worldofshowjumping.com

Toulouse 66 has been secured for Henrik von Eckermann. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.The same syndicate that secured Coupe de Coeur for Henrik von Eckermann to ride at the Olympic Games in London has once again stepped up for the Swedish rider. After seeing Henrik’s seven year old ride Toulouse 66 in Aachen,  Åsa and Håkan Björklund together with “Ankan” Carlsson and Tore Gustafsson decided to buy the the mare. Hopefully she can be Henrik’s horse for the next Olympics in Rio in 2016. The combination  won the German Bundeschampionat for six-year-olds last year which is a good start.

Source: tidningenridsport.se

Mr. Gary Widdowson; Mr. Nick Skelton (aboard Carlo 273); Mrs. Beverley Widdowson; Dr. Hanfried Haring; Mrs. Madeleine Winter-Schulze; and Mr. Anthony Schaub.Beverley Widdowson, owner of the 11-year-old grey gelding Carlo 273, has been awarded the prestigious title of “Owner of the Year” by the FEI and International Jumping Owners Club. Carlo 273 and British rider, Nick Skelton, have had a string of impressive performances during 2011 and 2012, notably; at the CSIO5* St. Gallen; at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, Florida, USA; at the CSIO5* La Baule; and at the CSI5* GCT Hamburg.

The cause of the tradgic dead of Chacco-Blue was borreliosis. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson. A month ago the successful stallion Chacco-Blue died suddenly at the Schockemöhle Stable. The German website st-georg.de now reports that an autopsy has been carried through, and it showed that the fourteen year old Chambertin-son died of borreliosis. The Schockemöhle stable explains that they had been treating Chacco-Blue for the borreliosis since the beginning of the year, and that they were sure it was all under control. Unfortuantely that was not the case, and the Schockemöhle stable tragically lost the stallion.

ESP President Michael Stone. Photo by/copyright Equestrisol.Wellington has decided to withdraw from the bidding process for the FEI World Equestrian Games in 2018. Equestrian Sport Productions, the company who put together Wellington's bid for 2018, has informed that this decision is made due to "change in the local government".

ESP President Michael Stone, expressed his regret that Wellington was withdrawing from the bid process. "We are fully aware of the massively positive economic impact the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010 had on Kentucky", he said, "but we have a responsibility to the local community, equestrian sport, and the FEI World Equestrian Games not to waste the time, effort and resources of all parties involved in the international selection process."

Unfortunately Patrice and Orient Express *HDC will miss out on the Olympics. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Orient Express *HDC has sustained an injury, and will not be able to compete at the Olympics.  The stallion is now back home from Aachen, and will undergo all necessary examinations to establish a complete diagnosis. It is expected that his recovery will take about three months, and that he should be back for the World Cup circuit later this fall. Haras de Coudrettes writes that this is a blow for the whole team but especially for Patrice Delaveau who worked so hard to prepare for the Olympics.

Source: Haras des Coudrettes

Denis Lynch has made a statement regarding the disqualification of Lantinus from the rest of CHIO Aachen. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Yesterday Denis Lynch’s ride Lantinus was disqualified from the rest of the CHIO Aachen due to hypersensitivity. Today, the Irish rider has made a statement regarding the disqualification. The statement reads as follows:

Following Lantinus disqualification, I‘d like to take this opportunity to clarify a number of matters regarding the disqualification [Statement continues below].

Rolf blogs from Aachen this weekend. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Rolf-Göran Bengtsson is our guest blogger this weekend! Rolf is competing in Aachen, and with him he has Ninja La Silla, Casall La Silla and Carusso LS La Silla.You can read about Rolf's thoughts on Ninja's recent comeback, yesterday's Nations Cup and more is his first blog entry.

You can follow Rolf’s blog here.

Murka's Gem!Team Murka is delighted to announce the successful cloning of Olympic medal-winning show jumper Gem Twist and the addition of the colt, Murka’s Gem, to its already globally successful stable. Thanks to French genetic bank Cryozootech and the agreement of the Chapot family, the birth of Murka’s Gem has been made possible. Gem Twist was one of the most successful show jumping horses of all time. Owned and bred by Frank Chapot, the Thoroughbred gelding was competed for the United States of America by Greg Best, Leslie Howard and Frank and Mary Chapot’s daughter, Laura Chapot. He was born in 1979 and died in 2006. During his career, the grey gelding won team and individual silver under Greg Best at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, was three times American Grand Prix Association Horse of the Year and was named “World’s Best Horse” at the 1990 Stockholm World Equestrian Games.

Rolf is till number one - Here he guides Casall La Silla to a second place in the GCT in Cannes in June. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Rolf-Göran Bengtsson holds on to his position as number one in the world. On the latest Rolex Ranking, Rolf is yet again number one – for the seventh month in a row. But, below the Swedish rider there are changes. Former number ones Kevin Staut and Eric Lamaze have made big climbs; Kevin from number ten to number two and Eric from number six to number three. Pius Schwizer – last month’s rank two – now shares rank three with Lamaze. Nick Skelton is down from rank three to five, and Ludger Beerbaum from rank four to ten. Kutscher, Guerdat and Tops-Alexander have all fallen down one rank – while Ehning has climbed two. Outside the Top Ten, Kent Farrigton has leaped from rank 34 to 18 after enjoying some good results lately.

Click here for the full ranking.

Marina Frutuoso de Melo and Coltaire Z - here in Madrid. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Marina Frutuoso de Melo has made history in Portugal. The 33 year old rider won the Portuguese Championship for a sixth time last weekend. Marina rode the lovely stallion Coltaire Z (Carthago Z x Voltaire), and it is the fourth time this couple has won the championship together – which makes them historical in Portuguese context. Coltaire Z is now 15 years old, and has participated at two European Championships, ten Nation Cups and won several international Grand Prix classes.

Margie Engle, here seen talking to Stephex owner Stefan Conter during the WC final in Den Bosch. Photo by Hanne Christensen.According to chronofhorse.com Margie Engle has broken her ankle. Engle fell of a horse last week while she competed at the Lake Placid Horse Show. To chronofhorse.com Engel explained that the horse she rode misjudged a vertical and went through it. Engle will undergo surgery in the beginning of July for the injury.  “Luckily” for Engle it was the ankle on her right leg that broke. In 1990, Engle broke her left leg badly and in 2004 she suffered a broken hip when a horse fell on her.

Source:  chronofhorse.com

Topinambour with Penelope in Falsterbo last year. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Topinambour (Heartbreaker x Veneur de Luc) is under new ownership, but will stay with his rider Penelope Leprévost. It is the Haras de Clarbec and the Mégret-family that has bought the 12 year old KWPN stallion. Haras de Clarbec already owns Penelope’s rides Nayana and Nice Stephanie as well as Simon Delestre’s ride Armani van Overis Z.

