FEI PRESS RELEASE
Lausanne (SUI), 10 January 2023

World Champions Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale take FEI Dressage World Rankings number one slots

The New Year has started with major changes at the top of the FEI Dressage World Ranking. After clinching two gold medals on the FEI Dressage World Championship in Herning (DEN) back in August 2022, both Charlotte Fry (GBR) and her stallion Glamourdale have reached the top spot of the world ranking.

The 27 year-old Brit has climbed from number four to the top for the first time in her career, with a total of 2120 points. Her stallion Glamourdale (12 years old) is also on the top of the horses’ ranking, on 2060 points, moving up from the 70^th place, showing the remarkable year he’s completed.

Glamourdale and Fry have become the first number one athletes since the new format of the FEI Dressage World Ranking was approved in 2022, where athletes and horses are listed separately.

Former number one, Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl (GER), has dropped to number five after claiming the top spot back in August 2022, with 1882 points. Catherine Laudrup-Dufour (DEN) maintains the second place after earning three medals at the World Championships (one gold and two silvers), on 2040 points. Isabell Werth (GER), third on 2021 points and Dinja Van Liere (NED), fourth on 1919 points complete the Top 5.

The FEI Dressage World Ranking for horses is completed by Hermes N.O.P (Dinja Van Liere’s stallion), DSP Quantaz (Isabell Werth’s stallion), Touchdown (Patrik Kittel’s gelding) and Famoso OLD (Benjamin Werndl’s gelding).

The full FEI Dressage World Ranking for human athletes list is published here

The full FEI Dressage World Ranking for equine athletes list is published here

Photo Caption: Charlotte Fry (GBR) on Glamourdale during the Blue Hors FEI Dressage World Championship 2022, Herning (DEN). Grand Prix Special

Photo Credit: FEI / Liz Gregg
 

About Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) www.fei.org

The FEI is the world governing body for horse sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and was founded in 1921. Equestrian sport has been part of the Olympic movement since the 1912 Games in Stockholm.

The FEI is the sole controlling authority for all international events in the Olympic sports of Jumping, Dressage and Eventing, as well as Driving, Endurance and Vaulting.

The FEI became one of the first international sports governing bodies to govern and regulate global para sport alongside its able-bodied disciplines when Para Dressage joined its ranks in 2006. The FEI now governs all international competitions for Para Dressage and Para Driving.

FEI Contacts:

Paul Stretton
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paul.stretton@fei.org
+41 78 661 66 53

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Spain’s Marco Fuste, known for his bountiful charisma and extensive experience in the equestrian sporting sphere, including his tenure as FEI Jumping Director since 1 February 2021, passed away on 5 January 2023 from heart complications. He was 60 years of age.  

Highly regarded by the equestrian family, Fuste had a wealth of experience in the equestrian world which he gained through the many roles he embraced: from athlete to event organiser, chef d’équipe as well as hands-on governance administrator both in and out of the equestrian sphere.  

During his time at the FEI, Fuste oversaw the full revision of the FEI Jumping Rules, the successful delivery of the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games due to Covid-19, the delivery of FEI World Championships, World Cup and Nations Cup Finals among thousands of events around the world. He prioritised consultation, was always reachable and worked closely with the FEI Jumping Committee and Chair Stephan Ellenbruch (GER) to ensure the different stakeholders within the community understood the decisions, the reasoning and the decision-making process.   

“The FEI and the greater equestrian community have lost a true friend, loyal equestrian, mentor and aficionado,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.  

“Marco always gave it his all – he was not one for half measures or taking the easy option – and everyone respected him for his tenacity, his integrity and his good business sense.

“Marco was true to his convictions and was always true to himself. He was passionate about the sport and about the people, rational beyond measure and simply a wonderful human being. His generosity and thoughtfulness, as well as his wise insights and remarkable ability to recall and recount countless anecdotes, made him memorable and colourful at every encounter.

“Marco said that to be appointed FEI Jumping Director was his dream job, and for us, he was our dream candidate – passionate, experienced, knowledgeable, genuine, caring, determined and driven to do the right thing for the sport and for the people in the sport.

“We will miss him dearly at the FEI, and I know the entire community is also mourning his loss and everything he stood for.”

