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On the list for Hamburg; Michael and GIG Amai. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.A star studded field of riders is heading for Hamburg the coming weekend. The show hosts the second leg of the Global Champions Tour and the Hamburg Derby. Big names such as Christian Ahlmann, Ludger Beerbaum, Marcus Ehning, Michael Whitaker, Kevin Staut, Edwina Tops-Alexander, Gerco Schröder, Marc Houtzager, Steve Guerdat, Rolf-Göran Bengtsson and Katharina Offel will all ride at the event.

Click here for the full riders list.

Nice trophy for the second place yesterday #laura kraut #gct madrid #mathieuThis weekend we have had Richard Spooner's groom Mathieu Mougeot guest tweeting for WoSJ. Mathieu has spent the weekend at the opening leg of the Global Champions Tour in Madrid, and here are Mathieu's last snapshots and tweets from the lovely show.

Cyber had a beautiful clear this morning!!! Now, he s watching the other ones going on the ring!!! #gct #mathieu Mathieu Mougeot - Richard Spooner's head groom - is guest tweeting for us from the first leg of the Global Champions Tour in Madrid this weekend. Here is a fine selection of his tweets from Saturday. If you want to follow him live, join us on Twitter and look for the tweets marked with #mathieu.

Galou van de Schemmersberg to Doda. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Alvaro de Miranda has purchased the seven year old Galou van de Schemmersberg (Balou du Rouet x Randel Z). The gelding has previously been ridden by Shane Breen, and after some good rounds at Spring Tour Lummen Doda showed interest in the horse.

To Studforlife.com Shane is explaining that his plan was not to sell, but then Doda tried Galou van de Schemmersberg and they made a good match right away. Shane is now pleased that the horse has come to a stable where he has the potential to move to the top.

Dame Blanche van Arenberg to Penelope Leprevost. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Dame Blanche van Arenberg (Clinton x Codexco) has been purchased by Haras de Clarbecq for Penelope Leprevost to ride. The 10 year old mare started off her career with the Spanish rider Pascal Levy and has since the end of 2012 been ridden by Marc Dilasser.

According to Studforlife.com the new owner has been following the development of Dame Blanche van Arenberg for a while and they have no doubt in her qualities.

Well, spooner team is ready!!!! Enjoying the nice sun #gct madrid #mathieuMathieu Mougeot - Richard Spooner's head groom - is back guest tweeting for us. Here is a fine selection of his first tweets. If you want to follow him live, join us on Twitter here and look for the tweets marked with #mathieu.

Marquis de la Lande HDC and Franck Schillewaert. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Marquis de la Lande HDC (Quito de Baussy x Starter) has sadly passed away. The only thirteen year old stallion died suddenly this weekend during a show in Fontainebleau where he was together with his long time rider Franck Schillewaert. In May last year Haras des Coudrettes bought Marquis de la Lande to secure him for Franck Schillewaert as they thought that Marquis was the horse of a lifetime for Franck.

Our thoughts go to Franck, HDC and the whole team around the horse.

Christian Ahlmann is still on top of the Longines Ranking. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Christian Ahlmann holds on to rank number one on the latest Longines Ranking. Gerco Schröder stays put as rank two, while Kevin Staut has climbed all the way from rank six to rank three. Steve Guerdat has fallen one spot down to number four - while Marcus Ehning, who was number seven last month has made a jump up to rank five.

Rolex FEI World Cup winner Beezie Madden has made the biggest climb among the Top 10 as she has taken over rank six, leaving her rank as number ten from last month to Pius Schwizer. Edwina Tops-Alexander has fallen two spots to number seven, while Rolf-Göran Bengtsson is back among the Top 10 as number eight ahead of Nick Skelton who is rank nine this month.

The total prize money for this season's Longines Global Champions Tour will be over €8 million, a new record for the premier championship series. The significant prize money on offer is announced as the first Longines Global Champions Tour event of 2013 gets underway in Madrid, with a high calibre turn out of the world's best riders and horses.

Andreas Schou and Diamant de Revel. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Absolute Horses in Denmark report that they have sold their eight year old stallion Diamant de Revel (Diamant de Semilly x Quidam de Revel) to Florida. The promising stallion has been approved in both the Danish Warmblood Society and the Swedish Warmblood Association. Diamant de Revel has produced good results in the international youngster classes under  Christian and Andreas Schou, but will now continue his career in the US.

Hopefully we will see more of this in the years to come. Nina celebrating another victory. Here seen in Gothenburg in 2011. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.The Finnish fighter Nina Fagerström is these days packing her bags and leaving for Eric Levallois’ Haras de Beaufour in Normandy, France together with her partner Alexander Rohling. Last year the former Stephex-rider took a big step and decided to set up on her own, and together with Alex she established Finca Horses. They started off with a few of Alex’ horses, in addition to some horses from different owners. The competitive rider wanted more though, and during the year they purchased horses more suitable for Nina and with potential for the top sport. 

Nina and Alex are now taking the Finca-horses to France, where Nina will get the ride on two promising nine year olds owned by Eric’s sister and brother. In addition to this she will be riding Eric’s very promising horses of his own breeding. Eric has brought up many talented horses over the years, and is also the former rider of Penelope Leprevost’s world cup-horse, Nayana, and the popular French stallion Diamant de Semilly.

Jörg Naeve has been injured. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Jörg Naeve had a bad fall on Tuesday morning and broke his collarbone. Due to his injury Naeve unfortunately has had to cancel his planned competitions in Redefin and Hamburg, and at the moment he doesn't know when he will be back in the saddle.

We wish Jörg a speedy recovery! 

Source: www.pferdenachrichten.de

CHI Geneva sticks with Rolex! Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.CHI Geneva – one of the three events included in the newly launched Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping – will no longer host a World Cup qualifier, as they have done since its creation in the late seventies. The World Cup's main sponsor will as of the 2013/2014 season be Longines, and with Rolex being the main sponsor of the CHI Geneva the organizers have had to drop the World Cup. “As we wanted to be faithful to our main sponsor, that has helped us over the past 17 years – which has included sponsorship of two World Cup Finals and nine Top 10 Finals – there was no question. We had to forget the World Cup. That being said, it was not an easy choice and we asked the FEI for a compromise as we didn’t want to cancel our existing and running contracts,” says Alban Poudret – Sports Director at the event.

