The FEI wishes to remind all our readers that a workshop - “On to Hong Kong” – designed to assist National Federations to prepare for the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong in the auditorium of the Olympic museum in Lausanne on 17 February 2008. The objective of the workshop is to provide riders, officials and veterinarians with the latest updates on the preparations in Hong Kong. The data collected during the Test Event conducted in August 2007 will also be made available on this occasion. THE WORKSHOP IS OPEN TO THE PRESS. Members of the press, please contact FEI Communications to register (m.gueorguiev@horsesport.org)
The programme is as follows:  Saturday, 16 February 2008
• Late afternoon: Arrival of participants
• Evening: Welcome and reception at Lausanne Palace Hotel followed by dinner in attendance of the FEI President

Sunday 17 February 2008, 8h00 – 17h00
• Welcome: Dr Andrew Higgins, Chairman of the FEI Welfare Sub-Committee
• Setting the scene: John McEwen, Chairman of the FEI Veterinary Committee
• Hong Kong is Getting Ready: Mr WK Lam, CEO BOCOG/ Equestrian Company
• Overview of facilities and local arrangements: Dr Chris Riggs, Head of Veterinary Clinical Services, Hong Kong Jockey Club
• Horse importation requirements: Dr Keith Watkins, HKG
• Horse transportation logistics: Martin H. Atock, Managing Director, Peden Bloodstock
• Question and answer session
• Understanding the weather situation in Hong Kong for the Olympic Games; the results of a two year study with the Hong Kong Observatory: Professor Leo Jeffcott, VetMedDr, University of Sydney, Australia, Veterinary Delegate for the 2008 Olympic Games
• Air conditioned facilities and cooling stations: Dr David Marlin, David Marlin Consulting Ltd, Newmarket, UK
• Results of horse monitoring: Dr Catherine W. Kohn, Professor, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences Ohio State University, USA
• Panel discussion - question and answer session
• Conclusion: Dr Catherine W. Kohn
• Closing of the meeting: Dr Andrew Higgins

Contact
General organization: Nina Wittek atn.wittek@horsesport.org
Press: Malina Gueorguiev atm.gueorguiev@horsesport.org

Mikael Forsten went into the record books today when clinching Finland's first-ever Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping victory in the De Telegraaf-sponsored leg of the 2007/2008 series in Amsterdam, The Netherlands where there was no shortage of surprises.With 15 through to the jump-off it was always going to take a brave effort to clinch maximum points here, but the 38 year old rider and his 12 year old chestnut gelding really put it up to the rest of them when third to go against the clock and not even some of the quickest horses and best riders in the sport could match their pace.
"Isaac gave me everything" Forsten said afterwards, "and I'm so very happy - this has been a special day for us - I'm really delighted!".
However there was another show-stealer who created a bubble of excitement earlier in the competition.
As the first round was drawing to a close Dutch star Gerco Schroder was working his way around the arena with Eurocommerce Monaco when an animal rights protester, clad only in his underwear, streaked across the ring in an attempt to disrupt proceedings. Spectators watched with a mixture of amazement and amusement as the gentleman in question was chased at full speed by officials who eventually apprehended him and led him away, but while he had his moment in the limelight the impact of his interruption was short-lived as the unflappable Dutch partnership simply went back to work and comfortably joined the second-round line-up.
Pathfinder against the clock was Gerco's brother Wim riding Eurocommerce New Jersey who returned with four faults in 39.14 seconds, and then Italy's Omar Bonomelli followed with a slow clear from Quintero in 44.80 seconds to set the early pace. That was immediately dismissed by Forsten however who shaved almost seven full seconds off the target when storming home in 38.08 seconds.
"Because I was going early I didn't see anyone else, but I could feel Isaac was flying - he is French-bred and has all the scope, but his rideability can be a bit questionable sometimes although he always tries to clear the fences. Today though he was unbelievably fast....." the Finnish rider said afterwards.
Mikko, as Forsten is known to his friends, was not convinced that he had been quick enough to win and watched from the sidelines with his partner, fellow-Finnish rider Noora Pentti, who had two fences down in the first round.
Italy's Jonella Ligresti was next to go with Nanta, but their chances were dashed when the mare crumpled on landing over a fence and decanted her rider, and when Belgium's Angelique Hoorn collected four faults with Blauwendraad's O'Brien in 40.99 seconds there was still no sign of a strong challenge to his lead. Max Kuhner, a real "find" for Germany during this indoor season, kept a cool head to leave the course intact but in the slow time of 44.91 seconds while Ireland's Billy Twomey was more competitive when lowering just one fence with Tinka's Serenade who broke the beam in 40.12.
Germany's Heinrich-Herman Engemann had a good shot at Forsten's target when crossing the line with Aboyeur in 38.39 seconds and Harrie Smolders and Exquis Oliver Q beat the time but left one on the floor in 38.02 so when Belgium's Patrick McEntee and Ever Mury Marais Z were clear but slow the Finn was still out in front with five left to go.
The 2006 Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping champion Marcus Ehning from Germany opted for a degree of caution when bringing Sandro Boy home in 38.46 seconds and when Holland's Piet Raijmakers Snr riding Van Schijndel's Curtis put two on the floor and Frenchwoman Eugenie Angot was clear with Ilostra Dark in 39.05 seconds only two riders stood in the way of show jumping history. But what a pair they were. The Netherlands had six riders through to the closing stages and second-last to go was the irrepressible partnership of Albert Zoer and Oki Doki who have blazed a trail through the sport over the last year while last in was Gerco Schroder. A single error in 38.43 seconds saw Zoer having to settle for tenth place while Schroder just couldn't match that leading time - the clock showing 38.25 seconds as he crossed the line to take runner-up spot ahead of Engemann.
"To be honest I expected Ehning, Albert and Gerco would be faster than me and I was just hoping that the rest would have to go wild to try to catch my time!" Forsten explained afterwards. "I'm absolutely delighted - this is my first World Cup win of course - I have won some Grand Prix's but at 3-Star and 2-Star level but nothing like this and I believe I am the first Finnish rider to win a World Cup competition, the best we have ever placed before was third I think" he added.
Today's success has broadened his horizons considerably and he is planning to take in the next qualifying leg in Bordeaux next weekend and then Vigo in Spain the following week - "I'm going to try to qualify for the final in Gothenburg - that is my aim now!" he said determinedly.
He has certainly boosted his chances of getting there as today's result has raised him to eleventh place on the leaderboard and, with 34 points now to his credit, he needs just one more good placing to make the cut. But the final three qualifying legs will see some razor-sharp competition and he will have to stay on the very top of his game.....
RESULT: 1, Isaac du Jonquet (Mikael Forsten) Fin 0/0 38.08; 2, Eurocommerce Monaco (Gerco Schroder) Ned 0/0 38.25; 3, Aboyeur W (Heinrich-Hermann Engemann) Ger 0/0 38.39; 4, Sandro Boy (Marcus Ehning) Ger 0/0 38.48; 5, Ilostra Dark (Eugenie Angot) Fra 0/0 39.15; 6, Ever Mury Marais Z (Patrick McEntee) Bel 0/0 43.01; 7, Quintero (Omar Bonomelli) Ita 0/0 44.60; 8, Acantus GK (Max Kuhner) Ger 0/0 44.91; 9, Exquis Oliver Q (Harris Smolders) Ned 0/4 38.02; 10, Okidoki (Albert Zoer) Ned 0/4 38.43; 11, Eurocommerce New Jersey (Wim Schroder) Ned 0/4 39.14; 12, Tinka's Serenade (Billy Twomey) Irl 0/4 40.12; 13, Blauwendraad's O'Brien (Angelique Hoorn) Ned 0/4 40.09; 14, Van Schijndel's Curtis (Piet Raijmakers) Ned 0/8 42.93; 15, Nanta (Jonella Ligresti) Ita 0/Elim; 16, Son of Marco (Luciana Diniz) 1/79.69; 17, Pristanna (Daniel Deusser) 1/79.85; 18, Tymoon Caloo Meerchen (Dirk Demeersman) Bel 4/75.11; 19, Wisconsin (Sergio Alvarez Moya) Esp 4/75.13; 20, Lord Luis (Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst) Ger 4/76.88; 22, Conan (Helena Lundback) Swe 4/77.17; 23, Audi's Parmala Douche (Maikel Van der Vleuten) Ned 5/79.27; 24, Van Schijndel's Rascin (Piet Raijmakers Jnr) 8/74.89; 25, Lantinus (Denis Lynch) Irl 8/75.29; 26, SIEC Royal Star (Cameron Hanley) Irl 8/75.51; 27, Evli Cagliostro (Noora Pennti) Fin 8/76.45; 28, Nairobi (Leon Thijssen) Ned 8/78.31; 29, Coulthard Z (Christian Annfinsen Oien) Nor 9/79.12; 30, V de Pomme (Jenni Martin-McAllister) USA 9/79.81; 31, Horizon du Roc (Fabio Crotta) Sui 11/87.87; 32, Bessemeind's Casino (Morten Djupvik) Nor 12/76.58; 33, Sefana (Mark Armstrong) GBR 12/77.73; 34, Castella (Mathijs Van Asten) Ned 12/78.16; 35, Isaac (Royne Zetterman) Swe 12/78.18; 36, Leasing (Marco Kutscher) Ger 13/79.69; 37, Tagerups Agenda (Andreas Schou) Den 13/80.44; 38, Okometa Z (Jurgen Stenfert) Ned 15/7762; 39, Opium VS (Marc Houtzager) Ned 17/81.70; 40, P-Pilot (Wout-Jan Van der Schans) Ned Retired.
ROLEX FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ JUMPING 2007/2008 - WESTERN EUROPEAN LEADERBOARD AFTER ROUND 9 IN AMSTERDAM:
1. Jessica Kuerten - 79
2. Rutherford Latham - 48
3. Rolf-Goran Bengtsson - 47
4. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum - 46
5. Albert Zoer - 45
6. Ludger Beerbaum - 44
7. Helena Lundback - 41
8. William Whitaker - 39
9. Heinrich Hermann Engemann - 38
10. Marcus Ehning - 37
11. Mikael Forsten - 34
12. Judy-Ann Melchior 33
Max Kuhner - 33
14. Steve Guerdat - 31
15. Harrie Smolders - 30
Nick Skelton - 30
Omar Bonomelli - 30
18. Patrick McEntee - 29
19. Eugenie Angot - 28
Luciana Diniz - 28
Malin Baryard-Johnsson - 28
PHOTO CATALOGUE - Photographs of the winning riders in high and low resolution can be downloaded from the FEI online catalogue. To access it, please visit www.fei.org>Media>Photo Catalogue. There is no reproduction fee, but please credit photographer (photographer's name will appear under each photo)/FEI. Usage is strictly for editorial purposes.
For further information on the Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping qualifier in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, check out WEBSITE www.jumpingamsterdam.nl or contact Press Officer Charlotte Gunnick - Tel (mobile) +33638 325326, Email: media@jumpingamsterdam.nl. The next leg takes place in Bordeaux, France from 1-3 February and you can check full details on WEBSITE www.jumping-bordeaux.com. Show President at the French fixture is Marc Lecoq, Show Director is Francois-Bernard martin, Show Secretary is Sabine Palau and Press Officer is Marie-Sol Fournier - Tel (mobile) +33 55611 9943 or email presse@bordeaux-expo.com.
MEDIA GUIDE - The FEI is pleased to provide you with a Media Guide for the 2007/2008 season. The Guide is filled with useful facts, figures and statistics including the list of winners since the series began in 1978 and contact details to help you access all the information you need. You can download it from the Media Centre on FEI website www.fei.org or order a hard copy from FEI Communications - Email o.robinson@horsesport.org.
2007/2008 ROLEX FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ JUMPING SERIES - CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR WESTERN EUROPEAN LEAGUE:1, Oslo (Norway) 12-14 October; 2, Helsinki (Finland) 18-21 October; 3, Verona (Italy) 8-11 November; 4, Stuttgart (Germany) 14-18 November; 5, Geneva (Switzerland) 6-9 December; 6, London-Olympia (Great Britain) 17-22 December; 7, Mechelen (Belgium) 26-30 December; 8, Leipzig (Germany) 17-20 January; 9, Amsterdam (The Netherlands) 24-27 January; 10, Bordeaux (France) 1-3 February; 11, Vigo (Spain) 8-11 February; 12, 's-Hertogenbosch (The Netherlands) 27-30 March; FINAL - Gothenburg (Sweden) 24-27 April.
YOU CAN SEE IT ON TV
2007/2008 ROLEX FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ JUMPING BROADCAST SCHEDULE FOR ROUND 9 IN AMSTERDAM:
Live/Delayed Live
NOS (The Netherlands) - Sunday 27 January - check local listings
Equidia (France) - Sunday 27 January 20.45, Monday 28 January 18.30, Wednesday 30 January 10.00
SVT (Sweden) - Sunday 27 January 18.15
RAI (Italy) - Check local listings
Highlights
CBC Country (Canada) - Saturday 2 February 14.00
CNBC Asia - Check local listings
CNBC Europe - Check local listings
ESPN Brazil - Check local listings
ESPN Star (Pan Asia) - Wednesday 13 February 20.00, Friday 15 February 01.00, Saturday 16 February 06.30, Sunday 17 February 03.30, Monday 18 February 07.30,
Wednesday 20 February 18.00, Friday 22 February 14.0, 18.00, Saturday 23 February 01.00, 09.00, Tuesday 26 February 18.00,
Wednesday 27 February 07.00
Eurosport - Wednesday 30 January 22.05
Finnish Sport TV - Check local listings
Fox Australia - Check local listings
Fox Middle East - Monday 18 February 16.00
M-Net (Pan Africa) - Thursday 14 February 18.00, Friday 15 February 09.00, Sunday 17 February 11.00, Monday 18 February 13.00, Tuesday 19 February 16.00,
Wednesday 20 February 23.00
Sport TV (Portugal) - Check local listings
Sport Plus (France) - Friday 1 February 13.00
WCSN (USA) - Wednesday 2 April 20.00
YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE RULES FOR FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ JUMPING RIDERS FROM FEI WEBSITE www.feiworldcup.org
FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping has entered its 30th season. The series, created in 1978, today comprises 14 leagues on all continents. The best riders from 132 preliminary competitions will qualify for the final in Gothenburg, Sweden which takes place from 24-27 April 2008. The title-holder is Switzerland's Beat Mandli.

In a thrilling competition, starring home driver Sandmann, Frenchman Benjamin Aillaud and Ijsbrand Chardon from the Netherlands, Sandmann wrote true history by winning the Final of the FEI World Cupâ„¢ Driving 2007/2008 in Leipzig a wild card. It was the first time in the seven-year history that the Final took place in Leipzig. The Organising Committee, the many spectators and the wonderful atmosphere contributed to the success of the Leipziger Final.

Christoph Sandmann drove sensationally and truly deserved his win. The owner of a transport company and organiser of the international combined driving competition in Lähden did not qualify for the FEI World Cup™ Driving season, but received wild cards in Hannover, Stuttgart and Leipzig. Sandmann already put down good performances in the previous German World Cup competitions and proofed his skills again in the Final in Leipzig: “If you had told me that I would leave Leipzig as a winner, I would not have believed you. The technical course, designed by Dr. Wolfgang Asendorf, fitted me well and I have the advantage of driving my outdoor marathon team. They are used to tight turns,” explains Sandmann, who is a true marathon specialist in the outdoor season as well. Sandmann used his 20-year old experienced gelding Gerlof ‘Alf’ in the lead and was very proud of him to have contributed to winning the World Cup title.
Germany now has a worthy successor for five times World Cup Champion Michael Freund, who was present in Leipzig as navigator for his son Marco who was the guinea pig.

Benjamin Aillaud was finally able to perform the way he wanted to. After his second place in Geneva and his disappointing fifth place in Mechelen, Aillaud took his team of Lipizzaner horses to the second place in the Final. Aillaud was the last starter in the winning round and had to be really fast in order to beat Sandmann’s result, who had gone clear. Aillaud however was not able to beat Sandmann’s fast time and knocked one cone down. “I am still very happy with my second place, especially because it is my first World Cup season. I feel that my performance here has made up for my result in Mechelen.” Aillaud only competed in two FEI World Cup™ Driving competitions before the Final and only just made it to Leipzig because of his second place in Geneva. Aillaud, who ‘plays with horses’ at the Lippizaner Stud Les Elfes Blancs in France, will try to persuade the FEI World Cup™ Jumping show in Bordeaux to host an FEI World Cup™ Driving competition again.

Ijsbrand Chardon and Boyd Exell were considered the favourite drivers to win the World Cup title 2007/2008, but were unable to confirm this. Chardon had three knockdowns in the first round and barely qualified for the winning round, in which he had two cones down as well.
Chardon was very disappointed: “I came to Leipzig to win, of course. I was very concentrated and the first ball that fell was just bad luck. I honestly do not know how and why the other balls dropped, but this is the sport. Sandmann drove excellent today and he deserved to win. I have a lot of respect for him.” Chardon added quickly that he suggested to Sandmann that it was ok for him to win in Leipzig, but that Chardon will win the World four-in-hand Driving Championship in his home country this summer!

Boyd Exell also came to Leipzig to win but admitted that he simply went too fast. “I lost my concentration for a second and made mistakes. I am pleased however with my horses, they were fantastic and went exactly where I wanted them to go.” Unfortunately the three knockdowns kept Exell from a starting place in the winning round and thus from a possible victory.

Mark Weusthof from the Netherlands started off very fast in the sold out Leipziger Messe, where the spectators enthusiastically encouraged the competitors in every round. The horses of the tall driver wanted to pass the ninth gate and Weusthof had to correct them. Two balls fell and although his time was very fast, Weusthof had to be satisfied with the fifth place.

Sweden’s Tomas Eriksson qualified last minute for the FEI World Cup™ Driving Final in Leipzig by winning the previous competition in Mechelen, but it was not his day today. He left the arena with five knockdowns: “The course was a bit too technical for me. I am better when I can make more speed. The best man won today and it was good sport. That is also important!”

Third Dutch driver in the Final Koos de Ronde had bad luck today. One of his leader horses jumped over a trace in the beginning of the course so he was not able to drive at his usual fast speed. Unfortunately the judges only discovered this half way through the course and made De Ronde stop and fix the problem. This cost De Ronde a lot of time and several balls to drop: “I am very disappointed with the judges that it took them so long to see this problem. We have all worked so hard to be able to compete at this level and these kind of mistakes are simply not allowed.” Field judge Dr. Wolfgang Asendorf admitted that it took a long time before the judges rang the bell, but because of the speed they were not able to see exactly what the problem was.

Final standings FEI World Cupâ„¢ Driving season 2007/2008
1. Christoph Sandmann (Ger) 232.88
2. Benjamin Aillaud (Fra) 238.63
3. Ijsbrand Chardon (Ned) 241.65
4. Boyd Exell (Aus) 126.26
5. Mark Weusthof (Ned) 127.73
6. Tomas Eriksson (Swe) 136.29
7. Koos de Ronde (Ned) 142.89

The FEI World Cupâ„¢ Driving Final took place in Leipzig, Germany, from 18 to 20 January 2008. Press Officer is Andreas Kerstan, phone +49 4307 827970, e-mail: andreas.kerstan@comtainment.de, website: www.partner-pferd.de

More information: www.feiworldcup.org

Sweden’s Tomas Eriksson did what he had to do in the fifth and last Qualifier of the FEI World Cup™ Driving in Mechelen, Belgium, sponsored by Willy Naessens industrial and swimming pool constructions. He won the competition by driving a super safe round and herewith claimed a last minute starting ticket for the Final in Leipzig.

Dutch course designer Johan Jacobs, who is assistant course designer at the FEI World four-in-hand Driving Championships in the Netherlands in 2008, was also responsible for the course in Mechelen. After a somewhat messy first round, in which the drivers all made mistakes, the competition resulted in a close and exciting battle between Ijsbrand Chardon, Mark Weusthof and Tomas Eriksson. The course was shortened and the multiple obstacles were taken out.

Double World Champion Eriksson was determined to make up for his poor results in Stockholm and Geneva and knew that his only chance to qualify for the Final was to win in Mechelen. “I had a good feeling about my horses in the previous competitions, but the good results stayed away,” explains Eriksson. He made no changes to his team and decided to go for it again in Mechelen, and it worked. Eriksson passed the finish line 0.91 seconds faster than Chardon and became the glorious winner in Mechelen. Mark Weusthof set the fastest time in the winning round with his team of grey Dutch warm bloods, but a knock down kept him for his second World Cup victory of this season. “I made some mistakes, especially in the first round, but I now know what to do in the Final,” said Weusthof.

Wild card driver Gert Schrijvers, who was also responsible for the construction of the good looking and colourful obstacles, which gave the course a nice look, ended on a respectable fourth place. “My goal was to end in the top three, but knowing that my horses lack indoor rhythm, I am very pleased with my performance. I used my outdoor horses while most of the other competitors have a special indoor team.”

Frenchman Benjamin Aillaud was very disappointed when the jury corrected his result, with which he had qualified for the winning round. “We only wrote down two of the three knock downs Benjamin had,“ explained President of the jury Franz-Josef Vetter. “We quickly looked into the matter and asked the judges in the field. They all confirmed that three balls had fallen, so we corrected Benjamin’s result.” Aillaud dropped to the fifth place and is now in sixth position in the standings together with Jozsef Dobrovitz. Because of his second place in Geneva, Aillaud is entitled to a starting place in the Final.

Hungary’s Zoltan Lazar lost his chance to qualify for the Final. The 2004 World Champion came sixth in Mechelen: “The black trotter I use in the lead did not have his day today. My leader horses were very unstable which caused too many mistakes.” Lazar is determined to qualify for next season’s FEI World Cup™ Driving and is planning to put a special team together. Lazar does not regret it much that he won’t go to Leipzig: “It gives my the opportunity to go skiing, my other favourite sport!”

Second wild card driver Geert De Brauwer, whose horses were driven by reigning World Champion Felix Brasseur two weeks ago in Budapest, ended on the seventh place. The sympathetic owner of Debra Farm, a Lipizzaner stud farm, encountered some problems in the tight turns but truly enjoyed competing in Mechelen.

The participation of third wild card driver Dirk Stael in the FEI World Cupâ„¢ Driving in Mechelen was uncertain until the very last moment. Stael had forgotten to bring the FEI passport of one of his four horses, but luckily the passport arrived on time before the start of the first competition on Saturday and Stael received permission to start from the jury. The Belgian Champion however clearly lacked indoor driving experience and came eighth in the Nekkerhal.

The FEI World Cupâ„¢ Driving Final takes place in Leipzig, Germany, from 18 to 20 January 2008. The drivers will start from scratch.

Results CAI-W Mechelen:
1. Tomas Eriksson (Swe) 198.33
2. Ijsbrand Chardon (Ned) 199.24
3. Mark Weusthof (Ned) 202.73
4. Gert Schrijvers (Bel) 132.83
5. Benjamin Aillaud (Fra) 136.98
6. Zoltan Lazar (Hun) 142.87
7. Geert De Brauwer (Bel) 161.15
8. Dirk Stael (Bel) 206.37

Classification after 5 of 5 events:
1. Boyd Exell (Aus) 20
2. Ijsbrand Chardon (Ned) 17
3. Mark Weusthof (Ned) 15
4. Koos de Ronde (Ned) 12
4. Tomas Eriksson (Swe) 12
6. Benjamin Aillaud (Fra) 10
6. Jozsef Dobrovitz (Hun) 10
8. Zoltan Lazar (Hun) 8
9. Daniël Würgler (Sui) 6
10. Werner Ulrich (Sui) 5

Qualified for the Final in Leipzig (18-20 January 2008)
1. Boyd Exell (Aus)
2. Ijsbrand Chardon (Ned)
3. Mark Weusthof (Ned)
4. Koos de Ronde (Ned)
4. Tomas Eriksson (Swe)
6. Benjamin Aillaud (Fra)

At Mechelen, Press Officer is Edith de Reys, phone: +32 475 659281, e-mail: edith.dereys@skynet.be, website: www.jumping-mechelen.com

The FEI World Cupâ„¢ Driving Final takes place in Leipzig, Germany, from 18 to 20 January 2008. Press Officer is Press Officer is Andreas Kerstan, phone +49 4307 827970, e-mail: andreas.kerstan@comtainment.de, website: www.partner-pferd.de

More information: www.feiworldcup.org

At the centenary Olympia Horseshow dressage stepped into a new era. Anky van Grunsven presented her brand new Freestyle composed by virtuoso Wibi Soerjadi, called ‘Dance of devotion’. The judges unanimously agreed on the victory of the Olympic gold couple (83,050%).
Along with this British dressage also stepped into a new era as Laura Bechtolsheimer reached for the unique score of 75,333% in Grand Prix, a score never received by a British dressage rider before. The huge applause and cheering of the home crowd unfortunately tonight was still in the mind of 12 year old Mistral Hojris, resulting in a lower score and fifth position. The runner up position now was for the popular Finnish Kyra Kyrklund and Max, who did a very good job with their Cabaret-Freestyle (76,500%). British Carl Hester ended at fourth position with a nice swinging and controlled test riding Dolendo of mrs Ann Cory. He was overjoyed as he hadn’t ridden a Freestyle since 2003, however the Grand Prix-score of Laura Bechtolsheimer appealed to him even more.

At the press conference a lot of remarks were given about Freestyles, developments in dressage and what Freestyles have brought to dressage. Kyra Kyrklund said: “When we sell our sport, we cannot sell the same piece year after year. I feel it’s our responsibility to bring good new things from time to time.”
Anky van Grunsven said it was not about new Freestyles but about looking closer at horses and Freestyles which brings improvement. A new piece however brings extra tension as a freestyle only can be experienced in full when showed in the arena. Anky felt very nervous before she entered the full house Olympia filled with expectation. “Normally I only have to take care of my horse IPS Salinero before entering such a packed arena. But now I had to take care of one my horse, two my new choreography, three my new music. It was quite a challenge!”
Anky said she felt a bit disappointed when she had left the arena because she sometimes was ahead of the music. “The good thing was that I felt it and did notice it. And I know the first time cannot be perfect. But still I do hope for a perfect ride.”
Chairman of the judges Dr Volker Moritz however was full of praise. “It was a very special atmosphere tonight and I was very impressed by the new Freestyle of Anky van Grunsven. It fitted the horse very well and I rewarded it with very high marks.” Judge Stephen Clarke added: “It was very subtle, very clever, very difficult. I think this Freestyle has every chance to grow as it needs a little exposure and probably practice.”
Compared to Anky’s gold winning Freestyle with the French chansons, not only the degree of difficulty in the technical performance has risen, also the degree of difficulty in the music added to the atmosphere and impression. Composer Wibi Soerjadi witnessed the performance himself and said: “This was not a translation of the movements of the horse into music. It was an expression of emotion. This ‘Dance of devotion’ was played by 70 musicians and had 16 different melodies and voices coming all together to express the endless mastership of this pair. That was what I intended to express.”
According to the judges he succeeded in that quite well.
Anky van Grunsven will bring Painted Black to the next World Cupâ„¢ in Mechelen and will show her home crowd in Amsterdam an even better timed new Freestyle, she promised.

RESULTS

1. IPS SALINERO Anky van Grunsven NED 83,050%
2. MAX Kyra Kyrklund FIN 76,500%
3. AFRIKKA Anders Dahl DEN 73,550%
4. DOLENDO Carl Hester GBR 73,100%
5. MISTRAL HOJRIS Laura Bechtelsheimer GBR 72,450%
6. PAGANINI Jeroen Devroe BEL 72,200%
6. LUXFORM’S NIMBLY Alex van Silfhout NED 72,200%
8. PREMIER Aat van Essen (NED) 72,050%
9. MR PRESIDENT Stephanie Coxford GBR 71,150%
10.ZANCOR Anna-Katharina Lüttgen GER 70,650%
11. QUANTUM TYME Evi Strasser CAN 70,450%
12. CALIMUCHO Julia Chevanne FRA 70,050%
13 DREAM OF HEIDELBERG Emile Faurie GBR 68,300%
14. RANDON Michal Rapcewicz POL 67,800%
15. PROBLESK Iryna Lis BLR 66,400%

FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ DRESSAGE 2007/2008 - WESTERN EUROPEAN LEADERBOARD AFTER ROUND 4 IN LONDON OLYMPIA:

Please note that due to a change of rules for the season 2007-2008 the actual title defender does not receive World Cup™ Points! This time title defender Isabell Werth was the winner in Odense and Frankfurt but for this reason is not listed in the rankings. Also Canadian Evi Strasser didn’t receive World Cup™ Points in London.

1. Anders DAHL (DEN) 46
2. Jan BRINK (SWE) 40
3. Nathalie ZU SAYN WITTGENSTEIN (DEN) 39
4. Patricia CALLAGHAN (NED) 32
5. Victoria MAX THEURER (AUT) 30
6. Laurens VAN LIEREN (NED) 28
7. Louise NATHHORST (SWE) 24
8. Emma KARLSSON (SWE) 20
8. Anky VAN GRUNSVEN (NED) 20
10. Silvia IKLE (SWI) 19
10. Catherina HADDAD (USA) 19
10. Jeroen DEVROE (BEL) 19
13. Wayne CHANNON (GBR) 18
13. Aat VAN ESSEN (NED) 18
15. Tinne VILHELMSON (SWE) 17
15. Andreas HELGSTRAND (DEN) 17
15. Kyra KYRKLUND (FIN) 17
18. Stephanie CROXFORD (GBR) 15
18. Heike KEMMER (GER) 15

PHOTO CATALOGUE - Photographs of the winning riders in high and low resolution can be downloaded from the FEI online catalogue. To access it, please visit www.horsesport.org>Media Centre>Catalogue. There is no reproduction fee, but please credit photographer (photographer’s name will appear under each photo)/FEI. Usage is strictly for editorial purposes. For media also the centenary London Horseshow Olympia has a media section photography.

For further information on the FEI World Cupâ„¢ Dressage qualifier in London, Great-Britain, check out website http://www. olympiahorseshow.com . Press Officer Kellie Lloyd phone: +44 207 598 6532.

The next leg of the series will take place in Mechelen (Belgium) starting 26th December. Check out website http://www.jumping-mechelen.com/_le/home.php.

2007/2008 ROLEX FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ DRESSAGE SERIES
CALENDAR OF NEXT EVENTS FOR WESTERN EUROPEAN LEAGUE:

5. Mechelen (Belgium) 26 – 30 December 2007 http://www.jumping-mechelen.com/_le/home.php
6. Amsterdam (The Netherlands) 24 – 27 January 2008 http://www.jumpingamsterdam.nl/en/
7. Neumünster (Germany) 13-17 February 2008 http://www.reitturnier.de/
8 ‘s-Hertogenbosch (The Netherlands) 27-20 March FINAL http://www.indoorbrabant.com/

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE RULES FOR FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ DRESSAGE RIDERS FROM FEI WEBSITE www.feiworldcup.org

FEI World Cupâ„¢ Dressage has entered its 23rd season. The FEI World Cupâ„¢ Dressage is the only worldwide series in this discipline. The series, created in 1985, today comprises 4 leagues
encompassing Western Europe, Central Europe, North America (including Canada) and the Pacific League (Australia, New Zealand, Asia). Each FEI World Cupâ„¢ Dressage qualifier comprises a Grand Prix test, which in turn is a qualification for the Freestyle to music competitions, where league points are accumulated towards places in the Final. Judged on both technical and artistic merit, the FEI World Cupâ„¢ Dressage combines art, sport and partnership between horse and rider at the highest level and consistently proves a winning formula with audiences all over the world.

The best riders from the preliminary competitions will qualify for the Final in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands, which takes place from 27-30 March 2008. The title-holder is Germany’s Isabell Werth.

For further information on the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) www.horsesport.org
For further information and all FEI World Cup â„¢ news: www.feiworldcup.org

The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), founded in 1921, is the international body governing equestrian sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and includes 133 National Federations.
Equestrian sport has been on the Olympic programme since 1912 with three disciplines - Jumping, Dressage and Eventing. It is one of the very few sports in which men and women compete on equal terms. It is also the only sport which involves two athletes - horse and rider. The FEI has relentlessly concerned itself with the welfare of the horse, which is paramount and must never be subordinated to competitive or commercial influences.

KUERTEN LETS LIBBY LOOSE AGAIN IN LEIPZIG.......

Ireland's Jessica Kuerten secured a second sensational victory in the 2007/2008 Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping series when coming out on top in the Sparkasse-sponsored leg in Leipzig, Germany this afternoon where she devastated the opposition with another superb performance from Castle Forbes Libertina.

The 12 year old mare and her rider were on a roll as 2007 drew to a close having won the Top-Ten Final and taken joint-runner-up spot in the Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping leg in Geneva before coming out to claim pole position at Olympia in London just a few days before Christmas, and their form looks set to continue into 2008.

Irish team manager Robert Splaine watched from the sidelines as the World No. 4 came with a late run in the 12-horse jump-off and said "Jessica was in a class of her own and Libertina was unbelievable! They are such an amazing partnership!".

Only one rider failed to complete Frank Rothenberger's first-round track and that was Italy's Jonella Ligresti and Nanta who retired on course, while Germany's Daniel Deusser was left to rue the frustrating single time penalty he collected with the mare Pristanna that kept him out of the second-round decider. A total of 12 riders collected just four faults and, after a long absence from the World Cup circuit, Austrian legend Hugo Simon was back in business today when he left two fences on the floor. Riding the mare Ukinda who was a winner in Vienna last year, the three-time champion who first claimed the World Cup title in the inaugural 1978/1979 season seems to be defying stories of his retirement and, at the tender age of 65, is still cutting it with the best of them.

Britain's Robert Smith was pathfinder against the clock with Kalusha but two stops at the double incurred elimination. Unusually, Ireland had two through to the jump-off today, and German-based Denis Lynch was next to go with the former Gregory Wathelet ride Lantinus who won the Grand Prix classes at Bourg en Bresse, Wiesbaden and Cannes in 2007 for the rider who transferred from Belgium to ride for The Ukraine in 2006. Lynch, who also includes the former Daniel Deusser ride Upsilon d'Ocquier in his string, collected four faults in 35.26 second to set today's pace but Germany's Lars Nieberg and the 15 year old mare Lucie then went clear to take over the lead when clear in 36.10.

Fellow-German Max Kuhner has sprung something of a surprise in recent weeks as the full-time businessman who runs a leasing company can only work his horses in the evenings and at weekends and yet defied his amateur profile when finishing third at the previous leg in Mechelen in December before coming out to qualify for the jump-off again today. Once more riding the 10 year old mare Acantus he set off with caution against the clock and while his time of 42.75 seconds was a slow one his clean jumping ensured he would stay well in touch.

Half of those through to the timed round were home runners and Marcus Ehning was next to go with his 2006 Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Final winner Sandro Boy who raised the game when crossing the line without penalty in 34.42, and when Portugal's Luciana Diniz and Meautry's Locarno, winners of Friday night's Pre-Qualifier, had a fence down then the host country still had the whip hand at the halfway stage.

Sweden's Rolf-Goran Bengtsson and the exciting stallion Ninja La Silla threw down a strong challenge but with the clock showing 34.43 seconds had to line up behind Ehning at the head of affairs and then Belgium's Judy-Ann Melchior and Levisto Z returned another clear round but were two seconds off the target.

With four left to go Ludger Beerbaum took his turn, Couleur Rubin posting a keen time of 34.89 seconds to stay well in the frame, and when Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum crossed the line with Le Mans in 40.95 seconds she also was assured of more qualifying points without putting herself under too much pressure.

Kuerten however seems to be thriving on challenge right now and, second-last into the ring, set off with Libertina at full gallop. "She got the edge with a great turn-back at the fourth fence" said Robert Splaine afterwards, "and she just flew down the final line and through the finish - she was untouchable!" he added.

With the clock showing 33.60 seconds that was exactly what the Irish rider proved to be as Germany's Marco Kutscher brought the competition to a close with a single error from Cash in 35.87 seconds.

Kuerten lined up to collect the €21,250.00 winners prize ahead of Ehning in second and Bengtsson in third, while Ludger Beerbaum slotted into fourth and Nieberg nudged in ahead of Melchior in fifth spot.

"When Libby is in this kind of form then I just have to stay onboard and let her take all the decisions!" a delighted Kuerten said afterwards. "She is a super-intelligent horse and I'm so very lucky to have her!" she added.

This result now rockets the Irish rider way ahead of the rest on the leaderboard, her 79 points giving her a 44-point advantage over Spain's Rutherford Latham in second position. Bengtsson, Michaels-Beerbaum, Ludger Beerbaum and opening-round winner Helena Lundback from Sweden also look to have comfortably made the qualification zone but with just four legs of the series to go there is still work to be done for many others.

Amsterdam in The Netherlands makes a welcome return to the series next weekend, and with just Bordeaux in France, Vigo in Spain and s'Hertogenbosch in Holland remaining after that the opportunities to amass those all-important points in order to qualify for the April final in Gothenburg are quickly running out......

RESULT: 1, Castle Forbes Libertina (Jessica Kuerten) Irl 0/0 33.60; 2, Sandro Boy (Marcus Ehning) Ger 0/0 34.42; 3, Ninja la Silla (Rolf-Goran Bengtsson) Swe 0/0 34.43; 4, Couleur Rubin (Ludger Beerbaum) Ger 0/0 34.89; 5, Lucie (Lars Nieberg) Ger 0/0 36.10; 6, Levisto Z (Judy-Ann Melchior) Bel 0/0 36.35; 7, Le Mans (Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum) Ger 0/0 40.95; 8, Acantus GK (Max Kuhner) Ger 0/0 42.75; 9, Meautry's Locarno (Luciana Diniz) Por 0/4 35.12; 10, Lantinus (Denis Lynch) Irl 0/4 35.26; 11, Cash (Marco Kutscher) Ger 0/4 35.87; 12, Kalusha (Robert Smith) GBR 0/Elim); 13, Pristanna (Daniel Deusser) Ger 1/78.45; 14, The Sixth Sense (Thomas Fruhmann) Aut 4/71.71; 15, Lincoln (Albert Zoer) Ned 4/72.25; 16, Looping (Jurgen Krackow) Aut 4/73.17; 17, Lorenzo (Christian Ahlmann) Ger 4/74.65; 18, La Toya (Markus Fuchs) Sui 4/7476; 19, Lord Luis (Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst) Ger 4/74.96; 20, Van Schijndel's Curtis (Piet Raymakers) Ned 4/75.01; 21, Quintero (Omar Bonomelli) Ita 4/75.50; 22, Dobel's Cordina (Otto Becker) Ger 4/77.15; 23, Pikeur Calanda (Franz-Josef Dahlmann) Ger 4/77.37; 24, Aboyeur W (Heinrich-Hermann Engemann) Ger 4/77.54; 25, SIEC Royal Star (Cameron Hanley) Irl 4/77.92; 26, Bessemeinds Casino (Morten Djupvik) nor 8/73.09; 27, Ukinda (Hugo Simon) Aut 8/73.53; 28, Plot Blue (Werner Muff) Sui 8/74.71; 29, Crocket (Oliver Lazarus) RSA 8/75.70; 30, Al Kaheel Valentina van 't Hel (Jos Lansink) Bel 8/77.31; 31, Eurocommerce Monaco (Gerco Schroder) Ned 9/79.09; 32, Taagerups Agenda (Andreas Schou) Den 12/74.90; 33, Lorrain Z (Nina Fagerstrom) Fin 13/79.82; 34, Cool-Man (Holger Wulschner) Ger 21/78.04; 35, Pero-Z Hillock (Linnea Ericsson) Den 221/78.43; 36, Laceful (Toni Hassmann) Ger 21/96.17; 37, U Two (Clarissa Crotta) Sui 22/99.07; 38, Sauternes ter Vlucht (J Kreutzmann) Ger Elim; Equal 39, Nanta (Jonella Ligresti) Ita, Gibson (Emma Augier de Moussac) Cze Retired.

