Ten top four-in-hand drivers plus a few wild cards will thrill audiences between November and February at some of Europe’s most prestigious indoor shows.  The eight qualifying legs start in Lyon (FRA) this week and end in Leipzig (GER), leading to six places at the final in Bordeaux (FRA). 

The 23rd series promises to be another epic contest between Bram Chardon (NED) and Boyd Exell (AUS). Boyd is ranked number one and has a record breaking ten FEI Driving World Cup™ titles behind him, but Bram is the current title-holder and since he took his first in 2019, the rivals have won it alternate years.  It will be fascinating to see who gains the early advantage when they go head-to-head for the first time this series at the second leg in Maastricht (NED).  

Bram and his father Ijsbrand Chardon (NED), a three-time winner, are juggling their schedules so that they are not at the same events until the end of the series, when Bram says they should have their horse combinations organised for the final – providing they both qualify.

“This season we are really happy with the draw because we have chosen to go to separate events for most of the series so we can help each other out if we need to or keep up the training at home while the other one is away". It’s exciting, because I have two new horses to add to my winning team from last year, plus the young horse we used in the prizegivings.  One of the new horses is very fast but it is hard to find a better horse than our reliable Dreef Kapitany because he is technically so good.  I will try out different combinations during the rounds and see what works by the time we get to Leipzig." – Bram Chardon (NED)

Belgium’s Dries Degrieck will hope to replicate the form he showed in Leipzig last January when he broke the Boyd-Bram stronghold to win. His campaign starts in Lyon, which without Boyd or Bram there, could be one of the most open results of the series.  Joining Dries are Ijsbrand, Jérôme Voutaz (SUI), Georg Von Stein (GER) and Anna Mareike Meier (GER) plus the home nation’s two wild cards, Benjamin Aillaud (FRA) and Anthony Horde (FRA). 

Another Belgian with high hopes is Glenn Geerts who recently put together a new indoor team of French and Hungarian Lipizzaners ahead of his opening event in Maastricht.  The second leg is also the opener for former champion Koos de Ronde (NED) who starts the series ranked number two.

After his successful outdoor season, Florida based Chester Weber (USA) finished in the top 10, so was eligible to join the series, but for logistical reasons declined to take his place.  Instead, 11th ranked Fredrik Persson (SWE) enters as a qualified driver and he will be using the indoor horses purchased from Chester that were used in the 2022-2023 series.

The selection of events used for the FEI Driving World Cup™ has remained the same since the pandemic, and Bordeaux has been the venue for the final on ten occasions since the series began in 2001-2002.  The three early season legs in Lyon, Maastricht and Stuttgart (GER) are on consecutive weekends, then there is a gap before the mid-season action moves to Stockholm (SWE), followed by Geneva (SUI) and London (GBR).  In December, it’s Mechelen (BEL) then Leipzig in January, after which the drivers who have qualified for the final are confirmed.

The qualifying legs have two competitions which run over two days, each with a drive-off, whereas the Final only has a drive-off after the second competition.  The places from the first competition set the running order for the next day when the drivers come forward in reverse order.  Points towards the final are earned from the second competition placings and only apply to the qualified drivers.  There are five qualified drivers per competition plus up to three wild cards, and the best three results from the series as a qualified driver count towards the ranking for the Final. 

The FEI Driving World Cup™ requires a unique collaboration between the horses and the three people on the carriage. The whole team needs intuitive communication which hinges on the reflexes of the driver and the responses of the horses, supported by the two people behind.  The navigator oversees the routes and split times, and the lower back-stepper provides ballast and aims to keep the carriage level on the tight turns. 

The format encourages participation from the fans as they cheer on their favourites against a backdrop of theatrical lighting and thumping music.

The audiences appreciate the skill and jeopardy of four powerful horses speeding through pairs of cones, boxes, marathon obstacles and water, or even over bridges, while trying not to knock any of the elements and be fastest against the clock.  Each event has its own unique atmosphere with a different sized arena that impacts the design and the layout of the course.  After all the preparation and planning, training and travelling, on the day it comes down to split-second decisions, teamwork, bravery, focus and accuracy – and a bit of luck.

For dates, schedules and information, click HERE

The 23rd edition of the FEI Jumping World Challenge took centre stage last weekend at the Universal Jumping Stables in Tashkent’s scenic Bostanlik district (UZB), drawing competitors from 12 countries and four continents. Representing the spirit of FEI Solidarity, 20 athletes, many experiencing their first international event, gathered to vie for the title and international victory, but ultimately Uzbekistan took the honours, marking a significant milestone in not only their own book, but in the competition's.