Source: studforlife.com

Dim lights Embed Embed this video on your site

Cian starts a debate. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.In his latest blog entry on his own website, Cian O’Connor shares his thoughts on Ireland’s Top League participation. O’Connor’s reaction came after the Top league leg in St. Gallen; after three legs of the series Ireland had only collected seven points and was lying eighth on the overall ranking.

In his blog Cian writes:
“Unfortunately it’s the same old mantra - we have great jockeys but not the level of horses needed to be even close to being competitive at that level. When you see the strength and depth of other countries you start to accept the reality that we are in fact not at the races!

Solution? Be out of the super league for two years -  that way the few horses that are coming through will get time to develop rather than being hurried and perhaps doing too much too soon?

Sad news - Nagel and Corradina won´t make it to the Olympics. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Carsten-Otto Nagel has decided to not ride at CHIO Aachen with Corradina. The mare isn´t back in the needed shape after her tooth problems earlier this year. Aachen was the last chance for the fantastic championship couple to prove that they belong on the Olympic team.

"Of course I am sad, but with Corradina in mind it is the right decision,"says Carsten-Otto to the German federation.

Nagel and Corradina is an amazing championship couple with team gold from the WEG in 2010, European team gold from Madrid in 2011, European team bronze at Windsor in 2009 and individual European silver medal from Windsor in 2009. It is thus a big loss for the German team that Nagel and Corradina can´t take part at the Olympics this year.

"It is a shame that this couple, that has been outstanding the last years, can´t be in Aachen so that they could be considered for Olympic selection," says the German Chef dÉquipe Otto Becker.

Source: www.st-georg.de

Patrice Delaveau, Olivier Guilllon, Kevin Staut and the Haras des Coudrettes have decided to join forces and create a high level stable: HDC Competition. With location in Normandy the stable will open it’s doors this autumn were the three top riders will make a team with focus on individual demands as well as sharing their knowledge.

To learn more go to; hdc-competition.com

New horse for Gregory Wathelet. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Michel Robert recently got three promising stallions from Haras de Hus. It now turns out that Xavier Marie also has have bought three other younger horses for Philippe Le Jeune and Gregory Wathelet to ride.

The seven year old Bazooka Hus (by Berlin) and the eight year old Levistan (by Levisto), will both join the World Champion Le Jeune. The seven year old Balthazar (by Balou du Rouet) on the other hand will join Wathelet, who already has Banda de Hus at his stable - previously ridden by Kevin Staut.

Source: Studforlife.com

One of the world's best riders Rodrigo Pessoa has openly pointed out severeal difficulties concerning the CAS-decisions regarding Khaled Al Eid and Abdullah Sharbatly. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.There have been many reactions regarding the decision from CAS in the cases against Khaled Al Eid and Abdullah Waleed Sharbatly who recently got their bans reduced from eight to two months. The reduction made their Olympic participation in London possible, when their bans from the FEI tribunal originally put a stop to their participation. The International Jumping Riders Club (IJRC) has already made a statement regarding the issue, and now Rodrigo Pessoa has raised a number of questions regarding the case. In an interview with the Swiss website Le Cavalier Romand, Pessoa has pointed out that there are many questions that need an answer on how this particular case has been dealt with.

Happy Janne after her win in Aachen Grand Prix last year. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Next week, with start on Tuesday, it is time for one of the most popular shows in the world - CHIO Aachen! The next leg of the FEI Nations Cup will take place on Thursday with start at 19.30 and on Sunday it is the very prestigeous Aachen Grand Prix at 14.00.

Seven riders out of the top ten on the Rolex Ranking will be riding and last year´s Grand Prix winner Janne-Friederike Meyer will be there.

Click here for the total riders list.

Michel Robert. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Michel Robert’s new sponsor Xavier Marie has not only given Michel the chance to ride the great horses already present at Haras de Hus. Marie has now also bought three new seven year old stallions for Michel to ride; Charles de Gaulle (Clinton x Rebel II Z), Vivaldi du Seigneur (Chellano x Darco) and the promising Holsteiner Conrad (Con Air x Locato).

Source: studforlife.com

Ninja La Silla returns to competition this weekend. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.After being out of competition since the GCT in Doha, Ninja La Silla returns to competition this weekend. The 17 year old Guidam-gelding will go to the two star show in Steinhagen, where he will jump two classes together with Rolf-Göran Bengtsson. On his website, Bengtsson says; “Ninja La Silla was really fresh when I jumped him yesterday and he seems happy to be going to a show again.”

Source: stall-bengtsson-kristoffersen.com

Kay & Plot will be in Rotterdam this weekend.This weekend Kay Neatham is back as our guest blogger! Kay works for Marucs Ehning, and is one of our most popular guest bloggers. This weekend she is in Rotterdam, and with her she has the three superstars Plot Blue, Copin van de Broy and Cornado NRW.

You can follow Kay’s blog by clicking here.

And you can read our interview with Kay from last year here.

Estoy Aqui de Muze is secured under French colors. Here seen with Kevin Staut in Rome. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.It seems to be no end to Haras des Coudrettes’ actions for the French team. Today it was known that HdC’s last purchase is Estoy Aqui de Muze (Malito de Reves x Kashmir van Schuttershof) for Kevin Staut to keep riding. Staut has already been competing the eight year old chestnut-mare for about a month, but their future partnerships is now secured.

Source: Haras des Coudrettes

Maestro de la Loge - here seen with Penelope Leprevost. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson. In April it was known that Penelope Leprevost’s former ride was sent to Julien Epaillard, but now his owner Didier Emereau, has sold him to Qatar. According to grandprix-replay.com Emereau had been looking to sell the horse for some time, and this was also the deal with Epaillard. After very good results in La Baule and Wiesbaden, Emereau got offers he couldn’t say no to. Emereau has stated though that this was a tough decision, and that he would prefer it if the horse stayed in France.

Source: grandprix-replay.com

Nick Skelton gets a well deserved honour.  Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.British show jumping star Nick Skelton has today been awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for services to equestrian sport. Nick, who recently won the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix on Big Star in Hamburg, spoke of his delight about the official recognition of his long career at the top of international show jumping. Speaking at the Global Champions Tour event in Cannes only hours before the Grand Prix he said: “It is a great honour. I am really chuffed with it and very happy to receive this award. It was a shock and I am really pleased.” The 54-year-old rider, who has won more than 2,000 classes and over £6.5 million in prize money, said: “It has been an honour riding for Great Britain over the years and the announcement of the Queen’s Honour today is great.”

