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News & Events - 2006

FEI Press News 31/2006:

FEI World Cup™ Jumping: Helsinki (FIN)
Mandli Tops the second leg in Helsinki  

Switzerland's Beat Mandli scorched to victory in the FEI World Cup™ Qualifier presented by FIM at the Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, Finland today, pushing Germany's Rene Tebbel off the top of the Western European League leaderboard after the second leg of the 2006/2007 series.

Assisted by Finland's Aki Yllane, Brazil's Guilherme Jorge, who will design the courses for the series final in Las Vegas, USA next April, presented a first-round track that produced a colossal 17 clear rounds but one of those who failed to make the cut was Saturday's Grand Prix winner, the up-and-coming Daniel Deusser from Germany who joined ten others denied a place in the jump-off by a single mistake.

Newly-crowned World Champion, Jos Lansink from Belgium, was first to take on the clock with the 11 year old gelding Hamilton de Perhet and set the early target when clear once more in 40.28 seconds but it was WEG team gold medalist Gerco Schroder from Holland who the rest were chasing. Second into the jump-off with Eurocommerce Milano, the Dutchman threw down the gauntlet for the remainder of the challengers when racing home in 37.50, and he proved very difficult to catch.

British newcomer, Gemma Plumley, had been a real eye-catcher in the Grand Prix with her chestnut mare Continue B and the partnership returned with just one fence on the floor in 41.07 seconds when next to go. Belgium's Patrick McEntee was clear with Ever Mury Marais Z but not quick enough to threaten the leaders but America's Peter Wylde and Quo Vadis slotted in behind Schroder when breaking the beam in 37.80.

Butterfly Flip is showing a real improvement in form for Malin Baryard-Johnsson but the Swedish partnership had one fence down in the jump-off and when Robert Smith's Kalusha decided he had enough halfway round the track the British rider was eliminated, while Brazil's Bernardo Alves and Top Van't Voorhof collected eight faults and then Norway's Tony Andre Hansen had one down.

British spirits got a real boost however when Ellen Whitaker, the talented 20 year old niece of the legendary Whitaker brothers Michael and John, separated Schroder and Wylde at the top of the leaderboard when bringing the 10 year old stallion Lorcarno home in 37.58 seconds. Switzerland's Daniel Etter and Peu a Peu made a single error but while Germany's Christian Ahlmann (Lorenzo) and French rider Eugenie Angot (Ilostra Dark) both left the course intact there was no alteration to the placings until Mandli came into the ring with just three left to go.

Ideo du Thot has been worked lightly since finishing third at the FEI World Cup™ Jumping final in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia last April although he did complete a double-clear in the German leg of the Samsung Super League in Aachen and was second in the Ascona Grand Prix in Italy over the summer months. Third in last week's Oslo Grand Prix the 10 year old gelding owned by Gloria Theiler is right on form despite his lack of ring-practice however and was under no great pressure when squeezing ahead of Schroder to take the lead by almost a second when the clock stopped on 36.76, and when Belgium's Judy-Ann Melchior (Levisto Z) and last weekend's Oslo winner Rene Tebbel from Germany (Team Harmony Coupe de Coeur) both faulted then Mandli stayed well out in front.

"With 17 clears in the first round it was always going to be difficult to win" the 37 year old Swiss rider said afterwards. "I saw Gerco go early and then I was lucky enough to be one of the last to jump but last week with Principal in Oslo I had a fast clear and was still only sixth so I was a bit surprised today - I've had faster jump-offs" he pointed out. "My horse is very careful and quick off the ground so he's good at jumping indoors and he's in great shape right now - I'm hoping to get to Las Vegas because I have three super horses in Principal, Indigo and Ideo" he added.

His plans for the next few weeks include shows in Hannover, Lyons and Vienna "and Stuttgart, Geneva and Olympia World Cups if I can get in there" Mandli said, having collected his €25,000 winners prize and the Leading Rider of the Show Award.

The next leg of the FEI World Cup™ 2006/2007 series takes place in Verona, Italy on 12 November.

