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The 12th FEI Vaulting World Cup final ™ opened in spectacular fashion in the St Jakobshalle in snowy Basel (SUI). Germany flew into the lead in both individual events and only narrowly missed out on the Pas de Deux overnight top spot. The Italian pair, Rebecca Greggio and Davide Zanella hold it for now.
With one of the best line-ups for an FEI Vaulting World Cup™ final ever, there was much anticipation ahead of the first-round Technical test. Switzerland’s Nadja Büttiker set the bar high. Opening the show can be a tough draw and she pulled on her wealth of experience to present a solid round, laying down 7.711 as the score to beat. She finished round one in fifth. Some minor errors proved costly for a few of the females causing them to lose vital points, however, it wasn’t the case for Kimberly Palmer (USA). Vaulting with her trusty combination of Rosenstolz 99 and Laura Carnabucci, she capitalised on her artistic concept alongside solid technical exercises and earned herself 8.033 and the third place.
Making her World Cup debut, Alina Ross entered for Germany with a new horse and lunger partnership. She performed an incredibly intricate and difficult routine aboard the experienced Goldjunge with Jaqueline Schönteich, scoring top marks from three of the four judges and propelling herself to the top of the table (8.437). Her compatriot and defending Champion, Kathrin Meyer was last to go and softly presented a new routine with strong technical elements, however a lower score from the artistic and horse judges left her behind, in second place, after round one (8.229).
The Men’s competition was arguably even more exciting. Inspiring artistic concepts were the order of the day as Juan Martin Clavijo Vega (COL) entered the arena, first to go, and lay down the score to beat, 8.179. Thomas Brüsewitz (GER) showed some minor performance faults but chose well in his decision to compete with William II Z and Maik Hussman. His round-one total was 8.017 which wasn’t quite enough to beat his brother, Viktor, who had put on an excellent performance, gaining the highest artistic score of the day, and taking second place (8.389).
Twenty-three-year-old Theo Gardies (FRA) put on a show and threw everything at his technical programme. Unfortunately, a lower score from the artistic judge left him just fractions behind Viktor, 8.343. As Jannik Heiland entered the arena with Dark Beluga FRH and Barbara Rosiny, it was a case of save the best until last. A top score from the horse judge alongside his quality vaulting ensured he had the overnight lead scoring 8.549.
Sunday’s final round will count towards 60% of the total score and with all the top individuals within touching difference of each other, there is potential for change at the top and no one can rest on their laurels.
Pas de Deux
The crowd were thrilled as the Pas de Deux competition got underway. A nervous start saw Gitano des Monods trot at the beginning of Li Laffer and Illona Hannich’s routine, significantly dropping their horse score and leaving them at the bottom of the table (7.225). Fellow Swiss pair Zoe Maruccio and Syra Schmid were very clean in their performance, they connected well throughout their Free test earning a well-deserved 7.998 and the third place. For Austrians Romana Hintner and Eva Nagiller, today was not their day. They were unable to repeat their previous impeccable performances, with too many execution errors placing them in fourth, scoring 7.871.
Only two combinations were able to break into the ‘eights’ as a final score. Firstly, we were enraptured by Italy’s Rebecca Greggio and Davide Zanella. With catchy and intricate transitions along with impeccable choreography, they entertained the audience from start to finish. Claudia Peterson kept Orlando Tancredi steady but forward going on the lunge which altogether synthesised into an eye-catching routine scoring 8.196.
Not to be outdone, Diana Harwardt and Peter Künne entered with a score to settle having finished second at the final last year. Symbiotically, they moved as one on DSP Sir Lau Lau performing their high difficulty Free test with apparent ease. However, their flawless routine ended abruptly as their horse decided the test was finished when Diana dismounted and stopped dead, despite Peter still being on board. Fortunately, Andrea Harwardt got him moving again and Peter could dismount before the time limit, but it was an incredibly costly error and lost them the first place, 8.130.
The athletes have brought their A-game to Basel and put on a thrilling spectacle, which is even more special as the 2025 final will also be held here, alongside the FEI Jumping and Dressage World Cup finals (www.basel2025.com).
Sunday’s Vaulting Final promises to bring more action, drama and jaw-dropping moments as we crown the 2024 FEI Vaulting World Cup™ Champions.
The FEI Tribunal has issued a Consent Award in an equine anti-doping case involving a Banned Substance.
In this case, the horse Ashva Psyche (FEI ID 107YL76/URU), tested positive for the Banned Substance Stanozolol following samples taken at the CEI2*120 Costa Azul, Canelones (URU) 04-05 November 2023.
The athlete, Teresa Sanchez (FEI ID 10094966/URU), admitted the rule violation and accepted the consequences. In its final decision the FEI Tribunal disqualified the horse from the event and imposed an 18-month ineligibility period on the athlete; the provisional suspension she already served shall be credited against the imposed ineligibility period. She was also fined CHF 5,000 and all results from the event were disqualified.
The full Decision is available here.