The decisions from CAS in the cases involving the two Saudi Arabian riders Khaled Abdulaziz Al Eid and Abdullah Waleed Sharbatly have brought forward reactions. Now the International Jumping Riders Club has made a statement:

“… With surprise the IJRC takes note of CAS’s Sole Arbitrator decisions concerning the cases mentioned, that diverge significantly from previous decisions about similar cases that have had different handling and severe penalties.  [The article continues]

Rolf-Göran Bengtsson and the team at his yard in Breitenburg has a new website. The website can be read in four different languages; English, German, Swedish and Danish. It contains updated news on Rolf’s competition results as well as for the other team riders, a presentation on Rolf’s horses and a presentation on the entire Team Bengtsson-Kristoffersen to mention some.

 Click here to take a look at Rolf’s new website.

Khaled Al Eid can compete again after the CAS reduced the FEI Tribunal's ban against him and Abdullah Al Sharbatly. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.In May the FEI Tribunal issued its decisions in the cases involving the two Saudi Arabian riders Khaled Abdulaziz Al Eid and Abdullah Waleed Sharbatly. Both Al Eid’s horse Vanhoeve and Sharbatly’s horse Lobster 43 tested positive to the Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, Phenylbutazone and Oxyphenbutazone at two separate events in 2011 and 2012. Both riders then appealed the decisions to the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
 

Now Khaled Abdulaziz Al Eid and Abdullah Waleed Sharbatly have had their bans reduced by CAS. The FEI Tribunal’s original eight month ban has been reduced to two months, which means that both riders can compete again with immediate effect and that Olympic participation is no longer in danger – at least for Al Eid who is already qualified. On their website CAS writes: ”The Sole Arbitrator has today issued his decision by which he partially upholds the appeals and, considering that the infraction was of minor importance, reduces the periods of ineligibility to two months, which have been already served by the athletes. The full award with the grounds will be notified to the parties in a few weeks.”

FEI has announced Guadaljara in Mexico as hosts for the jumping and dressage World Cup finals in 2015. The dates are not yet confirmed. “The bids to host the 2015 FEI World Cup™ Jumping and Dressage Finals from Guadalajara and Las Vegas, which has hosted the FEI World Cup Jumping and Dressage Finals in the past,  were both very strong. We were extremely happy to see that the bid from Guadalajara was much improved since they withdrew their application for the 2014 edition. The FEI Bureau is also happy that the World Cup Finals will travel outside the traditional continents to Central America when it goes to Guadalajara in 2015,” said Ingmar de Vos, FEI Secretary General.

The arena in Aachen is one of the biggest and most impressive ones you find. Photo by Hanne Christensen.This week it became official that The Europeans in 2015 will be held in the amazing arena in Aachen, Germany. Aachen will host as much as five events in August 2015 - jumping, dressage, reining, vaulting and driving. Aachen is known to be a very special show even without any Championship being hosted. It should be safe to predict a great show and an even better atmosphere for the Europeans 2015.

Casall La Silla tops the FEI WBFSH jumping ranking. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.For the third month in a row Casall La Silla (Caretino x Laval I) tops the FEI WBFSH jumping ranking. The Holsteiner stallion is followed Cristallo (Caretino x Cicero) – a Holsteiner gelding ridden by Richard Spooner – that has moved up from rank three. Nino des Buissonnets (Kannan x Narcos II) – is rank three this month, after being number two on the previous ranking.

Tripple X (Namelus R x Cantango) – Ben Maher's British bred stallion – is up from rank 19 last month to rank four this month. Another British ridden horse is rank five; the amazing nine year old stallion Big Star (Quick Star x Nimmerdor) that was the winner of the GCT Grand Prix in Hamburg.

Kevin Staut has a new ride. Photo by Hanne Christensen.Haras des Coudrettes has purchased yet another horse, and this time for Kevin Staut. HDC has bought Cheyenne 111 Z, a nine year old mare by Chatman x Calimero. The last year Cheyenne 111 Z has been competed by Marlon Modolo Zanotelli from Brazil, and together they won a class at the Toscana Tour in Arezzo.

Haras des Coudrettes has really stepped up for the French riders lately. In May they bought Courtney 6 for Oilivier Guillon to ride, as well as Marquis de Lande for his rider Frank Schillewaert. Back in April it was Kevin that got the ride on Malin Baryard-Johnsson’s former ride Reveur de Hurtebise.

Source: Haras des Coudrettes

Rolf and Casall La Silla in Hamburg. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.For the sixth month in a row Rolf-Göran Bengtsson is ranked as number one on the Rolex Ranking. Among the rest of the Top Ten there has been a lot of changes. Pius Schwizer has taken over rank two and Ludger Beerbaum, who was second last month, has fallen down to fourth place. Nick Skelton has climbed all the way from seventh place to rank three after fantastic results this spring.

Marco Kutscher remains as number five and Eric Lamaze, who has been among the top three for a very long time, is now in sixth position. Steve Guerdat is seventh, Edwina Tops-Alexander eight and Marcus Ehning is back in the Top Ten as rank nine. Kevin Staut has fallen down to rank ten.

Click here for the total ranking.

Chacco-Blue has passed away. Here he is competing with Andreas Kreuzer in Hamburg. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson. Chacco-Blue (Chambertin x Contender) passed away today. The stallion owned by Paul Schockemöhle became 14 years old, and the cause of death is currently unknown. Chacco Blue was educated by Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst, and since the beginning of 2011 he was competed by Andreas Kreuzer. Together the two were third in last year’s Aachen Grand Prix and this year they won the Grand Prix in Neumünster. More recently Andreas and Chacco-Blue ended up as number ten in the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in Hamburg.

Source: horses.nl/studforlife.com

Untouchable - here seen with Daniel Deusser. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Jan Tops has sold half of his stallion Untouchable to Danish rider Andreas Schou. The eleven year old grey stallion by Hors la Loi II x Heartbreaker, has the last years been seen under Tops’ former stable jockey Daniel Deusser, but will now be seen under Danish colors. Andreas Schou states to studforlife.com that he is happy to be able to get the ride on a good horse like Untouchable as they are preparing for the European Championship on home soil in Herning next year.

Terri Fitton. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Make sure you don't miss Terri Fitton's last blog entry from Balve where she has been taking care of Marco Kutscher's horses during the German Championship this weekend.

You can read her latest blog entry here.

Or go here to find them all.

Viva has been sold to the United Arab Emirates. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Nina Fagerström’s former ride Viva (Corrado x Nimmerdor) – owned by Stephex Stables – has been sold to the United Arab Emirates. It is Sheikha Alyazia Bint Sultan Al Nahyan that has bought Viva. Together with Fagerström the 10 year old mare won the five star Grand Prix in Mechelen in December. Viva’s new rider is the French rider Frederic David who lives in the UAE.

