Equestrian News NI » International

RUAS Launch Four Day Balmoral Show

News Desk — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 15:08:51 +0000

The Royal Ulster Agricultural Society (RUAS) today launched the 149^th Balmoral Show in partnership with Ulster Bank. This year’s Show will provide an exciting mix of food, farming excellence and showmanship alongside an exhilarating entertainment schedule from 10^th – 13^th May 2017.

With many new additions to the Show, news of a fourth day is proving the most highly anticipated development. Rhonda Geary, RUAS Operations Director commented “We are very excited to bring our amazing Show offering to a fourth day, on a Saturday, which has been called for, for many years. The four days of the Show will include all that is brilliant about Balmoral, grassroots agriculture alongside a mix of shopping, entertainment and attractions. We are delighted to see a marked increase in many livestock sectors including equine and beef, and are looking forward to a full house in May competing for prestigious Balmoral titles”.

Richard Donnan, Head of Northern Ireland, Ulster Bank, said at the launch “As we mark our 9^th year as principal sponsor of the Balmoral Show, Ulster Bank is proud of its continued partnership with one of the biggest events in Northern Ireland’s calendar. The Balmoral Show gives us the perfect platform to showcase our support for the agri-food industry and we want to let farmers and producers know that our expert teams are here to provide them with real and meaningful help for what matters as they continue to manage risk and seek out new opportunities.

Sponsoring the Show symbolises the key role that Ulster Bank plays in helping the sector develop and succeed – connecting with our customers, engaging with them, and highlighting the significant funding we have available. We look forward to welcoming visitors over the course of the four days and to a very successful Balmoral Show 2017.”

While the Year of Food and Drink has passed, its legacy remains and food is top of the agenda at the Show. The NI Food Pavilion will showcase over 100 local producers with 50 chefs cooking up a storm over the four days. 2017 will see the introduction of a new Health and Fitness Village which will appeal to gym buffs and outdoor adventurers alike.

A superb family day is on offer as food and fitness are served alongside farming, a jam packed entertainment programme and attractions. There will be live robotic milking served up alongside the SPAR Arena which offers a dedicated area for fun family entertainment. The Agri Pavilion provides a platform for businesses, where networking and business will be rife over the four days, complemented by impressive outdoor machinery trade stands.

Audiences around the Main Arena will be captivated by the Kangaroo Kid and his tantalising motorcycle display which will have Show goers watching through their fingers in anticipation. However if you prefer to indulge in retail therapy the Eikon Shopping Village is perfect for spending an afternoon browsing the goodies on offer.

The Downtown Radio Show Stage provides a platform for emerging and established local acts to take to the mike and provide musical entertainment. Animals are also aplenty from prize winning stock and International Show jumpers to the cute and cuddly inhabitants in the Children’s Farm and the Rare Breed Survival Trust stand. The Young Farmer’s Clubs of Ulster make a return as they encapsulate the energy and enthusiasm of the Show in their various activities from Tug of War to Tractor Handling.

The Healthy Horticulture Area at this year’s Balmoral Show will be a crowning glory. A revision of the Garden Village, the area has increased in size and scope. There will be a polytunnel with growing displays of fruit, vegetable and herbs as well as the Horticulture Forum’s ‘Grow Marquee’, housing local growers of apples, strawberries, mushrooms and cut flowers.

The Mighty Spud campaign will be in attendance bringing with them their Couch Potato chill out area as well as sampling freshly cooked produce. Greenmount College students will be planting a number of displays throughout the event and award winning former student Jonathan Gill will be building a feature show garden. Ulster in Bloom will also be creating a floral display giving visitors a sneak peak of some of the colourful exhibits ahead of this year’s competition.

The area will also feature displays of sports turfs, garden design, school gardens, scarecrows, miniature gardens, YFCU floral art and the RSPB, Ulster Wildlife and Ulster Bee Keepers will be in attendance. The Balmoral Park Wildlife Area will also be available to view with its wildflowers and bird boxes providing a tranquil natural area away from the bustle of the Show.

Rhonda concluded saying “We are indebted to our sponsors especially our over arching sponsor Ulster Bank and our five platinum sponsors Lidl, M&S, SPAR, Tesco and ABP.” She also commented that use of public transport was advisable and informed Show goers that details can be found on the Translink website.

Balmoral Show in partnership with Ulster Bank takes place at Balmoral Park, Lisburn between Wednesday 10th and Saturday 13th May 2017. Opening times are 9.30am – 6pm (Wed, Fri and Sat) and 9.30am – 8.00pm (Thurs). Admission charges range from £2 to £18 with discounted early bird rates available on our website. Children under 5 years are free when accompanied by an adult.

To keep up to date with the new four day 2017 Balmoral Show, check out our website balmoralshow.co.uk, Facebook: Balmoral Show and Twitter: @balmoralshow.

Dublin Horse Show Officially Launched

News Desk — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 09:56:53 +0000

Jennifer Larkin with her horse Tullybawn rides along with Hannah Mackey 9yrs on her pony Brynoffa Jonquil pictured at the RDS during the launch of this years Dublin Horse Show, which takes place on Wednesday, July 20th to Sunday, July 24th. Now in its 143rd year, is one of the most prestigious and enduring events in the Irish equestrian calendar attracting crowds of over 100,000 across the 5 day event. For more information Visit www.dublinhorseshow.com. Photo: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland.