Notes to Editors:
FEI Equine Prohibited Substances
The FEI Prohibited Substances List is divided into two sections: Controlled Medication and *Banned Substances. Controlled Medication substances are medications that are regularly used to treat horses, but which must have been cleared from the horse’s system by the time of competition. Banned (doping) Substances should never be found in the body of the horse and are prohibited at all times.
In the case of an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for a Banned Substance, the Person Responsible (PR) is automatically provisionally suspended from the date of notification (with the exception of certain cases involving a Prohibited Substance which is also a **Specified Substance). The horse is provisionally suspended for two months.
Information on all substances is available on the searchable FEI Equine Prohibited Substances Database.
Correction 05/01/2024 – see Eventing
Following the end of the qualification period at 31 December 2023, the FEI has published the Olympic and Paralympic Rankings which are used as the basis for the individual qualification slots for Paris 2024, and where relevant for reallocation and composite team purposes as per the qualification systems inherent to each discipline.
We have outlined below the current status for team and individual qualification slots within each of the four disciplines – Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, and Para Dressage - which, as you will note, is subject to confirmation based on the relevant qualification requirements, procedures and deadlines.
Jumping Update
Overall quota: 75 Athlete/Horse Combinations - 20 Teams (60 Athlete/Horse Combinations) & 15 Individual Athlete/Horse Combinations
You will find here the Jumping Qualification System and the 20 NOCs that have obtained a Team quota place (subject to meeting relevant MERs – NOC Certificate of Capability to be confirmed by 8 January 2024): France (as host nation), Sweden, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Spain, Switzerland, Israel, Poland, United States of America, Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Australia, Japan, Brazil. These NOCs have until 5 February 2024 to confirm their Team quota place with the exception of France (as host country) who is required to confirm by 8 January 2024.
Once all 20 Teams have been confirmed (including any required reallocation process February/March 2024), only NOCs that have not accepted a Team quota place will be eligible to obtain one of the 15 Individual quota places, based on the FEI Olympic Ranking for Jumping published today, which compiles the best 15 results per Athlete/Horse Combination in the Olympic Ranking Events within the period from 1 January 2023 – 31 December 2023.
Currently, were the above 20 NOCs to confirm their Team allocation (and have met all the requirements), the following nations will have qualified an Individual qualification slot - which would also need to be confirmed by 18 March 2024 as per the qualification timeline/process. Should any nations not use their Team qualification slot, the reallocation process for unused Team quota places would have an impact on the nations listed below.
Individual Olympic Ranking including validated results from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023 – JUMPING (As per the current status at 02/01/2024, the nations listed below have qualified one Individual slot, however, this list of nations may change should any NOCs listed above decline their Team slot or not meet the relevant requirements as per NOC Certificate of Capability.)
TOTAL 15
Dressage Update
Overall quota: 60 Athlete/Horse Combinations – 15 Teams (45 Athlete/Horse Combinations) & 15 Individual Athlete/Horse Combinations
You will find here the Dressage Qualification System and the 14 NOCs that have obtained a team quota place (subject to meeting relevant requirements – NOC Certificate of Capability to be confirmed by 8 January 2024): France (as host nation), Denmark, Great Britain, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, United States of America, Austria, Belgium, Spain, Poland, Brazil, Canada, Australia. These NOCs have until 5 February 2024 to confirm their Team quota place with the exception of France (as host country) who is required to confirm by 8 January 2024. The 15th team quota slot for Group F, which is yet to be allocated, will be confirmed as per the reallocation procedure of unused team quota places in the Dressage Qualification System in due course.
Once the teams have been confirmed (including any required reallocation process February/March 2024), only NOCs that have not accepted a Team quota place will be eligible to obtain one of the 15 Individual quota places, based on the FEI Olympic Ranking for Dressage published today (see links below) which is limited to the best four results per Athlete/Horse combination in Olympic Ranking events, within the period from 1 January 2023 – 31 December 2023.
Currently, the following nations have qualified an individual qualification slot, however, depending on the reallocation of unused team quota places and/or should any nations decline their team slot (deadline 5 February 2024), the reallocation process for unused team quota places would have an impact on the nations listed below. Furthermore, should the overall quota of 60 places not have been filled after completing the reallocation process, the leftover quota places will be allocated via the overall FEI Olympic Rankings for Dressage and a NOC that has already earned/accepted an Individual quota place will be entitled to earn a second Individual quota place.
Individual Olympic Ranking including validated results from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023 - DRESSAGE (As per the current status at 02/01/2024, the nations listed below have qualified one individual slot, however, this list of nations may change should any NOCs listed above decline their team slot or not meet the relevant requirements as per NOC Certificate of Capability.)
