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Delighting the passionate crowd at the Palexpo Arena, Bram Chardon (NED) swept to victory at the 5th leg of the FEI Driving World Cup™ 2023-24 series in Geneva (SUI). It was his third win in a row at the Swiss event which he states is one of his favourites and his first choice when selecting his fixtures ahead of the season.
The warm sentiment is reciprocated by the show where large images of the Dutchman and his horses are featured on the walls around venue.
Surprising even himself with his time of 141.97 in the drive-off over Johan Jacobs’ (NED) technical course, Bram said that he had anticipated improving on his times from the first day but hadn’t expected to be quite so fast on his final round. With no penalties to add, he ended on a time only score, 11.16 in front.
When asked during the press conference what was the secret to his speedy but smooth drive-off, Bram replied, “I saw the other drivers and they gave me a little space because Dries had a knock-down at the last obstacle and Koos made a mistake in the first marathon obstacle, so they didn’t put full pressure on me. I felt in the first round the horses were very sharp and now later in the season, I definitely want to push them more, which I tried today in the drive-off – but I wasn’t expecting to be 3 seconds faster! The public helped to cheer the horses on and it was a good, technical course to drive. My team are now in very good shape!”
The margin between first and second place in competition one on Saturday afternoon was much tighter - only 0.17 - as Bram and second placed Dries Degrieck (BEL) both knocked a ball and added four penalties to their closely matched times. On Sunday, Dries maintained his consistency and secured another drive-off place in competition two, and although the time was his quickest, he caught the edge of the last cone to add four and end on 153.13.
“In my first round today I really tried to be in the top three, but we couldn’t give our all because we needed to be a little bit safe. In the drive-off I tried to do my best, but I had a knock down at number 15. But I’m really happy and we did really well.” – Dries Degrieck (BEL)
Third slot on both days went to Koos de Ronde, who changed horses between the competitions in response to the requirements of the course, which included a hill and two runs through the water. Despite a promising start in the drive-off on Sunday, he went through the D-gate in marathon obstacle number five directly after A, so added 20 penalties to the two balls and time, and end on 189.33.
“Dries drove a good round (in the drive-off) and my team felt very good in the first round so I thought okay, I’m going to go for it! In the beginning it was great but in the first obstacle I had a small miscommunication with the horses and we didn’t turn sharply enough. The leaders were thinking so quickly that they thought they had to go into the D-gate and because we were going so fast, we were too late to correct it and we got 20 penalties, so all I could do was go on and finish the course!” – Koos de Ronde (NED)
One of the biggest grins of the weekend came from fourth placed Anthony Horde (FRA) who had the wild card ticket. Improving on his first day placing of fifth and building on the experience gained at the opening event in Lyon (FRA), his smile stayed in place from the end of his round until he exited the arena after the prize giving.
A firm favourite with the patriotic audience, Jérôme Voutaz (SUI) and his Swiss horses were up on the clock but slightly off lines and the errors added 40 to his time on Sunday to put him fifth. Sixth place on both days went to Georg von Stein (GER) who had a better first day than second, and alongside Koos, will be travelling to London (GBR) for the sixth leg next weekend. Also in London will be Ijsbrand Chardon (NED), Glenn Geerts (BEL) and Mareike Harm (GER), joined by Boyd Exell and Daniel Naprous (GBR) as the wild cards.
The Geneva results have changed the order in the series ranking with Bram propelled into second place having earned a maximum 20 points from his two recent wins as a qualified driver. Boyd remains in front on 25 after three eligible events, with Koos and Michael tying in third on 17, and Ijsbrand fourth on 14. The places will undoubtedly change until the last round at the last leg in Leipzig (GER) in mid-January, but on current form, it looks like it will be a tussle between recent champions Bram and Boyd for the first position going into the final. It’s possible that they will tie for top place, but that will be decided in due course.
After two successful weekends when he and his horses have been in top form, Bram will take a break until his next event at the 7th leg in Mechelen (BEL) at the end of the year. There he will go head-to-head with Boyd, but they will be challenged by the on-form Dries, Michael and Koos. With only three places in a drive-off, the competition for podium places is going to be fierce.
An international expert panel gathered by the FEI Medical Committee has put forward a set of key proposals to strengthen the current testing standards for equestrian helmets as a means to enhance the safety of athletes in equestrian sport.
Tasked with reviewing current equestrian helmet testing standards and related scientific literature, the FEI Helmet Working Group was established in April 2023 and is made up of a panel of international experts including engineers, standards experts, medical doctors, helmet manufacturers, athletes and representatives from horse racing.
“While the FEI continues to work on reducing horse and rider falls, measures are needed in parallel to reduce the risk of significant injury when falls do occur. The FEI Helmet Working Group focused on how helmets could be even more effective at reducing the risk of serious head injuries,” FEI Medical Committee Chair Dr. Mark Hart explained.
“There are currently different testing standards around the world for equestrian helmets, with different criteria. Moreover, some of the protocols currently used for testing helmets may not reflect the research and technological advancements that have been made over the past several years.
“Helmet requirements are very sport specific. And, as the International Federation for equestrian sport, we believe that it is our duty to take the lead on assisting manufacturers with creating helmets that specifically cater to the demands of our sport and better protect our athletes’ heads.
“The Working Group has diligently reviewed the existing testing standards as well as the relevant scientific literature, and we are confident that their conclusions will provide a clearer and more robust framework for manufacturers producing helmets in the equestrian industry.”
