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The opening leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2021/2022 Western European League more than lived up to expectations, with young Dutchman, Kevin Jochems, winning through in an edge-of-the-seat jump-off.
Riding the fabulous 12-year-old stallion Turbo Z, the 26-year-old athlete snatched pole position and maximum points towards the series Final in Leipzig, Germany next April with the coolest of cool rounds when last to go in the seven-horse second-round decider.
Jochems was the sole Dutch representative on the 35-strong start-list of horse/athlete combinations that took on the 13-fence first-round challenge presented by Italian course designer Elio Travagliati who certainly tested riding skills, and the attention of the horses, in the close confines of Oslo’s Telenor Arena. The beginning of the indoor season always takes some adjustment after competing all summer in the great outdoors, and some clever placement of fences ensured that both horse and rider had to be on top of their game to make the cut into the second round.
Bogey
The double at fence six, approached off a bending line from the previous oxer and placed along the very edge of the ringside hospitality area, proved the bogey of the day. However the triple combination three from home was also influential, while young American, 25-year-old Lillie Keenan, looked en route to a perfect tour of the track until her superstar gelding, Skyhorse, put in an uncharacteristic stop and decanted his jockey at the very final oxer when he couldn’t find his stride.
Also out of luck was host-nation veteran, 61-year-old Geir Gulliksen whose Olympic ride VDL Groep Quatro hit the very first fence in an otherwise foot-perfect round. “He’s never done that in the whole time I’ve had him!”, he said of his 15-year-old gelding who is always a real trier. But Gulliksen was delighted to be competing alongside his daughter and son, Victoria and Johan-Sebastian, and the many other young riders who lined out at this year’s opening leg of the Western European series.
“When you feel you can compete with the younger generation it’s an incredible feeling!”, he said this evening. And today was indeed a great day for the younger ones.
Set the pace
First to produce a clean run was 24-year-old Austrian, Alessandra Reich, with her big 10-year-old gelding Loyd, and they set the pace in the jump-off with another faultless effort in 50.20 seconds. This was clearly beatable, but the rest had to leave all the poles in place, and when only four managed to do that then Reich slotted into fourth spot in the final analysis.
Second to take on the clock was Sweden’s Peder Fredricson, at 53 years of age by far the elder statesman of the clear-round pack, and he reset the target when bringing the 10-year-old mark Cosmopolit home without fault in 46.72 seconds. Then 28-year-old Belgian, Olivier Philippaerts, set off with Le Blue Diamond v’t Ruytershof, but the tricky double at six was still in place and when the 10-year-old gelding hit the first element there then four faults in 47.20 seconds would leave them down the order.
Next out was 22-year-old Harry Charles who made a huge impression as part of the British side that won the Challenge Cup at the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final in Barcelona, Spain two weeks ago. But the penultimate oxer hit the floor before he crossed the line with Romeo in 46.70 seconds.
So Sweden’s Fredricson was still out in front when Belgium’s Pieter Clemens set sail with just three left to go. Fredricson had demonstrated the benefit of a super-tight turn inside the oxer at fence four that shaved time off the run to the single remaining element of the triple combination at fence 11, and Clemens was well up on time when attempting that same line.
But his nine-year-old mare, Huide G, seemed to lock on to the final vertical that was facing her on the turn, and precious time was lost while the pair resolved the situation. “She didn’t really understand where she had to go”, Clemens explained afterwards, but they were still super-fast when breaking the beam without further ado in 46.09 seconds to take the lead.
Far from over
And the excitement was far from over.
Second-last into the ring, Germany’s Christian Kukuk had seen another short route that meant cutting inside the last fence like several of those ahead of him but then also turning inside the opening vertical which left a super-tight turn to the penultimate oxer. And he made it work brilliantly until a wild gallop to the last saw his extravagant grey gelding, Checker, kick out all the poles for four faults, so his quick time of 45.31 seconds was still not good enough for top spot.
