Starting order announced for the first competitions of the FEI World Cup™ Finals 2025 in Basel (SUI)

***Correction in red below***

 

Les Trois Rois FEI Dressage World Cup™  Final

 

Following a spectacular Opening Ceremony, the draw for the Les Trois Rois FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final 2025 took place this evening in the iconic St. Jakobshalle in Basel (SUI). Larissa Pauluis (BEL) and her Flambeau will be first down the centerline in Friday’s Grand Prix, while France’s Corentin Pottier with Gotilas Du Feuillard will bring the curtain down on the competition.

An impressive drum performance marked the start of the draw, adding to the sense of anticipation as the athletes gathered to discover their starting order. Divided into two groups, the athletes each played an active role in the draw, with a touch of traditional Swiss flair woven into the ceremony. 

Reigning champion Patrik Kittel (SWE) had the honour of drawing the first name from the glass vases containing all athlete names. In a true passing of the torch, he selected Pauline Basquin (FRA), who in turn selected the next athlete, and so it continued. CHI Basel President Andy Kistler was on hand to draw the corresponding starting numbers. For Basquin, winner of the Madrid qualifier, that resulted in start number 7.

As a thoughtful gesture, all athletes received an engraved Swiss cowbell as a keepsake.

Second appearance for Pauluis, debut for Scholz

Opening the Grand Prix on Friday morning will be Larissa Pauluis (BEL), making her second FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final appearance after Riyadh last year. She will be followed by Carina Scholz (GER) and Soiree d’Amour, who are making their FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final debut.

A strong field of newcomers

In fact, no fewer than nine athlete-horse combinations will be making their debut in the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final this year:

•    Carina Scholz (GER) and Soiree d’Amour OLD (start number 2) 
•    Isabell Freese (NOR) and Total Hope OLD (start number 3)
•    Genay Vaughn (USA) and Gino (start number 6)
•    Pauline Basquin (FRA) and Sertorius de Rima Z IFCE (start number 7)
•    Anikó Komjáthy-Lozonczy (HUN) and Dior S (start number 8)
•    Jessica Neuhauser (SUI) and Rockson (start number 11)
•    Bianca Nowag-Aulenbrock (GER) and Florine OLD (start number 14)
•    Sandra Sysojeva (POL) and Maxima Bella (start number 15)
•    Corentin Pottier (FRA) and Gotilas Du Feuillard (start number 17)

Milestone appearance for Kittel, record run for Werth

Reigning champion Patrik Kittel is making his tenth appearance at the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final, although this time he partners Forever Young HRH rather than his 2024 winner Touchdown. Kittel will enter the arena in 13th position.
The most experienced athlete in the field, however, is none other than Isabell Werth (GER). Basel marks her 26th Final, and she will compete with DSP Quantaz, who already boasts podium finishes in both Omaha (USA) and Riyadh (KSA).

Australia’s Mary Hanna, at 70 years of age, is the oldest athlete in the line-up and will contest her sixth Final with Ivanhoe, starting 10th. Borja Carrascosa (ESP) returns with Sir Hubert NRW, just as he did in Riyadh, and will ride fourth. Likewise, Kevin Kohmann (USA) continues his partnership with Duenensee, drawing number 9. His compatriot Adrienne Lyle (USA) will compete in her second Final, this year with Helix as start number 5.

One to watch is Charlotte Fry (GBR), the youngest athlete in the field at just 29-years-old. The reigning World Champion will ride her Olympic bronze medallist Glamourdale in their very first FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final together. Starting 12th, Fry shared her excitement:

“Glammy and I had our first training in the main stadium today, he seemed to really like it in there! We’re both excited to get going on Friday! It’s our first Final together and I’m very much looking forward to it!”
Unfortunately, one combination was withdrawn prior to the vet check and draw: Renderson Silva de Oliveira (BRA) and Fogoso Campline will not compete in Basel.

What to expect

The Grand Prix on Friday serves as the qualifier for Sunday’s Freestyle to Music. All combinations scoring over 60% in the Grand Prix will earn a place in the Freestyle.

The judging panel for the Grand Prix consists of:

•    Maria Colliander (FIN)
•    Christof Umbach (LUX)
•    Hans Voser (SUI)
•    Michael Osinski (USA)
•    Ulrike Nivelle (GER)

The Ground Jury Supervisory Panel (JSP) includes Andrew Ralph Gardner (GBR), Dr. Evi Eisenhardt (GER), and Liselotte Fore (USA).

A total of 17 combinations from 12 nations will compete for the coveted title of FEI Dressage World Cup™ Champion 2025.

Full start list can be seen here

Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™  Final

The order of play for tomorrow’s opening competition of the 45^th edition of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup^™ Final in Basel has been revealed following the draw to determine the starting order,  which took place in the city’s St. Jakobshalle this evening.

It was a case of “déjà vu” for Germany’s Marcus Ehning, as for the second consecutive year the three-time FEI Jumping World Cup^™ Champion was drawn in the unenviable position of first to go in what is his campaign to make history by becoming the first athlete to take the title four times. He will compete on on Coolio 42. Julien Anquetin (FRA) with Blood Diamond du Pont follow in second draw ahead of Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi (UAE) and Enjoy de la Mure who start in third.

Reigning Longines FEI Jumping World Cup^™ Champion, Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) with Iliana is another protagonist drawn early in Thursday’s first competition as they start from fourth draw in his bid to emulate Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) by winning his third successive title. Fifth drawn is Japan’s Takamichi Mashiyama and Highbrook's Messenger, ahead of Willem Greve (NED) and Highway TN N.O.P in sixth, USA’s Alise Oken with Gelvera and Kirsten Vanderveen with Bull Run's Jireh in seventh and eighth, whilst Ramzy Al Duhami (KSA) on Untouchable 32 and Valeria Sokolova (KGZ) on Jackpot TN complete the first ten athletes drawn in ninth and 10th respectively.

