Latest from Horse & Hound in Marcus-ehning

‘The relationship with my horse is paramount’: former European gold medallists withdraw from World Championships

Eleanor Jones — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 15:02:22 +0000

Former European champions André Thieme and DSP Chakaria have withdrawn from the German team for next month’s World Championships.

The 2021 individual gold medallists, who also represented Germany at the 2022 worlds, made the decision after the Nations Cup in Falsterbo, Sweden, last week, as “the trusting relationship with my horse” is his top priority.

“The deciding factor was some slight uncertainty at the water jump that had become apparent during the show,” a spokesperson for the German federation said. Marcus Ehning and Coolio move into the team and Olympic champions Christian Kukuk and Checker are the reserve.

André said: “In Falsterbo, I noticed that Chakaria wasn’t jumping the water jump with her usual confidence. Therefore, in the interest of my horse and the team, I’ve decided to withdraw from the World Championships.

“We don’t want to take any risks and will now work calmly to regain her full confidence over the water. Of course, I would have loved to be part of this fantastic team in Aachen. But for me, the trusting partnership with my horse is paramount. That’s why it’s the right decision, even though it’s a difficult one. Now I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed from home and wishing our team the best of luck.”

(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

The Germans had confirmed their team before the cut-off for definite entries (27 July) but “short-term adjustments were reserved in case sporting or veterinary reasons necessitated them”.

National coach Otto Becker said he supported André’s decision on the World Championships.

“Such decisions are never easy in top-level sports, but unfortunately they are part of the game,” he said. “André Thieme assessed the situation with Chakaria very responsibly. His decision has my utmost respect. Marcus Ehning and Coolio, a pair with championship experience, will be taking their place.”

The German showjumping team for the Aachen World Championships is now Daniel Deusser (Otello De Guldenboom), Sophie Hinners (Iron Dames Singclair), Richard Vogel (United Touch S) and Marcus Ehning (Coolio). Christian Kukuk and Checker are the travelling reserves.

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Heavy-hitting German showjumping team named for Aachen worlds with Olympic champion on reserve list

Becky Murray — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 14:28:41 +0000

The German showjumping team has been revealed for the 2026 World Championships in Aachen (11-23 August) – as the home side boldly states “the goal is clear: a team medal”.

The team includes current European champions Richard Vogel riding United Touch S and former European champions Andre Thieme with DSP Chakaria. Olympic and European medallist Daniel Deusser will ride Otello De Guldenbloom and 2025 European bronze medallist Sophie Hinners has been named with Iron Dames Singclair. Both Daniel and Sophie’s horses are making their championship debut.

Marcus Ehning and Coolio 42, who were part of the 2025 Europeans team alongside Richard and Sophie, are first reserves. Perhaps more notably, 2024 Olympic champions Christian Kukuk and Checker 47 are second reserve.

A German federation spokesperson said national showjumping coach Otto Becker, who has led the home side to 13 senior medals during his 17-year tenureship, selected a team experienced in championships – and that “the goal is clear: a team medal for Germany”. Of course, the Germans will also be eyeing one of the seven 2028 LA Olympic spots up for grabs.

The pressure will be on Germany to deliver in front of the home crowd. In the past 10 years individual medals have come thick and fast, but team gold has eluded them. They won bronze at the 2025 Europeans, 2018 World Equestrian Games and 2016 Rio Olympics – and silver at the 2021 home Europeans in Reisenbeck.

With this in mind, some fans might be left scratching their heads over the omission of legendary performer Marcus Ehning and reigning Olympic champion Christian Kukuk from the core team – but looking at current form across the six combinations shows just how enviable a position the German selectors were in.

In February the federation said that there was not a fixed selection for the showjumping team, “but rather an individually agreed-upon selection route” with Otto.

The record of Richard Vogel and 14-year-old super stallion United Touch S speaks for itself; the formidable European gold medal-winning pair won the Rolex grand prix at the Dutch Masters in March and the World Cup leg in Basel at the start of the year.

Another key factor is likely to be Aachen’s big grass arena. Richard and United Touch won the CSI5* Rolex grand prix of Aachen in May, and Sophie Hinners was third with 11-year-old Iron Dames Singclair – proving these pairs can deliver there.

They don’t have championship experience together, but last month Sophie and Singclair posted a double clear to help Germany to the runner-up spot in the La Baule Nations Cup leg. This was alongside Richard, Daniel and Andre – all on their Aachen rides – showing the four already work well as a team. They were beaten by France by just 2.55 penalties.

Andre Thieme and DSP Chakaria have shown they are still at the top of their game five years after they won individual gold at the 2021 Europeans. The mare, now 16, had eight months out after picking up an injury in the summer of 2023 – but returned to win the Rolex grand prix of Aachen in July 2024. This year, they helped Germany to first place at the Ocala leg of the Longines League of Nations (LLN) in March and in May they won the Longines grand prix of Hamburg, another big grass arena.

Olympic team bronze medallist Daniel Deusser and 12-year-old Otello De Guldenboom, might not have a championship under their belt, but the pair are consistent at the top level. Among their multiple top placings this year, they were second in the World Cup Final in Fort Worth in April, and part of the Nations Cup squad at La Baule.

This isn’t to say Marcus Ehning and 13-year-old Coolio 42 or Christian Kukuk and 16-year-old Checker 47 are out of touch. Just last month Marcus and the 13-year-old gelding won the Longines grand prix of Switzerland – even while being chased by a loose dog.

Christian and Checker were part of that winning team at the LLN Ocala alongside Richard and Andre in March, having posted a vital double clear, and they have two recent Global Champions League team victories under their belt as part of Reisenbeck International.

Should Otto need to call on a reserve, he has two strong contenders waiting in the wings, who importantly, will be able to withstand the high pressure of being called upon at the 11th hour, if needed.

Under the showjumping rules, each national federation may enter a maximum of five athletes and five horses. The team will consist of four combinations (or three, for those countries that do not have four).

The substitution rules vary between disciplines. For showjumping, in the event of accident or illness of a horse or rider confirmed by medical certification, a substitution can be made up to one hour before the first horse inspection on 17 August.

The fifth horse and rider combination – in Germany’s case this is currently Marcus and Coolio – may participate in the training session on 18 August. The first competition session is on 19 August.

Chef d’equipes must declare in writing the members of the team by 5.15pm on 18 August. In cases of substitutions after this declaration, in the event of accident or illness, a substitution may be made until one hour before the first competition – with medical certification and approval of the president of the ground jury.

At the 2015 European Championships in Aachen the German team won silver, and at the 2006 Aachen World Equestrian Games the team won bronze. Could 2026 be the year they bag a team gold in front of the Aachen crowd?

The German showjumping team for the 2026 World Championships (in alphabetical order of surname):

Daniel Deusser with 12-year-old stallion Otello De Guldenboom

Owner: Stephex Stables

Breeder: H Versnick

Breeding: by Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z, out of a mare by Caretino

Sophie Hinners with 11-year-old gelding Iron Dames Singclair

Owner: Pegase Equestrian BV

Breeder: J AB Wannius

Breeding: by Singular Ls La Silla, out of a mare by VDL Cardento 933

Andre Thieme with 16-year-old mare DSP Chakaria

Owner: Pferdemanagement & Marketing GmbH

Breeder: Martin Juergens

Breeding: by CHAP 47, out of a mare by Askari 173

Richard Vogel with 14-year-old stallion United Touch S

Owner: Julius-Peter Sinnack

Breeder: Owner

Breeding: by Untouched, out of a mare by Lux Z Z

Reserves:

Marcus Ehning with 13-year-old gelding Coolio 42 (first reserve)

Owner: rider and Elmrok BV

Breeder: M Wirtz

Breeding: by Casalito, out of a mare by Quidam De Revel

Christian Kukuk with 16-year-old gelding Checker 47

Owner: H & Partner Gbr and Madeleine Winter-Schulze

Breeder: Wolfgang Kipp

Breeding: by Comme Il Faut 5, out of a mare by Loro Piana Come On

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2026, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

‘He captivated us all till the very end’: sad farewell to one-eyed wonder horse, aged 23

Jennifer Donald — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:00:51 +0000

The superb one-eyed stallion Cornado NRW, who jumped to great success with legendary showjumper Marcus Ehning, has died at the age of 23 owing to an incurable tumour.

The stunning grey wonder horse retired from the sport in 2021, but also proved successful as a breeding stallion and it was the North Rhine Westphalian (NRW) State Stud who issued a statement to announce that Cornado NRW had been put down on Wednesday, 28 April.

“It is with great sadness that we bid farewell to Cornado NRW,” read the statement.

“The prospect of a pain-free life was no longer possible. With him, we lose not only an exceptional top athlete and sire, but also a true stallion personality. The striking and imposing grey stallion captivated us until the very end with his vitality, his spirit and, in the best sense, his proud yet approachable nature.”

Cornado NRW: €1.8m in prize money during a stellar decade at the top

Cornado NRW was bred in Germany by Antonius Schulze-Averdiek and is a son of the great Cornet Obolensky, out of Acobat mare Acobata.

German rider Franz-Josef Dahlmann rode him in his earliest competitive outings before five-time gold medallist Marcus Ehning took the reins at the start of 2012. As a partnership, they won €1.8m (£1.5m) in prize money, competing at the 2014 World Equestrian Games, where they finished 10th individually, and contested three World Cup Finals.

Marcus and the popular grey competed at the top level for nearly a decade, winning five-star grands prix in Verona, Bordeaux, Paris and ’s-Hertogenbosh.

But as the statement from NRW State Stud explains, Cornado NRW also touched people with his charisma and “extraordinary will to perform”.

“Anyone who had the privilege of knowing him will never forget his special presence and aura,” it reads.

Marcus Ehning and Cornado NRW competing in Spruce Meadows, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in 2018. (Image credit: NurPhoto)

A one-eyed wonder

Cornado NRW had his right eye removed after suffering problems with it at the end of 2018 but he quickly adapted, returning to compete at the top level.

He was retired a couple of years later, when Marcus Ehning described him as “one of my favourite horses”.

“He is an incredibly talented horse and every day he has so much motivation,” Marcus said at the time. “A few years ago he lost one eye, which makes it more difficult for him but he is like a person and never gives up.

“He has amazing talent and I am very proud to have a horse like this in my life because not many horses have this quality in their jump, rideability, scope and everything in one package.”

Cornado NRW’s legacy will live on through his quality offspring. The NRW State Stud statement added: “The sport and breeding world have lost a great stallion – the team at the NRW State Stud pays tribute to a venerable stallion and exceptional athlete. Farewell, Cornado NRW. You will never be forgotten.”

To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2026, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

A British first-timer, a horse bred in Scotland and the King defends his title: who’s who in the 2024 World Cup Final?

Jennifer Donald — Sat, 06 Apr 2024 17:30:25 +0000

With the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final in the Saudi capital of Riyadh fast-approaching (16-20 April), the preparations are currently in full swing for 35 of the world’s leading riders from 19 nations with 42 horses between them. So who’s who among this year’s star-studded field of World Cup Final showjumping contenders bidding for a place in history?