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD officially launched the Dublin Horse Show today June 15th at the RDS, Dublin.

The participation of many Rio-bound gold medal hopefuls at this year’s Dublin Horse Show means a change from the traditional August dates to July 20-24 for this summer institution. Despite the earlier date, the same great combinations will be on offer: International show jumping and the stylish Dundrum Town Centre Ladies’ Day, family entertainment and the best in Irish craft, as well as good food, great shopping and a social occasion like no other.

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross TD officially launched the Show:

“After 143 years the Dublin Horse Show continues to be Ireland’s leading equestrian event drawing up to 100,000 horse enthusiasts and visitors from home and overseas. The show provides a full event programme which is being extended every year, ensuring there is something new for everyone and 2016 is no exception. This year is an Olympic year and carries with it the added excitement of witnessing up close Irish and international riders who will be bidding for gold in Rio. I wish everyone taking part in the event every success and hope that those attending, whether from near or from far, enjoy the five days of sport, entertainment and Irish hospitality.”

From July 20 -24 the RDS showgrounds will host Olympic hopefuls who participate in the 14 international competitions. Last year Ireland won the coveted Aga Khan Trophy as part of the Furusiyya FEI Nations’ Cup™ series; Antrim-based Egyptian rider Sameh el Dahan cleared 2.20m to win the Land Rover Puissance; while American Kent Farrington went one better to win the valuable Longines Grand Prix. As always, the international riders will be warming up around the showgrounds next to competitors, young and old, who compete in the many national competitions for whom the Dublin Horse Show is the annual pinnacle.

Michael Duffy, RDS Chief Executive commented: “The last time we moved to July for the Show was in 1992 for the Barcelona Olympics. That year Ireland won the Aga Khan trophy so we hope that it’s a good omen. The Horse Show was originally founded to encourage and promote the Irish sport horse industry, as one part of the RDS philanthropic aims, and this continues to be the primary purpose, providing Irish breeders and producers with an international platform to showcase the very best of Irish sport horses. Equestrianism is just one of the areas that we specialise in, and we work in science, the arts, industry and agriculture throughout the year.”

One of the premier style events of the summer, the Dundrum Town Centre Ladies’ Day takes place on Thursday July 21 and this year has a brilliant prize of a €10,000 shopping voucher for the Centre. Thursday has been known as Ladies’ Day for well over 100 years at the RDS and this is the second year of sponsorship by Dundrum Town Centre. Gents won’t be left out with ‘Best Dressed Man’ competition sponsored by Louis Copeland.Other prize categories include the ‘Great Lengths Most Creative Hat’ and ‘Longines: Elegance is an Attitude’.

Speaking about the Horse Show, Head of Dublin for Fáilte Ireland, Keelin Fagan explained:

“The Dublin Horse Show is an important feature in the Dublin festival calendar demonstrating Ireland’s capacity for hosting international events. Sporting events and our ability to stage such spectacles, are a very important part of what Ireland has to offer as a destination. The Dublin Horse Show also adds to the strong event calendar which Fáilte Ireland has built up for Dublin – a calendar which allows us to pitch Dublin as a place where there is always something compelling and different to see and do.”

FEI signs landmark agreement with Olympic Channel

News Desk — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 08:17:59 +0000

The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), the global governing body for equestrian sport, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Olympic Channel. The FEI is one of 27 International Federations to have signed an agreement with the IOC to work together to bring sport to a massively increased television audience worldwide.

“Sport touches many cultures and people of all ages and, in our efforts to maintain a long-lasting positive impact worldwide, we are delighted to be part of this ground-breaking initiative value and to provide content to the Olympic Channel”, FEI President Ingmar de Vos said. “This is a unique opportunity to open a global window on our sport, encouraging fans around the world to pursue their potential through sports contribution.

“By sharing our sport and our athletes’ stories on the Olympic Channel, we will be part of a new global network, together with our International Federation counterparts within the Olympic Movement, inspiring generations through the power of sport at its very best.”

IOC President Thomas Bach, who recently chaired a joint Olympic Channel Board of Directors meeting at the newly inaugurated OCS facilities in Madrid, said: “The Olympic Channel will mark a major shift in how the Olympic Movement connects with young people all year round. The International Federations have embraced the Olympic Channel and we look forward to working with them on the exciting programming and promotional opportunities. The newly formed Olympic Channel team is making steady progress, with the emphasis on ensuring the product is right and the quality of the programming matches our ambition. We look forward to announcing the 2016 launch date in the coming weeks.”

Mark Parkman, General Manager of Olympic Channel Services, said: “Preparations for the launch of the Olympic Channel are on course and the announcement of these cooperation agreements with our IF partners is another important step forward. We expect to make further announcements regarding collaborations with other IFs and stakeholders in the near future. Content production has begun, the technology and platforms are being tested, and there is a growing sense of energy and excitement here among the Olympic Channel team as we prepare for launch this year.”