Following an initial in-person meeting and frequent online discussions, the FEI Helmet Working Group arrived at the following key conclusions:
The FEI Helmet Working Group’s technical recommendations, which are published on the FEI’s website, will now be shared with the helmet manufacturing and testing industries for feedback. The FEI intends to work collaboratively with manufacturers and helmet standard bodies to achieve these goals, which should be viewed as a new, quickly achievable step forward in allowing helmets to further reduce the transmitted energy to the brain when a fall occurs. Meanwhile, the FEI Helmet Working Group will continue their efforts to improve helmet effectiveness as new research and technology become available.
"The progress made by the Working Group represents a significant leap forward not only for athletes in our sport, but also for the entire equestrian industry”, FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.
“Our vision is that the FEI Helmet Safety Working Group’s conclusions marks the start of a journey that will see the international sport governing body contributing to the elaboration of increasingly safer helmet testing standards meeting both the athletes’ needs and the interests of the manufacturers.”
Editor’s note
As part of the FEI's commitment to athlete safety, the FEI has supported since 2012 the International Conference on Concussion in Sport, which has been held every four years since 1997. A peer-reviewed consensus statement is published six months after each meeting, summarising evidence-informed principles of concussion prevention, assessment and management, and emphasises the areas requiring more research. The FEI was a member of the conference Organising Committee for the 2016 and 2022 editions.
The highly-anticipated Longines League of Nations™ series proudly unveils the ten equestrian nations set to compete in this brand-new international team Jumping spectacle. This groundbreaking series, set to kick off in Abu Dhabi (UAE) in February 2024, reimagines the storied history of the FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ with a unique, unified, and global format.
The revamped series is set to make history, introducing a fresh approach to the age-old tradition of nation vs. nation competition, which dates back to 1909. The Longines League of Nations™ will see the top ten teams from around the world competing at four qualifying events, culminating in the grand Final, where the top eight teams will vie to become the first in history to hoist the Longines League of Nations™ trophy.
10 Teams in the Spotlight
At the top of the Longines League of Nations™ Ranking is Ireland, a nation with extensive experience and success in the history of the Nations Cup. Following closely behind are the United States of America, France, Germany, Switzerland, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, and Brazil, each bringing their unique blend of talent, skill, and national pride, and setting the stage for an intense series.
The ten confirmed teams, along with their ranking points which secured their participation in the Series, and the Chefs d’equipe are:
1. Ireland (IRL) – 13834 pts. Chef d’equipe: Michael Blake
2. United States of America (USA) – 13532 pts. Chef d’equipe: Robert Ridland
3. France (FRA) – 12890 pts. Chef d’equipe: Henk Nooren
4. Germany (GER) – 12876 pts. Chef d’equipe: Otto Becker
5. Switzerland (SUI) – 12514 pts. Chef d’equipe: Peter Van Der Waaij
6. Great Britain (GBR) – 12045 pts. Chef d’equipe: Di Lampard
7. Netherlands (NED) – 11957 pts. Chef d’equipe: Jos Lansink
8. Belgium (BEL) – 11552 pts. Chef d’equipe: Peter Weinberg
9. Sweden (SWE) – 10237 pts. Chef d’equipe: Henrik Ankarcrona
10. Brazil (BRA) – 9289 pts. Chef d’equipe: Pedro Paulo Lacerda
The full rankings can be seen HERE.
National Pride, Global Competition, Universal Enthusiasm
In anticipation of the series that kicks off in February 2024, the National Federations have expressed their enthusiasm at being a part of the inaugural season, recognising its significance and value for the global equestrian community.
As second-highest qualifiers, USA’s Chef d’equipe Robert Ridland said,
"We have always believed that Nations Cups form the bedrock of the sport of Jumping, and from the beginning we have been tremendously supportive of the FEI’s initiative to revitalise and strengthen the Longines series”
Robert Ridland (USA)
He added that they would be using the team events both as valuable experience for both younger riders, as well as incorporating those competitions into the preparation process for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Incoming Swiss Chef d’equipe Peter de Waaij echoes this, and is looking forward to his team navigating the thrill and challenge of new venues such as Abu Dhabi and Ocala, whilst pursuing a podium spot at their home venue of St Gallen.
“The new format with four riders in the first round and three riders in the second round adds an extra challenge as well, and definitely does not make it easier for a Chef d’equipe! It could lead to some difficult decisions and it is hard to predict the outcome; we have seen over the years many times that the result in the first round is no guarantee for the second round. It is an interesting new aspect to the Nations Cup format, and fans will find it very exciting to see if their nation can climb the ranks.”
The Brazilian National Federation sees this invitation as one of significant importance, as the Secretary General Tatiana Gutirrez points out that “it provides us with the opportunity to compete on par with the best nations globally, especially on the eve of the 2024 Paris Olympics,”.
British Chef d’equipe Di Lampard voiced optimism for the series, emphasising the crucial role the FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ has traditionally played in their championship preparations.
“This new team competition format will provide fresh opportunities to develop our athletes – both human and equine – against some of the best Jumping nations in the world, and I look forward to seeing what they can bring to the table,” Lampard says, adding that their focus will be on maintaining momentum and securing a hotly-contested place at the Longines League of Nations™ Final in Barcelona (ESP).
The Belgian National Federation says that “The prospect of the top 10 countries competing in four competitions promises top-class sport, and we are honoured to be part of it as a country," anticipating the upcoming series as “the most beautiful competitions”, which are very much alive and followed in Belgium, as well as in Netherlands, where Sports Director Iris Boelhouwer promises that “[TeamNL] will do everything possible to get a strong competitive team at all the events, with the Final in Barcelona as our main goal.”
This sentiment is supported by the Germans through Chef d'equipe, Otto Becker, who says this series “represents the most important format, in my opinion,” with general secretary Soenke Lauterbach rightfully praising “the tremendous support of Longines” in the Series.
