With their best-ever Freestyle score of 90.995, Great Britain’s Lottie Fry and the super-stallion Glamourdale stormed to victory in front of their home crowd at the fifth leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2022/2023 Western European League in London (GBR) tonight.

The sensational duo who claimed individual double-gold and team silver at this summer’s Blue Hors Dressage World Championship in Herning, Denmark simply sparkled throughout a performance that oozed confidence and pure class as Glamourdale showcased the magnetic quality and extraordinary athleticism that sets him apart from the rest.

At the World Championship they put 90.654 on the board to win the Freestyle, and Fry said she was amazed to do even better than that this evening despite a blip in the one-tempi changes. Her nearest rival was her Herning team-mate Gareth Hughes who produced a lovely test from the mare Classic Briolinca for second place, while Germany’s Ingrid Klimke steered Franziskus into third and her compatriot Helen Langehanenberg lined up in fourth with Annabelle.

Perfect start

Tonight got off to the perfect start for the host nation when, second to go, Andrew Gould posted 78.065 for a lovely test from the youngest horse in the class, the nine-year old stallion Indigro whose piaffe/passage work on his debut at this level of the sport was seriously impressive. And the 42-year-old athlete from West Sussex held onto the lead until Hughes set sail with just five left to go.

Hughes’ 16-year-old mare, Classic Briolinca, presented a charming picture highlighted by her beautiful balance and tempi-changes that were straight as an arrow. And despite failing to execute her final halt their score of 84.950 gave them a significant lead at this stage.

Athletes from nine different nations lined out tonight, and 2016 series champion Hans Peter Minderhoud from The Netherlands moved into runner-up spot when posting 79.305 with Glock’s Dream Boy when next into the arena. But that would only be temporary as the final three gave the scoreboard another good shake-up.

Fry was third-last to go, and as she said afterwards Glamourdale was more than ready to strut his stuff in front of his adoring audience once again. This was his first big outing since Herning and he wasn’t going to waste the opportunity to remind the world just how good he is. He posted a runaway victory in yesterday’s Short Grand Prix and he was about to do it all over again.

Great form

“After last night I could feel he was in great form, he has really strengthened up since Herning and tonight he was so keen that he tried to go into the ring before he was supposed to because he was so excited!”, Fry said tonight.

Showcasing his incredible power and rideability, and his trademark extended canter that is guaranteed to draw gasps from the sidelines every time, Glamourdale pranced his way to the top of the scoreboard and was never going to be challenged.

The crowd were still going wild with delight as Klimke and Franziskus, winners of the third leg of the Western European League on home ground in Stuttgart (GER) last month, prepared to begin and the stallion was on edge because of the noise before starting his test. But the phenomenal German athlete just kicked on to produce a score of 83.170 which would be good enough to slot into third behind Hughes before, last to go, 2013 series champion Langehanenberg put 82.135 on the board to fill fourth place ahead of Minderhoud in fifth and Gould in sixth.

Support

“The support from the crowd tonight was incredible, and to end this amazing year here is wonderful! It is almost impossible to sum up 2022 - it has been incredible and coming to London and performing in front of my home crowd is the best feeling and the best way to end the year!”, Fry pointed out.

Talking about Glamourdale’s performance tonight she said “I had such an easy, fun ride. He is better than he was in Herning and we keep improving so I can’t wait for the years to come. Paris (Olympic Games 2024) is for sure the goal, and we will see how it goes until then”.

Her compatriot Hughes was quite happy with his runner-up finish. “To come second to the world champion was a win for me, and my horse is amazing!”, he said. “I never did indoor competitions with her before because she was very difficult with the atmosphere so we kept her for the Championships, but we thought as she improved this year we’d give it a try after Herning”, he explained. That has proven a good decision.

Multiple medallist

As for the super-talented Klimke who is best known as a multiple medallist in the sport of Eventing, she said her result today felt just as good as a win.

“Being third after these two amazing riders is incredible. I am very proud of my horse tonight, he has improved so much over the last months. It was good to start in Poland (Zakrzow, where she won also with Frankiskus in October) but I did not expect my horse to be so good in Stuttgart and now he is doing it again. I am really pleased!”, she said after moving into pole position on the Western European League table ahead of Morgan Barbancon from France in second place and Germany’s Benjamin Werndl in third.

Next stop in the 11-leg qualifying series is round six in Mechelen (BEL) on 29 December where today’s winner, Fry, is entered with her other top ride, Everdale.