The creation of an Olympic Channel was one of the key recommendations of Olympic Agenda 2020, aiming to provide a new way to engage young people and core fans in the Olympic Movement, while also promoting the Olympic values on a consistent basis.

The Channel will broadcast live sports events, news and athlete stories, as well as historical Olympic footage and official films from the IOC’s archives. There will also be a focus on educational and youth-oriented programming, sustainability, sports science and nutrition, and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.

The Olympic Channel collaborations aim to complement the International Federations’ current broadcast and distribution arrangements. The Olympic Channel team is currently working with the IFs to create innovative partnerships, including live event coverage, highlights, magazine shows, news coverage and original programming.

In addition to the FEI, OCS has concluded agreements with Badminton World Federation (BWF); International Basketball Federation (FIBA); International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF); International Boxing Association (AIBA); International Canoe Federation (ICF); International Fencing Federation (FIE); International Golf Federation (IGF); International Gymnastic Federation (FIG); International Hockey Federation (FIH); International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF); International Judo Federation (IJF); International Modern Pentathlon Union (UIPM); International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF); International Ski Federation (FIS); International Swimming Federation (FINA); International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF); International Tennis Federation (ITF); International Triathlon Union (ITU);International Weightlifting Federation (IWF); United World Wrestling (UWW); World Archery Federation (WA); World Curling Federation (WCF); World Rowing Federation (FISA); World Rugby (WR); World Sailing (WS) and World Taekwondo Federation (WTF)

As well as its ongoing discussions with other IFs, the Olympic Channel Services team is working to build and strengthen collaborations with athletes, National Olympic Committees, Rights-Holding Broadcasters, Worldwide TOP Partners, Organising Committees for the Olympic Games, candidate cities, recognised sports organisations, as well as with major digital and social media platforms.

Andreas Dibowski wins Luhmühlen for the second time

News Desk — Mon, 20 Jun 2016 08:06:27 +0000

German rider Andreas Dibowski jumped a faultless clear round in the final Jumping phase to hold on to his overnight lead with It’s Me XX and win Luhmühlen CCI4* (GER), presented by DHL, penultimate leg of the FEI Classics™ 2015/2016.

Written by Catherine Austen

There was no margin for error for the 50-year-old as second-placed Maxime Livio and Qalao Des Mers (FRA) jumped clear with less than two penalties between the top two.

But Dibowski, veteran of many medal-winning German Eventing teams, held his nerve in front of his enthusiastic home crowd on Susanne Heigel’s 12-year-old ex-racehorse, a son of the Epsom Derby winner Kahyasi.

Diboswki said: “I still cannot believe it. It is quite incredible. My horse performed exceptionally on all three days. He is not a born Dressage horse, but on the Cross Country he is outstanding.”

He explained: “I got It’s Me after his racing career when he was four years old. When he was five and six he was ill and needed intensive care, and only came back to Eventing three years ago aged nine. He felt very well this morning before the Jumping. He loves the atmosphere in a big arena.”

Dibowski was winning Germany’s premier event for the second time after triumphing in 2011 with FRH Butts Leon.

It’s Me XX finished the Dressage phase in fourth place but moved up to pole position after Cross Country, adding just 0.4pen for being one second over the optimum time.

The experienced French combination of Maxime Livio and the Selle Français 12-year-old Qalao Des Mers, winners of the CCI3* at Saumur (FRA) in 2014, finished on their Dressage score of 44.9 to take second.

Livio said: “My horse is a good jumper, and today he was perfect: careful, powerful and concentrated. He gave his best.”

Germany’s Julia Krajewski and Samourai du Thot had led the Dressage but dropped to fifth after Cross Country with 10 time-faults. However, a clear Jumping round elevated them once again to third place.

Andreas Dibowski GER riding It`s Me xx in the CCI4* Luhmühlen 2016. Photo credits: Eventing Photo

The 27-year-old was delighted with her CCI4* debut, and said: “I hoped to be among the first five. Now I am on the podium – that is fantastic! Samourai du Thot jumped like a rubber ball today. I could ride fast and it is really fun to jump him when he is like this. I am very proud.”

New Zealand’s Tim Price, who won Luhmühlen CCI4* in 2014, dropped a place from third to fourth this time with a rail down on Ringwood Sky Boy.

Another former winner, Andrew Nicholson (NZL), who took the 2013 event, finished fifth and seventh on Qwanza and Perfect Stranger. Nicholson suffered a neck injury in August 2015 at Gatcombe Park (GBR), but returned seamlessly to the top of the sport and won Bramham CCI3* (GBR) a week ago.

There were just seven clear rounds over Heiko Wahlers’ Jumping track from the 26 competitors who reached the final phase of the CCI4*.

Oliver Townend (GBR), fourth after Cross Country on Black Tie II, withdrew the horse before the final horse inspection this morning, as did Australia’s Emma McDougall, seventh after Cross Country with Belcam Bear.

This was the final time that Captain Mark Phillips will design the Luhmühlen Cross Country course, as Mike Etherington-Smith takes over from 2017. There were no falls and 26 of the 28 Cross Country starters completed with 18 clear rounds, four of which were inside the optimum time.

