LONGINES FEI WORLD CUP™ JUMPING 2015/2016:NEWCOMER KRIEG BLITZES THE OPPOSITION TO WIN LONGINES LEG AT LEIPZIG

Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2015/2016 – Round 9, Leipzig…NEWCOMER KRIEG BLITZES THE OPPOSITION TO WIN LONGINES LEG AT LEIPZIG

In the most sensational result of the season so far, the relatively unknown young German, Niklas Krieg, galloped to victory at the ninth leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2015/2016 Western European League on home turf in Leipzig this evening.

The rider who hails from near Donaueschingen turned 22 just three days ago and was making his debut in the FEI World Cup™ Jumping series. One of 14 to qualify for the jump-off over Frank Rothenberger’s track he was third to go against the clock and simply outclassed competitors more than twice his age and with far more experience when producing a stunning performance from his 12-year-old mare, Carella.

Ireland’s Denis Lynch lined up second with All Star ahead of The Netherlands’ Harrie Smolders and Don VHP Z in third when they were the only others to leave all the fences in place second time out. But Krieg won with a massive three-second advantage to announce his very definite arrival at the top end of the sport.

Last-fence-frustration

There was a lot of last-fence-frustration in the first round, the 1.60m-high white plank claiming a number of high-profile victims, while fences nine to eleven also proved highly influential. Rothenberger’s track was typically uncompromising with tall verticals and big, open oxers and while there was plenty of distance to manoeuvre around the course, the 68-seconds time allowed also piled on the pressure.

The vertical at nine was approached off a corner, and many paid the price for turning too sharply or arriving on a poor stride here. Rothenberger gave them a forward four-stride distance to the following double of big oxers at 10 and another three-stride effort to a vertical with a small water tray at fence 11, while the penultimate oxer at 12 also set a challenge to those running out of time. Jumped off a curving right-hand bend it demanded a lot of respect, and an untidy effort here often left horses off-balance coming down to the last.

The clear rounds kept coming however, Jessica Mendoza first to leave all the poles in place, while Krieg was one of the many budding German stars who really impressed on their first attempt at this level of competition today when joining the British rider in the second-round race against the clock. And what a thriller that was.

Chances were dashed

Mendoza’s chances were dashed when Spirit T hit the second fence on the new track, formerly no 11, and then the second of the two remaining elements of the triple combination which were now three fences from home. But when another of the sparkling young German contingent, 20-year-old Guido Klatte, cut inside the final fence on approach to the tricky oxer at 12 which was now the third obstacle on the track, then it quickly became clear that this was the route to go.

The angle was acute, and Klatte’s nine-year-old, Qinghai, kicked the poles out for four faults, but their time of 39.76 seconds was more than three seconds quicker than that posted by the speedy Mendoza. So when Krieg got it all right, then he really put it up to the rest of them.

Krieg’s mare never flinched, galloping down the long distance from the opening vertical to the next at fence 11, and then spinning right-handed to cross the oxer at 12 and hard-left to the following oxer. The pair were on fire from start to finish, and when they broke the beam in 38.04 seconds then it was up to the rest to catch them. But none would succeed.

The biggest test of the young German’s nerve was having to watch the remaining 11 riders trying to oust him from pole position, and with so many of the biggest names in the sport on that list it would be an agonising wait.

Well on target

Young Irish talent, 20-year-old Bertram Allen, looked well on target after negotiating the difficult angle at 12 with relative ease. But his mare, Molly Malone, hit both the following oxer and the penultimate oxer for eight faults in a quick time of 38.69 seconds. The fastest jump-off round was recorded by Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet, but the man who took individual silver at last summer’s FEI European Championships in Aachen (GER) was yet another victim of the dreaded oxer at 12 when crossing the line in 37.81 seconds.

French superstars Kevin Staut (Reveur de Hurtebise HDC) and Simon Delestre (Chesall) also failed when going for the inside-turn angled approach here, before Harrie Smolders changed the tactics. Taking the longer and safer route around the final oxer he safely negotiated the bogey fence 12 to post only the second clear of the jump-off with Don VHP Z in 46.85 seconds. And when Ireland’s Denis Lynch and All Star upped the pace but also took the more scenic route, they slotted in ahead of the Dutch pair in 41.04.

The excitement still wasn’t over however, the crowd gripping their seats as, second-last to go, 22-year-old Belgian, Olivier Philippaerts, took the short route with H&M Legend of Love and was up on time coming to the last. But that fell for four faults and when Spain’s Sergio Alvarez Moya and Carlo also had a great cut at it and also did the time, only to be denied the win by a mistake three fences from home, then it was finally done and dusted. A new German star had been born.

New German sensation, 22-year-old Niklas Krieg, was the surprise winner of today’s ninth leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2015/2016 Western European League at Leipzig (GER). He is pictured receiving the winner’s Longines watch from Mr Rainer Eckert, Longines Brand Manager for Germany. (FEI/Karl-Heinz Frieler)

Changed his plan

Krieg admitted that he changed his plan during his jump-off round. “I talked with my father before I went in and we decided I should go around fence 12, but then the first two fences came up really nicely and I thought to myself – no risk, no fun! – so I just went for it!” he explained.

He has absolute faith in the mare he rode to team gold at the FEI Young Riders European Championships in 2014 and to team silver last year. “I have had Carella since she was two years old and no-one else has ever ridden her so we have a big understanding between us. I know I can trust her every time – she is a bit of a diva, but I love her very much!”, he said.
“This was for sure my biggest success until now. It was my first World Cup competition and additionally to win in your home country is tremendous” he added.

He insisted that he didn’t feel any pressure in the jump-off. “My goal was to finish in the top five or six – my horse was super and did definitely fight for me and so we tried, but I would have never thought that it would be enough to win!” he said. The biggest pressure he may now face will be the high expectations for more stunning results after an exceptional day of great sport on which a young man, ranked 354th in the world, showed the best of the best how it should be done.

Louise Parkes

FEI Secretary General voices support for Officials at London Olympia

FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez has today voiced her full support for the actions of FEI Officials at London Olympia on Monday night (21 December) when Irish rider Bertram Allen was disqualified after blood was found on the flank of his horse, Quiet Easy.

“I have absolutely no doubt that the protocols regarding blood on the horse were followed correctly at London Olympia on Monday night”, Sabrina Ibáñez said.

“Of course this incident has created a considerable amount of discussion on social media because Bertram Allen would otherwise have won the Grand Prix, so there is a high level of sympathy for him, but the FEI Officials were in Olympia – as they are at every event run under FEI Rules – to ensure a fair and level playing field and that the welfare of the horse is protected.

“Blood was found on the flank of Bertram Allen’s horse and, under FEI Jumping Rules, that results in mandatory disqualification. The situation was reported to the Ground Jury by the FEI Steward who had conducted the normal post-competition check on the horse and Bertram Allen was then informed of his disqualification in person by the President of the Ground Jury and the Foreign Judge.

“Let me be clear, disqualification under this rule does not imply that there was any intent to injure the horse, but it is crucial that the rules are enforced in order to ensure that horse welfare ‎is protected.

“It is very easy for any sports official to be criticised when they are simply doing their job. Everything at Olympia was handled correctly and in accordance with the rules, but there is no doubt that it was an unfortunate end to a wonderful event.”

Belgian, Dutch And Polish Studbooks Claim 2015 FEI World Breeding Jumping titles

The KWPN gelding, Earley, made another piece of Jumping history today when becoming only the third-ever horse to record back-to-back wins when taking the 6-Year-Old title at the FEI World Breeding Jumping Championships for Young Horses 2015 at Lanaken in Belgium.