Source: studforlife.com

All smiles; Nick and Tim in St. Gallen. Photo by Anna Ringborg.One of our readers has sent us this lovely snapshot of Nick Skelton and Tim Stockdale in St. Gallen today. In her e-mail she writes: “What joy and happiness. No words needed…” This was Tim’s comeback on the British team after he broke his neck in three placed in the middle of October, and today both he and Nick helped the British team to come second in the Top League. Nick had one clear round on Carlo, while Tim had one of the three double clears of the day on Fresh Direct Kalico Bay! Thanks to Anna for the photo!

Terri is our guest blogger this weekend. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Terri Fitton – Marco Kutscher’s groom – is back guest blogging! This weekend Terri is at the German Championships in Balve with Cornet’s Cristallo, Satisfaction and Marco’s new ride Spartacus. You can follow Terri’s fantastic blog throughout the weekend by clicking here.

Click here to read our interview with Terri.

Cian O'Connor has an exciting new horse in Farfelu de Muze. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Farfelu de Muze will in the future be seen under Cian O'Connor. The half brother of Mylord Carthago who is a 7 year old stallion by Quel Hero de Muze x Jalisco B has been ridden by Penelope Leprevost since October, but now he has a new home in Ireland. The horse is a very exciting prospect for Cian.

To WoSJ Cian says: "Farfelu arrived to Karlswood stables outside Dublin this morning. He is a wonderful horse with huge possibilities both as a jumper and a stallion. I'm certainly very excited by him and when I tried him three days ago, I jumped less that 20 jumps as it was obvious to see and feel his quality from the outset."

Related article: Mylord Carthago's half brother to Penelope Leprevost

Titus reunites with Guy. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Team Williams states on Twitter that Titus is reunited with his former rider Guy Williams. In the very end of December the gelding by Lancelot x Rex Magna was sold to Edwina Tops-Alexander after top results with Williams; the two were on the British team at the Europeans in Madrid – as well as recording a win at the GCT five star classes in Valkenswaard in 2011. On Twitter Team Williams (Guy Williams’ official Twitter account) writes: ”Team Williams is pleased to announce that Guy and his former ride Titus have been reunited! Titus and Guy will be jumping in Bourg En Bresse this weekend, we will let you know how the pair get on!” Whether or not this is permanent is not mentioned.

Related article: Titus to Edwina Tops-Alexander

Cadjanine is secured for Gregory Wathelet. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.In January Gregory Wathelet got the ride on Cadjanine Z with the hopes of qualifying for the Olympics. It was the 10 year old mare's then rider Patrick Spits and her co-owner Julien Hens that decided to give Gergory a chance to compete her. Now Cadjanine has been secured for Wathelet; Mr. Van Campenhout has bought the mare for the Belgian rider.

On Gregory's website he states:

"After much thought and serious negotiations, we are pleased to announce that Mr. Van Campenhout has bought the mare Cadjanine, that in the future will be called Citizenguard Cadjanine. Mr. Van Campenhout , who already hired the mare to make it possible for Gregory to qualify for the Olympics, preferred to secure the future of our rider through ownership rather than renting. Therefore nothing will disturb the tremendous increase of prestigious events which are currently opening up to the couple. In addition to strengthen Gregory´s string of horses Mr. Van Campenhout also bought Double Paid, a horse that showed really well in the Championship for seven years old in Lummen and who finished fifth there. We thank him for the confidence in our Belgian number one!"

Spartacus TN with Eric in the saddle. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Spartacus TN (Stakkato x Grannus) will in the future be seen under Marco Kutscher. The nine year old KWPN- stallion has up until now been competed by Eric van der Vleuten. The Dutch rider and the stallion’s owners have however agreed on finding another rider for Spartacus, as Eric thinks the horse is really good – but maybe not his ideal type of horse. To the Dutch website horses.nl Eric says that he has been happy with Spartacus’ results, but that they were too inconsistent and that it seemed like a good idea to let another rider try out the horse. Spartacus’ new home will thus be Stall Beerbaum, where Marco Kutscher will ride him.

Source: horses.nl

Take a look at this cool video from the jump-off of the Grand Prix in Rome last Sunday. It is Ludger Beerbaum with Gotha vs. Christian Ahlmann with Taloubet Z.

Dim lights Embed Embed this video on your site

Sad news: Kellemoi de Pepita has passed away. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Michel Robert’s former top ride Kellemoi de Pepita has passed away after a colic attack. The 14 year old mare by Voltaire x Jalme des Mensuls was sold to Qatar last year after a very successful career with Robert; the pair won a silver team medal at the European Championships in Madrid in 2011, and won the Global Champions Tour Final in Doha in 2009, as well as the Top Ten final in Brussels in 2008 to mention some.

Walter 61 has been sold to Venezuela. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Angelica Augustsson’s ride Walter 61 has been sold to South America. The 10 year old Werenfels gelding left Angelica about two weeks ago to travel to his new home in Venezuela. The pair was successful together with several top placings; in 2011 they ended second in the five star Grand Prix in Gothenburg and also won a five star class in Geneva.

When WoSJ talked to Angelica yesterday she said; "It is always sad to sell. I have had Walter since he was seven and he is like a part of our family. But I'm positive he'll be taken good care of by his new owners."

From what it looks like Abdullah Sharbatly will not be able to participate in London due to his suspension. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson. The FEI Tribunal has today issued its decisions in the cases involving the two Saudi Arabian riders Khaled Abdulaziz AL Eid and Abdullah Waleed Sharbatly. Both Al Eid’s horse Vanhoeve and Sharbatly’s horse Lobster 43 tested positive to Non-Steroidal-Inflammatory drugs this winter and the riders voluntarily suspended themselves in late February.

Would you like your products or services to be visible on World of Showjumping? We can offer banner and article advertisement on our increasingly popular website. World of Showjumping was launched in January 2011 and has grown rapidly ever since with readers from all over the world. We are now looking for new partners that would like to advertise with us, and support us in our work to develop the website further.

Don’t miss the chance to be visible on World of Showjumping! Send us an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you want to know more.

Nangaye de Kergane will in the future be seen under Luciana Diniz. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Edouard de Rothschild has purchased Nangaye de Kergane (Grand Chef Bleus x Type d’Elle) for Luciana Diniz to ride. The mare has been competed by Kevin Staut since September last year, and did her last show with him in La Baule as Staut’s collaboration with Haras de Hus has ended. To studforlife.com Luciana says that she intends to use Nangaye de Kergane as a second horse to support Winningmood and Lennox. Their first big show together will probably be the Global Champions Tour in Cannes.