ROLEX FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ JUMPING 2007/2008 - WESTERN EUROPEAN LEADERBOARD AFTER ROUND 8 IN LEIPZIG:

1. Jessica Kuerten - 79
2. Rutherford Latham - 45
3. Rolf-Goran Bengtsson - 47
4. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum - 46
5. Ludger Beerbaum - 44
6. Helena Lundback - 41
7. William Whitaker - 39
8. Albert Zoer - 38
9. Judy-Ann Melchior - 33
10. Steve Guerdat - 31
11. Nick Skelton - 30
12. Malin Baryard-Johnsson - 28
13. Luciana Diniz - 27
14. Marco Kutscher, Michel Hecart- 25
16. Marcus Ehning - 24
17. Max Kuhner - 24
18. Michael Whitaker, Daniel Deusser - 24
20. Heinrich-Hermann Engemann - 23

PHOTO CATALOGUE - Photographs of the winning riders in high and low resolution can be downloaded from the FEI online catalogue. To access it, please visit www.horsesport.org>Media Centre>Catalogue. There is no reproduction fee, but please credit photographer (photographer's name will appear under each photo)/FEI. Usage is strictly for editorial purposes.

For further information on the Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping qualifier in Leipzig, Germany check out WEBSITE www.engarde.de. Show President at the German fixture is Volker Wulff, Show Secretary is Conny Reuss and press Officer is Andreas Kerstan - contact Email: andreas.kerstan@comtainment.de, Tel (mobile) +49 17775 32624. The next leg takes place in Amsterdam, The Netherlands from 24-27 January where Show President is Peter Hendriks, Show Director is Rogier van Iersel and Show Secretary is Maartje Lennooy while Press Officer is Charlotte Gunnick - Tel (mobile) +33638 325326, Email: media@jumpingamsterdam.nl. WEBSITE is www.jumpingamsterdam.nl.

MEDIA GUIDE - The FEI is pleased to provide you with a Media Guide for the 2007/2008 season. The Guide is filled with useful facts, figures and statistics including the list of winners since the series began in 1978 and contact details to help you access all the information you need. You can download it from the Media Centre on FEI website www.horsesport.org or order a hard copy from FEI Communications - Email o.robinson@horsesport.org.

2007/2008 ROLEX FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ JUMPING SERIES - CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR WESTERN EUROPEAN LEAGUE:
1, Oslo (Norway) 12-14 October; 2, Helsinki (Finland) 18-21 October; 3, Verona (Italy) 8-11 November; 4, Stuttgart (Germany) 14-18 November; 5, Geneva (Switzerland) 6-9 December; 6, London-Olympia (Great Britain) 17-22 December; 7, Mechelen (Belgium) 26-30 December; 8, Leipzig (Germany) 17-20 January; 9, Amsterdam (The Netherlands) 24-27 January; 10, Bordeaux (France) 1-3 February; 11, Vigo (Spain) 8-11 February; 12, 's-Hertogenbosch (The Netherlands) 27-30 March; FINAL - Gothenburg (Sweden) 24-27 April.

YOU CAN SEE IT ON TV
2007/2008 ROLEX FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ JUMPING BROADCAST SCHEDULE FOR ROUND 8 IN LEIPZIG:

Live/Delayed Live
MDR (Germany) - Sunday 20 January 16.30
Equidia (France) - Sunday 20 January 21.15, Monday 21 January 18.30, Wednesday 23 January 10.00
SVT (Sweden) - Sunday 20 January 17.00
RAI (Italy) - Check local listings

Highlights
CBC Country (Canada) - Saturday 26 January 14.00
CNBC Asia - Check local listings
CNBC Europe - Check local listings
ESPN Brazil - Check local listings
ESPN Star (Pan Asia) - Thursday 7 February 19.30, Friday 8 February 01.00, Saturday 9 February 03.00, Monday 11 February 02.55,
Wednesday 13 February 09.00, 18,00, Friday 15 February 14.00, Saturday 16 February 01.30, 02.30,
Monday 18 February 07.00, Tuesday 19 February 18.00, Wednesday 20 February 07.00
Eurosport - Wednesday 30 January - check listings for time
Finnish Sport TV - Check local listings
Fox Australia - Check local listings
Fox Middle East - Saturdy 16 February 02.00
M-Net (Pan Africa) - Thursday 7 February 18.00, Friday 8 February 00.30, 06.00, 19.00, Saturday 9 February 09.00, Sunday 10 February 11.00
Monday 11 February 13.00, Tuesday 12 February 16.00, Wednesday 13 February 23.00.
Sport TV (Portugal) - Check local listings
Sport Plus (France) - Monday 28 January 22.15
WCSN (USA) - Wednesday 26 March 20.00

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE RULES FOR FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ JUMPING RIDERS FROM FEI WEBSITE www.feiworldcup.org

FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping has entered its 30th season. The series, created in 1978, today comprises 14 leagues on all continents. The best riders from 132 preliminary competitions will qualify for the final in Gothenburg, Sweden which takes place from 24-27 April 2008. The title-holder is Switzerland's Beat Mandli.

The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), founded in 1921, is the international body governing equestrian sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and includes 133 National Federations.

Equestrian sport has been on the Olympic programme since 1912 with three disciplines - Jumping, Dressage and Eventing. It is one of the very few sports in which men and women compete on equal terms. It is also the only sport which involves two athletes - horse and rider. The FEI has relentlessly concerned itself with the welfare of the horse, which is paramount and must never be subordinated to competitive or commercial influences.

-end-

KUERTEN IS THE QUEEN AT OLYMPIA......

Ireland's Jessica Kuerten and Castle Forbes Libertina produced a runaway victory in the sixth leg of the 2007/2008 Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping series at Olympia in London this afternoon and shot to the top of the Western European League leaderboard in the finest of style.

The 38 year old rider is now well-qualified for the Final in Gothenburg next April and has relegated long-time Western European League leader Rutherford Latham from Spain, her total of 53 points giving her a five-point advantage at the top of the order.

As always at this Christmas fixture the competition took place in front of a packed house and the home supporters had plenty of interest with three British into the seven-horse jump-off. However none could match the sheer courage, speed and determination of the Irish partnership who have been kicking up a storm in recent weeks and Nick Skelton had to settle for runner-up spot with Arko while Malin Baryard-Johnsson finished third for Sweden with Butterfly Flip.

Course designer Bob Ellis looked a worried man when, with 16 of the 35 starters gone, there was still no sign of a clear round but his face lit up when Michael Whitaker showed the rest how to do it with a foot-perfect performance inside the time from Suncal Portofino. Before the class began Kuerten described the track as "fair", but she predicted that the time would be tight and that it proved to be with many horses thrown out of their rhythm in their efforts to avoid time penalties.

Baryard-Johnsson's mare belied her 16 years of age to ensure a jump-off with a lively tour of the track and then Tim Stockdale, a great favourite with the home crowd due as much to his media-friendly personality as his skill in the saddle, steered the 10 year old grey Fresh Direct Corlato to join her. Dutch stars Albert Zoer and Oki Doki, winners of Thursday's Grand Prix, were next to find the key and when that great British hero John Whitaker was added to the mix the crowd was ecstatic.

John had taken his top horse, Peppermill, into the first round of Friday night's Puissance in order to encourage a bit of attitude adjustment. He wanted the 10 year old stallion, who is much more at home in the broad expanses of a Nations Cup arena than the tight confines of an indoor ring like Olympia, to pay a little more attention and it worked a treat as, having been taken by surprise by the massive red-brick wall the previous evening his mind was well-focused this time out.

Kuerten and Libertina were next to go clear and then, last into the ring, Skelton and Arko rounded up the jump-off start-list. Amongst those who failed to make the cut were reigning Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping champions Beat Mandli and Ideo du Thot and World No. 1 Markus Fuchs from Switzerland who both collected just four faults while both Britain's Mark Armstrong riding Sefana and Italy's Omar Bonomelli and Quintero were particularly unlucky when just a single time penalty kept them out of the second round. Bonomelli, continues to impress with the 11 year old Quidam de Revel gelding but for the home supporters there was disappointment when cousins Robert and William Whitaker went out in the first round. The Whitaker dynasty continues to grow with every passing year and John's son Robert had been heading up the Leading Rider leaderboard all week with a superb run of form while William, John's 18 year old nephew, secured an historic victory in Friday night's Puissance.

Uncle Michael was pathfinder against the clock and was setting them a tidy target until cutting it too tight to the penultimate vertical. Suncal Portofino is nothing if not a tryer however and although she found herself on top of the fence with no stride at all she still did everything in her power to clear it, going into helicopter mode but lowering both that and the final oxer for eight faults in 40.68 seconds.

Malin Baryard-Johnsson decided to play it safer, going outside the vertical second fence on her approach down the final line to set the first real target when clear in 39.09 seconds and when Stockdale's mare left a fence on the floor the Swedish rider still held the whip hand. She remained out in front when Zoer and Oki Doki did likewise and although John Whitaker squeezed a tremendous run from Peppermill who took out a stride to the last the British partnership were still not quick enough with the clock showing 39.37 seconds.

With just two left to go Kuerten arrived into the ring and anyone who has seen her operate over the last few months had no doubt what she had in mind. With Castle Forbes Libertina she scooped the honours in the IJRC Top-Ten final in Geneva two weeks' ago before coming out to finish joint-second in the Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping qualifier the following afternoon and, with trademark determination, she had the hand-brake off from the start today giving Libertina the freedom to do what she does best. Turning down the final line she found herself way off the penultimate vertical but she just kicked on and then raced down the next distance on five strides to gallop through the finish in 38.54 seconds to take the lead.

Now only Nick Skelton stood in her way, and, in typical style he wasn't going to hand it to her on a plate. In an amusing live TV moment after coming out of the ring he admitted to BBC TV's Clare Balding that he had not even checked the jump-off track because he wasn't sure how Arko would go in the first round. Still in front of the cameras he found the course-plan but had to admit he couldn't read it "because I don't have my glasses!" he said. So, with the great British public enjoying every minute of it, he was given his riding instructions by Ireland's Cian O'Connor who was co-presenting the Olympia coverage at that very moment having gone out in the first round with a single fence down from his ride, Complete. There was nothing wrong with Skelton's eyesight as he set off with John and Pat Hales' brilliant but temperamental stallion however and the rider, who will celebrate his 50th birthday in eight days time, showed as much courage as he did when first winning this class with St James back in 1983. Arko has moments when his sense of self-preservation takes over and as Skelton risked everything with a driving ride down the final line the horse had every chance to throw in a stop but "he was really good today" as his rider said after racing through the finish in 38.77 seconds - fast enough to relegate Baryard-Johnsson from runner-up spot but not quick enough to catch the whirlwind Irish partnership.

Kuerten suffered food poisoning during the week and was particularly queasy before going into the ring this afternoon. "Libertina was feeling very strong today, but I was not so strong myself" the rider pointed out. "I was up all night, not feeling well, and I couldn't sleep but I began to feel a little better today and when I went into the ring I went in to win. I had set myself a target of getting 50 World Cup points before Christmas and when there were only seven into the jump-off I knew I could not get less than 10. I knew going into today that if I could keep a clear head Libertina would do well. She is the most amazing horse, I trusted her and she trusted me - she is so brave and so wonderful - this was the best Christmas present I could wish for!" she added.

She will now give the mare a rest and intends taking her other top ride, Quibell, to the Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ final in Gothenburg next April. For many others however the work is far from over and they have just over a week to prepare for the next leg of the series which takes place in Mechelen, Belgium.......

RESULTS: 1, Castle Forbes Libertina (Jessica Kuerten) Irl 0/0 38.54; 2, Arko (Nick Skelton) GBR 0/0 38.77; 3, Butterfly Flip (Malin Baryard-Johnsson) Swe 0/0 39.09; 4, Peppermill (John Whitaker) GBR 0/0 39.37; 5, Fresh Direct Corlato (Tim Stockdale) GBR 0/4 40.23; 6, Oki Doki (Albert Zoer) Ned 0/4 40.69; 7, Suncal Portofino (Michael Whitaker) GBR 0/8 40.68; 8, Quintero (Omar Bonomelli) Ita 1/71.73; 9, 9, Sefana (Mark Armstrong) GBR 1/73.69; 10, Ideo du Thot (Beat Mandli) Sui 4/68.40; 11, La Toya (Markus Fuchs) Sui 4/68.53; 12, Grim St Clair (Thomas Velin) Den 4/68.91; 13, VDL Groep Fleche rouge (Leopold Van Asten) Ned 4/68.95; 14, Sherry mury Marais Z (Patrick McEntee) Bel 4/69.99; 15, Air Jordan Z (Daniel Deusser) Ger 4/70.59; 16, Opium VS (Marc Houtzager) Ned 4/70.89; 17, Itot du Chateau (Michel Hecart) Fra 5/71.71; 18, Ronaldo (Robert Smith) GBR 5/71.95; 19, Cornet obolensky (Marco Kutscher) Ger 5/72.90; 20, Complete (Cian O'Connor) Irl 5/73.10; 21, Nairobi (Leon Thijssen) Ned 5/73.48; 22, Meautry's Locarno (Luciana Diniz) Por 8/69.38; 23, Pherna (Julia Kayser) Aut 8/69.59; 24, Arielle (William Whitaker) GBR 9/71.70; 25, Camiro (Tony Andre Hansen) Nor 9/71.86; 26, Jalisca Solier (Steve Guerdat) Sui 9/71.99; 27, Gitania (Marcus Ehning) Ger 12/67.65; 28, Candy (Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst) Ger 12/68.51; 29, Lorenzo (Christian Ahlmann) Ger 12/70.68; 30, Isaac du Jonquet (Mikael Forsten) Fin 13/73.80; 31, Cortaflex Billy Birr (William Funnell) GBR 13/73.60; 32, JPC Modesto (Jean-Marc Nicolas) Fra 18/77.73; 33, Cabri d'Elle (Paola Amilibia Puig) Esp 21/71.38; 34, Lacroix (Robert Whitaker) GBR 22/77.03; 35, Skip Two Ramiro (Guy Williams) GBR Ret.

ROLEX FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ JUMPING 2007/2008 - WESTERN EUROPEAN LEADERBOARD AFTER ROUND 6 IN LONDON:

1. Jessica Kuerten - 53
2. Rutherford Latham - 48
3. Helena Lundback - 41
4. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum - 36
5. Albert Zoer - 36
6. Rolf-Goran Bengtsson - 32
7. Ludger Beerbaum - 31
8. Steve Guerdat - 31
9. Nick Skelton - 30
10. Malin Baryard-Johnsson - 28
11. Michel Hecart - 25
12. Michael Whitaker - 24
13. Heinrich-Hermann Engemann - 23
14. Markus Fuchs - 22
15. Piet Raymakers - 21
16. Daniel Deusser - 20
17. Omar Bonomelli - 20
18. Julie Kayser - 19
19. William Whitaker - 19
20. Luciana Diniz - 19

PHOTO CATALOGUE - Photographs of the winning riders in high and low resolution can be downloaded from the FEI online catalogue. To access it, please visit www.horsesport.org>Media Centre>Catalogue. There is no reproduction fee, but please credit photographer (photographer's name will appear under each photo)/FEI. Usage is strictly for editorial purposes.

For further information on the Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping qualifer at Olympia in London check out WEBSITE www.olympiahorseshow.com. Show President is Lord Vestey, Show Director is Simon Brooks-Ward, Show Secretary is Penny Henderson and Press Officer is Jo Peck - Tel +441753 847900, Email info@hpower.co.uk. The next leg of the series takes place in Mechelen, Belgium on 30 December 2007. For all information check out WEBSITE www.jumping-mechelen.com or contact Press Officer Edith De Reys Tel (mobile) +32 475 659281, email edith.dereys@skynet.be.

MEDIA GUIDE - The FEI is pleased to provide you with a Media Guide for the 2007/2008 season. The Guide is filled with useful facts, figures and statistics including the list of winners since the series began in 1978 and contact details to help you access all the information you need. You can download it from the Media Centre on FEI website www.horsesport.org or order a hard copy from FEI Communications - Email o.robinson@horsesport.org.

2007/2008 ROLEX FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ JUMPING SERIES - CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR WESTERN EUROPEAN LEAGUE:
1, Oslo (Norway) 12-14 October; 2, Helsinki (Finland) 18-21 October; 3, Verona (Italy) 8-11 November; 4, Stuttgart (Germany) 14-18 November; 5, Geneva (Switzerland) 6-9 December; 6, London-Olympia (Great Britain) 17-22 December; 7, Mechelen (Belgium) 26-30 December; 8, Leipzig (Germany) 17-20 January; 9, Amsterdam (The Netherlands) 24-27 January; 10, Bordeaux (France) 1-3 February; 11, Vigo (Spain) 8-11 February; 12, 's-Hertogenbosch (The Netherlands) 27-30 March; FINAL - Gothenburg (Sweden) 24-27 April.

YOU CAN SEE IT ON TV
2007/2008 ROLEX FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ JUMPING BROADCAST SCHEDULE FOR ROUND 6 IN LONDON:

Live/Delayed Live
BBC (UK) - Saturday 22 December 14.30
Equidia (France) - Sunday 23 December 20.45, Monday 24 December 18.30, Wednesday 26 December 10.00
SVT (Sweden) - Sunday 23 December 15.45
RAI - Check local listings

Highlights
CBC Country (Canada) - Check local listings
CNBC Asia - Sunday 6 January 14.00
CNBC Europe - Saturday 5 January 17.00
ESPN Brazil - Check local listings
ESPN Star (Pan Asia) - Wednesday 9 January 02.00, Friday 11 January 18.00, 19.00, Saturday 12 January 02.00, 15.00,
Wednesday 30 January 02.30
Eurosport - Wednesday 2 January - check listings for time
Finnish Sport TV - Check local listings
Fox Australia - Check local listings
Fox Middle East - Wednesday 16 January 14.30, Monday 21 January 18.00
M-Net (Pan Africa) - Friday 11 January 18.00, Saturday 12 January 00.30, 07.00, Sunday 13 January 09.00, Monday 14 January 11.00,
Tuesday 15 January 13.30, Wednesday 16 January 16.00, thursday 17 January 19.00, Friday 18 January 23.00
Sport TV (Portugal) - Check local listings
Sport Plus (France) - Thursday 3 January 21.30, Friday 4 January 14.45, 21.30
WCSN (USA) - Check local listings

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE RULES FOR FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ JUMPING RIDERS FROM FEI WEBSITE www.feiworldcup.org

FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping has entered its 30th season. The series, created in 1978, today comprises 14 leagues on all continents. The best riders from 132 preliminary competitions will qualify for the final in Gothenburg, Sweden which takes place from 24-27 April 2008. The title-holder is Switzerland's Beat Mandli.

The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), founded in 1921, is the international body governing equestrian sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and includes 133 National Federations.

Equestrian sport has been on the Olympic programme since 1912 with three disciplines - Jumping, Dressage and Eventing. It is one of the very few sports in which men and women compete on equal terms. It is also the only sport which involves two athletes - horse and rider. The FEI has relentlessly concerned itself with the welfare of the horse, which is paramount and must never be subordinated to competitive or commercial influences.

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 The Olympic Games whose legendary founding by Heracles was recounted by Pindar - regarded as one of the greatest poets since antiquity and whose prose was immortalised by Picasso - find their roots some 3,500 years ago in Ancient Greece. Their duration spanned for over 1,000 years beginning in 776 B.C. and ended in 393 A.D. by decree of the Christian Roman Emperor, Theodosius I, as their ancient associations with what were considered pagan gods had become irrelevant.
Indeed, the original Olympic Games were more than a just a platform for athletes to compete against each other, they were an opportunity to assemble and accomplish the various rituals and sacrifices in the name of Gods – and in this case Zeus. This was not an isolated case, for by the end of the sixth century B.C there were four major festivals featuring organised athletic competitions – the Olympic Games at Olympia in honour of Zeus; the Pythian Games at Delphi honouring Apollo (the most celebrated of the pan-Hellenic festivals); the Nemean Games also in honour of Zeus at Nemea; and the Isthmian Games honouring Poseidon at Corinth. However, the Olympic Games were not limited to Olympia, with later editions also taking place in many locations throughout the Greco-Roman world, including Rome, Naples, Antioch, and Alexandria.
Nonetheless, neither rain, hail, political unrest, nor war could dampen the Olympic spirit, with every edition being religiously held over the 1037 year span. Each edition was spread over five days, with a relatively stable programme as of the fifth century BC, although the occasional addition and withdrawal of a discipline was not uncommon.
The horse and the many accolades which ensued first made their appearance at Olympic Games in 680 B.C. when chariot racing was introduced. It was by far the most exciting and spectacular event on the programme, while the winners of these events went on to be highly acclaimed and revered. The chariots had two wheels and were, when initially introduced pulled by four horses, although the programme would at one point extend the equestrian events to also include horse racing and as well as chariot races for two horses and races for foals – although for the last two, their Olympic status was only short lived.
You can imagine with 30 chariots drawn side by side, staggered starts and 12 death defying rounds, amounting to over 9km of nail biting tremors and dolby gasps form the crowds, it was only natural the winner be showered in praise. Well, only natural in so far that the proclaimed winner was neither the driver nor rider but the owner. Indeed, these were the only events in the ancient Olympic programme which did not recompense the athletes. Interestingly, a very important milestone was borne out of this odd exception.
The very first woman to win at the ancient Olympic Games was a Spartan princess named Cynisca born around 440 B.C. in the four-horse chariot race in 396 B.C. and again in 392 B.C. And while it does, on one level, defy all the odds as women were not even allowed to compete in the Olympic events, it can be explained by the fact that it was the owners of the horses proclaimed winners of the event, and thus a female owner meant a female winner. She was the sister of Spartan king Agesilaus II. It is interesting to note that whilst most women in the ancient Greek world were kept in seclusion and forbidden to learn any kind of skills in sports, riding or hunting, Spartan women by contrast were brought up from girlhood to excel at these things and to disdain household chores.
When the Games were abandoned in 393 AD, the mythical and heroic site of Olympia became largely forgotten until an English archaeologist named Richard Chandler discovered the site in 1766. By that time, it was mostly ruins and much, if not most, had been irrevocably lost, destroyed, and pillaged.
Excavations were then ensued by various teams, a French archaeological team in 1829, but, ultimately it was not until the work of a German team from 1875 to 1881 that brought the site to the light of day and annual reports began to surface on the progress made. They raised the curiosity of one man, who then visited Olympia in October 1894. None other than the father of the modern Olympics, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, but of course, as you know the rest is history…

Nicolas Touzaint (FRA), the reigning FEI World CupTM Eventing, used all his characteristic flair to rise above the unseasonal conditions – described by the organisers as “the height of winter” - and win the last European qualifier of the 2007 season, at Martinvast (FRA), at his first attempt.

Having won both French qualifiers this year – Touzaint took Fontainebleau in March on his European Championship ride Galan de Sauvagere - he now grabs the lead in the 2007 FEI World CupTM Eventing Rankings with just one more qualifier to go, in Mansfield, Ontario (CAN) next month.

Touzaint was fifth after dressage at Martinvast on 43.1 penalties with the 12-year-old Hethi Bey, by Galoubet A, but sprang into the lead thanks to a clear show jumping round, one of only four in the muddy conditions which have dogged this summer’s northern European Eventing circuit.

Described as being “as solid as a rock”, he easily held that lead with just 2.8 time penalties in the final, cross-country, phase, despite the boggy ground which prompted seven withdrawals.

These departures included those of the dressage leaders and 2005 FEI World CupTM Eventing Champions, Clayton Fredericks (AUS) on Ben Along Time, who had three show jumps down, second-placed Bettina Hoy (GER) on Ringwood Cockatoo, and defending European Champions Zara Phillips (GBR) and Toytown, who were only 26th after dressage on 55.9.

Fellow Frenchman Karim Laghouag, who is renowned for his fast cross-country riding, went inside the optimum time to rise meteorically from 16th after dressage to take the runner-up spot on Havenir D’Azac (54.4pen), but time penalties in double figures were the order of the day for all but six of the 30 cross-country starters.

Last year’s winner, Pierre Marie Dubois on Ira d’Islea Eas was the only other to achieve the time, finishing fifth on 57.1.

Andrew Hoy (AUS) had two stops on Peaceful Consort, eighth after dressage, and withdrew Balloo despite lying second after show jumping, but he stuck it out to finish third on the experienced Thoroughbred four-star horse Yeoman’s Point (55.2).

The reigning Badminton and Burghley champion Lucinda Fredericks (AUS) was eliminated across country on her new ride, Rosealier, whom she was trying to qualify for Blenheim CCI 3* next month, but finished fourth on Mr Alligator (56.3).

Nicolas Touzaint, who is the first rider to win two qualifiers in a season and now has 200 points, can only be beaten in the FEI World Rankings by a rider from North America. It all hinges on the successful participation at Mansfield of Kelly Prather (USA), currently joint second with Viachaslau Poita (BLR) on 160 points or Jonathan Holling (USA), third on 138.

Ali Yousuf Ahmad Saad Al Rumaihi won Qatar's first Asian Games gold medal in Jumping, adding even more success to the Doha Racing and Equestrian Club after the Eventing medals won earlier in the Games. Twenty-five year old Rumaihi, training with World Champion Jos Lansink (BEL) took the final victory with a crystal clear score riding the brown stallion Nagano.

Silver was decided in a thrilling jump-off between Chinese Taipei's 17-year-old Jasmine Chen Shao Man on Comodoro and Korea's Olympic rider Joo Jung Hyun on Seven Up. Comodoro was the first horse out; the pair picked up full speed and, despite the two fences they had down, took the silver medal with a time of 38.72 seconds.
Joo Jung Hyun and Seven Up had to settle for bronze after two fences down and a significantly slower speed (time 47s93).

Joy Chen Shao Chiao, twin sister of silver medallist Jasmine, finished in fourth place with nine faults. The sisters and bronze medallist Joo train in Germany at the Schockemoehle stables.

In the team competition, Sydney Olympic bronze medallist Khaled Al Eid on Alryiadh led Saudi Arabia to their first Asian Games equestrian gold medal. Thanks to his and team-mate’s H.R.H. Prince Abdullah Al Saud on Saudia two clear rounds, the Saudis finish on the impressive overall score of 4 points. Abdullah Sharbatly / Hugo Gesmeray and Kamal Bahamdan / Campus 8 had one and two fences down respectively, followed by faultless second rounds.

The Korean squad (Song Sang Wuk / Clinton H; Hwang Soon Won / Jacomo 2; Park Jae Hong / Pinocchio; and Joo Jung Hyun / Seven Up 15) under the management of Paul Schockemoehle were in silver.

Bronze went to the riders from the United Arab Emirates who, like the Saudis, were first timers at Asian Games. H.E. Sheikha Latifa Al Maktoum / Kalaska de Semilly, Abduallah Mohd Al Marri / Secret D Amour; Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi / Quatro H and Mohamad Al Kumaiti / Almutawakel finished on 16 points.

The courses built by Olaf Petersen Jr. proved challenging indeed, the The triple combination proved to be the biggest challenge.

The full results are available on the official website of the 15th Asian Games, www.doha-2006.com.

Media representatives wishing to cover the 2007 Pan American Games to be held from 13 to 29 July 2007 in Rio de Janeiro (BRA) should contact their National Olympic Committee no later than 8 January 2007.

Conducted every four years, the Pan American Games began in 1951 in Buenos Aires. For more than 50 years they have never failed to take place and have traveled from Winnipeg (CAN) in the north of the American continent to Mar Del Plata (ARG) in the extreme South. The Games have also visited Mexico City (MEX), Chicago (USA), Cali (COL), San Juan (PUR), Caracas (VEN), Indianapolis (USA), Havana (CUB) and Santo Domingo (DOM).

Horsesport – Eventing, Dressage and Jumping – will be one of the 28 sports on the programme of the 2007 Pan American Games, where no less than 5,500 athletes from 42 countries are expected to convene.

Forty 7 year old horses qualified today for the final of the FEI World Breeding Jumping Championship on Sunday. Today’s winner, Quincy de Rosseignies, will not reappear in the Ratina Arena, the main stadium of the championships at the Zangersheide Stud. Ludo Phillipaerts had an amazing jump off aboard the careful SbS-bred Cruising-daughter, but their poor performance in the first qualifier, yesterday, made it impossible beforehand to start in the final.

Tough competition once more in the three age groups of the World Championships. One mistake, even a time fault, may well stand in the way of the battle for the medals on Sunday. After two qualifications Laura Kraut and the Zangersheide bred Canecko Z (s.Candillo) lead the field of forty combinations for the final. Her seventh place yesterday and fourth position today however are of no good to Laura any more, all final competitors start with a blank score sheet on Sunday.

No less than 65 7 year olds remained faultless and qualified for the jump off. Some riders, who had their second clear round and were already qualified for the final, decided not to ride in the jump off, in order to keep the strength in their horses for Sunday. Others really hit the gas and tried to win some money, knowing they didn’t qualify for the final anyway.
Ludo Phillipaerts found himself a true fighter in Quincy de Rosseignies, the mare that he only rides for a couple of weeks. Careful Quincy cooperated extremely well in the short turns, being drawn to the fences like a magnet (0/38.36). Second placed Mario Stevens from Germany, riding the Oldenburg bred Numero Uno, needed a bit more time clearing the fences: 0/39.55. Third place was for Andreas Schou from Denmark aboard Holstein bred Corratus. Neither of today’s top three qualified for the final.

The Dutch KWPN is the most successful studbook in the 7 year old division. No less than twelve of the 20 final horses are bred in Holland. Holstein and Belgian Warmblood (BWP) both have 5 horses in the final. The small Studbook Zangersheide had a remarkable score, qualifying four horses for Sunday. Selle Français (4 horses in the final) did well to quality standards: the numbers two and four after two days are French bred horses, displaying a lot of power and ability. My Lord Carthago HN, a very nice cross bred stallion combining the best from Holstein (Carthago) and Normandy (Jalisco B), today had a small mistake in the jump off with French rider Pénélope Leprevost. Mélodie Ardente (Apache d’Adriers x Jalisco B), ridden by Simon Delestre, took fourth place.

But, again, on Sunday nobody will be interested anymore in the way horses qualified for the final.

 Martin Atock, Managing Director of the official Olympic horse transportation company Peden, tells a tale that contrasts the sophistication of 21st Century equine flight management with the less complicated methods employed in earlier times......
In 1990 he was travelling to a show with a team of American horses and US Chef d'Equipe Frank Chapot was on the flight.
"Frank asked to visit the cockpit to have a look around, and he stood between the pilot and co-pilot chatting about how much things have changed over the years in terms of transportation and the rules and regulations and conditions," Martin says. Mr Chapot, a six-time Olympian who went on to become a much-respected course-designer and judge, then astonished his listeners as he recalled his trip to the Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden in 1956.
"He said that when the aircraft landed in Stockholm, it taxied in and the doors were immediately opened and the horses walked straight down the ramp onto the tarmac. The saddles and bridles were unloaded from the back of the aircraft and the horses were tacked up - right there on the apron - and were ridden to the Olympic venue which was miles away!" Rather different to the procedures that will be in place as the equine athletes arrive in Hong Kong this summer for the 2008 Olympic Games where air-conditioned floats will carry them in their air-conditioned stabling at the core venue in Sha Tin within 1 hour and 50 minutes.
Martin has been working in the horse transportation business for 20 years now and he says that "98% of the work is logistics". The movement of 303 horses to Hong Kong will be his biggest project ever however, and it promises to be a complex exercise that will test the effectiveness of those logistics to the limit.
The secret of success is, he says, "anticipation - you need to deal with potential problems right away rather than letting them develop."
"The two main concerns are claustrophobia and colic," he continues. "Just like people, most horses will travel fine but there may be one or two who are nervous and agitated and this is where the judgment and skill of our flying grooms comes into play. They are the experts and the back-bone of our operation. It used to be the practice to have the horse's own grooms and vets travelling with them, but the flying grooms are uniquely qualified to deal with situations as they arise. They stay calm and cool no matter what happens, and they know all the signs of trouble brewing and can pre-empt problems by taking quick action".
He says that the flying grooms also have a hugely calming effect on the horses, even before loading. "People associated with the horses naturally worry about them and they can project their anxiety onto the horse so easily. If you have worried, nervous people then you will have worried, nervous horses. I don't think most people realise just how sensitive horses are to human anxiety - they pick it up very quickly and become anxious themselves as a result. The flying grooms, on the other hand, have no personal connection with the individual horses and their calmness and kindness helps the horses to feel much more at ease," he explains.
After the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000 there was one instance that epitomises the quick-thinking responses of the flying grooms whose job is all about ensuring the smooth transfer of their charges from one location to the next. Two 747 aircraft were being used to bring the horses home in relays, and while the first two flights went perfectly to plan there was a hiccup when flight three arrived in Singapore.
"As it was about to leave on the next leg of its trip a technical problem was noticed, but flight four was already on the ground preparing to return to Sydney for the final load and the flying grooms simply transferred all the horses off flight three onto flight four in the space of an hour and then continued on their way, while the horses waiting in Sydney just had to spend an extra 18 hours in their stables and they were perfectly happy. The flying grooms on both aircraft liaised with each other and made a quick and sensible decision that ensured the best welfare of all the horses. You need skill to do something like that - knowledge of aircraft, ground staff, technical issues in relation to dealing with the airport authorities - and you need to be a good decision-maker," Martin points out.
He believes a great deal of his work is about stress-reduction. "Our job is to take care of all the arrangements in relation to getting the horses to the competition venue so that grooms, riders and everyone else can concentrate on what they need to do and everyone, including the horses, arrives in a good frame of mind ahead of the competition".
Martin knows a bit about the strains of competition himself having enjoyed a successful Eventing career before calling a halt following a riding accident. It was while he was working for German vet Peter Cronau that he was asked if he would like the job of Road Manager for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police tour of Europe in 1988 and he has never looked back since.
His day begins at the crack of dawn and runs late into the evening but the punishing life-style is something he really enjoys. "I like having a problem so that I can find a way of solving it," he says. "Logistics are a real buzz for me and the challenge is never-ending".
"Complications arise no matter how well things are prepared so you always have to have a contingency plan" he points out and his main purpose is, he says, to create a "first-class atmosphere" for his equine passengers. "You'll notice human first-class passengers look relaxed - they are not rushed on or off the aircraft, they have no stress during the flight and when they disembark they look fresh and ready to get on which whatever they have to do. Well, we aim to treat horses in exactly the same way."
When the equine athletes arrive in Hong Kong for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad then they should be feeling pretty good indeed.....

The World Games 2010 Foundation has appointed Peden Bloodstock as the Official Shipping Agent for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, to be held 25 September to 10 October 2010, at the Kentucky Horse Park.Peden Bloodstock will be engaged in the management, coordination and provision of all equine transport services and ground logistics for the Games. This will include but is not limited to coordinating the shipment of some 800 horses, their attendants, equipment and carriages to and from Lexington from all corners of the globe, and playing an intensive role in quarantine and bio-security management on the ground.
"It is an honor for Peden Bloodstock to have been chosen by the Foundation to manage the equine transport logistics for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games," stated Peden Bloodstock Managing Director, Martin Atock. "We believe that our track record specializing in large and complex movements of horses to and from World Championships and Olympic Games speaks for itself, having been appointed shipping agents for all the WEG’s since their inception in 1990 and having also handled the last six Olympic Games."
"Additionally, we are very fortunate to have highly skilled staff who possess countless years of experience in handling complex and important movements of this nature," Atock continued. "This is indeed a first for the World Equestrian Games, which have never before been held outside the European Continent and this in itself creates an unprecedented movement of horses to and from the United States, the likes of which has never been seen before. We are confident and excited to be meeting this logistical challenge head on and look forward to working with the Foundation to make this the most memorable Games ever."
The company’s experience made it a natural choice to handle the record number of horses that will be shipped to the United States in 2010, noted Foundation Competition Director Kate Jackson.
"Peden Bloodstock is very familiar with the World Equestrian Games, and that will only aid our efforts as we work together to create the best competition environment possible for the 2010 Games," said Jackson.
Peden Bloodstock is an international company engaged in the management, co-ordination and provision of transport services for horses throughout the World. The Peden name has been associated with horse transport since 1947, when the company was the first to commercially transport horses by air. Peden has offices in Germany and the United Kingdom staffed by personnel with countless years of experience in handling complex and important movements.
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, to be held at the Kentucky Horse Park September 25-October 10, 2010, are the world championships of the eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), and are held every four years. The Games have never before been held outside of Europe; nor have all eight disciplines ever previously been held together at a single site— both firsts that will be achieved at the Kentucky Horse Park. The 2010 Games are expected to have a statewide economic impact of $150 million. It is anticipated that more than 600,000 spectators will attend the 16-day competition.

National Diversity Solutions (NDS) has been selected to manage the supplier recruitment, registration and qualification process for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games."The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games represent a tremendous opportunity for our state and the Central Kentucky region," said D. Mitchell, CEO for National Diversity Solutions, which is a Lexington, Kentucky-based certified minority owned business. "We are honored to be selected as a partner for this prestigious event."
Companies wishing to register as a potential supplier for the 2010 Games can go to www.feigames2010.org, and follow the instructions for supplier registration under the menu selection "Get Involved."
National Diversity Solutions will facilitate the supplier registration process for the World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc. using their web-based Supplier Collaboration Portal. This solution will automate the engagement process between the hundreds of potential suppliers and the World Games 2010 Foundation. NDS will ensure that qualified suppliers are presented for consideration, and will also assist in recruiting suppliers to register for potential opportunities as they arise.
"We are anticipating a wide variety of supplier needs as preparations for the 2010 Games move forward," said Foundation COO Rob Hinkle. "With their web-based services, NDS will be able to quickly and efficiently link us to suppliers qualified to handle an event of this size."

The Hong Kong Jockey Club has entered into a Co-operation Agreement with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Museum that will pave the way for the development of a Hong Kong Olympic Museum."We are determined to see that the Olympic legacy and Olympic spirit will live on in Hong Kong, long after Games time," Club Chairman John C C Chan said at the 10 April signing ceremony at the Club's new Beijing Clubhouse, which was officially opened on the same day.  "We are therefore delighted to work with the IOC and Sports Federation and Olympic Committee (SF&OC) of Hong Kong, China on continuing promotion of the Olympic Ideal and sports in general throughout the region."
Both parties also signed a Contributor Agreement under which the Club will be supporting the Olympic Movement by making a donation to the IOC Museum.
"The Hong Kong Jockey Club is one of the oldest sports clubs in the world. It is also a distinguished organisation in supporting social programmes in Hong Kong," IOC President Jacques Rogge said at the ceremony. "The Club became a good partner to the Olympic Movement when it stepped in to support the Beijing Organising Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government with the offer to host the equestrian events of the 2008 Olympic Games. I have personally seen the facilities and they are the best ever. I am very pleased to see the Club expand its support by becoming a contributor and developing Hong Kong Olympic Museum," said.
Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Henry Tang said, "Ever since Hong Kong was entrusted with the important task of co-hosting the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events under three years ago, we have been mobilising our best resources in the Hong Kong community for the purpose. One of our valuable resources is The Hong Kong Jockey Club. The Club has already invested HK$1.2 billion in providing the best equestrian venues and facilities in Olympic history, and is setting new standards in Olympic equestrian sport."
The Co-operation Agreement signing ceremony with the International Olympic Committee, held at the newly-opened Beijing Hong Kong Jockey Club Clubhouse, was witnessed by a strong line-up of dignitaries including BOCOG Executive Vice-President and Secretary General Wang Wei; President of the SF&OC Timothy Fok, Standing Committee Member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Chen Zuo'er and Deputy Director of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office Zhou Bo.
In her congratulatory video message to the Club, President of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein praised the Club for its commitment to excellence. "The Beijing 2008 Olympics have presented horse sport with the opportunity to work with outstanding organisations in the Beijing Olympic Committee and The Hong Kong Jockey Club to deliver a shared vision of providing an unequalled platform for equestrian competition." 
The signing ceremony coincided with the grand opening of the Beijing Hong Kong Jockey Club Clubhouse, marking the Club's first physical presence in Beijing.  "With an increasing number of our members visiting Beijing regularly for business or leisure, we wanted not only to build a clubhouse with world-class service, but also to provide them with a 'home away from home'," Mr Chan said.
The Beijing Clubhouse, located in the Wangfujing area in the heart of the capital, is built in a style that crosses over between the traditional courtyard structures of the Ming and Qing Dynasties and contemporary architecture concepts, making it a masterpiece of modern aesthetics. It is equipped with restaurants, bar and lounge, an advanced gymnasium and an executive business centre, as well as 90 luxurious guest rooms.