Remarkably, the last British rider to claim the World Cup crown was Nick Skelton in 1995 with Dollar Girl. The three contenders flying the union flag hoping to break that duck are Ben Maher, Scott Brash – both of whom qualified from the Western European League – and US-based British team rider Jessica Mendoza, who gained points from the North American League. Ben will be in action on his top mare Dallas Vegas Batilly while Scott lines up with Lady Harris and Lady Kirkham’s super Swedish-bred grey Hello Valentino.

Meanwhile Jessica, who turns 26 just ahead of her trip to Riyadh, will be making her World Cup Final debut. She brings 12-year-old gelding I-Cap CL Z, who she has produced right up through the grades and with whom she represented Great Britain at the recent Longines League Of Nations at Ocala, Florida, alongside Ben.

Defending champions hoping to continue the World Cup dream

The defending champions Henrik von Eckermann and the brilliant King Edward will be back in a bid to retain their World Cup crown. After lifting the trophy in Omaha, USA, last year, the Swedish world number one said: “It was always a big, big goal and a dream for me to have my name on that trophy. This is very special.”

Henrik von Eckermann riding King Edward on the way to claiming the 2023 Longines FEI World Cup Showjumping title. (Image credit: Richard Juilliart)

Henrik will be joined by team-mate Peder Fredricson with his 2021 European bronze medal-winning 18-year-old Catch Me Not S, with whom he also finished third in the 2019 World Cup Final.

Former World Cup Final winners Martin Fuchs (Commissar Pezi) and Steve Guerdat (Is-Minka) will represent Switzerland. This will be the latter’s 15th World Cup Final and the 2012 Olympic champion will be bidding for a record fourth victory again this year.

Among the other A-list names in action are another World Cup three-time title-holder, Marcus Ehning for Germany, with a relatively new ride, the 11-year-old Coolio 42, plus Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet on 14-year-old gelding Ace Of Hearts, Julien Epaillard who will be one of the favourites on Dubai Du Cedre, with Kent Farrington lining up for USA. Kent is one of a handful of riders bringing two horses, the 10-year-old rising stars Greya and Toulayna.

World Cup Final showjumping debutant carries the Irish flag

Richard Howley was the highest ranked Irish rider in the Western European League, winning the opening two qualifiers of the series, and he will be Ireland’s sole representative as he makes his debut at the World Cup Final riding 13-year-old Equine America Consulent De Prelet Z, who he co-owns with Sarah Borthwick and his and his wife Morgan Kent’s HK Horses.

“He’s so clever and he’s so smart, so it makes my job easier because he’s so talented,” says Richard of the gelding. “I don’t think he’s even fully found himself yet – I still think he has more to give. So we’re just trying to find a bit of middle ground of consistency and trust in the partnership. I think the world of him, and my owner Sarah Borthwick and myself think this horse could give everything. But we’re just trying to get the best out of him.”

Richard Howley and Consulent Du Prelet Z, owned by Sarah Borthwick and HK Horses, land their second World Cup qualifier in as many weeks, this time in Helsinki, Finland. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

The Arab League is represented by five athletes, with three riders from the host nation Saudi Arabia qualifying with strong performances in the Middle Eastern sub-league. Seasoned World Cup veteran and Olympic medallist Ramzy Al Duhami brings Addressee and Untouchable 32, while 25-year-old Khaled Almobty rides Jaguar King WD and the former Ellen Whitaker ride Spacecake.

Olympic bronze medallist Abdullah AlSharbatly rides 16-year-old Alamo, with whom Steve Guerdat won the 2019 World Cup Final and who later went to Spanish rider Sergio Alvarez Moya before Abdullah took the reins at the end of 2022. The pair have gone on to achieve five-star success, but he also brings 13-year-old Fiumicino Van De Kalevallei, who came from Dutch rider Jur Vrieling last year.

World Cup Final attracts talented crop of young showjumpers

Among the crop of young talents stepping out on the global stage for this year’s World Cup Final showjumping contest are 22-year-old French rider Jeanne Sadran (Dexter De Kerglenn), who enjoyed a successful career on ponies.

Canada’s Mario Deslauriers holds the record as the youngest World Cup winner at the age of 19 in 1984, and the youngest riders in Riyadh later this month will be US teenager Skylar Wireman on Tornado and Egyptian showjumper Zain Shady Samir with London Eye. Both riders are just 19 years old.

Skylar has been riding since a young child, hitting the headlines in 2020 when she won the USEF Showjumping Talent Search Final. Swedish-bred Tornado was sent to her as a sales horse but she bought him with the help of some family friends. Skylar is trained by her mother and 2004 Olympic team gold medallist Peter Wylde, and although she doesn’t normally have a groom – preferring to do everything for her horses herself – she will be supported in Riyadh by groom Alicia Thompson.

Another youngster is Egypt’s 22-year-old Abdelrahman Shousha who brings the 14-year-old Quincy 230.

From Balcormo Stud in Scotland to the World Cup Final

British showjumping fans will recognise the lovely gelding How Easy (by Talan, out of the Quite Easy mare Come Easy), who was bred and produced at Balcormo in Scotland by Sandra Low Mitchell. He went on to compete with Julie Andrews and Robert Murphy, but now competes under the Czechia flag with Sara Vingralkova, 21, a consistent performer at junior and young rider European Championships. The young rider also takes the 14-year-old Belgian-bred gelding Kas-Sini DC.

Sandra’s 91-year-old mother Jacky had originally picked out How Easy’s sire Talan in a catalogue as a three-year-old and has hit the jackpot using him with broodmare Come Easy. Both Sandra and Jacky will be glued to the livestream as they continue to follow How Easy’s progress in Riyadh.

“Mum’s had the thrill of following him the whole way through, we’re so proud,” says Sandra. “They’ll be the babies of the class, but I love the way Sara rides him –How Easy has landed on his feet with her.”

Sandra’s late father Dugald bought How Easy’s grandam in-foal along with another mare at a local auction and her offspring, Come Easy, has produced a string of quality youngsters, including How Easy’s full-sister Mytee Easy LM, currently jumping with Molly Andrews and Julie Andrews.

“How Easy did two shows as a four-year-old and won the four-year-old sport horse at the Highland Show, then we just hacked him about when he was five and let him grow,” explains Sandra. “I registered him when he was six and he immediately won a British novice, but this was just before my hip operation and this horse was too beautiful and sensitive for me to ride at the time – it broke my heart as he was so lovely, but I knew I wasn’t the right person to ride him.

“I kept a share in him but Julie Andrews did the next steps, then Rob Murphy took him to the next level before Sara bought him. He was always beautiful and they all live up to their Easy names.”

History in the making at the World Cup Final?

For Japan, the sole representative Shinichiro Sugiyama rides the aptly named Rising Sun, while from the Eurasian League, Nurjan Tuyakbaev hopes to become the first rider from Uzbekistan to win the World Cup crown. Angelos Touloupis of Greece (Lord Mexx) is among the entries from the Central European League.

This is the first time the World Cup Final showjumping has been held in Saudi Arabia, with a record-breaking 2.6million euros in prize money on offer at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center.

The first jumping competition begins on 17 April, continuing with round two the following day, with the winner decided on Saturday 20 April. You can keep up to date with all the action with H&H.

‘I’m getting old, but I’m still here!’: A legend wins, a 6ft3in fence and a horse called Coolio

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 12:07:09 +0000

We may be drawing towards the end of the calendar year, but there’s no let-up in the international circuit with this week’s showjumping news round-up focusing on the CSI5-W* show in Madrid, Spain, where two showjumping greats battled it out for top honours, while riders were also in action from as far afield as Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

So who finished in the ribbons this week? Here is your weekly round-up of international showjumping news and results.

Marcus Ehning: ‘I’m getting old, but I’m still here!’

Making the headlines in this week’s showjumping news was the battle between two showjumping greats in the Longines FEI World Cup qualifier of Madrid, Spain. Just 0.25sec separated Marcus Ehning on new ride Coolio 42 and Ben Maher with Enjeu De Grisien, but it was the German master, a three-time winner of the World Cup Final, who took top honours with an exceptional performance against the clock.

“Winning here for the third time means I am getting old, but I’m still here!” said the 49-year-old.

Talking about the eye-catching and brilliantly named 10-year-old son of Casalito, who was produced by Marcel Marschall and who Marcus only started riding three months ago, he said, “It is only his second World Cup, so I am very pleased with him.”

There was drama in the 10-way jump-off when a couple of horse-and-rider combinations veered off the bending line to the final oxer and it resulted in elimination for poor Kevin Staut when Visconti locked on to the wrong fence.

An in-form Ben Maher, who won the Verona leg of the Longines FEI World Cup qualifiers, was competing at just his second five-star grand prix with the nine-year-old, a five-star winner at Spruce Meadows earlier this year.

“I did everything I could, there were one or two places that didn’t go exactly as I wanted but it was a difficult course in the jump-off,” said the Olympic champion. “We saw some amazing riders make mistakes, and Marcus just got me there at the last jump, I think!”

Madrid World Cup results

Ben Maher with Enjeu De Grisien in action in Madrid. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Showjumping news: a quality podium in Rouen

The CSI4* grand prix to conclude Equiseine Rouen in France resulted in a victory for home rider Penelope Leprevost riding 12-year-old Texas, a Swedish-bred son of Tornesch 1042. Chasing her home was Ireland’s Jessica Burke with the speedy Express Trend, while Tim Gredley was back on the podium with his great championship horse Medoc De Toxandria. Robert Whitaker also finished in the ribbons at the show with Caroline Blatchford’s Vermento, and Robert Murphy won Saturday’s speed class with Jos Lansink’s Hulde G.

Equiseine Rouen results

A 6ft3in six-bar thriller

Back at IFEMA Madrid Horse Week, Friday’s six-bar kept the crowds thoroughly entertained and resulted in a high-flying victory for Austrian showjumper Max Kuhner. He and the 10-year-old EIC Cooley Jump The Q were the only pair to clear the final vertical set at a sky-high 1.90m (6ft3in).

IFEMA Madrid Horse Week results

Max Kuhner and EIC Cooley Jump The Q clear 1.90m to win the six-bar in Madrid. (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Showjumping news: grand prix success

At Sentower Park, Belgium, Irish showjumper Bertram Allen was the winner of the CSI2* 1.45m Prijs Zangersheide International grand prix riding the 10-year-old stallion Castigo De Amor, while Noora von Bulow and Interstar B were among the other winners for Great Britain, winning a 1.40m speed class. There was further British success on the Barcelona Christmas Tour, where Jessica Hewlett and Ilmar HDC triumphed in the CSI2* grand prix after a six-way jump-off.