On behalf of the FEI Family, which held Marco in the greatest esteem, the FEI extends its deepest condolences to his wife Isa, his daughter Ainoa, his father, extended family, the Spanish equestrian community and everyone around the world who had the chance to get to know and spend time with him. May he rest in peace.

About Marco Fuste
Before joining the FEI and among many career highlights, Fuste was Director of Jumping for the Spanish Equestrian Federation and chef d’equipe of the Spanish Jumping team from 2006 to 2021. During this time, he also served as a member of the FEI Jumping Committee from 2011 to 2015, and a member of the European Equestrian Federation (EEF) Jumping and Nations Cup working groups. Prior to this, he had also worked at both the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games and the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2002 in Jerez (ESP), and was a recipient of the Gold Medal of the Real Federación Hípica Española in 2009, the Federation’s highest distinction.

In the lead up and alongside his equestrian career - borne from a lifelong love of horses – Fuste earnt his stripes exploring and working in a number of different sports. This started in 1986 with the position of Event Manager at the Spanish sports events company Organización y Gestión Deportiva S.A, before a nine-year stint with the World League of American Football, NFL Europe and NFL Europe League. He would go on to explore the tennis world, becoming General Manager at the Royal Spanish Tennis Federation, a tenure which coincided with Spain recording its first Davis Cup victory. 

Still fresh from his opening win in Geneva (SUI) and a close second in London (GBR), Bram Chardon (NED) retained his steely focus to fend off close challenges in the penultimate leg of the 2022-23 FEI Driving World Cup™ and secure maximum points to go equal top of the series rankings.

Despite the pressure piled on by Jérôme Voutaz (SUI), who found his A-game in Belgium, Bram held his nerve, drove the tightest lines of the competition, his keen and consistent horses maintaining their impressive pace over the whole course.  With one ball to add in his searing drive-off time of 131.25, he ended on 135.25, comfortably ahead of second placed Jérôme by 8.24 (143.49).

As last to go in the first round on Saturday night, having won day one’s competition early on Friday morning, Jérôme knew Johan Jacobs’ course suited his compact Freiberger horses, so he asked them to find their top gear again and they eagerly responded.  Although his drive-off time wasn’t far off Bram’s, he had eight to add, but it was enough to give him valuable ranking points and put him well into contention for a place in the finals in Bordeaux (FRA).

One of the season’s most consistent competitors, previous World Cup champion Koos de Ronde (NED) once again made it into the drive-off and once again finished in third place (150.88).  After a fast and clear round which secured a second run for him on Saturday night, during his final round he had a costly twelve penalties to add, not helped by the increasingly loose surface of the arena, which was beginning to catch out the drivers by testing their accuracy and adding a bit of extra sway to the carriages.  

So nearly in the drive-off was homeboy Glenn Geerts (BEL) who was disappointingly denied his place by Jérôme by a mere 0.43 seconds.  So elated by his brilliant round in front of a passionate crowd, which raised the bar for the three drivers who followed him in, Glenn toppled off his carriage after the clock had stopped.  Luckily his quick-thinking wife Charlotte, alongside the arena crew, immediately got to the reins and held the horses, and Glenn soon jumped back on again and was in control.

With seven drivers forward, the two Wild Card entries were the homebred talent of Glenn and Dries Degrieck, who is in his second season on the World Cup circuit.  Despite a podium finish for Dries in Geneva in early December and some strong driving in London, it wasn’t his weekend as he had costly rounds in terms of balls rolling.   Also missing the form he displayed in Geneva was Germany’s Michael Brauchle, who was off the mark in Mechelen and may be borderline for a definite qualification place in the finals.

Getting better with each event as he builds up the rapport with his new Lusitano horses, France’s Benjamin Aillaud has closed the gap between himself and his fellow drivers and finished fifth.  Looking fitter and more assured with each outing, these compact and powerful horses will surely be a force to be reckoned with in future seasons.

Filling the lull between Christmas and the advent of a New Year, Jumping Mechelen is celebrating its 40^th anniversary, and made a welcome return after a two year hiatus, providing festive, family entertainment.  The compact arena gives the format yet another character and Johan’s course included a central bridge as part of the twelve obstacles, and asked the sort of questions suitable for this stage in the season.  And it’s a season that is building to a crescendo with what promises to be a dramatic final in Bordeaux in early February. 