National Showjumping Qualifiers for Balmoral Show

News Desk — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 10:37:29 +0000

Knotts bakery sponsor Young Event Horse Class at Balmoral Show

With eight weeks until Balmoral Show, national showjumping qualifiers kick of this Saturday 19th March at Cavan Equestrian Centre. Rhonda Geary, RUAS Operations Director commented “We are looking forward to another year of superb national showjumping, and to welcoming the qualifying combinations to Balmoral Show over the 11th-13th May”.

National competitions are restricted to those who have pre-qualified. Seven horse/athlete combinations will qualify in each category – 5 year old championship, 6/7 year old championship, 1.35m championship and the amateur championship.

The National Showjumping Qualifiers are on the following dates:

Saturday 19th March – Cavan Equestrian Centre
Saturday 2nd April – Iveagh Showjumpers at Meadows Equestrian Centre
Saturday 9th April – Connell Hill Equestrian Centre
Saturday 16th April – Causeway Coast Community Showjumping at the Bowl Arena, Portrush.

Athletes may not qualify more than two horses in any national competition except the amateur class where they may only qualify one horse.

For more information visit www.balmoralshow.co.uk or contact Katy Saunders on 0771 4771 964 or katysji@gmail.com.
The 148th Balmoral Show in partnership with Ulster Bank will return to Balmoral Park from Wednesday 11th May until Friday 13th May 2016.1

Brilliant Belgians top first round at Furusiyya 2015 Final

News Desk — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 07:42:32 +0000

Judy-Ann Melchior and As Cold as Ice Z helped Belgium take top spot in today’s first round of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping Final 2015 at Real Club de Polo in Barcelona (ESP). (FEI/Dirk Caremans)

The Belgian team came out on top in the super-tough first round of the €2.3 million Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping Final 2015 at Real Club de Polo in Barcelona (ESP) today. With only eight places up for grabs for Saturday’s second and deciding round, there was a ferocious battle between the 19 competing nations, and some heroic performances from sides that didn’t make the cut.

Written by Louise Parkes

Germany, Sweden, Great Britain, USA, the defending champions from The Netherlands, Ireland and Switzerland claimed the remaining qualifying spots in that order, and the stage is now set for a spectacular finale on Saturday night.

The testing course set by Spain’s Santiago Varela produced only seven clear rounds from a starting field of 76 horse-and-rider combinations, and the penultimate triple combination claimed a huge number of victims. A total of 33 horses faulted here, and at least 24 of those left the middle element on the floor. All four members of the French team picked up penalties at this one, and the country that won the first Furusiyya Final back in 2013 finished well down the line in 16th place on their final tally of 24 faults.

The countries that just missed out were Qatar, Mexico and Brazil who shared ninth place on a 16-fault scoreline at the end of the day, and it was interesting to note that three of the rare clear rounds were posted by riders from countries that finished outside the qualification zone. Pedro Veniss got Brazil off to a perfect start when fault-free with Quabri de L’Isle, while both Australian pathfinder Jamie Kermond (Quite Cassini) and Egypt’s anchorman Karim Elzoghby (Amelia) did likewise – the latter two countries sharing 12th place at the end of the day.

Fair but unforgiving

Varela’s course was fair but unforgiving, riders having to plan every step of the way in order to leave all the timber intact and to avoid exceeding the 81 seconds time-allowed. The pressure really began on the roll-back to the planks at fence five which was followed by a big double, and then a right-bending line to the open water. As the Spanish course designer explained afterwards however, the majority of mistakes later on the track were created by loss of control after the open water which was followed by a big oxer and then a turn back to a two-metre-wide triple bar.

“It was six (strides) to the vertical after the triple bar and oxer, but the majority of the riders went on seven and some upset the balance of their horses” he explained this evening. Many paid the price at the blue oxer at fence 11, the front pole kicked out time and again before riders turned down the final line.

Every element of the triple combination at 12 saw plenty of action. “It was at the end of the course, and the jump in was a bit short”, Varela said. The red poles at the vertical second element were further complicated by a water tray below them which distracted some of the horses. The course wasn’t only difficult to ride, Varela said it was also difficult to build. “We only had the warm-up competition and then a 1.60m class – I think it was a fair course with faults everywhere from the start to the end. The question today was not to win, it was to be in the eight teams that qualify for Saturday” he pointed out.

Impossible to predict

It was impossible to predict how the competition would play itself out until the very end as each rider had only one chance to get things right, but the British looked secure having posted a nine-fault scoreline by the end of the third-rider rotation, while Christian Ahlmann’s opening clear with Taloubet Z helped seal Germany’s eight-fault total. Rolf-Goran Bengtsson did the same for Sweden when third to go for his side, but the Dutch had a bit of a moment when one of their dream-team combinations – Maikel van der Vleuten and VDL Groep Verdi – collected 17 uncharacteristic faults. However with a foot-perfect run from the superstar partnership of Jeroen Dubbeldam and Zenith they finished with 10 on the board after five-fault efforts from both Jur Vrieling (VDL Zirocco Blue) and Gerco Schroder (Glock’s Cognac Champblanc), and the defending Furusiyya champions still look well set to continue on the glory trail they have been following over the last year.

