Brett Parbery and Victory Salute finished 10th out of 15 in the finale event of the FEI World Cup Dressage Final, the freestyle to music. The Australian pair finished on a score of 70.550%. Brett had been ranked 11th after Thursday’s Grand Prix score of 67.021%.
The pre-event favourites, Edward Gal and Moorlands Totilas (NED), were the winners of the World Cup Final, but not without fierce competition from Adelinde Cornelissen and Jerich Parzival (NED) who took an early lead by winning the Grand Prix. However, the magical Totilas, that the world has come to love, rose to the challenge in the Kur, earning 89.8% to take out the 2009/10 title.
The weekend also saw the final round of the FEI World Cup showjumping qualifier, where Edwina Alexander placed third on Cevo Itot du Chateau, from Rolf-Goran Bengtsson and Casall La Silla (SWE) and Jessica Kuerten and Castle Forbes Libertina (IRL). Chris Chugg and Vivant placed 23rd.
Edwina, who finished in the FEI World Cup Western European League Standings in fourth place, and Chris now move onto the FEI World Cup Final in Geneva in 14-18 April 2010.
Congratulations go to the Aussies who did us proud in s’Hertogenbosch!
The silver anniversary FEI World Cup™ Dressage final begins tomorrow at s’Hertogenbosch.
The full list of starters is now as follows:
The Netherlands - Edward Gal, Adelinde Cornelissen and Imke Schellekens-Bartels
Germany - Isabell Werth, Matthias Alexander Rath and Carola Koppelmann
Sweden - Patrick Kittel and Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven
Poland - Michal Rapcewicz and Katarzyna Milczarek
Australia - Brett Parbery
Belgium - Jeroen Devroe
Austria - Peter Gmoser
Denmark - Nathalie Zu Sayn Wittgenstein
Brazil - Luiza Tavares de Almeida
FEI TV will be covering the event live from the Brabanthalle Arena. FEI TV can be accessed at: www.feitv.org.
The action begins at 5:30am Friday with the qualifying Grand Prix, and the title-holder will be decided by the Kur will be televised from 1:30am on Sunday.
The Australian Dressage Committee in conjunction with the State Dressage Authorities has planned to introduce a new grading system effective from 1 July 2010:
-the new system is based purely on performances (60% or above in Official competitions from Preliminary level and above);
-placings will not count for grading;
-preliminary and novice are once again separate levels;
-horses/ponies are only upgraded once they have gained 30 upgrading points in a higher level than their grading.
The line-up for the final of the 2009/2010 FEI World Cup™ Dressage series which will take place at ’s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands from 25-27 March 2010 has been revised.
The USA and Canadian Federations have confirmed that, due to health issues for either horses or riders, there will be no representatives from the North American League, so the two available slots will now be taken by reserve riders Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven from Sweden and Poland’s Katarzyna Milczarek who previously applied for any available extra starting places.
Both of these riders became eligible through meeting the criteria laid down for participation at the final which includes the necessity to have competed in at least three qualifiers and the achievement of a score of at least 68.0% on each occasion.
As the reigning Olympic and nine-time World Cup title-holder Anky van Grunsven from The Netherlands has not qualified this year and the 2008/2009 FEI World Cup™ Dressage series winner Steffen Peters of the USA has decided not to defend his title, a new champion will be crowned in the Brabanthallen at ’s-Hertogenbosch in two weeks time.
The full list of participants is now as follows:
The Netherlands - Edward Gal, Adelinde Cornelissen and Imke Schellekens-Bartels
Germany - Isabell Werth, Matthias Alexander Rath and Carola Koppelmann
Sweden - Patrick Kittel and Tinne Vilhelmson Silfven
Poland - Michal Rapcewicz and Katarzyna Milczarek
Australia - Brett Parbery
Belgium - Jeroen Devroe
Hungary - Acs Robert
Denmark - Nathalie Zu Sayn Wittgenstein
Brazil - Luiza Tavares de Almeida
FEI has announced the launch of its first ever official mobile application.
“FEI EquiTests”, developed in close cooperation with Canada-based e-learning and visual communication design specialists Numen Communications Inc., is a mobile application designed to help riders learn, reference and practice FEI Dressage tests.
“FEI EquiTests”is available worldwide through the Apple iTunes store under FEI license.
For each test, the application allows iPhone and iPod users to:
-read the test instructions along with the marking criteria;
-view dressage animation diagrams that outline the movements of the test;
-record and play readings of the test that re perfectly timed to match the user’s individual horses and the arena in which they are practising;
-reference the official dressage test score sheet to see where the judges’ emphasis is;
-get better understanding of the FEI Rules as PDFs of the rulebooks on topics such as movement definitions, competition rules, dress code, judging and veterinary inspection are available;
-keep up to date with the latest dressage news through the FEI news feed.
FEI EquiTests 1 is available for free, so that riders and coaches may evaluate the features available. This application includes all features related to one sample test: the globally used FEI Young Riders Individual Competition Test.
FEI Equitests 2 includes all the most recent 2009 FEI Eventing Dressage Tests and is available for only USD 9.99.
Additional versions of FEI EquiTests featuring FEI Dressage and FEI Para-Equestrian Dressage tests will be launched later this year.
