In the history of equestrian sport there are names that resonate, because the best of the best in each discipline make their mark. Isabell Werth’s name is one of those, having carved out a long and hugely successful career during which she has collected a mountain of medals along with the elegant FEI Dressage World Cup™ trophy on no less than five occasions.

Already the most decorated equestrian athlete of all time, the German superstar returns this week to the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final 2022 to defend the title she first claimed with Fabienne in Gothenburg (SWE) back in 1992. And it will be a poignant event for the 52-year-old rider because her great mare, Weihegold OLD, will be retired after next Saturday’s Freestyle.

The pair are defending three-time champions having proven unbeatable in Omaha (USA) in 2017, in Paris (FRA) in 2018 and at the last Final staged in Gothenburg (SWE) in 2019 before the pandemic took its toll. We will never know if their strike-rate would have continued had the 2020 and 2021 Finals been staged, but they will still make more history if they could pull off one more win this week on home ground in Leipzig (GER).

Most victories

The Netherlands’ Anky van Grunsven holds the record for the most victories in the series that this year celebrates its 35th season. The Dutch rider racked up a colossal nine wins with two great horses, Bonfire and Salinero, between 1995 and 2008 but she never managed four-in-a-row. 

If Werth and Weihegold come out on top they will be the first to do just that, bringing their partnership to the perfect conclusion. But the 17-year-old mare owes nothing to anyone when she steps into the arena this week.

At the Rio 2016 Olympic Games she clinched team gold and individual silver before going on to take all gold at the FEI European Championships in 2017 and team gold and Grand Prix Special silver at the 2021 edition. 

She has made the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final all her own in recent years and at the Western European League qualifier in Lyon (FRA) last October posted her fifth consecutive win at the French fixture. However the biggest threat to her supremacy probably comes from another super mare, the 14-year-old TSF Dalera BB who has swept all before her in the recent past with Werth’s compatriot, Jessica von Bredow-Werndl in the saddle.

This pair, who top the World Dressage Rankings, go into battle this week with a full set of Olympic and European medals in their hip pocket, all collected in the last seven months, and firing on all cylinders following victories at the last two legs of the Western European League 2021/2022 in Neumünster (GER) in February and ’s-Hertogenbosch (NED) just three weeks ago. They will be by far the biggest threat to the entire field of 18 horse-and-rider combinations from 13 countries when the action begins with the Short Grand Prix on Thursday evening, April 7.

Really strong

The host nation looks really strong, with 2013 series champion Helen Langehanenberg also flying the home flag with Annabelle 110, but Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour is likely to pose a threat with the 10-year-old Vamos Amigos who showed huge promise when finishing second to von Bredow-Werndl and Dalera in Neumünster. The strength of the Danish contingent was quite apparent that day when Nanna Skodberg Merrald lined up in third with Atterupgaards Orthilia and Carina Cassøe Krüth finished fourth with Heiline’s Danciera, and all three Danes have made the cut to this weeks’ Final.

That supreme showman, Patrik Kittel, will be the sole Swedish contender partnering his relatively new ride Blue Hors Zepter while Charlotte Fry is the single British athlete with Dark Legend. Spain will be represented by Juan Matute Guimon (Quantico), France by Morgan Barbançon (Sir Donnerhall ll OLD), The Netherlands by Thamar Zweistra (Hexagon’s Ich Weiss) while Ashley Holzer (Havanna 145) and Anna Buffini (FRH Davinia La Douce) will fly the American flag.

Moldova’s Alisa Glinka (Aachen), Poland’s Katarzyna Milczarek (Guapo), Morocco’s Yessin Rahmouni (All at Once), Portugal’s Rodrigo Torres (Fogoso Horsecampline) and Dominican Republic’s Yvonne Losos de Muñiz (Aquamarijn) round up the startlist, and the order-of-go will be decided by a draw for the Short Grand Prix on Wednesday afternoon. 

Ground Jury

Germany’s Henning Lehrmann is President of the Ground Jury at this year’s Final and the remaining members are Michael Osinski (USA), Kurt Christensen (DEN), Isabelle Judet (FRA), Clive Halsall (GBR), Annette Fransen Iacobaeus (SWE) and Eddy de Wolff van Westerrode (NED). 

It was an all-German podium when Werth first won the FEI Dressage World Cup™ title 30 years ago, while The Netherlands Imke Schellekens-Bartels finished second ahead of America’s Steffen Peters when she did it again in Las Vegas (USA) in 2007. America’s Laura Graves was her closest rival at the last three editions but it is compatriot von Bredow-Werndl who is likely to apply the maximum pressure this time around.

However anyone who has watched Werth throughout her career knows her will to win, and her dedication to her horses, is second to none. There will be a lot of emotion in the air when Weihegold does her last dance in next Sunday’s Freestyle. So don’t miss a hoofbeat…..