This hugely popular annual gathering draws vast numbers of breeders, producers and enthusiasts from all around the globe who come to the world-famous Zangersheide Stud to compare the latest crop of 5, 6 and 7-year-olds representing many different studbooks. And it was the Belgian-bred Kerswin van ‘T Roosakker who won the 5-Year-Old category while the Polish stallion, Mjt Nevados S, claimed the 7-Year-Old title.

Once again the entry was enormous, with 224 starters in the 5-Year-Old Championship, 273 in the 6-Year-Olds, and 208 in the 7-Year-Old category. For any horse to take a medal from such a colossal field of starters is quite an achievement, and for any horse to do it two years in a row is exceptional. The 6-Year-old Earley has earned his place alongside just two other back-to-back champions – last year’s 7-Year-Old winner, Barnike who represented the Dutch Ridinghorse and Pony Studbook with Ireland’s Bertram Allen on board, and the KWPN No Time, who topped the rankings in 2000 and 2001 ridden by Dutchman Peter Geerink.

Five-Year-Olds

Only horses that jumped clear in the first and second qualifiers were eligible for today’s 5-Year-Old Final, and from the 49 starters in this competition just nine went through to the second-round jump-off. This was a smaller number than usual to make it through to the final phase, as the time proved influential in the first round.

And Kerswin van ‘T Roosakker (Echo van ‘T Spieveld/Diamant de Semilly) broke the beam in today’s jump-off in a speedy 37.33 seconds to take the gold with Doron Kuipers in the saddle. The 24-year-old Dutchman has stables near Rotterdam (NED) from where he competes his own string of horses along with six belonging to Kerswin’s owners, Stal Everse BV. Micha Everse rode the gelding earlier in the year, and Kuipers took up the reins just eight weeks ago. It was a success-story from the very start.

“I have never jumped a jump-off with him before, but I felt from the beginning that he really worked with me. He is careful and has scope and he goes for it. That’s all you need to win! This is the first time I’ve made it into the Final (at the FEI World Breeding Jumping Championships) and I’m pretty happy because immediately I’ve taken the best colour medal!” Kuipers said.

Silver medal spot went to another from the BWP Studbook, the approved stallion Keops v. Begijnakker (Indoctro/Lux Z) ridden by Belgium’s Yves Vanderhasselt who mixes his works in the family transport company with a very successful Jumping career. The 36-year-old rider has a reputation for remaining super-cool under pressure, and he finished third with Keops at the Belgian Championships in Geves this summer. The horse was bought by the Vanderhasselt family as a four-year-old.

Bronze in the 5-Year-Olds went to the mare, Formidable (Carambole/Calvados), and it was a particularly special moment for her Dutch rider Willem Greve as he competes internationally with the mare’s sire, Carambole.

Greve spotted Formidable competing at an international show just a few months ago and bought her right away. “There were several people who wanted her because she jumped very spectacularly, and I immediately had a good feeling with her because she is careful and has a lot of scope”, Greve explained.

Six-Year-Olds

Horses in the 6 and 7-Year-Old category were ranked in each of the two qualifying competitions, and the top-40 earned a place in today’s Finals in which the KWPN, Earley (Harley VDL/Indorado), wrote his name into the Young Horse history books when clinching 6-Year-Old gold.

With 17 into the jump-off it was always going to take a quick horse to win it, but Earley is a massive 1.77cms tall with a ground-eating stride to match, and just as he did when taking the 2014 5-Year-Old title, the big bay galloped through the timers quicker than all the rest. His rider, Maikel van Mierlo, knows the horse well. Maikel’s father bought the horse as a 3-year-old, and sold him on to owners H.M. van Raaij-Evertse who sent him off to be broken before returning him to Van Mierlo to ride.

Since winning his gold medal as a 5-Year-Old, Earley has been lightly competed, lining out at a few international shows and at the Dutch Championships where he finished seventh this year. “I don’t jump him a lot at home” Van Mierlo explained after taking his second successive title with the horse today. “He only jumped a 1.20m class as preparation for this show and to be honest the pressure coming to this year’s Championships was not special”, he said. The 24-year-old Dutchman’s philosophy is an uncomplicated one. “You have to stay motivated, and to just try your best every day” he said.

Talking about his winning round he continued, “the course was not too difficult and the time was long enough, but with 17 in the jump off you know you have to go full speed! When I came out I knew that I was fast but I didn’t know it was fast enough to win. I think I won it on the last line. He’s not spooky and he has a very good character – he is top careful, and has a lot of scope” said the rider who operates from the south of Holland, between Eindhoven and Venlo.

Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet steered Mjt Nevados S to victory in the 7-Year-Old category at the FEI World Breeding Jumping Championships for Young Horses 2015 at Lanaken in Belgium today. (FEI/Dirk Caremans)

Seven-Year-Olds

And from a Belgian perspective the day came to a perfect end with newly-crowned FEI European individual silver medallist, Gregory Wathelet, taking top spot in the 7-Year-Old Championship partnering the handsome grey PZHK stallion Mjt Nevados S (Calvados Z/Romualdo).

There were 12 into the jump-off here, and Wathelet was chasing the target-time set by Britain’s Laura Renwick who was seventh to go with the ISH mare MHS Washington (OBOS Quality/Cavalier Royale) who broke the beam in 35.13 seconds. Renwick always looked competitive after filling third spot in the first qualifier in which Wathelet and Mjt Nevados S finished fifth, but the British rider regretted the extra pull she took before the last fence today. She finished just 0.16 seconds behind the Belgian rider who scorched home in 34.97 to take the gold.

Talking about Mjt Nevados S, Wathelet said, “he started the season on the Sunshine Tour where he jumped well, and in the Belgian Championships at Lummen I had one down in the jump off because he was not used to going fast. Before I came here I trained him to go quickly, and that training was successful. I knew he was very careful, but in the beginning I didn’t know if he had enough scope – now he his going better every week! This week he jumped easily, even in the Final in which the course was quite big but it all felt easy. This horse is definitely not for sale!” said the rider who plans to take Mjt Nevados S on the international circuit now.

Silver medallist, Renwick, bought MHS Washington in partnership with Irish rider Denis Lynch three years ago, but now owns the horse herself.

“Denis bought the mare from the breeder when she was four – she’s special and a bit nervous, but in the ring she lights up and makes everything very easy – just like a real sport-horse! She’s very light to ride and is careful and scopey” Renwick explained. The pair won the Young Horse Final at CSI Knokke (BEL) this summer, and a few weeks ago also topped the British Championships. Renwick was sporting an Irish cap, presented to her by the Irish Federation because she was competing an ISH, and she said she was proud to wear it. “I think I can go far with this horse” she said happily this evening.

And the Irish had plenty of reason to celebrate themselves when Eoin McMahon steered another ISH, Talks Cheap (Tinaranas Inspector/Colin Diamond), into bronze medal position when last to go against the clock.

Talks Cheap was sold at the 2014 Go for Gold Sale in Goresbridge in Ireland. “My boss, Carl Hanley, bought her last year just before the World Young Horse Championships, but it was to soon to take her here” McMahon explained. “We started the season in Vilamoura (POR) where she jumped very well, and then we gave her a break. Before coming here we placed in a 1.45m class, so she has all the scope and she is fast and careful” said the young rider who will celebrate his 20th birthday next weekend.

Five-Year-Old Final: GOLD – Kerswin van ‘T Roosakker (Doron Kuipers) NED 0/0 37.33; SILVER – Keops v. Begijnakker (Yves (Vanderhasselt) BEL 0/0 38.65; BRONZE – Formidable (Willem Greve) NED 0/0 39.36.