TOTAL 15
Eventing Update
Overall quota: 65 Athlete/Horse Combinations - 16 Teams (48 Athlete/Horse Combinations) & 17 Individual Athlete/Horse Combinations)
You will find here the Eventing Qualification System and the 16 NOCs that have obtained a Team quota place (subject to meeting relevant requirements – NOC Certificate of Capability to be confirmed by 8 January 2024): France (as host nation), Germany, United States of America, New Zealand, Great Britain, Ireland, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, Canada, Brazil, Australia, Japan, Italy.
These NOCs have until 5 February 2024 to confirm their Team quota place with the exception of France (as host country) who is required to confirm by 8 January 2024.
Once the Teams have been confirmed (including any required reallocation process February/March 2024), only NOCs that have not accepted a Team quota place will be eligible to obtain Individual quota places, based on the FEI Olympic Ranking for Eventing published today. Important to note an NOC can qualify for a maximum of two individual places in Eventing (only one per NOC in Jumping and Dressage), either through their FEI Olympic Group or through the overall FEI Olympic Ranking, or both.
The FEI Olympic Ranking – Eventing is limited to the best four results per Athlete/Horse combination in the qualifying events, within the period from 1 January 2023 – 31 December 2023.
An NOC can therefore earn up to two individual quota places via the FEI Olympic Group Rankings with 14 Individual Quota places allocated via the FEI Olympic Group Rankings and three Individual Quota places allocated via the overall FEI Olympic Ranking. See links and current nations eligible for Individual quota places below, however, depending on the reallocation of unused Team quota places and/or should any nations decline their Team slot (deadline 5 February 2024), or not meet the requirements, the reallocation process for unused Team quota places would have an impact on the nations listed below.
Individual Olympic Ranking including validated results from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023 - EVENTING (As per the current status at 02/01/2024, the nations listed below have qualified one or two individual slots, however, this list of nations may change should any NOCs listed above decline their team slot or not meet the relevant requirements as per NOC Certificate of Capability.)
*Correction 05/01/2024 - Czech Republic to receive the third individual slot not Denmark as initially announced on 3/01/2024 as there was a tie in the Rankings for that third NOC individual qualification slot between Mia HASTRUP from Denmark and Miroslav TRUNDA from Czech Republic. Both Athletes were ranked equal in their results as athlete/horse combinations which does not break the tie according to the Olympic Eventing Ranking Rules and therefore Article 528.1.6 Final Classification Tie (Individual) from the FEI Eventing Rules has been applied – whereby the combination with the best XC score at the highest level event would be ranked first and obtain the individual quota place for their NOC. In accordance with Article 528.1.6 Final Classification Tie (Individual), Miroslav TRUNDA (CZE) riding SHUTTERFLYKE have obtained the best XC score, and should therefore be ranked above Mia HASTRUP (DEN) riding CONSTANTIN M in the Rankings, making the Individual Quota place go to Czech Republic and not Denmark.
TOTAL: 17
*For FEI Olympic Groups D & E (North America, Central & South America), four (4) quota places are available, however, as there are no Group D individuals to claim an individual quota place (their NOC has a team quota place already), the four (4) best ranked individuals from Group E will obtain them.
Key upcoming deadlines – JUMPING, DRESSAGE & EVENTING
Para Dressage Update
See here the Para Dressage Qualification System and the nine NPCs that have obtained four athlete/horse Team quota places so far: France (as host nation), the Netherlands, Denmark, United States of America, Great Britain, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Sweden. An additional six NPC Team qualification slots for four athletes as well as 18 individual qualification places are still to be allocated for a total quota of 78 athlete/horse combinations.
Refer to the qualification system and timelines for further details. Key upcoming deadlines include
Summary of useful links
Jumping – Olympic Ranking (31 December 2023)
Dressage – Olympic Ranking (31 December 2023)
Eventing – Olympic Ranking (31 December 2023)
Para Dressage – Paralympic Ranking (31 December 2023)
Paris 2024 Hub
Disciplines – Qualification Systems
FEI Regulations for Equestrian Events at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Beneath the illuminated Christmas trees suspended high above the arena in the Nekkerhal, reigning champion Boyd Exell (AUS) stamped his supremacy once again on the current FEI Driving World Cup™ series by winning the 7th leg in Mechelen. Despite being pushed hard by the other drivers whose horses are on peak form at this stage of the season, he rose to the occasion and produced another flawless display in Saturday night’s drive-off to shave 3.43 seconds from his previous round’s time and end on 126.57. As he has shown time and time again, when the pressure is on, he raises his game even higher to ensure he is the one at the head of the prize ceremony.
“The team is really smooth. We put a substitution in, the left wheeler was Poker who is 19 years old, and he was fantastic tonight. Every stride, we had to work hard to get the speed and when Bram did a really fast round, we had to go full risk through the number one cone. The more pressure, the more focussed I get. I’ve got a great team of people around me; it’s a full team, driving sport. So, I’m really pleased - it’s a great feeling!”
Boyd Exell (AUS)
Challenging him all the way was Bram Chardon (NED) who, although quicker in both Saturday’s rounds, had one ball in each to add four which in the drive-off meant he finished a tantalizing 1.73 behind Boyd. Despite missing Friday’s drive-off, by Saturday he and his horses were back to their razor-sharp ways, and it was so nearly their night.
