Americans in Switzerland doing the “planes, trains and automobiles” whirlwind tour of a beautiful country filled with mountains, lakes, rivers, farms, and some pretty cool towns and cities―that’s what we were. The scenery was breathtaking looking through the windows of our Eurostar train from Amsterdam in the Netherlands, through Belgium and France where we changed trains in Paris, and finally on a national SBS train to Lausanne, Switzerland.

Honored to be working on assignment for Horse Illustrated magazine and website, I was accompanied on the trip by colleague Alan Whinery who helped me tote the luggage and equipment, planned our train routes and hotel stops, and assisted with photos and notes at the World Cup Finals. A huge thanks to him for keeping the trip running smoothly, and to my editors at Horse Illustrated, Mary Cage and Holly Caccamise!

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Swiss Stop #1: The FEI Sports Forum

In Lausanne I had the opportunity to attend the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI, the international governing body for equestrian sports) Sports Forum for two days before going on to Basel for the FEI World Cup Finals. Staged by the FEI staff and committee members, and attended by various stakeholders from around the world, the Forum is held annually in the spring. It provides a platform for presentation of current equestrian sports topics with time for open discussion from the audience. It was great to see the FEI encouraging their members to offer their thoughts and opinions for the betterment of our sport.

The Forum gives the FEI Board of Directors valuable feedback from members before they meet again later in the year to conduct the business of the organization. Topics of discussion from this year’s Forum included equine welfare, a strategic plan going forward for dressage, athlete quotas for equestrian sports at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, the process to elect a new FEI president, a plan for FEI officials development and retention, and rule changes for show jumping, eventing, and driving and para-driving.

During the breaks I had the chance to interact with not only helpful FEI staff members, but also equestrians from around the globe. For instance, I met a lady from Algeria who was representing the African Equestrian Federation at the Forum. She was quite interested in knowing more about our show hunter divisions as they don’t have that competition discipline in Africa.

Located in the French speaking part of Switzerland, and situated on scenic Lake Geneva, which is bordered by snowcapped mountains, Lausanne is known as “the Olympic city” because it is the home of both the International Olympic Committee headquarters as well as the Olympic Museum. Strategically, it is also the location of the FEI headquarters in the HM King Hussein Building (sold to the FEI for 1 Euro by King Hussein’s daughter and former FEI President Princess Haya bint Al Hussein of Jordan). Alan and I made time to take photos (with my Horse Illustrated tote bag in hand, of course!) in front of the FEI building and the Olympic Museum.

As we strolled around town in the evening, we saw several LA28 Olympic countdown clocks. One displayed “1200 days, 16 hours, 50 minutes and 14 seconds” as we passed it, hinting that it won’t be long until the world’s best athletes gather in California for another Olympic and Paralympic Games. As one of the speakers at the Forum said regarding the work ahead to be done in a relatively short time before LA28, “The days are long, but the years short.”

Swiss Stop #2: The 2025 FEI World Cup Finals

After two nights in Lausanne, it was time to board another train for Basel, Switzerland, and get settled in to report on the 2025 FEI World Cup Finals for dressage, show jumping and vaulting for the next five days. The sun was setting as we boarded the train so we didn’t get much sightseeing in as the train made its way from the French-speaking section of Switzerland to the German-speaking area. (There is also an Italian-speaking region in Switzerland, and although we didn’t get there, our hotel offered television stations in all three languages as well as a few in English.)

Basel is Switzerland’s third most populous city behind Zurich and Geneva, with roughly 177,500 residents. The Rhine River runs through the city which boasts both large and small “old city” historic sections as well as many museums featuring art, history, natural history, antique and classic automobiles, toys, and other interesting things. There are also many beautiful cathedrals, one of which is the Basel Münster that has a particularly interesting history (once a Catholic cathedral, it is now Reformed Protestant church). Offered in restaurants there were Swiss specialties such as fondue, raclette (a hands-on dish where they bring you a burner to melt slices of cheese to use to smother accompanying potatoes) and, of course, Swiss chocolate.

The large, modern multi-use St. Jakobshalle (St. Jakob’s Hall) was the venue for the 2025 FEI World Cup Finals. Two short tram rides (free to visitors staying in local hotels via a “Basel Pass” you receive at check in) took us to the venue each day. St. Jakobshalle hosts a big horse show each year in January, which is one reason it was selected for the World Cup Finals this year.

The indoor main arena was bordered by seating on two sides, with VIP dining tables overlooking the arena on both ends. Quite steep stairs filed spectators up and out of the seating areas and made it seem to the competitors that the audience was right on top of them. This factor contributed to the heightened “atmosphere” and affected some of the horses’ performances, U.S. riders Adrienne Lyle’s Helix and Geñay Vaughn’s Gino among them. Riders warmed up their horses in outside arenas, then entered the hall to compete.

During the World Cup Finals, for the most part the stands were packed with knowledgeable fans (except for the dressage Grand Prix held during the work/school day on Friday afternoon when the seats were about half-empty). We noticed a surprisingly large group of U.S. fans in the audience who made the long trip to support our athletes. Many shopping booths and food vendors both inside and outside the building offered attendees many choices.

Each day, Swiss musicians and trainers from a Swiss equestrian act, staged a “Swiss Show” performance in between competition sessions. A band, complete with an Alpenhorn soloist, played traditional music and a Swiss choir belted out perfectly pitched a cappella yodels and songs. National-Circus Knie presented an at-liberty 28-horse carousel using Arabian, Andalusian, Friesian, and Lusitano stallions. The Swiss Show was capped with rhythmical beats of the Basel-based Top Secret Drum Corps, a group so impressive that actor Tom Cruise recruited them to appear in his Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning movie. It will be interesting to see what entertainment offerings the organizers in Texas will have in store for us for next April.

As journalists, we were lucky to be included in the complimentary meals offered in a large dining hall inside the building where other credentialed individuals also took their meals. The group dining there included athletes, coaches, grooms, volunteers, costumed entertainers and others―a rare opportunity to see them all interacting in the same space.

2025 FEI World Cup Finals: U.S. Athletes & Their Results

Though not a team event, U.S. athletes at the World Cup Finals are selected to compete representing the USA as individuals. This year, US Equestrian supported athletes in all three sports competing in Basel. They are listed in alphabetical order below along with their placings.

