French lie second going into tomorrow’s first round of the team competition with the defending European champions from Great Britain in third. But there is less than a fence between the top six countries, with Spain in fourth, the Netherlands in fifth and Ukraine in sixth place.
A total of 22 teams lined out in this afternoon’s speed competition, and with four seconds added for every fence down, and results converted into points, just 1.33 separates Germany from France, while the British are only another 1.29 points further adrift.
And there is another sub-plot at play this week, with the last three team spots on offer for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. France, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden and Ukraine are already qualified, but the defending Olympic champions from Great Britain are not. As it stands this evening they lead in the race for those three Rio berths followed by Spain, while the seventh-placed Italians and eighth-placed Irish are also in hot pursuit.
Had to be sharp
Course designer, Frank Rothenberger, set them a straightforward 13-obstacle track, but they had to be sharp from start to finish, with two big oxers opening them up from the outset. The double of triple-bar to oxer at fence five and the following narrow red gate at six claimed a number of victims. But it was the next double, a vertical with water-tray to oxer on a one-stride distance, that hit the floor most often, while the following planks also took their toll. The track got progressively more difficult, and the left-bend turn to the vertical at fence 10 had to be managed carefully. The biggest drama of the day was a freak fall for Zuzana Zelinkova here. the rider from the Czech Republic ejected from the saddle when her fabulous bay stallion, Caleri, put in a typically enthusiastic leap.
It was Germany’s Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum who opened the competition with an exhibition round from her lovely grey gelding Fibonacci. She set the pace in 71.85 seconds, and that gave the rest of the home team a great platform on which to build. Christian Ahlmann followed with a foot-perfect run with Taloubet Z in 70.80 seconds and when Ludger Beerbaum raced through the finish in 69.17 seconds he ensured not only a top team placing for his side, but individual runner-up spot in the competition. Fourth-line German, Daniel Deusser, had a single fence down with Cornet d’Amour.
The British meanwhile were also impressive. The big Aachen arena looks tailor-made for Michael Whitaker’s extravagant grey stallion Cassionato, and when their careful clear was followed by a much quicker one from Ben Maher and Diva, then Jessica Mendoza’s eight-fault effort with Spirit T could be dropped because Joe Clee produced the perfect end to their day. The 37-year-old galloped fearlessly around the track with Utamaro D’Ecaussines to break the beam in 69.67 seconds which slotted the pair into third place individually.
Poised
Defending individual European champion, Roger Yves Bost, was not selected for his side, but thanks to great back-up from Simon Delestre and Jerome Hurel, Leprevost looks poised to do big things for France this week.
She was delighted, and a little surprised, that she came out on top this afternoon. Her 10-year-old chestnut mare, Flora de Mariposa, began the year really well but picked up an injury in her left foreleg just before their home show at La Baule at the end of May. She was out for two months and only returned to action in July, competing in Germany and then travelling to Hickstead (GBR) where she showed she was right back to her best again when jumping double-clear in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ before finishing second in the Grand Prix. Those results sealed the pair’s place in the French side.
“Flora came back so quickly once she returned to work, and she’s full of confidence and very fresh!”, said the 35-year-old rider who finished second with Vagabond de la Pomme at the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final in Las Vegas, USA three months ago. She didn’t think the Aachen arena would suit Vagabond, so Flora’s return to top action is very timely.
Talking about her winning ride today, Leprevost said, “I had a good run, and my mare went very well. I was too long at the triple bar in the combination, but she jumped amazing and I didn’t think I was so fast!”
French rider Penelope Leprevost galloped to victory with Flora de Mariposa in the first Team and Individual qualifier at the FEI European Jumping Championships 2015 in Aachen, Germany today. (FEI/Dirk Caremans)
Naturally fast horses
Runner-up, Beerbaum, said “today’s course suited naturally fast horses like Penelope’s and mine. Knowing that this was just one-third of the team competition and there are two big rounds left, nobody went completely flat out today. I’m happy with my performance and with my team, we did four really good rounds” he pointed out.
Joe Clee was more than pleased with his third-place individual finish for Britain, especially since the rest of his team were relying on his result. “Obviously when I went in the arena I was feeling the pressure. I knew I had to ride a good round, but he’s (Utamaro D’Ecaussines) great under pressure, the more pressure I put on him the better he jumps, and after fence four I felt myself relaxing and confident, and I knew I could take a few more risks. He answered all the questions I asked him today” he said.
The Belgians didn’t enjoy the best of days and are lying tenth at this early stage but individual rider, Gregory Wathelet lies individually fourth ahead of Ireland’s Bertram Allen in fifth and Spain’s Sergio Alvarez Moya in sixth on the individual leaderboard.
Teams go in reverse order of merit in tomorrow’s first round of the team competition which starts at 13.45 local time.
For more information on the FEI European Championships 2015 in Aachen visit http://www.aachen2015.de.
Full results of FEI European Championships Aachen 2015 here
Facts and Figures:
A total of 94 horse-and-rider combinations were on the start-list for today’s opening Team and First Individual Qualifier at the FEI European Jumping Championships 2015 in Aachen, Germany.
First into the arena this afternoon was Germany’s Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum with the fabulous Fibonacci.
Course designer Frank Rothenberger GER.
Table C 239/263 competition judged according to time with conversion of penalties into seconds added.
13 fences, 16 jumping efforts.
Amongst the individual competitors today were father and daughter, Geir and Victoria Gulliksen, from Norway.