Both former champions might have feared that neither would win as Germany’s Michael Brauchle blasted through the course during his first round on Saturday to be the fastest going into the drive-off. Fresh from a confidence-giving Friday afternoon when only Boyd beat him, Michael’s horses darted round the turns and sped along the straights to challenge the best. But perhaps they had peaked too soon as despite producing another impressive drive, they were down on time and added four to finish third.
Like Michael, another who has moved into finals contention is Dries Degrieck (BEL) who raised the hopes of the home crowd. An off-form initial round on Friday saw him finish seventh, but he regained his edge on Saturday and produced a decent clear. He will also be in Leipzig (GER) for the 8th leg as a qualified driver so has a chance to consolidate his ranking position.
Already sure of his finals place, Koos de Ronde (NED) was a wild card entry who didn’t make either drive-off. A rebuild bell ring on Friday after knocking a cone before it had been driven added fourteen to an otherwise great time and although he was in touch on Saturday, it wasn’t enough to ensure a return to the arena for one more round.
Having recorded a season’s best result of second on Friday after a beleaguering series, Jérôme Voutaz (SUI) lost out by overshooting a gate in one of the marathon obstacles which meant a costly stop and rein-back. He and the horses recovered well but with the competition is so tight at this point, there is no come-back from even the slightest of errors.
Glenn Geerts (BEL) has held his own throughout the season as a wild card and has completed his quota of qualifying events. Unfortunately, just as he picked up the pace to start his round on Saturday, the bell rang to halt proceedings as it appeared someone in the crowd needed medical attention. There followed a delay in the competition as Glenn left the arena to wait outside before being able to resume his round where three balls rolled to add twelve to the time.
Having built the courses in Stockholm and Geneva, Johan Jacob’s (NED) returned for the Belgium leg. Tucking pairs of cones next to the marathon obstacles and placing others on the curve, it was a technical course that required precision, set out in the relatively compact arena. Only Glenn didn’t knock any balls during Friday’s first rounds but after that, the drivers seemed to gain the measure of what was required.
In a display that seemed even more determined than usual, Boyd needed the win at this point in the series to set a marker for the final in Bordeaux (FRA). With only one more qualifying leg to go in Leipzig in three weeks’ time where he is a wild card, this was his last chance to secure 10 points to gain a maximum 30 to top the rankings. While Bram can match him if he wins the final 8th leg, both will be keen to open their bid for more World Cup titles with the psychological edge over their nearest rivals.
But whether Boyd is a wild card or not, he will be as fiercely competitive as ever at the German prelude to the final. For the first time in this series, Chardon father and son will line up against each other, joined by Michael, Dries and Georg von Stein (GER) as the qualified drivers; Koos and Mareike Harm (GER) complete the line up as wild cards. With everyone at the top of their game and margins slimmer than ever, it will be a thrilling event.
Image: FEI / Dirk Caremans
In a perfect round-up to a great year of sport in 2023, Germany’s Christian Ahlmann scooped the honours in the ninth leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2023/2024 Western European League in front of an ecstatic audience at the Nekkerhal in Mechelen, Belgium today.
There wasn’t an inch of viewing space left around the perimeter of the arena when, from a starting field of 41, just the six who jumped clear over Bart Vonck’s tough first-round course went into battle against the clock, including three from the host country. And in a real nail-biter, it was the man who claimed the FEI Jumping World Cup™ trophy on home ground in Leipzig, Germany back in 2011 who triumphed, his 11-year-old gelding Mandato van de Neerheide giving his all to bring his rider’s tally of Mechelen wins to three.
The eight retirements on the final result sheet indicated the complexity of the first-round course, with several faulting even at the opening oxer. The triple combination at fence seven - two verticals to an oxer - proved pivotal for many, as did the difficult line that followed along the edge of the arena, beginning with a narrow wall standing a full 1.60m followed by a double, oxer to vertical, on a difficult distance and then a very quick turn to the oxer at fence 10. Of the eight four-faulters, Sweden’s Petronella Andersson and Odina van Klapscheut were quickest when through the timers in 66.75 seconds, well inside the time-allowed that was eventually adjusted to 71 seconds.
First clear
German veteran, Hans-Dieter Dreher, produced the very first clear when fourteenth to go with Vestmalle des Cotis who didn’t give him the easiest time as he approached most fences sideways-on before producing plenty of jump to clear them. First out against the clock the 14-year-old gelding by Baloubet du Rouet was looking much more focused however, only to clip the first of the two parts of the treble now included halfway around the new seven-obstacle track to finish on four faults in 35.86 seconds.
Then Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts and the 11-year-old Darco mare Moya vd Bisschop set off only to drop the previous oxer, but Ahlmann and Mandato would make no mistake when third into the ring. A super-tight and beautifully balanced turn to the oxer after the double set them up for a great run, and the normally stoic German had a smile as wide as an ocean as he left the arena with a bit fat zero on the board in 34.23 seconds. It would be up to the rest to beat that.