David Will has a new sponsor. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.David Will has a new sponsor; Juwelieren Banki & Sohn. Following the sponsorship, the World Cup winner from Den Bosch will in the future be seen in a new outfit and the show Mannheimer Maimarkt will be David's first show for the new sponsor. "I took riding lessons for David's mother when he was a small kid. So I have been following his development for several years. During David's time at Dietmar Gugler's he has not only develop his riding skills, he has also grown as a person," says Shadi Banki, the owner of Juwelieren Banki & Sohn. "I'm impressed by David's persistence when it comes to working, and that he is such a hard worker with such a discipline. I think that such a talent needs to be supported and as David has had some of my horses over the last years I'm happy that I now can support him like this," Banki says.

Ludger will make it a double this weekend - Madrid and Mannheim. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.It is a big German troop that will participate at the CSI3* show in Mannheim the coming weekend. Christian Ahlmann, Hans-Dieter Dreher, Philipp Weishaupt and David Will are just some of the riders that will be present. Both Ludger Beerbaum and Marco Kutscher will make a double this weekend - first compete at the GCT in Madrid and then go straight on to compete in Mannheim.

Of course there will also be others than the German riders going to Mannheim - Abdel Said, Angelica Augustsson, Pius Schwizer, Daniel Etter, Beat Mändli and Gert-Jan Bruggink will all be there.

Mathieu is already set in Madrid and has found the shuttle service.This weekend we welcome back Mathieu Mougeot – who works for Richard Spooner – as our guest tweeter. Mathieu is in Madrid for the Global Champions Tour with the Spooner-horses, and there will be lots of Mathieu's trademark behind the scenes-tweets and snapshots to look forward to. You can already follow Mathieu’s guest tweets live on the WoSJ Twitter-account, and look for his tweets marked #mathieu.

Max Kühner has two new horses to ride. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.German rider Max Kühner has two new horses added to his string; the Bavarian State Stud’s Acajou and Carriculo. Acajou is a 13 year old stallion by Asti Spumante x Furioso, who has already shown some good international Grand Prix results under his co-owner and former rider Kristian Kniha. Carriculo is a 7 year old stallion by Contendro I x Stakkato which by his new rider is describes as “a very modern, smart horse with great jumping ability."

Madeleine Winter-Schulze. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Madeleine Winter-Schulze has been honored with the award Meteor-Preis in Germany. It is the Holsteiner Masters that has awarded Winter-Schulze for her outstanding commitment to the sport. Madeleine Winter-Schulze is the most important patron of German equestrianism; within the world of showjumping she is most known as Ludger Beerbaum’s long time supporter and horse owner. On her award Winter-Schulze said; “It is amazing that you can still get a prize for something that gives you so much fun and enriches your life in such a way!”

Source: holsteiner-masters.de

Ninja leaves for Mexico tomorrow. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson. Rolf-Göran Bengtsson’s Ninja La Silla – who was officially retired in Gothenburg the past weekend – has already left Rolf’s stable in Breitenburg, Germany. Ninja will fly to Mexico tomorrow together with his long-time groom Celia. Once there the medal winning gelding will enjoy life in the huge fields of the La Silla stud.

Source:Stall Bengtsson & Kristoffersen

Take a look at what Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, Eric Lamaze, Steve Guerdat, representatives from Aachen, Spruce Meadows and Geneva - as well as the title sponsor - had to say about the new Rolex Grand Slam of showjumping last weekend!

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Rolf-Göran Bengtsson's fantastic partner Ninja La Silla was thanked off in Gothenburg today. In front of his home crowds the lovely gelding got all the attention he deserves and a bit more. Thank you for giving us amazing memories, Ninja!

All smiles as the Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping was revealed today. Photos by Jenny Abrahamsson.The Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping was revealed at a media reception in Gothenburg today. The Rolex Grand Slam of Showjumping will consist of three of the world’s most prestigious Grand Prix classes; the Grand Prix in Aachen, the Grand Prix at Spruce Meadows and the Grand Prix in Geneva. The three Rolex Grand Prix classes alone have prize-money totaling 2.5 million Euros – with Aachen and Spruce Meadows having 1 million Euros apiece, and Geneva 500,000 Euros. With the Grand Slam being launched there is now a chance to win a bonus on top.

Any rider who wins three shows in a row, receives 1 million Euros on top of the prize-money of each show. Any rider who wins two out of the three shows, also receives a bonus.  If two shows are won in succession, the bonus is 500,000 Euros. If the rider is successful in qualifying for the “two out of three mode”, but doesn’t claim the victories at two consecutive shows, the bonus total 250,000 Euros.  It will only be the rider that counts, not the horse and it will be possible to claim the bonus riding different horses. The Grand Slam will without doubt bring the sport to a whole new level.

I'm Special de Muze. Photo provided by Team Nijhof.The super talent I’m Special de Muze will in the future be seen under Willem Greve. I’m Special de Muze is five years old, and what is quite special are his exceptional bloodlines. The stallion is by Harrie Smolder’s amazing Z-Tour Grand Prix winner Emerald (Diamant de Semilly x Carthago) and out of another one of Harrie’s top horses Walnut de Muze (Nabab de Reve x Chin Chin). The promising stallion was Reserve BWP Champion in 2011.

Mathijs van Asten and Credence Z in Valkenswaard last summer. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Mathijs van Asten has according to dehoefslag.nl sold his top horse Credence Z. The buyer of the 13-year old Catango Z-son is reportedly from China. Together with van Asten, Credence Z has produced some good results – the pair won the 2* Grand Prix in Neeroeteren in 2012, and have several other top Grand Prix results.