Six-Year-Old Final: GOLD – Earley (Maikel van Mierlo) NED 0/0 36.62; SILVER – Ellavar (Marlon Modolo Zanotelli) BRA 0/0 37.10; BRONZE – Take a Chance on Me Z (Christian Ahlmann) GER 0/0 37.49.

Seven-Year-Old Final: GOLD – Mjt Nevados S (Gregory Wathelet) BE. 0/0 34.97; SILVER – MHS Washington (Laura Renwick) GBR 0/0 35.13; BRONZE – Talks Cheap (Eoin McMahon) IRL 36.99..

Full results at http://www.hippodata.de

Louise Parkes

FEI European Championships Aachen 2015: Germany Holds The Team Advantage While Leprevost Heads The Individual Standings For France

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.

Louise Parkes

Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 – Round 17: Convincing Irish Victory On Home Ground In Dublin

The main arena of the Royal Dublin Society showgrounds in Ireland’s capital city was electric with excitement this evening when the Irish team won the eighth and last leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 Europe Division 1 League on their own hallowed turf. As they raised the Aga Khan Cup in triumph – one of the most coveted trophies in the sport – they brought a broad smile to the face of Irish President, His Excellency Michael D Higgins, and the crowd went wild with delight.

Bertram Allen, Greg Broderick, Cian O’Connor, Darragh Kenny and Chef d’Equipe Robert Splaine delivered Ireland’s 23rd victory in the 89-year history of the great event that always draws huge numbers of spectators. But this was possibly one of the most emphatic of all time. Because the home side didn’t just win, they trounced the opposition with a performance so strong that anchorman, Kenny, didn’t even have to jump a second time because it was already wrapped up.

Pieter Devos and Dylano clinched victory for Belgium in a three-way jump-off at the penultimate leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 Europe Division 1 League in Hickstead, Great Britain. Photo: FEI/Trevor Meeks.

Established their supremacy

They established their supremacy by the halfway stage when they were the only ones on a zero score, and once out in front they didn’t flinch. The Netherlands finished second ahead of the Swiss who managed to survive the elimination of Olympic champion Steve Guerdat on a day when several horses decided they really didn’t want to take on Alan Wade’s course for a second time. Lying second-last at the halfway point, Germany bounced back to line up fourth ahead of Spain in fifth, while the British had a disappointing afternoon when having to settle for sixth. The Italians rallied with three clear rounds second time out to finish seventh, but the biggest surprise of the day was the last-place finish for the 2014 Dublin winners from the USA.

It was a nightmare afternoon for American pathfinder, Charlie Jayne, who collected 20 faults first time out and was then unceremoniously dumped in the water on his second tour of the track with Valeska. That, combined with an unfortunate second-round double-error for Georgina Bloomberg when she lost her right stirrup after a mistake at the penultimate vertical with her mare Lilli, sealed their fate, and the USA finished on a not-inconsiderable 32 faults.

There was another big surprise when today’s competition revealed which countries have qualified from Europe Division 1 for the Furusiyya Final in Barcelona, Spain in September. The top seven nations – Belgium, Switzerland, Great Britain, France, Ireland, Netherlands and Sweden – have made the cut, but Germany lies in eighth place on the final league leaderboard and will miss out along with Italy. Spain has finished last, but will compete as hosts on their home ground.

Demanded accuracy

Wade’s track demanded accuracy from riders and commitment from horses, and fences fell all around the course. Allen was the first man out and left the vertical at fence eight on the floor with the 17-year-old stallion Romanov, but that was Ireland’s only mistake in the first round. Broderick’s MHS Going Global and O’Connor’s Good Luck are two very talented nine-year-olds and both gave jumping exhibitions, while Kenny’s 12-year-old gelding, Sans Soucis Z, also breezed home effortlessly. And when Allen got it all just right second time out and then Broderick’s gelding produced more spectacular jumping, the single error from O’Connor’s stallion was still good enough for the win.

Wout-Jan van der Schans secured runner-up spot for the Dutch when he and Broderick were the only two to post double-clears on the day. This meant The Netherlands could drop the 18 collected by Johnny Pals when his stallion decided he didn’t want to make the roll-back to the vertical at fence six, although he eventually agreed to do it after making quite a fuss. This was exactly the same spot that brought Guerdat’s second round to an end with Corbinian, the sight of the arena entrance in the distance perhaps looking a lot more inviting than the prospect of another 11 big jumping efforts.

Buoyant

The mood in the Irish camp was buoyant this evening, because a place at the Furusiyya Final and in the premier league of international team Jumping was hanging in the balance today. And Chef d’Equipe Robert Splaine now knows he has a rock-solid squad as he heads to the FEI European Championships Aachen 2015, where Ireland will be hoping to claim one of the last remaining qualification spots for the Rio 2106 Olympic Games in 12 days’ time.

“The build-up was phenomenal” said Broderick who made his debut at the revered Dublin venue today, “and I felt like I didn’t want to let anyone down.” A long-time star on his national circuit, the 29-year-old rider made his Nations Cup debut with MHS Going Global less than a year ago at the Europe Division 2 leg in Arezzo, Italy and the pair have been hugely impressive every since.

London 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Cian O’Connor was competing in his 100th Nations Cup. “My horse jumped fantastic and it was a privilege to compete with such a great team of guys” he said this evening, while Bertram Allen, who now holds the number five position on the Longines world rankings, admitted that it was a very special feeling to have contributed to today’s result. The 20-year-old has enjoyed phenomenal success over the past 12 months competing as an individual, and was part of the Irish team that just missed out on Olympic qualification at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy where he placed individually seventh. “But I’ve never enjoyed success like this at Senior team level and it’s a great feeling to be part of it” he said tonight.

Chef d’Equipe Splaine said, “I’m very proud of the four them, they really pulled together and they were in a class of their own today”. And no-one could disagree with that.

The host nation of Ireland won the eighth and last leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 Europe Division 1 League in Dublin today. Pictured (L to R) Matthew Dempsey, President of the Royal Dublin Society, President of Ireland His Excellency Michael D. Higgins, team members Greg Broderick, Darragh Kenny, Chef d’Equipe Robert Splaine, Bertram Allen and Cian O’Connor, Mr Yazeed Suleiman D Alderaiwesh, Saudi Embassy Dublin, Katrina Jones Longines Brand Manager UK and Ireland, and Brian Mangan, FEI Bureau member. (FEI/Tony Parkes)

Result:

1. Ireland 4 faults: Romanov (Bertram Allen) 4/0, MHS Going Global (Greg Broderick) 0/0, Good Luck (Cian O’Connor) 0/4, Sans Soucis Z (Darragh Kenny) 0/DNS.

2. Netherlands 8 faults: Quinlan (Vincent Voorn) 0/4, Vignet (Johnny Pals) 4/18, Willink (Henk van de Pol) 4/0, Aquila SFN (Wout-Jan van der Schans) 0/0.

3. Switzerland 13 faults: LB Eagle Eye (Christina Liebherr) 0/1, Corbinian (Steve Guerdat) 4/Elim, Copain du Perchet CH (Edwin Smits) 4/4, Windsor XV (Niklaus Rutschi) Ret/0.

4. Germany 16 faults: Conthendrix (Andre Thieme) 4/4, Brooklyn 17 (Mario Stevens) 4/0, Lacan 2 (Patrick Stuhlmeyer) 4/4, Embassy ll (Hans-Dieter Dreher) 4/0.

5. Spain 17 faults: Gribouille du Lys (Pilar Lucrecia Cordon) 4/4, Rokfeller de Pleville Bois Margot (Eduardo Alvarez Aznar) 0/4, Belcanto X (Alberto Marquez Galobardes) 12/9, G & C Quitador Rochelais (Sergio Alvarez Moya) 4/1.

