Olympic superstar Werth wins Reem Acra leg at Amsterdam with Weihegold

REEM ACRA FEI WORLD CUP™ DRESSAGE 2015/2016 – Round 7

Isabell Werth created quite a stir when winning the seventh leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League at the sold-out RAI Arena in Amsterdam (NED) today with Weihegold. The lovely mare was competing in her very first international Freestyle, but in the hands of the 46-year-old German athlete who includes six Olympic gold medals and two World Cup titles amongst her career highlights, the 11-year-old horse posted a spectacular score in the early stages of the competition and could not be beaten.

The pair’s success was all the more remarkable for the fact that today’s class was of an exceptionally high standard, with top riders really raising their game in the battle for points towards the Reem Acra Final in Gothenburg (SWE) in March. Werth admitted afterwards that her victory was unexpected.

“It was a surprise because the Freestyle is really difficult here in this atmosphere in Amsterdam, and there was an outstanding field of competitors. You know how it is in Freestyle, we did not have the best starting order so I was not expecting to win, but at the end of our test I felt really sure and safe – I’m so very, very happy!” she said.

Germany also claimed runner-up spot when Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and Unee BB pushed The Netherlands‘ Diederik van Silfhout and Arlando down to third, while Olympic, European and defending Reem Acra champion Charlotte Dujardin slotted into fourth for Great Britain with Uthopia.

Home contingent

Yesterday’s Grand Prix was dominated by the home contingent, 2010 FEI World Cup™ Dressage champion Edward Gal leading the way with Glock’s Voice followed by van Silfhout in second and Hans Peter Minderhoud and Glock’s Flirt in third. This was also a tough day of sport, with a total of 22 starters and only 15 qualifying spots on offer for today’s Freestyle. Werth and Weihegold had to settle for sixth place yesterday, so they had it all to do when they stepped into the arena this afternoon. But they posted an amazing 83.450 when sixth to go, their score boosted by artistic marks of 90.00 from judges Francis Verbeek van Rooy (NED) and Stephen Clarke (GBR).

In an intricate test that oozed willingness, energy and focus, Weihegold showed effortless piaffe, lovely extended trot and passage and strong canterwork. And the big smile on the face of Werth’s great patron, Madeleine Winter-Schulze, as she watched from the sidelines was reflected by the rider who could be seen to go – “Oh Wow!” – as she drew to a halt with the black mare which is owned by Christine Ams-Krogmann.

Werth knew she had put it up to the rest of the field, but there was still a long way to go and she had a tantalising wait as they tried to overtake her.

Rejuvenated

Sweden’s Patrik Kittel produced an extraordinary test from the rejuvenated 17-year-old Watermill Scandic who looks super-fit and is still clearly enjoying his work at this late stage in his career. Bouncing off the ground during his trademark passage, the chestnut stallion posted 79.950 to go into second place, but there would be a lot more movement on the leaderboard before the end of the day.

Gal and Glock’s Voice demoted them from runner-up spot when scoring 82.100, only to be overtaken by van Silfhout and Arlando NOP who posted 82.750 when next into the ring. But it was the penultimate partnership of von Bredow-Werndl and Unee BB, third-place finishers at last year’s Reem Acra Final in Las Vegas (USA), who would finally earn that second spot when awarded 83.250 for a charming performance.

“Unee is in very good form, and one day I will manage to get everything from the warm-up into arena – that’s my goal!” said von Bredow-Werndl afterwards.

Spotlight

The spotlight however belonged to Werth and the mare who has been ridden for most of her career by the German rider’s assistant trainer, Beatrice Buchwald. Werth explained today that it was always planned that she would take over the ride when the horse had enough experience.

“She (Weihegold) is a clear option for the German team and the Olympics now. I ride her to give her my experience, but Bea will continue to ride her as well and we will try all options to find the strongest combination for Rio. I’m really happy to have such a strong team of horses”, Werth said.

She talked about the arrangement that has been reached between the mare’s owners and her long-time patron. “They have found a solution together with Madeleine (Winter-Schulze) to keep the horse for me to ride. There have been many offers to buy her, but in the end there is a good solution between the owners and Madeleine who is always very happy to help – it’s all about team-work. With Madeleine I am very close – she is always at our side, and at my side,” said the German star.

