The USA pipped Canada for team Jumping gold in a thrilling third-round jump-off at Sha Tin Stadium in Hong Kong tonight (Monday). And Norway climbed all the way up from overnight joint-sixth place to take bronze thanks to a spirited team performance.

The Swiss had to settle for fourth ahead of Germany and The Netherlands in joint-fifth while Great Britain, down to just three team-members due to the loss of John Whitaker and Peppermill, finished sixth. As Swedish luck ran out, they plummeted from third to eighth while the Australians slotted into ninth place but the Aussies, also with just three in their side, fought a tremendous battle after pathfinder Peter McMahon broke his collarbone in a fall in the practice ring.

To take a medal with just three riders however is a remarkable feat by any measure. Team Canada’s day began with the news that Mac Cone’s horse, Ole, would be withdrawn as he was unsound, but nothing was going to kill their hunger for a share of those Olympic medals. “The odds are that you have no chance with a team of just three but you gotta try,” said Canadian hero Ian Millar tonight, and try they did, to the very end.

TENSION

There was huge tension in the British camp right up to the start of the competition as they awaited the Appeal Committee decision in relation to John Whitaker’s participation. Whitaker’s 11-year old stallion was withdrawn yesterday because he was stiff and uncomfortable, but was considered fit for duty again today. And when the Ground Jury met this morning (Monday) at 11am to consider a request from the British team, it was agreed that the horse and rider could compete in tonight’s second round of the team event. 

However seven of the nine qualified teams then lodged a protest following which the Ground Jury upheld its earlier decision but when the teams formally launched an appeal to the Appeal Committee who met at Sha Tin at 4pm local time today the objections were upheld and the British rider was declared ineligible to jump.

The rule which was applied was Article 264.4 from the FEI Rules for Jumping Events which states that “a full Nations Cup team comprises four competitors each riding the same horse throughout the competition. All members of each team must take part in the first round, except as stated in paragraph 4.2 below and in paragraph 7.2″. Paragraph 4.2. states that “if a team, comprising four competitors, cannot improve its placing in the first or second round after its third competitor has completed his course, the fourth competitor may be withdrawn”. A clear or four-fault round from Whitaker yesterday would have improved the British result.

A 13-fault opening effort from Nick Skelton and Russel put the final nail in the British coffin as the competition got underway tonight.

THE TEST

Another track full of questions and surprises faced horses and riders once again - Leopoldo Palacios and Steve Stephens presenting them with flair, colour and creativity.

A left-hand turn after the opening vertical led to the triple bar followed by a dog-leg to the 1.50m white oxer at three and then a check of control and positioning at the skinny, snaky planks at fence four. A left-hand bend to the vertical at five was followed by another big question over the first of the three doubles on the track - would horses be distracted by the liverpool water-trays under both the opening oxer and the vertical second element? Now the pressure was full-on with acceleration required on approach to the narrow open water - 4.10m wide - with just four good strides to the next double, vertical to vertical, at fence eight. This would prove pivotal. A turn-back to the oxer at nine, a right bend to the planks at 10 and a left-hand turn brought horses down the final line. And here the brightly-coloured wall at 11 was followed by a double of oxers at 12 and then, on a curving line, the final vertical at 13.

“It’s a difficult track - it was very technical yesterday and even more so today,” said Belgium’s reigning World Champion Jos Lansink whose stallion Cumano is clearly really enjoying his jumping again after a long lay-off due to injury. “The course builder is using the water fences very cleverly,” he pointed out after putting in one of the earliest tours of the course, picking up just two time faults. “The water is going to be a problem for a lot of riders,” he added, and he was quite correct.

A GOOD START

The first-day joint-leaders from the USA made a good start when McLain Ward’s only mistake with Sapphire was at the water, and when Laura Kraut’s Cedric put in a spectacular clear they were looking very strong indeed. “Tonight he was completely relaxed,” Kraut said afterwards. “We had a mix-up in the practice ring when he thought a shadow was a groundline but things like that don’t bother him, it just made him more attentive, and he felt amazing in there. My biggest worry was about the liverpool double but he soared over it. It’s hard to believe how much he has come on over the last year. In May 2007 we jumped in the Super League in Rome and it was too much for him but he has decided to peak at the right moment - I’m thrilled with him,” she pointed out.

The joint-leaders from Switzerland however were in trouble right away. Pathfinder Christina Liebherr had a nightmare ride with No Mercy who lived up to his name when dragging her at break-neck speed around much of the track and, having hit the oxer at three, put a foot in the water and lowered the oxer at nine she had to pull up in front of the second element of 11 before circling to finish. “He is either a genius or a crazy horse, and today he was a crazy, crazy horse,” the rider said in resignation after putting 23 faults on the board.

Team-mate Pius Schwizer meanwhile made an amazing recovery when Nobless M threw in an objection on the approach to the vertical at five, and did well to complete with just five faults this time out.

All eyes were on the Germans who, so surprisingly, were trailing the field after yesterday’s opening round but any hope of a rapid climb up the order would be halted by 19 faults for Marco Kutscher when, in an effort to take a sharp check after a strong ride to the water, he stopped Cornet Obolensky in his tracks. Clearly unsettled, the handsome stallion completed, dropping several fences on his way home.

RISING

The Australians however were really rising to the challenge and Laurie Lever’s excellent four-fault effort with the brave Drossel Dan was followed by a fabulous clear from Edwina Alexander and Itot du Chateau. If last man in, 23 year old Matt Williams, could hold it together they would be challenging for a medal at the end.

Lying fourth overnight, the Norwegians were also making good progress despite a 12-fault result from pathfinder Stein Endresen when Morten Djupvik and Casino lowered only the second element of the double at fence eight and Geir Gulliksen picked up just five with Cattani. The Dutch were unable to make any real headway, eight faults for Angelique Hoorn and O’Brien and a good five-fault round from Marc Houtzager and Opium followed by an unhappy 27 from Vincent Voorn and Alpapillon-Armanie. And the Swedes, in overnight third, were fading fast too, Peter Eriksson’s good opening four-fault result with Jaguar Mail followed by 20 from Lotta Schultz and Calibra and 17 for Helena Lundback and Erbblume - they couldn’t claw their way back from there.

The Canadians however were blossoming under pressure - Jill Henselwood paving the way with a superb clear, one of just five on the day, from the aptly-named Special Ed and Eric Lamaze keeping them right in the game with just a single mistake, at the second element of the penultimate double, with the big-jumping Hickstead. And as it came down to the closing stages it was clear that the weight of Canadian responsibility would fall on the mature shoulders of nine-time Olympian Ian Millar.

The line-up was already taking shape, the Germans finally finished off when Ludger Beerbaum’s All Inclusive stopped when the partnership could not find the distance from the water to the following double to complete with six faults while Australian hopes were finally dashed by 17-fault round from Matt Williams. “I did too much with my horse in the warm-up, and halfway around the course I paid the price,” the young man said philosophically.

A GREAT DEAL

The Dutch just couldn’t stay afloat despite just a single error for Gerco Schroder and Monaco but Norwegian anchorman Tony Andre Hansen produced another fabulous round with Camiro. Hansen has been training with former Irish rider Gerry Mullins for the last six years and he has honed to skills to great effect over the past 12 months - his one time-fault the only addition to the Norwegian scoreline. “I want to thank Gerry a lot,” he said today, “he pushed me and pushed me and here we are now - I owe him a great deal,” he added.

It was clear that Norway would now take bronze but it took a foot-perfect round from Ian Millar to secure the Canadian position and, if Beezie Madden could leave all the fences up when last to go with Authentic then the Americans would take gold ahead of them. But a foot on the tape at the bogey water ensured a jump-off instead, both teams now sharing a total of 20 faults apiece.

You could cut the air with a knife as McLain Ward led the way in the third and final round, throwing down the gauntlet with the coolest clear from Sapphire over the new track which asked for a strong gallop to the new final oxer, and when Henselwood hit the wall, now fence two, the Canadians began to look vulnerable. Laura Kraut piled on the pressure with an amazing ride with Cedric who also left the fences intact but Lamaze pulled it back for Canada when producing the quickest time, 36.35 seconds, with Hickstead. If Will Simpson made a mistake then it would all fall back on Millar again, but a powerful clear from Carlsson Vom Dach sealed the deal - it was all over and the US held that precious gold while the Canadians had to do with silver.  That wasn’t really a problem for them though, because they have waited a long, long time for this.

HISTORICAL

It was an historic Canadian moment because they have not held an Olympic medal since Tom Gayford, Jim Day and Jim Elder took gold in Mexico City in 1968 - a full 40 years ago. And at 61 years of age, the record-breaking Ian Millar was very happy with tonight’s result. “I’ve been riding on Canadian teams for 39 years” he said, “and there have been a lot of good days but the Olympic Games have never gone my way so to be part of this is remarkable. I want to say thanks to my great team and horses and to the team that have been behind us all,” he added.

