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Team Ukraine claimed the single spot on offer for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Group C Jumping qualifier staged in Budapest (HUN) today. In a line-up of six nations they pinned Czech Republic into runner-up spot while the hosts finished third, just a single fault ahead of Bulgaria in fourth place. Lithuania finished fifth while the team from Greece failed to complete when their first two riders were eliminated on course.
Aki Ylanne from Finland presented them with a strong 12-fence challenge that would ensure the cream came out on top. It was a big ask, but a tremendous experience, for all the horse-and-rider combinations with questions to be answered throughout the entire track, and the time-allowed of 77 seconds proved all but impossible to get for the vast majority.
The opening wall was immediately followed by a triple-bar, then an oxer and some eye-catching brown planks before turning right-handed to the double of oxers at fence five with its long two-stride distance. The innocuous-looking vertical at six proved highly influential, perhaps because riders were already setting up for the right-hand bend to the open water which put paid to Czech chances and threatened to unhinge the Ukrainian effort too.
This was followed by another oxer, then a left-bend to a vertical with two circular water-trays, and then a big oxer had to be tackled before turning right-handed down the final line which consisted of a triple combination and then one last oxer to bring them home.
The Ukrainians were already out in front when carrying just 14 faults at the end of the first round despite elimination for third-line rider Ulrich Kirchhoff. The 51-year-old looked set to cruise around the course with the handsome 10-year-old gelding Al Pacino until it all went seriously wrong at the open water where the man who was a double-gold medallist when competing under the German flag at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta (USA) was given the ejector seat and eliminated for his fall.
But team pathfinder, 35-year-old Ferenc Szentirmai, lowered only the second element of the double in the first round in which he also collected two time-faults, and when he led the way into the second round with only two more time faults to add then he bolstered Ukrainian chances.
It was a big-scoring afternoon, and only four of the six teams returned to do battle once again. The Greeks were already eliminated after Ioli Mytilineou’s gelding, Broadway, refused to take on the triple combination, just one fence from home, and then Anna-Maria Papageorgiou’s mare, Vania, registered refusals at the oxer at fence three and again at the vertical at six. Meanwhile having collected 79 faults first time out, Team Lithuania decided they would call it a day at the halfway stage.
Bulgaria carried 34 faults into round two, Hungary carried 29 and Czech Republic were the Ukrainians closest rivals, just nine points behind the leaders with 23 faults on the board as the action resumed. But when Zuzana Zelinkova’s opening nine faults with Caleri ll were followed by a second elimination, and this time a fall, for second-line rider Emma Augier de Moussac at the open water, then the Czech challenge was seriously undermined. Now the scores of both Ondrej Zvara with Cento Lano and Ales Opatrny and Forewer would have to be counted, and when Zvara racked up 17 faults it already seemed like the writing was on the wall.
However Ukraine’s Andre Schroder and Allegro picked up 18 faults on their second run, so all eyes were on Kirchhoff as he re-entered the ring. Another disaster at the water and the competition would be blown wide open, but Kirchhoff masterfully managed to get Al Pacino around this time, so when he crossed the line with just nine faults on the board then things were looking considerably more optimistic for the eventual winners whose tally now stood at 43 faults.
A clear from anchorman, Opatrny, would leave the Czech side on a final tally of 41, but mistakes at the second element of the double at five and again in the middle of the triple combination, along with a single time fault, rounded the Czech total up to 58 so the game was up. Team Ukraine could not now be beaten, and they looked set to win by a massive margin as Tebbel, who had collected only two time faults with Saxo de la Cour in the previous round, brought the competition to a close.
But it would be drama to the very end as the seven-time FEI World Cup finalist, who won team silver at the World Equestrian Games in Stockholm (SWE) almost 30 years ago, collected 16 faults on his run that included a stop at the very last. In the end the winning margin was still a handsome one, their final total of 41 faults leaving them 17 faults ahead of Czech Republic in second place, but today’s competition proved once again just how unpredictable the sport of team Jumping can be, and how every single ride counts at the end of the day.