6. Great Britain 23 faults: Hello M’Lady (Scott Brash) 0/4, Catwalk (Robert Whitaker) 0/9, Wonder Why (Spencer Roe) 20/16, Cassionato (Michael Whitaker) 5/5.

7. Italy 24 faults: Admara 2 (Emanuele Gaudiano) 4/0, Gitano v Berkenbroeck (Juan Carlos Garcia) 12/4, Geisha van Orshof (Lorenze de Luca) 12/0, Casallo Z (Piergiorgio Bucci) 8/0.

8. USA 32 faults: Valeska (Charlie Jayne) 20/Elim, Lilli (Georgina Bloomberg) 0/8, Barron (Lucy Davis) 0/8, Babalou 41 (Todd Minikus) 8/8.

The host nation of Ireland won the eighth and last leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 Europe Division 1 League in Dublin today. Pictured (L to R) Matthew Dempsey, President of the Royal Dublin Society, President of Ireland His Excellency Michael D. Higgins, team members Greg Broderick, Darragh Kenny, Chef d’Equipe Robert Splaine, Bertram Allen and Cian O’Connor, Mr Yazeed Suleiman D Alderaiwesh, Saudi Embassy Dublin, Katrina Jones Longines Brand Manager UK and Ireland, and Brian Mangan, FEI Bureau member. (FEI/Tony Parkes)

Facts and Figures:

The Royal Dublin Society showgrounds in the heart of Ireland’s capital city played host to the eighth and last leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 Europe Division 1 League this afternoon.

The host nation team were victorious for the 23rd time in the 89-year history of the event.

This is the 142nd edition of Dublin Horse Show and teams were battling for the iconic Aga Khan Cup.

Following today’s results, Ireland rocketed up to fifth place in the overall final rankings of Europe Division 1 which is headed by Belgium, with Switzerland finishing second ahead of Great Britain in third and France in fourth place. The defending champions from The Netherlands have lined up sixth ahead of Sweden in seventh spot and the top seven nations have qualified for the Furusiyya 2015 Final which will take place in Barcelona, Spain from 24 to 27 September.

As host nation, Spain will compete at the Furusiyya Final 2015, but Germany and Italy who finished in eighth and ninth places respectively at the end of the Europe Division 1 League, have not made the cut.

Course designer was Ireland’s Alan Wade.

2 double-clear rounds – from Ireland’s Greg Broderick riding MHS Going Global, and The Netherlands’ Wout-Jan van der Schans with Aquila SFN.

11 clears in the first round, 9 clears in the second round.

2 eliminations, for America’s Charlie Jayne (Valeska) and Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat (Corbinian).

Quotes:

Irish Chef d’Equipe Robert Splaine: “I’m feeling really confident now going to the European Championships in Aachen. These guys and Denis Lynch are in the squad and I know we are really strong. Today’s result showed exactly what we can do.”

Darragh Kenny, when asked if he was disappointed that he didn’t jump in the second round: “My horse jumped fantastic in the first round and these guys left me with nothing to do. Maybe it was just as well, because I could have spoiled everything if I did jump and messed it up!”

Greg Broderick, talking about his horse MHS Going Global: “I’ve produced him since he was a young horse and we know each other well. I wondered if he would cope with the atmosphere in the ring there today but I just sat quiet and let him get on with his job, and he did it great!”

Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ 2015 Europe Division 1 Standings (after Round 8 in Dublin, Ireland):

1. Belgium – 350
2. Switzerland – 330
3. Great Britain – 315
4. France – 310
5. Ireland – 305
6. Netherlands – 295
7. Sweden – 295
8. Germany – 295
9. Italy – 255
10. Spain – 255

Louise Parkes

Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2015 Final: Irish wonderboy, Bertram Allen, Wins First Round Of Longines Final With Molly Malone

Ireland’s Bertram Allen and the brilliant grey mare, Molly Malone, won the opening Speed competition of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2015 Final at the Thomas & Mack arena in Las Vegas, USA tonight. With a performance that mirrored his surprise success on the opening day of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Normandy, France last September where he eventually placed individually seventh, the German-based 19-year-old simply left the rest trailing in his wake when going 32nd in the field of 40 starters.

Runners-up were the 2012 FEI World Cup™ Jumping champions, America’s Rich Fellers and the amazing Irish-bred stallion Flexible who, tonight, belied his 19 years of age with a fantastic tour of Anthony d’Ambrosio’s 13-fence track. And there was a divide for third spot when both Patrice Delaveau (Orient Express HDC) from France and Dutchman Jur Vrieling (VDL Zirocco Blue NOP) cleared the line in exactly the same time. Olympic champion, Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat, lined up fifth with Albfuehren’s Paille while Frenchwoman Penelope Leprevost filled sixth spot following a copybook round with Vagabond de la Pomme.

Vrieling Jur, (NED), VDL Zirocco Blue
Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final I
Las Vegas 2015
© Hippo Foto – Dirk Caremans
17/04/15

No easy task

The course for tonight’s Speed contest consisted of 13 fences, and in the tight confines of the Thomas & Mack arena it proved no easy task to leave all the poles intact. But another budding young talent, pathfinder 19-year-old Jos Verlooy from Belgium, showed it was perfectly jumpable when setting the standard with a great clear in 68.27 seconds with Domino. The first element of the double at fence five, and the triple combination at fence eight were the bogeys of the evening, but plenty of mistakes were also made elsewhere as riders tried to find the quickest route home. And it was the target set by third-to-go Delaveau, and matched by Vrieling who also cleared the line in 66.44 seconds when 20th into the ring, that they were all chasing right down to the closing stages.

Allen’s round was as exciting as it gets, with breath-taking turns combined with rhythm, balance, accuracy and extraordinary speed. He said afterwards that he didn’t get a perfect stride going into the triple combination but that Molly Malone was very clever there. And the young man who has taken the sport by storm over the last year, and recently moved into the No 10 spot on the Longines world rankings, steadied on the approach to the last. A stride out here would have made him absolutely invincible, but he had the maturity to stick to the plan he had made before going into the ring, and it proved absolutely the right decision as he put the new target of 65.45 seconds onto the scoreboard. He said, “there was a fast eight or a steady nine (strides) there, and I had already decided to go on the nine. I wouldn’t have changed that plan even if it meant I was going to be a half-second slower”.

Faster

Defending champion, Germany’s Daniel Deusser, was faster with Cornet d’Amour but lowered the very last fence when next to go. Even with the four-second penalty added however, he still slotted into tenth place at the end of the night, and this leaves him well in contention going into tomorrow’s second competition.

Fellers and Flexible then set off at a scorching pace and with the spectators right behind them. The rider from Oregon said afterwards that his stallion’s back is dropping with age, “but it rises up when he hears the crowd – he loves them!” And galloping through the timers in 66.11 seconds he would clinch second place despite the best efforts of the remaining six left to go.

Reflecting

Reflecting on his victory, Allen said afterwards, “I was always going to try to win the class, but for it come off is amazing! I’m very happy with my horse, she jumped super, the atmosphere and the arena were very different but she coped really well with it”. It seems his 11-year-old mare has a naughty side to her nature. Asked to describe her this evening, Allen said, “Molly is quite a strong character and she has her own special ways. She had me worried earlier today because she half ran away with me when I was riding her! But this evening she knew what she had to do and just went in and did it, she always gives her best”.

