Team New Zealand are setting themselves up to be strong contenders for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games next year, and results at Millstreet this weekend further reinforced that. An experienced quartet led from start to finish at the Irish event, to leave them on an impressive final score of 114.6. This is one of the best team finishing scores seen in this popular eight-leg series in recent years, perhaps unsurprising given World number one and two riders Tim and Jonelle Price made up half of the team. They were joined by the experienced Clarke Johnstone and rising star, Samantha Lissington. Team Belgium were runners-up on 131.9, whilst Ireland delighted their home crowd by finishing third in what was a fierce competition.

The cross-country course proved the make or break of many combinations and teams and making the time was suitably challenging, with no riders finishing inside. Tim Price won the class overall on Falco, the horse that also gave him an individual and team bronze in Pratoni. His wife Jonelle also played her part on the ‘pocket rocket’ McClaren. The Prices, joined by Clarke Johnstone, were all members of the bronze-medal winning team at last year's FEI Eventing World Championship in Pratoni del Vivaro (ITA).  All three riders were mounted on experienced horses who continued their reliable form by jumping double clears in the Jumping and cross-country phases. They were joined by Samantha Lissington, who was the drop score a

fter picking up 20 penalties for a refusal on the cross-country phase.
 
Chef d’Equipe of the New Zealand Team is former Olympic Eventing rider Sam Griffiths, who summed up the result. “We are really proud of their performance. Because New Zealand doesn’t have the equivalent of a European Championship, we decided that we wanted to target a couple of Nations Cups, of which Millstreet is one, so we sent a strong contingent. It’s really good to bring the group together and practice what we need to do. We will also be hoping to do well at Aachen. It’s always really good to target an event and then deliver a really good result at that event, so we are really pleased.”
 
Riders were full of praise for the event and cross-country phase which was designed by Mike Etherington-Smith. “One of the reasons why we targeted Millstreet is that we know how beautiful the venue is. The Duggan family takes amazing care of it. We love Mike Etherington-Smith's courses. They are always beautifully presented and even with the going being fast, time was incredibly difficult even with experienced combinations going pretty much as fast as they could", said Griffiths
 
Tim Price was delighted with his horse Falco, a 14 year old Hannovarian gelding.

"Falco is a cracking horse; he's established now and his intelligence is being used for the good of everyone. I was really proud of him, he’s such a cool wee horse.

We took this seriously because the New Zealand team were using Millstreet as a marker point for the powers that be back at home. It was important that we delivered a decent result and showed that we were on track this year and through to Paris, so we treated it as such and all brought good horses onto the team.The time was very tight (on the cross-country) so it felt like a proper test."

The Kiwis have had mixed success at major team championships in recent years, but Griffiths believes they have a great and long-lasting future ahead, with Millstreet highlighting that. “We had incredibly strong performances from Clarke Johstone and Jonelle, so we were really solid. We are really starting to grow some strength and depth. At Millstreet we had 19 combinations competing and, for a country that is on the other side of the world, that shows it is really developing.”
 
The Belgian team, who finished in second place, also delivered some solid jumping performances. Tine Magnus, Belgian team member spoke for the team: "We're going for the Olympic qualification, so we'll be off to Strzegom next - and we're going to win! Millstreet is a wonderful place. The cross-country was great to ride; we're not used to such lovely big galloping tracks."
 
FEI Eventing Director Catrin Norinder was also present at the event, and said: "We'd like to thank Millstreet and the Duggan family for putting on such a great FEI Eventing Nations Cup™. The surroundings and cross-country course are amazing. It was truly competitive and a unique opportunity to get so many nations together."

This FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ series is of particular significance to some nations this year, as the highest-placed team according to the final team classification of the 2023 Series, excluding teams/NOCs already qualified, will be allocated a place for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. 
 
This was the third leg of the Series which will now move to Strzegom (POL) which runs from 21-25 June. The  Belgians lead the Nations Cup Series at this early stage, with 270 points scored, after winning the opening event in Montelibretti last month to add to their second place today.

FULL RESULTS

They waited 22 years to post a long-awaited win on home ground in St Gallen last year, and today Team Switzerland stole the show once again when topping the opening leg of the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ 2023 Europe Division 1 series at their home venue. 

