2005 FEI Eventing World Cup Final, Malmö (SWE)

Forty of the world’s best Eventing riders representing Australia, Belarus, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Poland, Sweden and the USA have gathered in the city of Malmö for the 2005 FEI Eventing World Final. After two successful editions in Pau (FRA), the event has moved to the Baltic coast of Sweden for what already looks like a thrilling third edition.

Among the stars competing at Malmö, will be Olympic team champion from Sydney Andrew Hoy (AUS) aboard the 13-year old gelding Mr Pracatan, whom he has successfully ridden in several FEI Eventing World Cup qualifiers and with whom he placed 6th this year at Badminton. Finland’s Piia Pantsu and the 12-year old gelding Karuso, who took the bronze at the 2002 World Equestrian Games, are well familiar with Malmö, as they won the qualifier in 2003 and placed 3rd last year. William Fox Pitt of Great Britain, the 2004 winner of Badminton, is riding Ballin Coola with whom he has just won CIC 3* Barbury Castle. Australia’s Phillip Dutton, who thanks to his brilliant victories in two 2005 FEI Eventing World Cup qualifiers, was the leader of the standings throughout the season. Currently 10th on the FEI Eventing Riders’ World Ranking List, he is completing a very busy and successful season. The presence of Karin Donckers (BEL) or Rodolphe Scherer (FRA) is also to be noted.

But all of these riders will have to count with the outstanding home rider Linda Algotsson, winner of the 2003 and 2004 FEI Eventing World Cup Finals. Linda, one of the most active World Cup particinpants, will be competing with Fair Dobbin, with whom she won last year’s qualifier at Malmö. Linda’s image is all over the city and she is well resolved not to let the Cup leave Sweden.

The FEI Eventing World Cup Final is supported by the city of Malmö and is one of the area’s major sporting events of the year. A city of rich history and tradition, Malmö has flourished as a commercial centre since the 13th century. It gradually became an important industrial centre as well but the severe petrol crisis of the 1970s resulted in the closing down of numerous factories. The crisis went on for more than 20 years, from which it has now successfully recovered. At the heart of a bustling area where Denmark, Germany and Sweden meet, Malmö’s modern dynamism is well symbolised by the 190 m Turning Torso Tower, Sweden’s tallest building. The Ribersborg beach, where the FEI Eventing World Cup takes place, provides the perfect surroundings to the constantly evolving sport of Eventing.


Additional information is available on the event’s official website www.malmohorseshow.com.

The final 2005 FEI Eventing World Cup standings are available on the FEI website www.horsesport.org , Eventing, Results, Standings (direct link http://www.horsesport.org/PDFS/C/03_03/C_05_st_WC.pdf)



Note to the editor
The FEI Eventing World Cup is the sport’s first linked series. The 2005 season consists of 17 qualifiers and a Final to be held in Malmö (SWE) from 11 to 14 August. It is organised at the highest level of the sport using the format without steeple chase. The series is designed in manner to encourage the participation of the world’s best riders and horses and thus promote such emblematic values of Eventing, as the constant quest for harmony between physical skills and mental balance, contact with nature, precision, stamina, agility and insightful training. The FEI Eventing World Cup is a showcase of a sport resolutely turning to the future.