Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2015/2016: Dream Victory For Staut And Reveur At Last Longines Leg In Bordeaux

Kevin Staut pinned French compatriot, Simon Delestre, into runner-up spot at the nail-biting last leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2015/2015 Western European League in Bordeaux (FRA) tonight. It was Staut’s first major victory for some time, and it was achieved by a brilliant performance from the 35-year-old rider and his 15-year-old gelding Reveur de Hurtebise HDC who brought the packed stadium of spectators to their feet.

With 17 through to the jump-off, and huge tension in the air as riders battled it out for the last few qualifying spots still up for grabs for next month’s Longines Final in Gothenburg (SWE), this was never going to be an easy one to win. And the man who currently ranks 14th in the world was keen to firmly secure his place at the Swedish fixture.

“I felt I needed a few more points but normally I’m not really fast with this horse, and the last time we won a 5-Star Grand Prix was in Monte Carlo five years ago! But he has been fantastic here in Bordeaux and everything went great for us in the jump-off” said Staut, who added that tonight’s victory is a real confidence-booster for the remainder of this Olympic year.

Surprise exit

Pius Schwizer and PSG Future, winners at the penultimate leg of the series on home ground in Zurich (SUI) last Sunday, made a surprise exit from the competition following a mistake at the first element of the influential triple combination, fence six in the first round. But 17 took on the jump-off course designed by Italy’s Uliano Vezzani, and it was as clever as it gets, with control, balance, pace and accuracy all put to the ultimate test.

Starting out over a big oxer, most rode a seven-stride pattern to the following oxer before turning left-handed to yet another which was formerly the second obstacle on the track. And Britain’s Laura Renwick snatched the early lead with Bintang ll when turning sharp right-handed to the fourth jump on this course, the vertical at fence eight which was followed by the tricky double, oxer-to-vertical, at nine. Turning right again horses needed to angle the next oxer, fence 10, before taking a long run to the vertical at 12 and finally making another long gallop to the closing Longines oxer. Second against the clock, Renwick set the target in 42.35 seconds, and although this was clearly a beatable time it was always going to be competitive.

Smoothest of rides

Three horses later, three-time FEI World Cup™ Jumping champion Marcus Ehning went out in front when bringing the spectacular grey stallion, Cornado NRW, home in 41.97 seconds with the smoothest of rides. Ireland’s Denis Lynch and All Star slotted in behind the German with a lovely tour in 42.03 when seventh into the ring, but both were overtaken by a great round from Australia’s Edwina Tops-Alexander who never broke the rhythm with Caretina de Joter to cruise into temporary runner-up position in 40.90 seconds when next to go. However Staut really raised the bar, and almost lifted the roof off the Bordeaux stadium, when galloping home with the clock showing 39.86 seconds to take the lead.

His partner and team-mate, Penelope Leprevost, looked set to oust him when taking a stride out between the first two fences with Vagabond de Pomme. But fence 10 hit the floor for four faults, so the darling of the French crowd had to settle for eighth place in the final analysis despite producing the fastest jump-off time of 39.30.

There were just three left to run now, including two more from the host nation, and Patrice Delaveau and Lacrimoso looked set to rejig the leaderboard until clipping the penultimate vertical in 39.89 seconds. Dutch star, Mikael van der Vleuten, took a more cautious tour with the ever-reliable VDL Group Verdi to post a clear in 44.11 seconds when second-last into the ring, but Staut’s biggest threat was last man Delestre who, like Leprevost, rode six strides between the first two fences but who seemed to run a little wide on the turn that followed. The French rider who currently holds the no. 2 spot in the Longines rankings and who is seriously threatening world no 1, Britain’s Scott Brash, left all the timber intact but had to settle for runner-up spot when stopping the timers in 40.74 seconds with Qlassic Bois Margot.

Slightest error

“When there are so many in the jump-off you are quickly knocked out by the slightest error” Delestre pointed out at the post competition press conference. Individual bronze medallist at the FEI European Championships in Aachen (GER) last summer he has, however, finished second on the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2015/2016 Western European League, behind Germany’s Christian Ahlmann in pole position, and has the Gothenburg Final clearly in his sights.