However, before then there is one more leg on the horizon in Leipzig (GER). For the second time in the series Boyd Exell and Bram will go head to head, a thrilling proposition now that they share the number one ranking.  Bram’s brilliant father, Ijsbrand, will be making a welcome return to the series and he – or Koos or Jérôme – are also in contention.  It promises to be spellbinding.

FULL RESULTS

There’s nothing quite like a win in front of your home crowd, and this evening Wilm Vermeir brought the spectators to their feet with a spectacular victory in the ninth leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2022/2023 Western European League on home ground at Mechelen in Belgium.

This Christmas fixture is always special, and even before the competition began the atmosphere in the arena was already electric and filled with emotion as the crowd sang their national anthem. And they were rewarded with the result they wanted when 43-year-old Vermeir and his faithful family-owned gelding Iq van het Steentje snatched victory when last to go in a sensational five-way jump-off against the clock.

Vermeir knew what he had to do. German pathfinder Hans-Dieter Dreher had thrown down a huge challenge when racing through the timers in 35.19 seconds with the lovely grey stallion Cous Cous to set a strong early lead. But the Belgian pair galloped home relentlessly to take the win in 34.45 seconds and set the arena alight.

Their all-or-nothing run to the final vertical was breathtaking. “If I’d had the last fence down it would have been an unbelievable disappointment for everybody, but everything was on our side - the jump-off was perfect, the horse was perfect, it was all just super good!”, the happy Belgian athlete said tonight after Germany’s Daniel Deusser slotted into third ahead of Belgium’s Pieter Devos and Gilles Thomas in fourth and fifth places.

Testing

Eddy Geysemans’ 13-obstacle first-round track was testing.

“It was a scopy course, the triple combination (fence 7) was not easy and the horses had to give everything there, and then the following vertical was high and close to the side of the ring so that was already a difficult line. And the one before the last one was a difficult oxer. I gave Iq too much space there - but he is fantastic!”, Vermeir explained.

That massive oxer at fence 12 was 1.52m high and 1.60m wide and proved pivotal throughout the early stages of the competition. This was no day for the faint-hearted, with several fences, including the wall at four and the planks at fence 10, standing at 1.63m high.

First of the five to go against the clock, Dreher really put it up to to the rest when his handsome 10-year-old horse broke the beam in 35.19 and although Belgium’s Pieter Devos and the 15-year-old mare Mom’s Toupie de la Roque left all the poles in place they were almost a second slower through the finish.

Next in, 24-year-old Gilles Thomas looked set to shake up the leaderboard with a thrilling ride on the leggy Casall mare Calleryama, but as they thundered down to the final vertical she took her eye off the fence and ran out to the right for a four-fault penalty in a slow time. So the young Belgian who has firmly established himself at the top end of the sport this year would have to settle for fifth place in the final analysis.

Germany’s Deusser was next to set off, and no-one doubted that he’d be giving it his best shot. When the World Cup was last staged in Mechelen in 2019 he reigned supreme with Killer Queen, and because his family and friends are closely associated with the Mechelen fixture the 2014 series champion is always keen to put his best foot forward. But after producing a classic clear in the first round he said the jump-off course was not built to suit his horse, and although Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z was foot-perfect once again their time of 35.39 wouldn’t challenge for the lead.

Pin drop

As Vermeir returned to the ring for the final time you could hear a pin drop. Could he wrest victory from Dreher’s firm grasp and make it a home win? He wasn’t going to think too long or too hard about it. He was partnering a horse who he has known all his life, and they were simply going to give it everything they had.

Iq is not the quickest horse on the planet and Vermeir was delighted when the first-round time-allowed of 73 seconds was so generous because he reckoned that helped them jump clear. But it was that deep understanding that develops between horse and rider over time that clinched it for them in the end, Iq listening to every word as Vermeir talked him around the track and responding instinctively to every movement of his rider’s body as they weaved their way down to the last line where their race to the final fence had everyone gripping the edges of their seats.