FEI WORLD CUP™ PRESENTED BY FIM:
RESULT: 1, Ideo du Thot (Beat Mandli) Sui 0/0 36.76; 2, Eurocommerce Milano (Gerco Schroder) Ned 0/0 37.50; 3, Locarno (Ellen Whitaker) GBR 0/0 37.58; 4, Quo Vadis (Peter Wylde) USA 0/0 37.80; 5, Ilostra Dark (Eugenie Angot) Fra 0/0 38.23; 6, Lorenzo (Christian Ahlmann) Ger 0/0 39.01; 7, Hamilton de Perhet (Jos Lansink) Bel 0/0 40.28; 8, Ever Mury Marais Z (Patrick McEnee) Bel 0/0 40.70; 9, Peu a Peu (Daniel Etter) Sui 0/4 36.72; 10, Team Harmony Coupe de Coeur (Rene Tebbel) Ger 0/4 37.06; 11, Butterfly Flip (Malin Baryard-Johnsson) Swe 0/4 38.14; 12, Levisto Z (Judy-Ann Melchior) Bel 0/4 38.17; 13, Pero-Z Hillock (Linnea Ericsson) Den 0/4 39.25; 14, Continue B (Gemma Plumley) GBR 0/4 41.07; 15, Camiro (Tony Andre Hansen) Nor 0/4 42.06; 16, Topic Van't Voorhof (Bernardo Alves) Bra 0/8 37.23; 17, Kalusha (Robert Smith) GBR 0/Elim; 18, Exquis Rodenburg's Colorado (Harrie Smolders) Ned 4/0 70.54; 19, Calibra (Lotta Schultz) Swe 4/71.90; 20, BMC Octavia (Jurgen Stenfert) Ned 4/72.05; 21, Carola (Tina Lund) Den 4/73.30; 22, BMC's Skybreaker (Mikael Forsten) Fin 4/73.59; 23, Irish Independent Echo Beach (Cian O'Connor) Irl 4/73.59; 24, Nouvelle (Wout-Jan Van der Schans) Ned 4/73.70; 25, Godsend du Reverdy (Thomas Velin) Den 4/75.51; 26, Pristanna (Daniel Deusser) Ger 4/76.32; 27, Nadir di San Patrignano (Jerry Smit) Ita 4/76.56; 28, Madleen (Niklas Aromaa) Fin 5/80.64; 29, Castle Forbes Libertina (Jessica Kuerten) Irl 8/71.20; 30, VDL Groep Fleche Rouge (Leopold Van Asten) Ned 8/71.92; 31, Controe (Marco Kutscher) Ger 8/75.62; 32, Nelson Z (Richard Davenport) GBR 8/76.82; 33, Le Reve de Nabab (Sergio Alvarez Moya) Esp 12/71.45; 34, Tagerups Agenda (Andreas Schou) Den 12/72.61; 35, Cool Man 2 (Holger Wulschner) Ger 12/76.28; 36, Vici Van't Plutonia Hof (Ludo Philippaerts) Bel 16/73.17; 37, L'Umonia (Raimo Aaltonen) Fin 16/76.41; 38, Nandele (Jukka-Mikael Koivisto) Fin 25/84.53; Equal 39, Spender S (Maria Gretzer) Swe, Arielle (Ville Kulkas) Fin Ret.

FEI WORLD CUP™ JUMPING 2006/2007 - WESTERN EUROPEAN LEAGUE LEADERBOARD AFTER ROUND 1 AT OSLO:

1. Beat Mandli - 31
2. Rene Tebbel - 27
3. Eugenie Angot - 22
4. Christian Ahlmann - 20
5. Gerco Schroder, Judy-Ann Melchior, Piet Raymakers - 17
8. Ellen Whitaker, Ludo Philippaerts - 15
10. Leopold Van Asten, Peter Wylde - 13
12. Daniel Etter - 12
13. Jos Lansink - 10
14. Patrick McEntee - 9
15. Jurgen Stenfert - 8
16. Holger Wulschner - 7
17. Malin Baryard-Johnsson, Maria Gretzer - 6
19. Linnea Ericsson, Richard Davenport - 5
For further information about the FEI World Cup™ Jumping qualifier at Helsinki check out WEBSITE www.helsinkihorseshow.fi. Show Director is Tom Gordin, Show Secretary is Hanna Hurme and Press Officer is Kati Hurme-Leikkonen, Email kati.l.hurme@kolumbus.fi or Tel (mobile) +35840 5144753.

The next leg of the series takes place in Verona, Italy from 10-12 November. For details about the Verona fixture visit WEBSITE www.veronafiere.it. Show President is Dott. Claudio Valente, Show Director is Maria Emer Agostini and Show Secretary is Roberta Agostini. Press Officer is Caterina Vagnozzi, Email c.vagnozzi@iol.it, Tel (mobile) +39335 6107070.

2006/2007 FEI WORLD CUP™ JUMPING SERIES - CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR WESTERN EUROPEAN LEAGUE:
1, Oslo (Norway) 13-15 October ; 2, Helsinki (Finland) 19-22 October; 3, Verona (Italy) 10-12 November; 4, Stuttgart (Germany) 15-19 November; 5, Geneva (Switzerland) 7-10 December; 6, London-Olympia (Great Britain) 12-18 December; 7, Mechelen (Belgium) 26-30 December; 8, Leipzig (Germany) 18-21 January; 9, Amsterdam (The Netherlands) 25-28 January; 10, Bordeaux (France) 1-3 February; 11, Vigo (Spain) 8-11 February; 12, Gothenburg (Sweden) 22-25 February; 's-Hertogenbosch (The Netherlands) 22-25 March. Final - Las Vegas (USA) 19-22 April.