As Jochems came into the ring he had a clear plan. “I went in thinking I will risk it all, whether I win or have one down I don’t want to be too slow”, he said afterwards. But it was the execution of his plan that was so incredibly impressive. His 12-year-old stallion never looked under pressure, or particularly fast, as the 26-year-old rider steered exactly the same course as Kukuk and with complete composure and conviction every step of the way.
The pair were in total harmony from start to finish, and when they crossed the line in 44.77 seconds for the win the spectators, who had been spellbound to the very end, exploded with appreciation. The young Dutchman had given his lovely horse a fabulous ride.
First
“This was my first World Cup today and I’ve had a fantastic show here in Oslo!”, said Jochems this evening. “Turbo had a great outdoor season and was placed in several 5* Grand Prix classes, and I was reserve rider in Barcelona at the Nations Cup Final. I had a bit of a mixed feeling being there because I didn’t ride (on the team), so it is great to win today!”, he pointed out.
“This was my first indoor show in a long time, so this is the best possible start to the indoor season”, he added. And now he’s looking forward to the coming months. “The Netherlands only has one spot in the World Cup series so it will be difficult, but I was told that if I get some points in Oslo I can do more events, so we will see!”, Jochems said. Today’s brilliant result is likely to ensure he gets plenty more opportunities….
At the post-competition press conference, runner-up Pieter Clemens complimented Jochems. Looking back on how the jump-off played out he said he wasn’t sure he would have been quicker than the Dutchman even if he hadn’t gotten into a muddle on that crucial turn. “My horse is fast, but Kevin rode a great jump-off and I’m very happy with second place. I got some points and I hope I will get the chance to do more qualifiers now”, he said.
Pleased
Third-placed Jens Fredricson was also pleased with his result today. “I was delighted to be selected to ride here. I had a good outdoor season and was double-clear in the Nations Cup in Aachen, so things are definitely going in the right direction. For me it’s not so easy to get to the bigger shows because we have a lot of good Swedish riders, but this is a great start to have some World Cup points already”, he said.
And Oslo Horse Show Event Director, Morten Aasen, was also a happy man this evening. “I’ve had a few sleepless nights coming into the show. The situation has been so unpredictable but when the (pandemic) restrictions were lifted a few weeks ago (in Norway) it was like a Christmas present!”
And he was also delighted with today’s Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ result. “I want to see new faces in the sport and the crowd wants to see young people beating the older ones!”, he said. He got his wish this afternoon, and it won’t be long before the action resumes with round two of the Western European League scheduled for Sunday 31 October at Lyon in France.
Don’t miss a hoofbeat…
Result here https://results.hippodata.de/2021/2003/docs/r_06.pdf
The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Western European League 2021/2022 gets underway in Oslo, Norway next Sunday, and this promises to be a season like no other.
It’s two-and-a-half years since Steve Guerdat lifted the coveted title at the Final in Gothenburg, Sweden in 2019. The Swiss star was riding the crest of a wave when pinning compatriot, Martin Fuchs, into second and Sweden’s Peder Fredricson into third on that early-April afternoon in the Scandinavium Arena.
Roll on another 12 months, and with two brilliant qualifier victories under his belt Guerdat was still in flying form and was chasing the chance to become the first athlete in the history of this iconic series to win the title for a fourth time in 2020. But, as we all know now, nothing in life is certain, and with the cancellation of last year’s Final and the loss of the entire 2020/2021 Western European League season due to the worldwide pandemic there’s a ripple of real excitement and a great sense of anticipation ahead of the opening leg of the new series in four days’ time. It feels like normal order is at last being restored, and Jumping fans just can’t wait….
Barometer
The FEI Jumping World Cup™ has always been a barometer of what is happening in the sport at the time, and the 2019 result was no exception. The three men who stood on the podium that final day have continued to dominate the headlines, Guerdat and Fuchs battling with each other consistently for the number one spot in the Longines World Rankings which is now held by Fredricson.
The sensational Swede, who secured Jumping team gold and individual silver for his country at this summer’s Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, is an extraordinary horseman with a remarkable record that goes all the way back to when he competed in Eventing at the 1992 Olympic Games. And the Fredricson name is on the master list for this weekend’s fixture in Oslo, but this time it will be older brother Jens who will be flying the Swedish flag alongside Jacob Hellström, Stephanie Holmén and Douglas Lindelöw.
