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Over 280 athletes, Officials, FEI Board Members, and representatives of National Federations and 4* and 5* Organising Committees from no less than 36 nations registered for a three-hour online seminar on Saturday, 20 January with proposed modifications to the competition format for Eventing at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games at the top of the agenda followed by Paris 2024, social licence to operate, Risk Management data, and athlete/horse responsibility/readiness for the different levels, among others.
Opening
After a brief introduction and welcome by the FEI Eventing Committee Chair and Board Member David O’Connor (USA), who acted as the seminar’s moderator, the participants were addressed by FEI President Ingmar De Vos via a pre-recorded video.
In his opening speech, President De Vos highlighted the fact that the annual Eventing community meeting served as a platform to discuss key issues in the sport and strategise ways to enhance its safety and appeal to various stakeholders.
The President outlined the seminar’s agenda, which included discussions on recent Risk Management data, emphasising the successful efforts to make the sport safer without compromising its essence. He highlighted a crucial point of discussion was the proposed modifications to the Los Angeles 2028 Eventing Competition Format, which would be presented for the first time, and were the result of discussions between the FEI, International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS), the host broadcast organisation for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The objective was to make Eventing more attractive to fans and new audiences, and increase the media value by capitalising on the Cross Country phase which was a unique draw for the discipline. President De Vos clarified that Eventing’s place on the programme for LA28 was subject to having a single venue for all the equestrian disciplines, something he was very confident about, but that the focus on cost and venue optimisation by the IOC, along with proposed changes to the format were essential for the FEI and the future of Eventing at the Olympic Games.
Finally, President De Vos invited the community to keep an open mind and appreciate the rationale behind the proposed changes, and looked forward to their insightful feedback and watching the seminar in replay!
Proposed Eventing Competition Format for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games
Following the President’s speech, David O’Connor introduced the proposals for the Eventing Competition format for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games based on a presentation by Yiannis Exarchos, OBS CEO and the Olympic Channel Executive Director.
A proposal by OBS, which is favoured by the FEI Eventing Committee as in line with Olympic principles, sees the team competition run on the short format (Dressage, Jumping, Cross Country) with team medals awarded after the Cross Country while the Individual competition remains on the long format, as per previous Olympic Games, with the Jumping round held the day after the Cross Country to award the Individual medals. This would entail two medal days, with Team Medals awarded on Day Three after the Cross Country followed by Individual Medals on Day Four after the Final Individual Jumping Round.
David O’Connor emphasised the team “short” format Cross Country would be run according to the current distance of 10 mins, and that this format was already in use at many events worldwide and would not bring drastic changes to the spirit of the discipline. It would focus even more attention on the unique attributes of the Cross Country adding greater excitement around the Team medals.
Feedback
Whereas the seminar was a good opportunity to the start the conversation, the FEI confirmed to the participants that the proposal would be shared with National Federations and related associations for feedback in the coming weeks. With all International Federations required to submit their formats and any proposal of format changes for LA28 to the IOC by 1 March 2024, David O’Connor encouraged participants to ask questions and provide feedback at their earliest convenience as this would be a dynamic process.
It was also confirmed in the “chat” during the session, once the format was finalised and submitted to the IOC, veterinary matters, including horse inspections after Cross Country, would be reviewed in order to ensure optimal horse welfare.
Other items on the agenda
The next item on the agenda was an overview on Eventing preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with a presentation by Pierre Le Goupil (FRA), FEI Paris2024 Cross Country Course Designer, Laurent Bousquet (FRA), Paris2024 Eventing co-manager, and Catrin Norinder, FEI Director, Eventing and Olympic. Further to a question from the audience, it was clarified that the number of tickets for Cross Country at Versailles had been set at 40’000.
The topic of horse welfare and wellbeing, and social license to operate was introduced by David O’Connor. Key Rule changes and recommendations for 2024 and a discussion on future Rule revisions were some of the other items on the agenda.
Risk Management
The second part of the seminar was dedicated to Risk Management and was moderated by David O’Connor and Geoff Sinclair (AUS), Chair of the FEI Risk Management Steering Group. It featured presentations on the highlights and learnings of international statistics on horse and athlete falls and injuries for the period 2013-2023; study research projects, and in particular the EquiRatings® Horse Form Index (HFI); frangible devices; and fitness and training of athletes and horses. All the presentations and information would be published here.
The 2023 statistics highlights showed that the number of competitions had increased since 2019 by 7.25% with an increase of 1.73% in the number of starters. More competitions are being organised at fewer venues. The number of starters had remained stable at Two- and Three-star level, with an increase in One-Star and Four-Star competitions.
The total percentage of falls in relation to starters remained stable at 5.44%.
The percentage of horse falls in relation to starters at Cross Country fences had decreased 16.6% since 2019. Falls on Cross Country was the key focus for the FEI and trends were heading in the right direction. The reporting on the injuries and concussions had improved significantly over the years.
Geoff Sinclair commended the FEI for its transparency and the consistent effort to improve the sport.
Catrin Norinder confirmed that the FEI Technology and Sports Services Department had developed a system allowing the online input of all the risk management data directly by Officials. It would be available by the end of March and would be a faster and more efficient way forward for future data collection and analysis.
An active discussion on the future of course design and changes to encourage accurate and rewarding riding on Cross Country was followed with interesting feedback and ideas shared by the attendees through the chat function. Matters of rider training of horses and ensuring preparation was adequate so that horses presented well at the end of Cross Country were raised in further presentations. The ongoing change of culture in the sport, from military background to presentation of highly well-trained and fit horses as well as athletes prepared for the levels, was a recurring element of the conversation.