FEI TV BROADCAST SCHEDULE:
LIVE
YLE (Finland) - Sun 22 October 15.20
SVT (Sweden) - Sun 22 October 17.00
TVE Teledeporte (Spain) - Check local service

HIGHLIGHTS
CNBC Asia - Check local service
CNBC Europe - Check local service
ESPN Star (Pan Asia) - Thurs 9 November 03.30, 12.00, Fri 10 November 04.00, 09.00,
Mon 13 November 02.00, 17.00, Thurs 16 November 03.00, 09.00,
Sun 19 November 04.00, Mon 20 November 11.30
ESPN Brazil - Check local service
Eurosport - Weds 1 November 20.30
Finnish Sports TV - Check local service
Fox Australia - Check local service
Fox Middle East - Check local service
Horse TV (USA) - Check local service
M-Net (Pan Africa) - Check local service
XXP (Germany) - Check local service

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE RULES for FEI World Cup™ Jumping riders from FEI website www.feiworldcup.org.

FEI World Cup™ Jumping has entered its 29th season. The series, created in 1978, today comprises 14 leagues on all continents. The best riders from 132 preliminary competitions will qualify for the Final in Las Vegas, USA which takes place from 19 to 22 April 2007. The title-holder is Germany's Marcus Ehning.

The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), founded in 1921, is the international body governing equestrian sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and includes 133 National Federations.

Equestrian sport has been on the Olympic programme since 1912 with three disciplines - Jumping, Dressage and Eventing. It is one of the very few sports in which men and women compete on equal terms. It is also the only sport which involves two athletes - horse and rider. The FEI has relentlessly concerned itself with the welfare of the horse, which is paramount and must never be subordinated to competitive or commercial influences.

FEI World Cup™ Jumping Update: Oslo (NOR)
Tebel takes top spot at first round in Oslo

Germany's Rene Tebbel took the early lead in the FEI World Cup™ Jumping 2006/2007 Western European League series when winning the opening leg presented by Land Rover at Oslo in Norway this afternoon riding the grey stallion Team Harmony Coupe de Coeur.

Fourth-last to go in the 12-horse jump-off he chased down the time set by Piet Raymakers to demote the Dutchman to second, while Belgium's Ludo Philippaerts was third.

There were six retirements in the first round including Britain's Robert Smith who decided to call it a day after Kalusha hit the double, while Alredo Hernandez from El Salvador was eliminated on his tour of the track with Semtex P. A total of 10 runners left just one fence on the floor including last year's Oslo winner Gerco Schroder from The Netherlands riding Eurocommerce Milano and World No. 2 Rolf Goran Bengtsson from Sweden riding the well-seasoned MacKinley.

Germany's Christian Ahlmann was first to take on course designer Andreas Haskjold's jump-off track with the 9 year old gelding Lorenzo who left all the poles intact when crossing the line 35.35 seconds, but Switzerland's Beat Mandli immediately proved that time could be improved upon when bringing the elegant grey, Principal, home and clear more than two seconds quicker.

Swedish Chef d'Equipe and rider, Maria Gretzer, had one down with Thomas Sandstrom's stallion Spender S when next into the ring but Holland's Leopold Van Asten and VDL Groep Fleche Rouge raised the temperature considerably when breaking the beam with the clock showing almost a one-second advantage over Mandli's target time. Eugenie Angot has bounced back into the top end of the sport again in recent months and the French rider steered the 10 year old mare Ilostra Dark through the finish leaving all the fences up but almost two seconds slower than Van Asten, and when fellow-Dutchman Jurgen Stenfert picked up four faults in the quick time of 31.98 seconds with BMC Octavia, Van Asten was still out in front.

Another Dutch rider put paid to that however, Piet Raijmakers bringing the 11 year old Van Schijndel's Curtis across the line with a great clear in 32.07 seconds to take over the lead, and when Ludo Philippaerts and the eight year old mare Vici Van't Plutonia Hof were fast but a fraction slower it seemed that Raijmakers might have clinched it. Tebbel however stopped the clock in 31.98 seconds, exactly the same time as Stenfert who had an unfortunate single error, and the remaining three could not match that. Germany's Holger Wulschner had a fence down with Clausen, Belgium's Judy-Ann Melchior was clear but just not fast enough with the exciting grey stallion Levisto and Britain's Richard Davenport picked up 29 faults when Nelson Z engaged in an argument with his rider.

Melchior's Levisto, a nine year old by Leandro, put up quite a jumping performance and his rider, who will celebrate her 20th birthday next Friday, slotted into fifth behind Van Asten in fourth, Philippaerts in third, Raijmakers in second and Tebbel in pole position. "I'm really happy with my horse today" Tebbel said after his victory. Coupe de Coeur, by Calido, has really come into his own this season after three years at the German rider's yard near Osnabruck. "There were a lot of turn-backs possible on the jump-off track and I missed one that I had planned so I was not sure that I could win. Also I usually ride him more carefully and don't ask him to go so fast so I was not sure how he would be, but he seemed to find it easy even though we were quick" Tebbel said.