Host nation Uzbekistan claims historic victory

For the first time in FEI Jumping World Challenge Final history, the host nation emerged victorious in both the Final and Farewell classes, to the thrill of local fans new and old. Mirzahid Musaev clinched the Final with Casamira, while Akbar Sharipov took the Farewell class on La Blue Rouge, with both athletes delivering the only double clear rounds of the day.

The Final’s jump-off saw four competitors vying for the top spot after securing their first clear rounds. Top qualifier, Dominican Republic’s Giorgia Anna Ieromazzo Latour and Jangcy L, set the fastest jump-off time, but an unlucky pole ultimately handed Musaev the victory, underscoring the skill required in the Challenge and the exciting nature of the competition.

Mirzahid Musaev reflects on an emotional win

At 36, Musaev’s Olympic aspirations are strong, fortified by his first international win for his country. Musaev praised the event's organisation - a sentiment echoed by all competitors - and highlighted the demanding nature of the competition, which necessitated creating a winning bond with an unfamiliar mount, the 7-year-old Dutch Sporthorse mare Casamira, over what amounts to only a few hours of acclimatisation. 

Feeling very emotional on his win, he spoke to the wonderful team camaraderie and support from his fellow nationals, emphasising that the opportunity to compete against other countries and win for Uzbekistan's honour is a great privilege, and one he hopes to recreate. 

Podium placements highlight international talent, global growth, and FEI Solidarity success

The Final’s second-place position was secured by the Dominican Republic’s Latour, last year’s runner-up and 2019 winner, who won both qualifiers with Jangcy L, a Westphalian mare. South Africa’s Victoria Lynne Greyvensteyn, a debut international competitor at just 17 years old, took third with Polish gelding Jodcasall A-Z while her compatriot Divan Bosman, 18, earned bronze in the Farewell class, with Singapore’s 21-year-old Christie Paige Nair taking silver in that class.

These achievements exemplify FEI Solidarity’s efforts to develop young riders on an international stage, fostering competitive growth and excellence in equestrian sports worldwide.

FEI Jumping World Challenge: a gateway for emerging equestrian talent

Since its inception in 2001 under the Solidarity Fund, the FEI Jumping World Challenge Final has fostered accessible, high-level competition for athletes from countries where international sport is not easily accessible, creating opportunities for travel, learning, and honing international competition skills. The event’s continued success relies on the dedication of the FEI, national federations, the horse owners who generously lend their talented equines, and the invaluable friendships formed along the way.

Catch the replays on FEI.tv, and join us in anticipation of the 2025 season as the FEI Jumping World Challenge continues to champion equestrian excellence worldwide.

Robert Whitaker (GBR) and Vermento won the second leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Western European League 2024/2025 in Helsinki (FIN). With ease he dominated the competition in the Finnish capital, while Kevin Staut (FRA) and Dialou Blue PS took second place while Steve Guerdat (SUI) and Is-Minka came in third.

 It was an afternoon full of agility, control and focus at the Helsinki Ice Hall. Jorge Guilherme (BRA) designed a course with 13 jumps, with a total of 16 efforts. In one word, it was tight. Short turns and lines demanded full focus.

13 athletes make it to the jump-off

Although this course was challenging, way more athletes made it to the jump-off than last week in Oslo (NOR). Out of the 39 athletes, 13 advanced to the jump-off. To compare: last week, there were four out of 40.

Amanda Landeblad (SWE) and For Killy had the honour of discovering how fast the jump-off could be completed. As the first of the 13 athletes qualified for the jump-off, she started the fight for qualification points. Beforehand, she had given herself a stern pep talk. “I don’t ride fast jump-offs, but I have decided to do so now,” she said with a smile. She kept her word. From the first moment the rhythm was there, and with short turns she completed the course faultlessly in 38.89 seconds. This was enough for seventh place.

When the third athlete in the jump-off, Steve Guerdat, entered the ring the other athletes watched the master at work. He has already won the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final three times, with three different horses (Albfuehren's Paille in Las Vegas (USA) 2015; Corbinian in Göteborg (SWE) 2016; Alamo in Göteborg 2019). With great control and overview, he steered Is-Minka faultlessly around. The new time to beat was 37.56, almost one and a half seconds faster than Landeblad. Although he could have been even faster, if he had ridden tighter in the turn from the first to the second obstacle.

Whitaker rode with his stallion Vermento. Because of his size, he wasn’t expected to be the fastest horse, but he proved to be the most agile one. He gained metres throughout the jump-off by turning short, especially in the turn to the FEI vertical. He clocked a time of 36.84 seconds. And made it even harder for the athletes who followed.