“When Mac’s horse was out this morning it didn’t seem like we had any chance of a medal, and then Jill inspired us all with her great ride. She left us no choice but to have a real go - she set the standard and we had to follow” he explained. And, even though he will be 65 when the next Olympic Games are held in 2012, he is looking forward to it already. “I’m going to try again for London - I’ve picked out the horse already!” he said. 

The Norwegians meanwhile were relishing their bronze, a first-ever Jumping prize for their country which has not taken part in the equestrian Olympic contest since 1992. “When we qualified at the Europeans last summer we didn’t really believe we could go this far - you dream that it might happen but this, to us, is as good as winning gold!” said Stein Endresen.  “Finally we have a team riding at the same level at the same time - and the team spirit has been unbelievable” said Hansen while team manager, Sylve Soderstrand, added with some satisfaction “the team have stuck to the plan we made two years ago, and that is why we are here today.”

The Americans meanwhile were looking happy if a little stunned and Laura Kraut admitted that the whole of the final sequence of events had taken her by surprise. “I was a bit dazed and confused going into the jump-off, we weren’t really sure it was going to happen until the last minute and our horses were already going back to the stables - there was no time to think about it. I just knew, going in, that I needed to be clear and fast and it just turned into our night - the Canadians made us work for it though!” she pointed out. 

“I was sorry because I made my team jump in the jump-off - I should have sealed it in the second round, but I’m glad how it worked out” said Beezie Madden. Team manager George Morris was looking pretty pleased too, because it had worked out just fine.

An American triumph, a Canadian moment to remember and for Norway the reward of commitment and the willingness to work together to make the impossible dream into a reality.

 

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HONG KONG - After nine Olympics, Ian Millar finally has a medal to call his own.

 

The equestrian rider from Perth, Ont., rode the anchor leg for Canada’s silver-medal winning show jumping team Monday at the Shatin Olympic Equestrian Venue.

Canada’s team of Eric Lamaze of Schomberg, Ont., Jill Henselwood of Oxford Mills, Ont., Mac Cone of King City, Ont., and Millar lost in a gold-medal jumpoff to the United States.

Millar, 61, made his Olympic debut in 1972 in Munich, Germany, and has competed in every Summer Games since - except for the boycotted Games in Moscow in 1980 - but had failed to win a medal every time. Until now.

The Americans - Ward Mclain on Sapphire, Laura Kraut on Cedric, Will Simpson on Carlsson Vom Dach and Beezie Madden on Authentic - were perfect in the jumpoff, while Henselwood had four faults for Canada on Special Ed. Madden and Millar didn’t have to ride in the jumpoff with the gold already clinched after three U.S. riders.

Canada came into the final round tied for fourth with 16 faults, four behind the United States and Switzerland, but were able to make up ground with a pair of clear rides in the final.

Only the top-three scores from the four-member team count, but Canada had no margin for error in the final as Cone’s horse Ole was injured and unable to compete.

The rest of the team came through with both Millar, aboard In Style, and Henselwood riding clear rounds. Lamaze, who was clear in the first round on Sunday, had four faults riding Hickstead on Monday.

Canada and the United States both ended the final round with 20 faults, prompting the jumpoff. Norway won the bronze with 27 faults and Switzerland struggled Monday, dropping to fourth with 30 faults.

Canada last won a team jumping medal in 1968 when the team of James Day, James Elder and Thomas Gayford took home the gold in Mexico City.

 

 

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Veteran British rider John Whitaker may take part in the last phase of the Olympics equestrian show jumping team final on Monday, Britain’s team leader said, as his horse was showing signs of recovery.

Whitaker made his withdrawal from the first phase of the show jumping final on Sunday as Peppermill was “quite stiff”, Britain’s team leader Will Connell said.

“It just wasn’t right to ask it to jump [on Sunday]. He’s better this morning and we will see how he is this evening,” Connell said.

The withdrawal of Whitaker, 53, came only days after younger brother Michael, 48, was forced to pull out after his horse was found lame. Nick Skelton is riding in Michael Whitaker’s place.

The Whitaker brothers, who won team silver in the 1984 Los Angeles Games, were seen as the anchors of the British team, who include first-time Olympians Tim Stockdale, 44, and Ben Maher, 25.

Whitaker’s withdrawal was announced during the first phase of the Olympics equestrian show jumping team on Sunday, with no immediate reason given for the pullout.

Switzerland and the United States tied for the top spot with 12 penalties in the first phase of the show jumping final on Sunday.

Britain and Canada tied for fourth place on 16 penalties.

The qualifier determines which teams will compete in Monday’s final, as well as the 50 riders who will go on to the final individual event on Thursday.

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Switzerland and the USA share the lead after the thrilling first round of the Olympic Jumping team competition which took place at Sha Tin stadium in Hong Kong tonight (Sunday). Sweden lies third ahead of Great Britain and Canada in equal-fourth, while the Netherlands and Norway are tied for sixth place. But the biggest surprise of the day was the German performance, as the giants of the sport barely qualified for tomorrow’s medal-deciding second round when collecting 20 faults, just squeezing into eighth place along with the Australians.

The Aussies were well-pleased with their result so far. They started with two 16-fault performances from Peter McMahon (Genoa) and Laurie Lever (Dan Drossel) but Edwina Alexander’s clear with Itot du Chateau, one of only seven on the day, lifted their spirits and then 23-year old Matt Williams produced the ride of his life with his 12-year old gelding Leconte when clear all the way to the very last fence for four faults. Australian team manager Stephen Lamb said afterwards “going last Matt had all the pressure on him, but he handled it brilliantly for a young guy – we are very happy!”

CLEVER COURSE

The 13-fence course designed by Leopoldo Palacios and Steve Stephens was a work of genius and quickly brought the cream to the top. Starting out over an oxer, there was a gentle right-hand curve to a red vertical and then a left-hand run to a skinny vertical at three. It was here that the real work began as the following open water, narrow on take-off but a full 4.5m wide, was on an acute angle with little room for preparation and the fence-judge was busy raising that red flag all evening.

The following narrow red gate had the most slender of pencil-poles on top, a trademark characteristic of Palacios courses, and onward-bound horses found themselves deep to this, and then it was on to a double off a right-hand turn at six. With a triple-bar first element and an oxer to follow this proved influential, and many of the riders reported that the candy-coloured poles were difficult to see - “you definitely needed a horse with good eyesight on this track!” Canada’s Ian Millar commented.

The following planks, flanked by a mighty dragon which, fortunately, the horses couldn’t see, stood a maximum 1.60 metres tall, thus testing control after a forward ride from the previous double, and then the track curved left to the oxer at eight and sharp-right to the line that included a 1.60 m wall at nine with four strong strides to the following 1.50m oxer at 10. The horses that managed to jump clear to here were doing well but the next trap was in the triple combination at 11. Jumped off a left-hand bend it consisted of a 1.55m vertical to a 1.50m oxer and then a 1.55m vertical to finish. Despite the fact that it quickly became clear that the distance inside was tricky, riders kept coming in too strong and suffered the consequences time and again. This was followed by a 1.55m oxer with a 1.80m spread and finally, turning away from the in-gate, the last fence was a liverpool vertical standing at 1.60m.

With the 13 individual riders going first, it was Ireland’s Denis Lynch who first found the key with a great round from Lantinus who picked up just a single time penalty. He had spotted the traps. He almost pulled Lantinus back to walk before tackling the triple combination and explained afterwards “you need to jump the first part as if it’s a fence on its own and then push on for the second two elements - if you go in too forward there, you are going to have some part of it down. The course is very technical and very light - you have to concentrate all the way,” he pointed out.

DRAMA

There was plenty of drama in the early stages, Azerbaijan’s Jamal Rahimov taking a fall from Ionesco de Brekka at the penultimate oxer when the stallion straddled the poles, and the rider was subsequently taken to hospital for check-up but was released soon afterwards. Alexander Onischenko, pathfinder for The Ukraine, only got as far as fence three with Codar as the stallion refused to tackle the following water but it was the eight-fault performance of Christian Ahlmann with Coster who fell foul of the dragon planks at seven and then hit the first element of the bogey triple combination, and the 12 collected by Marco Kutscher and Cornet Obolensky who went in the water and then added eight more en route, that shook German confidence.

The Swedes, in stark contrast, were looking quite solid when Lotta Schultz and Calibra picked up just four faults to add to Peter Eriksson’s eight with Jaguar Mail, and when Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum added another four faults to the German tally, lowering the opening vertical at the combination, there was a gasp of amazement. What on earth was happening to the hot favourites who normally prove so untouchable at this level of the sport? Even Meredith wasn’t really sure what was going on.