Henrik Ankarcrona, the Swedish Chef d’equipe, promises a stronger-than-ever team to be joining the 2024 league, saying that they have been improving steadily and look forward to the experience that the upcoming series will offer, while emphasising their prioritising of the equine athletes in line with FEI’s code of conduct;
“Our goal is obviously to win as much as possible - it always is - with the best horse-rider combinations presented in a good way to always put the horse first. This series is exciting and unique and we also hope the media will pick this up and share the excitement building up towards a big final.”
Henrik Ankarcrona (SWE)
Sophie Dubourg, Technical Director at the French Equestrian Federation, emphasised their delight at being able to compete as a measure of the excellent work and continued dedication throughout the year of athletes, horses, teams, owners, sponsors, and staff.
“For any athlete, being able to defend their country’s colours is an honour, and with the new simplified series format, we are up for this dynamic and competitive challenge where national pride is on the line.”
For top qualifier Ireland the pressure is on - and Horse Sport Ireland Show Jumping High Performance Director Michael Blake says they are ready.
“To win a Nations Cup has always been up there for me as the highest honour, and Ireland will be looking forward to putting our best foot forward to cement that position throughout the Longines League of Nations™. As always, it will be exceptional competition, and I’m excited to be pitting my wits against the best Chefs d’equipe in the world,” in what Blake anticipates to be fantastic and fierce sport in 2024.
Stronger Together
FEI President Ingmar De Vos said;
“We are delighted to confirm that all the invited nations have accepted to take part in the inaugural series of the Longines League of Nations™. Being one of the ten is a remarkable achievement, and a testament to the athletes, owners, grooms, Chefs d’equipe, support teams, trainers, and National Federations working together. This is a team effort and is what the Longines League of Nations™ is all about, working together to achieve something greater than any individual performance. My congratulations go to all contributors.
“We anticipate a thrilling series and are collaborating with Organisers to provide the optimal platform for this showcase of team talent. I extend thanks to our esteemed Top Partner, Longines, for their support and commitment to this historic series, symbolising everything we hold dear in our equestrian community."
Ingmar De Vos. (FEI President)
As we eagerly count down the 63 days to the inaugural Longines League of Nations™ series, the excitement and anticipation for this revolutionary chapter in equestrian history continues to build. With ten powerhouse nations poised to showcase their equestrian prowess on the global stage, the series promises a unique and exhilarating blend of tradition and innovation.
Longines League of Nations™ 2024 Schedule
11 February: Abu Dhabi (UAE)
23 March: Ocala, FL (USA)
31 May: St. Gallen (SUI)
21 June: Rotterdam (NED)
6 October: Barcelona (ESP) - Final
Check the Longines League of Nations Hub here
In a puzzling competition that seemed to defy any logic, Britain’s Harry Charles and his 10-year-old gelding Sherlock won through with a thrilling last-to-go run at the seventh leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2023/2024 Western European League at A Coruña in Spain tonight.
Even the super-talented 24-year-old rider who has twice made the cut to the series Final and who is currently ranked 14th in the world was taken by surprise with how things worked out today. After leaving Javier Trenor’s 13-fence first course intact he already felt he had achieved a lot with his relatively untried horse.
“He’s very green at this level, it’s only his second or third 1.60m class so I’m delighted to have a clear with him and I’m just going to give him a nice trip in the jump-off.
“I’m not going to try any heroics and try and win or anything. It’s more a building round for the future for him. We’ll see how the others go in front of me, I’ve got a good draw and I’ll try and jump another clear and be tight where I can. But I won’t be a danger to any of the other guys!”, he said.
He was so wrong.
By the time he would return to the ring only two of the 14 that made the cut into the second round had managed to leave all the fences up, so Austria’s Max Kuhner and EIC Julius Caesar were already guaranteed at least second spot with the quickest round to date in 45.69 seconds. And Spain’s Armando Trapote was already guaranteed at least third when foot-perfect once again with the feisty little Tornado VS who crossed the line in 45.98. At the end of the day that’s where they would both stay.
Target
The jump-off began with an eight-fault result for Switzerland’s Barbara Schnieper and Carnice and then Belgium’s Pieter Devos looked like setting a strong target with Mom’s Toupie de la Roque only to leave the very last fence on the floor. From there on it would be the turn to the two remaining elements of the triple combination at fence seven that would create most difficulty, Italy’s Emanuele Camilli (Odense Odeveld), Sweden’s Evelina Tovek (Moeboetoe v/d Roshoeve), Spain’s Santiago Nunez Riva (Chakira Z) and The Netherlands’ Leopold van Asten (VDL Groep Iron Z) all faulting there before world number one, Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann (Glamour Girl) lowered just the second fence, the vertical at fence three, in a fast time of 42.17 seconds.
With seven still to go it seemed a clear must surely be soon on the horizon, but both Germany’s Christian Ahlmann (Mandato van de Neerheide) and Spain’s Mariano Martinez Bastida (Belano vd Wijnhoeve Z) didn’t get it right at the oxer off the turn from fence three, while it was the bogey first element of fence seven that penalised Italy’s Lorenzo de Luca (F One USA).
With four left to go the crowd went wild when Armando Trapote brought the aptly-named Tornado home with the first clear of the jump-off in 45.98 seconds, and then Kuhner and Julius Caesar followed suit in the faster time of 45.69, their super turn to the third-last giving them the advantage. The penultimate pair, Dutchman Willem Greve and Highway TV NOP, looked set to take a mighty lead only to hit the very last in 42.57 seconds, and then it was down to Charles.
