26th April 2009

Lucinda Fredericks from Australia and her gallant mare Headley Britannia earned a standing ovation as they remained on their dressage score to win the 2009 Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event, part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing.

Fredericks burst into tears as she left the arena and was greeted by her husband Clayton, who won this competition in 2007.

The top three all jumped clear over course designer, Richard Jeffrey’s, flowing track in Kentucky’s magnificent new Stadium, where the pressure on leading riders grew as the course was proving eminently jumpable and a mistake could prove expensive.

Bettina Hoy (GER), gracious in defeat after her gripping battle with Fredericks, punched the air in delight as the 18-year-old Ringwood Cockatoo obliged with a clean round, just rattling one fence which luckily bounced in its cups.

Buck Davidson (USA), 33, scored his best ever 4-star result, third on his exciting new ride My Boy Bobby.

www.rk3de.org

Revolution Sports Marketing Group: +44 (0)207 928 9999
rod@revolutionpr.co.uk

24th April 2009

A Podcast featuring the highlights from the Rolex FEI World CupTM Dressage and Jumping Finals which took place in Las Vegas from 16 - 19 April has been created and is now available to download from itunes at:

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=313208812

It is also available as an mp3 file at:

http://www.mixbroadcast.com/podcasts/rolex_podcast_001.mp3

This is a copyright free file and is available for use as a radio or website broadcast.

Revolution Sports Marketing Group: +44 (0)207 928 9999
rod@revolutionpr.co.uk

19th April 2009
 
Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum collected her third Rolex FEI World Cup™ after a spectacular clear round in the final, and third leg, of the Jumping World Cup™ Finals.

McLain Ward, second placed after two tough rounds of competition, had to wait and see if his former compatriot from California would copy his perfect final round. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, who stated earlier in the week that she is known for doing things differently, did not copy McLains strategy to stay clear. In the final round, she was the only one to make her horse do five strides towards the double combination, in stead of four.

A jubilant Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum said: “This was my hardest win in a World Cup final. McLain left no room whatsoever. This was a big win for me, for several reasons. It was my most perfect win and it is something special to do that with the greatest horse ever while he is 16 years of age. I lost my father four weeks ago; this is also a big win for him.”

Albert Zoer could only maintain his third position by producing two superb clear rounds aboard his fighter Oki Doki. Christina Liebherr stayed in fourth place, thanks to her super jumper LB No Mercy.

The only one from the top listed riders to make a mistake was Rich Fellers. His small horse Flexible had troubles negotiating the wide oxers, made two mistakes in the first round and no less than 22 in the second. Former Rolex FEI World Cup™ winner Rodrigo Pessoa as not very lucky on the last day. The penultimate jump of the third competition, a huge oxer testing the stamina and concentration of the horses, was only slightly touched by Rufus’ hoofs, which caused the rail to fall own. This fault, however, didn’t drop Rodrigo down, it left the Brazilian in 5th place.

Ludger Beerbaum grew in the competition. The beautiful double clear aboard a relaxed and concentrated Coup de Coeur on the last day made him climb the ranks to 6th place.

Ben Maher and his powerhouse Robin Hood W had a silly mistake on fence number 1 of the first round. Other than that everything went perfect for the stylish rider from Britain, Maher took 7th place. Steve Guerdat held on to his top 10 position, also producing a 4 and 0 performance on the last day, which resulted in 8th place. The Swiss rider had to share this position with Thomas Velin, the only one to make more than one mistake. In the first round Grim st Clair became a bit strong in the mouth and knocked down two fences, in the second the Dnish rider had one fault to his name.

Also 10th position was shared by two riders. Marcus Ehning from Germany and Daniel Etter from Switzerland both ended on a total of 24 World Cup points.

The 31st Rolex FEI World Cup™ Final was dominated by superb horse and rider combinations. The top three riders did not make one mistake during three days of tough competition.

www.feiworldcup.org

Revolution Sports Marketing Group: +44 (0)207 928 9999
rod@revolutionpr.co.uk

2nd April 2009

Forty-six riders from 22 countries have confirmed their participation in the 2009 Rolex FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final to be held in Las Vegas (USA) from 15 to 19 April.