In a year with no major games (no Olympics or Pan American Games or World Championships), the 2025 FEI World Cup Finals was a chance for our U.S. athletes to gain valuable international experience to build our ranks for the Aachen (Germany) 2026 World Championships, the 2027 Pan American Games in Peru, and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Our riders and coaches took full advantage of the opportunity and glimpses of great things to come shined through from our U.S. contingent.

U.S. Dressage Competitors:

◆ Kevin Kohmann (Wellington, Fla.) and Duenensee, a 2009 KWPN gelding (Dancier x Davignon I) owned by Diamante Farms and cared for by German Rodriguez, 14th in the Grand Prix (69.130%), 10th in Grand Prix Freestyle (75.535%)

◆ Adrienne Lyle (Wellington, Fla.) and Helix, a 2012 KWPN gelding (Apache x Jazz) owned by Zen Elite Equestrian Center and cared for by Marina Lemay, 9th in the Grand Prix (72.565%), 16th in the Grand Prix Freestyle (71.255%)

◆ Geñay Vaughn (Elk Grove, Calif.) and Gino, a 2011 KWPN gelding (Bretton Woods x Haarlem) owned by Michele Vaughn and cared for by Alex Levine-Nevel, 17th in the Grand Prix (62.978%), 14th in the Grand Prix Freestyle, (73.765%)

Lyle’s top-ten finish with Helix in the Grand Prix on day one, and all three U.S. combinations scoring above 70% in the Freestyle (with Kohmann and Duenensee in the top ten) on the second day were highlights for the USA.

“It was amazing walking into the arena. I had so many people here to support me―it meant a lot,” said Kohmann after their Freestyle. “Our relationship together [with Duenensee, a.k.a. Denzel] has grown so much over the past few years. I’ve never had a horse that I thought could ever take me to the places Denzel has and it’s really an honor to be able to experience moments like this with my best friend in the ring. He’s given me everything, and while tonight may not have been our most perfect performance, I could still feel him enjoying every movement and feeding off the energy of the crowd.”

U.S. Jumping Competitors:

◆ ​Kaitlin Campbell (Temecula, Calif.) and Castlefield Cornelious, a 2011 Oldenburg stallion (Cornet Obolensky x Contender) owned by Mirasol Equestrian LLC and cared for by Erick Garcia,  24th in Class I (Speed & Handiness), 25th in Class II, Clear in Round A of Class III, but eliminated in Round B due to a rider fall, Final result of 20th overall

◆ Shawn Casady (Harriman, Tenn.) and Cool Quarz, 2012 Holsteiner gelding (Quarz x San Patrignano Cassini) owned by Morning-Star Sporthorses, LLC and cared for Cristofer Mendoza, 28th in Class I (Speed & Handiness), 30th in Class II, Did not compete in Class III, Final result of 30th overall

◆ Katie Dinan (New York, N.Y.) and Out of the Blue SCF, an American-bred 2014 Belgian Warmblood mare (Verdi TN x San Patrignano Cassini) owned by Grant Road Partners LLC and cared for by Lou Beudin, 11th in Class I (Speed & Handiness), 21st in Class II, Only combination to go clear in both Round A and B of Class III to finish 1st in that class, Final result of 8th overall and best US finish

◆ Lillie Keenan (New York, N.Y.) and Kick On, a 2014 British Sport Horse stallion (Warrior x Caretino Glory) owned by Chansonette Farm and cared for by Kelly Rohe, 3rd in Class I (Speed & Handiness), 9th in Class II, Clear in Round A of Class III and 12 faults in Round B for a tie of 17th in that class, Final result of 15th overall

◆ McKayla Langmeier (Wellington, Fla.) and Mimosa vd Rollebeek, a 2012 Belgian Warmblood mare (Castelino van de Helle x Toulon) owned by Rafferty Farm LLC and cared for Beth McGranahan, 35th in Class I (Speed & Handiness), 29th in Class II, Did not compete in Class III, Final result of 31st overall

◆ Alise Oken (Charlotte, N.C.) and Gelvera, a 2011 KWPN mare (Quality Time TN x Numero Uno) owned by Hi Hopes Farm LLC and cared for by Gail Sheperd and Lucile Thomas, 25th in Class I (Speed & Handiness), Eliminated in Class II for refusals, Did not compete in Class III, Final result of 33rd overall

◆ Kristen Vanderveen (Wellington, Fla.) and Bull Run’s Jireh, a 2014 Holsteiner gelding (Uriko x Colman) owned by Bull Run Jumpers, Inc. and cared for by herself, 21stin Class I (Speed & Handiness), 23rd in Class II, Clear in Round A of Class III and 12 faults in Round B to finish in a tie for 17th in that class, Final result of 19th overall

◆ Alessandra Volpi (Woodside Calif.) and Gipsy Love, a 2014 Silesian Warmblood mare (Guidam Sohn x L’Espirit) owned by Cedar Fox Farm and cared for by Yuliya Pachtsennay,  ​12th in Class I (Speed & Handiness), 3rd in Class II, Did not compete in Class III due to mare sustaining a heal grab injury during schooling, Final result of 26th overall

U.S. rider Laura Kraut was nominated to compete on Baloutinue, but pulled out at the last minute, stating that Baloutinue had a minor injury that was already on the mend, but said that she wanted to allow him full time to heal before the rest of the upcoming 2025 outdoor European circuit.

Notable among the U.S. jumper performances were Keenan and Kick On finishing third on the first day, Volpi and Gipsy Love taking third on day two, and Dinan’s two clear rounds (the only combination from any country to achieve that) on the final day with American-bred Out of the Blue SCF (bred by Spy Coast Farm in Kentucky).

U.S. Jumper Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland commented on the week in Basel after the final round on Sunday, “We had some really great results this week in Basel, and a few of our younger combinations really stepped up and showed off some class riding. I was really impressed today in the first round when all four of our combinations laid down clear rounds. For Katie to finish the way she did with Out of the Blue SCF was very impressive, considering none of the other combinations in the whole class delivered two consecutive clear rounds today.”