History
He has some history with this leg of the Western European League at A Coruna which this year was celebrating its seventh edition. Twelve months ago, in stark contrast, just two horse-and-rider combinations made the cut to the jump-off and, riding Casquo Blue, the young Briton had to settle for runner-up spot behind Germany’s Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann and Messi van’t Ruytershof. He was suddenly presented with the opportunity to put that to rights.
“These are the jump-offs you always find yourself sitting and watching but you never seem to be in it, but luckily today I was in it and I couldn’t quite believe it - poles were coming down all over the place!
“When I saw that then my perspective started changing, maybe we could do something here, but it was still a very big ask to get him to go in and do what he did - I really can’t believe it. I’m lost for words for Sherlock! He’s just an incredible horse!”, said Charles after storming to victory with a clear in 44.92 seconds.
“It probably wasn’t the prettiest round I’ve ever ridden, I had to hustle and bustle a little bit and when I finished the emotion came out a little bit but I couldn’t really help it because I couldn’t quite believe it!”, he added after punching the air with delight.
Kuhner also has some history with this event, finishing third behind Charles last year with Up Too Jacco Blue. He was more than pleased with his second-place finish today with his promising nine-year-old.
There were no clears posted before the Austrian rider set off, twelfth to go in the jump-off, but he said he has great trust in this horse and he was determined to show his potential. “He’s young but he has a lot of quality so usually he really likes to be clear. So I speeded up a little bit but I didn’t take a big, big risk and he jumped fantastic again! He has all the rideability, I just need to let it out. He’s really a horse for the future”, said the world number nine rider.
Impression
Third-place Armando Trapote is at the other end of the spectrum, currently ranked 264 but making a huge impression over the last year thanks to some great performances with the sparky 12-year-old gelding Tornado VS.
After jumping clear in the first round the Spanish rider said with great modesty “my horse is really fast and he’s really good, the doubt is if I’m good enough to be as good as the other riders because I’m not even close to them! But I have a good horse and I will try!”
Tornado certainly didn’t let him down. “It’s fantastic and I’m very proud of him, he gave everything and I tried my best, it was a fantastic result for me! I was eleventh to go and there were no clears so I just tried to be clear. A little bit fast but not crazy and that’s what I did!”, said the man whose ranking however belies the individual 15th-place finish he achieved together with his slight little gelding at the FEI Jumping European Championship 2023 in Milan (ITA) this summer. They haven’t come out of nowhere.
Meanwhile Charles was delighted with his win with a horse who is still only learning his trade. “He’s like my baby, I’ve had him since he was a five-year-old and I’ve done everything with him. I can’t tell you how proud I am of him!
“Maybe he came up a bit quicker than I thought he would. I really used the last few shows as developing shows for him and he had two down in Madrid last weekend but the feeling was actually really good and he did it with ease. And then straightaway next weekend he comes and wins this one! In another six months he’s going to be a very dangerous horse to have!”, he said, very happy to have added another big winner to his string.
The British rider has now moved into pole position on the Western European League table ahead of fellow-countryman and reigning Olympic champion Ben Maher in second place while defending series champion and world number one, Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann, lies third going into the next leg in London (GBR) in two weeks’ time.
Don’t miss a hoofbeat…..
Declared “King of Stockholm” by the announcer in the Friends Arena in Stockholm (SWE), Bram Chardon (NED) earned the honour after an incredible win in the 4th leg of the 2023-24 FEI Driving World Cup™.
Although it was Bram’s second event of the series following his wild card ticket in Maastricht (NED), it was his first opportunity as a qualified driver to earn ranking points towards a coveted place at the final in February.
Accurately steering his supple, on-point grey horses through the course while maintaining a business-like pace and keeping all the elements in place, Bram drove four clear rounds to finish on time-only scores. After winning competition one on Friday night by a well-judged but slim margin, he went even faster on Saturday to win the all-important second drive-off at the Sweden International Horse Show.
“This was a unique experience and I now understand why the drivers are so keen to come to Stockholm. The course was very nice, the organisers did everything to make us perform well and the public was spectacular!
The other drivers put the pressure on, but I knew there was a little window after yesterday and I took 10 seconds off my time which was a bit of a surprise, but if the horses want to go, then you have to let them and you don’t hold them back.
This was my first competition for the points, and I have collected the full ten points towards Bordeaux, so I am on my way – but I’m not there yet!” Bram Chardon said.
From his opening round time of 161.48 over Johan Jacobs (NED) 15-obstacle course, Bram finished Saturday’s drive-off on 151.01. His horses worked consistently as a united team and there were no questions or errors, unlike his final drive-off in Maastricht when an extra loop in the first marathon-style obstacle handed victory to his old adversary Boyd Exell (AUS).
Despite three wins in the first three events of the current series and having won in Stockholm for the last six years, a seventh win seemed likely, but it wasn’t to be Boyd’s weekend. He was only 0.6 seconds behind Bram in Friday’s drive-off and although the time difference between them was small, the psychological difference was large, as the tables turned in Bram’s favour.
With only the top three drivers in both drive-offs, Boyd made Saturday’s final round by a slim margin over Belgium’s Glenn Geerts. While Boyd is often at his most competitive when coming from behind, this weekend the pressure seemed to tell and he clipped cone number four followed by another ball in marathon obstacle number five, which added eight points to his decent time of 152.85.
Following him into the arena was Germany’s Michael Brauchle who is always fast. Putting the error of course from Friday night’s drive-off behind him, when he finished third despite an additional 24 points added to his time, on Saturday’s final round he left the balls in place and got the routes right. Speeding through the finish gates in a time of 160.29, he beat Boyd’s total by a mere 0.56. It was enough to give Michael a career-high second place and seven ranking points towards his quest to reach the final.