Full details here 

It has been three years in the making due to pandemic cancellations, so there’s an extra sizzle of excitement ahead of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final 2022 which will kick off next Thursday, 7 April, at the Exhibition Hall in Leipzig (GER). The line-up of 36 athletes qualified from six different leagues around the globe includes four previous champions, and two of those could possibly set a new record at this 42nd finale to the much-loved and long-running annual series.

British young gun, Harry Charles, said in a recent interview that three-time champion and the current title-holder, Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat, has “a bit of a magical relationship with the World Cup Final” and he’s right about that. Few who witnessed it will forget his electrifying winning round when he first lifted the trophy at the Thomas & Mack Centre in Las Vegas (USA) in 2015 with Albfuehren’s Paille. And a year later he did it again in the Scandinavium Arena in Gothenburg (SWE), this time partnering Corbinian.

Plenty of history

The last time the Final was staged it took place at the same Swedish venue in 2019 where he steered Alamo to victory ahead of two men who have made plenty of history themselves since then. Swiss compatriot, Martin Fuchs, was runner-up with the brilliant Clooney who subsequently went on to win individual European gold later that year, and in 2021 Fuchs claimed team gold and individual silver at the Longines FEI Jumping European Championships at Riesenbeck (GER) with another brilliant grey, Leone Jei.

Third place at the 2019 Final went to Sweden’s Peder Fredricson who has also enjoyed a real purple patch ever since, the 2017 European champion moving into the number one spot in the world rankings following phenomenal results that included individual bronze at the European Championships just a few short weeks after clinching team gold for his country at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Peder will not compete in Leipzig next week but the Fredricson family will be represented by his older brother, Jens, who comfortably qualified when finishing eighth in the 2021/2022 Western European League.

19 countries

The 36 competing athletes represent 19 different countries and amongst them is another three-time winner, Germany’s Marcus Ehning, who has also known plenty of glory during his great career. He first scooped the World Cup honours with Anka in Las Vegas (USA) in 2003, then with Sandro Boy in Kuala Lumpur (MAS) in 2006 and  again in 2010 with Noltes Küchengirl and Plot Blue.

This time around he brings the power-packed stallion Stargold whose enthusiasm for his job has endeared himself to spectators everywhere over the last year and more.

Only one other rider has scored a hat-trick of wins and that is Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa who proved absolutely unbeatable with the super-stallion Baloubet du Rouet between 1998 and 2000.

If Guerdat can come out on top again this time around he’ll make history as the first four-time champion, so there’s a lot hanging in the balance for him and there’s no better man under pressure. He brings the 13-year-old gelding Victorio des Frotards to do battle this time around.

However the start-list also features two more former champions.

Hard to believe

It’s hard to believe so many years have passed since the glorious partnership of Great Britain’s John Whitaker and the magical Milton won the first of their two consecutive titles back in 1990. And it’s even harder to believe that John is still so highly competitive that, riding his reliable 14-year-old gelding Equine America Unick du Francport, he joins his 20-year-old nephew Jack Whitaker and 22-year-old Harry Charles on the British contingent at this year’s event.

What a story it would be if John could clinch that title once again, 32 years on…..

The last of the four previous winners is 2017 champion McLain Ward, currently 12th in the world rankings and one of nine riders to represent the USA at the year’s Final. And nobody thinks that this American is making up the numbers.

He posted that memorable victory with the mare HH Azur who was flawless all week on home ground in Omaha (USA) and, after 16 previous attempts, it was emotional in the aftermath. He brought the American tally of wins in the Jumping World Cup series to 10, matching Germany’s record, but the following year Beezie Madden was victorious in Paris (FRA) so US athletes now have the advantage with 11 wins in total.

Startlist

Riding the super-exciting 13-year-old gelding Contagious this time around, Ward is likely to make a big impact from the outset, and amongst other notable names on the startlist are his compatriot, the decorated veteran Margie Goldstein Engle, Ireland’s Conor Swail who has risen to seventh in the world rankings thanks to spectacular performances on the US circuit this season and his fellow-countryman Denis Lynch who topped the Western European League table.

The Netherlands’ Harrie Smolders is rarely far from the sharp end and neither is Belgium’s Jos Verlooy, while Germany’s David Will, 16th in the current rankings, was in sensational form with C Vier 2 in Riesenbeck last year where he helped clinch team silver and finished individually seventh with the 14-year-old gelding who is qualified for the Leipzig finale.

However at every Final since the story began with a win for Austria’s Hugo Simon back in 1979 there are always a few surprises. Austria will be represented by Max Kühner this time around while athletes from Egypt, Finland, France, Hungary, Lithuania, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan will also fly their country’s flags. And with Germany’s Frank Rothenberger designing the courses they can expect to face a very significant challenge.

The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final 2022 will, no doubt, expose more relatively unknown talent while providing three days of super sport, beginning with the opening Speed event on Thursday 6 April followed by the Jump-Off competition on Friday 7 and the deciding Third Final competition on Sunday 10 April when the 2022 champion will be crowned.