30 clear rounds in today’s competition won by Penelope Leprevost and Flora de Mariposa from France.
Germany heads the team rankings going into tomorrow’s first round of the team competition.
Olympic fever returns to the FEI European Championships in Aachen (GER) this week with three berths at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games up for grabs in Jumping. And with European Driving and Vaulting medals also on offer it’s going to be a hectic schedule right up to the closing ceremony next Sunday evening.
Jumping
The Jumping horses had their first tour of the Soers arena in this afternoon’s training session and the competition proper gets underway tomorrow, 19 August, with the first qualifying competition for individuals and teams which begins at 14.30 local time.
Following the withdrawal of Dimitri Natsis (GRE), a total of 94 horse-and-rider combinations from 28 nations will compete, and 23 countries will battle it out for the team medals. Only The Netherlands, France, Germany and Sweden have already achieved Olympic Jumping qualification, so the race for those last remaining Rio spots will be run between the rest. The British return as defending team champions, while individual title-holder, Roger Yves Bost, will be flying the French flag once again.
British Chef d’Equipe, Di Lampard, has the weight of Olympic qualification on her shoulders this week as well as the defence of the European team title, but she’s optimistic about her side’s chances. “We’ve had a great season and the actual team we have here this week is the winning Nations Cup team from Rotterdam”, she said today. “The spirit in this team is second to none and we are well-prepared and looking forward to it.”
The host nation hasn’t enjoyed the same level of recent success in team events, but Germany’s Otto Becker is reckoning on the “home advantage”, and that extra element could count for a lot.
The first round of the Jumping team competition and second individual qualifier takes place on Thursday, with the top 10 teams going through to Friday’s team medal decider. And then, following a rest day on Saturday, the top 25 will go through to Sunday’s individual final which is always guaranteed to be a thriller.
Driving
When it comes to edge-of-the-seat action, the Four-in-Hand Driving Championships has plenty to offer.
The more demure Dressage takes place on Wednesday and Thursday followed by the Cones phase on Friday, testing accuracy and control. But then the handbrakes come off for Saturday’s Marathon, which is always hugely popular with the spectators as the drivers steer their teams through a series of cross-country obstacles at tremendous speed. It is no easy feat and is always guaranteed to provide plenty of drama.
A record number of 14 nations will be represented by 36 drivers and 12 teams. And the Dutch will be going for a hat-trick of team titles led by defending individual champion IJsbrand Chardon.
Frenchman Roger Yves Bost, individual gold medallist at Hagen two years ago, will defend his European title at Aachen (GER) this week. (FEI/Richard Juilliart)
Vaulting
When it comes to numbers, the Vaulters have the most, with 130 athletes from 15 nations demonstrating their strength, power and immense athleticism in the battle for individual, pas-de-deux and squad medals when the action gets underway on Thursday.
The popularity of this equestrian sport continues to grow at an incredible rate, and there will be plenty of home support for the German team as they come out to defend their title in the squads. But in the absence of Britain’s Joanne Eccles, and French stars Jacques Ferrari and Nicolas Andreani who are all now retired, new individual champions will be crowned, while Austria’s Jasmin Lindner and Lukas Wacha, the current world and European champions, are expected to dominate the Pas-de-Deux.
The Pas-de-Deux and male individual medals will be awarded on Saturday, with the prize-giving for individual female and squads on Sunday.
It was double-gold for Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro when the British superstars added the Freestyle title to yesterday’s Grand Prix Special honours at the FEI European Dressage Championships in Aachen (GER) this evening. But today’s medal was particularly hard-won, with Germany’s Kristina Bröring-Sprehe only 0.25 percent off Dujardin’s winning score when taking silver with Desperados FRH, while Spain’s Beatriz Ferrer-Salat produced another sensation when claiming the bronze with Delgado.
Continuing the week-long theme of expecting the unexpected, the day began with the news that Britain’s Fiona Bigwood was withdrawn because her mare, Atterupgaards Orthilia, had a “slight skin reaction causing sensitivity”. And then, just before the competition began, it was announced that Anna Kaskpkrzak had also pulled out. The Danish rider is no shrinking violet and had climbed into the saddle to prepare for her early-afternoon start with Donnperignon. But the pain she has been suffering since she was kicked in the chest by her horse after the horse inspection six days ago was just too intense today.
Strong test
Newly-crowned European team champion, Patrick van der Meer from the The Netherlands, got the competition underway with a nice test from Uzzo who set the standard at 74.375, and this was followed by the farewell performance of Morgan Barbancon Mestre’s 18-year-old stallion Painted Black who posted 73.375.
However it was Karen Tebar from France who led the way into the first competition break. It is rare to see a rider smiling as they enter the arena, especially one as intimidating as the Soers in Aachen, but the 50-year-old who fits her competitive career around managing her own German-based company, looked equally as happy as her 10-year-old gelding Don Luis who, in his first year at international level, took over the lead with a score of 74.964.
The target rocketed up to 80.214 when German team bronze medallist, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, took her turn with Unee BB, their performance concluding with a dare-devil extended trot up the centre-line. And then Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven went out in front, the six-time Olympian and her 13-year-old gelding demonstrating their unique partnership based on a mutual understanding that allows them to ebb and flow with the rhythm of their test for a mark of 80.643.
A day to savour
This was a day to savour, with many young horses suggesting great future potential, including the nine-year-old Batuta ridden by Portugal’s Goncalo Carvalho (72.768) and Carl Hester’s 10-year-old Nip Tuck (79.571) for Great Britain. But it was the 82.482 produced by Germany’s Isabell Werth and Don Johnson FRH that was the score to beat as the final four took their turn.