Don’t miss a hoofbeat…..

For all the latest information about the FEI Dressage World Cup™ season 2022/2023 check out the new Series Hub here

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

Result 

Standings 

FEI PRESS RELEASE
Lausanne (SUI), 15 December 2022

Butheeb (UAE) hosts successful Test Event for the FEI Endurance World Championship 2022 just one month following allocatio

Organisers for the 2022 FEI Endurance World Championship - which was only recently reallocated to Butheeb (UAE) at the FEI General Assembly in Cape Town (RSA) last November - pulled out all the stops to provide an open-house invitation for National Federations (NFs) and teams to experience first-hand the facilities on offer at the Butheeb International Endurance Village (BIEV). 

The Test Event was held from 8 to 11 December, using an existing event in the FEI Calendar, and included three competitions from 1* to 3* with a healthy mix of international combinations taking the top positions - including Uruguay, Portugal and Great Britain, alongside the host nation UAE.  

President of the Ground Jury and Chair of the FEI Endurance Committee Christian Lozano (FRA) was very impressed with the outcomes of the Test Event, explaining “the OC had just under one month to prepare for this test event, but they were keen to go ahead as this was an ideal opportunity to test all the systems in place and give the chef d’equipes the opportunity to get to know Butheeb and provide feedback on the facilities, the different logistical preparations as well as the track and footing.

“While this was used as a test event for the World Championship to be held from 20-26 February next year, this was not a test event of the World Championship track itself; for example, the 160km competition on Friday 9 December was held over 5 loops, unlike the Championship competition which will be held over 6 loops, giving the horses more recovery opportunities between loops.”

Technical Delegate Sharon Du Plessis (BOT) reiterated the intention of the Test Event, adding “we were able to see the full spectrum of the terrain on offer at Butheeb, with good, natural, wide tracks, fully secured and very little deep sand, with just five kilometres of deep sand areas to be modified for the Championship track – among other improvements to be made in the coming weeks. 

“The whole community has been asking for more technical and slower tracks – and this is what they will get in Butheeb.”

In addition to testing the sporting and technical infrastructures, the OC held a hybrid information session for Chef d’Equipes on 10 December which proved very popular with approximately 60 participants, including fourteen NFs represented at the meeting in person, and a further 12 NFs joining online. The debrief began with members of the OC including Mustafa Mafoudi, and UAE National Federation representatives, Dr. Ali Tweisi, Mahmoud Zyoud and Abdullah Al Naqbi, Director of Administration and Support Services, Head of Media and Communication Department, presenting the venue and discussing some of the more logistical details. 

FEI Endurance Director Christina Abu-Dayyeh (JOR) as well as FEI Director Technology and Sport Services Gaspard Dufour (FRA), alongside President of the Ground Jury Christian Lozano (FRA), Technical Delegate Sharon Du Plessis (BOT) completed the line-up, providing a broad panel to answer any questions or concerns raised by the participants.  

With a little over two months to go, the OC actively encouraged the Chef d’Equipes to provide their feedback in a bid to find effective solutions for many of the more logistical and operational questions. Overall, the National Federations expressed their satisfaction with the conditions and facilities on offer, and the success of the Test Event, noting the further modifications to be made to the track prior to the Championship, with the six loops providing additional rest points and veterinary checks, and the additional water points as agreed during the meeting.

Executive Board Member and Chair of Group VII Sami Al Duhami (KSA) provided the closing remarks and noted the positive efforts and great collaboration with the Organising Committee and the UAE NF to deliver the Championship in February.

Following the Test Event and to quell any remaining concerns regarding the terrain, internationally renowned footing expert and Professor at the Swedish University for Agricultural Sciences, Dr. Lars Roepstroff has been commissioned to assess the Championship track in January of 2023. Roepstroff, who also has a background as the Swedish Team Veterinarian for Endurance, will then deliver a report to the FEI and the Organising Committee, with relevant feedback on the terrain and any potential improvements that might need to be made prior to the Championship. 

 “There is no “standard” terrain, this is a World Championship, and world-class riding and fitness is required in order to be successful and to ensure both horse and rider complete the course in good condition”, said FEI Endurance Director Christina Abu-Dayyeh (JOR).

“It’s important that a certain percentage of the track is natural and in keeping with the local environment, wherever that may be, and as you would expect at this level, every athlete taking part will need to plan and manage their ride and pace according to the conditions and according to their horse. 