Don’t miss a hoofbeat…..

Further information here…..

By Joanne Eccles

After a three-year hiatus, the long-awaited FEI Vaulting World Cup™ Final will return on the 8^th and 9^th April 2022 at the Partner Pferd in the Leipziger Messe (GER).  Alongside the FEI Jumping, Dressage & Driving World Cup Finals, it is sure to be a high energy, thrilling spectacle as the World’s elite take to the stage.

World champions and previous medalists will come together to battle it out for glory as FEI Vaulting returns with a new format. This year, individual athletes will be required to show a Technical Test in Round 1 and a Freestyle in the final round, both of which have been allocated an extra 10 seconds over normal competition to allow the vaulters to fully explore their artistic concept.  The scores of both rounds will combine to crown the new FEI Vaulting World Cup™ winners in the Individual Male, Female and Pas de Deux classes. 

Janika Derks (GER) is the only reigning champion returning this year as she hopes to retain her 2019 FEI Vaulting World Cup™ title and end her vaulting career on top of the podium.  She will face stiff competition from Eva Nagiller (AUT) who took the bronze medal at the FEI Vaulting World Championships in August 2021, finishing hard on the heels of Derks who won the silver, and Manon Moutinho (FRA) who placed closely behind in 5^th.  Hannah Steverding (GER) and Jolina Ossenberg-Engels (GER) will aim to thrill the judges and the audience to earn their place in World Cup history, whilst the USA’s Kayln Noah and Kimberly Palmer will provide a challenge to their European rivals. Young talent Annebeth Kubbe (NED) will be looking to make her mark at her first World Cup final.

In the male category all eyes will be on decorated vaulter Lambert Leclezio (FRA).  The thrice World Champion is making his debut at the FEI World Cup™ Final and will aim to complete his trophy cabinet with a World Cup win, in what will be his final season of competitive Individual Vaulting. Vice World Champion Jannik Heiland (GER) alongside team-mate Thomas Brüsewitz (GER) will try to thwart Leclezio and use the home crowd to their advantage.  Also looking to take the top spot and beat his previous best, second place 2017 FEI World Cup™ Final finish, is seasoned World Cup competitor Lukas Heppler (SUI). Bringing personality and grace to his performance, Lorenzo Lupacchini will represent Italy alongside David Zanella, whilst Austria’s Philip Clement completes the Men’s line up.

Four of the World’s best Pas de Deux will compete for World Cup honors in what promises to be an exciting and emotional exhibition as World Champions Janika Derks and Johannes Kay (GER) go for gold in their final performance together.  Highlighting the gravity of the event, Kay stated “It is very special for us to get the last round in Leipzig, as we have never done any World Cup competition before, so it is the last thing we were missing, and we thought that there might be no more World Cup. It is very special that we will have the opportunity to join the final and get our last round done in this awesome circle”.

They will face hard-fought competition from fellow compatriots, Vice-World Champions Chiara Congia and Justin Van Gerven who will also be looking to gain the title for the first time with the long-time partnership of Jolina Ossenberg-Engels and Timo Gerdes hoping to beat them both to it.  Austrians Romana Hintner and Eva Nagiller round out the incredibly strong competition and are equally likely to be crowned worthy winners.

There is plenty to look forward to in what promises to be a high-stakes, exhilarating FEI Vaulting World Cup™ Final.

Further information on the FEI Vaulting World Cup™ Final can be found here.

Joint statement from the FEI and EEF

A webinar was held today for the European Equestrian National Federations and associated European Equestrian Federation (EEF) members to provide a comprehensive update on the situation in Ukraine.

Jointly hosted by the European Equestrian Federation (EEF), Ukrainian Equestrian Federation (UEF), UEF Charity Foundation and the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the meeting included a thorough overview of the current actions and priorities in Ukraine, as well as an interactive discussion to establish the most efficient processes required to support the equestrian community (including the horses) in Ukraine and those who have fled to neighbouring nations.

The meeting also highlighted the strong collaborative spirit between the National Federations and the willingness from the equestrian community to provide both financial and logistical support through donations of supplies and materials, offers to host individuals and/or horses and employment opportunities.

Since the onset of the war, the FEI, EEF and UEF have worked together and tirelessly to provide support and aid through the UEF Charity Foundation and the FEI Solidarity Relief Fund.

Current situation in Ukraine

The UEF Charity Foundation, which was set up at the start of the conflict and has the full support of the FEI and EEF manages the logistics and coordination of humanitarian aid, the evacuation of horses and the general information flow to/from the community and those externally wishing to help. Through the website www.helpukrainehorses.eu offers of material aid (feed, shavings etc.), monetary donations and accommodation have been received from across Europe and overseas. To date, over 375 tonnes of material aid have been received at their central hub in Poland and over €75,000 has been donated directly to the Charity Foundation.