Kevin Staut and Dialou Blue PS rode smartly, flew through the double jump and gained time with that. It turned out to be enough for the second place. ‘Number two’ seems to be Staut favourite position lately. And the French athlete is completely fine with it: “We have now finished second three times in a row,” Staut said, referring to Oslo one week ago and Barcelona (ESP) at the beginning of this month. “I prefer to be second three times than taking a risk and winning one time and then maybe having to miss the next competition.”

Claiming qualification points

Mario Stevens (GER), who has been competing with his partner Starissa FRH since June 2021, played it safe. It resulted in a clear but relatively slow round. With 40.10 seconds, he finished eighth.

Edouard Schmitz (SUI), the athlete who took second place last week in Oslo, was now determined to bring home a few more points for the World Cup Final in Basel (SUI), but he ended up disappointed with his own performance. He and Gamin van’t Naastveldhof had one fence down on the second combination and went home empty-handed. “But this is not the end of the world,” he said afterwards, referring to the 12 more legs remaining.

Provisional standings

Steve Guerdat, on the other hand, is doing good business when it comes to claiming qualification points: “I have a few (5) points from last week in Oslo, and good points today (15). Now it’s up to me to secure my qualification for the Final soon.”

 After this second leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ - Western European League 2024/25 the standings are as following: Yuri Mansur (BRA) leads on 25 points, while Kevin Staut (24 points) and Peder Fredricson (SWE - 21 points), are second and third respectively, followed by Gregory Wathelet (BEL), Robert Whitaker and Steve Guerdat, each with 20 points.

On to the next leg in Lyon

The next leg takes place on 3 November in Lyon (FRA), followed by Verona (ITA) and Stuttgart (GER). Whether Whitaker will be in Lyon next Sunday isn’t sure. “I will discuss my schedule with the Chef d’Equipe. Personally, I prefer Madrid (ESP) and A Coruña (ESP) in December. It seems good to me to jump two shows in a row.”

What’s already certain is that the British athlete is more than happy for now. “Vermento was amazing. He looked ahead to every fence. I think our round yesterday helped him. Then we had a fence down. He is a horse that doesn’t want to make mistakes, so I think that made him extra sharp today. He gave me the chance to guide him to victory”.

FULL RESULTS

Image: Robert Whitaker (GBR) and Vermento winners of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ in Helsinki (FIN). ©FEI/ Hanna M. Heinonen Photography

Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) has always known that Major Tom had every quality he could want in an equine partner. But channeling the horse's brimming talent was a work in process.

His patience with the 11-year-old chestnut paid off with a stellar victory Saturday night at the Prince George's Equestrian Center, as they bested a five-horse jump-off in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Washington (USA). First to return over Nick Granat's (USA) short course, the pair produced a round that simply couldn't be matched. Not only could no one match their time, but only one other competitor could manage to keep all the rails up—defending champion, Katie Dinan (USA).

Pessoa's winning time was 38.77 seconds. After winning the 2023 event with Brego R'n B, Dinan finished second on this occasion with a newer mount in Out of the Blue SCF (40.27s). Kristen Vanderveen secured third with Bull Run's Jireh. After her stirrup fell back behind Vanderveen's saddle, the pair brought a single rail down when crossing the timers in 39.63 seconds.

"Going first is always a little bit difficult, but on the other hand, you make your plan and you try to stick to it, and I think I did that pretty well [tonight]." Pessoa said.  "I'm really pleased that we came out on top today."

Clear rounds were hard to come by. Granat's first round course featured no fewer than three verticals set at maximum height, with another trio just centimeters lower. With the rounded shape of the arena, questions came up quickly, challenging even the most experienced of combinations, including Olympic veterans Laura Kraut (USA) and Baloutinue and Shane Sweetnam (IRL) and James Kann Cruz. It was no problem, however for Pessoa and Major Tom, who navigated the track with an eye-opening level of poise and precision. Confidence brimming, their mastery of the evening carried over to the short course, where they never appeared rushed while setting an uncatchable standard.

"I knew that it was always possible to go faster, but I was happy with [my horse's] performance, and I knew I was going to be right there or thereabouts," Pessoa said.

"Of course, looking back, I was a second-and-a-half behind, and I could have easily in some ways made that up," Dinan said. "For sure, I'm still in a relationship-building phase with [my] horse, and I was thrilled with my double-clear. To be second behind Rodrigo—I'll take that!"

While Dinan has been partnered with "Bridie" for a year, Pessoa has ridden Major Tom for four. He attributed their success to a newfound level of relaxation and maturity for his mount. Major Tom was highly touted as a young horse in Europe under the tutelage of Michael Duffy (IRL) when Philippe Guerdat (SUI) brought the horse to Pessoa's attention. 