 “We are confident the horses will be very well looked after, with great facilities and an experienced Organising Committee in Butheeb, ensuring all the veterinary checks and processes in line with the FEI Rules are fully adhered to.”

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 sorts of Jumping, Dressage and Eventing, as well as Driving, Endurance and Vaulting.

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

FEI contact:
Olivia Robinson       
Director FEI Communications         
olivia.robinson@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 35

Paul Stretton
Senior Manager, Sports Communications & Media Operations
paul.stretton@fei.org
+41 78 661 66 53

FEI PRESS RELEASE
Lausanne (SUI), 15 December 2022

Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ 2023 Europe Division 1 team allocations confirmed

The allocation of teams for Europe Division 1 events in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ 2023 series have been confirmed this week.

Europe Division 1 will start with 8 teams for the 2023 season – defending champions Belgium, along with Ireland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.

Each team can earn qualifying points at its allocated four of the six Europe Division 1 events. The seven best-ranked teams will qualify for the Final, which takes place in Barcelona (ESP) from 28 September to 1 October 2023. The Division 1 opening qualifier takes place in St. Gallen (SUI) from 1 to 4 June 2023.

The allocations table indicates the venues where eligible teams will be chasing FEI Nations Cup™ points, but the starting field at these events will not be restricted to those countries alone.  Other nations can also compete in legs of the series throughout the Europe Division 1 season.    

Further information on the Division 1 allocations can be viewed here.

The season calendar for the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ 2023 series can be viewed here.

Photo caption: Olivier Philippaerts, Peter Weinberg (Chef d’Equipe), Jérôme Guery, Koen Vereecke, Gregory Wathelet and Gilles Thomas from Team Belgium celebrates the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ 2022 Final at Real Club de Polo in Barcelona (ESP). (FEI/Richard Juilliart)

About the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ series

The Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ is equestrian sport's most prestigious team challenge, with teams from around the world competing for one of the most coveted prizes in the Olympic discipline.  

Celebrating 114 years of team competition in 2023, the Final will be held in the beautiful city of Barcelona (ESP), at the Real Club de Polo, where up to 18 teams will have the opportunity to battle it out to hold the prestigious Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ trophy aloft!

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 sorts of Jumping, Dressage and Eventing, as well as Driving, Endurance and Vaulting.

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

FEI contact:

Didier Montes
Manager, Sport Communications & Media Relations
didier.montes@fei.org
+41 787 50 61 21

Crown prince and reigning FEI Driving World Cup™ champion Bram Chardon (NED) set out on his crusade to retain his title in undisputed style in Geneva.  Scorching past his rivals, he defiantly seized both rounds and his brilliant performance has injected another shot of excitement into an already electrifying 2022-23 series.

In this 5^th leg, the next chapter in a gripping adventure so far, the ‘Hollywood for Horses’ setting of the 61^st CHI Geneva was a fitting and festive backdrop for Bram’s first indoor outing since he beat Boyd Exell (AUS) in Leipzig (GER) in April.  Without Boyd in the line-up, there was always going to be a new winner and the safe money was on Bram, especially after his opening round in front of a packed house on Saturday lunchtime, where he finished 15.06 ahead.  On Sunday, despite a wobbly first round – by his standards – where he knocked a ball in obstacle four and missed taking a couple of loops on point, which put him into 2^nd, his drive-off was so slick that his time of 152.45 was 4.68 seconds faster than his closest challenger.

“Last year I also had an incredible drive-off here in Geneva.  Today, I made an unusual mistake in the first of the marathon obstacles in round one, so I made a change and then I was able to take revenge!

It is great to have the next generation of drivers here, although I am lucky to have my family around me, including my father (Ijsbrand Chardon) who is still in great shape, plus my five month old son, and my sister and mother.

The public here in Geneva really helps and I’d like to ask them to come to the finals in Bordeaux too!” – Bram Chardon

But the fairy tale nearly didn’t turn out as expected and the narrative briefly arced in a different direction when Germany’s Michael Brauchle added a twist by improving so much between his bottom placing on Saturday, so starting first on Sunday, to going into the final drive-off as the fastest qualifier.  Having clearly had an effective word with himself overnight and after making a few harness adjustments to his left leader who was strong, his speedy bay team, so keen and much more together than earlier in the season, produced an impressive first round.  As he said afterwards, it wasn’t ideal opening the competition on day two, but conversely, he was able to take risks and put his foot to the floor without worrying about times clocked by the others – and it worked. Finishing in 2^nd, after a clear in 157.13, he shaved over 3 seconds off his quick first run.

