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Bolstered by two of the four double-clear performances posted on the day, Team Germany won through in the second Europe Division 1 qualifier of the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ 2022 series in Sopot, Poland this afternoon where France finished second and Switzerland slotted into third place.
Faultless rounds from both Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann riding Messi van’t Ruytershof and Andre Thieme partnering DSP Chakaria proved pivotal to the German victory, and Thieme was under intense pressure when last to go in the second round.
But the 46-year-old rider and the mare with which he claimed the individual European title on home ground in Riesenbeck last September left all the poles in place to record the second successive German success at the Polish fixture.
Second round
As team anchor he thought he might not have to line out in the second round, but when both pathfinders Philipp Weishaupt and Coby 8 and second-line rider Christian Kukuk and Mumbai each left a fence on the floor at their second attempt then it wasn’t looking quite so optimistic.
The French were carrying seven faults, and brilliant clears from Kevin Staut (Scuderia 1918 Viking d’La Rousserie), Edward Levy (Uno de Cerisy) and Julien Gonin (Valou du Lys) meant they added nothing more, Gregory Cottard (Bibici) unlucky to clip the flimsy penultimate planks on his second tour of the track.
Meanwhile clears from Alain Jufer (Dante MM) and a double-clear from Edouard Schmitz (Gamin van’t Naastveldhof) meant all the Swiss would have to add to their first-round four-fault tally was the single mistake from Elin Ott whose mare, Nanu ll, kicked a brick out of the wall at fence four, the eight picked up by Niklaus Schurtenberger (Quincassi) being their discard.
That left them on a final tally of eight faults, so Thieme knew he had little room for error if he was to take the win for his country when last into the ring. Germany needed to drop one of the two four-fault results posted in the second round to complete on the winning scoreline of just four faults, and although he could afford a couple of time faults he knew a fence down would hand victory to the French and leave his side on level pegging with the Swiss.
It was an exact repeat of what happened last year when he also decided the result as last rider into the ring in Sopot, and although he said he felt the pressure neither he nor his amazing mare flinched, galloping home well within the 69 seconds time-allowed to clinch it.
“My mare just jumped so outstanding - she made it happen and I’m thankful to her and to Otto that he gave me his trust to be last to go - I’m so happy we did it again!”, Thieme said afterwards.
Ireland lined up in fourth in today’s eight-nation contest helped by the last of the double-clears from Denis Lynch and his Rome Grand Prix winner Brooklyn Heights. Poland finished fifth while Sweden, Denmark and Norway filled the remaining three places in that order.
Course
Thieme was complimentary about the 12-fence track set by Polish course designer Szymon Tarant. “The time allowed made it difficult, and especially in the first half there were many time faults, and there was a very tricky big vertical after the water and many had that down. But this was very smart course designing”, he said. And team-mate Philipp Weishaupt agreed. “It was a great course, tricky but very interesting so Szymon did a very great job today. Until the end we didn’t know who would win and this is what makes the Nations Cup so great!” he pointed out.
Christian Kukuk, who was on that 2021 winning team at Sopot with Mumbai alongside Thieme, said he wasn’t altogether pleased with his second-round error but very happy with his horse. And, as he rightly pointed out, “Janne and Andre with their double clear rounds saved us!”
Today was another kind of watershed moment for Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann who gave birth to her son, Friedrich Alexander, just over four months ago. “I’m super happy, thankful and proud to be back in the saddle after my pregnancy!”, said the London 2012 Olympian.
Food for thought
For team manager Otto Becker today was also another significant day, giving him plenty more food for thought ahead of this summer’s FEI World Championships in Denmark. Riders are all very keen to show their potential for selection right now, and Thieme has it quietly in his sights.
He’s been planning his mare’s work schedule a little differently since taking the European title with her nine months ago. “After that we did one more show in Barcelona and we didn’t do the World Cup series so she had a break until January and then she started again in Florida where she only competed five times (over 12 weeks) and won a Grand prix and was third in the World Cup qualifier. She was already on fire over there!
“When she came back she had five weeks off and then went to Mannheim and won the Grand Prix, then had two weeks off and went to Hamburg and jumped double-clear and finished second in the Global Tour. This is only her third competition since coming back from America - we are trying to keep her fresh, but showing a little so she stays powerful. Now the plan is to do one more show - at Aachen - and then hopefully the Worlds….”, he explained.