Closing
David O’Connor thanked the participants for their attendance and the quality of the presentations, which were thought-provoking and were promoting debate and exchange of ideas.
References Participants from the following 36 nations attended the online seminar: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Eswatini, Finland, France, Great Britain, Germany, Hong Kong, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Namibia, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, South Africa, Switzerland, USA, and Venezuela.
The Online Eventing Seminar was followed-up on Sunday, 21 January with the National Safety Officers Seminar which was restricted to specific stakeholders.
Both Seminar’s agendas and lists of participants are currently available here with relevant documents and annexes to be published shortly, alongside links to watch in replay followed by full reports on both seminars including all the key findings, questions and discussions, in the coming weeks.
A new name was added to the FEI Driving World Cup™ hall of fame as Belgium’s Dries Degrieck took a career-best victory in front of a full house at the 26th Partner Pferd in Leipzig (GER). After a super second place late on Friday night in the opening competition, he and his horses went one better on Sunday to win competition two at the eighth and last leg of the 2023-24 series. The result gained him ten ranking points and guaranteed his place at the final in Bordeaux (FRA) in early February.
Everything came together this weekend for the 28 year old Belgian farrier and his four KWPN horses. After a fast, clear first round on Friday he was in the top three and gained a place in the drive-off where he was joined by the reigning champion Boyd Exell (AUS) and previous champion Ijsbrand Chardon (NED). Keeping his cool against the two titans, Dries’s precise rein handling enabled him to steer accurate routes through the obstacles and cones, while he also gained valuable seconds on the longer, running sections in the early part of the course. With only a late ball to add to his quick time, he slotted into second behind Boyd.
But when the placings really mattered on Sunday, everything was in the Belgian’s favour as he produced another fast first round – only beaten by Bram Chardon (NED) on time – to be in the top three again. Disbelief prevailed as the usually indomitable Boyd Exell, who was last to go after an emphatic win on Friday night, knocked an element to add four seconds to his time which dropped him into fourth place and took him out of drive-off contention. That meant that Dries and Bram were joined by Koos de Ronde (NED), who had been fourth on Friday.
In the final showdown, Koos entered the arena first and clocked 167.58 seconds but had two knocks to add eight giving him a total of 175.58, which gave Dries and Bram a bit of space. In next, Dries’s powerful and fit bay horses flew round the course, leaving everything in place, to finish on a time-only score of 161.14.
Last in, Bram seemed to have put the disappointment of the error on Friday behind him which kept him out of the drive off.
His attentive grey horses immediately found their stride as Bram ensured the lines round the elements were typically tight and he was impressive against the clock. But one knock added a costly four to his 157.97 seconds to put him only 0.83 behind Dries. All watching cheered as they acknowledged the brilliance of the Belgian and his well-matched team who deserved their popular - and first – FEI Driving World Cup™ win.
The last leg is hailed as a dry run for the final and at this stage in the series, the margins between the top competitors are small. Only 0.94 kept Boyd out of Sunday’s drive off, and Ijsbrand was a mere 1.04 behind him in fifth. But more than placings and ranking points, the drivers state that it’s an important indication of form, strength and weakness, and preview of what might happen in Bordeaux.
As Bram remarked beforehand, there is very little opportunity to correct errors before the final as by the time they get home, there is only a week before they pack up and travel to France.
Completing the Leipzig line up was wild card entry Mareike Harm (GER) who finished in sixth on Sunday, improving on her position after Friday, and fellow Germans Georg von Stein - who finished in seventh in both competitions - and Michael Brauchle, who although fast over the weekend, had too many balls down to be drive-off contention.
The results ratify the six drivers who have qualified for the final. and Boyd enters as the top ranked on a maximum of 30 points. Behind him are Bram, Ijsbrand, Dries, Michael and Koos, and the ranking positions set the initial running order in Bordeaux.
After winning five of the seven legs he attended, the season’s results would suggest that Boyd may take an unprecedented 11th World Cup title. But if this weekend’s result is anything to go by, all the drivers will be closely watching the speedy, focused Belgian farrier who has just ensured that he too is now in serious contention for a title.
With the inaugural season of the Longines League of Nations™ kicking off in February, over the next few weeks we will take a closer look at the 10 nations that have qualified to compete be the first to hoist the new trophy at the Final in Barcelona.
Today, we look at Belgium...
Previous winners of the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final in Barcelona (ESP) in 2022, Belgium promise to be an exhilarating and experienced addition to this competition where the best of the best will face off over four legs.
The 2024 Longines League of Nations™ series marks a revolutionary chapter in international Jumping, ushering in innovation by augmenting the highly successful FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ series. As a participant in this pioneering event, Belgium embraces the challenge, showcasing adaptability and a relentless commitment to competitiveness in the ever-evolving world of equestrian sports, as emphasised by the Belgian Equestrian Federation's Head of Communications, Silke Hamerlinck: “The prospect of the top 10 countries competing in four competitions [plus the Final] promises top-class sport, and we are honoured to be part of it as a country.”
Jumping enjoys a fervent following in Belgium, which was one of the original 8 nations that founded the FEI back in 1921. The nation's deep-rooted equestrian tradition and passion for the sport contribute to a talent pool that has excelled on the world stage. Under Chef d’equipe Peter Weinberg, national coach since 2017, the team will be selected and prepared for excellence as a nation rallies behind them.
Belgium's recent international successes solidify their reputation as a powerhouse in Jumping. From the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where they clinched the team bronze medal to the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final win in 2022 that reaffirmed their dominance as three-time Nations Cup Final champions - a feat they will be looking to revive.