Accumulating early-season points is a great way to ensure a safe passage to the Final which, for the second time in the 43-year history of this prestigious series which began back in 1978, will take place in Leipzig, Germany from 6 to 10 April 2022.
Leipzig first played host in 2002 when Otto Becker, who has long since become Team Germany’s Chef d’Equipe, came out on top with the brilliant Dobel’s Cento pinning two more legends of the sport - compatriot Ludger Beerbraum with Gladdys and Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa with his three-time champion Baloubet du Rouet - into second and third respectively. And there were plenty more big names on the podium when Germany reigned supreme once again in 2011, Christian Ahlmann posting a memorable victory with Taloubet Z ahead of Canada’s Eric Lamaze and his superstar horse Hickstead, while The Netherlands’ Jeroen Dubbeldam and BMC Van Grunsven Simon lined up in third.
Early points
One of those hoping to collect some of those early points this coming weekend will be Brazil’s Marlon Zanotelli who is currently ranked fifth in the world, and there are plenty of other heavyweight contenders including French star Kevin Staut and Germany’s three-time series champion Marcus Ehning.
However the list of athletes from 16 different countries also includes a bunch of rising stars. Switzerland’s Bryan Balsiger was only 22 years old when winning the Oslo leg of the series two years ago with a superb performance from Clouzot de Lassus that left the rest trailing in his wake in a 12-horse jump-off against the clock. It marked a turning point in the career of the young man who was called up to the Swiss team for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games this August before helping clinch team gold at the Longines FEI Jumping European Championships 2021 at Riesenbeck in Germany just a few weeks later partnering AK’s Courage.
The talented athlete from Neuchâtel near Lausanne will be back in Oslo this week with his medal-winning mare, hoping to get the new season off to the perfect start. And also in the hunt will be two young Britons, 22-year-old Harry Charles and 20-year-old Jack Whitaker, both sons of Olympic medallists and both members of the exciting young British side that clinched the Challenge Cup at the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final 2021 in Barcelona, Spain less than two weeks ago.
On the other end of the age spectrum will be the always-competitive Norwegian, 61-year-old Geir Gulliksen and his son and daughter, Johan-Sebastian and Victoria who are listed amongst the strong representation for the host country, all hoping to make their mark from the outset.
Qualifiers
There are a total of 11 qualifiers in the 2021/2022 series, with Lyon in France presenting the second round in two weeks time before Verona (ITA) and Madrid (ESP) host legs three and four in November. Then it’s on to La Coruña (ESP), London (GBR) and Mechelen (BEL) in December before Basel (SUI) and Amsterdam (NED) get things going again in the new year. The last two qualifiers are scheduled for Bordeaux (FRA) and Gothenburg (SWE) in February by which time the line-up for the 42nd Final will be decided.
The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Western European League promises a uniquely exciting season of indoor Jumping at its very best, and it all begins at 15.00 local time at the 29th Oslo Horse Show next Sunday, 17 October.
Don’t miss a hoofbeat…..
The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decision in an equine anti-doping case involving a Banned Substance.
The horse Bouzarika (FEI ID 106RJ34/JOR), ridden by Sameh Faris Mohammad Said (FEI ID 10040466/JOR), tested positive for the Banned Substance Strychnine following samples taken at the CEI1*80 – Wadi Rum (JOR), on 14 November 2019.
The athlete was not able to provide any explanation as to how the Banned Substances entered the horse’s system.
In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal disqualified the horse and athlete from the event, and imposed a two-year suspension on the athlete. The period of the provisional suspension of the athlete, which came into effect on 13 January 2020, shall be credited against the period of ineligibility, meaning he will be ineligible until 12 January 2022. The athlete was also fined CHF 3,750 and asked to pay costs of CHF 2,000.
The parties can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 21 days of receipt of the decision
The full Decision is available here.