Source: studforlife.com

Charlotte is newly wed. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Charlotte Lund and Sören von Rönne got married in Germany yesterday after being a couple for several years. The wedding took place at their yard near Hamburg where several of their guests are competing at the Hamburg Dressur und Spring Derby this weekend.

We wish the happy couple all the best!

Courtney 6 - Olivier Guillon's new ride. Photo by HDC.Yet another promising horse has been acquired for Olivier Guillon by Haras des Coudrettes: Courtney 6. The 11 year old gelding has up until now been competed by British rider Robert Bevis, and has several good results at international Grand Prix level. Courtney 6 (Chellano Z x Major de la Cour) will join Olivier Guillon’s stable next week, and will strengthen his string of horses that already consists of top rides such as Lord de Theize and United Love *HDC. Haras des Coudrettes writes that Courtney is a horse with a very good mentality and with the true temperament of jumper.

Source: Haras des Coudrettes

Michel Robert is the new rider for Haras de Hus. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.After days of waiting, it’s official: Michel Robert is Haras de Hus’ new rider. As we reported last week, Kevin Staut did his final show for Haras de Hus in La Baule last weekend after five years of collaboration. Michel Robert already got the ride on Zeta de Hus in March, and for the last week speculations about him being the stud’s new rider have been everywhere.

To Grandprix-replay.com Haras de Hus founder Xavier Marie says that he has a special admiration for those riders of more senior generation like Michel – and for example Philippe Le Jeune and others –who have always made their horses themselves. Xavier continues to points out that these riders do a great job with the horses and owners deserve to invest for them. Xavier Marie also says to the French website that Michel Robert for them is an ideal profile, and that his extensive experience allows him to succeed on very different horses.

Peter Charles will be in Rome. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.The second leg of the Top League will take place in Rome 24 - 27 of May and Great Britain has announced which riders that will be part of their team.

It is:

Scott Brash with Hello Sanctos, Peter Charles with Murkas Vindicat W, Tina Fletcher with Hello Sailor, William Funnel with Billy Angelo and Guy Williams with Depardieu van´t Kiezelhof.

Source: www.horses.nl

A new tour in the Netherlands is launched. The tour is called Jumping Tour Holland, and will take place from the 4th of June until 12th of July. The last part of the event – from 28th of June-1th of July – will include a two star show and a FEI Rolex ranking class. The organizer offers weatherproof surface in all the arenas, and also a veterinary and farrier clinic on location of this event. The tour takes place in the eastern part of Holland, and during the tour shows such as Outdoor Gelderland, Dutch youngster festival Wierden, Hagen, Rotterdam, Aachen, Geesteren and Zuidwolde are close by.

Franck Schillewaert and Marquis de la Lande in Copenhagen last year. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Haras des Coudrettes has acquired Marquis de la Lande (Quito de Baussy x Starter). The 12 year old stallion will stay with his rider Franck Schillewaert, with whom he has been very successful. In a statement Haras des Coudrettes writes that Marquis is undoubtedly a horse of a lifetime for Franck, and this is the reason why Haras des Coudrettes is pleased to help him keep the horse and thus reward the work of a lifetime for a man of which they have a lot of admiration.

Denis has two broken ribs after his fall on Saturday. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.After a second check with a German doctor yesterday, Denis Lynch was found to be suffering from two broken ribs. After his win in the La Baule Derby on Saturday, Denis Lynch had a bad fall off Night Train during their lap of honor. The first medical examination in France revealed no injuries, and it was thought that bruises and several swellings – as well as some stitches in the arm and the head – were the lucky escape of the fall. Unfortunately for Denis, the second examination proved the situation to be a little worse.

At the moment Denis is in a lot of pain, but the doctors are trying to get the Irish rider fit for Saturday so he at least can jump the third leg of the Global Champions Tour in Hamburg. Denis will definitely not ride the Hamburg Derby. We wish Denis a speedy recovery!

Sapphire and McLain at the WEG in Kentucky. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Yesterday it became official that McLain Ward's fantastic mare Sapphire is being retired. The 17 year old chestnut BWP mare by Darco and McLain have two Olympic team gold medals to look back on and a team silver from the 2006 World Equestrian Games.  The combination also won the famous Grand Prix at Spruce Meadows in 2009 as well as having several other great victories together. 

Sapphire was injured right before the Grand Prix in Wellington in March last year as she suffered a strained check ligament in her right front leg.  Only a couple of weeks before, McLain and Sapphire were a part of the American winning team at the Nations Cup in Wellington.

Sterrehof's Valdato has been sold to the US. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.The Dutch website horses.nl reports that Sterrehof's Valdato has been sold, and that the American showjumper Cara Raether is his new rider. The ten year old lovely grey gelding by Emilion x Caretino has up until now been competed by Austrian rider Julia Kayser, with some great results. In November they were runner-ups in the Championat der Deutschen Kreditbank in Munich, in October they were second in the three star Assen Grand Prix and in July they were second on the two star Grand Prix of Zuidwolde.

Source: horses.nl

Nr. One: Casall La Silla with Rolf-Göran Bengtsson. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Casall La Silla (Caretino x Laval I) continues to top the FEI WBFSH jumping ranking. The 13 year old Holsteiner stallion is followed by Steve Guerdat’s French bred runner-up from the Rolex FEI World Cup Final Nino des Buissonnets (Kannan x Narcos II) – that was tied number seven on last month’s ranking. Richard Spooner’s ride Cristallo (Caretino x Cicero) – a Holsteiner gelding –  has gone from number two to three on the ranking, while Regina Z (Rex Z x Savoy Hanover) – ridden by Harrie Smolders – has gone from tied rank seven to four. Mr. Davier (Quiniou x Le Prince de Thurin) is rank five this month.

Click here for the full ranking.

Would you like your products or services to be visible on World of Showjumping? We can offer banner and article advertisement on our increasingly popular website. World of Showjumping was launched in January 2011 and has grown rapidly ever since with readers from all over the world. We are now looking for new partners that would like to advertise with us, and support us in our work to develop the website further.

Don’t miss the chance to be visible on World of Showjumping! Send us an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you want to know more.

Five riders will have to go through a doping test after the GCT class in Wiesbaden. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.At the international show in Wiesbaden on the 25th - 28th of May doping tests will be taken of some of the riders as well as  the horses. Five riders participating in the Global Champions Tour class Saturday will have to leave a doping test to the FEI. These riders will be shown into a closed room to leave a urine test while the steward is waiting. It will certainly be no privacy in the process as a big mirror will be there to avoid any cheating. "We'll need to have a lot of drinks at hand. It can take some hours before the rider is in the position to fill up the urine test," says Dr. Hanns-Dietrich Rahn.