Source: dehoefslag.nl

It is with great anticipation and enthusiasm that Stutteri Ask (Martofte, Denmark) and Sweden's Rolf-Göran Bengtsson of Stall Bengtsson & Kristoffersen (Breitenburg, Germany) announce their future cooperation. The cooperation between the Danish stud farm and Bengtsson and his team will see its beginning on Monday 29th of April following Bengtsson's participation at the World Cup Final in Gothenburg. Bengtsson will in the future be riding the stud farm's horses, but investments in new, talented showjumpers will also be done. The successful cooperation with the Holsteiner Verband will remain, and the stallions Casall and Quintero will in the future change names to Casall Ask and Quintero Ask.

Marlon Zanotelli is one of the riders that can be found at Jumping Antwerpen. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Jumping Antwerpen will be welcoming some great riders for their lovely four star event the coming weekend. Some big Belgian names will of course be present, and in addition Scott Brash, Michael Whitaker, Eric Lamaze, Gerco Schröder, Kathi Offel, Lauren Hough and Laura Kraut can be found on the list of riders.

Click here to see the full entry list.

Lisen and Peder have bought Canvas Plus. The Swedish bred stallion Canvas Plus, has been bought by Lisen Bratt Fredricson and Peder Fredricson as a long term investment. The 5 year old is by Cardento-Cortez-Leuhten I, and approved in Oldenburg International. Canvas Plus is bred by Erik Möyland Andersen, who also sold the horse to Lisen and Peder. “We are really happy to include Canvas Plus in our stable, we believe he has all the qualities necessary for a future Grand Prix horse. As a stallion for breeding, he has an excellent combination of talent for jumping, bloodline and a very good exterior, earning him a 9 for type. We think he is an upcoming star both as a breeding stallion and as a competing horse. We are very much looking forward to work with him,” Lisen and Peder says in a press release.

Nice and new colors for Team Beerbaum! Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Team Beerbaum has some new colors on their show outfits. The color change on Ludger Beerbaum, Marco Kutscher, Philipp Weishaupt and Henrik von Eckermann’s show clothing is due to the fact that they are no longer flying the DZ Bank's colors. Team Beerbaum’s new outfits are grey and green – looking very fresh indeed! A color change can also be seen on Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, who also was a part of the DZ Bank team.

Ludger Beerbaum. Photo by Longines Equestrian Masters.Ludger Beerbaum is currently in China, where he has been involved in the Longines Beijing Equestrian Masters – both as a competitor and as organizer. As an ambassador for the horse sport in China, Ludger speaks about the globalization of the sport in an interview with the Longines Beijing Equestrian Masters. Below you can read an extract of what Ludger had to say.

Henrik is part of the Swedish top-group. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Sweden’s national team for 2013 has been announced. The team has been divided into two groups, a top-group and a b-group. The top group consists of Malin Baryard-Johnsson, Rolf-Göran Bengtsson, Henrik von Eckermann, Jens Fredricson and Peder Fredricson. Angelica Augustsson is currently out of the group as her best horses have been out with injuries, but they are now on their way back.

The b-group consists of Niklas Arvidsson, Emma Emanuelsson, Douglas Lindelöw and Royne Zetterman.

Ben Maher and Quiet Easy 4 winning the $33,000 G&C Farm 1.45m class at the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival. Photo by Sportfot.Ben Maher’s ride Quiet Easy 4 will in the future be seen under Chloe Aston. According to Horse & Hound, Ben has passed on Quainton Stud’s 9 year old gelding by Quidams Rubin to Chloe, as he now has a huge string of horses for the international shows and Ben was of the opinion that there might not be space for Quiet Easy 4 – who now will benefit from being Chloe’s number one horse. Quiet Easy 4 has had some good results under Ben, and won the G&C Farm 1.45m class at the FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival (FTI WEF) in March as well as the Suncast 1.50m Championship Jumper Series in February. Chloe, who is only 18, has been has been riding for Quainton Stud for two years.

Source: Horseandhound.co.uk

Geoff Billington and his Fiat 500 from Hertz! Photo © Manfred Leitgeb.Geoff Billington has braved two broken ribs, and is despite his injuries riding at the Spring Tour in Magna Racino. A riding ban from the doctor does not stop the 53 year old Brit – much favored for his humor – who loves the Austrian event so much, that the trip there was a “must”. Billington has been well cared for by the organizers though, and has been supplied with a chic little Fiat 500 from event sponsor Hertz. Our guess is that pedestrians and fellow drivers on the road from the riders' hotel to Magna Racino should watch out for Geoff in this little racing car!

Gerco will not take part in the World Cup Final. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Gerco Schröder, ranked as number two in the world, will not be riding the Rolex FEI World Cup Final. The Dutch rider, who ended 14th in the Western European League was supposed to take the 14 year old gelding New Orleans to Gothenburg – but now there has been a change of plans and Gerco is not on the riders list. Next on the list in the league is Nick Skelton, who is ranked ahead of Jeroen Dubbeldam and Ben Maher – so the question is if Nick will want to go indoors again after spending the winter in Florida.

Barrichello will in the future be seen under Emilie Martinsen. Photo by Hervé Bonnaud - www.1clicphoto.com.Danish rider Emilie Martinsen has a new ride in the 7 year old Barrichello. The KWPN stallion by Heartbreaker x Karandasj was acquired by Emilie from Enda Carroll of Ashford Farm in Lasne, Belgium. Barrichello has recently been competed by Canadian rider Courtney Vince, who showed him at the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour in Oliva, Spain, where he jumped many clear rounds in the 7 years old classes.

Ulrich Kirchhoff will ride for Ukraine in the future. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Ulrich Kirchhoff will in the future ride for Ukraine. As already reported back in March, Kirchhoff has been out competing on Alexander Onischenko’s Cabachon (Casall x Concerto) on the Toscana Tour – and also on other horses belonging to the Ukrainian billionaire, such as Verdi (Andiamo x Libero H) and Canevaro (Cellestial x Capriol). A change of nationality has now been confirmed by Kirchhoff himself, and the former Olympic champion from 1996 will now be seen flying the Ukrainian flag instead of the German. It is expected that Kirchhoff will ride Pius Schwizer’s former top horse Carlina (Carvallo x Landgraf I), which was sold to Onischenko in the end of March.