Gold medal contenders out of European Showjumping Championships after horse ‘nearly flipped over’

Jennifer Donald — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 13:21:24 +0000

Team gold medal contenders Germany are down to three riders in the final medal decider of the European Showjumping Championships at the San Siro racecourse in Milan, Italy (30 August-3 September) with the shock withdrawal of Marcus Ehning and his brilliant stallion Stargold.

The German pair were due to lead off as pathfinders in Friday’s final team competition, but withdrew at the last-minute when the legendary rider felt that the Aachen grand prix-winning stallion wasn’t feeling 100%.

“I don’t really know what happened,” explained Marcus. “Earlier he nearly flipped over in the stable and I think at some point he overreached some muscles or whatever in his back or his body.

“When I got on him he wasn’t lame, but he doesn’t feel the same [as usual] and it’s as if he doesn’t really want to open up his back. He doesn’t want to stretch. And I don’t have a feeling that he is fine.”

European Showjumping Championships: ‘He was not the horse I am used to’

“When I walked him out he was okay,” added Marcus, who had also been one of the favourites for an individual medal coming into these European Showjumping Championships. “He felt a bit stiff, but this morning [although] there was nothing while trotting, but he was not the same horse as what I am used to.”

Germany came through to the final medal decider in the gold medal position and now the remaining three team riders’ scores will all have to count – Philipp Weishaupt (Zineday) who has picked up four faults, followed by Jana Wargers on Limbridge and Gerrit Nieberg with Ben 431.

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Mare bought untried proves unbeatable, Olympic veteran wins first five-star grand prix and a teenage rider beats top eventer

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 17:43:00 +0000

An amazing assortment of exceptional showjumping horses took starring roles this week as we enjoyed five-star competitions from Qatar to USA to Sweden.

We’ve always loved Marcus Ehning’s exceptional stallion Stargold, with his charismatic flick of the heels, and he once again proved unbeatable in Saturday’s feature class in Doha, while Laura Kraut’s outstanding championship horse Baloutinue somewhat surprisingly won his first five-star grand prix at the age of 13. A gelding who is blind in one eye proved that having limited vision is no barrier to success and a British teenager had the honour of beating an Olympic eventer in an international grand prix, as we bring you this round-up of this week’s international showjumping news and results.

‘A dream come true’: Kraut’s Olympic hero wins his first five-star grand prix, aged 13

The $425,000 CSI5* Lugano Diamonds grand prix during week seven of WEF at Wellington International was won by US rider Laura Kraut with her Tokyo Olympic team silver medal-winning partner Baloutinue. Somewhat surprisingly, this was the consistent 13-year-old gelding’s first five-star grand prix victory.

The pair had penultimate draw in a seven-way jump-off and survived a sharp challenge from final rider and her US team-mate Mclain Ward (Contagious), who finished 0.3sec slower, with Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam third riding the 10-year-old Irish-bred gelding James Kann Cruz (Kannan x Cruising).

“I had a good feeling when I walked the course,” said Laura. “My horse had jumped very well on Thursday, so this is just a dream come true.

“I took a real shot at the double – I came in there a little more forward than I’d have liked to! But he tried so hard coming out,” said Laura of the galloping jump-off track, describing Baloutinue’s (pictured below) flying leap over the final oxer as a “heroic effort”.

Laura Kraut and Baloutinue winning their first CSI5* grand prix (Image credit: creditUnknown)

“I’m just so excited by Baloutinue, he’s been so great for so long – I haven’t had the opportunity to jump very many jump-offs with him but I felt like tonight he was right there for all of it,” added Laura of the Balou Du Rouet x Landor S gelding owned by St. Bride’s Farm. “I always try to go faster than I probably should, but he’s fast enough on his own, and tonight I just let him go his speed and that seemed to work better. He’s a trier, he’s elastic and he’s very careful.

“It was a fantastic crowd; the atmosphere here at night is as good as it gets,” added Laura. “We feel like the crowd is really behind us; when I was clear it was an explosion.”

Baloutinue’s groom Margo Thomas was also awarded with a $500 award presented by Double H Farm.

WEF results

Marcus Ehning on Stargold in flying form (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Ehning goes for gold

Germany’s Marcus Ehning and the charismatic Stargold (pictured above) produced a scintillating triple clear on a warm night in the Qatar desert to become the first back-to-back winners of the CSI5* 1.60m grand prix at Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab, Doha.

“He felt so fresh and enjoys the heat here, so I had a good feeling,” said Marcus after the stallion threw in some trademark bucks en route to victory. “He’s a stallion with a lot of character and I try to let him stay that way.”

Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab results

‘She has a heart as big as a lion’

Shane Breen posted a win for Ireland in Thursday’s 1.45m two-phase in Doha, Qatar, with his gallant mare Haya, whose gritty style makes her deceptively quick, scoring by 0.28sec over Kevin Staut (Dialou Blue PS). Shane first spotted the grey at a show in France, when his brother Trevor had tipped him off.

“She struck me as really smart, with laser-vision to her jumps and was super careful,” said Shane, who won last year’s Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Hickstead with the mare. “So I slept on it but when I went to ask her rider Harold Megahey if I could try her, she’d already gone home. So I bought her without trying her! She has a heart as big as a lion.”

Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab results

Teenager beats Olympic eventer

Great Britain’s 18-year-old Olivia Banks recorded the novel achievement of beating New Zealand Olympic eventer Tim Price on his Boekelo winner Happy Boy, to land the CSI* grand prix on the Andalucia Sunshine Tour riding Geodina HS. Swiss showjumper Steve Guerdat claimed the CSI4* 1.55m Equine America grand prix at the venue riding the 10-year-old mare Dynamix De Belheme, whom he thinks is “the best horse I’ve ever had”. The pair soared home half a second faster than team-mate Martin Fuchs riding Commissar Pezi after a 12-way jump-off. Nicole Lockhead-Anderson and Emerald Irish Cruise were among the other British riders on form this week.

Andalucia Sunshine Tour results

Rider cancels his plane to enjoy his World Cup celebrations

The final leg of the Longines FEI World Cup Western European League in Gothenburg, Sweden, was won by French rider Marc Dilasser riding the 13-year-old gelding Arioto Du Gevres. For the top 18 riders, all roads now lead to Omaha, USA, in April for the World Cup Final, and this includes Great Britain’s Harry Charles and Scott Brash.

Marc Dilasser winning the last World Cup qualifier in Gothenburg, Sweden (Image credit: Kim C Lundin; KimC.nu by Ateni AB)

“This is my first ever World Cup win,” said Marc, who was drawn first in the jump-off. “Arioto was not always an easy horse – when he was young, he was difficult to ride, but he has always been a fighter!

“This has been a fantastic day for me and my owners. I had a plane to catch this evening but instead we cancelled that and we will stay one more night and break out the champagne here in Gothenburg – it’s important to celebrate the big moments!”

CSI5*-W Gothenburg results

Horse with limited vision wins $100,000 grand prix

Brazilian showjumper Santiago Lambre won the $100,000 Hampton Green Farms grand prix at the World Equestrian Centre, Ocala, Florida with the 16-year-old gelding Chacco Blue II, who is blind in one eye.

Santiago Lambre and Chacco Blue II, who is blind in one eye (Image credit: creditUnknown)

Irish course builder Colm Quinn set the track and Santiago describes his Chacco Blue son as a “slow mover” but with “a mile long” stride and the pair executed some terrific turns to win.

“Tonight, he showed his speed,” he said. “I tried to gallop everywhere I could and be tight back to the second to last vertical. Luckily for us, both tight turns were on his good side, and not blind side. If it were on his blind eye side I would’ve had to give him a touch more room, but this course was perfect for him.”

A hat-trick of blue ribbons for Olli Fletcher

Great Britain’s Olli Fletcher finished runner-up in the Villamoura Atlantic Tour grand prix for the third time, this time riding the 12-year-old Garande. His previous two close finishes came with Hello William. This time he missed out to Dutch victor Niels Kersten riding Tippy Z. Guy Williams and Crispina Z, and Adrian Speight on Millfield Baloney won a rankings class and James Smith, Laura Mantel and Chloe Aston were just some of the riders flying the British flag in impressive style.

Villamoura Atlantic Tour results

Stargold makes history as first back-to-back winner of Doha grand prix

Martha Terry — Sat, 25 Feb 2023 20:49:44 +0000

Germany’s Marcus Ehning and Stargold produced a scintillating triple clear to become the first back-to-back winners of the CSI5* 1.60m grand prix at Commercial Bank CHI Al Shaqab in Doha, Qatar (25 February), presented by Longines.

From penultimate draw, Marcus set the fastest clear of the final-round jump-off on 41.74sec. In-form Simon Delestre was last to go, and chased the target on his attractive black 10-year-old Dexter Fontenis Z, but was 0.29 adrift. Japan’s 24-year-old Mike Kawai completed the podium with the only other triple clear, riding Saxo De La Cour.

Stargold had already won a 1.50m class on the first day of the show, so Marcus knew the stallion was on form.

“He was in such good shape and felt so fresh, so I already had a good feeling,” said Marcus. “Germany is cold, and he enjoys the heat here. But we won the grand prix together last year so I thought it wasn’t possible to do it again. I can’t really believe I’ve won it twice in a row on the same horse.

“I thought the two courses were fair. I know my horse so well, and I know that Uliano [Vezzani] cannot shock him with a distance – long or short – and if I rode well I could manage his course, so that gave me a lot of confidence. He’s a stallion with a lot of character and I try to let him stay that way. I don’t mind when he likes some little bucks, it is his personality.”

Uliano Vezzani’s first-round track caused plenty of trouble, but there were 14 clears from the initial 38. Ireland’s Breen brothers both retired in the first round, with the forthcoming GCT in the same venue next week, but British hopes were kept alive by Jodie Hall-McAteer and Salt’N Peppa, who went through to the second round in a quartet of fastest four-faulters, but fell out of the reckoning with two down.

Runner-up: ‘I thought the first round was too big!’

Simon Delestre was bidding to hear the Marseillaise play for the third time this week after scoring a double with Amelusina R 51.

“I saw how fast Marcus went, but I knew there was one place I could take a risk,” said the Frenchman. “But Dexter is only a 10-year-old, and it’s his first tough grand prix outside. I knew there was a line I could take nine strides but I took 10 and I had to slow down. I did my best but Marcus was faster.

“This is a show I want to come to every year; it’s fantastic for the horses, one of the best arenas in the world,” he added. “When you come from indoor arenas and you see this grand prix, you think, ‘woah, it’s tough’, but these horses are so good, that by the second round, you are ready for it. But in the first round with Uliano’s courses I always feel, ‘this is too big!’.”

Simon Delestre and Dexter Fontenis Z, runners-up in CHI Al Shaqab grand prix (Image credit: ph.Stefano Grasso/CHI AL SHAQAB/CHI AL SHAQAB 2023)

Japan’s under-25 rider Mike Kawai made history as the first from the Asian continent to make the CSI5* grand prix podium at CHI Al Shaqab. First to go in the final round, he laid down the gauntlet with his triple clear. Although three other riders beat his time of 44.98, their over-tight lines cost them faults, and he held on to his lead until the penultimate rider, Marcus, clocked his winning round.