The second of the two Olympic qualifiers for countries in Group C will take place in Moscow (RUS) on Sunday, 30 June, where there will be one further slot at Tokyo 2020 up for grabs.
Result: 1, Ukraine 50 faults; 2, Czech Republic 58 faults; 3, Hungary 64; 4, Bulgaria 65; 5, Lithuania 79; 6, Greece Eliminated.
Full result here
Longines has extended its agreement as title partner of the FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League series. Through this long-term commitment, the Swiss watchmaker extends the opportunity for continued exposure of equestrian sport and particularly of Jumping to new and emerging markets in North America and the equestrian community worldwide. Longines became title partner of this prestigious series when it launched in 2015. The North American League, which hosts events across USA, Canada and Mexico, is now heading into its fifth season 2019-2020. It is one of 16 leagues that form the global FEI Jumping World Cup™ series, which has been in existence since 1978.
The North American League has continued to grow in stature and, as part of the world’s premiere individual Jumping series, boasts a minimum of US $2.4 million prize money, attracting the world’s top human and equine athletes.
With this new agreement and the evolution of the North American League comes the implementation of a new format and structure of the series. Among the planned innovations, the series will feature eight top-class events, all at a minimum 4* level, with live broadcast at each venue. The TV coverage of the series will be distributed internationally, showcasing equestrian sport at its best.
A new process has been opened for the allocation of qualifiers of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League series 2020/2021 - 2022/2023 which will be approved by the FEI Board, based on the recommendations of the FEI Jumping Committee.
“This new extended agreement with Longines reinforces our joint commitment to grow the North American League series and invest in the development of sport in the region, while continuing to raise the profile of Jumping around the world”, FEI President, Ingmar De Vos said.
“With Longines as the title partner, we have the perfect brand alignment to benefit this League and the global series over the coming years. We are delighted with the ongoing confidence Longines has put in our sport.”
“We are delighted to renew our association with the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup North American League, of which we have been the title partner, Official Timekeeper and Watch since its inception in 2015” Matthieu Baumgartner, Longines Vice President Marketing said.
“We are committed to supporting the development and promotion of the jumping discipline across North America and are looking forward to taking part in the upcoming season comprising eight legs, each of them promising great sports performance”.
Longines is a strong supporter of equestrian sport around the world, and continues its role as FEI Top Partner, title partner of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Western European League, the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ China League and the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™, and also remains Official Timekeeper and Official Watch of the FEI. In 2019 Longines will act as the title partner for the Longines FEI European Championships Rotterdam (NED) and the Longines FEI Eventing Championships Luhmühlen (GER).
Team Brazil cruised to victory in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of the Netherlands 2019 at Geesteren (NED) today. Taking command with just four faults after the first round, they sealed the result when adding just four more without calling up their final partnership on a day full of surprises and high scores.
The hosts line up second ahead of the Spanish, who pipped Germany for third place by a narrow one-fault margin. Sweden, Belgium and Japan were next in line, separated only by time when all completed with 32 faults on the board, and Austria lined up eighth and last.
This was the perfect boost for Brazil in the lead-up to next month’s Pan-American Games in Lima, Peru. The Europe Division 1 league has provided the perfect preparation for that important Olympic qualifier, and last week they finished sixth in Sopot (POL), while at St Gallen (SUI) in early June and La Baule (FRA) in May they lined up in fifth place each time. Today they had it in the palm of their hands after establishing the early lead and staying rock-solid while those around them struggled to hold on.
The team members all knew that a good result would do their selection chances no harm, and Brazilian Chef d’Equipe Pedro Paulo Lacarda confirmed that this evening.
“They were all amazing today! For the Pan-American Games I still wait one week to confirm my team - but this team have a good chance!” he said.
A fascinating track designed by Dutchman Henk Jan Drabbe asked plenty of unusual questions. Sweeping turns, long runs between fences and distances that required absolute accuracy were the undoing of many top horse-and-rider combinations and there was only one double-clear on the day. That came from the second-line Brazilian duo of Felipe Amaral (28) and his 12-year-old stallion Germanico T.