"He always showed a lot of quality...but he's very, very sensitive, and so we've taken extra time [with him] and didn't want to push him as a 9-year-old. We really took it easy," Pessoa said. "I really feel that now he's getting more and more relaxed."

"The jump was always there, but his mind was always [going] 200 miles per hour. Now he's taking his time and taking deep breaths everywhere and can really rely on his quality. He's one of the best horses I've ever had, but he really needed that time to get in his own space and be more comfortable."

-Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA)

This marked Major Tom's second time competing at the venue after making his debut at Washington in 2022 with a single knockdown.

"He's more comfortable outside, because he has a very big stride," Pessoa said, "but it was part of the plan to come here, to [practice] inside a little bit."

Kent Farrington (USA) continues to lead the NAL standings. After winning in Traverse City with Greya, he finished seventh at Washington with 9-year-old Myla; he now has 30 points. Daniel Bluman (ISR) sits second with 27 points, followed by Vanderveen (USA).

FULL RESULTS

Some of the best young Eventing horses in the world came forward to compete at this year’s edition of the FEI WBFSH Eventing World Breeding Championships for Young Horses. A British bred son of the legendary Chilli Morning and a Holsteiner mare by ‘I’m Special de Muze’, took the seven- and six-year-old titles at this prestigious Eventing championships, which took place at the 39th edition at Le Lion d’Angers (FRA) this week.

British combinations took the gold and silver medals in the seven-year-old class with Chilli Morning IV and Gemma Stevens (GBR) finishing on his Dressage score of 26.2 and the British bred Anglo European horse Kantango - sired by Tangelo and ridden by Kitty King - taking second place on his Dressage score of 27.9.

In the six-year-old class, Killer Queen lived up to her namesake and won the championship with Merel Blom-Hulsman (NED). The eye-catching mare by this popular sire finished on their Dressage score of 25.1, while Norway van De Haar, a KWPN gelding by High Shutterfly took the runner up spot with Max Warburton (GBR) on their Dressage score of 28.8. The bronze medals went to Mr Cookie Time and Samantha Lissington (NZL) in the seven-year-olds, with Sweden’s Anna Freskgard and Clawfinger- another ‘I’m Special de Muze’ progeny - taking the six-year-old bronze.

The Dressage standard was high amongst the 65 seven-year-olds and 45 six-year-olds entered. Blom-Hulsman is no stranger to these championships and her six-year-old mare looked outstanding in all three phases. Dressage leader in the seven-year-olds was Lizzie Baugh who was competing here for the first time with her own and the Spice syndicate's seven-year-old Irish Sport Horse mare Calida Spice. The 27-year-old, who finished fifth overall, is based on her family farm producing horses up to 5* level. “This has been the aim with this horse all season. We brought her as a four-year-old and she’s always had a lovely brain.” 

The Cross-Country turned out to be a true test of stamina and bravery. A combination of large crowds and a beautifully presented, but cleverly designed course, made for exciting sport on Saturday. 

Stevens jumped a foot-perfect double clear with Chilli Morning IV to win the seven-year-old title, and was excited to be at the event on another talented progeny of Chilli Morning, who won Badminton (GBR) and competed in the Rio Olympics with William Fox-Pitt (GBR).
 

“I am unbelievably proud to be crowned World Champion. This has been our goal and aim with him since he started his programme. We have produced him right from the start, which makes it extra special. Le Lion is the most incredible show, it’s always been a dream to win here and I can’t actually believe it’s come true.

 

 

Gemma Stevens
(GBR)

“The owners Chris and Lisa Stone are so excited. The horse was unbelievable, he was so positive and his ears were pricked... It feels like he loves Cross-Country. We have high hopes for him. The feeling he gives me is incredible, and his ability to focus is just unbelievable even at such a young age.”

Silver medallist Kitty King now has a full set of medals from Le Lion: two golds, a silver and a bronze. The precociously talented Kantango was bred in the United Kingdom, starting his career in Jumping before King took him on as a five-year-old.

“He (Kantango) had a steep learning curve as a six-year-old, but he’s been a super consistent horse. He’s very sharp and has a quick-thinking brain and he felt superb all week. It was the best performance he’s given me and a great place to do it”

 

Kitty King
(GBR)

Six-year-old champions Killer Queen and Merel Blom-Hulsman experienced the rain on their Cross-Country round. “I had a long and wet ride. She surprised me at the first water when she jumped quite big and gave me an easy Cross-Country round. We bought her as a three-year-old and when she was four, she became Dutch Champion for her age.”