Werth is both a natural-born entertainer as well as an edge-of-the-seat competitor, and she had the home crowd right behind her as she swung her way through her musical score that included a newly-introduced excerpt from Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” – the late, great Freddie Mercury singing “nothing really matters” – but of course it did. And the crowd went wild when the judges awarded 82.482. Still the excitement was far from over.
Only a chosen few knew that Beatriz Ferrer-Salat would shine this week. First, like Frenchwoman Tebar, she would steer her country into an Olympic qualifying spot and then go on to finish just off the podium in yesterday’s Grand Prix Special. As she started into her routine today it was clear the Spanish rider was upping her game even further, her chestnut gelding Delgado presenting a beautifully balanced, forward-going picture as they cruised through seamless transitions and presented a picture of lightness and harmony for a new leading score of 82.714. Quite an achievement for a horse that has struggled with unsoundness since he was a six-year-old and who, at 14 years of age, is only now getting the opportunity to show his true ability.
Close to perfection
But while that was lovely to watch, the penultimate performance of Bröring-Sprehe and her fabulous black stallion was close to perfection. The 28-year-old rider came to Aachen this week with a weight of expectation on her shoulders, and although she didn’t get the result she wanted in the team competition she was very impressive when taking silver in yesterday’s Grand Prix Special. Today however the horse-and-rider combination were in a different league altogether, lighting up the ring with spectacular passage and piaffe, the tiniest of pirouettes and breath-taking extended trot. The defending champions were chasing a big score of 88.804 as they set off, and it was difficult to know if they would beat that score.
Dujardin found the one-tempi changes something of a bug-bear this week and once again they let the pair down this afternoon, but even though her 13-year-old gelding was much less animated than in yesterday’s test, the quality of their work was such that they overtook their German rivals by a narrow 0.25 percent to round up their week with both of the individual titles.
Only the ones
Talking afterwards, the record-breaking rider said, “it was only the ones (one-tempi changes) that let the performance down. I think he’s got a thing with them now, he’s done it all week. Yesterday in the last one he made a mistake, outside he’s been really good with them. It’s only one movement at the end of the day and it has cost me, but I was really happy with the rest of it.
“The toughest part of being here is having to deal with the crowd, you know they are rooting for their nation, and when I walked in there was a huge atmosphere. Then her (Kristina’s) score came up just as I went in, and I had to deal with that as well. And then we had a shot of Isabell (Werth) stuffing her face with something, so as I went to start the crowd were laughing! So there was a lot in my mind to deal with at the very beginning. I think I handled it quite well”, she said.
Ferrer-Salat said of her bronze medal finish today, “when we came here I was expecting to qualify the team for Rio and I hoped to get into the Kur, but a medal? Never! I’m very happy for my horse, I’ve had him for years and he’s always been injured, but now we have rehabilitated him. It has taken a long, long time, but it’s been worth it!”
At the post-competition press conference, Freestyle silver medallist Bröring-Sprehe said, “Desperados was so fantastic, so good to ride today, he felt great in the atmosphere and we did our best Freestyle ever. Next year I hope”, she added, and then looked across at Dujardin and hesitated, “next year – I want to do even better!”
The Grand Prix Freestyle medallists on the podium at the FEI European Dressage Championships 2015 in Aachen, Germany today. (L to R) Kristina Bröring-Sprehe from Germany (silver), Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin (gold) and Spain’s Beatriz Ferrer-Salat (bronze). (FEI/Dirk Caremans)
Championships were tough
It sounded like a warning to Dujardin who admitted these Championships were tough. “Yeah, I knew it would be coming here. But in the end I’m going home with two golds and a silver medal, so I’m happy!” she replied. Asked about the narrow margin between herself and Bröring-Sprehe she said, “that’s sport and it makes it more and more exciting…it would be really boring if I was winning by miles all the time. So the fact that Kristina is catching me up – everyone, even Edward in the Grand Prix – I think for me here I just had mistakes in my tests. I haven’t had one test which I haven’t had mistakes in, and that’s obviously expensive, but I know when I have a mistake-free test it’s a very good test. He’s (Valegro) going to have a holiday now for three weeks and I’ll work on it and hopefully get my changes back and go to Olympia…get ready for Rio. I’m not giving up easily!” she concluded.
For more information on the FEI European Championships 2015 in Aachen visit http://www.aachen2015.de.
Result Grand Prix Freestyle: Gold: Valegro (Charlotte Dujardin) GBR 88.982;
Excitement and great reining were the key words at the FEI European Reining Championships in Aachen (GER) today. Twenty of Europe’s finest horses and riders performed in the Deutsche Bank Stadium with Giovanni Masi de Vargas of Italy clinching individual gold with Quarter Dream’s Dance Little Spook between the reins.
Last to enter the arena, the 22-year-old flawlessly guided the talented seven-year-old mare, by Smart Spook out of Sailors Dance, through pattern number nine. His deep stops, fast spins, smooth lead changes and perfectly painted circles pleased both the crowd and the judges who paid him back with an outstanding score of 222 and the top step of the podium.
“Earning two gold medals here is unbelievable and so emotional,” said Masi de Vargas, who also posted the highest score in the team competition on Friday when Italy took home the gold. “I cannot thank my team enough, our coach and the president of the Italian Equestrian Sports Federation (FISE), Cav. Vittorio Orlandi, for being here to cheer for us.”
