by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 18, 2022
What a ride! Today’s show jumping finale of the FEI World Eventing Championships was far from an anti-climax after Saturday’s thriller of a cross-country test at Pratoni del Vivaro in Italy.
The course designed by Uliano Vezzani, set on undulating turf, provided surprises that I for one couldn’t have predicted, as the medal positions kept changing among the top four countries in a process that paved the way for a new generation to make its mark in the sport.
The grass show jumping arena at Pratoni.
Explaining his challenging route that took a toll on top combinations, Uliano said, “After a cross-country test like yesterday’s, the horses have ‘opened up’ and today they have to show that they are back in balance, well in hand. Which is exactly what you want from an eventing horse.”
But four knockdowns by world number one eventer Oliver Townend and Kentucky 5-star winner Ballaghmor Class? Unthinkable, yet it dropped Britain (the favorite going into the week) from the podium to fourth place (100.9 penalties).
Two knockdowns from Germany’s Michael Jung, who has a Fort Knox-worth pile of gold medals? How could that be, when it appeared he would set a new world record with fischerChipmunk FRH to finish on his dressage score of 18.8 penalties?
Even so, Germany was able to end with a team gold (95.2 penalties) after lingering on the lower levels of the podium throughout the competition.
Hard to believe that Boyd Martin, the anchor of so many U.S. teams, would be the drop score (42.2) in twentieth place with Tsetserleg after four rails toppled. But America finished on silver (100.3) anyway, though for a brief shining moment earlier in the day, the squad had a glimmering of gold in its sights. There were only 0.4 penalties between the U.S. and bronze medal New Zealand (100.7), and just 0.2 between New Zealand and Great Britain.
Will Coleman and Off the Record mastered the course. (Photo courtesy U.S. Equestrian)
It was the first time in 20 years that the U.S. had medaled at the worlds, having won gold in Spain in 2002.
“I’m very proud to be an American today,” said Boyd.
“Having five clear rounds yesterday in the cross-country was awesome, and just looking at the results here, any three of the five of us could have gotten a team medal.
“I’ve been on many of these teams, and we’ve been so close over and over again, and it’s a massive sigh of relief. I’m really thankful for this team and proud to be here with these guys sitting next to me.”
The bonus was that the U.S. qualified to have an eventing team in the 2024 Paris Olympics, along with the other nations in the top seven. France already was qualified as the host country for those Games. The U.S. dressage team qualified for Paris at their championships in Denmark last month, as did the para team for the Paralympics. The show jumpers will have to use the 2023 Nations Cup Final or the 2023 Pan Am Games to qualify.
The U.S. team of Will Coleman, Lauren Nicholson, Tamie Smith and Boyd Martin.
What about the individual eventing medals, you wonder.
That, too, would have been an unlikely prediction if anybody had suggested 25-year-old Yasmin Ingham, riding as an individual for Britain, would take the gold.
At the Kentucky 5-star this year, a notice came to the press room that Yaz would be giving a press conference one afternoon. Huh? “Who is she?” I asked, wondering about her resume, aside from being the 2013 Sportwoman of the Year on her native Isle of Man, and winner of Britain’s 2021 Blenheim event. I couldn’t make the press conference, but a few days later, we found out who she was, when she finished second to Michi Jung in the 5-star.
Yasmin Ingham triumphant. (FEI / Richard Juilliart)
And today she was first on the Selle Francais Banzai du Loir, moving up from third after dressage (22 penalties) to second after cross-country (adding just 1.2 time penalties) to clear in the jumping, winding up number one on 23.2 penalties. Too bad for Britain that she was riding as an individual instead of on the team.
Yasmin Ingham jumped clean to win individual gold at the FEI World Eventing Championshipsl.
As Michi’s horse brought down the plank at the tricky final fence, Yaz gasped and was immediately enveloped in hugs.
“Honestly, I’m still not believing it,” she said, a bit breathless moments later.
“I really didn’t think this would happen. My horse, Banzai, was just impeccable; perfect, could not fault him today in the show jumping round. I’m just over the moon. I can’t explain how happy I am, because there’s just no words for it.
“I’m shaking at the moment, even still.”
Describing today as extreme pressure and nerve-wracking, Yaz said she “tried to treat it as a normal competition, and make sure I did my normal plan, and routine and structured system. Stuck to it, blocked everything else out and focused on the job.”
Yaz on Banzai.
Banzai, she emphasized, “just delivered. He was absolutely perfect.”