All eyes were on German pathfinders, the 2018 world champions Simone Blum and DSP Alice, but their round came adrift when the stride from the open water at six to the flimsy vertical that followed got muddled, and the mare put down again on take-off. They were perfection second time out, but the German side that looked super-strong on paper completed with 29 faults on the board, while Spain, whose last-line partnership of Alberto Marquez Galobardes and Ucello Massuere were real eye-catchers, finished one fault ahead of them with 28.
As the second round began it looked set for a three-way tussle between Sweden, carrying 12 faults, The Netherlands with eight and the leading Brazilians on just four. But the Swedes slipped out of contention when adding 20 more and when Brazilian pathfinder Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (31) followed up his first-round four faults with a lovely clear and Amaral and Germanico T were foot-perfect for a second time then it already looked like the writing was on the wall.
It was agonising for the Dutch whose second round began with a lovely clear from Maikel van der Vleuten and Dana Blue, winners of Friday’s Longines Grand Prix, only for both Willem Greve with Zypria S and Marc Houtzager and Sterrehof’s Calimero to leave one on the floor. Both looked like they had a fault-free run in the bag but Greve’s mare hit the penultimate oxer, a real bogey on the day, while the crowd groaned in horror when the front pole on the final oxer hit the dirt after Houtzager, certain he had left it in place, raised his fist in delight as he galloped through the finish.
When third-line Brazilian, Pedro Junqueira Muylaert (32), retuned to the arena with C’est Dorijke he knew he could afford a fence down to seal the win and he used that leeway when too strong down to the vertical after the water, but it didn’t matter. The brilliant anchor partnership of Pedro Veniss (36) and the stallion Quabri de L’Isle, who had made it all look very elementary when clear first time out, didn’t need to go again. The top step of the podium was already secured, and when the final Dutch partnership of Jur Vrieling and VDL Glasgow vh Merelsnest retired after lowering three fences then the hosts had to settle for a final tally of 16 faults, well behind the winning team’s eight-fault total.
“I was feeling very confident coming here because we have Marlon and Pedro with Quabri and Sirene on our team, and also I felt my horse was really good in the Grand Prix” said Amaral this evening. This young man who been twice Brazilian champion and who competed in the Pan-American Games in Toronto (CAN) in 2015, is Belgian-based and has trained with both Rodrigo Pessoa and his legendary father, Nelson Pessoa.
As the Brazilian celebrations began, Pedro Veniss pointed out that team spirit played a major role in today’s success. “We are not just team-mates but also friends. We really support each other to make it happen and winning the biggest class in the world with your best friends is really special!” he said.
Result: 1, Brazil 8 faults - Sirene de la Motte (Marlon Modolo Zanotelli) 4/0, Germanico T (Felipe Amaral) 0/0, C’est Dorijke (Pedro Junqueira Muylaert) 8/4, Quabri de L’Isle (Pedro Veniss) 0/DNS; 2, Netherlands 16 faults - Dana Blue (Maikel van der Vleuten) 4/0, Zypria S (Willem Greve) 8/4k Sterehof’s Calimero (Marc Houtzager) 0/4, VDL Glasgow vh Merelsnest (J Vrieling) 4/Ret; 3, Spain 28 faults - Kastar Hof Ten Zoetendaele (Alvaro Diaz) 12/24, Valentino de Hus Z (Santiago Nunez) 8/0, Sandi Puigroq (Laura Roquet) 12/4, Ucello Massuere (Alberto Marquez Galobardes) 0/4.
Full result here
Standings after Round 4 of the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ 2019 Europe Division 1 series:
1. France - 260
2. Belgium - 245
3. Germany - 195
4. Switzerland - 180
5. Ireland - 160
6. Netherlands - 150
7. Austria - 135
8. Great Britain - 120
9. Italy - 90
10. Sweden - 60
Watch highlights here
Russia will be represented by a Dressage team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games after claiming the single spot on offer at the Group C Dressage qualifier staged at Maxima Park in Moscow (RUS) today. Group C covers Central & Eastern Europe and Central Asia, embracing a total of 29 National Federations from FEI Regional Groups l, ll and lll, and the hosts pinned Belarus into runner-up spot in an exciting contest.
