A top vaulting horse has become the first World Equestrian Games (WEG) medal-winner to test positive for a banned substance.

Escudo Fox, ridden by Austria’s Sissi Jarz and lunged by Julia Nöbauer, carried Jarz to the bronze in the individual female event at the WEG at Aachen in August.

After competing, Escudo Fox was randomly selected for testing on 26 August. Analysis of the horse’s urine sample revealed the presence of acepromazine (ACP), a banned sedative. Under International Equestrian Federation (FEI) rules, both vaulter and lunger bear responsibility for the test result.

When contacted by H&H, Miss Jarz declined to comment.

Rebecca Morgan, coach of the Scottish vaulting team that represented Britain at Aachen, told H&H that she was shocked to hear of the positive test.

But she added: “Sissi is one of the top riders, but Escudo Fox was in gold medal position at last year’s European Championship before totally losing it during the second vault. The noise of the crowd really got to him and he completely freaked out.”

Mrs Morgan said that the positive test was a “huge blow” for vaulting, a discipline that is steadily growing in popularity in Britain. “I think this is very bad news for the sport,” she said. “It’s hugely disappointing that it happened, especially at WEG.”

But she hoped some good could come out of the episode. “Vaulting hasn’t really addressed these sort of issues before — it hasn’t needed to,” she said. “I hope that now we can sit down and discuss how we’re going to move forward.”

The only previously known positive test in vaulting came in 2004 when the horse of current World Champion Kai Vorberg tested positive for a banned anti-inflammatory. Two years later, the FEI cleared both Mr Vorberg and his lunger of any wrongdoing.

An FEI spokesman told H&H that connections of Escudo Fox requested that a confirmatory sample — known as a “B” sample — be tested. This also came back positive and the FEI is currently awaiting a written explanation before deciding what action to take.

The spokesman stressed that there was nothing unusual in the delay of over three months between the test being taken and the result being made public.

She said: “It takes our laboratory a month to test the sample, as they are screening for every banned substance. We also have a high volume of work, so the timeframe is absolutely normal.”

At a meeting last month, the FEI announced that the speedier analysis of drug samples would be one of the main aims for 2007.

• This news report was first published in Horse & Hound (14 December, ’06)

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Belgium’s Jos Lansink took the individual show jumping title at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany today. America’s Beezie Madden took silver and Germany’s Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum was awarded bronze.

For the first time since Hickstead in 1974, the change-horse final went to five rounds. Australia’s Edwina Alexander dropped out of contention with a single mistake riding Michaels-Beerbaum’s Shutterfly in round four, while the remaining three went through to a jump-off against the clock on their own horses.

2006 World Champion Jos Lansink with Beezie Madden (silver), bronze medallist Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum(bronze) and Edwina Alexander, 4th. Pictures by Kit Houghton

Shutterfly proved difficult to handle in the change-over phase, when becoming over-excited, but went well in the ring. as did Alexander’s Isovlas Pialotta. But Madden’s Authentic got hotter and hotter, creating control problems for both Lansink and Alexander.

The Belgian rider led the way into the final round with the graceful grey Cumano, whose breath-taking jumping technique never faltered, and set the target with yet another clear in 45.01 sec. When Shutterfly hit the white oxer at fence three last time out, only Madden

could threaten for the title. More than two seconds up on the clock coming to the last she did just that but she hit the last and had to settle for silver.

Madden described herself as “a little bit heart-broken right now” but added that she could not be happier with the performance of her horse. While Alexander could have been excused for feeling bitterly disappointed when denied a medal by the smallest of mistakes, her talent

shone through. Her diminutive figure on board the brilliant Cumano will remain one of the lasting memories of this championship, which brought together a truly world-wide representation of riders competing at the very top of their form.

Michaels-Beerbaum said that jumping her rivals horses had been “a whole lot of fun – they all went beautifully for all of us and the whole experience was not as stressful as I imagined”.

Lansink, in the end, owed his success to the unique ability of his 13-year-old grey stallion, who has earned himself super-star status after a spectacular week of sport.

“To win a championship you need a good horse and a little bit of luck,” said the show jumping champion who had the benefit of both.

The Aachen organisers confirmed that the WEG attracted almost 600,000 spectators during its two week run.

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Reining cemented its place on the world stage this afternoon when 8,000 spectators gave Canadian Duane Latimer a standing ovation as he took individual gold. The Canadian won on a score of 228 after an exciting ride-off against America’s Time McQuay, an unusual occurrence at top-level reining competitions.

The two were equal on scores of 230 after the individual final, meaning each had to ride again. Afterwards, Duane said it had been his “lucky day”.

Duane Latimer (CAN) aboard Hang Ten Surprize. Pictures by Kit Houghton

“My horse is very consistent — but it’s his first major competition,” he said. “The crowd didn’t phase him.”

Tim McQuay, part of America’s gold-medal winning team on Friday, took home silver on a score of 206, and his compatriot Aaron Ralston took bronze.

“My horse is a really good family horse, he keeps coming back and winning competitions,” said Aaron of the 12-year-old Smart Paul Olena.

Britain’s Francesca Sternberg scored 217.5, and although finishing well down the leader board, said she was “delighted” to have been in the final.

Seven weeks ago the Brit had a fall in France which resulted in bruised ribs and concussion, and said it was a miracle she was in WEG.

“But I went in there and thoroughly enjoyed myself,” she said.

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Felix Brasseur of Belgium claimed the individual gold medal with a brilliant double-clear in the cone-driving competition after the overnight leader, Ysbrand Chardon of the Netherlands knocked a single cone down on the final day of the 2006 World Four-in-Hand Driving Championships held at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany.

Brasseur, 54, from Marchin in Belgium, secured a well-deserved second world four-in-hand title — he won the championship for the first time ten years ago on home-soil at the 1996 World Championships in Waregem in Belgium — with his superb grey and bay Lusitano horses.

Individual winner Belgian driver Felix Marie Brasseur (146.3). Pictures by Kit Houghton

“I knew I had to put a lot of pressure on Chardon and by going clear he knew he could only be three seconds over the time allowed and no more,” said the new World Champion. ”My Lusitanos are wonderful horses. Traditionally the Lusitanos are only thought of as dressage or bullfighting horses but I think we have proved that they are excellent driving horses. In fact they are good for all equestrian disciplines – or just for fun!”

Brasseur, a former Cadre Noire riding instructor who now teaches carriage driving at his Marchin equestrian centre, was second after a superb marathon and was less than a point behind Chardon going into the dramatic final day. Brasseur’s championship-winning double-clear helped the Belgian team overtake the Netherlands and claim the team silver medal.

Hosts Germany led by former world champion, Michael Freund — who finished fifth &mdash and individual bronze medallist Christoph Sandmann, claimed the team gold medal to the delight of the thousands of German driving fans filling the grandstands around Aachen’s driving stadium.

After a brilliant marathon, Britain’s Karen Bassett delighted her supporters with a beautifully driven clear round from her black Trakhener horses and received an ovation from the crowd. Karen moved up four places to finish 25th in the individual rankings.

Britain’s Dick Lane made up for a disappointing marathon with a superb round in the cones knocking a single cone down but ended up 35th of 49 starters. George Bowman drove a clear but steady round with his young Dutch Hackney/Warmbloods and ended the championships in 23rd place. The British team finished a few penalties behind the USA in ninth out of the 16 nations in the team championships.

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Britain finished well outside a top-five Olympic qualifying spot when slotting into ninth in the show jumping championships at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany last tonight.

Another superb performance from Michael Whitaker and Insul Tech Portofino, who collected just a single time fault once again over the difficult new 13-fence track, was not enough to improve the British team’s result. Tim Gredley and Omelli had two fences down along with a time fault, and both Nick Skelton with Russel and John Whitaker with Peppermill collected five faults each.

In the lead after Wednesday’s first Nations Cup round, it was The Netherlands who took team gold ahead of the USA in silver and Germany in bronze medal position. The team from The Ukraine, who have been the talking point of much of the championships so far, were edged out by just 0.01 points into fourth place. Switzerland finished fifth while the Irish had the frustration of missing out on those tickets to Beijing when sixth. One of the biggest surprises of the tournament has been the proficiency of the Spanish whose eighth-place finishing spot, behind Belgium and ahead of Britain, was earned with some superb jumping.