Best competition
Otto Becker thanked Kaja Koczurowska Wawrzkiewicz and her team for a great event. “Team Germany loves to come to Sopot. The class was very good and very exciting to the end, and two rounds make the Nations Cup the best competition in the world!”, he said.
And the Show President responded with a reminder of what is going on in the region right now.
“I’m out of words, completely exhausted but very happy. We had great crowds but this year was very tough for us. The situation is critical at our borders so it was hard organising the event while helping people at the same time, so I’m very glad it all went well”, she said.
Today’s result leaves Germany lying second in the Europe Division 1 standings with 170 points while the Swiss, winners on home ground at St Gallen last Monday, hold the lead at this early stage with a running total of 180. Only seven of the nine teams in Division 1 will qualify for the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final which will take place at the traditional venue at the Real Club de Polo in Barcelona (ESP) from 29 September to 2 October 2022 and each nation gets four opportunities to qualify from six events.
Next stop on the road to the Spanish finale is Rotterdam in The Netherlands, where the action will take place on Friday 24 June.
Don’t miss a hoofbeat….
The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decision in an equine anti-doping case involving a Banned Substance.
In this case, the horse Vaja Hoy (FEI ID 104UK14/ITA), ridden by Simone Coata (FEI ID 10006994/ITA), tested positive for the Banned Substance Chlorpromazine Sulfoxide, a metabolite of Chlorpromazine, following samples taken at the CSI4*-W-Abu Dhabi (UAE), 6-9 January 2022.
The athlete was able to trace the source of the Banned Substance back to the company flying the horse to the event. Taking into account the precautions taken by Mr Coata, he could not reasonably have known or suspected that the flight company would administer the Banned Substance to the horse.
In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal accepted the agreement reached between the FEI and the athlete, according to which the athlete bears no fault or negligence for the Rule Violation and therefore shall not serve any period of ineligibility and the otherwise applicable period of ineligibility. The athlete will also not incur any fines, however the results obtained at the event remain disqualified.
The full Decision is available here.
Notes to Editors:
FEI Equine Prohibited Substances
The FEI Prohibited Substances List is divided into two sections: Controlled Medication and *Banned Substances. Controlled Medication substances are medications that are regularly used to treat horses, but which must have been cleared from the horse’s system by the time of competition. Banned (doping) Substances should never be found in the body of the horse and are prohibited at all times.
In the case of an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for a Banned Substance, the Person Responsible (PR) is automatically provisionally suspended from the date of notification (with the exception of certain cases involving a Prohibited Substance which is also a **Specified Substance). The horse is provisionally suspended for two months.
Information on all substances is available on the searchable FEI Equine Prohibited Substances Database.
CAS issued the operative part of the final Awards in three human anti-doping cases, following the appeal launched by the Qatari Jumping athletes Sheikh Ali Al Thani (FEI ID 10024194) and Bassem Mohammed (FEI ID 10082635), as well as the Egyptian Jumping athlete Mohamed Talaat (FEI ID 10021782), of the FEI Tribunal Decisions issued for each athlete by the FEI Tribunal on 17 December 2021.
In-competition samples taken from Mr Al Thani and Mr Mohammed at the CSIO4*-W Designated Olympic Qualifier for Group F - Rabat (MAR), 10-13 October 2019, tested positive for the prohibited substance Carboxy-THC, a metabolite of Cannabis which is a Prohibited Substance in-competition, under the FEI’s Anti-Doping Rules for Human Athletes (ADRHA). The sample taken from Mr Talaat (FEI ID 10021782) at the African Games-S - Rabat (MAR) 20-24 August 2019, also tested positive for Carboxy-THC.
In the proceedings before the FEI Tribunal, all three athletes denied having used this substance and put forward an alleged sabotage, which they were unable to prove.
The FEI Tribunal deemed that the athletes had failed to establish the source of the Cannabis and imposed a two-year suspension on each of the athletes, from the date of the FEI Tribunal Decision, with backdating of the suspension to be inforce retroactively six months (17 June 2021). Furthermore, the results of all three athletes as of 17 June 2021 had also been disqualified and for Mr Talaat this included his results obtained at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, resulting in team Egypt dropping from rank 11 to rank 16 in the first Jumping Team Competition.