We speak to Chef d’equipe Peter Weinberg about what the series promises for them this year:
Belgium has a strong equestrian heritage; how do you see the Longines League of Nations™ as an opportunity to showcase Belgium's approach to horse sport, and cement your reputation?
"The Longines League of Nations™ offers competition on the highest level, which offers us as qualifiers the chance to select and compete with our top team against the other best teams in the world at the top of the rankings.
This provides a great opportunity to measure ourselves with them and push to produce top results not only in the League, but we plan to use this to tailor our training on our way to the Paris Olympic Games. Beyond that, we believe this exciting series is a good advertisement for not only Belgian Jumping, but the sport worldwide."
The Longines League of Nations™ is an elite platform for top athletes. How do you plan to leverage this opportunity to inspire and support the next generation of Belgian equestrian talent?
"For not only every rider, but also every owner, to have a horse competing for your country in an FEI Nations Cup is the biggest goal that they are all aiming for. We have a clear pathway, starting with 3*, progressing to 4*, and - ultimately - to peak at the Longines League of Nations™ as the top level before international championships.
High performance makes the pathway clearer to those embarking on it, and gives them achievable goals to aspire to. We also hope that by communicating about the Longines League of Nations™ as much as we can, through all possible channels, we can reach as broad an audience as possible."
Can you share any advice or words of encouragement for young riders who aspire to represent their nation in international equestrian events like this one?
"I don’t believe we need money or words to encourage our young Belgian riders to ride at national level - they are all very keen! There is a strong progressive route starting at 3*, by training slowly and thoroughly they will achieve competing at the highest level for their nation. The aim must remain in sight: to always represent, and represent well!"
As the Belgium Jumping Team gears up for the 2024 Longines League of Nations™ series, excitement permeates the air. Armed with a legacy of triumphs and the support of a nation, Team Belgium is poised to pursue excellence, and another win.
Be sure to catch all the action on FEI TV as the series kicks off in Abu Dhabi on 11 February.
With the inaugural season of the Longines League of Nations™ kicking off in February 2024, over the next few weeks we will take a closer look at the 10 nations that have qualified to compete be the first to hoist the new trophy at the Final in Barcelona.
Today, #9 in the ranking, we talk to Sweden...
Always major equestrian competitors, the Swedish Jumping team has earned an esteemed position in the 2024 Longines League of Nations™, solidifying a formidable presence among the world's elite Jumping teams.
The Longines League of Nations™ series continues the prestigious global competition of the FEI Jumping Nation’s Cup™, bringing together the finest equestrian talent from around the world in a thrilling format that promises to excite spectators and competitors alike. Sweden's qualification demonstrates their ongoing skill and commitment, with their ultimate goal being “As always, to win as much as possible with the best horse-rider combinations, presented in a good way to always put the horse first,” according to chef d’equipe Henrik Ankarcrona.
This accomplishment adds to Sweden's recent string of Jumping victories, including their current titles as Jumping Team World, Olympic, and - most recently - gold at the FEI Jumping European Championship 2023 which they secured in Milan (ITA) last August. Here they beat the Longines League of Nations™ top qualifiers, Ireland, into second position, which certainly lines up an interesting 2024 series.
Additionally, their stellar performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics earned them the prime podium finish and a fourth gold Olympic medal for their collection. This consistent dominance on the global stage reflects the team's dedication to the sport and their unparalleled ability to perform under pressure, so don’t underestimate their ninth place qualification: they are a team to back for the win in this exciting league, and when we spoke with Ankarcrona, he outlined the team’s plans for the 2024 series:
Sweden has a strong equestrian tradition. How do you envision the Longines League of Nations™ contributing to the proud history of Swedish Jumping?
For Swedish Jumping, the FEI Nations Cup and championships have always been the pinnacle of our sport and what we believe is the very best way to get a good name as a Jumping nation, and I believe that this new league will carry on that history. Obviously recent successes speak to the cohesion of our team, and...
"I believe that this confidence and our attention to detail are a legacy that will bring us further success in this new series."
Henrik Ankarcrona
(SWE)
How do you believe that global representation inspires national pride among equestrians in Sweden, and do competitions like this encourage more spectators and potential equestrians to engage with the sport?
I believe the new Longines League of Nations™ format will engage both media and spectators alike; it makes it easier to follow and very exciting to see how it develops - and changes - from leg to leg towards the final. We are very proud to be one of the ten teams to take part in the Longines League of Nations™, for Sweden this means a lot and I’m sure this will encourage a lot of young riders to set their goals high, set the bar high, and work hard towards achieving the experience needed to participate in this league. This series is unique, so we also hope the media will pick this up and share the excitement building up towards a big final, which in turn creates enthusiasm and anticipation.
Can you share any advice or words of encouragement for young riders who aspire to represent their nation in international equestrian events like this one?
If you are passionate about Jumping and dream of being an international equestrian or championship rider, there are two elements: First, and most important, is to love your horse and put their welfare above all else. Secondly, you need to work very hard. You need a drive, and you need to be open to learning and listen and look at the top riders. But the most important one to listen to is your horse. Learn to read them, and understand that they are the most valuable asset in our sport.
Stay tuned with the FEI as the team prepares to join the top Jumping athletes and horses in the world for the Longines League of Nations™ 2024 series, as anticipation builds for another showcase of Sweden's prowess in the arena. This competition promises to be an electrifying display of skill, strategy, and sportsmanship, as the Swedish team aims to further solidify their legacy as equestrian champions.
Be sure to catch all the action on FEI TV as the series kicks off in Abu Dhabi on 11 February.