Mareike Harm (GER) and Glenn Geerts (BEL), two drivers who use their outdoor horses on the indoor circuit, traded fourth and fifth places between the two competitions. Both have been featured in short, behind-the-scenes films and both talk about the value of the close bonds they share with their horses.
Completing the line-up was wild card Fredrik Persson (SWE) who had a better first night than second but held his own admirably against the five qualified athletes.
It was a long, snowbound road to Stockholm for the Driving entourage who endured freezing conditions as winter arrived in Northern Europe. Despite the chill, the Christmas decorations in the Friends Arena helped to create a warm and festive family-friendly tone which added to the appreciative atmosphere amongst the 10,000 strong crowd.
Bram’s interviews during the prize givings on both nights gave a glimpse into how much the wins at his first event in Stockholm meant. He said that next year it’s going to be a fight between him and his father Ijsbrand to decide who gets to drive there!
Next weekend the series moves to the glitzy CHI de Genève when Bram will be up against Koos de Ronde (NED), Dries Degrieck (BEL), Georg von Stein (GER), Jérôme Voutaz (SUI) and Anthony Horde (FRA). Geneva is a special show for Bram as he has won there for the last two years and after this weekend’s masterclass, it would be hard to bet against him repeating the success, earning another ten points and edging closer to the final.
As to what happens when Boyd and Bram next meet? We will have to wait and see…
Chilean athletes showcased exceptional performance in the Valparaíso region (CHI) competition, securing their dominance. Local contenders clinched an impressive three out of the four gold medals up for grabs. The Brazilian Young Riders & Juniors team, however, thwarted a potential clean sweep by Chile, securing the remaining gold medal.
Check the full podiums:
Individual Podium - Seniors
1° Martin Garcia Lazo / Si Quililche (CHI)
2° Lukas Buckel / Chella Angostura (CHI)
3° Jose Caio Frisoni / Stud Brasil Itajara (BRA)
Team Podium - Seniors
1° Chile (Martin Garcia Lazo & Si Quililche / Lukas Buckel & Chella Angostura / Vicente Mayol & Alcazar Praga / Josefina Paz Maturana & Suffa / Cristobal Larrain & Jota)
Individual Podium – Young Riders & Juniors
1° Vicente Larrain / HF Eva (CHI)
2° Amelia Larrain / HC Tia Haydee (CHI)
3° Diogo de Oliveira / CP Latifa (BRA)
Team Podium – Individual Riders & Juniors
1° Brazil (Diogo de Oliveira & CP Latifa / Rodrigo Storani & Miranda Rach / Helena Haaland & Valente Heb / Arthur Leonel Machado & Mojito HSSK)
Images & Content: Free images for editorial purposes are available from the FEI Flickr account in the photostream and in the dedicated album.
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About Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) www.fei.org
The FEI is the world governing body for horse sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and was founded in 1921. Equestrian sport has been part of the Olympic movement since the 1912 Games in Stockholm.
The FEI is the sole controlling authority for all international events in the Olympic sports of Jumping, Dressage and Eventing, as well as Driving, Endurance and Vaulting.
The FEI became one of the first international sports governing bodies to govern and regulate global para sport alongside its seven able-bodied disciplines when Para Dressage joined its ranks in 2006. The FEI now governs all international competitions for Para Dressage and Para Driving.
Media contacts:
Didier Montes Kienle
Manager, Sport Communications & Media Relations
didier.montes@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 21
On an afternoon filled with thrills and surprises, German star Marcus Ehning galloped to victory with his relatively new ride Coolio 42 at the sixth leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2023/2024 Western European League in Madrid, Spain today.
From a starting field of 39, a total of 10 made the cut into the second-round jump-off where the track set by Spanish course designer Javier Trenor created even more excitement.
Included in the final showdown were two from Spain, Mariano Martinez Bastida who is ranked 101st in the world and Teresa Blazquez-Abascal ranked 319th, and they didn’t disappoint when filling third and ninth places in the final analysis.
But it was Ehning, currently ranked 39th but holder of the number one slot on more than one occasion during his spectacular career, who would carry away the maximum 20 points when pinning reigning Olympic champion, Great Britain’s Ben Maher, into runner-up spot with Enjeu de Grisien.
Ehning is only 49, but his list of accomplishments goes back a long way including Olympic team gold at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, five European team titles and three World Cup victories, the first recorded with Anka in Las Vegas (USA) in 2003. Now, 21 years later, he looks well on his way to his 21st FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final.
Today’s Madrid success was not his first.
“Winning here for the third time means I am getting old, but I am still here!”, he said. “I really like the show in Madrid and I am happy to come back every year!”
French contenders
There were four hot French contenders in the second-round decider and the first was pathfinder Jeanne Sadran who, at just 22 years old, is clearly a rising star. Showing great maturity she set the standard with a lovely tour of the twisting eight-fence jump-off course in 45.11 seconds with the 10-year-old stallion Dexter de Kerglenn who never looked under pressure.
Brazil’s Pedro Veniss was next to set off with the 14-year-old Boeckmanns Lord Pezi Junior but two fences down would leave them out of the reckoning before Martinez Bastida whipped his home crowd into a frenzy when clear with Belano vd Wijnhoeve Z. His time of 43.06 might have been faster, but he seemed to lose his line to the final oxer with a last-minute adjustment to the left and, as it would turn out, he wouldn’t be the only one to make an error of judgement there.