 The Veterinary Committee made its report to the Bureau. The main items presented were: 
Treatment AND Anti-doping:
- the urine detection times of 13 out of the 15 substances included in the Medicine Box have been finalised;
- Risk management in connection with new substances coming to the market will continue;
- Education of riders, trainers and veterinarians as well as proactive contacts with the media will be developed;
- an electronic web-portal access for Treating Veterinarians will be developed;
- support Latin America in setting up a reference laboratory;
- The FEI Competitor Guide to Doping and Medication Control in now available in five languages medication leaflet in 5 languages (English, French, Spanish, Russian and Arabic).
HORSE MOVEMENT:facilitate the testing and certification protocol for temporary importation; increasing acceptance of the model health certificate; pro-active approach to National Federations and Organising Committees; develop contingency plans for emerging disease situation. 
STATEMENT ON HYPERFLEXION (ROLLKÃœR): the following statement was adopted:
There are no known clinical side effects specifically arising from the use of hyperflexion, however there are serious concerns for a horse's well-being if the technique is not practiced correctly. The FEI condemns hyperflexion in any equestrian sport as an example of mental abuse. The FEI states that it does not support the practice.
HYPERSENSITISATION: It was decided to carry forward the updated protocol for event checks. The pilot study on competition intensity was also to be pursued.
Endurance:Research on fatigue and metabolic compromise, also in hot and humid conditions, should be continued when budgetary possible. Star system for event veterinarians should be evaluated further.
Vaccination: Further clarification on vaccination rules was tabled.
The following main strategic goals were identified for the coming three years:
Movement of Horses: Acceptance of Testing and Certification protocol
Medication Control: Review programme funding and testing coverage
Research: Monitoring progress of associated projects (competition surfaces project)
Create dedicated web portal to provide support to treating veterinarians

   The latest video message by FEI Secretary General is now available on the FEIwebsite.
In this month’s briefing, Alex McLin dwells, among other subjects, on the meetings of the FEI Technical Committees and the FEI Bureau which are taking place at this moment, the subject of youth and the newly produced competitor’s guide to doping and medication in horses.
The Secretary General’s monthly messages were launched last month primarily for the attention of National Federations but we encourage all our readers who are interested in the latest developments in the FEI activities to watch them.

Qualification for Olympic Groups F and G (Africa-Middle East and South East Asia-Oceania) took the form of assessments conducted by a highly experienced Ground Jury which travelled to three different locations to evaluate the three teams – Japan, Australia, and New Zealand – vying for Olympic qualification. The two teams to secure their Olympic slot in Dressage are Australia (teams score 196.167) and Japan (194.792).This qualification is an historical highlight for Australia as it is the first time in Olympic history that the country qualifies an Olympic Dressage team, apart, of course, from the 2000 Olympic Games, when the Australian team was granted a place as representatives of the host country. Australia thus becomes one of the seven nations to have teams in all three Olympic equestrian disciplines, the others being Brazil, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Sweden and the USA.
The Ground Jury
The Jury was composed of O-Status International Dressage Judges Mariette Withages (BEL), Mary Seefried (AUS), Minako Furuoka (JPN), and Dieter Schüle (GER) and International Judge Jan Bird (NZL). One of these judges –Minako Furuoka – will also be officiating at the Olympic Games.
The Assessment
Originally, the FEI Regional Olympic Dressage Team Qualifier should have taken place in October 2007 in Australia. It would have been the highlight of the Dressage year in the Asia-Pacific region. However, the outbreak of equine influenza in Australia prevented the organisation of such an event. The nations affected – Australia, Japan, and New Zealand – worked with the FEI to find a mutually acceptable solution. It was then decided that instead of having the teams compete head-to-head at a single venue, the Ground Jury would travel to the three places most convenient for the teams. These three venues were Les-Arcs-sur-Argens near Cannes (FRA) for the Japanese team; Sydney (AUS) for the Australians; and Palmerston North (NZL) for the riders from New Zealand.
Les-Arcs-sur-Argens near Cannes (FRA), 31 January 2008
At Les-Arcs-sur-Argens near Cannes, the best three Japanese riders - Hiroshi Hoketsu, Mieko Yagi and Yuko Kitai - scored a total of 194,792%. This was the score to beat for the Australian riders and the New Zealand squad in the next two assessments. Ground Jury President Dieter Schüle commented, “All the riders did a really good job. The winner Hiroshi Hoketsu had good impulsion and his extensions went very well as did the passage.”
Hiroshi Hoketsu is based in Germany and trains with Ton de Ridder from Aachen. The trainer is very proud of his pupil, a former USA-based manager of Johnson & Johnson who will turn 67 next March and may thus be the oldest member of the entire Japanese Olympic delegation. Hiroshi Hoketsu was the first Japanese rider to win a CDI*3 last season showing his 11-year old horse Whisper 115 in Vierzon. Ton de Ridder and Hiroshi Hoketsu arrived early in Cannes to get used to the outdoor arena and the weather conditions.
Says De Ridder, “Hoketsu has been fighting for this dream for the last five years and his perseverance and attitude are admirable. While experiencing successes and disasters, like having his horse Calando not sound at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games, he stuck to his dream. He found a new horse, kept on believing in our training and discipline and now he has succeeded. I am very happy for him! It also proves that new things are possible in Dressage, at any age, even at 67.”
An impressive crowd followed the event as Olympic qualification is an important occasion indeed.
Sydney (AUS), 4 February 2008
The Olympic Assessment travelled on to Sydney where Brett Parbery, Heath Ryan and Rozzie Ryan scored a total of 196.167 and became the first nation of Regional Groups F/G to secure Olympic qualification.
The Olympic venue in Horsley Park near Sydney was flooded and so the Olympic Assessment had to be moved. This did not influence the results and team spirit of the Australian squad who took over the lead from the Japanese riders. Mariette Withages commented, “Amazingly winner Brett Parbery scored the same points as the Japanese rider Hoketsu last week in France: 66,917%. As the total of the Australian team was a bit higher, this team was the first to qualify for the Olympic Games.”
New South Wales professional and former Australian buck jump champion Brett Parbery rode Carolyn Lieutenant’s imposing 18-hand French Anglo Arab/Percheron cross gelding Victory Salute to a clear 2% win (final result 66.917%). Flamboyant Heath Ryan became runner up on Greenoaks Dundee (64.708%). In third place was Rozzie Ryan riding the elegant Donnerhall mare Donna Carrera (64.542%). Ryan and Rozzie are husband and wife and the 2008 Olympics are definitely a family affair. Rozzie has been dreaming for an Olympic spot since 2000 and has managed to keep the dream alive for eight years.
“After the uncertainties that equine influenza brought to our industry, it is a great relief to see the path to Hong Kong falling into place,” a satisfied Heath Ryan commented.
Palmerston North (NZL), 7 February 2008
Three days later, the New Zealand team consisting of Jody Hartfield, Kallista Field and Bill Noble scored a total of 177,875%, which allowed Japan to secure the second Olympic place.
The New Zealand the winner was Jody Hartstone riding Landioso (60,292%). Mariette Withages explained, “A Japanese delegation followed us from France to Australia to New Zealand to see all rides and scores with their own eyes. Just like in France, all the riders in Australia and New Zealand were very nervous and aware of the responsibility. However, watching the riders from New Zealand, we found good basics wanting. Much improvement is needed in these basics.”
Results
Australia                                                                                                      196.167%                   QUALIFIED
1. Victory Salute – Brett PARBERY                                                                66.917%
2. Greenoaks Dundee – Heath RYAN                                                          64,708%
3. Donna Carrera – RozzieRyan                                                                 64,542%
4. Lanzaro – MareeTomkinson                                                                   63.708 *
Japan                                                                                                            194.792%                   QUALIFIED
1. Whisper 115 - Hiroshi HOKETSU                                                            66,917%
2. Dow Jones 13 – Mieko YAGI                                                                    64,167%
3. Rambo 394 – YukoKitai                                                                           63,708%
4. Why Me - Hiroyuki KITAHARA                                                                     61,87 *
New Zealand                                                                                                178.300%                   NOT QUALIFIED
1. Landioso – Jody HARTSTONE                                                                60,292%
2. Soda – Kallista FIELD                                                                                59,708%
3. Vincent St James – William NOBLE                                                        57,875%
4. Jaybee Anzac – Nicole MAGOFFIN                                                            57.583 *
* drop scores
Note:All participants at the three different Regional Assessments will be able to count their individual  scores towards the MES (if 64 % or over) for the Olympic Games. Due to the Equine Influenza outbreak in Australia, the scores given in Australia and New Zealand are also counted as scores for the World Dressage Ranking List, as given the veterinary circumstances, no international dressage events have been held in this region.
Dressage Teams at the 2008 Olympic Games
The following teams have qualified for the Dressage events at the 2008 Olympic Games: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the USA. All teams will consist of three riders and three horses each.
Further to the decision of the Swiss Dressage team not to compete at the 2008 Olympic Games announced earlier this year, their qualification place will be reallocated to the FEI Olympic Riders Rankings – Dressage of 1 May 2008. This means that three individual spaces – the number of riders on an Olympic Dressage team – will be selected from the FEI Olympic Riders Rankings – Dressage.If three of these qualifying spaces/riders are from the same nation, it will be considered as a NOC/NF team.

"Great facilities, research and resources assures us that the horses competing at the equestrian Olympic Games in Hong Kong will be more than well cared for !" said IOC Medical Director Dr Patrick Schamasch at the end of today's historic Workshop on Heat & Humidity in Lausanne, Switzerland attended by 160 delegates from 25 National Federations. And the message going out from the floor of the meeting was one of unanimous agreement that everything possible is being done to protect the equine members of the equestrian partnerships. 
Martin Atock, from the official horse transportation agents Peden Bloodstock, believes that horses should arrive in Hong Kong in great shape.  "When we flew horses to Sydney we had two technical stops but they flew well.  They were relaxed before travelling having spent 14 days in quarantine and there is no reason why they won't travel to Hong Kong just as easily.  If you stick to the rules and take the advice you are being given they should arrive safely and comfortably" he pointed out. 
The series of presentations, detailed in the Oympic News Section of the website (http://www.fei.org/Events/Olympic_Games/Pages/summ.aspx), allayed fears about the challenge presented by Hong Kong's sub-tropical climate. Dr Andrew Higgins, Chairman of the FEI's Welfare Sub-Committee, said "information is available and documented and if there is anything you don't understand or can't find then you only have to ask and the FEI will be more than happy to answer your questions. Follow regulations, and when in Hong Kong follow the bio-security measures - we are importing healthy horses so let's keep them healthy!" he added. 
Prof. Leo Jeffcott, Veterinary Delegate to the 2008 Games, warned - "we don't want to make you complacent. This is a great venue but we also need a great effort to ensure success and that includes RESPONSIBLE RIDING in these conditions. Horses must not be over-stretched and should be really fit - if we don't have responsible riding then everything we have put in place will come to nothing....." 
Veterinary expert Dr Catherine Kohn said that today's speakers were "advocates for the welfare of your horses. Please make use of all the resources being made available to you. Our goal is safe and excellent competition". 
Dr David Marlin pointed out that the state-of-the-art air-conditioning and cooling facilities "should be a major contribution to the welfare and safety of your horses" while Dr Chris Riggs, Head of Veterinary Clinical Services at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, emphasised that "between now and the Games, phone us, contact us by email, keep in touch with us - there is only so much we can guess about what you need in terms of supplies and facilities - let us know what you particular requirements are and we will do our best to help. There is no point in turning up to find that there are things you need which we don't have - we can't give you everything but we don't want to disappoint you". 
Dr Keith Watkins from the Hong Kong Jockey Club and Equestrian Company once again emphasised the need for vigilance in order to safeguard horse health and FEI Veterinary Director Frits Sluyter recommended that all horses should be vaccinated against Japanese Encephalitis, a disease endemic in the region. 
John McEwen, Chairman of the FEI Veterinary Commission, said "the FEI is listening and we want to get it right. Between now and the Olympic Games we want to hear from you if you feel we are missing something. The climate will be challenging but we have the data and the expertise and there is no need for the health and safety of any horse to be compromised. All the work produced for this Workshop has been done in the name of Best Practice and today's event was staged to increase debate and the flow of information. Now we want you to go away and spread the news". 
"We are very happy to have provided so much good research for the Workshop" said the FEI's Deputy Secretary General Alex McLin, "now it is up to the Federations to look at it carefully and to act on it" and the FEI President HRH Princess Haya concluded that the honours this summer will go "to the horse and rider partnerships who have done their homework best".
"We are unique in our sport because horses and riders are equal partners but the horses cannot speak for themselves and therefore we must protect them in every way we can" she pointed out. "Today's Workshop has been very important because it is about communicating what we have learned over a number of years - information that can help all of those coming to Hong Kong this summer to be fully informed so that they can be prepared and give their very best".

Why Hong Kong?Why are the equestrian events of the Olympic Games being held in Hong Kong rather than Beijing?
In order for a horse participating in an international sporting event to be imported in a country, bilateral agreements – or protocols for temporary importation - must exist between the host country and the horse’s home country. This is needed to ensure that the equine health status of both countries is preserved or, in other words, that no infectious of contagious disease will be spread as a result of the trip.
So far, the equine health status of mainland China remains unknown; it is not clear what risks may be threatening international horses’ health. As a result, a horse that is imported in China will not be allowed back into its home country.
When the Games were allocated to Beijing back in 2001, it became evident that the temporary importation of 200 competition horses into an area with an unknown health status would be a serious challenge.
The FEI went to great lengths in trying to set up a Disease Free Zone (see below) in the vicinity of Beijing. However, due to a variety of factors and for reasons unrelated to the FEI, it became clear that this was an unfeasible objective.
It was then decided to move the equestrian events of the Olympic Games to the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong, where protocols for temporary importation had been in existence for many years.
What is a Disease Free Zone?
A disease-free zone is a specific area which has been internationally recognised as being free of contagious diseases. For a zone to be pronounced disease-free, it has to correspond to some strict criteria. The number of equids in the area has to be studied; strict animal movement control must be set; and scientific (serological) surveys must be carried out to establish the exact disease situation. Furthermore, all the exporting countries need to agree that the survey and report are scientifically sound. It has therefore to be corroborated by an independent organisation, such as the World Organisation for Animal Health (Office International des Epizooties OIE).
Who Decided?
The decision to move the equestrian events from Beijing to Hong Kong was made between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Beijing Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG). Hong Kong was chosen in relation to its existing importation protocols and long-established equine health status. Another factor included Hong Kong’s expertise in dealing with sports horsesavailable from within the Hong Kong Jockey Club, one of the oldest institutions in Hong Kong, founded in 1884 to promote horse racing.
And while being removed from the rest of the Olympic events has its drawbacks, it is widely viewed that the advantages in this case outweigh the disadvantages.
Hong Kong has been extremely supportive and the cooperation with the Hong Kong organisers has been tremendous.
Transportation
Who is Responsible? Who Meets the Costs?
It is the responsibility of the Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games to select an official shipping agent, cover the costs and ensure that suitable conditions and travel arrangements are available both in terms of welfare of the horse and certifying documentation.
The FEI endorses the role of facilitator and ensures that optimal travel conditions are met, providing guidelines for welfare with regards to flight recovery, dehydration, feed, acclimatisation, etc.
Peden Bloodstock has been named the official shipping agent of the 2008 Olympic Games. The organisation will be engaged in the management, coordination and provision of all equine transport services and ground logistics. Peden Bloodstock has a solid track record in large and complex movements of horses, having handled every FEI World Equestrian Games since their inception in 1990 and the past six Olympic Games. 
No less than 225 horses will be travelling to the Olympic Games in Hong Kong, with a large percentage of these leaving from Europe.
How Are Horses Flown Around the World?
All the horses attending the Olympic and Paralympic Games will depart form five hubs around the world, chosen and approved by the Organiser. These are: Amsterdam, London Stansted, New York, Los Angeles and Sydney.
Horses will travel in 'Jet Stalls" with two horses per stall. Flight times vary between 12 and 15 hours with some aircrafts stopping at Dubai en route. The temperature in the aircraft will be 17 C approximately.
A Peden-appointed professional groom will accompany horse attendants on the flight, and attendants will travel through security with their charges in the 'Jet Stalls'. It is expected that horses will be in their stables within 1 hour 50 minutes of arrival in Hong Kong.
Furthermore, agreements have been made with the air companies transporting the horses to ensure that upon arrival in Hong Kong, the planes will dock in the cargo area from where the human passengers will catch a bus to the main terminal. A very valuable initiative which has been well received as it will ensure that the horses do not spend any unnecessary time in the jet stalls in transit waiting to be transported to the cargo area in hot and humid conditions.
Throughout the trip, horses need to be trained to drink as they often suffer from dehydration during long distance flights and their feed is adapted to counteract the effects of dehydration. The FEI advises for one week flight recovery time and additional time for acclimatisation.
Quarantine
What Is Quarantine?
Quarantine is compulsory isolation set up to prevent the spread or introduction of a contagious disease. The word comes from the old Italian word “quarantena”, meaning forty day period.
The aim of all quarantine measures is to ensure that all horses are healthy both when they arrive and depart, and that the good equine health status of Hong Kong is preserved.
The health of the local horses and repatriation of the visiting equines are central to the safeguards being put in place.
Is Quarantine Required Before Travelling to Hong Kong?
Horses must be resident in an AFCD (Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of Hong Kong) approved country for 60 days and must be under veterinary supervision during the 30 days preceding export.
Horses must be held at AFCD approved premises and be certified free from clinical signs of infectious or contagious diseases and external parasites and must be fit to travel. They must be certified for vaccination against Equine Influenza, tested for Equine Infectious Anaemia and other diseases if necessary, their movements must be certified for the previous 60 days.
Horses from about 40 nations will thus observe a seven day pre-export quarantine phase in Aachen, Germany, where the horses will be quartered in the stables of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein e.V. (ALRV), which have been approved by the Hong Kong veterinary authorities. No other horses will be allowed within a radius of 100 meters of the quarantine area. They will then be flown out from Amsterdam, which is one of the five approved hubs.
Aachen had already been quarantine site in the run-up of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.
What is Post Arrival Isolation?
All horses will spend ten days in Post-Arrival Isolation (PAI) The ten days begin after the arrival of the last horse into the compound; training and competition are possible during PAI under conditions of strict separation between the international sports horses and the resident racing horse population.
Weather Conditions
Hong Kong vs. Beijing, What Is the Difference?
Overall, there are minor differences between the weather conditions in Hong Kong and Beijing, although Hong Kong does present higher humidity levels. But, on the other hand, Beijing has higher pollution levels, so the quality of the air would have posed different problems.
Anti-Doping CONTROL
How will anti-doping control be conducted in Hong Kong
One of the major priorities of the FEI is to ensure doping-free horsesport and protect the health and welfare of its animal and human athletes. Strict anti-doping tests will be conducted during the 13 competition days of the 2008 Olympic Games.
Two FEI Medication Control testing veterinarians will be officiating. Some 50 to 60 tests will be carried out, including all the first three horses in each trial as well as some others selected by the ground jury and the testing veterinarians. Criteria for selection such as geographic representation, placing, whether or not the horse has been in the holding box during the horse inspection and its fitness are taken into consideration.
As soon as the horses selected for testing leave the competition arena, they are taken to the sampling stables. Urine and blood samples are collected from every horse under supervision from the testing officials. The collected samples are split into A and B portions; the rider or groom signs a form to certify that they witnessed the testing procedure.
The A portion of the blood and urine samples is packed in one security bag; the B portion is packed in two security bags: one containing the urine and the other the blood sample. The reason for this is the fact that the B portion needs to be stored in case a confirmatory analysis is required. Urine is frozen while blood, which should not be frozen, is only cooled.
Thus prepared, the packages are forwarded to the Laboratory of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, which is one of the best laboratories in the world. The turnover time for test results will significantly decrease as the samples will have very little distance to travel.
Once the samples reach the laboratory, portion B is stored in the manner described above and portion A is used for testing. It is analysed for every possible prohibited substance. This process takes anywhere between seven and 14 days. If a prohibited substance is detected, the case is reported to the FEI Veterinary Department which, in cooperation with the FEI Legal Department, examine the specifics to decide on further action. The IOC is also informed of such cases.
CONCLUSIONS
Horsesport is facing a challenging situation at the 2008 Olympic Games. Therefore, every reasonable measure has been taken to ensure safe and exciting sport which is in no way detrimental to the welfare of the horses. Thanks to the remarkable level of cooperation reached between the Hong Kong Equestrian Company, organiser of the event, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the venue provider, the IOC and the FEI, facilities of exceptional quality and logistical arrangements acceptable to all have been put into place. With the careful preparation of the National Federations sending their teams to Hong Kong, everyone can look forward to unforgettable 2008 Olympic Games.

The FEI Task Force Chairmen met for four days, from 21 to 24 February, to agree on the final recommendations for the new FEI Endurance Rules for 2009 and onwards.Far reaching changes are recommended by the Task Force that has consulted widely with all those involved in the discipline over the last year following their creation immediately after the FEI World Endurance Forum held in Paris, February 2007.
FEI Technical Committee members will now have an opportunity to review the Task Force proposals ahead of their annual meeting scheduled for early April in Switzerland. At this meeting the Committee will add their own comments and input to the proposed new format. The detailed proposals from the Task Force, together with the full input of the Technical Committee, will then be circulated to all FEI Federations. Full details will also be published on the FEI Web site at that time.
Feedback from National Federations will then be requested and such feedback, where appropriate, will be incorporated into the final proposed FEI Endurance Rules for 2009. This final proposal will then be circulated to all FEI NFs for last review.
Formal approval of the new rules will be carried out at the FEI General Assembly in Argentina in November and, if so approved, will come into force in January 2009.
The Task Force meeting, to which all Divisional Chairs from around the world attended, was kindly hosted and supported by the Dubai Equestrian Club. Additionally the ongoing work of the Task force over the last twelve months has been supported by The Royal Jordanian Equestrian Federation.
One of the Task Force Chairmen commented ‘This truly is the very best and most full playing field attempt to update our rules since this all started……….. I am left feeling very proud of work like this’.
The FEI would like to express it's gratitude to all of those who have contributed to the process so far and have given so much of their time and effort to this review. The review is an opportunity for those directly involved with the discipline to create a sound foundation upon which FEI Endurance can continue to grow in the years to come.

Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee, announced via live web-cast Singapore as the host city of the first edition of the Youth Olympic Games to take place in 2010.Nine cities – Athens (Greece), Bangkok (Thailand), Debrecen (Hungary), Guatemala City (Guatemala), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Moscow (Russian Federation), Poznan (Poland), Singapore (Singapore) and Turin (Italy) – had applied to host the event. Moscow and Singapore were selected as the finalists by IOC’s panel of experts. The final choice was made by the IOC members who cast their vote via post over the last few weeks. Fifty-three of the 105 IOC members entitled to vote chose Singapore and 44 Moscow; IOC members from Russia and Singapore did not vote.
The Youth Olympic Games aim to bring together talented athletes – age group 14 to 18 - from around the world to participate in high-level competitions, and will also run, alongside the sports element of the event, educational programmes on the Olympic values, the benefits of sport for a healthy lifestyle, the social values sport can deliver, and the dangers of doping and of training to excess and/or of inactivity.
The first Summer Youth Olympic Games in Singapore will open on 14 August 2010 and will bring together approximately 3,200 athletes and 800 officials. The sports programme will encompass all the sports on the programme of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, but with a limited number of disciplines and events.
Where equestrian is concerned, competitions will take part in horsesport’s biggest Olympic discipline, Jumping, on borrowed horses. The FEI is currently working on the qualification criteria with the IOC. These will be made available as soon as they have been established.

The brumby in all its shapes, sizes and forms, is another of Australia’s eccentric inhabitants, with friends like the long Footed Potoroo, the Spotted Tree Frog and the Mountain Pygmy Possum, you’re bound to be a bit special. Admittedly, the Brumby did arrive a little later, and does have many close relatives around the world although made quite a splash in Australia, as Brumbies are now considered to be the largest population of wild horses in the world. Let’s face it, it’s not hard to be over the top in the Australian outback, the iconic bush, where blueys, billies and billabongs are the norm… 
And by the sounds of it, or by the looks of Banjo Patterson’s poetry, if you’re not a swagman, the man from Snowy River or Clancy of the Overflow, you may feel right out of place. It’s a far cry from Bondi Beach, Kakadu National Parks or the Sydney Opera House, it’s the untamable high country where another set of Australian myths and traditions of Australian identity were born. 
Back to the Brumby - horses first arrived on the red continent with the first settlers but became Brumbys (or known as) at some point in the early 1800s. Why these wild horses would soon be known as Brumbies is debatable, although two explanations stand out: 
The name "brumby" may have originated from the Aboriginal word "baroomby" meaning wild. 
Or, the name "brumby" may have originated from references to horses which were released into the wild in the early 1800's by a certain James Brumby. Having arrived some time around 1791 he sailed to Tasmania in 1804 as part of a new settlement. He left horses behind which ran wild and were unable to be mustered, and who, legend has it, were known as Brumby's horses, or more simply as Brumby's when referring to his free-running horses, and later as brumbies. 
However it was, it came into existence, the name "brumby" became part of the Australian language, and as it has stood the test of tradition, is now the official name of Australia's wild horse. Indeed, the domestic stock horses turned wild soon enough become an integral/essential part of the mystical landscape where "Banjo" found his inspiration. 
Brumbies can generally be found in the bush and semi-desert and remote regions of Australia living in family mobs, as mobs of colts, as mobs of stallions, and as lone bachelor stallions. A family mob is generally made up of a dominant stallion, a lead mare, and other mares with their foals and yearling foals. A lead mare is a very dominant mare which will lead the mob. She will lead the mob to where feed is, or to water, and take the lead when there is a need to go somewhere at a canter. As a general rule, a mob may vary in size from two to say twelve. A common size is probably around five to seven. A strong stallion may have a large mob, while a weak one may have only one mare with her foal. 
Given Australia’s dry climate, the law of survival of the fittest has definitely had an impact on the type of horse the brumby is – a tough and hardy horse, curious but cautious and very varied, whether it be in terms of size, colouring, shape... Sizes can vary from small, about 12 hands, to quite large, say 16 1/2 hands. Brumbies are generally smaller than domestic horses though. There are even reports of shetland pony brumbies in Australia. There are also some typical features, such as the U-neck (where the top of the neck is concave downwards), and the big head.
And if you can’t contain yourself any longer and need to Waltz Matilda, the lure and lore of the Bush have gotten to the better of you …
[Stage directions: Readers stand up and sing] 
Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong,
Under the shade of a coolibah tree,
And he sang as he watched and waited 'til his billy boiled
"Who'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me?" 
And if the picture fits, Banjo need have sung long for a curious Brumby or a mob of them to come a-Waltzing Matilda with him…

List of Officials (Finalised October 2007) – Total 44 as per IOC decision

Technical Delegate Jumping: Mr Olaf Petersen (GER)
Technical Delegate Eventing: Mr Giuseppe Della Chiesa (ITA)
Foreign Veterinary Delegate Prof Leo Broof Jeffcott (GBR)

EVENTING
Ground Jury President Martin Plewa GER
Member: Marilyn Payne USA
Member: Christian Landolt SUI
Assistant TD Mr Andrew Griffiths GBR
Course Designer Michael Etherington-Smith (GBR)

DRESSAGE
Ground Jury President Mr Gotthilf RIEXINGER (GER)
Member 2: Mr Gary ROCKWELL (USA)
Member 3 : Mr Ghislain FOUARGE (NED)
Member 4: Dr Jean Michel ROUDIER (FRA)
Member 5: Mr Leif TORNBLAD (DEN)
Member 6: Ms Minako FURUOKA (JPN)
Member 7: Dr Barnabas Mandi (HUN)
FEI Delegate Member 8: Mrs Mariette Withages BEL

JUMPING
Ground Jury President Dr Hanno Dohn GER
Member 2: Mr David Distler (USA)
Member 3 : Mr Jean-Loup Caplain (FRA)
Member 4: Mr Chang-Kyoo YANG (KOR)
Course Designers Mr Steve Stephens (USA) & Mr Leopoldo Palacios (VEN)
Footing Expert Mr Oliver Hoberg (GER)

VETERINARY COMMISSION
President Vet Commission Dr Nigel Bruce Nichols (AUS)
Associate member Dr Keith Watkins (HKG)
Associate member Dr Paul Farrington GBR
FEI MCP Vet Dr Warwick Vale AUS
FEI MCP Vet Dr Miklos Jarmy HUN

APPEAL COMMITTEE
President & Jumping Member Mr Leonidas Georgopoulos GRE
Dressage Member Dr Vincenzo Truppa ITA
Eventing Member Mrs Anne Mette Binder DEN

FEI TRIBUNAL
Tribunal President TBC
Tribunal Member TBC
Tribunal Member TBC

STEWARDS
Overall Chief Steward Mr NY HO (SIN)
Jumping Chief Steward Mr Luis Rocco BRA
Dressage Chief Steward Mr Jacques van Daele BEL
Eventing Chief Steward Mr Jürgen PETERSHAGEN GER

FEI ITO Volunteers/Extra Officials
Eventing XC Controller Mr Geoff SINCLAIR (AUS)
Eventing Chief Time keeper Mr Martin Mollgard SWE
Eventing Sector Steward Mr Neil Clinton AUS
Eventing Sector Steward Mrs Gretchen Butts USA
Eventing Sector Steward Mr Jean Marc Varillon FRA
Eventing Sector Steward Christina Klingspor SWE
Jumping Steward John Chambers IRL
Jumping Steward Frank Spadinger AUT
Jumping Steward Stephan Hellwig GER
Jumping Steward Frances Hesketh-Jones ITA
Jumping Steward Gerard Longis FRA
Jumping Ring Master TBC
Press Steward Mr Justin Llewellyn GBR

You may also find the finalised list of officials on the FEI website at: http://www.horsesport.org/olympic/reference_doc/reference_doc.htm?sub=ol...

A report on the Olympic Test Event held in Hong Kong in August was presented at the FEI Bureau meeting in Dubai.

The goal of this essential event had been to review the venue, layout and procedures for the three Olympic disciplines.

Main issues requiring further work were lighting in the main arena; press officer and media operations; veterinary issues and confirmation of a weather protocol designed with Hong Kong Observatory; communication between FEI and the NFs.

Specific issues of NOCs / NFs are being addressed by the FEI.

Legacy Equestrian Sports Mainland China
The agreement signed by FEI with BOCOG and countersigned by the IOC at the time of the decision for the transfer of the Equestrian sports from Beijing to Hong Kong requires that a post-Games Legacy for Equestrian Sports be upheld in Mainland China.

BOCOG is committed to establish an equestrian training and competition centre suitable for international competitions within a disease free zone and finalizing the decision on its location by end 2007.

The city of Nanjing has shown a keen interest and is currently being reviewed by BOCOG. The FEI has contacted OIE with a proposal to re-initiate the OIE Mission that has visited Beijing and Hong Kong in the past, to review the possibilities of establishing a disease-free zone in one of these areas. This would require effective movement control, a serological survey to identify any movement-affecting equine diseases in the area, continuing surveillance of equine diseases and an airport that falls within the controllable area. The previous OIE Missions had structural FEI participation; it has been made clear to the OIE that such a Mission should visit China prior to August 2008.

ON TO HONG KONG WORKSHOP
Since the FEI will not hold a General Assembly early in 2008, a convenient venue which will regroup most of the NFs participating in the Olympic Games is to be selected. The objective is to allow BOCOG/HGEC to present their progress report and final arrangements in regard to key issues such as transportation. It is suggested that the ‘On to Hong Kong’ workshop be organised in Lausanne on 17 February 2008 in conjunction with the meetings held by the Welfare Sub-Committee at the same time.

GREETINGS FROM GOTEBORG! IT'S TIME TO GET ACCREDITED......

With the 2007/2008 Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping leagues now well underway it is time to plan your trip to the Final in Gothenburg, Sweden next April.

The Western European League is already one-quarter completed, with four thrilling rounds setting the tone and promising another fantastic finale.

Gothenburg is sending out a very special "Welcome Back" to the media and to all show jumping supporters, as this was the city where the very first World Cup Final was staged back in 1979. The atmosphere of the world-famous Scandinavium Arena is quite unique, and from 24 to 27 April 2008 Swedish fans and visitors from all around the world will be gathering for the great event.

All media wishing to cover the show must be approved through the accreditation process and an application form is available by clicking on this link
Online accreditation form

Freelance journalists and photographers need a confirmation letter from the editor of the publication that has commissioned their work, and this should be sent to Goteborg Horse Show, Mayvor Thorin, Got Event AB, 401 25 Goteborg or by fax to Attention Mayvor Thorin - Tel +46 31 368 43 90.

The deadline for applications and letters of confirmation is February 15, 2008 and please note that accreditation enquiries after this date cannot be accepted.

Accommodation is available at either the Gothia Towers, which has direct access to the showground, or the Elit Park Avenue hotel which is just a 10-minute walk away and rooms will be booked on a "first come, first served" basis. Reservations can be made by contacting Mayvor Thorin but please note that, if you do not show up, you will still be charged for your room. Final date for hotel reservation is March 1st, and for information on other hotels in Gothenburg visit http://www.goteborg.com/default.aspx?id=528

The Press Room, which is equipped with Wireless LAN and high-speed broadband for photographers, will be open from 12.00 on Monday 21st April.

Press Officers Mayvor Thorin and Lotta Amnestal are happy to answer any questions you may have and Gothenburg is looking forward to greeting you. For all administrative enquiries email Mayvor at mayvor.thorin@gotevent.se and for all competition enquiries contact Lotta by telephone at +46 (0) 709 795635 or by email at lotta.amnestal@ridsport.se.

For further information check out the website www.goteborghorseshow.com.

MEREDITH SHINES AS THE LADIES STEAL THE SPOTLIGHT IN STUTTGART......

Reigning European Champion Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum secured a home victory in the fourth leg of the Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping series presented by Mercedes-Benz, Allianz and BW Bank in Stuttgart, Germany today with a thrilling jump-off performance from Shutterfly.

And the ladies were in flying form as Ireland's Jessica Kuerten finished second ahead of Eugenie Angot from France in third, while with Belgium's Judy-Ann Melchior in fifth and Portugal's Luciana Diniz in seventh the girls took five of the top ten finishing spots.

There were 14 through to the second-round jump-off over Uliano Vezzani's track and it was Irishman, Denis Lynch, who led the way with his new ride Lantinus which was formerly ridden by Gregory Wathelet for The Ukraine. Lynch, whose sponsor Thomas Straumann also bought the Daniel Deusser ride Upsilon d'Ocquier from Jan Tops earlier in the season, had two fences down in his path-finding round with the nine year old Lantinus, and Germany's Thomas Muhlbauer and Asti Spumante did likewise before Brazil's Alvaro Mirando and AD Picolien Zeidenrust set the first real target when returning with just four faults in 36.19 seconds.

Norway's Tony Andre Hansen was more than a second slower when leaving two on the floor with Camiro, but Heinrich-Hermann Engemann made only a single error with the 13 year old Aboyeur who broke the beam in 35.59.

It was fellow German, Ludger Beerbaum. who produced the first clear with the eight year old All Inclusive NRW who broke the beam in 37.46 seconds and then, as so often happens, the fault-free rounds just kept on coming. Belgium's Judy-Ann Melchior left the course intact with some nice jumping from the 10 year old Levisto who broke the beam in 38.15 seconds before the competition suddenly went into over-drive with a spectacular run from Jessica Kuerten and Castle Forbes Libertina.

The Irish partnership are particularly brilliant against the clock and when they crossed the line in 33.74 seconds they were almost four seconds ahead of previous leader Ludger Beerbaum and were now very definitely the ones to beat.

Luciana Diniz was competitive without being crazy when steering the 15 year old Son of Marco home and clear in 36.43, while Frenchman Michel Hecart was faster with Itot du Chateau but his time of 36.09 seconds was still more than two seconds off Kuerten's pace.

With just four left to go, Germany's Daniel Deusser and Air Jordan Z stopped the clock in 36.34 seconds to present no danger but, third-last into the ring, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum was on fire when setting off with Shutterfly.

"Jessica had been really fast in the jump-off and I knew it would be difficult to beat her time but I just tried to shorten the turns all the way around and maybe I was a little smoother" said the American-born German rider who will celebrate her 38th birthday next month. And that she did, racing home to stop the clock in 33.34 seconds and relegating Kuerten to runner-up spot.

Eugenie Angot had to follow that and was left with a bit of a dilemma. "The jump-off was really fast and with 14 through it would be easy to jump two rounds and still to go home with nothing" she pointed out afterwards. "I saw Meredith's round on the screen and my feeling was that I had no chance to catch her and I knew Jessica's time was good too so I decided to try to slot in behind them" she explained. She could not be sure of third place however until Steve Guerdat and Tresor took their turn. And the Swiss rider had a real shot at it when breaking the beam in 33.80 but leaving one on the floor which left him having to settle for eighth place.

For Meredith this was the perfect result following her disappointing elimination with Checkmate at the previous leg in Verona last weekend. "Yes this felt good - I needed some points and I now I feel I am on my way" she pointed out after taking ownership of the winner's prize of a brand new "M" class Mercedes-Benz.

Her success today leaves her sharing seventh position with Steve Guerdat on the leaderboard which continues to be headed by Spain's Rutherford Latham with Sweden's Helena Lundback and Rolf-Goran Bengtsson in second and third.

And with the European Champion now firmly focused on earning her place at the Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping Final in Gothenburg next April the series moves up a gear ahead of the next round in Geneva, Switzerland in three weeks time....