Fellers insisted he wasn’t surprised to finish so high up the order tonight. “Flexible feels as good as ever and the crowd took four or five years off his age!” But this is a horse who has been written off many times due to injury and illness, and his rider got a bit of a fright earlier in the week. “For the first time in his life he had a little colic issue the other day, it was a bit of a scare, but thanks to my sharp groom it worked out alright. She grabbed the team vet and he did a great job and he (Flexible) seems fine now”.

He is looking forward to tomorrow’s competition and the prospect of making it through to Sunday’s decider, but it’s clearly going to be a tough battle all the way. And after tonight, with results converted into points, Allen holds just a slender two-point lead over the American challenger, while Delaveau and Vrieling are just a single point further behind.

For further information on the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final 2014/2015 in Las Vegas, USA from 15 to 19 April, visit http://www.worldcuplasvegas.com

Delaveau Patrice, (FRA), Orient Express
Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final I
Las Vegas 2015
© Hippo Foto – Dirk Caremans
17/04/15

Result:

1, Molly Malone (Bertram Allen) IRL 65.45;

2, Flexible (Rich Fellers) USA 66.11; Equal

3, Orient Express (Patrice Delaveau) FRA 66.44, VDL Zirocco Blue NOP (Jur Vrieling) NED 66.44;

5, Albfuehren’s Paille (Steve Guerdat) SUI 67.09;

6, Vagabond de la Pomme (Penelope Leprevost) FRA 67.57;

7, PSG Future (Martin Fuchs) SUI 68.17; 8, Domino (Jos Verlooy) BEL 68.27;

9, VDL Groep Verdi (Maikel van der Vleuten) NED 68.28;

10, Cornet d’Amour (Daniel Deusser) GER 69.09.

Facts and Figures:

19-year-old Bertram Allen from Ireland won the first leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014/2015 Final in Las Vegas, USA tonight riding Molly Malone.

Runner-up spot went to America’s Rich Fellers with the amazing 19-year-old Irish-bred stallion, Flexible, winner of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final’s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands in 2012.

2 riders, Patrice Delaveau from France (Orient Express HDC) and The Netherlands’ Jur Vrieling (VDL Zirocco Blue NOP) shared third place when clearing the 13-fence course set by Anthony d’Ambrosio in exactly the same time, 66.44 seconds.

A total of 40 horse and rider combinations started in tonight’s competition at the end of which the riders’ results were converted into points.

Allen heads the leaderboard going into tomorrow evening’s second leg which starts at 19.00 local time.

Defending champion and World No. 1, Germany’s Daniel Deusser, lies 10th going into the second day of competition.

Quotes:

Ireland’s Bertram Allen and the brilliant grey mare, Molly Malone, won the opening Speed competition of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2015 Final at the Thomas & Mack arena in Las Vegas, USA. (FEI/Dirk Caremans)

Bertram Allen IRL: “It was great to do well tonight and get the ball rolling! I didn’t want to take too much risk. I wanted to finish in the top five if I could”.

Jur Vrieling NED: “I didn’t want to go too crazy in the first round and he (VDL Zirocco Blue) did it really well”.

Bertram Allen IRL – talking about what it was like to ride in the Thomas & Mack arena tonight: “the fences are almost on top of the crowd, we are used to extremes in our sport but this is really extreme!”

Patrice Delaveau FRA – “at the beginning of the course it didn’t go right between fences three and four so it wasn’t the best start and there was a bit of a fight for us to keep it together”.

Rich Fellers USA – “Every course for every class is different and it’s nice to get in the ring and see how horses respond but the competition tomorrow is not a speed competition so it will require a different strategy.”

Course designer Anthony D’Ambrosio: “the course worked out as I thought it would and it was a great competition for the crowd”.

FEI YouTube https://youtu.be/p8dy_v9gL-4

Louise Parkes

Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final 2014/2015 Athletes Confirm

A total of 40 athletes from 19 countries have so far confirmed their participation in the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final 2014/2015, which will take place in Las Vegas, NV (USA), on 15-19 April.

Definite entries
The definite entry deadline for the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final is Monday, 6 April at midnight. A full preview of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final will follow, confirming the final entries (riders and horses).

The athletes that have already confirmed their participation are:

Defending Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Champion: Daniel Deusser (GER)

Arab League (2 slots):
Bassem Hassan Mohammed (QAT)
Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani (QAT)

New Zealand League (1 slot):
Katie Laurie (NZL)

South America South League (1 slot):
Joao Eduardo Ferreira de Carvalho (BRA)

Symphony in blue: Germany’s Daniel Deusser holds the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping trophy aloft after victory at last year’s Final in Lyon (FRA) with Cornet D’Amour. (FEI/Arnd Bronkhorst)

Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Western European League (18 slots, plus 2 extra athletes):
Steve Guerdat (SUI)
Bertram Allen (IRL)
Kevin Staut (FRA)
Marco Kutscher (GER)
Marcus Ehning (GER)
Maikel van der Vleuten (NED)
Douglas Lindelöw (SWE)
Jur Vrieling (NED)
Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER)
Martin Fuchs (SUI)
Geir Gulliksen (NOR)
Pénélope Leprevost (FRA)
Sergio Alvarez Moya (ESP)
Luca Maria Moneta (ITA)
Pius Schwizer (SUI)
Gerco Schröder (NED)
Jos Verlooy (BEL)
Patrice Delaveau (FRA)
Extra athletes:
Lucy Davis (USA)
Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS)

Central European League (3 slots):
Kristaps Neretnieks (LAT)
Vladimir Beletskiy (RUS)
Andis Varna (LAT)

North America East Coast League (7 slots):
Todd Minikus (USA)
Laura Kraut (USA)
Elizabeth Madden (USA)
Jack Towell (USA)
Kirsten Coe (USA)
McLain Ward (USA)
Katherina A. Dinan (USA)

North America West Coast League (3 slots):
Richard Fellers (USA)
Karl Cook (USA)
Vinton Karrasch (USA)

North America East and West Coast Leagues: Canada (1 slot):
Chris Sorensen (CAN)

North America East and West Coast Leagues: Mexico (2 slots):
Manuel Alvarez Ruigalindo (MEX)
Everardo Hegewisch Diaz Infante (MEX)

Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping: Allen Does The Double With Another Longines Win At Bordeaux

Irish Jumping sensation, Bertram Allen, made it a double of wins when scorching to victory in the thrilling penultimate leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014/2015 Western European League series at Bordeaux, France tonight.

And his result was all the more phenomenal for the fact that the 19-year-old rider was partnering Billy Twomey’s stallion Romanov who, at 17, was the oldest horse in the class and just two years younger than the man in the saddle.

There was plenty of tension in the air, as many riders were desperately bidding for those elusive extra qualifying points that will get them to the Longines Final in Las Vegas, USA in two months’ time. But Allen was already well-assured of his ticket following a spectacular indoor season, and tonight the young man who recently moved up to 14th in the Longines world rankings stands top of the Western European League leaderboard.

Underpinning his extraordinary achievement, he left German superstars Ludger Beerbaum (Chaman) and Marcus Ehning (Singular Ls La Silla) in his wake, while Timothee Anciaume (Olympique Libellule) slotted into fourth for France.

Asked afterwards if he was surprised to have beaten such a world-class field, Allen replied, “no, not really. I’ve always known that Romanov is a great horse, and he was just brilliant tonight!”

Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014:2015

Up to the task

Course designer, Italy’s Uliano Vezzani, gave them a generous 78 seconds to complete the first course of fences, and 11 of the 40 starters proved up to the task. The triple combination at fence 10 took the biggest toll, but there were also plenty of mistakes at the vertical at eight and the oxer at fence nine which each had a water-tray below them.