Belgium’s Pieter Devos was thrilled with his victory partnering Mom’s Toupie de la Roque at the tenth leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2023/2024 Western European League series in Basel, Switzerland today.
Moving his points tally up to 54, and now lying third on the current league leaderboard, he is well on his way to the Longines 2024 Final in Riyadh (KSA) in April and today’s success has given him the perfect start to 2024.
“It’s the first show of the year and this gives a lot of confidence. It’s an important year, an Olympic year and I’m going to do everything to be in the team and to have a fantastic year - like it started!
“My horse did a fantastic job, she jumped three World Cups this season and she has been placed in several Grand Prix lately but it feels so good that she has now won one - this is her first indoor Grand Prix win. She is now already 17 years old so she has not so much time left in the sport, so I am really happy for her!”, he said this evening after pinning Switzerland’s Janika Sprunger and Orelie into runner-up spot while Austria’s Max Kühner finished third with EIC Cooley Jump the Q.
Found the key
Just eight of the 40 starters found the key to the 14-fence first-round track presented by Swiss course designers Gerard Lachat and Gregory Bodo. And there were some surprises amongst them, not least the less-well-known Sasha Barthe partnering the aptly-named Essenar High Hopes.
Only two of the 12-strong Swiss entry would make the cut into the second-round jump-off, and instead of the big names like Steve Guerdat and Martin Fuchs it would be 29-year-old Barthe who is based in France with Australia’s Amy Graham who would join Basel-born Sprunger to hold the hearts of the Swiss spectators in the race against the clock.
Sprunger of course has ridden at Olympic level, but as she said today “Orelie is just doing her first World Cups and I’ve been out of it for a while, my last time was with King Edward here actually!”, she pointed out, referring to the gelding with which she last competed in Basel in 2020 before her husband and world number one rider, Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann, took over the reins with legendary consequences.
The narrow white oxer faced with planks at fence eight proved one of the biggest bogeys in the opening round, and it was there that the double world champions lost their ticket to the jump-off today.
Against the clock
First out against the clock were Denmark’s Andreas Schou and the former Jerome Guery ride Napoli vh Nederassenthof who only established their new partnership just over a month ago, and they were clear up to the penultimate double only to leave the first element on the floor in 37.65 seconds.
Barthe was next and she set off like her tail was on fire, producing a spectacular turn to the vertical at fence six, now the third obstacle on the track, but clipped the big red wall three fences from home and then also lowered the second element of the double for eight faults. But her time of 34.30 seconds around the new course would not be bettered.
Devos was third in, and the man who took team bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games with the great Claire Z set off with a rattling run, although not everything went quite to plan. He knew that the distance between the second-last and last would be a very long five strides for his mare, and that’s exactly how it turned out. But Toupie gave him everything she had and, throwing in a massive leap, cleared the line in 36.94 seconds to take the lead. And she wouldn’t be beaten.
Spain’s Mariano Martinez Bastida and Belano vd Wijnhoeve Z hit the first fence, previously the bogey oxer at fence eight, and then Germany’s Mario Stevens parted company with Starissa FRH when the pair got into a muddle at the oxer, now fifth on the track.
Kühner turned super-tight to the vertical third fence and again to the wall three fences later, but the first element of the double hit the floor before he galloped through the finish with EIC Cooley Jump the Q in 35.59 seconds.
With just two left to go he was lying second to Devos, but Sprunger left all the timber intact in a careful tour of the track that saw her overtake the Austrian for runner-up spot, and when the final pair into the ring - Germany’s Hans Dieter Dreher and Elysium - hit the second fence they had to settle for fourth place when breaking the beam in 36.41.
Happy man
“I am a very happy man! I came by car and I have to drive six hours to get home but it will be very easy drive now!”, Devos said.
He was particularly pleased for his 17-year-old mare whose career began under the saddle of Michel Hecart and who has also been competed by fellow-Frenchman Julien Epaillard and Luxembourg’s Victor Bettendorf during her long career.
“We bought her quite late”, he said of the mare he took over in October 2021, “she was already 14 years old but she is great. She is still very fresh so I think she has a good season in front of her. We will for sure do everything to go to the World Cup Final - we now have to make a good planning for that but also for the season and for Paris later this summer”, he added.
Talking about her strategy for the jump-off round, Switzerland’s Sprunger said - “I tried to stay cool, I knew Toupie and Pieter were more experienced and have competed in so many jump-offs but I’m not just there yet, so I have to play a bit clever and go for a safe round. Orelie has been super attentive and listened to me very well and she delivered again and I’m over the moon!”
The mare had to give her all to stay clear at the end of the first round. “She tried fantastic and I’d ridden everything very safely until that last line and somehow I underestimated the distance to the third-last oxer - it was too deep and she made such a huge effort. So I knew I couldn’t chase her down on the three (to the next fence) so I just held her with me and trusted her and she found the perfect solution for it and I just tried to stay quiet and trust her.
“I think that’s what you can see, I ride the horses since they are young and you build immense trust together and that helps!”, she pointed out.
Loved to win
Max Kuhner said he was happy with his third-place finish “but still of course we would have loved to win!”
He was critical of his own performance in the jump-off. “I know my horse is very fast and I tried to go for it but the riding was not perfect honestly. It was not smooth enough over the first fences, so I got him a bit short in the neck before the combination and I think that’s where the fault happened - but I’m still happy!”, he said.
Looking ahead, he said that the main focus for his top horse, Elektric Blue P, is the Olympic Games in Paris this year, so he is planning to compete at the Longines Final 2024 in April with one of the newer talents in his large and talented string.
