They were billed as the superstars that everyone wanted to see, and tonight the brilliant Danish partnership of Cathrine Dufour and Atterupgaards Cassidy didn’t disappoint. In a field sprinkled with both blossoming and established talent they reigned supreme to win the exciting first leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2021/2022 Western European League on home ground at Herning.

They had to work hard however, because compatriots Carina Cassøe Krüth and Heiline’s Danciera put on a spectacular performance to finish second, while the Dutch duo of Dinja van Liere and Hermes were sensational when slotting into third. 

Young horses were really impressive tonight, showing so much promise for things to come. But the crowd went wild when the old boy of the pack, the 18-year-old Cassidy, showed that he still has all the moves when stealing the limelight.

Opened

The action opened with Jennie Larson and Zircoon Spring Flower, the sole Swedish representatives when Patrik Kittel was withdrawn as his ride, Fiontini, was sold. 

It was German Eventing idol, Ingrid Klimke, who led the way at the halfway stage however when posting 78.750 with Franziskus 15. And when the action resumed after the break, Denmark’s Lone Bang Larsen went out in front with a lovely test from the 11-year-old mare Thranegaardens Rostov that earned 79.525. But then Van Liere and her fabulous nine-year-old stallion Hermes, who took the sport by storm when winning the Grand Prix in Aachen (GER) last month, forged a massive lead when putting 84.360 on the board.  

With three left to go then Cassøe Krüth bettered that with a beautiful Freestyle from her 10-year-old mare that, despite a mistake in the one-tempi changes, earned a massive 86.395. So, second-last to go, Dufour and Cassidy had to do something special. But they’ve done it many times during their many years together and tonight was no exception. Posting 87.115 they bagged victory and brought the Danish crowd to their feet.

Crying

“I was crying my heart out, it was really fantastic!”, said Dufour afterwards. With her younger horse, the 11-year-old Bohemian, she earned silver and bronze at the FEI Dressage European Championships last month, not long after returning from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. But achieving what she did tonight with Atterupgaards Cassidy who carried her to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and who has collected 12 European Championship medals, including Young Rider gold and double-bronze at Senior level, during their hugely successful career together was just so very special. It’s about 18 months since he last appeared at an international event, but tonight he showed he still loves every moment of it.

“I mean he is turning 19 in one month and he’s just one of a kind. He’s been with me for 11 years and I have really had enough, but he hasn’t yet! I brought him here so that he could feel important again and he could show the crowd that he still wants to do it, so I’m over the moon!”, Dufour said.

Yesterday he already made it clear he’s still very much in the game when winning the Grand Prix. And tonight he posted his Freestyle victory with apparently effortless ease.

Fit

Dufour says the horse she calls “Cassie”, keeps himself fit. “You don’t have to do too much at home. I ride him once, maybe twice a week in dressage and the other days he’s just stretching and jogging or doing pole-work or hacking, so I think that’s why he’s so super healthy. He’s just clever, he’s never using himself too much, he gives that much extra in the competitions but back home I never ask for that. I just keep my fingers crossed when I bring him out and hope that he will do it, and he shows me again and again that he will!”, she explained.

And she insisted that she came out tonight with no huge expectations. “I said at the beginning of this competition that there was no pressure, I wasn’t going to ride to win. I didn’t want to push Cassie to win, everything he offered me I took, but I wouldn’t have pushed him to do any more than he wanted”, she said. And will this be his last public appearance before going into well-earned retirement? Possibly not, it seems. 

“We’ll see what this season brings and I might do one more show with him, but he will be the one who decides, not me!”, said the 29-year-old Dane who will take another horse, Vamos Amigos, to the second leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Western European League at Lyon, France next week.

Cheer

The Danish crowd had plenty to cheer about tonight, and for runner-up Cassøe Krüth it was an extra test for her 10-year-old mare when they clapped loudly as the pair progressed up the final centreline. But Danciera seemed to enjoy it “and she has never felt so good!”, said the 37-year-old Dane tonight.   

“When they started clapping I thought Ohh, we still have a long way to go! But she stayed focused and it was ok and actually I think she liked it, so now they can do it any time!”, she added.

Dutch 31-year-old Van Liere was delighted with her result with Hermes. “Yesterday we had a couple of mistakes but it was our first Short Grand Prix and of course he still lacks experience. I’m riding him since he was three years old and I hope I will be able to ride him for many more years. I plan to do more World Cups but I don’t want to put too much pressure on him because he is still young”. said the athlete who hopes to bring him to the qualifiers on her home turf in Amsterdam in January and ’s-Hertogenbosch next March. 