The FEI and Boehringer Ingelheim, the global leader in equine health, have launched the #HealthforHorses campaign which is aimed at improving the daily care and wellbeing of horses.
The six-week campaign will be promoted on all the FEI’s social and digital channels to its online community of over three million followers. Using the #HealthforHorses hashtag, the campaign will provide a series of practical tips on important topics such as stable management and cleaning, post-exercise cooling, and items to include in a well prepared first aid kit for horses.
#HealthforHorses is the first campaign to be run under the FEI’s new commercial strategy which provides opportunities for select partners to promote their shared values through bespoke digital activations and key advertising placements.
Top equestrian influencers Lucy Robinson (@footluceeventing), Ashley Harrison (@ashleyharrisoneventing) and Lauren Allport (@laurenallport) will work alongside experts in equine health to create dynamic online content for the campaign, and to enhance the knowledge of all those who love horses.
“We are pleased to be partnering with Boehringer Ingelheim to deliver the #HealthforHorses campaign, to highlight not just the benefits of horse care for equines but also the therapeutic value that many people gain from daily contact with horses,” FEI Commercial Director Ralph Straus said.
“Equestrian is not just a sport, but also a lifestyle, and it is unique because of the bond that is created between the horse and human. These connections are reinforced through daily horse care practices and there is a growing body of research which shows that positive horse-human relationships can bring intrinsic rewards to both equines and humans. If the pandemic situation has shown the world anything, it is that we need to value our relationships and this also holds true for our relationships with the horse.
“This campaign is about turning the knowledge and expertise that exists within our respective organisations into helpful resources, tips and pointers on horse care for professional, amateur and leisure riders around the world. The content, produced by our equestrian influencers, will speak directly to the younger generation of riders and up-and-coming athletes who will play an important role in keeping our community alive and growing.”
The #HealthforHorses campaign builds on previous equine health and education initiatives between the FEI and Boehringer Ingelheim that were created through the FEI Campus. The FEI Campus is an e-learning gateway which provides courses by equestrian experts on subjects like horse training, stable management, veterinary needs and equine behaviour.
“Passionate equestrians from all disciplines and all parts of the world derive endless pride, happiness and fulfilment from time spent with horses,” Boehringer Ingelheim Head of Equine, Global Strategic Marketing Liz Barrett said.
“They know that the responsibility for the health of these amazing animals is in their hands. At Boehringer Ingelheim, we aim to ensure that every horse is able to get the care and attention it truly deserves. We are delighted to start this campaign with the FEI to highlight the benefits that horses give to us every day, and to make certain that they receive our very best care in return.”
Conor Swail (IRL) and his mount Vital Chance de la Roque are beginning to develop a winning reputation. After opening the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ North American League season with a victory in Vancouver (CAN), the duo recorded a second straight World Cup victory in Sacramento (USA).
Swail and the enthusiastic 12-year-old gelding topped a thrilling four-horse jump-off in front of a packed crowd at the Murieta Equestrian Center. Using his mount’s natural footspeed and agile turning, horse and rider seemed to read each other’s minds as they left out strides and shaved more than a second off Erynn Ballard (CAN) and Huberth B’s then-leading time. Swail and “Vinny” crossed the timers of Anderson Lima’s (MEX) shortened track in 36.12 seconds.
“He was wonderful here tonight,” Swail said of his mount, who has now won five grand prix contests since June. “He was probably one of the favourites coming in. I’m delighted that he’s living up to the reputation he’s making for himself.”
Ballard settled for second with her brand-new mount, an impressive feat considering she’d only begun riding the eye-catching bay two weeks ago; their time was 37.25 seconds. Her student Natalie Dean (CAN) and the talented Cocolina finished third as the only other double-clear performers on a time of 43.09 seconds.
“Erynn put up a tough enough round that I thought it was going to be another tough test,” Swail said, “but [my horse] handled himself extremely well.”
His World Cup results have now spanned two countries and two drastically different venues. In Vancouver, the duo navigated a spacious outdoor arena, while in Sacramento, they were met with a small, covered space. In both places, the pair delighted as Vinny complemented his efforts over the fences with playful bucking in between the fences, a trend Swail has come to both expect and respect.