And it was Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann who was first to take on the new target with this great mare Iliana who, however, couldn’t seem to keep her feet on the turns and who, as a result and despite fantastic jumping, couldn’t break the beam any faster than 34.67 seconds to slot into second place.
There were still two more Belgians to come, so plenty more for the crowd to shout for, and Gregory Wathelet gave it everything he had with the 12-year-old stallion Bond Jamesbond de Hay who came out on top at the third leg in Lyon (FRA) in October. But Mr Bond was so busy bucking that he too lost time on the track, jumping like a stag but coming home in 35.23 seconds to slot into third place. And when Pieter Devos and Mom’s Toupie de la Roque had the oxer down at what was now fence three in 35.62 seconds then he would finish fourth at the end of the day.
Joy
Ahlmann couldn’t hide his joy with today’s victory. “It’s fantastic, no doubt about that! Mandato jumped incredible, we took the last risk and everything worked out like I could wish for. We had the fastest riders of the world behind us and still we could make it, so this was our day today!”, he said.
He’s long had a brilliant record on the World Cup circuit, that title victory in 2011 coming with the great Taloubet Z who also clinched the first of his three Mechelen wins back in 2015. In 2018 he came out on top at the Belgian fixture with Clintrexo Z, and today it was Mandato who stood proudly at the top of the prize-giving line-up.
“I bought him when he was six, he didn’t do much, jumped a few classes, he’s a huge long horse with a lot of scope and I have the feeling that this year, after three years of jumping, his body is ready and for him every jump is almost the same. So the scope is no question, he’s willing to do everything, but what he did in the second half of this year was really good and he’s a horse for the future for sure”, Ahlmann said of his winning ride.
Asked if he was happy with his third-place finish, Wathalet replied - “Yes and no! Yes of course I’m happy because my horse jumped super…but there was just one turn to the vertical when he was bucking a bit and he was a bit behind my leg. I don’t know if I could have caught Christian but for sure I am happy with how he jumped, although you always want to win, and to win at home! I did my best but it just wasn’t enough today!”
A bit strange
Von Eckermann described his jump-off round as “a bit strange because she jumped fantastic! On the first turn I slipped a little bit and then we got going and at the second-last I slipped also….I couldn’t get the seven to the last and I did eight instead. I need to ride with a bit more balance around the turn and then maybe not be slipping, but I’m happy for Christian. He did a wonderful round so - next time!” said the longtime world number one.
Meanwhile winner, Ahlmann, reflected on how it all worked out for him today.
“You have to give your best and try to do what you can do and this should be enough. And then you have to wait and cross your fingers! I did what I could do and it was our day!”, he pointed out.
He loves riding in front of the enthusiastic Mechelen crowd. “It’s always nice - the people love the horses here, they love the sport and they are behind all the riders so it feels super-good!”, he said.
And the Belgian show is on the calendar every year for the man who is a driving force in the Zangersheide horse-breeding and production business.
“Mechelen is very important for us because we have the stallion competition here and all the young ones are jumping so it’s a very interesting show. All the days are sold out here, there’s an amazing crowd and it’s a lot of fun to ride in unbelievable sport every day. I’m enjoying the days here and every year we are really motivated to do something good - we have come many times and three times it has worked out!”, he said this evening.
After today he is in 17th place on the Western European League leaderboard and with 28 points could do with adding another 15 or so to ensure his place at the Longines Final 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in April. There are five more Western European qualifiers to go, with Basel (SUI) in two weeks time followed by Leipzig (GER) and Amsterdam (NED) in January, and then Bordeaux (FRA) and Gothenburg (SWE) in February.
So don’t miss a hoofbeat……..
Great Britain’s Charlotte (Lottie) Fry and her Tokyo 2020 Olympic ride, Everdale, were convincing winners of today’s sixth leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2023/2024 Western European League in Mechelen, Belgium.
Scoring 84.980 they pipped The Netherlands’ Marlies van Baalen and Habibi DBV for top spot, while two rising stars - Belgium’s Flore de Winne with Flynn FRH and Germany’s Rapahel Netz with Great Escape Camelot - filled third and fourth places.
The event attracted a truly international line-up, with Singapore’s Caroline Chew (Blue Hors Zatchmo) and India’s Anush Agarwalla (Sir Caramello OLD) amongst the first group of eight to come before the judges panel of Eduard de Wolff van Westerrode (NED), Jacques van Daele (BEL), Freddy Leymann (BEL), Isobel Wessels (GBR) and Christof Umbach (LUX). And it was de Winne and her fabulous nine-year-old stallion Flynn who were the first-half show-stealers when putting it right up to the rest of the field with a great performance that set the second-half target at better than 80.330 percent, much to the delight of her home crowd.