“It’s not like we are not used to pressure, it’s just a big surprise here today,” she said afterward. She was happy with her round with Shutterfly - “I was maybe too fast into the triple”, she admitted, but she had expected that her team would have produced better results. So had here been a German miscalculation about their whole approach to this Olympic contest? Had they been over-confident in the early stages? “We had a plan, that we would use the first competition to train a bit the other day - it wasn’t that we didn’t take it seriously but maybe we didn’t get that right,” she said. “We are going to have to go back and sit together and discuss what has happened - it’s certainly not what we expected,” she added.

She said the course was “well set, but when I walked it I thought 50% of horses will jump into the water - there is almost a 90 degree turn there - and at the triple at the end you need to jump in short. We’ve only seen one clear so far, its a good, fair course but we will have to prepare for the second round tomorrow - if we get into the top eight teams tonight. If we do get through we won’t be giving up, we will come out fighting,” she insisted.

BACK IN THE GAME

With three mistakes from Helena Lundback and Erbblume the Swedes began to falter, but then Rolf-Goran Bengtsson produced a sensational fault-free round from Ninja, the very first of the competition, and they were right back in the game - an extraordinary turn-around for the nation that has struggled so hard to survive in the Samsung Super League with FEI series this season and which is currently fighting relegation. With typical understatement Bengtsson said afterwards - “that went pretty well” - as his side registered a final score of 13 faults.

McLain Ward and the brilliant mare Sapphire soon followed with a pathfinding clear for the USA. “I hope the rest of the team has good fortune,” he said, but he wasn’t going to get too over-excited just yet. “It’s not easy out there, only two clears so far but we’ve been building for this for over a year now with a great back-up team - we’ve sacrificed a lot and we will be disappointed if we go home without a medal. The Olympic Games is all about peaking at the right time. Sapphire was less sensitive today and she went great,” he added.

The British were holding their own, Nick Skelton’s eight faults with Russel followed by just four for both Tim Stockdale (Corlato) and Ben Maher (Rolette) but they would soon be hit hard by the news that John Whitaker’s Peppermill was unwell and would have to be withdrawn. “He wasn’t right coming out of the stable,” said Chef d’Equipe Derek Ricketts, “we’re not sure what’s wrong, he may be tied up, but he couldn’t jump like that. John is really very disappointed” the team manager explained.

They would now have to settle for the 16 faults they had on the board which would leave them on level-pegging with the Canadians who were boosted by a fantastic clear from Eric Lamaze whose stallion Hickstead was jumping like a cat. Mac Cone had collected 12 faults with Ole, and things were not looking so good when Jill Henselwood and Special Ed left four on the floor but Lamaze’s clear was followed by just four faults, at the penultimate oxer, for Ian Millar and In Style. And he was in upbeat mood. “Our first two riders didn’t have a good day today but they will clean up their act tomorrow - so see you on the podium!” he said with a smile.

STAYING STRONG

The USA stayed strong, Laura Kraut’s bouncing grey Cedric clear all the way to the very last and Will Simpson (Carlsson Vom Dach) and Beezie Madden (Authentic) collecting eight faults each. Madden however seemed to be en route to a perfect clear only to have an odd moment just before the triple combination when Authentic suddenly shook his head and ground to a halt. “This has happened a couple of times before,” the rider explained, “if he gets an insect in his ear he goes crazy, and he started waving his head and didn’t even see the fence”. She circled and re-presented to finish the course. Without those eight faults the USA would be in the lead as tomorrow’s second round gets underway but instead they kick off with a score of 12.

The Swiss meanwhile were most impressive. Sheer consistency - with just four faults each from Christina Liebherr (No Mercy), Pius Schwizer (Nobless M), Niklaus Schurtenberger (Cantus) and Steve Guerdat (Jalisca Solier) - also registered a 12 fault tally and there is something quietly confident about them. They have been showing uneven results in this year’s Samsung Super League with FEI series, so how to explain this turn-up for the books? “Well we haven’t actually had a bad season at all,” said team manager Rolf Grass, “we were second in La Baule and second again at St Gallen and we haven’t always been in a position to use our best horses and our best riders. But we’ve worked very hard to prepare for coming here,” he said.

Just a single fault separates the joint-leaders, Switzerland and America, from Sweden in third going into tomorrow’s (Monday) second round, while there is just a single fence between the joint-leaders and the fourth-placed British and Canadians. The Dutch and Norwegians carry 17 faults and the Germans and Australians carry 20 as Round Two begins. Rolf Grass was not going to get too carried away by his side’s good result today - “this is a Nations Cup, anything can happen and we are only halfway tonight,” he said, and his anchorman Steve Guerdat was also staying sensibly Swiss - “I feel confident for my team,” he said, “but tomorrow is another day and another course - let’s wait and see.”

And America’s McLain Ward expressed similar sentiments when he said “yeh, we just have to keeping chipping away here, take it one day at a time.”

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Hong Kong, China – The US show jumpers looked happy to stretch their legs tonight in the First Individual Qualifier. The main arena was turned over from a dressage ring to Grand Prix course tonight at Sha Tin as the jumping horses finally got a chance to play. 73 horses went to task over a beautiful course designed by Leopoldo Palacios and Steve Stephens.

The US was the only nation with three double clear rounds.

McLain Ward was the first American in the ring with the classy veteran mare (and defending Olympic Gold medalist) Sapphire. The 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood powered around the course in her usual fashion jumping, one of 13 double clear rounds.

“My horse made it look easy,” said Ward. “She’s such a pro. She has had really bad heat rash – she has really sensitive skin so I could use no leg on her because she wasn’t 100% comfortable. I have a great team behind me to help her out and she amazes me with what a great competitor she is.”

Sapphire (who is owned by Blue Chip Bloodstock and Tom Grossman) hadn’t jumped a fence in three weeks because Ward wanted to keep her fresh. There was no rust on Sapphire tonight, she didn’t get close to any of the fences, easily jumping clean.

Laura Kraut (who also rode at the Sydney Olympics in 2000) and Cedric were next in for the US and there probably aren’t two who are more different horses than Cedric and Sapphire. Cedric, a 10-year-old Dutch gelding, is so tiny he could barely be seen behind the standards as he cantered around the ring before the bell.

“He was super,” said Kraut about Happy Hill Farm and Peter Wetherill’s horse. “I think he handled everything great. George (Morris) said go in there and get him comfortable.”

Relatively inexperienced, the Olympic Games certainly were not on Kraut’s radar screen for Cedric at the beginning of the year.

Good thing no one told him.

“I was a bit strong into the triple,” said Kraut, who had the second element down. “Apart from that I couldn’t be happier. He’s ready.”

Will Simpson has spent the better part of 30 years chasing the Olympic dream. Tonight he caught up with it and jumped a spectacular clear round on El Campeon Farm’s Carlsson vom Dach.

The 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding made light work of the course, even though Simpson had thought he may need to use it as a training round if the horse was feeling frisky.

“We walked the course and talked about some options to better prepare him for later on in the competition because sometimes he can be a handful,” said Simpson, who lives in Thousand Oaks, CA. “But tonight he was, as George said, ‘textbook’. It was one of the thrills of my life. To have a horse like this - that can do this - is so special. I’m so lucky. He really wants to jump clean and everything worked out just as we had planned in there. I have a lot of confidence in my horse.”

Simpson has spent the last six months specifically aiming to these Games, teamed up with three (four including reserve rider Anne Kursinski) tremendously experienced riders while on tour in Europe, Simpson learned plenty before he even landed in Hong Kong.

“I’ve learned more in the last six months than I have in the last 35 years of riding,” said Simpson. “The team work and the dedication is an unbelievable experience.”

Ward and Sapphire’s gold medal winning teammates, Beezie Madden and Authentic rounded out the US group. Tremendously consistent and reliable, Authentic may have been the best of the night in the third to last spot. He jumped easily around the track and looked very pleased to be back in the ring.

“He was great tonight,” said Madden. “It was a very good course for him, the triple combination was a good gymnastic for him as he can be an aggressive horse and the distances got shorter as you went through.”

The 13-year-old KWPN gelding owned by Abigail Wexner has, like Sapphire, been a stalwart of the US Team for the last four years.

“We have some new faces on the team, with Laura’s horse and Will,” said Madden. “We really want to medal, if the horses just stay the way they are we will be set. But sometimes that’s the hard part.”

The show jumpers return to the ring on Sunday evening for the first leg of the team competition. They will jump in reverse order by team based on the standings of the top three riders from each team in today’s competition.

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2008 Olympic Show Jumping

Reigning Olympic individual gold medalist Rodrigo Pessoa handicaps the Olympic show jumping field, giving Germany the edge and deeming the U.S. worthy of silver.

I’m going to pick Germany for gold, and then the United States and then Great Britain.