The clever jump-off track took horses on a figure-of-eight before looping back to the last element of the former triple combination which was followed by the 1.60m vertical at fence 11 and a long gallop to the final oxer. It seemed Germany’s Beerbaum had it in the bag when the 51-year-old ace, who enjoyed very little luck in earlier legs this season, produced the smoothest of runs from the 16-year-old Chaman to set a strong target in 37.72 seconds when fourth to go.

That left him almost five seconds ahead of the only other clear round produced by the host nation’s Timothee Anciaume and Olympique Libellule after Australia’s Edwina Tops-Alexander kicked out the last with Lintea Tequila and Italy’s Luca Moneta and Connery lowered the third.

Despite a breath-taking turn inside fence 11, Marcus Ehning and Singular la Silla still couldn’t better Beerbaum’s target time when clear in 38.44. And when Zurich winners Sergio Alvarez Moya and Carlo from Spain left two on the floor, and Ireland’s Denis Lynch (All Star), and Kevin Staut (Reveur de Hurtebise) and Penelope Leprevost (Flora de Mariposa) from France all collected single errors, Beerbaum was still out in front.

Formidable reputation

However although still so very young, Allen has already earned a formidable reputation for skilled riding against the clock. With his top horse, the grey mare Molly Malone with which he clinched victory at the Longines leg in Verona, Italy last November, he is always to be feared. But he had no doubt that Romanov could do the job equally well this evening. Setting off at a relentless pace, he was well in touch as he cleared the penultimate vertical and the crowd held their collective breath as he urged his veteran campaigner to a big stand-off at the final oxer, stopping the clock in 36.48 seconds to go well out in front. And when the final partnership of The Netherlands’ Maikel van der Vleuten and VDL Group Verdi made a mistake, it was the Irishman’s moment.

“I knew I was in with a chance, and I just kind of set sail down the last! He’s a brave horse with a lot of experience” Allen said afterwards. He said Romanov “had a win in Zurich (two weeks ago), but it wasn’t a big class. He had a break after Birmingham (GBR) where he won the Showjumper of the Year last October, and we’ve been building him up especially for today”.

Ireland’s Bertram Allen clinched his second victory in the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014/2015 Western European League at Bordeaux, France tonight riding Romanov. (FEI/Pierre Costabadie)

Quick to praise

Runner-up, Ludger Beerbaum, was quick to praise the winner. “To be honest, the competition in the jump-off wasn’t really close – he (Allen) was more than a second faster, fantastic work from him. He is very fast and so is the horse. I don’t think I could have beaten him today for speed”. And he added, “looking at Bertram today, I remember how old I am! The first time I competed in Bordeaux was in 1987, Bertram wasn’t even born then! I was 23 years old at the time and won the Grand Prix. Since then, I haven’t won the World Cup here, so I guess I need to come back again next year then!”

Third-placed Marcus Ehning wasn’t at all disappointed, as his horse is only a nine-year-old and full of promise. “He competed in his first Grand Prix and World Cup in London and he jumped clear over there, and now he’s done it again here – twice! I’m really happy, despite not being the fastest” he said.

Course designer, Uliano Vezzani, had the final word when putting tonight’s result into context. “I’m very happy”, he said, “because Bertram is the future….”

Third for Sweden was Rolf-Göran Bengtsson with “Casall Ask”in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Zurich 2015
Pic Karl-Heinz Frieler

Result:

1, Romanov (Bertram Allen) IRL 0/0 36.48;

2, Chaman (Ludger Beerbaum) GER 0/0 37.72;

3, Singular Ls La Silla (Marcus Ehning) GER 0/0 38.44;

4, Olympique Libellule (Timothee Anciaume) FRA 0/0 42.43

5, Reveur de Hurtebise HDC (Kevin Staut) FRA 0/4 37.56;

6, Flora de Mariposa (Penelope Leprevost) FRA 0/4 37.64;

7, Lintea Tequila (Edwina Tops-Alexander) AUS 0/4 38.45;

8, All Star 5 (Denis Lynch) IRL 0/4 39.95;

9, VDL Groep Verdi TN NOP (Maikel van der Vleuten) NED 0/4 41.95;

10, Connery (Luca Moneta) ITA 0/4 42.62; 11, Carlo 273 (Sergio Alvarez Moya) ESP 0/8 40.28.

The French partnership of Simon Delestre and the stallion Qlassic Bois Margot produced a devastating turn of speed to win today’s eighth leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014/2015 Western European League at Mechelen in Belgium. (FEI/Dirk Caremans)

Facts and Figures:

Bordeaux, France presented the eleventh and penultimate leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014/2015 Western European League series tonight.

The winner was 19-year-old Bertram Allen from Ireland partnering Billy Twomey’s stallion Romanov who, at 17, is just two years younger than Allen and the oldest horse in tonight’s competition.

Allen is the only rider to win two legs of the current series. He previously came out on top with his mare, Molly Malone, at Verona, Italy last November.

Allen, who earlier this week moved up one place to No. 14 in the Longines world rankings, now heads the Western European League table with a big total of 71 points.

11 of the 40 starters qualified for the second-round jump-off against the clock.

The top four riders all jumped double-clear rounds.

Course designer was Italy’s Uliano Vezzani.

France was represented by three riders in the jump-off, including Kevin Staut who has competed at all 11 of the Western European League qualifiers to date and who, tonight, finished fifth with Reveur de Hurtebise HDC. Staut now lies second on the Western European League table with 63 points.

Gothenburg, Sweden presents the 12th and last leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014/2015 Western European League series on Sunday 1 March 2015.

Second in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Zurich 2015 was Bertram Allen for Ireland riding “Molly Malone”
Pic Karl-Heinz Frieler

Quotes:

Bertram Allen: “There is a super atmosphere here in Bordeaux, it’s one of the best shows on the circuit. I’m delighted. When you are one of the last ones to go at the jump-off and manage to get away with it, it’s a great feeling!”

Timothee Anciaume: “The aim today was simply to keep up the good run of form my horse (Olympique Libellule) has been in. He isn’t well known, I am aware of that. Nevertheless, he has come to Bordeaux in solid form and, given his lack of experience, today was all about trying to get to the jump-off and jump clear; time was not really the priority or focus. The horse has progressed very well and jumped 10 cms higher than the courses he is used to. I am obviously not aiming to compete in Las Vegas considering this was my first World Cup. I’m around the 100th place, if I can get to the top 50 in the coming months then that would be great”.

Marcus Ehning: “Singular LS is owned by Maria Gretzer. I’ve had him now for two years. He’s very much an up-and-coming horse and has improved a lot over the last two years. I’m very proud of him”.

Eric Dulong (President of the Event): “It’s my first year as President and it has been a wonderful, unique experience. It’s also been a great success in terms of visitors, quality of the event and riders – especially today, when you see how young the winner is! This has been another great step for us as a show and we want to keep going further. Thank you to all the riders for having come to Bordeaux and contributing to this success”.

Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014/2015 Western European League – Standings after Round 11 at Bordeaux (FRA):

1. Bertram Allen IRL – 71
2. Kevin Staut FRA – 63
3. Steve Guerdat SUI – 57
4. Harrie Smolders NED – 56
5. Edwina Tops-Alexander AUS – 54
6. Marcus Ehning GER – 53
7. Daniel Deusser GER – 50
8. Maikel van der Vleuten NED – 45
9. Marco Kutscher GER – 44
10. Hans-Dieter Dreher GER – 44
11. Lucy Davis USA – 42
12. Simon Delestre FRA – 41
13. Douglas Lindelow SWE – 41
14. Martin Fuchs SUI – 40
15. Geir Gulliksen NOR – 38
16. Penelope Leprevost FRA – 38
17. Sergio Alvarez Moya ESP – 37
18. Luca Maria Moneta ITA – 36
19. Jur Vrieling NED – 33
20. Jos Verlooy BEL – 33
21. Reed Kessler USA – 32
22. Roger Yves Bost FRA – 30
23. Patrice Delaveau FRA – 30

Full standings here http://eventcontent.hippoonline.de/987/docs/WC.pdf

Longines Live Timing Jumping application: available free for download from The App Store (iPhone) & Android Markets. Combining precision and performance, this is a detailed and exclusive application designed especially for Jumping fans – follow live results, see latest Longines Rankings, view competition schedules, obtain exclusive information and alerts on your favorite riders and get all the latest FEI news.