As does tonight’s winner Staut, who reflected on his victory. “It’s been such a long time since I’ve been at a press conference I was beginning to forget what it is like! And it has been a long time since I have won anything big, 2015 was not a good year for me”, he pointed out.

Kevin Staut and Reveur de Hurtebise HDC won the nail-biting last leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2015/2015 Western European League on home ground in Bordeaux (FRA) tonight. (FEI/Eric Knoll)

Officially retired

His brilliant mare, Silvana, will be officially retired in Bordeaux on Sunday and her retirement marks a turning point for the French rider. “I have had many good wins in my career including the World Cup here in Bordeaux four years ago with Silvana, but now she is out of competition and it’s all a new deal for me. This win is a good thing for the Olympic season though, and I’m delighted for my horse (Reveur de Hurtebise), he is 15 years old but we make a good team together, we have a strong connection”, he said. Reveur will enjoy a two-month break now, and Staut is looking at his options of other horses for the Longines Final. “It will be either For Joy or Qurack, I’m not sure yet”, he said tonight.

Staut also talked with some emotion about what Silvana’s retirement means to him. “She had a great season last year and we decided not to do another one, she has done so much for me and we have so much respect for her – the time seems right just now”, he said. But the great 17-year-old grey mare will still be very much part of his life. “She stays in my stable and I will still ride her every day. It will be difficult to find another horse who could take her place in my heart. She can now look forward to a quiet life and a quiet home, and we will have many more happy days ahead of us!” he added.

For further information on the eleventh and last qualifying leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2015/2016 Western European League Leipzig (GER) visit http://www.jumping-bordeaux.com

The Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final 2016 will take place in Gothenburg (SWE) from 23 to 28 March. For details of the Swedish fixture check out http://www.gothenburghorseshow.com

Results:

1, Reveur de Hurtebise HDC (Kevin Staut) FRA 0/0 39.86;

2, Qlassic Bois Margot (Simon Delestre) FRA 0/0 40.74;

3, Caretina de Joter (Edwina Tops-Alexander) AUS 0/0 40.90;

4, Cornado NRW (Marcus Ehning) GER 0/0 41.97;

5, All Star 5 (Denis Lynch) IRL 0/0 42.03;

Louise Parkes

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

Leprevost leads French cavalry-charge at first Longines leg in Oslo

French riders ran rampant at the opening leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2015/2016 Western European League in Oslo, Norway today where Penelope Leprevost came out on top with Flora de Mariposa. In a thrilling 15-horse jump-off, the 35-year-old rider and her fabulous 10-year-old mare pinned her French counterparts, Simon Delestre and Patrice Delaveau, into second and third places, while Kevin Staut also carried the French flag into fifth spot behind Germany’s Marcus Ehning.

A super-star start-list guaranteed a great day of sport. A total of 39 horse-and-rider combinations from 21 nations were in action, and as Show Director, Morten Aasen, said this evening “when the entries were coming in, we had 16 of the top 20 riders in the Longines rankings, so it was like a dream come true! Having such a great line-up was like having a European Championship here – but it turned into a French Championship in the end!”

All the hallmarks

The 13-fence first course carried all the hallmarks of its creator, Germany’s Frank Rothenberger, with no allowance made for the fact that this was the first serious indoor test of the season for many. Big, bold oxers and a demanding triple combination of a double of oxers followed by a vertical stretched them all the way. One of the bogeys of the class however was the narrow, but wide, oxer at fence two which put paid to many chances, while the triple bar at fence eight produced some moments of high drama.

Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann almost parted company with Cantinero when the pair paddled through the poles here, and, with just five horses left to go, World No 1, Great Britain’s Scott Brash also ran into trouble when meeting this on a wrong stride with Hello Sanctos. Despite concerns about just how tough it might be during the coursewalk however, “the course turned out easier than we expected” according to Leprevost.

First clear

Ireland’s Billy Twomey led the way into the jump-off with the veteran Tinka’s Serenade who collected 12 faults, and it was Ehning who produced the first clear when fourth to run with Comme Il Faut. Once the French got going however it was all about them, Delestre scorching home with the stallion Qlassic Bois Margot in 43.38 seconds to really put it up to the rest of the field, and his fellow-countryman, Delaveau, only 0.12 seconds slower to slot into temporary second place.