The Netherlands show jumping team celebrate their gold medal

Photo by Trevor Meeks

Michael Whitaker is the only Briton to remain in for Saturday’s Top-25 two-round competition. Lying 14th after the first three rounds of jumping, his score of 7.53 leaves him just over one fence behind the leader, America’s Beezie Madden, whose zero score with Authentic was maintained with another superb performance. Eric Lamaze, lying second

for Canada going into today’s class, disappeared off the radar when picking up 12 faults. Holland’s Gerco Schroder, riding the spectacular jumper Eurocommerce Berlin, has moved into silver medal position while Germany’s Ludger Beerbaum (L’Espoir) is in bronze. But

there is precious little between the leading bunch that includes Holland’s Jeroen Dubbeldam (BMC Up and Down) in fourth, America’s McLain Ward (Sapphire) in fifth and Germany’s Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum in sixth, while the gracious Cavalor Cumano continued

to wow the packed stadium with another sensational round for Belgium’s Jos Lansink who is lying seventh.

Insul Tech Portofino looks to be growing in confidence with every round so Michael Whitaker can go into Saturday’s challenge full of determination.

Frank Rothenberger’s track caught out some of the real favourites with the new Postage Stamp Wall at fence six proving the undoing of Holland’s Piet Raymakers (Van Schijndel’s Ckurtis) and, of all people, German super-star Marcus Ehning who retired with Noltes Kuchengirl after a crash at this one.

Tim Gredley, whose only mistake occurred at the triple combination at fence eight where Omelli hit the final two elements, is ever-improving while Nick Skelton, whose ride with Russel on Wednesday was nothing short of a work of genius, was caught out only by the difficult distance between the double at four and the following oxer. John Whitaker clipped the first element of the combination after Peppermill seemed to react to either a strong pull from his rider, or to something in the crowd which brought him almost to a stop but, as

only the masterful Yorkshireman could, Whitaker steered the stallion home safely without further ado.

Meanwhile German show jumping team horse, Cento, was retired in a special ceremony that took place ahead of the team final. The 17-year-old was ridden by Otto Becker to take team gold in Sydney and team bronze in Athens and the grey Holsteiner who, during a wonderful career, collected the Grand Prix titles at Aachen and Spruce Meadows and who claimed the World Cup title for his rider in 2002 was edging to take on some of the fences instead of parading in front of his adoring fans who cheered the stallion, sire of 16 approved sires and of 151 international competition horses, as he took his emotional final gallop around the world-famous Aachen arena.

Read the show jumping reports in full in next week’s Horse & Hound (7 September)

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Chester Weber of the USA is in gold medal position after winning the dressage phase of the 2006 World Four-in-Hand Driving Championships being held at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany.

Weber, driving his fabulous bay Dutch Warmblood four-in-hand scored 38.78 pen in dressage on the second day and, along with team-mate, Tucker Johnson who scored 43.26 in fifth place, put the USA in gold medal position in the nations team competition, ahead of Belgium in silver and hosts Germany in bronze.

Although pleased with first in dressage, Weber, 30, from Ocala in Florida, complained that his preparation had been hampered by conditions in the warm-up areas. “I had to train my horses all week on the roads around the stables,” commented Weber, ”The warm-up area was more like cross-country – not great for my horses.”

Second to go in the starting order on the cross-country marathon tomorrow (Friday) Weber, who was team silver medallist at the last WEG in Spain four years ago, is determined to hold on to the lead. “I went early in the order at Jerez in 2002 and was fourth on the marathon so it seems to work for me,” pointed out Weber. ”We are going out to win the marathon tomorrow.”

Pre-WEG favourites, Ysbrand Chardon of the Netherlands went into silver medal position on a score of 41.22 ahead of Germany’s Michael Freund in the bronze on 41.60. Felix Brasseur of Belgium was 4th on 41.86.

Britain’s George Bowman drove a brilliant dressage with his young black Dutch Hackney/Warmbloods and earned a score of 50.30 pens, which puts him in 9th place individually. George, 72, who is competing in his record-breaking 16th world championships, got a deservedly warm reception from the thousands of driving fans watching the dressage and an ovation at the end of his test.

The cross-country marathon starts at 9.00am tomorrow. After the scheduling misshap that marred her warm-up and contributed to a disappointing dressage, Karen Bassett is the first of the British drivers to tackle the marathon in the morning. George Bowman goes off at midday with Dick Lane last to drive in the afternoon toward the end of the order.

Read the driving reports in full in next week’s Horse & Hound (7 September)

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The Dutch team held onto the lead in the race for the World Show Jumping Championship title at the WEG in Aachen today where the British improved their position when moving up from 11th place overnight to slot into eighth after the first round of the Nations Cup.

The Ukraine, a team comprised mainly of riders that have defected from other countries, lies second ahead of the USA in third and only 10 of the 24 teams that lined out today will return to the ring tomorrow for Nations Cup round two, together with all the leading individual riders.

The top three individuals retained their positions when America’s Beezie Madden and Authentic, Canada’s Eric Lamaze riding Hickstead and Holland’s Gerco Schroder and Eurocommerce Berlin jumped clear once again, but Brazil’s Bernardo Alves and Canturo ousted McLain Ward and Sapphire from fourth spot when the American faulted and Alves enjoyed the most incredible luck on his way around the track, especially when the 11-year-old stallion paddled through the oxer at fence 10 without hitting a pole.

Beezie Madden retains her lead in the individual competition

Picture by Trevor Meeks

Michael Whitaker and Portofino and Nick Skelton with Russel both collected just a single time fault while Tim Gredley with Omelli and John Whitaker and Peppermill returned five-fault results. John said afterwards that he was a bit disappointed when making his mistake at fence 10 which Peppermill met on a long stride “but he’s still quite green really” he said, adding “it’s still all to play for and it’s very possible that we can still finish in the top five which is the main

plan”.

There was plenty of drama during the competition including an interesting interlude for South Africa’s Roger Hessen whose gelding, Quito, decided he had enough after jumping the oxer at fence eight and napped wildly in the direction of the in-gate. It took quite a bit of persuasion to get him back into the ring to complete, while, later in the day, Columbia’s Manuel Torres endured an unscheduled dismount from Chambacune who then enjoyed the freedom of the arena.

Eyecatcher of the day was Jos Lansink’s Cavalor Cumano whose graceful and spectacular tour of the track produced gasps of delight from the sidelines and boosted the Belgian rider from 40th all the way up to individual 16th place while Malin Baryard-Johnsson had a horrible afternoon. Sweden’s passage to tomorrow’s top 10 second round depended on her returning clear but, having clocked up a cricket score in yesterday’s opening speed leg, she did it yet again when coming home with 29 faults from Butterfly Flip.

The Irish benefitted from Malin’s disaster and squeezed into that final 10th qualifying spot behind Belgium in ninth, Britain in eighth, the surprising Spanish who are lying seventh, the three-man Brazilian team in sixth, Switzerland in fifth and Germany in fourth. The Dutch have a one-fence advantage at the top of the order but there is less than a fence between the next three teams.

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Britain lies 11th in the team ranking going into tomorrow’s Nations Cup at the World Equestrian Games show jumping championships in Aachen, Germany after a difficult opening day for Derek Rickett’s side today.

The forced withdrawal of Robert Smith’s Marius Claudius was an imperfect start, and with John Whitaker and Peppermill lying best of the British in 28th place individually, Michael Whitaker and Portofino in 46th, Tim Gredley and Omelli in 47th and Nick Skelton in 69th after a late call-up with Russel, it is going to take some considerable effort to pose a threat to the leading Dutch side.

However when today’s results were converted into points, just over two fences separate the British from the top of the order where Holland holds sway by a small margin over the USA in second and the three-man Brazilian side in third place.