“I’m surprising myself to be here with these amazing riders – to be third in a grand prix, it’s a dream,” Mike said. “Everyone wants to win of course, but for me it’s a big step to becoming a good rider. I always have a good feeling in Arab countries, like Saudi Arabia and Qatar, and I’m so happy to compete here.

“I want to be the best rider in the world, but that’s a long way away. I’ve only just started but I always try hard to be better and better, and if you keep fighting, then slowly you will get there.”

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‘She’s sensitive, but sometimes she pays all the work back’: grey mare scores her first London win

Pippa Roome — Sat, 17 Dec 2022 17:02:53 +0000

Grey mare Calanda 42 scored her first win on her fifth visit to the British Christmas show when she won the feature class of this afternoon’s London Horse Show showjumping, the snowflake stakes.

She and Marcus Ehning were the penultimate starters in the jump-off, by virtue of their fast first-round clear, and in the final barrage the German star was able to combine tight turns with a flowing round on Maren Schmitt-Nolte’s beautiful 14-year-old, finishing in 33.01sec, nearly a second ahead of the field.

“I know she’s a fast horse and I was a bit angry that I missed it in the jump-off yesterday,” said Marcus referring to the pair’s fence down in the jump-off of the Champagne-Taittinger ivy stakes. “But today it was good, so I’m very happy.

“She has a lot of experience – she’s jumped a few five-star grand prix and been here in London many times, but this is her first win here. She’s very delicate to ride, very tense, very sensitive but sometimes she pays all the work back. She’s spooky and still young in the mind.”

Ten went through to round two in this London Horse Show showjumping class and course-designer Bernardo Costa Cabral judged the course perfectly when it yielded 10 fault-free performances, though Kevin Staut elected not to jump Cheppetta again.

Faults in the first round were generally concentrated at the grey and black treble at fence five, at the airy red and gold double close to the crowd at fence seven and at the blue and white oxer at fence 10.

In the showdown, Matt Sampson set the standard as the first to go, steering Django Blue home in 34.31sec. He was beaten by the third in, Belgian’s Jos Veerloy on Varoune, who finished in 34.01sec.

For a while it looked like no one would get close to the leading pair – Guy Williams had 7a down on Crispina Z, young Brit Jodie Hall McAteer (Hardessa) and the 22-year-old Dutch rider Lars Kersten (Hallilea) slotted in just behind Matt, and William Funnell put in a competitive round without pushing the inexperienced Equine America Billy Marmite for eventual sixth.

Once Marcus had laid down his challenge, only Italian Lorenzo De Luca could beat him. He gave it everything, with the feisty nine-year-old mare Dirka De Blondel skimming across the ground, and looked to have won it easily – but the back rail came down on the final oxer, denying him victory despite a time more than a second faster than Marcus’s.

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‘I have to break the news to Geoff Billington’: John Whitaker teams up with Marcus Ehning for fancy dress at London International Horse Show

Jennifer Donald — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 13:02:01 +0000

Anticipation is sky high for the long-awaited return of the fancy dress relay competition at this year’s London International Horse Show.

A superb field of competitors are set to line up the class on Sunday evening (18 December) including William and Pippa Funnell, Joe Stockdale and Jack Whitaker, and possibly the dream team of John Whitaker and Marcus Ehning.

William Funnell, who is on the show committee, has been helping organise the competition and says all the riders’ measurements have been taken and their fancy dress costumes ordered. Each pair will jump a course of fences in a relay race and a celebrity judging panel – with a little help from the audience – will be voting for the best dressed pair, best dressed rider and best dressed horse.

It’s not just showjumpers taking part this year either, as some elite names from the world of eventing are also joining in the fun for what is sure to be an action packed and thoroughly entertaining evening.

“I think it’s a great idea to resurrect it,” says William, who reveals that he and his wife Pippa will be dressed as Mary Poppins and Bert for the competition. “It’s not going to be quite as much of a show as it was in the past – it got a bit risque sometimes and times have changed – but I’m hoping to get a bit more artistic leeway moving forward.

“But we have a plan, we have the riders – and it’s a great line-up, the young ones are keen to do it and I did think Marcus and John would make quite a good dream team. Hopefully it’s going to be a good evening for everyone to enjoy.”

William has fond memories of teaming up with James Fisher to win on a couple of occasions before the London Horse Show fancy dress was removed from the schedule around the turn of the century.

“We once we came in on emus that were dressed up as turkeys and had a turkey race, then another time we copied the police display and cantered up the centre line and took our saddles off,” he recalls. “I was showing off a bit and when I took the saddle off, my horse ran off and I fell off the back! I finished by throwing myself through the hoop – I bounced a lot more easily then than I do now. Health and safety would have had a field day.”

(Image credit: creditUnknown)

London Horse Show fancy dress: John Whitaker makes a welcome return

John Whitaker, one of the most frequent and popular participants in the annual event during its time at Olympia, initially took some persuading to raid his fancy dress cupboard once again.

“I think I’m too old but Willy Funnell talked me into it,” says John. “I wasn’t sure if Marcus would be up for it either, but he seems keen.

“The only problem is that Geoff Billington said I wasn’t allowed to do another fancy dress without him! So I have to break the news to him. He’ll be devastated, it was Geoff’s thing.”

With John short of a horse for the class, William has promised to lend both him and Marcus one.

“So I’ve no idea what our horses are going to be like yet – although I expect we’ll both be riding a horse called Billy!” says John.

“We did so many good ones over the years,” says John of the days when the fancy class used to be a real highlight of Olympia. “One year Geoff Billington, Nick Skelton, my brother Michael and I dressed up as Take That – that was a good one! We also did Tina Turner’s Steamy Windows and a Dolly Parton one.

“I paired up with Nick in the early days, then Geoff took over the whole thing and the four of us would do it together for a while. But Geoff made us all go to rehearsals every night and eventually Nick and Michael decided they didn’t want to rehearse anymore so it ended up being just Geoff and me! But we had a lot of fun.”

The full list of teams is as follows:

Guy Williams and Trevor Breen
Holly Smith and Manuel Fernandez Saro
Joe Stockdale and Jack Whitaker
Harry Charles and Matt Sampson
Pippa Funnell and William Funnell
John Whitaker and Marcus Ehning
Laura Collett and Gemma Stevens
Tom McEwen and Yasmin Ingham

The London Horse Show fancy dress relay takes place during the evening performance on Sunday 18 December.

‘Difficult but fair’: riders’ reactions to the 1.55m course at the World Showjumping Championships

Jennifer Donald — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 12:23:51 +0000

The 14-fence 1.55m track for day one of the Agria FEI World Showjumping Championships has received plenty of positive feedback from the riders, with mistakes coming all over the course set by Louis Konickx.

At the start of the day, the water jump was just in the shade of the grandstand and caused a few problems, while a triple bar-vertical double at fence 12 has also caught out a few horse-and-rider combinations.

At the halfway stage, just two combinations in this opening speed class had failed to complete the test. Nicola Philippaerts of Belgium remains the long-time leader, clear in 81.02sec riding Katanga VH Dingeshof.

French pathfinder Simon Delestre of France jumped clear with the Hickstead son Cayman Jolly Jumper and said: “I really liked the round today, it was difficult but fair – it’s not like a real speed class when you can go full gallop, and I really prefer it like that because you still had to ride and take some risks in just the right way.”

Simon also said that 1.55m, rather than 1.50m, was the right level for day one of a World Showjumping Championships.

“I think it’s one of the best I’ve ridden in a championship,” he said. “I think 1.55m is better for this kind of level because you have the best horses and the best riders.”

German pathfinder Marcus Ehning, who currently sits in seventh place with Stargold, tipped a rail at the triple bar, as did British pathfinder Joe Stockdale. Marcus’s time, 79.88sec, is the fastest of the day so far.

“Stargold felt amazing the whole round to where I had to the triple bar – I was a bit far off and didn’t push enough,” he reflected. “It was really a shame because my time was, I think, quite good. But, first of all, he jumped great and it’s quite hopeful for the next days.

“It’s quite a long track and there are 17 jumps so it will take something out of the horses. It’s a lot of jumping, but it’s quite a fair course – you can take many options to go short or long. I think [Louis Konickx] did a very good job.”

‘It was a bit scary, but I tried not to panic’: John Whitaker wins in Hamburg – with only one rein

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 30 May 2022 19:01:28 +0000

Two legends of the sport, John Whitaker and Marcus Ehning, teamed up to represent the Global Champions League (GCL) team Valkenswaard United in Hamburg last week (25-29 May) and, as you would expect from two such high-calibre horsemen, a tremendous victory was achieved — but it didn’t come without its dramas.

In round one, Marcus and Stargold had jumped clear and John and his top horse Equine America Unick Du Francport looked to be following suit, producing a vital foot-perfect clear. However, on approach to the final fence — a gaping oxer — John dramatically lost hold of his left rein.

“It all happened so quickly, but I lost my left rein and he’s a bit sensitive so I was scared that if I made a grab for the rein, I’d put him off,” John explained to H&H. “So I just sat there and I tried to steer him with my legs but at that point he was veering left.”

Momentarily grasping the right rein with both hands, the quick-thinking John managed to keep the 14-year-old gelding straight and the pair soared over the final oxer to post a valuable clear round.

“I just pushed him and he went; it was a bit scary but I tried not to panic!” said John. “He jumped it really well in the end, so I think we got away with it. In round two, he also jumped very well — this time with two reins!”

Other than that heroic save, John said “Frank” loved the big grass arena of Hamburg and while Marcus added four faults in round two, Valkenswaard United secured victory thanks to John’s double clear.

“It was good teaming up with Marcus,” said John, who will represent Great Britain in the Nations Cup of St. Gallen, Switzerland next.

“There was probably a bit more pressure on in the second round. Marcus was unlucky to have a fence in the second round so I knew I had to be clear; I didn’t have the exact timings but I knew I couldn’t be too slow either, but I got it just about right, I think I had 2sec in hand in the end.

“The show was packed out from Thursday onwards – it’s great to have a crowd like that at a good, old, beautiful show like Hamburg.”

As well as thrilling the crowds in the ring, John and Marcus entertained them with their antics on the podium – Marcus offering his senior counterpart a leg-up on to the stage to collect their silverware.

We couldn’t love these two any more if we tried! ❤️??We couldn’t love these two any more if we tried! ❤️??Posted by Global Champions League on Saturday, May 28, 2022

Talking about the second round, Marcus said: “The pressure was on because we haven’t done too well over the last stages. But John is used to it so I thought I would put him under some more pressure [by faulting],” he joked. “He pulled it off again. Picking up maximum points for the championship is so important and this gives us a lot of hope for the next shows.”

Other big winners at the show included Cassandra Orschel, who became the first female rider since 1975 to win the Hamburg Derby.