“There was not so much in my mind galloping to that last jump. I just had to go as the distance was long and hope he did not touch the pole!”, he said afterwards. It stayed firmly in place, and when the clock showed 34.45 seconds for the winning time the arena erupted with a roar of approval.

Treasured horse

Iq (Toulon/Kannan/BWP) is a treasured horse, much loved by the entire Vermeir family. “He came directly to us as a foal. My brother rode him until he was a six-year-old and then he came to me, so the family has him 14 years and he’s very special to us all!”, today’s winner pointed out.

The gelding is officially owned by Wilm’s brother Bert. “This year I did a lot of Nations Cups with him and we have a very good understanding between us. He means a lot to us all and we will never sell him!”, said the rider who has produced many top horses during his career from his base near Lummen in Belgium.

Second-placed Dreher was happy with the result he achieved from the eye-catching young stallion Cous Cous. “It was his first 1.60m today”, he said, and he praised the crowd for their enthusiastic support for every rider in today’s competition.

Content

Third-placed Deusser said he was also content. “I am very happy with how my horse jumped and I can’t remember when he last had a fence down. My jump-off was not perfect, my turns were not optimal but I am very happy for Wilm - he would have been difficult to beat this afternoon!”, he pointed out.

Both Deusser and Dreher plan to compete in the next round of the 14-leg Western European League in Basel, Switzerland in two weeks’ time while today’s winner Vermeir will head to Leipzig, Germany the following weekend. With a strong string of results Deusser is already qualified for the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final 2023 in Omaha, USA next April and lies second on the Western European leaderboard which continues to be headed by world number one, Henrik von Eckermann from Sweden.

Protesters tried to spoil the Mechelen party today by entering the arena when The Netherlands’ Willem Greve and Grandorado TN NOP were taking their turn but they didn’t succeed. Instead Jumping Mechelen 2022 produced yet another spectacular day of super sport.

“We had a lot of people all week but the atmosphere today was amazing!”, said Event Director Peter Bollen this evening. “It was the perfect edition, full stands, three Belgian riders in the jump-off and a Belgian win - this is the best birthday present we could wish for!”

Result

Standings 

For all the latest information about the LONGINES FEI Jumping World Cup™ season 2022/2023 check out the new Series Hub HERE 

Stay up-to-date with articles, interviews, videos and much more while following the action all the way to the Final.

There was a real show of strength from the Dutch contingent at the sixth leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2022/2023 Western European League at Mechelen in Belgium today where they filled five of the top seven places in the competition won by Dinja van Liere and Hermes NOP.

Van Liere and her 10-year-old stallion, who clinched bronze in both the Grand Prix Special and Freestyle at the ECCO FEI World Championships 2022 in Herning, Denmark this summer, were firm favourites coming into this round of the 11-leg series, but the form-book was turned on its head in yesterday’s Grand Prix.

Mistakes proved costly for many of the main contenders and the leading Dutch duo had to settle for third behind Great Britain’s Lottie Fry and Everdale in second, while a fault-free performance from van Liere’s World Championship team-mate Marieke van der Putten and the 10-year-old Totilas gelding Torveslettens Titanium RS2 won through.

Today however Hermes was right back in the groove, giving his 32-year-old rider his full attention as he pranced his way through a sparkling test for the winning score of 85.815. Dutch compatriot Emmelie Scholtens and Desperado finished second ahead of Fry in third and van der Putten in fourth, while Denmark’s Nanna Skodborg Merrald and Blue Hors St Schufro finished fifth. And then Kirsten Brouwer (Foundation) and Thamar Zweistra (Hexagon’s Double Dutch) rounded up a great Dutch day when slotting into sixth and seventh places.

Halfway stage

On a mark of 76.980, Brouwer was leading the way at the halfway stage, but Fry and her Tokyo 2020 Olympic team bronze-medal-winning ride Everdale raised the bar significantly when putting 83.865 on the board with a test that included lovely extended canter and perfect tempi-changes.

That looked hard to beat, but van Liere and Hermes soared out in front when scoring 85.815. As she explained afterwards, today’s performance was about putting every piece of the jigsaw into place. She mentally ticked off every movement as she went along.