CAS partially upheld the decisions of the FEI Tribunal and imposed a one-year suspension on Mr Al Thani, a two-year suspension on Mr Mohammed and a one-year suspension on Mr Talaat. Furthermore, CAS also decided to backdate the suspension period for all athletes. Consequently, the suspension of Mr Al Thani and of Mr Mohammed has been served and lifted since 2 June 2022, and Mr Talaat remains suspended until 16 June 2022. The reasoned decision will be issued by CAS in due course and published by the FEI.
The CAS Award -Operative Part for Sheikh Ali Al Thani can be found here.
The CAS Award -Operative Part for Bassem Mohammed can be found here.
The CAS Award -Operative Part for Mohamed Talaat can be found here.
The appealed FEI Final Decisions issued on 17 December 2021 can be found 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.
They’d been waiting a long time - a full 26 years since last topping the line-up on home ground at the Grundenmoos Arena - so today’s Swiss victory in the first leg of the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup 2022 Europe Division 1 series at St Gallen was extra-sweet.
Even though they were lying equal-second with The Netherlands and Norway carrying eight faults at the halfway stage of the eight-nation contest, Michel Sorg’s side were filled with confidence. And in the end, three second-round clears wrapped it up.
Whip hand
Great Britain had the whip hand at the halfway stage when, with only the best three scores counting for each team, they could drop one of the four-fault efforts posted by Joseph Stockdale (Equine America Caaharel) and Jack Whitaker (Equine America Valmy de la Lane) because pathfinder Harry Charles (Casquo Blue) and anchorman John Whitaker (Equine America Unick du Francport) were both foot-perfect.
But Stockdale was the only member of Di Lampard’s side to keep a clean sheet second time out when they were forced to add eight faults to their scoreline for a final tally of 12. And The Netherlands’ Jack Ansems (Fliere Fluiter), Sanne Thijssen (Con Quidam RB), Jur Vrieling (Long John Silver) and Marc Houtzager (Sterehof’s Dante) overtook them for runner-up spot when finishing on the same score but in a quicker time.
Team Germany finished fourth on 16 faults, Belgium finished fifth ahead of Brazil with a faster 20-fault result while Norway racked up 24 for seventh spot and Austria finished eighth and last on a total of 28.
Pressure
It came right down to the last rider into the ring to decide the result however, all the pressure piling onto the capable shoulders of the legendary John Whitaker who could force a jump-off with the eventual winners if he could steer a second clear course over Gerard Lachat’s 12-fence track. Both Harry Charles and his nephew Jack Whitaker had collected four faults apiece this time out, but if Uncle John could add another zero to Stockdale’s clear then it would go to a third-round head-to-head to decide the result.
And it was looking really good until Unick du Francport clipped the middle element of the triple combination, leaving the cool, calm Swiss clear winners after adding nothing more to their first-round scoreline.
They were favourites from the outset, and the double-clear posted by pathfinders Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei proved pivotal. The Swiss star who turns 30 next month and who recently added the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ title to the individual European gold medal he bagged last September produced two spectacular rounds while team-mate, 20-year-old Edouard Schmitz, followed a first-round mistake with Quon at the first element of the double at fence four with a brilliant run at their second attempt.
Pius Schwizer was looking foot-perfect until lowering the final two fences in round one but produced a copybook second effort with Vancouver de Lanlore. The enthusiastic spectators gasped in disbelief when Swiss anchor Steve Guerdat made it all the way to the last with Venard du Cerisy in round one only for that to fall, and as it happened the 2012 Olympic champion didn’t need to jump again because the job was done and dusted.
History-making
There was a real sense of history-making today and Fuchs was delighted to be part of it.
“Whenever I was on the team in St Gallen we never won, but we said this year now we have to win, and finally we did it!” he said.
“We were confident because Edoaurd’s horse jumped really well and Pius’ horse too, and we changed his plan for the second round to put an extra stride in the last line. And Steve had one rail at the last fence so we all thought he would deliver in the second round, but in the end he didn’t need to go”, he explained.