John Whitaker bids for a record-equalling third World Cup victory (his first since Milton in 1991!)

Jennifer Donald — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 10:36:32 +0000

In Leipzig, Germany, this week (7-10 April), 36 of the world’s best showjumpers will be battling it out for the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final and, after a two-year hiatus owing to the pandemic, the excitement levels are sky-high.

Among this year’s contenders, who have qualified from six different global leagues and who represent 19 different nations, are a trio of British riders – John Whitaker, his nephew Jack Whitaker, and Harry Charles.

The legendary John, 66, will be bidding for a record-equalling third World Cup victory; his previous two wins came in 1990 and 1991 with the great Milton, and this year he is riding his newly prefixed top horse Equine America Unick Du Francport.

Rising stars Jack, 20, and Harry, 22, will be making their debuts. Jack — son of John’s younger brother Michael Whitaker — takes the reins on Equine America Valmy De La Lande, and Harry is bringing his Tokyo Olympics ride Romeo 88 and his victor of the World Cup qualifier at the London International Horse Show, Stardust.

“The reason I’m taking the two horses is because they are both super-consistent,” says Harry. “Stardust has an extremely high clear-round rate at 1.60m and Romeo has so much experience behind him.”

Among the other returning champions at this year’s final are the current title-holder Steve Guerdat, who Harry Charles says has “a bit of a magical relationship with the World Cup Final”. The Swiss rider lifted the trophy in 2015, 2016 and 2019 and he will be joined this year by countryman Martin Fuchs.

German star Marcus Ehning is another three-time winner, lifting the title in 2003, 2006 and 2010, and he brings his in-form partner Stargold for this year’s competition. McLain Ward is also back in a bid to regain the title he won in 2017, one of nine riders from USA this year.

Flying the flag for Ireland are Conor Swail, currently ranked number seven in the world, and Denis Lynch, who headed the standings in the Western European League.

Among the other big names are Harrie Smolders of the Netherlands, David Will and Christian Ahlmann for Germany and Belgium’s Jos Verlooy. But some new names are also in the mix representing the likes of Lithuania, the United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan.

This year’s courses are being designed by Germany’s Frank Rothenberger and the competition begins on Thursday (6 April) with the speed competition followed by a jump-off class on Friday. The final takes place on Sunday, when the 2022 World Cup champion will be crowned.

H&H will be bringing you all the action online with a full report in next week’s issue of the magazine, in the shops on Thursday 14 April.

Medals decided, an emotional retirement, and a British withdrawal: the top stories from across the European Showjumping Championships

Becky Murray — Sun, 05 Sep 2021 16:37:49 +0000

The curtain has closed on a thrilling week of action at the European Showjumping Championships in Riesenbeck. Andre Thieme claimed individual gold on home soil, while the superb Swiss riders reigned supreme in the team final. Here’s all you need to know from across the competition…

European Showjumping Championships news and results

The individual final on 5 September went down to the wire as Andre and DSP Chakaria stopped Martin Fuchs retaining his 2019 crown.

Find out how the final day of action unfolded

The team final on 4 September had Switzerland battling Germany and Belgium for the top spot.

Read what Steve Guerdat had to say about his final team round

Emily Moffitt was the sole British rider to qualify for the individual final but decided not to take part

Read why Emily decided to withdraw Winning Good

Marcus Ehning’s superstar stallion Comme Il Faut retired in an emotional ceremony

Read what Marcus had to say about the stallion’s farewell

Ireland secured two places in the medal-deciding round of Sunday’s individual final

Find out what the Irish rider’s made of Frank Rothenberger’s penultimate challenging track

Greece’s sole combination Ioli Mytillineou and Levis De Muze shone throughout the competition. While their final round did not go to plan with the pair ultimately retiring, Ioli has much to celebrate having come from jumping one-star classes just 18 months ago.

Read what Ioli had to say about their senior championship debut

Showjumping legend in last-minute European Championships call-up after horse pulled out

Eleanor Jones — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 17:04:48 +0000

The legendary Marcus Ehning stepped in to ride for the German team at the European Showjumping Championships at the 11th hour after a team-mate’s horse was ruled out.

The 47-year-old, who has been on the gold medal-winning team at five senior championships, was brought in when Maurice Tebbel’s ride Don Diarado was pulled out with a suspected hoof abscess.

Marcus and his own and Elm Rock BV’s 10-year-old stallion Stargold crossed the finish line in today’s speed class in a superb 72.32 seconds, which would have been good enough for second place had two poles not fallen, Stargold showing his spirit and enthusiasm in some exuberant bucks en route.

“It was bad for the team that Maurice couldn’t ride but the decision had to be made for the benefit of the horse,” said David Will, who won today’s class on C Vier. “But if you’ve got Marcus as your fifth, you’re pretty well off!

Ehning Marcus, GER, StargoldEuropean Championship Riesenbeck 2021© Hippo Foto - Dirk Caremans 01/09/2021 (Image credit: Hippo Foto)

“We’ve got a good team and good team spirit; we’re working well together and we’ll see where this week leads us.”

“I have to try to concentrate on myself,” Marcus added. “On the one hand, you already want to ride, sure. But when it happens like this, it’s not so nice in the end.”

Marcus also finished in ninth place in today’s CSI3* competition, a qualifier for Saturday’s (4 September) three-star grand prix, on Comme Il Faut. The 16-year-old stallion was his partner on the silver medal-winning German team at the 2019 European Showjumping Championships.

Meredith and Shutterfly, Rodrigo and Baloubet, John and Milton — who was your favourite World Cup winning legend?

Jennifer Donald — Fri, 17 Apr 2020 07:24:36 +0000

This week (15-19 April), we were due to be dazzled by the world’s best showjumpers contesting the 2020 World Cup Final in Las Vegas, USA. Sadly, the worldwide pandemic has brought the sport to a standstill, so instead we decided to dip into the archives to remember some of the legendary partnerships to have won multiple World Cup crowns in the competition’s 41-year history.

1. Rodrigo Pessoa and Baloubet Du Rouet: winners in 1998, 1999 and 2000, placed in 2001, 2002 and 2003

Brazilian rider Rodrigo Pessoa remains the only rider to secure a consecutive winning hat-trick of World Cups on the same horse, achieving the feat with the great chestnut stallion Baloubet Du Rouet in Helsinki, Gothenburg and then Las Vegas in 2000. They came within a whisker of making it four-in-a-row in 2001 when finishing second, going on to claim two more podium spots together.

“He was a horse of a lifetime and a freak of nature,” Rodrigo told H&H. “He had everything – the power, the health, he was careful and intelligent. We as riders are just fortunate to be able to cross paths with horses like that.”

2. Hugo Simon: winner in 1979 on Gladstone, then in 1996 and 1997 on E.T

Representing Austria, Hugo Simon won the inaugural World Cup in Gothenburg in 1979 and then, after a 17-year hiatus, returned for back-to-back victories in 1996 and 1997 with the renowned E.T. His third win came about on a return to the Scandinavium arena in Gothenburg when Hugo was 55.

3. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Shutterfly: winners in 2005, 2008 and 2009, runner-up in 2004 (pictured)

American-born Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum represents Germany and she is the only female rider to win three World Cups. After narrowly missing out on the crown in 2004, Meredith made amends with her first victory in Las Vegas the following year with her phenomenal partner Shutterfly. The pair’s hat-trick came in the same city four years later, where the then world number one rider led throughout all three legs — Shutterfly didn’t touch a pole throughout — en route to claiming the title. “That was my most perfect victory,” said Meredith at the time. She describes her beloved “Petey” as “the most perfect horse in the world. He only became great when he entered the ring. There he knew he had ability and he became confident,” she says.

4. Marcus Ehning: winner in 2003 with Anka, 2006 on Sandro Boy and again in 2010 riding Noltes Kuchengirl and Plot Blue

Esteemed German horseman Marcus Ehning’s first World Cup success came in the 25^th running of the World Cup, held in Las Vegas, the day before his 29^th birthday.

“I never thought I would win,” he said. “If you think about it too much, it can hurt, so I tried not to overthink it but it really couldn’t have turned out any better.”

Less than a fence separated the top three riders going in to the final round but another faultless performance with the 12-year-old mare Anka claimed the top spot. In 2010 in Geneva he became one of the elite group of riders, now standing at five, who have won three World Cups.

5. Steve Guerdat: winner in 2015 riding Albfuehren’s Paille, 2016 on Corbinian and again in 2019 with Alamo; he finished second in 2013 on the great Nino Des Buissonnets

The reigning World Cup title-holder Steve Guerdat of Switzerland misses the chance to claim a historic fourth win in Vegas this year but still rules as one of the most successful riders in the competition’s history.

“The first one was amazing, the second one was amazing, the third one… I don’t know what to say,” said an emotional Steve after claiming his hat-trick in Gothenburg last year. “I just love being a part of this championship.”

6. John Whitaker and Milton: champions in 1990 and 1991, runners-up in 1989 and again alongside Grannusch in 1993. John went on to finish second again in 1997.

The legendary pairing of John Whitaker and the great Milton, one of the sport’s most popular combinations, couldn’t have come closer to claiming a World Cup hat-trick, but the achievement just eluded them. The duo’s victories came in Dortmund and Gothenburg, with the latter being one of the mighty grey gelding’s final major successes.

“He was a brilliant jumper and he just felt special from the very first fence I jumped on him,” John told H&H. “I’ve been very spoilt with some of my horses but he was so careful — when you went up in the air on Milton you felt as though you were never going to come down.”

7. Ian Millar and Big Ben: title-holders in 1988 and 1989, runners-up in 1986

In this Who’s Who of showjumping legends, the Canadian Ian Millar and his great partner Big Ben join John Whitaker as a rider to have come agonisingly close to a World Cup hat-trick. The pair gained three top 10 finishes between 1985 and 1987 before taking top spot in Gothenburg in 1988 and again in Tampa, Florida, the following year. The Belgian-bred Big Ben, who captured the hearts of showjumping fans around the world, goes down in World Cup history as the first horse to win the title back-to-back.

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8. Ludger Beerbaum: winner in 1993, with 12 top six finishes between 1992 and 2014

Despite only having one World Cup Final victory to his name, German legend Ludger Beerbaum is one of the most consistent performers in the competition, qualifying regularly over an astounding 30 years. His crowning moment came in Gothenburg in 1993 when he and the phenomenal mare Ratina Z triumphed.

We continue to publish Horse & Hound magazine weekly during the coronavirus pandemic, as well as keeping horseandhound.co.uk up to date with all the breaking news, features and more. Click here for info about magazine subscriptions (six issues for £6) and access to our premium H&H Plus content online.

Elite showjumper returns to top level after losing an eye

Lucy Elder — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 18:30:21 +0000

A top showjumping stallion has returned to the sport at the highest level after having an eye removed.

Cornado NRW injured the eye at the end of 2018. However it didn’t heal, so the decision was made to remove it.

The 16-year-old has been competing on the international circuit since 2011 and is one of German showjumper Marcus Ehning’s elite string.