RESULT: 1, Shutterfly (Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum) Ger 0/0 33.34; 2, Castle Forbes Libertina (Jessica Kuerten) Irl 0/0 33.74; 3, Ilostra Dark (Eugenie Angot) 0/0 35.67; 4, Itot du Chateau (Michel Hecart) Fra 0/0 36.09; 5, Son of Marco (Luciana Diniz) Por 0/0 36.53; 6, All Inclusive KRW (Ludger Beerbaum) Ger 0/0 37.46; 7, Levisto Z (Judy-Ann Melchior) Bel 0/0 38.15; 8, Tresor V (Steve Guerdat) Sui 0/4 33.80; 9, Aboyeur W (Heinrich-Hermann Engemann) Ger 0/4 35.59; 10, AD Picolien Zeidenrust (Alvaro Miranda) Bra 0/4 36.19; 11, Air Jordan Z (Daniel Deusser) Ger 0/4 36.34; 12, Lantinus (Denis Lynch) 0/8 36.60; 13, Asti Apumante (Thomas Muhlbauer) Ger 0/8 36.87; 14, Camiro (Tony Andre Hansen) Nor 0/8 37.71; 15, Oki Doki (Albert Zoer) Ned 4/69.15; 16, Nairobi (Leon Thijssen) ned 4/69.26; 17, Madick (Helena Lundback) Swe 4/70.12; 18, Peppermill (John Whitaker) GBR 4/70.21; 19, Isovlas Socrates (Edwina Alexander) Aus 4/70.37; 20, Al Kaheel Spender S (Jos Lansink) Bel 4/71.59; 21, Da Zara Porto Rico (Piergiorgio Bucci) ita 4/71.72; 22, Ideo du Thot (Beat Mandli) Sui 4/71.78; 23, Gestion Priamus Z (Vincent Voorn) Ned 4/71.94; 24, Coster (Christian Ahlmann) Ger 4/72.56; 25, Isaac (Royne Zetterman) Swe 4/72.77; 26, Leonardo B (Thomas Voss) Ger 4/72.85; 27, Quintero la Silla (Rolf-Goran Bengtsson) Swe 4/73.39; 28, Butterfly Flip (Malin Baryard-Johnsson) Swe 8/73.39; 29, Grim St Clair (Thomas Velin) Den 8/69.39; 30, Clausen (Holger Wulschner) Ger 8/70.16; 31, Kanthaka de Petra (Julien Epaillard) Fra 8/70.40; 32, Cornet Obolensky (Marco Kutscher) Ger 8/70.45; 33, Lord Luis (Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst) Ger 8/70.89; 34, Callie Cool (Carsten-Otto Nagel) Ger 8/70.98; 35, Conally (Markus Renzel) Ger 8/71.30; 36, Noltes Kuchengirl (Marcus Ehning) Ger 8/71.97; 37, Calandro (Sebastian Numminen) Fin 8/75.43; 38, Pherna (Julia Kayser) Aut 16/88.19; Equal 39, Obelix (Taizo Sugitani) Jpn, Chika's Way (Janne-Friederike Meyer) Ger Retired.

ROLEX FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ JUMPING 2007/2008 - WESTERN EUROPEAN LEADERBOARD AFTER ROUND 4 IN STUTTGART:

1. Rutherford Latham - 48
2. Helena Lundback - 33
3. Rolf-Goran Bengtsson - 32
4. Heinrich-Hermann Engemann - 23
5. Albert Zoer - 22
6. Piet Raymakers Snr. - 21
7. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, Steve Guerdat - 20
9. William Whitaker - 19
10. Juan Carlos Garcia - 18
11. Daniel Deusser - 18
12. Marco Kutscher, Jessica Kuerten - 17
14. Marcus Fuchs - 16
15. Eugenie Angot - 15
16. Piet Raymakers Jnr. - 15

PHOTO CATALOGUE - Photographs of the winning riders in high and low resolution can be downloaded from the FEI online catalogue. To access it, please visit www.horsesport.org>Media Centre>Catalogue. There is no reproduction fee, but please credit photographer (photographer's name will appear under each photo)/FEI. Usage is strictly for editorial purposes.

For further information on the Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping qualifer in Stuttgart, Germany check out website www.stuttgart-german-masters.de. Show Presidents |Andreas Kroll and Martin Rau, Show Director Gotthilf Riexinger, Show Secretary Susanne Assendorf and Press Officer Hartmut - contact Tel (mobile) +49 172972 or Email hartmut.binder@mps-agentur.de. The next leg of the series takes place in Geneva, Switzerland 6-9 December 2007. Show Director is Sophie Mottu, Sport Director is Alban Poudret, Show Secretary is Chantal Rothen and Press Officer is Corinne Druey - contact Tel +41 213128222, (mobile) +41 702267859 or Email druey@syntagme-lausanne.ch.

MEDIA GUIDE - The FEI is pleased to provide you with a Media Guide for the 2007/2008 season. The Guide is filled with useful facts, figures and statistics including the list of winners since the series began in 1978 and contact details to help you access all the information you need. You can download it from the Media Centre on FEI website www.horsesport.org or order a hard copy from FEI Communications - Email o.robinson@horsesport.org.

2007/2008 ROLEX FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ JUMPING SERIES - CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR WESTERN EUROPEAN LEAGUE:
1, Oslo (Norway) 12-14 October; 2, Helsinki (Finland) 18-21 October; 3, Verona (Italy) 8-11 November; 4, Stuttgart (Germany) 14-18 November; 5, Geneva (Switzerland) 6-9 December; 6, London-Olympia (Great Britain) 17-22 December; 7, Mechelen (Belgium) 26-30 December; 8, Leipzig (Germany) 17-20 January; 9, Amsterdam (The Netherlands) 24-27 January; 10, Bordeaux (France) 1-3 February; 11, Vigo (Spain) 8-11 February; 12, 's-Hertogenbosch (The Netherlands) 27-30 March; FINAL - Gothenburg (Sweden) 24-27 April.

YOU CAN SEE IT ON TV
2007/2008 ROLEX FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ JUMPING BROADCAST SCHEDULE FOR ROUND 4 IN STUTTGART:

Live/Delayed Live
ZDF (Germany) - Sunday 18 November 16.00
RAI (Italy) - Check local service
SVT (Sweden) - Tuesday 20 November 15.05
NOS (The Netherlands) - Check local service

Highlights
CBC Country (Canada) - Saturday 24 November 14.00, 20.00, 23.00
CNBC Asia - Saturday 1 December 13.00
CNBC Europe - Saturday 1 December 17.00
ESPN Brazil - Check local service
ESPN Star (Pan Asia) - Thursday 6 December 20.00, Saturday 8 December 05.00
Eurosport - Wednesday 21 November 20.35
Finnish Sport TV - Saturday 1 December 18.25
Fox Australia - Check local service
Fox Middle East - Friday 28 December 16.00
M-Net (Pan Africa) - Thursday 6 December 18.30, Saturday 8 December 09.30, Sunday 9 December 11.00,
Monday 10 December 13.00, Tuesday 11 December 16.00, Wednesday 12 December 19.00,
Thursday 13 December 23.00
Sport TV (Portugal) - Check local service
Sport Plus (France) - Monday 26 November 22.30
WCSN (USA) - Check local service

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE RULES FOR FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ JUMPING RIDERS FROM FEI WEBSITE www.feiworldcup.org

FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping has entered its 30th season. The series, created in 1978, today comprises 14 leagues on all continents. The best riders from 132 preliminary competitions will qualify for the final in Gothenburg, Sweden which takes place from 24-27 April 2008. The title-holder is Switzerland's Beat Mandli.

The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), founded in 1921, is the international body governing equestrian sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and includes 133 National Federations.

Equestrian sport has been on the Olympic programme since 1912 with three disciplines - Jumping, Dressage and Eventing. It is one of the very few sports in which men and women compete on equal terms. It is also the only sport which involves two athletes - horse and rider. The FEI has relentlessly concerned itself with the welfare of the horse, which is paramount and must never be subordinated to competitive or commercial influences.

-end-

The FEI Bureau held its statutory meeting on 15 and 16 November in Dubai (UAE). This report is an overview of the main items covered at the meeting.

AN FEI OPERATIONS MANUAL, which is the natural process to follow the organisation’s Internal Regulations, is being prepared. More than another set of regulations, the Manual is intended to document FEI’s main processes as they are performed today; show their relationship to various bodies in and out the organisation; and define ownership for processes. This is the first step in institutionalising FEI’s operations and making them independent of individual’s expertise or experience. Approximately 160 processes have been documented to date. The Manual will provide a solid base for transparency; it will demystify complexity, increase service level to stakeholders and put an end to a culture of rumour. The Manual will be submitted to the Bureau’s approval at its spring meeting in April 2008.

AUDIT AND COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE
The former FEI Finance Committee has been replaced by an Audit and Compliance Committee (ACC). The internal regulations of the ACC specifying its purpose; reporting process; election and composition; functioning; responsibilities and objectives; and periodicity and method of audit were approved by the Bureau.

The purpose of the ACC is to have a direct oversight responsibility for compliance with FEI Statutes, Internal Regulations, policies and procedures and Swiss law; internal control and risk evaluation; external auditors. Its main responsibility is to identify and control any risks as well as to ensure that those are adequately managed within the organisation.

NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE
The detailed proposal submitted by the FEI Nominations Committee after its first meeting held in Lausanne in November was discussed at length. The comments made by the Bureau will be sent back to the Nominations Committee. The finalised version of the report will be sent to the NFs after which it will be made public.

CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Bureau allocated the following Championships:

2008
World Reining, Manerbio (ITA)
World Para-Equestrian Driving, St. Martin Greven-Bockholt (GER), 27-29 June
World Breeding Endurance, Compiegne (FRA), 22-24 Aug.
European Children, Athens (GRE), 10-13 July
South American Young, Riders/Juniors/Pre-Juniors & Children Jumping, Deodoro Military Club/ Rio de Janeiro (BRA), 2-5 Oct.
Balkan Seniors/Young Riders/Juniors & Children Jumping, Plovdiv (BUL), 4-7 Sept.
Balkan Senior Dressage, Istanbul (TUR), 20-22 June
Balkan Senior Eventing, Eskisehir (TUR), 27-29 June
Balkan Seniors Endurance, (ROU), 12-14 Sept.
European Veterans Jumping, Barcelona (ESP), 9-12 Oct.

2009
World Driving Pairs, Kecskemet (HUN), 18-23 Aug.
World Combined Ponies, St. Martin Greven (GER), 2-14 Aug.
World Young Riders/Juniors Endurance, Balbona (HUN), Dates TBC
European Para-Equestrian, Kristiansand (NOR), 20-24 Aug.
European Young Riders & Juniors Jumping, Hoofdoorf (NED), 9-12 July
European Young Riders & Juniors Dressage, Ermelo (NED), Dates TBC
European Children, Moorsele (BEL), 30 July–2 Aug
Pan American Endurance, Costa Azul (URU), 15-30 April

2010
World Driving Singles, Pratoni del Vivaro (ITA), June

The 2009 Rolex FEI World Cup TM Finals Jumping and Dressage had been allocated to Las Vegas by the FEI Executive Board.

CALENDAR
The 2008 calendar of FEI International Events was approved.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The current General Assembly format is being reviewed in order to take full advantage of the General Assembly week and keep it interesting and dynamic. A slightly modified version especially in regard to regional group meetings was approved for the FEI General Assembly which will take place in Buenos Aires (ARG) in November 2008.

The FEI wishes to remind all our readers that a workshop - “On to Hong Kong” – designed to assist National Federations to prepare for the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong in the auditorium of the Olympic museum in Lausanne on 17 February 2008. The objective of the workshop is to provide riders, officials and veterinarians with the latest updates on the preparations in Hong Kong. The data collected during the Test Event conducted in August 2007 will also be made available on this occasion. THE WORKSHOP IS OPEN TO THE PRESS. Members of the press, please contact FEI Communications to register (m.gueorguiev@horsesport.org)
The programme is as follows:  Saturday, 16 February 2008
• Late afternoon: Arrival of participants
• Evening: Welcome and reception at Lausanne Palace Hotel followed by dinner in attendance of the FEI President

Sunday 17 February 2008, 8h00 – 17h00
• Welcome: Dr Andrew Higgins, Chairman of the FEI Welfare Sub-Committee
• Setting the scene: John McEwen, Chairman of the FEI Veterinary Committee
• Hong Kong is Getting Ready: Mr WK Lam, CEO BOCOG/ Equestrian Company
• Overview of facilities and local arrangements: Dr Chris Riggs, Head of Veterinary Clinical Services, Hong Kong Jockey Club
• Horse importation requirements: Dr Keith Watkins, HKG
• Horse transportation logistics: Martin H. Atock, Managing Director, Peden Bloodstock
• Question and answer session
• Understanding the weather situation in Hong Kong for the Olympic Games; the results of a two year study with the Hong Kong Observatory: Professor Leo Jeffcott, VetMedDr, University of Sydney, Australia, Veterinary Delegate for the 2008 Olympic Games
• Air conditioned facilities and cooling stations: Dr David Marlin, David Marlin Consulting Ltd, Newmarket, UK
• Results of horse monitoring: Dr Catherine W. Kohn, Professor, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences Ohio State University, USA
• Panel discussion - question and answer session
• Conclusion: Dr Catherine W. Kohn
• Closing of the meeting: Dr Andrew Higgins

Contact
General organization: Nina Wittek atn.wittek@horsesport.org
Press: Malina Gueorguiev atm.gueorguiev@horsesport.org

Mikael Forsten went into the record books today when clinching Finland's first-ever Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping victory in the De Telegraaf-sponsored leg of the 2007/2008 series in Amsterdam, The Netherlands where there was no shortage of surprises.With 15 through to the jump-off it was always going to take a brave effort to clinch maximum points here, but the 38 year old rider and his 12 year old chestnut gelding really put it up to the rest of them when third to go against the clock and not even some of the quickest horses and best riders in the sport could match their pace.
"Isaac gave me everything" Forsten said afterwards, "and I'm so very happy - this has been a special day for us - I'm really delighted!".
However there was another show-stealer who created a bubble of excitement earlier in the competition.
As the first round was drawing to a close Dutch star Gerco Schroder was working his way around the arena with Eurocommerce Monaco when an animal rights protester, clad only in his underwear, streaked across the ring in an attempt to disrupt proceedings. Spectators watched with a mixture of amazement and amusement as the gentleman in question was chased at full speed by officials who eventually apprehended him and led him away, but while he had his moment in the limelight the impact of his interruption was short-lived as the unflappable Dutch partnership simply went back to work and comfortably joined the second-round line-up.
Pathfinder against the clock was Gerco's brother Wim riding Eurocommerce New Jersey who returned with four faults in 39.14 seconds, and then Italy's Omar Bonomelli followed with a slow clear from Quintero in 44.80 seconds to set the early pace. That was immediately dismissed by Forsten however who shaved almost seven full seconds off the target when storming home in 38.08 seconds.
"Because I was going early I didn't see anyone else, but I could feel Isaac was flying - he is French-bred and has all the scope, but his rideability can be a bit questionable sometimes although he always tries to clear the fences. Today though he was unbelievably fast....." the Finnish rider said afterwards.
Mikko, as Forsten is known to his friends, was not convinced that he had been quick enough to win and watched from the sidelines with his partner, fellow-Finnish rider Noora Pentti, who had two fences down in the first round.
Italy's Jonella Ligresti was next to go with Nanta, but their chances were dashed when the mare crumpled on landing over a fence and decanted her rider, and when Belgium's Angelique Hoorn collected four faults with Blauwendraad's O'Brien in 40.99 seconds there was still no sign of a strong challenge to his lead. Max Kuhner, a real "find" for Germany during this indoor season, kept a cool head to leave the course intact but in the slow time of 44.91 seconds while Ireland's Billy Twomey was more competitive when lowering just one fence with Tinka's Serenade who broke the beam in 40.12.
Germany's Heinrich-Herman Engemann had a good shot at Forsten's target when crossing the line with Aboyeur in 38.39 seconds and Harrie Smolders and Exquis Oliver Q beat the time but left one on the floor in 38.02 so when Belgium's Patrick McEntee and Ever Mury Marais Z were clear but slow the Finn was still out in front with five left to go.
The 2006 Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping champion Marcus Ehning from Germany opted for a degree of caution when bringing Sandro Boy home in 38.46 seconds and when Holland's Piet Raijmakers Snr riding Van Schijndel's Curtis put two on the floor and Frenchwoman Eugenie Angot was clear with Ilostra Dark in 39.05 seconds only two riders stood in the way of show jumping history. But what a pair they were. The Netherlands had six riders through to the closing stages and second-last to go was the irrepressible partnership of Albert Zoer and Oki Doki who have blazed a trail through the sport over the last year while last in was Gerco Schroder. A single error in 38.43 seconds saw Zoer having to settle for tenth place while Schroder just couldn't match that leading time - the clock showing 38.25 seconds as he crossed the line to take runner-up spot ahead of Engemann.
"To be honest I expected Ehning, Albert and Gerco would be faster than me and I was just hoping that the rest would have to go wild to try to catch my time!" Forsten explained afterwards. "I'm absolutely delighted - this is my first World Cup win of course - I have won some Grand Prix's but at 3-Star and 2-Star level but nothing like this and I believe I am the first Finnish rider to win a World Cup competition, the best we have ever placed before was third I think" he added.
Today's success has broadened his horizons considerably and he is planning to take in the next qualifying leg in Bordeaux next weekend and then Vigo in Spain the following week - "I'm going to try to qualify for the final in Gothenburg - that is my aim now!" he said determinedly.
He has certainly boosted his chances of getting there as today's result has raised him to eleventh place on the leaderboard and, with 34 points now to his credit, he needs just one more good placing to make the cut. But the final three qualifying legs will see some razor-sharp competition and he will have to stay on the very top of his game.....
RESULT: 1, Isaac du Jonquet (Mikael Forsten) Fin 0/0 38.08; 2, Eurocommerce Monaco (Gerco Schroder) Ned 0/0 38.25; 3, Aboyeur W (Heinrich-Hermann Engemann) Ger 0/0 38.39; 4, Sandro Boy (Marcus Ehning) Ger 0/0 38.48; 5, Ilostra Dark (Eugenie Angot) Fra 0/0 39.15; 6, Ever Mury Marais Z (Patrick McEntee) Bel 0/0 43.01; 7, Quintero (Omar Bonomelli) Ita 0/0 44.60; 8, Acantus GK (Max Kuhner) Ger 0/0 44.91; 9, Exquis Oliver Q (Harris Smolders) Ned 0/4 38.02; 10, Okidoki (Albert Zoer) Ned 0/4 38.43; 11, Eurocommerce New Jersey (Wim Schroder) Ned 0/4 39.14; 12, Tinka's Serenade (Billy Twomey) Irl 0/4 40.12; 13, Blauwendraad's O'Brien (Angelique Hoorn) Ned 0/4 40.09; 14, Van Schijndel's Curtis (Piet Raijmakers) Ned 0/8 42.93; 15, Nanta (Jonella Ligresti) Ita 0/Elim; 16, Son of Marco (Luciana Diniz) 1/79.69; 17, Pristanna (Daniel Deusser) 1/79.85; 18, Tymoon Caloo Meerchen (Dirk Demeersman) Bel 4/75.11; 19, Wisconsin (Sergio Alvarez Moya) Esp 4/75.13; 20, Lord Luis (Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst) Ger 4/76.88; 22, Conan (Helena Lundback) Swe 4/77.17; 23, Audi's Parmala Douche (Maikel Van der Vleuten) Ned 5/79.27; 24, Van Schijndel's Rascin (Piet Raijmakers Jnr) 8/74.89; 25, Lantinus (Denis Lynch) Irl 8/75.29; 26, SIEC Royal Star (Cameron Hanley) Irl 8/75.51; 27, Evli Cagliostro (Noora Pennti) Fin 8/76.45; 28, Nairobi (Leon Thijssen) Ned 8/78.31; 29, Coulthard Z (Christian Annfinsen Oien) Nor 9/79.12; 30, V de Pomme (Jenni Martin-McAllister) USA 9/79.81; 31, Horizon du Roc (Fabio Crotta) Sui 11/87.87; 32, Bessemeind's Casino (Morten Djupvik) Nor 12/76.58; 33, Sefana (Mark Armstrong) GBR 12/77.73; 34, Castella (Mathijs Van Asten) Ned 12/78.16; 35, Isaac (Royne Zetterman) Swe 12/78.18; 36, Leasing (Marco Kutscher) Ger 13/79.69; 37, Tagerups Agenda (Andreas Schou) Den 13/80.44; 38, Okometa Z (Jurgen Stenfert) Ned 15/7762; 39, Opium VS (Marc Houtzager) Ned 17/81.70; 40, P-Pilot (Wout-Jan Van der Schans) Ned Retired.
ROLEX FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ JUMPING 2007/2008 - WESTERN EUROPEAN LEADERBOARD AFTER ROUND 9 IN AMSTERDAM:
1. Jessica Kuerten - 79
2. Rutherford Latham - 48
3. Rolf-Goran Bengtsson - 47
4. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum - 46
5. Albert Zoer - 45
6. Ludger Beerbaum - 44
7. Helena Lundback - 41
8. William Whitaker - 39
9. Heinrich Hermann Engemann - 38
10. Marcus Ehning - 37
11. Mikael Forsten - 34
12. Judy-Ann Melchior 33
Max Kuhner - 33
14. Steve Guerdat - 31
15. Harrie Smolders - 30
Nick Skelton - 30
Omar Bonomelli - 30
18. Patrick McEntee - 29
19. Eugenie Angot - 28
Luciana Diniz - 28
Malin Baryard-Johnsson - 28
PHOTO CATALOGUE - Photographs of the winning riders in high and low resolution can be downloaded from the FEI online catalogue. To access it, please visit www.fei.org>Media>Photo Catalogue. There is no reproduction fee, but please credit photographer (photographer's name will appear under each photo)/FEI. Usage is strictly for editorial purposes.
For further information on the Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping qualifier in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, check out WEBSITE www.jumpingamsterdam.nl or contact Press Officer Charlotte Gunnick - Tel (mobile) +33638 325326, Email: media@jumpingamsterdam.nl. The next leg takes place in Bordeaux, France from 1-3 February and you can check full details on WEBSITE www.jumping-bordeaux.com. Show President at the French fixture is Marc Lecoq, Show Director is Francois-Bernard martin, Show Secretary is Sabine Palau and Press Officer is Marie-Sol Fournier - Tel (mobile) +33 55611 9943 or email presse@bordeaux-expo.com.
MEDIA GUIDE - The FEI is pleased to provide you with a Media Guide for the 2007/2008 season. The Guide is filled with useful facts, figures and statistics including the list of winners since the series began in 1978 and contact details to help you access all the information you need. You can download it from the Media Centre on FEI website www.fei.org or order a hard copy from FEI Communications - Email o.robinson@horsesport.org.
2007/2008 ROLEX FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ JUMPING SERIES - CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR WESTERN EUROPEAN LEAGUE:1, Oslo (Norway) 12-14 October; 2, Helsinki (Finland) 18-21 October; 3, Verona (Italy) 8-11 November; 4, Stuttgart (Germany) 14-18 November; 5, Geneva (Switzerland) 6-9 December; 6, London-Olympia (Great Britain) 17-22 December; 7, Mechelen (Belgium) 26-30 December; 8, Leipzig (Germany) 17-20 January; 9, Amsterdam (The Netherlands) 24-27 January; 10, Bordeaux (France) 1-3 February; 11, Vigo (Spain) 8-11 February; 12, 's-Hertogenbosch (The Netherlands) 27-30 March; FINAL - Gothenburg (Sweden) 24-27 April.
YOU CAN SEE IT ON TV
2007/2008 ROLEX FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ JUMPING BROADCAST SCHEDULE FOR ROUND 9 IN AMSTERDAM:
Live/Delayed Live
NOS (The Netherlands) - Sunday 27 January - check local listings
Equidia (France) - Sunday 27 January 20.45, Monday 28 January 18.30, Wednesday 30 January 10.00
SVT (Sweden) - Sunday 27 January 18.15
RAI (Italy) - Check local listings
Highlights
CBC Country (Canada) - Saturday 2 February 14.00
CNBC Asia - Check local listings
CNBC Europe - Check local listings
ESPN Brazil - Check local listings
ESPN Star (Pan Asia) - Wednesday 13 February 20.00, Friday 15 February 01.00, Saturday 16 February 06.30, Sunday 17 February 03.30, Monday 18 February 07.30,
Wednesday 20 February 18.00, Friday 22 February 14.0, 18.00, Saturday 23 February 01.00, 09.00, Tuesday 26 February 18.00,
Wednesday 27 February 07.00
Eurosport - Wednesday 30 January 22.05
Finnish Sport TV - Check local listings
Fox Australia - Check local listings
Fox Middle East - Monday 18 February 16.00
M-Net (Pan Africa) - Thursday 14 February 18.00, Friday 15 February 09.00, Sunday 17 February 11.00, Monday 18 February 13.00, Tuesday 19 February 16.00,
Wednesday 20 February 23.00
Sport TV (Portugal) - Check local listings
Sport Plus (France) - Friday 1 February 13.00
WCSN (USA) - Wednesday 2 April 20.00
YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE RULES FOR FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ JUMPING RIDERS FROM FEI WEBSITE www.feiworldcup.org
FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping has entered its 30th season. The series, created in 1978, today comprises 14 leagues on all continents. The best riders from 132 preliminary competitions will qualify for the final in Gothenburg, Sweden which takes place from 24-27 April 2008. The title-holder is Switzerland's Beat Mandli.

In this third qualifier of the Western European League Isabell Werth and Warum Nicht FRH repeated their win of the first qualifier of the season in Odense. However due to a reglement change Isabell Werth didn’t receive World Cup™ standing points. She as the title defender is automatically qualified for the Final and should not take away standing points from those still trying to qualify. It didn’t bother Isabell. She loves to show and ride for her home crowd and her Freestyle test was marked by fabulous trot work. Stephen Clarke, the chairman of the judges, said: “Isabell is a very clever rider and today fortunately she was much better than in the Grand Prix in which a lot of distractions caused a lot of mistakes. Today the extensions and half passes were absolute highlights”.
Runner up Swiss Silvia Iklé partnering Salieri now received the World Cup™ standing points for the winner. Silvia Iklé rode her wonderful tango-Freestyle that already brought her a lot. “Both me and Salieri feel very confident and happy with the music, we love to perform this Freestyle test”, Silvia Iklé smiled. Highlight of course were the piaffe and passage. Some minor mistakes in the one tempi changes and the limitations in the extended walk prevented her from a higher score. Silvia Iklé has not made up her mind yet for the World Cup™ Season but hopes to be in Amsterdam and see what the standings might bring her from that point, as obviously the year 2008 brings the Olympic challenge which marks the season.
Chairman Stephen Clarke also liked the test of Laurens van Lieren and Hexagon’s Ollright very much. “To me they did a super test! The extensions, the relaxation, it all was there. The confidence-level between the two has improved enormously since the last time I saw the pair. It was a pleasure to watch and his well-timed Queen-music emphasized it all.”
Laurens van Lieren was very happy with the reward today. “I was very proud on Haxogon’s Ollright being perfectly with me. I feel things are getting into the right place now”, he said. His next World Cup™ qualifier will now be Mechelen short after Christmas.

All dressage competitors could feel in Frankfurt the atmosphere of friendliness, great hospitality and personal engagement of organisers like Ann-Kathrin Linsenhoff who personally received them all at her Schafhof. As the Young Riders for their World Cup™ Final and the seniors for their qualifier together experienced the price giving ceremonies in the Frankfurter Festhallen in Germany, the atmosphere rose to the extremes. The winners of the qualifier of the seniors and the prize winners of the World Cup™ Final Young Riders together did their lap of honour in canter, trot and even passage. Dressage chair Mariette Withages concluded: “For me hardly any difference could be seen in the quality of passage of the Young Riders and the seniors. It was great and so nice for our coming riders to feel so welcome. To me the proof that we should continue this formula”.

RESULTS

1. Warum Nicht FRH Isabell Werth GER 79.250
2. Salieri CH Silvia Ikle SUI 76.700
3. Hexagon's Ollright Laurens van Lieren NED 75.000
4. Elvis VA Nadine Capellmann GER 74.450
5. Rioletto Nathalie Sayn-Wittgenstein DEN 72.200
6. Cockney Sonja Bolz GER 71.500
7. Mythilus Courtney King USA 71.400
8. Salieri OLD Victoria Max-Theurer AUT 70.800
9. Whisper Monica Theodorescu GER 69.300
10. Exquis Clearwater Anne van Olst DEN 69.200
11. Le Bo Carola Koppelmann GER 69.150
12. Le Primeur Marie-Line Wettstein SUI 67.750
13. Fuego XII Juan Manuel Munoz Diaz ESP 65.700
14. Joy Patricia Callaghan NED 62.700

FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ DRESSAGE 2007/2008 - WESTERN EUROPEAN LEADERBOARD AFTER ROUND 3 IN FRANKFURT :

Please note that due to a reglement change for the season 2007-2008 the actual title defender does not receive World Cup™ Points! Also American Courtney King didn’t receive World Cup™ Points in Frankfurt.

1. Anders DAHL (DEN) 41
2. Jan BRINK (SWE) 40
3. Nathalie ZU SAYN WITTGENSTEIN (DEN) 39
4. Patricia CALLAGHAN (NED) 36
5. Victoria MAX THEURER (AUT) 30
6. Laurens VAN LIEREN (NED) 28
7. Louise NATHHORST (SWE) 24
8. Emma KARLSSON (SWE) 20
9. Silvia IKLE (SWI) 19
9. Catherina HADDAD (USA) 19
11. Wayne SHANNON (GBR) 18
12. Tinne VILHELMSON (SWE) 17
12. Andreas HELGSTRAND (DEN) 17
14. Heike KEMMER (GER) 15
15. Nadine CAPELLMANN (GER) 14
15. Per SANDGAARD (SWE) 14

PHOTO CATALOGUE - Photographs of the winning riders in high and low resolution can be downloaded from the FEI online catalogue. To access it, please visit www.horsesport.org>Media Centre>Catalogue. There is no reproduction fee, but please credit photographer (photographer’s name will appear under each photo)/FEI. Usage is strictly for editorial purposes.

For further information on the FEI World Cup™ Dressage qualifier in Stockholm, Sweden, Check out website http://www.stockholmhorseshow.com . Press Officer Lotta Amnestål lotte.amnestal@ridsport.se phone: +46 709 79 56 35.

The next leg of the series will take place in London-Olympia (Great Britain) starting tomorrow December 17th . Check out website http://www.olympiashowjumping.com/ . Press officer can be reached via: kelliel@hpower.co.uk ; Phone 0044-1753 847 916 Fax 0044-1753 847 901.

2007/2008 ROLEX FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ DRESSAGE SERIES
CALENDAR OF NEXT EVENTS FOR WESTERN EUROPEAN LEAGUE:

4. London-Olympia (Great-Britain) 17 – 22 December 2007 http://www.olympiashowjumping.com/
5. Mechelen (Belgium) 26 – 30 December 2007 http://www.jumping-mechelen.com/_le/home.php
6. Amsterdam (The Netherlands) 24 – 27 January 2008 http://www.jumpingamsterdam.nl/en/
7. Neumünster (Germany) 13-17 February 2008 http://www.reitturnier.de/
8 ‘s-Hertogenbosch (The Netherlands) 27-20 March FINAL http://www.indoorbrabant.com/cms/page.php?id=home

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE RULES FOR FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ DRESSAGE RIDERS FROM FEI WEBSITE www.feiworldcup.org

FEI World Cupâ„¢ Dressage has entered its 23rd season. The FEI World Cupâ„¢ Dressage is the only worldwide series in this discipline. The series, created in 1985, today comprises 4 leagues
encompassing Western Europe, Central Europe, North America (including Canada) and the Pacific League (Australia, New Zealand, Asia). Each FEI World Cupâ„¢ Dressage qualifier comprises a Grand Prix test, which in turn is a qualification for the Freestyle to music competitions, where league points are accumulated towards places in the Final. Judged on both technical and artistic merit, the FEI World Cupâ„¢ Dressage combines art, sport and partnership between horse and rider at the highest level and consistently proves a winning formula with audiences all over the world.

The best riders from the preliminary competitions will qualify for the Final in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands, which takes place from 27-30 March 2008. The title-holder is Germany’s Isabell Werth.

For further information on the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) www.horsesport.org
For further information and all FEI World Cup â„¢ news: www.feiworldcup.org

The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), founded in 1921, is the international body governing equestrian sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and includes 133 National Federations.
Equestrian sport has been on the Olympic programme since 1912 with three disciplines - Jumping, Dressage and Eventing. It is one of the very few sports in which men and women compete on equal terms. It is also the only sport which involves two athletes - horse and rider. The FEI has relentlessly concerned itself with the welfare of the horse, which is paramount and must never be subordinated to competitive or commercial influences.

Dutchman Ijsbrand Chardon had a very promising start this evening the warm up competition of the FEI World Cupâ„¢ Final in Leipzig, Germany. Chardon passed the finish line eight seconds faster than Frenchman Aillaud, who was in the lead so far, and put the pressure on Boyd Exell, who was last to go in the Leipziger Messe.

Exell went off very fast, but was unable to beat Chardon’s extremely fast time and also knocked down two balls. Ijsbrand Chardon has with his victory created an excellent starting position for the Final on Sunday afternoon 20th January, in which he will be the last starter. Exell came second, ahead of Aillaud.
Chardon’s compatriot Koos de Ronde started off very fast but had two knockdowns in the course, designed by Germany’s Dr. Wolfgang Asendorf and came fourth. Wild card driver Christoph Sandmann used his good old leader horse Gerlof again, but the gelding could not prevent him from making two mistakes. Sweden’s Tomas Eriksson had three knockdowns and had to be satisfied with the 6th position. Mark Weusthof from the Netherlands encountered some difficulties with his leader horses, which caused him extra time one of the multiple obstacles and 15 penalty seconds for knockdowns. Weusthof will be the first starter in the Final on Sunday afternoon at 12.55 hrs.

At the Festhallen in Frankfurt this weekend not only a World Cupâ„¢ qualifier dressage of the Western European League for the seniors takes place, but their YR-colleagues from 21 or below have their World Cupâ„¢ Final for Young Riders as well.
The World Cupâ„¢ YR Final already sees its third edition. Sponsored by Schenker this third edition even for the first time welcomes a competitor from Australia: Alycia Targa and Neversfelde Kudu. Not very easy, as the equine influenza outbreak in Australia looked set to prevent Kudu leaving Australia. It was a huge relief when they were advised at the end of October that Kudu was cleared to fly.
In Germany Alycia and Kudu were based in Johann Hinnemann’s stable and have prepared there in the weeks leading up to the event now. Alycia earlier had the opportunity to train with Hinnemann in July this year after winning a trip to Aachen as the prize for the Aachen Challenge at the Victorian Dressage Festival in Sydney.
German trainer Conrad Schumacher and Dutch Ellen Bontje welcomed in the Schumacher-stables near Frankfurt from overseas Canadian competitor Alexandra Duncan and American competitor Chelsea Seburn. Both riders were familiar with Schumacher and Bontje by their clinics in the USA and Canada and felt very much at ease to prepare and train at Schumacher’s place. Canadian Duncan became fourth last year in Frankfurt and is excited to have a chance to compete again! “My Holstein-bred mare Elektra has been going great, and she is in great shape from the trip,” noted Duncan. ‘I have more of an idea this year of what European big competition is like, so I will feel a little more comfortable now.”
Chelsea Seburn has one more YR-year to go. She feels her 12 year old Rheinland-bred horse can face the new challenges at an impressive horseshow like Frankfurt very well. “He is a good guy, very level-headed I would say”, Chelsea expresses.

All overseas participants will meet the top of the European Young Riders, an unique occasion.
Dutch Lotje Schoots (19), having won the individual European title dressage as a Junior twice in 2004 and 2005 and being part of the gold winning team of the Dutch YR last European championships, is looking forward competing for the first time in this YR World Cup™ Final. “When my talented mare Reine B is in the mood, she really can do it all. She is perfect when she is not distracted by noises and rumour. The schedule in Frankfurt with three tests to get used to the arena does help her. So I am enjoying this chance very much”, Lotje says.
For German Kristina Sprehe, training with Holga Finken, the Frankfurt World Cup™ Final will be her farewell to participating at this age-group. At a show near Kassel one month ago she already proved to be ready for Grand Prix. “That;s what’s is all about, growing to the Grand Prix-level”, Kristina Sprehe says. “The one tempi changes were the most difficult for me and my horse, all other work he really seems to like. His canter with the pirouettes are a really strong point. I already said goodbye to my YR-time at the European Championships for YR last year and this is really a nice extra. I hope to make the best out of it!”. The same counts for the winner of the Final last year and reining European champion YR dressage Italian Valentina Truppa. She trained with her father international judge Enzo Truppa toward this last goodbye-show for her age-group. “I also have another horse almost ready for Grand Prix, a horse with the same bloodlines of Olympic champion Salinero of Van Grunsven”, Valentina Truppa adds. “But now I only hope everything will be as good as possible this Final for me and Chablis. I am tremendously looking forward to it!”

Tonight in Frankfurt the first YR-result will be there with the team-test, which is a warm up test only. Eva Salomon, dressage director of the FEI adds: “For talented Young Riders having the possibility to share a big indoor show with the seniors, will be a great encouragement for their future career in dressage sport. Knowledgeable escort and help from international riders, trainers and sponsors like Ann Kathrin Linsenhoff will bring them an unforgettable experience. No doubt about that!”

For further information on the FEI World Cupâ„¢ Dressage qualifier in Frankfurt, Germany check out website www.escon-marketing and http://eventcontent.hippoonline.de/281/281zeitplanDEU.htm

Press centre Frankfurt CDI phone +49 69757541805

The FEI is frequently being approached with questions on tickets for members of the public interested in attending the equestrian events of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad taking place in Hong Kong from 9 to 21 August 2008.Please be informed that the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) is responsible for the allocation of over seven million tickets for the 2008 Olympic Games including those for the 2008 Olympic Equestrian Events to National Olympic Committees (NOCs) worldwide.
Nationals residing outside the territory of People's Republic of China (except Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan Province) should buy the Olympic tickets including those of the Equestrian Events through the NOCs of the countries or territories they come from or the official ticket sales agents appointed by their respective NOCs. Please find below the links to the BOCOG official ticketing website and the relevant information of the NOCs and their official ticket sales agents:
http://www.tickets.beijing2008.cn/?lang=en-cn  
http://media.tickets.beijing2008.cn/en-cn/img/static/docs/GSANOC2008.pdf  
If there is a demand for additional equestrian tickets in your country, requests should be made to BOCOG through the respective NOC as soon as possible. As advised by BOCOG, the deadline for application for additional equestrian tickets has tentatively been set for the end of January 2008.
For any further enquiries regarding the overseas ticketing arrangements for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games including the 2008 Olympic Equestrian Events, please contact your respective NOC, its official ticketing agent or the subject officer from BOCOG ticketing center as follows:
Name: Ms Dong Yan
Post title: Project Manager, BOCOG Ticketing Centre
Tel: (+8610) 6669 9378
Email:dongyan@beijing2008.cn

NEW WHITAKER WHIRLWIND HITS MECHELEN.......

Sensational British newcomer, William Whitaker, swept to victory with Arielle in this afternoon's 2007/2008 Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping qualifier presented by Land Rover at Mechelen in Belgium.

In the five-horse jump-off the 18 year old from Yorkshire showed maturity beyond his years when pinning German veteran, Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst, into second place with Lord Luis. And today's result leaves this latest member of the British show jumping dynasty lying fourth on the Western European League table and well in sight of a qualifying spot for the final in Gothenburg next April. As William said this evening, "I've been having a great run recently and this is the perfect end to the year - and just the right way to go into 2008!".....

British tails were already up after another of their new kids on the block, Ben Maher who will celebrate his 25th birthday next week, won Saturday night's Grand Prix with Rolette. The course set by Lucien Somers for today's Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping challenge saw many more-seasoned campaigners fall by the wayside in the opening round and the jump-off line-up proved an interesting one.