South American League – Southern Part
Vitor Alves-Teixeira (BRA) / Yuri Itapua, Yuri Climber

Japan League
Daijiro Mashiyama (JPN) / Paradox

New Zealand League
Anna Trent (NZL) / Musketeer NZPH, Levitation NZPH

Arab League
H. Bin Moteb Al Saud (KSA) / Ashkur Allah Obelix

Mexican League
Alberto Michan Halbinger (MEX) / Chinobampo Lavita
Enrique Gonzalez (MEX) / Frida

Western European League
Gerco Schroeder (NED) / Eurocommerce Milano –  Eurocommerce Seattle – Eurocommerce Pennsylvania
Daniel Etter (SUI) / I Peu à Peu 4 – Wisper Zuid
Marcus Ehning (GER) / Plot Blue – Sandro Boy – Leconte
Albert Zoer (NED) / Oki Doki – Sam
Steve Guerdat (SUI) / Trésor V – Ferrari – Jalisca Solier
Thomas Velin (DEN) / Grim St-Clair – Godsend du Reverdy
Rutherford Latham (ESP) / Valentina van ‘T Heike
Ludo Phillipaerts (BEL) / Kassini’Jac – Cavalor’s Winningmood
Lars Nieberg (GER) / Lucie 55
Mikael Forsten (FIN) / Isaac du Jonquet
Helena Lundback (SWE) / Madick – Bukowskis Erbblume
Ben Maher (GBR) / Robin Hood W
Ludger Beerbaum (GER) / Coupe de Coeur – All Inclusive NRW – Gotha
Michael Whitaker (GBR) / Insul Tech Amai – Insul Tech Womani Van – Suncal Portofino 63
Marco Kutscher (GER) / Cash 63 – Cornet Obolenski
Geir Gulliksen (NOR) / L’Espoir – Cattani
Christina Liebherr (SUI) / LB Robin Hood – LB No Mercy
Max Kühner (GER) / Acantus GK
Edwina Alexander (AUS) / Isovlas Itot du Château – Isovlas Late Night 16 – Isovlas Socrates
Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) / Rufus

Central European League
Vladimir Beletskiy (RUS) / Larkanaro – Ragazza 36 – Lotos
Angel Niagolov (BUL) / Baloufino – Rue Blanche du Gibet – Stritzel
Hasan Senturk (TUR) / Concept – Caro Ass – Pinot Grigio – Siec Janico

USA East League (7 qualified)
Kent Farrington (USA) / Up Chiqui
McLain Ward (USA) / Phillipa – Goldika 539 – Sapphire
Christine McCrea (USA) / Promised Land – Vegas
Todd Minikus (USA) / Pavarotti – Presidente – Olinda
Hillary Dobbs (USA) / Quincy B – Corlett – Marlo – Marengo
Beezie Madden (USA) / Danny Boy – Onlight – Judgement
Michelle Spadone (USA) / Melismo
Darragh Kerins (IRL) / Night Train

USA West League
Mandy Porter (USA) / San Diego
Ashlee Bond (USA) / Cadett 7 – Chivas Z
Richard Spooner (USA) / Ace – Cristallo – Quirino 3
Harley Brown (AUS) / Cassiato

Canadian League
Keenan White (CAN) / Celena – Vienna Rouge
Ian Millar (CAN) / Redefin – In Style

Title Holder
Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER) / Shutterfly

Organising Committee’s NF Wild Cards (2):
Danielle Torano (USA) /Vancouver d’Oeuvray
Rich Fellers (USA) /Flexable – Kilkenny Rindo

FEI Communication Department, Fédération Equestre Internationale  +41 21 310 47 47
malina.gueorguiev@fei.org

Revolution Sports Marketing Group: +44 (0)207 928 9999
rod@revolutionpr.co.uk

30th March 2009
(Abu Dhabi) In a historic partnership with the Emirates Equestrian Federation, Ascot Racecourse today announced the first ever running of an Arabian purebred
race on King George Day, Saturday 25 July 2009. The race, to be known as His
Highness the President’s Cup, will feature immediately after the King George
VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (sponsored by Betfair) and will be the seventh
race on an eight race card.

Commenting on the five-year partnership, Charles Barnett, Ascot CEO said;
“We are delighted to be breaking new ground at Ascot with the announcement
that a first Arab race will be staged at the Royal Racecourse this July, on
King George Day.

The King George is our most important thoroughbred race of the year and this
day provides the ideal platform for our inaugural Arab race, with the
backing of the Emirates Equestrian Federation. The addition of a high
profile Arab race, to Arc Day in Paris has been a great success and we
believe that incorporating this strand of horseracing into any high profile
card is interesting and exciting for racegoers and the wider industry.

We look forward to celebrating the Arabian breed at Ascot, remembering
always the huge part that it has played in the development of the
thoroughbred, beginning, of course, with the Darley Arabian.”

Taleb Al Muhairi, Secretary General of the Emirates Equestrian Federation
said; “The Emirates Equestrian Federation is delighted to be announcing this
collaboration with Ascot; it will be the most historic racing event for
purebred Arabian owners and we are proud to be staging this important race
at the Queen’s racecourse.

The Ascot management have shown huge support for this race and we believe
that the new relationship will have huge benefits not only in the
development of purebred racing around the world, but also in the
relationship between the UAE and UK.”

Revolution Sports Marketing Group: +44 (0)207 928 9999
rod@revolutionpr.co.uk