Lachat’s course certainly played its part, the line from fences six to eight proving particularly influential.
“After the water jump (fence 6) there was the plank and then a short five strides to a liverpool oxer - you needed good rideability and a careful horse, and you needed scope for the oxer, so this kind of asked everything of the horse and rider”, he pointed out.
Big moment
It was a big moment posting this historic result in front of the home crowd.
“We knew we had a strong team as we were already good in the Grand Prix. I think the crowd knew that as well and they really cheered for us this afternoon. This is an amazing feeling, I felt my horse was super today and I’m happy we could contribute to this home win!”, Fuchs added, while Schmitz said “I will never forget this day!”
Guerdat was quietly happy with the result too. “I’m now a little older so my fault at the last fence in the first round bothered me a little less than it used to! In the Nations Cup at the end it is the team result that counts and it worked out today. It has been a great show, with great public, perfect organisation and very nice courses from Gerard. We will have nice memories from this weekend for sure!”, he said.
And Swiss Chef d’Equipe Michel Sorg had plenty to be happy about too. “Edouard was already good in the Grand Prix at La Baule a few weeks ago and again here on Saturday - I am really happy that he confirmed that here today and I’m really proud of all my team!”, he said.
The nine-leg Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ 2022 series began in Abu Dhabi (UAE) in January and will conclude with teams from all around the globe congregating for the prestigious Final in Barcelona (ESP) at the end of September. Europe Division 1 continues in Sopot (POL) next weekend.
Don’t miss a hoofbeat……
As the rain began to fall on course for the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of Canada, the Irish felt right at home.
Langley, British Columbia's Thunderbird Show Park hosted six teams for the final leg of the North and Central America and Caribbean division of the Nations Cup series, but none could put enough pressure on the four-man squad of Daniel Coyle (Legacy), Shane Sweetnam (James Kann Cruz), Andrew Bourns and Conor Swail (Count Me In). Led by Chef d'Equipe Michael Blake, the group finished on just five faults. It was a closer race for the remaining podium placings, as Mexico rallied for second (13 faults) ahead of Australia (22).
"You've got to be careful—for me anyway—in the Nations Cup not to get too complacent in the second round," Bourns said. "We had a great first round, but a lot of other teams got stronger in the second round. We had to come back just as strong."
Peter Holmes' technical 1.60m track offered little breathing room, which led to rails falling throughout his winding course. As other teams struggled to crack the code to a clear round, Ireland quickly pulled ahead, finishing the first round with just four faults against them and two rails in hand. The group would only draw off in the second round, as Coyle improved upon a four-fault score to jump clear and Bourns produced one of just two double-clear efforts on the day aboard Seatop Blue. When Sweetnam added just a single time fault aboard his exciting 9-year-old James Kann Cruz, it clinched the win for the team. Team anchor and World No. 5 Swail did not even need to jump a second round with his partner from the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Finals, Count Me In, despite Mexico adding just 1 fault to their total in Round 2.
"Obviously we have got good depth, and I'm so lucky to have such a good bunch of people," Blake said. "It's very easy to drive a good car, and we've got one here."
Ireland has made the podium in every Nations Cup event at the venue since 2017, including a 2018 victory. Swail and Coyle were on that squad and bookended their teammates, who delivered with meaningful mounts. James Kann Cruz excelled in the Irish Sport Horse gelding's Nations Cup debut, while Bourns recorded his first Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ victory with a horse that his parents picked out as a foal.
"My father is here, so it's a real family affair," Bourns said. "I have to say, [Seatop Blue] is just as part of the family as I am."
The FEI has formed an independent Commission to develop a practical framework that will allow the International Federation to address current and future concerns related to the use of horses in sport.
“In our industry, Social License to Operate (SLO) is the term given to society’s acceptance of the practice of equestrian sport and all its related activities,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos explained.
“Equestrian sport and the FEI’s activities are more than ever under public scrutiny and through the Commission we want to embrace that scrutiny to drive change and shine the spotlight on our number one stakeholder – the horse.
“There are comprehensive systems and mechanisms in place to protect the welfare of the horse, but there is more that can be done, and more that must be done. And in an ever-changing society, where perceptions shift and norms evolve at an increasingly fast pace, the FEI must address these concerns and criticisms from society and within equestrian circles in a clear and transparent manner.