Louise Parkes

Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014/2015 – Round 10, Zurich: Moya Turns On The Magic With Carlo In Zurich

Spain’s Sergio Alvarez Moya and Carlo returned to top form today to win the tenth leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014/2015 Western European League series at Zurich in Switzerland. The grey gelding had not been showing his usual sparkle over the winter months, but this afternoon, with his 30-year-old rider in determined mood, he out-galloped the Irish partnership of Bertram Allen and Molly Malone by one-tenth of a second for a convincing victory.

Just seven qualified for the jump-off, and it was the Irish pair who were the ones to beat despite clears from both Sweden’s Rolf-Goran Bengtsson and Casall ASK who had to settle for third and Penelope Leprevost and Flora de Mariposa who lined up fourth. Host nation representatives, Martin Fuchs (PSG Future) and Romain Duguet (Quorida de Treho) filled fifth and sixth places, while team world champion, Maikel van der Vleuten from The Netherlands, finished seventh with VDL Groep Verdi.

Big and difficult

The first-round course presented by Swiss designer, Gerard Lachat, was big and difficult, requiring a lot of lengthening and shortening of strides and with tall verticals all the way. Duguet was first to leave all the timber intact, and Fuchs was next, despite a massive stand-off at the final oxer with PSG Future.

Ridden off an awkward bending line, and immediately following the testing triple combination (vertical, oxer, vertical) at fence 12 which took a huge toll, the last fence proved a bogey for many of the 40 starters who arrived on a bad distance only to make their sole error there. Among its victims were The Netherlands’ Gerco Schroder with Glock’s London and World No 2, Germany’s Ludger Beerbaum riding Chaman. Allen, however, ensured he was well within the 64-second time-frame so he could provide his brilliant little 11-year-old mare with a more generous approach, while Leprevost’s lively mare also bounced home cleanly.

Bengtsson and Casall ASK made it all long quite elementary, but Moya’s first run was considerably less smooth as he admitted himself afterwards. Having successfully negotiated the two big oxers down the long side of the arena at fences seven and eight, Carlo arrived really deep to the 1.60m Longines vertical at fence eight. But he wriggled his way up and over, showing just how positive he was feeling about things today. “He tried so hard for me!” his delighted rider later said.

Second in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Zurich 2015 was Bertram Allen for Ireland riding “Molly Malone”
Pic Karl-Heinz Frieler

Monumental effort

Duguet’s stallion was another tryer, and in the jump-off he put in a monumental effort to clear the new oxer at fence 15 from a long way off when first to go. But despite negotiating the following double successfully, the pair finished on four faults when the penultimate oxer, formerly fence six, hit the floor. And when Fuchs‘ gelding hit the first element of the double then the door was still wide open for the remaining five.

Allen and Molly set off with their usual gusto, making a supremely tight turn to the double and galloping home to record the first clear in 39.48 seconds, and that was always going to take some beating. Leprevost opted for caution, leaving all the fences in place but over five seconds slower, and Bengtsson gave it his best shot, falling short of the young Irishman’s target-time by more than a second however.

Then Moya set off, and from the outset he looked like he meant business as did Carlo who seemed to relish the challenge with an attitude he has not shown all season. Jumping and turning seamlessly, the pair cleared the penultimate oxer and, where Allen had taken nine strides to the last, the Spanish rider urged his horse forward on eight to land fractionally ahead and seal the deal by less than a tenth of a second.

Third for Sweden was Rolf-Göran Bengtsson with “Casall Ask”in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Zurich 2015
Pic Karl-Heinz Frieler

Reflective

A reflective Sergio Moya said this evening “our poor results were not his (Carlo’s) fault for the last few months. My head was not focused on the sport as much as it should have been, but that’s changed now and we are riding together again with great confidence. When you don’t have good results you try to change things, and that isn’t always the right thing to do, so we went back to our olds ways and now we are jumping really well together again!”

Allen said, “I thought someone might beat me in the jump-off, and Sergio did one stride less to the last, but I’m happy with my result. Molly’s such a fantastic mare! I’ll give her another break, and then we’ll start getting ready for Las Vegas – it’s great to have picked up the points for the Final and I’m looking forward to it now!”

He has rocketed right up to third place on the Western European League leaderboard, shadowing only Olympic champion Steve Guerdat from Switzerland and French star Kevin Staut, while reigning Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping champion, Germany’s Daniel Deusser, lies behind the 19-year-old Irishman in fourth. Moya has moved into 18th position, but on 31 points, and with just two remaining qualifiers left to run, he knows he has more to do if he is to make it to the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014/2015 Final in three months time.

“I’ve always said that going to the Final is not one of my goals, but if I get qualified I will go” the Spanish rider pointed out this evening. “I am still young, and the last time we went to a Final (2013) Carlo jumped really well. So we will compete in Bordeaux, and if we are close to winning and close to qualifying for Las Vegas then we will see. If not, then we will make a different plan”.

For further information on the tenth leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014/2015 Western European League series in Zurich, Switzerland check out website http://www.mercedes-csi.ch

The next leg will take place at Bordeaux, France on Saturday 7 February 2015. For details of the French fixture visit http://www.jumping-bordeaux.com

Winner Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Zurich 2015 Sergio Alvarez Moya Riding “Carlo” for Spain Pic Karl-Heinz Frieler

Result:

1, Carlo (Sergio Moya) ESP 0/0 39.39;

2, Molly Malone (Bertram Allen) IRL 0/0 39.48;

3, Casall ASK (Rolf-Goran Bengtsson) SWE 0/0 40.91;

4, Flora de Mariposa (Penelope Leprevost) FRA 0/0 44.51;

5, PSG Future (Martin Fuchs) SUI 0/4 39.68;

6, Quorida de Treho (Romain Duguet) SUI 0/4 40.44;

7, VDL Groep Verdi (Maikel van der Vleuten) NED 0/8 41.06;

8, Catwalk lV (Robert Whitaker) GBR 1/64.74;

9, Cool and Easy (Hans-Dieter Dreher) GER 1/65.19;

10, Espyrante (Daniel Deusser) GER 4/59.04.

Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014:2015

Facts and Figures:

Zurich, Switzerland presented the tenth leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014/2015 Western European League series.

40 starters, and 7 jumped clear in the first round.

Winner was 30-year-old Sergio Alvarez Moya from Spain riding Carlo, the horse with which he finished fourth at the FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final in Gothenburg, Sweden in 2013.

Runner-up was 19-year-old Bertram Allen from Ireland whose result today has ensured qualification for the Final in Las Vegas, USA in April.

Course designer was Gerard Lachat assisted by fellow-Swiss, Rolf Ludi.
10 competitors from the host nation of Switzerland.

2 horse-and-rider combinations completed the first round with just a single time penalty – last weekend’s winner in Leipzig, Germany’s Hans-Dieter Dreher with Cool and Easy and Great Britain’s Robert Whitaker with Catwalk lV.
4 double-clear rounds.