She is the latest link in the tradition of British eventing world champions; Lucinda Green, Ginny Leng, Zara Phillips Tindall and Ros Canter, who won four years ago and was fourth today with Lordship’s Graffalo (26.2), who is only 10 years old.
Yaz has looked up to the more experienced riders on the team and took advice from them.
“Now that I’ve managed to do it and become world champion, I’m just speechless,” she said.
How cool is this mounted band that led in the medalists?
Olympic champion Julia Krajewski of Germany took silver with a clear round on Amande de B’Neville (26 penalties), moving up from fifth after cross-country. New Zealand’s world number three, Tim Price, also fault free, took bronze with 26.2 penalties. He had the same score as Ros, but with a cross-country time closer to the optimum to break the tie. His mount, Falco, was developed by Sue Dempsey, who designed the cross-country course for the 2012 London Olympics.
“We worked so hard for this, we focused on it for years, this kind of major event, it means everything,” said Tim, whose wife, Jonelle, rode on the team with him.
Michi wound up a disappointing fifth (26.8), but emphasized he was very happy for the team.
“It was a fantastic performance, everyone was great. Today I’m a little bit unlucky, but luckily, on the other side, it was enough for the team.”
The USA’s Tamie Smith, poised for the podium in third place with Mai Baum after cross-country, saw her individual medal prospects disappear with two rails down, putting her ninth on 32 penalties. Her horse had lost his front shoes on cross-country and may have been feeling the effects of that today.
Tamie Smith and Mai Baum. (Photo courtesy U.S. Equestrian)
Her score left Will Coleman as the highest-placed American, seventh with Off the Record (27.2) after a fault-free round.
Lauren Nicholson had two rails and a time penalty with Vermiculus (41.1) to place nineteenth for the team, while Ariel Grad, riding as an individual for the U.S., was part of that rising generation I mentioned to end up eleventh after a faul-free trip on Leamore Master Plan (32.5).
That was impressive, considering she was fiftieth following dressage. Jumping is the forte of her Irish-bred son of Master Imp.
Ariel Grald and Leamore Master Plan. (Photo courtesy U.S. Equestrian)
U.S. Chef d’Equipe Bobby Costello called it “such a crazy day. I had a feeling when I walked the course that it was going to be very influential. I’d never seen such a consistently big and very technical track and have those three lines, all single jumps to combinations, with three completely different distances. It was a real important phase, and no team went unscathed, and you had to keep fighting to the end.”
Ariel, Tamie and Boyd are still working with former eventing performance manager Erik Duvander, whose contract was not renewed last December by the U.S. Equestrian Federation. Bobby Costello took over as interim chef d’equipe this year.
“The most pleasing thing is that America has won a medal after a long drought and I’m very, very proud of the way the riders rode and how they present themselves, It’s very, very good,” said Erik, who was in Italy to help his riders but expressed pride in the team as a whole.
Much of what they have done was built on a foundation of the four years he gave the U.S. effort.
Although pathfinder Will Coleman does not work with him, Erik called that rider “very impressive…he’s been in the game for such a long time, but I think he’s now grown into the shoes and is now a serious competitor on the world stage but also within the team. He’s got the confidence and the self-belief and the skills as well.”
The nicest development, he added, is the number of people from other nations who “came up to me and congratulated on how America has turned around from being an average nation to a top nation. It has been noted by everyone.”
Click here for the team results. Click this link for the individual results.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 25, 2022
BP Goodfellas, bred by Kevin Babington, won the five-year-old title at the FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championship for Young Horses this weekend.
The son of Stakkato Gold out of Goodwin’s Loyalty mastered a tough 16-jumping effort test set at Lanaken, Belgium by course builder Eugène Mathy. The highest obstacles were set at 1.30 meters, with eight of 47 combinations entered making the jump-off.
Gerard O’Neill and BP Goodfellas at Lanaken. (Zangersheide photo)
Rider Gerard O’Neill topped the competition in the tie-breaker with a clear round in 40.12 seconds. They edged Ristretto Vd Heffinck, ridden by Olivier van der Vaart,clocked in 40.52 seconds.
Gerard had been riding the horse only four weeks before this championship. BP Goodfellas’ regular rider had reached the maximum of three horses to ride in the championship and thus Gerard get the nod.