The Germans have an outstanding team of riders this year—and they all have strong horses. Each of them has been performing well all season, and I think that the team is ready to erase the disappointing result from the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. [They were stripped of their team gold medal (their third consecutive) after Ludger Beerbaum’s mount Goldfever tested positive for a forbidden substance and was eliminated. The team fell to bronze.]

For the U.S. team, you have two very experienced pairs. When it comes to events like this, you want a rider who knows his horse well, and McLain Ward knows Sapphire perfectly. They will try to peak on the right day, and they will be a strong possibility. Does he have the mettle to do it? I don’t know. But that’s really a combination that knows how to be ready on the right day.

Beezie Madden, of course, is an amazing rider, and talk about someone who knows how to get ready for the right day! That is one solid combination. Laura Kraut is a super rider, but her horse Cedric is still a little bit green and could be a little bit surprised. We don’t really know about Will Simpson yet. Will doesn’t have too much international experience. The horse also is pretty green, so he’s a little bit of a question mark, but I still put the team in second.

Great Britain looks pretty good—they’re my pick for team bronze. On that team you have a lot of experience between Michael and John Whitaker. This will be Tim Stockdale’s first championship, and the horse [Fresh Direct Corlato] is performing well. And then they’re taking a young rider, Ben Maher, for his first major championship, but he’s quite a good rider. So I think England could be close.

Canada could play a role as well—they’re not looking bad at all. The riders all have good international experience, and they could end up with a medal if everything goes right. With Eric Lamaze and Ian Millar, you have two very strong combinations, so they might get right up there.

The Dutch team was looking good, but with Albert Zoer and Okidoki off the team their chances have fallen some. [Zoer broke his leg in two places while training a young horse July 8, ending his Olympic bid.] Eurocommerce Berlin is a powerful horse with a good rider [Gerco Schröder] and has plenty of good experience, but he had a bad fall in Aachen (Germany) in the Grand Prix. I don’t know if that’s going to affect him at all. But we’ll see.

As for Brazil, we have three riders that have really good experience [Olympic veterans Bernardo Alves, Álvaro Affonso de Miranda Neto and Pessoa will join rising star Camila Mazza de Benedicto in Hong Kong.] We might lack a little bit in horsepower, but in 1996 and 2000 we had an inferior team and horses, and we came up and took third, so we’re always a team to watch out for.
Pessoa’s Strategy

You don’t have to prepare differently for the Olympics, but the horse has to be in very good physical condition because of the heat and the difficulty of the Games. They have to be physically very tough, but training-wise there’s nothing different to do, just follow the formula.

You want to go through the qualifier and the Nations Cup in a good way. You don’t absolutely have to jump only clean rounds; you just be ready on the day of the final and jump two clear rounds. Then if you can jump two clears, you’ll be very close to the podium.

There’s one thing that I don’t understand with the Olympic Games. Why do we jump normal, big, difficult grand prix all the time, and at the Olympics we have to jump bigger and wider? It’s so extreme—there’s never a jump-off with four or five in it—it’s only one horse who can mange to go double clear. I’ve never really understood that. But we’ll see how it goes this year.

The meteorological conditions in Hong Kong will be tough, but the conditions for the horses, the footing and stabling, will be quite nice. So we’ll see if weather will play a role or not for the competitors—I believe it will for some horses.

For individuals, it’s tricky. After the team competition, you start at zero on Sunday. When the class starts, it can be anyone’s day. There could be any one of 10 or 15 riders who could make it, maybe even more. I could give you 10 names who could win on the right day.

I’m picking the Germans Marco Kutscher and Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum for gold and silver. Marco’s horse, Cornet Obolensky, has been jumping extre-mely well, and Marco is a solid rider. Overall, I think that he has the package that it takes to get the job done. Meredith does as well, but if I had to pick one to win, I’d take Marco. Meredith’s horse, Shutterfly, is secure, but he’s a little more on the spooky side. He’s the kind of horse that could be surprised with something.

For bronze, I was going to predict Zoer until his accident. But with him out I’m going to put Eric Lamaze as bronze with Hickstead. The horse is really secure, and Eric is very solid. And Eric’s hungry to take a big event like that.

But there are plenty of other names who we should add to the list—Ludger Beerbaum and his horse [All Inclusive NRW] have been performing really well the past couple of weeks. You can’t find a better rider to rise to the occasion on big moments like this. He has all the experience in the world.

Don’t forget about Jos Lansink from Belgium. He’s a consistent rider, and he’s always there on a big occasion. He’s definitely one you want to watch out for.

Ian Millar is a top jockey, and in the one-day competition [for an individual medal] he certainly has a card to play. I’m not sure if he has enough horsepower to get the job done, but he’s definitely a man to watch.
Christina Liebherr may have a good chance as an individual on L.B. No Mercy. But the rest of her Swiss
teammates are lacking horsepower.

I’m going to take Rufus to Hong Kong. He’s been going OK. I’ve been having some little issues with his bridle, but we’ve been making some changes and pursuing the right bridle. He’s had a lot of really good rounds, some clears, and a lot of fours. I hope we can turn that around and have good, consistent rounds in Hong Kong.

Rodrigo Pessoa

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Four-time Olympian Rodrigo Pessoa anchored the Brazilian show jumping team to bronze-medal finishes at the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games and earned the individual gold in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Aboard Baloubet du Rouet, Pessoa won an unprecedented three consecutive FEI World Cup Finals in 1998, 1999 and 2000. In 1998, he also added the World Championship to his résumé with victory at the World Equestrian Games (Italy). The 36-year-old trains with his father, Nelson Pessoa, on a farm outside Brussels, Belgium.

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For Will Simpson, it was the horse tip of a lifetime.

Had it not been for a contact in Germany, an Olympic Games dream might have been put on hold until 2012 for the 49-year-old horseman for El Campeon Farms in Thousand Oaks.

Twelve-year-old Holsteiner gelding Carlsson vom Dach will be Simpson’s ride for show jumping events in Hong Kong for the 2008 Olympics.

“He has all the ingredients,” said Simpson, who has trained with the dark bay horse since the spring of 2007. “He’s brave. Careful. Fast.”

The perfect blend for Simpson’s go-for-broke style.

It will be Simpson’s first Olympic appearance.

Owed, in part, to Gilbert Boeckmann, who advised Simpson to look into purchasing Carlsson vom Dach from Christian Seimer.

“Like in every business, when you buy a horse, it’s due diligence,” said El Campeon owner Eva Gonda. “It’s not just having a talented horse. It’s seeing that talent of horse is compatible with the rider.”

Six months after the horse was brought to Ventura County, Simpson knew that he had a perfect match.

Simpson brings 38 years of riding experience to the biggest event of his career.

In a sport that Americans more than likely would associate with wealthy families, Simpson can bring a different face.

“It’s seen as a hobby for the elite,” said Gonda, an accomplished rider herself.

With his down-to-earth charm, Simpson could be marketed as the “Cowboy Equestrian.”

“Will is a showman,” said Gonda. “He has a great personality. At the same time, he has a very competitive spirit with a hunger to succeed. He has compassion for the horse, but is not one to be overly so. For all the years of knowing him, he has always been considered a cowboy.

“He’s a good athlete and a student of horsemanship. He’s inquisitive. He watches videotapes of the masters.”

Simpson might look as good on the saddle of a palomino.

Chasing after robbers in a scene from the Old West.

“People describe me as a go-for-it rider,” said Simpson. “I am usually very fast in the first round and in the jump-off. I attack the course.”

Horsemanship has been part of Simpson’s surroundings as he grew up in Springfield, Ill.

Three years after being introduced to the sport, the 14-year-old Simpson became so proficient his parents sent him to Chicago to serve a two-year apprenticeship.

He became skilled in many aspects of the horse business.

“I can wear every hat,” said Simpson, who has worked for El Campeon Farms for the last 12 years. “I can do the shoeing. I can work with the young horses. I can drive the trucks. I can teach. I love it all. There is always something to learn in the horse business.”

Simpson made an impression on the sport early in his career by setting an outdoor high-jump record of 7 feet, 914 inches on Jolly Good in 1985 in Cincinnati.

Seventeen years later, he won the West Coast League with a score of 91 — third highest total in the league’s history — out of a maximum 100. He won the Del Mar International Grand Prix four straight years, captured the 2006 CANA Cup, the 2007 Ariat Grand Prix and has represented the United States five times in World Cup finals.

Nothing has compared to his 2008 season.

Right out of the gate, Simpson won the $100,000 Zada Enterprises Masters Cup in Wellington, Fla., on March 2.

One month later, he saddled Tosca to victory in the 1.40-meter Jumper Classic at the Tournament of Champions during the Tampa (Fla.) Equestrian Festival. The two were victorious at the $25,000 International Accumulator in Charlotte, N.C., where Simpson scored 65 points in the fastest time of the night (46.19) in mid-April.