U.S. Vaulting Competitors:

◆ Daniel Janes (Stanwood, Wash.) and Caretes Auhoern, a 2009 Holsteiner gelding (Caretino 2 x Colman), owned and lunged by Jana Leib, and cared for by Leona Schreiner, 8th in the Tech Test (7.294), 8th in the Free Test (7.798), 8th overall

◆ Caroline Morse (Los Gatos, Calif.) and Rey Rubino, a 2017 Hanoverian gelding, (Rotspon x Christ 3) owned by Claire Bartell, cared for by Isabell Nowak, and lunged by Lars Hansen, 8th in the Tech Test (5.846), 7th in the Free Test (7.397), 8th overall

◆ Kimberly Palmer (Half Moon Bay, Calif.) and Rosenstolz 99, a 2007 Rheinlander gelding (Rosencharmeur x Fidermark), owned by Club Ippico Monzese A.S.D., cared for by Kevine Moneuse, and lunged by Laura Carnabuci, 5th in the Tech Test (7.419), 5th in the Free Test (8.765), 5th overall

There was also a vaulting Pas de Deux (pairs) division, but the USA didn’t send a pair to compete.

The U.S. vaulters were really just starting their competition season, so for them the World Cup comes early in the calendar. All three vaulters improved their scores significantly on day two in the Free Test.

Janes was chosen by the FEI for an interview for an upcoming video production called RIDE. While photographing action in the main arena, I stood near the FEI videographer who spoke with him. When she learned that I was from the USA, she told me how much he impressed her as one of her favorite interviewees and praised him for his articulate comments and his regard for and rapport with his horse.

Winners from Basel

The top three in dressage at the World Cup were Charlotte Fry and Glamourdale of Great Britain, first; Isabell Werth and DSP Quantaz of Germany, second; and Isabel Freese and Total Hope OLD of Norway, third. It was the first top-three finish in Dressage World Cup Finals history for a rider from Norway. Read more here.

Winners in the jumping were Julien Epaillard of France riding his home-bred Selle Français gelding Donatello d’Auge. Second was Ben Maher (despite competing with a broken foot) of Great Britain who guided Point Break to that great finish. Third was another Frenchman Kevin Staut on yet another Selle Français gelding Visconti du Telman. Read more here.

German vaulter Kathrin Meyer captured first in Individual Female Vaulting with Capitain Claus OLD, her third consecutive World Cup title. Topping the Individual Male Vaulting division was France’s Quentin Jabet with Goldjunge. Italian vaulting pair Rebecca Greggio and Davide Zanella proved they were the best in the Pas de Deux performing their routines aboard Orlando Tancredi. Read more here.

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Find all of the competitor lists, orders of go, results and jumping course maps from the 2025 Basel FEI World Cup Finals here.

View replays of all of the Basel World Cup action on FEI TV via the ClipMyHorse platform (premium subscription required, but a free trial may be possible) here.

On To Fort Worth 2026

So, now it’s our turn―on to Fort Worth, Texas a year from now, April 8-12, 2026, when they will host the FEI World Cup Dressage and Jumping Finals. Derek Braun, of the Fort Worth 2026 World Cup Organizing Committee and founder of Slit Rock Jumping Tour, was in Basel.

He participated in the closing ceremony there, where the FEI flag was handed off from the Basel organizers to him. In his acceptance speech he invited the world to Fort Worth to experience the Finals “Texas style.” We can only guess that means bigger than life!

“Our Split Rock team and the City of Fort Worth have been hard at work planning a world-class event unlike anything the sport has ever seen,” said Braun. “My team and I are deeply honored to be able to organize a championship like this, and we look forward to showcasing the best in jumping and dressage in one of the most impressive cities anywhere in the world! We are fully committed to making this World Cup Final the best one ever.”

Tickets and hospitality packages are already on sale. For more information, visit here.

As the 2025 FEI World Cup Finals wrapped, we packed up and hopped yet another train for our final Swiss stop, Zurich. From there it was a day’s worth of airport layovers and airplane rides before we touched down again in the USA. While we enjoyed the journey and the competition very much, it was great to be home. Now, we look forward to reporting on all of the action from Texas next spring!

This article about the 2025 FEI World Cup Finals is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Bern, Switzerland — The U.S. Vaulting Team took on the top competition in the world last week at the 2024 FEI Vaulting World Championship for Seniors. The team finished fourth overall, with individual competitors turning in good performances over four days of competition in Bern, Switzerland.

Kimberly Palmer (Half Moon Bay, Calif.) earned a strong fifth-place finish in the Individual Senior Female division, which saw a total of 28 competitors. Vaulting on Rosenstolz 99, a 2007 Rheinlander gelding owned by Club Ippico Monzese, with lunger Laura Carnabuci of Italy, Palmer placed sixth in the compulsory and technical tests, then earned an impressive 8.803 in her freestyle test to finish fifth with an overall score of 8.349.

Senior World Championship first-timer Caroline Morse (Los Gatos, Calif.) also earned a top-10 finish overall, vaulting on Grasshoper AF, a 2009 American warmblood gelding she co-owns with Jana Morse and lunged by Samantha Matson. Morse finished eighth individually with a personal-best score of 8.156.

Paula Hampshire (Kaysville, Utah), who has represented the U.S. Vaulting Team at past championships as part of the squad, made her international senior debut as an individual at Bern. Hampshire vaulted with Bellmiro, a 2006 Swiss Sporthorse gelding owned and lunged by Dimitri Suhner of Switzerland.

Individual Senior Male

Daniel Janes (Stanwood, Wash.) turned in the top performances for the American contingent in the individual male division, finishing 11th in a competitive division with Caretes Auhoern, a 2009 Holsteiner gelding owned and lunged by Jana Leib of Germany. Janes, a veteran member of numerous past senior championship teams, finished on an overall individual score of 7.818.

Also competing for the U.S. were Jace Brooks (Eagle Mountain, Utah) with Dorian, a 2003 Württemberger gelding owned and lunged by Claudia Petersohn of Italy; and Todd Griffiths (Salem, Utah) with Lightning, a 2015 Quarter Horse/Percheron gelding owned by Raelyn Snyder and lunged by Nicholas Hansen.