Daniel Bluman partners up with Hermès.Colombian born Olympic rider Daniel Bluman has been chosen by Hermès to represent the prestigious brand. The collaboration between the talented rider, who was a finalist at the London 2012 Olympic Games, and Hermès covers both horse’s and rider’s equipment. “I feel honored to have been chosen by Hermès. I will be a proud ambassador of this prestigious brand. The beauty and the quality of their products is purely amazing,” says Daniel Bluman. Bluman joins a group of talented riders also supported by Hermès, such as Simon Delestre and Pilar Cordon. Daniel Bluman is based in Wisbeq, Belgium, and trains with showjumping all-times legend Nelson Pessoa.

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Clarissa Crotta has developed a new website which was launched on Monday. Clarissa and her partner Sören Kühl have established a sales and training stable in Borgholzhausen in the north-east part of Westfalia, Germany. To know more about Clarissa, her horses and the business you can visit www.clarissacrotta.com.

Quality Time TN - one of Team Nijhof's stallions. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.On Saturday Team Nijhof held their yearly stallion presentation in Geesteren. The popular show was sold out, and if you did not get the chance to watch the stallions live - or if you want a replay - you can click here to watch.

Photo GCT.In a landmark agreement Longines and Global Champions Tour have joined forces in a new long-term title partnership agreement, it is announced today.

The Swiss watchmaker will be Title Partner and Official Timekeeper of the LONGINES GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR, opening an exciting new chapter in equestrian sport.

David Will with Juvina in Dortmund. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Together with a few sponsors Dietmar Gugler has bought the 12 year old mare Juvina (Cassini I x Grannus). It will thus be David Will that will continue to ride Juvina in the nearest future. The plan is for them to compete in Mannheim, Hamburg and Wiesbaden to begin with and then the future will depend on how long Juvina will stay in Gugler's stable.

"I had a good feeling with her from the first moment. She has a lot of scope and she is really careful. She is a big horse, but as she is so competitive she can be very fast. Juvina is a joy to ride," David Will says to World of Showjumping.

Teun van Riel Horse Supplements is doing a survey researching how riders search online for information about bits. Please take the time to answer the questions.

These are the links to the survey:

Dutch version

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Janika Sprunger will be in Hagen. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.The coming weekend it is time for the CSI4* show Horses & Dreams in Hagen, Germany. The show will be crowded with top riders! The Germans are well represented with Marcus Ehning, Philipp Weishaupt, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, David Will, Carsten-Otto Nagel, Daniel Deusser, Mario Stevens and Janne-Friederike Meyer present. They will compete against Judy Ann Melchior, John Whitaker, Simon Delestre, Luciana Diniz, Janika Sprunger, Roger Yves Bost, Peter Charles, Pius Schwizer and Henrik von Eckermann to mention some.

Ben and Robin Hood W before his injury. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson. According to Horse&Hound Ben Maher’s top ride Robin Hood W (Animo x Libero H) is finally back in full training. The 15 year old gelding got a tiny ligament injury at the beginning of 2011 and has not been competing since Gothenburg two years ago. Ben explains to Horse & Hound that many other horses would be able to compete with the same injury, but Robin Hood is obviously a sensible horse. “He’s one who lets you know if he’s feeling any pain,” Ben explains. There will still be some time before we can expect to find Robin Hood back in the ring though. Ben says that the plan is to start jumping him next month and then slowly increase the jumping during the summer.

The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has today unveiled the eight ambassadors of its global sport development programme, FEI Solidarity, in a specially commissioned composite portrait.

The FEI Solidarity Ambassadors who include Olympic, Paralympic, world champions and national heroes, have formed a unique partnership to promote and develop the global equestrian disciplines governed by the FEI.

Daniel Deusser will continue to ride Cornet d'Amour. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Double H Farm has bought half of Cornet d'Amour (Cornet Obolensky x Damiani). According to studforlife.com the wonderful 10 year old gelding will be in joint ownership, as Stephex Stables keeps the other half. Cornet d'Amour remains with his current rider Daniel Deusser, who has been riding the horse since the summer of 2012. The pair has had great success together; they were on the winning Nations Cup team at Spruce Meadows last year, won the Grand Prix in Vienna in November 2012, and the World Cup qualifier in Wellington in March this year.

Incredibly sad; it seems like the amazing Valentina van't Heike's career comes to and end. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.The fantastic Valentina van't Heike (Nabab de Reve x Lys de Davaney) has sustained a serious injury. According to studforlife.com the chestnut mare has broken a leg, and thus gone through surgery. The surgery went well, but resulted in the mare ending up with six screws in her leg. The website reports that the injury unfortunately also means that Valentina's career has come to an end.

Jos Lansink says to studforlife.com that the most important thing right now is that Valentina will get well enough to enjoy a happy retirement, as she has given him so much. The Belgian rider also hopes Valentina will recover to such an extent that they will be able to breed a little from her. Valentina van't Heike already has two offspring; Boomer van't Heike by Grandeur and Epleasure van't Heike by For Pleasure.

Peter Wylde will move to Winley Farm. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.According to chronofhorse.com American rider Peter Wylde will move to Winley Farm in Millbrook, New York. The farm is owned by Judith Goelkel, who owns several top showjumpers. Wylde moved back to the States in December after living in Germany for over a decade, and at that time it was announced that he would join Missy Clark’s team at North Run. Plans have now changed though, as Wylde was presented with the opportunity to move to Winley Farm – which stood basically empty. To chronofhorse.com Peter Wylde says that the move will give him the chance to recreate what he had in Germany, and that this was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.

The Jumping Round Table was the final session at the two-day FEI Sports Forum, focusing on rules revision, the Event Classification System and CSI invitation rules.

John Madden, Chair of the FEI Jumping Committee, opened the session with a report on the Event Classification System (ECS) project, which is designed to evaluate FEI jumping events with the ultimate goal of using the ECS to grade events.