Werth is now considering taking Weihegold to the penultimate Reem Acra qualifier in Neumunster (GER) in three weeks’ time before bringing Don Johnson, with whom she topped the fifth qualifier in Salzburg (AUT) last month, to the last qualifying leg in s’Hertogenbosch (NED) in March.

“My goal with Weihegold is to improve more and more. She is only 11 years old, she is very elegant and she has lots of room for improvement – she is a very exciting horse”, Werth said today.

For further information on the seventh leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League in Amsterdam (NED) visit http://www.jumpingamsterdam.nl/

The next leg of the series will take place in Neumunster (GER) on Sunday 21 February. For details of the German fixture visit http://reitturnier-neumuenster.de

Germany’s Isabell Werth won the seventh leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2015/2016 Western European League at the sold-out RAI Arena in Amsterdam (NED) today riding Weihegold. (FEI/Arnd Bronkhorst)

Result:

1, Weihegold Old (Isabell Werth) GER 83.450;

2, Unee BB (Jessica von Bredow-Werndl) GER 83.350;

3, Arlando NOP (Diederik van Silfhout (NED) 82.750;

4, Uthopia (Charlotte Dujardin) GBR 82.375;

5, Glock’s Flirt (Hans Peter Minderhoud) NED 82.250;

6, Glock’s Voice (Edward Gal) NED 82.100;

7, Watermill Scandic (Patrik Kittel) SWE 79.950;

8, Annarico (Fanny Verliefden) BEL 78.975;

9, Donnperignon (Anna Kasprzak) DEN 78.175;

10, Apache (Emmelie Scholtens) NED 75.450;

11, Rubicon D (Beata Stremier) POL 75.125;

12, Tiamo (Jorinde Verwimp) BEL 74.625;

13, Eres Dl (Jeroen Devroe) BEL 74.350;

14, Jojo Az (Agnete Kirk Thinggaard) DEN 73.900;

15, Rainbow Dancer (Anne Lene Holmen) NOR 71.200.

Louise Parkes

PNG To Face Netherlands In Historic ICC Intercontinental Cup Clash

“The Intercontinental Cup gives us a rare opportunity to test ourselves in the multi-day format of cricket,” says Dutch captain Borren

“It is a great feeling for the players to be representing Papua New Guinea in our first-ever Intercontinental Cup match,” says Vare-Kevere

Live-scoring will be available at http://www.icc-cricket.com

Netherlands will strive to take the home advantage when it faces debutant Papua New Guinea (PNG) in the four-day first-class Intercontinental Cup 2015-17 in Amsterdam on Tuesday, 16 June.

ICC Intercontinental Cup 2015-17, photo credit ICC:Noel DeSouza

This will be the final match of the first round, which earlier saw Namibia defeat Hong Kong and Ireland earn 20 maximum points against the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The match between former champions – Scotland and Afghanistan – was marred by poor weather but Scotland still managed to claim 13 points against Afghanistan’s seven after only one innings was completed.

The ICC Intercontinental Cup is a pathway to Test cricket. The side that wins the eight-team round-robin tournament spread over two-and-a-half years will play the 10th-ranked side on the Reliance ICC Test Team Rankings (as at 31 December 2017) in the four-match ICC Test Challenge during 2018. If the Associate Member wins the series, to be played on a home and away basis, then it will become the 11th Test nation.

Tuesday’s game will mark the Netherlands seventh appearance in the Intercontinental Cup. In all, it has played 26 matches, winning four, losing 14 and drawing eight.

Cricket was introduced to The Netherlands by British soldiers during the Napoleonic Wars in the 19th Century and the Netherlands national team played its first-ever game in 1881 and became an Associate Member of the ICC in 1966.

Ryan ten Doeschate’s 259 not out against Canada in 2006 is the highest individual score in the competition’s history.

For PNG, Tuesday marks the latest exciting chapter in its cricket history as it plays its inaugural Intercontinental Cup match. Organised competitions have been played since the 1950s and PNG became an Associate Member of the ICC in 1973.

Looking ahead to the historic tie, Netherlands captain Peter Borren, who is expected to lead his side in Amsterdam, said: “We are very much looking forward to hosting PNG for the first time. We know they are a talented bunch and I’m sure the series will provide the Dutch cricketing public with real entertainment.