Working hand in hand and funded by the FEI Solidarity Relief Fund, the Foundation has also managed the creation of a logistical hub in Granat, located between Lviv and the Polish border, able to accommodate up to 40 horses so they can be prepared for transfer into the European Union. Individuals should contact the UEF Charity Foundation for more information. It is expected this hub will be at full capacity in the coming days.

Whilst the achievements so far have been remarkable, the UEF Charity Foundation gave a stark warning that the requirement for aid is ongoing. Over the next month, an expected 2,000 horses will require support from the Foundation which would equate to triple the number of supplies currently held. As such, there is a need to continue working cooperatively across Europe in order to facilitate the supply of aid.  

FEI Solidarity Director Jean-Phillippe Camboulives took this opportunity to urge all National Equestrian Federations “to designate an official representative to first coordinate the offers of support and supplies nationally, and then liaise with the FEI, EEF and UEF to ensure logistical efficiency.”  

Among other things, this would entail that offers for accommodation or employment be coordinated through National Federations, prior to reaching the UEF Charity Foundation and the FEI Solidarity Relief Fund.  

Camboulives added, the “FEI Solidarity Relief Fund has been able to provide great support to individual members in the Ukrainian community through neighbouring and European member federations such as the Ukrainian Vaulting team which is currently training and living in Slovakia thanks to the efforts of the host National Federation and the determination of their Secretary General Zuzana Baciak. And there are many examples like this at the moment. We must continue to work together and to coordinate our efforts and use our resources effectively.”

EU Regulations on the movement of horses

FEI Veterinary Director Göran Åkerström provided an update on the situation regarding the transfer of horses from Ukraine into neighbouring EU countries as well as the essential biosecurity protocols and sanitary requirements which must be respected to safeguard horse welfare and horse populations both inside and outside of Ukraine. Among the topics covered, he also informed member nations of recent amendments to the existing Health Certificate published this week by the European Commission and taking effect on 29 March through to 15 December 2022 which could facilitate the transit of horses. Given the recent publication, the documents are currently under review by the FEI and clear guidance will be shared to all relevant stakeholders in the coming days.  

Looking ahead and planning the future 

Reflecting on the complete collapse of the Ukrainian equestrian industry, the EEF and the FEI gave their full support to help rebuild the Ukrainian Equestrian Federation and the community.

To conclude the meeting, EEF President Theo Ploegmakers said “the situation in Ukraine is devastating, but the collaboration we have seen across Europe through our members and the FEI is incredibly encouraging. There is still a huge amount of work to be done to help both the equines and the wider equestrian community in Ukraine and I believe through our network in Europe we can continue to provide the necessary support”.

About:

FEI Solidarity Relief Fund:

The FEI set aside a CHF 1 Million Solidarity Relief Fund for the equestrian community in Ukraine, following the invasion by Russian military forces. The allocation was approved by the FEI Executive Board during a meeting convened on 28 February 2022, where members also unanimously condemned the invasion and agreed to remove all international equestrian events in Russia and Belarus from the 2022 FEI calendar. The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) has also joined forces with the FEI Solidarity Relief Fund, establishing the USEF Ukraine Relief Fund to Support Ukraine horses and equestrians, with 100% of funds raised going to the FEI Solidarity Relief Fund to be distributed by the FEI.

EEF:

Founded in 2009, the European Equestrian Federation (EEF) is the representative body for the European based National equestrian Federations. Working closely with the Federation Internationale Equestre (FEI) and the National Federations, the EEF works to maximise the potential and development of equestrianism throughout the continent. The EEF is committed to promoting the sport equestrianism and its good practices, developing the sport across Europe, and providing leadership for a collective European voice in the sport.

UEF Charity Foundation:

The Charity Foundation is registered in Belgium and its mission is to help the Ukrainian equestrian community during the crisis. The Foundation works closely with the FEI and national equestrian federations. For all the latest information and activities visit https://helpukrainehorses.eu/

By Sarah Dance

For the first time since 2008 the FEI Driving World Cup™ Final returns to Leipzig (GER) to round off the 2021-22 indoor season.  The Driving will take place alongside the FEI World Cup™ Finals for Dressage, Jumping and Vaulting.

Six of the world’s best international four-in-hand drivers will be vying to take the title in this enthralling event.  Requiring skill, agility and bravery, teams of four powerful horses must work together as they are steered at the gallop through a combination of obstacles and pairs of cones, with many tight twists and turns.  Although competitors aim for the fastest time, they must also be accurate as penalties are added for any balls that are knocked off.  This event is a popular spectacle which engages the crowd, the electric atmosphere enhanced with rock music and theatrical lighting.

Reigning indoor and outdoor FEI Driving World Champion Boyd Exell (AUS) leads the rankings going into the final.  Winner of more Four-in-Hand World Championships than any other driver, Boyd first took the indoor World Cup title in 2009 in Gothenburg (SWE).  He admits it has been a difficult season, with the early events running so close to each other at the end of 2021, then a long wait until the final.  Having won three of the four qualifying events in Lyon, Stockholm then London just before Christmas, Boyd said,

“We are keeping our teams, both horse and human, focussed and not taking anything for granted.  It would be a mistake to underestimate the competition.”