“This is our duty as the governing body responsible for equestrian sport, and this is why we have set up this important and independent Commission to allow us to move forward with a course of action that will strengthen equestrian’s place in society.”
The 10 person Commission will be chaired by Professor Dr. Natalie Waran (NZL), an internationally respected equine welfare expert who is Professor of One Welfare and Executive Dean at the Eastern Institute of Technology (Te Pūkenga) in New Zealand.
Prof. Waran is among the five members of the Commission considered as external to the FEI, with their selection based on consultation with equine welfare and veterinary groups, while the remaining five members represent the FEI and have been selected for their experience, specific area of FEI responsibility and to provide the athletes’ and officials’ viewpoint.
“I am very honoured to have been asked to lead this work,” Prof Waran said. “By gathering external experts together to facilitate the development of a framework to address and advance the welfare needs of the sports horse, the FEI has taken a key step forward in terms of social license.
“By being willing to look to the horizon, and address current and future challenges in relation to equestrian sports’ Social License to Operate, as well as to view change as a force for good, the FEI and its member organisations will provide the leadership required to help future-proof equestrian sports.”
The first meetings of the Commission, which has yet to be formally named, will take place in June 2022, and will include plans for engagement with various stakeholders and the focus and composition of the Working Groups. The Commission is expected to work together over an initial period of 18-months, with an interim report to be presented at the FEI General Assembly in November 2022 in Cape Town (RSA), followed by a second report at the FEI Sports Forum in April 2023 and a final report/framework to be submitted for approval at the FEI General Assembly 2023 in Mexico.
FEI Social License to Operate Commission
Chair: Professor Dr. Natalie Waran, External Expert, Professor of One Welfare and Executive Dean at the Eastern Institute of Technology (Te Pūkenga) in New Zealand.
Members:
Ex Officio - Administrative and Logistic Support
The FEI has unveiled the Education Programme that will be delivered to the participants of the FEI Youth Equestrian Games 2022, which will be held from 23 June to 3 July 2022, in Aachen (GER).
Throughout the eleven days of the event, the 30 athletes from 30 nations are encouraged to learn about all aspects of their craft, and take part in various sessions focused on their current and future sporting careers, emphasising the significance and relevance of the Olympic values. The programme mirrors the format for the Jumping competition used at the Youth Olympic Games every four years, which was postponed from 2022 to 2026, where the young athletes aged between 15 and 18 years of age compete on borrowed horses for individual honours and also as part of a continental team.
“One of the main goals of the FEI Youth Equestrian Games 2022 is to significantly impact the lives of the participants beyond the competitive element. The FEI is committed to encouraging young athletes to grow and develop according to the values of the Olympic movement. To educate and support the young generation of equestrians is vital for the sustainability of our sport” FEI President, Ingmar de Vos, said.
The FEI Youth Equestrian Games 2022 Education Programme has been developed by the FEI Solidarity Team, led by Jean-Philippe Camboulives, FEI Solidarity Director.
“This is a programme fully tailored to the needs of young athletes, so they can expand their knowledge on areas that will play an essential role throughout their lives. To educate the new generations of equestrians is a key focus for the FEI, and the FEI Youth Equestrian Games 2022 provides the opportunity for the 30 youngsters to enrich themselves with a once-in-a-lifetime experience”, Jean-Philippe Camboulives said.
“We have designed a holistic programme, with a variety of sessions that will focus on crucial topics for the equestrian athletes of the future, such as anti-doping policies, physical and mental health issues or the transition into the job market. Ensuring the well-being of human and equine athletes is key to the future of equestrian sport”, Camboulives explained.
One of the key elements of the Education Program will be directed by FEI charity partner, JustWorld International. The non-profit will host the Leadership and Philanthropy Seminar where participants will come together to learn how to leverage the equestrian sport as a platform to become better athletes while incorporating philanthropic work into their passions.
“Whether riders give their time, talent, or make a donation - JustWorld gives equestrians the opportunity to learn about worlds beyond their own experiences and make a change in the lives of others less fortunate. They learn how to become leaders, how to make a difference in the world around them, and how small acts can have a large impact,” stated Jessica Newman, JustWorld Founder and President.