“The Intercontinental Cup gives us a rare opportunity to test ourselves in the multi-day format of cricket. We are determined to perform well in the tournament and will be aiming for nothing less than an outright win to kick start our campaign.

“We have an experienced squad who have been working very hard in recent times; a strong batting line-up, with Wesley Baressi and Rahil Ahmed the ones to watch. Our bowling attack is nicely balanced, giving me plenty of options in the field. Look out for Timm van der Gugten with the new ball. We can’t wait. Red ball cricket at the beautiful VRA Cricket Ground in Amstelveen, it doesn’t get better than that!”

PNG captain Jack Vare-Kevere added: “Every cricketing country would one day like to play Test cricket and the ICC Intercontinental Cup offers a great pathway for countries like PNG into Test cricket.

“It is a great feeling for the players to be representing Papua New Guinea in our first-ever Intercontinental Cup match and we are all looking forward to the experience.

“Netherlands obviously has the home ground advantage and had the wood on us last time in the 50-over format, but we just need to do the basics right and stick to our plans. The boys have prepared really well for this series and can’t wait to get out there.

“We have a couple of returning faces in the squad with Sese Bau and Loa Nou coming back in after a couple of years. They’ve come back hungrier and stronger than ever and combined with the rest of the squad I am confident that we have brought a really strong and eager team for this match.”

ICC World Cricket League Championship

Following the conclusion of the ICC Intercontinental Cup match, Netherlands and PNG will also play two 50-over ICC World Cricket League matches in Rotterdam (22 June) and Amsterdam (24 June).

The Netherlands has participated in 1996, 2003, 2007 and 2011 ICC Cricket World Cups. The side has also played in all the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifiers (previously known at the ICC Trophy). It won the 2011 competition in Canada and twice finished runner-up. In 2009, when the event has renamed as the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier, and it progressed to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 after finishing in the top four of the tournament that was held in South Africa. In the 2014 tournament in New Zealand, the Netherlands finished outside the top six, which meant it could neither qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 nor got ODI status until 2018.

In same New Zealand event last year, PNG finished fourth to attain ODI status until 2018. It subsequently became the first team to win its first two ODIs when it defeated Hong Kong twice at Townsville last November.

Its total of 455-9 and victory margin of 369 runs against Gibraltar at Cannock in 1986 is the highest in the history of the ICC Cricket World Cup qualifying tournament. Arguably its most famous player is Geraint Jones, who also played 34 Tests and 51 ODIs for England between 2004 and 2006, but was born in Papua New Guinea.

Squads:

NETHERLANDS (from): Peter Borren (captain), Wesley Barresi, Mudassar Bukhari, Ben Cooper, Dariel Doram, Max O’Dowd, Timm van der Gugten, Quirijn Gunning, Ahsan Malik, Paul van Meekeren, Stephan Myburgh, Michael Rippon, Pieter Seelaar, Michael Swart

PAPUA NEW GUINEA (from): Jack Vare-Kevere (captain), Charles Amini, Sese Bau, Mahuru Dai, Willie Gavera, Loa Nou, Kila Pala, Pipi Raho, John Boge Reva, Lega Siaka, Chad Soper, Tony Ura, Vani Vagi Morea, Assadollah Vala, Norman Vanua

Match Referee: Steve Bernard (Australia)

Umpires: Sarika Siva Prasad and Gregory Brathwaite
Points table

2015 ROWING SEASON OPENS AT LAKE BLED, SLOVENIA

The World Rowing Federation, FISA, is pleased to announce the entries for the first regatta of the 2015 World Rowing Cup series to be held in Bled, Slovenia from 9-10 May 2015.

Competitors from 34 nations will race on the waters of Lake Bled, home of the 1966, 1979, 1989 and 2011 World Rowing Championships as well as many other international regattas. Nearly 200 competitors will race in a new, early season regatta format. The day before the World Rowing Cup regatta, athletes will be able to compete in the one-day, Bled International Regatta on 8 May, followed by two days of World Cup racing, culminating with finals on 10 May. The format will also see a progression system from heats directly to semi-finals, thus bypassing the repechage stage which is the usual feature of World Rowing regattas.