The final placings were undecided to the very end however, the Americans heaving a huge sigh of relief that at last, after missing the cut at the previous two Furusiyya Finals, they are through on a nine-fault finishing score while the Irish and Swiss claimed the last two places when posting scores of 13 and 15 faults respectively.

Clear winners

The clear winners today however were the Belgians who confidently cruised home with a final tally of five faults thanks to a fantastic last-to-go clear from newly-crowned European silver medallist, Gregory Wathelet.

Their pathfinder, Olivier Philippaerts (H&M Armstrong van de Kapel) made a mistake at the planks at fence five, but, next to go, Judy-Ann Melchior, collected only a single time penalty with the ever-reliable Cold as Ice Z. Jos Lansink fell victim to the middle part of the combination with For Cento, but Wathelet’s clear sealed it in style.

Wathelet said afterwards “for sure I am really happy about my clear round, but today my team was really good and they made it easy for me! There was not so much pressure when I was going in so I could ride a nice, quiet round. I’m happy for my team, and I hope we can keep it this way for Saturday. We will try to do the same on Saturday but it is a whole new day. Our goal was to be in the top eight this evening, and the main thing is we succeeded in that” he said stoically.

Result:

1. Belgium 5 faults: H&M Armstrong van de Kapel (Olivier Philippaerts) 4, As Cold as Ice Z (Judy-Ann Melchior) 1, For Cento (Jos Lansink) 5, Conrad de Hus (Gregory Wathelet) 0.

2. Germany 8 faults: Taloubet Z (Christian Ahlmann) 0, Fibonacci (Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum) 5, Cornet d’Amour (Daniel Deusser) 4, Chiara (Ludger Beerbaum) 4.

2. Sweden 8 faults: H&M Tornesch (Malin Baryard-Johnsson) 4, Tinkabell (Angelie von Essen) 21, Unita Ask (Rolf-Goran Bengtsson) 9, Cantinero (Henrik von Eckermann) 4.

4. Great Britain 9 faults: Diva ll (Ben Maher) 1, Spirit T (Jessica Mendoza) 4, Utamaro D’Ecaussines (Joe Clee) 4, Cassionato (Michael Whitaker) 13.

4. USA 9 faults: Nouvelle (Laura Kraut) 1, Barron (Lucy Davis) 12, Ohlala (Lauren Hough) 4, Cortes C (Beezie Madden) 4.

6. Netherlands 10 faults: SFN Zenith NOP (Jeroen Dubbeldam0 0, VDL Groep Verdi (Maikel van der Vleuten) 17, VDL Zirocco Blue (Jur Vrieling) 5, Glock’s Cognac Champblanc (Gerco Schroder) 5.

7. Ireland 13 faults: Molly Malone (Bertram Allen) 5, MHS Going Global (Greg Broderick) 5, Good Luck (Cian O’Connor) 4, All Star (Denis Lynch) 4.

8. Switzerland 15 faults: Quorida de Treho (Romain Duguet) 1, Clooney (Martin Fuchs) 9, Bonne Chance CW (Janika Sprunger) 16, Castlefield Eclipse (Paul Estermann) 5.

Equestrian News NI Out of Office

News Desk — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 09:13:39 +0000

The Equestrian News NI office will be closed until the end of September due to staff holidays and essential website maintenance.

If you would like to get in touch with us, please email info@equestriannewsni.co.uk and we will reply on our return.

Thank you for your continued readership as we promote and report on equestrian activities of interest to the local equestrian community.

Fellers and Flexible win Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League

News Desk — Wed, 19 Aug 2015 06:47:43 +0000

Longtime partners, and perennial crowd favorites, Rich Fellers (USA) and Flexible claimed victory at the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League qualifier at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, British Columbia, yesterday. (FEI/Rebecca Berry)

Longtime partners, and perennial crowd favorites, Rich Fellers (USA) and Flexible yesterday topped a field of 25 to claim the victory of the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping North American League class at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, British Columbia.

By Esther Hahn

Sunny skies and warm temperatures greeted a record-breaking number of spectators to the beautiful, green show grounds, where the sport’s top athletes attempted to clear the first round of 13 obstacles with 16 jumping attempts. A variety of rails dropped throughout the 1.60-meter track, indicating a well designed course. And multiple riders accrued faults at the triple combination that followed the sliced turns from the jump-eight oxer.

The questions asked by course designer Alan Wade (IRL) proved difficult for the inexperienced and the experienced pairs alike. Just a few months after appearing at the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final in Las Vegas, Vinton Karrasch (USA) and Coral Reef Follow Me II were eliminated after two refusals. Two additional horse-and-rider teams did not finish the round.

Sixteen pairs unsuccessfully attempted clears before the first clear round came from America’s Will Simpson and The Dude. Following a record-breaking HITS Thermal winter circuit earlier in the year, the 2008 Olympian efficiently maneuvered the sprawling course without a single fault.

“When you’re riding The Dude, anything can happen,” Simpson said about the nine-year-old gelding.