Threaten the lead
It came down to the final three to threaten that lead, van Baalen and the 11-year-old Habibi producing a lovely test for a mark of 81.160 that put them out in front, only to be immediately overtaken by Fry and her 14-year-old stallion who were next into the ring.
In a ride that oozed precision, supreme confidence and class this pair presented a picture of coordination as they threw down strong half-pass and canter pirouette along with multiple big-scoring flying changes and, of course, Fry’s particular speciality - extended canter that lives up to its name. The spectators knew they had seen something special as they roared their approval when the score went up on the board.
Last into the ring, German 24-year-old Raphael Netz didn’t let that un-nerve him or his new partner Great Escape Camelot, the multiple U25 gold medallist steering the former ride of Switzerland’s Estelle Wettstein to the last of the over-80-percent scores of the day when earning 80.215 with the 12-year-old horse he has only been competing internationally since March of this year.
The Netherlands’ Thamar Zweistra and Hexagon’s Ich Weiss slotted into fifth place ahead of Belgium’s Charlotte Defalque and Botticelli in sixth and Morgan Barbançon and Habana Libre A from France in seventh. Eighth place went to Belgium’s Larissa Pauluis who made little short of a miraculous recovery after her 13-year-old gelding Flambeau threw a bit of a tantrum at the very start of his test only to settle into some lovely work that pulled back their score to a very respectable 77.905 in the end.
Great joy
There was great joy at the Belgian results during the post-competition press conference in which Jeroen van Lent declared that Flore de Winne’s score was “another mark in the history of Dressage in Belgium getting the first 80 (percent) in history, so as manager of Belgian Dressage I am a happy man!”, he said.
De Winne agreed. “Yes, we’re back! It is unbelievable, nobody could have dared to dream that!”, she said.
The excitement around herself and the very elegant stallion Flynn is growing with every outing. In London (GBR) just a couple of weeks ago the pair were already hugely impressive when finishing sixth in the Freestyle. At only nine years of age the horse is still developing, and the partnership he has established with his 28-year-old rider suggests there is so much more to come.
Asked if she thinks they could reach the level of today’s winners, Fry and Everdale, de Winne replied with honesty and conviction, “that is everyone’s childhood dream and also my dream! We are slowly growing, we are both green at this level but I hope to get close in the future, or even better!”
And asked if she found the atmosphere created by the packed arena of spectators difficult to handle she added, “we came from London and London was huge already but Mechelen is definitely on the same level as London. It was even more impressive to come through the corridor and enter the arena, it made my hair stand on end and I can’t wait to be back!” said the third-placed rider.
Full house
Runner-up van Baalen said the “the crowd here is amazing, it was a full house and you feel the great atmosphere!”
And today was a special day for the Dutch star too.
“Habibi and I rode a fantastic Freestyle. He had a break after the European Championship and we rode our first indoor again in Kronenberg (NED). That was a very good warm-up for Mechelen, and we rode a Personal Best in the Freestyle today so that was just great!”, she pointed out.
And of course Lottie Fry was also a happy lady. “It’s my third time here in Mechelen but my first time winning so that’s always more fun! I had a great ride yesterday and today on Everdale, I think these were two of his best ever tests, and he’s just improving all the time. And the atmosphere in there today was pretty incredible! Even for the Grand Prix there were so many spectators which we don’t always get so that was really nice to see, and the prize-giving was insane - it was like the roof was going to be lifted off!”, said the 27-year-old who is second in the world rankings and who scooped double-gold at the 2022 World Championships.
As 2023 draws to a close, the Western European League table still shows Sweden’s Patrik Kittel out in front while French rider Morgan Barbançon is second and young German, Netz, has moved into third following today’s result which has also boosted Fry into joint-sixth place.
With five more qualifiers to go before the series Final in April 2024 there is still plenty more action to come and the next leg in Basel, Switzerland in two weeks’ time will get the New Year underway. So don’t miss a hoofbeat….
In a landmark moment in FEI World Cup™ history, the organisers of the FEI Jumping and Dressage World Cup™ Finals, scheduled to be held in Riyadh (KSA) between 16-20 April 2024, have contributed to a groundbreaking increase in prize money for the competitors.
The pot for the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final already sits at an impressive 1.3 million Euros. Now thanks to a generous donation by the Organising Committee, the prize money for the 2024 Jumping Final will be doubled, reaching an extraordinary total of 2.6 million Euros.
This significant increase in prize money - the highest amount ever seen at an FEI World Cup™ Final - is likely to be a one-time opportunity, making the 2024 World Cup Finals™ in Riyadh an exceptional and unprecedented event. It also highlights the Organisers’ dedication in welcoming the global equestrian community to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and for the first time as hosts of the FEI World Cup™ Finals.
The FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final will also benefit from a substantial boost, with an additional 100,000 Euros being injected into its prize fund. The Dressage prize money - already set at 300,000 Euros - will now be bolstered to an impressive 400,000 Euros.