Denis was lucky to escape his bad fall without any serious injuries. Here seen in Zürich. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.After his win in the La Baule Derby yesterday, Denis Lynch had a dramatic fall off Night Train during their lap of honor. Denis had not fastened his helmet after the prize giving cermony, and as he fell off the helmet went in another direction than Denis causing him to hit the ground without the helmet on his head. The fall was quite bad, and Denis was picked up by an ambulance and taken to the hospital were x-rays were taken. Luckily nothing was broken, and Denis had no serious injuries apart from bruises and several swellings – as well as a scratch on his head. Under the circumstances Denis was lucky, and is doing quite well. We wish Denis a speedy recovery!

It looks like Kevin won't be riding for Haras de Hus in the future. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.According to studforlife.com Kevin Staut and Haras de Hus have decided to go separate ways after five years of collaboration. The website reports that La Baule is Kevin's last show under the Haras de Hus colors. Some of Kevin’s former rides such as Prestige St. Lois de Hus, Zeta de Hus and Banda de Hus have already been placed with Martin Fuchs (this week), Michel Robert (February) and Gregory Wathelet (March). Studforlife.com reports that Haras de Hus plans to continue to have horses doing top sport, but that they will have to reorganize. The stud recently bought a talented 8 year old Quaresse de Kreisker by Diamant de Semilly, so their commitment to high level sport continues. Studforlife.com also writes that Haras de Hus has plans of supporting one of the other French riders in the future, but the name will not be revealed until next week.

Read the entire story and interview with Xavier Marie on studforlife.com.

Here you can see the jump-off from Rolf-Göran Bengtsson and Carusso LS La Silla in Redefin, where they won with almost five seconds. Take an extra look at the turn in to the combination.

Dim lights Embed Embed this video on your site

Dim lights Embed Embed this video on your site

High Yummy with Alexander Zetterman. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.According to the Swedish website hastmagazinet.se Swedish rider Alexander Zetterman’s ride High Yummy has been sold to Canada. The ten year old gelding by New Balance x Sandro will in the future be seen under Nicole Walker, who is a promising young Canadian rider. High Yummy has enjoyed some good results under Zetterman; in the end of April he was fifth in a Grand Prix at the Magna Racino Spring Tour, and last year he was on the winning Swedish Nations Cup team in Lisbon.

Source: hastmagazinet.se

The Jumping Owners Club (JOC) today announced the launch of its first ever website which has been created to both raise awareness of the Club and its role within equestrian sport, as well as to provide Club members with a single source of news and information. The website address is www.jumpingownersclub.com.

George Whitaker is the Rolex One to Watch for May 2012. Photo by SPORTFOT/Rolex.The Rolex One to Watch for May 2012 is George Whitaker (GBR). Currently based in Huddersfield, Yorkshire in Northern England, the 19-year-old jumped from 354th to 231st during May – a move up the Rolex Rankings of 123 places.

George is from the most successful family in the sport of jumping, and he forms part of the next generation of the Whitaker dynasty, along with his brother William, and cousin Ellen. His uncles, John and Michael, have been the cornerstone of the British jumping team for the last 30 years; they both won team silver at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games as well as numerous European and World Championship medals. George is part of the British Equestrian Federation’s UK Sport-funded World Class Development Programme, which works with talented riders to maximise their potential and deliver success in dressage, eventing and jumping. He is also currently undergoing an apprenticeship with the intention of gaining skills in horse care and management. 

This weekend some of the world’s best riders will compete at the 2012 Longines Equestrian Beijing Masters. The event takes place at a world renowned sports landmark - China’s National Stadium (Bird’s Nest) - where most of the Beijing Olympics games were held. This event currently represents one of Asia’s top equestrian events, and has been formally incorporated into the official event schedule of the FEI.

Le Prestige St. Lois is for the time being with Martin Fuchs. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.The news yesterday of Le Prestige St. Lois leaving Kevin Staut, were only accompanied by the info of the Quidam de Revel-son flying the Swiss colors in the future. Today, the reports are that Le Prestige indeed is in Switzerland – with the young and talented Martin Fuchs, but only for the time being. Le Prestige St. Lois is for sale, and it’s not expected that Fuchs will be his long term rider.

Source: psi-magazin.de

Dim lights Embed Embed this video on your site

Kevin did his last show with Le Prestige St Lois de Hus in Valencia. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.On Sunday, Kevin Staut and Le Prestige St Lois de Hus won the last class at the Global Champions Tour in Valencia. This was also the pair's last competition together.

On his website Kevin writes: "Our collaboration concludes in the most beautiful way. Le Prestige also gave me a second place in a class against the clock the day before. I leave Valencia with a little sadness because Le Prestige is a horse that I love a lot. He has an incredible personality that allows him to be so competitive. He is also very attatching. He will now continue his sports career under Swiss colors. A page turns..."

H&M has now started a new series with their riders Malin Baryard-Johnsson and Peder Fredricson. This time is about their best exercises and here is the first part out of nine.

Dim lights Embed Embed this video on your site

Jur Vrieling with VDL Bubalu in Oslo last year. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.The Dutch Champion - Jur Vrieling - has got a new website and a facebook site. The website is in English and Dutch, and here you can read all about Jur Vrieling and his stable jockey Suzanne Tepper's horses.

It is no doubt that Jur is trying to get on the Olympic team. From the 1 - 9 of August "OS London?" is listed in his calendar.

Click here to see the website.

President of Taylor Harris Insurance Services Michael Taylor. Photo by Kenneth Kraus.Taylor Harris Insurance Services (THIS) today announced the debut of the all-new Taylor Harris Triple Crown Challenge. This unique challenge offers a spectacular $200,000 top prize for any show jumping rider that can put together back to back to back wins at three of the nation's most prestigious grand prix events.

The three events included in the Taylor Harris Triple Crown Challenge are the $100,000 Wells Fargo Grand Prix of Devon, the $250,000 FTI Grand Prix & FEI World Cup™ Qualifier at the Hampton Classic and the $250,000 Alltech National Horse Show Grand Prix. The $200,000 prize will be awarded to the same horse and rider combination that can win all three of those events in the same show season.

Happy top three in Redefin. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.With the GCT in Valencia going on this weekend Rolf-Göran Bengtsson got the question why he chose to go to Redefin. "I was at the GCT in Doha with Ninja La Silla and unfortunately he got back with fever from the long travel. And it took a bit longer than expected for him to get well again. Casall La Silla did the World Cup final so he is having a smaller break and the next choice would be to ride Carusso LS La Silla in Valencia, but I thought it would be too big and difficult too early for him. And I really like to go to Redefin and today it went really well," Rolf explained.

Thieme of course got a Lübzer beer at the prize giving. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Andre Thieme with the 17 year old Nacorde (Concorde x Renville) won the Championat von Lübzer at the CSI2* show in Redefin. 15 riders went on to the second round and Andre was almost a second ahead of Toni Hassmann with Vinchester PKZ by Ramiro.