In Europe for a three-month-long training session, Simpson placed second to England’s John Whitaker in a jump-off at the Samsung Super League in Rome on May 24. Simpson had the fastest time, but clipped one of the three elements.

Those performances helped gain Simpson confidence on the international stage without compromising the long-range plan he and Gonda had mapped out.

“Instead of planning how to get to the Olympics, we made a plan for what to do when we get there,” said Simpson. “We worked backward from the Olympics.

“We had a fresh horse when we started the season and a fresh one when we ended.”

Most of his European trip was spent in Germany, where many of the top equestrian’s athletes reside.

As Simpson has studied their styles and techniques, not far from his thoughts is the event’s biggest rival.

“The course designer is the enemy,” said Simpson.

Like golf, equestrian courses have their own little quirks. Most of the top riders avoid courses that have a reputation of being slippery.

The 100-meter by 80-meter Sha Tin course in Hong Kong was designed by an Australian equestrian architectural firm of Timothy Court and Company.

“We know his habits and are training for them,” said Simpson. “I feel prepared.”

Before the competition, Simpson will walk the course. “I’ll just take the whole thing in and figure out what the course is like; how it starts and how it finishes. Will speed be a factor or will there be an element of surprise?”

At the age of 49, Simpson’s best days appear ahead of him.

“It takes a long time to learn how to do it,” said Simpson, “but you get to do it for a long time. I want to do a few more Olympic Games.”

Ten-year-old daughter Sophie and 6-year-old son Ty are his inspirations.

“They are a big role in why I keep going,” he said.

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Authentic And Sapphire Lead A Strong U.S. Team

The backbone of the U.S. team is Beezie Madden on Authentic and McLain Ward on Sapphire. With team
gold from the 2004 Athens Olympic Games and team silver from the 2006 World Equestrian Games (Germany) to their credit, this pair knows what needs to be done to earn medals.

Ward and Madden plan their horses’ schedules around these major international championships, and Sapphire and Authentic look to be on top form. They both received byes from the selection trials but looked prepared as Authentic won the $200,000 CN Worldwide Grand Prix (Fla.) in March and Sapphire won the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational (Fla.) in April.

At the Aachen CHIO (Germany), they went head-to-head against the top European horses and riders—Authentic finished fourth in the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen and Sapphire placed sixth—and they each turned in a clear round during the Mercedes Benz Samsung Super League Nations Cup.

Joining them at the Olympic Games will be two horses with less experience, but all the talent. Laura Kraut—an Olympic veteran in 2000 with Liberty—will take the talented young Cedric to Hong Kong. Cedric won the selection trials in Florida in convincing fashion with just one rail down over five rounds of jumping. The gray has a huge jump, but Kraut has developed the 10-year-old gelding slowly.

After the trials, Kraut took Cedric to Europe and showed him at smaller shows in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. At Cedric’s Super League Nations Cup debut at Rotterdam (the Netherlands), he turned in 5- and 12-fault rounds and Kraut said she learned a lot about how to manage him over two rounds of jumping. In the Longines Grand Prix of Rotterdam, Cedric jumped to a double-clear and third place. At Aachen, he and Kraut put up 5- and 8-fault Nations Cup scores.

Will Simpson weathered a nervous moment during the selection trials when Carlsson vom Dach injured himself in his stall during a thunderstorm and they had to sit out the last round. But team selectors—impressed with the catty gelding’s performances that had put them into second on the trials standings—named him to the short list.

Carlsson traveled to Europe and turned in consistent performances in the Super League Nations Cups. At La Baule (France), they had a clear round and 8 faults and then a double-clear at Rome (Italy). At St. Gallen (Switzerland), they posted scores of clear and 4 faults.

This will be the first international team championship for Simpson, but he’s a veteran of three FEI World Cup Finals and a seasoned campaigner. He has all the confidence in the world in Carlsson. “He’s extremely scopey, extremely careful and extremely fast,” he said after the trials. “He’s got wings; he’s like a bird.”

Anne Kursinksi, the reserve with Champ 163, has three Olympic Games on her resume, with team silver from 1988 in Seoul and 1996 in Atlanta.

The United States

CEDRIC: gr. g., 10, Dutch Warmblood, breeding unknown, owned by Happy Hill Farm and Peter Wetherill.
LAURA KRAUT: age 42, Wellington, Fla.

AUTHENTIC: b. g., 13, Dutch-bred Dutch Warmblood by Guidam—Gerlinda Ster, Katell, owned by Abigail Wexner.
BEEZIE MADDEN: age 44, Cazenovia, N.Y.

CARLSSON VOM DACH: b. g., 11, German-bred Holsteiner by Cassini I—Gelsa, owned by El Campeon Farm.
WILL SIMPSON: age 48, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

SAPPHIRE: ch. m., 13, Belgian Warmblood by Darco—Idjaz C, Hedjaz, owned by McLain Ward and Blue Chip Bloodstock.
McLAIN WARD: age 32, Brewster, N.Y.

CHAMP 163: b. s., 9, German-bred Holsteiner by Chamonix—Coronada, owned by Legacy Stables LLC.
ANNE KURSINSKI: age 49, Frenchtown, N.J.

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The Canadian Team Takes A Wealth Of Experience To Hong Kong

At the Lummen CSIO (Belgium), the Canadian Olympic team made a trial run and claimed second in the Nations Cup—one rail behind the Norwegian team.

Team stalwart Ian Millar leads his fellow Canadians to Hong Kong. Millar has represented Canada on seven Olympic, five World Championship and five Pan American Games teams, and his countrymen can’t imagine riding on a team without him. In an unusual move, selectors named both of Millar’s horses—In Style and Redefin—to the team, and he’ll choose between them in Hong Kong.

Jill Henselwood knows Special Ed inside and out. He was her ride for individual gold and team silver medals at the 2007 Pan American Games (Brazil), and he’s also a veteran of the 2006 FEI World Cup Final (Malaysia) and the 2006 World Equestrian Games (Germany). Special Ed won the King’s Cup Grand Prix at the Madrid (Spain) CSI in May. Their final prep for the Olympic Games was consistent ribbon-winning performances this summer at the Spruce Meadows (Alta.) venue.

Mac Cone was the highest-placed Canadian rider at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and the 2002 World Equestrian Games (Spain). Ole won the $50,000 Kilkenny International Grand Prix (Fla.) in February, then helped the Canadian team take second in the CN Nations Cup (Fla.) in March.

Eric Lamaze is perhaps Canada’s best hope for an individual medal. Hickstead is a spectacular jumper, and Lamaze has nurtured his talent. At the 2006 WEG, Lamaze and Hickstead jumped clear rounds in the speed leg and the first round of the Nations Cup and were in second place individually, but 12 faults in the third round of individual competition took them out of the running.

In 2007, Hickstead won five grand prix classes, including the prestigious $876,681 CN International Grand Prix at the Spruce Meadows Masters (Alta.). He and Lamaze also took individual bronze and team silver at the Pan American Games.

But in October 2007, Hickstead colicked and underwent surgery. After a four-month recovery, Hickstead returned to the show ring again in Wellington, Fla., and started winning right away, topping the $75,000 Adequan Grand Prix in February and placing second in two more big classes.

This will be Lamaze’s first Olympic appearance, though he has four WEG appearances to his credit.

Canada

OLE: b. g., 12, Dutch-bred Dutch Warmblood by Burgraaf, owned by Sara Houstoun and Larry Evoy.
MAC CONE: age 57, King City, Ont.

SPECIAL ED: b. g., 14, German-bred Oldenburg by Argentinus—Rappe, owned by Juniper Farms.
JILL HENSELWOOD: age 47, Oxford Mills, Ont.

HICKSTEAD: b. s., 12, Dutch-bred Dutch Warmblood by Hamlet—Jomara, owned by Torrey Pines and Ashland Stables.
ERIC LAMAZE: age 40, Schomberg, Ont.

IN STYLE: b. g., 13, Dutch-bred Holsteiner by Acord II—Diana, owned by Susan Grange and Lothlorien Farm.

REDEFIN: gr., g., 10, Dutch-bred Dutch Warmblood by Larino, owned by Susan Grange and Lothlorien Farm.
IAN MILLAR: age 61, Perth, Ont.

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Australia

ISOVLAS ITOT DU CHATEAU: ch. s., 12, French-bred Selle Français by Le Tot de Semilly—Sophie du Chateau.
EDWINA ALEXANDER: age 34, Valkenswaard, the Netherlands.
2nd—2008 $441,114 Global Champions Tour Cannes Grand Prix (France); 3rd—2008 $220,557 Grand Prix of Wiesbaden (Germany); 10th—2008 $441,114 Global Champions Tour Monte Carlo Grand Prix (Monaco).