“I will see how they are in the coming weeks and then make the decision on which one will come to Riyadh”, he said. And wrapping it up, he added, “this has been a great week of sport, and everything works so well here at the show in Basel”.
Next April Basel St Jakobshalle will present the FEI World Cup™ Finals 2025 in Jumping, Dressage and Vaulting.
Meanwhile the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2023/2024 Western European League moves into its final phase with just four of the 14 legs left to run and with Leipzig (GER) next on the agenda next weekend.
So don’t miss a hoofbeat….
Link to FEI World Cup™ Finals 2025 Basel
Continuing on from where they left off, the world number one horse-and-rider combination of Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and the wonder-mare TSF Dalera BB produced another superb performance to win the seventh leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2023/2024 Western European League at Basel in Switzerland today.
In yesterday’s preliminary Grand Prix the pair led a German whitewash of the top four places, while today compatriots Isabell Werth with Emilio 107 and Matthias Alexander Rath with Destacado FRH again filled second and third spots, Sönke Rothenberger having to settle for fifth this time out when headed by Austria’s Florian Bach and Fidertraum OLD.
This was a second successive victory for von Bredow-Werndl and Dalera in Basel, having also topped the line-up at the Swiss fixture to get their 2023 season off to a flying start 12 months ago. They went on to claim their second successive FEI Dressage World Cup™ title three months later, and on home turf at CDIO5*-NC in Aachen in July won all before them, then took double-gold and team silver at the FEI European Championship and finished off the year by winning both the Grand Prix and Freestyle at CDI5* in Stockholm (SWE) in December.
The pair who are also reigning Olympic champions continue on a roll into the Olympic year of 2024, and after posting a handsome winning score of 91.010 today von Bredow-Werndl said, “Dalera is the best and I am very happy. It is such an amazing feeling to have her in such in a great shape here in Basel!”
Target
It was Werth who set the target high when putting 87.950 on the board with Emilio, the horse set for retirement at the end of 2023 who, however, is showing the best form of his entire career recently and who sparkled again today with a test filled with confidence, rhythm, harmony and co-operation.
At 18 years old the Westphalian gelding seems to be enjoying his work more than ever, and it shows in the focus he is applying to his job, the smoothness of his transitions demonstrating just how settled and concentrated he has become. It’s no wonder his joint-owners Werth and Madeleine Winter-Schulze have decided to extend his career after all.
Only von Bredow-Werndl and Dalera could better that, their Paris-themed soundtrack carrying them to maximum scores of 10 for Choreography, Degree of Difficulty and Music and Interpretation across the board from all five judges - Susanne Baarup (DEN), Hans Voser (SUI), Raphael Saleh (FRA), Stephen Clarke (GBR) and Henning Lehrmann (GER) - for that winning total of 91.010.
The word “retirement” seems to be popping up a lot lately, sometimes inevitable when a horse is as consistently successful as Dalera who turned 17 this year. But von Bredow-Werndl insisted this evening that it’s not on the agenda anytime soon for the mare owned jointly by her mother, Micaela Werndl, and Beatrice Buerchler-Keller despite rumours that Paris 2024 may bring the horse-and-rider’s career together to an end.
“It is difficult to find the right words to describe what Dalera has done for me and is still doing. I not only want to maintain our current form, but also develop it further if possible and I am so thankful that Dalera wants to do it with me. So I will do my best for her and we will see what the rest of the season brings”, von Bredow-Werndl said this evening.
Main priority
She pointed out that the Paris 2024 Olympic Games is her main priority this year so the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final 2024 in Riyadh (KSA) in April is not in her schedule. But Werth has it clearly in her sights.
“Emilio is in great shape and enjoys it so much at the moment. We have now done two World Cup qualifiers and would be qualified for the Final so I will see how he is feeling week after week and make our show plan from that. But it would be nice to ride him at the Final”, she said.
She has rocketed up to seventh on the league table ahead of the next qualifier in Amsterdam (NED) in two weeks’ time, picking up the maximum 20 qualifying points at both Stuttgart (GER) in November and again today in Basel because, as defending champion, von Bredow-Werndl does not earn points.
Matthias Alexander Rath was well pleased with his third-place finish today with the charming 11-year-old chestnut stallion Destacado FRH whose suppleness in half-pass and extravagant extended walk helped them on their way to a combination-best score of 81.750.
“He has made so much progress in the last year and I am happy to see the results today and look forward to this season with him”, Rath said of his horse. And he really enjoyed the atmosphere at Basel. “Everything works well, the atmosphere is amazing. I was here with my whole family and we had a really nice time”, he added.
Thomas Straumann, President of the Board of Directors of CHI Classics Basel was also delighted with how today’s competition played out. Dressage only joined the show programme in 2023, and it is already proving immensely popular with spectators.
“We had, as last year, great sport this afternoon with an amazing atmosphere and the public is showing so much support. I am really happy to have started with Dressage last year, and we will for sure continue in the future!”, he said.
He certainly will, because next year Basel will host the FEI World Cup™ Finals 2025 in Dressage, Jumping and Vaulting.
So don’t miss a hoofbeat….
Link to FEI World Cup™ Finals 2025 Basel
The 12th FEI Vaulting World Cup final ™ opened in spectacular fashion in the St Jakobshalle in snowy Basel (SUI). Germany flew into the lead in both individual events and only narrowly missed out on the Pas de Deux overnight top spot. The Italian pair, Rebecca Greggio and Davide Zanella hold it for now.
