Rolex FEI World Cup™ Leipzig: the Irish are Back in Town 18/01/2009

Irish riders were in short supply, in the standings of the Rolex FEI World Cup™ competition after seven rounds. But now the ‘greens’ are back in town. Jessica Kürten won the Leipzig leg of the global indoor jumping competition, her compatriot Cian O’Connor ended up third.

The Leipziger Messe coloured green and orange, in spite of a great number of German top riders wanting to do well in front of 8500 enthusiastic fans. Gerco Schröder and Albert Zoer ranked second and fourth, German favourites Lars Nieberg and Marcus Ehning had rails down in an exciting jump off of no less than 13 combinations.

Jessica Kürten must be faster than she expects herself to be. The Irish superstar, training and living in Germany, had Marcus Ehning on her list as the rider most likely to win the 33.000 euro’s and 20 World Cup points

Canada’s Eric Lamaze Ranked Number One in the World 07/01/2009

Lamaze, who claimed Individual Gold and Team Silver medals at the 2008 Olympic Games riding Hickstead, took over the number one spot on the Rolex Rankings from Germany’s leading rider Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum.

Prior to the Olympic Games in August, Lamaze was in third position in the Rolex Rankings, and moved up into the number two spot after claiming the Olympic title. He held firmly onto the number two spot behind Germany’s Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum with consistent performances and then clenched first place following a victory at the Rolex FEI World Cup™ qualifier in Geneva, Switzerland, on December 14, 2008 giving Lamaze the additional points required to take over the coveted number one spot.  Lamaze currently has 3,550 points while Michaels-Beerbaum has 3,535.

“Over the past four years, I have committed myself to competing against the best in the world, which has meant spending a lot of time in Europe,” said Lamaze, 40.  “My owners, as well as a great team of people at home, have helped make that possible.  To have achieved my goal is simply incredible, and for a Canadian to be number one in the world is something we can all be proud of.” 

While points are tabulated using rider results only, the majority of Lamaze’s world ranking points have come riding his Olympic partner, Hickstead.  Owned by Ashland Stables and Lamaze’s Torrey Pines Stable, Hickstead is a 13-year-old Dutch Warmblood stallion that is now actively used for breeding.

Since the Olympic Games in August, Lamaze and Hickstead won the Grand Prix of Caen and placed second in the Grand Prix of Deauville, both in France.  The pair then enjoyed a triumphant homecoming at Toronto’s Royal Horse Show where they won the FEI World Cup™ qualifier on November 12.  Returning to Europe to contest the Rolex Top Ten Final, open to the top ten ranked riders in the world, in Brussels, Belgium, the pair placed fourth overall.  Geneva, where he won the Rolex FEI World Cup™ qualifier, was the final stop on Lamaze’s 2008 competition calendar. Firmly in his sights – the Rolex FEI World Cup™ Final to be held in Las Vegas (USA) from 15 to 19 April.

Michel Robert wins Rolex IJRC Top Ten at the Audi Equestrian Masters

The Belgian public went almost crazy during the prize giving ceremony of the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final when Michel Robert flew through the arena on Kellemoi de Pepita. Belgian tennis idol Justine Hennin handed over the trophy in front of a sold out Heysel Palais.

The French rider, who is turning 60 on December 26, was the only one who jumped clear in the two rounds. Australian Edwina Alexander scored one time penalty in the first round and was clear in the second round what brought her on second place. Marcus Ehning and Plot Bleu were third with 4 penalties and Olympic champion Eric Lamaze and Hickstead, also with 4 penalties, finished fourth.

For Michel Robert this was one of the most important victories of his career. “The sport is more and more professional and if you can win the top ten against the 10 best riders it is a big reward. I prepared my mare during the shows in Stuttgart en Liège for this final. I started her only two times in those shows and I never rode to win, just to build confidence. It is very important to manage your horse well. There are so many beautiful shows with a lot of money that you have to watch out that you don’t break your horse. I really do what I feel is good for the horses and I don’t try all year to be number one on the ranking. Meredith Michaels- Beerbaum deserves to be on first place because she has several good horses and she manages them very well.”

Click here to watch the video: http://wm.live.tv-radio.com/ondemand/equidia/bruxelles.wmv

Discover the world with “Horses and Dreams 2009 – meets Italy!”

Horses & Dreams will once again present top-class sport and a festival atmosphere in the Osnabrück region in 2009! 
A truly one-of-a-kind event awaits you in the coming year at the International Riders’ Festival Horses & Dreams. 

“La Dolce Vita” will be the motto at Horses & Dreams 2009 in Hagen am Teutoburger Wald. As well as exceptional sport, visitors at Horses & Dreams can eagerly await pure culture and lifestyle: 

The organisers can promise their guests a taste of Ferrari, Riviera, Tuscany, Tifosi, Pizza, Gucci, Prada, Caesars, Rome, Antiques and much much more. 

Prepare to be dazzled by sensational shows, unique events, fantastic concerts and a rich variety of shopping opportunities in a class of their own! 

130 national and international exhibitors will present culinary delights, elegant fashion, modern interior design and breath-taking motor sport, and promise yet more excitement-filled days here in Hagen. 
Horses & Dreams is rapidly becoming an event of international renown and friendship, where people come together to celebrate a world-class festival. 

Culture, Shows, Fun and Equestrian Sport at the highest level 

We are proud to present a richly varied selection of culture, shows and equestrian sport, and the focal point in 2009 will be Italy. 
You can also expect sensational sporting achievements. The German dressage riders will decide their champion in the Professional Riders’ Championship. The winner will have to be able to adapt themselves very quickly to the horses of their competitors in the horse rotation round! In the Grand Prize competition we look forward to welcoming riders from a whole host of nations – these top sportsmen and women will guarantee thrilling challenges at the highest level. 

Don’t miss out – experience show and sport in perfect harmony – from 22nd – 26th April 2009 at the Kasselmann Stables