Course designer Jeroen Houterman (NED), who designed the tracks in Lyon and London, is keeping his course a secret until he gets to Leipzig.  Mindful of the lack of competition practice the horses have had going into the finals, he has created the sort of test he would produce at the beginning of a season, making it relatively simple.  He hopes his design will encourage flowing driving that is not too difficult on the horses and when walking the course, drivers should be able to see what their options are. 

The six qualified finalists are Boyd Exell (AUS), Bram Chardon (NED), who won in Geneva, Koos de Ronde (NED), Glenn Geerts (BEL), Dries Degrieck (BEL) and Mareike Harm (GER).  A seventh, ‘wild card’ competitor has been invited to drive too, Michael Brauchle (GER), but the rules state that he cannot contend for the title. 

Competition will be fierce between these talented drivers, with both Koos and Bram being previous title holders, and the home crowd will be cheering loudest for Michael and Mareike, who has the accolade of being the first female to compete at the final.  Mareike had an excellent drive in London and finished in third place, which helped seal her place in Leipzig.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic there has not been an FEI World Cup™ Final since Bordeaux in February 2020, and this year the event is being held in April which is later than usual.  However, the drivers, their horses, and the support teams around them are all highly experienced and will have altered their preparation to take this timing into account.

Driving Ground Jury President, Mark Wentein (BEL), said, “After the Covid-19 lockdowns and cancellation of some of the planned FEI World Cup qualifiers, the top drivers from the international driving scene are very keen to start in Leipzig for the final. Personally, I am convinced that the battle and the sporting standards will be very high. You have of course the World Champion and the title holder Boyd Exell (AUS), but perhaps some other drivers will put the pressure on his shoulders. Anyway, Leipzig will host the four different legs of FEI World Cup Finals and will be the most thrilling moment of the indoor season 2021-22. I expect great sportsmanship from all the competitors.”

Further information on the FEI Driving World Cup™ Final can be found here.

He is young, talented, ambitious and has a superb string of horses. Could 22-year-old Harry Charles become only the third-ever British rider to claim the coveted Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ title when the 42nd Final gets underway in Leipzig (GER) next week?

In the space of a few short years he has rocketed to the top of the sport, but he is realistic and level-headed, perhaps not surprisingly since his father, Peter Charles, is his guiding light.

Peter was riding for Ireland when he won individual European gold at St Gallen (SUI) in 1995 and European team gold at Arnhem (NED) in 2001. He reverted to British citizenship to win historic team gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games and has passed on his passion to all of his three children who are now making their way in the world of showjumping. He is also passing on his wisdom about the ups, and downs, they will experience on their journeys.

The hardest bit

“I got a proper taste of the top level of the sport in 2018, but my Dad said ‘getting there isn’t the hardest bit - the hardest bit is to stay there’ - and he’s right!”, Harry says.

He enjoyed a good run in 2019, but with the onset of the pandemic he, like so many others, was out of top-class competition for more than 18 months. However once he picked up the reins in earnest again in 2021 his career went into orbit. “I did my first 5-Star show again in May and it went from there really. During Covid my focus had been on really working on my riding and getting a great team of owners and horses around me, and I came out swinging last year and got some great results. At the end of the year I was on the first page of the world top 30 - it was quite crazy and it all happened so quickly!”, says the athlete who continues to hold that number 30 slot and who also leads the FEI U25 rankings.

His meteoric rise in the sport was aided by a new association with America’s Ann Thompson who he first met “around the end of 2020”. It would be a very significant turning point. “She was my first real owner and I was very fortunate, she gave me Romeo to ride”, Harry says. The now-13-year-old horse had previously been very successful with Ireland’s Darragh Kenny in the saddle.

“When he arrived at the stable he was already established at top level and the aim was to get to the Tokyo Olympics. Ann has been an amazing supporter of mine and owns one of my other amazing horses, Aralyn Blue, who is this year’s candidate for the World Championships.

“I have a lot to thank her for, kick-starting my career, once Romeo came into the stable I got access to the big shows, and the rest of the team has been built around him”, Harry explains.

Tokyo

And he did indeed make it to the Tokyo Games last summer. “It was incredible, the best experience of my life! The whole journey there was special, and being on that team with Ben when he won the gold medal and to see what it took to win it was really cool!”, he says.

He is filled with admiration for team-mate Ben Maher who emerged to take the individual Olympic title with Explosion W. “Of course he’s got what I think is the best horse in the world, but he’s worked incredibly hard and he’s one of the very best riders in the world. He put all his life into that gold medal. For the past few years he knew he had the horse to win it and in Tokyo the pressure on him was huge. To go there, to plan so that your horse will perform on that day, and to succeed - all credit to Ben and his team, it was incredible!”, he says.