“[Vancouver] was outside, and [course designer Peter Holmes (CAN)] built it quite like an indoor track I thought, but it’s still a covered arena here, and the crowd is up against you,” Swail said. “[My horse] is answering every question, and the crowd was awesome tonight. It’s wonderful having people back [in the stands]. We get a thrill out of it as well.”
Swail now holds a commanding lead in the North American League with 37 points. Ballard and Rowan Willis (AUS) sit second and third, respectively, both with 17 points. The North American League next heads east to Tryon (USA) on 30 October 2021..
Five time Olympian Peder Fredricson (SWE) has secured the number one spot of the Longines World Ranking for the first time in his career, taking the reins from Olympic bronze medallist, Daniel Deusser (GER) who took over the position for the third time back in June 2021 and now sits in second position.
Fredricson (49), who shot up the rankings last month from number 17 into second position, one that he has held frequently, is now at the top of this elite list on 3015 points, earning further recognition for his consistent performances this year, with one breathtaking ride after another.
”Finally! I can almost not believe it’s true. I’ve been close so many times before. Right now it feels incredibly good”, said Peder Fredricson.
”To be number one on the world ranking is a goal I set a couple of years ago. It has at times felt like climbing the highest mountain in the world and I’ve almost reached the summit several times, but always fallen down. It feels amazing to finally reach the top and to be able to put down the flag.
”I dedicate this to my whole team. To be number one is something we’ve been working for during such a long time. It’s also very special that this success is made up of so many competitions with different horses during a whole year. To reach number one takes more than just good horses, you have to have good horse owners, good grooms and a very dedicated and hard working team on the ground. In that way I rank this much higher than winning just one big class during one weekend. I’m very grateful to my team and we will celebrate this together”.
His trophy cabinet includes four Olympic medals, including team silver from the 2004 Athens Olympics, individual silver from the Rio 2016 Games, where he was the only athlete who was clear in all the six rounds. Along with winning the individual silver at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in August this year, his outstanding performances helped Sweden to its first Team Jumping Olympic gold medal in almost 100 years, and marked 29 years after he made his Olympic debut at the age of 20 at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. Back then, he was an accomplished Eventer – and the youngest-ever Olympic equestrian athlete for Sweden.
With his loyal partner H&M All In, Fredricson was crowned the 2017 European Champion on home soil in Gothenburg (SWE), and took a silver medal with the team. He was a member of the Swedish squad that took team silver at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ in Tryon 2018 (USA), and in 2019 at the FEI World Cup™ Final Gothenburg (SWE) he took bronze in front of his home crowd. More recently, he won the individual bronze at the Longines FEI Jumping European Championships in Riesenbeck (GER).
In 2016 and 2017, he received the Athlete of the Year award at the Swedish Sports Gala. The 'Jerring Prize', which is Sweden’s most prestigious sporting prize, is awarded for a successful sports achievement. He earned this honour by a popular vote which put him above the likes of Swedish football star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, golfing sensation Henrik Stenson and rallycross champion Mattias Ekström. In February 2019, he was presented with the Medal of Honour from Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf. This month, Fredricson was one of four athletes nominated for the Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete Award which will be announced in November.
Born into an equestrian family, Peder started riding at the age of 5. His father Ingvar is a veterinarian as well as the former boss at Flyinge, the largest breeding station in Sweden. His brother Jens, also part of Sweden’s equestrian elite, competed at the London 2012 Olympics, as well as two FEI Jumping World Cup™ Finals and FEI European Championships in 1997 and 2013. His wife Lisen, also a Jumping athlete, rode at the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000 and London in 2012.
The latest rankings reflect some strong performances with Martin Fuchs (SUI), Scott Brash (GBR) and Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA) remaining in third, fourth and fifth positions respectively. A shuffle in the remainder of the top ten sees Steve Guerdat (SUI) take a leap from tenth to sixth spot on 2450 points, whilst Ben Maher (GBR) has dropped down to seventh with 2417 points. Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann has dropped by one spot to eighth place, and the USA’s Kent Farrington finds himself back in the top ten in ninth position, only 22 points behind the Swede. Belgian’s Jérôme Guery now sits at number ten this month.