The Netherlands' Harrie Smolders led the way against the clock with the 11 year old stallion Exquis Oliver G but, while the 27 year old Dutchman was fast, he left the door wide open when putting two fences on the floor as the time showed 42.97 seconds. Whitaker was next into the ring with the 11 year old Hannovarian mare Arielle and he was quite clear about what he was going to do. His father, Ian, is the younger brother of Michael and John Whitaker whose careers have made them legends in their own life-times and Ian has trained and encouraged his son to follow in his uncles foot-steps. William has been working with Michael for almost two years now and he was under instruction today to go as quickly as he could without taking too many risks. Following that advice to the letter he returned clear in 41.28 seconds and that, as it turned out, proved plenty good enough to secure pole position.

Germany had three through to the deciding round, 33 year old Max Kuhner opting for a careful clear with the stallion Acantus who broke the beam in 45.27 seconds and 28 year old Franz-Josef Dahlmann shaving more than two seconds off that with Piquer Calanda but collecting eight faults along the way. However Whitaker could not be assured of his first major international victory until last man in - the considerably more experienced Alois Pollmann-Schwekhorst - raced through the finish with Lord Luis. Typically competitive, the 43 year old German set about his business with Hans-Helmut Bauer's nine year old gelding but his time of 41.74 was only good enough to clinch runner-up spot ahead of Kuhner in third, Dahlmann in fourth and Smolders in fifth.

Whitaker has inherited the family skill for understatement it seems. "I've had a few good results during the last few months" said the young man who joined his Uncle Michael's tour of North America and Canada last month, placing third in the World Cup qualifier in Syracuse and 13th in Toronto, before going on to the 5-Star fixture in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia where he was consistently in the money. Then he arrived at Olympia in London just before Christmas where he quickly established a firm fan-base after producing a spectacular victory in the Puissance riding Leonardo. His classic seat and sympathetic riding style clearly echoes the star quality of his famous uncles and there is a flurry of excitement now wherever he goes because it doesn't take a genius to see the incredible potential. His Uncle Michael however is the one who calls the shots this young man says.

"I know I'm really lucky to be working with Michael" he pointed out today. "I've been based in Nottingham with him for about two years, and today he was brilliant because he flew over from England early this morning especially - it was great to have him here, it made all the difference". William said however that the ever-expanding Whitaker grip on the sport of international show jumping hasn't even reached its peak yet. His cousins, Ellen and Robert, have already made their mark but William has two younger brothers coming along - "George is 15 and James is 10 and my Dad trains them and they can ride a bit too I can tell you, wait until you see!" he insisted.

On the eve of the Olympic year, today's result gives British show jumping a real shot in the arm and, carrying 39 points, William Whitaker looks well set to join the greats in this season's Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping finale in three months time. "I'd like to go to a few more World Cup shows but I'll be giving my horses a break for a couple of weeks first and then start back later in January" the talented young rider pointed out today.

The series resumes at Leipzig in Germany in three weeks time and, with just four further qualifying rounds after that, the pressure for points is mounting quickly......

RESULTS: 1, Arielle (William Whitaker) GBR 0/0 41.28; 2, Lord Luis (Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst) Ger 0/0 41.74; 3, Acantus (Max Kuhner) Ger 0/0 45.27; 4, Piquer Calanda (Franz-Josef Dahlmann) Ger 0/8 42.68; 5, Exquis Oliver Q (Harry Smolders) Ned 0/8 42.97; 6, Tekila D (Pieter Devos) Bel 4/68.30; 7, Finbarr V (Robert Whitaker) GBR 4/69.85; 8, Bessemeind Casino (Marten Djupvik) Nor 4/70.55; 9, Al Kaheel Spender S (Jos Lansink) Bel 4/70.57; 10, Levisto Z (Judy-Ann Melchior) Bel 4/70.75; 11, Castle Forbes Vivaldo V/H Costerveld (Jessica Kuerten) Irl 4/70.85; 12, Unique XCH (Pius Schwizer) Sui 4/71.04; 13, 11th and Bleeker (Gerfried Puck) Aut 4/71.41; 14, Laceful (Toni Hassmann) Ger 4/7.46; 15, Ever Mury Marais Z (Patrick McEntee) Bel 4/72.00; 16, Eurocommerce Monaco (Gerco Schroder) Ned 4/72.24; 17, Isaak du Jonquet (Mikael Forsten) Fin 4/72.25; 18, Hamilton de Perhet (Juan Carlos Garcia) Ita 4/73.49; 19, SIEC Concept (Cameron Hanley) Irl 4/74.82; 20, Cinderella (Marcus Ehning) Ger 4/75.46; 21, Tymoon Caloo Meerchen (Dirk Demeersman) Bel 8/69.38; 22, Erbblume (Helena Lundback) Swe 8/70.82; 23, Wisconsin (Sergio Alvarez Moya) Esp 8/70.98; 24, Van Schijndel's Curtis (Piet Raijmakers) Ned 8/71.53; 25, Chupa Chup 2 (Bernardo Alves) Bra 8/71.89; 26, Cashmira (Vincent Lambrecht) Bel 8/72.17; 27, Animous (Tina Lund) Den 8/72.84; 28, Vigo d'Arsouilles (Philippe Le Jeune) Bel 8/73.87; 29, Tresor V (Steve Guerdat) Sui 8/74.31; 30, Common Sense (Mikhail Safronov) Rus 8/75.11; 31, Sam (Albert Zoer) Ned 12/68.49; 32, Cavalor's Winningmood (Ludo Philippaerts) Bel 12/72.86; 33, Item de Quintin (Niels Bruynseels) Bel 12/74.03; 34, Con Spirito R (Theo Muff) Sui 16/72.32; 35, Air Jordan Z (Daniel Deusser) Ger 16/73.79; Equal 36, Gerfaut D'Helby (Bruno Rocuet) Fra, Sea Coast Silvana (Kristof Cleeren) Bel, Esplanade (Peter Wylde) USA, Jadis de Toscane (Philippe Rozier) Fra Retired; 40, Jovis de Ravel (Roger-Yves Bost) Fra DNS.

ROLEX FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ JUMPING 2007/2008 - WESTERN EUROPEAN LEADERBOARD AFTER ROUND 7 IN MECHELEN:

1. Jessica Kuerten - 59
2. Rutherford Latham - 48
3. Helena Lundback - 41
4. William Whitaker - 39
5. Albert Zoer, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum - 36
7. Rolf-Goran Bengtsson - 32
8. Ludger Beerbaum, Steve Guerdat - 31
10. Nick Skelton - 30
11. Malin Baryard-Johnsson - 28
12. Michel Hecart - 25
13. Michael Whitaker - 24
14. Heinrich-Hermann Engemann - 23
15. Harrie Smolders, Judy-Ann Melchior, Markus Fuchs - 22
18. Piet Raijmakers - 21
19. Daniel Deusser, Omar Bonomelli - 20
21. Luciana Diniz, Marco Kutscher - 19

PHOTO CATALOGUE - Photographs of the winning riders in high and low resolution can be downloaded from the FEI online catalogue. To access it, please visit www.horsesport.org>Media Centre>Catalogue. There is no reproduction fee, but please credit photographer (photographer's name will appear under each photo)/FEI. Usage is strictly for editorial purposes.

For further information on the Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping qualifier in Mechelen, Belgium check out WEBSITE www.jumping-mechelen.com or contact Press Officer Edith De Reys Tel (mobile) +32 475 659281, email edith.dereys@skynet.be. The NEXT leg of the series takes place in Leipzig, Germany from 17-20 January. Show President at the German fixture is Volker Wulff, Show Secretary is Conny Reuss and press Officer is Andreas Kerstan - contact Email: andreas.kerstan@comtainment.de, Tel (mobile) +49 17775 32624. WEBSITE www.engarde.de.

MEDIA GUIDE - The FEI is pleased to provide you with a Media Guide for the 2007/2008 season. The Guide is filled with useful facts, figures and statistics including the list of winners since the series began in 1978 and contact details to help you access all the information you need. You can download it from the Media Centre on FEI website www.horsesport.org or order a hard copy from FEI Communications - Email o.robinson@horsesport.org.

2007/2008 ROLEX FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ JUMPING SERIES - CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR WESTERN EUROPEAN LEAGUE:
1, Oslo (Norway) 12-14 October; 2, Helsinki (Finland) 18-21 October; 3, Verona (Italy) 8-11 November; 4, Stuttgart (Germany) 14-18 November; 5, Geneva (Switzerland) 6-9 December; 6, London-Olympia (Great Britain) 17-22 December; 7, Mechelen (Belgium) 26-30 December; 8, Leipzig (Germany) 17-20 January; 9, Amsterdam (The Netherlands) 24-27 January; 10, Bordeaux (France) 1-3 February; 11, Vigo (Spain) 8-11 February; 12, 's-Hertogenbosch (The Netherlands) 27-30 March; FINAL - Gothenburg (Sweden) 24-27 April.

YOU CAN SEE IT ON TV
2007/2008 ROLEX FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ JUMPING BROADCAST SCHEDULE FOR ROUND 7 IN MECHELEN:

Live/Delayed Live
VRT (Belgium) - Sunday 30 December 15.00
Equidia (France) - Sunday 30 December 20.45, Monday 31 December 18.30
ESTONIAN SPORTS (Estonia) - Check local listings
SVT (Sweden) - Sunday 30 December 17.00
RAI (Italy) - Check local listings

Highlights
CBC Country (Canada) - Check local listings
CNBC Asia - Check local listings
CNBC Europe - Check local listings
ESPN Brazil - Check local listings
ESPN Star (Pan Asia) - Friday 18 January 21.00, Sunday 20 January 05.30, Wednesday 30 January 01.30, Thursday 31 January 02.30
Eurosport - Wednesday 9 January - check listings for time
Finnish Sport TV - Check local listings
Fox Australia - Check local listings
Fox Middle East - Friday 25 January 17.00, Tuesday 29 January 20.00
M-Net (Pan Africa) - Thursday 24 Januar 18.00, Friday 25 January 00.00, Saturday 26 January 09.00, Sunday 27 January 11.00, Monday 28 January 13.00,
Tuesday 29 January 15.00, Wednesday 30 January 17.30, Thursday 31 January 20.00, Friday 1 February 23.30.
Sport TV (Portugal) - Check local listings
Sport Plus (France) - Monday 14 January 21.00
WCSN (USA) - Check local listings

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE RULES FOR FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ JUMPING RIDERS FROM FEI WEBSITE www.feiworldcup.org

FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping has entered its 30th season. The series, created in 1978, today comprises 14 leagues on all continents. The best riders from 132 preliminary competitions will qualify for the final in Gothenburg, Sweden which takes place from 24-27 April 2008. The title-holder is Switzerland's Beat Mandli.

The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), founded in 1921, is the international body governing equestrian sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and includes 133 National Federations.

Equestrian sport has been on the Olympic programme since 1912 with three disciplines - Jumping, Dressage and Eventing. It is one of the very few sports in which men and women compete on equal terms. It is also the only sport which involves two athletes - horse and rider. The FEI has relentlessly concerned itself with the welfare of the horse, which is paramount and must never be subordinated to competitive or commercial influences.

-end-

 The Olympic Games whose legendary founding by Heracles was recounted by Pindar - regarded as one of the greatest poets since antiquity and whose prose was immortalised by Picasso - find their roots some 3,500 years ago in Ancient Greece. Their duration spanned for over 1,000 years beginning in 776 B.C. and ended in 393 A.D. by decree of the Christian Roman Emperor, Theodosius I, as their ancient associations with what were considered pagan gods had become irrelevant.
Indeed, the original Olympic Games were more than a just a platform for athletes to compete against each other, they were an opportunity to assemble and accomplish the various rituals and sacrifices in the name of Gods – and in this case Zeus. This was not an isolated case, for by the end of the sixth century B.C there were four major festivals featuring organised athletic competitions – the Olympic Games at Olympia in honour of Zeus; the Pythian Games at Delphi honouring Apollo (the most celebrated of the pan-Hellenic festivals); the Nemean Games also in honour of Zeus at Nemea; and the Isthmian Games honouring Poseidon at Corinth. However, the Olympic Games were not limited to Olympia, with later editions also taking place in many locations throughout the Greco-Roman world, including Rome, Naples, Antioch, and Alexandria.
Nonetheless, neither rain, hail, political unrest, nor war could dampen the Olympic spirit, with every edition being religiously held over the 1037 year span. Each edition was spread over five days, with a relatively stable programme as of the fifth century BC, although the occasional addition and withdrawal of a discipline was not uncommon.
The horse and the many accolades which ensued first made their appearance at Olympic Games in 680 B.C. when chariot racing was introduced. It was by far the most exciting and spectacular event on the programme, while the winners of these events went on to be highly acclaimed and revered. The chariots had two wheels and were, when initially introduced pulled by four horses, although the programme would at one point extend the equestrian events to also include horse racing and as well as chariot races for two horses and races for foals – although for the last two, their Olympic status was only short lived.
You can imagine with 30 chariots drawn side by side, staggered starts and 12 death defying rounds, amounting to over 9km of nail biting tremors and dolby gasps form the crowds, it was only natural the winner be showered in praise. Well, only natural in so far that the proclaimed winner was neither the driver nor rider but the owner. Indeed, these were the only events in the ancient Olympic programme which did not recompense the athletes. Interestingly, a very important milestone was borne out of this odd exception.
The very first woman to win at the ancient Olympic Games was a Spartan princess named Cynisca born around 440 B.C. in the four-horse chariot race in 396 B.C. and again in 392 B.C. And while it does, on one level, defy all the odds as women were not even allowed to compete in the Olympic events, it can be explained by the fact that it was the owners of the horses proclaimed winners of the event, and thus a female owner meant a female winner. She was the sister of Spartan king Agesilaus II. It is interesting to note that whilst most women in the ancient Greek world were kept in seclusion and forbidden to learn any kind of skills in sports, riding or hunting, Spartan women by contrast were brought up from girlhood to excel at these things and to disdain household chores.
When the Games were abandoned in 393 AD, the mythical and heroic site of Olympia became largely forgotten until an English archaeologist named Richard Chandler discovered the site in 1766. By that time, it was mostly ruins and much, if not most, had been irrevocably lost, destroyed, and pillaged.
Excavations were then ensued by various teams, a French archaeological team in 1829, but, ultimately it was not until the work of a German team from 1875 to 1881 that brought the site to the light of day and annual reports began to surface on the progress made. They raised the curiosity of one man, who then visited Olympia in October 1894. None other than the father of the modern Olympics, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, but of course, as you know the rest is history…

Nicolas Touzaint (FRA), the reigning FEI World CupTM Eventing, used all his characteristic flair to rise above the unseasonal conditions – described by the organisers as “the height of winter” - and win the last European qualifier of the 2007 season, at Martinvast (FRA), at his first attempt.

Having won both French qualifiers this year – Touzaint took Fontainebleau in March on his European Championship ride Galan de Sauvagere - he now grabs the lead in the 2007 FEI World CupTM Eventing Rankings with just one more qualifier to go, in Mansfield, Ontario (CAN) next month.

Touzaint was fifth after dressage at Martinvast on 43.1 penalties with the 12-year-old Hethi Bey, by Galoubet A, but sprang into the lead thanks to a clear show jumping round, one of only four in the muddy conditions which have dogged this summer’s northern European Eventing circuit.

Described as being “as solid as a rock”, he easily held that lead with just 2.8 time penalties in the final, cross-country, phase, despite the boggy ground which prompted seven withdrawals.

These departures included those of the dressage leaders and 2005 FEI World CupTM Eventing Champions, Clayton Fredericks (AUS) on Ben Along Time, who had three show jumps down, second-placed Bettina Hoy (GER) on Ringwood Cockatoo, and defending European Champions Zara Phillips (GBR) and Toytown, who were only 26th after dressage on 55.9.

Fellow Frenchman Karim Laghouag, who is renowned for his fast cross-country riding, went inside the optimum time to rise meteorically from 16th after dressage to take the runner-up spot on Havenir D’Azac (54.4pen), but time penalties in double figures were the order of the day for all but six of the 30 cross-country starters.

Last year’s winner, Pierre Marie Dubois on Ira d’Islea Eas was the only other to achieve the time, finishing fifth on 57.1.

Andrew Hoy (AUS) had two stops on Peaceful Consort, eighth after dressage, and withdrew Balloo despite lying second after show jumping, but he stuck it out to finish third on the experienced Thoroughbred four-star horse Yeoman’s Point (55.2).

The reigning Badminton and Burghley champion Lucinda Fredericks (AUS) was eliminated across country on her new ride, Rosealier, whom she was trying to qualify for Blenheim CCI 3* next month, but finished fourth on Mr Alligator (56.3).

Nicolas Touzaint, who is the first rider to win two qualifiers in a season and now has 200 points, can only be beaten in the FEI World Rankings by a rider from North America. It all hinges on the successful participation at Mansfield of Kelly Prather (USA), currently joint second with Viachaslau Poita (BLR) on 160 points or Jonathan Holling (USA), third on 138.

Ali Yousuf Ahmad Saad Al Rumaihi won Qatar's first Asian Games gold medal in Jumping, adding even more success to the Doha Racing and Equestrian Club after the Eventing medals won earlier in the Games. Twenty-five year old Rumaihi, training with World Champion Jos Lansink (BEL) took the final victory with a crystal clear score riding the brown stallion Nagano.

Silver was decided in a thrilling jump-off between Chinese Taipei's 17-year-old Jasmine Chen Shao Man on Comodoro and Korea's Olympic rider Joo Jung Hyun on Seven Up. Comodoro was the first horse out; the pair picked up full speed and, despite the two fences they had down, took the silver medal with a time of 38.72 seconds.
Joo Jung Hyun and Seven Up had to settle for bronze after two fences down and a significantly slower speed (time 47s93).

Joy Chen Shao Chiao, twin sister of silver medallist Jasmine, finished in fourth place with nine faults. The sisters and bronze medallist Joo train in Germany at the Schockemoehle stables.

In the team competition, Sydney Olympic bronze medallist Khaled Al Eid on Alryiadh led Saudi Arabia to their first Asian Games equestrian gold medal. Thanks to his and team-mate’s H.R.H. Prince Abdullah Al Saud on Saudia two clear rounds, the Saudis finish on the impressive overall score of 4 points. Abdullah Sharbatly / Hugo Gesmeray and Kamal Bahamdan / Campus 8 had one and two fences down respectively, followed by faultless second rounds.

The Korean squad (Song Sang Wuk / Clinton H; Hwang Soon Won / Jacomo 2; Park Jae Hong / Pinocchio; and Joo Jung Hyun / Seven Up 15) under the management of Paul Schockemoehle were in silver.

Bronze went to the riders from the United Arab Emirates who, like the Saudis, were first timers at Asian Games. H.E. Sheikha Latifa Al Maktoum / Kalaska de Semilly, Abduallah Mohd Al Marri / Secret D Amour; Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi / Quatro H and Mohamad Al Kumaiti / Almutawakel finished on 16 points.

The courses built by Olaf Petersen Jr. proved challenging indeed, the The triple combination proved to be the biggest challenge.

The full results are available on the official website of the 15th Asian Games, www.doha-2006.com.

Media representatives wishing to cover the 2007 Pan American Games to be held from 13 to 29 July 2007 in Rio de Janeiro (BRA) should contact their National Olympic Committee no later than 8 January 2007.

Conducted every four years, the Pan American Games began in 1951 in Buenos Aires. For more than 50 years they have never failed to take place and have traveled from Winnipeg (CAN) in the north of the American continent to Mar Del Plata (ARG) in the extreme South. The Games have also visited Mexico City (MEX), Chicago (USA), Cali (COL), San Juan (PUR), Caracas (VEN), Indianapolis (USA), Havana (CUB) and Santo Domingo (DOM).

Horsesport – Eventing, Dressage and Jumping – will be one of the 28 sports on the programme of the 2007 Pan American Games, where no less than 5,500 athletes from 42 countries are expected to convene.

Forty 7 year old horses qualified today for the final of the FEI World Breeding Jumping Championship on Sunday. Today’s winner, Quincy de Rosseignies, will not reappear in the Ratina Arena, the main stadium of the championships at the Zangersheide Stud. Ludo Phillipaerts had an amazing jump off aboard the careful SbS-bred Cruising-daughter, but their poor performance in the first qualifier, yesterday, made it impossible beforehand to start in the final.

Tough competition once more in the three age groups of the World Championships. One mistake, even a time fault, may well stand in the way of the battle for the medals on Sunday. After two qualifications Laura Kraut and the Zangersheide bred Canecko Z (s.Candillo) lead the field of forty combinations for the final. Her seventh place yesterday and fourth position today however are of no good to Laura any more, all final competitors start with a blank score sheet on Sunday.

No less than 65 7 year olds remained faultless and qualified for the jump off. Some riders, who had their second clear round and were already qualified for the final, decided not to ride in the jump off, in order to keep the strength in their horses for Sunday. Others really hit the gas and tried to win some money, knowing they didn’t qualify for the final anyway.
Ludo Phillipaerts found himself a true fighter in Quincy de Rosseignies, the mare that he only rides for a couple of weeks. Careful Quincy cooperated extremely well in the short turns, being drawn to the fences like a magnet (0/38.36). Second placed Mario Stevens from Germany, riding the Oldenburg bred Numero Uno, needed a bit more time clearing the fences: 0/39.55. Third place was for Andreas Schou from Denmark aboard Holstein bred Corratus. Neither of today’s top three qualified for the final.

The Dutch KWPN is the most successful studbook in the 7 year old division. No less than twelve of the 20 final horses are bred in Holland. Holstein and Belgian Warmblood (BWP) both have 5 horses in the final. The small Studbook Zangersheide had a remarkable score, qualifying four horses for Sunday. Selle Français (4 horses in the final) did well to quality standards: the numbers two and four after two days are French bred horses, displaying a lot of power and ability. My Lord Carthago HN, a very nice cross bred stallion combining the best from Holstein (Carthago) and Normandy (Jalisco B), today had a small mistake in the jump off with French rider Pénélope Leprevost. Mélodie Ardente (Apache d’Adriers x Jalisco B), ridden by Simon Delestre, took fourth place.

But, again, on Sunday nobody will be interested anymore in the way horses qualified for the final.

 Martin Atock, Managing Director of the official Olympic horse transportation company Peden, tells a tale that contrasts the sophistication of 21st Century equine flight management with the less complicated methods employed in earlier times......
In 1990 he was travelling to a show with a team of American horses and US Chef d'Equipe Frank Chapot was on the flight.
"Frank asked to visit the cockpit to have a look around, and he stood between the pilot and co-pilot chatting about how much things have changed over the years in terms of transportation and the rules and regulations and conditions," Martin says. Mr Chapot, a six-time Olympian who went on to become a much-respected course-designer and judge, then astonished his listeners as he recalled his trip to the Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden in 1956.
"He said that when the aircraft landed in Stockholm, it taxied in and the doors were immediately opened and the horses walked straight down the ramp onto the tarmac. The saddles and bridles were unloaded from the back of the aircraft and the horses were tacked up - right there on the apron - and were ridden to the Olympic venue which was miles away!" Rather different to the procedures that will be in place as the equine athletes arrive in Hong Kong this summer for the 2008 Olympic Games where air-conditioned floats will carry them in their air-conditioned stabling at the core venue in Sha Tin within 1 hour and 50 minutes.
Martin has been working in the horse transportation business for 20 years now and he says that "98% of the work is logistics". The movement of 303 horses to Hong Kong will be his biggest project ever however, and it promises to be a complex exercise that will test the effectiveness of those logistics to the limit.
The secret of success is, he says, "anticipation - you need to deal with potential problems right away rather than letting them develop."
"The two main concerns are claustrophobia and colic," he continues. "Just like people, most horses will travel fine but there may be one or two who are nervous and agitated and this is where the judgment and skill of our flying grooms comes into play. They are the experts and the back-bone of our operation. It used to be the practice to have the horse's own grooms and vets travelling with them, but the flying grooms are uniquely qualified to deal with situations as they arise. They stay calm and cool no matter what happens, and they know all the signs of trouble brewing and can pre-empt problems by taking quick action".
He says that the flying grooms also have a hugely calming effect on the horses, even before loading. "People associated with the horses naturally worry about them and they can project their anxiety onto the horse so easily. If you have worried, nervous people then you will have worried, nervous horses. I don't think most people realise just how sensitive horses are to human anxiety - they pick it up very quickly and become anxious themselves as a result. The flying grooms, on the other hand, have no personal connection with the individual horses and their calmness and kindness helps the horses to feel much more at ease," he explains.
After the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000 there was one instance that epitomises the quick-thinking responses of the flying grooms whose job is all about ensuring the smooth transfer of their charges from one location to the next. Two 747 aircraft were being used to bring the horses home in relays, and while the first two flights went perfectly to plan there was a hiccup when flight three arrived in Singapore.
"As it was about to leave on the next leg of its trip a technical problem was noticed, but flight four was already on the ground preparing to return to Sydney for the final load and the flying grooms simply transferred all the horses off flight three onto flight four in the space of an hour and then continued on their way, while the horses waiting in Sydney just had to spend an extra 18 hours in their stables and they were perfectly happy. The flying grooms on both aircraft liaised with each other and made a quick and sensible decision that ensured the best welfare of all the horses. You need skill to do something like that - knowledge of aircraft, ground staff, technical issues in relation to dealing with the airport authorities - and you need to be a good decision-maker," Martin points out.
He believes a great deal of his work is about stress-reduction. "Our job is to take care of all the arrangements in relation to getting the horses to the competition venue so that grooms, riders and everyone else can concentrate on what they need to do and everyone, including the horses, arrives in a good frame of mind ahead of the competition".
Martin knows a bit about the strains of competition himself having enjoyed a successful Eventing career before calling a halt following a riding accident. It was while he was working for German vet Peter Cronau that he was asked if he would like the job of Road Manager for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police tour of Europe in 1988 and he has never looked back since.
His day begins at the crack of dawn and runs late into the evening but the punishing life-style is something he really enjoys. "I like having a problem so that I can find a way of solving it," he says. "Logistics are a real buzz for me and the challenge is never-ending".
"Complications arise no matter how well things are prepared so you always have to have a contingency plan" he points out and his main purpose is, he says, to create a "first-class atmosphere" for his equine passengers. "You'll notice human first-class passengers look relaxed - they are not rushed on or off the aircraft, they have no stress during the flight and when they disembark they look fresh and ready to get on which whatever they have to do. Well, we aim to treat horses in exactly the same way."
When the equine athletes arrive in Hong Kong for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad then they should be feeling pretty good indeed.....

The World Games 2010 Foundation has appointed Peden Bloodstock as the Official Shipping Agent for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, to be held 25 September to 10 October 2010, at the Kentucky Horse Park.Peden Bloodstock will be engaged in the management, coordination and provision of all equine transport services and ground logistics for the Games. This will include but is not limited to coordinating the shipment of some 800 horses, their attendants, equipment and carriages to and from Lexington from all corners of the globe, and playing an intensive role in quarantine and bio-security management on the ground.
"It is an honor for Peden Bloodstock to have been chosen by the Foundation to manage the equine transport logistics for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games," stated Peden Bloodstock Managing Director, Martin Atock. "We believe that our track record specializing in large and complex movements of horses to and from World Championships and Olympic Games speaks for itself, having been appointed shipping agents for all the WEG’s since their inception in 1990 and having also handled the last six Olympic Games."
"Additionally, we are very fortunate to have highly skilled staff who possess countless years of experience in handling complex and important movements of this nature," Atock continued. "This is indeed a first for the World Equestrian Games, which have never before been held outside the European Continent and this in itself creates an unprecedented movement of horses to and from the United States, the likes of which has never been seen before. We are confident and excited to be meeting this logistical challenge head on and look forward to working with the Foundation to make this the most memorable Games ever."
The company’s experience made it a natural choice to handle the record number of horses that will be shipped to the United States in 2010, noted Foundation Competition Director Kate Jackson.
"Peden Bloodstock is very familiar with the World Equestrian Games, and that will only aid our efforts as we work together to create the best competition environment possible for the 2010 Games," said Jackson.
Peden Bloodstock is an international company engaged in the management, co-ordination and provision of transport services for horses throughout the World. The Peden name has been associated with horse transport since 1947, when the company was the first to commercially transport horses by air. Peden has offices in Germany and the United Kingdom staffed by personnel with countless years of experience in handling complex and important movements.
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, to be held at the Kentucky Horse Park September 25-October 10, 2010, are the world championships of the eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), and are held every four years. The Games have never before been held outside of Europe; nor have all eight disciplines ever previously been held together at a single site— both firsts that will be achieved at the Kentucky Horse Park. The 2010 Games are expected to have a statewide economic impact of $150 million. It is anticipated that more than 600,000 spectators will attend the 16-day competition.

National Diversity Solutions (NDS) has been selected to manage the supplier recruitment, registration and qualification process for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games."The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games represent a tremendous opportunity for our state and the Central Kentucky region," said D. Mitchell, CEO for National Diversity Solutions, which is a Lexington, Kentucky-based certified minority owned business. "We are honored to be selected as a partner for this prestigious event."
Companies wishing to register as a potential supplier for the 2010 Games can go to www.feigames2010.org, and follow the instructions for supplier registration under the menu selection "Get Involved."
National Diversity Solutions will facilitate the supplier registration process for the World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc. using their web-based Supplier Collaboration Portal. This solution will automate the engagement process between the hundreds of potential suppliers and the World Games 2010 Foundation. NDS will ensure that qualified suppliers are presented for consideration, and will also assist in recruiting suppliers to register for potential opportunities as they arise.
"We are anticipating a wide variety of supplier needs as preparations for the 2010 Games move forward," said Foundation COO Rob Hinkle. "With their web-based services, NDS will be able to quickly and efficiently link us to suppliers qualified to handle an event of this size."

The Hong Kong Jockey Club has entered into a Co-operation Agreement with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Museum that will pave the way for the development of a Hong Kong Olympic Museum."We are determined to see that the Olympic legacy and Olympic spirit will live on in Hong Kong, long after Games time," Club Chairman John C C Chan said at the 10 April signing ceremony at the Club's new Beijing Clubhouse, which was officially opened on the same day.  "We are therefore delighted to work with the IOC and Sports Federation and Olympic Committee (SF&OC) of Hong Kong, China on continuing promotion of the Olympic Ideal and sports in general throughout the region."
Both parties also signed a Contributor Agreement under which the Club will be supporting the Olympic Movement by making a donation to the IOC Museum.
"The Hong Kong Jockey Club is one of the oldest sports clubs in the world. It is also a distinguished organisation in supporting social programmes in Hong Kong," IOC President Jacques Rogge said at the ceremony. "The Club became a good partner to the Olympic Movement when it stepped in to support the Beijing Organising Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government with the offer to host the equestrian events of the 2008 Olympic Games. I have personally seen the facilities and they are the best ever. I am very pleased to see the Club expand its support by becoming a contributor and developing Hong Kong Olympic Museum," said.
Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Henry Tang said, "Ever since Hong Kong was entrusted with the important task of co-hosting the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events under three years ago, we have been mobilising our best resources in the Hong Kong community for the purpose. One of our valuable resources is The Hong Kong Jockey Club. The Club has already invested HK$1.2 billion in providing the best equestrian venues and facilities in Olympic history, and is setting new standards in Olympic equestrian sport."
The Co-operation Agreement signing ceremony with the International Olympic Committee, held at the newly-opened Beijing Hong Kong Jockey Club Clubhouse, was witnessed by a strong line-up of dignitaries including BOCOG Executive Vice-President and Secretary General Wang Wei; President of the SF&OC Timothy Fok, Standing Committee Member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Chen Zuo'er and Deputy Director of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office Zhou Bo.
In her congratulatory video message to the Club, President of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein praised the Club for its commitment to excellence. "The Beijing 2008 Olympics have presented horse sport with the opportunity to work with outstanding organisations in the Beijing Olympic Committee and The Hong Kong Jockey Club to deliver a shared vision of providing an unequalled platform for equestrian competition." 
The signing ceremony coincided with the grand opening of the Beijing Hong Kong Jockey Club Clubhouse, marking the Club's first physical presence in Beijing.  "With an increasing number of our members visiting Beijing regularly for business or leisure, we wanted not only to build a clubhouse with world-class service, but also to provide them with a 'home away from home'," Mr Chan said.
The Beijing Clubhouse, located in the Wangfujing area in the heart of the capital, is built in a style that crosses over between the traditional courtyard structures of the Ming and Qing Dynasties and contemporary architecture concepts, making it a masterpiece of modern aesthetics. It is equipped with restaurants, bar and lounge, an advanced gymnasium and an executive business centre, as well as 90 luxurious guest rooms.

 The Veterinary Committee made its report to the Bureau. The main items presented were: 
Treatment AND Anti-doping:
- the urine detection times of 13 out of the 15 substances included in the Medicine Box have been finalised;
- Risk management in connection with new substances coming to the market will continue;
- Education of riders, trainers and veterinarians as well as proactive contacts with the media will be developed;
- an electronic web-portal access for Treating Veterinarians will be developed;
- support Latin America in setting up a reference laboratory;
- The FEI Competitor Guide to Doping and Medication Control in now available in five languages medication leaflet in 5 languages (English, French, Spanish, Russian and Arabic).
HORSE MOVEMENT:facilitate the testing and certification protocol for temporary importation; increasing acceptance of the model health certificate; pro-active approach to National Federations and Organising Committees; develop contingency plans for emerging disease situation. 
STATEMENT ON HYPERFLEXION (ROLLKÃœR): the following statement was adopted:
There are no known clinical side effects specifically arising from the use of hyperflexion, however there are serious concerns for a horse's well-being if the technique is not practiced correctly. The FEI condemns hyperflexion in any equestrian sport as an example of mental abuse. The FEI states that it does not support the practice.
HYPERSENSITISATION: It was decided to carry forward the updated protocol for event checks. The pilot study on competition intensity was also to be pursued.
Endurance:Research on fatigue and metabolic compromise, also in hot and humid conditions, should be continued when budgetary possible. Star system for event veterinarians should be evaluated further.
Vaccination: Further clarification on vaccination rules was tabled.
The following main strategic goals were identified for the coming three years:
Movement of Horses: Acceptance of Testing and Certification protocol
Medication Control: Review programme funding and testing coverage
Research: Monitoring progress of associated projects (competition surfaces project)
Create dedicated web portal to provide support to treating veterinarians

   The latest video message by FEI Secretary General is now available on the FEIwebsite.
In this month’s briefing, Alex McLin dwells, among other subjects, on the meetings of the FEI Technical Committees and the FEI Bureau which are taking place at this moment, the subject of youth and the newly produced competitor’s guide to doping and medication in horses.
The Secretary General’s monthly messages were launched last month primarily for the attention of National Federations but we encourage all our readers who are interested in the latest developments in the FEI activities to watch them.

We are happy to announce that the new 2008 FEI World Rankings are now available online by clicking on the following link…http://www.fei.org/Disciplines/Endurance/Results/Pages/Rankings.aspx
Following several requests to the FEI, we have created two new Rankings for 2008. These Rankings are:
·         2008 Open Horse World Endurance Ranking
·         2008 Junior/Young Rider Horse World Endurance Ranking
These Rankings highlight the performances of horses, and the points gained within FEI competition throughout 2008 by the individual horses. The points are distributed using the same calculations as per the Rider and Combination Rankings. Please refer to the above link for the calculation of the FEI World Endurance Rankings.

Qualification for Olympic Groups F and G (Africa-Middle East and South East Asia-Oceania) took the form of assessments conducted by a highly experienced Ground Jury which travelled to three different locations to evaluate the three teams – Japan, Australia, and New Zealand – vying for Olympic qualification. The two teams to secure their Olympic slot in Dressage are Australia (teams score 196.167) and Japan (194.792).This qualification is an historical highlight for Australia as it is the first time in Olympic history that the country qualifies an Olympic Dressage team, apart, of course, from the 2000 Olympic Games, when the Australian team was granted a place as representatives of the host country. Australia thus becomes one of the seven nations to have teams in all three Olympic equestrian disciplines, the others being Brazil, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Sweden and the USA.
The Ground Jury
The Jury was composed of O-Status International Dressage Judges Mariette Withages (BEL), Mary Seefried (AUS), Minako Furuoka (JPN), and Dieter Schüle (GER) and International Judge Jan Bird (NZL). One of these judges –Minako Furuoka – will also be officiating at the Olympic Games.
The Assessment
Originally, the FEI Regional Olympic Dressage Team Qualifier should have taken place in October 2007 in Australia. It would have been the highlight of the Dressage year in the Asia-Pacific region. However, the outbreak of equine influenza in Australia prevented the organisation of such an event. The nations affected – Australia, Japan, and New Zealand – worked with the FEI to find a mutually acceptable solution. It was then decided that instead of having the teams compete head-to-head at a single venue, the Ground Jury would travel to the three places most convenient for the teams. These three venues were Les-Arcs-sur-Argens near Cannes (FRA) for the Japanese team; Sydney (AUS) for the Australians; and Palmerston North (NZL) for the riders from New Zealand.
Les-Arcs-sur-Argens near Cannes (FRA), 31 January 2008
At Les-Arcs-sur-Argens near Cannes, the best three Japanese riders - Hiroshi Hoketsu, Mieko Yagi and Yuko Kitai - scored a total of 194,792%. This was the score to beat for the Australian riders and the New Zealand squad in the next two assessments. Ground Jury President Dieter Schüle commented, “All the riders did a really good job. The winner Hiroshi Hoketsu had good impulsion and his extensions went very well as did the passage.”
Hiroshi Hoketsu is based in Germany and trains with Ton de Ridder from Aachen. The trainer is very proud of his pupil, a former USA-based manager of Johnson & Johnson who will turn 67 next March and may thus be the oldest member of the entire Japanese Olympic delegation. Hiroshi Hoketsu was the first Japanese rider to win a CDI*3 last season showing his 11-year old horse Whisper 115 in Vierzon. Ton de Ridder and Hiroshi Hoketsu arrived early in Cannes to get used to the outdoor arena and the weather conditions.
Says De Ridder, “Hoketsu has been fighting for this dream for the last five years and his perseverance and attitude are admirable. While experiencing successes and disasters, like having his horse Calando not sound at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games, he stuck to his dream. He found a new horse, kept on believing in our training and discipline and now he has succeeded. I am very happy for him! It also proves that new things are possible in Dressage, at any age, even at 67.”
An impressive crowd followed the event as Olympic qualification is an important occasion indeed.
Sydney (AUS), 4 February 2008
The Olympic Assessment travelled on to Sydney where Brett Parbery, Heath Ryan and Rozzie Ryan scored a total of 196.167 and became the first nation of Regional Groups F/G to secure Olympic qualification.
The Olympic venue in Horsley Park near Sydney was flooded and so the Olympic Assessment had to be moved. This did not influence the results and team spirit of the Australian squad who took over the lead from the Japanese riders. Mariette Withages commented, “Amazingly winner Brett Parbery scored the same points as the Japanese rider Hoketsu last week in France: 66,917%. As the total of the Australian team was a bit higher, this team was the first to qualify for the Olympic Games.”
New South Wales professional and former Australian buck jump champion Brett Parbery rode Carolyn Lieutenant’s imposing 18-hand French Anglo Arab/Percheron cross gelding Victory Salute to a clear 2% win (final result 66.917%). Flamboyant Heath Ryan became runner up on Greenoaks Dundee (64.708%). In third place was Rozzie Ryan riding the elegant Donnerhall mare Donna Carrera (64.542%). Ryan and Rozzie are husband and wife and the 2008 Olympics are definitely a family affair. Rozzie has been dreaming for an Olympic spot since 2000 and has managed to keep the dream alive for eight years.
“After the uncertainties that equine influenza brought to our industry, it is a great relief to see the path to Hong Kong falling into place,” a satisfied Heath Ryan commented.
Palmerston North (NZL), 7 February 2008
Three days later, the New Zealand team consisting of Jody Hartfield, Kallista Field and Bill Noble scored a total of 177,875%, which allowed Japan to secure the second Olympic place.
The New Zealand the winner was Jody Hartstone riding Landioso (60,292%). Mariette Withages explained, “A Japanese delegation followed us from France to Australia to New Zealand to see all rides and scores with their own eyes. Just like in France, all the riders in Australia and New Zealand were very nervous and aware of the responsibility. However, watching the riders from New Zealand, we found good basics wanting. Much improvement is needed in these basics.”
Results
Australia                                                                                                      196.167%                   QUALIFIED
1. Victory Salute – Brett PARBERY                                                                66.917%
2. Greenoaks Dundee – Heath RYAN                                                          64,708%
3. Donna Carrera – RozzieRyan                                                                 64,542%
4. Lanzaro – MareeTomkinson                                                                   63.708 *
Japan                                                                                                            194.792%                   QUALIFIED
1. Whisper 115 - Hiroshi HOKETSU                                                            66,917%
2. Dow Jones 13 – Mieko YAGI                                                                    64,167%
3. Rambo 394 – YukoKitai                                                                           63,708%
4. Why Me - Hiroyuki KITAHARA                                                                     61,87 *
New Zealand                                                                                                178.300%                   NOT QUALIFIED
1. Landioso – Jody HARTSTONE                                                                60,292%
2. Soda – Kallista FIELD                                                                                59,708%
3. Vincent St James – William NOBLE                                                        57,875%
4. Jaybee Anzac – Nicole MAGOFFIN                                                            57.583 *
* drop scores
Note:All participants at the three different Regional Assessments will be able to count their individual  scores towards the MES (if 64 % or over) for the Olympic Games. Due to the Equine Influenza outbreak in Australia, the scores given in Australia and New Zealand are also counted as scores for the World Dressage Ranking List, as given the veterinary circumstances, no international dressage events have been held in this region.
Dressage Teams at the 2008 Olympic Games
The following teams have qualified for the Dressage events at the 2008 Olympic Games: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the USA. All teams will consist of three riders and three horses each.
Further to the decision of the Swiss Dressage team not to compete at the 2008 Olympic Games announced earlier this year, their qualification place will be reallocated to the FEI Olympic Riders Rankings – Dressage of 1 May 2008. This means that three individual spaces – the number of riders on an Olympic Dressage team – will be selected from the FEI Olympic Riders Rankings – Dressage.If three of these qualifying spaces/riders are from the same nation, it will be considered as a NOC/NF team.