Squad

The Pacific Coast Vaulters represented the U.S. team in the squad competition with lunger Carolyn Bland of Great Britain and Eldoctro, the 2009 KWPN gelding Bland co-owns with Emily Rose. The squad placed fifth in the compulsory test and fourth in the freestyle test to come in a close fifth overall with a score of 7.628.

The Pacific Coast Squad at the 2024 FEI World Championships was composed of Francesca Foster (Las Vegas, Nev.), Daniel Janes (Stanwood, Wash.), Maria McLean (Cedar Spring, Mich.), Emma Milito (Brighton, Colo.), Naomi Morgenthaler (Menlo Park, Calif.) and Emily Rose (Santa Cruz, Calif.)

Pas de Deux

Two pairs represented the U.S. in pas de deux competition at Bern. Shaina Hammond (Eagle Mountain, Utah) and Alyssa Stoddard (Eagle Mountain, Utah) earned an overall eighth-place finish for their two tests with Corocoro 2, a 2005 Deutsches Sportpferd owned and lunged by Gudrun Lenz. Allegra Hart (Mebane, N.C.) and Raelyn Snyder (Elysburg, Pa.), finished in ninth place with Snyder’s 2015 Quarter Horse/Percheron gelding, Lightning, and lunger Nicholas Hansen.

Team France won the team gold with a score of 9.239. Germany secured silver with a 8.923 ahead of the host country, Switzerland, which won bronze with an 8.970.

See the full results here.

Replay

The replay of the 2024 FEI Vaulting World Championship for Seniors is available on ClipMyHorse.TV/FEI.TV with a ClipMyHorse.TV Membership.

— Edited Press Release

Thanks to CareCredit for our spring and summer equestrian coverage.

The post U.S. Vaulting Team Completes Successful Outing at the 2024 FEI Vaulting World Championship for Seniors appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Stepping out to the rail of the Grand Outdoor Arena, flanked by the towering Equestrian Hotel on one end and grandstands on the other three, everything felt shiny and new at the World Equestrian Center (WEC) last weekend. The Florida sun was shining over the 387-acre facility which was completed in December 2020, but still looked like it might have opened yesterday instead of three years ago.

In addition to the existing hotel, a new hotel called The Riding Academy had opened just as visitors arrived for the Fédération Equestre Internationale’s newest “baby”, the FEI Longines League of Nations show jumping competition. And, the crowds came in throngs to see the WEC host its first really global event.

Ocala League of Nations Recap

On Thursday night of the same week, the $330,000 CSCIO-5* Lugano Diamonds Grand Prix gave the League of Nations nominated riders, and other international stars, a first look at the Grand Outdoor Arena and course designer for the week Alan Wade’s (IRL) tracks in Ocala. While it wasn’t actually part of the League of Nations competition, it was top-level sport and fans packed the stands that night, too.

Swiss riders took the top two spots in the Lugano Grand Prix, with Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei grabbing the win and $108,900 and Steve Geurdat riding Albfuehren’s Iashin Sitte in second. The USA’s Callie Schott finished third with Garant.

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The Ocala League of Nations took place on Saturday, March 23, 2024, during a week of top-level international (CSIO-5*) jumper competition at WEC. Forty horse and rider combinations from ten nations came to battle for national pride on U.S. soil for the second leg of this new Nations Cup-style competition: Belgium, Brazil; France; Germany; Great Britain; Ireland; the Netherlands; Sweden; Switzerland, and the USA.

Riders for the U.S. Team were (in the order in which they jumped) Laura Kraut on St. Bride Farm’s 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding Baloutinue, Aaron Vale on Debbie Smith’s 11-year-old Holsteiner gelding Carissimo 25, Kent Farrington on Haity McNerney’s 11-year-old Zangersheide gelding Landon, and McLain Ward on Beechwood Stable’s 16-year-old Holsteiner mare Callas.

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After all 40 horse and rider combinations had their turn around the technically challenging first-round course, and each team dropped their lowest score, the USA, Ireland and the Netherlands each sat on zero total faults. But, the total accumulated time over the course of the top three riders from each team was used to break the tie, leaving the USA slightly ahead of Ireland (1.12 seconds faster). The Netherland’s team time was the next one in line, 1.79 seconds slower than the USA.

Moving down the list of first-round scores, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Brazil followed and qualified to move on to the second round. Unfortunately, Great Britain and Sweden did not have the best day, so they ended up being the two teams who did not jump in round two.

In round two, the Irish Team was not to be denied and they pulled ahead to take the win, adding only five faults (one rail and one time fault). As the awards ceremony began, the skies opened up and rain came down in sheets, but the guys from the Emerald Isle (Darragh Kenny riding Amsterdam 27, Daniel Coyle riding Legacy, Cian O’Connor riding Maurice and Shane Sweetnam riding Otis Blue) didn’t seem to mind a bit as they celebrated on podium.

“I said we wouldn’t [be] the favorites tonight, and it suits us. But, as I said, we always ride better than you think we are,” said Ireland’s Chef d’equipe Michael Blake with a smile in the final press conference.

O’Connor had nothing but praise for the WEC, “It’s one of the great wonders of the world. The facility is fantastic. Sometimes the unsung heroes of our sport are the grooms, and for them, the way they’re looked after… the stables and the level of detail here is second to none. We’re absolutely delighted to be here. A big thanks to Roberts family for building this wonderful facility for us.”

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Switzerland’s riders, including FEI World Rankings number 3 Steve Guerdat on Is-Minka, had an exceptional second round with their three riders adding no faults to their total from the first round. They finished as the runners-up in Ocala.

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With the exception of Kraut and Baloutinue, who jumped clear in both rounds, the other U.S. riders were not as lucky in round two, with Ward taking down one rail with Callas and Farrington two rails with Landon to end the competition on 12 faults and in third place. (Vale did not jump in round two.)

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US Chef d’equipe Robert Ridland commented on his team’s performance after the awards ceremony, “We achieved our objective, which was to be on the podium. Obviously, we’d have rather been where Ireland was, but when you’re dealing with the top 10 teams in the world, third is a valid achievement.”

Check out the complete results from the 2024 FEI Longines League of Nations Ocala.