World Rowing Championships
WRJC 2014 Hamburg
photo credit: Jahr des Wassersports
https://www.flickr.com/photos/123560028@N05/14906765763/in/photolist-fHQ8PJ-fHxAJx-fHxAV8-fHQ9P1-arod4R-arohQk-oDts6S-oHg7FX-op1waf-oDts47-op1Rdy-oFhEhU-arqTiC-arogkH-op1Cmx-oFhPYC-op2aec-oFttKC-oFtpk5-op1ETY-oHg57P-oDtvqh-op1xts-oFeEge-oFvbRX-oFtCdj-oFeFC2-oFhLVU-op1D32-op1VyY-op25qz-oHgbQP-oDtkbQ-oFeJAX-oFv8fi-oHfQvv-op1Lh2-oFtvL1-oFhBFG-op2aV2-oHgauT-oDtwdQ-oFtHtQ-oHgag6-op1AtV-oFtoyq-oFuX5P-oHgdUD-op1rhE-oFeNJB

A full strength team from China will be in attendance with athletes racing in all of the 16 boat classes to be contested. Team China includes Wenyi Huang and Dandan Pan; bronze medallists from last year’s lightweight women’s double sculls. Also racing is Jingli Duan who finished third in the women’s single sculls at last year’s World Rowing Championships. Duan will come into Bled as a favourite in the women’s single with the added advantage of having raced on these waters during the 2011 World Rowing Championships.

The Czech Republic has entered in all but two boat classes with Olympic Champion in the women’s single scull, Mirka Knapkova leading the way. Knapkova will face China’s Duan in her first outing of the 2015 season.

Germany is sending a large team which includes a reshuffle of some of their big names in rowing. Former World Champion in the men’s single sculls, Marcel Hacker will be racing in the men’s double sculls with Stephan Krueger. Hacker and Krueger are also entered to race in opposing boats in the men’s quadruple sculls. The German women’s flagship crew, the women’s quadruple sculls will compete with one crew change from the 2014 winning boat.

Poland has entered 11 of the boat classes with Magdalena Fularczyk and Natalia Madaj likely to be leading the way for their nation. Fularczyk and Madaj were silver medallists at last year’s World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam. The Polish team will also be using this regatta to prepare for the European Rowing Championships to be hosted in the Polish city of Poznan at the end of May.

Back in the pair together, Olympic silver medallists Germain Chardin and Dorian Mortelette of France will face the very experienced Nikola Stojic of Serbia racing with his partner, Goran Jagar.

World Rowing Championships
WRJC 2014 Hamburg
photo credit: Jahr des Wassersports
https://www.flickr.com/photos/123560028@N05/14883857411/in/photolist-fHQ8PJ-fHxAJx-fHxAV8-fHQ9P1-arod4R-arohQk-oDts6S-oHg7FX-op1waf-oDts47-op1Rdy-oFhEhU-arqTiC-arogkH-op1Cmx-oFhPYC-op2aec-oFttKC-oFtpk5-op1ETY-oHg57P-oDtvqh-op1xts-oFeEge-oFvbRX-oFtCdj-oFeFC2-oFhLVU-op1D32-op1VyY-op25qz-oHgbQP-oDtkbQ-oFeJAX-oFv8fi-oHfQvv-op1Lh2-oFtvL1-oFhBFG-op2aV2-oHgauT-oDtwdQ-oFtHtQ-oHgag6-op1AtV-oFtoyq-oFuX5P-oHgdUD-op1rhE-oFeNJB/

World Rowing Championships
WRJC 2014 Hamburg
photo credit: Jahr des Wassersports
https://www.flickr.com/photos/123560028@N05/14700338297/in/photolist-fHQ8PJ-fHxAJx-fHxAV8-fHQ9P1-arod4R-arohQk-oDts6S-oHg7FX-op1waf-oDts47-op1Rdy-oFhEhU-arqTiC-arogkH-op1Cmx-oFhPYC-op2aec-oFttKC-oFtpk5-op1ETY-oHg57P-oDtvqh-op1xts-oFeEge-oFvbRX-oFtCdj-oFeFC2-oFhLVU-op1D32-op1VyY-op25qz-oHgbQP-oDtkbQ-oFeJAX-oFv8fi-oHfQvv-op1Lh2-oFtvL1-oFhBFG-op2aV2-oHgauT-oDtwdQ-oFtHtQ-oHgag6-op1AtV-oFtoyq-oFuX5P-oHgdUD-op1rhE-oFeNJB/

A full World Rowing Cup race-by-race preview will be available on http://www.worldrowing.com on Wednesday 6 May 2015.

