Showjumping – Stallions Parades and a Gong

Most of the news this week centred around showjumping with changes to some FEI rules, three World Cup qualifiers and a change at the top of the rankings. In other news, Sir Michael Oswold, former racing manager to HM Queen and stud manager at The Royal Studs was honoured; and finally, just before storm Ciara hit the UK, the main stallion show of the year was able to take place at Addington.

This weekend there were nine FEI showjumping events, and no dressage. There were three major CSI 5 star competitions, one in the France, the second in the UAE and the third in Mexico. All three were World Cup qualifiers, the finals which are now not that far away – in Las Vegas in April. In the USA, not to be outdone, there was another 5 star CSI in Wellington.

Guerdat deposes Fuchs for number one

Steve Guerdat from Switzerland has deposed his fellow countryman Martin Fuchs from the world number one ranked rider. In the recent win for Guerdat in the Basel, 5 star World Cup qualifier, he obtained 74 more points ahead of Fuchs who now is back to number two. Daniel Deusser remains at number three with Ben Maher remains in fourth place.

Bordeaux France.

In this, the main World Cup qualifier of the weekend there were 37 starting the 14 obstacle course incorporating 17 jumping efforts. The course was designed by Frenchman Jean Francois Morand. Top riders from Europe took to the course with 9 getting first round clears. In the jump off, six went onto score a further clear.  Steve Guerdat from Switzerland took the win in 30.82 seconds, thus cementing further his newly re-acquired world showjumping number one ranking. In second was Germany’s Daniel Deusser with a round of 31.59 seconds. Third spot was taken by Belgian Niels Bruynseels. The top home rider was veteran Roger Yves Bost, who was fifth. The Swiss rider rode Victorio des Frotards in the class with Deusser on board Jasmien V Bisschop.

Here was also a Grand Prix de Bordeaux, another 5 star CSI class sponsored by Land Rover. Again, another international affair with the French riders taking the two top spots; Julian Epaillard took the win riding Queeletta the only clear round of the 35 starters. As there was no jump off, the second placed rider, and the fastest of the 4 faulters on 41.49 seconds was Felicie Bertrand riding Sultane Des Ibis. Maikel van de Vleuten from the Netherlands was third.

Successful stallions parade at Addington UK

Current Olympic Showjumping Champion Big Star was the headliner stallion to appear at the British Equine Federation’s Stallion event at Addington on Saturday. The event saw 90 stallions spend 5 minutes each in the arena, strutting their paces before a rather disappointing audience turn out. Nevertheless, there were some very nice young stallions on show. The organisers ran a well run show in association  with The Competition Stallion publication and the event was sponsored by Baileys Horse Feeds. A further report will appear on Horse View UK later this week.

Sharjah in United Arab Emirates and Copa Banbajio – Mexico

In the second 5 star event in the UAE, 41 tackled the Louis Konickx designed course where New Zealander Bruce Goodin won riding 12 year old KWPN gelding Backatorps Danny V with a double clear. Germany’s Christian Ahlmann was second, also with a double clear on Solid Gold Z and third was Abdel Said riding Alanine de Vains for Egypt. Eleven riders went clear in the first round and all eleven went clear again in the jump off.

In Mexico, 20 starters took on the Anderson Lima deigned course with victory going to Mexican Salvador Onate with 1 fault in the first round. There was no jump off in this 4 star class as there were no clears in the first round. Second and third places, as the fastest rounds with 4 faults went to fellow Mexicans Arturo Parada Vallejo and Juan Jose Zendejas Salgado.

Sir Michael Oswold receives a gong from Her Majesty

The Queen honoured her former racing and stud manager in the 1970’s and early 1980’s,  in a private audience at Sandringham House on Friday bestowing Sir Michael Oswold with The Insignia of a Knight of The Royal Victorian Order.

Wellington – Florida

A third FEI 5 star event was held in Wellington USA , although this was not a World Cup qualifier, there were still many decent riders competing for the $401,000 prize. Twelve of the 40 riders had clears to go through to the jump off and six went on to have a further clear. The winner was MClain Ward from the USA riding Noche de Ronda with fellow American Kent Farrington standing in second riding Gazelle. Eric Lamaze from France riding Chacco Kid was just behind in third.

Rule changes for showjumping from FEI

The FEI have modified the rules concerning FEI show jumping events. The rules changes take effect from January 2020 and fully take effect from the beginning of 2021 concern spurs, hind boots and other tack and aids currently allowed in competition. Small rule changes are also to be introduced concerning ground poles in practice arenas.

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