With one of the best line-ups for an FEI Vaulting World Cup™ final ever, there was much anticipation ahead of the first-round Technical test. Switzerland’s Nadja Büttiker set the bar high. Opening the show can be a tough draw and she pulled on her wealth of experience to present a solid round, laying down 7.711 as the score to beat. She finished round one in fifth. Some minor errors proved costly for a few of the females causing them to lose vital points, however, it wasn’t the case for Kimberly Palmer (USA). Vaulting with her trusty combination of Rosenstolz 99 and Laura Carnabucci, she capitalised on her artistic concept alongside solid technical exercises and earned herself 8.033 and the third place.
Making her World Cup debut, Alina Ross entered for Germany with a new horse and lunger partnership. She performed an incredibly intricate and difficult routine aboard the experienced Goldjunge with Jaqueline Schönteich, scoring top marks from three of the four judges and propelling herself to the top of the table (8.437). Her compatriot and defending Champion, Kathrin Meyer was last to go and softly presented a new routine with strong technical elements, however a lower score from the artistic and horse judges left her behind, in second place, after round one (8.229).
The Men’s competition was arguably even more exciting. Inspiring artistic concepts were the order of the day as Juan Martin Clavijo Vega (COL) entered the arena, first to go, and lay down the score to beat, 8.179. Thomas Brüsewitz (GER) showed some minor performance faults but chose well in his decision to compete with William II Z and Maik Hussman. His round-one total was 8.017 which wasn’t quite enough to beat his brother, Viktor, who had put on an excellent performance, gaining the highest artistic score of the day, and taking second place (8.389).
Twenty-three-year-old Theo Gardies (FRA) put on a show and threw everything at his technical programme. Unfortunately, a lower score from the artistic judge left him just fractions behind Viktor, 8.343. As Jannik Heiland entered the arena with Dark Beluga FRH and Barbara Rosiny, it was a case of save the best until last. A top score from the horse judge alongside his quality vaulting ensured he had the overnight lead scoring 8.549.
Sunday’s final round will count towards 60% of the total score and with all the top individuals within touching difference of each other, there is potential for change at the top and no one can rest on their laurels.
Pas de Deux
The crowd were thrilled as the Pas de Deux competition got underway. A nervous start saw Gitano des Monods trot at the beginning of Li Laffer and Illona Hannich’s routine, significantly dropping their horse score and leaving them at the bottom of the table (7.225). Fellow Swiss pair Zoe Maruccio and Syra Schmid were very clean in their performance, they connected well throughout their Free test earning a well-deserved 7.998 and the third place. For Austrians Romana Hintner and Eva Nagiller, today was not their day. They were unable to repeat their previous impeccable performances, with too many execution errors placing them in fourth, scoring 7.871.
Only two combinations were able to break into the ‘eights’ as a final score. Firstly, we were enraptured by Italy’s Rebecca Greggio and Davide Zanella. With catchy and intricate transitions along with impeccable choreography, they entertained the audience from start to finish. Claudia Peterson kept Orlando Tancredi steady but forward going on the lunge which altogether synthesised into an eye-catching routine scoring 8.196.
Not to be outdone, Diana Harwardt and Peter Künne entered with a score to settle having finished second at the final last year. Symbiotically, they moved as one on DSP Sir Lau Lau performing their high difficulty Free test with apparent ease. However, their flawless routine ended abruptly as their horse decided the test was finished when Diana dismounted and stopped dead, despite Peter still being on board. Fortunately, Andrea Harwardt got him moving again and Peter could dismount before the time limit, but it was an incredibly costly error and lost them the first place, 8.130.
The athletes have brought their A-game to Basel and put on a thrilling spectacle, which is even more special as the 2025 final will also be held here, alongside the FEI Jumping and Dressage World Cup finals (www.basel2025.com).
Sunday’s Vaulting Final promises to bring more action, drama and jaw-dropping moments as we crown the 2024 FEI Vaulting World Cup™ Champions.
The FEI Tribunal has issued a Consent Award in an equine anti-doping case involving a Banned Substance.
In this case, the horse Ashva Psyche (FEI ID 107YL76/URU), tested positive for the Banned Substance Stanozolol following samples taken at the CEI2*120 Costa Azul, Canelones (URU) 04-05 November 2023.
The athlete, Teresa Sanchez (FEI ID 10094966/URU), admitted the rule violation and accepted the consequences. In its final decision the FEI Tribunal disqualified the horse from the event and imposed an 18-month ineligibility period on the athlete; the provisional suspension she already served shall be credited against the imposed ineligibility period. She was also fined CHF 5,000 and all results from the event were 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.
Correction 05/01/2024 – see Eventing
Following the end of the qualification period at 31 December 2023, the FEI has published the Olympic and Paralympic Rankings which are used as the basis for the individual qualification slots for Paris 2024, and where relevant for reallocation and composite team purposes as per the qualification systems inherent to each discipline.
We have outlined below the current status for team and individual qualification slots within each of the four disciplines – Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, and Para Dressage - which, as you will note, is subject to confirmation based on the relevant qualification requirements, procedures and deadlines.
Jumping Update
Overall quota: 75 Athlete/Horse Combinations - 20 Teams (60 Athlete/Horse Combinations) & 15 Individual Athlete/Horse Combinations
You will find here the Jumping Qualification System and the 20 NOCs that have obtained a Team quota place (subject to meeting relevant MERs – NOC Certificate of Capability to be confirmed by 8 January 2024): France (as host nation), Sweden, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Spain, Switzerland, Israel, Poland, United States of America, Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Australia, Japan, Brazil. These NOCs have until 5 February 2024 to confirm their Team quota place with the exception of France (as host country) who is required to confirm by 8 January 2024.