Another driver who found his form was Belgian Dries Degrieck, who in his second indoor season, states that for him it is still a learning curve, and he is building up his experience all the time.  His Geneva was much more consistent than his other events in the series and the flat out gallop he was able to ask from his horses, which they gave him, while also being able to produce some of the tightest lines and turns of the two days, showed a new maturity coupled with boldness.  As he prepares for the journey to England, he will surely be happy with his 2^nd place on Saturday and 3^rd on Sunday which seals his bid for a place in the final in Bordeaux (FRA).

One driver who must be asking what more he can do to match the winners is Glenn Geerts (BEL).  His lythe bay horses were fit, eager and fast, and Glenn is on top form at the moment.  Perhaps the long runs up and down one of the biggest arenas on the circuit, with the addition of a bridge and water splash, didn’t benefit his bouncy, high stepping horses, who didn’t have their usual impulsion along the final stretch through the last three obstacles of Jeroen Houterman’s (NED) flowing course.  After a solid drive on day one to finish 3^rd, he was just behind Dries after the first round on Sunday and missed out on a drive-off place which, on day two, is only for the fastest three.

Buoyed by an emotional and vocal home crowd, Jérôme Voutaz (SUI), with his Swiss Freibergers, was the Wild Card entry and another who did everything right, finding precise lines in the two marathon style obstacles, but was just off the pace in comparison to the others.  He stated that the distances in the arena didn’t suit his horses quite so much, as they are compact and turn well, and tend to shine more over a course in a smaller area where different questions are asked.  Finishing in 4^th and 5^th over the two days, he remained delighted with his team, while also keeping the audience totally engaged in the event.

Lady Luck didn’t favour outdoor whizz Chester Weber (USA) who wasn’t where he usually is in terms of placings.  Juggling a transatlantic schedule and dividing his time between Florida and Europe, his indoor Lipizzaner horses are based for the season with the Chardons in Holland.  As a strategist who thinks a great deal about factors like fitness, nutrition and training, he will hope to produce a sharper performance at their next outing.

The anticipation for the 6^th leg in London (GBR) has reached boiling point, as Bram and Boyd will go head-to-head for the first time this series.  Bram’s muscular and compact grey Lipizzaners, with plenty of fuel in their tanks, will be up against Boyd’s lean and primed equine maestros, who have an additional supersonic speed when the pressure is on.  Both teams operate as a homogenous unit, from the ends of their noses to the tips of their tails, and both drivers have a hawk-like focus and hunger for victory that must be sated.

And both know what it takes to win – so who will it be?

Santiago Varela Ullastres (ESP) and Gregory Bodo (FRA) have been appointed as Co-Course Designers for the Jumping and Jumping Eventing Competitions at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The decision was taken by the FEI Board at its last teleconference for 2022 held on 6 December.

Santiago Varela, 54, is a 4* Technical Delegate and Course Designer in Jumping and is one of the sport’s most respected officials.

He was introduced to horses as a child and began designing courses at the Club de Campo de Madrid in 1984 at the age of 14. A year later, he qualified as a “Local Course Designer”. In 1993 Varela was promoted to International Course Designer status. In 2011 he designed the FEI Jumping European Championship in Madrid (ESP) and in July 2013 he achieved FEI Level 4 Course Designer status. That same year he was appointed as Course Designer for the first Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Final in Barcelona (ESP) and has built courses at numerous events of all levels across the world. These include the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ qualifiers at Lyon (FRA) and La Coruña (ESP), the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Finals 2018 and 2019 as well as various championships for Children, Juniors, Young Riders, and U25.

Santiago Varela served as Technical Delegate for Jumping at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Normandy (FRA) in 2014, the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final 2017 in Omaha, NE (USA) and the FEI Jumping European Championship 2017 in Gothenburg (SWE), among many others.

Despite his many achievements in the sport, Varela is perhaps best known for his work as Course Designer for Jumping and the Jumping test of Eventing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games where his designs were lauded for their vibrant colours, creativity, sensitivity to Japanese culture as well as the challenges they set for riders while remaining respectful of horse and athlete welfare.

Frenchman Gregory Bodo, 44, has being building Jumping courses internationally for over 20 years. He officiated as the Assistant Course Designer at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy, where he first cooperated with Santiago Varela, and the FEI Jumping European Championships for Children, Juniors, and Young Rider 2017 held in Šamorín (SVK).