“I have nothing but admiration for this horse. He didn’t need, in retrospect, to jump the double, with the speed at which I entered. But he did a great job, he is a nice horse to ride with a real winner’s mentality. I also rode his mother a long time ago, so that makes a nice story. And I expect this is only the first chapter for BP Goodfellas,” said the winner.
Kevin had ridden Goodwin’s Loyalty between 2013 and 2015. They took the 1.45 meter derby at Spruce Meadows during their time together.
Stakkato Gold is the sire of Kevin’s longtime mount, Shorapur, who is doing broodmare duty at the farm of Greg Broderick where Goodfellas was foaled. Goodwin’s Loyalty is by OBOS Quality, the sire of one of the Babington family’s most successful horses, Devon grand prix winner Mark Q.
An Olympian who was a longtime member of the Irish show jumping team, Kevin suffered a severe spinal cord injury in a 2019 accident during a grand prix and has been working hard on his rehabilitation ever since. He is still in demand as a coach and is teaching on a regular basis. Goodfella’s win is great news for him, though he has no plans as yet for the horse’s next move.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 25, 2022
The USA’s Chester Weber had a tough go today in the cones competition at the FEI World Driving Championships in Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy, finishing 17th in that section to end up eighth overall as Boyd Exell of Australia kept his crown. It was Boyd’s sixth straight victory since his inaugural gold in 2010.
Chester, third individually after the dressage phase, slipped to fourth following yesterday’s marathon . Nine penalties on the cones course and 16.02 time penalties were costly.
Boyd had a total of 156.06 penalties for the event, retaining his edge because of his victorious 34.13 penalty score in the dressage. He had no knockdowns on the cones course, but accumulated 5.92 time penalties with a wise element of caution to his driving in rain and a damp surface.
Boyd Exell along the cones course on his way to his sixth world title. (Photo courtesy FEI)
Ijsbrand Chardon of the Netherlands led his country to its eleventh gold (313.93) in the team competition, while he took silver individually on 159.82, failing to add to the five individual golds he already had. Third went to Germany’s Michael Brauchle (164.89) as his nation earned silver (327.45) over Belgium (356.39) in the team contest.
Ijsbrand’s 25-year-old son, Bram, the youngest ever to win a world driving championship as he did with the indoor FEI World Driving Cup in Bordeaux earlier this year, was the only driver to go double-clear in the cones to win that section. He was using his “A Team” for that phase, having had issues with his combo in the dressage and marathon.
“I’m the current Dutch, European and World Cup Champion,” said Bram, “but on the World Championship I had unusual mistakes, the same as Tryon (the 2018 world championships in North Carolina.) I needed revenge on the Sunday, I needed it…to show that I can do it”, Bram said.
Boyd said, “I have the pressure of having fantastic horses and you mustn’t let them down.That’s one of the hardest things–they are 15 years old now and so experienced.
“The team of people around me, all the helpers, it’s about not letting them down too. Plus Koos (de Ronde of the Dutch team), Bram and Ijsbrand they add to the pressure too. So even when you have great horses, you also have to watch out for these guys.”
Boyd added, “When you look back in history, other drivers have had fantastic horses, and I’ve also had them over the years. Over time, everybody has great horses. It’s nice to remember them too.
“The pressure was also about keeping the reins dry.I had a second pair of gloves which I hadn’t thought I’d need! Also, the horses and carriage were starting to slip in the corners. The course was a good testing course today, but only in good conditions.
“With all the many U-turns in the wet conditions, it made it much harder. I used the information my team fed back to me about the rounds before me and I didn’t expect my horses to spook at the wooden horse in the middle, which cost me a few seconds. But overall, I tried to stay calm and not knock any balls“, Boyd added.
The U.S, which won gold in the championship at the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games, did not have a team in this year’s competition after Misdee Wrigley cancelled her participation due to health reasons.
There were only six driving teams at Pratoni, compared to 16 for the eventing championship the previous week. And Australia’s driving squad had just two members. Boyd’s teammate, Tor van den Berge, was eliminated, which meant Australia did not finish as a team.
Four-in-hand driving is expensive to pursue. That’s particularly so for Americans, since the major competitions are in Europe and it’s costly to ship so many horses and carriages abroad.
At the USA’s national championships last year, only Chester and Jimmy Fairclough participated. It’s a beautiful sport, but the money factor limits involvement to the wealthy or those who have great sponsors.
Click here for the individual standings. Click on this link for the team standings.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 24, 2022
The USA’s only representative at the FEI World Driving Championships dropped one place, from third to fourth, after today’s marathon, but with the cones phase to come on Sunday, he still has a chance for a medal.