Reed Kessler. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.The coming weekend WoSJ is lucky enough to have one of the hottest names in showjumping guest blogging for us, as Reed Kessler returns as our guest blogger. Reed will write from the amazing five star show Saut Hermès in Paris, where she flies in with her superstars Cylana and Ligist – fresh from her vice champion title with Mika at the American Invitational. Don’t miss out on Reed’s blog entries!

If you want to read our WoSJ Exclusive with Reed from the end of last year, click here.

Sami Al Duhami presented the new trophy to Ingmar De Vos. Photo by FEI/Edouard Curchod.The new trophy that will be presented annually to the winning team at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup jumping final was unveiled by the series sponsors, Saudi Equestrian Fund, at the FEI Sports Forum in Lausanne today. The perpetual trophy, which will first be awarded at the 2013 series final in Barcelona at the end of September, was formally presented to FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos and Chair of the FEI Jumping Committee John Madden by Saudi Equestrian Team Director Sami Al Duhami at the start of today’s Jumping Round Table session at the Sports Forum. 

Read the full story at fei.org.

Sergio Alvarez Moya's Gentleman St has been sold to José Maria Larocca.Sergio Alvarez Moya has sold his very talented 7 year old Gentleman St to José Maria Larocca. Gentleman St is a son of Sergio’s top horse Action-Breaker (check out www.actionbreaker.com), and out of a Carthago Z-mare. Sergio has had Gentleman St since he was a foal, and has huge belief in the horse. "He is one of the best horses I have ever had," Sergio says to WoSJ. To have a look at Larocca’s fantastic new ride, click on Read more to view a video of Gentleman St. 

The World Breeding Federation of Sport Horses has announced its partnership with the Swiss watch manufacturer Jaeger-LeCoultre. At a ceremony taking place at the Berleburg Castle in the middle of March, the president of WBFSH – Jan Pedersen – and the director of Jaeger-LeCoultre – Jerome Lambert – signed a two year sponsor agreement for the benefit of WBFSH members.

For the next two years Jaeger-LeCoultre will support the WBFSH activities, and at the end of the year a prize-giving ceremony will be held and the most successful breeders of jumping, dressage and eventing horses will receive the WBFSH Breeding Prize – a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso watch, exclusively engraved with the WBFSH logo.

Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, aboard Bella Donna, jumps her way to a win in the AIG Thermal Million, which will be the 2014 kick-off event to the Triple Crown Challenge of showjumping. Photo by Flying Horse Photography. With two $1 million grand prix scheduled for 2013, HITS, Inc. upped the ante for 2014 by announcing the addition of a third ground-breaking class. The Ocala $1 Million Grand Prix, to be held next March and will join the Zoetis $1 Million Grand Prix in Saugerties, New York and the AIG Thermal $1 Million Grand Prix in Thermal, California next year to form the Triple Crown Challenge of showjumping.

Wyeth, Jim and Penny Coulter with George H. Morris, Saer Coulter and Ronnie Beard at the Maxine Beard Award Presentation. Photo by V.Valenti - The Book LLC. The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce that 21-year-old Saer Coulter of San Francisco, CA, has been selected as the 2013 recipient of the Maxine Beard Show Jumping Rider Award. Coulter was presented with the Maxine Beard Award trophy at the American Invitational on April 6, 2013, at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL.

Holiday By Solitur and Janne in Aachen in 2011. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Holiday by Solitur will in the future be seen under Carsten-Otto Nagel. The wonderful 12 year old gelding by Contendro x Cascavelle has performed very well under Meyer for the last five years; the pair won the Best of Champions in Aachen in 2011 and also the German Championship for ladies the same year in addition to notching up numerous Grand Prix placings.

On her website Janne states; "I have carefully built Holiday up and celebrated a lot of success with him. We had a very nice time together. As I had other thoughts about the planning of Holiday’s future tournaments, further cooperation was no longer possible. I am glad that I could recommend him for my team mate Carsten-Otto Nagel who is also in my neighbourhood, and wish them both the best of luck for the future."

Source: janne-meyer.de

Jur Vrieling gave away his Olympic silver medal yesterday. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.During yesterday’s VDL stallion show in Bears, Holland, Jur Vrieling gave away his Olympic silver medal to the van de Lageweg-family. The family runs the VDL Stud, and Wiepke van de Lageweg is both the breeder and owner of Vrieling’s Olympic partner VDL Bubalu – and Jur’s gesture was thus an emotional moment for all involved. The sympathetic Dutch rider seized the opportunity to express his gratefulness with beautiful words as well as handing over the Olympic medal. “It’s very nice that Jur gave us the medal, it means a lot to us,” Wiepke van de Lageweg said to horses.nl afterwards.

Libertina and Jessica Kürten. Photo by Jenny Abrahamson.According to studforlife.com Jessica Kürten’s former super star Libertina (Libero H x Polydor) will join the Haras de Brullemail for breeding purposes. In May 2011 it was known that the now 17 year old mare would be retired from the sport after fantastic achievements under Kürten; during their time together the pair won nine 5* Grand Prix classes. The pair was also victorious in the 2007 Rolex Top Ten Final in Geneva, and in the 2006 World Cup Final in Kuala Lumpur they finished second.   

Libertina will not be the only famous mare breeding at Brullemail; this is also were Patrice Delaveau’s former top horse Katchina Mail (Calvaro x Laudanum) is spending her time – producing future Mail-superstars.

The American Invitational will be available for viewing via live webcast tonight. The event takes place at Raymond James Stadium, home of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and is often called the 'Super Bowl of Showjumping’. The webcast begins at 7 p.m. with pre-event entertainment and the first horse is on course at 8 p.m. The live webcast can be found at www.shownet.biz  and at www.shownetvision.com.

Click here for the start list.