Germany dominated the class by taking the first four positions - Heiko Schmidt with Cassiopeia (Cellestial x Godavari xx) ended third and Hilmar Meyer with Animous (Little Rock Gold x Landjunker) fourth.

Sara Eriksson is this wekends guest blogger! Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Sara Eriksson, Mario Steven´s groom, is blogging from Mannheim. She is there with the three horses Little Pezi, Quin Air and Que Pasa.

Click here to read the blogg!

Rolf-Göran keeps on to his position on top of the Rolex ranking. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Rolf-Göran Bengtsson continued to top the Rolex Ranking – for a fifth month in a row! Ludger Beerbaum is now ranked as number two in the world, and has pushed Eric Lamaze down to rank three. Pius Schwizer has rocketed from rank nine to four, and Marco Kutscher has also lifted himself from seven to five. Edwina Tops-Alexander is another rider that has climbed; she has gone from ten to six on the latest ranking. Kevin Staut is down from rank five to seven, a spot he shares with Nick Skelton. Steve Guerdat has jumped up from rank twenty to rank nine, and is back in the Top Ten this month – while Patrice Delaveau makes an appearance among the Top Ten at rank ten after some fantastic results this season.

Kingsland has signed the Gulliksen family - here represented by Geir. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Kingsland AS, the designer and manufacturer of Kingsland equestrian apparel and horse gear, keeps expanding their team and has signed a sponsor contract with the most dominating family within the Norwegian equestrian sport; Geir, Victoria and Johan S. Gulliksen. Geir Gulliksen is one of the grand old men in Norwegian showjumping, and has dominated result lists both in and out of the country. In 2007 Geir won the Rikstoto Grand Prix during Oslo Horse Show, and in 2008 he qualified for the Olympics with the Norwegian team. He has participated in three World Equestrian Games, once at the Olympic Games, in six European Championships and in three World Cup finals. 

Harrie Smolders with Exquis Walnut de Muze will compete for the Dutch team. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.The traditional Nations Cup in Lummen takes place today and a total of 14 team will compete against each other. Several top riders, such as John Whitaker, Harrie Smolders, Dermot Lennon, Lars Nieberg, Ian Miller and Theo Muff are in Belgium to ride for their countries.

The first round will start at two o´clock and you can see the start list here.

Edwina Tops-Alexander is currently the leading female rider in the world. Photo by Hanne Christensen.Edwina Tops-Alexander has been named Equestrian Australia's international athlete of the year. On Equestrian.org.au Equestrian Australia writes: “As the 2011 overall winner of the Global Champions Tour (GCT), the world’s premier Show Jumping circuit, Edwina has proven she is a formidable athlete and one to watch ahead of the London Olympic Games.

Last year she climbed to sixth position on the Rolex FEI world ranking, which is the highest ever achieved by an Australian rider. On her way to winning the multi-million euro Global Champions Tour, Edwina placed first in the Cannes Grand Prix CSI5* and Chantilly Grand Prix CSI5*. She is currently the only female athlete ranked in the world’s top-ten.

Marcus Ehning is one of the riders that will have a busy weekend with two shows. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.There are a lot of shows going on this weekend and some riders will actually be present at several of them.

The Global Champions Tour has its second leg in Valencia,Spain, from Friday - Sunday, with the big GCT class on Saturday afternoon. Then there is the traditional Nations Cup in Lummen, Belgium. The show starts today and goes on until Sunday with the team competition being held tomorrow.

In Mannheim a CSI3* show will take place. The show keeps on until Tuesday when the 1,60 m Grand Prix is being held. Several of the riders that compete at the GCT in Valencia will also compete in Mannheim the last days like Marcus Ehning, Marco Kutscher, Philipp Weishaupt, Christian Ahlmann and Denis Lynch.

Marc Houtzager and Sterrehof´s Opium will go to La Baule. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.The Dutch Chef dÉquipe, Rob Ehrens, has announced the riders and horses that will represent the Netherlands in the Top League in La Baule and Rome.

Marc Houtzager with Sterrehof´s Opium, Leon Thijssen with Tyson, Albert Voorn with Tobalio, Vincent Voorn with Audi´s Alpapillon-Armanie and Albert Zoer with Sam will all be present and ride for the team in La Baule.

Marc Houtzager is the only rider that will do both of the two first legs of the Top League. To Rome he will bring Sterrehof´s Tamino or Sterrehof´s Voltaire, and will be accompanied by Jeroen Dubbeldam with BMC Utascha SFN, Gerco Schröder with Eurocommerce New Orleans, Jur Vrieling with VDL Bubalu and Harrie Smolders with Regina Z.

The inaugural FEI Sports Forum began on 30 April in Lausanne (SUI). Photo by © Edouard Curchod/FEI.The FEI Sports Forum has been on in Lausanne – and with more than 280 delegates representing 39 National Federations (NFs), Event Organisers, International Riders, Owners and Organisers Clubs, members of the FEI Technical Committees, veterinarians, sponsors, and media present on the 30th of April it was declared a huge success. Topics that have been discussed include the event classification system, the FEI invitation system and wildcards, rankings and series. The latter was maybe the most exciting part of the debate, as it included an in-depth discussion of the FEI Nations Cup and its future.

Click here to read the full report from FEI.

Rich Fellers and Flexible. Photo by Flying Horse Photography. Building off the momentum of a very successful winter show season, HITS is pleased to announce the creation of an all-new high-performance show jumping league comprised of 15 West Coast competitions. The league will include the entire 2013 HITS Desert Circuit and will culminate with a $1 Million Grand Prix. Starting in August, HITS will collaborate with West Coast show organizers Dale Harvey, Larry Langer and Robert Ridland to form the Thermal Million Grand Prix League. This newly formed league will offer an unprecedented opportunity to qualify for the all-new Thermal $1 Million Grand Prix, which will be held the final week of the 2013 HITS Desert Circuit in Thermal, California.

FEI President, HRH Princess Haya, announced today that the Saudi Equestrian Fund will finance the revitalisation of the FEI Nations Cup™ series. Announcing the agreement at the opening of the FEI Sports Forum in Lausanne (SUI) today, Princess Haya informed delegates that the Saudi Equestrian Fund will provide full financial support for the 2012 series and has also agreed to a five-year title sponsorship commencing in 2013, once the remodelling process has been finalised.

Penelope Leprevost and Maestro de la Loge. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.The twelve year old stallion Maestro de la Loge (Esterel de Bois x Narcos II) that has been with Penelope Leprevost since the beginning of 2011, will in the future be seen under another French rider - Julien Epaillard. Maestro de la Loge will be a good addition to Epaillard's stable as his top horse Mr Davier got injured a few weeks ago when they were about to leave Spain after the Sunshine Tour.