“After every exercise I was saying OK - Done! I was focusing on doing all the exercises without any mistakes today and of course piaffe/passage is always his highlight, he does it with such ease. The main thing was I was so happy that I had his focus the whole time during the test so I had more confidence that he really wanted to do it again!”

Scholtens and Desperado, winners at Mechelen when it was last staged in 2019, squeezed in ahead of Fry when posting 83.865 for runner-up spot when third-last to go. She was delighted with her result. Talking about Desperado she said “he did amazing today! I loved the atmosphere here in the arena and I think my horse did too. I am very pleased with him. He did not do too many shows last year so I am really happy!”

Relishing

Meanwhile third-placed Fry is relishing the whole FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2022/2023 season. She produced a stunning performance to win the last Western European League leg in London (GBR) partnering her World Championship star, Glamourdale, and today was thrilled with Everdale’s performance.

“It felt like a great improvement from yesterday. He really likes his Freestyle and I think this was one of his best performances. I was very pleased how he coped in the arena because sometimes the crowd can catch his attention. There is so much more to come from him and so much more I can improve. 2023 will be very exciting!”, she said.

Van Liere talked about what Hermes has been up to since shining so brightly in Herning this summer. The 10-year-old stallion had a break before competing at Indoor Friesland (NED) in October and then travelled to Lyon (FRA) for the second leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2022/2023 Western European League later that month. But he didn’t compete.

“He did something crazy in the stable there and on the first day of the competition he was not fit to compete. Of course he’s a stallion and maybe he’s a bit stallion-ish in the stable - I don’t know what he did during the night! So we took him home again. We then took a bit longer with him to be sure he was healthy and feeling fit and fresh again, so he had maybe another month of vacation and this is his first competition since then”. He made his return to action a winning one today.

Pleased

Van Liere is pleased to have two Grand Prix horses to ride and says the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final 2023 in Omaha (USA) next April is a target for her.

“I have two really good horses to compete. I’ll ride Hot Chocolate in Basel (SUI) and Hermes in Amsterdam (NED) and then in s’Hertogenbosch (NED) it will be Hermes again. We will see, when he’s fit like this it’s definitely an option (for Hermes), and the World Cup competitions are the nicest competitions to ride!”, she stated enthusiastically.

Basel will stage the next leg in two weeks’ time, and with 31 points to date van Liere has moved into twelfth place in the Western European League standings which continue to be be led by Germany’s Ingrid Klimke. The top nine will make the cut to the Final, and on current form today’s winner looks set to make a strong bid for one of those coveted qualifying tickets.

Don’t miss a hoofbeat…..

Result 

Standings 

The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decision in a human anti-doping case.  

This case involves an adverse analytical finding for the prohibited substance listed in Class S.6.B Specified Stimulants, of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List 2022.

A sample taken from the Swiss athlete Felix Vogg (FEI ID 10010431) on 1 July 2022 during the CCIO4*-S in Aachen (GER) returned positive for a Specified Stimulant. The athlete was notified of the violation of the FEI’s Anti-Doping Rules for Human Athletes (ADRHA) on 27 July 2022. He was not provisionally suspended by the FEI, as the substance in the Athlete’s Sample is a Specified Substance.

In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal decided to suspend the athlete for a period of two months, starting from the date of the FEI Tribunal Final Decision (20 December 2022). Additionally, the athlete was disqualified from all results obtained at the event, fined CHF 3,000 and asked to pay costs of CHF 1,500.

The parties can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 21 days of receipt of the decision.

The full text of the FEI Tribunal’s Final Decision is available here.

 

Notes to Editors:

FEI Clean Sport - human athletes

The FEI is part of the collaborative worldwide movement for doping-free sport led by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The aim of this movement is to protect fair competition as well as athlete health and welfare.

WADA’s Prohibited List identifies the substances and methods prohibited in- and out-of-competition, and in particular sports. The substances and methods on the List are classified by different categories (e.g., steroids, stimulants, gene doping).

As a WADA Code Signatory, the FEI runs a testing programme for human athletes based on WADA’s List of Prohibited List of Substances and Methods and on the Code-compliant FEI Anti-Doping Rules for Human Athletes (ADRHA).

For further information, please consult the Clean Sport section of the FEI website here.