The VDL stallion show that takes place tomorrow at 14:00 can be viewed live on clipmyhorse.de. Top stallions will be presented; Indoctro, Corland, Cardento, Indorado, Douglas, Emilion, Harley, Modesto and Quasimodo van de Molendreef will all be shown by hand. VDL Bubalu and Zirocco Blue will also make an appearance with Jur Vrieling in the saddle as will Zapatero and Arezzo with Jessica Kürten.

Westi and Clarissa in Zürich earlier this year. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Clarissa Crotta’s top ride West Side V Meerputhoeve is out with injury. The 14 year old Baloubet du Rouet-gelding ended third in the Grand Prix in Doha last weekend, but immediately after the jump-off he showed clear signs of lameness. It’s now clear that Westi has sustained a injury in his right front leg, and that he will be out of action for the next four months. "After the flight and journey back Westi is now finally at home in his stable, and medically well-cared for. Westi will get a competition break until he is completely recovered, and then we hope to get him back in the same shape as he has been in lately – with fantastic performances in Braunschweig and Doha," Clarissa says.

Chips, here seen with Steve Guerdat in Mechelen in December. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson. Steve Guerdat's ride Chips (Come On x Cento) has been sold to Norwegian rider Marie Longem. The 10 year old Holsteiner gelding came to Steve about a year ago, and the two have had some good rounds together - in December 2012 the pair was second in the Land Rover Masters in Mechelen, and third in the Prijs KBC Bank at the same show. Marie, who is based with Gregory Wathelet in Belgium, tried the horse while competing on the Sunshine Tour and it is now confirmed that she will be Chips' new rider.

Related article: New horse for Steve Guerdat

Sterrehof's Tamino. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.The first WBSFH rankings for 2013 are out, and the jumping horse ranking sees two Olympic silver medalists on top. Sterrehof's Tamino (Numero Uno x Farmer) and London (Nabab de Reve x Chin Chin) - ridden by Marc Houtzager and Gerco Schröder - have both climbed up to the top, and share the number one spot. Ranked as number three is Clarissa Crotta's West Side v Meerputhoeve (Baloubet du Rouet x Apollonisos), while Castle Forbes Myrtille Palouis (Dollar du Murier x Grand Veneur) is rank four with Lacrimoso 3 HDC (Landjunge x Cascavelle) ranked as number five.

Reed Kessler is one of the riders on the list for the American Invitational.This year's edition of the $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational, presented by G & C Farms, is less than a few days away – and the riders list is ready. America’s best riders are all in the line-up; McLain Ward, Beezie Madden, Reed Kessler, Laura Kraut, Lauren Hough, Leslie Howard, and Margie Engle will be competing at the "Super Bowl of Showjumping" that takes place on Saturday night at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium, home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Click here to view the riders list.

Jos Verlooy jumps from 264 to 192 on this month's Logines Rankings. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.WoSJ has taken a closer look at this month’s Longines Rankings to find out who’s been climbing among the world’s top 200 riders. The ranking includes validated results from 01/04/2012 to 31/03/2013. Outside the top ten, Ben Maher is getting closer to the ten best in the world by going from rank 23 to rank 14 after some fantastic results in Florida. Doda – who’s also been riding at the WEF with success – is another climber, going from 32 to 22. Two other WEF’ers are also going upwards; Shane Sweetnam from 46 to 39 and Daniel Deusser from 52 to 44. US rider Christine McRea also makes a jump, from 72 to 59 – while Leon Thijssen goes from 70 to 61. One of the last months’ biggest climbers is Clarissa Crotta, and the Swiss riders keep on moving upwards – now going from rank 93 to 66!

Still number one! Christian Ahlmann. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Christian Ahlmann continues to top the world ranking yet another month. There are  few changes among the top ten, but Gerco Schröder has pushed Steve Guerdat down to third place and has taken over the runner-up position behind Ahlmann. Pius Schwizer, Edwina Tops-Alexander and Kevin Staut remain as number four, five and six, while Marcus Ehning has dropped one place and follows them as number seven. The remaining three riders, Nick Skelton, Marc Houtzager and Beezie Madden, have also kept on to their previous ranks as number eight, nine and ten.

Click here to see the full ranking.

A new promising seven year old for Beezie. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Beezie Madden has purchased the seven year old approved stallion Q. Breitling LS (Quintero La Silla x Accord II) from Jeroen Dubbeldam and Team Nijhof. Breitling won the Dutch stallion final in Den Bosch in 2012 with Jeroen's stable jockey Sjaak Sleiderink.

Source: Stal de Sjiem

Kevin Staut will compete at home soil this weekend. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.The French top riders Patrice Delaveau, Simon Delestre, Penelope Leprevost and Kevin Staut will all be at the 3* show in Hardelot this weekend. They will be accompanied by other International top riders such as Rik Hemeryck, Philippe Le Jeune, Shane Breen, Wout-Jan van der Schans, Albert Voorn, Laura Renwick, Guy Williams and Paul Estermann.

Click here to see the total riders list.

It is finally confirmed that the London leg of the Global Champions Tour 2013 will be staged at The International Quarter, adjacent to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, cementing the extraordinary equestrian legacy from the London Olympic Games. Global Champions Tour will bring world class 5* show jumping to the capital from June 6 - 9 2013 with the full support of Mayor of London Boris Johnson and his Chief of Staff Sir Edward Lister. It will be one of the first international sporting events in the Olympic Park since the London Games and comes only weeks before the site opens fully to the public.

Horse-live.com offers live streaming from all three arenas at the Z-tour at Zangersheide. The CSI2* classes and the yougster classes will take place from the 2nd-4th of April. Friday is resting day, before the CSI3* show starts on Saturday and goes on until Monday.

Click here to get to the live stream.

Rik Hemeryck. Rik Hemeryck has a new ride in Speedy des Mansarts (Ogano Sitte x Major de la Cour). The Belgian rider made his debut with his new ride at the three star event Sint Katelijne-Waver this weekend.  The 11 year old stallion has previously been seen under Yves Simon who has produced the horse to Grand Prix level.