ASHLEIGH DROSSEL DAN: gr. g., 9, German-bred Hanoverian.
LAURIE LEVER: age 60, Victoria.
9th—2008 Grand Prix of Hagen (Germany); 2nd—2008 Sydney CSI-W (Australia); 1st—2007 Toowoomba CSI-W (Australia).

KOLORA STUD GENOA: gr. m., 14, Australian-bred Hanoverian by Graf Landau.
PETER McMAHON: age 27, Waterford, Queensland.
3rd—2008 Sydney CSI-W (Australia); 16th—2008 Grand Prix of Aach (Germany).

LECONTE 6: dk. br. g., 12, German-bred Holsteiner.
MATTHEW WILLIAMS: age 23.

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Brazil

AD PICOLIEN ZELDENRUST: ch. m., 11, Dutch-bred Dutch Warmblood by Indoctro—La Nicolien Zeldenrust, owned by rider.
ALVARO AFFONSO DE MIRANDA NETO: age 35, Brussels, Belgium.
8th—2008 $441,114 Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Cannes (France); 11th—2008 $441,114 Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Hamburg (Germany); 18th—2008 $220,557 Grand Prix of Wiesbaden (Germany).

CHUPA CHUP 2: b. g., 10, German-bred Holsteiner by Caretino—Holla I, owned by rider.
BERNARDO ALVES: age 33.
9th—2008 $441,114 Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Monte Carlo; 9th—2008 $220,557 Grand Prix of Wiesbaden (Germany); team gold and 6th place individually—2007 Pan American Games (Brazil).

BONITO Z: b. g., 12, Belgian-bred Zangersheide by Bionic Royal.
CAMILA MAZZA DE BENEDICTO: age 30, Sao Paulo.
12th—2008 Grand Prix of Franconville (France); 45th—2008 $205,856 Grand Prix of Rotterdam (the Netherlands).

RUFUS: b. g., 10, Dutch-bred Dutch Warmblood by Landaris—Imevina, owned by Double H Farm.
RODRIGO PESSOA: age 35, Brussels, Belgium.
1st—2008 $60,000 Spy Coast Farm Wellington Cup (Fla.); 2nd—2008 $500,000 Grand Prix of Charlotte (N.C.); 2nd—2008 $75,000 Green Cove Springs CSI-W (Fla.) team gold—2007 Pan American Games (Brazil); individual silver—2007 Pan American Games.

DASLU REPLAY: b. m., 11, Brazilian-bred by Calei Joter II—Garve mare, owned by Francisco Obino Cirne Lima and rider.
BARTHOLOMEU BUENO DE MIRANDA NETO: age 36.
11th—2008 Grand Prix of Vimeiro (Portugal); 28th—2008 Grand Prix of Nörten-Hardenberg (Germany).

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China

PABLO II: ch. g., 12.
ZUPING HUANG: age 45.
6th—2008 Olympic Qualifying Grand Prix at Hagen (Germany).

JUMPY DES FONTAINES: b. s., 11, French-bred Selle Français by Jus de Pommes, owned by rider.
ZHENQIANG LI: age 40.
26th—2008 Grand Prix of Cervia (Italy); 39th—2008 Grand Prix of Cervia (Italy).

WALDAS: ch. g., 15, German-bred.
TADONIA: dk. b. g., 12, Belgian-bred Belgian Warmblood.
ZHIWEN ZHAO: age 24.
10th—2008 Olympic Qualifying Grand Prix at Hagen (Germany); 9th—2008 Vejer de la Frontera Grand Prix (Spain).

COERTIS: dk. b. g., 9, German-bred Holsteiner.
BIN ZHANG: age 35.
7th—2008 Olympic Qualifying Grand Prix at Hagen (Germany).

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Germany

CÖSTER: gr. g., 15, German-bred Holsteiner by Calato—Constant mare, owned by Marion Jaub.
CHRISTIAN AHLMANN: age 33, Marl.
1st—2008 Samsung Super League Nations Cup of Aachen (Germany); 16th—2008 $194,090 Grand Prix of Rome (Italy); 13th—2008 $220,557 Grand Prix of Wiesbaden (Germany); team bronze—2006 World Equestrian Games (Germany); team bronze—2004 Athens Olympic Games.

ALL INCLUSIVE NRW: b. g., 9, German-bred Westphalian by Arpeggio—Paulina, Phantom, owned by B&S Sportpferde GmbH.
LUDGER BEERBAUM: age 45, Riesenbeck.
2nd—2008 $514,633 Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen (Germany); 1st—2008 Samsung Super League Nations Cup of Aachen; 2nd—2008 Samsung Super League Nations Cup of St. Gallen (Switzerland); 3rd—2008 $180,834 St. Gallen Grand Prix; 3rd—2008 Samsung Super League Nations Cup of Rome (Italy).

CORNET OBOLENSKY: gr. s., 9, Belgian-bred Belgian Wamblood by Clinton—Rabanna Van.
MARCO KUTSCHER: age 33, Riesenbeck.
1st—2008 Samsung Super League Nations Cup of Rotterdam (the Netherlands); 2nd—2008 $205,856 Longines Grand Prix of Rotterdam; 3rd—2008 Samsung Super League Nations Cup of Rome (Italy).

SHUTTERFLY: b. g., 15, German-bred Hanoverian by Silvio—Forrest mare, owned by Octavia Farms LLC and rider.
MEREDITH MICHAELS-BEERBAUM: age 38, Thedinghausen.
1st—2008 Rolex FEI World Cup Final (Sweden); 1st—2008 $441,114 Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Cannes (France); 1st—2008 Samsung Super League Nations Cup of Aachen (Germany); 5th—2008 $514,633 Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen.

ABOYEUR W: b. g., 14, German-bred Westphalian by Anmarsch.
HEINRICH-HERMANN ENGEMANN: age 49, Bissendorf.
3rd—2008 Rolex FEI World Cup Final (Sweden).

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Great Britain

ROLETTE: b. m., 10, Dutch-bred, owned by Daniel Paul.
BEN MAHER: age 25, Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire.
4th—2008 $205,856 Longines Grand Prix of Rotterdam (the Netherlands); 4th—2008 $500,000 Grand Prix of Charlotte (N.C.); 7th—2008 $169,093 Grand Prix of La Baule (France).

FRESH DIRECT CORLATO: gr. m., 11, German-bred Holsteiner by Corofino I—Locato mare, owned by John Bosher.
TIM STOCKDALE: age 44, Roade, Northamptonshire.
4th—2008 $180,834 Grand Prix of St. Gallen (Switzerland); 3rd—2008 Bordeaux CSI-W (France); 4th—2008 Grand Prix of Windsor (England).

PEPPERMILL: b. s., 11, Dutch-bred Dutch Warmblood by Burgraaf—Voltaire mare, owned by Rebecca Stones.
JOHN WHITAKER: age 53, Huddersfield, Yorkshire.
1st—2008 Samsung Super League Nations Cup of Rome (Italy); 7th—2008 $180,834 Grand Prix of St. Gallen (Switzerland).

SUNCAL PORTOFINO 63: b. m., 14, Dutch-bred Dutch Warm-blood by Habsburg—Betstrchta, owned by Gillespie Equestrian.
MICHAEL WHITAKER: age 48, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire.
1st—2008 Samsung Super League Nations Cup of Rome (Italy); 14th—2008 $441,114 Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Monte Carlo (Monaco).

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Hong Kong

JOCKEY CLUB CAN DO: b. g., 9, German-bred Holsteiner.
FELTON LEE: b. g., 11, German-bred Hessen.
KENNETH CHENG: age 20.
1st—2008 Olympic Qualifying Grand Prix at Hagen (Germany); 5th—2008 Grand Prix of Portimao (Portugal).

JOCKEY CLUB TRESOR: ch. s., Belgian-bred Belgian Warmblood.
COCO 112: b. g., 9, German-bred Baden-Wurtemburg.
SAMANTHA LAM: age 30.
2nd—2008 Grand Prix of Copenhagen (Denmark); 4th—2008 Olympic Qualifying Grand Prix at Hagen (Germany).

URBAN: b. s., 11, Belgian-bred Belgian Warmblood.
PATRICK LAM: age 25.
8th—2008 Olympic Qualifying Grand Prix at Hagen (Germany).

MR. BURNS: b. g., 18, Australian-bred Thoroughbred.
JENNIFER LEE: age 43.
12th—2008 Olympic Qualifying Grand Prix at Hagen (Germany).

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Mexico

DON PORFIRIO: b. s., 11, Dutch-bred Dutch Warmblood by Indoctro, owned by rider.
ANTONIO CHEDRAUI: age 42, Mexico City.
5th—2008 Grand Prix of Lummen (Belgium); 4th—2007 Pan American Games (Brazil) team.