Next in, Frenchman Olivier Robert had a pole down with Igelesias DV but, fifth to go, Maher made no mistake, bringing the nine-year-old Enjeu de Grisien through the timers in 42.38 seconds to put it up to the rest of them.
Super-fast Frenchman, Julien Epaillard, was no threat to the British rider’s lead with two down with Donatello D’Auge. But Ehning followed with a fabulous tour of the track that shaved a quarter of a second off Maher’s target time, balancing his horse beautifully on the tricky turn to the penultimate vertical and on full power down to the final oxer to put a zero in 42.13 seconds on the board to go out in front.
Far from decided
With three to go it seemed the result was far from decided, but World number one, Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann with the grey mare Calizi, left one on the floor in the quickest time of 41.02 seconds before the final Frenchman, and last weekend’s winner in Stuttgart (GER) Kevin Staut, set sail with the experienced 14-year-old mare Visconti du Telman.
And they were looking very dangerous indeed until, to the disbelief of the crowd, they also seemed to mistake the bending line to the final oxer at fence eight like the earlier Spanish pair who, however, managed to rectify the situation at the last minute. It was too late when Staut realised he was heading instead for fence 13, the second fence on the new track which he had already jumped, and it was elimination when Visconti took it on anyway and sent the standards and poles flying in every direction.
Staut shook his head with disbelief at what had just happened, leaving the arena with a wry smile on his face.
Last to go, Teresa Blasquez-Abascal and her 10-year-old mare Nasa de Toxandria gave it their best shot for two fences down in a good time of 44.95, more than pleased to have battled it out with some distinction against the very best in the sport.
For the winner, Ehning, today’s victory was particularly special. “I was very happy with my horse today. It is only his second World Cup so I am very pleased with him”, he said.
Promise
He only acquired Coolio in August, and already the pair are showing great promise together. The horse was produced from a youngster up to 5* level by fellow-German Marcel Marschall who competed him in the German side that finished third at the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ 2023 at St Gallen in Switzerland in June. “I’m really happy to have him to ride alongside Stargold”, Ehning added today.
Maher, who won the Western European League qualifier in Verona, Italy two weeks ago wasn’t disappointed with his second-place finish this time out. He’s enjoying a spectacular end to the year with his string, and said of Enjeu de Grisien, “it’s just his second 5* Grand Prix and the first time at that level trying to go quick”.
Reflecting on his jump-off round he pointed out, “I did everything I could, there were one or two places that didn’t go exactly as I wanted but it was a difficult course in the jump-off. We saw some amazing riders make mistakes, and Marcus just got me there at the last jump I think!”
Maher missed much of the early-season shows this year after injuring himself in a fall, but that has left him with a huge amount of fire-power now, later in the season.
More indoor shows
“I’m doing more indoor shows than I have in the past. I had a quiet start to the year which enables me with the bigger team of horses to compete more this time of year. I’m lucky I can rotate them and pick which horse will suit which arena, and the whole team is riding with confidence and that’s showing in the results at the moment”, said the man who has now risen to the very top of the Western European League table ahead of the next leg of the series in La Coruna, Spain next weekend.
Ehning meanwhile is still talking low-key about his plans for the remainder of the winter season. After today’s victory he said, “I would like to continue like this, but it is not so easy!”
Qualifying for the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final 2024 which will take place in Riyadh (KSA), next April is definitely on his agenda “I will try to qualify for the Final and at the moment I am in a good position, so I hope I keep having good results”, said the man who is one of just five three-time FEI World Cup champions and who gave one of his masterclasses in horsemanship to post yet another memorable victory today.
The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2023/2024…..don’t miss a hoofbeat…
There’s nothing quite like a home win, and today Spain’s Jose Daniel Martin Dockx and the 13-year-old stallion Malagueno Lxxxiiii thrilled the home crowd with a superb victory at the fourth leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2023/2024 Western European League in Madrid (ESP).
Fourth-last to go in the field of 13 starters, they threw down the gauntlet from the very beginning of their Freestyle performance when moving straight into canter pirouette followed by tempi changes. And their foot-perfect piaffe/passage and seamless transitions between the two movements consistently boosted their scoreline to the winning mark of 80.870.
Yesterday the pair had to settle for third in the Grand Prix behind the French runners-up Morgan Barbançon and Sir Donnerhall ll OLD and Germany’s Matthias Alexander Rath and Destacado FRH at the head of affairs. But today Rath had to settle for second place with a score of 79.720 while Spain’s Beatriz Ferrer-Salat and Elegance lined up in third when putting 78.425 on the board and Barbançon slotted into fourth spot.
Martin Dockx could feel the improvement in his horse today. “The pirouettes, especially the one to the right was better, the relaxation was also a bit better, the changes felt more relaxed and I think all those things made a little bit of a difference between yesterday and today - I’m really very, very happy!”, he said this evening.
Surpassed
Once the eventual winners had surpassed Barbançon’s target score of 78.030 it was down to the final three to overtake them. And with too many mistakes fellow-Spaniard Jose Antonio Garcia Mena and Gladiador Do Lis did not present a threat when putting down a score of 75.330, although they finished strongly with marks of 8 and 9 towards the end of their test.
Rath and Destacado were the penultimate partnership but couldn’t quite make the 80 percent mark, although Rath was so pleased with his 10-year-old stallion’s performance that he clapped with delight after his final halt. And when Ferrer-Salat finished just behind him it was Martin Dockx who took centre stage at the post-competition press conference which was conducted in front of an eager and enthusiastic public audience.
This was only Malagueno’s fourth Freestyle today. “We made one in Aachen (GER), one in the Championship of Spain, and one last year in Sicab (Seville) and my expectation was that if I could be third like I was yesterday in the Grand Prix it would be great to be on the podium again. But today the Freestyle went really well so we are very, very happy and proud of the horse!”, the 49-year-old Spanish rider said.
