The 2005 FEI Eventing World Cup season took off strongly last weekend with two qualifiers held in Barroca d’Alva (POR) and Tallahassee, FL (USA) from 11 to 13 March. The winners of both were Australians: Matt Ryan on Bonza Puzzle was firmly in the lead at Barroca d’Alva with a final result of 54.9 penalty points and fellow countryman Philip Dutton was victorious in Florida with 52 points.

A 30-rider strong field representing Australia, Brazil, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland and home nation Portugal line up at Barroca d’Alva. Clayon Fredericks of Australia took an early lead following an excellent Dressage display and the ensuing result of 41.9 points. Time proved the decisive factor in the 24-fence cross country. Only two riders made it home with no jumping penalties and within the optimum time of 6 min
30: Frenchman Bruno Bouvier on Harry, and Jennifer Eicher of Switzerland on Agent Mulder. Remarkably, Eicher, who is not a professional rider and works night shifts at a post office, had also had a faultless Cross Country at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Two unfortunate fences down in the Jumping test for both Rodolph Scherer, the leader after two tests, and Jennifer Eicher gave the final win to Matt Ryan.

Named for the sloping terrain and rich red earth known as the red hills of North Florida and South Georgia, the Redhill Horse Trials, organised near Tallahasse, Florida’s capital city, features a challenging cross-country course designed by British Olympian Captain Mark Phillips, current Chef d'Equipe and Technical Advisor to the United States Equestrian Team. It was built by Hugh Lochore (GBR), and is set in the central area of a 120-acre indigenous plant horticultural park owned by Tallahassee ecologist and horse enthusiast Colin Phipps. It features a variety of formidable obstacles winding through Phipps' arboretum.

Olympian Philip Dutton, an Australian who lives in Westgrove, VA (USA), won the event astride The Foreman, the nine-year old gelding whom he had ridden in runner up position at the same event last year. He was 2nd after Dressage with 47 points, almost seven points behind his main opponent Darren Chiacchia (USA). The only clear Cross Country round within the optimum time and just a fence down in the Jumping test put him in the leader’s position a mere 0.2 point in front of Chiacchia. This is one more title to be added to Philip Dutton’s very impressive list of victories: he was part of the Australian Olympic champion teams in Atlanta in 1996 and Sydney 2000. He was also in Athens last year where he placed 13th individually and 6th with the team.

Dutton rode three more horses: the 12-year old gelding Connaught, with whom he placed 3rd with a final result of 55.6 penalty points; Nova Top, his horse from Athens, with whom he took 6th position and Amazing Odyssey whom he had to withdraw after Dressage.

Thanks to this noteworthy performance, Dutton collects 160 World Cup points and takes the lead of the FEI Eventing World Cup standings.

Runner-up Darren Chiacchia was remarkable in Dressage astride Windfall II (41.4 points). With 2.8 time penalties collected in the Cross Country, he remained in the lead, but two unfortunate fences down in the Jumping test prevented him from retaining that position. He placed 15th on Ahlerich and 21st on San Salvador thereby collecting 68 World Cup points. He is now in 4th position on the standings.

Indian rider Imtiaz Anees, who was the beneficiary of an Olympic Solidarity scholarship in view of the Athens Olympic Games, came in 9th.

The FEI is proud to count this high profile event, which has set itself as a mission to increase awareness and educate the public to Eventing, further cooperation among horse enthusiasts, promote the concept of resource protection, land and green space preservation and raise funds to benefit non profit organizations with compatible educational and environmental purposes, among the 2005 FEI Eventing World Cup qualifiers.

For the 2005 FEI Eventing World Cup calendar, rules and standings, please check the FEI website www.horsesport.org, section Eventing / Calendar or Rules or Results/Standings respectively.

The next FEI Eventing World Cup qualifier will take place at Fontainebleau
(FRA) over the Easter weekend.