The pressure was on for Masi de Vargas once it was his turn to enter the arena. German veteran Grischa Ludwig and the eight-year-old stallion Shine My Gun (Colonels Smoking Gun x Shiners Mistress), owned by Stephanie Maudas, had thrilled the crowd with their run and their perfect spins. Once they had performed their last stop, a 221 appeared on the scoreboard, meaning the duo just missed out and had to settle for individual silver on home soil. “I came here aiming for the gold,” Ludwig said. “I did not have much luck in my last stop but it was a great fight until the very end and I am proud of our results.”
Germany also kept the bronze medal at home as Elias Ernst and USS N Dun It (Reminic Dun It x USS Entrprise) closed their run with a 219. The talented 10-year-old stallion is owned by Christine Wilinski. “I can’t describe my feelings! To show here is awesome and the crowd was super,” said the young German rider.
Setting the pace
Austria’s Daniel Schmutz and BH Cielo Dry opened the competition with a score of 214.5. Closing the first judging block, and raising the score by a point, was the duo that made it through from the second qualifier, Verena Klein of Germany and her Olena Joe Cody.
Italy’s team veteran, Pierluigi Fabbri, was in the lead following the second of four judging blocks after posting a 217.5 aboard Broadway Jaba (Little Red Jaba x Tuff Lady Boss), owned by Az. Agricola Pollarini.
With a strong performance, Klaus Lechner of Austria and Cody Rooster Delmaso (Ricochet Rooster x Made Of Lacy), owned by Giulia Gaupmann, received a 218.5 from the judges, the highest score prior to the last five competitors which also earned them fourth place overall.
Following the last drag, expectation and high class reining kept the public glued to their seats and the final tussle between Masi de Vargas and Ludwig couldn’t have been a better advertisement for the sport. There was no better way to close the 2015 edition of the FEI European Reining Championships in Aachen!
Quotes
Giovanni Masi de Vargas – “I started competing in 2009 in junior competition and this is my ninth FEI medal. This is the first time I’ve competed in a senior championship and it’s been an amazing experience.”
Grischa Ludwig – “I was fifth in the World Equestrian Games in 2010, and fourth last time, then I was individual third in the European Championships in 2013 and now second here, so the tendency goes up!”
Ralf Hesselschwerdt, President of the Ground Jury – “We expected a very close run and it turned out to be that. Grischa ran a great pattern, performed awesome spins, and at that manoeuver he was ahead of Giovanni, his horse anticipated the last stop and that pushed him half a point behind Giovanni. Giovanni was very consistent, his run reflected smoothness and finesse and nobody deserved it more than he did.”
The individual medal podium at the FEI European Reining Championships (from left), silver medallist Grischa Ludwig (GER), gold medallist Giovanni Masi de Vargas (ITA), and bronze medallist Elias Ernst (GER). (FEI/Dirk Caremans)
The Reining family
Asked about the friendship/rivalry between them, the medalists answered:
Giovanni, better known as ‘Dido’ – “We compete every month against other. It’s a real friendship.”
Grischa – “I’m a bit older than Dido, and I’m a very good friend of his father’s, in fact we’ve had some fights on horses! I’ve known him (Giovanni) since he was that high (demonstrating with his hands) and I always told his father that he would grow to be a top top rider. When I saw him compete in junior competition through the years, I knew that he was a rising star. Reining is a family, we are the reining family. I’d like to thank the organisers here and say that this is probably the best organised reining show we’ve ever shown in. It’s unbelievable how much they’ve done for us.”
Reining competitors often refer to the connections they develop within the sport as being as close as family. That was literally true in Aachen. Filippo Masi de Vargas, Italy’s team coach and Giovanni’s father summed up his feelings by saying: “I’m bursting with pride and honored to be part of this team gold and individual gold all Italian experience. Each and every competitor here was wonderful and they all showcased the sport of Reining to the best of their ability.”
The Netherlands claimed team gold ahead of Great Britain in silver and Germany in bronze at the FEI European Championships 2015 in Aachen, Germany today. It was a cliff-hanger of a competition, with the result decided by a superb performance from Edward Gal and Glock’s Undercover NOP. However Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro produced the biggest score of the day, posting 83.229 to finish more than half a percentage point ahead of the Dutchman.
Today’s result has also decided the last three European qualifying spots for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, and it is Spain, Sweden and France, who lined up fourth, fifth and sixth respectively, that have made the cut.
The Spanish really pulled it out of the bag today, Morgan Barbancon Mestre putting in a poignant performance with Painted Black on the final event of the 18-year-old stallion’s career, while Beatriz Ferrer-Salat, silver medallist at the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004, boosted their chances when slotting into individual fifth spot with Delgado.
This was The Netherlands’ third time to take European team gold, and their first time to field an all-male side. They made history when breaking the German stranglehold on the title in 2007 and then did it again two years later, before the British broke the mold once again in 2011. Dutch Chef d’Equipe Wim Ernes said recently that he expected his side to take team bronze at these championships, so when asked this evening what he thought of that now, he replied “that was a few weeks ago, since then we just practiced and got better, and so today we won!”
Had the advantage
Team Germany had the advantage as the competition resumed this morning, but when Hans Peter Minderhoud went to the top of the scoreboard with a mark of 77.856 with Glock’s Johnson that tipped the balance in The Netherlands’ favour.