“It’s very disappointing that Marius Claudius is out” Ricketts said this morning. “The blacksmith pricked the horse’s foot when he was shoeing him three days ago but he was perfectly sound in the trot-up on Monday. However his jump in the warm-up competition seems to have irritated the foot; it’s his off-fore, and two vets had a look at him and gave their opinion. He was re-shod with pads on his feet and still isn’t right so we were left with little choice but to take him out,” the team manager explained.

“There was nothing I could say” Robert Smith said today. “He just wasn’t happy, and I’m really disappointed.”

John Whitaker was first Briton to take on Frank Rothenberger’s 13-fence track which gave them plenty to think about. The problems started after the water with a double, oxer to planks, at fence five which was followed by a dog-leg with a difficult distance to a white oxer at six, while the doubles at nine and ten also proved extremely influential. The water-ditches under the oxers at 10 saw plenty of horses doing a double-take there but Peppermill looked fresh and happy as he cruised around to stop the clock in 84.98 seconds. However with time the deciding factor today that was never going to be quick enough to fill a top placing.

Tim Gredley found himself way off the white oxer at six, adding four time penalties to his score when Omelli landed on the back bar, but he steadied well to lower only the bogey second element of the ditches at 10 before crossing the line to finish.

Nick Skelton and Russel brave the elements in the team competition

Image by Trevor Meeks

Heavy rain as competition resumed after the lunch-break greeted Nick Skelton and Russel who were clear to the double at nine where the rider chose the left-hand option only to lower the second element there. And with eight seconds to add his score when the last also fell the veteran British contender finished well down the line, while the dreaded 10b ditch claimed another victim in Michael Whitaker and Portofino.

A dreadful silence descended on the arena when the former Joe Turi ride, Superville, took a horrible fall on landing over the first element at fence five and Hungarian rider Mariann Hugyecz watched in deep distress as the 16-year-old horse got to his feet and cantered off

carrying his near fore-leg limply. However there was a happier end to the day when it was announced that, after intensive veterinary attention, the brave gelding had suffered only a badly bruised shoulder.

In the Irish camp there was a last-minute replacement too when Cian O’Connor’s Waterford Crystal was lame on Monday night. And the replacement combination of Marie Burke and her home-bred stallion Chippison produced the performance of their career to date when jumping

themselves into ninth spot individually during a round in which the son of Cavalier was clearly enjoying every minute.

America’s Beezie Madden heads the leaderboard at the end of the first day after a great late run with Authentic while Canada’s Eric Lamaze is lying second following a near-kamikaze performance with Hickstead. Holland’s Gerco Schroder and Eurocommerce Berlin jumped themselves into third spot ahead of US rider McLain Ward with Sapphire in fourth.

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Robert Smith has been forced to withdraw from the World Equestrian Games in Aachen. Smith was due to compete in the speed competition of the show jumping championships today but his ride, Di and Pennie Cornish’s Marius Claudius has sustained a small injury since his arrival in Germany.

After three days of veterinary treatment the horse is not considered fit enough to compete, and Nick Skelton and Lisa Hales’ 11-year-old grey stallion Russel have been moved into the team.

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Zara Phillips made history today in Aachen at the World Equestrian Games. Going one better than her father (twice winner of Badminton) and her mother (herself a former European Champion) she became world champion riding Toytown at the equestrian extravaganza founded by her grandfather — and dedicated the win to her friend, Sherelle Duke, who died a week ago today competing at Brockenhurst horse trials.

Germany were the team champions, to the rapturous approval of the home crowds, with Britain in silver and Australia in bronze positions, having snuck past the reigning world champions, USA, with strong show jumping performances.

“I’m relieved and shocked,” said Zara afterwards. “My good friend died a week ago today and I wanted to do well here — I am dedicating this to her.” The British and Irish teams had competed wearing red and white ribbons — Sherelle’s cross-country colours — as a mark of respect for their friend.

Zara Phillips and Toytown on their way to becoming world champions

Photo by Kit Houghton/FEI

The show jumping phase proved as riveting as the rest of the competition had been. With Bettina Hoy and Frank Ostler of Germany lying a close second and third to Zara going into the jumping, no one would have predicted that an individual medal would not end up in German hands. But so it turned out, with one fence down from Frank, and two from Bettina, proving costly. Gatcombe winner Clayton Fredericks (AUS) moved up with a brilliant clear to take silver on Ben Along Time, with Amy Tryon (USA) and Poggio, who came sixth in Athens, taking bronze.

The British contingent jumped remarkably consistently, all five having jumped cleanly (with just one time fault for Sharon Hunt and two for Oliver Townend) before Zara entered the arena, the last to go. With only one show jump in hand, there were gasps when Toytown pushed out the penultimate fence, the final part of the treble. But they jumped the last cleanly, and the crowds jumped to their feet.

The top three Germans filled places four, five and six but refused to be downcast about the loss of individual medals, their primary focus always having been the team event. Heinrich Romeike (fifth) summarised the result for many when he said: “I think it’s great that the world championship hasn’t been won by a dressage horse or a show jumper.” Cross-country played a proper part in the results. And Britain’s team disappointments of yesterday have been more the appeased by a remarkable achievement from the youngest member of the team.

To read the report in full, look out for this week’s issue of Horse & Hound (August 31)

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There was a new star on the dressage scene this week in Aachen, Denmark’s Andreas Helgstrand. The 28-year-old took bronze in the individual grand prix special today with 76.560% on his nine-year-old mare, Blue Hors Matine.

Germany again stamped its dominance on the sport, as Isabell Werth and her reserve WEG horse, Satchmo, scored a whopping 79.480%. The runaway victor adds her individual gold to Wednesday’s team victory, saying the conditions were right for the pair to “take a risk and give it everything”.

“I can’t tell you how I feel — Satchmo showed people he could do a good test when we need him,” she said.

Olympic and European champion Anky Van Grunsven collected the silver medal with 77.800% and described her relief that Salinero had regained his composure. The big bay gelding took fright during the team medal ceremony and bolted in the main stadium but today Anky said he was “relaxed and concentrating”.

For the first time in Olympic and WEG history all four members of the British team rode in the grand prix special. With a series of minor but costly mistakes for each, and Lara 106 again failing to settle for Sandy Phillips, all four finished low down the score sheets, but optimistic for the European Championships next year.

Team chef d’equipe David Trott said he was delighted with their performance. “We were one of only three teams to qualify all four riders, it’s been fantastic,” he said.

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“A true world championship track” was the resounding verdict from the riders after a cross-country day that tore the form book mostly to shreds.

Germany extended their dressage lead with some stunning cross-country performances, their first three team riders going clear. But they will be hoping these horses remain sound for tomorrow, their fourth team member, Ingrid Klimke — who’d been second after dressage — having had two refusals and a bucket load of time penalties.

The overnight leader and national darling Bettina Hoy secured her clear round for Germany by playing it safe at two of the most technical fences, incurring 7.2 time penalties in the process.

This dropped her behind Zara Phillips, who rode a sensational round, taking all the straight routes, to secure one of only 11 clear rounds inside the time and putting her in the lead going into the final phase. Bettina’s team mate and this year’s Luhmuhlen winner Frank Ostholt lies a close third on Air Jordan.

Zara Phillips and Toytown produce a clear round inside the time

Picture by Kit Houghton/FEI

It was a remarkable day’s competition, with faults coming thick and fast around a course that at the same time caused impressively few ugly falls. Many of the problems fell to horses and riders more used to finishing in the top three. Of the top 10 riders from the dressage, only four turned in clear rounds, and just one of these without time penalties.

Britain got off to an inauspicious start, when Call Again Cavalier glanced off the angled first element of the final water fence for Mary King. Daisy Dick, our second team rider, took the alternative route there but still stormed round inside the time on Spring Along, reviving British hopes with a fluid round Daisy described as “the best he’s ever done”.

Individuals Sharon Hunt and Oli Townend acquitted themselves marvellously, the former gaining only 13.2 time penalties, and the latter clocking up a sensational clear on Flint Curtis, though Oli said “neither of us has seen a course like that before”. They now lie 11th and 13th overnight respectively.