FEI Secretary General, Sabrina Ibáñez expressed that;
“The FEI is privileged to have the Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation as a key ally in equestrian sport, and there is no doubt they are fully onboard when it comes to raising the bar for the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final and the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final 2024 to an unprecedented competitive level."
"The generous welcome of the equestrian community to Saudi Arabia, coupled with the wonderful commitment made by the Organising Committee to the growth and success of the sport, will foster a spirit of excellence."
Sabrina Ibáñez, Secretary General, FEI
"Thanks to the steadfast support of Longines, the FEI’s Top Partner for the last 11 years, and the invaluable contribution of the Organising Committee, we can look forward to demonstrations of world-class talent in two of the FEI’s Olympic disciplines at the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final and the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final, only months before the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.”
Riyadh, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a whole, has been emerging as a formidable host for equestrian events for some time.
In 2023, Riyadh successfully hosted 11 FEI events, with the momentum continuing in 2024 with another 12 planned, as well as the city of AlUla set to host the FEI Endurance World Championship in 2026, as announced at the FEI Board Meeting in Mexico City (MEX) last month.
No stranger to the world stage in equestrian sport, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has already clinched two Olympic medals in Jumping – an individual bronze in Sydney in 2000 and a team bronze in London in 2012. More recently, they secured their Jumping team a place in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Olympic Qualification Event in Doha (QAT) in February 2023, and took gold in both team and individual Jumping at the Asian Games in Hangzhou (CHN) this year.
2024 will be a year of world-class equestrian sport once again, with Jumping and Dressage only half the complement of the FEI World Cup Finals™ on the cards for the year. It all kicks off with the FEI Vaulting World Cup™ Final hosted in Basel (SUI) from 11-14 January, and the FEI Driving World Cup™ Final in Bordeaux (FRA) from 1-4 February.
Don’t miss a hoofbeat!
The International Horse Sport Confederation (IHSC) held its 2023 General Assembly on 8 December in the Happy Valley Clubhouse, Hong Kong. The General Assembly was led by the IHSC President, Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges.
The 2022 accounts were approved. Presentations were made on the activities carried out during 2023, with a particular focus on those related to the IHSC collaboration with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH); African Horse Sickness (AHS); and, IHSCs activities to support the Peoples Republic of China in its development of the Chinese horse sector.
The budget and activities for 2024 were presented and approved, most importantly; the collaboration with WOAH continues as well as the work of the AHS-working group. New activities were proposed, a WOAH-IHSC Regional Workshop in the Gulf Region and an Assessment on Risk of Climate Change on Spreading of Infectious Equine Diseases.
The FEI Board has approved a list of criteria and conditions that Russian and Belarusian Athletes, FEI registered Support Personnel, Horse Owners and Officials must fulfil in order to be allowed to return to competition at FEI Events. The decision was taken following the lifting of the protective measures regarding Russian and Belarussian Athletes, Horses, and Officials agreed at the in-person FEI Board meeting on 19 November.
Criteria
he criteria include the absence of active support for the war in Ukraine, no contract with the Russian or Belarusian military or with any other national security agency, and compliance with all FEI Rules and Regulations, including the Anti-Doping Rules for Human Athletes and FEI Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations.
They also specify that any form of verbal, non-verbal or written expression, explicit or implicit, at any time since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, in particular public statements, including those made in social media, participation in pro-war demonstrations or events, and the wearing of any symbol in support of the war in Ukraine, for example the "Z" symbol, are considered to be acts of active support for the war in Ukraine and will prevent individuals from participating at FEI Events.
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Procedure
Once issued with the Neutral status, Athletes and Support Personnel will only be entitled to take part in Individual Competitions and will not be authorised to participate in any FEI Team Competitions.
The Neutral Individual Athletes, Neutral Individual Support Personnel, and Neutral Officials will not be entitled to compete or attend as representatives of the Russian Federation or the Republic of Belarus, their National Federations or National Olympic Committees. Flags, emblems, and identifiers will not be displayed at any FEI Event venue.
The national anthems of Russia and Belarus will not be played or sung at any time during FEI Competitions in any competition venue.
Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games
On 8 December the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided that Individual Neutral Athletes who have qualified through the existing qualification systems of the International Federations on the field of play will be declared eligible to compete at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in accordance with the conditions set out by the IOC.
According to the Olympic Qualification Systems for Equestrian, individual qualification is secured through the FEI Olympic Rankings for Jumping, Dressage, and Eventing, which cover the period from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023. Since Russian and Belarusian athletes have not competed in FEI Events since 2 March 2022, no representatives of these nations will take part in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) had taken a decision similar to the IOC in September, however, similarly to the Olympic Games, with the Qualifying events being in 2023, and Russian and Belarusian athletes not having competed in FEI Events since 2 March 2022, no ranking points could be earned, and hence no individual qualification slots could be allocated.