From Harry’s own perspective, another of the great highlights of last year was his performance with Romeo that clinched the Challenge Cup for Great Britain at the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final 2021 in Barcelona (ESP) in October.

“Nothing compares with competing for your country on a team”, he says as the memories come flooding back.

“That was such a great night, we jumped the only double-clear in the class and the horse jumped amazing, Ann (Thompson) flew over specially to see him, it was her birthday so it was an absolutely perfect weekend!”, he recalls.

His father was a proud man that evening as he placed the winner’s sash around his son’s shoulders. You could sense the strength of the relationship between the two in that moment. “He’s been my trainer my whole life - no one is going to want better for me than my Dad!”, Harry says.

Peter is completely devoted to supporting his family now instead of competing himself and Harry’s sisters Scarlett, aged 21, and Siena who is 19 are both also progressing up the levels.

Huge influence

Their father has been a huge influence on them all. “He stopped his career early to support us and says he enjoys the sport more now than he did when he was riding! He’s passionate about it but he doesn’t put us under any pressure. We can very much choose our own paths, and he has encouraged us to do that, but by the time I was 16 I realised that this was what I wanted to do,” Harry says.

“I got the taste of success in ponies and juniors, and that winning feeling - well you just can’t beat it!”, says the young man whose first big success was taking the Pony Showjumper of the Year title at the Horse of the Year Show riding Scoubidou back in 2014. He remembers it all like it was yesterday…

“The pony I beat was Tixylix who was probably the most famous pony ever in England, she was in the lead and I went in on Scoubidou, and actually I hadn’t won anything with him before that and I did a crazily fast round and it was amazing - a video of our round went viral afterwards!”, he says with delight.

He’ll be hoping that another video will go viral at the end of next week in Leipzig and he’s relishing the excitement ahead of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2022 Final which kicks off on Wednesday April 6. However if he is to follow in the hoofprints of the two previous British title-holders then he has very big boots to fill….

The legendary Yorkshireman, John Whitaker, won the first of his two back-to-back titles with the magnificent Milton in Dortmund (GER) in 1990 at the age of 34 and, difficult as it is to comprehend, he will line out again for Great Britain next week alongside his 20-year-old nephew Jack Whitaker and Harry.

The only other British winner of this most prestigious of trophies is now-retired Rio 2016 Olympic champion Nick Skelton who steered Dollar Girl to victory in Gothenburg (SWE) in 1995 at the age of 38.

Steps of giants

But Harry isn’t intimidated by the prospect of tracing the steps of giants on his World Cup Final debut. He’s talking the day after returning from Saut Hermes in Paris (FRA) where he posted a good win with his mare Stardust and he says he’s taking the next two weeks off to prepare for Leipzig where Stardust, winner of the Western European League qualifier in London (GBR) in December, and Romeo will both compete. He means business.

“The reason I’m taking the two horses is because they are both super-consistent.  Stardust has an extremely high clear-round rate at 1.60m and Romeo has so much experience behind him”.

So who will be his biggest rivals when it all comes down to it? Swiss superstar Martin Fuchs who won team gold and individual silver at last year’s European Championships and who finished second at the last Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in 2019, and his compatriot and defending World Cup champion, Steve Guerdat, are the first two that spring to mind.

“Martin has probably some of the best horses in the world in his stable at the moment. He’s on very good form and very motivated for it this year. And Steve has a bit of a magical relationship with the World Cup Final. He’s always one who will be there or thereabouts I would say”, Harry points out before adding, “but I’m not going there just to make up the numbers!”

He’s looking for more of that winning feeling he enjoys so much, so watch this space…..

More details about the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final 2022 here  

Cape Town, South Africa’s oldest and second largest city, will host the FEI General Assembly at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 9 to 13 November 2022. The decision was taken by the FEI Board at its monthly teleconference on 22 March.

t is the first time that the FEI’s biggest annual meeting will travel to Southern Africa. The event has been held on the African continent only once before, in Morocco’s capital Rabat in 2002.

“We are delighted to be going to Africa for this year’s General Assembly,” FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said. “The South African Equestrian Federation had generously invited us in 2020 but the event had to be cancelled twice due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Africa is a vibrant continent with a huge potential for equestrian sport. The countries of the region have been involved in many FEI Solidarity projects and it is a fantastic opportunity for our community to gather in South Africa and learn more of their progress over the years.

“The online and in-person hybrid General Assembly format we used last year in Antwerp (BEL) permitted wide participation, especially for the National Federation representatives who were unable to travel. It was a successful formula, which we will put in place again this year. I know South Africa will be an excellent host and we look forward to reuniting with the worldwide equestrian family in Cape Town in November.”

“We are very excited to play host to the FEI General Assembly 2022 and to showcase the achievements of our country and our continent,” Professor Ian Sanne, President of the South African Equestrian Federation said. “We have waited patiently for this opportunity, and we are determined to provide the very best backdrop for the important decisions that will be made. Cape Town is a vibrant city, and we are already working hard and are excitedly planning for a week of hard work and unforgettable African celebration.”