He is already mapping out his campaign over the next few weeks and months and highest on his list of priorities is qualifying for the FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final in Las Vegas, USA next April. "I will go to Helsinki next week" he pointed out, "and also to Olympia in London in December but I must do well there because these are my only chances to get to Las Vegas and I really want to go there".

FEI WORLD CUP™ PRESENTED BY LAND ROVER:
RESULT - 1, Team Harmony Coupe de Coeur (Rene Tebbel) Ger 0/0 31.98; 2, Van Schijndel's Curtis (Piet Raijmakers) Ned 0/0 32.07; 3, Vici Van't Plutonia Hof (Ludo Phillipaerts) Bel 0/0 32.29; 4, VDL Groep Fleche Rouge (Leopold Van Asten) Ned 0/0 32.48; 5, Levisto (Judy-Ann Melchior) Bel 0/0 33.10; 6, Principal (Beat Mandli) Sui 0/0 33.22; 7, Ilostra Dark (Eugenie Angot) Fra 0/0 34.01; 8, Lorenzo (Christian Ahlmann) Ger 0/0 35.35; 9, BMC Octavia (Jurgen Stenfert) Ned 0/4 31.98; 10, Clausen (Holger Wulschner) Ger 0/4 32.49; 11, Spender S (Maria Gretzer) Swe 0/4 33.15; 12, Nelson Z (Richard Davenport) GBR 0/29.00 58.34; 13, Peu a Peu (Daniel Etter) Sui 4/65.19; 14, Le Reve de Nebab (Sergio Alvares Moya) Esp 4/65.96; 15, Irish Independent Echo Beach (Cian O'Connor) Irl 4/66.10; 16, Pero-Z Hillock (Linnea Ericsson) Den 4/66.47; 17, Tagerups Agenda (Andreas Schou) Den 4/66.76; 18, Eurocommerce Milano (Gerco Schroder) Ned 4/66.90; 19, MacKinley (Rolf Goran Bengtsson) Swe 4/67.49; 20, Sundal Colliers Cattani (Geir Gulliksen) Nor 4/67.71; 21, Exquis Oliver Q (Harrie Smolders) Ned 4/68.30; 22, Nadir di San Patrignano (Jerry Smit) Ita 4/68.86; 23, Montender (Marco Kutscher) Ger 8/64.97; 24, Calibra (Lotta Schultz) Swe 8/68.66; 25, Camiro (Tony Andre Hansen) Nor 8/68.96; 26, Gordino (Christian Anfinnsen Oien) Nor 8/69.10; 27, Locarno (Ellen Whitaker) GBR 8/70.30; 28, Pristanna (Daniel Deusser) Ger 9/72.34; 29, Nouvelle (Wout Jan Van der Schans) Ned 12/67.14; 30, Splendid VD Heffnick (James Paterson-Robinson) Aus 12/67.87; 31, Topic Van't Voorhof (Bernardo Alves) Bra 12/68.03; 32, BMC's Skybreaker (mikael Forsten) Fin 12/69.29; 33, Royal Son Z (Line Raaholt) Nor 12/71.48; 34, Cassius (Wesley Heijdens) Ned 20/70.66; 35, Semtex P (Alfredo hernandez) Esa Elim; equal 36, Bessemeind's Casino (Morten Djupvik) Nor, Grad Special (Stein Endresen) Nor, Kalusha (Robert Smith) GBR, Isovlas Socrates (Edwina Alexander) Aus, Andante (T Lund) Den Ret.

FEI WORLD CUP™ JUMPING 2006/2007 - WESTERN EUROPEAN LEAGUE LEADERBOARD AFTER ROUND 1 AT OSLO:

1. Rene Tebbel - 20
2. Piet Raijmakers - 17
3. Ludo Philippaerts - 15
4. Leopold Van Asten - 13
5. Judy-Ann Melchior - 12
6. Beat Mandli - 11
7. Eugenie Angot - 10
8. Christian Ahlmann - 9
9. Jurgen Stenfert - 8
10. Holger Wulschner - 7
11. Maria Gretzer - 6
12. Richard Davenport - 5
13. Daniel Etter - 4
14. Sergio Alvares Moya- 3
15. Cian O'Connor - 2
16. Linnea Ericsson - 1

For further information about the FEI World Cup™ Jumping qualifying leg at Oslo in Norway this weekend check out WEBSITE www.oslohorseshow.com. Show President is Kjell Christian Ulrichsen, Show Director is Morten Aasen, Show Secretary is Annhild Furfjord, email annhild@horseshow.no and PRESS OFFICER is Margunn Overaas, email margunn@nobo.no, Tel (mobile) +47 91576030.

