Media updates

FEI Eventing World Cup Update

Media updates
29 June 2005 Author: webmaster
FEI Eventing World Cup rock-and-rolls in Russia 
 
The very successful 15th leg of the 2005 FEI Eventing World Cup took place at the Olympic training centre Planernaya near the Russian capital Moscow from 23 to 26 June. It was the brilliant finale of a busy Eventing fortnight that had begun with a CCI one- and two-star in which no less than 57 horse-rider combinations had taken part.

Eight horses, representing Russia and Belarus, lined up for the FEI Eventing World Cup qualifier, seven of which finished the competition. The impressive winner is home nation’s representative Andrey Grishin on the 11-year old grey gelding Skampolo. The pair took the lead from the very beginning having performed a fluid and seemingly effortless Dressage test where they scored 45.6 penalty points (69.58%). Success continued on the Cross Country where they were matchless earning only 6.8 time penalties. They proceeded to Jumping with four fences in hand and, despite three rails down and four time penalties, finished as the undisputed winners on a score of 68.40. Grishin is also in 5th position aboard his second mount Paul vom Gau with a score of 107.3. They had been in runner up position after Dressage (51.7) but a refusal at brush fence 7b – the second element of Rommel’s combination named after Polish Course Designer Karol Rommel who created the course of the first Moscow FEI Eventing World Cup in 2003 and died tragically in a car crash a few days before the actual event – combined with 27.6 time penalties acted as a serious setback. The pair remained 5th after a single Jumping fence down and four time penalties. Grishin’s noteworthy performance earns him a total of 125 World Cup points and puts him in 7th position on the 2005 FEI Eventing World Cup standings.

Grishin is followed by Alena Tseliapushkina (BLR) on Zalim with 83.7 points. The pair were 6th after Dressage (63.30). They went clear across country and despite 20.4 time penalties progressed to 4th position. The competition’s only clear Jumping round put Tseliapushkina in a much improved 2nd place.

Valeriy Martyshev (RUS) on Go-Ahead is 3rd only 2.1 points behind Tseliapushkina (85.8).

These results are a very significant improvement compared to the past seasons. For the record, the winning results in 2003 and 2004 had been 85.74 and 99.15 respectively. The Grishin – Skampolo pair had competed at both these events; they did not finish the competition in 2003 and placed 2nd last year on a score of 118.50 penalties. Consequently, their 2005 win is a very significant step forward. Moreover, the pair hold a qualification to the FEI European Eventing Championship to be organised in Blenheim (GBR) next September.

This progress encapsulates the intensive in-depth work undertaken by the Russian Eventing community led by Ekaterina Voronova, head of Eventing at the Russian Equestrian Federation. In response to the country’s commitment, the FEI has included Russian Eventing in its development educational and training programmes. Starting in 2003, a long-term development plan was put in place and is coordinated by Andrew Griffiths (GBR), FEI Development Officer for Eastern Europe. The project currently includes Russia, Belarus and Bulgaria. Its goal is to raise the technical level of existing competitions by implementing modern training methods, contemporary welfare techniques and up-to-date Cross Country design using the region’s outstanding equestrian potential and its well established traditions. Eventing competitions matching the highest standards are gradually being organised thus allowing riders from these countries to qualify at home for international events, such as European and World Championships, avoiding costly travel abroad. The ultimate goal is to qualify individual riders and a team for the 2008 Olympic Games.

Following the principles established by this FEI development project, almost 60% of the Moscow FEI Eventing World Cup qualifier Cross Country course were modified. The course was extended to 4,000 m. Ronald Alexander (GBR), who also designs Thirlestane and Blair Castle International Horse Trials, skillfully used the terrain’s natural undulations creating a number of up and downhill jumps. Several new fences with enhanced technical aspects were included, such as a log-to-log water complex where a right-hand turn was asked for in order to jump out of the water. For the first time ever, a bounce downhill was incorporated with a two-stride interspace to a hedge.

Another noteworthy event, which took place during these active Eventing days, was a course for coaches conducted by FEI Tutor Jean-Paul Magnen according to the FEI Coaching System. Participants from Russia, Belarus and Estonia were eager to learn and put fully to use their time with this exceptional instructor who has 25 years of experience at the French National Riding School Cadre Noir at Saumur.

Given the great effort, motivation and substantial financial means invested in this project, the future of Eventing in Eastern Europe looks bright. It is to be hoped that new talents from this part of the world will soon be making their entrance at the highest level of the international sporting scene.


After 15 events, the standings of the 2005 FEI Eventing World Cup are as follows:

1. Phillip Dutton (AUS) – 260
1. Bettina Hoy (GER) – 260
3. Olivia Bunn (AUS) – 200
3. Matt Ryan (AUS) – 200
5. Heath Ryan (AUS) – 150
6. Ruth Edge (GBR) – 139
7. Andrey Grishin (RUS) – 125
8. Lourenco Vieira da Silva (BRA) – 114
9. Michael Jung (GER) – 100
9. Neilus O'Donoehue (IRL) – 100
9. Susanna Bordone (ITA) – 100
9. Matthew Grayling (NZL) – 100
9. Jessica Heidemann (USA) – 100
14. Darren Chiacchia (USA) – 97
15. Andreas Dibowski (GER) – 78

The complete standings are available on the FEI website www.horsesport.org, section Eventing, Results, Standings.

The 16th and penultimate qualifier of the 2005 FEI Eventing World Cup will take place in Strzegom (POL) from 7 to 10 July. Please check the event’s official website www.stragona.strzegom.pl.

 

X