How the League of Nations Competition Works

The League of Nations is a revamp of sorts of the Nations Cup format (although old-style Nations Cup competitions do also still exist at other shows). In the new Longines League of Nations competition, the top 10 nations from the FEI’s show jumping rankings field four-athlete teams in the first round of competition (with the best three scores from each team from the first round counting toward their score). For the second round, the best eight teams return, this time with three athletes each.

The three returning athletes are selected by each nation’s chef d’equipe. In the second round, they start in reverse order of placing from the first round. The final results are determined by the combined penalties of each team’s three best athlete scores in the first round and all of the team’s three athlete scores in the second round.

The first leg had been hosted by the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi in February, where Germany took the top spot. Two more qualifying legs are planned in St. Gallen, Switzerland, May 30-June 2, and Rotterdam, the Netherlands, June 20-23. The final will be October 3-6 in Barcelona, Spain. For more information on the FEI Longines League of Nations, click here.

All legs of the League of Nations competition may be viewed (both live and on-demand replays) on FEI TV via Clip My Horse (paid subscription required although a free 30-day trial is available). For more information, click here.

View replays of the Ocala competition here.

More About the WEC Venue

The WEC in Ocala is billed as the largest equestrian competition facility in the world. In total, there are 6,000 acres owned by the Roberts family in Ocala, so there is much more space available for future expansion.

Currently there are two main outdoor arenas, a grass outdoor arena, five indoor arenas with spectator seating (and a sixth opening soon), 15 outdoor arenas with more planned, over 20 barns and 3,000 stalls, turnout paddocks, lunging areas, wash racks, tack rooms, a veterinary hospital, feed and bedding suppliers, with polo fields planned for the future.

On the human side, there are the two aforementioned hotels, plus “Home Away From Home” cabins, an RV park, walking trails, a pool and splash pad, a chapel, medical and physical therapy facilities, a spa, dining and shopping. Two multi-use exposition centers are already on the property as well, and a new 80,000-square-foot shopping venue is in the works near the WEC’s main entrance with a projected completion date in 2025. Find more information about the WEC here.

This article about the Ocala Longines League of Nations qualifier is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Record combined driving entries and a “luck of the Irish” day for show jumper Daniel Coyle highlighted the 33rd renewal of the Live Oak International Combined Driving and Show Jumping Tournament March 14-17, 2024. The tournament was hosted by world champion FEI four-in-hand driver Chester Weber at his family’s 5,000-acre estate near Ocala, Florida. The competition featured four days of both national and international driving divisions and three days of FEI-level show jumping culminating with this season’s final FEI World Cup Qualifier jumping class on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17.  

Over 15,000 spectators watched the action over the four days at the 2024 Live Oak International. In addition to competition, the tournament had a vendor village and food court, a children’s activity area, a beer garden, a Net Jets walk-through mock airplane exhibit, and daily KWPN Dutch Harness Horse exhibitions. There was also a tailgating competition sponsored by Ocala magazine and a jungle-themed party on Friday night sponsored by Gold’s Gym of Ocala.  

Weber said he and his family were excited to host the competitors and spectators for a 33rd time. Live Oak began in 1990 as a club-level driving competition and developed into a world-class show using a grass main arena surrounded by picturesque Spanish-moss filled oak trees and a sprawling marathon course featuring seven challenging combined driving obstacles. In 2012, Weber’s sister Juliet W. Reid and her daughter jumper rider Chloe D. Reid asked him to add show jumping competition to the Live Oak schedule and it proved to be a popular combination.  

He shared that Live Oak is the largest spectator event in Marion County, Florida, and that they do their best to offer something for everyone―spectators, competitors and sponsors―to enjoy. “At Live Oak International we challenge ourselves to be bigger and better every year and we continue to strive to ensure the best possible experience for all who visit our tournament.”  

Find out out more about the 2025 Live Oak International Event here.  

Combined Driving Results

This year’s Live Oak International combined driving competition saw the largest number of entries in the history of the event thus far with drivers from five countries competing (Australia, Canada, Germany, Switzerland and the U.S.). The driving included national classes for youth, para and able-bodied competitors and international classes at the FEI 2* and FEI 3* levels. In addition to the youth and para-driving classes, other national driving divisions offered were Intermediate-level divisions for single horses, single ponies, horse pairs and pony pairs. International driving divisions included single horse, single pony and pony pairs at the FEI 2* level, and single horse, single pony, pony pair and horse teams at the FEI 3* level.  

Winner of the FEI 3* Horse Teams was Chester Weber and his team of four Dutch horses. First place in the FEI 3* Horse Single division was Raymond Helmuth of Cambridge, Iowa, driving Kendro. Topping the FEI 3* Pony Pair was Yannik Scherrer of Switzerland driving Mary Phelps’ small, but mighty, ponies Bugsy Malony and Al Capony. Anna Koopman of Middleburg, Va., grabbed the blue with Chandler Creek Eclipse in the FEI 3* Pony Single. For a full set of 2024 Live Oak driving results, click here.

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FEI Show Jumping Results

Everything was coming up shamrocks in the Live Oak International FEI World Cup Qualifier with five competitors from Ireland, two of those (Daniel Coyle and Dermott Lennon) qualifying for the four-rider jump off. Overall, there were 32 competitors from 11 countries in the World Cup class. In the end it was Ireland’s Daniel Coyle riding Incredible, owned by Coyle and Canadian Ariel Grange, who jumped clear in both the first round and the jump off and had the fastest time (40.37 seconds) over a track designed by Germany’s Olaf Petersen, Jr.  

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Coyle, who ended the FEI North American League season at the top of the standings and is thus qualified for the 2024 World Cup Finals in Saudi Arabia in April, said he has only been riding Incredible, an 11-year-old Dutch Warmblood (Clinton-Heartbreaker) since January. He credited Dutch horseman Jeroen Dubbeldam for recommending the horse to him.

“Every time I go in the ring, I’m finding something new [about Incredible]. It’s great that I can find that out while competing at the top of the sport. He was incredible before I got him. And, it’s good to know that I was a good rider before, he was a good horse before, and today I can say that we are also very good together,” said Coyle in an interview after the competition.  