Robert Whitaker (GBR) and Vermento are the 11^th combination into the St. Jakobshalle arena and are followed by Germany’s Richard Vogel (12^th) on United Touch S and Mario Stevens (13^th) with Starissa FRH. The host nation’s first athlete Edouard Schmitz and Gamin van't Naastveldhof are drawn 14^th ahead of Longines FEI Jumping World Cup^™ Final first-timer Shalva Gachechiladze (GEO) and Modest vd Vroente in 15^th, Kaitlin Campbell (USA) and Castlefield Cornelious in 16^th, Pieter Devos (BEL) and Casual DV Z  in 17^th and Andrea Herck (ROU) with Epsilon de Roulard in 18^th. Nineteenth to contest Thursday’s opening speed competition is Austria’s Max Kühner and EIC Up Too Jacco Blue, who are followed by 20^th drawn Shawn Casady (USA) and Cool Quarz.

Sophie Hinners (GER), another Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final debutant, is drawn 21^st with Iron Dames my Prins, and is followed into the arena by Switzerland’s own Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Champion from 2022, Martin Fuchs with Leone Jei who are drawn 22^nd. Julien Epaillard (FRA) starts his bid to go one place better this year, having finished second in Riyadh (KSA) 12 months ago, behind the defending Champion Henrik von Eckermann.  Epaillard is drawn 23^rd in tomorrow’s opening competition, with Donatello d'Auge. Twenty fourth and 25^th drawn are the USA’s Katherine Dinan on Out of the Blue SCF and McKayla Langmeier on Mimosa vd Rollebeek. Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet and Bond Jamesbond de Hay are the 26^th drawn, ahead of triple Olympic Gold Medallist Ben Maher (GBR) and Point Break who start 27^th, Hans-Deiter Dreher (GER) and Vestmalle des Cotis in 28^th, Luke Dee (NZL) with Gangster WW in 29^th and Ali Al Korafi (KUW)and I in 30^th.

Kevin Staut with Visconti du Telman starts his campaign to give France their second ever Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final title and first since 2004, from 31^st draw. Allesandra Volpi (USA) and Gipsy Love is drawn 32^nd ahead of double Olympic Individual Bronze medallist, Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) with Beauville Z N.O.P. who will be hoping to benefit  from a late draw as he starts in 33^rd. Bronwyn Meredith Dos Santos (RSA) on Bibisi is drawn in 34^th ahead of the last drawn of USA’s eight qualified athletes, Lillie Keenan on Kick on in 35^th.

Ales Opatrny (CZE) and Forewer are drawn 36^th, and  Kim Emmen (NED) with Imagine will start from 37^th draw.  Ireland’s Daniel Coyle and Incredible take the penultimate spot at 38, with Vince Jarmy (HUN) and Carbon Girl Z rounding off the roster to contend tomorrow’s Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final first competition.

The first competition of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final 2025 in Basel is a speed class run under Table C, open to all 39 qualified athletes and begins at 20:15 local time.

Full start list can be seen here

J. Safra Sarasin FEI Vaulting World Cup™  Final

Individual Female

1. Ginger Kennett (AUS) with Goldjunge. Lunger: Jacqueline Schönteich
2. Sema Hornberg (GER) with Rockemotion NRW. Lunger: Nina Vorberg
3. Caroline Morse (USA) with Rey Rubino. Lunger: Lars Hansen
4. Annemie Szemes (GER) with Rubinio 71. Lunger: Nina Vorberg
5. Nadja Büttiker (SUI) with Acardi van de Kapel.Lunger: Elisabeth Bieri
6. Ilona Hannich (SUI) with Rayo de la Luz. Lunger: Moni Winkler-Bischofberger
7. Kimberly Palmer (USA) with Rosenstolz 99. Lunger: Laura Carnabuci
8. Kathrin Meyer (GER) with Capitain Claus OLD. Lunger: Gesa Bührig

Individual Male

1. Conrad Talmage (CAN) with San Felice z.  Lunger: Christina Ender
2. Daniel Janes (USA) with Caretes Auhoern. Lunger: Jana Leib
3. Lukas Heppler (SUI) with Acardi van de Kapel.  Lunger: Moni Winkler-Bischofberger
4. Julian Wilfling (GER) with Aragorn 102.  Lunger: Alexander Zebrak
5. Thomas Brüsewitz (GER) with William II Z.  Lunger: Maik Husmann
6. Davide Zanella (ITA) with Orlando Tancredi. Lunger: Claudia Petersohn
7. Quentin Jabet (FRA) with Goldjunge.  Lunger: Jacqueline Schönteich
8. Jannik Heiland (GER) with Rey Rubino.  Lunger: Lars Hansen

Pas-de-deux

1. Ilona Hannich & Li Laffer (SUI) with Calin.  Lunger: Alana Sohm
2. Zoe Maruccio & Syra Schmid (SUI) with Latino V. Forst CH.  Lunger: Michael Heuer
3. Gisa Sternberg & Linda Otten (GER) with Espresso 23. Lunger: Cornelia Ammermann
4. Diana Harwardt & Peter Künne (GER) with DSP Sir Laulau.  Lunger: Andrea Harwardt
5. Rebecca  Greggio & Davide Zanella (ITA) with Orlando Tancredi.  Lunger: Claudia Petersohn

The Vaulting starts on Saturday 5 April at 10:45am and concludes Sunday 6 April at 08:00

Full start list can be seen here

Image: Borja Carrascosa (ESP) during the draw at the FEI World Cup™ Finals 2025 in Basel (SUI). FEI/ Ben Clark