Zurich Organising Committee made a special presentation to Irish rider, Jessica Kuerten, who competed in the final international competition of her career when taking part in the Longines FEI World Cup™ qualifier at the Swiss venue today.

Just two qualifying rounds of the Western European League are left to run – at Bordeaux, France on Saturday 7 February and at Gothenburg, Sweden on Sunday 1 March.

Quotes:

Sergio Alvarez Moya: “I’ve been having a bad time for a while now, not so lucky here and there with four faults all the time, but it just paid off today and I can’t be happier!”

Bertram Allen: “Today’s course was big but fair. There were a lot of faults, but no disasters”.

Irish Chef d’Equipe, Robert Splaine: “Today was a remarkable achievement for young Bertram Allen. He not only came second against the very best in the world, but also achieved enough points to ensure his qualification for the World Cup Final at Las Vegas. He is an outstanding talent, and an outstanding ambassador for both his country and for the sport.”

Spain’s Sergio Alvarez Moya and Carlo pictured with (left) Chief Steward Matheus Locher and (right) Mr Charles Villoz, Longines’ Vice-President and Head of International Sales, after winning today’s tenth leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014/2015 Western European League at Zurich, Switzerland. (FEI/Karl-Heinz Freiler)

Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014/2015 Western European League – Standings after Round 10 at Zurich (SUI):

1. Steve Guerdat SUI – 57
2. Kevin Staut FRA – 57
3. Bertram Allen IRL – 51
4. Daniel Deusser GER – 50
5. Harrie Smolders NED – 47
6. Marco Kutscher GER – 44
7. Hans-Dieter Dreher GER – 44
8. Edwina Tops-Alexander AUS – 44
9. Lucy Davis USA – 42
10. Douglas Lindelow SWE – 41
11. Martin Fuchs SUI – 40
12. Geir Gulliksen NOR – 38
13. Marcus Ehning GER – 38
14. Simon Delestre FRA – 37
15. Maikel van der Vleuten NED – 37
16. Jur Vrieling NED – 33
17. Reed Kessler USA – 32
18. Sergio Alvarez Moya ESP – 31
19. Jos Verlooy BEL – 30
20. Roger Yves Bost FRA – 29
21. Luca Moneta ITA – 29

Louise Parkes

Equestrian Champions Dominate National All-Sports Awards Nominations In Year Of The Horse

Equestrian champions are taking on athletes across all sports in the Year of the Horse in bids to claim top national sports awards in the Netherlands, Great Britain and Ireland.

The Netherlands’ traditional Sport Gala 2014 announced its nominees on Sunday night, with equestrian heroes featuring in four of the six categories. Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin has already claimed one award and is nominated for two others, while Ireland’s teenage sensation Bertram Allen has been nominated for the Irish Independent Young Sports Star of the Year award.

Jeroen Dubbeldam, double gold medallist at the Alltech World Equestrian Games™ 2014 and the Netherlands’ first ever Jumping world title holder, has been nominated for the Best Male Athlete award. The Sydney 2000 Olympic Jumping champion will battle it out against football legend Arjen Robben, world champion in gymnastics Epke Zonderland and four Olympic Winter Games gold medallists in speed skating.

Dubbeldam and his team-mates have also been nominated in the Best Team category. The orange quartet of Dubbeldam, Jur Vrieling, Maikel van der Vleuten and Gerco Schröder claimed gold in Normandy and booked a slot at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, and then went on to score a sensational victory at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Final in Barcelona (ESP) just over five weeks later.

Chef d’equipe Rob Ehrens, responsible for so many “orange-gold” medals, has also been recognised and is nominated in the Best Coach category. The former rider has steered the Dutch Jumping to multiple successes, and also helped the Eventing team secure its qualification for Rio 2016.

Another equestrian hero has been nominated for these famous awards, with Para-Equestrian Dressage athlete Rixt van der Horst, double world champion, featuring in the Best Paralympic Athlete category along with three other nominees. She collected two individual gold medals and a silver team medal in Normandy on her international debut.

Winners in each of the six categories will be selected by a jury of former Olympic athletes, coaches and sports journalists. The Sport Gala 2014 ceremony takes place at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Center on 16 December.

Dubbeldam has another nomination, as the emotional moment when his daughter Nina jumped into his arms crying after seeing her father crowned World Champion is one of 10 selected for the Sport in Beeld award. This television award for the best sporting pictures of the year is chosen by public vote and will be presented at the Sport Gala 2014.

Anky van Grunsven won the Best Female Athlete in 1994 and took the Fanny Blankers Koen all-time achievement award in 2012. The Dutch Jumping team was previously nominated for the Best Team award in 2006.

(L to R) Olympic, World and European Dressage champion Charlotte Dujardin (GBR), World Jumping champion and Sydney 2000 Olympic champion Jeroen Dubbeldam (NED), and Para-Equestrian Dressage double world gold medallist Rixt van der Horst (NED) are some of the equestrian athletes nominated for national all-sports awards in 2014. (FEI/Arnd Bronkhorst)

Dancing with the awards

Dressage star Charlotte Dujardin (GBR), last year’s Reem Acra Best Athlete in the FEI Awards, has already scooped the Sunday Times & Sky Sports Sportswoman of the Year award for 2014, and is now nominated for two other all-sports awards: the BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) and the BT Sport’s Action Woman of the Year award.

The London 2012 double Olympic champion has had an incredible year, winning two individual gold medals and team silver at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014, and the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final in Lyon (FRA), where Dujardin and her dancing horse Valegro enchanted the public once again.

For the SPOTY award, Dujardin has been shortlisted by a panel of sports specialists and will be taking on an all-star cast of Lewis Hamilton (Formula 1), Gareth Bale (football), Carl Froch (boxing), Kelly Gallagher and guide Charlotte Evans (skiing), Rory McIlroy (golf), Jo Pavey (athletics), Adam Peaty (swimming), Max Whitlock (gymnastics) and Lizzy Yarnold (skeleton). Nominees will compete for the public vote live on television on 14 December.

Previous equestrian winners of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award are The Princess Royal, Princess Anne (1971), her daughter Zara Phillips 25 years later, and David Broome (1960).

Dujardin has also been nominated for the BT Sport’s Action Woman of the Year Award, where each candidate is supported by someone from the world of sport or entertainment. Dujardin is supported by former England footballer Michael Owen. “My daughter Gemma is a keen dressage rider and Charlotte Dujardin is one of her heroes so we have often watched her compete and for sheer control and movement Charlotte really is as good as it gets”, he said.

The public vote closes today, 2 December, and the winner will be presented with the trophy during a live broadcast on BT Sport on 10 December.

Teen superstar

The 19-year-old Jumping athlete Bertram Allen (IRL), who has been taking the Jumping world by storm with phenomenal successes this year with the mare Molly Malone, was nominated yesterday for the Irish Independent Young Sports Star of the Year award, along with four other nominees.

“Bertram is, unquestionably, the biggest sensation in international jumping right now”, the Irish Independent newspaper said about his nomination. Allen is currently 19th in the Longines Jumping Rankings after a sensational year during which he won the Verona qualifier for the Longines FEI World Cup™ Final in Las Vegas, as well as victories in the Longines International Grand Prix of Ireland and the Grand Prix in Lummen (BEL). He was also a member of the Irish team at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Normandy, where he finished seventh individually.

In September, Allen and the seven-year-old mare Barnike became the first combination in history to score back-to-back wins at the FEI World Breeding Jumping Championships for Young Horses 2014 at Lanaken (BEL).

The Irish Independent Young Sports Star of the Year award winner is chosen by public vote, which closes on 17 December.