“It was the first time I performed in my motherland, usually I perform in Europe where sometimes I am the only participant under the flag of Russia at the event. Here I feel great support and at the same time all of us feel a big responsibility in this tournament. I fully concentrated on my performance, and each of us did everything for the sake of this victory today!” said Russia’s Tatyana Kosterina.
And the talented team from Belarus were gracious in defeat. “We are not rivals, we are all friends here. Of course, the Russian team is very strong. I think that we also managed to perform our best. We have a very young team” said Hanna Karasiova.
The Russians were looking good from the outset as Chef d’Equipe Anatoly Isachkin said after Thursday’s team announcement. “Our riders are all fairly experienced, three of them constantly perform and live in Europe - Elena Sidneva, Tatyana Kosterina and Evgenija Davydova. They have all been showing good results and we are optimistic - we want to win and to finally get a team to the Olympic Games!” he pointed out that afternoon. Today they succeeded in doing just that when filling four of the top-five places.
Svetlana Evschik, Chef d’Equipe for Belarus said during the teams announcement press conference that “the absolute leader of our team is Anna Karasiova and her horse Zodiac. There was a short period when she did not perform but nevertheless she showed good results in Nizhny Novgorod World Cup leg and we hope that the same will happen now. The second strong rider of our team is Olga Safronova - a rather young rider, last year she made her debut in the Grand Prix - she doesn’t have much experience in the Grand Prix, but her horse is very interesting and bright, and represented our country at the World Cup Final in Paris. Volha Ihumentsava competed at the European Championship but her horse was injured a year ago and in April 2019 it just took its first start after recovering. The fourth rider is a young athlete who can still compete in the U-25 category - Anastasiya Dudkova”, she pointed out.
It was Dudkova (22) and her easy-moving 11-year-old Trakehner gelding, Hofman, who were pathfinders for Belarus today, posting a score of 61.043 before Karasiova (35) and her gelding Zodiak lived up to their billing when putting the leading score of 69.804 on the board at the halfway stage. Ihumentsava (34) and the Hannoverian Ed Khardy earned a mark of 63.543 and then Safronova (27) and the impressive Sandro D’Amour rounded up the Belarus effort with 65.370.
Davydova (35), who along with Kosterina and Sidneva was a member of the Russian team that finished tenth at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2018 in Tryon, USA, threw down the Russian challenge with a highly competitive score of 69.022 from her dark-bay KWPN mare, Awakening. And when Kosterina (41) backed that up with 69.087 from her mare Diavolessa VA, then the hosts were already looking very confident.
The Swedish spectators fell in love with Regina Isachkina’s (48) fabulous black stallion, Sun of May Life, at this year’s FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final in Gothenburg (SWE) where they finished 15th. And although the pair didn’t show the same level of harmony today, their score of 67.022 had already secured that treasured Tokyo qualifying slot even before Sidneva (54) entered the ring.
Last to go, this lady whose career highlights include the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, three FEI World Equestrian Games, five FEI Dressage World Cup™ Finals and six European Championships produced an effortless performance from the 10-year-old gelding Fuhur who, with the utmost composure, presented fabulous passage, piaffe and tempi changes to top the individual scoreboard with 72.022.
The final team scoreline showed Russia on a total of 210.130 and Belarus with 198.717.
Result: 1, Russia 210.130; 2, Belarus 198.717.
Full result here (please scroll down)
The FEI Board, the body responsible for the general direction of the FEI and for all relevant matters not consigned to the General Assembly, held an in-person meeting at FEI Headquarters in Lausanne (SUI) on 19-21 June.
Details of the main decisions taken at the meeting are available here.
Notes to Editors
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, Vaulting and Reining.
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.
A total of 10 countries have put in formal bids to host the FEI World Championships 2022, including two proposals to host the multi-discipline FEI World Equestrian Games™. Bidding countries are Denmark, Estonia, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, and the United States of America.