He was followed into the ring by Britain’s Carl Hester whose gelding, Nip Tuck, was a little unsettled through parts of his test. “But he’s so consistent, he’s never had under 70 percent” said the London 2012 Olympic Games team gold medallist after posting 75.400.
Three horses later you could feel the electricity in the air as Germany’s Matthias Alexander Rath and Totilas took their turn. They were expected to secure their country’s position at the top of the leaderboard, but their mark of 75.971 always looked vulnerable. The German rider said afterwards that “the piaffe could have been more active”, expressing surprise at his score. But only two horse-and-rider combinations broke the 80 percent barrier today, and the first of those was ridden by Gal, the man who produced Totilas to become the first super-star horse of the sport of Dressage before the stallion’s sale to Germany in 2010.
Sensitivity
Gal has often struggled to contain Glock’s Undercover’s sensitivity and anxiety, but today the 14-year-old stallion showed exactly what his rider always said he could do. The judges clearly relished the utter consistency of the horse’s passage and piaffe, the steadiness of his tempi changes and the smoothness of the canter work when awarding the new leading mark of 82.229. That promoted the Dutch into an even stronger position, and although British stars Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro would better that by 0.8 percent, it was the Dutchman who took centre stage at the post-competition press conference having clinched it for his country.
The final Dutch score was 235.629 but it was a close-fought affair with the British runners-up just 1.4 behind while the Germans were more than three points further adrift in bronze medal spot.
Asked how he produced such a confident test under extreme pressure today, Gal explained, “I think it’s the experience my horse has now, he’s done more big competitions, he did Las Vegas (Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final), and that was impressive for him. Here, when you are in the ring you don’t notice so much around you because there are so many judges houses that you can’t see out anyway!” he joked.
“But no” he continued, “for him it was quite a good atmosphere. The people are far away, and in the ring it was really quiet, it felt good and that gives him the confidence, and gives me the confidence that he is quiet and I can ride – and that makes an amazing test!” he explained. “I think we are the happiest team here!” Gal added, and Carl Hester responded, “I think that’s true – we have a great team too, but we’re not as happy as you!”
The Netherlands claimed the FEI European Dressage Championships 2015 team title at Aachen, Germany today. On the podium: Diederik van Silfhout, Patrick van der Meer, Edward Gal, Hans Peter Minderhoud and Chef d’Equipe Wim Ernes. (FEI/Dirk Caremans)
Happy mood
Germany’s Isabell Werth was also in a happy and sporting mood even though that 23rd FEI European Dressage team title had slipped from her country’s grasp. “It was our goal to come first, but it’s boring to win all the time and much more exciting to come third and to have to start again next year!” she joked. “To be honest we tried our best, but in the end we missed some things…we were not as good as we can be, and I think the third place was right. Congratulations to the Dutch and the British – but be careful” she warned with a smile, “we want to come back, we will do our homework and next year we will do a better performance!”
Next year is on everyone’s mind as today’s result has given all of the teams an indication of what they need to do if they want their Olympic dreams to come true. And this evening sthe judges for the Rio 2016 Olympic Dressage competitions were confirmed. Brazil’s Maribel Alonso was already named as President and today’s draw means that she will be joined by Stephen Clarke (GBR), Gary Rockwell (USA), Edward de Wolff van Westerrode (NED), Peter Holler (GER), Thomas Lang (AUT) and Susanne Baarup (DEN). First reserve for the Rio Ground Jury is Annette Fransen-Iacobaeus (SWE) with Isabelle Judet (FRA) as second reserve.
For more information on the FEI European Championships 2015 in Aachen visit http://www.aachen2015.de.
Facts and Figures:
The Netherlands claimed the FEI European Dressage Team Championship title today for the third time in the history of the event.
Great Britain took silver and the defending champions from Germany claimed the bronze.
All three medal-winning nations are already qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games so the teams placed fourth, fifth and sixth – Spain, Sweden and France – have earned the three available qualifying spots on offer at these Championships.
The highest score of the day today was produced by the British star partnership of Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro who posted a mark of 83.029.
Only two riders scored over 80 percent – Dujardin and Gal who earned a mark of 82.229 with Glock’s Undercover.
This was The Netherlands third FEI European Dressage Championships team title. They previously topped the podium at La Mandria, Spain in 2007 and again in 2009 in Windsor, Great Britain.
Europe’s best reiners are in Aachen, Germany, for the FEI European Reining Championships 2015, nine years after the hugely successful competitions were held in the framework of the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2006.
Athletes representing 10 nations – Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Switzerland and Sweden – will be vying for the coveted FEI medals.
Some 40 horse-and-rider combinations will enter the arena when the team competition and the first individual qualifier kicks off on Friday, 14 August, at 10.00 CEST.
All the nations, with the exception of Austria, will be competing with full teams including the defending champions from Germany who took team gold on home ground in Augsburg in 2013.
On Saturday 15 August, the second individual qualifier will begin at 18.15 CEST.
The second qualifier will give riders who did not make it in the first qualifier a chance to participate in the individual competition.
Closing the Championships will be the individual finals on Sunday, 16 August at 10.00 CEST, when the Individual FEI medals will be awarded.
Champions past and present
Europe’s best horses and riders have qualified to represent their country in this year’s FEI European Reining Championships. In the last held two years ago, team Germany composed of Alexander Ripper/Wild At The Bar; Grisha Ludwig/Custom Del Cielo; Volker Schmitt/Smokin Mifillena; Sylvia Rzepka/Hot Smokin Chex – took the gold. Grisha Ludwig and Volker Schmitt will be back next week to defend the title riding their 2013 mounts.