"Great facilities, research and resources assures us that the horses competing at the equestrian Olympic Games in Hong Kong will be more than well cared for !" said IOC Medical Director Dr Patrick Schamasch at the end of today's historic Workshop on Heat & Humidity in Lausanne, Switzerland attended by 160 delegates from 25 National Federations. And the message going out from the floor of the meeting was one of unanimous agreement that everything possible is being done to protect the equine members of the equestrian partnerships. 
Martin Atock, from the official horse transportation agents Peden Bloodstock, believes that horses should arrive in Hong Kong in great shape.  "When we flew horses to Sydney we had two technical stops but they flew well.  They were relaxed before travelling having spent 14 days in quarantine and there is no reason why they won't travel to Hong Kong just as easily.  If you stick to the rules and take the advice you are being given they should arrive safely and comfortably" he pointed out. 
The series of presentations, detailed in the Oympic News Section of the website (http://www.fei.org/Events/Olympic_Games/Pages/summ.aspx), allayed fears about the challenge presented by Hong Kong's sub-tropical climate. Dr Andrew Higgins, Chairman of the FEI's Welfare Sub-Committee, said "information is available and documented and if there is anything you don't understand or can't find then you only have to ask and the FEI will be more than happy to answer your questions. Follow regulations, and when in Hong Kong follow the bio-security measures - we are importing healthy horses so let's keep them healthy!" he added. 
Prof. Leo Jeffcott, Veterinary Delegate to the 2008 Games, warned - "we don't want to make you complacent. This is a great venue but we also need a great effort to ensure success and that includes RESPONSIBLE RIDING in these conditions. Horses must not be over-stretched and should be really fit - if we don't have responsible riding then everything we have put in place will come to nothing....." 
Veterinary expert Dr Catherine Kohn said that today's speakers were "advocates for the welfare of your horses. Please make use of all the resources being made available to you. Our goal is safe and excellent competition". 
Dr David Marlin pointed out that the state-of-the-art air-conditioning and cooling facilities "should be a major contribution to the welfare and safety of your horses" while Dr Chris Riggs, Head of Veterinary Clinical Services at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, emphasised that "between now and the Games, phone us, contact us by email, keep in touch with us - there is only so much we can guess about what you need in terms of supplies and facilities - let us know what you particular requirements are and we will do our best to help. There is no point in turning up to find that there are things you need which we don't have - we can't give you everything but we don't want to disappoint you". 
Dr Keith Watkins from the Hong Kong Jockey Club and Equestrian Company once again emphasised the need for vigilance in order to safeguard horse health and FEI Veterinary Director Frits Sluyter recommended that all horses should be vaccinated against Japanese Encephalitis, a disease endemic in the region. 
John McEwen, Chairman of the FEI Veterinary Commission, said "the FEI is listening and we want to get it right. Between now and the Olympic Games we want to hear from you if you feel we are missing something. The climate will be challenging but we have the data and the expertise and there is no need for the health and safety of any horse to be compromised. All the work produced for this Workshop has been done in the name of Best Practice and today's event was staged to increase debate and the flow of information. Now we want you to go away and spread the news". 
"We are very happy to have provided so much good research for the Workshop" said the FEI's Deputy Secretary General Alex McLin, "now it is up to the Federations to look at it carefully and to act on it" and the FEI President HRH Princess Haya concluded that the honours this summer will go "to the horse and rider partnerships who have done their homework best".
"We are unique in our sport because horses and riders are equal partners but the horses cannot speak for themselves and therefore we must protect them in every way we can" she pointed out. "Today's Workshop has been very important because it is about communicating what we have learned over a number of years - information that can help all of those coming to Hong Kong this summer to be fully informed so that they can be prepared and give their very best".

We are pleased to inform you that the full texts of the presentations made during the FEI Pre-Olympic Workshop held in Lausanne on 17 February 2008 are now available on a special page of the FEI website. They can be found in the Olympic section ofwww.fei.org, direct link:http://www.fei.org/Events/Olympic_Games/Pages/HeatandHumidityWorkshop.aspx
Also on the Heat and Humidity Workshop page are the summaries of the presentations as well as useful reference documents such as a glossary of basic terms and a wrap-up report on the Workshop.
Professional media will find a link to the FEI online photo catalogue where general views of the Workshop have been placed along with photographs from the Olympic Test Event conducted in August last year.

The FEI wishes to inform NFs and Chefs de mission of the last updates for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing / Hong Kong, on:
Manufactures identification guidelines & Clarification on helmets 
Accreditations Reserve Riders (including Reserve Horses, Grooms of Reserve Horses & Owners of Reserve Horses)
Grooms accommodation
Practical Competition Timetable with Training sessions & Horse Inspections
NOC Teams Physicians (registration procedure)
Quarantine Update
Attendance at Olympic Games of Presidents & Secretary Generals of NFs
These "Latest Updates" can be found on the FEI website under the following reference: FEI > Events > Olympic Games > Reference Documents > Information to NFs: Latest Updates February 2008
http://www.fei.org/Events/Olympic_Games/Documents/INFO%20NFs%20FEB2008.pdf

The International Olympic Committee has released its guidelines on blogging. They are meant for persons accredited to the Games of the XXIX Olympiad – and that includes the equestrian events in Hong Kong – who maintain personal blogs which have content related to the their experience at the Games and are accessible to the public.The guidelines define, among other things, the notion of a blog, the use of sound, still and moving images, the Olympic marks, domain names and links.
The guidelines are available in French and English on the FEI website
(http://www.fei.org/Events/Olympic_Games/Pages/Reference_Documents.aspx).
We urge all persons attending Hong Kong in an official capacity and who intend to make use of blogs, to carefully read these guidelines. Infringement of these guidelines may lead to the withdrawal of accreditation by the IOC and exclusion from the Games.

Application to host the 2010 FEI World Cupâ„¢ Dressage Final

We invite NFs to apply for the 2010 Final by 1 February 2008.

Please contact FEI World Cupâ„¢ Director Dressage, Eva Salomon e.salomon@horsesport.org for further information.

Ijsbrand Chardon from the Netherlands has won the second leg of the FEI World Cupâ„¢ Driving in Stuttgart. Chardon is back on his winning track after coming second three weeks ago in the World Cup competition in Hannover. Hannover winner Boyd Exell lost the battle to Chardon with less than four seconds difference, which contributed to an exciting competition. Christoph Sandmann started again with a wild card and came third, ahead of his compatriot and shooting star in the German driving world, 17-year-old Michael Brauchle.
Chardon and Exell are in the lead of the standings after two competitions and are certain of a starting place for the FEI World Cupâ„¢ Final in Leipzig in January 2008.

The Stuttgart audience in the well-filled Schleyer Halle enthusiastically followed the performances of the seven drivers. International course designer Falk Böhnisch had designed a tricky, but fair course, which was super to follow for the spectators and ideal to drive for the competitors. “I always spend several evenings to design a course,” explains Böhnisch. “I then put in on the table and my wife looks at it as well. We discuss it together and then I finalize the course. The challenge is also to design a course for the winning round in which the lines are different from the first round, so the drivers really have to do their best to memorize the course.”

President of the Stuttgart German Masters Gotthilf Riexinger was very pleased to have such a worthy successor of Michael Freund, who won the driving competition in Stuttgart since the beginning, thirteen times. Chardon himself was a bit hesitant at first to compete in Stuttgart, because he had a bad memory: “I came to Stuttgart eighteen years ago to do a show in the old hall and I came back six years later to compete in one of the first indoor marathons here in Stuttgart. I drove over 600 kilometres to get to Stuttgart and I could go home after 30 seconds in the arena after I drove a wrong course!” This time, Chardon became the glorious winner in Stuttgart and is looking forward to competing in the Schleyer Halle again in the future.

Boyd Exell from Australia drove excellent rounds today with his team, existing of a Cleveland Bay horse, a Holsteiner, a Russian Trotter and a French Trotter. Exell was fed with information on the course by his tutor Michael Freund, who followed the competition from the sideline this time. “The standard of the competitors is very high and there is no room for errors. I am very pleased with my team, they are working super together and can accelerate amazingly. I am very lucky to have them!”

In contrary to Chardon and Exell, Sandmann used his outdoor horses again in Stuttgart. Sandmann was pleased with his performance, especially because he made some fatal errors in the warm up competition. “I was not in form yesterday, today it went much better. I would have loved to become Michael Freund’s successor, but I hope I will have a chance again next year.”

Young talent Michael Brauchle from the nearby town Lauchheim put down an excellent performance by coming fourth. Brauchle came second in the German four-in-hand Championships this year behind Sandmann. Michael is raised in a true driving family. His father Franz is a farrier and four-in-hand driver and his 19-year old brother Steffen contributed with his pony pair to the German gold team medal at the World Pony Driving Championships in Denmark this summer. His mother Brigitte is also into the carriage driving sport. Michael is member of Michael Freund’s ‘Perspektivgruppe’, a group of young and talented drivers who are trained by the master himself. His brother and a cousin assisted Michael on the carriage in Stuttgart. His team existed of an Hungarian, a Thüringer, an Orlov trotter and a Dutch horse. “It was super to compete in the Schleyer Halle, the feeling is great and I was amazed by the spectators, they are much better than at the outdoor shows!” tells the young talent.

Jozsef Dobrovitz from Hungary came fifth in Stuttgart, which he praised for the excellent atmosphere. “I looked for a long tome for a good indoor team and I believe I found the right horses now. Unfortunately I made some mistakes myself!”

Werner Ulrich was with his 48 years the oldest competitor in Stuttgart, but is still feeling young and competitive: “I tried my best, but I made some errors myself. My horses went well, so I am pleased with their performance.

Results CAI-W Stuttgart:
1. Ijsbrand Chardon (Ned) 256.87
2. Boyd Exell (Aus) 260.07
3. Christoph Sandmann (Ger) 282.85
4. Michael Brauchle (Ger) 152.93
5. Jozsef Dobrovitz (Hun) 153.17
6. Zoltan Lázár (Hun) 154.15
7. Werner Ulrich (Sui) 161.13

Classification after 2 of 6 events:
1. Ijsbrand Chardon (Ned) 17
1. Boyd Exell (Aus) 17
3. Zoltan Lazar (Hun) 8
4. Jozsef Dobrovitz (Hun) 7
5. Daniël Würgler (Sui) 3
6. Werner Ulrich (Sui) 2

At Stuttgart, Press Officer is Hartmut Binder, phone: +49 172 972 2848, e-mail: hartmut.binder@mps-agentur.de Website: www.stuttgart-german-masters.de

The next FEI World Cup driving event takes place in Stockholm, Sweden, on 1 and 2 December 2007. Press Officer is Lotta Amnestal, phone: +46 709 79 56 35, e-mail: Lotta.amnestal@ridsport.se. Website: www.stockholmhorseshow.com.

More information: www.feiworldcup.org

List of Officials (Finalised October 2007) – Total 44 as per IOC decision

Technical Delegate Jumping: Mr Olaf Petersen (GER)
Technical Delegate Eventing: Mr Giuseppe Della Chiesa (ITA)
Foreign Veterinary Delegate Prof Leo Broof Jeffcott (GBR)

EVENTING
Ground Jury President Martin Plewa GER
Member: Marilyn Payne USA
Member: Christian Landolt SUI
Assistant TD Mr Andrew Griffiths GBR
Course Designer Michael Etherington-Smith (GBR)

DRESSAGE
Ground Jury President Mr Gotthilf RIEXINGER (GER)
Member 2: Mr Gary ROCKWELL (USA)
Member 3 : Mr Ghislain FOUARGE (NED)
Member 4: Dr Jean Michel ROUDIER (FRA)
Member 5: Mr Leif TORNBLAD (DEN)
Member 6: Ms Minako FURUOKA (JPN)
Member 7: Dr Barnabas Mandi (HUN)
FEI Delegate Member 8: Mrs Mariette Withages BEL

JUMPING
Ground Jury President Dr Hanno Dohn GER
Member 2: Mr David Distler (USA)
Member 3 : Mr Jean-Loup Caplain (FRA)
Member 4: Mr Chang-Kyoo YANG (KOR)
Course Designers Mr Steve Stephens (USA) & Mr Leopoldo Palacios (VEN)
Footing Expert Mr Oliver Hoberg (GER)

VETERINARY COMMISSION
President Vet Commission Dr Nigel Bruce Nichols (AUS)
Associate member Dr Keith Watkins (HKG)
Associate member Dr Paul Farrington GBR
FEI MCP Vet Dr Warwick Vale AUS
FEI MCP Vet Dr Miklos Jarmy HUN

APPEAL COMMITTEE
President & Jumping Member Mr Leonidas Georgopoulos GRE
Dressage Member Dr Vincenzo Truppa ITA
Eventing Member Mrs Anne Mette Binder DEN

FEI TRIBUNAL
Tribunal President TBC
Tribunal Member TBC
Tribunal Member TBC

STEWARDS
Overall Chief Steward Mr NY HO (SIN)
Jumping Chief Steward Mr Luis Rocco BRA
Dressage Chief Steward Mr Jacques van Daele BEL
Eventing Chief Steward Mr Jürgen PETERSHAGEN GER

FEI ITO Volunteers/Extra Officials
Eventing XC Controller Mr Geoff SINCLAIR (AUS)
Eventing Chief Time keeper Mr Martin Mollgard SWE
Eventing Sector Steward Mr Neil Clinton AUS
Eventing Sector Steward Mrs Gretchen Butts USA
Eventing Sector Steward Mr Jean Marc Varillon FRA
Eventing Sector Steward Christina Klingspor SWE
Jumping Steward John Chambers IRL
Jumping Steward Frank Spadinger AUT
Jumping Steward Stephan Hellwig GER
Jumping Steward Frances Hesketh-Jones ITA
Jumping Steward Gerard Longis FRA
Jumping Ring Master TBC
Press Steward Mr Justin Llewellyn GBR

You may also find the finalised list of officials on the FEI website at: http://www.horsesport.org/olympic/reference_doc/reference_doc.htm?sub=ol...

A report on the Olympic Test Event held in Hong Kong in August was presented at the FEI Bureau meeting in Dubai.

The goal of this essential event had been to review the venue, layout and procedures for the three Olympic disciplines.

Main issues requiring further work were lighting in the main arena; press officer and media operations; veterinary issues and confirmation of a weather protocol designed with Hong Kong Observatory; communication between FEI and the NFs.

Specific issues of NOCs / NFs are being addressed by the FEI.

Legacy Equestrian Sports Mainland China
The agreement signed by FEI with BOCOG and countersigned by the IOC at the time of the decision for the transfer of the Equestrian sports from Beijing to Hong Kong requires that a post-Games Legacy for Equestrian Sports be upheld in Mainland China.

BOCOG is committed to establish an equestrian training and competition centre suitable for international competitions within a disease free zone and finalizing the decision on its location by end 2007.

The city of Nanjing has shown a keen interest and is currently being reviewed by BOCOG. The FEI has contacted OIE with a proposal to re-initiate the OIE Mission that has visited Beijing and Hong Kong in the past, to review the possibilities of establishing a disease-free zone in one of these areas. This would require effective movement control, a serological survey to identify any movement-affecting equine diseases in the area, continuing surveillance of equine diseases and an airport that falls within the controllable area. The previous OIE Missions had structural FEI participation; it has been made clear to the OIE that such a Mission should visit China prior to August 2008.

ON TO HONG KONG WORKSHOP
Since the FEI will not hold a General Assembly early in 2008, a convenient venue which will regroup most of the NFs participating in the Olympic Games is to be selected. The objective is to allow BOCOG/HGEC to present their progress report and final arrangements in regard to key issues such as transportation. It is suggested that the ‘On to Hong Kong’ workshop be organised in Lausanne on 17 February 2008 in conjunction with the meetings held by the Welfare Sub-Committee at the same time.

The best thing that has happened to Dressage thus far, the Freestyle to music and its challenging FEI World Cup™ Series, is on the verge of another breathtaking season, with the first qualifier for the Western European League set to take place this week in Odense (DEN). Time has been kind to the prestigious FEI World Cup™ Dressage series, now embarking on its 23rd season…

Inspired by the flying one tempi changes of Olympic champion Ahlerich and Dr Reiner Klimke to the Olympic hymn in Los Angeles 1984, the idea for a Freestyle to music came to the mind of organiser Joep Bartels. Initially, the riders and the National Federations were somewhat hesitant. However, it was not long before the Kür to music became what has been heralded as one of the greatest developments in Dressage. FEI Dressage Committee Chair, Mariette Witthages puts it this way: “The Freestyle and the FEI World Cup™ have, in many ways, placed Dressage on the map. The concept of the World Cup™ was strong from the start and it has proved to be a very good thing for the development and emancipation of Dressage.”

That the concept was strong from the start is also reflected in the fact that only minor changes in the format have been made since its inception in 1985-1986. The most important being that only the Freestyle and not the Grand Prix combined with the Freestyle is decisive for the FEI World Cup™ title, a rule which saw the day in 2002. Says Mariette Withages, “For me this is one of the strongest points in the FEI World Cup™ Dressage. It makes the form of the day decisive, which is a challenge for the riders.”

For this season the new Freestyle protocol is introduced adding the halt into the compulsory marks and changing the quantifiers for all artistic parts. International riders have already been put to the test throughout last summers’ season.

Because of the audiences that embraced the Freestyle, developments in Dressage went further and, much to the delight of the fans, in Atlanta 1996 the Freestyle was welcomed to the Olympic format of the Games.

Influenced and driven by the enthusiasm of the crowds for the Freestyle to Music – the first season in 1985-1986 began with the victory of the very light and elegant Danish Marzog (Herzog x Marcio xx) with Anne-Grethe Törnblad-Jensen (DEN). Back to Denmark, but this time for the opening qualifier of the 2007-2008 season, with Odense hosting for the first time an FEI World Cup™ qualifier while Leif Törnblad, the former trainer of Anne-Grethe Törnblad-Jensen, will be sitting in as one of the judges…

The Qualifier has already raised the interest of a big Scandinavian crowd as well as very impressive prize money. Among the competitors, title defender Germany’s Isabell Werth, the Danish princess Nathalie zu Sayn and Swedish star Jan Brink are already lined up for the show. The prize money really exceeds all expectations: with the winner and runner up of the FEI World Cup™ Qualifier in Odense receiving gifts in kind, one of which is a car.

Press-officer Mai Enevoldsen commented: “Dressage really is a big thing in Scandinavia. We are very happy with the competitors thriving for this and our sponsors.”

The future of the International Dressage scene and particularly the FEI World Cup™ Dressage has recently been in the headlines with marketing and international success at the heart of discussions. Change and reassessing the format are constructive and necessary processes and the discussions and interest which have been shown confirm the value of the series now as well as in the future…

As one of seven Western European League qualifiers, newcomer Odense appears to have none of the first time jitters, with the bar raised high and a great show planned. While the final for this 23rd season will be replete with memories as ‘s-Hertogenbosch (NED) prepares to host its 8th final from 27-30 March 2008.

For further information on the FEI World Cupâ„¢ Dressage qualifier in Odense, Denmark check out website http://www.fei-worldcup.dk Press Officer Mai Enevoldsen mai.enevoldsen@jbkhorseshows.dk Tel (mobile) Phone + 45 2066 2023 or + 45 8799 0007.

The next leg of the series takes place in Stockholm, Sweden from 30 November to 2 December. Press Officer Lotta Amnestål lotte.amnestal@ridsport.se phone: +46 709 79 56 35. Check out website http://www.stockholmhorseshow.com

PHOTO CATALOGUE - Photographs of the winning riders in high and low resolution can be downloaded from the FEI online catalogue. To access it, please visit www.horsesport.org>Media Centre>Catalogue. There is no reproduction fee, but please credit photographer (photographer's name will appear under each photo)/FEI. Usage is strictly for editorial purposes.

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE RULES FOR FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ DRESSAGE FROM THE FEI WEBSITE www.feiworldcup.org

The FEI wishes to remind all our readers that a workshop - “On to Hong Kong” – designed to assist National Federations to prepare for the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong in the auditorium of the Olympic museum in Lausanne on 17 February 2008. The objective of the workshop is to provide riders, officials and veterinarians with the latest updates on the preparations in Hong Kong. The data collected during the Test Event conducted in August 2007 will also be made available on this occasion. THE WORKSHOP IS OPEN TO THE PRESS. Members of the press, please contact FEI Communications to register (m.gueorguiev@horsesport.org)
The programme is as follows:  Saturday, 16 February 2008
• Late afternoon: Arrival of participants
• Evening: Welcome and reception at Lausanne Palace Hotel followed by dinner in attendance of the FEI President

Sunday 17 February 2008, 8h00 – 17h00
• Welcome: Dr Andrew Higgins, Chairman of the FEI Welfare Sub-Committee
• Setting the scene: John McEwen, Chairman of the FEI Veterinary Committee
• Hong Kong is Getting Ready: Mr WK Lam, CEO BOCOG/ Equestrian Company
• Overview of facilities and local arrangements: Dr Chris Riggs, Head of Veterinary Clinical Services, Hong Kong Jockey Club
• Horse importation requirements: Dr Keith Watkins, HKG
• Horse transportation logistics: Martin H. Atock, Managing Director, Peden Bloodstock
• Question and answer session
• Understanding the weather situation in Hong Kong for the Olympic Games; the results of a two year study with the Hong Kong Observatory: Professor Leo Jeffcott, VetMedDr, University of Sydney, Australia, Veterinary Delegate for the 2008 Olympic Games
• Air conditioned facilities and cooling stations: Dr David Marlin, David Marlin Consulting Ltd, Newmarket, UK
• Results of horse monitoring: Dr Catherine W. Kohn, Professor, Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences Ohio State University, USA
• Panel discussion - question and answer session
• Conclusion: Dr Catherine W. Kohn
• Closing of the meeting: Dr Andrew Higgins

Contact
General organization: Nina Wittek atn.wittek@horsesport.org
Press: Malina Gueorguiev atm.gueorguiev@horsesport.org

In a thrilling competition, starring home driver Sandmann, Frenchman Benjamin Aillaud and Ijsbrand Chardon from the Netherlands, Sandmann wrote true history by winning the Final of the FEI World Cupâ„¢ Driving 2007/2008 in Leipzig a wild card. It was the first time in the seven-year history that the Final took place in Leipzig. The Organising Committee, the many spectators and the wonderful atmosphere contributed to the success of the Leipziger Final.

Christoph Sandmann drove sensationally and truly deserved his win. The owner of a transport company and organiser of the international combined driving competition in Lähden did not qualify for the FEI World Cup™ Driving season, but received wild cards in Hannover, Stuttgart and Leipzig. Sandmann already put down good performances in the previous German World Cup competitions and proofed his skills again in the Final in Leipzig: “If you had told me that I would leave Leipzig as a winner, I would not have believed you. The technical course, designed by Dr. Wolfgang Asendorf, fitted me well and I have the advantage of driving my outdoor marathon team. They are used to tight turns,” explains Sandmann, who is a true marathon specialist in the outdoor season as well. Sandmann used his 20-year old experienced gelding Gerlof ‘Alf’ in the lead and was very proud of him to have contributed to winning the World Cup title.
Germany now has a worthy successor for five times World Cup Champion Michael Freund, who was present in Leipzig as navigator for his son Marco who was the guinea pig.

Benjamin Aillaud was finally able to perform the way he wanted to. After his second place in Geneva and his disappointing fifth place in Mechelen, Aillaud took his team of Lipizzaner horses to the second place in the Final. Aillaud was the last starter in the winning round and had to be really fast in order to beat Sandmann’s result, who had gone clear. Aillaud however was not able to beat Sandmann’s fast time and knocked one cone down. “I am still very happy with my second place, especially because it is my first World Cup season. I feel that my performance here has made up for my result in Mechelen.” Aillaud only competed in two FEI World Cup™ Driving competitions before the Final and only just made it to Leipzig because of his second place in Geneva. Aillaud, who ‘plays with horses’ at the Lippizaner Stud Les Elfes Blancs in France, will try to persuade the FEI World Cup™ Jumping show in Bordeaux to host an FEI World Cup™ Driving competition again.

Ijsbrand Chardon and Boyd Exell were considered the favourite drivers to win the World Cup title 2007/2008, but were unable to confirm this. Chardon had three knockdowns in the first round and barely qualified for the winning round, in which he had two cones down as well.
Chardon was very disappointed: “I came to Leipzig to win, of course. I was very concentrated and the first ball that fell was just bad luck. I honestly do not know how and why the other balls dropped, but this is the sport. Sandmann drove excellent today and he deserved to win. I have a lot of respect for him.” Chardon added quickly that he suggested to Sandmann that it was ok for him to win in Leipzig, but that Chardon will win the World four-in-hand Driving Championship in his home country this summer!

Boyd Exell also came to Leipzig to win but admitted that he simply went too fast. “I lost my concentration for a second and made mistakes. I am pleased however with my horses, they were fantastic and went exactly where I wanted them to go.” Unfortunately the three knockdowns kept Exell from a starting place in the winning round and thus from a possible victory.

Mark Weusthof from the Netherlands started off very fast in the sold out Leipziger Messe, where the spectators enthusiastically encouraged the competitors in every round. The horses of the tall driver wanted to pass the ninth gate and Weusthof had to correct them. Two balls fell and although his time was very fast, Weusthof had to be satisfied with the fifth place.

Sweden’s Tomas Eriksson qualified last minute for the FEI World Cup™ Driving Final in Leipzig by winning the previous competition in Mechelen, but it was not his day today. He left the arena with five knockdowns: “The course was a bit too technical for me. I am better when I can make more speed. The best man won today and it was good sport. That is also important!”

Third Dutch driver in the Final Koos de Ronde had bad luck today. One of his leader horses jumped over a trace in the beginning of the course so he was not able to drive at his usual fast speed. Unfortunately the judges only discovered this half way through the course and made De Ronde stop and fix the problem. This cost De Ronde a lot of time and several balls to drop: “I am very disappointed with the judges that it took them so long to see this problem. We have all worked so hard to be able to compete at this level and these kind of mistakes are simply not allowed.” Field judge Dr. Wolfgang Asendorf admitted that it took a long time before the judges rang the bell, but because of the speed they were not able to see exactly what the problem was.

Final standings FEI World Cupâ„¢ Driving season 2007/2008
1. Christoph Sandmann (Ger) 232.88
2. Benjamin Aillaud (Fra) 238.63
3. Ijsbrand Chardon (Ned) 241.65
4. Boyd Exell (Aus) 126.26
5. Mark Weusthof (Ned) 127.73
6. Tomas Eriksson (Swe) 136.29
7. Koos de Ronde (Ned) 142.89

The FEI World Cupâ„¢ Driving Final took place in Leipzig, Germany, from 18 to 20 January 2008. Press Officer is Andreas Kerstan, phone +49 4307 827970, e-mail: andreas.kerstan@comtainment.de, website: www.partner-pferd.de

More information: www.feiworldcup.org

Sweden’s Tomas Eriksson did what he had to do in the fifth and last Qualifier of the FEI World Cup™ Driving in Mechelen, Belgium, sponsored by Willy Naessens industrial and swimming pool constructions. He won the competition by driving a super safe round and herewith claimed a last minute starting ticket for the Final in Leipzig.

Dutch course designer Johan Jacobs, who is assistant course designer at the FEI World four-in-hand Driving Championships in the Netherlands in 2008, was also responsible for the course in Mechelen. After a somewhat messy first round, in which the drivers all made mistakes, the competition resulted in a close and exciting battle between Ijsbrand Chardon, Mark Weusthof and Tomas Eriksson. The course was shortened and the multiple obstacles were taken out.

Double World Champion Eriksson was determined to make up for his poor results in Stockholm and Geneva and knew that his only chance to qualify for the Final was to win in Mechelen. “I had a good feeling about my horses in the previous competitions, but the good results stayed away,” explains Eriksson. He made no changes to his team and decided to go for it again in Mechelen, and it worked. Eriksson passed the finish line 0.91 seconds faster than Chardon and became the glorious winner in Mechelen. Mark Weusthof set the fastest time in the winning round with his team of grey Dutch warm bloods, but a knock down kept him for his second World Cup victory of this season. “I made some mistakes, especially in the first round, but I now know what to do in the Final,” said Weusthof.

Wild card driver Gert Schrijvers, who was also responsible for the construction of the good looking and colourful obstacles, which gave the course a nice look, ended on a respectable fourth place. “My goal was to end in the top three, but knowing that my horses lack indoor rhythm, I am very pleased with my performance. I used my outdoor horses while most of the other competitors have a special indoor team.”

Frenchman Benjamin Aillaud was very disappointed when the jury corrected his result, with which he had qualified for the winning round. “We only wrote down two of the three knock downs Benjamin had,“ explained President of the jury Franz-Josef Vetter. “We quickly looked into the matter and asked the judges in the field. They all confirmed that three balls had fallen, so we corrected Benjamin’s result.” Aillaud dropped to the fifth place and is now in sixth position in the standings together with Jozsef Dobrovitz. Because of his second place in Geneva, Aillaud is entitled to a starting place in the Final.

Hungary’s Zoltan Lazar lost his chance to qualify for the Final. The 2004 World Champion came sixth in Mechelen: “The black trotter I use in the lead did not have his day today. My leader horses were very unstable which caused too many mistakes.” Lazar is determined to qualify for next season’s FEI World Cup™ Driving and is planning to put a special team together. Lazar does not regret it much that he won’t go to Leipzig: “It gives my the opportunity to go skiing, my other favourite sport!”

Second wild card driver Geert De Brauwer, whose horses were driven by reigning World Champion Felix Brasseur two weeks ago in Budapest, ended on the seventh place. The sympathetic owner of Debra Farm, a Lipizzaner stud farm, encountered some problems in the tight turns but truly enjoyed competing in Mechelen.

The participation of third wild card driver Dirk Stael in the FEI World Cupâ„¢ Driving in Mechelen was uncertain until the very last moment. Stael had forgotten to bring the FEI passport of one of his four horses, but luckily the passport arrived on time before the start of the first competition on Saturday and Stael received permission to start from the jury. The Belgian Champion however clearly lacked indoor driving experience and came eighth in the Nekkerhal.

The FEI World Cupâ„¢ Driving Final takes place in Leipzig, Germany, from 18 to 20 January 2008. The drivers will start from scratch.

Results CAI-W Mechelen:
1. Tomas Eriksson (Swe) 198.33
2. Ijsbrand Chardon (Ned) 199.24
3. Mark Weusthof (Ned) 202.73
4. Gert Schrijvers (Bel) 132.83
5. Benjamin Aillaud (Fra) 136.98
6. Zoltan Lazar (Hun) 142.87
7. Geert De Brauwer (Bel) 161.15
8. Dirk Stael (Bel) 206.37

Classification after 5 of 5 events:
1. Boyd Exell (Aus) 20
2. Ijsbrand Chardon (Ned) 17
3. Mark Weusthof (Ned) 15
4. Koos de Ronde (Ned) 12
4. Tomas Eriksson (Swe) 12
6. Benjamin Aillaud (Fra) 10
6. Jozsef Dobrovitz (Hun) 10
8. Zoltan Lazar (Hun) 8
9. Daniël Würgler (Sui) 6
10. Werner Ulrich (Sui) 5

Qualified for the Final in Leipzig (18-20 January 2008)
1. Boyd Exell (Aus)
2. Ijsbrand Chardon (Ned)
3. Mark Weusthof (Ned)
4. Koos de Ronde (Ned)
4. Tomas Eriksson (Swe)
6. Benjamin Aillaud (Fra)

At Mechelen, Press Officer is Edith de Reys, phone: +32 475 659281, e-mail: edith.dereys@skynet.be, website: www.jumping-mechelen.com

The FEI World Cupâ„¢ Driving Final takes place in Leipzig, Germany, from 18 to 20 January 2008. Press Officer is Press Officer is Andreas Kerstan, phone +49 4307 827970, e-mail: andreas.kerstan@comtainment.de, website: www.partner-pferd.de

More information: www.feiworldcup.org

At the centenary Olympia Horseshow dressage stepped into a new era. Anky van Grunsven presented her brand new Freestyle composed by virtuoso Wibi Soerjadi, called ‘Dance of devotion’. The judges unanimously agreed on the victory of the Olympic gold couple (83,050%).
Along with this British dressage also stepped into a new era as Laura Bechtolsheimer reached for the unique score of 75,333% in Grand Prix, a score never received by a British dressage rider before. The huge applause and cheering of the home crowd unfortunately tonight was still in the mind of 12 year old Mistral Hojris, resulting in a lower score and fifth position. The runner up position now was for the popular Finnish Kyra Kyrklund and Max, who did a very good job with their Cabaret-Freestyle (76,500%). British Carl Hester ended at fourth position with a nice swinging and controlled test riding Dolendo of mrs Ann Cory. He was overjoyed as he hadn’t ridden a Freestyle since 2003, however the Grand Prix-score of Laura Bechtolsheimer appealed to him even more.

At the press conference a lot of remarks were given about Freestyles, developments in dressage and what Freestyles have brought to dressage. Kyra Kyrklund said: “When we sell our sport, we cannot sell the same piece year after year. I feel it’s our responsibility to bring good new things from time to time.”
Anky van Grunsven said it was not about new Freestyles but about looking closer at horses and Freestyles which brings improvement. A new piece however brings extra tension as a freestyle only can be experienced in full when showed in the arena. Anky felt very nervous before she entered the full house Olympia filled with expectation. “Normally I only have to take care of my horse IPS Salinero before entering such a packed arena. But now I had to take care of one my horse, two my new choreography, three my new music. It was quite a challenge!”
Anky said she felt a bit disappointed when she had left the arena because she sometimes was ahead of the music. “The good thing was that I felt it and did notice it. And I know the first time cannot be perfect. But still I do hope for a perfect ride.”
Chairman of the judges Dr Volker Moritz however was full of praise. “It was a very special atmosphere tonight and I was very impressed by the new Freestyle of Anky van Grunsven. It fitted the horse very well and I rewarded it with very high marks.” Judge Stephen Clarke added: “It was very subtle, very clever, very difficult. I think this Freestyle has every chance to grow as it needs a little exposure and probably practice.”
Compared to Anky’s gold winning Freestyle with the French chansons, not only the degree of difficulty in the technical performance has risen, also the degree of difficulty in the music added to the atmosphere and impression. Composer Wibi Soerjadi witnessed the performance himself and said: “This was not a translation of the movements of the horse into music. It was an expression of emotion. This ‘Dance of devotion’ was played by 70 musicians and had 16 different melodies and voices coming all together to express the endless mastership of this pair. That was what I intended to express.”
According to the judges he succeeded in that quite well.
Anky van Grunsven will bring Painted Black to the next World Cupâ„¢ in Mechelen and will show her home crowd in Amsterdam an even better timed new Freestyle, she promised.

RESULTS

1. IPS SALINERO Anky van Grunsven NED 83,050%
2. MAX Kyra Kyrklund FIN 76,500%
3. AFRIKKA Anders Dahl DEN 73,550%
4. DOLENDO Carl Hester GBR 73,100%
5. MISTRAL HOJRIS Laura Bechtelsheimer GBR 72,450%
6. PAGANINI Jeroen Devroe BEL 72,200%
6. LUXFORM’S NIMBLY Alex van Silfhout NED 72,200%
8. PREMIER Aat van Essen (NED) 72,050%
9. MR PRESIDENT Stephanie Coxford GBR 71,150%
10.ZANCOR Anna-Katharina Lüttgen GER 70,650%
11. QUANTUM TYME Evi Strasser CAN 70,450%
12. CALIMUCHO Julia Chevanne FRA 70,050%
13 DREAM OF HEIDELBERG Emile Faurie GBR 68,300%
14. RANDON Michal Rapcewicz POL 67,800%
15. PROBLESK Iryna Lis BLR 66,400%

FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ DRESSAGE 2007/2008 - WESTERN EUROPEAN LEADERBOARD AFTER ROUND 4 IN LONDON OLYMPIA:

Please note that due to a change of rules for the season 2007-2008 the actual title defender does not receive World Cup™ Points! This time title defender Isabell Werth was the winner in Odense and Frankfurt but for this reason is not listed in the rankings. Also Canadian Evi Strasser didn’t receive World Cup™ Points in London.

1. Anders DAHL (DEN) 46
2. Jan BRINK (SWE) 40
3. Nathalie ZU SAYN WITTGENSTEIN (DEN) 39
4. Patricia CALLAGHAN (NED) 32
5. Victoria MAX THEURER (AUT) 30
6. Laurens VAN LIEREN (NED) 28
7. Louise NATHHORST (SWE) 24
8. Emma KARLSSON (SWE) 20
8. Anky VAN GRUNSVEN (NED) 20
10. Silvia IKLE (SWI) 19
10. Catherina HADDAD (USA) 19
10. Jeroen DEVROE (BEL) 19
13. Wayne CHANNON (GBR) 18
13. Aat VAN ESSEN (NED) 18
15. Tinne VILHELMSON (SWE) 17
15. Andreas HELGSTRAND (DEN) 17
15. Kyra KYRKLUND (FIN) 17
18. Stephanie CROXFORD (GBR) 15
18. Heike KEMMER (GER) 15

PHOTO CATALOGUE - Photographs of the winning riders in high and low resolution can be downloaded from the FEI online catalogue. To access it, please visit www.horsesport.org>Media Centre>Catalogue. There is no reproduction fee, but please credit photographer (photographer’s name will appear under each photo)/FEI. Usage is strictly for editorial purposes. For media also the centenary London Horseshow Olympia has a media section photography.