Their back-to-back victory was no walk-in-the-park however, with the result only decided in a thrilling jump-off against the clock in which home hero Martin Fuchs sealed it with a clear round from Leoni Jei, while Brazil’s Yuri Mansur and Miss Blue-Saint Blue Farm QH were quicker but left the very last fence on the floor.

The Brazilians were truly impressive, firmly in the lead at the halfway stage on a zero score and without even having to call on their anchor partnership of Pedro Veniss and Nimrod de Muze Z. But in the end it was Fuchs and team-mates Edouard Schmitz, Bryan Balsiger and Steve Guerdat who stood top of the podium, both Balsiger and Guerdat bolstering Swiss chances with superb double-clear performances.

Generous

The time-allowed of 77 seconds proved generous over Swiss course designer Gerard Lachat’s 12-fence track, but the final line of three fences that included a triple bar to a tight double of vertical-to-oxer and the final planks proved influential. 

In glorious sunshine the horses looked fresh and full of enthusiasm as they enjoyed the big open arena, and when Francisco Jose Mesquita Musa (Alea Marathon), Rodrigo Pessoa (Major Tom) and Mansur and his impressive 10-year-old mare all went clear first time out then Veniss didn’t need to go as only the best three scores would count.

However Great Britain and Switzerland were only a fence behind, on four faults going into round two when the British fell back with the addition of eight, while the Swiss, in contrast, really rose to the challenge to add nothing to their four-fault scoreline. 

Chink

The first chink in the Brazilian armour was a brick out of the wall at fence two in an otherwise foot-perfect second run from Mesquita Musa. Pessoa produced a second spectacular clear and Veniss was faultless on his first tour of the track but when Mansur’s mare kicked out the top plank at fence five at her second attempt then they moved also on to a four-fault tally forcing a third-round head-to-head.

And that was also a thriller, Fuchs throwing down a superb target time of 42.14 seconds with a clear that had the home crowd gasping all the way. But Mansur was well up on time coming to the last and broke the beam in 41.84 seconds. Fuchs didn’t see the final fence fall for the Brazilian and initially thought he’d been beaten….

“I couldn’t even watch the last fence because I was looking at the time on the clock hoping Yuri would be slower. And then the clock stopped and he was faster and I was ‘whaaaat’!”, he said this evening. As it happened he had nothing to worry about. “I have to say congrats to team Brazil and Yuri Mansur for really making it so exciting for everyone today!”, he added.

A great day

“What a great day!”, 30-year-old multiple champion Fuchs said. “It was a very exciting class, my team-mates were fantastic and my horse was great. I had a rail in the first round and was obviously very disappointed with that because he jumped fantastic and I really thought we could go for the clear. But in the next round he really gave everything, and that’s also why we decided I would be the one to jump off, because my horse felt great today”.

When Swiss pathfinder Schmitz had the first element of the triple combination at fence six down on his second tour of the track there was nothing sure about the destination of today’s St Gallen Nations Cup title.

“Now I knew we had to deliver clear rounds because the Brazilian team looked very, very strong in the first round. We knew we had to put pressure on them and that’s how it turned out. It worked out really great, and it’s always very sweet to win in front of the home crowd”, Fuchs added. 

Encouraging

Asked if today’s result is encouraging ahead of the challenge of achieving qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games which, until now, has evaded Team Switzerland, Fuchs quickly replied, “we don’t need any encouragement! We are all already highly motivated to get this Olympic qualification and a win like this gives you confidence, gives you a boost. If you can win in front of the home crowd where the pressure is high, then you know you can deliver also at a Championship, and that’s an important point we can take away from today”, he said. 

Olympic places are on offer at the forthcoming FEI Jumping European Championship and at the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final 2023 which will take place in Barcelona (ESP) at the end of September. But before all that there will be another five exciting rounds to decide the line-up for the Longines Final to which the top seven of the ten nations competing in Europe Division 1 will make the cut.

Sopot in Poland is the next port of call in two week’s time for competitors in this exciting top-level series which also stops off at Rotterdam (NED) later in June before moving to Falsterbo (SWE) and Hickstead (GBR) in July and finally visits Dublin (IRL) in August.

Don’t miss a hoofbeat….