Chester Weber in the marathon. (Photo courtesy U.S. Equestrian)
Australia’s Boyd Exell continues to lead individually at Pratoni del Vivaro, Italy, with a total of 150.14 penalties after scoring 116.01 in the marathon, where Chester added 118.36 penalties to his dressage score for a total of 159.88
Michael Brauchle of Germany sizzled to win the marathon with 107 penalties for a total of 156.18, as the Netherlands’ Ijsbrand Chardon moved up to third and brought his team into first place. His score was 157.47, adding in 114.49 from the marathon.
“This year I won the marathon at Royal Windsor and Valkenswaard and that was good for me. I’m a young man and I have a lot of strength and my horses fight for me and with me. It’s a big plus for me in the marathon when my horses have fun–big fun,” said Michael, who is posing a big threat from his vantagepoint in second place overall so far.
“My right leader is Djamilo (Jamie) and he’s a brilliant marathon horse. He knows his job; he’s been doing this for four years. I bought him as a young horse, and we have worked together for a lot of years and make a good team together. I think we also put Germany in a good place now,” Michael commented.
Boyd, the defending champion, was sixth in the marathon and will have to hustle in the cones to keep his place, as the three others are so close behind him.
Boyd Exell in the marathon. (Photo courtesy FEI)
Chester, who was ninth in the marathon, noted, “The course was hilly up and down oted, “The course was hilly up and down and it was really a nice challenge. There are a lot of shows where we’ve driven the same track so many times, and that experience can be invaluable, but when you come to a competition like here in Pratoni, and this was a really new feeling and test, and you really had to be a clever driver and know where your strengths are and what you can and can’t do.”
With two newer combinations debuting in their first world championship, in both Amadeus and Julius V, the pair strengthened the team’s overall score with their agility and responsiveness to the questions asked along the track.
“I felt like the first four obstacles were really strong,” mused Chester, who was on the USA’s gold medal team at the 2018 world championships during the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, N.C.
“They handled it really well. I lost a little bit of pressure on the leaders after the fifth obstacle, but this team is a little inexperienced and completely new leaders from Tryon and they showed a lot of promise today,” he explained.
“We’ve been working really hard at home to try and get them faster and certainly what I saw in the first four obstacles is the talent we need for the future and standing on another podium.”
In the team competition, the Netherlands has 311.58 penalties after taking over the lead from Germany, which has 314.85. Belgium is in third with 335.20. The U.S. has no team because Misdee Wrigley withdrew shortly before the championships due to health reasons. Only two drivers are required to make up a team, though most countries have three drivers and a drop score.
Click here for the individual standings
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 23, 2022
Australia’s Boyd Exell moved into first place as the dressage phase of the FEI World Four-in-Hand Driving Championships wrapped up, but overnight leader Chester Weber of the U.S. stayed near the top of the standings in third place.
“I love driving, the score is only the icing on the cake,” said Boyd.
“My right leader is Checkmate and today he was the showpiece. He was a wheeler in Normandy and Tryon (the 2014 and 2018 world championships) and now he’s a leader. He’s always been a really special horse. Celviro is my left leader, he’s the solid one and every time he delivers. I have a new wheeler called Hero and he did well–he’s a marathon specialist.”
Chester Weber and his team. (Photo © Massimo Argenziano )
Boyd, ranked world number one, earned 34.13 penalties for his test. Mareike Harm of Germany collected just 38.85 penalties to stand second. She is listed as number six in the world rankings.
“I have a nice lead but it’s a three-day competition and a lot can go wrong. We had problems in Aachen in the cross-country and a five-point lead is not enough, so it’s not over until Sunday afternoon,” Boyd pointed out.
Chester, number 17 in the world, was marked at 41.52 penalties, while Anna Sandmann of Germany is fourth on 42.52. The daughter of three-time world champion Christoph Sandmann is 34th in the world rankings. She is not competing as a member of the German squad, but that nation still has the lead in the team standings (88.03), ahead of the Netherlands (89.23) and the two-man team from Australia (91.50), operating without the benefit of a drop score.
Chester moved to Europe in May to prepare for the championships in Pratoni del Vivaro Italy.
“The way the sport is, if you want to be in the top five, you have to spend time competing against those top five,” he explained. His team of horses are all Dutch warmbloods. Two of them are veterans of the gold medal U.S. team at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, N.C., four years ago.