He said Malagueno is a lovely character. “He is super nice and super sweet, I can put my little daughter on him, he’s not scared of anything yet he has enough power to do Grand Prix - so he is very special!”
The pair were in the Spanish team at the FEI Dressage World Championship in Herning (DEN) last year and at the FEI Dressage European Championship in Riesenbeck (GER) this summer.
“I see such an improvement in him now. In the beginning the difficulty was that he was always too tense, he’s a very sensitive horse with a lot of power and he wants to give you all he has and sometimes he can’t control the power. Now he’s getting more relaxed and making it more easy for both of us!”, Martin Dockx explained.
Breed
Malagueno is an Andalusian, a distinct breed also known as a PRE or Pure Spanish Horse (pura raza española) whose history can be traced all the way back to the 15th century. The stallion’s next outing will be at Sicab 2023 in Seville (ESP) next week.
“We have to be there because we have to make a good representation of our breed because people from all over the world come to this show! Then he will have a break that he deserves and then we would like to go to the World Cup in Doha (QAT) in February”, Martin Dockx said.
Further down the line is an even bigger ambition. “I would love to get him to Paris (2024 Olympic Games), it’s a long way but this is the goal even though it will be very difficult. In Spain now we have a lot of horses with a lot of quality and in eight months a lot can happen, but I hope we can make this goal come true!”, he added.
Today’s result has shaken up the Western European League leaderboard, with Rath moving up to fifth place behind fellow-German Raphael Netz in fourth and Denmark’s Nanna Skodborg Merrald in third place. With a significant 54 points Barbançon has improved to second position but Sweden’s Patrik Kittel still sits at the top of the rankings with 68 points going into the fifth leg in London (GBR) in three weeks’ time.
Don’t miss a hoofbeat….
The FEI is aware of the distressing images presented in Danish TV2’s documentary, "Operation X: Secrets of the Horse Billionaire" that involved Andreas Helgstrand. The FEI takes all allegations of horse abuse very seriously and at all times the welfare of the horse must be paramount.
The welfare of horses is at the core of our values and regulations, and any action or omission which causes or is likely to cause pain or unnecessary discomfort to a horse constitutes a violation of our rules.
Equestrian sport is built on a foundation of respect and welfare for our equine partners. Any deviation from these principles is unacceptable, and the FEI remains resolute in its commitment to upholding the highest standards of equine welfare, maintaining the integrity and wellbeing of our athletes - both equine and human.
As this is an ongoing situation, we are unable to provide further details at this time. The FEI will however collaborate closely with the Danish National Federation, and there is a mutual recognition of decisions and any sanctions imposed. We will continue to communicate as the situation develops, and want to assure the equestrian community, our stakeholders and the public, that we are rigorously addressing this issue.
It is for the governing bodies to assure that there are rules in place to sanction any welfare breaches and uphold horse welfare, and there is an onus on everyone within the equestrian community to adhere to such rules and best practices in equine care and welfare, in order to maintain equestrian sport in a strong, healthy and ethically sound way for the future.
Last year, in June 2022, the FEI created the Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Commission, an independent body tasked with addressing societal concerns related to the use of horses in sport, and to provide an independent evidence-based ‘framework’ to guide FEI regulations policies and practices in relation to equine welfare and wellbeing.
Their Final Report “A Good life for horses. A vision for the future involvement of horses in sport”, which was delivered to the FEI Board on 18 November 2023, and presented to the FEI General Assembly on 22 November, will now form the basis of an action plan and roadmap for implementation to be discussed at the upcoming FEI Sports Forum in April 2024.
We are committed to ensuring that horses involved in sport experience positive welfare throughout their lives, and that the FEI’s regulations, policies and practices, as well as the wider community’s actions reflect these principles, and we will continue to address actions and behaviours that are in contradiction with our values.
Official Press Releases from the Danish National Federation can be seen here: https://rideforbund.dk/nyheder-2023
Detailed information on the composition, aims, work, and timelines of the EEWB Commission is available here: https://equinewellbeing.fei.org/
Mexico City’s Colegio de la Vizcainas provided a stunning backdrop for the 2023 edition of the FEI Awards Gala presented by Longines, which celebrated international and home-grown winners across four categories of equestrian excellence.
The evening saw Mimi Gochman (USA) take home this year’s Longines FEI Rising Star Award, created to recognise young athletes between the ages of 14 and 21 who demonstrate outstanding equestrian sporting talent.
The 19-year-old Jumping sensation from New York City, has already made her mark on the international stage with three senior FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ team appearances. Mimi has come into her own during the 2023 season, placing fourth in the FEI Jumping U25 Rankings and earning top three results at several CSI5* level competitions. With her sights set firmly on the Olympic Games in Paris 2024, the young Rising Star is also currently pursuing a degree at USA’s Ivy League school Brown University.
Longines International Sponsorship and Event Manager Michael Vuilleumier presented Mimi with the Longines FEI Rising Star Award and an elegant timepiece from the FEI’s Top Partner.
“Winning the Longines FEI Rising Star Award is an extreme honour and I'm super grateful to be here,” Mimi said.
“Riding means everything to me. It’s the thing I've been doing my whole entire life and for which I’m very grateful. I've always had a connection to horses. I think they're incredible animals, and I'm lucky enough to spend my time with them. This sport has taught me a lot of valuable life lessons, and I hope to continue it as long as I can. Horses are very intelligent and when you make that relationship with them, a deep relationship, they work extremely hard to win with you.”