For further information on the FEI World Cupâ„¢ Dressage qualifier in London, Great-Britain, check out website http://www. olympiahorseshow.com . Press Officer Kellie Lloyd phone: +44 207 598 6532.

The next leg of the series will take place in Mechelen (Belgium) starting 26th December. Check out website http://www.jumping-mechelen.com/_le/home.php.

2007/2008 ROLEX FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ DRESSAGE SERIES
CALENDAR OF NEXT EVENTS FOR WESTERN EUROPEAN LEAGUE:

5. Mechelen (Belgium) 26 – 30 December 2007 http://www.jumping-mechelen.com/_le/home.php
6. Amsterdam (The Netherlands) 24 – 27 January 2008 http://www.jumpingamsterdam.nl/en/
7. Neumünster (Germany) 13-17 February 2008 http://www.reitturnier.de/
8 ‘s-Hertogenbosch (The Netherlands) 27-20 March FINAL http://www.indoorbrabant.com/

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE RULES FOR FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ DRESSAGE RIDERS FROM FEI WEBSITE www.feiworldcup.org

FEI World Cupâ„¢ Dressage has entered its 23rd season. The FEI World Cupâ„¢ Dressage is the only worldwide series in this discipline. The series, created in 1985, today comprises 4 leagues
encompassing Western Europe, Central Europe, North America (including Canada) and the Pacific League (Australia, New Zealand, Asia). Each FEI World Cupâ„¢ Dressage qualifier comprises a Grand Prix test, which in turn is a qualification for the Freestyle to music competitions, where league points are accumulated towards places in the Final. Judged on both technical and artistic merit, the FEI World Cupâ„¢ Dressage combines art, sport and partnership between horse and rider at the highest level and consistently proves a winning formula with audiences all over the world.

The best riders from the preliminary competitions will qualify for the Final in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands, which takes place from 27-30 March 2008. The title-holder is Germany’s Isabell Werth.

For further information on the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) www.horsesport.org
For further information and all FEI World Cup â„¢ news: www.feiworldcup.org

The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), founded in 1921, is the international body governing equestrian sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and includes 133 National Federations.
Equestrian sport has been on the Olympic programme since 1912 with three disciplines - Jumping, Dressage and Eventing. It is one of the very few sports in which men and women compete on equal terms. It is also the only sport which involves two athletes - horse and rider. The FEI has relentlessly concerned itself with the welfare of the horse, which is paramount and must never be subordinated to competitive or commercial influences.

The FEI is frequently being approached with questions on tickets for members of the public interested in attending the equestrian events of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad taking place in Hong Kong from 9 to 21 August 2008.Please be informed that the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) is responsible for the allocation of over seven million tickets for the 2008 Olympic Games including those for the 2008 Olympic Equestrian Events to National Olympic Committees (NOCs) worldwide.
Nationals residing outside the territory of People's Republic of China (except Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region and Taiwan Province) should buy the Olympic tickets including those of the Equestrian Events through the NOCs of the countries or territories they come from or the official ticket sales agents appointed by their respective NOCs. Please find below the links to the BOCOG official ticketing website and the relevant information of the NOCs and their official ticket sales agents:
http://www.tickets.beijing2008.cn/?lang=en-cn  
http://media.tickets.beijing2008.cn/en-cn/img/static/docs/GSANOC2008.pdf  
If there is a demand for additional equestrian tickets in your country, requests should be made to BOCOG through the respective NOC as soon as possible. As advised by BOCOG, the deadline for application for additional equestrian tickets has tentatively been set for the end of January 2008.
For any further enquiries regarding the overseas ticketing arrangements for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games including the 2008 Olympic Equestrian Events, please contact your respective NOC, its official ticketing agent or the subject officer from BOCOG ticketing center as follows:
Name: Ms Dong Yan
Post title: Project Manager, BOCOG Ticketing Centre
Tel: (+8610) 6669 9378
Email:dongyan@beijing2008.cn

NEW WHITAKER WHIRLWIND HITS MECHELEN.......

Sensational British newcomer, William Whitaker, swept to victory with Arielle in this afternoon's 2007/2008 Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping qualifier presented by Land Rover at Mechelen in Belgium.

In the five-horse jump-off the 18 year old from Yorkshire showed maturity beyond his years when pinning German veteran, Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst, into second place with Lord Luis. And today's result leaves this latest member of the British show jumping dynasty lying fourth on the Western European League table and well in sight of a qualifying spot for the final in Gothenburg next April. As William said this evening, "I've been having a great run recently and this is the perfect end to the year - and just the right way to go into 2008!".....

British tails were already up after another of their new kids on the block, Ben Maher who will celebrate his 25th birthday next week, won Saturday night's Grand Prix with Rolette. The course set by Lucien Somers for today's Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping challenge saw many more-seasoned campaigners fall by the wayside in the opening round and the jump-off line-up proved an interesting one.

The Netherlands' Harrie Smolders led the way against the clock with the 11 year old stallion Exquis Oliver G but, while the 27 year old Dutchman was fast, he left the door wide open when putting two fences on the floor as the time showed 42.97 seconds. Whitaker was next into the ring with the 11 year old Hannovarian mare Arielle and he was quite clear about what he was going to do. His father, Ian, is the younger brother of Michael and John Whitaker whose careers have made them legends in their own life-times and Ian has trained and encouraged his son to follow in his uncles foot-steps. William has been working with Michael for almost two years now and he was under instruction today to go as quickly as he could without taking too many risks. Following that advice to the letter he returned clear in 41.28 seconds and that, as it turned out, proved plenty good enough to secure pole position.

Germany had three through to the deciding round, 33 year old Max Kuhner opting for a careful clear with the stallion Acantus who broke the beam in 45.27 seconds and 28 year old Franz-Josef Dahlmann shaving more than two seconds off that with Piquer Calanda but collecting eight faults along the way. However Whitaker could not be assured of his first major international victory until last man in - the considerably more experienced Alois Pollmann-Schwekhorst - raced through the finish with Lord Luis. Typically competitive, the 43 year old German set about his business with Hans-Helmut Bauer's nine year old gelding but his time of 41.74 was only good enough to clinch runner-up spot ahead of Kuhner in third, Dahlmann in fourth and Smolders in fifth.

Whitaker has inherited the family skill for understatement it seems. "I've had a few good results during the last few months" said the young man who joined his Uncle Michael's tour of North America and Canada last month, placing third in the World Cup qualifier in Syracuse and 13th in Toronto, before going on to the 5-Star fixture in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia where he was consistently in the money. Then he arrived at Olympia in London just before Christmas where he quickly established a firm fan-base after producing a spectacular victory in the Puissance riding Leonardo. His classic seat and sympathetic riding style clearly echoes the star quality of his famous uncles and there is a flurry of excitement now wherever he goes because it doesn't take a genius to see the incredible potential. His Uncle Michael however is the one who calls the shots this young man says.

"I know I'm really lucky to be working with Michael" he pointed out today. "I've been based in Nottingham with him for about two years, and today he was brilliant because he flew over from England early this morning especially - it was great to have him here, it made all the difference". William said however that the ever-expanding Whitaker grip on the sport of international show jumping hasn't even reached its peak yet. His cousins, Ellen and Robert, have already made their mark but William has two younger brothers coming along - "George is 15 and James is 10 and my Dad trains them and they can ride a bit too I can tell you, wait until you see!" he insisted.

On the eve of the Olympic year, today's result gives British show jumping a real shot in the arm and, carrying 39 points, William Whitaker looks well set to join the greats in this season's Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping finale in three months time. "I'd like to go to a few more World Cup shows but I'll be giving my horses a break for a couple of weeks first and then start back later in January" the talented young rider pointed out today.

The series resumes at Leipzig in Germany in three weeks time and, with just four further qualifying rounds after that, the pressure for points is mounting quickly......

RESULTS: 1, Arielle (William Whitaker) GBR 0/0 41.28; 2, Lord Luis (Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst) Ger 0/0 41.74; 3, Acantus (Max Kuhner) Ger 0/0 45.27; 4, Piquer Calanda (Franz-Josef Dahlmann) Ger 0/8 42.68; 5, Exquis Oliver Q (Harry Smolders) Ned 0/8 42.97; 6, Tekila D (Pieter Devos) Bel 4/68.30; 7, Finbarr V (Robert Whitaker) GBR 4/69.85; 8, Bessemeind Casino (Marten Djupvik) Nor 4/70.55; 9, Al Kaheel Spender S (Jos Lansink) Bel 4/70.57; 10, Levisto Z (Judy-Ann Melchior) Bel 4/70.75; 11, Castle Forbes Vivaldo V/H Costerveld (Jessica Kuerten) Irl 4/70.85; 12, Unique XCH (Pius Schwizer) Sui 4/71.04; 13, 11th and Bleeker (Gerfried Puck) Aut 4/71.41; 14, Laceful (Toni Hassmann) Ger 4/7.46; 15, Ever Mury Marais Z (Patrick McEntee) Bel 4/72.00; 16, Eurocommerce Monaco (Gerco Schroder) Ned 4/72.24; 17, Isaak du Jonquet (Mikael Forsten) Fin 4/72.25; 18, Hamilton de Perhet (Juan Carlos Garcia) Ita 4/73.49; 19, SIEC Concept (Cameron Hanley) Irl 4/74.82; 20, Cinderella (Marcus Ehning) Ger 4/75.46; 21, Tymoon Caloo Meerchen (Dirk Demeersman) Bel 8/69.38; 22, Erbblume (Helena Lundback) Swe 8/70.82; 23, Wisconsin (Sergio Alvarez Moya) Esp 8/70.98; 24, Van Schijndel's Curtis (Piet Raijmakers) Ned 8/71.53; 25, Chupa Chup 2 (Bernardo Alves) Bra 8/71.89; 26, Cashmira (Vincent Lambrecht) Bel 8/72.17; 27, Animous (Tina Lund) Den 8/72.84; 28, Vigo d'Arsouilles (Philippe Le Jeune) Bel 8/73.87; 29, Tresor V (Steve Guerdat) Sui 8/74.31; 30, Common Sense (Mikhail Safronov) Rus 8/75.11; 31, Sam (Albert Zoer) Ned 12/68.49; 32, Cavalor's Winningmood (Ludo Philippaerts) Bel 12/72.86; 33, Item de Quintin (Niels Bruynseels) Bel 12/74.03; 34, Con Spirito R (Theo Muff) Sui 16/72.32; 35, Air Jordan Z (Daniel Deusser) Ger 16/73.79; Equal 36, Gerfaut D'Helby (Bruno Rocuet) Fra, Sea Coast Silvana (Kristof Cleeren) Bel, Esplanade (Peter Wylde) USA, Jadis de Toscane (Philippe Rozier) Fra Retired; 40, Jovis de Ravel (Roger-Yves Bost) Fra DNS.

ROLEX FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ JUMPING 2007/2008 - WESTERN EUROPEAN LEADERBOARD AFTER ROUND 7 IN MECHELEN:

1. Jessica Kuerten - 59
2. Rutherford Latham - 48
3. Helena Lundback - 41
4. William Whitaker - 39
5. Albert Zoer, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum - 36
7. Rolf-Goran Bengtsson - 32
8. Ludger Beerbaum, Steve Guerdat - 31
10. Nick Skelton - 30
11. Malin Baryard-Johnsson - 28
12. Michel Hecart - 25
13. Michael Whitaker - 24
14. Heinrich-Hermann Engemann - 23
15. Harrie Smolders, Judy-Ann Melchior, Markus Fuchs - 22
18. Piet Raijmakers - 21
19. Daniel Deusser, Omar Bonomelli - 20
21. Luciana Diniz, Marco Kutscher - 19

PHOTO CATALOGUE - Photographs of the winning riders in high and low resolution can be downloaded from the FEI online catalogue. To access it, please visit www.horsesport.org>Media Centre>Catalogue. There is no reproduction fee, but please credit photographer (photographer's name will appear under each photo)/FEI. Usage is strictly for editorial purposes.

For further information on the Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping qualifier in Mechelen, Belgium check out WEBSITE www.jumping-mechelen.com or contact Press Officer Edith De Reys Tel (mobile) +32 475 659281, email edith.dereys@skynet.be. The NEXT leg of the series takes place in Leipzig, Germany from 17-20 January. Show President at the German fixture is Volker Wulff, Show Secretary is Conny Reuss and press Officer is Andreas Kerstan - contact Email: andreas.kerstan@comtainment.de, Tel (mobile) +49 17775 32624. WEBSITE www.engarde.de.

MEDIA GUIDE - The FEI is pleased to provide you with a Media Guide for the 2007/2008 season. The Guide is filled with useful facts, figures and statistics including the list of winners since the series began in 1978 and contact details to help you access all the information you need. You can download it from the Media Centre on FEI website www.horsesport.org or order a hard copy from FEI Communications - Email o.robinson@horsesport.org.

2007/2008 ROLEX FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ JUMPING SERIES - CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR WESTERN EUROPEAN LEAGUE:
1, Oslo (Norway) 12-14 October; 2, Helsinki (Finland) 18-21 October; 3, Verona (Italy) 8-11 November; 4, Stuttgart (Germany) 14-18 November; 5, Geneva (Switzerland) 6-9 December; 6, London-Olympia (Great Britain) 17-22 December; 7, Mechelen (Belgium) 26-30 December; 8, Leipzig (Germany) 17-20 January; 9, Amsterdam (The Netherlands) 24-27 January; 10, Bordeaux (France) 1-3 February; 11, Vigo (Spain) 8-11 February; 12, 's-Hertogenbosch (The Netherlands) 27-30 March; FINAL - Gothenburg (Sweden) 24-27 April.

YOU CAN SEE IT ON TV
2007/2008 ROLEX FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ JUMPING BROADCAST SCHEDULE FOR ROUND 7 IN MECHELEN:

Live/Delayed Live
VRT (Belgium) - Sunday 30 December 15.00
Equidia (France) - Sunday 30 December 20.45, Monday 31 December 18.30
ESTONIAN SPORTS (Estonia) - Check local listings
SVT (Sweden) - Sunday 30 December 17.00
RAI (Italy) - Check local listings

Highlights
CBC Country (Canada) - Check local listings
CNBC Asia - Check local listings
CNBC Europe - Check local listings
ESPN Brazil - Check local listings
ESPN Star (Pan Asia) - Friday 18 January 21.00, Sunday 20 January 05.30, Wednesday 30 January 01.30, Thursday 31 January 02.30
Eurosport - Wednesday 9 January - check listings for time
Finnish Sport TV - Check local listings
Fox Australia - Check local listings
Fox Middle East - Friday 25 January 17.00, Tuesday 29 January 20.00
M-Net (Pan Africa) - Thursday 24 Januar 18.00, Friday 25 January 00.00, Saturday 26 January 09.00, Sunday 27 January 11.00, Monday 28 January 13.00,
Tuesday 29 January 15.00, Wednesday 30 January 17.30, Thursday 31 January 20.00, Friday 1 February 23.30.
Sport TV (Portugal) - Check local listings
Sport Plus (France) - Monday 14 January 21.00
WCSN (USA) - Check local listings

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE RULES FOR FEI WORLD CUPâ„¢ JUMPING RIDERS FROM FEI WEBSITE www.feiworldcup.org

FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping has entered its 30th season. The series, created in 1978, today comprises 14 leagues on all continents. The best riders from 132 preliminary competitions will qualify for the final in Gothenburg, Sweden which takes place from 24-27 April 2008. The title-holder is Switzerland's Beat Mandli.

The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), founded in 1921, is the international body governing equestrian sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and includes 133 National Federations.

Equestrian sport has been on the Olympic programme since 1912 with three disciplines - Jumping, Dressage and Eventing. It is one of the very few sports in which men and women compete on equal terms. It is also the only sport which involves two athletes - horse and rider. The FEI has relentlessly concerned itself with the welfare of the horse, which is paramount and must never be subordinated to competitive or commercial influences.

-end-

Just like last year, Valentina Truppa (21) was the winner of the World Cup™ Final for Young Riders. In the third and decisive test of the World Cup™ Final for Young Riders she secured the nicest farewell to her Young Riders-period she could imagine by winning her second World Cup™. Due to her advanced training for the piaffe, the reining European champion YR had experienced some difficulties with the halt in the first two tests in the Festhallen in Frankfurt. However the training day between the qualifier Prix St Georges Friday and the decisive Freestyle today she used by practising the halt only and she solved the problem. “It caused some confusion and misunderstanding with Chablis but today I was very happy with him! After the gold medal at the European Championships YR this year, this farewell to my Young Riders-time now is a wonderful end of a wonderful time of my life”, Valentina expressed.
Runner up Lotje Schoots from the Netherlands won the first two tests. The chairman of the judges Katrina Wüst said: “The first three medallists were of a very good quality. They all three had very good tests. The average quality compared to that of last year has been improved a lot! Lotje Schoots did three very convincing performances with her expressive mare. Unfortunately today one of the pirouettes went wrong and as the pirouette has the qualifier 2, it did take her win away.” Only Stephen Clarke still marked Lotje Schoots as the winner having her in the first position.

For a lot Young Riders the huge and colourful Festhallen in Frankfurt in Christmas-atmosphere were a very impressive décor for a horseshow. After the first day with the team test as a warming up, Portuguese rider Francisco Boaventura Freire (19) did everything to relax his Lusitano stallion. The pure bred Lusitano stallion Peralta Pinha was bred by Coudelaria Alegria dos Pinhais in São Paulo, Brazil, property of the Brazilian Luis Ermírio de Moraes and exported to Portugal. According to Francisco Boaventura Freire, he and Peralta enjoy tremendous friendship. Francisco comments: “Peralta is the only horse that actually talks to me, he is always willing to work and please. He is different! He is very willing to work and for me that is his strongest point next to his attitude and canter work like the pirouettes”. The third prize and bronze medal was the best thing that has happened to Francisco in his young career, he emphasizes. “I will make up my mind now for the near future and probably will combine doing Grand Prix and Young Riders-tests as long as that goes together:.
Lotje Schoots said at the press conference she will continue educating Reine B for Grand Prix and will concentrate with her horses Popeye and Toricello on Young Riders-challenges next year.

For some participants tension rose high, which caused some mistakes in their program. German Kristina Sprehe happened to forget the half passes to one sided and dropped in the points. In the B-Final more program failures occurred. One participant unfortunately did a full pirouette instead of the desired half one for Intermediate level, another left out a part of the series. “We should have made a video. It would have created a very nice judges examination test or preparation for the riders for big championships like the World Cup™ Final or Europeans next year”, chair Mariette Withages commented with a smile.
From the overseas participants Australian Alycia Targa and Neversfelde Kudu based in team trainer Ralf Isselhorst stables did the best. She was the runner up in the B-Final. It really was a challenge for her to participate in Germany as the trip home through Great-Britain with the quarantine will bring her horse back home not earlier than February only.
Nevertheless the experience was worth it, most Young Riders felt. Encouraged by international rider Ann Kathrinn Linsenhoff they all added a present to Unicef under the big Christmas Tree as well, which was next to competing and celebrating friendships and hospitality another good thing to share with each other.

Find more at www.escon-marketing

Press centre Frankfurt CDI phone +49 69757541805

RESULTS A-FINAL WORLD CUPâ„¢ FINAL YR

1. Chablis Valentina Truppa (ITA) 75,250%
2. Reine B Lotje Schoots (NED) 73,000%
3. Peralta Pinha Francisco Boaventura Freire (POR) 71,600%
4. Capuccino D Anne Bendix (DEN) 70,050%)
5. Flyinge VDL Wetano Lillann Jebsen (NOR) 68,75%
6. Flipper d’Or Ene HN Maxime Collard (FRA) 66,900%
7. Royal Flash Kristina Sprehe (GER) 65,85%

WINNER B-FINAL WORLD CUPâ„¢ FINAL YR

1. Markus Jongwirth Smart Cookie (AUT) 66,65%

PHOTO CATALOGUE - Photographs of the winning riders in high and low resolution can be downloaded from the FEI online catalogue. To access it, please visit www.horsesport.org>Media Centre>Catalogue. There is no reproduction fee, but please credit photographer (photographer's name will appear under each photo)/FEI. Usage is strictly for editorial purposes.

For further information on the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) www.horsesport.org
For further information and all FEI World Cup â„¢ news: www.feiworldcup.org

The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), founded in 1921, is the international body governing equestrian sport recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and includes 133 National Federations.
Equestrian sport has been on the Olympic programme since 1912 with three disciplines - Jumping, Dressage and Eventing. It is one of the very few sports in which men and women compete on equal terms. It is also the only sport which involves two athletes - horse and rider. The FEI has relentlessly concerned itself with the welfare of the horse, which is paramount and must never be subordinated to competitive or commercial influences.

 The Olympic Games whose legendary founding by Heracles was recounted by Pindar - regarded as one of the greatest poets since antiquity and whose prose was immortalised by Picasso - find their roots some 3,500 years ago in Ancient Greece. Their duration spanned for over 1,000 years beginning in 776 B.C. and ended in 393 A.D. by decree of the Christian Roman Emperor, Theodosius I, as their ancient associations with what were considered pagan gods had become irrelevant.
Indeed, the original Olympic Games were more than a just a platform for athletes to compete against each other, they were an opportunity to assemble and accomplish the various rituals and sacrifices in the name of Gods – and in this case Zeus. This was not an isolated case, for by the end of the sixth century B.C there were four major festivals featuring organised athletic competitions – the Olympic Games at Olympia in honour of Zeus; the Pythian Games at Delphi honouring Apollo (the most celebrated of the pan-Hellenic festivals); the Nemean Games also in honour of Zeus at Nemea; and the Isthmian Games honouring Poseidon at Corinth. However, the Olympic Games were not limited to Olympia, with later editions also taking place in many locations throughout the Greco-Roman world, including Rome, Naples, Antioch, and Alexandria.
Nonetheless, neither rain, hail, political unrest, nor war could dampen the Olympic spirit, with every edition being religiously held over the 1037 year span. Each edition was spread over five days, with a relatively stable programme as of the fifth century BC, although the occasional addition and withdrawal of a discipline was not uncommon.
The horse and the many accolades which ensued first made their appearance at Olympic Games in 680 B.C. when chariot racing was introduced. It was by far the most exciting and spectacular event on the programme, while the winners of these events went on to be highly acclaimed and revered. The chariots had two wheels and were, when initially introduced pulled by four horses, although the programme would at one point extend the equestrian events to also include horse racing and as well as chariot races for two horses and races for foals – although for the last two, their Olympic status was only short lived.
You can imagine with 30 chariots drawn side by side, staggered starts and 12 death defying rounds, amounting to over 9km of nail biting tremors and dolby gasps form the crowds, it was only natural the winner be showered in praise. Well, only natural in so far that the proclaimed winner was neither the driver nor rider but the owner. Indeed, these were the only events in the ancient Olympic programme which did not recompense the athletes. Interestingly, a very important milestone was borne out of this odd exception.
The very first woman to win at the ancient Olympic Games was a Spartan princess named Cynisca born around 440 B.C. in the four-horse chariot race in 396 B.C. and again in 392 B.C. And while it does, on one level, defy all the odds as women were not even allowed to compete in the Olympic events, it can be explained by the fact that it was the owners of the horses proclaimed winners of the event, and thus a female owner meant a female winner. She was the sister of Spartan king Agesilaus II. It is interesting to note that whilst most women in the ancient Greek world were kept in seclusion and forbidden to learn any kind of skills in sports, riding or hunting, Spartan women by contrast were brought up from girlhood to excel at these things and to disdain household chores.
When the Games were abandoned in 393 AD, the mythical and heroic site of Olympia became largely forgotten until an English archaeologist named Richard Chandler discovered the site in 1766. By that time, it was mostly ruins and much, if not most, had been irrevocably lost, destroyed, and pillaged.
Excavations were then ensued by various teams, a French archaeological team in 1829, but, ultimately it was not until the work of a German team from 1875 to 1881 that brought the site to the light of day and annual reports began to surface on the progress made. They raised the curiosity of one man, who then visited Olympia in October 1894. None other than the father of the modern Olympics, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, but of course, as you know the rest is history…

Ali Yousuf Ahmad Saad Al Rumaihi won Qatar's first Asian Games gold medal in Jumping, adding even more success to the Doha Racing and Equestrian Club after the Eventing medals won earlier in the Games. Twenty-five year old Rumaihi, training with World Champion Jos Lansink (BEL) took the final victory with a crystal clear score riding the brown stallion Nagano.

Silver was decided in a thrilling jump-off between Chinese Taipei's 17-year-old Jasmine Chen Shao Man on Comodoro and Korea's Olympic rider Joo Jung Hyun on Seven Up. Comodoro was the first horse out; the pair picked up full speed and, despite the two fences they had down, took the silver medal with a time of 38.72 seconds.
Joo Jung Hyun and Seven Up had to settle for bronze after two fences down and a significantly slower speed (time 47s93).

Joy Chen Shao Chiao, twin sister of silver medallist Jasmine, finished in fourth place with nine faults. The sisters and bronze medallist Joo train in Germany at the Schockemoehle stables.

In the team competition, Sydney Olympic bronze medallist Khaled Al Eid on Alryiadh led Saudi Arabia to their first Asian Games equestrian gold medal. Thanks to his and team-mate’s H.R.H. Prince Abdullah Al Saud on Saudia two clear rounds, the Saudis finish on the impressive overall score of 4 points. Abdullah Sharbatly / Hugo Gesmeray and Kamal Bahamdan / Campus 8 had one and two fences down respectively, followed by faultless second rounds.

The Korean squad (Song Sang Wuk / Clinton H; Hwang Soon Won / Jacomo 2; Park Jae Hong / Pinocchio; and Joo Jung Hyun / Seven Up 15) under the management of Paul Schockemoehle were in silver.

Bronze went to the riders from the United Arab Emirates who, like the Saudis, were first timers at Asian Games. H.E. Sheikha Latifa Al Maktoum / Kalaska de Semilly, Abduallah Mohd Al Marri / Secret D Amour; Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi / Quatro H and Mohamad Al Kumaiti / Almutawakel finished on 16 points.

The courses built by Olaf Petersen Jr. proved challenging indeed, the The triple combination proved to be the biggest challenge.

The full results are available on the official website of the 15th Asian Games, www.doha-2006.com.

Media representatives wishing to cover the 2007 Pan American Games to be held from 13 to 29 July 2007 in Rio de Janeiro (BRA) should contact their National Olympic Committee no later than 8 January 2007.

Conducted every four years, the Pan American Games began in 1951 in Buenos Aires. For more than 50 years they have never failed to take place and have traveled from Winnipeg (CAN) in the north of the American continent to Mar Del Plata (ARG) in the extreme South. The Games have also visited Mexico City (MEX), Chicago (USA), Cali (COL), San Juan (PUR), Caracas (VEN), Indianapolis (USA), Havana (CUB) and Santo Domingo (DOM).

Horsesport – Eventing, Dressage and Jumping – will be one of the 28 sports on the programme of the 2007 Pan American Games, where no less than 5,500 athletes from 42 countries are expected to convene.

Forty 7 year old horses qualified today for the final of the FEI World Breeding Jumping Championship on Sunday. Today’s winner, Quincy de Rosseignies, will not reappear in the Ratina Arena, the main stadium of the championships at the Zangersheide Stud. Ludo Phillipaerts had an amazing jump off aboard the careful SbS-bred Cruising-daughter, but their poor performance in the first qualifier, yesterday, made it impossible beforehand to start in the final.

Tough competition once more in the three age groups of the World Championships. One mistake, even a time fault, may well stand in the way of the battle for the medals on Sunday. After two qualifications Laura Kraut and the Zangersheide bred Canecko Z (s.Candillo) lead the field of forty combinations for the final. Her seventh place yesterday and fourth position today however are of no good to Laura any more, all final competitors start with a blank score sheet on Sunday.

No less than 65 7 year olds remained faultless and qualified for the jump off. Some riders, who had their second clear round and were already qualified for the final, decided not to ride in the jump off, in order to keep the strength in their horses for Sunday. Others really hit the gas and tried to win some money, knowing they didn’t qualify for the final anyway.
Ludo Phillipaerts found himself a true fighter in Quincy de Rosseignies, the mare that he only rides for a couple of weeks. Careful Quincy cooperated extremely well in the short turns, being drawn to the fences like a magnet (0/38.36). Second placed Mario Stevens from Germany, riding the Oldenburg bred Numero Uno, needed a bit more time clearing the fences: 0/39.55. Third place was for Andreas Schou from Denmark aboard Holstein bred Corratus. Neither of today’s top three qualified for the final.

The Dutch KWPN is the most successful studbook in the 7 year old division. No less than twelve of the 20 final horses are bred in Holland. Holstein and Belgian Warmblood (BWP) both have 5 horses in the final. The small Studbook Zangersheide had a remarkable score, qualifying four horses for Sunday. Selle Français (4 horses in the final) did well to quality standards: the numbers two and four after two days are French bred horses, displaying a lot of power and ability. My Lord Carthago HN, a very nice cross bred stallion combining the best from Holstein (Carthago) and Normandy (Jalisco B), today had a small mistake in the jump off with French rider Pénélope Leprevost. Mélodie Ardente (Apache d’Adriers x Jalisco B), ridden by Simon Delestre, took fourth place.

But, again, on Sunday nobody will be interested anymore in the way horses qualified for the final.

 Martin Atock, Managing Director of the official Olympic horse transportation company Peden, tells a tale that contrasts the sophistication of 21st Century equine flight management with the less complicated methods employed in earlier times......
In 1990 he was travelling to a show with a team of American horses and US Chef d'Equipe Frank Chapot was on the flight.
"Frank asked to visit the cockpit to have a look around, and he stood between the pilot and co-pilot chatting about how much things have changed over the years in terms of transportation and the rules and regulations and conditions," Martin says. Mr Chapot, a six-time Olympian who went on to become a much-respected course-designer and judge, then astonished his listeners as he recalled his trip to the Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden in 1956.
"He said that when the aircraft landed in Stockholm, it taxied in and the doors were immediately opened and the horses walked straight down the ramp onto the tarmac. The saddles and bridles were unloaded from the back of the aircraft and the horses were tacked up - right there on the apron - and were ridden to the Olympic venue which was miles away!" Rather different to the procedures that will be in place as the equine athletes arrive in Hong Kong this summer for the 2008 Olympic Games where air-conditioned floats will carry them in their air-conditioned stabling at the core venue in Sha Tin within 1 hour and 50 minutes.
Martin has been working in the horse transportation business for 20 years now and he says that "98% of the work is logistics". The movement of 303 horses to Hong Kong will be his biggest project ever however, and it promises to be a complex exercise that will test the effectiveness of those logistics to the limit.
The secret of success is, he says, "anticipation - you need to deal with potential problems right away rather than letting them develop."
"The two main concerns are claustrophobia and colic," he continues. "Just like people, most horses will travel fine but there may be one or two who are nervous and agitated and this is where the judgment and skill of our flying grooms comes into play. They are the experts and the back-bone of our operation. It used to be the practice to have the horse's own grooms and vets travelling with them, but the flying grooms are uniquely qualified to deal with situations as they arise. They stay calm and cool no matter what happens, and they know all the signs of trouble brewing and can pre-empt problems by taking quick action".
He says that the flying grooms also have a hugely calming effect on the horses, even before loading. "People associated with the horses naturally worry about them and they can project their anxiety onto the horse so easily. If you have worried, nervous people then you will have worried, nervous horses. I don't think most people realise just how sensitive horses are to human anxiety - they pick it up very quickly and become anxious themselves as a result. The flying grooms, on the other hand, have no personal connection with the individual horses and their calmness and kindness helps the horses to feel much more at ease," he explains.
After the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000 there was one instance that epitomises the quick-thinking responses of the flying grooms whose job is all about ensuring the smooth transfer of their charges from one location to the next. Two 747 aircraft were being used to bring the horses home in relays, and while the first two flights went perfectly to plan there was a hiccup when flight three arrived in Singapore.
"As it was about to leave on the next leg of its trip a technical problem was noticed, but flight four was already on the ground preparing to return to Sydney for the final load and the flying grooms simply transferred all the horses off flight three onto flight four in the space of an hour and then continued on their way, while the horses waiting in Sydney just had to spend an extra 18 hours in their stables and they were perfectly happy. The flying grooms on both aircraft liaised with each other and made a quick and sensible decision that ensured the best welfare of all the horses. You need skill to do something like that - knowledge of aircraft, ground staff, technical issues in relation to dealing with the airport authorities - and you need to be a good decision-maker," Martin points out.
He believes a great deal of his work is about stress-reduction. "Our job is to take care of all the arrangements in relation to getting the horses to the competition venue so that grooms, riders and everyone else can concentrate on what they need to do and everyone, including the horses, arrives in a good frame of mind ahead of the competition".
Martin knows a bit about the strains of competition himself having enjoyed a successful Eventing career before calling a halt following a riding accident. It was while he was working for German vet Peter Cronau that he was asked if he would like the job of Road Manager for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police tour of Europe in 1988 and he has never looked back since.
His day begins at the crack of dawn and runs late into the evening but the punishing life-style is something he really enjoys. "I like having a problem so that I can find a way of solving it," he says. "Logistics are a real buzz for me and the challenge is never-ending".
"Complications arise no matter how well things are prepared so you always have to have a contingency plan" he points out and his main purpose is, he says, to create a "first-class atmosphere" for his equine passengers. "You'll notice human first-class passengers look relaxed - they are not rushed on or off the aircraft, they have no stress during the flight and when they disembark they look fresh and ready to get on which whatever they have to do. Well, we aim to treat horses in exactly the same way."
When the equine athletes arrive in Hong Kong for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad then they should be feeling pretty good indeed.....

The World Games 2010 Foundation has appointed Peden Bloodstock as the Official Shipping Agent for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, to be held 25 September to 10 October 2010, at the Kentucky Horse Park.Peden Bloodstock will be engaged in the management, coordination and provision of all equine transport services and ground logistics for the Games. This will include but is not limited to coordinating the shipment of some 800 horses, their attendants, equipment and carriages to and from Lexington from all corners of the globe, and playing an intensive role in quarantine and bio-security management on the ground.
"It is an honor for Peden Bloodstock to have been chosen by the Foundation to manage the equine transport logistics for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games," stated Peden Bloodstock Managing Director, Martin Atock. "We believe that our track record specializing in large and complex movements of horses to and from World Championships and Olympic Games speaks for itself, having been appointed shipping agents for all the WEG’s since their inception in 1990 and having also handled the last six Olympic Games."
"Additionally, we are very fortunate to have highly skilled staff who possess countless years of experience in handling complex and important movements of this nature," Atock continued. "This is indeed a first for the World Equestrian Games, which have never before been held outside the European Continent and this in itself creates an unprecedented movement of horses to and from the United States, the likes of which has never been seen before. We are confident and excited to be meeting this logistical challenge head on and look forward to working with the Foundation to make this the most memorable Games ever."
The company’s experience made it a natural choice to handle the record number of horses that will be shipped to the United States in 2010, noted Foundation Competition Director Kate Jackson.
"Peden Bloodstock is very familiar with the World Equestrian Games, and that will only aid our efforts as we work together to create the best competition environment possible for the 2010 Games," said Jackson.
Peden Bloodstock is an international company engaged in the management, co-ordination and provision of transport services for horses throughout the World. The Peden name has been associated with horse transport since 1947, when the company was the first to commercially transport horses by air. Peden has offices in Germany and the United Kingdom staffed by personnel with countless years of experience in handling complex and important movements.
The Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, to be held at the Kentucky Horse Park September 25-October 10, 2010, are the world championships of the eight equestrian disciplines recognized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI), and are held every four years. The Games have never before been held outside of Europe; nor have all eight disciplines ever previously been held together at a single site— both firsts that will be achieved at the Kentucky Horse Park. The 2010 Games are expected to have a statewide economic impact of $150 million. It is anticipated that more than 600,000 spectators will attend the 16-day competition.

National Diversity Solutions (NDS) has been selected to manage the supplier recruitment, registration and qualification process for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games."The 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games represent a tremendous opportunity for our state and the Central Kentucky region," said D. Mitchell, CEO for National Diversity Solutions, which is a Lexington, Kentucky-based certified minority owned business. "We are honored to be selected as a partner for this prestigious event."
Companies wishing to register as a potential supplier for the 2010 Games can go to www.feigames2010.org, and follow the instructions for supplier registration under the menu selection "Get Involved."
National Diversity Solutions will facilitate the supplier registration process for the World Games 2010 Foundation, Inc. using their web-based Supplier Collaboration Portal. This solution will automate the engagement process between the hundreds of potential suppliers and the World Games 2010 Foundation. NDS will ensure that qualified suppliers are presented for consideration, and will also assist in recruiting suppliers to register for potential opportunities as they arise.
"We are anticipating a wide variety of supplier needs as preparations for the 2010 Games move forward," said Foundation COO Rob Hinkle. "With their web-based services, NDS will be able to quickly and efficiently link us to suppliers qualified to handle an event of this size."

The Hong Kong Jockey Club has entered into a Co-operation Agreement with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Museum that will pave the way for the development of a Hong Kong Olympic Museum."We are determined to see that the Olympic legacy and Olympic spirit will live on in Hong Kong, long after Games time," Club Chairman John C C Chan said at the 10 April signing ceremony at the Club's new Beijing Clubhouse, which was officially opened on the same day.  "We are therefore delighted to work with the IOC and Sports Federation and Olympic Committee (SF&OC) of Hong Kong, China on continuing promotion of the Olympic Ideal and sports in general throughout the region."
Both parties also signed a Contributor Agreement under which the Club will be supporting the Olympic Movement by making a donation to the IOC Museum.
"The Hong Kong Jockey Club is one of the oldest sports clubs in the world. It is also a distinguished organisation in supporting social programmes in Hong Kong," IOC President Jacques Rogge said at the ceremony. "The Club became a good partner to the Olympic Movement when it stepped in to support the Beijing Organising Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government with the offer to host the equestrian events of the 2008 Olympic Games. I have personally seen the facilities and they are the best ever. I am very pleased to see the Club expand its support by becoming a contributor and developing Hong Kong Olympic Museum," said.
Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Henry Tang said, "Ever since Hong Kong was entrusted with the important task of co-hosting the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Events under three years ago, we have been mobilising our best resources in the Hong Kong community for the purpose. One of our valuable resources is The Hong Kong Jockey Club. The Club has already invested HK$1.2 billion in providing the best equestrian venues and facilities in Olympic history, and is setting new standards in Olympic equestrian sport."
The Co-operation Agreement signing ceremony with the International Olympic Committee, held at the newly-opened Beijing Hong Kong Jockey Club Clubhouse, was witnessed by a strong line-up of dignitaries including BOCOG Executive Vice-President and Secretary General Wang Wei; President of the SF&OC Timothy Fok, Standing Committee Member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Chen Zuo'er and Deputy Director of Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office Zhou Bo.
In her congratulatory video message to the Club, President of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein praised the Club for its commitment to excellence. "The Beijing 2008 Olympics have presented horse sport with the opportunity to work with outstanding organisations in the Beijing Olympic Committee and The Hong Kong Jockey Club to deliver a shared vision of providing an unequalled platform for equestrian competition." 
The signing ceremony coincided with the grand opening of the Beijing Hong Kong Jockey Club Clubhouse, marking the Club's first physical presence in Beijing.  "With an increasing number of our members visiting Beijing regularly for business or leisure, we wanted not only to build a clubhouse with world-class service, but also to provide them with a 'home away from home'," Mr Chan said.
The Beijing Clubhouse, located in the Wangfujing area in the heart of the capital, is built in a style that crosses over between the traditional courtyard structures of the Ming and Qing Dynasties and contemporary architecture concepts, making it a masterpiece of modern aesthetics. It is equipped with restaurants, bar and lounge, an advanced gymnasium and an executive business centre, as well as 90 luxurious guest rooms.