Runner-up Norway Van De Haar is another exciting prospect sourced by Mark Bosanko in The Netherlands as a four-year-old and taken on by Warburton as a five-year-old. The KWPN gelding by High Shutterfly belied his youth in all three phases and gave Warburton his best result at Le Lion so far, having finished in the top ten in 2022 and 2023.  “This horse is lovely. I rode with him for the first time as a five-year-old and from the minute I sat on him I knew he was one for Lion”, Warburton said.

FULL RESULTS SEVEN-YEAR-OLDS

FULL RESULTS SIX-YEAR-OLDS

Gregory Wathelet (BEL) claims victory in the opening leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2024-2025, Western European League in Oslo (NOR). He gives all the credit to his 13-year-old stallion Bond Jamesbond de Hay: “He’s amazing. He makes me feel like I’m a good rider.”

The audience in Oslo witnessed a technical Jumping competition on a course that demanded both agility and power—two qualities Bond Jamesbond de Hay clearly possessed and fully utilised.
“Bond has great scope and a lot of flexibility, which is rare given his big, massive body. He makes showjumping feel very easy for me. Ever since we became a combination, we’ve been delivering clear rounds almost every time,” says Wathelet.

Despite his victory, Wathelet believes he can improve his performance. “A win is always wonderful, and it’s not every day that I ride a World Cup competition,” he said jubilantly after his win. “Still, I think there’s room for improvement. This was Bond’s first indoor event after the outdoor season, and I believe he could get into a bit more routine. However, I chose to give him some rest before this competition because we just finished 3 days of competition in Brussels (CSIO5*)”

Bittersweet second place

The majority of the 40 athletes and horses competing in the 1.60m course at the Telenor Arena came from Europe, including the second and third-placed riders who followed Wathelet. 
Edouard Schmitz (SUI) with Gamin van’t Naastveldhof secured second place, while Julien Gonin (FRA) with Valou de Lys claimed third. Both riders incurred 4 penalties due to a fallen pole, but Schmitz’s time of 43.10 seconds was more than a full second faster than Gonin’s 44.19 seconds.

For Schmitz, the second-place finish felt bittersweet. While he was pleased to earn 17 qualification points, he shared his emotions: “I’ve already placed second in a World Cup competition twice. Placing second is becoming a habit, and I don’t like it. Hopefully, I’ll secure enough qualification points soon, so I can fully focus on the World Cup Final. My next stop will be the World Cup in Helsinki.”

Julien Gonin was proud of his horse Valou. “Third place is a great result for the first World Cup event of the year. Valou is the best horse I’ve ever ridden, and she’s even better indoors than outdoors. I’m looking forward to the upcoming indoor competitions, including Lyon and Madrid.”

In Lyon, Gonin will once again face Wathelet, who has also added the Lyon leg to his schedule. “My goal is to qualify for the Final in Basel in April 2025, ideally with two horses”, Wathelet says. 
“In addition to my main horse, Bond, I plan to qualify with Ace of Heart. So, if I secure a spot for the final, I’ll have two options.”

A challenging course

The fact that only 4 of the 40 participating combinations reached the jump-off is a testament to the challenging nature of the course. The Telenor Arena, a multifunctional indoor stadium in Fornebu, a suburb of Oslo, boasts a capacity of 25,000 and is the largest indoor arena in Norway and one of the largest in Europe. The space is ideal for a smooth transition from the outdoor to the indoor season. 
Despite the available space, course designer Peter Lundström didn’t make it easy for the athletes. He crafted a challenging track for the opening leg. His course included every element of Jumping: short, sometimes broken, lines; long stretches for powerful gallops; challenging combinations of several jumps; and narrow jumps that tested the athletes’ steering abilities.
Wathelet confirmed the course’s difficulty: “When walking the course, I immediately saw that the obstacles came up quickly after the turns. It was a tough course right from the start, and the tight time limit of 73 seconds made it even more challenging.”

Next leg in Helsinki
The demanding course was – as for almost all the athletes – a dealbreaker for the Norwegian athletes, who competed on home soil in front of ‘their’ audience. None of them made it to the jump-off. Other Scandinavian riders also struggled. But, as always in Jumping, anything can happen. This was only the 1st of 14 qualifiers. The next leg takes place on Sunday, 27 October, in Helsinki.

FULL RESULTS

On home soil in Denmark, Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour clinched a commanding victory with Mount St John Freestyle in the opening leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2024/2025 in the Western European League. Fellow Dane Daniel Bachmann Andersen and Vayron secured second place, while Sweden’s Maria von Essen prevented an all-Danish podium by finishing third with Invoice.