Result 

Standings 

FEI President and IOC Member Ingmar De Vos (BEL) has been re-elected on the Council of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF). The election took place on 31 May on the occasion of the 47^th ASOIF General Assembly held in Lausanne (SUI), and was opened with a speech by International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach who congratulated ASOIF on their achievements and the indispensable role of International Federations delivering and modernising the Olympic Games. Other items on the agenda included decisions on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games International Federation revenue share scheme, ASOIF Statute amendments and membership admissions.

This is President De Vos’ second term as ASOIF Council member. Since 2016, he has been a member of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF) Governance Taskforce, and was first elected to the ASOIF Council in 2019 for a four-year term, which ended this year. The second term runs from 2023 to 2027. The ASOIF Council is composed of eight individual members – all leaders of Summer Olympic International Federations (IFs), and the ASOIF Executive Director (ex officio without voting rights) – see here for more information.

Ingmar De Vos was elected FEI President in 2014, re-elected for a second term in 2018 and re-elected for a third and final term in 2022. He was elected as a Member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in September 2017 and is a member of the following IOC Commissions: Coordination Commission for the Games of the XXXIV Olympiad Los Angeles 2028 (2019 - ); Legal Affairs (2018 - ); and Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (2019 - ). In addition, he is SportAccord Executive Committee member, ASOIF representative on the WADA Executive Committee and a member of the Board of Directors of the Belgium Olympic Committee.

“Being on the ASOIF Council is an honour and a great responsibility,” Ingmar De Vos said.

“As the unique umbrella organisation for the Olympic International Federations, the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations plays a crucial role in representing the interests of the federations in the Olympic movement. Under the excellent leadership of President Francesco Ricci Bitti our federations have been well represented and a constructive dialogue has been established. But ASOIF does much more and besides unifying the International Federations and establishing a constructive dialogue, it provides services to the members and the best example is the governance assessment initiative of ASOIF to help the federations to improve their governance.

“I would like to thank the ASOIF members for their support and confidence.

“I also take the opportunity, on behalf of the FEI, to wish ASOIF a happy 40^th birthday and look forward to continuing all the positive work.”

Affirming its support for Pride Month, the FEI has joined the global movement that celebrates diversity, promotes equality and acknowledges the impact of LGBTQ+ individuals in various spheres, including equestrian sports.

During the month-long celebration, the FEI will engage in a series of online activities to further promote understanding, acceptance, and respect for LGBTQ+ members of the equestrian community.

Pride Month, celebrated annually in June, was created to honour the LGBTQ+ community's struggle for equality and to promote visibility, acceptance, and love for all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

“We have many high-profile athletes from the LGBTQ+ community who live their lives openly and who are role models for the younger members still finding their way. In our sport, being a part of the LGBTQ community is not an exception,” FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said.

“As a community, we may have taken this openness on the field-of-play for granted over the years. Unfortunately, equestrian athletes do not always experience this same level of acceptance in areas of their life outside of the sport.”

There are no gender based biological advantages to competing in equestrian sport. Success on the field-of-play is largely determined by the unique bond between both human and equine athletes and refined communication between the two. Aside from Vaulting, which has gendered competitions, the FEI disciplines of Jumping, Dressage, Para Dressage, Eventing, Endurance, Driving and Para Driving have male and female athletes competing as equals, at all levels.

“The FEI has been continuously evolving in its understanding and approach to issues affecting inclusion,” Sabrina Ibáñez explained. “Pride Month is a time for unity and celebration, while also recognising the work that remains to be done.”

The International Federation’s website and social media channels have adopted the colours of the Progress Pride flag, which was developed in 2018 by non-binary American artist and designer Daniel Quasar. Based on the iconic rainbow flag from 1978, the redesign celebrates the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community and calls for a more inclusive society.

A deliberate choice by the FEI, the inclusion of black and brown in the Progress Pride flag, represents LGBTQ+ communities of colour and provides a visual symbol that embraces a broader range of identities, cultures and races.

Quick links
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Hub
Pride in Equestrian

Read more
LinkedIn blog post by FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez (she/her/hers)

In just 100 days, all eyes in the Endurance world will turn to Ermelo in the Netherlands, as the Dutch town is set to host the highly anticipated FEI Endurance European Championship 2023 - an event that will bring together elite athlete combinations from approximately across the continent.