More than 20 years after Rome stepped in as host city of the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 1998 following Ireland’s late withdrawal, the Italians are looking to once again host the full Games. The Saudi Arabian capital city of Riyadh is also in the running having put forward an all-discipline bid for 2022.
“The number of formal bids that we’ve received for single and multi-discipline FEI World Championships and full Games is an excellent indication that the interest in the World Championships is as strong if not stronger than ever”, FEI President Ingmar De Vos said. “We knew that some of the countries that put in expressions of interest back in February were just dipping their toes in the water, but these formal bids are a great validation of the new bidding process and show that we have a really strong product.”
The FEI initiated a bidding process for individual World Championships in all disciplines for 2022 after the FEI General Assembly in Manama (BRN) in November 2018.
The FEI Board decided that multi-discipline bids would be given preference, and that Dressage and Para Dressage should be combined. The World Championships in 2022 in the Olympic and Paralympic disciplines will serve as qualifiers for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The new bid process allows for the sustainable and cost-effective use of existing equestrian sports facilities, and was put in place to provide the opportunity for the FEI to partner with National Federations that may have hesitated to put forward multi-discipline bids in the past.
In a key change to the bid procedure, the FEI hosted an interactive workshop at the end of March 2019 in Lausanne for all National Federations/Organising Committees that had submitted an expression of interest.
The workshop provided interested parties with detailed information of the structure, opportunities and minimum requirements for hosting the FEI World Championships 2022. By working more closely with the National Federations and Organising Committees from the outset, the FEI and its stakeholders can establish an achievable set of goals and work towards a unified vision for 2022.
All bids will be fully evaluated over the summer and allocation of FEI World Championships 2022 will be made at the in-person Board meeting during the FEI General Assembly in Moscow (RUS) in November this year.
All Disciplines
Multi-Discipline
Jumping
Endurance
Driving
Dressage
Para Dressage
Eventing
Reining
Vaulting
Notes to Editors
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, Vaulting and Reining.
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.
The Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) has today allocated host cities for 13 FEI Championships for the next two years and nine FEI Driving World Cup™ legs for the 2019/2020 season.
Budapest (HUN) will lead the way as host of the FEI Jumping, Dressage, Para Dressage, Driving and Vaulting European Championships in August 2021. This will be the first time that the Hungarian capital, which has a long tradition in equestrian sport, will host a multi-discipline FEI European Championships. The event will mark the 50th anniversary of the first FEI Driving European Championships, which were held at the same venue – Kincsem Park in the heart of the city - in 1971.
Two other major Championships were also allocated for 2021, with the FEI Eventing European Championships going to Haras du Pin (FRA) and the FEI Endurance European Championships to Ermelo (NED).
“The FEI European Championships are among the FEI’s most important events, attracting top class athletes and horses for over six decades”, FEI President Ingmar De Vos said. “During the next two years equestrian fans will have the opportunity to enjoy thrilling sport in some of Europe’s biggest cities. The allocation of the FEI Jumping, Dressage, Para Dressage, Driving and Vaulting European Championships to Budapest will further promote horse sport in Hungary, which already has a remarkable equestrian history.”
The FEI Board also allocated nine legs of the FEI Driving World Cup™ series for the 2020-2021 season. This is the first time that the FEI has launched a bidding process for the FEI Driving World Cup™ legs, as previously only the FEI Driving World Cup™ Final was open for bids.
“This bidding process reinforces the FEI’s policy of transparency and fairness”, the FEI President commented. “It is a key step forward in harmonising the bidding for all FEI Championships, Finals and Series.”
The allocations were made by the FEI Board, the body responsible for the general direction of equestrian sport’s global governing authority, at its in-person meeting at FEI Headquarters in the Olympic Capital, Lausanne (SUI).
The FEI Driving World Cup™ Final 2021 which will take place from 4-7 February was allocated to Bordeaux (FRA) by the FEI Board in March 2019.
The FEI Board decided to re-open the bid process for a multi-year allocation for the FEI WBFSH World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in the disciplines of Jumping, Dressage and Eventing for the years 2021, 2022 and 2023. Allocations will be made at the FEI Board meeting in November 2019 at the FEI General Assembly in Moscow.