The Danish crowd came out in full force to support their home favourites, and they were not disappointed. In Friday’s Grand Prix, Mount St John Freestyle (owned by Laudrup-Dufour & Zinglersen Aps and Mount St John Equestrian LLP) captured the hearts of the audience and went on to deliver an even more stunning performance in the Freestyle. Scoring an impressive 88.965%, Laudrup-Dufour set a benchmark that no other competitor could match. “Already in the warm-up, she felt incredible. And Freestyle adored the arena” said Laudrup-Dufour shortly after her ride.

Daniel Bachmann Andersen, teammate of Laudrup-Dufour in Denmark’s silver-medal-winning team at the Paris Olympics, guided the powerful Vayron (owned by the athlete and Rudolf Spiekermann) to second place with a score of 84.905%. These two combinations were the only ones to break the 80% barrier, setting themselves apart from the rest of the field. While their Paris-teammate Nanna Skodborg Merrald initially claimed third place in the Grand Prix with Blue Hors Zepter (owned by Blue Hors Aps), some mistakes in their Freestyle dropped them to seventh place, opening the door for other competitors. Maria von Essen (SWE) seized that opportunity, moving up from seventh in the Grand Prix to third in the Freestyle with Invoice (owned by Alexanders Hovslageri & Häst Ab).

Challenge yourself and stay sharp

Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour and Mount St John Freestyle impressed at the Paris Olympics, finishing second in the Grand Prix and winning the Grand Prix Special. However, they slipped to fifth in the Freestyle. “Freestyle surprised me a bit in Paris. She was a little stressed from the prize-giving ceremony after the Grand Prix Special. Here in Herning, she was much calmer, as Cassidy did the prize-giving,” Laudrup-Dufour remarked.

Laudrup-Dufour's Freestyle routine is technically demanding but also holds deep personal significance: “I love challenging myself. You need to stay sharp. For me, this is much more than just a floor plan and a piece of music. Every song and every movement reminds me of something.”

As for the remainder of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ season, Laudrup-Dufour is still undecided. “I’ll make a plan with my trainer later. We’ve been invited to ride at the Top 10 in Stockholm, and after that, we’ll see.”

Increased Focus

The five-member judging panel, consisting of Susanne Baarup (DEN), Kurt Christensen (DEN), Mariette Sanders-van Gansewinkel (NED), Alice Schwab (AUT), and Magnus Ringmark (SWE), unanimously placed Laudrup-Dufour at the top. They were equally unanimous in their decision to place Daniel Bachmann Andersen and his impressive bay Vayron in second.

Bachmann Andersen was delighted with his horse’s performance: “Vayron felt amazing in the warm-up already; he had much more focus than in the Grand Prix, where he was a little fresh, and I made a mistake in the tempi changes. Today he was more settled and focused. He is a very sensitive horse, but the more the audience applauds, the better he performs. His self-confidence was at its highest today. I feel he is really starting to believe in himself.”

Maria von Essen, riding Invoice, a horse she has had since he was two and a half years old, claimed the third position. After winning the Grand Prix and finishing second in the Freestyle at last year’s FEI Dressage World Cup™ qualifier in Gothenburg, Von Essen was pleased to secure a podium finish in Herning’s strong field. Starting sixth, she managed to hold on to a top-three spot. “My horse felt just amazing today; he really rose to the occasion,” said von Essen, who borrowed an old Freestyle routine from Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, with whom she shares trainer Kyra Kyrklund. 

Tight Competition for the Top Spots

The competition for the remaining top spots was intense. German athlete Bianca Nowag-Aulenbrock came closest to breaking into the top three, riding the cheerful mare Florine OLD (owned by Elisabeth von Wulffen) to a solid fourth place with a harmonious performance.

Lone Bang Zindorff, representing Denmark, secured fifth place with Thranegaardens Rostov (owned by Bang Dressage Aps), just ahead of Germany’s Carina Scholz and her experienced seventeen-year-old partner Tarantino (owned by Sportpferde Scholz). Nadja Aaboe Sloth (DEN) guided her own Favour Gersdorf to another score in the 78% range, joining Zindorff, Scholz, and Merrald in a closely contested battle for the top spots. Ninth and tenth places went to German athletes Raphael Netz with Great Escape Camelot and Ingrid Klimke with First Class.

The FEI Dressage World Cup™ Western European League continues in two weeks in Lyon (FRA), where the second of eleven qualifiers this season will take place. With this strong start in Herning, the journey to the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2024 Final in Basel next year is well underway.

Don’t miss a hoofbeat….