The U.S. does not have a team at Pratoni because Misdee Wrigley withdrew shortly before the championships due to health issues. It only requires two drivers to make up a team in driving.
The marathon gets under way tomorrow at 4 a.m. Eastern time.
For individual standings, click here. For team standings, click this link.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 22, 2022
Former U.S.Equestrian Federation president and Olympic eventing gold medalist David O’Connor next month takes on a newly created position as the USEF’s chief of sport, while Graeme Thom becomes the director of FEI/High-Performance Sport Programs.
Both veteran eventers will start work Oct. 3 to insure a smooth transition, as Director of Sport Will Connell leaves his position Nov. 25.
David, who has been head of the FEI eventing committee, will be primarily focused on strategy, responsible for working with the executive team regarding overall international and national sport support of the USEF Strategic Plan and its initiatives. They include sport integrity, education, and equine and human safety and welfare.
Additionally, he will provide oversight of the international and national sport operations, ensuring that the sport department’s short-term and long-term strategic plans align with USEF’s priorities. The 2000 Olympic individual gold medalist also will focus on strengthening relationships with stakeholder groups such as the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, the FEI and the USEF’s recognized affiliates.
“I very much look forward to the opportunities afforded by this new role within the USEF,” he said.
“The chance to perform a 365-degree view of equestrian sport from a national and a global perspective and share strategies to ensure safety, welfare, and enjoyment while growing the sport across all breeds and disciplines will be an exciting prospect.
“My passion has always been horses, and promoting equestrian sport, both within and outside of our equine community, is a very important mission, both personally and for the USEF as a whole.”
David O’Connor on his Olympic gold medal victory lap at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. (Photo © 2000 by Nancy Jaffer)
USEF CEO Bill Moroney said, “As a key member of the executive leadership team, David will provide thought leadership, innovative problem-solving, and share diverse ideas to guide strategic actions and important business decisions, drive priorities, and lead change for the organization’s success.”
Graeme served as chair of the Canadian High-Performance Committee and as a chef d’equipe for Canada and New Zealand for the past 15 years at such major championships such as the 2008 Olympics, the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and the 2021 Olympics. Will is remaining with USEF through Nov. 25 to allow for a smooth transition.
He has worked in the financial industry, rode to the CCI 3-star level in eventing and was shortlisted for the Canadian eventing team.
His responsibilities with USEF will be focused primarily on sport operations, supervising the activities of the managing directors and directors for each international discipline recognized by the FEI. He will develop and implement the Strategic High-Performance plan and programs and overall administration of all aspects of sport programming and pathways for those FEI disciplines.
His other work will involve serving as the staff liaison to the USEF International Disciplines Council and the Athlete Advisory Committee. Additionally, he will fill the role of chef de mission at the World Equestrian Games, Pan American Games, and Olympic Games and is the primary sport contact for the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee and the FEI.
“I am very appreciative of being offered this exciting role,” said Graeme.
“I have some extremely large shoes to fill with Will’s departure. He is legendary in his role as a chef de mission and high-performance director. It was a fitting testimonial that he was able to share in the USA successes at the recent World Championships.
“I will do my best to move up the curve as quickly as possible and hope my 10-plus years as a chef d’equipe in eventing will act as a springboard for continued success in the future across all FEI disciplines. I look forward to meeting the staff and team personnel very soon and am very eager to join the USEF organization.”
Bill Moroney cited Graeme’s “extensive experience in high-performance sports operations and management, coupled with his leadership and organizational skills.”
That, he continued, “makes him a great asset to the federation. I look forward to working with Graeme to strengthen and elevate high-performance equestrian sport in the U.S. across all international disciplines as we look to the future.”
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 16, 2022
Beezie Madden, a pillar of so many U.S. show jumping squads, willl not be part of future championship teams due to a non-cancerous tumor.
Beezie was diagnosed with a Vestibular Schwannoma. Johns Hopkins University experts define these as noncancerous tumors that grow in the ear, and that can affect hearing and balance.
According to a facebook post from Beezie and John Madden Sales, she is “under the care of excellent doctors and physical therapists, and this is not cancerous or life threatening. Riding is even recommended as part of the physical therapy plan.”
As usual, “Beezie is still riding and competing at all levels, developing young horses, and training our students. The reality is that some days her balance is affected slightly, but our more flexible schedule allows us to work around those days without the deadlines of riding for our country on a team at Championships.”