Entries and the provisional race schedule are available today.

Entries for the Bled International Regatta: http://www.worldrowing.com/events/bled-international-regatta/documents
Entries for the World Rowing Cup I: http://www.worldrowing.com/events/2015-world-rowing-cup-i/documents

There will be a World Rowing television host production for the World Cup final races on Sunday 10 May. Sunday’s final races can be viewed live on http://www.worldrowing.com

The World Rowing Cup series was launched in 1997 and consists of a series of three events. The overall World Rowing Cup winners are determined after the third event. This year, the three stages of the series are Bled, Slovenia (9-10 May), Varese, Italy (18-21 June) and Lucerne, Switzerland (10-12 July).

REEM ACRA FEI WORLD CUP™ DRESSAGE 2014/2015 – Dujardin And Valegro Produce Another Amazing Performance In Amsterdam

Dujardin and Valegro produce another amazing performance in Amsterdam
by Louise Parkes

Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro swept to victory with the greatest of ease at the sixth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League series in Amsterdam, The Netherlands today. The 29-year-old rider only returned from New Zealand a few days ago after presenting Masterclasses in Hamilton and Christchurch, and admitted to feeling “seriously jet-lagged”. But such is the exceptional relationship she has with the 13-year-old Valegro that she only fell 0.4 points short of the world-record Freestyle score the pair set at Olympia, London in December when coming out on top by a considerable margin again this afternoon.

Today’s result sheet reflected that of yesterday’s Grand Prix, with exactly the same horse-and-rider combinations filling the top five places. The Netherlands’ Danielle Heijkoop (Siro NOP) filled runner-up spot ahead of Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (Unee BB) in third, and Dutch riders Diederik van Silfhout (Arlando) and Hans Peter Minderhoud (Glock’s Flirt) claimed fourth and fifth places. However, despite the quality of the field, Dujardin’s absolute supremacy was unmistakable as her nearest rival finished more than 11 marks behind her winning score of 93.900.

Great day of sport

Two-time series champions, Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival NOP, won the second leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League at Lyon, France tonight. (FEI/Pierre Costabadie)

The Amsterdam crowd were treated to a great day of sport, with Germany’s Isabell Werth and El Santo NRW lighting up the arena with a powerful and expressive test that just oozed with fun. When you have a trophy cabinet filled to the brim with Olympic and World Championship gold medals you are entitled to have as much fun as you like, and with her 14-year-old gelding grooving to the sound of David Bowie, the 45-year-old veteran swept into the lead on a mark of 76.775 just before the judging break.

However Denmark’s Agnete Kirk Thinggaard, who has rocketed to prominence this season, went out in front as soon as the action resumed when posting 78.050. This pair are exciting to watch, showing great balance and rhythm in passage in particular, and demonstrating tremendous harmony between their music and their floorplan.

Two rides later however, Dujardin and Valegro set the new target so high that there was never any doubt about the final outcome. The Olympic, European and World champion was smiling even before she began, and Valegro just settled to his job, drumming out that now familiar perfect piaffe and passage and sitting steady and low in canter pirouette as the scores came tumbling in thick and fast. Britain’s Stephen Clarke and Dutch judge Eduard de Wolff van Westerrode each awarded the pair artistic marks of 98.00 while Isabelle Judet from France gave them 96.00, and when their final total of 93.900 went up on the scoreboard it was very definitely a done deal.

Confident performance

Heijkoop wasn’t intimidated however, following with a smooth, confident performance that highlighted her black gelding’s exceptional piaffe for a mark of 82.375. And Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, who continues to lead the Western European League standings after today’s leg, once again presented her courageous floorplan that embraces difficult transitions including canter to piaffe/pirouette to walk, for a strong score of 80.900.

Penultimate performer, Diederik van Silfhout with Arlando NH, posted 79.950 for fourth place while fellow-Dutchman, Hans Peter Minderhoud, brought the competition to a close with a calm and elegant test from Glock’s Flirt for fifth spot.