FEI World Cup™ Dressage: Aarhus (DEN)
Aarhus opens marathon league on the road to Las Vegas

CDI-W Aarhus hosts the first of ten qualifiers this weekend as the FEI World Cup™'s exciting Western European League season begins. In April next year the season will culminate in another landmark final when the FEI World Cup™ Dressage show returns to share the limelight with jumping again in Las Vegas.

Despite being four months into her second pregnancy, reigning FEI World Cup™ and World Freestyle Champion Anky van Grunsven is leading a strong Dutch contingent at the Danish show and rides IPS Krack C in the FEI World Cup™. Last year's runner up Laurens van Lieren, who had such bad luck during his freestyle at this year's Final, will be in competitive spirit with Hexagon's Ollright.

Sadly Sweden's reigning national champions Jan Brink and Bjorsells Briar had to withdraw as the stallion sustained a slight injury. On veterinary advice they'll sit this one out but Brink's compatriots Louise Nathhorst (who was runner up in the Swedish Championship) and World Cup™ debutante Maria Eriksson, as well as his trainer Kyra Kyrklund who rides Max for Finland, are setting out to open World Cup™ accounts

Germany's Ellen Schulten-Baumer, who registered a good third place last year on Donatha S has made the return trip with Lesotho. The one they'll all be out to beat, however, is Andreas Helgstrand. He has won the FEI World Cup™ Freestyle here for the past two years and rides Blue Hors Don Schufro, his partner in victory last year. That was a record result for the Danish rider who went on to win both bronze and silver medals at the summer's World Equestrian Games with the wonderful mare Matine. Now we can watch what comes next with the Donnerhall stallion. Also for the home side, Princess Nathalie zu Sayn Wittgenstein rides the nine-year-old Digby, again by Donnerhall and home-bred by her mother Princess Benedikte of Denmark, the Patroness of the show.

British rider Fiona Bigwood is back in the ring here with Mr G du Lully after making a great return to competition in Kaposvar following the birth of her daughter Mette Clare in July. Her partner Anders Dahl rides for Denmark in the Special tour.

It's a long way to Las Vegas, but come Sunday, the FEI Western European League will have opened in style. A live stream will be available to watch the action at the Danish Federation site www.rideforbund.dk

CDI-W Aarhus timetable
Saturday 21st October
13.30 FEI World Cup Grand Prix
Presented by Ecco and Pressalit

Sunday 22nd October
13.00 FEI World Cup™ Qualifier
Freestyle to Music
Presented by Keops

FEI World Cup™ Dressage Western European League Qualifiers
CDI-W Aarhus (Oct 19-22 2006)
Patron: HRH Benedikte of Denmark
Media Contact:
Niels Hobolt Jensen
Tel: +45 8693 6773
Mobile: +45 51 24 02 33
Email: nhj@vilhelmsborg.dk 
Website: www.vilhelmsborg.dk 

CDI-W Maastricht (Nov 24-25 2006)
Press Officer: Fred Lubbers
Tel(general): +31 40 844 76 44
Email: jim@bcm.nl 
Website: www.jumpingindoormaastricht.nl 

CDI-W Stockholm (Dec1-3 2006)
Press officer: Lotta Amnestal
Mobile: +46 709 79 56 35
Email: lotta.amnestal@ridsport.se 
Website: www.stockholmhorseshow.com 

CDI-W London Olympia (Dec 12-18 2006)
Media officer: Candy Burnyeat
Tel: +44 1753 847 900
Email: candyb.hpim@easynet.co.uk 
Website: www.olympiashowjumping.com 

CDI-W Frankfurt (Dec 14-17 2006)
Press Officer: Escon Marketing GmbH
Tel. +49 (0) 69-75 75- 41 206
Email: presse@escon-marketing.de 
Website: www.festhallen-reitturnier.de 

CDI-W Mechelen (Dec 26-30 2006)
Secretary's office tel: +32 3 455 95 53
Press Officer: Paul Debie
Email: paul.debie@skynet.be 
Website: www.jumping-mechelen.com 

CDI-W Amsterdam (Jan 23-28 2007)
Event Director/Media contact: Chris van Dam
Mobile: ++31 6 539 33 150
Email: mail@jumpingamsterdam.nl 
Website: www.jumpingamsterdam.nl 

CDI-W Neumuenster (Feb 14-18 2007)
Press Contact: Susanne Sager
Mobile: ++49 171 971 5790
Email (general): trs.nms@t-online.de 
Website: www.reitturnier.de 
Press Officer: Mayvor Thorin
Mobile: +46 705828420
Email: myvor.thorin@gotevent.se 
Website: www.goteborghorseshow.com 