Considered one of the best Dressage athletes of her generation, Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl was the recipient of this year’s Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete Award, which was presented by Managing Director of Peden Bloodstock Martin Atock. Unable to attend the ceremony in person, Jessica accepted the honour via video.
“I feel very honoured to have won the Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete Award,” Jessica said.
“Dalera is probably the most intelligent horse I've ever worked with so far in my life! She is the cuddliest version when we are in the stable and walking together, and she is a rockstar when we enter the arena. Dalera and I have a very special relationship. We love each other and we love what we are doing together. And this is something I really have to think of as a rider - How can I make my horses love me? And how can I make my horses love what we are doing?
“I always say don’t train hard, but train smart. Sometimes I think: How is it possible to feel so much love for so many animals and people? But it’s exactly what makes riding horses so special.
“I'm so sorry I can't be in Mexico tonight, but I want to say a huge thank you to everybody who voted for us. I always have to say ‘us’ because this is not only my success. It is Dalera’s and mine, and the success of my family and the whole team around us. And I want to thank all of them, and all of you, for making this happen!”
Jessica clinched her first international championship title at the FEI Dressage European Championship for Juniors in 2002, a feat she replicated in 2004. She has won the individual European Champion title an impressive six times and has taken the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final title for the past two years. With her exceptional mare TSF Dalera BB, Jessica remains an unstoppable force, dominating the FEI Dressage World Rankings, winning double gold at the Olympic Games in Tokyo and maintaining an unbroken streak of victories since then.
Emma Uusi-Simola (FIN) clinched this year's prestigious Cavalor FEI Best Groom Award, in recognition of her outstanding dedication and hard work as groom for Swiss athlete Steve Guerdat.
Over the past decade, Emma has been an integral part of Steve's team, demonstrating unwavering passion and commitment through the highs and lows of the sport. A trusted member of the Swiss team, Emma is often the groom of choice when travelling to equestrian events overseas is required. Her special bond with Steve’s horse Dynamix, her understanding of her athlete’s needs as well as her ability to anticipate and adapt to any situation has been pivotal to his success.
Receiving the award from Managing Director of Cavalor Liselotte Hamerlinck, Emma said, “I'm really pleased to get this FEI Cavalor Best Groom Award and it means a lot to me.
“Horses are my whole life. I love to work with them because they challenge me every day. All of them have their own personality, and I have to figure out how to handle each and every one of them.
“You need time to get to know the horses and it does not happen in one day. Some horses are easier and some horses are more difficult. With some of them you need two years to figure out what they like and don’t like.”
The last award of the evening was presented to Federico Fernández Senderos (MEX) who won the newly created Pivo FEI Inspire Award, in his hometown of Mexico City. As the name suggests, the Award has been designed to showcase the incredible spirit and determination of individuals who serve as role models and show that anything is possible.
Aged 19, Federico was one of just three people to survive a plane crash in which more than 50 people were killed. After months of intensive recovery and with a new take on life, Federico returned to competition and has gone on to become one of Mexico’s most well-known Jumping athletes.
Federico has participated in seven FEI World Equestrian Games™, three Olympic Games, and won a silver medal, together with team Mexico, at the Pan American Games in Santo Domingo (DOM) in 2003. He has also competed at countless CSIO5* Longines FEI Nations Cup™ competitions, with wins in Xalapa (MEX) and Dublin (IRL), to name a few.
For Federico, family is his motivation, entrepreneurship his drive, and horses his passion. He is known, respected and admired by many for his philosophy of letting go of what can’t be changed, focusing on making life meaningful and always expecting that the best is yet to come.
Receiving the award from CEO of Pivo Ken Kim, Federico said: “For me to receive the PIVO FEI Inspire Award is an honour. I should be the one to say thank you for all that equestrian has done for me because it has been so important in my life.
“I'm going out every morning with passion and I try to make every day special and happy for myself and for the people whose lives I touch daily. I really think that horses are the healthiest way of taking a step back into real nature and into the basics of life. It is about interacting with the animal and not with technology or anything else. Getting on a horse heals every physical and mental pain and it’s just an indescribable moment when you’re on top of a horse.”
This year’s winners were decided by combining 50% of the public votes cast on FEI.org, and 50% of the judges’ votes. National Federations, FEI partners and stakeholders attended the FEI Awards, with well-known Mexican TV presenter Gloria Cazalda as Master of Ceremonies.
“All week during the FEI Hybrid General Assembly 2023, we have spoken about our role as governing bodies, what more we need to do to serve our sport and our stakeholders, and how we can build a better future for the next generation of equestrians,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.
“And tonight, we are celebrating the individuals who effectively inspire our decision-making process and the many discussions we have behind the scenes, so that we can provide them with the very best platform to thrive. So, this is a special night and I look forward to this occasion every year.
“Congratulations not just to our winners but also to everyone who was nominated for these Awards. And I also want to thank the sponsors – Peden Bloodstock, Cavalor and PIVO and especially our Top Partner Longines who also present the Gala evening. The FEI and Longines are kindred spirits and tonight is another example of our wonderful collaboration.
“I’m already looking forward to the 2024 edition!”
Photo 1: Mexico City’s Colegio de la Vizcainas provided a stunning backdrop for the 2023 edition of the FEI Awards Gala presented by Longines. (FEI/Liz Gregg)
Photo 2 (left to right): Emma Uusi-Simola (FIN) winner of Cavalor FEI Best Groom Award, Federico Fernández Senderos (MEX) winner of Pivo FEI Inspire Award and Mimi Gochman (USA) winner of the Longines FEI Rising Star Award (FEI/Liz Gregg)
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