The FEI Tribunal has issued a Consent Award in an equine anti-doping case involving a Banned Substance.

In this case, the horse Elijah Solam (FEI ID 107JS65/BRN), tested positive for the Banned Substance Stanozolol following samples taken at the CEI1* 100 Fontainebleau (FRA) on 14 October, 2022.

The trainer, Jameel Ebrahim Ramadhan (FEI ID 10103145/BRN), 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 trainer; the provisional suspension he already served shall be credited against the imposed ineligibility period. He was also fined CHF 5,000 and asked to pay costs of CHF 1,000.

The full Decision is available here.

 

Notes to Editors:

FEI Clean Sport - human athletes

The FEI is part of the collaborative worldwide movement for doping-free sport led by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The aim of this movement is to protect fair competition as well as athlete health and welfare.

WADA’s Prohibited List identifies the substances and methods prohibited in- and out-of-competition, and in particular sports. The substances and methods on the List are classified by different categories (e.g., steroids, stimulants, gene doping).

As a WADA Code Signatory, the FEI runs a testing programme for human athletes based on WADA’s List of Prohibited List of Substances and Methods and on the Code-compliant FEI Anti-Doping Rules for Human Athletes (ADRHA).

For further information, please consult the Clean Sport section of the FEI website here.

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.

There’s never anything quite like a big win in front of the home crowd, and this afternoon Britain’s Scott Brash set the London ExCel arena alight when producing a spectacular victory with Hello Jefferson at the eighth leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2022/2023 Western European League.

Just seven of the 37 starters managed to unravel the questions over the first-round track set by Portuguese course designer Bernardo Costa Cabral, and in a sensational jump-off it was Germany’s Daniel Deusser who clinched runner-up spot with Killer Queen VDM while young British star Jodie Hall McAteer wowed the home crowd when finishing third with Salt ’n Peppa.

Classy

The jump-off was filled with classy horse-and-rider partnerships, and pathfinders Max Kuhner and Elektric Blue P from Austria set the pace when breaking the beam in 42.00 seconds but leaving the first part of the triple combination - now reduced to a two-effort test - on the floor.

Dutchman Maikel van der Vleuten then set the first real target with a super clear from the characterful 10-year-old mare Elwikke whose bucking and kicking antics kept the spectators highly entertained first time out. Crossing the line in 41.21 seconds they were now the ones to beat, but Brash then raced home in 39.67 seconds to really raise the bar.

His run to the last was breathtaking, Hello Jefferson easily leaving a stride out although Brash said afterwards he wondered if he might have been even quicker.

“The fences came up good. I was actually trying to go one less stride from fence one to two but at the same time I have to make sure Jefferson is not too quick at the start of the course because he does gets sharp, but I think it was a good balance overall. The double came up well, he jumped amazing and when I let him run to the last he’s so careful that I can trust him and it paid off!”, explained the 37-year-old Scotsman.

Threatening

He was followed by Germany’s Daniel Deusser and the always-speedy Killer Queen VDM who looked seriously threatening until a bit cautious down the last line before breaking the beam just 0.06 seconds slower. And then double world champion, Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann, set off with the relatively novice nine-year-old mare Dzara Dorchival who looked well in touch until clipping the oxer three from home.

Second-last to go, Ireland’s Denis Lynch and the 10-year-old Cornets Iberio posted four faults in 41.65 before the crowd went into a frenzy as Jodie Hall McAteer took her turn.

The diminutive 22-year-old, who was a member of the British team at this year’s Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final in Barcelona (ESP), has always been a gritty competitor. She took team gold and individual silver at the FEI Pony European Championship in 2015 with the legendary Tixylix, and her partnership with the 13-year-old gelding Salt ’n Peppa has firmly established her at Senior level.

Setting off with gusto the pair produced a brilliant round in 40.14 to finish third, just ahead of three-time Olympian van der Vleuten and close behind 2016 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ champion Deusser in second place while London 2012 Olympic team champion Brash stood top of the podium.

Slightly open

Talking about his winning ride, Brash said, “I might have done one stride less between fences one and two, I thought maybe I’d left the door slightly open there but I don’t think I could have done much other than that. Daniel did one stride less there and he was very close, but luckily everything else was tight and smooth and it paid off”.