The Maddens thank everyone who has reached out, as well as their sponsors.
by Nancy Jaffer | Aug 23, 2022
The benefit horse show for Kevin Babington has become an annual tradition, with the fourth edition to be held Oct. 2 at the refurbished Duncraven in Titusville, N.J. The new owners of Duncraven, the Stout family, have donated the facility for the day.
Kevin suffered a spinal cord injury in a fall at the 2019 Hampton Classic, leaving the Irish Olympic rider paralyzed. He has worked hard on recovery, but is in pain and still has little in the way of movement, though he has made some progress as a result of intensive medical treatment and his hard work in physical therapy.
Kevin and Dianna Babington. (Photo © by Nancy Jaffer)
Due to Kevin’s condition, the costs of treatment and daily living are astronomical. He is able to teach from his wheelchair, and his wife, Dianna, also works as a trainer. Daughters Gwyneth and Marielle pitch in to help, but there is still a financial shortfall.
Proceeds from the show will go to the Babington Family Trust, which gives Kevin access to funds for immediate needs in daily living. Although he also benefits from the Kevin Babington Foundation, that entity helps other people as well and tends to handle more big picture expenditures, while the Family Trust can provide money as soon as he needs something.
The benefit, run by volunteers, is seeking help for a variety of positions, from announcers who can work with volunteer lead announcer George Dahms, to in-gate staff, jump crew and people who can set up the show and clean up afterwards. Supplemental jumps are also needed for the day.
Kevin Babington was a top rider before his accident. (Photo © 2016 by Nancy Jaffer)
Nancy Wallis is managing the benefit with the assistance of Jen Cassidy. The show is recognized by the New Jersey Professional Horsemen’s Association, which will run its fall finale at Duncraven Oct. 8-9, the weekend after the benefit. That means the benefit show will be a good schooling opportunity for riders to prepare for the finale. Those competing at either show will ride in rings that have new all-weather footing.
Mary Norris remains as show secretary, while Ron Smith, Abbe Wolfe, Michelle Patience and Creigh Duncan have volunteered to serve as judges. Donations of raffle items are also being sought, as are division sponsors. Those who would like to donate should contact Julie Koveloski at 609-439-8983.
A tack sale is being held in conjunction with the show. Tack may be dropped off at Duncraven the week before the show. Those who need to drop it off before that should contact show manager Nancy Wallis at 908-256-3386.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 1, 2022
Have you ever wondered what it would be like riding behind the hounds, crossing the beautiful countryside and taking jumps along the way?
You’ve seen it in films and on video, now you can have a chance to try it yourself. The Monmouth County Hunt is offering an introduction to fox hunting Sept. 17 and 18 from its base at 50 East Branch Road, Allentown. The first day of the program includes instruction on hunt etiquette and turnout for horse and rider, as well as learning about safety.
Participants will then ride on the flat in a group and over fences (jumping is not required). They will meet the hounds and get a tour of the hunt country.
On the second day, participants will ride in a hunt with instruction from the field masters. Riders will be grouped by desired pace and comfort level, as they get a chance to see the hounds work. A hunt breakfast will follow, with an opportunity for those taking part to talk with the joint masters.
To register, go to monmouthcountyhunt@gmail.com. The fee is $150.
by Nancy Jaffer | Sep 19, 2022
In a visit that could be important to the future of equestrian sport in the Olympics, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach was among the 22,000 spectators who attended the FEI Eventing World Championships on cross-country day at Pratoni del Vivaro. Italy, over the weekend.
There is always a question of whether equestrian competition and in particular, eventing, will be dropped from the Games as new events such as surfing and break dancing are added.
The IOC president was accompanied by FEI officials and 2000 Olympic gold medalist David O’Connor, now chair of the FEI Eventing Committee.
“These are amazing facilities to see and it is a pleasure to experience a real Olympic legacy and sustainability success story,” the IOC president said.
“I’m very impressed by the many measures the FEI has taken to safeguard the well-being and the health of the horses, and I am pleased with everything the International Federation is doing to ensure the future of the sport.”
Pratoni hosted the cross-country phase of at the 1960 Rome Games, and also did the same at the 1998 World Equestrian Games.
Although equestrian sports are on the schedule for the 2024 Paris Games and 2028 in Los Angeles, 2032 in Brisbane does not have a firm agenda as yet. Eventing is popular in Australia, but the country has not qualified yet for Paris, since it finished tenth, out of the crucial top seven, in Pratoni.