FULL RESULTS

After the spectacular Jumping witnessed at the Olympic Games in Versailles, Western Europe now looks forward to the indoor season of top-level competition with the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™. This season, a series of 14 events will provide athletes with the opportunity to qualify for the Final in April next year, with the first leg taking place in Oslo (NOR), this Sunday, 20 October where athletes from 16 countries will compete.

Lining up for Switzerland, three-time Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final winner, Steve Guerdat – who is also currently number two in the Longines Rankings - will bring Is-Minka, Lancelotta, and Easy Star de Talma.  Last season, he finished 9th in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final with the 11-year-old mare Is-Minka, and this summer, he claimed individual silver at the Olympic Games in Paris with the 11-year-old mare Dynamix de Belheme, with whom he also became winner of the FEI Jumping European Championship in Milan (ITA) last year. 

The combination of Harrie Smolders (NED) and Monaco N.O.P., who finished second in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in both 2022 and 2023, is also listed for the opening event. Alongside the experienced 15-year-old gelding Monaco N.O.P., Smolders will bring the 11-year-old stallion Springfield 21, with whom he secured three podium finishes in international 5* competitions this year.

Also in the lineup is Belgian Gregory Wathelet (BEL). In 2023, as part of team Belgium, he claimed 3rd place with the13-year-old stallion Bond Jamesbond de Hay in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final. At the end of last season, he finished 10th in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final with the 14-year-old gelding Ace of Hearts.

Sweden’s Peder Fredricson is also a familiar face in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™, having finished 3rd in the final earlier this year with Catch Me Not S. This 18-year-old gelding was also part of the Swedish team that won bronze earlier this month at the Longines League of Nations™ Final.

Fredricson’s fellow Swede Henrik von Eckermann, world number one and winner of the previous two Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Finals with King Edward, has chosen not to compete at the opening event. As the defending champion, he is automatically qualified for the 2025 Final in April.  All eyes will still be on von Eckermann this season to see if he claims victory for a third time.

14 Events

The competition in Oslo is the first in a series of 14 events in Western Europe, where athletes can accumulate points with various horses to secure their spot in the Final. The top 18 Western European League athletes with the most points will qualify for the Final in Basel, Switzerland, from 2-6 April 2025, along with the best athletes from the other leagues. 

The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™, Western European League, kicks off on 20 October in Oslo (NOR), followed by Helsinki (FIN) a week later, and Lyon (FRA), Verona (ITA), and Stuttgart (GER) in November. December will feature four events in Madrid (ESP), A Coruña (ESP), London Excel (GBR), and Mechelen (BEL). 
In 2025, January will see competitions in Basel (SUI), Leipzig (GER), and Amsterdam (NED). February will conclude the qualifiers in Bordeaux (FRA) and Gothenburg (SWE). 

More info can be found HERE

The Agria Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials (GBR) has been awarded the FEI Eventing European Championship for 2025. The event will take place from 18 to 21 September 2025.

 

Photo caption: Paris 2024 Olympic Eventing team champion and individual bronze medallist Laura Collett (GBR) pictured riding Hested at the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials 2023. (c) Libby Law

 

The Oxfordshire venue, home of the Duke of Marlborough, previously ran the FEI Eventing European Championship in 2005. It is the first senior Eventing championship to be held in Great Britain since Blair Castle in 2015.

 

“It is a great honour to be bringing the FEI Eventing European Championship back to Britain,” said Event Organiser, Katrina Midgley of Stable Events, the organisers of Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials.

 

“Blenheim is such a fitting backdrop, with the Palace and the spectacular parkland cross country course, and we look forward to welcoming the teams and their supporters for a truly memorable occasion. Thanks must go to the teams at British Equestrian, FEI, British Eventing, Agria and UK Sport who have been instrumental in securing this exciting fixture.”

 

UK Sport’s Head of Major Events Esther Britten said, “Delivering major events like this continues to demonstrate the UK’s reputation as one of the world’s leading hosts, creating extraordinary sporting moments that reach, unite and inspire the nation.”

 

"We look forward to working collaboratively with the teams at Blenheim and the FEI on this exciting event which will showcase the best British athletes on home soil in a new location for us.”

 

It will be the 37^th running of the bi-annual FEI Eventing European Championship, which started in 1953, the 12^th occasion that Great Britain has been the host nation, and the 35^th anniversary of the first international horse trials at Blenheim.

 

“Blenheim is long established as a popular and beautiful Eventing venue and we are very much looking forward to the FEI Eventing European Championship taking place there,” FEI Eventing Director Catrin Norinder said.