In 2017 Bodo built his first Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ qualifier in Lyon (FRA), where Santiago Varela was Assistant Course Designer. Since then, Bodo and Varela have held these roles every year except for 2020 when the show was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In 2018, Gregory Bodo was Assistant Course Designer at the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in Paris (FRA), working once again alongside Santiago Varela, who officiated as Course Designer. Later that year he designed the FEI Jumping European Championships for Youth in Fontainebleau (FRA). He was Assistant Course Designer at the FEI Jumping European Championship 2019 in Rotterdam (NED), the FEI Jumping European Championship 2021 in Riesenbeck (GER) as well as the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games where he worked in cooperation with Varela once again.

In 2019 Bodo was promoted to 4* Technical Delegate and Course Designer status, the highest level for an FEI official. He is currently one of only two French Course Designers in Jumping to have achieved this degree of excellence.

“We are delighted to have appointed Santiago Varela and Gregory Bodo as the Jumping Co-Course Designers for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said.

“As is always the case for the Olympic Games, we went through a thorough evaluation process and selected two individuals both of whom hold a wealth of experience and are renowned for their dedication and impeccable work ethic. The designs created by Santiago Varela and Gregory Bodo are stunning and combine huge expertise with unique local flavour. Most importantly, they always put the horse at the core of their thought process and produce courses mindful of the welfare of both our equine and human athletes.

“Santiago Varela and Gregory Bodo have worked together on numerous occasions and will make a great team. I am convinced that with their knowledge, creative spirit, and professional attitude, the equestrian community, the spectators and the fans around the world can expect Jumping courses of the highest quality. With the equestrian events scheduled to be held in Versailles with the historical château as the uniquely beautiful backdrop, these are set to be truly exceptional Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games."

Photo caption: Gregory Bodo (FRA), left, and Santiago Varela (ESP) have been appointed as Co-Course Designers for the Jumping and Jumping Eventing Competitions at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. © Personal archive of Santiago Varela

 

The FEI has made changes to the existing rules regarding maternity leave in order to introduce further flexibility and give athletes the option of adapting the duration of their maternity leave to their individual situation. The decision was taken by the FEI Board at its last teleconference for 2022 held on 6 December.

The previous minimum period for a medical and maternity leave, which had been included in the Ranking Rules for Jumping, Dressage, and Driving, was six months and the maximum period 12 months.

Following various opinions expressed by athletes, who wished to have the flexibility to return to competition from maternity leave earlier than six months, the Board took the decision to shorten the minimum period to three months, without changing the maximum period, which remains 12 months. In addition, athletes will now have the possibility to come back earlier than originally indicated when they initially requested the leave. To do so, they will need to give a four-week notice for Dressage and Driving. For Jumping, a 10-week notice is required if riders want to be eligible to receive an invitation under the FEI Online Invitation System, but only four weeks if the athlete intends to participate in the event further to another kind of invitation, such as an OC invitation or a wildcard.

The relevant changes to the wording of the respective Ranking Rules will be published in the Jumping, Dressage, and Driving rules sections on the FEI website.

The provisions for medical leave remain unchanged, the minimum period being six months and the maximum period 12 months.

The Board also approved the incorporation of medical/maternity leave provisions (as updated) into the FEI Endurance and FEI Para Dressage Ranking Rules for the first time. The respective Ranking Rules will be published under the Endurance and Para Dressage rules sections on the FEI website.

The FEI Eventing Committee has considered including medical and maternity leave provisions in the Eventing Ranking Rules but is currently not in favour for risk management reasons.

Maternity and medical leave provisions for Vaulting are currently being examined by the Technical Committee and updates will be provided in due course.

“It is good news that the Board has allowed for greater flexibility regarding maternity leave,” FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said. “The FEI was one of the first international sports organisations to introduce provisions for maternity leave in April 2010 and we remain committed to protecting the welfare of our athletes. These rules had been first put in place for Jumping and were gradually extended to Dressage and Driving. This had been done in order to allow athletes, who have had a baby, not to lose all their Rankings points while off the circuit.

“The FEI has listened to the riders who have expressed the desire to have the option of returning to competition earlier than six months and the FEI Board is very much in favour of supporting athletes wishing to achieve the best possible balance between family life and a high level sports career. The Ranking Rules in all the FEI disciplines are living documents and we will keep on reviewing the maternity and medical leave provisions to make sure they remain relevant and fair.” 

Today’s seventh leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2022/2023 Western European League staged in the port city of La Coruña in north-west Spain came down to a thrilling two-way face-off, and it was Germany’s Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann who won through with a brilliant performance from Messi van’t Ruytershof that pinned Great Britain’s Harry Charles and Casquo Blue into runner-up spot.