Try as they would, none of the rest could touch Delestre’s target-time until Leprevost set sail. She had a clear plan, and she stuck to it. “In the jump-off, most of the other riders took an inside line (around fence 13) to the double, but I went outside because I didn’t want to break the rhythm for Flora, who is anyway always fast – I think maybe that’s what made the difference” she explained. The decision paid off handsomely, with the clock showing just 43.01 seconds, an advantage of 0.37 seconds over her French rival, as she galloped through the timers.

A good surprise

“To win today was a good surprise!” Leprevost said afterwards. “It was the first indoor of the season for Flora, she is a super mare but I didn’t know if she would be perfect indoors just yet, but she was very good”. She now plans to compete in both the third Western European League leg on home turf in Lyon, France in two weeks’ time and at the fourth leg in Verona, Italy at the beginning of November.

Delestre wasn’t unhappy about having to settle for runner-up spot today. “I gave it all to the very last fence, and I could do no more. My horse has a big stride so I decided to take the inside line in the jump-off, and even if I had it all to do again I would do the same!” he said. Talking about the battle that ensued between himself and his fellow French riders, he pointed out that while they have a good team spirit, there was no love lost in trying to collect those all-important maximum qualifying points for the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final which will take place in Gothenburg, Sweden next March.

“We are a good team and we like to help each other – it’s a great pleasure to compete together. But we have three fast horses, and when it comes to the jump-off we like to play the game!”, he said.

The Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2015/2016 Western European League now moves on to Helsinki, Finland on Sunday 25 October.

For further information on the first leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2015/2016 Western European League series at Oslo, Norway visit website http://www.oslohorseshow.com

The second leg of the series will take place in Helsinki, Finland on Sunday 25 October 2015. For all information on the Finnish fixture go to website http://www.helsinkihorseshow.fi/

French rider, Penelope Leprevost, pictured with Morten Thormodsen, Brand Manager Longines Norway, after winning today’s first leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2015/2016 Western European League at Oslo (NOR) riding Flora de Mariposa. (FEI/Mette Sattrup)

Result:

1, Flora de Mariposa (Penelope Leprevost) FRA 0/0 43.01;

2, Qlassic Bois Margot (Simon Delestre) FRA 0/0 43.36;

3, Lacrimoso 3 HDC (Patrice Delaveau) FRA 0/0 43.48;

4, Comme Il Faut (Marcus Ehning) GER 0/0 44.08;

5, Reveue de Hurtebise HDC (Kevin Staut) FRA 0/0 44.50;

6, VDL Groep Arera C (Maikel van der Vleuten) NED 0/0 49.17;

7, Clooney (Martin Fuchs) SUI 0/0 54.02;

8, Don VHP Z (Harrie Smolders) NED 0/4 44.07;

9, Rokfeller de Pleville Bois Margot (Eduardo Alvarez Aznar) ESP 0/4 45.87;

10, Embassy ll (Hans-Dieter Dreher) GER 0/4 46.23;

11, VDL Zirocco Blue NOP (Jur Vrieling) NED 0/4 48.02;

12, Nino des Buissonnets (Steve Guerdat) SUI 0/4 50.34;

13, Vienna Olympic (Shk. Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani) QAT 0/4 55.09;

14, Utamaro d’Escuassines (Joe Clee) GBR 0/8 49.87;

15, Tinka’s Serenade (Billy Twomey) IRL 0/12.

Louise Parkes

Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014/2015 – Round 8, Mechelen, Qlassic Victory For Delestre At Longines Leg

Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014:2015

Simon Delestre produced a devastating turn of speed from the stallion Qlassic Bois Margot to clinch victory at the eighth leg of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014 Western European League at Mechelen, Belgium today. Last to go in an intriguing nine-horse jump-off, the 33-year-old Frenchman shattered the early target set by Britain’s Joe Clee to scoop maximum points and set himself firmly on the path to the series Final in Las Vegas, USA next April.