Team Italy consisting of Massimiliano Ruggeri/Spat Split And White; Pierluigi Fabbri/Rooster Nic; Giuseppe Prevosti/Chic Magnetic; and Mirko Piazzi/Cody Glo Phoebes claimed the silver. Fabbri will be back riding Broadway Jaba.
Team Austria – Rudi Kronsteiner/Whizoom; Tina Kuenstner-Mantl/Heza Sure Whiz; Martin Muhlstatter/Chic N Roost – completed the podium claiming the bronze. Returning for Austria is Tina Kuestner Mantl who will be competing as an individual riding Nu Chexomatic. She will be joined by fellow countryman Klaus Lechner also competing individually aboard Cody Rooster Delmaso.
Germany’s Alex Ripper riding Wild At The Bar took individual gold at the last FEI European Reining Championships in 2013. (Art&Light/FEI)
Alex Ripper of Germany riding Wild At The Bar took individual gold in 2013. Belgium’s Cira Baeck aboard Colonels Shining Gun were runners up.
In 2013, bronze medal honors went to Germany’s Grisha Ludwig and Custom del Cielo.
Joining Europe’s best reiners will be Dutch Dressage great Anky van Grunsven who will be on team Netherlands riding her own Whizashinningwalla BB.
For more information on the FEI European Championships 2015 in Aachen visit http://www.aachen2015.de.
Germany holds the lead after the first of two days of competition to decide the team medals at the FEI European Dressage Championships 2015 in Aachen, Germany today. It certainly isn’t unexpected, as the host nation and defending champions are bidding to clinch the title for the 23rd time. Jessica von Bredow-Werndl got them off to the perfect start when posting a score of 75.200 when last to go before the lunch-break. “I had two little mistakes, but I’m really pleased…I think 75 percent is a good base for the rest of the team” the 29-year-old said.
However the Netherlands are in hot pursuit thanks to a super test from Diederik van Silfhout and Arlando NOP that put them top of the individual rankings. Fifth-last to go this afternoon, the dark bay stallion was smooth and rhythmic, maintaining a great shape to earn 75.800. And when added to the 72.400 earned by team pathfinders Patrick van der Meer and Uzzo, the Dutch score of 148.214 leaves them only 1.886 percentage points behind their hosts at the head of affairs. Van Silfhout was delighted that his young stallion showed such composure under pressure today. “He’s only 10, and how he has improved in one year, I couldn’t be happier! He’s a horse with a lot of potential and a big future if he stays safe and sound.” And he knew he needed a good result. “Patrick did a very good test but his points were a bit disappointing, so then you know you have to do a good test otherwise the medal is gone, so there was a little pressure” said the 27-year-old rider.
Really challenged
Great Britain lies third, another 2.471 points further adrift after Fiona Bigwood really challenged for the individual lead when posting 75.800 with Atterupgaards Orthilia. The 39-year-old wears a patch over her right eye which was damaged in a fall from a young horse last year. As a result she has double-vision, and the patch helps her to focus. “It’s harder to judge the bend to the right, and I can’t always see where the horse’s neck should be” she explained. It hasn’t affected her competitiveness however. “I knew I had to pull out a mark to get a medal. It’s only the sixth international for this horse, she’s not that experienced, so how much do you ask? She was really worried the last few minutes before going in, so we are over the moon with her result!” she said. Added to Michael Eilberg’s 69.943 with Marakov, Bigwood’s score brought the British tally to 145.743, more than five percentage points ahead of Sweden in fourth place.
Swedish chances took a blow when their star partnership of Minna Telde and Santana had to settle for a relatively modest score of 68.714. The much-loved 14-year-old stallion lost an eye some years ago but has been enjoying one of the best seasons of his long career, taking three medals at the Nordic Championships and playing a key role on the winning team in the FEI Nations Cup™ at Falsterbo (SWE) this summer. “A big insect landed on his neck and I had to knock it off, but he was confused by it and then put his tongue over the bit” Telde explained. Like Evelyn Haim-Swarovski whose mare, Dorina, also had her tongue stuck out during the test, marks were much more difficult to get as a result. The 60-year-old Austrian, whose competition hat is beautifully adorned by Swarovski crystals, said “I’m disappointed, I know we lost of a lot of marks, but that’s the sport!”
Surprised
The last rider of the day was Germany’s Isabell Werth, who was surprised to receive a mark of 74.900 with Don Johnson FRH. “ I was really disappointed when I heard my result because I expected more – the horse was in really good shape, just a mistake in the one-tempis, but I think all the others I have seen they had mistakes as well. I was here to ride 76/77 percent!” said the most medalled competitor in the sport. However her country is in the driving seat going into the second half of the team competition tomorrow when the two most talked-about dressage horses of all time will be in action – the black stallion, Totilas ridden by Germany’s Matthias Alexander Rath, and the record-breaking British partnership of Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro. Dujardin’s mentor and fellow-team-member, Carl Hester, talked today about the excitement and anticipation just hanging in the air.
“It’s what everyone’s been waiting for! Unfortunately with Totilas’ injuries during the year these two horses don’t get the chance to come together as the two greatest horses in the world at the moment…they look like they really will have a good head-to-head, and that’s what people have been wanting to see. I feel sorry for the two riders, it can’t be easy and it can’t be nice to have to face each other like that in front of everybody, but that’s sport isn’t it? They’ve both had world records, Valegro holds them at the moment, but it was Totilas that first really brought dressage to the world. Even people that didn’t understand it could appreciate what this horse is doing for the sport, so it’s great. We all wanted to see him here, it doesn’t matter who really wins – it will be the best one, and I hope they both go well because then we really will know what the judges think, who they like the best. I think they already know who it is, but we just have to wait and see!!” Hester said.