It was a tough day at the office for many of the 40 starters, with five retirements, two eliminations and 14 posting a four-fault result in the opening round. But according to the winner it wasn’t Santiago Varela’s fences that presented the biggest challenge. The decision to change the first-round time-allowed from 85 seconds to 83 was what kept the number qualified for the jump-off to the minimum.

“The course-building was good but it was a tough course, and because of the time changing you had to hurry a lot and usually that brings more faults. In the end I was lucky there were not so many clears! It was more about the time because you had to take risks, and when you take risks you have more faults”, Meyer-Zimmermann pointed out this evening as she celebrated her significant victory.

Easy

Second to go in the opening round, Charles made it look fairly easy when clearing the 14-fence track in 81.03 seconds before the time-allowed was decreased. However another 22 horse-and-rider combinations took their turn before Meyer-Zimmermann and Messi matched that. And they were the only other pair to do it.

Sixteenth into the ring, Austria’s Max Kuhner looked set to succeed only to collect a single time penalty with Up Too Jacco Blue, although this would prove plenty good enough for third place ahead of The Netherlands’ Harrie Smolders and Uricas vd Kattevennen whose two time faults left them in fourth at the end of the day.

World number one and recently-crowned double world champion, Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann riding Iliana, slotted into fifth with the fastest four faults picked up at the bogey plank on top of the vertical at fence seven which also fell for sixth-placed Frenchman Kevin Staut and Cheppetta.

Great round

Charles set the jump-off target with another great run from his 12-year-old gelding, stopping the clock in 36.87 seconds to throw it right down to his sole rival. But the 41-year-old German lady whose stellar career with the great Cellagon Lambrusco brought her to the London 2012 Olympic Games and to team gold at both the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2010 in Lexington (USA) and the FEI European Championships in Madrid (ESP) a year later wasn’t intimidated.

“I watched Harry, I know he is a very quick rider but I felt that there was nothing to lose. I didn’t want to over-speed but I wanted to take my chance. When you are second to go and there are only two riders you have to take the chance!”, she said after her brilliant rollback to the vertical at fence five gave her the advantage before she raced through the timers in 36.52 second to secure the win.

She’s had an extraordinary year in 2022, beginning with the birth of her son Friedrich Alexander in January and highlighted by Messi van’t Ruytershof’s superb double-clear that helped Team Germany to victory on home ground in the Nations Cup of Aachen in June. The 10-year-old gelding (Plot Blue/For Pleasure) is a big horse “but we know each other very well, I have him since he was six years old”, she explained this evening. However they are only recently finding their way on the indoor circuit.

Super-shy

“This is his first indoor season because when he was young he was super-shy in the warm-up, he was afraid of other horses so I avoided indoor shows and small warm-ups. When he was a bit older there was Covid, and last year in the winter season I was pregnant so we never really competed indoors and this was just his third indoor. He is an amazing horse, he’s a very shy boy, not one to go in the front row, he’s really sensitive and needs a person he trusts. But the truth is he’s a superstar, he has all the scope, he’s super-careful and he deserves to win so I’m happy we could make it happen today!”, she said.

Meyer-Zimmermann has only one more show planned for the rest of this year. “Now that I have a baby I will probably slow down a little bit. We will go to Frankfurt but this will be the last show this year as it is close to where my horse owner lives. I will need to speak to Otto (Becker, German team manager) about the rest of the season but will most likely ride in Leipzig”, she said. Taking place in January, that will be the 11th round of the 14-leg series that now moves on to London (GBR) in two weeks’ time.

Today’s result has moved her up to fifth place on the Western European League leaderboard behind Frenchman Julien Epaillard who has posted a double of wins this season and who lies fourth behind Charles in third, von Eckermann in second and Epaillard’s compatriot Kevin Staut at the head of affairs.

The top three already look well-qualified for the Longines Final in Omaha (USA) next April but there is still a long road for the rest who are vying to make the cut from this series.

It will continue to unfold with London quickly followed by round nine in Mechelen (BEL) immediately after Christmas.

So don’t miss a hoofbeat…..

Result 

Standings 

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 athlete, Khalifa Mubarak Salem Sabt (FEI ID 10093534/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 athlete; 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.

Madrid is a happy hunting ground for Julien Epaillard. The French rider came out on top in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Western European League qualifier twelve months ago with Billabong du Roumois, and today he did it all over again with another 10-year-old, the extraordinary mare Caracole de la Roque.