The first-round course set by Belgian course designer, Lucien Somers, presented a tough test for the 39 starters, with the double at fence seven and the triple combination at fence 12 proving particularly influential. “The triple was very difficult – the double of oxers with one stride followed by a vertical at the end of the course meant you needed a fit horse with a lot of scope today” Delestre commented afterwards.

First to go

Clee really threw down the gauntlet when first to go in the jump-off with the 10-year-old stallion Utamaro d’Ecaussines who gave it everything he had to set a strong target in 32.42 seconds. And the 36-year-old rider who is married to the youngest daughter of the late Eric Wauters, in whose memory the popular Belgian fixture is staged, then had to stand back and watch the rest try to better that.

America’s Lucy Davis and Barron lost their chance at the very first fence, but Sweden’s Douglas Lindelow left all the timber intact when steering Casello home in 35.07, and he wouldn’t regret being a little cautious when this eventually proved good enough for third place.

The packed stadium of spectators gasped with dismay when the first of the two Belgian contenders, Judy-Ann Melchior and her grey mare Cold as Ice Z, also fell foul of the opening vertical, but they were gripping their seats with excitement as Jos Verlooy galloped down to the last well up on the clock with the 11-year-old gelding Domino. One of the new wave of super-talented young Belgians blazing a trail on the international circuit right now, the rider who turned 19 just two weeks ago decided to take a stride out to the final oxer however and paid the price as it came crashing down for four faults in 34.60 seconds. He couldn’t forgive himself afterwards. “I made a terrible mistake and I’m so disappointed. I will never get the chance to win a competition like this again!” he insisted, but of course a young man of his calibre has a great future ahead of him.

Ireland’s Bertram Allen steered Molly Malone to victory in his first-ever Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping qualifier at the fourth leg of the 2014/2015 Western European League series in Verona, Italy today. (FEI/Stefano Secci)

Could be beaten

He had shown that Clee’s target time could be beaten, and although French stars Kevin Staut (Qurack de Falaise HDC) and Roger Yves Bost (Nippon d’Elle) each left a fence on the floor, and Germany’s Christian Ahlmann played the percentage game with a safe but slow clear from Cornado ll which would earn them fourth place in the final analysis, Delestre and his black stallion never looked like they were ready to compromise.

The precision of their opening round suggested they are a pair right on form, and when the Frenchman asked for a colossal effort at the last, the horse never flinched, galloping through the timers more than two seconds faster than Clee to put the result beyond doubt.

Tried to do my best

“I thought Joe was very quick and I wasn’t sure I could do a better time but I tried my best without going crazy. It was a good jump-off track for my horse, we could take one stride out in every line and he’s always very quick, but I was sure to be careful because twice before in the qualifiers this season I have been really fast but picked up four faults!” said Delestre afterwards.

The pair have had a busy and super-successful year, with the team silver medal at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy followed by a second-place finish at the Global Champions Tour in Vienna, fifth at the Longines qualifier in Lyon (FRA) and 12th at Stuttgart “and now we won – I’m really so happy with him!” Delestre said of his horse. “He will do Basel (SUI) and Bordeaux (FRA) and then go breeding for seven weeks. Last year he covered about 300 mares, he is a great stallion for the French mares with a fantastic bloodline” he added.

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)

Very special

Talking about his stallion he continued “Qlassic is special in many ways, he’s full of energy, but not stupid energy, and he’s usually very careful. He can be sensitive sometimes if things are not going well, but we understand each other. He’s best when he’s been jumping over a few days. On Thursday we jumped a class, and then we went in a jump-off but we went slowly. He needs a few times in the ring to be happy, and today he was really ready!” he added.

With 37 points the Frenchman has now moved up to eighth place on the Western European league leaderboard and is already planning his trip to the Longines Final. However he’s not sure which horse he will take. “I will think about it closer to the time. It’s a very small ring there for a horse like Qlassic, so I might take Ryan (Ryan des Hayettes) instead” he pointed out this evening.

The next leg takes place in Leipzig, Germany on Sunday 18 January 2015.