With these, and Zara’s brilliant clear in the bag, hopes were high that William Fox-Pitt would follow suit. No one could believe it when the horse ducked out of a relatively straightforward skinny brush after fence 15, the Normandy Bank.

“He locked on to the final element early, and shaved the line I was planning to take, getting there on a bad stride,” said a devastated William. “I am so sorry for the team after Daisy and Zara’s brilliant clears. But show jumping in that huge stadium tomorrow could still be very interesting. Event horses won’t have seen anything like it.”

William was not the only form upset. Andrew Hoy had an identical problem immediately afterwards on his Lexington winner Master Monarch, cementing a bad day for Australia in which only Clayton Fredericks on his Saumur winner Ben Along Time went clear, with 4.4 time pen. The Americans have now overtaken them to lie in bronze going into the show jumping.

The German team alone managed to turn in three clear rounds, with the result that Britain still lies in silver medal position despite Mary and William’s run outs, and even riders with 20pen have found themselves in reasonably strong positions at the day’s end. Oli Townend’s prediction yesterday that good jumping could change things significantly today has been spot on.

Though gold for Germany seems likely tomorrow, the big question now is whether Zara Phillips can deny deny them double gold, adding the world championship to her European title. She goes into the show jumping tomorrow with less than one fence in hand over Bettina Hoy. The bad news is that she has only jumped one clean show jumping round on Toytown at a horse trial this year — and gained time faults even then. The good news is that it was at least the very last round she did before WEG (at Hartpury).

Asked by H&H how she felt about it, Zara replied: “Hopefully that big arena will lift him. For the riders it will be daunting, but I’m really looking forward to it.”

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Predictably, the leaderboard has quickly changed on day two of the dressage for the WEG eventing championship.

With some disappointing scores to redeem from her British team mates the day before, Zara Phillips rode with immense calmness and maturity on Toytown in her first world championship. Having warmed up under the guidance of her step-mother Sandy rather than the team dressage trainer Tracey Robinson, she scored an excellent 41.7pens. Her father Mark thought it was not the horse at his very best, and Zara agreed that he was “tense in the halt before the rein back, and could have been straighter at times,” but she looked happy and relaxed about her performance.

Bettina Hoy on Ringwood Cockatoo. Picture Trevor Meeks

But Bettina Hoy entered the stadium to a rousing cheer on Ringwood Cockatoo with a whole different level of impulsion and rhythm. She blew the rest of the field out of the water with a faultless 36.5pens, the first rider to break the 40 barrier. “I was really really pleased,” she said afterwards. “You never know if the atmosphere will get to him, but he wasn’t affected at all.” Asked by H&H if riding in front of her home crowd was extra fun or extra pressure, she replied instantly, “Extra fun. As a German you always dream of riding here in Aachen, but as an eventer you don’t normally get the chance to do it.”

Her teammate Ingrid Klimke rides later today, along with William Fox-Pitt on Tamarillo, and Britain’s second individual rider Oliver Townend.

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Germany has clinched team gold for the third consecutive World Equestrian Games, with scores of 72% to 76% from its riders.

The Netherlands finished in silver and America bronze.

Britain dropped three places from its overnight third to finish sixth — but all four riders will go through to Friday’s Special.

“I thought we would do well — yesterday we rode very well so today we could go in with more confidence,” said Heike Kemmer, who placed second individually overall, with 75.792%.

Anky, who scored 75%, said she had had a “really good word” with herself in the stables afterward, having made some “silly” mistakes in her test. At the transition at B the World Champion had struck off on the wrong canter, and missed a change — both times the judges scored her fives.

Isabell Werth on Satchmo for the winning German team. Picture Kit Houghton

While not in the medals, Britain put on a sterling performance to finish sixth, above France, Switzerland, Spain and Austria.

Chef d’equipe of the British dressage team, David Trott, said he was extremely pleased with his team’s performance.

“We’re one of the most consistent nations, and they’re all through to the special,” he said after the medal ceremony.

Earlier in the day, Emma Hindle excelled on Lancet to score 70.458%.

“He was really good out there,” said Emma after her test. “My training from Richard [White] and Kyra [Kurklund] has been fantastic.”

But Sandy Phillips, although scoring 68.292%, was obviously struggling to relax Lara in the big main arena at Aachen, which has been blamed for creating tension in many horses.

“The mare didn’t work in well yesterday, but she should do better on Friday,” said David Trott. “It’s much more her test, it’s designed for her.”

The second and final day of the team dressage competition drew 32,00 spectators — and the sun finally came out for the riders. On Friday, the top 30 combinations from today will contest the grand prix special, starting with a clean slate.

1 GERMANY

Chef d’Equipe: Ferdi-Jörgen Wassermeyer

Total Score:223.625

WANSUELA SUERTE HUBERTUS SCHMIDT 69.208

BONAPARTE HEIKE KEMMER75.792

ELVIS VA NADINE CAPELLMANN 72.833

SATCHMO ISABELL WERTH 75.000

2 THE NETHERLANDS € 8.800,00

Chef d’Equipe: Sjef Janssen

Total Score:217.917

HEXAGON´S OLLRIGHT – LAURENS VAN LIEREN 68.500

SUNRISE IMKE SCHELLEKENS – BARTELS 71.542

KELTEC SALINERO – ANKY VAN GRUNSVEN 75.000

GROUP 4 SECURICOR – LINGH EDWARD GAL 71.375

3 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA € 6.000,00

Chef d’Equipe: Klaus Balkenhol

Total Score: 213.917

TIP TOP 962 – LESLIE MORSE *64.250

ARAGON – GUENTER SEIDEL 69.792

FLORIANO – STEFFEN PETERS 72.708

BRENTINA – DEBBIE MCDONALD 71.417

4 DENMARK € 4.800,00

Total Score: 208.874

AFRIKKA – ANDERS DAHL 66.458

DIGBY – NATHALIE ZU SAYN-WITTGENSTEIN 66.083

HARDTHOF´S LUDEWIG G – LONE JØRGENSEN *62.500

BLUE HORS MATINE – ANDREAS HELGSTRAND 76.333

5 SWEDEN € 4.000,00

Chef d’Equipe: Elisabet Lundholm

Total Score: 208.750

WILSON – KRISTIAN VON KRUSENSTIERNA *60.417

SOLOS CAREX – TINNE VILHELMSON 70.333

GUINNESS – LOUISE NATHORST 66.250

BJÖRSELLS BRIAR 899 -JAN BRINK 72.167

6 GREAT BRITAIN € 3.200,00

Chef d’Equipe: David Trott

Total Score: 206.292

DOUGLAS DORSEY – LAURA BECHTOLSHEIMER*67.375

LORENZO CH – WAYNE CHANNON 67.542

LANCET – EMMA HINDLE 70.458

LARA – SANDY PHILLIPS 68.292

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It has been an emotional start to the second day of the team dressage competition in Aachen as Britain’s Emma Hindle scored 70.458% in the grand prix, keeping Britain in contention for team bronze.

“I’ve not put much make up on today because I’m going to be crying all day,” said British Dressage chairman Desi Dillingham, sitting among the cluster of Team GB-clad riders and crew.

Emma and Lancet were drawn 13th, riding at 10.40am. Their score put the pair in to fourth place, but they were immediately knocked down a position by American Steffen Peters who, riding at his highest level with Floriano, scored 72.708%.

Steffen’s marks have also shunted the US above Britain on the medal table — having been snapping at Britain’s heels overnight.

Last to go for the British team is Sandy Phillips with Lara, who is drawn at 3pm CET (2pm GMT). Before that is world champion Anky Van Grunsven (12 GMT) and Keltec Salinero, and another rider to watch – Finland’s Kyra Kyrklund with Max (11:30 GMT).

Germany’s Nadine Capellmann put up a performance worthy of her third place world ranking this morning, scoring 72.833% with Elvis VA, which took them straight in to second place.

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Wayne Channon and Lorenzo CH stay in eighth place overnight on a score of 67.542%, followed by 21-year-old Laura Bechtolsheimer on Douglas Dorsey in ninth with 67.375%. Laura went out at 10am, being only eighth to go.