A few rounds later, 2012 Olympian Fellers and his 19-year-old chestnut stallion added a second clear round to make for a jump off. Canada’s Ben Asselin, aboard Plume de la Roque, was the third and final clear as the 24th in the order of go.

Winning experience

“We’re probably the most experienced pair in the world, if you add our two ages together,” Fellers, 55, commented, as he and Flexible exited the arena after their first round. “He’s just a dream. He keeps getting smarter and better.”

Fellers drew on this experience in the jump off, shaving just over a second off of Simpson’s clear round. Asselin attempted to improve on Fellers’ score, but a pulled rail in the seven-obstacle course forced him to settle for third place.

“I have so much experience with that horse that there’s not too many things that I see anymore that we haven’t seen before,” Fellers explained. “I really thought it was a difficult course when I walked it, but I rode just like I walked it, and he rode just like I wanted him to ride.”

But Fellers knew he would have to push hard to beat Simpson. He and Flexible entered the ring for the jump off after only jumping one, small vertical as a warm up. The first round had taken a lot out of the horse, and Fellers wanted to allow for Flexible’s breathing to return to normal before asking for another big effort.

“I watched Will (ride the jump off), and I’ve seen him ride for years,” Fellers said. “I think he’s a phenomenal and fast jump off rider, perhaps the fastest in the world. I watched him win and win at Thermal this year. He laid down a brilliant round, and the horse jumped super all the way around and was quite fast. I knew I couldn’t take it easy.”

So in his plan of attack, he shaved tighter turns, almost hitting his knee on a ditch jump in the ring. He also opted to take out a stride in his approach to the double combination.

“It went great,” he said. “It was one of those rounds that everything came up sweet, so there wasn’t a lot of stress on Flexible, which is one of my goals at this state in his career. He’s never been better. I know that doesn’t make any sense with his age – that he could be as good as he ever was – but he feels as good as ever.”

Simple planning

Regardless of winning the first West Coast event for the North American League, Fellers’ goals for Flexible aren’t set on the Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final in Gothenburg (SWE), just yet.

“He’s never sharp coming out of the winter, and I think it might have something to do with his testosterone and that he’s a stallion,” Fellers explained. “I know the Finals are in March so that makes it a little more unlikely (in terms of timing).”

Flexible is scheduled to remain at Thunderbird for another week to compete in an upcoming three-star class on Sunday. Then he’ll return home to Oregon for a couple of weeks to rest before traveling to the Spruce Meadows Masters and to the next North American League event on the West Coast at the Sacramento International Horse Show.

“At this stage, he’s feeling great, super sound and loving the sport and craving competitions,” Fellers explained. “As long as that’s the same, I’ll keep carefully picking and choosing where he competes. I’m into ‘simple.’ That’s how I evaluate everything (for Flexible).”

Results

1. Flexible (Richard Fellers), USA, 0 faults/40.51 seconds (JO);

2. The Dude (Will Simpson), USA, 0 faults/41.71 (JO);

3. Plume de la Roque (Ben Asselin), CAN, 4 faults/43.01 (JO);

4. Agrostar (Ashlee Bond), USA, 4 faults/79.90;

5. S F Ariantha (Andres Rodriguez), VEN, 4 faults/82.56;

6. Tembla (Karl Cook), USA, 4 faults/83.29;

7. New York (Jack Towell), USA, 4 faults/84.11;

8. Calero (Allyssa Hecht), USA, 4 faults/84.76.

Allen fourth in Dutch five-star jump-off, Hanley wins at Millstreet

News Desk — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 06:50:26 +0000

Allen fourth in Dutch five-star jump-off, Hanley wins at Millstreet

WEXFORD’S Bertram Allen was 6,000 euro richer after a fourth place in the mean feature class at Valkenswaard’s five-star show on Friday, while Mayo’s Cameron Hanley took just under 8,500 euro for a win at Millstreet in Co. Cork.

Riding the nine year-old Belmonde, Allen was one of 12 to make the cut for the jump-off at the Netherlands show, and took an early lead with Ballywalter Farms’s gelding, but eventually was outpaced by three riders following, with the 20,000 euro first prize going to the world’s number one-ranked rider, Britain’s Scott Brash, who piloted Hello Forever.

Allen will be hoping for a bigger slice of the prize money in Saturday’s Global Champions’ Tour Grand Prix at Valkenswaard, where fellow-countryman Denis Lynch will be aiming to join him on the start list.

At Millstreet’s three-star show, meanwhile, Cameron Hanley took the honours in this evening’s main jump-off competition aboard his own gelding Antello Z, stopping the jump-off clock one-and-a-half seconds ahead of his nearest challenger, Derry’s Daniel Coyle and John D. Carr’s chestnut gelding Zuidam, who collected 5,000 euro for their runner-up place.

Paul Kennedy and Cartown Danger Mouse took fourth place for Ireland in a 47-strong international field.

Splaine names squad for European Championships at Aachen

News Desk — Tue, 11 Aug 2015 19:17:38 +0000

ROBERT Splaine, Ireland’s show jumping team manager, has tonight (Monday) announced his squad for the European Show Jumping Championships due to take place at Aachen in Germany from August 19-23rd.