Result:

1, Qlassic Bois Margot (Simon Delestre) FRA 0/0 32.42;

2, Utamaro d’Ecaussines (Joe Clee) GBR 0/0 34.93;

3, Casello (Douglas Lindelow) SWE 0/0 35.07;

4, Cornado ll (Christian Ahlmann) GER 0/0 39.53;

5, Barron (Lucy Davis) USA 0/4 32.88;

6, Qurack de Falaise HDC (Kevin Staut) FRA 0/4 33.91;

7, Domino (Jos Verlooy) BEL 0/4 34.60;

8, Nippon d’Elle (Roger Yves Bost) FRA 0/4 34.82;

9, As Cold as Ice Z (Judy-Ann Melchior) BEL 0/4 35.64.

Facts and Figures:

Mechelen in Belgium presented Round 8 of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014/2015 Western European League today.

This is the 34th edition of the fixture created by the late Eric Wauters whose family continue to be deeply involved in the staging of the event.

9 horse-and-rider combinations qualified for the second-round jump-off against the clock including two from both Belgium and France.

4 produced double-clear performances.

Course designer was Belgium’s Lucien Somers.

Winner was 33-year-old Frenchman Simon Delestre partnering Qlassic Bois Margot, the 10-year-old stallion with which he helped the host nation claim team silver at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy.

Quotes:

Sweden’s Douglas Lindelow who took the Leading Rider of the Show award – “the oxers were quite big but they suited the capacity of my horse. The short distances were difficult for him in the first round but he was great in the jump-off. Sweden only has two places at the (Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping) Final so I am hoping for more invitations to the qualifiers so that I can get to Las Vegas. I’m the leading Swedish rider in the standings right now so I’m hoping I can get there!”

Joe Clee GBR “this was my first World Cup of the season so to finish second was great!”
Joe Clee GBR – “I’d love to go to Las Vegas but we also have the European Championships to think about next year so even if I do qualify for the Final we will have to have a discussion about whether it will be right for my horse to go”.

Joe Clee GBR, joking about Simon Delestre’s victory which pinned him back into runner-up spot – “Last year in the Small Grand Prix Simon also beat me, so I don’t think we should send him an invitation next year!”

Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2014/2015 Western European League – Standings after Round 8 at Mechelen (BEL):

1. Steve Guerdat SUI – 57
2. Kevin Staut FRA – 49
3. Harrie Smolders NED – 47
4. Marco Kutscher GER – 44
5. Daniel Deusser GER – 43
6. Lucy Davis USA – 42
7. Edwina Tops-Alexander AUS – 39
8. Simon Delestre FRA – 37
9. Marcus Ehning GER – 36
10. Bertram Allen IRL – 34
11. Jur Vrieling NED – 33
12. Reed Kessler USA – 30
13. Jos Verlooy BEL – 30
14. Roger Yves Bost FRA – 29
15. Douglas Lindelow SWE – 29
16. Martin Fuchs SUI – 28
17. Malin Baryard-Johnsson SWE – 28
18. Christian Ahlmann GER – 28
19. Pius Schwizer SUI – 27
20. Francois Mathy Jr BEL – 25

by Louise Parkes

Britain’s Eccles Goes For Double-Gold In Vaulting, But French Stars Could Be The Show-Stealers

Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™

Great Britain’s Joanne Eccles will be bidding for her second consecutive gold medal in the Female Individual Championship when Vaulting gets underway at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in the Zenith Indoor Arena in Caen, France on 2 September. However the big show-stealers may be the host nation’s Male Vaulting super-stars, World and FEI World Cup™ Vaulting Champion Nicolas Andreani, and European champion Jacques Ferarri.

When the Frenchmen performed in Bordeaux earlier this year the home crowd went wild. And with Andreani by his own admission nearing the end of his career, the Zenith Stadium may provide the ideal venue for his final curtain-call.

The USA arrives at these Games as defending Squad champions, and there is a great deal of excitement about the many “firsts” attached to the Vaulting discipline at the 2014 Games.

New Zealand sends a squad for the very first time, Lambert Leclezio (MRI), who received support from FEI Solidarity, is representing his country, Mauritius, for the first time at World Championship level, and Pas-de-Deux, so successfully introduced into the 2013/2014 season’s FEI World Cup™ Vaulting series, will make its FEI World Equestrian Games™ debut.