Once all 20 Teams have been confirmed (including any required reallocation process February/March 2024), only NOCs that have not accepted a Team quota place will be eligible to obtain one of the 15 Individual quota places, based on the FEI Olympic Ranking for Jumping published today, which compiles the best 15 results per Athlete/Horse Combination in the Olympic Ranking Events within the period from 1 January 2023 – 31 December 2023.
Currently, were the above 20 NOCs to confirm their Team allocation (and have met all the requirements), the following nations will have qualified an Individual qualification slot - which would also need to be confirmed by 18 March 2024 as per the qualification timeline/process. Should any nations not use their Team qualification slot, the reallocation process for unused Team quota places would have an impact on the nations listed below.
Individual Olympic Ranking including validated results from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023 – JUMPING (As per the current status at 02/01/2024, the nations listed below have qualified one Individual slot, however, this list of nations may change should any NOCs listed above decline their Team slot or not meet the relevant requirements as per NOC Certificate of Capability.)
TOTAL 15
Dressage Update
Overall quota: 60 Athlete/Horse Combinations – 15 Teams (45 Athlete/Horse Combinations) & 15 Individual Athlete/Horse Combinations
You will find here the Dressage Qualification System and the 14 NOCs that have obtained a team quota place (subject to meeting relevant requirements – NOC Certificate of Capability to be confirmed by 8 January 2024): France (as host nation), Denmark, Great Britain, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, United States of America, Austria, Belgium, Spain, Poland, Brazil, Canada, Australia. These NOCs have until 5 February 2024 to confirm their Team quota place with the exception of France (as host country) who is required to confirm by 8 January 2024. The 15th team quota slot for Group F, which is yet to be allocated, will be confirmed as per the reallocation procedure of unused team quota places in the Dressage Qualification System in due course.
Once the teams have been confirmed (including any required reallocation process February/March 2024), only NOCs that have not accepted a Team quota place will be eligible to obtain one of the 15 Individual quota places, based on the FEI Olympic Ranking for Dressage published today (see links below) which is limited to the best four results per Athlete/Horse combination in Olympic Ranking events, within the period from 1 January 2023 – 31 December 2023.
Currently, the following nations have qualified an individual qualification slot, however, depending on the reallocation of unused team quota places and/or should any nations decline their team slot (deadline 5 February 2024), the reallocation process for unused team quota places would have an impact on the nations listed below. Furthermore, should the overall quota of 60 places not have been filled after completing the reallocation process, the leftover quota places will be allocated via the overall FEI Olympic Rankings for Dressage and a NOC that has already earned/accepted an Individual quota place will be entitled to earn a second Individual quota place.
Individual Olympic Ranking including validated results from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023 - DRESSAGE (As per the current status at 02/01/2024, the nations listed below have qualified one individual slot, however, this list of nations may change should any NOCs listed above decline their team slot or not meet the relevant requirements as per NOC Certificate of Capability.)
TOTAL 15
Eventing Update
Overall quota: 65 Athlete/Horse Combinations - 16 Teams (48 Athlete/Horse Combinations) & 17 Individual Athlete/Horse Combinations)
You will find here the Eventing Qualification System and the 16 NOCs that have obtained a Team quota place (subject to meeting relevant requirements – NOC Certificate of Capability to be confirmed by 8 January 2024): France (as host nation), Germany, United States of America, New Zealand, Great Britain, Ireland, Sweden, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, Canada, Brazil, Australia, Japan, Italy.
These NOCs have until 5 February 2024 to confirm their Team quota place with the exception of France (as host country) who is required to confirm by 8 January 2024.
Once the Teams have been confirmed (including any required reallocation process February/March 2024), only NOCs that have not accepted a Team quota place will be eligible to obtain Individual quota places, based on the FEI Olympic Ranking for Eventing published today. Important to note an NOC can qualify for a maximum of two individual places in Eventing (only one per NOC in Jumping and Dressage), either through their FEI Olympic Group or through the overall FEI Olympic Ranking, or both.
The FEI Olympic Ranking – Eventing is limited to the best four results per Athlete/Horse combination in the qualifying events, within the period from 1 January 2023 – 31 December 2023.
An NOC can therefore earn up to two individual quota places via the FEI Olympic Group Rankings with 14 Individual Quota places allocated via the FEI Olympic Group Rankings and three Individual Quota places allocated via the overall FEI Olympic Ranking. See links and current nations eligible for Individual quota places below, however, depending on the reallocation of unused Team quota places and/or should any nations decline their Team slot (deadline 5 February 2024), or not meet the requirements, the reallocation process for unused Team quota places would have an impact on the nations listed below.
Individual Olympic Ranking including validated results from 1 January 2023 to 31 December 2023 - EVENTING (As per the current status at 02/01/2024, the nations listed below have qualified one or two individual slots, however, this list of nations may change should any NOCs listed above decline their team slot or not meet the relevant requirements as per NOC Certificate of Capability.)
*Correction 05/01/2024 - Czech Republic to receive the third individual slot not Denmark as initially announced on 3/01/2024 as there was a tie in the Rankings for that third NOC individual qualification slot between Mia HASTRUP from Denmark and Miroslav TRUNDA from Czech Republic. Both Athletes were ranked equal in their results as athlete/horse combinations which does not break the tie according to the Olympic Eventing Ranking Rules and therefore Article 528.1.6 Final Classification Tie (Individual) from the FEI Eventing Rules has been applied – whereby the combination with the best XC score at the highest level event would be ranked first and obtain the individual quota place for their NOC. In accordance with Article 528.1.6 Final Classification Tie (Individual), Miroslav TRUNDA (CZE) riding SHUTTERFLYKE have obtained the best XC score, and should therefore be ranked above Mia HASTRUP (DEN) riding CONSTANTIN M in the Rankings, making the Individual Quota place go to Czech Republic and not Denmark.