With two Olympic and three European gold medals all collected over the last eight months, Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera BB look hot favourites to take the FEI Dressage World Cup™ title when the 2021/2022 Final gets underway on home ground in Leipzig (GER) in just over two weeks’ time.

While driving her lorry full of horses home from CDI*** in Ornago (ITA) yesterday where she steered the ever-improving 13-year-old gelding Ferdinand BB to win both the Grand Prix and Freestyle and where her student-rider, Raphael Netz, won three U25 competitions, she talked about the path that has taken her to where she is now in her career, and her future plans. But when it comes to predicting results she won’t be drawn. She doesn’t take anything for granted.

“Of course you have to have a clear vision and you must set your goals, but over the last 20 years there were times when I didn’t believe in myself anymore. However I always tried to push myself and I held on to my dreams and hoped the opportunities would come”, says the 36-year-old based at Aubenhausen in southern Germany who holds the No. 1 spot in the Dressage World Rankings.

Key to success

Jessica says that the key to her success was the decision “to stop trying to be someone else”. By the age of 19 she had already earned six gold and two silver medals at European Championships, but it all went wrong in her early 20s. “I had some difficult years with hardly any success and I struggled a lot. I had been Junior and Young Rider champion many times so I dreamed of it at Senior level. But for more than five years it didn’t happen”, she says.

It was a light-bulb moment during which she decided to just “be more Jessica” that turned everything around.

“I stopped trying to imitate other riders and began to focus on doing things my own way - the way I always loved to do it, going back to being the little girl who loved to play with her horses. The horses began to enjoy it more and I don’t ever want to lose that joy again!”, she explains.

She describes herself as “very lucky” that Beatrice Bürchler-Keller entrusted her with Unee BB in 2012. This was the horse that would turn her life around. In 2015 the pair were on the bronze medal winning team at the FEI European Championships in Aachen (GER) and they finished third at three FEI Dressage World Cup™ Finals in Las Vegas (USA) that same year, in Gothenburg (SWE) in 2016 and again in Paris (FRA) in 2018.

“Unee was one of the most important teachers for me”, Jessica says. “He wasn’t interested in me when he first arrived so I had to find a way to make myself interesting to him. He was nearly ready for Grand Prix when I got him and I really wanted to win his heart but I couldn’t do it the way I used to do it because I always grew up with the horses I’d ridden before. He already knew what he was doing and had his own way, so I had to learn his language before we could both learn a common language. I learned that it’s not just about the horse doing things my way but about doing what is best for each individual horse and being more flexible”.

Top trainers

Along the way she worked with many top trainers including Paul Elzenbaumer, “a very patient, loving and calm man” and then Stefan Münch, compatriot Isabell Werth who will be defending her title at the 2022 Final with Weihegold, then Jonny Hilberath, Morten Thomsen, Andreas Hausberger and Monica Theodorescu. “However I always have my own ideas, and I rely also on my brother Benni (Benjamin Werndl) who is very important to me - it’s our goal to be in the German team together some day!”, Jessica points out.

Now of course her career at top level revolves around the brilliant 15-year-old TSF Dalera BB who she has been riding since the mare was eight years old. “It was when she was 10 and we won the Louisdor Final in Frankfurt that I realised she could be very special, and when she was third in the Freestyle in 2019 (at the FEI European Championships in Rotterdam) that was the day I thought everything is possible. Then two years later (at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and FEI Dressage European Championships in Hagen) we proved it!”

And making their prospects even more exciting is the fact that Jessica believes Dalera has further room for improvement. “She feels she can give even more and when I enter the arena I always know she will try her heart out and give her best. I think she loves me and the life she is living. She loves travelling and she’s a real showgirl! But we both enjoy cantering through the forest as much as competing. She’s grateful for that, and so am I”.

Many talents

Jessica is a woman of many talents. During lockdown she wrote a book - “Heaven on Horseback” - about her life, her struggles, her inspiration and her positivity, and she’s currently working on a second publication, a children’s book. She says a near-death experience, when she almost drowned, changed her view on life and helped her become more reflective and to move forward. She wants this latest book to be “a nice story, with a lot of learning”.

Her five-year-old son, Moritz, may be a little too young to enjoy it as yet because it will be aimed at children aged 10+. Moritz travelled with her to Ornago and it was the first weekend Jessica was without the support of her husband or parents, but it worked out well thanks to the help of grooms and riders. With another baby on the way - due in August and therefore negating any possibility of a tilt at the World Championship titles - she knows she’s going to have even more on her plate in future. “I’ll have to manage my life even better and I’ll need more help for sure. It’s really important to have a good work/life balance”, she says. However she’s aiming to return to action as quickly as possible after baby number two arrives. “I was competing four weeks after giving birth to my first son, so hopefully I can do that again!”, she says with a laugh.