The full rankings list is published here.
The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decision in an equine anti-doping case involving a Banned Substance.
The horse Kassidy de Jansavis (FEI ID 104QP93/UAE), ridden by Omar Ibrahim AL Marzooqi (FEI ID 10137894/UAE) and trained by Abdul Kader Abdul Sattar (FEI ID 10032531/UAE), tested positive for the Banned Substance Diisopropylamine following samples taken at the CEI2*120 – Bou Thib (UAE), on 1-2 November 2019.
The athlete and trainer opened an investigation in order to discover the source of the banned substance found in the horse. The investigation revealed that the horse had been receiving supplement injections and that there had been a mix-up with the products administered, which led to the horse testing positive.
In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal disqualified the horse and athlete from the event, and imposed a two-year suspension on the athlete. The period of the provisional suspension of the athlete, which came into effect on 2 December 2019, shall be credited against the period of ineligibility, meaning he will be ineligible until 1 December 2021. The athlete was also fined CHF 5,000 and asked to pay costs of CHF 2,000.
The FEI Tribunal also imposed a four-year suspension on the trainer as this was his second equine anti-doping rule violation committed within the ten years span. The period of the provisional suspension of the trainer, which came into effect on 2 December 2019, shall be credited against the period of ineligibility, meaning he will be ineligible until 1 December 2023. The trainer was also fined CHF 12,000 and asked to pay costs of CHF 3,000.
The parties can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 21 days of receipt of the decision
The full Decision is available here.
An impressive list of nominees are in the race for the FEI Awards 2021 as the online public voting opens today for the Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete, Longines FEI Rising Star, Cavalor FEI Best Groom, FEI Against All Odds and FEI Solidarity Awards.
The 20 shortlisted candidates from 12 nations include Olympic and Paralympic medallists, up-and-coming young athletes, Grooms, Organising Committees, Veterinarians, National Federations and charities.
Peder Fredericson, who helped take Sweden to its first Team Jumping Olympic gold medal in almost 100 years in Tokyo, is one of four nominees for the FEI Best Athlete Award. The other nominees in this category are Eventing’s first female Olympic champion Julia Krajewski who won individual gold for Germany in Tokyo, and compatriot Jessica von Bredow-Werndl who took double Olympic gold in Dressage. Sir Lee Pearson, Great Britain’s ‘Godfather of Para Dressage’ and the most successful Para Dressage athlete of all time with 17 Paralympic medals, completes the list of nominees in this category.
The FEI received a diverse number of nominations for equestrian athletes, individuals and projects this year and the winners will be announced at a highly anticipated gala dinner in Antwerp (BEL) on 17 November. This will be the first in-person celebration of the winners since the FEI Awards Gala 2019 presented by Longines at the Kremlin in Moscow (RUS).
The Longines FEI Rising Star category includes Greta Busacker (GER) who is the daughter of 2020 winner of the decade and Eventing legend Ingrid Klimke. And for the first time ever, this year‘s nominees include two National Federations in the FEI Against All Odds and the FEI Solidarity categories.
The Japanese National Federation has been nominated for the support they provided to the Organising Committee of Tokyo 2020 to deliver safe and successful equestrian events, against all the odds created by the ongoing pandemic. The Hellenic Equestrian Federation nomination for the FEI Solidarity Award is in recognition of their efforts to evacuate 300 horses from areas in Greece rampaged by wildfires in August 2021.
The shortlisted nominees have been selected for their outstanding achievements on the field of play, inspirational outlook and unparalleled dedication to equestrian and para equestrian sport.
The amazing stories of all the nominees in the five categories can be found here.
The public now has 13 days (5 to 17 October) to cast their votes for their heroes. Make sure you have your say and vote here!