Source: studforlife.com

Everything is emptying out today! #terriFor the past week we have been so lucky to have Terri Fitton guest tweeting from Doha. Terri works for Marco Kutscher, and flew in to the five star event with Spartacus and Cash - as well as the rest of the top horses heading for the show. On Sunday it was time to pack up and head back home, and if you want to see what the travel back to Europe looked like we have collected a selection of Terri's amazing tweets and pics below. A huge thanks to Terri for taking us behind the scenes on her trip to Doha!

Angelica and Mic Mac du Tillard in Rome last year. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.This week Mic Mac du Tillard makes her competition comeback. After spending ten months away from the international ring, the chestnut mare makes her comeback in Lanaken under her rider Angelica Augustsson. To the Swedish website tidningenridsport.se Angelica says that it is wonderful to have Mic Mac back, and that she will get a slow start as she is entered in two 1.30 classes.

Heading for Lanaken; Jos Verlooy and Omar's Pride Z. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.The riders list for the Z-Tour 2013 at Zangersheide is full of top names. From the 2nd to 8^th of April both professionals and amateurs will get the chance to prepare their horses for the outdoor season in Lanaken. Christian Ahlmann, Edwina Tops-Alexander, Denis Lynch, Jos Lansink, Judy-Ann Melchior, Maikel and Eric van der Vleuten, Luciana Diniz and Steve Guerdat are some of the riders heading for the show. WoSJ will be present to bring you reports and photos.

Click here for the full riders list.

Sparti we really need to get ready for the Grand Prix! #terri Once again we have collect some of Terri's tweet from Doha for our readers. Enjoy! If you don't want to miss any of Terri's tweets, you can follow WoSJ on Twitter.

Making sparti ready for Marco! Easy day today no classes for us #terriBelow is another fine selection of Terri's fantastic tweets from Doha. Terri, who is Marco Kutscher's head groom, is currently at the five star event in Doha with Marco's horses Cash and Spartacus.

If you don't want to miss any of Terri's tweets, follow us on twitter.

Several shows offer live streaming this weekend. 

To follow CSI5* in Doha, click here.

 To follow Toscana Tour in Arezzo, click here.

 To follow Mediterranean Tour in Oliva Nova, click here.

Euro Horse – Axel Verlooy’s company – has a brand new website. From the website you can follow Euro Horse’s team riders Harrie Smolders and Jos Verlooy. Click here to view it.

Cashi likes the young Arabians from the breeding station in the paddock #terri Why change a winning recipe; We will present our readers with a fine selection of Terri's fun, interesting and crazy tweets from Doha today as well. Terri Fitton, Marco Kutscher's head groom is in Doha this weekend with Cash, Spartacus and several entertaining grooms, horses, riders and others. If you don't want to miss a chance to take a look behind the scenes; follow WoSHowjumping on twitter.com.

Ideal de la Loge and Bosty. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Roger-Yves Bost’s former top ride, Ideal de la Loge, will for the 2013 season be seen under Spanish rider Eduardo Blanco. Ideal de la Loge was taken from Bosty last year due to a disagreement between Bosty and the owners. The now 17 year old stallion was then given to Olivier Robert to ride, but will now continue his career under Spanish colors as Robert has decided to end his cooperation with Elevage des One.

Super cashi jumped great and ended 3rd in the 1.50m, go grandpa! #terri Once again we have collected a few of Terri's tweets from Doha where she works as Marco Kutscher's head groom for the 5* show this weekend. If you don't want to miss all the fun; follow WoShowjumping on www.twitter.com.

The Stiftung Deutscher Spitzenpferdesport has been founded in Germany. The foundation is aiming to strengthen the position of the German equestrian sport internationally. The board of trustees consists of Jürgen Thumann, Hendrik Snoek and Gina Capellmann-Lütkemeier, and the executive bureau of Karl-Heinz Gross, Madeleine Winter Schulze and Breido Graf zu Rantzau.

Mario Deslauriers and Urico in Rotterdam in 2011. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Mario Deslauriers will as of April join Hunter's Moon Farm in the US. There he will work alongside current trainers Pamela Polk and Kevin Kirk. Deslauriers, who won the World Cup Finals in 1984 aged just 19 years old, is excited about the new partnership. "We had been thinking about this for a while, and when I came in contact with Jennifer (Griffin - the manager of Hunter's Moon Farm), I thought it was a great idea for us to team up," he says in a press release. "I think Hunter's Moon Farm has a great facility and it's a great location, so we are very excited."

Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al Thani with Cantaro in Den Bosch. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al Thani suffered a fall at the CHI Al Shaqab in Doha, but is luckily recovering well in hospital. In a press release from the organizers it is stated that it has been confirmed that that Sheikh Al Thani is free of any serious injuries following his fall in the CSI3* Medium Tour CSI – where he was riding his horse Sieshof's Abraksas and fell at fence nine during competition.

Early riding before vet check let's see what we can find sparti! #terri This week we have Terri Fitton guest tweeting for WoSJ! Terri works for Marco Kutscher, and she is now in Doha with the horses competing there. We have collected a selection of Terri's tweets and pics from her Tuesday in Doha below. To follow Terri's tweets live, follow us on Twitter.

Kevin Staut and Quismy des Vaux in Den Bosch. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Since February Kevin Staut has competed the nine year old mare Quismy des Vaux (Dollar de la Pierre x Super de Bourriere) with great success. The combination has produced some very good rounds both in Dortmund and recently in ’s-Hertogenbosch where they ended second in the Grand Prix classes. Due to their great performances Haras des Coudrettes once again steps up and supports the JumpFive riders, consisting of Kevin Staut, Patrice Delaveau and Olivier Guillon, buying the talented mare for Staut to ride.

Spruce Meadows Television is making a documentary on the legendary Hickstead. The documentary is titled 'The Legacy of Hickstead', and will be in two parts -  focusing on the incredible career of one of showjumping's greatest competitors.

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Henk van der Pol's ride Chesterfield has been sold to Saudi Arabia. Henk and Chesterfield had a very successful year in 2012 winning classes in Amsterdam, Madrid, La Coruna, Drammen and Vejer de la Frontera. According to Horses.nl the plan is that Abdullah Al Sharbatly will compete the horse in the future.Chesterfield will in the future be seen under Saudi Arabian colors. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.