FEI Youth Equestrian Games 2022 Education Programme agenda
Mentally Fit - with Dr. Alan Currie (Member of the IOC Mental Health Working Group)
This workshop will aim to create awareness on what mental health means for a young athlete, how it relates to performance, how athletes can identify any issue relating to their mental health, and how they can seek help and support.
Physically Fit - with David Übis from the Uniklinikum RWTH Aachen
The participants will learn key fitness and training aspects for any professional equestrian athlete, such as strength, core, stability, coordination and agility
Concussion – with Prof. Christopher J. Newman, paediatric neurorehabilitation physician and Dr Stéphane G. Tercier, paediatric sports physician (Lausanne University hospital)
The workshop experts will embark the participants on a journey through a virtual concussion episode where choices will need to be made regarding the diagnosis, time frame to recovery, and return to sport. Concussion will then be discussed in the context of equestrian sport by understanding what it takes to manage concussion adequately and minimise the risk of complications.
Human Anti-Doping - with Olya Abasolo, OLY (Senior Education Manager, International Testing Agency) and Catherine Bollon (Human Anti-Doping Advisor, FEI)
Using an interactive format, the Human Anti-Doping workshop will introduce participants to key elements in the anti-doping system for human athletes: Rules, Prohibited List, Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) and Testing process. Athletes and coaches will gain insights on the substances that are an issue in the sport, identify what their role and duties are, and understand why all this matters.
Social Media - with GER Influencer and Social Media Coach Harriet Charlotte Schulz (45 minutes)
Harriet Charlotte Schulz was one of the first equestrian bloggers in Germany and has plenty of experience in the Social Media game. She will educate the participants on Social Media best practices and how to build their digital presence in the different digital platforms.
Equine Anti-Doping and Equine Welfare - with Anna Thorstenson (Legal Counsel, FEI)
Using an interactive format, the Equine Anti-Doping and Welfare workshop will introduce participants to key elements in the anti-doping system for equine athletes in addition to equine welfare, such as Rules, Prohibited List, Testing process and Risk of Contamination.
Career+ / Sport Up Your Life
This session will provide the participants with tools, resources and advice to help them prepare for a smooth transition from competitive sport into the workplace, in, around and out of Equine industry.
Athlete Rode Model - with Estelle Navet (Just World)
During the JustWorld leadership program, the JustWorld leaders will go through an engaging team building curriculum that couples learning with fun hands-on activities leaving riders with a greater sense of their own individual power to create positive change through the sport. Riders can come together to use their sport as a platform to become not only better riders, but philanthropic leaders with the tools to better the world.
There is no easy way to prepare for an international competition. But five young equestrian Vaulters have needed to dig extra deep for grit and determination as they trained for their first ever international competition.
Polina Shovkova (14), sisters Katya (14) and Jenya (11) Panasenko, Sonia Shulga (14) and Marta Lopaienko (15) became the first team to ever represent Ukraine in international Vaulting when they participated in the one star competition in Kaposvár (HUN) from 20 to 22 May.
The team’s participation in Kaposvár came just a few short months after fleeing their hometown of Poltova to escape the war that has upturned the lives of millions of Ukrainians. They are currently living and training in Bernolákovo, a suburb of Bratislava (SVK), where they have been welcomed by members of the local Vaulting community and supported financially by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Solidarity Fund.
“We didn’t have competitions in Ukraine because we are the first Vaulting team,” Marta explained.
“We didn’t feel too comfortable with the horses here in Slovakia at first because they are bigger and have a different rhythm to our horses at home. But now we know the character of each horse.
“We were a bit worried about taking part in our first international competition and it was important for us. But as Katya, our trainer from Ukraine always says: You have to do this performance just for you.”
Joining the Vaulters on their sporting journey is 29-year-old Anthony Bro-Petit, himself a former international competitor for France, who has played a key role in developing the sporting infrastructure for Vaulting in Ukraine prior to the war.
“Preparing young athletes for a competition or a Championship is always tough because even when they are motivated, the mental focus is very hard to maintain. The war has added an extra layer of mental difficulty for these girls. It’s not easy to fully concentrate on your training when you know your family is not safe.