For now however, the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2022 final has her full attention. For Dalera the preparation will be kept very simple - “nothing special, just keeping her motivated, healthy and happy, hacking in the forest and if the weather is good then going on the gallops”, she explains.

And as for preparing herself, it will be about focusing on the reason she does what she does. “Sometimes we need to remind ourselves why we started in the sport - because we love horses. So many people focus too much on the outcome - the success rather than how to get there. I try to focus on how to get there, rather than the outcome”.

Being more Jessica….that seems to work…..

More about FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final 2022 here

Mexico earned the series title when the North and Central America and Caribbean division of the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ series last took place in 2019. In front of a home crowd at Coapexpan in Xalapa (MEX), the home squad set the tone for a strong 2022 season with a statement victory over Canada and the United States.

Led by newly appointed Chef d'Equipe Mark Laskin, the veteran squad of Nicolas Pizarro (Pia Contra), Federico Fernandez (Romeo), Patricio Pasquel (Babel) and Manuel Gonzalez Dufrane (Hortensia van de Leeuwerk) established a commanding three-rail lead in the first round with a perfect "0" score thanks to clear efforts from Fernandez, Pasquel and Gonzalez Dufrane. They finished things off with two rails in hand on a final score of 12.

"I've been very impressed with the Mexican riders. I have a lot of depth and a lot of riders for us to select from," Laskin said. "Obviously, my idea was to really start things off with a bang, and I think we accomplished that."

It was not quite as smooth of sailing for the United States, as a young American squad was shockingly eliminated in the first round, and with no drop score, every rail counted for Canada, who sat on 12 faults entering Round 2.

But the Canadians rallied. The team's youngest rider, Jacqueline Steffens produced a critical clear round to add some pressure, while Pizarro and Fernandez each recorded 8 faults in their respective second rounds. Pasquel and his spectacular homebred Babel bolstered things with a double-clear effort, and Gonzalez Dufrane and Hortensia van de Leeuwerk, who so often have acted as team anchors, delivered once again to cement Mexico's status atop the podium. 

"I'm very comfortable being the anchor rider, and I had no pressure in the second round," Gonzalez Dufrane said. "My teammates had already [all but] clinched the win."

The North and Central America and Caribbean division of the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ continues in Vancouver (CAN) on 5 June 2022.

"I'm just very grateful to my fellow riders for giving me this amazing gift to win a Nations Cup in our hometown," Fernandez said, "because that's the best feeling ever."

Full results here.

Division standings here.

The opening leg of the 2022 FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ series hinted at a competitive season to come, as defending series Champions Germany bested the United States by just over a percentage point in Wellington (USA).

Strong starts defined the weekend, as the opening day results from Michael Klimke (Harmony's Sanrino RHP), Christoph Koschel (Dünensee), Lars Ligus (Soccer City) and Frederic Wandres (Dolciario) could not be caught by the American contingent, who were the first official series champions in 2016. Canada took the bronze. 

"Last year it was a really big surprise, and it motivated us for this year," Klimke said. "We all had a top day yesterday, and today it got very close again."

Klimke and Wandres each pulled weight for their team, with Klimke winning Thursday's Grand Prix (72.652). Despite Big Tour combinations receiving a 1.5 percent boost to their scores, Small Tour combination Wandres and Dolciario gave Germany its best Day 2 score in winning the Intermediate I, receiving 73.176 from judges Stephen Clarke (GBR), Carlos Lopes (POR), Michael Osinski (USA), Mariette Sanders - van Gansewinkel (NED) and Knut Danzberg (GER). 

"The team can only be successful if all of us are fighting until the end, and we really did that," Wandres said. "[Dolciario] is just 8 years old, and this is his first CDI tour this season. I was already very happy yesterday, but today was his first Intermediate 1."

Down to the wire

While Thursday's results provided a slight cushion, the United States rallied strongly on Friday in the Grand Prix Special to keep the standings incredibly close. Twenty-two-year-old Ben Ebeling took won the deciding event—the Grand Prix Special—receiving 73.649 aboard Indeed, a mount he's only campaigned since the beginning of the year. Beatrice Berktold (Imperial) won the Prix St. Geroges (72.441) added a 72.676 score to finish second in the Intermediate I in her first senior Nations Cup.

"I think my teammates can be really happy with their rides. I’m certainly very happy with my ride," Ebeling said.  I love riding Indeed. I think it’s so much about my riding, but more about my coaching, from Christoph Koschel and also my dad Jan Ebeling, who did a fantastic job training this horse. I’m just lucky that I get to ride her. She’s got a lot of power in there and today you could really see it, and I really felt it. For me, that’s something that I’m really excited about."

"I was not aware of how close it was. It was very exciting," added Koschel, who finished second to his student in the Grand Prix Special. "There was team spirit, and I’m happy that we won. I have to say big congratulations today to Ben for winning the class, well done."

With just three teams competing, Wellington's leg will not offer series points. The FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ season will resume 05-08 May at Mariakalnok (HUN).

Full results here.