He described Hello Jefferson as “an incredible horse, he has all the attributes you need to win any Grand Prix in the world so it’s just about trying to control his sharpness, he is quite a sharp horse which is good, he’s a quick thinker and it’s good to be quick in a jump-off but you have to be able to control that”, he explained.

And he said the 13-year-old gelding is “becoming more the finished article now. He’s more settled in a big atmosphere and he’s starting to really enjoy it. In fact I think the bigger the atmosphere he’s starting to be even better so that’s the sign of a talented horse”.

He was full of praise for his young compatriot Hall McAteer who produced a brilliant performance against the toughest of opposition today. “She’s fantastic, a great competitor, I’ve know her for many years, she’s determined, hard-working, she upped sticks and went over to Holland to train with the Schroeders, she’s working hard and she’s really committed so she really deserves to be there today and I think there’s a lot more to come from her!”, he said.

Delighted

Hall McAteer was delighted with her result. “It was unbelievable!”, the happy young lady said. “I grew up coming to this show every year since I was 10 years old. Coming back this year and finishing third is a dream come true! Hearing the crowd is amazing - I didn’t think I was quick enough or that close, but when I heard the crowd before last fence I had to give it a try. I am a little annoyed at myself because I could have been faster but I’m very happy and very proud of my horse. I will definitely come back and try to win next time!”, she said.

Runner-up Deusser said “I would of course have loved to win, but I am not disappointed at all. When I saw Scott I knew his horse was naturally quicker than Killer queen. I had to take a few strides here and there and maybe if I was a bit more motivated after the last fence I would have won today, but I am happy I have some points already and the pressure (of qualifying for the Final) is getting a little less. I will now focus on Mechelen which is my home show”.

Mechelen in Belgium will present the ninth round of the 14-leg Western European League series on 30 December, and it is world number one von Eckermann who currently stands top of the league table ahead of Great Britain’s Harry Charles in second and French athletes Kevin Staut and Julien Epaillard in third and fourth places.

Today’s result has moved Deusser up to fifth, and with 45 points already collected he looks well on the way to the Longines Final 2023 in Omaha (USA) next April even before his home event gets underway in just over a weeks’ time.

Don’t miss a hoofbeat……

Result 

Standings 

Daniel Coyle continues to find new gears with magnificent Legacy

Daniel Coyle (IRL) has had to be patient when it comes to World Cup competition. During the 2019-2020 North American League season, he recorded two victories and was preparing to go to the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final when the global pandemic forced the event's cancellation.

Two years later, Coyle is ready for another chance, and he's bettered himself. After taking a World Cup win at Toronto (CAN) and finishing second in Las Vegas (USA), Coyle won again Saturday night at the Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth (USA) with Legacy.

The pair bested a three-horse jump-off, crossing the timers of Anderson Lima's (MEX) short course in 31.47 seconds. McLain Ward (USA) and Callas settled for second (32.60 seconds), with Erynn Ballard (CAN) third (34.94). 

"Legacy had to learn to go fast, and thankfully now I think she's one of the faster horses I have."

Daniel Coyle (IRL)

Up until this year, Coyle had placed an emphasis on making championship teams for Ireland, and he and Legacy represented their nation at both the 2021 European Championships and the 2022 FEI World Championships. This year, he aimed to improve their jump-off prowess. He has seen his efforts rewarded, utilizing newfound gears Saturday to surpass a swift standard set by Ward. He and Legacy ultimately secured their victory over the final three fences.

"The way the sport has [evolved], you have to be able to go so fast," Coyle explained. "In the beginning, [Legacy] was always fast, but she didn't really understand what she was doing. As the night shows, you have to be able to do everything to beat [your competitors]."

Coyle has now assumed the lead in the NAL standings with 66 points. Fellow Irishman Conor Swail (IRL), also with two victories this season, sits second (56 points), while Daniel Bluman (ISR) is third (54).

"I don't know that being first or second or third in the league [standings] brings you anything when you get to the Finals," Coyle said, "but it assures you get there, so that's always good, too!" 

The North American League resumes on 28 January 2023 in Puebla (MEX) before concluding in March at Ocala (USA).