Championships
The full list of Championships allocated at today’s FEI Board meeting at FEI Headquarters in Lausanne (SUI) is:
2020
FEI Dressage European Championships U25 - Pilisjászfalu (HUN), July or August (dates to be confirmed)
FEI Dressage European Championships for Children - Pilisjászfalu (HUN) July or August (dates to be confirmed)
2021
FEI European Championships – Jumping, Dressage & Para Dressage, Driving, Vaulting - Budapest (HUN), 9-22 August or 16-29 August (dates to be confirmed)
FEI Jumping European Championships for Young Riders, Juniors & Children - Oliva, Valencia (ESP), 19-25 July
FEI Jumping European Championships for Veterans - Le Mans (FRA), July or August (date to be confirmed)
FEI Dressage European Championships U25 - Donaueschingen (GER), 12 - 15 August
FEI Eventing European Championships for Young Riders & Juniors - Segersjö (SWE), 26-29 August
FEI Eventing European Championships - Haras du Pin (FRA), 11-15 August
FEI Driving World Championships for Ponies, Four-in-Hand, Pairs, Singles - Haras du Pin (FRA), 16-19 September
FEI Endurance World Championships for Young Riders & Juniors - Ermelo (NED), 6-11 September
FEI Endurance European Championships - Ermelo (NED) 6-11 September
FEI Endurance World Championship for Young Horses - Arbore, Sardinia (ITA), 15-19 September
FEI Vaulting World Championship for Juniors - Le Mans (FRA), July - August (date to be confirmed)
FEI Driving World Cup™ series legs
The legs of the FEI Driving World Cup™ series for the 2019-2020 season were allocated as follows:
Lyon (FRA) 30 October-3 November 2019
Maastricht (NED) 8-10 November 2019
Stuttgart (GER) 13-17 November 2019
Stockholm (SWE) 28 November-1 December 2019
Budapest (HUN) 30 November-1 December 2019
Geneva (SUI) 12-15 December 2019
London (GBR) 16-22 December 2019
Mechelen (BEL) 26-30 December 2019
Leipzig (GER) 16-19 January 2020
Photo caption: The Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) has today allocated host cities for 13 FEI Championships for the next two years and nine FEI Driving World Cup™ legs for the 2019/2020 season. (FEI/Richard Juillart)
Notes to Editors
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, Vaulting and Reining.
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.
Belgium posted a back-to-back double when coming out on top in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of Poland 2019 staged at the popular seaside town of Sopot (POL) today. The team included two members of last year’s winning side, Pieter Devos (33) and Niels Bruynseels (35), who were joined by Gudrun Patteet (34) and Yves Vanderhasselt (40) to do it all over again this afternoon.
But the roller-coaster competition went right down to the wire, the result decided in a tense third-round jump-off against Ireland in which Devos’ chestnut gelding, Apart, rattled a few poles but left all the fences standing to bring it home for the 2018 series champions.
He had only just sealed the jump-off slot in round two when Belgian Chef d’Equipe, Peter Weinberg, asked Devos to take on Ireland’s Paul O’Shea in the third-round showdown.
“I said OK, I’ll do it, and normally Apart is very, very fast, but today he got a bit stressed when we had to go back into the ring almost straight away. But he always gives me everything and hey, everyone is very happy if you are last to go and you win it for your country!” Devos said.
It was a very different story at the halfway stage when the Dutch seemed to already have it in the bag after three effortless clears. Belgium, France and Ireland were all chasing with four-fault scorelines, and Team Germany were close behind with just five on the board, but the French were hampered by the withdrawal of pathfinder Simon Delestre as round two began. So despite clears from Olivier Robert (Tempo de Paban) and Roger Yves Bost (Sangria du Coty), they were obliged to add the four collected by Alexis Deroubaix and Timon d’Aure at the final Longines planks and that saw them lose their grip.
Meanwhile Dutch domination collapsed when Willem Greve (Zypria S) also hit the last, Bart Bles (Israel vd Dennehoeve) and Doron Kuipers (Charley) both faulted at the open water and Kevin Jochems (Cristello) lowered fence 10 on the course designed by Poland’s Szymon Tarant who was making his debut at 5-Star level.