The Irish European squad will be:

Bertram Allen/Molly Malone V
Greg Broderick/MHS Going Global (ISH)
Darragh Kenny/Sans Soucis Z
Denis Lynch/All Star 5
Cian O’Connor/Good Luck

The European squad includes four of the riders and three of the horses that helped Ireland win the Aga Khan Trophy at the Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show last week.

Convincing Irish victory on home ground in Dublin

News Desk — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 10:38:00 +0000

The host nation of Ireland won the eighth and last leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 Europe Division 1 League in Dublin today. Pictured (L to R) Matthew Dempsey, President of the Royal Dublin Society, President of Ireland His Excellency Michael D. Higgins, team members Greg Broderick, Darragh Kenny, Chef d’Equipe Robert Splaine, Bertram Allen and Cian O’Connor, Mr Yazeed Suleiman D Alderaiwesh, Saudi Embassy Dublin, Katrina Jones Longines Brand Manager UK and Ireland, and Brian Mangan, FEI Bureau member. (FEI/Tony Parkes)

The main arena of the Royal Dublin Society showgrounds in Ireland’s capital city was electric with excitement this evening when the Irish team won the eighth and last leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 Europe Division 1 League on their own hallowed turf. As they raised the Aga Khan Cup in triumph – one of the most coveted trophies in the sport – they brought a broad smile to the face of Irish President, His Excellency Michael D Higgins, and the crowd went wild with delight.

Written by Louise Parkes

Bertram Allen, Greg Broderick, Cian O’Connor, Darragh Kenny and Chef d’Equipe Robert Splaine delivered Ireland’s 23rd victory in the 89-year history of the great event that always draws huge numbers of spectators. But this was possibly one of the most emphatic of all time. Because the home side didn’t just win, they trounced the opposition with a performance so strong that anchorman, Kenny, didn’t even have to jump a second time because it was already wrapped up.

Established their supremacy

They established their supremacy by the halfway stage when they were the only ones on a zero score, and once out in front they didn’t flinch. The Netherlands finished second ahead of the Swiss who managed to survive the elimination of Olympic champion Steve Guerdat on a day when several horses decided they really didn’t want to take on Alan Wade’s course for a second time. Lying second-last at the halfway point, Germany bounced back to line up fourth ahead of Spain in fifth, while the British had a disappointing afternoon when having to settle for sixth. The Italians rallied with three clear rounds second time out to finish seventh, but the biggest surprise of the day was the last-place finish for the 2014 Dublin winners from the USA.

It was a nightmare afternoon for American pathfinder, Charlie Jayne, who collected 20 faults first time out and was then unceremoniously dumped in the water on his second tour of the track with Valeska. That, combined with an unfortunate second-round double-error for Georgina Bloomberg when she lost her right stirrup after a mistake at the penultimate vertical with her mare Lilli, sealed their fate, and the USA finished on a not-inconsiderable 32 faults.

There was another big surprise when today’s competition revealed which countries have qualified from Europe Division 1 for the Furusiyya Final in Barcelona, Spain in September. The top seven nations – Belgium, Switzerland, Great Britain, France, Ireland, Netherlands and Sweden – have made the cut, but Germany lies in eighth place on the final league leaderboard and will miss out along with Italy. Spain has finished last, but will compete as hosts on their home ground.

Demanded accuracy

Wade’s track demanded accuracy from riders and commitment from horses, and fences fell all around the course. Allen was the first man out and left the vertical at fence eight on the floor with the 17-year-old stallion Romanov, but that was Ireland’s only mistake in the first round. Broderick’s MHS Going Global and O’Connor’s Good Luck are two very talented nine-year-olds and both gave jumping exhibitions, while Kenny’s 12-year-old gelding, Sans Soucis Z, also breezed home effortlessly. And when Allen got it all just right second time out and then Broderick’s gelding produced more spectacular jumping, the single error from O’Connor’s stallion was still good enough for the win.

Wout-Jan van der Schans secured runner-up spot for the Dutch when he and Broderick were the only two to post double-clears on the day. This meant The Netherlands could drop the 18 collected by Johnny Pals when his stallion decided he didn’t want to make the roll-back to the vertical at fence six, although he eventually agreed to do it after making quite a fuss. This was exactly the same spot that brought Guerdat’s second round to an end with Corbinian, the sight of the arena entrance in the distance perhaps looking a lot more inviting than the prospect of another 11 big jumping efforts.

Buoyant

The mood in the Irish camp was buoyant this evening, because a place at the Furusiyya Final and in the premier league of international team Jumping was hanging in the balance today. And Chef d’Equipe Robert Splaine now knows he has a rock-solid squad as he heads to the FEI European Championships Aachen 2015, where Ireland will be hoping to claim one of the last remaining qualification spots for the Rio 2106 Olympic Games in 12 days’ time.

“The build-up was phenomenal” said Broderick who made his debut at the revered Dublin venue today, “and I felt like I didn’t want to let anyone down.” A long-time star on his national circuit, the 29-year-old rider made his Nations Cup debut with MHS Going Global less than a year ago at the Europe Division 2 leg in Arezzo, Italy and the pair have been hugely impressive every since.