Team GB chef d’equipe David Trott said: “You’ve got to be pleased with third place on the first day. I was over the moon with Laura’s test, especially when she went so early. All the work they’ve been doing has really paid off. There are some strong combinations to come, but this is amazing.”

21-year-old Laura Bechtolsheimer on Douglas Dorsey. Picture by Trevor Meeks

After the first of two days of grand prix that decide the team placings, Germany’s Heike Kemmer is in the lead with Bonaparte on 75.792%, followed by Imke Schellekens-Bartels and Sunrise, from the Netherlands, with 71.542%. The third-placed rider is Sweden’s Tinne Vilhelmson with Solos Carex, on 70.333%.

Heike said: “The audience gave me a big kick when I entered the arena and Bonaparte said ‘we need to do a really good job now’. It was one of the best grand prix I’ve ridden and I’m naturally very happy Germany is in the lead.”

Tomorrow, Wednesday, the rest of the team riders will complete their grand prix. The best three scores from each nation will decide the final team medal positions. The best 30 riders then go forward to Friday’s grand prix special, where they start again with zero. The best rider of this competition wins the first of two individual gold medals up for grabs.

The top 15 riders from the special then advance – again with a clean slate – to the grand prix freestyle on Saturday evening, to contest the second set of individual medals.

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Spaniard Miguel Vila Ubach made history yesterday when he was crowned king of endurance at the Aachen 2006 World Equestrian Games.

A damp but lively crowd cheered the triumphant rider, on the grey Arab Hungares as he cantered alone into the main stadium at Aachen, minutes before second and third-placed French riders Virginie Atger and Elodie Le Labourier appeared together. He had taken the lead a few kilometres before the finish.

The 32-year-old rider was part of the silver-medal winning Spanish endurance team at the Hague (1994) but this was the first time the country has taken gold.

“I knew we were good but I don’t believe I’m here today,” Miguel declared at the press conference that followed his arrival. “I was a European Champion back in 1999 and I’ve been dreaming for another title ever since but I’d never have thought it would be this one.”

Miguel Ubach celebrates his victory. Picture Kit Houghton

The French won team gold, with Switzerland taking silver and Portugal, bronze.

TeamGB came in 12th with two riders, with Christine Yeoman completing in 17th place in 10hr 7min at an average speed of 15.90kmph.

Pouring rain had done little for the spirits of both competitors and spectators during the last loop, a 27km excursion through Aachen cross-country course and along a riverbank.

The rain set in as competitors trickled in to vetgate five, at Aachen’s stadium two, and British hopes dissolved. After a strong start, with Tricia Hirst and Vlacq Khamul in the leading pack for vetgates one and two, Sally Hall was eliminated at vetgate two, when Bob’s Your Uncle was spun lame. Then at vetgate four, Linda Hams’s chesnut, HS Hidden Challenge, failed on metabolics. Then at vetgate five, Tricia Hirst’s Vlacq Khamul was eliminated on metabolics.

Only around half of the overall 159 riders from 42 nations completed the ride.

Individual Results (first 10 riders)

1. Miguel Vila Ubach (ESP) / Hungares – 9:12:27

2. Viriginie Atger (FRA) / Kangoo d’Aurabelle – 9:16:13

3. Elodie Le Labourier (FRA) / Sangho’Limousian – 9:16:14

4. Jaume Punti Dachs (ESP) / Elvis HB – 9:22:07

5. Philippe Benoit (FRA) / Akim du Boulve – 9:24:30

6. Joao Raposo (POR) / Sultao – 9:24:31

7. Valerie Ceunik (BEL) / Kouros des Iviers – 9:27:39

8. Shane Gray Dougan (NZL) / Vigar Riffal – 9:30:38

9. Sultan Ahmad Sultan bin Sulayem (UAE) – 9:30:42

10. Pascale Dietsh (FRA) / Hifrane du Barthas – 9:30:44

Team Results (first 3 teams)

1. France – total riding time 28:11:27

2. Switzerland – 29:57:20

3. Portugal – 30:38:32

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The sun came out for the opening ceremony of the Aachen 2006 World Equestrian Games on Sunday 20 August.

After days of squally rain, which miraculously stopped in time for the ceremony, it was a testament to Germany and Aachen’s dedication to the horse that so many spectators turned out to watch this event, opened by FEI president Princess Haya.

Balloons released to mark the opening of the 2006 World Equestrian Games. Picture Trevor Meeks

Some 40,000 spectators packed the stands of Aachen’s main stadium to watch a colourful, diverse display of horsemanship and celebration of the seven equestrian disciplines of the games.

“For the next two weeks, the eyes of the world will be on this unique occasion, in this unique setting and I know we will all be inspired by the quality of the competition we will experience,” said Princess Haya in her opening speech. “The FEI World Equestrian Games is like no other championships in the horse world. All the disciplines are different but we are united by the horse.”

In a dramatic opening sequence, a herd of 32 mares and foals were let loose in the stadium, and cantered around the perimeter, to ripples of applause. Another herd – this time of 500 children – then ran on and combined to form the WEG logo – a horse head, which was displayed on giant screens for spectators.

After depicting a brief history of the World Equestrian Games, with riders from each country represented in traditional dress, and a history of Aachen, the ceremony started to find its rhythm.

Accompanied by music from a live orchestra, arranged by Dutch composers Cees Slings and Victor Kerkhof, a magnificent quadrille of 64 bay and black horses from the German State studs, riders in traditional dress of blue, red, black and green livery, captivated the crowd.

The audience clapped as the stallions performed in time to Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” and Prince’s “1999”.

Germany’s up-and-coming riders presented the seven disciplines, and were joined, to huge cheers, by the World Champions, and Aachen’s “daughter”, Nadine Capellmann, to a rendition of Madonna’s “Material Girl”.

The grand finale, the parade of nations, stirred huge emotion as the audience clapped, cheered and waved flags from around the world. Balloons were let loose and streamers fired into the crowd as Aachen’s fountains were ignited by a rider playing Charles the Great.

The brief respite in the bad weather was not due to continue to day one of competition – the endurance. All the British team horses had passed the vet check on Sunday morning, ready for the 6am start on Monday.

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William Funnell has given up his place in Britain’s WEG show jumping team, as his team horse Cortaflex Mondriaan is not sound. The pair was due to travel to Germany on Sunday 26 August and represent Britain at the World Equestrian Games, Aachen (28 August – 3 September).

Cortaflex Mondriaan, became unsound at the Dublin Horse Show (9 – 13 August) and was taken to the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket on Monday for MRI scans.

Although Funnell is still waiting for some results to come back, he has decided on balance not to take Mondriaan to WEG: “The welfare of the horse is my number one priority,” he told H&H on Monday

The pair has been replaced by Nick Skelton riding Lisa Hales’ Russel.

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British eventing squad members Zara Phillips and William Fox-Pitt were on show at the Mitsubishi Motors Hartpury Horse Trials in Gloucestershire this weekend, giving their team horses a last outing before the World Equestrian Games. Meanwhile Mary King and Oliver Townend, also on Britain’s WEG eventing squad, took the opportunity to get their eye in on their other horses.

Zara Phillips and Toytown produced an impressive 43.4 pen dressage score and racked up just 4 pen in the show jumping and William Fox-Pitt and Tamarillo scored 42.4 pen in the dressage and knocked one rail in the show jumping, as well as picking up four time faults. A fortnight ago at Gatcombe Tamarillo gave Fox-Pitt a rough ride in the show jumping, putting in a stop. “He has done a bit of spooking in his time,” Fox-Pitt admitted afterwards, “So we’re getting all our glitches out the way.”

Neither Toytown nor Tamarillo ran cross-country in an attempt to save their legs for Aachen.

Zara Phillips was also saving her legs, withdrawing Red Baron after the dressage. But William Fox-Pitt proved he is on top form by winning the three star on Moon Man and finishing 23rd on eight-year-old Macchiato. Mary King was placed third on Cashel Bay.