CDI-W 's-Hertogenbosch (Mar 22-25 2007)
Press Contact: Gerrit Jan Swinkels
E-mail: info@indoorbrabant.nl 
Tel (general): +31 73 621 82 79
Web site: www.indoorbrabant.nl 

CDI-W Las Vegas (April 19-22 2007)
FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final
Press Officer: Marty Baumann
Tel: +1 508 698 6810
Email: marty.classic@verizon.net 
Website: www.worldcuplasvegas.com 

For further information on the International Equestrian Federation (FEI)
www.horsesport.org   

For further information and all FEI World Cup™ news:
www.feiworldcup.org 

The FEI World Cup™ Dressage, initiated in 1985, is the only worldwide series in this discipline. It comprises qualifying leagues encompassing Western and Central Europe, North America, Canada and Australia. Each FEI World Cup™ Dressage qualifier comprises a Grand Prix test, which in turn is a qualification for the Freestyle to Music competition, where league points are accumulated towards places in the Final. Judged on both technical and artistic merit, the FEI World Cup™ Dressage combines art, sport and partnership between horse and rider at the highest level and consistently proves a winning formula with audiences all over the world.

FEI World Cup™ Dressage Update: Aarhus (DEN)
Helgstrand's home ground hat trick!

For the third year in a row, and the second in succession riding Blue Hors Don Schufro, Andreas Helgstrand topped the field at his home ground FEI World Cup™ qualifier, CDI-W Aarhus. Despite one misunderstanding at the end, when Don Schufro cantered during a passage half-pass, it was a superb performance from the 13-year-old stallion at his first show since sustaining an injury after Aachen in the spring.

"He was really good although he is tired today", said Helgstrand. "I only started riding him again after the World Championships and he is not yet 100 per cent in condition." Helgstrand has of course had a wonderful year with two world medals, a string of victories and the Danish Championship under his belt. His aim is to qualify for the FEI World Cup™ Final in Las Vegas and he'll campaign both Don Schufro and his outstanding mare Blue Hors Matine with that trip in mind. "I said I'd have to stop as things can only get worse after such a wonderful year but we'll see what happens," said the modest rider whose next appointment should be at CDI-W Stockholm. His last trip to the Swedish qualifier was in 2004, and he won.

Kyra Kyrklund clinched second place with Max to a new arrangement of music from Cabaret just ahead of last year's runners-up, Holland's Laurens van Lieren and Hexagon's Ollright. In fourth, with less than a point separating these three combinations, Denmark's Princess Nathalie zu Sayn Witttgenstein produced a faultless test on her nine-year-old home bred stallion Digby.

US judge Anne Gribbons, who will be a member of the jury at the Final in Las Vegas next year, was delighted to see such a competitive start to the season. Judging at 'M' she commented: "It was a very high level at the top. Andreas' horse misunderstood at the end, but it was not a movement they needed. His passage music fits perfectly with every step. Kyra's music really works for that horse, it gives you that warm, fuzzy feeling and while Laurens' horse did not show the same level of engagement, the riding was excellent. Nathalie's horse did not put a foot wrong. The choreography was understandably easier for a young horse, but I did not drop below a 7 for the technical marks."

Fifth with IPS Krack C, Anky van Grunsven was reputedly taking part in her last show before taking maternity leave. She thought she'd miss Las Vegas last time round but fate intervened. This time? Watch this space..

The next FEI World Cup™ qualifier takes place at CDI-W Maastricht next month


RESULT
FEI World Cup™ Qualifier, Freestyle to Music
Presented by Keops
1, Blue Hors Don Schufro (A. Helgstrand DEN) 79.00
2, Max (K. Kyrklund FIN) 75.75
3, Hexagon's Ollright (Laurens van Lieren NED) 75.30
4, Digby (N. zu Sayn-Wittgenstein DEN) 75.20
5, IPS Krack C (A. van Grunsven NED) 74.80
6, Lesotho (E. Schulten-Baumer GER) 72.55
7, Nector van het Carelshof (F. Bigwood GBR) 72.30
8, BMC Relevant (M. van Baalen NED) 72.15
9, Guinness (L. Nathhorst SWE) 72.05
10, Krawall (B. Bax NED) 71.10

CDI-W Aarhus
Press Contact:
Mai Enevoldsen
Email: me@fei-worldcup.dk 
Mobile: +45 40 76 16 60
Telephone during the event: +45 86 93 81 92
http://www.fei-worldcup.dk 

CDI-W Maastricht (Nov 24-25 2006)
Press Officer: Rob de Baar
Tel(general): +31 40 844 76 44
Email: jim@bcm.nl 
Website: www.jumpingindoormaastricht.nl 

For further information on the International Equestrian Federation (FEI)
www.horsesport.org 

For further information and all FEI World Cup™ news:
www.feiworldcup.org 

The FEI World Cup™ Dressage, initiated in 1985, is the only worldwide series in this discipline. It comprises qualifying leagues encompassing Western and Central Europe, North America, Canada and Australia. Each FEI World Cup™ Dressage qualifier comprises a Grand Prix test, which in turn is a qualification for the Freestyle to Music competition, where league points are accumulated towards places in the Final. Judged on both technical and artistic merit, the FEI World Cup™ Dressage combines art, sport and partnership between horse and rider at the highest level and consistently proves a winning formula with audiences all over the world.