California with Gerco. Photo by Jeny Abrahamsson.Eurocommerce California (Corland x Ramiro) has been sold, and her new rider is Ali bin Khaled Al Thani from Qatar. The 10 year old grey mare has up until now been competed by Gerco Schröder, and with good results; the pair was second in Amsterdam Grand Prix in January and won the Grand Prix in Odense in October – to mention some.  Al Thani became the Rolex One to Watch in April, and was recently number two in the Grand Prix at Indoor Brabant.

Source: horses.nl.

Daniel Deusser leaves Jan Tops to work at Stephex Stables. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.It is finally official - Daniel Deusser is leaving Stall Tops to start working with Stephan Conter at Stephex Stables in Belgium. After six years at Top’s place the German rider now moves closer to his Belgian girlfriend and “takes over” at Stephex after Nina Fagerström decided to start up on her own in March.

You can read a full interview with Daniel Deusser on studforlife.com (in French).

Jur and VDL Bubalu - here in Oslo. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.This weekend it was time for the Dutch Championship. Jur Vrieling with VDL Bubalu was the only rider that didn´t get any penalties during the show and ended up as the winner ahead of Gert-Jan Bruggink with Primeval Wings and Mathijs van Asten with VDL Groep Credence Z.

"It was a championship that was exciting to the last moment. In the second round some of the favorites fell away, but today Bubalu and I had to do everything right. We have had many hours of training at home over the last period. Chef dÉquipe Rob Ehrens has helped me which has improved Bubalu's canter. London and the Olympics are far away, but this championship is the first step on the road there and I still hope for the Olympics,"said the champion.

Beat Mandli and his Louis IV in the first round at the Magna Racino. © Hervé Bonnaud - www.1clicphoto.com & Tomas Holcbecher.Beat Mändli’s top ride Louis IV has gone through colic surgery, but thankfully the gelding is now on the road to recovery. To reitsportnews.at Beat explains that Louis first showed signs of colic on Sunday, during the Magna Racino Spring Tour where Beat competes. "Thank goodness there is a clinic here at the Equestrian Park Magna Racino and we got professional help from the start. In the end it was decided that a surgery unfortunately was unavoidable. To wait would mean too great a risk, " Beat says on the health of the 12-year-old son of the Lord Z, owned by the Swiss Paul Bücheler.

"We were extremely lucky as no bowel had to be removed, thank God! Now we must wait the usual four to five days after surgery (Sunday night) to see that everything is optimally again," says Beat who has yet to write off the Olympics. "My thanks go to Dr. Hagen Zappe and his team," Beat says.

Text source: Ruth Büchlmann | www.reitsportnews.at

Casall La Silla. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.The FEI WBFSH jumping rankings for March have been released, and it’s Casall La Silla (Caretino x Lavall I) that tops the ranking for jumping horses. The rankings include results from 1.10.2011 to 31.3.2012, and with 808 points the 13 year old Holsteiner stallion is number one. Another Caretino-son follows as number two; Richard Spooner’s Holsteiner partner Cristallo – whose dam’s sire is Cicero. The Selle Francais-gelding Mister Davier (Quiniou x Le Prince de Thurin) is number three, while Marcus Ehning’s ride Sabrina (Sandro Boy x Landadel) is number four.

Click here for the full ranking for jumping horses.

Reveur de Hurtebise with Malin in Oslo. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Reveur de Hurtebise *HDC (Kashmir von Schuttershof x Capricieux des Six Censes) has been voted Horse of the Year in the studbook sBs. Reveur is Belgian bred by Severine Siraux, and has had huge success in 2011 under Malin Baryard-Johnsson with a third place in the five star Grand Prix in Gijon and a third place in the World Cup qualifier in Helsinki to mention some of many good results. Reveur was recently sold to Haras des Coudrettes, and will in the future be ridden by Kevin Staut.

Source: sbsnet.be

Ludger Beerbaum. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.This weekend Ludger Beerbaum will marry his girlfriend Arundell Davison. The pair has been together for six years, and they have two children together. The wedding will take place in England, close to London. Ludger will thus not take part in the opening leg of the DKB Riders Tour in Hagen – a tour where he is defending title holder as Rider of the Year 2011.

WoSJ wishes the happy couple all the best!

Source: st-georg.de

Simon Delestre will be one of the French riders in La Baule. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.The first leg of the Top League will be held in La Baule 10 - 13 of May and the best eight teams in the world will be present - Germany, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Ireland, France, Belgium, Switzerland and Sweden.

Henk Nooren, the Chef dÉquipe of France, has now announced the team for the first leg and the team will consist of Roger-Yves Bost, Simon Delestre, Olivier Guillon, Jerome Hurel and Penelope Leprevost.

Source: www.grandprix-replay.com

Chamberlain Z with David McPherson in Kentucky. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Chamberlain Z – David McPherson’s ride at the WEG in Kentucky – has been sold to British showjumper Tim Gredley. Chamberlain Z (Chellano Z x Peter Pan) – now with the prefix UNEX added to his name – has been competed at five star level by McPherson, and last year the 11 year old gelding won two international Grand Prix classes in Spain. Chamberlain Z has also been a part of many Nations Cup teams for Great Britain.

To horseandhound.co.uk Gredley says; “I always really liked him and tried to buy him about three years ago, but couldn’t strike a deal. The plan is to compete him at a few small shows and maybe aim for Windsor [in May].”

Source: horseandhound.co.uk

Jessica Kürten - here on API Largo in Zürich. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Ireland’s team for the first leg of the Top League in La Baule has been named. Robert Splaine – Team Ireland Equestrian's Showjumping High Performance Manager – has confirmed that the following riders will be a part of the Irish team: Jessica Kürten, Denis Lynch, Cian O’Connor, Shane Sweetnam and Niall Talbot.

Source: horsesportireland.ie

Rolf and Bo in Den Bosch. Photo by Hanne Christensen.This weekend Rolf-Göran Bengtsson has been guest blogging for WoSJ. Rolf has been taking part in the Rolex FEI World Cup Final in Den Bosch together with Casall La Silla. With him he also had Camilo LS La Silla, who did his first Grand Prix on Saturday.

Rolf’s last blog entry from the weekend is now out, and you can read it here.

Rolf with his new star whip - a small present from WoSJ. Photo by Hanne Christensen.Rolf-Göran Bengtsson is our guest blogger this weekend. Rolf rides the Rolex FEI World Cup final in Den Bosch, and now you can read his third blog entry of the weekend where he sums up yesterday’s class on Casall La Silla.

Click here to read the blog entry.