Winning result

Reigning champions, Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, strutted to victory once again at the sixth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League in Amsterdam, The Netherlands today. (FEI/Arnd Bronkhorst)

Dujardin was quick to thank her trainer, friend and mentor, Carl Hester, after today’s winning result. “Carl kept Blueberry (Valegro) ticking over while I was away in New Zealand, I’m always so grateful to him” she said. She wasn’t too pleased with her ride in yesterday’s Grand Prix however, even though she won that by more than a seven-point margin. “I was really jet-lagged and I was terrible, I was so angry with myself for the way I rode!” she insisted this afternoon.

She talked about what Valegro has been doing since re-setting the Grand Prix and Freestyle world records at Olympia last month. “He had a couple of weeks off over Christmas and then I started riding him for a couple of days before heading off (to New Zealand). But I only had three days to ride after I got back this week, so he’s a pretty amazing horse!” And looking ahead to the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Final where they will be defending their title she said, “he won’t be doing anything until then. He isn’t the kind of horse that needs competition all the time, so our next outing will be Las Vegas, and after that we’ll be concentrating on getting ready for the European Championships”.

Reflected

Runner-up, Danielle Heijkoop, reflected on her performance, saying “we had a bigger score at Mechelen (BEL) in December, but I’m very happy with how we went today”. Talking about her trainer, Anky van Grunsven who is a nine-time winner of the FEI World Cup™ Dressage title, 27-year-old Heijkoop said “we think alike, our attitude is that things can always be better, but for me the most important thing right now is that you can see our score is getting a little higher everywhere from last year, it’s all improving”.

Now riders are already thinking ahead to how their horses will respond to the bright lights and electric atmosphere of the Thomas & Mack Arena in Las Vegas in just over two months’ time. “I’m so excited about it!” said Dujardin today, “I know the crowd starts clapping before the finish, and the place is buzzing all the time, but hopefully Blueberry will be OK with all that and will put on a great show”.

Runner-up, Danielle Heijkoop, says that her gelding, Siro, can be “a little bit crazy” during the prize-giving ceremony and after he comes out of the arena, but that he is usually a thorough professional during his test. “Actually I think he will love it in Las Vegas, when he’s doing a test he really enjoys the crowd, and I hope it won’t be a problem for him”.

The next leg will take place Neumuenster, Germany on Sunday 15 February 2015.

Result:

1, Valegro (Charlotte Dujardin) GBR 93.900;

2, Siro NOP (Danielle Heijkoop) NED 82.375;

3, Unee BB (Jessica von Bredow-Werndl) GER 80.900;

4, Arlando NH NOP (Diederik van Silfhout) NED 79.950;

5, Glock’s Flirt (Hans Peter Minderhoud) NED 79.250;

6, Jojo Az (Agnete Kirk Thinggaard) DEN 78.050;

7, Favourit (Sonke Rothenberger) GER 77.325;

8, El Santo NRW (Isabell Werth) GER 76.775;

9, Uzzo (Patrick van der Meer) NED 75.725;

10, Axis TSF (Terhi Stegars) 75.675;

11, Ulysses la Haya (Laurens van Lieren) NED 73.950;

12, Biggles 1015 (Kristian von Krusentierna) SWE 73.775;

13, Eres DI (Jeroen Devroe) BEL 73.275;

14, Sunny Boy (Juan Antonio Jimenez Cobo) ESP 73.175;

15, Thriller (Katja Gevers) NED 72.050.

Facts and Figures:

Amsterdam, The Netherlands presented the sixth leg of the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League today.

15 riders from 8 nations, including six from the host country.

Today’s winners were the defending series champions and World No 1 combination, Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro from Great Britain, who re-set both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle world records at the previous fixture at Olympia in London last month.

Their winning Freestyle score of 93.900 today was just 0.4 percentage points short of the world record they set in London at 94.300.

The British partnership also won yesterday’s Grand Prix at the Dutch fixture, with a winning mark of 86.140.
Today’s Ground Jury consisted of: At E, Stephen Clarke (GBR), At H, Isabelle Judet (FRA), At C, Eduard de Wolff van Westerrode (NED), At M, Adriaan F. Hamoen (NED), and at B, Peter Engel (GER).