To automatically subscribe to the FEI DRESSAGE WORLD CUP™ NEWS, send a message to o.robinson@horsesport.org 

A unique experience was enjoyed by those who witnessed the very first combined FEI Dressage and Para Dressage competition in Moorsele (BEL) on 30 September – 1 October 2006 . It took place during the Para Equestrian Paralympic qualifying event.

The competition involving national teams made up of a Dressage and Para Dressage rider was the very first FEI competition whereby the combined marks of both discipline riders produced a team score, the highest of which produced the winning pair. Each team rider performed their own individual test to music.

The trophy, which was donated by the FEI President HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, is a unique sculpture of two hands clasped together symbolizing the coming together of the two disciplines.

As part of the celebration a Pas de Deux to music was performed by two riders from the host nation during the gala evening on 30 September.

Such was the impact of this presentation, that it is likely, in the future, the competition format will change to having both riders in the team riding at the same time their own Free Style Pas de Deux to produce a score assessed by FEI Judges.

Marriette Withages, the FEI Dressage Committee Chairman, and Jonquil Solt, the FEI Technical Chairman for Para Equestrian, presented the trophy and awards to the winning team from The Netherlands.

FEI World Singles Driving Championship
Pratoni del Vivaro (ITA), 21-24 September 2006

Britain veered to gold having taken home both the individual and team medals at the FEI World Singles Driving Championship held in the picturesque Pratoni del Vivaro (ITA) meadowlands from 21 – 24 September.

While 18 teams responded present, the 2006 FEI World Singles Driving Championship was earmarked for the British, with the three-strong team, composed of Di Hayes, David Matthews and Ian Bertram proving to be unbeatable on the day. The British team got off to a good start in the dressage to take third place behind Sweden and Germany. This was followed by extremely strong performances by Matthews and Bertram in the marathon, placing the British team in the lead. The lead was confirmed in the final cone driving phase, with a clear performance by Haynes, ensuring victory for the British team. In 2nd place came the all-female Swedish team followed by Germany in 3rd place.

T’was to be the same fate for the individual medals, which saw British driver, Paul Sidwell battle it out with 72 others riders, to finally take gold in the highly competitive individual title. Impressive performances in the first two phases ensured that Paul Sidwell took the gold medal driving Weirbank John. Sweden's Cecilia Qvarnström took an early lead after the dressage with just 33pen, but this lead was short lived after finishing 25th in the marathon and 35th in the cones, relegating her to a nonetheless, very admirable 2nd place. Third place was secured by Germany's Dieter Lauterbach.

Results

Team

1 GREAT BRITAIN (Ian BERTRAM, David MATTHEWS & Di HAYES)
2 SWEDEN (Cecilia QVARNSTRÖM, Lotta PALSSON & Marie KAHRLE)
3 GERMANY (Dieter LAUTERBACH, Reinhard BURGGRAF & Thorsten ZAREMBOWICZ)
4 FRANCE (Anne Violaine BRISOU, Benoit VERNAY & Michael SELLIER)
5 BELGIUM (André HERMAN, Marcel STASSEN & Danny HERPOEL)

Individual

1 Paul SIDWELL (GBR) & WEIRBANK JOHN
2 Cecilia QVARNSTRÖM (SWE) & SVELAND MARCO BAY
3 Dieter LAUTERBACH (GER)
4 Cristiano CIVIDINI (ITA) & PROMESYS
5 Anne Violaine BRISOU (FRA) & BOY DES COMBES

For more detailed results, please refer to the FEI website (Driving – Results).

FEI Eventing Committee Meeting Report
Paris (FRA), 26-27 September 2006

The FEI Eventing Committee held its second annual meeting in Paris (FRA) after the FEI World CupTM Eventing Final in Malmö (SWE).

The main matters discussed that will be submitted to the approval of the Bureau were the following:

- Eventing Strategic Ten-Year Plan
The Committee reiterated the fact that development was the most important topic on the Eventing Strategic Plan. The definition of development for Eventing need to integrate creation of sport opportunities, promotion of Eventing, twining plan (NF, OC, officials and riders) and coaching. It was necessary to develop these matters and help create additional competition opportunities and increase official’s professionalism in all regions.