Time for riding! #sparti #terriThis week we have Terri Fitton guest tweeting for WoSJ! Terri works for Marco Kutscher, and she is now in Doha with the horses competing there. We have collected a selection of Terri's tweets and pics from the first day in Doha below. To follow Terri's tweets live, follow us on Twitter.

Billy is back competing. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.After a break away from the international showjumping ring, Billy Twomey is finally back competing again. The Irish rider went through back surgery at the end of 2012, and Billy looked set for a comeback in February. Unfortunately for Billy the week before his first show back, he was in a freak accident at home with a young horse that spooked – resulting in Billy fracturing a vertebrae in his back. This past weekend, Twomey was well enough to return to the ring though and rode Tinka's Serenade, Tin Tin, Royale Du Rouet and Aminko at the MET in Oliva Nova. The plan is for Billy to compete there this week as well.

Source: billytwomey.com

Ole Kristoffer Meland with Mira VIII. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.The 9 year old Mira VIII (Rockland x Leendert) has been sold from Norway to Ashford Farm in Belgium. The Danish bred mare has been ridden successfully by Norwegian rider Ole Kristoffer Meland, who won the 3* Kingsland Grand Prix on her at the Arctic Equestrian Games in February as well as competing her at CSI5* shows in Oslo, Geneva and Bordeaux over the winter. 

A very full truck and trailer 8horses for 4riders! My driver checking all is good! #terriThis week we have Terri Fitton guest tweeting for WoSJ! Terri works for Marco Kutscher, and yesterday she and Russel – who works for Denis Lynch – travelled to Doha with the horses competing there. We have collected a selection of Terri’s tweets and pics from the long travel and flight below. To catch up with Terri’s tweets, follow us on Twitter.

Ludger Beerbaum is competing in Doha this weekend. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.This weekend the CSI5* show CHI Al Shaqab will take place in Doha. Several top riders have travelled there to compete, such as Gerco Schröder, Henrik von Eckermann, Marc Houtzager, Maikel van der Vleuten, Edwina Tops-Alexander, Marco Kutscher, Steve Guerdat, Harrie Smolders, Jur Vrieling and Ludger Beerbaum.

Click here to come to the organizer's website.

Antello Z with Michael in Bordeaux. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Michael Whitaker's former ride Antello Z (Animo II Z x Continue) is back with the Irish rider Cameron Hanley. Michael did his last show with the 10 year old gelding at the CSI5* show in Bordeaux. An ownership change was registered with the FEI in the middle of March, and Antello Z is now owned by Eleonore Paschoud and Yves Bouvier. Antello Z is not a new horse for Cameron though, as he owned the horse until it was sold to Michael in 2012 and also previously competed him.

The four year old Callas (Casall x Coriano x Romino) was the most expensive horse at the Holsteiner Verband’s spring auction yesterday. The mare was sold for 70 000 Euro to a jumping stable in Belgium, but she will stay at the Holsteiner Verband for further education. The five year old Charité (Corrido x Acord II) was sold for 30 000 Euro to Italy, and will go there together with three other horses that Alessandro Mingoli bought for customers in Italy. The Clearway-daughter Clearline was sold for 26 500 Euro to the well known German auctioneer Uwe Heckmann.

Terri is back guest tweeting!Terri Fitton is back guest tweeting for WoSJ! Terri works for Marco Kutscher, and today she sets off towards Doha from Stall Beerbaum in Germany. You can follow Terri and the horses on their long travel with her tweets and snapshots on the WoSJ Twitter account, and we will also put together a selection of Terri’s tweets here on the website.

Jessica Springsteen. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Jessica Springsteen has bought Darragh Kerrin’s ride Lisona (OBOS Quality 004 x Porsch). The 12 year old Irish bred mare – whose breeder is Comdt. John Ledingham – has been very successful under Kerins over the last three years; the pair was on the winning Irish team in the Nations Cups at both Hickstead and Dublin in 2012. "It was a very hard decision for (co-owner) Maarten Huygens and I to make, as Lisona achieved so many great wins for us and Team Ireland. She is a great mare and will be very sadly missed in my barn. I wish her new owner, Jessica Springsteen, the very best of luck with her,” Kerins says Horse Sport Ireland.

 Jos Lansink won the Grand Prix in Beijing last year. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Several European and American top riders will also this year travel the long way to Beijing's impressive Olympic arena Bird's Nest to compete from 18-20 April. The 24 Chinese riders will participate on their own horses while the guests get to borrow horses while in Beijing.

Christian Ahlmann, Laura Kraut, Rolf-Göran Bengtsson, Ludger Beerbaum, Jos Lansink and Nick Skelton are some of the riders that will take part in the Longines Beijing Masters. "To ride there is almost a sublime feeling, the arena is really something special," Ludger Beerbaum says in a press release from Longines Beijing Equestrian Masters.

Read more at www.beijingmasters.com.

Stein Endresen with Cabachon. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.The 9 year old stallion Cabachon (Casall x Concerto) is currently seen under Ulrich Kirchhoff at the Toscana Tour. Cabachon, formerly ridden by Norway's Stein Endresen, was sold to Alexander Onischenko in the beginning of August last year – but has been more or less invisible on the international showjumping scene since. Now he is back with the German rider in the saddle, and has this week showed in the Silver Tour in Arezzo.

Steve taking a break at the course walk in Den Bosch. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Steve Guerdat is not taking a break even though he is struggling with pain after his injury. At the World Cup show in Bordeaux, Steve was kicked in the knee by a horse and got injured. Nevertheless Steve was soon back in the saddle and competed at the Sunshine Tour in Spain and at the World Cup show in 's-Hertogenbosch last weekend. According to Pferdewoche.ch Steve's doctor explains that the knee injury has caused problems with Steve's back due to a pinched nerve. His condition requires rest, but Steve is now back competing at the Sunshine Tour.