With a matter of days before the World Equestrian Games opening ceremony, squad member Daisy Dick purports to be making use of a rowing machine, “I’m concentrating on health and fitness,” she told HHO recently.

At Gatcombe a fortnight ago European gold medallist Zara Phillips seemed relaxed about the forthcoming competition but admits it will be a different challenge to last year’s European Championships at Blenheim. “It is going to be a completely different competition,” she told HHO, “I will have to go into it with a different mentality.”

The WEG eventing horses are leaving for Aachen in three horse lorries on Sunday 20 August.

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EVENTING

Yogi Breisner pictured right (chef d’equipe); Kenneth Clawson (assistant chef d’equipe/show jumping trainer); Jackie Potts, Alice Dorman, Sophie Smith, Andrea Kerlin, Kerry Varley, Catherine Owens (grooms); Jenny Hall (vet); Tracie Robinson (dressage trainer); Anna Johnson (equine physio); Brendan Murray (farrier).

DRESSAGE

David Trott (chef d’equipe); Ferdi Eilberg (trainer); John McEwan (vet); Haydn Price (farrier); Joce Brooks (sports psychologist); Victoria Spalding (equine physio).

SHOW JUMPING

Derek Ricketts (chef d’equipe); Sara Ingleson, Paul Kent, Barbara Wenzl, Alex Tyler-Morris, Tez Harrison, Lisa Parko (grooms); Robrecht Cnockart (team vet); Jennifer Lamon (team vet’s assistant); Steven Smith (trainer); Haydn Price (team farrier); Victoria Spalding (equine physio).

DRIVING

Bob Johnston (chef d’equipe); Yvonne Johnston (chef d’equipe’s assistant); Sarah Grose, Claire Morgan, Mark Hedley, Bryan Guy, Philip Swindale, John Sibley, Reinhard Hepper, Nelson Mitchell, Sue Sibley, James Gamms (grooms, backsteppers, navigators and additional trainers); Joce Brooks (sports psychologist); John McEwen and Liz Brown (vets); Peter Whitehead (doctor); Andy Thomas (human physio).

ENDURANCE

Niki Jenkins (chef d’equipe); Des Payton (assistant chef d’equipe); Peter Hall, Steve Beresford, Philip Hirst, Pete Trenouth, John Yeoman, Karen Robertson, Karen George, George Bull, Peggy Sofley, Georgina Hirst, Diana Stevens, Daniel Jobson, Nick O’Hara Smith, Nigel Perrott, Isabel Du Toit (crew and grooms); Hugh Salmon and Elizabeth Brown (vets); Kelvin Lymer (trainer); Gavin Scolfield (horse physio); Joanna Gibson (human physio); Joce Brooks (sports psychologist); Maggie Maguire (EGB).

REINING

Adam Heaton (chef d’equipe); Lisa Cover, Lauren Jolly, Nicola Peters and Jessica Harris (grooms); Garry Dench, Tabatha Sternberg-Allen, John Dumford, George Sternberg-Allen, Lady Plurenden and Lindy How (owners); Allen Donnell (team vet); Marco de Schelfi (team vet); Carol & Mike Gatt and Mrs Dumford (additionals)

VAULTING

Jenny Leggate (chef d’equipe); Amanda McWilliam (assistant chef d’equipe); Jane Nicol (attendant); Michaela Callegari (trainer); Elizabeth Brown (team vet); John Eccles (team lunger); Elizabeth Brown (reserve team lunger); Julie McNally, Liz Mackay, Lucy Bell and Wolfgang Renz (individual lungers); Pamela Murray, Anna Burros and Helen Rogerson (grooms); Jane Eccles and Avril Murray (owners); Jenny Ellis (stable manager); Andy Thomas (human physio); Peter Whitehead (doctor).

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Aussie eventers

Andrew Hoy (with three horses) heads a short-list of British- and American-based Australian eventers to join six Oz-based combinations in a pre-WEG training camp on 10 August. Clayton and Lucinda Fredericks are among them.

Oldest eventer

New Zealand eventer Heelan Tompkins will ride the 15.2hh Glengarrick at WEG. At 20, he will be the oldest horse eventing at WEG.

Retirement ceremony

The stallion Dobel’s Cento — who, with Otto Becker, has been an integral part of German show jumping teams for years —will be retired with a special ceremony at WEG.

Top names missing

Two big names will be missing from Switzerland’s show jumping squad – Willi Melliger and Markus Fuchs. Willi has sold his best horse and Markus did not wish to jump.

eBay charity auction

Arena UK is auctioning four WEG visitor packages on eBay to raise money for equestrian charities. Each pack includes a week-long ticket, accommodation and return flights.

Irish rider in hospital

Munich-based Irish international rider Judy Reynolds, 25, is recovering in hospital in Germany after an emergency operation to remove her appendix. She is expect to remain in hospital until Monday. She hopes that she will still be able to ride at WEG.

• This report was first published in Horse & Hound (3 August, ’06)

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Dressage individuals

Gold: Nadine Capellmann (Farbenfroh) GER

Silver: Beatriz Ferrer-Salat (Beauvalais) ESP

Bronze: Ulla Salzgeber (Rusty 47) GER

Dressage teams

Gold: Germany

Silver: America

Bronze: Spain

Jumping individual

Gold: Dermot Lennon (Liscalgot) IRL

Silver: Eric Navet (Dollar du Murier Hts de) FRA

Bronze: Peter Wylde (Fein Cera) USA

Jumping team

Gold: France

Silver: Sweden

Bronze: Belgium

Eventing individual

Gold: Jean Teuere (Espoir de la Mare) FRA

Silver: Jeanette Brakewell (Over To You) GBR

Bronze: Piia Pantsu (Ypaja Karuso) FIN

Eventing team

Gold: America

Silver: France

Bronze: Britain

Driving individual

Gold: Ysbrand Chardon NED

Silver: Christoph Sandmann GER

Bronze: Tomas Eriksson SWE

Driving team

Gold: The Netherlands

Silver: America

Bronze: Germany

Endurance individual

Gold: Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohd al Maktoum (Bowman) UAE

Silver: Antonio Rosi (Alex Raggio di Sole) ITA

Bronze: Sunny Demedy (Fifi du Bagnas) FRA

Endurance team

Gold: France

Silver: Italy

Bronze: Australia

Reining individual

Gold: Shawn Flarida (San Jo Freckless) USA

Silver: Tom McCutcheon (Conquistador Whiz) USA

Bronze: Shawna Sapergia (Pretty Much Eagle) CAN

Reining team

Gold: America

Silver: Canada

Bronze: Italy

Vaulting female individual

Gold: Nadia Zulow GER

Silver: Rikke Laumann DEN

Bronze: Ines Juckstock GER

Vaulting male individual

Gold: Matthias Lang FRA

Silver: Gero Meyer GER

Bronze: Devon Maitozo USA

Vaulting team

Gold: Germany

Silver: Switzerland

Bronze: Sweden

The British squad for the show jumping team and individual competitions at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen will combine many years of experience at the highest level with talented young enthusiasm.

The squad are:

• John Whitaker riding Rebecca Stones’ Peppermill
• Michael Whitaker riding Gillespie Equestrian’s Insul Tech Portofino 63 or his own Mozart des Hayettes
• Tim Gredley riding Rowena Gredley’s Omelli
• Robert Smith riding Di and Pennie Cornish’s Marius Claudius (pictured above)
• William Funnell riding Julie Slade’s Cortaflex Mondriaan

John and Peppermill are a relatively new combination, who only started competing together in February of this year. They have produced two clear rounds on Super League teams.

John’s brother Michael will ride either Gillespie Equestrian’s bay mare Insul Tech Portofino 63 or his own 10-year-old bay stallion Mozart des Hayettes. Both of these horses have shown tremendous form so far this season, Insul Tech Portofino 63 won the third leg of the World Cup final and finishing in 6th place overall. Mozart des Hayettes finished in second place in the Rome Grand Prix and fourth at Rotterdam.

20-year-old Tim will make his senior championship debut aboard his step-mother’s Omelli. The pairing have jumped a double clear round on the Super League Team in La Baule and two clear rounds but with one time fault at the Aachen Super League earlier this year.