“The girls are still very young and it is hard to know how much I can push them during their training session. But this is a good learning experience for me. I’m still learning as a coach and I have to develop my skills.
“We would have been able to prepare more if there was no war. But the team did really well in their first international competition and now we know which aspects we need to focus on more during our training.”
With their competition experience in Kaposvár under their belt, the team now have their sights set on the international Vaulting competition that will be held in Samorin (SVK) next month. The road ahead will be easier to navigate than the one they took in March this year.
“We knew that we would have to leave Poltava about a week before we had to go,” said Marta. “We first thought that we were going to France, but two days before we left we were told that we’re going to Slovakia.
“We were on the road for three days. It was a very long journey, because of the traffic jams everywhere. It usually takes us one day to drive to the Slovak border.
“The first night we didn’t stop and we kept going. But the second night we stopped near the Carpathian Mountains, and we stayed in a flat with just two rooms. There were 15 of us, and me and the girls slept on one sofa, and the others slept on the floor. Then the third day we crossed the border very quickly. We thought it would be slow with all the traffic, but we crossed over very fast.
“We were not frightened but we were really sad and tired. And when we crossed the border we all started to cry.”
The girls’ trainer Kateryna (Katya) Andreiva and her 18-month son David, as well as three mothers have accompanied the Vaulters to Slovakia, while other members of their families have all stayed back in Ukraine.
It is a situation that has caused Katya’s and Jenya’s mother Ekateryna a great deal of anguish. “When you first come from war, you think that it would have been better to stay at home because your mind cannot feel safe,” Ekateryna said.
“It’s harder to be in a safe country because you feel at fault for leaving your family. My mother is in the Kharkiv region and I know that she’s sitting in a bomb shelter while I’m here in Slovakia. But we are mums and everything we do, we do for our children. You don’t think about yourself. You just think about your children.”
The Vaulters have settled into a routine at the local school which is currently housing the group from Poltava, as well as 40 refugees from other parts of Ukraine. The girls begin each weekday morning by joining online lessons with their school in Poltova, which leaves them the rest of the day to train at the local riding school, and at the school gym that has a mechanical horse and barrels.
“It is good to see that the girls are training really hard,” said the Secretary General of the Slovak Equestrian Federation Zuzana Bačiak Masaryková.
“The community here in the Bratislava area have been extremely generous to the team. The owner of the shop that sells Vaulting shoes, has given the girls free pairs and other people have provided us with everything they require.
“My aim is to give these girls all that they need to train, so that they can forget about the war, at least for a few hours each day.”
The Vaulters and their mothers still hope that they can return home to Poltava after the competition in Samorin (SVK) that will take place from 9 to 12 June.
Until then the girls are determined to continue their training. “We are not sure if Vaulting is our sport in the long term,” Marta explained. “But in 2023, our aim is to take part in the Vaulting World Championship and we’re going to train hard for this.”
Key link: FEI Solidarity Relief Fund for Ukraine
Free images for editorial purposes are also available from the FEI Flickr Account. (Copyright: FEI / Richard Juilliart)
By Eleanore Kelly
A team consisting of multi-medalled riders and young talent, scored a home win at Houghton Hall (GBR), in the second leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™. Team GB finished on a three-phase score of 114.0 penalties, a narrow margin over an all-female US team in second on 117.9. Sweden, another all-female quartet, were not far behind on 122.0 penalties, and are now Series leaders on 160 points after a third placing in the first leg, Pratoni del Vivaro (ITA). Britain and Switzerland are in joint second place in the current Series Standings, on 100 points.
Tom McEwen who won team gold and individual silver medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, led the CCI-S 4* section from start to finish. He was joined by Piggy March, who won team gold and individual silver at last year’s European Championships; and two younger riders were making their Senior Team debut for Great Britain. Although 22 year olds Heidi Coy and Phoebe Locke have both had success on Youth Teams at the European Championships. Locke was unfortunate to fall off another horse earlier in the day, and was stood down by medics from competing, so her team horse was withdrawn. Despite the precaution, Locke is reported to be in good medical health.