In keeping with the IOC statement of 25 February 2022 urging International Sports Federations to relocate or cancel their sports events, the measures prohibiting FEI Events from being held in Russia and Belarus remain in place. No FEI Events organised in Russia and Belarus can be entered in the FEI Calendar for 2024. No Officials’ courses as well as any other FEI activities will be held in Russia and Belarus for the time being and all FEI Solidarity projects in Russia and Belarus remain frozen.
“The Board approved the strict criteria for the return of Russian and Belarusian Athletes, Support Personnel and Officials to FEI Events with a Neutral status further to its decision taken last month to lift the protective measures put in place shortly after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The original protective measures were introduced further to the recommendation of the International Olympic Committee, however, it was acknowledged that they may no longer fulfil a protective role and, therefore, had to be reconsidered.
“Whereas the procedure we defined on 14 December 2023 is paving the way for the return of Russian and Belarusian Athletes, FEI registered Support Personnel and Officials to international equestrian sport, difficult times lie ahead.”
“The war in Ukraine is still raging and the people of Ukraine continue to suffer. I would like to reiterate FEI’s unwavering support to the Ukrainian equestrian community through the FEI Solidarity Relief Fund.”
Note to editors:
The document outlining the FEI Criteria for the participation of Russian and Belarusian Athletes, Horses and Officials in FEI Events including procedures, deadlines, costs and sanctions for the non-respect of the criteria, as well as the Declaration Forms (as an annex to the document) is available on FEI website here. A Russian version of the Declaration Forms is also available.
The press release on the FEI’s Board decision to lift the protective measures and allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian Athletes, Support Personnel and Officials and Neutrals can be consulted here.
The detailed qualifications systems for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games are available on the dedicated hub here
With the Longines League of Nations' inaugural season kicking off in February 2024, over the next few weeks we will take a closer look at the 10 nations that have qualified to compete to be the first winner of the new trophy.
Today, #10 in the rankings, we talk to Brazil...
Brazil has a rich and storied history in the world of Jumping, marked by a legacy of remarkable achievements and notable successes.
Most recently, finishing fourth at the Longines FEI Jumping Nations™ Cup Final at the Real Club de Polo in Barcelona this year, where they secured their ticket to the Paris Olympics in 2024.
Over the years, Brazilian equestrians have consistently demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication, and passion for the sport, earning them a place on the global stage with Pan American games glory, but also when Rio de Janeiro hosted the Olympic Games in 2016.
From the iconic partnership between rider and horse to the pursuit of excellence in training and competition, Brazil's Jumping community has carved a remarkable path in the annals of equestrian history.
According to an official survey by the Brazilian Equestrian Federation, the number of active athletes with valid ID in national and international competitions held in Brazil has consistently grown over recent years, with Jumping leading the popularity ranks according to registrations. This is partly a nod to the cultural phenomenon of leading Brazilian Jumping athletes such as Rodrigo Pessoa, and recently the winner of the 2023 Pan American games, Stephan Barcha.
As Brazil gears up for the upcoming 2024 Longines League of Nations™ series, the nation stands poised to showcase its prowess once again as the only Southern hemisphere country to qualify for the top ten competing nations. With this qualification and participation underscoring the country's commitment to maintaining its position as a powerhouse in international Jumping; we speak to Carola May from the Brazilian Equestrian Federation.
Brazil has a rich history in equestrian sports. How do you see your participation in the Longines League of Nations™ contributing to the legacy and tradition of Brazilian Jumping?
"Competing in the Longines League of Nations™ series is undoubtedly of great importance for Brazilian equestrianism, not only for our international riders competing at a high level, but also as an encouragement for the future generation of the sport.
Jumping is unquestionably the Olympic discipline with the largest number of enthusiasts in our country, and...
"Having the opportunity to compete alongside the best teams, represents a unique chance with positive impacts on the sport’s popularity and recognition"
Carola May
(BRA)
Brazil has produced some exceptional equestrian talents. How are you working to nurture and develop the next generation of riders through its involvement in the Longines League of Nations™ series?
"It all begins with the grassroots work. With the Brazilian Youth Championship in high-performance categories, selective competitions, and participation in the South American Youth Championship, which usually occurs annually, our young talents learn to experience the pressure of international competition and develop team spirit. The Longines League of Nations™ signifies the culmination of this preparation, much like the Pan-American Games, World Championships and Olympic Games."
Equestrian sports have a passionate following. How do you plan to engage and excite fans throughout the Longines League of Nations™ series, and what initiatives are in place to ensure that the Brazilian audience is part of this global equestrian celebration?
"Access to live streaming and potential TV broadcasts serve as tools to engage our Jumping enthusiasts who naturally seek to follow the exciting competitions in equestrianism. Simultaneously, promotion on social media and specialised channels are also crucial in enhancing the Brazilian audience’s participation in this global series."
The Brazilian team's journey promises to be a thrilling chapter in the unfolding narrative of the Longines League of Nations™ series, as they aim to add new chapters to Brazil's illustrious equestrian history.
Be sure to catch all the action on FEI TV as the series kicks off in Abu Dhabi on 11 February.
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