Increased entry

The discipline of Vaulting, which involves gymnastic exercises on horse-back and which is a huge hit with the public, has, like so many of the other FEI sports, attracted a significantly increased entry for this edition of the Games.

A total of 179 athletes from 22 countries will line out compared to the previous record number of 149 athletes from 17 countries set at the last Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Kentucky, USA four years ago. There will be 17 nations represented by squads of 6 vaulters, 35 Female Individuals and 18 Male Individuals along with 12 partnerships competing in the popular new Pas-de Deux.

There will be four separate sets of medals, for the Squad (Team) competition, Female Individual, Male Individual and Pas-de-Deux. The lunger who keeps the horse cantering in a rhythmical stride that supports the artistic efforts of the athletes as they perform their floor-plans is a key player in this demanding sport and also receives a medal along with the vaulters.

Joanne Eccles wins gold in the individual vaulting competition pictured with her father John Eccles,who is her lunger

Busy week

It’s going to be a busy week, starting with the Compulsory Tests on Tuesday 2 September, Freestyle tests on Wednesday 3, Technical Tests and the first Freestyle Pas-de-Deux on Thursday 4 and the drama-filled Finals for all four events taking place on Friday 5 September.

In the battle for the Female honours, Eccles can expect a strong challenge from Italy’s Anna Cavallaro who successfully defended her FEI World Cup™ Vaulting title this year, while in the Pas-de-Deux the Austrian duo of Jasmin Lindner and Lukas Wacha may prove hard to beat.

Eccles will join her sister, Hannah, in the Pas-de-Deux challenge, but the history-making Austrians are a polished pair having previously clinched the 2012 FEI World Vaulting Championship title in Le Mans (FRA) before storming to victory at the FEI European Vaulting Championships 2013 in Ebreichsdorf (AUT). Performing to “Heart’s a Mess” by Gotye with lunger Klaus Haidacher at Bordeaux this year, they received the maximum 10 points from German judge Jochen Schilffarth in the first round, leading to a stunning final score of 8,783 points, and if they can match that performance next week then they may well be untouchable.

Germany’s Pia Engelberty and Torben Jacobs, bronze medalists at last year’s FEI European Vaulting Championships, finished second while Stefanie Millinger and Evelyn Freund from Salzburg (AUT) completed the top three at the Bordeaux fixture, and all will be back in action and hoping to the turn the tables when the exciting Pas-de-Deux gets underway in Caen.

Andreani, with his horse Quiece d’Aunis and lunger Marina Dupon Joosten scored a massive 8,826 to win the FEI World Cup™ Male Vaulting Final at Bordeaux where his French colleague, Ferrari finished second ahead of Switzerland’s Lukas Heppler.

Andreani is something of a “rock star” in the sport, and should he prove successful in his bid for Male Individual gold at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™2014 Vaulting Championships then the roof of the Zenith Stadium may well go into orbit on Friday 5 September as the crowd will definitely not be holding back on their emotions for both their sport and their home hero.

Facts and Figures:

NZL are sending a Vaulting squad for the first time to the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy.

Pas-de-deux will be included in the FEI World Equestrian Games™ programme for the first time at this edition.

Lambert Leclezio (MRI), who received support from FEI Solidarity, is representing his country, Mauritius, for the first time at World Championship level.

Bongani Mvumvu (RSA), who will be competing in his second FEI World Equestrian Games™, also benefitted from an FEI Solidarity Scholarship.

179 athletes from 22 countries – previous record was 149 athletes from 17 countries.
17 nations represented by squads of 6 vaulters.

4 competitions – Squad, Female Individual, Male Individual and Pas de Deux.

4 sets of medals, and the lunger also receives a medal along with the vaulters.

12 top teams qualify for the Freestyle Final.

35 Female Individuals.

18 Male Individuals.

Both male and female competitions begin with a Compulsory class which is followed on the next day by a Freestyle.

15 top vaulters then go into round two which consists of a Technical test which is followed on the next day by a Freestyle Final.

12 Pas-de-Deux partnerships.

Ground Jury members: Véronique Girard (FRA) President, Helma Schwarzmann (GER), Susan Detol (USA), Pavla Krauspe (SVK), Anita Flamand-Prochaska (AUT), Karolina Wickholm (FIN), Elzbieta Dolinska (POL) and Anna Kull (SUI).