TOTAL: 17
*For FEI Olympic Groups D & E (North America, Central & South America), four (4) quota places are available, however, as there are no Group D individuals to claim an individual quota place (their NOC has a team quota place already), the four (4) best ranked individuals from Group E will obtain them.
Key upcoming deadlines – JUMPING, DRESSAGE & EVENTING
Para Dressage Update
See here the Para Dressage Qualification System and the nine NPCs that have obtained four athlete/horse Team quota places so far: France (as host nation), the Netherlands, Denmark, United States of America, Great Britain, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Sweden. An additional six NPC Team qualification slots for four athletes as well as 18 individual qualification places are still to be allocated for a total quota of 78 athlete/horse combinations.
Refer to the qualification system and timelines for further details. Key upcoming deadlines include
Summary of useful links
Jumping – Olympic Ranking (31 December 2023)
Dressage – Olympic Ranking (31 December 2023)
Eventing – Olympic Ranking (31 December 2023)
Para Dressage – Paralympic Ranking (31 December 2023)
Paris 2024 Hub
Disciplines – Qualification Systems
FEI Regulations for Equestrian Events at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Beneath the illuminated Christmas trees suspended high above the arena in the Nekkerhal, reigning champion Boyd Exell (AUS) stamped his supremacy once again on the current FEI Driving World Cup™ series by winning the 7th leg in Mechelen. Despite being pushed hard by the other drivers whose horses are on peak form at this stage of the season, he rose to the occasion and produced another flawless display in Saturday night’s drive-off to shave 3.43 seconds from his previous round’s time and end on 126.57. As he has shown time and time again, when the pressure is on, he raises his game even higher to ensure he is the one at the head of the prize ceremony.
“The team is really smooth. We put a substitution in, the left wheeler was Poker who is 19 years old, and he was fantastic tonight. Every stride, we had to work hard to get the speed and when Bram did a really fast round, we had to go full risk through the number one cone. The more pressure, the more focussed I get. I’ve got a great team of people around me; it’s a full team, driving sport. So, I’m really pleased - it’s a great feeling!”
Boyd Exell (AUS)
Challenging him all the way was Bram Chardon (NED) who, although quicker in both Saturday’s rounds, had one ball in each to add four which in the drive-off meant he finished a tantalizing 1.73 behind Boyd. Despite missing Friday’s drive-off, by Saturday he and his horses were back to their razor-sharp ways, and it was so nearly their night.
Both former champions might have feared that neither would win as Germany’s Michael Brauchle blasted through the course during his first round on Saturday to be the fastest going into the drive-off. Fresh from a confidence-giving Friday afternoon when only Boyd beat him, Michael’s horses darted round the turns and sped along the straights to challenge the best. But perhaps they had peaked too soon as despite producing another impressive drive, they were down on time and added four to finish third.
Like Michael, another who has moved into finals contention is Dries Degrieck (BEL) who raised the hopes of the home crowd. An off-form initial round on Friday saw him finish seventh, but he regained his edge on Saturday and produced a decent clear. He will also be in Leipzig (GER) for the 8th leg as a qualified driver so has a chance to consolidate his ranking position.
Already sure of his finals place, Koos de Ronde (NED) was a wild card entry who didn’t make either drive-off. A rebuild bell ring on Friday after knocking a cone before it had been driven added fourteen to an otherwise great time and although he was in touch on Saturday, it wasn’t enough to ensure a return to the arena for one more round.
Having recorded a season’s best result of second on Friday after a beleaguering series, Jérôme Voutaz (SUI) lost out by overshooting a gate in one of the marathon obstacles which meant a costly stop and rein-back. He and the horses recovered well but with the competition is so tight at this point, there is no come-back from even the slightest of errors.
Glenn Geerts (BEL) has held his own throughout the season as a wild card and has completed his quota of qualifying events. Unfortunately, just as he picked up the pace to start his round on Saturday, the bell rang to halt proceedings as it appeared someone in the crowd needed medical attention. There followed a delay in the competition as Glenn left the arena to wait outside before being able to resume his round where three balls rolled to add twelve to the time.
Having built the courses in Stockholm and Geneva, Johan Jacob’s (NED) returned for the Belgium leg. Tucking pairs of cones next to the marathon obstacles and placing others on the curve, it was a technical course that required precision, set out in the relatively compact arena. Only Glenn didn’t knock any balls during Friday’s first rounds but after that, the drivers seemed to gain the measure of what was required.
In a display that seemed even more determined than usual, Boyd needed the win at this point in the series to set a marker for the final in Bordeaux (FRA). With only one more qualifying leg to go in Leipzig in three weeks’ time where he is a wild card, this was his last chance to secure 10 points to gain a maximum 30 to top the rankings. While Bram can match him if he wins the final 8th leg, both will be keen to open their bid for more World Cup titles with the psychological edge over their nearest rivals.
But whether Boyd is a wild card or not, he will be as fiercely competitive as ever at the German prelude to the final. For the first time in this series, Chardon father and son will line up against each other, joined by Michael, Dries and Georg von Stein (GER) as the qualified drivers; Koos and Mareike Harm (GER) complete the line up as wild cards. With everyone at the top of their game and margins slimmer than ever, it will be a thrilling event.
Image: FEI / Dirk Caremans
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