ZORRO: bl. s., 9, German-bred Hanoverian by Rabino—Westister mare.
FEDERÍCO FERNANDEZ: age 40, Huixquilucan.
6th—2008 RBC Financial Group Cup (Alta.); 6th—2008 Nations Cup of Madrid (Spain).

FRIDA: br. m., 10, Dutch Warmblood by Come Back II—Limelight.
ENRIQUE GONZALEZ: age 44.
5th—2008 RBC Financial Group Cup (Alta.); 6th—2008 Nations Cup of Madrid (Spain).

CHINOBAMPO LAVITA: b. m., 12, German-bred Holsteiner by Coriano—Harlequin II, owned by rider.
ALBERTO MICHAN HALBINGER: age 29, Huixquilucan.
9th—2008 ATB Financial Cup (Alta.); 11th—2008 RBC Financial Group Cup (Alta.).

RMW ESTINA: b. m., German-bred Oldenburg, owned by Rocky Mountain Warmbloods LLC.
EDUARDO SALAS: age 30, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.
3rd–2008 $75,000 Just World Grand Prix of Tampa (Fla.); 3rd—2008 CN Nations Cup (Fla.); 4th—2007 Pan American Games (Brazil) team.

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The Netherlands

BLAUWENDRAAD’S O’BRIEN: b. s., 12, Dutch-bred Dutch Warmblood by Peter Pan—Goudsmid mare, owned by J. Nieberg.
ANGELIQUE HOORN: age 33, Wanneperveen.
1st—2008 Samsung Super League Nations Cup of St. Gallen (Switzerland); 2nd—2008 Samsung Super League Nations Cup of Aachen (Germany); 2nd—2008 Samsung Super League Nations Cup of Rotterdam (the Netherlands); 4th—2008 ‘s-Hertogenbosch CSI-W (the Netherlands).

OPIUM VS: b. s., 12, German-bred Westphalian by Polydor.
MARC HOUTZAGER: age 37, Rouveen.
2nd—2008 Samsung Super League Nations Cup of Rotterdam (the Netherlands); 5th—2008 $205,856 Longines Grand Prix of Rotterdam; 9th—2008 $169,093 Grand Prix of La Baule (France).

EUROCOMMERCE BERLIN: gr. s., 14, German-bred Holsteiner by Cassini I—Caretino mare, owned by Eurocommerce Promotions.
GERCO SCHRÖDER: age 30, Tubbergen.
1st—2008 Samsung Super League Nations Cup of St. Gallen (Switzerland); 2nd—2008 Samsung Super League Nations Cup of Aachen (Germany); team gold—2006 World Equestrian Games (Germany).

AUDI’S ALPAPILLON-ARMANIE: gr. g., 11, Dutch-bred by Aldato, owned by Berkhof Paarden BV.
VINCENT VOORN: age 24, Dinteloord.
1st—2008 Samsung Super League Nations Cup of St. Gallen (Switzerland); 2nd—2008 Samsung Super League Nations Cup of Aachen (Germany); 9th—2008 $180,834 Grand Prix of St. Gallen.

OLAF: b. g., 12, Dutch-bred Dutch Warmblood by Concorde—Kora, owned by Mr. and Mrs. H. Mortel.
LEON THIJSSEN: age 40, Baarlo.

VAN SCHIJNDEL’S RASCIN: b. s., 13, German-bred Hanoverian by Ramiro.
PIET RAIJMAKERS: age 51, Asten.

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New Zealand

YAMATO: b. s., 11, German-bred.
BRUCE GOODIN: age 38, Jonstorp, Sweden.
1st—2008 Grand Prix of Piotello (Italy); 8th—2008 Grand Prix of Modena (Italy).

FORREST: gr. g., 16, Belgian-bred.
KATIE McVEAN: age 22, Waikato.
1st—2008 Grand Prix of Haztings (New Zealand); 2nd—2008 Waitemata CSI-W (New Zealand); 3rd—2008 Gisbourne CSI-W (New Zealand).

SORBAS 35: b. g., 13, German-bred Bavarian Warmblood.
DANIEL MEECH: age 34, Belgium.
9th—2008 Grand Prix of Drammen (Norway).

ROCKVILLE: dk. b. g., 10, Dutch-bred Dutch Warmblood.
SHARN WORDLEY: age 34, Florida.
4th—2008 Grand Prix of Poznan (Poland); 10th—2008 Grand Prix of Redefin (Germany).

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Norway

BESSEMEIND’S CASINO: b. s., Dutch-bred Holsteiner by Cash.
MORTEN DJUPVIK: age 36, the Netherlands.
1st—2008 Nations Cup of Lummen (Belgium); 6th—2008 Grand Prix of Madrid (Spain).

LE BEAU 29: dk. b. g., 13, German-bred Holsteiner by Lasino.
STEIN ENDRESSEN: age 49, Sandefjord.
1st—2008 Nations Cup of Lummen (Belgium).

SUNDAL COLLIERS CATTANI: b. g., 13, German-bred Holsteiner by Corrado I.
L’ESPOIR 7: ch. g., 12, Belgian-bred Zangersheide by Landwind II.
GEIR GULLIKSEN: age 48, Lierskogen.
1st—2008 Nations Cup of Lummen (Belgium); 6th—2008 Grand Prix of Lummen; 8th—2008 Grand Prix of Drammen (Norway).

CAMIRO 19: gr. g., 11, German-bred by Cassini.
TONY ANDRE HANSEN: age 29, Sandefjord.
1st—2008 Grand Prix of Drammen (Norway); 1st—2008 Nations Cup of Lummen (Belgium); 5th—2008 Grand Prix of Arezzo (Spain).

COULTHARD: gr. g., 10, German-bred Oldenburg.
CHRISTIAN ANFINSIN OEIN: age 28, Askin.

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Saudi Arabia

CARUSO 279: b. s., 12, German-bred Holsteiner.
ADNAN AL BAITONY: age 41.
10th—2008 Grand Prix of Mantes le Jolie (France); 15th—2008 Grand Prix of Canteleu (France).

ALLAH JABEK: b. g., 10, French-bred Selle Français by Quidam de Revel, owned by Abdullah bin Metab al Saud.
RAMZY AL DUHAMI: age 36.
6th—2008 Grand Prix of Hoofddorp (the Netherlands).

UDERICH: ch. s., 11, Belgian-bred Belgian Warmblood.
FAHAD AL EID: age 37.
7th—2008 Doha CSI-W (Qatar); 9th—2008 Abu Dhabi CSI-W (United Arab Emirates).

WIDO: ch. s., 9, Belgian-bred Belgian Warmblood by Nabab de Reve.
FAISAL AL SHAALAN

HUGO GESMERAY: b. s., 13, French-bred Selle Français by Rosire.
ABDULLAH AL SHARBATLLI
12th—2008 Grand Prix of Hoofddorp (the Netherlands).

RIVAAL: ch. s., 10, Dutch-bred Dutch Warmblood.
KAMAL BAHAMDAN: age 38.
3rd—2008 Grand Prix of Villenuve (France).

OBELIX: b. g., 12, Dutch-bred Dutch Warmblood by Burggraaf—Jelzerina, owned by rider.
ABDULLAH BIN METAB AL SAUD: age 21.
6th—2008 Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Doha (Qatar); 15th—Grand Prix of Cervia (Italy).

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Sweden

QUINTERO LA SILLA: dk. b. s., 10, German-bred Holsteiner by Quantum—Charmonix mare, owned by Verband d.Züchter des Holsteiner Pf.
NINJA LA SILLA: ch. g., 13, Dutch-bred Dutch Warmblood by Guidam.
ROLF-GÖRAN BENGTSSON: age 46, Breitenburg, Germany.
3rd—2008 Leipzig CSI-W (Germany); 5th—2008 Samsung Super League Nations Cup of Aachen (Germany); 9th—2008 Grand Prix of De Steeg (the Netherlands).

JAGUAR MAIL: b. s., 11, French-bred Selle Français by Hand In Glove.
PETER ERIKSSON: age 48, Flyinge.
7th—2008 $205,856 Longines Grand Prix of Rotterdam (the Netherlands).

BUKOWSKIS ERBBLUME: b. m., 11, Swedish-bred
Swedish Warmblood by Castor—Maraton mare, owned by Ridab.
HELENA LUNDBACK: age 32, Norrköping.
10th—2008 $514,633 Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen (Germany); 10th—2008 Amsterdam CSI-W (the Netherlands).

CALIBRA II: b. g., 13, Irish-bred Irish Sport Horse by Cavalier.
LOTTA SCHULTZ: age 40, Enkoping.
21st—2008 $169,093 Grand Prix of La Baule (France).