Only Fools on Horses judge, Robert will ride Di and Pennie Cornish’s bay stallion Marius Claudius. Robert, who finished 4th at the 2005 Athens Olympic Games, was a member of the winning British Super League Nations Cup Team at Hickstead recently.

2006 Hickstead Derby winners, William and Cortaflex Mondriaan will be hoping to continue their current form after jumping a clear round on the Super League Team in Rotterdam. Following a serious colic operation in December 2005, Cortaflex Mondriaan has come back into form just at the right time.

The squad’s chef d’equipe will be Derek Ricketts.

The show jumping competition will be held in front of a sell out crowd during the second week of WEG in Aachen, Germany (20 August – 3 September) culminating in the famous “Top 4” individual final on Sunday 3 September.

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George Bowman

At 71, Britain’s George Bowman (pictured right) is the world’s most prolific and experienced FEI four-in-hand driver. Winner of individual silver and bronze in World and European Championships, George Bowman has only missed one World Four-in-Hand Driving Championships — the 2004 Worlds in Hungary — in his remarkable 33-year competitive driving career and will be a stalwart of the British Team again. Team gold medallist at his first World Championships at Frauenfeld, Switzerland in 1974 and again in 1980, Aachen will be George’s 16th World Championships.

Karen Bassett

British team stalwart Karen Bassett has represented Britain at the last six World Four-in-Hand Carriage Driving Championships. She won team bronze in 1996 and was the highest placed British driver, and the leading lady driver, when she finished in 12th place in 2004. Karen began carriage driving as a child and was driving a pony team at just 12 years old. She became the first lady ever to win an International Four-in-Hand Carriage Driving competition at Saumur in 1995. Since 1980, she has won the National Four-in-Hand Pony Team Championship six times and the National Four-in-Hand Horse Team Championship four times.

Dick Lane

Dick Lane first represented Britain at an international championship at the previous World Equestrian Games in Spain four years ago. Since then he has attended the World Four in Hand Championships in Hungary in 2004 and the World Horse Pairs in 2005 in Austria. Dick was introduced into the sport of carriage driving by Pippa Bassett (British team reserve) some 10 years ago. Some of his current team of grey Lipizzaner horses previously represented Britain with Pippa, although Dick has also introduced three young Lipizzaners into his team from Croatia.

Kurten pulls out of Irish team

Show jumper Jessica Kurten will not ride for Ireland at WEG. Last week she and her top ride, Quibell, were included in the long-list of nominations — to her surprise.

“It’s the first I’ve heard of it,” said Jessica, currently world number two. “I was prepared to go to WEG, but the last time I spoke to the chef d’equipe I was told I wasn’t good enough, so I changed my plans.”

But on Monday the Equestrian Federation of Ireland said Jessica had withdrawn.

Ireland’s show jumping nominations will now be: Marie Burke (Chippison); Marion Hughes (Heritage Transmission); Cameron Hanley (Hippica Kerman); Cian O’Connor (Echo Beach and Waterford Crystal); Shane Breen (World Cruise); Billy Twomey (Luidam and Anastasia); Peter Charles (Panthera); Capt Shane Carey (Killossery); Edward Doyle (Effective) and Kevin Babington (Carling King).

Anna Merveldt and Judy Reynolds have been nominated for the dressage, with Barry Capstick for the driving. The endurance team comprises George Finlay, Yvonne Croke, Emer Lennon, Emily Miller and Iona Rossely.

Boyd Exell to miss WEG

Australian carriage driver Boyd Exell suffered a horrific quad bike accident last weekend, ruling him out of WEG. While driving with a carriage fixed to the back of his quad at home, Boyd tried to change up a gear, but changed down instead.

“The bike locked and the weight of the carriage made it somersault,” said Boyd from his hospital bed. “It landed on me twice, dragged me and ran over my legs.”

The current British national four-in-hand champion broke his leg in six places, and his ankle, and has a dozen stitches in his face. He underwent an operation on Tuesday to have his leg pinned.

British drivers chosen

George Bowman and Dick Lane have been picked to join Karen Bassett on Britain’s driving team at WEG. The pair were chosen following a final selection event last weekend at Catton.

British reiners named

Britain’s reining team for WEG has been announced. Doug Allen, Mark Howl, Francesca Sternberg and Rosanne Sternberg will all go to Aachen. A pool of 10 horses has been nominated, with a decision on final pairings closer to the competition.

• This report was first published in Horse & Hound (27 July, ’06)

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Germany’s WEG dressage team boasts a formidable line-up of world class riders, including Olympic and World Equestrian Individual gold medallist Isabell Werth. The five-strong team will represent Germany on home ground in Aachen (20 August – 3 September).

German chef d’Equipe Holger Schmezer based his selection on the riders’ performances at several trials, culminating in the 2006 German Dressage Championships in Muntster last weekend.

Isabell Werth has been selected to ride either Warum Nicht FRH or Satchmo in the team. Werth will be joined by Nadine Capellmann (Elvis VA), Klaus Husenbeth (Piccolino) and Heike Kemmer (Bonaparte). Hurbertus Schmidt (Wansuela Suerte) is team reserve.

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Extra WEG tickets available

As the World Equestrian Games (WEG) box office sells its 400,000th ticket, the organisers have released a new batch. Equestrian enthusiasts can now buy tickets for the dressage and show jumping finals as well as a wide variety of other events.

As it turns out, tickets allocated to WEG associations had not all been distributed and are now available to the public, and this news has come as a great relief to the organisers, who were worried that tickets for dedicated equestrian fans would be sparse. “In this way around 95% of the tickets will end up in the hands of the fans,” said Michael Mronz, member and spokesman of the OC WEG Aachen 2006.

Half a million visitors are expected to attend the World Equestrian Games in seven equestrian disciplines from 20 August – 3 September.

Up-to-date information can be obtained at www.aachen2006.de and tickets can be purchased by calling the hotline +49-(0)241-917-1111.

Good luck Team GB

Don’t forget to wish Team GB good luck for WEG. H&H has prepared a card for our seven teams travelling to Aachen next month. To wish each or all of them “Best of British”, e-mail WEGwishes@ipcmedia.com

Argentine jumper fulfills ambition

British-based Argentine show jumper Sebastian Pellon Maison has been selected to compete at WEG. Sebastian, who has ridden for BSJA vice-president and former chairman Michael Bates for two years, has been in good form lately with his Aachen ride, the former Horse & Hound Foxhunter finalist Gypsy De Bacon. “I’m very excited because WEG selection has been one of my goals; the other is to compete at the Olympic Games,” he said.

Irish eventing squad named

Recently appointed performance director Lars Christensson has named the Irish eventing squad for WEG following a final trial at Barbury Castle Horse Trials. Four riders from the Blenheim Europeans — Mark Kyle (Drunken Disorderly), Michael Ryan (Old Road) and Niall Griffin (Lorgaine), plus Sarah Wardell, who this time rides Kincluny rather than Test Flight — are joined by two debutants. Sacha Pemble rides her Punchestown winner I’ve Been Dun, while Lt Geoff Curran is listed with Balladeer Alfred.

Geoff Curran is a relative newcomer to eventing, but he has shown some good — if inconsistent — form this year with both Quick Thinking and Kilkishen. Balladeer Alfred is a new ride for him, but won last year’s Ballindenisk World Cup qualifier under Neilus O’Donoghue. The reserves are Jonty Evans (Cregwarrior) and Austin O’Connor (Swynnerton).

Back Britain to win

Will Britain clinch gold at WEG? Put your money where you mouth is and place a bet — Germany’s largest private sports bookmaker, betandwin, has signed on as one of the partners sponsoring this year in Aachen (20 August-3 September). Equestrian fans will be offered a range of betting options corresponding with the Games. To have a flutter, visit www.betandwin.de

USA vaulting team unveiled

Former world vaulting champion Devon Maitozo, 30, will lead the USA’s vaulting team at WEG. The team is called FAME, a composite of letters taken from the clubs for which the team members compete. The other FAME team members are Megan Benjamin, Blake Dahlgren, Katie Richie, Annalise Van Vranken and Elizabeth Ioannou, who will be one of the youngest competitors at WEG at 10 years old. Megan Benjamin will also compete in the individual women’s competition, in which her fellow Americans will be Elizabeth Osborn and Mary McCormick. The USA’s male individual vaulters are Kenny Geisler, Todd Griffiths and Chris Littman. The USA has won a medal in every vaulting World Championships since its inception, earning 12 medals in total.