Kent Farrington of the U.S., riding his and Rabbit Root Stable LLC’s Toulayna, also qualified for the jump off and were also clear, but went before Coyle and Incredible and stopped the timers 2.21 seconds slower. Finishing third was Lennon on Millview Cicero, who had an unfortunate rail when Cicero slipped on a tight turn back to an oxer, which caused a rail to fall.  

Helpful Live Oak International Links

◆ Complete results from the 2024 Live Oak FEI World Cup Jumping Qualifier

◆ Other show jumping results from the 2024 Live Oak International 

Watch replays of all of the action from the 2024 Live Oak International Tournament on FEI TV/Clip My Horse. A paid subscription is required, but a free 30-day trial is offered. 

Live Oak was the last qualifier for the FEI World Cup Show Jumping Finals to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, April 16-20, 2024. For more information about the 2024 World Cup Finals, click here.

This recap of the 2024 Live Oak International Combined Driving and Show Jumping Tournament is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Vaulting and Show Jumping Wrap 2023 Omaha FEI World Cup Finals

The final day of the 2023 Omaha FEI World Cup Finals, was full of suspense waiting to see who would take home top honors in both vaulting in the afternoon and show jumping in the evening. In both sports a cumulative score from all days of competition was tallied to determine the overall winners. 

In addition to Native American performances which opened each competition session, there was shopping in the trade fair and plenty of fun and educational presentations in the demonstration ring. Lots of activities kept the kids entertained, too. It was all a fitting way to wrap a week of international competition hosted by the welcoming and capable folks in this intriguing and delightful Midwestern city. 

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Dancing Horses Take Center Stage at Omaha World Cup Finals

Friday was the day dressage fans eagerly anticipate at every FEI World Cup Finals ― the Grand Prix Freestyle to music. The dressage competition in Omaha is sponsored by Havensafe Farm, Wellington, Florida and Middlefield, Ohio, owned by Betsy Juliano. Juliano is a long-time supporter of the sport and a primary horse owner for US Equestrian Team riders Adrienne Lyle and Jennifer Baumert. 

Thirteen competitors rode down centerline Friday evening in front of a very appreciative crowd. Sadly, three of the original 16 dressage starters had to withdraw their horses for veterinary reasons, although all are expected to be OK according to reports from their national federations. 

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Vaulting Debuts & Day Two of Jumping at Omaha FEI World Cup Finals

Thursday was day two of competition at the 2023 Omaha FEI World Cup Finals in the CHI Health Center in Omaha. The day was action packed with a full roster of educational presentations and children’s activities in the demonstration arena in the trade fair and FEI World Cup Finals vaulting and show jumping competition in the main arena. 

New to the FEI World Cup roster in Omaha was the FEI World Cup Vaulting Finals presented by Burlington Capital Foundation. Individual men and women and pairs (pas-de-deux) will compete over two days (yesterday and Saturday). The men and women performed a technical test Thursday and will do a freestyle test on Saturday, while the pas-de-deux athletes will do a free test each day. The highest combined score from the two days determines the winners.

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FEI World Cup Finals Competition Underway In Omaha

Competition finally began Wednesday at the 2023 Omaha FEI World Cup Finals! Wednesday’s schedule included the Grand Prix test for the 16 dressage competitors and the first of three days of jumper classes with 40 entries tackling the course. The jumper class was a “speed and handiness” class where rails down were converted into time which was added to the total time the horse and rider took to complete the course. Course designer for jumping is Bernardo Costa Cabral from Portugal. 

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Vaulting & Dressage Horses Strut Their Stuff in FEI World Cup Inspections

Day 2 at the Omaha FEI World Cup Finals brought the vaulting and dressage horses to the horse inspection area to face the scrutiny of the ground jury seeking the green light for their chance to compete. In the end all horses in each sport were accepted, but not without a bit of breath holding for dressage rider Dinja van Liere from the Netherlands.

Sixteen dressage horses representing 10 countries took their turn trotting down the inspection track. The four stallions competing were first to go for their once-over, then a mix of the four mares and the 8 geldings in the line-up strutted their stuff for the judges. 

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Jumper Inspection Opens the 2023 Omaha FEI World Cup Finals

The horses have all arrived for the 2023 Omaha (Neb.) FEI World Cup Finals. The European horses arrived last Friday, March 31, so they could complete two required days of quarantine, before all other horses were allowed to arrive Sunday, April 2. 

In total there are 44 jumping horses, 16 dressage horses and 10 vaulting horses for the World Cup Finals. They are stabled inside the CHI Health Center complex in Omaha which is located just across the Missouri River from the casinos in Council Bluffs, Iowa. The massive building also houses two warm-up arenas, the main competition arena, a trade fair and dining area, a demonstration ring, educational displays and children’s activities, as well as a media center, show office, rider’s lounge, and storage. 

The riders in this year’s Longines FEI World Cup Show Jumping Finals represent 19 countries: Australia; Brazil; Canada; Denmark; France; Germany; Great Britain; Ireland; Israel; the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Lithuania; The Netherlands; Norway; New Zealand; Switzerland; Sweden; the United Arab Emirates; the United States of America, and Uzbekistan.

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Omaha FEI World Cup Finals Set to Begin April 4

Move over Florida sunshine and California desert show circuits, the hottest place to be in equestrian sport will be Omaha, Nebraska, April 4-8, 2023, for the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI, the governing body for international equestrian sports) World Cup Finals. The best in the world in dressage, show jumping and vaulting will converge on Nebraska’s biggest city to compete for bragging rights, ribbons and prize money. This will be the second time that Omaha has hosted the prestigious event and one of only a handful of times the Finals have been staged outside of Europe.

The horses will start to arrive in Omaha the end of March. Once obligatory quarantine arrangements and first horse inspections are completed, the horses will begin practicing in the main arena of the CHI Health Center (formerly known as the CenturyLink Center) located near the Missouri River on Tuesday, April 4. Competition kicks off on Wednesday afternoon, April 5, and finishes on Saturday evening, April 8. Find the full schedule here.

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Thirteen competitors rode down centerline Friday evening in front of a very appreciative crowd. Sadly, three of the original 16 dressage starters had to withdraw their horses for veterinary reasons, although all are expected to be OK according to reports from their national federations. 