The shortlisted nominees for the FEI Awards 2021 are:
Peden Bloodstock FEI Best Athlete - paying tribute to the athlete who over the past year has demonstrated exceptional skill and taken the sport to a new level.
Longines FEI Rising Star – for the youth athlete aged 14 to 21 who demonstrates outstanding sporting talent and commitment.
Cavalor FEI Best Groom - for the behind-the-scenes hero who ensures the horses they look after are given the best possible care.
FEI Against All Odds - for an inspiring individual who has pursued their equestrian ambitions and overcome challenges and obstacles along the way.
FEI Solidarity - for an FEI Solidarity or equestrian development project, an individual or organisation that has used skill, dedication and energy to expand the sport.
The winners will be decided by combining 50% of the public’s vote and 50% of the judges’ vote for the final result. The nine expert judges for this year’s FEI Awards are:
Winners at the FEI Awards Gala 2019 presented by Longines at the Kremlin in Moscow (RUS) (Copyright: FEI/Liz Gregg)
The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decision in a case of Abuse of Horse and Breach of the FEI Code of Conduct on the Welfare of the Horse.
The abuse case involved the horse Allegro (FEI ID 104QY43 /GER), ridden by Andre Schröder (FEI ID 10022310 /UKR), at the CSI1* in Samorin, Slovakia 6-9 May 2021.
FEI Officials reported to the FEI, that prior to the Grand Prix competition, the athlete used hind boots with sharp pressure points on his horse. Upon further inspection of the boots by the Chief Steward, it became visible that there were holes on the inside of the hind boots, containing sharp spikes. The athlete changed his statement a number of times and was ultimately issued a Yellow Warning Card onsite for Abuse of Horse. Further to a detailed review of the FEI Officials’ Reports, the FEI deemed that the seriousness of the offence warranted additional sanctions in accordance with the FEI General Regulations.
In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal disqualified the horse and athlete from the competition in question, and imposed a one-year suspension on the athlete starting from the date of this decision, 29 September 2021. The athlete was also fined CHF 5,000 and asked to pay costs of CHF 2,000.
The parties can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 21 days of receipt of the decision
The full Decision is available here.
Separately, the FEI has announced a new adverse analytical finding (AAF) involving an equine Prohibited Substance. The case involves a *Banned Substance under the FEI’s Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations (EADCMRs).
In the following Endurance case, the athlete has been provisionally suspended until the FEI Tribunal renders its decision. The horse has been provisionally suspended for two months from the date of notification.
Case: 2021/BS10
Horse: SPOOTNICK DAVRIL (FEI ID 104YN31/BEL)
Person Responsible: Raoul RONSMANS (FEI ID 10014170/BEL)
Event: CEI2* 70 + (2) - Monpazier (FRA), 27-29.08.2021
Date of sample collection: 27.08.2021
Prohibited Substance(s): O-desmethylvenlafaxine
Date of notification: 30 September 2021
Details on this case can be found 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 those 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.
Specified Substances
The FEI introduced the concept of Specified Substances in 2016. Specified Substances should not in any way be considered less important or less dangerous than other Prohibited Substances (i.e. whether Banned or Controlled). Rather, they are simply substances which are more likely to have been ingested by horses for a purpose other than the enhancement of sport performance, for example, through a contaminated food substance. Positive cases involving Specified Substances can be handled with a greater degree of flexibility within the structure of the FEI Regulations.
Information on all substances is available on the searchable FEI Equine Prohibited Substances Database.
For the third time since the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final was staged back in 2013, The Netherlands reigned supreme at the Real Club de Polo in Barcelona, Spain today. With the stoicism and quiet determination that has long been their trademark, the side of Maikel van Vleuten, Willem Greve, Sanne Thijssen and Harrie Smolders held firm to take the coveted title that never loses its sparkle.
It was Smolders who clinched it with his anchorman ride, and as he said tonight it was a close-fought affair. Team Ireland finished a very close second when counting just a single time penalty at the end of the day, while the next two nations – Belgium and Sweden – only put four faults on the board.