• This round-up was first published in Horse & Hound (20 July, 06)

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The BSJA has named six riders who are in contention for the British team at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen next month.

British team manager, Derek Ricketts said: “This year we are in a very fortunate position to have six horse and rider combinations who are all in contention for selection for the World Championship Team”.

The riders are:

• Nick Skelton, riding the Hales Family’s Arko III
• John Whitaker, riding Rebecca Stones’ Peppermill
• Michael Whitaker riding Gillespie Equestrian’s Insul Tech Portofino 63 and his own Mozart des Hayettes
• Tim Gredley riding Rowena Gredley’s Omelli
• Robert Smith riding Di and Pennie Cornish’s Marius Claudius
• William Funnell riding Julie Slade’s Cortaflex Mondriaan

Only five of the six will travel to WEG: the final team will be announced after the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead.

The team members will compete for both team and individual honours in Aachen. The current team world champion is France, while Ireland’s Dermott Lennon holds the individual title.

The individual World Championship final follows a unique format in which each rider jumps each of their rivals’ horses. The rider who can produce the best performance out of all the horses is crowned World Champion.

• Don’t miss H&H’s new WEG microsite, coming soon!Send your good luck messages to the WEG squadWant to wish Team GB luck for WEG? H&H has prepared a card for our seven teams travelling to Aachen next month. To wish each or all of them “Best of British”, email WEGwishes@ipcmedia.com

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Zara Phillips talks openly about her horses and her hopes for next month’s World Equestrian Games in the August issue of Eventing magazine, on sale now.

Eventing editor Julie Harding caught up with Zara at a recent squad training session at Waresley Park Stud, where they discussed Zara’s top horse Toytown, the challenges facing her in Aachen and her hopes for the future.

The interview is just one part of Eventing’s WEG preview, which includes features on the riders, the cross-country course and finds out who reigning World Champion Jean Teulere believes will win.

Alongside reports from the latest events around the county, and Eventing’s other popular regulars like Stabletalk and Polly Jackson’s diary, the magazine’s alternative horse care special focuses on the natural healing powers of aromatherapy, acupuncture and garlic.

On the training front Nick Turner helps pre-novice rider Georgina Hale with her show jumping, while readers have the chance to win a lesson with Polly Stockton.

Don’t miss this amazing issue of Eventing magazine, on sale now. To find a local newsagent that stocks Eventing magazine, try our find a stockist service >>

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Britain’s endurance team for WEG has been named after a final assessment at Cirencester Park. The line-up is Sally Hall (Bob’s Your Uncle), Linda Hams (Perfeq Hidden Challenge), Tricia Hirst pictured right (Vlacq Khamul), Ann Jobson (Samson), and Christine Yeoman (LM Taquillero or Farouk De Lozelle). Non-travelling reserves are Avril Bruce (Auchendean Khalif) and Sophie O’Hara Smith (Sky Consort).

The Netherlands’ dressage team comprises Anky van Grunsven (Salinero), Edward Gal (Lingh), Imke Schellekens-Bartels (Sunrise) and Laurens van Lieren (Hexagon’s Olright). Kirsten Beckers (Broere Jazz) is reserve. Dressage chef d’equipe Sjef Janssen announced the team after the grand prix at Rotterdam, where Anky broke the world record with 81.333%.

Selectors have named the seven Australia-based combinations in contention for their eventing squad. Recent Melbourne winners Sonja Johnson and Ringwould Jaguar are joined on the list by last year’s Adelaide victors Megan Jones and Kirby Park Irish Jester. The other combinations are Wendy Schaeffer (Koyuna Sun Magic), Janelle Pitts (Mr Showoff), Shane Rose (All Luck), Catherine Davies (Queen’s Ransom), plus Athens team member Rebel Morrow (Oaklea Groover). The seven will attend a training camp from 28-30 July, after which the selectors will decide who will join overseas-based riders at the WEG preparation camp in Germany, where a final decision takes place.

Britain’s team manager Derek Ricketts will announce his show jumping team the day after a final trial at the CSI in Geesteren, the Netherlands, from 14-16 July. Michael, John and Robert Whitaker, Nick Skelton, Robert Smith and Tim Gredley are short-listed to travel to the four-star CSI.

Canada will field two eventers in Aachen. They are Kelli McMullen Temple with Paris II and Ian Roberts on Napalm. Both have represented Canada before and this time will be riding young horses with whom they completed the Rolex Kentucky CCI**** this spring.

• This news was first reported in H&H (29 June ’06)

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Rolex Grand Slam winner Pippa Funnell will not take part in the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, due to a training setback for Primmore’s Pride.

Sharon Hunt and Tankers Town have been called up from the reserve list to join the squad of six. Hunt, 28, finished sixth at Badminton this year with Tankers Town, after producing a 49.6 pen dressage score and knocking one fence in the show jumping.

Primmore’s Pride, owned by Metier Consulting and Roger & Denise Lincoln, only returned to competition in the past few weeks, finishing fourth in the Advanced Intermediate at Salperton last weekend. This is the latest in a series of disappointments for Pippa Funnell, who recently retired Walk on Star due to ongoing problems with a splint.

Britain’s WEG Squad

• Daisy Dick (34) Spring Along
• William Fox-Pitt (37) Tamarillo (Ballincoola reserve)
• Mary King (44) Call Again Cavalier
• Zara Phillips (24) Toytown
• Oliver Townend (23) Flint Curtis
• Sharon Hunt (28) Tankers Town

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Daisy Dick, Pippa Funnell and Oliver Townend have been selected for the World Equestrian Games in Aachen (24-27 August). The three join existing squad members William Fox-Pitt, Mary King and Zara Phillips, who were selected in February this year.

The British Selectors (Lucinda Green (Chairman), Bridget Parker, Ian Stark and Mandy Stibbe) chose the three remaining combinations following some excellent performances at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (4 – 7 May).

Oliver Townend, 23, and Flint Curtis finished third with Daisy Dick and Spring Along in eighth position. “I hope the selectors will have their eyes open,” Townend said after his Badminton triumph. “I think Flint Curtis will only improve from his Badminton performance.”

Pippa Funnell chose not to run Primmore’s Pride (pictured) at Badminton but the pair won Belton last year. Over the next three months these horses will take part in competitions suitable for their preparation and will be required to maintain their form and fitness.

The 2005 Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials winner Ballincoola has been named as a direct reserve for William Fox-Pitt’s Tamarillo. Six reserve combinations have also been announced. James Robinson and Sharon Hunt are both first equal reserves. Spectacular performances at Badminton last weekend saw Robinson and Comanche finishing fifth and Sharon Hunt and Tankers Town sixth.

Long standing squad members Jeanette Brakewell and Over To You are second reserves along with Ruth Edge, Polly Stockton and Lucy Wiegersma. Edge and Wiegersma are both members of the World Class Potential Squad along with Sharon Hunt and Oliver Townend.

Other horses might be added to the reserve list if necessary.

Squad

Daisy Dick (34) Spring Along

William Fox-Pitt (37) Tamarillo (Ballincoola reserve)

Pippa Funnell (37) Primmore’s Pride

Mary King (44) Call Again Cavalier

Zara Phillips (24) Toytown

Oliver Townend (23) Flint Curtis

Equal first reserves are:

James Robinson (38) Comanche

Sharon Hunt (28) Tankers Town

Second reserves are:

Jeanette Brakewell (32) Over to You

Ruth Edge (26) Two Thyme

Polly Stockton (32) Tom Quigley

Lucy Wiegersma (29) Shaabrak

Do you think the right combinations have been selected for WEG? Have your say in forum now >>

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now