A super test from Diederik van Silfhout and Arlando NOP placed them top of the individual rankings and put The Netherlands in temporary silver medal spot when the first of two days of competition to decide the team medals at the FEI European Dressage Championships 2015 took place in Aachen, Germany today. (FEI/Dirk Caremans)
Score to settle
And of course there is a score to settle too. “It’s going to be quite fun because we have something to lay to rest here”, Hester said. “Probably 15 years ago I did my first Aachen and I’ve never had a good Aachen, I’ve never done well here and as everyone knows the only time poor Charlotte has been beaten was in Aachen as well. So both of us have come here very positive and pulled ourselves together and said it absolutely makes no difference that its in Aachen this year, we will do it!” However his lack of luck at the German fixture struck again yesterday when he had a fall from his gelding, Nip Tuck.
‘I finished my training and I thought I’m gonna go walk round the big grass field over there with the eventers and have a little chat with them. And, being a wimpy dressage horse, a waiter dropped a tray of glasses in front of me and my horse spun round and came down on top of me on the grass, left me flattened on the floor! And he shocked himself so much he didn’t even bother to run off which was the great news, because if he got out in that field I don’t think we would ever have caught him….so you could quite safely say I haven’t had the best start to the week!” He’ll be hoping his luck takes a turn for the better tomorrow as the final stages of the FEI European Team Dressage Championship plays itself out.
For more information on the FEI European Championships 2015 in Aachen visit http://www.aachen2015.de.
Facts and Figures:
The FEI European Championships 2015 began in Aachen, Germany this morning with the Dressage Grand Prix.
35 horse-and-rider combinations came before the judging panel of : At K, Susanne Baarup DEN; At E, Katrina Wuest GER: At H, Annette Fransen-Iacobaeus SWE: At C, Eduard de Wolff van Westerrode NED: At M, Jean-Michel Roudier FRA: At B, Anne Gribbons USA: At F, Andrew Gardner GBR.
Team Germany took the lead after the first day of Dressage, but only 1.772 percentage points separate the hosts from The Netherlands in second place while Great Britain is another 2.471 points further adrift in third.
The highest individual score in the Grand Prix, which is both the team competition and first individual qualifier, was posted by Diederick van Silfhout from The Netherlands who posted 75.814 with the 10-year-old stallion Arlando NOP.
Great Britain’s Fiona Bigwood and Atterupgaards Orthilia lies second going into tomorrow’s second half of the competition which will decide the team medals.
A total of 18 teams started in today’s Grand Prix.
Quotes:
Fiona Bigwood GBR: “My goal was a mistake-free test and to try and not have any lower marks. At the end (of the test) I could ask for the extended trot, it’s a little bit like – do you go for the 9 and then end up with a four or do you go for a 7/8 – so in the end I just let her go.”
Diederick van Silfhout: “I was really happy because last year was his (Arlando NOP) first big championships, he was only nine and now – this year he’s really strong enough to be here.
Jessica von Bredow-Werndl GER (when asked if she was nervous before competing today): “Actually I was for the last few days, but today I just felt happy to be allowed to go in there because it’s the result of so many years of hard work, and it’s an honour to be able to represent your own country in your own country.”
Patrick van der Meer NED: “I made one mistake in the flying changes, it was my mistake. To beat the Germans, that will be a hard job, but we will do our best. I had a very good season with a lot of good results. I was here in Aachen before, in May, so that was already a good preparation and I had some nice other shows. Aachen is the most wonderful show to ride at!”
Emilie Nyrerod SWE: “It was so much fun, the audience was fantastic. (Coming into the test) “I was quite cool, more cool that I thought I would be! Of course I was a little bit nervous when I walked in here, but when I got to the arena it all disappeared!”
Riders from a bigger spread of nations than ever before will line out when the FEI European Jumping Championships 2015 get underway in Aachen, Germany next week. A new high was reached when the list of definite Jumping entries was confirmed today, and a massive 28 nations will be represented, while 23 countries will field teams and five will send individuals.
The full list of nations is Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine.
This is the 32nd edition of the FEI European Jumping Championships, and the fifth time for the event to take place at Aachen. The inaugural FEI European Jumping Championship was held in Rotterdam (NED) in 1957 when German legend, Hans Gunther Winkler, claimed the title. Only individuals competed in the early editions, but as soon as the team event was introduced at Munich (GER) in 1975, Germany laid claim to that too. The German record in these championships is second to none, with 14 individual and seven team titles to their credit.
Defending the team title
However it is the British who will be defending the team title they won in Herning, Denmark two years ago when the action gets underway on Wednesday 19 August, while Frenchman Roger Yves Bost returns as defending individual champion. The British have a strong record at the Europeans, with six individual and five team titles already on the record books. Their 2013 victory came hot on the heels of their gold-medal-winning performance at the London 2012 Olympic Games, but this time around they will be without their world no 1 rider Scott Brash who was a critical member of that successful side. Michael Whitaker steps up to the challenge once again however as does Ben Maher, while the veteran Guy Williams, Joe Clee and the relative newcomer Jessica Mendoza complete the pack. The British broke a 60-year drought when winning Olympic team gold in 2012, yet they still haven’t managed to qualify for Rio 2016. So, along with many others, they will really be feeling the heat next week when the final team qualification is up for grabs.