As horses and riders undergo the qualification process, excitement is building for the competition to be held at the Dutch National Equestrian Centre.
The Championship promises to showcase some of the finest Endurance combinations in Europe, and is no stranger to world-class performances.  At the 2021 Championship - also hosted at the same venue - the Spanish were in full force as Angel Soy Coll  (ESP) & Warrens Hill Chayze took to the top spot on the podium, while his compatriot  Maria Alvarez Ponton took bronze, with Frenchman Vincent Gaudriot clinching silver. Spain made it double-whammy as they also clinched top spot in the Team competition with France taking silver and Italy, bronze.

France and Portugal, who achieved notable team finishes at the FEI Endurance World Championships 2022 in Butheeb (UAE) are eager to build on their success, while Spain - that perennial powerhouse in Endurance - is also eyeing a team medal in Ermelo after their captain, Jaume Punti Dachs, claimed an individual bronze in Butheeb last year.
 
While countries like Spain have dominated previous championships, other countries are hot on their heels, looking to make their mark. Teams from across Europe are working hard on qualifying horse and rider combinations, all while emphasising the core principle of Endurance: "to finish is to win," which underscores the special partnership between horse and rider.

Endurance is a sport that can appeal to anyone, as equine and human athletes navigate diverse terrains throughout the track. Spectators will be able to witness the event from various points along the course, including the beautiful forests and heather-covered moors surrounding the Dutch National Equestrian Centre.
 
The event organisers are striving to elevate Endurance to new heights of excellence and teamwork, as they proved while hosting the 2021 FEI Endurance European Championship, which also featured the FEI World Endurance Championship for Young Riders and Juniors at the same event. They heavily prioritise sustainability for both the horses and the environment, ensuring the highest standards of sportsmanship and respect for all involved.

“At Ermelo, we believe that the sport should be about more than just individual achievement – it should be a celebration of team performance, integrity, and cooperation,” says Eric Lamsma, President of the organising committee. 

“Our mission is to foster a competitive environment where these values are at the forefront, while also promoting sustainability for both the horses and the environment."

We’re committed to upholding the highest standards of horse welfare sportsmanship fairness and respect for all involved in the Endurance community

With its world-class facilities that include stables, veterinary lanes, rest areas, and easy access to riding paths in the scenic Veluwe region, the Dutch National Equestrian Centre is well-prepared to host this prestigious competition once again.

Key dates for the championship include the submission of nominated entries by July 17 and confirmation of definite entries by August 31. Horses and riders must meet specific qualification criteria, including completing a CEI 3* as a combination, by July 9. Additionally, participating horses must meet the minimum age requirement of 9 years old. For those not participating in the championship, regular CEI Endurance rides will be held on September 9.

The FEI Endurance European Championship 2023 offers a glimpse into the future of Endurance, and with just 100 days to go, fans, athletes and the equestrian community as a whole are eagerly anticipating the challenges and celebrations that lie ahead.

More info will be available HERE.

Today marks 100 days to the FEI Dressage and Para Dressage European Championships 2023 which will take place in Riesenbeck, Germany from 4 to 10 September. This will be the 31st edition of the Dressage event that dates back to 1963, and the 7th for Para Dressage, which was first held began back in 2009.
 
Located in a woodland area of the Münster region, Riesenbeck is the European base of the Longines World Equestrian Academy. With its magnificent grass stadium, all-weather arenas, modern riding hall complex and stabling for 336 horses it provided a perfect setting for the successful 2021 FEI Jumping European Championship, and is set to welcome Europe’s Dressage and Para Dressage stars this time around.

Changes
 
There have been many changes in the sport of Dressage since Switzerland’s Henri Chammartin and Wolfdietrich won the first official individual European title 60 years ago in Copenhagen (DEN) where 16 riders from eight nations lined out. But the one constant has been the extraordinary supremacy of German riders whose formidable record includes claiming 22 of the 40 individual medals, and 25 of the 29 team titles on offer down the years.
 
Dorothee Schneider (Faustus), Helen Langehanenberg (Annabelle), Isabell Werth (Weihegold OLD) and Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (TSF Dalera BB) joined forces to pin Great Britain into silver and Denmark into bronze at the last European Championship in Hagen (GER) in 2021, just two months after winning team gold at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games where von Bredow-Werndl set a new Olympic record in the Grand Prix Special before going on to win the Freestyle.
 