COLUMBUS H: b. g., Swedish-bred Swedish Warmblood by Cortez.
LINDA HEED: age 29, Vasterljung.

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Switzerland

JALISCA SOLIER: b. m., 11, French-bred Selle Français by Alligator Fontaine—Jalisco B mare, owned by Yves G. Piaget.
STEVE GUERDAT: age 26, Herrliberg ZH.
3rd—2008 Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Doha (Qatar); 2nd—2008 Samsung Super League Nations Cup of St. Gallen (Switzerland); 2nd—2008 Samsung Super League Nations Cup of La Baule (France); 10th—2008 $180,834 Grand Prix of St. Gallen.

L.B. NO MERCY: b. g., 13, Dutch-bred Dutch Warmblood by Libero—Dillenburg mare, owned by Hans Liebherr.
CHRISTINA LIEBHERR: age 29, Bulle.
1st—2008 $180,834 Grand Prix of St. Gallen (Switzerland); 2nd—2008 Grand Prix of Hagen (Germany); 2nd—2008 Samsung Super League Nations Cup of St. Gallen; 2nd—2008 Samsung Super League Nations Cup of La Baule (France).

IDEO DU THOT: b. g., 12, French-bred Selle Français by
Arioso du Theillet—Shaliman du Thot, owned by Optimum Finanz AG.
BEAT MÄNDLI: age 38, Ebertswil ZH.
5th—2008 $194,090 Grand Prix of Rome (Italy); 5th—2008 Grand Prix of Zurich (Switzerland); 8th—2008 Rolex FEI World Cup Final (Sweden).

CANTUS: gr. g., 13, German-bred Baden-Württemberg by Cantus—Lanzer mare, owned by Paul Erni.
NIKLAUS SCHURTENBERGER: age 40, Lyss.
2nd—2008 Samsung Super League Nations Cup of St. Gallen (Switzerland).

NOBLESS M: b. m., 10, German-bred Holsteiner by Calido—Landgraf I mare, owned by Hannes Meindel.
PIUS SCHWIZER: age 45, Oensingen.

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Ukraine

H&M MAGIC BENGTSSON: b. g., 14.
BJORN NAGEL: age 30, Friedrichskoog, Germany.

CODAR: ch. g., 11, Belgian Warmblood by Clinton.
ALEKSANDR ONISCHENKO: age 39.
2nd—2008 Grand Prix of Istanbul (Turkey).

OSTA RUGS QUINTUS: b. s., 15, Belgian Warmblood by Pavarotti v/d Helle.
JEAN-CLAUDE VAN GEENBERGHE: age 45, Morsele,
Belgium.
1st—2008 Grand Prix of Vilamoura (Portugal); 1st—2008 Grand Prix of Moorsele (Belgium).

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Argentina

ROYAL POWER: b. g., 11, Dutch-bred Dutch Warmblood by Pionier—Nimmerdor mare, owned by rider.
JOSE LAROCCA: age 39.
18th—2008 Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Monte Carlo (Monaco); 35th—2008 Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Cannes (France).

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Azerbaijan

ARAMIS: b. s., 12, Polish Warmblood by Elf, owned by rider.
IONESCO DE BREKKA: ch. s., 12, French-bred Selle Français by Dollar du Maurier.
JAMAL RAHIMOV: age 21.
1st—2008 Grand Prix of Istanbul (Turkey); 3rd—2008 Grand Prix of Vilamoura (Portugal); 5th—2008 Grand Prix of Nörten-Hardenberg (Germany).

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Belgium

CAVALOR CUMANO: gr. s., 15, German-bred Holsteiner by Cassini—Chanel II, Landgraf I.
SPENDER S: b. s., 13, German-bred Holsteiner by Silbersee—Carisma S, Caretino.
JOS LANSINK: age 47, Weerselo.
5th—2008 Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Hamburg (Germany); 11th—2008 $194,090 Grand Prix of Rome (Italy); individual gold—2006 World Equestrian Games (Germany).

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Bermuda

ANTILLE 8: ch. m., 12, German-bred Oldenburg.
PATRICK NISBETT
20th—2008 Grand Prix of Lamprechtshausen (Austria); 33rd—2008 Grand Prix of Neuendorf (Switzerland).

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Colombia

CHAMBACUNERO: b. s., 12, German-bred Dutch Warmblood by Quidam de Revel, owned by Ana Maria de Cadena.
MANUEL TORRES: age 51.
9th—2008 $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup (Fla.).

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Egypt

ALADIN: ch. g., 10, German-bred Westphalian
KARIN EL ZOGHBY
30th—2008 Grand Prix of Redefin (Germany).

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Guatemala

ORESTUS VDL: dk. b. s., 12, Dutch-bred Dutch Warmblood.
JUAN ANDRES RODRIGUEZ: age 36.
competed—2007 Pan American Games (Brazil).

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Ireland

LANTINUS 3: b. g., 10, German-bred Hanoverian by Landkoenig—April Sun.
DENIS LYNCH: age 32, Münster, Germany.
1st—2008 $194,090 Grand Prix of Rome (Italy); 1st—2008 Mercedes Benz Championat of Hamburg (Germany); 7th—2008 Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Cannes (France); 15th—2008 $514,633 Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen (Germany).

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Japan

OFF THE ROAD: ch. g., 12, Dutch-bred Dutch Warmblood.
AKIHIRO OKABE: age 24.
43rd—2008 Grand Prix of Hardelot (France); 46th—2008 Grand Prix of Neeroeteren (Belgium).

CAYAK DH: gr. g., 11, Dutch-bred.
EIKEN SATO: age 22.
18th—2008 Grand Prix of Cervia (Italy); 32nd—2008 Grand Prix of Franconville (France).

OBELIX: b. g., 12, Dutch-bred Dutch Warmblood.
CALIFORNIA 45: gr. m., 10, German-bred Holsteiner.
TAIZO SUGITANI: age 32, Osaka.
5th—2008 Grand Prix of Redefin (Germany); 10th—2008 Grand Prix of Copenhagen (Denmark).

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Jordan

SAM-SAM: dk. b. g., 9, Dutch-bred Dutch Warmblood.
IBRAHIM HANI BISHARAT: age 24.
12th—2008 Grand Prix of Aach (Germany); 29th—2008 Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Doha (Qatar).

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Russia

ILION KILEN: dk. b. g., 13, Danish-bred Danish Warmblood.
LJUBOV KOCHETOVA: age 26.
19th—2008 $30,000 WEF Challenge Cup Round VII (Fla.); 27th—2008 $200,000 CN Worldwide Grand Prix (Fla.).

COMMON SENSE: b. g., 10, German-bred Holsteiner.
MIKHAIL SAFRONOV: age 32.
2nd—2008 Brno CSI-W (Czech Republic); 3rd—2008 Credit Suisse Grand Prix (Switzerland); 13th—2008 Grand Prix of Chernyakhovsk (Russia).

CASIO 4: b. g., 13, German-bred Holsteiner.
VLADIMIR TUGANOV: age 47.
18th—2008 Grand Prix of Toledo (Portugal).

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United Arab Emirates

KALASKA DE SEMILLY: ch. s., 10, French-bred Selle Français.
LATIFA AL MAKTOUM: age 22.
47th—2008 Vrienden Van Het CHIO Prijs (the Netherlands).

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Venezuela

SINATRA: b. g., 9, Dutch-bred Dutch Warmblood, owned by
rider.
PABLO BARRIOS: age 43, Wellington, Fla.
9th—2008 $75,000 Palm Beach Post Grand Prix (Fla.); 10th—2008 $55,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix (Ky.); 12th—2008 $150,000 CN U.S. Open Jumping Championship (Fla.).

Tags: showjumping, , showjumping breeding, showjumping competitions, showjumping news, schooling the showjumper, training the showjumper, showjumping results

Five teams of show jumping horses traveling to the Olympic competitions in Hong Kong have been held up on their journey due to a tropical storm.

The 24 horses, from the American, Chinese, United Arab Emirates, Australian and Saudi Arabian teams, were due to arrive at Hong Kong today (Wednesday) from Amsterdam.

(Picture of showjumping arena)

But due to the level 8 typhoon Kummuri, the Australian and Saudi horses have been held in Dubai for 24 hours to allow the weather to improve.

They are being held at the stables of Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed, who is the husband of International Equestrian Federation president Princess Haya. The other teams have not left Amsterdam.

In Hong Kong the British and other teams were confined to indoor facilities while the tropical storm raged.

But British team leader Will Connell told H&H that the storm had abated and all was normal again at 5.30pm local time. “It’s all perfectly fine now,” he said.

Flags, hoardings and barriers have been blown down around the Olympic venue at Sha Tin but there is no permanent damage.

Tags: , training the showjumper, showjumping results, schooling the showjumper, showjumping breeding, showjumping competitions, showjumping news, showjumping