“He has adjusted very well and Marcus is very happy to have him at the competitions again,” Judith Gölkel from the Sportpferde Ehning team told H&H.

“He jumped fantastic in s-Hertogenbosch and the plan is to take him to Paris this weekend.”

A video of Cornado jumping a beautiful clear at the Indoor Masters in ’s-Hertogenbosch on 15 March has been viewed more than 25,000 times.

“Cornado has shown himself from his best side today,” said the team.

“We are happy that he survived his eye removal so well and are overjoyed to have him back at tournaments.”

Cornado hat sich heute von seiner besten Seite gezeigt. Wir freuen uns, dass er seine Augenentfernung so gut überstanden hat und sind überglücklich ihn wieder auf Turnieren dabei zu haben. ???? #nolteküchen #cavalleriatoscana #passier #veredus #kepitalia #pavo #tucci #kannebrottrunk #sprenger #m_ehning #werbungwegenmarkenerkennungPosted by Sportpferde Ehning GbR on Friday, March 15, 2019

Cornado last jumped in front of a crowd at Spruce Meadows CSI5* in September. He was entered for the Nations Cup final in Barcelona in October, but was withdrawn before the start.

The striking grey, by Cornet Obolensky, was Marcus’s ride at 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy, where he helped Germany to team fourth place as a team and finished 10th in the individual.

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He has twice finished fourth at the FEI World Cup final (2014 and 2016) and was 12th at last year’s event in Paris.

His glittering intercontinental career includes CSI5* grands prix wins at Verona (2013), Bordeaux (2014), Paris (2014) and ‘s’Hetogenbosch (2016), plus numerous top placings and a win at the 2013 CSI3* Herning grand prix in Denmark.

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday

USA claims team gold in thrilling jump-off at WEG: ‘I’m proud to be American today’

Pippa Roome — Fri, 21 Sep 2018 22:47:57 +0000

The USA beat Sweden to team gold in a jump-off in the Bank of America Merrill Lynch-sponsored showjumping at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Tryon this afternoon (Friday, 21 September).

All four riders for both teams had to compete in the final showdown, which came down to time after three from each nation went clear.

The home side’s final rider, McLain Ward, put in the fastest round of the jump-off in 32.58sec on Clinta. He was backed up by Laura Kraut (Zeremonie) — whose clear was the high spot for the US in the first round — Adrienne Sternlicht (Cristalline) and Devin Ryan (Eddie Blue).

“This team, this group, the people behind us all the way through — this is what’s great about America,” said McLain. “There were many different people and personalities fighting to do their best. I’m proud to be American today.”

Silver medallists Sweden moved up from fourth overnight to secure a place in the jump-off thanks to clears from Henrik von Eckermann (Toveks Mary Lou), Malin Baryard-Johnsson (H&M Indiana) and Fredrik Jönsson (Cold Play). Peder Fredricson had eight faults in the first round today, but went clear in the jump-off.

“We had a great team and great team spirit. We did it together today and we should be very proud,” said Malin.

Germany took the bronze, with clears from Simone Blum (DSP Alice) and Marcus Ehning (Pret A Tout) sealing the deal. Student Laura Klaphake (Catch Me If You Can OLD) had four faults and Maurice Tebbel (Don Diarado) five. Simone now leads the individual standings.

“I am totally happy with this young and inexperienced team and to win here a medal means a lot to me,” said chef d’equipe Otto Becker.

Switzerland led going into today’s competition, but had a disastrous time when Werner Muff’s 13 faults on Daimier had to count because Janika Sprunger was eliminated for two refusals at the second fence on Bacardi VDL. They did secure Olympic qualification with fourth place, alongside The Netherlands in fifth and Australia in sixth.

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Keep up to date with all the news from Tryon on horseandhound.co.uk

Horse & Hound’s bumper magazine reports from WEG will be in the issues dated 20 September (dressage and eventing) and 27 September (showjumping and para dressage).

Is this the perfect jump-off round? Watch what happens when Marcus Ehning puts his foot to the floor

Jennifer Donald — Wed, 05 Sep 2018 07:24:53 +0000

Leading German showjumper Marcus Ehning is always a joy to watch for his perfect poise in the saddle, sympathetic hands and his competitive edge, all of which has made him one of the world’s most successful riders. But we reckon Marcus’s winning performance in Sunday’s Rolex grand prix (2 September) at the CSI5* Stephex Brussels Masters could actually be perfection.

Riding the hugely talented stallion Comme Il Faut 5 (Cornet Obolensky x Ramiro) and with his foot to the floor, Marcus’s round is simply breathtaking — and don’t we all wish we could ride like the maestro himself?

NB: Please wait while the video loads below… if the video does not appear, click here to watch

Marcus Ehning & Comme IL Faut Rolex GP Stephex Masters 2018They did it again! Marcus Ehning wint ook de Rolex GP van Brussels Stephex Masters 2018 met Comme il faut – stallion! Je kunt alles terugkijken in onze mediatheek https://watch.clipmyhorse.tv/StephexMastersPosted by Clipmyhorse.TV België on Sunday, September 2, 2018

The pair were last to go in a six-strong jump-off and tackled Uliano Vezzani’s track with jaw-dropping precision. Every turn is perfectly executed, they meet every 1.60m obstacle on a deadly accurate forward stride, Comme Il Faut shows amazing athleticism and their acceleration down to the final oxer would leave Frankel quaking in his boots. The pair crossed the line nearly four seconds faster than their nearest rival, Sweden’s Douglas Lindelow (Zacramento).

“I had a very good run,” said Marcus with typical modesty. “From fence one to two I took my time but the rest of the course was really good. I was pretty much 150% sure that he would not knock down the last fence because he loves his speed — I felt quite safe.

“Comme Il Faut is an incredible horse. He has an unbelievable heart. He loves this kind of speed and now he is also so good in his turns.”

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Douglas reflected in defeat: “I think I could have done a round that was one to one-and-a-half seconds quicker, but it still wouldn’t have been good enough to beat Marcus.”

Marcus, who won the Aachen grand prix in July, now heads to Spruce Meadows, Canada, this week (6-9 September) for the CP International where victory would take him to the next step of his Rolex Grand Slam bid.

For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday

Postcards from Aachen: the horse who won £300k but just likes to ‘eat and chill’

Jennifer Donald — Mon, 23 Jul 2018 14:12:36 +0000

Leading German showjumper Marcus Ehning triumphed with the brilliant 15-year-old gelding Pret A Tout in the prestigious Rolex grand prix at Aachen on Sunday (22 July). Despite netting a cool £300,000 for his rider in one of the world’s toughest jumping competitions, this equine athlete is a totally chilled out character, who is happiest than when he’s eating, says groom Mel Obst.

Can you tell us about Pret A Tout?

“Pret A Tout is the easiest horse we have, he has a super character and is so brave,” says Mel. “He is very calm, you can give him to anyone to hold and he will behave, he is just lovely and easy. When he is jumping he is like ‘I am doing my job and focused’ after he has finished he is like ‘I am chilled, I just want to eat’ when he is eating he is very happy — I think he even had a bit of grass in the prize giving! In the stable he is so relaxed and such a wonderful horse to be around, I am so lucky to work with him.”

How was he rewarded after winning the Rolex grand prix?

“A lot of food — he loves food,” says Mel. “He loves carrots, apples, everything.”

Do you get nervous watching Marcus Ehning compete?

“No, I am usually ok actually,” says Mel. “When I watch I usually stay very calm, I think whatever happens it will be OK! When he is in the arena I start to get a little bit nervous, but I always try to hide it!”

How did you feel when you realised Marcus had won the Rolex grand prix?

“I felt unbelievable, it is so exciting for us!” says Mel. “We had an amazing week at CHIO Aachen and to win the Rolex grand prix tops off an incredible show for us. To win this and the Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup feels like a dream. It took some time to sink in that we had actually won the grand prix — I suddenly realised Luciana’s time was slower and that we had won, it was unreal.”

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Will you now head to Spruce Meadows in Canada for the next leg of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping?

“We have some amazing horses that could certainly compete well at Spruce Meadows,” says Mel. “The Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping is something every rider wants to win, and I would really love for us to go to Spruce, but we will have to see!”

For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.

Marcus Ehning clinches Aachen grand prix with thrilling jump-off round

Polly Bryan — Sun, 22 Jul 2018 16:45:23 +0000

Marcus Ehning came out on top of an exciting five-way jump-off to claim the Aachen grand prix with Pret A Tout.

Eleven combinations jumped clear around Frank Rothenberger’s huge, lengthy first round track, with five of those leaving all the fences standing again in the second round to reach the jump-off.

Third to go, Marcus powered his and Ruth Krech’s 15-year-old gelding round the course, daring him all the way, to return a brilliant clear in 38.34 seconds. With Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat (Bianca) and Ireland’s Darragh Kenny (Babalou 41) clocking up 12 faults apiece, and Brazil’s Pedro Veniss pulling out a beautiful, but steady, clear on Quabri De l´Isle, it was only Portugal’s Luciana Diniz who could catch the home favourite.

Luciana managed a thrilling clear round with the game For Pleasure mare, Fit For Fun 13, but crossed the line two and half seconds short of Marcus’ time to hand victory to the German, who last won this class in 2006.

“Today was our day. I was happy with my first round and we jumped an amazing second round,” said Marcus, who also led Germany to a third consecutive Nations Cup victory aboard Pret A Tout earlier in the week. “I was more nervous watching Luciana’s jump-off round than in my own. My horse gave me a lot of confidence in the Nations Cup and I can believe in him and try my best.”

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Marcus now has the opportunity to compete for the Rolex Grand Slam, and said that although he wouldn’t normally compete at the next leg, at Spruce Meadows in Calgary in early September, now he was in “a new situation” he would now think about it.

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Britain’s sole showjumper in Aachen, the 19-year-old European young rider champion Harry Charles (above), performed superbly all week to qualify for his first five-star grand prix. He rode a mature round on his father Peter’s ABC Quantum Cruise to finish with nine faults, having had a foot in the water and a rail down.

“The course felt very big, but I really enjoyed it out there,” said Harry.

Don’t miss the full report from Aachen in next week’s H&H, on sale on 26 July.

Germany pip Ireland to Nations Cup victory in Aachen

Polly Bryan — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 23:03:01 +0000

Germany claimed the CHIO Aachen showjumping Nations Cup victory for the third consecutive year, just nudging Ireland into the runner-up spot.

The home side included two young riders making their team debuts, Simone Blum on DSP Alice (pictured above) and Laura Klaphake riding Catch Me If You Can OLD, with Maurice Tebbel (Chaccos Son) returning to the team after winning here in 2017, and Marcus Ehning (Pret A Tout) providing valuable experience, staying cool under pressure to jump a super clear in the second round to secure his team the victory.

All four German riders achieved at least one clear in the two-round competition, with Laura and her 10-year-old Catoki mare one of just three combinations to achieve a double clear.