Despite fielding a typically formidable side, Germany had to settle for silver last time around, so Christian Ahlmann, Ludger Beerbaum, Daniel Deusser, Janne Friederike Meyer and Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum will be hoping to restore normal order, especially on home ground. Sweden took bronze in 2013, and Malin Baryard-Johnsson, Douglas Lindelow, Helena Persson, Henrik von Eckermann and Charlotte Mordanini will be hoping to put their country back on that podium. The Irish are in fighting form and completely focused on claiming one of the three Olympic qualifying spots available, but with so many others including the Belgians and the Swiss chasing the same goal it will be no easy feat.
There will be no place to hide from the moment the first individual qualifier begins, because every single jump will count in the battle for both the FEI European Jumping Championships 2015 titles and one of those coveted tickets for Rio.
Individual honours
Roger Yves Bost was only the fifth French rider ever to claim the individual European honours two years ago. Great Britain’s Ben Maher went into the final competition with the narrowest of leads, but a fence down saw him having to settle for silver ahead of team-mate Scott Brash who rose from overnight 10th place to take bronze when producing the only double-clear performance of the day.
Bost was following in famous footsteps, as the list of previous French champions included Pierre Durand and the legendary Jappeloup who first topped the podium at St Gallen (SUI) in 1987, Eric Navet who reigned supreme on home turf at La Baule (FRA) in 1991, Alexandra Ledermann and Rochet M – the first woman ever to take the title – who headed the line-up in Hickstead (GBR) in 1999 and Kevin Staut and Kraque Boom who were winners in Windsor (GBR) in 2009. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum is the only other female champion, pipping Belgium’s Jos Lansink in a thriller at Mannheim (GER) in 2007 during the peak of her partnership with the great Shutterfly. And in the fabulous grey Fibonacci, the American-born German rider has found an extraordinarily talented replacement, so she cannot be overlooked once the action kicks off.
However 96 riders will be carrying all their hopes and dreams onto the hallowed turf of the Soers arena at Aachen in seven days’ time, and these Championships, which have turned up some of the most memorable moments of this great sport down the years, promise plenty of drama and excitement before the 2015 champions are crowned.
Rules and Competition Format
Wednesday 19th August – First qualifying competition, individuals and teams. Table C (penalties turned into seconds added), fence height 1.50m, open to all athletes and horses declared as starters in the team and individual championship. Starting order decided by a draw.
Following this first competition the scores obtained by each athlete will be converted into points. The athlete with the lowest number of points will be given zero penalties.
Thursday 20th August – Round 1 of team competition, second individual competition. Table A, 1.60, open to all athletes who took part in the first competition. Individuals go first.
Friday 21st August – Team competition final and third individual competition. Table A, not against the clock, 1.60m. Open to the top 50 individuals who carry penalties forward from first individual qualifier and round 1 of the team event. Open to the top 10 teams following the previous day’s competition, including those tied for 10th place. In case of equality of points there will be a jump-off for the team medal positions.
Sunday 23rd August – Individual final open to 25 best-places athletes and horses including ties for 25th place. Two different 1.60m courses will be jumped, with 10-12 obstacles in round A and 8-10 obstacles in round B. Competitors will start in reverse order of merit in both rounds. Individual medals will be determined by adding together penalties from the first competition, the two rounds of the team competition and the two rounds of the final competition.
The British topped the team podium for the first time in 24 years when coming out on top at the PSI FEI European Team Jumping Championship in Herning, Denmark two years ago. This time around they will be chasing not only a back-to-back double, but also one of the three Olympic qualifying spots on offer at the FEI European Championships in Aachen, Germany. (L to R) The 2013 gold medal winning team of Scott Brash, Will Funnell, Chef d’Equipe Rob Hoekstra, Michael Whitaker and Ben Maher. (FEI/Kit Houghton)
Facts and Figures:
The FEI European Jumping Championships begin on Wednesday 19 August and run through to the individual final on Sunday 23 August.
Competitors from 28 nations will participate.
23 countries have entered teams.
5 nations will be represented by individual riders.
A total of 96 horse-and-rider combinations are listed in the definite entries (11 August 2015).
This is the 32nd edition of the FEI European Jumping Championships, and the fifth time for the event to take place in Aachen.
The inaugural FEI European Jumping Championship took place in Rotterdam (NED) in 1957.
Only individuals competed in the early Championships. The team event was first introduced at Munich (GER) in 1975.
Back-to-back individual champions – Great Britain’s David Broome with Mr Softee at Rotterdam (NED) in 1967 and Hickstead (GBR) in 1969.
Back-to-back triple champions – Germany’s Paul Schockemohle and Deister at Munich (GER) in 1981, Hickstead (GBR) in 1983 and Dinard (FRA) in 1985.
Germany holds the record for the biggest number of individual victories with 14 in total over the last 58 years.
Germany also holds the record for the greatest number of wins in the team event, with seven to date.
Only one horse has ever won the individual European Jumping title with two different riders – the Irish-bred Mr Softee who claimed gold for David Barker in 1962 and then produced back-to-back victories for fellow-Briton David Broome in 1967 and 1969.
Defending champions are the British who produced their fifth win at the last Championships staged in Herning, Denmark in 2013.
For more information on the FEI European Championships 2015 in Aachen visit http://www.aachen2015.de.
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