At the 2021 Spanish fixture he was on a roll throughout the week before recording that victory and this year he was on flying form once more, winning Friday’s qualifying competition and then trampling the opposition into submission this afternoon. He only had six opponents to fend off last time around, today there were 15 through to the jump-off. But none of the rest could match the turn of foot and accuracy of his classy mare who might have been even quicker but for a momentary safety-check halfway around the jump-off course.

“I’m very proud of her”, Epaillard said this evening. “She has jumped two World Cups and she has won two World Cups, and she won the last seven classes she did - she’s an amazing mare!”

For family reasons it is also extra-special for the 45-year-old rider to do well at this Spanish fixture. “My wife is Spanish and lives in Madrid and my son lives here too and we have many friends here, so it’s important for me to have a good weekend!”, he pointed out after pinning Germany’s Daniel Deusser (Bingo Ste Hermelle) into second, fellow-Frenchman Simon Delestre (Cayman Jolly Jumper) into third and Italy’s Piergiorgio Bucci (Cochelle) into fourth place.

Strong

The line-up for this sixth round of the series was really strong, and amongst the 15 through to the second-round decider was the current world number two rider and reigning Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ champion Martin Fuchs from Switzerland partnering The Sinner.

After his foot-perfect first round Fuchs said, “it’s a good feeling to be clear in a World Cup and this is my first one of the season. The Sinner is a real fighter, he has such a good attitude, he always tries his best. There are definitely more talented horses but he is just such a gem - he gives always his everything!”

Ninth into the jump-off he was chasing the target-time set by Epaillard who was second into the ring and left the rest with a very tough task ahead of them. The Frenchman broke the beam in 42.61 seconds but admitted afterwards that he could have been even quicker because he put in an extra stride between the blue vertical - fence seven on the first course - and the following new oxer to which there was a right-hand turn.

That vertical proved critical to the result as, time and again, it fell when riders tried to turn as tight as possible to it. And amongst its victims was another of the French quartet who made the cut into the jump-off, Kevin Staut with Visconti du Telman who finished seventh in the final analysis, and the final partnership of Great Britain’s Harry Charles and Casquo Blue who eventually finished tenth. It was the penultimate oxer that put paid to Fuchs’ chances however.

First to match

Series champion in 2014, Germany’s Daniel Deusser was the first to match Epaillard’s clear but his 11-year-old stallion Bingo was almost two seconds off the pace when crossing the line in 44.30 seconds. It seemed the French rider’s compatriot, Simon Delestre, might give him a run for his money, but the electric little gelding Cayman Jolly Jumper spent so much time in the air that the clock showed 44.37 seconds as he raced through the finish with all the poles intact to slot into third place.

And that’s where he stayed when the only other double-clear of the day came from Italy’s Bucci and the 13-year-old mare Cochelle. Theirs was a performance the Madrid spectators will remember for a very long time, because it was nothing short of sensational.

Fault free to the penultimate oxer they met that on a long stride and the super-honest mare had to stretch with all her might to leave it up. But stumbling on landing she pitched her rider up onto her neck so it looked very much like he was about to hit the deck. A hair-raising stride later however she pitched him back into the saddle and, now without his stirrups, he somehow managed to hold on tight and race towards the final vertical to clear it in 45.34 seconds and slot into that fourth place.

Happy

Deusser was quite happy with his runner-up finish. “I knew it was impossible for me to compete with Julien after I saw his jump off, so for me today I was competing against 39 riders (there was a field of 40) and I am very happy I won that competition!”, he said.

And third-place Delestre was also pleased. “I was seventh in Lyon and now third here with Cayman in only his second World Cup. Beating Julien is very difficult or even impossible so I am very happy to be third today”, he pointed out. Talking earlier in the day about the mighty little gelding son of the great Hickstead whose enthusiasm for his job is second to none, he explained, ““he’s amazing but you really have to keep your concentration because he’s always aggressive and yet the fences are small for him. He always wants to run and you just have to keep your plan and be really right with him and then he makes a good job”.

Today’s seventh-place finish has promoted Kevin Staut to pole position on the Western European League leaderboard, and with 42 points the French rider is already well set for a place at the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2023 Final which will take place in Omaha (USA) next April.