She was unstoppable again in Hagen where she added both the Grand Prix Special and Freestyle medals to her haul of loot, and although she dropped out of the number one slot in the world rankings while having a baby last summer she bounced right back to the top again just as soon as she returned to action, taking the FEI Dressage World Cup™ title 2023 in Omaha, USA this April with the brilliant Dalera.

Qualified

In her absence, Team Germany had to settle for bronze at the FEI Dressage World Championship in Herning, Denmark last year but that was plenty good enough to claim one of the five qualifying spots up for grabs for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
 
All of the top five finishing nations were from Europe, so the gold medallists from Denmark, Great Britain in silver medal spot, Germany, Sweden and The Netherlands won’t be chasing down the three further Olympic places on offer to teams in Riesenbeck and neither will the French who, as hosts, are automatically qualified.

Tussle at the top 

Now in its 7th incarnation since the inaugural event in 2009 hosted in Kristiansand (NOR), the FEI Para Dressage European Championship has consistently delivered unforgettable moments and showcased the exceptional abilities, trust and communication of both equine and human Para Dressage athletes across the continent. 

Great Britain was the nation to beat in the first few editions, taking the team title and claiming more than half of the individual and freestyle titles on offer across the five Grades from 2009 to 2013. Other strong nations such as Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark were also often on the podium during these early years, claiming some titles, but it was in 2015 that a clear wind of change swept across the Para Dressage landscape, when Great Britain claimed just two of the ten individual European Championship titles, a stark contrast from previous years.  

They still had the stronghold on the team title, but that would also slip away in 2019, when the Netherlands took the top spot on home soil in Rotterdam for the first time, marking a new chapter in the championships' captivating narrative. This was unchartered territory, which the British fought hard to undo at the next major event - the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games - only to relinquish it once again to the Netherlands at the World Championships in Herning last year. All eyes will be on the European Championship this year to see which nation has the upper hand.

Paris 2024 will also be on the minds of those teams that have yet to qualify, with the top ranked team, not already qualified through the World Championships in 2022, set to earn a coveted team slot for the Paralympic Games next year.

The stage is set for Europe’s best Dressage and Para Dressage partnerships to carve their names alongside the distinguished list of previous champions on the Roll of Honour when the FEI Dressage and Para Dressage European Championships 2023 gets underway in three months’ time.

FEI and Top Partner Longines pave the way for the Longines League of Nations, securing a bright future for the most prestigious series in equestrian history 

An important building block was laid on 23 May in St Imier, Switzerland at the Headquarters of Longines, with an official signing ceremony to confirm the Swiss watchmaker’s commitment to the Longines League of Nations, a fresh start for the century old equestrian team series that will see a full makeover starting in 2024.

Longines, who became the FEI’s first Top Partner in 2012 and will be Title Sponsor for the Longines League of Nations, has been directly involved throughout the FEI’s 6-month consultation phase with a dedicated Task Force including all the key equestrian stakeholders, which was set up to review and redefine the iconic Nations Cup series. 

"Longines is thrilled to announce its partnership as the Title Sponsor of the Longines League of Nations”, said Matthias Breschan, CEO of Longines.  

“This collaboration marks another milestone in our longstanding relationship with the FEI, and we are honoured to continue our support as the Top Partner since 2012.

“We are excited about the future of the series and the impact it will have on the equestrian world. Through this partnership, we aim to provide a platform for athletes to showcase their skills on a global stage. Longines is proud to be a part of this incredible journey.

“The brand has a long-lasting commitment in equestrian sports, not only as partner, but also as a service provider. Guaranteeing the quality and reliability of the timekeeping is a key aspect of our partnership with the FEI. We are dedicated to promoting the values of elegance, tradition and performance, which are deeply ingrained in both our brand and the equestrian community."

Hailed a “game-changer” at the final Task Force meeting in March, the Longines League of Nations features a unified and global format, where the top ten nations compete at five top venues in order to qualify for a Final where the best eight teams go head-to-head to be crowned the Longines League of Nations Champion! 

Enhanced prize money and financial incentives for Organisers, Athletes and National Federations, as well as a raft of other opportunities, including the FEI’s extensive commitments and services are outlined in the Bid Guide which was launched on 22 May. As per the Bidding timeline, potential host venues now have five working weeks to submit their application, with selected venues to be announced mid-July.  