 The Veterinary Committee made its report to the Bureau. The main items presented were: 
Treatment AND Anti-doping:
- the urine detection times of 13 out of the 15 substances included in the Medicine Box have been finalised;
- Risk management in connection with new substances coming to the market will continue;
- Education of riders, trainers and veterinarians as well as proactive contacts with the media will be developed;
- an electronic web-portal access for Treating Veterinarians will be developed;
- support Latin America in setting up a reference laboratory;
- The FEI Competitor Guide to Doping and Medication Control in now available in five languages medication leaflet in 5 languages (English, French, Spanish, Russian and Arabic).
HORSE MOVEMENT:facilitate the testing and certification protocol for temporary importation; increasing acceptance of the model health certificate; pro-active approach to National Federations and Organising Committees; develop contingency plans for emerging disease situation. 
STATEMENT ON HYPERFLEXION (ROLLKÃœR): the following statement was adopted:
There are no known clinical side effects specifically arising from the use of hyperflexion, however there are serious concerns for a horse's well-being if the technique is not practiced correctly. The FEI condemns hyperflexion in any equestrian sport as an example of mental abuse. The FEI states that it does not support the practice.
HYPERSENSITISATION: It was decided to carry forward the updated protocol for event checks. The pilot study on competition intensity was also to be pursued.
Endurance:Research on fatigue and metabolic compromise, also in hot and humid conditions, should be continued when budgetary possible. Star system for event veterinarians should be evaluated further.
Vaccination: Further clarification on vaccination rules was tabled.
The following main strategic goals were identified for the coming three years:
Movement of Horses: Acceptance of Testing and Certification protocol
Medication Control: Review programme funding and testing coverage
Research: Monitoring progress of associated projects (competition surfaces project)
Create dedicated web portal to provide support to treating veterinarians

   The latest video message by FEI Secretary General is now available on the FEIwebsite.
In this month’s briefing, Alex McLin dwells, among other subjects, on the meetings of the FEI Technical Committees and the FEI Bureau which are taking place at this moment, the subject of youth and the newly produced competitor’s guide to doping and medication in horses.
The Secretary General’s monthly messages were launched last month primarily for the attention of National Federations but we encourage all our readers who are interested in the latest developments in the FEI activities to watch them.

The discipline of Endurance is undergoing a full review of its rules. One of the key innovations introduced in new rules, which will come in force on 1 January 2009, is the emphasis put on the education of all officials involved in the discipline be they judges, technical delegates, and veterinarians.A significant contribution towards this new development will be brought by the agreement which was recently concluded between the FEI and Hydra Properties of Abu Dhabi (UAE). Thanks to this support, which spans over two years – 2008 and 2009 – amounts to DHS 500,000 (CHF 134,000), a worldwide educational programme will be set up. Courses will be organized and the documents used in these courses will be thoroughly reviewed and updated to include a handbook on the discipline, CDs and DVDs.
Hydra Properties’ sponsorship is the very first of its kind and is quite unique in the sports world in general in that it is solely intended for use in education. It is key in that it comes at a crucial moment of the development of the sport and, if well used, will contribute towards setting the foundation for proper growth.
Hydra Properties, in conjunction with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, has been a strong supporter of FEI competitions within the UAE. Hydra Properties is an organisation which is behind some of the most prestigious residential and business developments in the UAE. The FEI is proud of its association with Hydra Properties and sees it as a fantastic opportunity but also as a challenge to develop the professional level of Endurance.

Qualification for Olympic Groups F and G (Africa-Middle East and South East Asia-Oceania) took the form of assessments conducted by a highly experienced Ground Jury which travelled to three different locations to evaluate the three teams – Japan, Australia, and New Zealand – vying for Olympic qualification. The two teams to secure their Olympic slot in Dressage are Australia (teams score 196.167) and Japan (194.792).This qualification is an historical highlight for Australia as it is the first time in Olympic history that the country qualifies an Olympic Dressage team, apart, of course, from the 2000 Olympic Games, when the Australian team was granted a place as representatives of the host country. Australia thus becomes one of the seven nations to have teams in all three Olympic equestrian disciplines, the others being Brazil, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Sweden and the USA.
The Ground Jury
The Jury was composed of O-Status International Dressage Judges Mariette Withages (BEL), Mary Seefried (AUS), Minako Furuoka (JPN), and Dieter Schüle (GER) and International Judge Jan Bird (NZL). One of these judges –Minako Furuoka – will also be officiating at the Olympic Games.
The Assessment
Originally, the FEI Regional Olympic Dressage Team Qualifier should have taken place in October 2007 in Australia. It would have been the highlight of the Dressage year in the Asia-Pacific region. However, the outbreak of equine influenza in Australia prevented the organisation of such an event. The nations affected – Australia, Japan, and New Zealand – worked with the FEI to find a mutually acceptable solution. It was then decided that instead of having the teams compete head-to-head at a single venue, the Ground Jury would travel to the three places most convenient for the teams. These three venues were Les-Arcs-sur-Argens near Cannes (FRA) for the Japanese team; Sydney (AUS) for the Australians; and Palmerston North (NZL) for the riders from New Zealand.
Les-Arcs-sur-Argens near Cannes (FRA), 31 January 2008
At Les-Arcs-sur-Argens near Cannes, the best three Japanese riders - Hiroshi Hoketsu, Mieko Yagi and Yuko Kitai - scored a total of 194,792%. This was the score to beat for the Australian riders and the New Zealand squad in the next two assessments. Ground Jury President Dieter Schüle commented, “All the riders did a really good job. The winner Hiroshi Hoketsu had good impulsion and his extensions went very well as did the passage.”
Hiroshi Hoketsu is based in Germany and trains with Ton de Ridder from Aachen. The trainer is very proud of his pupil, a former USA-based manager of Johnson & Johnson who will turn 67 next March and may thus be the oldest member of the entire Japanese Olympic delegation. Hiroshi Hoketsu was the first Japanese rider to win a CDI*3 last season showing his 11-year old horse Whisper 115 in Vierzon. Ton de Ridder and Hiroshi Hoketsu arrived early in Cannes to get used to the outdoor arena and the weather conditions.
Says De Ridder, “Hoketsu has been fighting for this dream for the last five years and his perseverance and attitude are admirable. While experiencing successes and disasters, like having his horse Calando not sound at the 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games, he stuck to his dream. He found a new horse, kept on believing in our training and discipline and now he has succeeded. I am very happy for him! It also proves that new things are possible in Dressage, at any age, even at 67.”
An impressive crowd followed the event as Olympic qualification is an important occasion indeed.
Sydney (AUS), 4 February 2008
The Olympic Assessment travelled on to Sydney where Brett Parbery, Heath Ryan and Rozzie Ryan scored a total of 196.167 and became the first nation of Regional Groups F/G to secure Olympic qualification.
The Olympic venue in Horsley Park near Sydney was flooded and so the Olympic Assessment had to be moved. This did not influence the results and team spirit of the Australian squad who took over the lead from the Japanese riders. Mariette Withages commented, “Amazingly winner Brett Parbery scored the same points as the Japanese rider Hoketsu last week in France: 66,917%. As the total of the Australian team was a bit higher, this team was the first to qualify for the Olympic Games.”
New South Wales professional and former Australian buck jump champion Brett Parbery rode Carolyn Lieutenant’s imposing 18-hand French Anglo Arab/Percheron cross gelding Victory Salute to a clear 2% win (final result 66.917%). Flamboyant Heath Ryan became runner up on Greenoaks Dundee (64.708%). In third place was Rozzie Ryan riding the elegant Donnerhall mare Donna Carrera (64.542%). Ryan and Rozzie are husband and wife and the 2008 Olympics are definitely a family affair. Rozzie has been dreaming for an Olympic spot since 2000 and has managed to keep the dream alive for eight years.
“After the uncertainties that equine influenza brought to our industry, it is a great relief to see the path to Hong Kong falling into place,” a satisfied Heath Ryan commented.
Palmerston North (NZL), 7 February 2008
Three days later, the New Zealand team consisting of Jody Hartfield, Kallista Field and Bill Noble scored a total of 177,875%, which allowed Japan to secure the second Olympic place.
The New Zealand the winner was Jody Hartstone riding Landioso (60,292%). Mariette Withages explained, “A Japanese delegation followed us from France to Australia to New Zealand to see all rides and scores with their own eyes. Just like in France, all the riders in Australia and New Zealand were very nervous and aware of the responsibility. However, watching the riders from New Zealand, we found good basics wanting. Much improvement is needed in these basics.”
Results
Australia                                                                                                      196.167%                   QUALIFIED
1. Victory Salute – Brett PARBERY                                                                66.917%
2. Greenoaks Dundee – Heath RYAN                                                          64,708%
3. Donna Carrera – RozzieRyan                                                                 64,542%
4. Lanzaro – MareeTomkinson                                                                   63.708 *
Japan                                                                                                            194.792%                   QUALIFIED
1. Whisper 115 - Hiroshi HOKETSU                                                            66,917%
2. Dow Jones 13 – Mieko YAGI                                                                    64,167%
3. Rambo 394 – YukoKitai                                                                           63,708%
4. Why Me - Hiroyuki KITAHARA                                                                     61,87 *
New Zealand                                                                                                178.300%                   NOT QUALIFIED
1. Landioso – Jody HARTSTONE                                                                60,292%
2. Soda – Kallista FIELD                                                                                59,708%
3. Vincent St James – William NOBLE                                                        57,875%
4. Jaybee Anzac – Nicole MAGOFFIN                                                            57.583 *
* drop scores
Note:All participants at the three different Regional Assessments will be able to count their individual  scores towards the MES (if 64 % or over) for the Olympic Games. Due to the Equine Influenza outbreak in Australia, the scores given in Australia and New Zealand are also counted as scores for the World Dressage Ranking List, as given the veterinary circumstances, no international dressage events have been held in this region.
Dressage Teams at the 2008 Olympic Games
The following teams have qualified for the Dressage events at the 2008 Olympic Games: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the USA. All teams will consist of three riders and three horses each.
Further to the decision of the Swiss Dressage team not to compete at the 2008 Olympic Games announced earlier this year, their qualification place will be reallocated to the FEI Olympic Riders Rankings – Dressage of 1 May 2008. This means that three individual spaces – the number of riders on an Olympic Dressage team – will be selected from the FEI Olympic Riders Rankings – Dressage.If three of these qualifying spaces/riders are from the same nation, it will be considered as a NOC/NF team.

"Great facilities, research and resources assures us that the horses competing at the equestrian Olympic Games in Hong Kong will be more than well cared for !" said IOC Medical Director Dr Patrick Schamasch at the end of today's historic Workshop on Heat & Humidity in Lausanne, Switzerland attended by 160 delegates from 25 National Federations. And the message going out from the floor of the meeting was one of unanimous agreement that everything possible is being done to protect the equine members of the equestrian partnerships. 
Martin Atock, from the official horse transportation agents Peden Bloodstock, believes that horses should arrive in Hong Kong in great shape.  "When we flew horses to Sydney we had two technical stops but they flew well.  They were relaxed before travelling having spent 14 days in quarantine and there is no reason why they won't travel to Hong Kong just as easily.  If you stick to the rules and take the advice you are being given they should arrive safely and comfortably" he pointed out. 
The series of presentations, detailed in the Oympic News Section of the website (http://www.fei.org/Events/Olympic_Games/Pages/summ.aspx), allayed fears about the challenge presented by Hong Kong's sub-tropical climate. Dr Andrew Higgins, Chairman of the FEI's Welfare Sub-Committee, said "information is available and documented and if there is anything you don't understand or can't find then you only have to ask and the FEI will be more than happy to answer your questions. Follow regulations, and when in Hong Kong follow the bio-security measures - we are importing healthy horses so let's keep them healthy!" he added. 
Prof. Leo Jeffcott, Veterinary Delegate to the 2008 Games, warned - "we don't want to make you complacent. This is a great venue but we also need a great effort to ensure success and that includes RESPONSIBLE RIDING in these conditions. Horses must not be over-stretched and should be really fit - if we don't have responsible riding then everything we have put in place will come to nothing....." 
Veterinary expert Dr Catherine Kohn said that today's speakers were "advocates for the welfare of your horses. Please make use of all the resources being made available to you. Our goal is safe and excellent competition". 
Dr David Marlin pointed out that the state-of-the-art air-conditioning and cooling facilities "should be a major contribution to the welfare and safety of your horses" while Dr Chris Riggs, Head of Veterinary Clinical Services at the Hong Kong Jockey Club, emphasised that "between now and the Games, phone us, contact us by email, keep in touch with us - there is only so much we can guess about what you need in terms of supplies and facilities - let us know what you particular requirements are and we will do our best to help. There is no point in turning up to find that there are things you need which we don't have - we can't give you everything but we don't want to disappoint you". 
Dr Keith Watkins from the Hong Kong Jockey Club and Equestrian Company once again emphasised the need for vigilance in order to safeguard horse health and FEI Veterinary Director Frits Sluyter recommended that all horses should be vaccinated against Japanese Encephalitis, a disease endemic in the region. 
John McEwen, Chairman of the FEI Veterinary Commission, said "the FEI is listening and we want to get it right. Between now and the Olympic Games we want to hear from you if you feel we are missing something. The climate will be challenging but we have the data and the expertise and there is no need for the health and safety of any horse to be compromised. All the work produced for this Workshop has been done in the name of Best Practice and today's event was staged to increase debate and the flow of information. Now we want you to go away and spread the news". 
"We are very happy to have provided so much good research for the Workshop" said the FEI's Deputy Secretary General Alex McLin, "now it is up to the Federations to look at it carefully and to act on it" and the FEI President HRH Princess Haya concluded that the honours this summer will go "to the horse and rider partnerships who have done their homework best".
"We are unique in our sport because horses and riders are equal partners but the horses cannot speak for themselves and therefore we must protect them in every way we can" she pointed out. "Today's Workshop has been very important because it is about communicating what we have learned over a number of years - information that can help all of those coming to Hong Kong this summer to be fully informed so that they can be prepared and give their very best".

Why Hong Kong?Why are the equestrian events of the Olympic Games being held in Hong Kong rather than Beijing?
In order for a horse participating in an international sporting event to be imported in a country, bilateral agreements – or protocols for temporary importation - must exist between the host country and the horse’s home country. This is needed to ensure that the equine health status of both countries is preserved or, in other words, that no infectious of contagious disease will be spread as a result of the trip.
So far, the equine health status of mainland China remains unknown; it is not clear what risks may be threatening international horses’ health. As a result, a horse that is imported in China will not be allowed back into its home country.
When the Games were allocated to Beijing back in 2001, it became evident that the temporary importation of 200 competition horses into an area with an unknown health status would be a serious challenge.
The FEI went to great lengths in trying to set up a Disease Free Zone (see below) in the vicinity of Beijing. However, due to a variety of factors and for reasons unrelated to the FEI, it became clear that this was an unfeasible objective.
It was then decided to move the equestrian events of the Olympic Games to the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong, where protocols for temporary importation had been in existence for many years.
What is a Disease Free Zone?
A disease-free zone is a specific area which has been internationally recognised as being free of contagious diseases. For a zone to be pronounced disease-free, it has to correspond to some strict criteria. The number of equids in the area has to be studied; strict animal movement control must be set; and scientific (serological) surveys must be carried out to establish the exact disease situation. Furthermore, all the exporting countries need to agree that the survey and report are scientifically sound. It has therefore to be corroborated by an independent organisation, such as the World Organisation for Animal Health (Office International des Epizooties OIE).
Who Decided?
The decision to move the equestrian events from Beijing to Hong Kong was made between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Beijing Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG). Hong Kong was chosen in relation to its existing importation protocols and long-established equine health status. Another factor included Hong Kong’s expertise in dealing with sports horsesavailable from within the Hong Kong Jockey Club, one of the oldest institutions in Hong Kong, founded in 1884 to promote horse racing.
And while being removed from the rest of the Olympic events has its drawbacks, it is widely viewed that the advantages in this case outweigh the disadvantages.
Hong Kong has been extremely supportive and the cooperation with the Hong Kong organisers has been tremendous.
Transportation
Who is Responsible? Who Meets the Costs?
It is the responsibility of the Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games to select an official shipping agent, cover the costs and ensure that suitable conditions and travel arrangements are available both in terms of welfare of the horse and certifying documentation.
The FEI endorses the role of facilitator and ensures that optimal travel conditions are met, providing guidelines for welfare with regards to flight recovery, dehydration, feed, acclimatisation, etc.
Peden Bloodstock has been named the official shipping agent of the 2008 Olympic Games. The organisation will be engaged in the management, coordination and provision of all equine transport services and ground logistics. Peden Bloodstock has a solid track record in large and complex movements of horses, having handled every FEI World Equestrian Games since their inception in 1990 and the past six Olympic Games. 
No less than 225 horses will be travelling to the Olympic Games in Hong Kong, with a large percentage of these leaving from Europe.
How Are Horses Flown Around the World?
All the horses attending the Olympic and Paralympic Games will depart form five hubs around the world, chosen and approved by the Organiser. These are: Amsterdam, London Stansted, New York, Los Angeles and Sydney.
Horses will travel in 'Jet Stalls" with two horses per stall. Flight times vary between 12 and 15 hours with some aircrafts stopping at Dubai en route. The temperature in the aircraft will be 17 C approximately.
A Peden-appointed professional groom will accompany horse attendants on the flight, and attendants will travel through security with their charges in the 'Jet Stalls'. It is expected that horses will be in their stables within 1 hour 50 minutes of arrival in Hong Kong.
Furthermore, agreements have been made with the air companies transporting the horses to ensure that upon arrival in Hong Kong, the planes will dock in the cargo area from where the human passengers will catch a bus to the main terminal. A very valuable initiative which has been well received as it will ensure that the horses do not spend any unnecessary time in the jet stalls in transit waiting to be transported to the cargo area in hot and humid conditions.
Throughout the trip, horses need to be trained to drink as they often suffer from dehydration during long distance flights and their feed is adapted to counteract the effects of dehydration. The FEI advises for one week flight recovery time and additional time for acclimatisation.
Quarantine
What Is Quarantine?
Quarantine is compulsory isolation set up to prevent the spread or introduction of a contagious disease. The word comes from the old Italian word “quarantena”, meaning forty day period.
The aim of all quarantine measures is to ensure that all horses are healthy both when they arrive and depart, and that the good equine health status of Hong Kong is preserved.
The health of the local horses and repatriation of the visiting equines are central to the safeguards being put in place.
Is Quarantine Required Before Travelling to Hong Kong?
Horses must be resident in an AFCD (Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of Hong Kong) approved country for 60 days and must be under veterinary supervision during the 30 days preceding export.
Horses must be held at AFCD approved premises and be certified free from clinical signs of infectious or contagious diseases and external parasites and must be fit to travel. They must be certified for vaccination against Equine Influenza, tested for Equine Infectious Anaemia and other diseases if necessary, their movements must be certified for the previous 60 days.
Horses from about 40 nations will thus observe a seven day pre-export quarantine phase in Aachen, Germany, where the horses will be quartered in the stables of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein e.V. (ALRV), which have been approved by the Hong Kong veterinary authorities. No other horses will be allowed within a radius of 100 meters of the quarantine area. They will then be flown out from Amsterdam, which is one of the five approved hubs.
Aachen had already been quarantine site in the run-up of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.
What is Post Arrival Isolation?
All horses will spend ten days in Post-Arrival Isolation (PAI) The ten days begin after the arrival of the last horse into the compound; training and competition are possible during PAI under conditions of strict separation between the international sports horses and the resident racing horse population.
Weather Conditions
Hong Kong vs. Beijing, What Is the Difference?
Overall, there are minor differences between the weather conditions in Hong Kong and Beijing, although Hong Kong does present higher humidity levels. But, on the other hand, Beijing has higher pollution levels, so the quality of the air would have posed different problems.
Anti-Doping CONTROL
How will anti-doping control be conducted in Hong Kong
One of the major priorities of the FEI is to ensure doping-free horsesport and protect the health and welfare of its animal and human athletes. Strict anti-doping tests will be conducted during the 13 competition days of the 2008 Olympic Games.
Two FEI Medication Control testing veterinarians will be officiating. Some 50 to 60 tests will be carried out, including all the first three horses in each trial as well as some others selected by the ground jury and the testing veterinarians. Criteria for selection such as geographic representation, placing, whether or not the horse has been in the holding box during the horse inspection and its fitness are taken into consideration.
As soon as the horses selected for testing leave the competition arena, they are taken to the sampling stables. Urine and blood samples are collected from every horse under supervision from the testing officials. The collected samples are split into A and B portions; the rider or groom signs a form to certify that they witnessed the testing procedure.
The A portion of the blood and urine samples is packed in one security bag; the B portion is packed in two security bags: one containing the urine and the other the blood sample. The reason for this is the fact that the B portion needs to be stored in case a confirmatory analysis is required. Urine is frozen while blood, which should not be frozen, is only cooled.
Thus prepared, the packages are forwarded to the Laboratory of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, which is one of the best laboratories in the world. The turnover time for test results will significantly decrease as the samples will have very little distance to travel.
Once the samples reach the laboratory, portion B is stored in the manner described above and portion A is used for testing. It is analysed for every possible prohibited substance. This process takes anywhere between seven and 14 days. If a prohibited substance is detected, the case is reported to the FEI Veterinary Department which, in cooperation with the FEI Legal Department, examine the specifics to decide on further action. The IOC is also informed of such cases.
CONCLUSIONS
Horsesport is facing a challenging situation at the 2008 Olympic Games. Therefore, every reasonable measure has been taken to ensure safe and exciting sport which is in no way detrimental to the welfare of the horses. Thanks to the remarkable level of cooperation reached between the Hong Kong Equestrian Company, organiser of the event, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the venue provider, the IOC and the FEI, facilities of exceptional quality and logistical arrangements acceptable to all have been put into place. With the careful preparation of the National Federations sending their teams to Hong Kong, everyone can look forward to unforgettable 2008 Olympic Games.

The FEI Task Force Chairmen met for four days, from 21 to 24 February, to agree on the final recommendations for the new FEI Endurance Rules for 2009 and onwards.Far reaching changes are recommended by the Task Force that has consulted widely with all those involved in the discipline over the last year following their creation immediately after the FEI World Endurance Forum held in Paris, February 2007.
FEI Technical Committee members will now have an opportunity to review the Task Force proposals ahead of their annual meeting scheduled for early April in Switzerland. At this meeting the Committee will add their own comments and input to the proposed new format. The detailed proposals from the Task Force, together with the full input of the Technical Committee, will then be circulated to all FEI Federations. Full details will also be published on the FEI Web site at that time.
Feedback from National Federations will then be requested and such feedback, where appropriate, will be incorporated into the final proposed FEI Endurance Rules for 2009. This final proposal will then be circulated to all FEI NFs for last review.
Formal approval of the new rules will be carried out at the FEI General Assembly in Argentina in November and, if so approved, will come into force in January 2009.
The Task Force meeting, to which all Divisional Chairs from around the world attended, was kindly hosted and supported by the Dubai Equestrian Club. Additionally the ongoing work of the Task force over the last twelve months has been supported by The Royal Jordanian Equestrian Federation.
One of the Task Force Chairmen commented ‘This truly is the very best and most full playing field attempt to update our rules since this all started……….. I am left feeling very proud of work like this’.
The FEI would like to express it's gratitude to all of those who have contributed to the process so far and have given so much of their time and effort to this review. The review is an opportunity for those directly involved with the discipline to create a sound foundation upon which FEI Endurance can continue to grow in the years to come.

Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee, announced via live web-cast Singapore as the host city of the first edition of the Youth Olympic Games to take place in 2010.Nine cities – Athens (Greece), Bangkok (Thailand), Debrecen (Hungary), Guatemala City (Guatemala), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Moscow (Russian Federation), Poznan (Poland), Singapore (Singapore) and Turin (Italy) – had applied to host the event. Moscow and Singapore were selected as the finalists by IOC’s panel of experts. The final choice was made by the IOC members who cast their vote via post over the last few weeks. Fifty-three of the 105 IOC members entitled to vote chose Singapore and 44 Moscow; IOC members from Russia and Singapore did not vote.
The Youth Olympic Games aim to bring together talented athletes – age group 14 to 18 - from around the world to participate in high-level competitions, and will also run, alongside the sports element of the event, educational programmes on the Olympic values, the benefits of sport for a healthy lifestyle, the social values sport can deliver, and the dangers of doping and of training to excess and/or of inactivity.
The first Summer Youth Olympic Games in Singapore will open on 14 August 2010 and will bring together approximately 3,200 athletes and 800 officials. The sports programme will encompass all the sports on the programme of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, but with a limited number of disciplines and events.
Where equestrian is concerned, competitions will take part in horsesport’s biggest Olympic discipline, Jumping, on borrowed horses. The FEI is currently working on the qualification criteria with the IOC. These will be made available as soon as they have been established.

The brumby in all its shapes, sizes and forms, is another of Australia’s eccentric inhabitants, with friends like the long Footed Potoroo, the Spotted Tree Frog and the Mountain Pygmy Possum, you’re bound to be a bit special. Admittedly, the Brumby did arrive a little later, and does have many close relatives around the world although made quite a splash in Australia, as Brumbies are now considered to be the largest population of wild horses in the world. Let’s face it, it’s not hard to be over the top in the Australian outback, the iconic bush, where blueys, billies and billabongs are the norm… 
And by the sounds of it, or by the looks of Banjo Patterson’s poetry, if you’re not a swagman, the man from Snowy River or Clancy of the Overflow, you may feel right out of place. It’s a far cry from Bondi Beach, Kakadu National Parks or the Sydney Opera House, it’s the untamable high country where another set of Australian myths and traditions of Australian identity were born. 
Back to the Brumby - horses first arrived on the red continent with the first settlers but became Brumbys (or known as) at some point in the early 1800s. Why these wild horses would soon be known as Brumbies is debatable, although two explanations stand out: 
The name "brumby" may have originated from the Aboriginal word "baroomby" meaning wild. 
Or, the name "brumby" may have originated from references to horses which were released into the wild in the early 1800's by a certain James Brumby. Having arrived some time around 1791 he sailed to Tasmania in 1804 as part of a new settlement. He left horses behind which ran wild and were unable to be mustered, and who, legend has it, were known as Brumby's horses, or more simply as Brumby's when referring to his free-running horses, and later as brumbies. 
However it was, it came into existence, the name "brumby" became part of the Australian language, and as it has stood the test of tradition, is now the official name of Australia's wild horse. Indeed, the domestic stock horses turned wild soon enough become an integral/essential part of the mystical landscape where "Banjo" found his inspiration. 
Brumbies can generally be found in the bush and semi-desert and remote regions of Australia living in family mobs, as mobs of colts, as mobs of stallions, and as lone bachelor stallions. A family mob is generally made up of a dominant stallion, a lead mare, and other mares with their foals and yearling foals. A lead mare is a very dominant mare which will lead the mob. She will lead the mob to where feed is, or to water, and take the lead when there is a need to go somewhere at a canter. As a general rule, a mob may vary in size from two to say twelve. A common size is probably around five to seven. A strong stallion may have a large mob, while a weak one may have only one mare with her foal. 
Given Australia’s dry climate, the law of survival of the fittest has definitely had an impact on the type of horse the brumby is – a tough and hardy horse, curious but cautious and very varied, whether it be in terms of size, colouring, shape... Sizes can vary from small, about 12 hands, to quite large, say 16 1/2 hands. Brumbies are generally smaller than domestic horses though. There are even reports of shetland pony brumbies in Australia. There are also some typical features, such as the U-neck (where the top of the neck is concave downwards), and the big head.
And if you can’t contain yourself any longer and need to Waltz Matilda, the lure and lore of the Bush have gotten to the better of you …
[Stage directions: Readers stand up and sing] 
Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong,
Under the shade of a coolibah tree,
And he sang as he watched and waited 'til his billy boiled
"Who'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me?" 
And if the picture fits, Banjo need have sung long for a curious Brumby or a mob of them to come a-Waltzing Matilda with him…

We are pleased to inform you that your reference page on heat and humidity has been competed with a video compilation of all the presentations made during the Pre-Olympic Workshop On to Hong Kong. We encourage you to watch this summary which contains all the key points raised during the day.
To view the video compilation, visit www.fei.org > Events > Olympic Games > Heat and Humidity Workshop and scroll down to reach the section “Videos of the Presentations” or click this link.

The FEI Task Force Chairmen met for four days, from 21 to 24 February, to agree on the final recommendations for the new FEI Endurance Rules for 2009 and onwards.Far reaching changes are recommended by the Task Force that has consulted widely with all those involved in the discipline over the last year following their creation immediately after the FEI World Endurance Forum held in Paris, February 2007.
FEI Technical Committee members will now have an opportunity to review the Task Force proposals ahead of their annual meeting scheduled for early April in Switzerland. At this meeting the Committee will add their own comments and input to the proposed new format. The detailed proposals from the Task Force, together with the full input of the Technical Committee, will then be circulated to all FEI Federations. Full details will also be published on the FEI Web site at that time.
Feedback from National Federations will then be requested and such feedback, where appropriate, will be incorporated into the final proposed FEI Endurance Rules for 2009. This final proposal will then be circulated to all FEI NFs for last review.
Formal approval of the new rules will be carried out at the FEI General Assembly in Argentina in November and, if so approved, will come into force in January 2009.
The Task Force meeting, to which all Divisional Chairs from around the world attended, was kindly hosted and supported by the Dubai Equestrian Club. Additionally the ongoing work of the Task force over the last twelve months has been supported by The Royal Jordanian Equestrian Federation.
One of the Task Force Chairmen commented ‘This truly is the very best and most full playing field attempt to update our rules since this all started……….. I am left feeling very proud of work like this’.
The FEI would like to express it's gratitude to all of those who have contributed to the process so far and have given so much of their time and effort to this review. The review is an opportunity for those directly involved with the discipline to create a sound foundation upon which FEI Endurance can continue to grow in the years to come.

Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee, announced via live web-cast Singapore as the host city of the first edition of the Youth Olympic Games to take place in 2010.Nine cities – Athens (Greece), Bangkok (Thailand), Debrecen (Hungary), Guatemala City (Guatemala), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Moscow (Russian Federation), Poznan (Poland), Singapore (Singapore) and Turin (Italy) – had applied to host the event. Moscow and Singapore were selected as the finalists by IOC’s panel of experts. The final choice was made by the IOC members who cast their vote via post over the last few weeks. Fifty-three of the 105 IOC members entitled to vote chose Singapore and 44 Moscow; IOC members from Russia and Singapore did not vote.
The Youth Olympic Games aim to bring together talented athletes – age group 14 to 18 - from around the world to participate in high-level competitions, and will also run, alongside the sports element of the event, educational programmes on the Olympic values, the benefits of sport for a healthy lifestyle, the social values sport can deliver, and the dangers of doping and of training to excess and/or of inactivity.
The first Summer Youth Olympic Games in Singapore will open on 14 August 2010 and will bring together approximately 3,200 athletes and 800 officials. The sports programme will encompass all the sports on the programme of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games, but with a limited number of disciplines and events.
Where equestrian is concerned, competitions will take part in horsesport’s biggest Olympic discipline, Jumping, on borrowed horses. The FEI is currently working on the qualification criteria with the IOC. These will be made available as soon as they have been established.

The brumby in all its shapes, sizes and forms, is another of Australia’s eccentric inhabitants, with friends like the long Footed Potoroo, the Spotted Tree Frog and the Mountain Pygmy Possum, you’re bound to be a bit special. Admittedly, the Brumby did arrive a little later, and does have many close relatives around the world although made quite a splash in Australia, as Brumbies are now considered to be the largest population of wild horses in the world. Let’s face it, it’s not hard to be over the top in the Australian outback, the iconic bush, where blueys, billies and billabongs are the norm… 
And by the sounds of it, or by the looks of Banjo Patterson’s poetry, if you’re not a swagman, the man from Snowy River or Clancy of the Overflow, you may feel right out of place. It’s a far cry from Bondi Beach, Kakadu National Parks or the Sydney Opera House, it’s the untamable high country where another set of Australian myths and traditions of Australian identity were born. 
Back to the Brumby - horses first arrived on the red continent with the first settlers but became Brumbys (or known as) at some point in the early 1800s. Why these wild horses would soon be known as Brumbies is debatable, although two explanations stand out: 
The name "brumby" may have originated from the Aboriginal word "baroomby" meaning wild. 
Or, the name "brumby" may have originated from references to horses which were released into the wild in the early 1800's by a certain James Brumby. Having arrived some time around 1791 he sailed to Tasmania in 1804 as part of a new settlement. He left horses behind which ran wild and were unable to be mustered, and who, legend has it, were known as Brumby's horses, or more simply as Brumby's when referring to his free-running horses, and later as brumbies. 
However it was, it came into existence, the name "brumby" became part of the Australian language, and as it has stood the test of tradition, is now the official name of Australia's wild horse. Indeed, the domestic stock horses turned wild soon enough become an integral/essential part of the mystical landscape where "Banjo" found his inspiration. 
Brumbies can generally be found in the bush and semi-desert and remote regions of Australia living in family mobs, as mobs of colts, as mobs of stallions, and as lone bachelor stallions. A family mob is generally made up of a dominant stallion, a lead mare, and other mares with their foals and yearling foals. A lead mare is a very dominant mare which will lead the mob. She will lead the mob to where feed is, or to water, and take the lead when there is a need to go somewhere at a canter. As a general rule, a mob may vary in size from two to say twelve. A common size is probably around five to seven. A strong stallion may have a large mob, while a weak one may have only one mare with her foal. 
Given Australia’s dry climate, the law of survival of the fittest has definitely had an impact on the type of horse the brumby is – a tough and hardy horse, curious but cautious and very varied, whether it be in terms of size, colouring, shape... Sizes can vary from small, about 12 hands, to quite large, say 16 1/2 hands. Brumbies are generally smaller than domestic horses though. There are even reports of shetland pony brumbies in Australia. There are also some typical features, such as the U-neck (where the top of the neck is concave downwards), and the big head.
And if you can’t contain yourself any longer and need to Waltz Matilda, the lure and lore of the Bush have gotten to the better of you …
[Stage directions: Readers stand up and sing] 
Once a jolly swagman camped by a billabong,
Under the shade of a coolibah tree,
And he sang as he watched and waited 'til his billy boiled
"Who'll come a-Waltzing Matilda, with me?" 
And if the picture fits, Banjo need have sung long for a curious Brumby or a mob of them to come a-Waltzing Matilda with him…

 NO. 1 - INTRODUCTION - "to share information....."
ANDREW HIGGINS, Chairman of the FEI Welfare Sub-Committee, introduces the speakers and explains the motivation behind the staging of today's Workshop - to broaden understanding of the procedures being put in place to protect the health, safety and welfare of the horses competing at the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong. 
* * *
NO. 2 - SETTING THE SCENE - "every Olympic venue presents its own challenge....."
JOHN McEWEN, Chairman of the FEI Veterinary Committee, outlines the baseline topics of discussion, thanks the organisers of the 2007 "Good Luck Beijing" Test Event and the Federations who pooled relevant information in order to facilitate a consensus of 'best practice' for competing in hot and humid conditions, and acknowledges the sponsorship of today's event by Peden Bloodstok and The International League for Protection of Horses. 
* * *
NO. 3 - HONG KONG IS GETTING READY - "a general overview....."
W.K. LAM, Chief Executive of the Equestrian Events (Hong Kong) of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad Company Limited, details the logistics for the staging of the Games with reference to both venues - Sha Tin and Beas River.
Mr Lam describes layout, access, competition and training areas, stabling and back-of-house facilities along with horse transportation and freight insurance arrangements. He also explains the accreditation, transportation and accommodation plans for athletes and officials at the Olympic Village, the Olympic Family Hotel, the Media Hotel and the Grooms Village along with the services available at each location, and he outlines catering arrangements at the competition venues.
Mr Lam runs through the cultural, educational and community programmes staged in Hong Kong in an effort to raise local awareness and support, he comments on the lessons learned during last summer's Test Event and mentions the Opening and Closing Ceremonies along with the tours and events that will be arranged for athletes and officials during their stay. A competition and training schedule, details of stable opening hours and the list of appointed officials are included in his presentation. 
* * *
NO. 4 - EQUINE QUARANTINE AND BIO-SECURITY MANAGEMENT - "safeguarding the health of both the local and visiting horses....."
KEITH L. WATKINS of the Hong Kong Jockey Club and Equestrian Company, Hong Kong SAR, is a member of a distinguished panel that has formulated health protocols and standard operating procedures designed to address the specific challenges presented by the importation of 200 horses into Hong Kong for this summer's Olympic Games.
The panel, which also includes KENNETH K.H. LAM of the Hong Kong Jockey Club and Equestrian Company, Hong Kong SAR, DAVID G. POWELL from The University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA, FRITS SLUYTER of the FEI and HENRY S. M. CHEUNG, MICHELLE L. YEUNG, THOMAS H.C. SIT and KENNY C.H. HO from the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Dept. (AFCD), Hong Kong SAR, paid particular attention to the close proximity of the visiting horses to the two local equine populations at Sha Tin Racecourse and at the Riding School in Beas River during the period.
The introduction or spread of disease, especially the highly-contagious equine influenza (EI) virus, is of major concern. The potential for the spread of infection when horses are being transported, particularly by air, is emphasised and Dr Watkins points out that the smooth running of the Games, the health of the local horses and repatriation of the visiting equines are central to these safeguards being put in place.
He describes the difficulties encountered in creating a Disease Free Zone for horses in China after Beijing originally won the Olympic bid, and the subsequent decision to stage the equestrian events in Hong Kong due to its long-established equine health status and with the expertise available from within the Hong Kong Jockey Club. The large number of horses being imported, their length of stay, and the prevailing climatic conditions at the time of year have combined however to create a uniquely challenging environment. 
Other KEY POINTS explained in this presentation include:
a)             Quarantine Management Team which includes a Local and Deputy manager along with 11 overseas veterinary Specialist Sports Volunteers and Local Volunteers.
b)             Equine Health Protocols - detailed in "Standard Operating Procedures" (see below)
c)             Quarantine Requirements before Export to Hong Kong - horses must be resident in an AFCD (Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of Hong Kong) approved country for 60 days and must be under veterinary supervision during the 30 days preceding export.
d)             7-Day Pre-Export Quarantine regulations - horses must be held at AFCD approved premises and be certified free from clinical signs of infectious or contagious diseases and external parasites and must be fit to travel. They must be certified for vaccination against EI, tested for Equine Infectious Anaemia and other diseases if necessary, their movements must be certified for the previous 60 days and they must be examined by a Government Official Veterinarian of the country of export with 24 hours of leaving the Pre-Export Quarantine (PEQ) premises.
e)             All horses will spend 10 days in Post-Arrival Isolation. The ten days begin after the arrival of the last horse into the compound; training and competition are possible during PAI.
f)              Specific testing for EI may be performed on all horses prior to and/or on entering PEQ premises - this is currently under discussion.
Finally, Dr Watkins calls for DILIGENCE in compliance with protocols, VIGILANCE at all times and PRO-ACTIVE REPORTING of any signs of disease.