Coy, the daughter of Dairy Farmer, is based with her horses on the family farm in Leicestershire which produces milk for Stilton Cheese. Her double clear to finish third individually on the diminutive mare, Russal Z, was a substantial help to the team. “I have produced her up the levels. The pressure was there, I didn’t want to let my team, my horse or my owners down. I was mainly thrilled with her fantastic dressage score because this has always been her weaker phase. To follow it up with a double clear, you can’t ask for much more. She has a heart of gold and she tries her best for you even though she looks like a little pony - she is only 15.3hh. I’m so grateful to be on a team with the likes of Piggy and Tom. Phoebe and I did Young Riders and Pony Teams together, so it’s nice for us to be on this team together.”
McEwen, who also scored the fastest cross-country time of the day on Bob Chaplin, summed up the performance: “We were down to three members for the cross-country after poor Phoebe withdrew, but the team has done amazingly. The British team has such strength and depth, they could pick many teams. I was really pleased with my horse Bob, who is off to Luhmuhlen to do his first five-star. He has been phenomenal this year so I am looking forward to it.”
Discussing the significance of The Nations Cup Series, McEwen said: “They are great for introducing younger people on teams. It’s a good way for them to gain experience and also for everyone to get the swing of things when it comes to team competitions. Otherwise it comes around once a year and it all feels rather important.”
The FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing Series moves to Strzegom (POL) from 22-26 June, the third of nine events in the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ Series.
Full results here
Heading into the final day of competition at the FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ in Compiègne (FRA), it was apparent it would take a monumental shift in momentum for Sweden to relinquish its grasp on the lead.
Still, the dominance with which the squad of Juliette Ramel (Buriel K.H.), Antonia Ramel (Curiosity) and Patrik Kittel (Touchdown), led by Chef d'Equipe Bo Jena, executed victory was eye-opening. When Kittel and Touchdown received an 82.025 percent score for their Freestyle, it left Sweden's final margin of victory at 32 points. Spain (48 points) finished second, with Belgium (51 points) third.
The win marked the third for Sweden at Compiègne in the last five years, having also triumphed in 2018 and 2021.
"We were a bit ahead of the others this time, and I'm very happy about that," Jena said. "They are doing so well in the ring and also in their training, and it looks very promising for the future."
Each point was equal to an athlete's placing, with lower numbers reflecting top performances. All athletes competed in Saturday's Grand Prix before splitting across Sunday's Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle tests, with the three best results tallied. No Swedish rider received a point tally in double digits, with all three making the podium in at least one test. After recording just 10 points from the Grand Prix, Sweden was even more dominant on Sunday, adding just six points to their score. While Kittel was the highest placing Nations Cup rider in the Grand Prix Freestyle, Juliet Ramel finished second in the Special (75.277%), with Antonia Ramel just behind her in third (72.043%).
"The horses have done very fault-free tests, and if there have been small faults, we have still be able to pick it up with high points," Kittel said. "I think that's what I'm most happy with. The thing is, the horses have all just been there for us through the entire weekend."
Sweden put forth a squad of veteran riders—each an Olympic veteran—but the horses brought forward were mixed in experience. Touchdown had only performed two previous Freestyle tests at the CDI5* level and had never before contested a CDIO event. Curiosity, formerly trained in jumping, is also new to the level, having represented Sweden in one previous Nations Cup event at Aachen (GER).
"He's been with me for a long time," Antonia said. "He was in the beginning a jumping horse, which he did until he was six. I've educated him on my own, and I've had him now for seven years."
With three appearances in the Olympic Games and a bronze medal from the European Championships, Buriel K.H. stood tall as the equine veteran of the group. The gelding performed with remarkable consistency, recording just 3 points in the Grand Prix (75.391%) and two points in the Grand Prix Special.
"He's an amazing character. He always has my back," Juliette said. "I've had him since he was 7; now he's 16. So we've had a long partnership."
Sweden's win put them atop the standings for the 2022 FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ season with 15 points. Spain sits second with 13 points, two ahead of Belgium (11 points). The FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ returns 23-26 June in Rotterdam (NED).
"It means a lot [to start the season strongly]. It's always good to have a victory in a five-star Nations Cup to start with, and then we can go on with the rest," Jena said. "And we have been lucky and also good, I would say, [in previous years], because we have won in Compiègne before. We like it very much here."
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