“It was always my dream to ride on a team in Aachen one day,” said Laura. “My horse is in the best form of her life. She tried so hard for me out there.”

While Britain was not represented in the Nations Cup this year, Ireland finished a close second, the quartet of Shane Sweetnam, Cian O’Connor, Darragh Kenny and Cameron Hanley clocking up six penalties to finish just two behind Germany.

Shane and the 12-year-old Chacco Blue stallion Chacqui Z didn’t touch a fence across both rounds, though unbelievably accrued a single time-fault for each. Darragh Kenny and Cameron Hanley each had more mixed fortunes: Darragh followed up 12 faults on the Balou Du Rouet mare Babalou 41 with a super clear, and Cameron piloted Quirex cleanly in round one, before hitting two rails later on.

Cian and his 2017 European bronze medallist Good Luck had an unlucky pole down early on, but the Canturo stallion never looked like touching a fence in the second round as he jumped a fantastic clear to clinch the runner-up spot.

“We knew Germany would be the team to beat, and we were ready to give them a hard time,” said the Irish chef d’equipe Rodrigo Pessoa. “Our horses jumped their best, especially in the second round to stay in touch. We’re not happy to be second of course, but we’re very happy with our performance.”

The Netherlands had topped the leaderboard after round one, but with more fences falling in round two, the team of Leopold van Asten, Maikel van der Vleuten, Marc Houtzager and Frank Schuttert dropped down the rankings to finish third.

Don’t miss the full report from Aachen in next week’s H&H, on sale on 26 July.

Nick Skelton in epic battle for Nations Cup crown

Jennifer Donald — Sat, 24 Sep 2016 21:45:33 +0000

Great Britain missed out on victory in the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup final in Barcelona on Saturday (24 September) by the narrowest of margins and are now expected to face relegation to division two of the series next season.

In a thrilling and high quality competition under the spotlights, the title was decided by a jump-off between Great Britain and Germany, with both teams finishing on a zero score.

Nick Skelton and Big Star lined up for Great Britain having jumped a double clear in the two-round competition which began on Thursday. The Olympic champions maintained their faultless record, stopping the clock in 41.57sec as Big Star relished the change in pace and soared round in style.

But his challenger was Marcus Ehning with the shorter striding Pret A Tout, who cut some daring turns to record the winning time of 39.80sec, meaning Germany were crowned champions. It was a fitting farewell to Germany’s anchorman Ludger Beerbaum, who was jumping in his last ever team competition.

“I was really under pressure – I wanted this win for Ludger as it was his last Nations Cup,” said Marcus.

Three of Team GB’s riders jumped clear over a fiendishly testing track set for this season finale. As well as pathfinders Nick and Big Star, Michael Whitaker (Viking) and Scott Brash (Ursula XII) also maintained a clean sheet while Jessica Mendoza and Spirit T produced the squad’s discard score of 12 faults. This was the second year in a row that Great Britain has taken the runner-up spot in the Nations Cup final.

“We were always going for it and the team showed really good fighting spirit, so there was some disappointment having got so close,” Great Britain’s performance manager Di Lampard told H&H. “But it’s something you have to get used to in this sport.”

USA finished third of the eight teams through to Saturday’s final with a four-fault total. Italy, Ireland and Switzerland all finished on five faults but took fourth, fifth and sixth respectively according to their times.

The Longines Challenge Cup, the consolation class for the remaining 10 teams, was scheduled to take place on Friday night but was cancelled due to torrential rain and it was announced that Spain would therefore be promoted to division one next season. However the competition has now been rescheduled for Sunday morning.

Don’t miss the full report from the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup final, with rider reactions and expert opinion from Graham Fletcher in next week’s Horse & Hound, out 29 September.

German dressage and showjumping teams announced for Rio Olympics

Pippa Roome — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 14:55:35 +0000

The German dressage and showjumping teams have been announced for the Rio Olympics at a press conference held in Aachen today.

Dressage:

Kristina Bröring-Sprehe (above) on Desperados FRH
Sönke Rothenberger on Cosmo
Isabell Werth on Weihegold OLD
Dorothee Schneider on Showtime FRH
Travelling reserve: Hubertus Schmidt on Imperio

Showjumping

Christian Ahlmann on Taloubet Z
Ludger Beerbaum on Casello
Daniel Deusser on First Class Van Eeckelghem
Marcus Ehning on Cornado NRW
Travelling reserve: Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum on Fibonacci 17

Meredith’s listing is to be confirmed as she has to check her owners are happy for the horse to travel on the reserve basis.

The dressage team is exactly the same as the quartet which has dazzled this week in Aachen, winning the Nations Cup with three plus-80% scores in both the grand prix on Thursday and the special today. Sönke is an Olympic debutant, but the other three all have Games experience.

The showjumping team also has one Olympic first-timer in Daniel Deusser, who was the World Cup champion in 2014.

The Germans won the showjumping Nations Cup in Aachen last Thursday evening, when Meredith was in the team and Daniel was left on the bench. Casello and Fibonacci were on that Nations Cup team, with Christian riding Epleaser Van’t Heike and Marcus on Pret A Tout.

The German eventing team is expected to be announced imminently too, after the conclusion of the Aachen Nations Cup this morning. Germany finished second to Australia, but this will not cause the reigning Olympic, world and European champions any concerns as they were only fielding one of their expected Rio quartet in the team. Michael Jung won the class individually on FischerTakinou, who is his preferred mount for Rio.

Full report from Aachen in H&H this week, out Thursday, 21 July.

12 things you didn’t know about showjumper Marcus Ehning

Jennifer Donald — Tue, 23 Sep 2014 10:59:41 +0000

Germany’s showjumping legend Marcus Ehning landed the €100,000 (£78,741) prize in the Longines Global Champions Tour (GCT) grand prix of Vienna this weekend (19-21 September), on the 17-year-old Plot Blue.

Find out all you need to know about the showjumper — from what his favourite food is, to his top show and the name of his first pony.

His wife Nadia was a champion vaulter
He has three children, Yula, Davy and Nael
He is from a non-horsey family. His mother was a teacher and his father a livestock dealer
He has one brother and three sisters
His favourite food is steak and chips
His favourite film is Forest Gump, starring his favourite actor Tom Hanks
His favourite show is Aachen
His first pony was called Narmit
He won two pony European gold medals on Starlight
He loves to play football
He has a British groom, Kay Neatham
His idol as a young rider was John Whitaker

Don’t miss the 25 September issue of Horse & Hound magazine, with our full report from the GCT of Vienna

60 seconds with showjumper Kevin Staut

WEG showjumping: Bertram Allen leads at half-way point

Jennifer Donald — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 12:05:04 +0000

Bertram Allen of Ireland holds the lead at the half-way point in Tuesday’s (2 September) opening leg of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) showjumping in France.

The 19-year-old rode the British-bred Kannan mare Molly Malone V to the fastest time of the morning (77.01sec) in this first round against the clock in which both individual and team riders compete.

“It all went according to the plan, which was to get a sound round,” said Bertram, a recent winner of the grand prix in Dublin. “Molly Malone just took everything in her stride. We had some tight turns, but she can handle it and we got the measure right today.”

Bertram is based in Germany with Marcus Ehning, who currently sits in 12th place with Cornado NRW. He added: “My student is in the lead, so it’s special.”

75 of the 153 riders have jumped so far and France’s Penelope Leprevost (Flora De Mariposa) holds second place in 77.82sec with Peder Fredricson of Sweden third on H&M Sibon (78.96sec).

The course has resulted in a surprising number of problems with eight eliminations including Brazil’s pathfinder Doda De Miranda, who fell when AD Rahmannshof’s Bogeno refused at a vertical.

Team GB’s Michael Whitaker (Viking) is best of the British, lying 18th, with Joe Clee (Utamaro D’Ecaussines) in 21st position individually.

“I’m very proud to be here,” said Joe, who produced a great clear in 85.49sec with the “fresh” but slightly spooky 10-year-old stallion.

Michael added: “It was a solid start. My horse did everything I wanted him to do so it’s been good for the team.”

Spencer Roe (Wonder Why) and anchorman Scott Brash (Hello Sanctos) jump for the team later this afternoon.

Don’t miss the full report on all the showjumping action from WEG in H&H next week, out Thursday, 11 September.

Germany lands the FEI Nations Cup at Hickstead

Horse & Hound — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 18:18:44 +0000

The FEI Nations Cup of Great Britain ended in a thrilling three-way jump-off between Germany, France and USA. And, thanks to a perfectly judged round by Marcus Ehning and Plot Blue – riding his third clear of the day – the title went to Germany.

“I would like to thank the family Bunn for what they have done here and hopefully today we have given something back,” said Germany’s chef d’equipe Sonke Sonksen.

France finished second with a solid jump-off performance from Kevin Staut and Silvana De Hus. They, too, were clear but 1sec slower. Beezie Madden (Coral Reef Vio Volo) had kicked off proceedings with the fastest of the three rounds, but at the expense of a substantial oxer.

Great Britain’s team of Guy Williams (Titus), Robert Smith (Talan), Peter Charles (Murka’s Nevada) and Michael Whitaker (GIG Amai) finished fourth, rising up from fifth after round one thanks, in no small part, to a superb clear from the latter in round two.

“We obviously wanted a top three placing and would have been very happy to have been in the jump-off with three of the strongest teams,” said Britain’s performance manager Rob Hoekstra. “We were only one fence behind but we perhaps left a bit much to do after the first round.”

Ireland dropped to sixth with some costly scores in the second round.

Results:

Germany (20) 44.95
France (20) 45.98
USA (20) 44.43
GB (24)
Belgium (28)
Ireland (44) & Netherlands (44)
Denmark (69)

In the overall standings, Netherlands and Germany are in first and second, Ireland drops to third, GB stays in fourth, with France (5th), Belgium (6th), USA (7th) and Denmark 8th.

Don’t miss next week’s issue of Horse & Hound (out 4 August) for the full report, pictures, expert comment and a sneak behind-the-scenes.

Marcus Ehning creates new boots with Veredus

Horse & Hound — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 12:56:09 +0000

Showjumper Marcus Ehning has teamed up with Veredus to create the brand’s new Carbon Gel XPRO tendon and fetlock boots.

The boots incorporate the latest technical fabric and anatomical design and have shock absorbing properties that the company says reduces trauma by 40%.

The Veredus Carbon Gel XPRO Front Boot features a shaped upper and lower shell, contoured around the knee to allow freedom of movement.

The main shell is made from 54-Shore TPU, a strong polyurethane mixture designed to remain flexible in temperatures as extreme as -15 and +50 degrees.

Fetlocks are protected by a thin carbon plate inserted inside the boot, while a slim layer of gel provides extra protection from over-reaching for the suspensory tendon.

The rear boot has an anatomical knuckle shape making it easy to fit.

Front boots cost £149, back boots £129 and both come in small, medium and large and grey, white, brown and black.

