Sixty-eight of Europe’s and possibly the world’s top riders representing no less than 18 nations have gathered in the spectacular parkland of Blenheim Palace in the heart of the Oxfordshire Costwolds for the 2005 FEI Blenheim Petplan European Eventing Championship. Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Sweden and, of course, home nation Great Britain have entered teams and individuals whereas Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, Russia, Switzerland and Ukraine are represented by individual riders only.
The no doubt exciting battle for the team title is expected to take place between the current holder Great Britain, who will put on their best effort to secure gold for a sixth consecutive time, France, who despite outstanding individual achievements, have never won a European team title, and Germany. German riders were the brilliant winners of the FEI European Jumping and Dressage Championships this summer so prevailing in Eventing would be a remarkable accomplishment indeed.
The British team is composed of reigning World Silver medallist Jeannette Brakewell on the 17-years old chestnut gelding Over To You, whom she has ridden in seven consecutive championships; multi-medal holder and world’s number three-ranking rider William Fox-Pitt on his 2004 Badminton winner Tamarillo; Athens 2004 Olympic Champion Leslie Law on his Olympic mount Shear L’Eau; and 2002 Young Riders European Silver medallist Zara Phillips on Toytown who makes here her senior team debut. Zara, who placed second at this years CCI 4-star at Luhmuhlen, is the daughter of HRH The Pincess Royal, the 1971 Individual and Team European Gold medallist, and Captain Mark Phillips, currently one of the world’s leading course designers. Pippa Funnell, the only rider to win the Grand Slam of Eventing, i.e. Kentucky, Badminton and Burghley during the same year, is running as an individual on the 10-year old former racehorse Ensign. Her powerful Primmore’s Pride, with whom she should have been part of the team, was not deemed sound.
Nicolas Touzaint, Europe’s youngest Individual Champion ever, is part of a rather modified French team. Nicolas is riding Hildago de l’Ile. He is surrounded by 2004 Team Olympic medallist Arnaud Boiteau on his faithful Expo du Moulin; Gilles Viricel on Blakring*Mili-HN with whom he rode twice at Badminton and once at Burghley; and Didier Willefert, who was on the 1996 Olympic Team, riding Escape Lane*Mili.
Germany looks no less strong with a team featuring a numerous title-holder Bettina Hoy on Ringwood Cockatoo. Bettina has had a very successful season with victories in the FEI Eventing World Cup qualifiers at Fontainebleau and Chatsworth and especially the first continental CCI 4-star at Luhmuhlen. The other members are Frank Ostholt, who placed 3rd at Chatsworth and Luhmuhlen this year, on Air Jordan; Hinrich Romeike, a dentist who was 5th individually in last year’s Athens Olympics, on Marius Voigt-Logistic; and Anna Warnecke on Twinkle Bee.
The 2005 FEI Blenheim Petplan European Eventing Championship begins today and will take place according to the following schedule:
Thursday, 8 September – 9h30 – 17h00 – Dressage (34 riders)
Friday, 9 September - 9h30 – 17h00 – Dressage (34 riders)
Saturday, 10 September – 10h30 – 17h00 – Cross Country
Sunday, 11 September – 10h15 – Jumping.
The prize-giving ceremony with The Duke of Marlborough, HRH The Princess Royal and Wayne Roycroft, chairman of the FEI Eventing Committee will begin at 16h15.
The FEI European Eventing Championships were born in 1953 with Badminton, newly created in 1949, as the first host. In the 52 years of history, the country with the highest number of medals is Great Britain (69), followed by Germany (21) and France (15).
Blenheim Palace, a masterpiece of English Baroque architecture built between 1705 and 1722, provides a most spectacular backdrop for this 26th edition. Brimming with priceless pictures, exquisite porcelain collections and magnificent tapestries, it is one of Britain’s finest houses and the home of The Duke of Marlborough and his family. Remarkably, it is the birth place of Sir Winston Churchill, Britain’s most significant statesman, who is also buried on the grounds.
Organised in such stunning surroundings and welcoming the cream of European Eventers, the 2005 FEI Blenheim Petplan European Eventing Championship promises to stand out as a memorable sporting event.
Contact:
Winnie Murphy, press officer
Phone (landline): + 44 1993 810 103
Email: winnie.murphy@britisheventing.com
Official website with live results http://www.blenheim-horse.co.uk/
Campus