Technical Delegate: Erich Breiter (AUT).

Chief Steward: Sintje Klink (GER).

Appeal Committee Vaulting member: Jean-Michel Pinel (FRA).

Great Britain’s Joanne Eccles will defend the Female Individual title she won at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2010 in Kentucky (USA).

Joanne Eccles will also compete in the Pas de Deux with her sister Hannah and they are strong medal contenders.

Team USA will defend the Team title, having clinched gold on home ground in Kentucky in 2010 where Germany took silver and Austria clinched the bronze.

The Male Individual medals in 2010 went to Switzerland’s Patric Looser (gold), Germany’s Kai Voberg (silver) and Nicolas Andreani from France (bronze).

Andreani will again be contesting the Individual Male title.

By Louise Parkes

Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 – Let The Games Begin!

Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy – Opening Ceremony

Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014

A parade of athletes from the 74 participating nations, an incredible musical and hi-tech lightshow extravaganza featuring over 100 horses, the Garde Républicaine and giant Mexican waves entertained a sellout crowd of 21,000 for the Opening Ceremony of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy at the D’Ornano Stadium last night.

FEI President HRH Princess Haya and Laurent Beauvais, President of the Games Organising Committee and President of the Lower Normandy Region, welcomed athletes, officials, sponsors, spectators and media to Normandy for two weeks of world class equestrian sport in the heart of horse country.

Laurent Beauvais spoke warmly of the 3,000 volunteers that will be working at the venues to optimise the Games experience, and many of them had the opportunity to parade in front of the spectators as part of tonight’s ceremony.

“We have brought together 3,000 smiles to welcome you; 3,000 sets of open arms,” Laurent Beauvais said. “The volunteers bind our organisation. We can all be so proud of them. For months now they have been our greatest ambassadors for the Games, the greatest ambassadors for Normandy and indeed the greatest ambassadors for France!”

Horseman extraordinaire Lorenzo was one of the highlights of the Opening Ceremony of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 at the Stade d’Ornano in Caen, Normandy, on 23 August in front of a sellout crowd of 21,000 spectators. (Arnd Bronkhorst/FEI)

Princess Haya, speaking in French and English, also expressed her gratitude to everyone involved in making the Games possible. “On behalf of everyone here tonight, and everyone around the world who will enjoy these seventh World Equestrian Games, I want to thank the people of Normandy for so warmly welcoming us to this beautiful region,” Princess Haya said.

“I also want to thank the World Equestrian Games Foundation, Alltech, and the many volunteers who have given so generously of their time and energy. These Games could not happen without you. And of course, I want to thank all of the athletes who have come to Normandy to pursue their dreams. You are at the pinnacle of our sport; you have earned the right to be here through your hard work and dedication.

“Whether you win or lose, these Games are sure to be a highlight of your career. I am confident that you will represent our sport well and prove yourselves to be true champions. I wish you all the best of luck.”

Princess Haya then invited French Prime Minister Manuel Valls to declare the Games open, the first time in the history of the World Equestrian Games that there has been a Prime Minister at the opening ceremony.

The top-level French Government delegation also included Bernard Cazeneuve, Minister of the Interior, Laurent Fabius, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Stéphane Le Foll, Minister of Agriculture Affairs and government spokesman, and Thierry Braillard, Under Secretary for Sport.

French team member and former athlete representative on the FEI Bureau, Kevin Staut, and Anne Prain, President of the Ground Jury for Para-Equestrian Dressage took the FEI pledge on behalf of the athletes and judges.

On behalf of all the FEI officials, Anne Prain spoke of the spirit of fair play and integrity, while the athletes’ pledge was given by Kevin Staut: “In the name of all riders, I promise that we shall take part in the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2014 in Normandy respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them, committing ourselves to our sport without doping, in the true spirit of welfare of the horse and of sportsmanship, for the glory of equestrian sport and the honour of our teams.”

A total of 478,000 tickets of the 500,000 on offer had already been sold before tonight’s Opening Ceremony, and with top sport across the FEI disciplines from now until 7 September, a fantastic spectator experience is guaranteed over the next 15 days!

Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014