For stockist enquiries contact Zebra Products, tel: 01352 763350

Marcus Ehning wins Rolex World Cup Final in Geneva

Jennifer Donald — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 20:33:38 +0000

German rider Marcus Ehning put up a top class display in Geneva to win his third Rolex FEI World Cup showjumping final.

The current world number three earned the title in 2003 and 2006 and was helped this time by Noltes Kuchengirl and Plot Blue, his 13-year-old mount for the final rounds.

“After the first competition, I thought that the final was gone,” said Marcus, who finished 10th in the first of the three legs, held over four days. “Then the motivation came back for the second competition and with Plot Blue, we really wanted to fight.”

Marcus’s fellow countryman Ludger Beerbaum (Gotha) finished equal second with world number one, Pius Schwizer (Carlina) for the home nation.

Ireland’s former world champion Dermott Lennon finished a very creditable fifth riding Hallmark Elite.

Britain’s sole representative Michael Whitaker retired in the first round of the final day’s competition with GIG Amai.

Leader after the first two legs, US rider McLain Ward’s horse Sapphire was disqualified from the competition on Friday night following a positive hypersensitivity test.

Don’t miss next week’s Horse & Hound for the full report.

Green and gold armband for world’s leading show jumper

Amy Mathieson — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:14:24 +0000

In cycling there’s the yellow jersey and golfers vie for the green jacket. Now show jumping will have its own badge of honour for the leading contender — a green and gold armband, to be worn by the world’s leading rider in the Rolex rankings.

The armband has been launched by the International Jumping Riders Club and the FEI (International Equestrian Federation) to enable fans to follow the world’s top rider easily.

The armband will be worn on the rider’s left arm at FEI jumping events throughout 2010 and reads “Number 1, The Rolex Rankings”.

Rolex rankings are released monthly and the rider will wear the band until they are knocked off the top spot.

Marcus Ehning became the first rider to receive the armband at the Rolex IRJC Top 10 Final in Paris on 10 December.

“It is a great privilege to be the first holder of the armband and I hope to wear it for many months to come,” he said.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (24 December, ’09)

Whitaker sixth in FEI World Cup final

Horse & Hound — Tue, 02 May 2006 14:27:29 +0000

Michael Whitaker finished sixth in the FEI World Cup Final in Kuala Lumpur this weekend. Whitaker and Insul Tech Portofino produced a stunning double clear in the final leg of the competition to climb up the order from 12th place.

But the trophy went to Germany’s Marcus Ehning – for the second time. In the final stage of the Championships, Ehning held onto pole position to win with the stallion Sandro Boy. Jessica Kurten from Ireland finished just one pen behind with Castle Forbes Libertina. Third place went to Beat Mandli from Switzerland with Italy’s Juan Carlos Garcia in fourth.

In the end the 2005/6 FEI World Cup Jumping series closed with an exciting battle between two of the best jumping horses on the circuit. “He’s an unbelievable horse” Ehning said of Sandro Boy. “It doesn’t matter to him where he finds himself – how short he is to a fence, how long he is or how big the fence is, he just jumps it and the feeling is unbelievable”.

But Kuerten and Castle Forbes Libertina put up an impressive fight. The pair jumped a breathtaking clear in the final round but a slower time in the first leg of the competition cost them the trophy. “I never felt in any danger,” Kuerten said afterwards, “I was worried in the first round that Libertina would take charge but she jumped sensationally – she just wants to do everything right.”

Course designer Frank Rothenberger’s bold third-round track caught out a large number of contestants – with imposing planks and oxers 1.7 metres wide. Reigning champion Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Checkmate hit the front rail of the oxer at fence four in the third round, dropping them down the order to fifth place. Robert Smith did not compete in the final stages of the competition, after Kalusha knocked an uncharacteristic four fences in the second round, encouraging an anxious Smith to withdraw him.

Results

1, Marcus Ehning (Sandro Boy) Ger

2. Jessica Kuerten (Castle Forbes Libertina) Irl

3. Beat Mandli (Ideo du Thot) Sui

4. Juan Carlos Garcia (Loro Piana Albin) Ita

5. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (Checkmate) Ger

6. Michael Whitaker (Insul Tech Portofino) GBR

7. Rolf-Goran Bengtsson (MacKinley) Swe

8. Pia-Luise Aufrecht (Hofgut Liederbach’s Abrisca) Ger

9. Gerco Schroder (Eurocommerce Milano) Ned

10. Heinrich Hermann Engemann (Aboyeur) Ger

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Latest from Horse & Hound in Marcus-ehning

‘The relationship with my horse is paramount’: former European gold medallists withdraw from World Championships

Heavy-hitting German showjumping team named for Aachen worlds with Olympic champion on reserve list

The German showjumping team for the 2026 World Championships (in alphabetical order of surname):

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‘He captivated us all till the very end’: sad farewell to one-eyed wonder horse, aged 23

Cornado NRW: €1.8m in prize money during a stellar decade at the top

A one-eyed wonder

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A British first-timer, a horse bred in Scotland and the King defends his title: who’s who in the 2024 World Cup Final?

Defending champions hoping to continue the World Cup dream

World Cup Final showjumping debutant carries the Irish flag

World Cup Final attracts talented crop of young showjumpers

From Balcormo Stud in Scotland to the World Cup Final

History in the making at the World Cup Final?

This is the first time the World Cup Final showjumping has been held in Saudi Arabia, with a record-breaking 2.6million euros in prize money on offer at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center.

The first jumping competition begins on 17 April, continuing with round two the following day, with the winner decided on Saturday 20 April. You can keep up to date with all the action with H&H.

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‘I’m getting old, but I’m still here!’: A legend wins, a 6ft3in fence and a horse called Coolio

Marcus Ehning: ‘I’m getting old, but I’m still here!’

Showjumping news: a quality podium in Rouen

A 6ft3in six-bar thriller

Showjumping news: grand prix success

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Gold medal contenders out of European Showjumping Championships after horse ‘nearly flipped over’

European Showjumping Championships: ‘He was not the horse I am used to’

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Mare bought untried proves unbeatable, Olympic veteran wins first five-star grand prix and a teenage rider beats top eventer

‘A dream come true’: Kraut’s Olympic hero wins his first five-star grand prix, aged 13

Ehning goes for gold

‘She has a heart as big as a lion’

Teenager beats Olympic eventer

Rider cancels his plane to enjoy his World Cup celebrations

Horse with limited vision wins $100,000 grand prix

A hat-trick of blue ribbons for Olli Fletcher

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Stargold makes history as first back-to-back winner of Doha grand prix

Runner-up: ‘I thought the first round was too big!’

“I want to be the best rider in the world, but that’s a long way away. I’ve only just started but I always try hard to be better and better, and if you keep fighting, then slowly you will get there.”

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‘She’s sensitive, but sometimes she pays all the work back’: grey mare scores her first London win

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‘I have to break the news to Geoff Billington’: John Whitaker teams up with Marcus Ehning for fancy dress at London International Horse Show

London Horse Show fancy dress: John Whitaker makes a welcome return

The London Horse Show fancy dress relay takes place during the evening performance on Sunday 18 December.

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‘Difficult but fair’: riders’ reactions to the 1.55m course at the World Showjumping Championships

At the halfway stage, just two combinations in this opening speed class had failed to complete the test. Nicola Philippaerts of Belgium remains the long-time leader, clear in 81.02sec riding Katanga VH Dingeshof.

Simon also said that 1.55m, rather than 1.50m, was the right level for day one of a World Showjumping Championships.

“I think it’s one of the best I’ve ridden in a championship,” he said. “I think 1.55m is better for this kind of level because you have the best horses and the best riders.”

“Stargold felt amazing the whole round to where I had to the triple bar – I was a bit far off and didn’t push enough,” he reflected. “It was really a shame because my time was, I think, quite good. But, first of all, he jumped great and it’s quite hopeful for the next days.

“It’s quite a long track and there are 17 jumps so it will take something out of the horses. It’s a lot of jumping, but it’s quite a fair course – you can take many options to go short or long. I think [Louis Konickx] did a very good job.”

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‘It was a bit scary, but I tried not to panic’: John Whitaker wins in Hamburg – with only one rein

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John Whitaker bids for a record-equalling third World Cup victory (his first since Milton in 1991!)

This year’s courses are being designed by Germany’s Frank Rothenberger and the competition begins on Thursday (6 April) with the speed competition followed by a jump-off class on Friday. The final takes place on Sunday, when the 2022 World Cup champion will be crowned.

H&H will be bringing you all the action online with a full report in next week’s issue of the magazine, in the shops on Thursday 14 April.

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Medals decided, an emotional retirement, and a British withdrawal: the top stories from across the European Showjumping Championships

The team final on 4 September had Switzerland battling Germany and Belgium for the top spot.

Emily Moffitt was the sole British rider to qualify for the individual final but decided not to take part

Marcus Ehning’s superstar stallion Comme Il Faut retired in an emotional ceremony

Ireland secured two places in the medal-deciding round of Sunday’s individual final

Greece’s sole combination Ioli Mytillineou and Levis De Muze shone throughout the competition. While their final round did not go to plan with the pair ultimately retiring, Ioli has much to celebrate having come from jumping one-star classes just 18 months ago.

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Showjumping legend in last-minute European Championships call-up after horse pulled out

Marcus and his own and Elm Rock BV’s 10-year-old stallion Stargold crossed the finish line in today’s speed class in a superb 72.32 seconds, which would have been good enough for second place had two poles not fallen, Stargold showing his spirit and enthusiasm in some exuberant bucks en route.

“We’ve got a good team and good team spirit; we’re working well together and we’ll see where this week leads us.”

“I have to try to concentrate on myself,” Marcus added. “On the one hand, you already want to ride, sure. But when it happens like this, it’s not so nice in the end.”

Marcus also finished in ninth place in today’s CSI3* competition, a qualifier for Saturday’s (4 September) three-star grand prix, on Comme Il Faut. The 16-year-old stallion was his partner on the silver medal-winning German team at the 2019 European Showjumping Championships.

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Meredith and Shutterfly, Rodrigo and Baloubet, John and Milton — who was your favourite World Cup winning legend?

1. Rodrigo Pessoa and Baloubet Du Rouet: winners in 1998, 1999 and 2000, placed in 2001, 2002 and 2003

2. Hugo Simon: winner in 1979 on Gladstone, then in 1996 and 1997 on E.T

3. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum and Shutterfly: winners in 2005, 2008 and 2009, runner-up in 2004 (pictured)

4. Marcus Ehning: winner in 2003 with Anka, 2006 on Sandro Boy and again in 2010 riding Noltes Kuchengirl and Plot Blue

5. Steve Guerdat: winner in 2015 riding Albfuehren’s Paille, 2016 on Corbinian and again in 2019 with Alamo; he finished second in 2013 on the great Nino Des Buissonnets

6. John Whitaker and Milton: champions in 1990 and 1991, runners-up in 1989 and again alongside Grannusch in 1993. John went on to finish second again in 1997.