Show Director at Herning, Jens Trabjerg, was also very pleased tonight. “It’s always nice as an organiser to have such fantastic sport as we had today. We have tried for the past five years to get the audience to stay for the prize-giving and I have to say we have been quite successful”, he pointed out. Not too surprising perhaps when the home-side contenders steal all the glory in front of their home crowd.

It’s a short countdown to the next leg of the series in Lyon where the Grand Prix will take place on Thursday 28 and the Freestyle will kick off at 16.00 local time on Friday 29 October.

Don’t miss a hoofbeat….

Results here 

Riesenbeck in Germany has been named host of the FEI European Championships in the Olympic and Paralympic disciplines of Dressage and Para Dressage in 2023.

The allocation was made by the FEI Board at its monthly teleconference on 21 October 2021, with the exact dates to be confirmed and listed in the FEI Calendar for 2023 once approved by the FEI Secretary General.

The Championships will be one of the FEI sporting highlights for 2023, and will serve as qualification events for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris 2024.

Riesenbeck has a stellar record for hosting top-level national and international equestrian events, including the recent Longines FEI Jumping European Championships 2021.

The FEI Dressage and Para Dressage European Championships 2023 will take place at the Riesenbeck International equestrian centre, which operates several outdoor competition arenas, one indoor arena and 336 state-of-the-art stalls.

“It is a pleasure to have the Riesenbeck Organising Committee on board to host the FEI Dressage and Para Dressage European Championships in 2023,” FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said.

“The Organising Committee did a fantastic job hosting the Longines FEI Jumping European Championships 2021 and we know that our able-bodied and para athletes will give their best sporting performances in Riesenbeck’s state-of-the-art facilities.”

Riesenbeck is the home town of German Jumping legend Ludger Beerbaum, a four-time Olympic gold medalist and six-time European Champion, who is also President of the Riesenbeck Organising Committee.

“We are very proud to be welcoming yet another European Championship in Riesenbeck,” Beerbaum said. "The idea to apply for this Championship came from my partner in the Global Equestrian Group, Andreas Helgstrand, who - a successful Dressage rider himself – would like to highlight the potential of the facility for his discipline as well.

"Organising European Championships, which will also be an Olympic and Paralympic qualifier, is a huge responsibility for us, and we are already hard at work with our planning. While our first priority is the safety and welfare of all our human and equine athletes, we also know the importance of providing high quality working facilities for all involved in the organisation of the event.

“We are committed to making these Championships enjoyable for everyone, especially our equestrian fans, who we hope to welcome in large numbers so they can appreciate all that Dressage and Para Dressage have to offer.”

“We are very pleased that Riesenbeck International has been awarded the FEI Dressage and Para-Dressage European Championships 2023,” Secretary General of German Equestrian Federation Soenke Lauterbach said.

“Riesenbeck has a successful championship history and it is great that Ludger Beerbaum and his team, after having organised the Longines FEI Jumping European Championships 2021 in the shortest time, are immediately taking on the next big task.”

A year ago, Denmark’s Cathrine Dufour rode the up-and-coming Bohemian to victory in both the Grand Prix and Freestyle at the opening leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2020/2021 Western European League. With the pandemic biting hard, the event was staged at the Danish National Equestrian Centre in Vilhelmsborg instead of its traditional venue in Herning, and it would be one of just two legs to be held before the series had to be abandoned as the world ground to a halt. 

This Saturday, 23 October, the action returns to Herning for the opening round of the 2021/2022 season which includes nine qualifying legs in total. And this time Dufour will ride Atterupgaards Cassidy, the wonderful little chestnut gelding whose last big international win was at the penultimate leg of the 2019/2020 Western European League in Gothenburg, Sweden in February 2020.

It was the second successive FEI World Cup™ victory at the Scandinavium Arena for the sensational pair who, in 2017, exploded onto the world stage when taking bronze in both the Grand Prix Special and Freestyle at the FEI European Championships. That day, Dufour paid tribute to the brilliant little chestnut gelding that has brought her right to the very pinnacle of the sport. 

"I’ve had him 10 years now and he’s really special for me and my family. I think I owe this horse everything - he kind of created my career and I am really truly enjoying every time I ride down the centreline”, she said that day. He’s 18 this year and still in flying form, so she’s bringing him out again this week for what she says may be one of his last shows.