“This is a really special day for the history of this series but also for everything that we stand for as a Federation and a community”, explained the FEI President Ingmar De Vos following the signing ceremony in St Imier.  

“This relaunch would not be possible without our Top Partner and Title Sponsor for the series, Longines and it’s been an honour and privilege to have their strong support and to work hand-in-hand with the community-led Task Force in order to redefine the series and give us the tools to create a strong product that is relevant in today’s sporting landscape and reminiscent of that national pride which has driven the greatest teams to the top for nearly 115 years.

“It has been a collaborative effort and alongside Longines, we are also really grateful to all the stakeholders that took part in the Task Force meetings, for their genuine input and desire to bring the best out of this series. Sporting excellence, quality venues and infrastructures, consistency and a unique product that can attract the best riders and engage fans around the world are the themes that have driven our discussions, and this is what we are set to deliver with the Longines League of Nations Series.

Photo credit: David Marchon/Agence MaVu

The 100-day countdown to the much-anticipated FEI Jumping European Championship 2023 in Milan (ITA) has begun, and the tension is already rising.

This Championship has marked the crowning moment in the careers of many of the world’s greatest riders and their horses, and this 37th edition will be as hotly-contested as any that have gone before.

There will be team and individual medals up for grabs when the action takes place from 30 August to 3 September, and adding to the heat of battle will be the chance for three further countries to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. So there is a whole lot to play for over five days of fabulous competition.

Venue

The iconic venue at the Ippodromo Snai San Siro racecourse, which first opened in 1920, is an oasis of natural beauty located in the very heart of the stylish city of Milan. It hosts a botanical park which is often described as “a big green lung” in which a small lake welcomes many rare and migratory birds. 

At the entrance to the racecourse is the world’s largest equestrian sculpture, cast in bronze by the American sculptor Nina Akamu who was inspired by the ingenious drawings of Leonardo da Vinci.

Leonardo started work on the statue in 1482, but his classic ability to procrastinate saw the project abandoned when the French invaded the city seven years later. However in 1977 a US civilian pilot, Charles Dent, created a foundation that led to its completion and erection in 1999 - more than 500 years late, but nonetheless glorious…!

The equestrian arena is a more recent addition, sitting in the centre of the race-track where it has replaced a former golf course. It is just two years since the first 3-Star international horse show took place there, with a 4-Star following in 2022 and the FEI Jumping European Championship taking centre stage this year. 

Statistics

The statistics show that Germany holds the upper hand when it comes to European Jumping titles, with 15 individual and 7 team gold medals in the bag.

The individual Championship dates back to 1957 in Rotterdam (NED) when the great Hans Günter Winkler reigned supreme with Sonnenglanz, while Germany also won the first team title when it was included in the schedule on home ground at Munich in 1975. That team consisted of four more legends - Alwin Schockemöhle, Hartwig Steenken, Sönke Sönksen and Hendrik Snoek. 

Defending individual champion is Germany’s Andre Thieme who pinned 2019 European gold medallist, Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs, into silver medal spot in Riesenbeck (GER) in 2021. However Fuchs had the satisfaction of leading his country to team gold for the fifth time in the 66-year history of the event. 

There have been two three-time champions - the brilliant David Broome from Great Britain who came out on top with Sunsalve in 1961 and with Mr Softee in 1967 and 1969, and Germany’s Paul Schockemöhle who has the unique distinction of three back-to-back wins with the mighty Deister in 1981, 1983 and 1985. 

Mr Softee also has a special place in the history books, because five years before he posted his first victory for David Broome he carried fellow-Briton, David Barker, to the top of the individual podium in 1962. 

Qualification

The separate issue of Olympic qualification adds even more spice to the week of super sport. The three highest-ranked teams from FEI Olympic Groups A and/or B will each earn a much-sought-after ticket to Paris 2024, excluding countries already qualified.

Sweden, The Netherlands, Great Britain, Ireland and Germany bagged the first five Olympic qualifying spots on offer at the FEI Jumping World Championship in Herning (DEN) last August, while Belgium clinched the single slot up for grabs at the 2022 Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final in Barcelona (ESP) last September. France, as host country, is automatically qualified.