In contrast the Irish stood firm with double-clears from Paul O’Shea (Skara Glen’s Machu Picchu) and Shane Sweetnam (Alejandro) backed up by a second-round clear from Peter Moloney (Chianti’s Champion), which meant that Bertram Allen (Harley vd Bisschop) didn’t need to return to the ring.
The Belgians didn’t have such an easy run of it when Vanderhasselt’s mare, Jeunesse, hit the second element of the penultimate triple combination. Bruynseels and Delux van T&L had been foot-perfect second time out and Patteet and Sea Coast Valdelamadre Clooney posted the second part of a brilliant double-clear, but if Devos couldn’t leave all the poles in place then he would be handing the top step of the podium to their Irish rivals. Typically however he didn’t flinch, and a jump-off was now on the agenda.
You could hear a pin drop as O’Shea led the way against the clock for Ireland, but his 12-year-old gelding hit the first fence before coming home to break the beam in 46.97 seconds. It seemed Devos would just walk away with it now, but the normally fully-focused Apart seemed uncharacteristically lacking in concentration and hit the top pole at the first element of the penultimate double really hard, only for it to roll back into place. They crossed the line three seconds off O’Shea’s target time, but their zero score would seal it for Belgium.
Devos was delighted with Apart’s performance. “He has done a lot of great things, and has won many 5-Star Grand Prix and World Cup classes but this is his very first Nations Cup and to go double-clear and then win it in the jump-off is very special!” said the man ranked fifth in the world.
“My wife (Caroline Poels) rode him up to 5-Star level and then I took over - he’s a fantastic horse with a great character. When he’s in the ring he gives me everything!”, Devos added.
A total of 10 countries are contesting Europe Division 1 this season, and following today’s third round of the series Belgium has moved into second place behind the leaders from France. Each country has been allocated four points-earning opportunities throughout the seven-leg league, and Sweden, the only country that has not collected points to date, will be making their seasonal debut at Geesteren (NED) next weekend where the Dutch will be hoping for better luck on home ground.
Only the top seven nations in Europe Division 1 will qualify for the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ 2019 Final in Barcelona (ESP) in October where there will also be one last remaining Olympic qualifying spot up for grabs.
Result: 1, Belgium 4/0/0 49.87 seconds in jump-off - Delux van T&L (Niels Bruynseels) 4/0, Sea Coast Valdelamadre Clooney (Gudrun Patteet) 0/0, Jeunesse (Yves Vanderhasselt) 4/4, Apart (Pieter Devos) 0/0/0; 2, Ireland 4/0/4 46.97 in jump-off - Skara Glen’s machu Picchu (Paul O’Shea) 0/0/4, Alejandro (Shane Sweetnam) 0/0, Chianti’s Champion (Peter Moloney) 4/0, Harley vd Bisschop (Bertram Allen) 4/DNS; 3, France 8 faults - Uccello de Will (Simon Delestre) 4/DNS, Tempo de Paban (Olivier Robert) 0/0, Sangria du Coty (Roger Yves Bost) 8/0, Timon d’Aure (Alexis Deroubaix) 0/4.
Banner Caption: Pieter Devos and Apart clinched victory for Belgium today in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of Poland at Sopot (POL). (FEI/Lucasz Kowalski)
Full result here
| 1. | France | 260 |
| 2. | Belgium | 190 |
| 3. | Switzerland | 180 |
| 4. | Ireland | 160 |
| 5. | Germany |
125 |
| 6. | Great Britain | 120 |
| 7. | Italy | 90 |
| 7. | Austria | 90 |
| 9. | Netherlands | 60 |
| 10. | Sweden | 0 |
Tom Ryckewaert (BEL), Event Director at the Belgian Eventing fixture at Waregem and one of the best known and respected FEI Officials in the Eventing community, has passed away at the age of 63.