On Wednesday before the Grand Prix started, Dutch rider Dinja van Liere had to withdraw Hermes N.O.P. Then, on Thursday, Ingrid Klimke announced that Franziskus FRH had “overreached” (probably clipping a heel) and therefore for the stallion’s welfare she was withdrawing him. Friday, the Dutch Equestrian Federation issued a statement saying that unfortunately Marieke van der Putten’s mount Torveslettens Titanium RS2 had colicked mildly and they felt it was in his best interest to pull him from the freestyle competition as well. 

The competitors were divided into two groups, six in the first and seven in the last, with an arena drag break in between. First into the arena was Singapore’s Caroline Chew, who is now an attorney with a practice in London, and rides her own 19-year-old Norwegian Warmblood gelding Tribiani. Chew is the first World Cup competitor from Southeast Asia. 

Following Chew was Lithuania’s Justina Vanagaite riding her 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding Nabab in her first World Cup Final. Belgium’s Jorinda Verwimp and her 11-year-old Oldenburg gelding Charmer were next in the order. After Verwimp, Morgan Barbançon of France and Sir Donnerhall II OLD, a 17-year-old Oldenburg gelding, took their turn. 

Then, the first American rider, Alice Tarjan and her elegant dark bay American-bred Hanoverian mare Serenade MF (bred by Maryanna Haymon) entered the ring with double canter pirouettes then moving into a broken line of two- and one-tempi canter lead changes. They performed to music which included “Bach Fugue in C Minor,” “Road to Tomorrow,” “Sawdust Breeze” and the 396 Hz Solfeggio Frequency for liberating guilt and fear. The pair improved on their miscues from the Grand Prix on Wednesday and increased their level of difficulty earning a 75.207 percent for 9th overall. 

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Tarjan and Serenade were followed by Australia’s Simone Pearce who rode the 14-year-old Oldenburg stallion Fiderdance owned by Gestüt Bonhomme GmbH & Co.KG. Next to compete were the only remaining competitors from the Netherlands, Thamar Zweistra and Stal Hexagon’s 14-year-old grey NRPS (a Dutch studbook) stallion Hexagon’s Ich Weiss; the placed 5th with a 78.204 percent. Then, the lone entry from Sweden, Johanna Due Boje and the 15-year-old Swedish mare Mazy Klovenhoj entered the arena. 

The final five competitors included the two other American riders, Anna Buffini riding her 16-year-old Hanoverian mare Davinia la Douce and Steffen Peters and Akiko Yamazaki’s 15-year-old KWPN gelding Suppenkasper. Buffini and Davinia entered the arena after Due Boje’s test and performed a lovely routine to songs from the soundtrack of the movie Top Gun: Maverick. They earned a 77.843 for their efforts which put them in 6th place overall. 

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Peters and Suppenkasper, who had been the best American pair in the Grand Prix on Wednesday, pulled out the stops to an updated version of their Tokyo 2021 Olympic freestyle (which earned “Mopsie” the title “Rave Horse” after the Olympics). They danced to songs including “Safety Dance” (Men without Hats), “Calabria” (Firebeatz remix), “Staying Alive” (Bee Gees), “What is Love” (Haddaway), and a little bit of rap. The crowd was really behind them and Peters and Mopsie ended their run in the 2022 World Cup Finals earning a personal-best 83.921 percent and 4th overall. 

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Peters was over the moon at his performance with Suppenkasper, “To have almost an 84 percent at the moment it really counts the most is so amazing. Mopsie was so with the music; there was never a moment that he was behind or ahead of the music. This was the most fun―a real party out there.”

Riding in between Buffini and Peters was Isabell Werth and Madeleine Winter-Schulze’s and Victoria Max-Theurer’s 13-year-old German Sport Horse Quantaz DSP, followed by her countrywoman Jessica von Bredow-Werndl on the 16-year-old Trakehner mare TSF Dalera BB owned by Béatrice Buerchler-Keller. Then, riding last after Peters and Suppenkasper, was Denmark’s Nanna Skodberg Merrald and Blue Hors Aps’s Blue Hors Zepter, a 15-year-old Oldenburg gelding. 

Werth confidently guided Quantaz through a technically difficult test which included a piaffe pirouette into a canter pirouette and an extended canter to a canter pirouette to a piaffe pirouette. Werth exuded pure joy through their entire test and smiled and laughed during her post-ride interview and the press conference. A veteran of 23 World Cup Finals now, she seemed so relaxed and at ease, even though she admitted in the press conference she still gets nervous before she rides. The music for Werth and Quantaz was a mix of songs including “Game Over” by Eminem, “Straight from the Heart” by Bryan Adams, and “It’s Heartache” by Bonnie Tyler. 

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Von Bredow-Werndl and her long-time partner Dalera’s much anticipated freestyle came after Werth’s. They glided around the arena to music celebrating the city of Paris as a nod to next year’s Olympic Games including “Paris Cheri” and “Non je ne Regrettes Rien.” While not yet quite up to the form they had before von Bredow-Werndl’s maternity leave, they were technically very correct and had perfect phrasing. Nearly all of their individual marks topped those of other riders. They garnered 90.482 percent which ultimately locked in the World Cup Finals win for the second time in two years. 

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She was elated when interviewed for FEI TV, “I’m grateful for that wonderful mare I’m allowed to dance with. Grateful to have a horse who always gives her best every time she enters the arena, and when there are mistakes they are my mistakes. When I entered the arena she lifted herself up. I am definitely going to celebrate with my father and the horse owner who are both here and with my German teammates.”

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Last in the arena for the evening, Skodberg Merrald’s and Zepter’s freestyle was a super-smooth, powerful test ridden to “Time to Say Goodbye” by Andrea Bocelli as well as some music by Ed Sheeran. Though she’s only ridden the gelding for four months, she felt he has much potential and he certainly showed it! They scored a personal-best 87.146 percent to surpass Werth and Quantaz in the standings for second place. 

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See the complete results from the Grand Prix Freestyle World Cup Finals dressage here.

Temple Grandin & More

A full docket of education and entertainment was offered at the Omaha World Cup Finals, so visitors had lots to choose from Friday. Even though the Dressage Freestyle competition didn’t start until 6 p.m., the trade fair, educational activities and entertainment opened at 9 a.m. 