For the rest of the European nations there is a whole lot hanging in the balance when the FEI Jumping European Championships 2023 kick off in 100 days…..

Don’t miss a hoofbeat…..

Some facts about the FEI Jumping European Championships 2023 in Milan:

Officials: Ground Jury - Harry Braspenning (NED), Frances Hesketh-Jones-Trulzi (ITA), Cesar Hirsch (VEN), Maria Cuervo Muniz (ESP) and Patrizia Adobati Ferrari (ITA). Course designer is Italy’s Uliano Vezzani and Chief Steward is Ireland’s Charles Maudlin.

Deadline for nominated entries is 31 July.

Competition schedule
Wednesday 30 August: First Qualifier Individual and Teams
Thursday 31 August: Team Final Round 1 and Individual Qualifier
Friday 1 September: Team Final 2 (medals) and Individual Qualifier
Sunday 3 September: Individual Final over two Rounds.

Event official website here

Team Poland under the direction of Germany’s Andreas Dibowski took first place at the Group C FEI Designated Olympic Qualifier for Eventing at Baborówko (POL) this weekend, in a battle between three Central European nations seeking team qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. 

With only one Team quota place on offer at this qualifying event, it was a disappointment for the teams from the Czech Republic and Hungary, who finished in second and third place respectively, after three days of exhilarating competition in the bucolic countryside near Poznań. 

Poland were the favourites heading into the weekend’s competition, having been victorious at the same venue in 2019 to secure a place on the start list at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, where they finished in 13th place. After Friday’s Dressage phase, Poland were indeed in the driver’s seat, leading Hungary by nearly 10 total points. Polish athlete Pawel Warszawski led the field on a score of 29.7 points with Lucinda Ex Ani 4. He was helped out by teammates Jan Kiminski (Jard), Wiktoria Knap (Quintus 134), and Malgorzata Korycka (Canvalencia), who finished second, fourth, and eighth, respectively. Poland’s dominance was cemented in the cross country on Saturday, where they again finished first, this time on Marcin Konarski’s 5,700-metre course, which had an optimum time of 10 minutes. Riding last for the Polish team, Warszawksi had the confidence of knowing that all three athletes before him had gone clear and finished with 16.4 time penalties and no obstacle penalties. Kaminski snagged just 1.2 time penalties, and Korycka added 6.4. Knap happily ended the day on her Dressage score, crossing the beam with one second to spare on the clock. 

Whilst Hungary still hoped to overtake Poland in the cross country phase, with a reasonable difference between the two teams after Dressage, they soon found their team unravelling. Only Imre Tóth finished the course, riding clear aboard Zypresse 8 but picking up 8 time penalties.  Noémi Viola Doerfer and Crystal Barney were eliminated after a fall - the result of misjudging strides between two elements of a combination - and Balázs Kaizinger elected to retire on the course with Clover 15. 

Of Saturday’s performance, Jan Kaminski, who took over the leaderboard individually in the qualifying class, said: " I knew I had to make it to the end for the country."

In the Jumping round on Sunday, the track created by course designer Szymon Tarant helped Team Poland put a bow on their win. All four Polish riders completed the course, adding only 9.2 total points to their overall team score. With a fence in hand and room for a few seconds on the clock, Jan Kaminski held onto his first-place position, joined on the podium by teammate Malgorzata Korycka in third, with their compatriot Mateusz Kiempa taking home the individual silver medal. The Czech Republic finished second overall on 1,158.8 points to Poland’s 129.9, Matej Sukdolak (Quaid) and Miroslav Trunda (Trnka Ruf) taking eighth and ninth. Hungary ended in third place on 2,117.9 points. 

Talking of Poland’s win, Chef d'Equipe Andreas Dibowski said: 

"It was a result from very good team spirit and teamwork. The first thing I told the riders was we needed safe rounds, and it would be okay to take some time penalties”

Andreas Dibowski (POL)

There are 16 Team slots on offer for Eventing at Paris 2024, including one for host nation France. That makes competition fierce for remaining places, with Poland now taking the ninth team slot, since Germany (2022 world champions at Herning), the USA, New Zealand, Great Britain (2020 Tokyo champions), Ireland, Sweden, and Switzerland claimed seven of those 16 as the highest ranked teams at the 2022 FEI Eventing World Championship at Pratoni del Vivaro (ITA).