“Horses generally jumped this course well today and you could see how close the teams were, and that makes our sport exciting”, Smolders said. Asked if he was confident he could clinch it with a faultless run from his 12-year-old gelding Monaco when last to go he replied, “you have to be confident, that’s why they put you in that position, but then you have to finish the job and when you do that’s how dreams come true!”
Slipped away
At the halfway stage of the competition, Sweden and The Netherlands were the only two sides without penalties, but when Angelie von Essen (Alcapone des Carmille) hit the middle element of the penultimate triple combination and then Rolf-Goran Bengstsson (Ermindo W) also faulted twice at the same obstacle then Swedish chances slipped away.
And when third-line Dutch team member, Sanne Thijssen, hit the middle element of that influential treble then the pressure piled onto Smolders’ shoulders. Because the Irish were carrying just the single time fault collected by Eoin McMahon and Chacon 2, after clears from pathfinder Denis Lynch (Cristello) and a brilliant last-line performance from Darragh Kenny (VDL Cartello) which allowed Michael Duffy’s two mistakes with Zilton SL Z to be their discard.
Smolders didn’t flinch however, taking the pressure and delivering the winning round when it was really needed. He put the Dutch team ethic into perspective tonight when he said, “we all work hard, we stay patient and we keep believing”.
The Irish looked really threatening in the closing stages. Kenny knew he needed a clear to keep them in the frame and, once again, he delivered. “On Friday my horse was fantastic and today he just got better and better as the round went on - he was flying! The team really pulled together and the lads rode fantastic. It was a great result, but the Dutch were brilliant!”, the Irishman said. No-one could argue with that.
Took nothing
Van der Vleuten and Beauville Z claimed individual bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and the Dutchman said today that it took nothing out of the horse. “So I was looking forward to this event in Barcelona and our Chef d’Equipe chose me as first rider for the team so it was important to have a clear round, to give a good feeling to start the day”. Having done that he then watched team-mate Greve do the same with Carambole. Talking earlier today about Greve’s great stallion, Van der Vleuten said, “if he was a person he’d be a really nice one!”
And Greve was over the moon about how his horse performed this afternoon. “Being part of any winning team is always good, but for me this is very special because I have my horse a very long time, since he was four.
“I wish he could do the press conference because it’s not about me, it’s about the horse. I owe everything to him. I’ve had him since he was four and now he’s 17 years old and still jumping his heart out for me every time. For me it’s very emotional that he shows in these days that he’s still one of the best horses in the sport, and he deserves a victory like this in the closing days of his career. I’m so proud of him”, he said, filled with emotion.
Delighted
Dutch Chef d’Equipe, Rob Ehrens, was delighted with today’s result after a sometimes difficult period for his team. “We had a bit of a struggle the whole year. We had good performances but still not everything came out the way we wished. But I must give big compliments to all our riders, we all fight together, we don’t have big names who when they are winning go in a completely different direction. It comes down to these five people for the perfect management of their horses, who want to everything for their country and who showed us today a marvellous performance. That’s one of the strong pillars of the Dutch team”, he said.
“The only thing is we’d like to go back to the old formula because we want to have it back on the Saturday evening because we want to celebrate, but now we have to go home!”, he added with a laugh.
This year’s Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final had an extra buzz, because as Ehrens pointed out everyone is so grateful that at last the sport is back and everyone is enjoying it again.
“Thanks to the organisers and the team in the arena. It’s a very easy thing to say we can’t do it because of the Covid problems but everyone is very happy here and a big compliment to them all!”, he said.
Champony
Before today’s action began the crowd also got to meet Champony, the FEI’s new mascot which had the honour of ringing the bell for the first rider into the ring for the Final competition – Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts. And the children loved it. The Barcelona Final always attracts families to this event that has real festival appeal along with its offering of top sport, and Champony, gender-neutral because it represents a sport in which men and women compete on completely equal terms, really came to life.
Meanwhile winning team member Willem Greve put today’s result, and the concept of the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ series and Final into perspective. “For myself as a sportsman, nothing beats winning with your nation in a Nations Cup!”
Result here
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