19-21 January 2010 saw Sara McCarthy and Lord’s Cracker from Dubbo NSW head off to another wonderful Young Riders Dressage Clinic, this one held in the indoor arena at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre, in conjunction with the NSWIS clinic for adult riders. The shade of the indoor arena was appreciated by all riders and parents, especially those who drew the midday lessons. This clinic was part of the Scholarship prize won by Sara at the National Young Riders Championships last year.
Thirty five young riders from 10 to 21 years of age travelled from as far as Armidale, Dubbo, Cowra and Canberra to receive instruction from five fantastic instructors- Roger Fitzhardinge, Racheal Sanna, Brett Parbery, Anne Serrao and Claire Seidl. Sara and Lord’s Cracker were instructed by Roger for the three days and they were able to build on the basics being developed at home with Sara’s regular instructors.
Lunchtime sessions included a discussion with Roger Fitzhardinge on a wide range of topics from training to presentation to competition and a few side issues, and a most informative session with Leslie Maxwell Dowey relating to horse nutrition.
In addition to being able to watch three lessons at a time during the day in the indoor arena, each evening, riders were able watch the NSWIS clinic, where a number of the instructors and some of the older riders including regular Dubbo instructors Kate Taylor Wheat and Claire Seidl were receiving instruction from the NSW state dressage coach, Clemens Dierks. Each rider then gave a short summary of their training to the group of Young Riders and parents and answered questions.
One of the best aspects of these clinics is how all levels of training and experience and all types of horses are working together towards the same goal, and the riders develop wonderful friendships and a team spirit in a non-competitive environment.
The next Dressage NSW Young Riders Clinic is due to be held through the April School holidays. Keep an eye on the YR section of the DNSW website for details:
The Netherland’s Edward Gal and the nine-year old black stallion Moorlands Totilas broke the world record for a grand prix freestyle score when they scored 89.4% at Hickstead’s Exquis World Dressage Masters on Sunday 26 July 2009.
Anky van Grunsven and Salinero were the previous record holders with a score of 87.93% set at a world cup qualifier in ’s-Hertogenbosch in 2006.
Edward was reportedly distracted by a fly in his eye throughout the test!
The pair are now favourites for the European championships at Windsor in August 2009.
Following revelations of a doping problem within Germany, the German Federation has disbanded its entire team of top level riders in the three Olympic equestrian disciplines.
Ludger Beerbaum has also been suspended following admissions of using illegal practices and will not be participating in this week’s Nations Cup.
The teams will be built up again from scratch under the watch of Germany’s Olympic Committee.
An independent panel set up by the Olympic committee will probe all aspects of the Olympic equestrian disciplines, including athletes and officials. It will also look into the positive tests at the Olympic Games last year, including that of Germany’s Christian Ahlmann whose horse tested positive to capsaicin.
A special commission is to make recommendations to the Olympic Committee and to the German Federation on how to manage the problem of doping in horse sports. The first results of the special commission are expected within a month.
Interview with Liz Whiteway from Naremburn NSW, who was lucky enough to be in Las Vegas to watch the 2009 Rolex FEI World Cup Dressage and Showjumping finals - by Anoushka de Silva
So Liz, could you describe the atmosphere at the Thomas & Mack Centre? What was it like watching the event live?
The event was simply spectacular. Brilliant facilities, and like any show in Las Vegas, it ran like clockwork. I felt like I could literally reach out and touch the action, that’s how close you can get. The crowd interaction was great. Commentators were well informed and entertaining, and live action was supported by real time scores and video replays. The real surprise was the music, which didn’t seem to faze the horses. What else can I say? Only in the US……..
Who did you rub shoulders with?
Meredith Michaels’ family – literally – during the showjumping sessions! I was seated next to her brother Greg, Mum and Dad. So you could say I was right amongst it.
Who were your favourites to watch in the dressage and jumping and why?
In the jumping, I just love Oki Doki, ridden by Albert Zoer. He’s such a little dynamo and so brave. Nothing seems to faze him, and his character just shines through.
In the dressage, Hans Peter Minderhoud on Exquis Nadine was a standout for me. They were so elegant, fine and effortless and displayed a real flair without being overly exaggerated. It was a beautifully balanced performance. To be honest, it felt like the judges were biased towards the top riders before they even started. And given the scores are displayed real time on each movement during the test, there was quite some discussion about the range of scores across individual judges.
What was your favourite moment?
Finding my seat on the first day and realising I’d hit the jackpot. I also loved watching the showjumping participants walk the course. It was fascinating. Good to see we all get a little nervous!
After watching the initial rounds, did you think that Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Steffen Peters would take out the 2009 World Cup titles?
It was clear from the outset that Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum would be hard to beat. But then it was very, very close and there were some real contenders.
I thought Steffen’s first test was a well deserved win, but to take out the final….. but then, who am I to judge!
Do you think Las Vegas is a good venue for this event?
The best. Vegas knows how to put on a great show. Everything just works. The range of options are mind blowing – but then I’m a fan. It’s Disneyland for adults.
Would go back to watch another world cup final?
I’ve joined World Cup Club, so I get first release tickets for 2011. Next time I’ll probably just go to the jumping so I get more time poolside to work on the tan and down a few more mohitos!
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