A member of the FEI Eventing Committee from 2006-2009, Tom Ryckewaert was an event organiser, Technical Delegate (TD), Course Designer and Steward, acting as TD and Chief Steward at multiple FEI Championships and four Olympic Games – Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004.
He was due to officiate as TD at this weekend’s Longines CCI5*-L and the German National Championships in Luhmühlen (GER) and also at the Longines FEI European Eventing Championships at the same venue in August. He had previously worked as TD at the Europeans 2011 in Luhmühlen, the European Pony Championships 2012 in Fontainebleau (FRA) and the North American Junior Championships 2016 in Parker (USA).
A former international Eventing athlete, he had also officiated at major Eventing competitions all over the world, including the CCI-4* (now 5*) at Burghley (GBR), Lexington (USA) and Pau (FRA), and the World Young Horse Eventing Championships at Le Lion d’Angers (FRA).
Tom Ryckewaert was at the helm of the Waregem event for 40 years and, under his leadership, the venue has hosted a leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ since the series’ inception in 2012.
He was also President of the Alliance of Eventing Organisers, an affiliate of the overall umbrella organisation, the International Equestrian Organisers’ Alliance and was an FEI Level III FEI course director.
“The Eventing world has lost one of its greatest supporters with the passing of Tom Ryckewaert”, FEI Eventing & Olympic Director Catrin Norinder said. “He was a life force in our sport and contributed so much as an organiser and an official, and also as a member of the FEI Eventing Committee. We will miss him for his incredible expertise and great sense of humour.”
The FEI expresses its sincere condolences to Tom Ryckewaert’s partner Florence, his four children - Thomas, Levi, Alice and Simon – his extended family and many friends in the Eventing world, the Belgian Equestrian Federation and the global equestrian community.
The Belgian Federation’s in memoriam is posted here.
Photo caption: Tom Ryckewaert (BEL), who has passed away at the age of 63.
The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), world governing body of equestrian sport, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with JustWorld International.
JustWorld International, formed in 2002, is a non-profit organisation aimed at uniting the global equestrian community to provide basic needs programmes to children around the world focusing on education and nutrition programmes.
Under the terms of the agreement, JustWorld International is designated an “Official Charity Partner of the FEI”. The two organisations will mutually promote their activities and work closely on development and fundraising for the JustWorld International charity programmes.
“The FEI is very happy to join forces with JustWorld International and sign this important MOU”, FEI President Ingmar De Vos said. “Our organisations have a very strong connection, sharing the same values of promoting equestrian sport and encouraging its development among the youth. Through our Solidarity Programme ‘Sport for All’ we help children from public schools and from socially disadvantaged environments to have access to riding activities. The partnership with JustWorld International will allow us together to provide incredible benefits to disadvantaged children around the world.”
“We are thrilled to collaborate with the FEI and together transform the lives of children through equestrian sport”, JustWorld International Founder and President Jessica Newman said. “This has been a goal for JustWorld. We believe that working together with the FEI and having their official support will have a remarkable impact and further enhance our charity programmes.”
Notes to Editors
MOU overview
In 2012 the FEI decided to use Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) to better define its relationship with the different stakeholders. The MOUs cover universal issues such as FEI recognition, FEI Rules and Regulations, horse welfare, code of ethics, commitment to democratic processes, consultation, FEI General Assembly, FEI Sports Forum and meetings, governing law, dispute resolution, communication, and implementation.
MOUs have already been signed with the equine welfare charity World Horse Welfare, riders’ clubs, organisers and officials associations. Although recognition by the FEI does not entail voting rights at the FEI General Assembly, the MOUs formalise the relationship with the FEI, giving a voice to organisations working with the FEI in the development of equestrian sport.
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, Vaulting and Reining.
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.
JustWorld International is a not-for-profit organisation that transforms the lives of children in impoverished communities by funding education and nutrition programmes. The charity supports more than 7,000 children by providing access to life-changing programmes.
JustWorld International works through the international equestrian community and its extensive networks to fund and sustain programmes that provide basic needs to children with little opportunity to receive support from other sources.
Their Rider Ambassadors raise awareness and funds for their programmes, helping to give children a leg up to a brighter future.
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