Indoor season

“I’m really happy with my mare Visconti, she’s jumping really wonderful since the beginning of the indoor season. She got already some good points in Helsinki and at the last leg in Stuttgart and I’m really happy because the World Cup tour is really something I want to fight for. I’ve been riding Visconti for three years now, last year she was a bit alone in the field of horses to compete at the higher level so she got a lot of experience and I think this year she came back with good performances and is really improving. She is everything, she has no technical issues, she has scope, she’s careful and it’s a pleasure to ride her”, Staut explained.

Today’s winner Epaillard, who now lies second on the league table, also has his sights clearly set on that trip to Omaha next year, and with 40 points on his scoresheet he’s well on the way to booking his ticket.

Talking about today’s success and his spectacular run of recent form he said this evening, “it is incredible and I am very lucky to have Caracole. I have to enjoy every moment and this is an amazing period of my career. I think that now with 40 points I am only missing a few points for the Final which is a goal for me”.

The 14-leg Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2022/2023 Western European League will reach its halfway point next weekend when the action stays in Spain with a visit to  La Coruña.

Don’t miss a hoofbeat…..

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.

They may have been competing in the ‘Friends Arena’ in Stockholm at the 30^th Sweden International Horse Show, but all notion of friendship between the drivers was thrown aside as once again, Boyd Exell (AUS) didn’t show any compassion towards his rivals, who cannot seem to topple him from the top spot.  With his fourth win from four in the 2022-23 FEI Driving World Cup™ series, the clashing cymbals of ‘Advance Australia Fair’ rang out, a now frequent sound under the spotlights of a prize-giving.

Despite a gravity-defying round during Saturday evening’s drive-off from Ijsbrand Chardon (NED), Boyd’s closest challenger this season, it simply wasn’t enough to change what has become a natural order.  Having come a close second in both Lyon (FRA) and Maastricht (NED), Hollands’ most successful driver must be wondering what it is going to take to beat Boyd.

Although he knocked a ball in the first obstacle to add a costly four penalties, Ijsbrand appeared to have done enough to win, with the first sub-140 second time of the competition.  But as has been seen time and time again, the harder they are pushed, the better Boyd and his super-keen horses perform, and although they too rolled a ball, they shaved nearly four seconds off Ijsbrand’s time to end on the only sub-140 score of 139.74.

“My team are just flying; they are so fast.  As we saw yesterday, anything can happen, including a mistake from the driver!  So, you have to keep your feet on the ground and enjoy the sport.” – Boyd Exell

Taking 3^rd was Germany’s Michael Brauchle with a much improved drive after both the first round and his previous appearances in Maastrich (NED) and Stuttgart (GER).  Finishing Friday night’s initial outing in 4^th, behind a 3^rd placed Ijsbrand, Michael had fine-tuned the performance and by Saturday was back in the mix, clocking a fast time to secure his place as one of the three eligible for the drive-off.  The only finalist to drive clear, with a time of 147.74, he seemed to have put himself well into contention.  While Michael seemed justly delighted with the round and pleased with his horses, who had worked in harmony to give him a great drive, the old guard isn’t ready to relinquish their stronghold to young pretenders yet.

Glenn Geerts (BEL) had a brilliant Friday night and so nearly won after a triumphant first round.  But he relinquished his place during the drive-off when at the last minute, the pressure told, and expensive balls rolled to push him into 2^nd behind Boyd, who recovered from an uncharacteristic error during his first round.  On day two, Glenn was just off the pace and ended in 4^th.  His fellow Belgian, Dries Degrieck, on his second outing of the series, has yet to find his stride and finished 5^th on both nights, tallying up expensive balls which put him out of drive-off contention.

Satisfying the vast home crowd was the Wild Card entry, Fredrik Persson (SWE), and although he was placed 6^th, there was a marked improvement in fluency between the rounds on Friday and Saturday.

Also keeping the audience happy was the presence of Boyd’s ‘Super Groom’ Emma Olsson, who is from Sweden and was recently in the running for the Cavalor FEI Best Groom Award.  As Boyd’s navigator during events, he is first to credit how important she is to their success, admitting that she can get quite cross with him if he makes a mistake!

What happens on the next leg in Geneva (SUI) will be enthralling as it will be the first outing for the reigning champion, Bram Chardon (NED).  Having won last year in Switzerland, he must be favourite to do it again, but it remains to be seen how sharp he is in comparison to his compatriots, who now have several legs under their belts.  Boyd isn’t listed as a competitor, so there’s every chance it will go Bram’s way.  But these two titans are due to clash in London, just before Christmas, when there may be a stronger indication as to who will take the title in February.