London 2012 Olympic bronze medallist Cian O’Connor was competing in his 100th Nations Cup. “My horse jumped fantastic and it was a privilege to compete with such a great team of guys” he said this evening, while Bertram Allen, who now holds the number five position on the Longines world rankings, admitted that it was a very special feeling to have contributed to today’s result. The 20-year-old has enjoyed phenomenal success over the past 12 months competing as an individual, and was part of the Irish team that just missed out on Olympic qualification at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy where he placed individually seventh. “But I’ve never enjoyed success like this at Senior team level and it’s a great feeling to be part of it” he said tonight.

Chef d’Equipe Splaine said, “I’m very proud of the four them, they really pulled together and they were in a class of their own today”. And no-one could disagree with that.

For further details of the last leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 Europe Division 1 League in Dublin visit www.dublinhorseshow.com or contact Press Officer Marita Connors, email press@rds.ie, Tel +353 1 2407916. The next leg of the series is the penultimate round of the Europe Division 2 series which will take place in Gijon, Spain on Saturday 29 August. For information on the Spanish fixture visit http://en.hipico.gijon.es or contact Press Officer José Ramón Rodríguez, Email jr.rodriguez@telecable.es, Tel +34 629 043 529.

Result:

1. Ireland 4 faults: Romanov (Bertram Allen) 4/0, MHS Going Global (Greg Broderick) 0/0, Good Luck (Cian O’Connor) 0/4, Sans Soucis Z (Darragh Kenny) 0/DNS.

2. Netherlands 8 faults: Quinlan (Vincent Voorn) 0/4, Vignet (Johnny Pals) 4/18, Willink (Henk van de Pol) 4/0, Aquila SFN (Wout-Jan van der Schans) 0/0.

3. Switzerland 13 faults: LB Eagle Eye (Christina Liebherr) 0/1, Corbinian (Steve Guerdat) 4/Elim, Copain du Perchet CH (Edwin Smits) 4/4, Windsor XV (Niklaus Rutschi) Ret/0.

4. Germany 16 faults: Conthendrix (Andre Thieme) 4/4, Brooklyn 17 (Mario Stevens) 4/0, Lacan 2 (Patrick Stuhlmeyer) 4/4, Embassy ll (Hans-Dieter Dreher) 4/0.

5. Spain 17 faults: Gribouille du Lys (Pilar Lucrecia Cordon) 4/4, Rokfeller de Pleville Bois Margot (Eduardo Alvarez Aznar) 0/4, Belcanto X (Alberto Marquez Galobardes) 12/9, G & C Quitador Rochelais (Sergio Alvarez Moya) 4/1.

6. Great Britain 23 faults: Hello M’Lady (Scott Brash) 0/4, Catwalk (Robert Whitaker) 0/9, Wonder Why (Spencer Roe) 20/16, Cassionato (Michael Whitaker) 5/5.

7. Italy 24 faults: Admara 2 (Emanuele Gaudiano) 4/0, Gitano v Berkenbroeck (Juan Carlos Garcia) 12/4, Geisha van Orshof (Lorenze de Luca) 12/0, Casallo Z (Piergiorgio Bucci) 8/0.

8. USA 32 faults: Valeska (Charlie Jayne) 20/Elim, Lilli (Georgina Bloomberg) 0/8, Barron (Lucy Davis) 0/8, Babalou 41 (Todd Minikus) 8/8.

Twomey and Swail give Ireland two more victories at the Dublin Horse Show

News Desk — Mon, 10 Aug 2015 10:09:20 +0000

CORK’S Billy Twomey kicked off another good day (Saturday) for Ireland at the Discover Ireland Dublin Horse show with a lunchtime win in the Accumulator class aboard Joe Flynn’s Irish Sport Horse stallion Ardcolum Duke, shading Dutch runner-up Johnny Pals and Urjul van Generhese by just under two seconds on time for the 4,600 euro first prize.

Tipperary’s Trevor Breen also made the top five with a fourth place on Sceilig Sport Horses’s stallion Georgie D’Auvray Ec.

Conor Swail broke through with a win today on Susan Grange’s talented young gelding Simba de la Roque. The Co. Down rider was competing in the The JLT Dublin Stakes jump-off class, and was one of 11 to go clear in the first round.

Swail was fourth to jump in the final round, and set a very fast time of 39.01 seconds, with his nearest challenger, France’s former European Champion Roger-Yves Bost and the mare Sangria du Coty falling short by just under half a second, allowing the Irish rider to pocket the 8,000 euro winner’s prize.

The Land Rover Puissance attracted the usual enthusiastic crowds to the main arena, but Irish riders were unable to deliver a third win to the day’s action, with Egypt’s Sameh El Dahan taking the 12,400 euro prize purse on the fourth jump-off, though riding an Irish Sport Horse, Britt Megahey’s gelding Seapatrick Cruise Cavalier.

Billy Twomey was best of the Irish Puissance riders, finishing third on the third jump-off with Charlotte Flack’s mare Ratina Kan. Venezuela’s Andres Rodriguez took the runner-up prize of 8,500 euro with Caballito, conceding victory to El Dahan when clipping the big red wall on the fourth jump-off.