- Scoring System
In general, it was agreed that the current scoring was easier to understand for the public following the change of the Eventing format without steeplechase. The discussion is continuing on the coefficient for Dressage, considering that most national rules did not use a coefficient.
The Committee would propose for the 2009 Rules revision the deletion of the Dressage coefficient and 0.5 time penalties / per second (instead of 0.4) for exceeding time on Cross Country and await /open the discussion with NFs.

- FEI World CupTM Eventing
Please consult the separate report on FEI website under “FEI World Cup Eventing – working documents - FEI Working group report”.
It was decided to continue with the current concept in regard to confirming the calendar of events for 2007. The Rules changes for 2007 would be submitted to the Bureau. A deadline was set for the end of 2006 to decide whether the Final should take place in June 2007 or 2008.

- 2008 Olympic Games
The Eventing Committee agreed to present the following to the Bureau in regard to the Olympic Regulations for Eventing taking into account the very special conditions of Hong Kong:
- Introduction of a 5 minute 4* Dressage test – a shorter format of the current one (difficulties to be maintained)
- Jumping test: no time break between Team and Individual competitions; a short break only allowed for change of course and inspection for the riders in order to be able to hold the entire competition during the evening session for climate reasons.
- Test Event: Questionnaire to be sent to NFs having expressed interest to send horses to Hong Kong in August 2007 to test the whole system and specifically the climatic conditions which are of concern to all.
- Qualification (min. Eligibility standard) confirmed to: 1 CCI3* and 1 CIC3* as a combination in the qualification period for OG current and preceding year.
- Asia-Pacific Qualification event - considering the difficulty of the region to organise a 3-star championship, the Eventing Committee agreed to propose to allow Group G an additional qualification possibility at Blenheim GBR in September 2007.

- Rules for Eventing
The Committee agreed to propose the following changes to the Rules for Eventing, 23 edition, effective 1 January 2010 (revision conducted in 2009). The below would serve as guidelines as of next year after presentation and approval by the FEI Bureau in November 2006.
- Conflict of Interest policy for Eventing Officials will be integrated in the relevant discipline rules. The Eventing Committee have concluded that levels of conflict for Categories of Officials need to be established by level and category of officials; however if some conflicts could be acceptable at certain levels, some could never be acceptable. The sport was too small to rule out all potential conflicts of interest.
- Restriction on number of categories per event per Technical Delegate (TD): Due to qualification rules and reduced number of events of some categories in some regions, certain organisers propose up to five different categories/levels of events, with the same TD and Course Designer (CD). The Committee decided to limit the number of categories for one event per TD to a maximum of three (3). If other categories are added, an additional International TD must be appointed. Moreover, if the number of riders exceeded a certain limit, the OC must appoint an Assistant TD. The reason was to ensure that the TD could carry out all the duties required in each category.
- Tie break rules - Rules for Eventing to include the Jumping and Dressage test as a tie break as for the Olympic Regulations
- New Eventing Dressage Tests will be introduced in 2009
- Eventing Judges Promotion Requirements will include a requirement for Eventing judges to be listed on their national Dressage Judges list (on the level below the Prix St Georges. (4th level in USA, Advanced in UK) for 2009.
- FEI World Eventing Riders Rankings - the ranking list will be reviewed as of 1 January 2007 and will be rolling over a 12 month period.

- FEI Eventing Officials / Courses
- Eventing Course Syllabus, Concept and list of Course Directors will be updated for 2007.
- Directives will be prepared on the Training & introduction of Eventing officials into the sport
- List of Course and Seminars for 2007 approved and included in the Eventing section of the FEI website

- Safety Program - a simplified report on the topical safety issues to be included in FEI Web-site will be produced by the end of October 2006. 

FEI Reining Committee Meeting Report
Denver, CO (USA), 21 October 2006 

The FEI Reining Committee met on 21 October in Denver, CO (USA) in conjunction with the FEI World Reining Masters Finals 2006.

The following items were discussed:

- FEI World Equestrian Games 2006: The Reining World Championships during the FEI World Equestrian Games in Aachen were reviewed. Noting the very successful competitions, the Committee discussed ways to ensure that Reining will continue to grow in view of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010 in Kentucky.
- Courses for Judges and Stewards were approved and the proposed Reining Rule changes/clarifications for 2007 including Rules for Young Riders, Juniors and Children, tiebreakers for Championships- and new breed-specific CRIs, were discussed following some comments from National Federations.
- A working group will be chaired by Bob Thompson (CAN) to establish marketing and promotional opportunities for FEI Reining Championships.
- A fifth and new member for the Committee was discussed and will be presented to the FEI Bureau and General Assembly for approval from the nominations received from National Federations.

In Memoriam: Lucien Wittmer (FRA)

Dr. Lucien Wittmer, FEI Appointed Veterinarian for Jumping, Dressage, Eventing, Driving and Endurance Events passed away on 12 October 2006 at the age of 67. Dr. Lucien Wittmer is survived by his wife and two children.