The FEI Designated Olympic Qualification Event at Millstreet, Ireland in June for Groups F & G (Africa, Middle East, South East Asia and Oceania) will select two more teams from the highest placed finishers who have not yet qualified, as will the FEI Eventing European Championship at Pin du Haras, France this August and the 2023 Pan American Games at Santiago, Chile in October. The last chance to earn a single Team slot to Paris 2024 will be the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ Series, which wraps up at Boekelo in the Netherlands in autumn. 

Along with the British defending champions and France, who were awarded the Team bronze medal in Eventing at Tokyo, the Australians — who won silver — will surely be eager to make the roster. Of the teams who finished in the top 10 in Japan, Italy (seventh) and the People’s Republic of China (ninth) have also yet to qualify. 

All is not lost for athletes whose teams don’t ultimately qualify to compete at the Château de Versailles next year. In addition to the 16 Team spots (48 athletes), there are 17 Individual quota places to be allocated across multiple Olympic groups. Final places will be determined in 2024 and will be announced by the FEI once they have been confirmed. 

Full results here

For more information on qualification systems, qualfiying and MER events & qualified nations, visit the FEI Paris 2024 Olympic hub. 

The United States won their second consecutive Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ event Sunday in San Juan Capistrano (USA), securing a comfortable victory in front of a home crowd at The Oaks International Grand Prix Field two weeks after triumphing in Mexico.

The event marked the first Nations Cup event held in the state of California, and Chef d'Equipe Robert Ridland brought forward a powerhouse team that featured Lillie Keenan (Argan de Beliard), Karl Cook (Kalinka van't Zorgvliet), Laura Kraut (Dorado) and McLain Ward (Contagious).

The squad delivered. Over Leopoldo Palacios' (VEN) 1.60m track, they finished on a total score of 12 faults. Ireland finished second (17 faults), with Mexico third (33 faults).

"Qualifying for the Nations Cup [Finals] in Barcelona had to be a major priority, because that's one of two ways left to qualify for the Olympics. We basically took our 'A' team at the beginning of the year and split it in half. We sent the first half to Mexico [and came here] with the other half."

Chef d'Equipe Robert Ridland (USA)

All three riders from the U.S.'s silver medal-winning squad from Tokyo were represented across the two teams. In Mexico, Kraut delivered three clear rounds when prevailing in a jump-off against Mexico. In San Juan Capistrano, it was Ward's turn to lead the way. Ward produced the only double-clear effort on the day aboard his partner from the Tokyo Olympic Games, Contagious.

"I thought Leopoldo set a very challenging track. When I walked it, I have to say I was a tiny bit surprised at how big it was," Ward said. "But it's a five-star Nations Cup. There are huge consequences to this qualification, and that's the way it should be."

The United States boasted a comfortable lead heading into the second round, with more than a rail in hand over Canada. But Ireland launched a tremendous rally their second time around the course. Neither Andrew Bourns (Sea Topblue), David Blake (Claude), nor Conor Swail (Nadal Hero & DB) touched a pole, finishing the round with just a single fault added to their scorecard. 

That put a greater amount of pressure on the home nation, but veterans Kraut and Ward were clear for the U.S., securing the victory. Not a single U.S. rider incurred more than 4 faults in a single round of competition.

"When this group of riders that we have here are on form, it suits us when it's more difficult. So I think it worked in our favour."

McLain Ward (USA)

Kraut was the only rider to have also competed in Mexico. In that event, she rode her Tokyo Olympic Games mount, Baloutinue. In San Juan Capistrano, she brought forward 10-year-old Dorado for his Nations Cup debut. 

"I was thrilled with him," Kraut said. "I will tell you, in the first round, he definitely was impressed. I agree with McLain that the course was much more difficult than I was expecting, and it caught me off guard. [Dorado] was a little bit shy from the first round, and he could have gotten smaller for the second round, or he could have grown. He grew and rode around beautifully, like he'd been doing it a long time."

With their victory, the United States increased their lead in the North and Central America and Caribbean division; they boast 200 points. Mexico sits second with 170 points, and Canada is third (150 points).

The division concludes in Vancouver (CAN) on 4 June 2023.

Full Results

Standings