 

The FEI Eventing European Championship has come a long way since its first edition in Badminton (GBR) in 1953 where the hosts took individual gold and silver as well as team gold.

 

British athletes have dominated the discipline since then, accumulating a total of 20 gold medals in the individual category, more than all other nations combined, including two very high profile wins by members of the British Royal Family – The Princess Royal in 1971 and her daughter Zara Tindall née Phillips in 2005. The combination of Germany and the Federal Republic of Germany has won 27 individual medals (six golds).

 

In the team category, the British have also been in leading position, winning gold in 24 out of the 36 editions of this Event. France is the second nation with the most team titles, totalling 18, while Germany has achieved 17 team medals, six of which are gold.

 

At the most recent FEI Eventing European Championship, held in Le Pin au Haras (FRA) in 2023, Rosalind Canter (GBR) and her horse Lordships Graffalo, along with Team Great Britain, were crowned champions.

 

Next year will be Agria's first as title sponsor. “Could there be a more thrilling way to celebrate the third UK birthday of our game-changing lifetime equine insurance than by becoming Blenheim's title sponsor for the 2025 Agria FEI Eventing European Championships?” said Vicki Wentworth, Chief Executive of Agria UK. “Agria celebrates another birthday next year — the 135^th since it was founded in Sweden — and we can’t wait to host the best riders in Europe — plus owners and horse fans from far and wide — to Blenheim on its 35^th anniversary. It’s a brilliant event that always produces a memorable competition."

The Cross-Country course conditions played to the Irish strengths this weekend, as an experienced quartet claimed their second FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ win of the season. After winning their home event in Millstreet (IRL), their victory in this the final leg of the Series in Boekelo (NED), came down to some masterful jumping performances in the Cross-Country and Jumping phases. Their finishing score of 102.6 penalties put them well out in front of Team USA on a final total of 116.1, with Germany trailing in third on 131.9.

Eleven teams came forward to compete in this CCIO4* long-format competition which saw a real shake-up in the leaderboard after the Dressage phase. The Netherlands who once again played host to this popular and thrilling Nations Cup finale, finished in ninth spot on 298.9 penalties.

After several weeks of rain affecting the ground conditions, the Organisers had to make a number of changes to the Cross-Country course. With horse and athlete welfare in mind, a loop of the course was removed by Course Designer Adrian Ditcham, to ensure footing throughout. 

The Irish team consisted of three members of the team who competed at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games this summer: Susie Berry, Aoife Clarke and Austin O’Connor were joined by the equally experienced and previous Olympian Padraig McCarthy. Three solid and speedy Cross-Country rounds from Berry, Clarke and McCarthy meant they rose from sixth after the Dressage, to pole position going into the final Jumping phase. With just a fence in hand between them and second placed USA, they kept their cool, with Berry and McCarthy jumping clear rounds and Clark taking just one rail, to finish decisive winners of this long-format competition.

Speaking after their performance, Clarke summed up emotions in the Irish camp. “It’s been a brilliant week. The team have performed top of their game, and this win means so much. You can see when we came out (of the prize giving), we were all just over the moon with it. It is a great way to end the year and exciting for next year.” 

“We like mud. The Irish are good in mud.”

Aoife Clarke
(IRL)

Of the 93 combinations that started in the CCIO 4*-L competition, 72 rode through the Cross-Country finish. Course Designer Adrian Ditcham praised the team at Boekelo for their efforts to ensure a successful competition which offered enough excitement for athletes and spectators and he was delighted with how it went overall. 

“It has been a tough week for myself and the team. Some of the things we had to change to get the right footing were absolutely the right decision. When we made those changes to take out the loop in the first part of the course so that changed the balance of the course, but overall, it went great today, I am very pleased with that”.

Irish rider Clarke, spoke highly of the Nations Cup Series and particularly this crescendo to the season. “The Nations Cup final here in Boekelo is a huge deal and it means a huge amount to anyone competing. It has a real weight to it that is more than some of the individual legs. They (the Organisers) have really done well here, there’s a great atmosphere- it’s built up to a really fun end of the competition. I love Boekelo and would come back every year if I had a horse for it- I love the enthusiasm of the supporters and the work that went in to getting the Cross-Country right. The ground rode well yesterday. It was testing but it held up really well and the work they have done is just unbelievable.”

Team France were overall leaders in the final standings of the 2024 Nations Cup Series with 425 points. Having finished in the top three at four out of five of the legs they entered, they finished well ahead of Germany in second on 320 points. Great Britain were third on 300 points. 

A total of 15 teams competed in The FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ Series this year, which will return to the calendar in 2025.

FULL RESULTS

STANDINGS

Image: FEI / Libby Law Photography