There are three further qualifying legs left to run in the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 Western European League – at Neumuenster (GER) on 15 February, At Gothenburg, Sweden on 28 February and at ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NED) on 14 March.

The series Final will take place in Las Vegas, USA from 15-19 April.

Quotes:

Charlotte Dujardin GBR, talking about Valegro: “He was just fantastic today. It’s always such a pleasure to ride him, he’s so great!”

Danielle Heijkoop NED: “My next competition will be at Den Bosch I think, but I have to talk to Anky (van Grunsven) about it first”.

Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Western European League 2014/2015 – standings after Round 6 at Amsterdam (NED):
1. Jessica von Bredow-Werndl GER – 71
2. Danielle Heijkoop NED – 60
3. Fabienne Lutkemeier GER – 54
4. Hans Peter Minderhoud NED – 50
5. Agnete Kirk Thinggaard DEN – 49
6. Sonke Rothenberger GER – 47
7. Edward Gal NED – 40
7. Isabell Werth GER – 40
9. Adelinde Cornelissen NED – 37
10. Valentina Truppa ITA – 34

2014 FISA ORDINARY CONGRESS IN AMSTERDAM

The FISA 2014 Ordinary Congress was held following the 2014 World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The Congress was the first chaired by new President Jean-Christophe Rolland and in attendance were Honorary President Denis Oswald and IOC Vice-President John Coates, FISA’s Continental Representative for Oceania.

NOC Presidents who are also rowers Eduardo Palomo of El Salvador, Khaled Zain El Din of Egypt, Jose Quinones of Peru, Jiri Keyval of Czech Republic and Denis Masseglia of France were in attendance.

The Congress began with reports from the President, Executive Committee Members, Chairs of the specialist Commissions and Continental Representatives. The next was the approval of the 2013 accounts and the 2015 budget.

Elections were held for several seats on the FISA Council. On the first election the delegates of the 51 FISA member federations elected Rosie Mayglothling of Great Britain as the chair of the Competitive Rowing Commission. Rosie received 71 of the valid votes cast while incumbent and member of the Executive Committee John Boultbee of Australia received 63 votes. The Congress also re-elected Mike Tanner, chair of the Events Commission; Pat Lambert, chair of the Event Promotion Commission; Tone Pahle, chair of the Masters Rowing Commission; Fay Ho, chair of the Para-Rowing Commission and Patrick Rombaut, chair of the Umpiring Commission. Jacomine Ravensbergen was electd for the first time as chair of the Women’s Rowing Commission.

The Congress provisionally attributed the 2016 World Rowing Under 23 Championships to Rotterdam, the Netherlands. As it will be combined with the 2016 World Rowing Senior and Junior Championships, the first time ever, more time was required to settle all issues around the organisation of the two events. The 2017 World Rowing Under 23 Championships was attributed to Plovdiv, Bulgaria which will serve as the test event for the 2018 World Rowing Championships.

The following countries declared their interest in bidding for the 2019 World Rowing Championships: Linz/Ottensheim, Austria; Sydney, Australia; Racice, Czech Republic and Hamburg, Germany. A few others are still working on gaining the support of funding bodies and chose not to announce their interest yet.

Presentations were made by Rémy Charmetant, director of the organising committee of the 2015 World Rowing Championships that will be held in Aiguebelette, France and by Rodrigo Garcia, Sport Director of the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Jean-Christophe Rolland announced that FISA has finalised the 2016 Olympic Racing Programme which features the two eights and two single scull finals on the last day of the regatta.

Additional discussions at the Congress included consideration of the question of the maximum boat length (Bye-Law to Rule 39, section 1.1, paragraph 2). After hearing from several experienced boat builders, the Council decided to suspend the effect of the minimum length bye-law until more information on the full impact is gathered. FISA will be seeking additional facts from inside rowing and in the shipping industry to be in a better position to make a decision on this issue.

At the conclusion of the Congress several presentations were made about recent developments in FISA including: The revised FISA Strategic Plan, The Equality Strategy – Women’s Rowing Development Plan, The Universality Strategy – The Coastal Rowing and Island Rowing Strategy, The Environmental Strategy – Clean Water Project.

The 2015 Ordinary Congress will be held on 7 September, 2015 in Chambery, France just following the 2015 World Rowing Championships that will take place on Lake Aiguebelette, France.