FULL RESULTS

STANDINGS

Billed as the first ‘Clash of the Titans’ since Leipzig’s (GER) final in April, the question on all lips was, ‘Who would win in London – Bram or Boyd?’  Fresh from victory last weekend in Geneva (SUI), Bram Chardon (NED) knew that his first appearance as a competitor in London would be a challenge, and trying to break Boyd Exell’s (AUS) incredible run this season would be tough.  But how close he came.

While Boyd produced the winning round in the final drive-off on Saturday night with a score of 147.89, it was Bram who had the fastest time of 142.05, 1.84 seconds ahead.  Whereas Boyd had one ball down to add four, Bram rolled two balls and added eight, which was enough to push him into 2^nd place.  But with Boyd as the Wild Card entry, alongside British driver Daniel Naprous, Bram was able to take the full 10 points for the ranking table so after only two events, now sits in 3^rd, surely securing his place in Bordeaux (FRA) and a chance to defend his FEI Driving World Cup™ title.

“I am a few runs behind the other guys, and I think I need one or two more shows.  I am happy how the horses moved and that they showed an extra gear, so I am really pleased with the time.  And it was great to be competing in London for the first time!” – Bram Chardon

Challenging closely over the three days of Driving in London was an on-form Koos de Ronde (NED), who, like Boyd, was the only one of the seven drivers to be a finalist at each of the three competitions – something unique to London.  Precise and positive from start to finish, he said that he thought he was as close as he has been all season to a win, but admitted that perhaps he pushed a little too hard at the end and added an expensive 12 penalties to his time of 147.9.  Like Bram, he tallied valuable ranking points and will, with only two more legs to go, surely be another cert for the final.  A firm favourite with the crowd, his loyalty over the years as a regular competitor at the popular pre-Christmas show, Koos was rewarded by a groundswell of voluble support which must have helped propel him and his horses into a suitably speedy sphere.

Dries Degrieck (BEL), who was in drive-off territory in the prelim round on Thursday afternoon, after a good Geneva, couldn’t quite keep up with the pace and with only three drivers forward for the drive-off in competition one, missed out on his chance to go again.  As did a much-improved Chester Weber (USA), who was more assured than last weekend, his rounds being more fluid with less faults to add.  His Lipizzaner horses are based for the season with the Chardons in Holland, so Chester made the most of walking the course alongside Bram and their collective match play experience must have benefited them both.

Getting used to his new, svelte bay Lusitano horses, Benjamin Aillaud (FRA), a consummate horseman and trainer, stayed in the bottom half of the order but will come away from London pleased with the improvement that the combination has made, not only over the three days, but the series as a whole.  Whether they have done enough to in a qualification place for the final remains to be seen, but there is always the chance that as a French athlete, he may gain a Wild Card place in Bordeaux.

Juggling his Wild Card slot with providing dare-devil riding entertainment at the show, Daniel Naprous admitted that as a driver who might only appear once in the series, he is a little rusty.  Despite the lack of match practice in comparison to his compatriots, his times were perfectly respectable and with his notoriety in the film business, remains a crowd-pulling favourite.  Admitting that he would love to compete in the series as a qualified driver, the logistics for Dan to attend enough European based events to gain the points and results are prohibitive.

In contrast to the capacious arena in Geneva, the smaller dimensions of the ExCel venue create an intimacy that really involves the family-based crowd, who are so close to the action.  It also requires a different approach when trying to save time on the turns and lines, as opposed to the fast running and ground cover which comes with a bigger space.

A designer who confesses to building his courses by feel and instinct, Jeroen Houterman (NED) has created five of the six courses so far this series and has managed to ask something new of the drivers each time, tailoring his layouts to suit the place, the equipment available, and that unique ‘je ne sais quoi’ that makes these events so magical.

Next up is Mechelen (BEL), just after Christmas.  Then, for the final leg in Leipzig, all the big guns will be out.  Not only will they be securing their Bordeaux places, but they will also be marking their cards as to where they would like to be in the final order.  Can Boyd maintain his peak performance?  Had Bram gauged his ascent correctly?  Or will Koos and Ijsbrand release their full potential and upset the order?  We can’t wait to see!