Host nation

The host nation contingent for this first qualifier of the new season includes all the  Danish dressage athletes who lined out at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in August where the team finished just off the podium and where Dufour also finished fourth individually with Bohemian. 

Carina Cassøe Krüth (Heiline’s Danciera) and Nanna Skodberg Merrald (Blue Hors Zack) will partner their Tokyo rides as will Charlotte Heering (Bufranco) who was reserve athlete at the Games, and they will be joined by Anna Kasprzak (Rock Star 13) and Lone Bang Larsen (Thranegaardens Rostov) when flying the home flag.

However Germany is more than well-represented by horsewoman extraordinaire Ingrid Klimke (Franziskus 15), Helen Langehanenberg (Annabelle 110) and Frederic Wandres (Hot Hit 3) on the startlist.

Klimke is a five-time Olympian and multiple champion in the sport of Eventing, and was vying for selection in both Eventing and Dressage for the Tokyo Games until an accident earlier this year saw that dream shattered. Now well-recovered, and just weeks after taking team silver and individual fifth place at the FEI Eventing European Championships 2021 in Avenches, Switzerland, she brings the 13-year-old dressage stallion Franziskus with which she won the Grand Prix at Dortmund CDI4* in March 2020. Three months earlier the pair finished second to compatriots Isabell Werth and Frederic Wandres in the Grand Prix and the Special on home ground at Stuttgart, and there will be many eyes following their progress at the Danish fixture this weekend.

Langehanenberg has competed at five FEI Dressage World Cup™ Finals and scooped the title with the great Damon Hill NRW in 2013.

Qualifying points

Dutch riders on the lookout for early-season qualifying points towards the series Final which will take place in Leipzig, Germany next April are Marlies van Baalen (Go Legend), Vincent van Gasselt (Delacroix 11) and Thamar Zweistra (Hexagon’s Double Dutch). 

Sweden’s Patrik Kittel always creates a stir, and he competes this weekend with Fiontini, the 11-year-old Danish-bred mare that won gold at the FEI WBFSH World Championships for Young Dressage Horses in 2015, 2016 and 2017 with Spain’s Severo Jurado Lopez in the saddle. Owner, Denmark’s Andreas Helgstrand, took over the ride in 2020 and recently passed the mare on to Kittel to compete. 

 

The new pairing finished third in the Grand Prix and fourth in the Freestyle at CDIO5* Aachen (GER) last month, and there is great excitement about what lies ahead for them. Also lining out for Sweden are Jeanna Hogberg (Lorenzo), Jennie Larsson (Zircoon Spring Flower) and Jacob Noerby Soerensen (Sheeran). 

The FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2021/2022 series will move on to Lyon (FRA) at the end of the month and then to Madrid (ESP) in November. Legs in London (GBR) and Mechelen (BEL) will bring the year to an end in December and then Amsterdam (NED) gets things underway again in January. Neumunster (GER) and Gothenburg (SWE) will host legs in February while ’s-Hertogenbosch (NED) will present the last qualifying opportunity in early March.

It’s all about to get underway with the Grand Prix taking place at the Jyske Bank Boxen Arena in Herning on Friday at 19.00 local time and the points-deciding Freestyle on Saturday at 18.30.

Don’t miss a hoofbeat…..

Results will be here 

The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decision in two equine anti-doping cases involving a Banned Substance.

Two horses trained by Khldoon Mohd Al Sayed (FEI ID 10014556/JOR), tested positive for the Banned Substance Strychnine following samples taken at the CEI1*80 – Wadi Rum (JOR), on 14 November 2019.

The trainer was not able to establish how the Banned Substance entered the system of each horse.

In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal imposed a three-year suspension on the trainer, deeming that, the same trainer having two horses testing positive at the same event, constituted aggravating circumstances. The period of the provisional suspension of the trainer, which came into effect on 13 January 2020, shall be credited against the period of ineligibility, meaning he will be ineligible until 12 January 2023. The trainer was also fined CHF 7,500 and asked to pay costs of CHF 2,000. The FEI Tribunal also disqualified both athlete and horse combinations from the event.

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 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

Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ - Western European League 2021/2022

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…..

Startlists and results here 

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 Vital Chance de la Roque establish commanding North American lead

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..

FULL RESULTS

STANDINGS

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.