Breeds showcased in the demonstration arena Friday included Akhal-Tekes, Fell Ponies, Fjords, Foxtrotters, Friesians, Highland Ponies, Paint Horses, Saddlebreds and Thoroughbreds. Educational demonstrations included foundational to advanced horsemanship, in-hand jumping, steaming hay, vaulting, and Western dressage. And, there was a meet and greet time with a 17-year-old Percheron draft horse named Luke, the tallest horse in Nebraska at 19.3 hands and 2,300 pounds.

But beyond the competition, the biggest draw of the day at the World Cup venue was an appearance by renowned Colorado State animal scientist and animal welfare and autism advocate, Dr. Temple Grandin. Crowds overflowed the stands and wrapped around the demo arena to hear her speak for 45 minutes and followed her back to the Omaha Equestrian Foundation booth where she answered questions and signed books for a lengthy amount of time. 

Friday’s World Cup Wows

Our associate photographer Shelley Higgins from Ontario, Canada, shares her “world cup wow” moment from Friday night’s competition. “For me it was Steffen Peters’ and Mopsie’s amazing amount of collection in the canter pirouettes tonight!”

For Michelle Downey from Amaranth, Ontario, her wow for the day came while she was sitting in the stands watching the freestyles. She says she could just feel the positive energy and joy rising from the riders on the competition floor. “The dressage freestyle was unreal. Isabell Werth has a million-dollar smile.  She engaged with the audience and brought us right into the moment with her. Unbelievable!”

For me the wows were two-fold. The first was listening to Temple Grandin speak and marveling at the insight and intellect she shared with the audience and, being autistic, what she had overcome to become a professor, scientist and animal welfare advocate. The other was the true feeling of joy and camaraderie that all of the dressage riders brought to the venue. They were smiling and laughing, supporting each other regardless of nationality, and thanked the organizers and sponsors and volunteers often. It made you realize that there is a real sense of community in the international world of equestrian sport! 

For all articles about the 2023 FEI World Cup in Omaha, click here.

This article about the FEI World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Dancing Horses Take Center Stage at Omaha World Cup Finals appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Thursday was day two of competition at the 2023 Omaha FEI World Cup Finals in the CHI Health Center in Omaha. The day was action packed with a full roster of educational presentations and children’s activities in the demonstration arena in the trade fair and FEI World Cup Finals vaulting and show jumping competition in the main arena. 

Vaulting Begins

New to the FEI World Cup roster in Omaha was the FEI World Cup Vaulting Finals presented by Burlington Capital Foundation. Individual men and women and pairs (pas-de-deux) will compete over two days (yesterday and Saturday). The men and women performed a technical test Thursday and will do a freestyle test on Saturday, while the pas-de-deux athletes will do a free test each day. The highest combined score from the two days determines the winners.

Germany and the USA each provided five vaulting horses and the vaulters were assigned a horse and longeur prior to the competition. Most vaulted on borrowed horses and only had a few days to get to know their mounts, making the competition even more challenging for them. Yet, the vaulters all put on a lovely show for the appreciative crowd that cheered for every competitor.

Competing in vaulting were: eight women from six countries (Austria, Canada, Germany (2), Hungary, Switzerland (2), and the USA); six men from four countries (Germany (2), the Netherlands, Switzerland (2), and the USA), and four pas-de-deux pairs from three countries (Austria, Denmark, and two from Germany). 

Individual Female Technical Test

First up on Thursday’s competition docket was the vaulting individual female technical test. Germany’s Kathrin Meyer showed the depth of her experience performing a smooth, expressive and accurate test to take the lead in the individual female division. Having her mother Sonja as the longeur and her family’s horse San Classico S as her mount helped her feel right at home and she scored 8.299 over Swiss vaulter Danielle Bürgi (8.092) vaulting on Best Brew lunged by Andrea Selch of the USA in 2nd. 

Meyer commented on her horse and the competition after her round, “I’m so proud of him. We’ve had him for 10 years. There were small things that I wasn’t 100% happy with, but it was the first time I showed this routine for the season, so it was a good job for the three of us. The lights [in the CHI Health Arena] create a different atmosphere than a normal competition. The audience was great, and I’m happy to be here.”

Taking 3rd place in the female technical was Sophie Julia Wagner, Germany, on DSP Sir Laulau lunged by Hendrik Falk, also from Germany (7.532). Fourth was Hungary’s Blanka Németh on Lunar Eclipse lunged by Kimberly Wellmann of the USA (7.519). 

The USA’s Kimberly Palmer, vaulting on Romeo lunged by Christoph Lensing of Germany, put in a nice round to finish with a 7.489 for 4th place in the technical test. She talked about Romeo and her test, “I think at first I was pretty nervous. I don’t know if anyone could see that, but my horse was a bit more excited than I was hoping for. But then I was able to hold it together and make it through in a good routine. As the routine went on, he started to calm down, but I was so in it that I didn’t really notice. I’m glad he was able to relax in. Hopefully in the second round he’ll be feeling really good. It was really great. The lights―you just feel famous―everything is dark and you’re in the light. It’s really empowering and gives you energy.”

Eva Nagiller from Austria, on Killian lunged by Mary McCormick of the USA, took the 6th spot (7.394). Young Canadian vaulter Averill Saunders entertained the crowd performing on Max lunged by Sarah Krauss earned a 6.597 putting her in 7th. Finishing 8th was Nadja Büttiker (SUI) who vaulted on Garth ISF lunged by Jodi Rinard (USA). View the full vaulting individual female technical test results here.

Individual Male Technical Test

The individual male vaulters were second to compete in the CHI Health arena this afternoon. Once again, a vaulter from Germany topped the rankings after the technical test when Jannik Heiland vaulting from atop the German horse San Classico S lunged by Sonja Meyer scored 8.436. 

Heiland explained that San Classico was not his normal competition horse and talked about his routine, “Honestly this is not my usual team. I had to change the horse short term, so this was my fifth time on the horse. Therefore, I was happy with the round. My horse I trained at home all the time was too old for this big journey, so I decided to use another horse. My first plan was to go with Highlight, but there were some problems and I had to change the horse. I did a few trainings before we left for here. We had two short trainings here in Omaha, and then the technical test. Everything was not perfect, but I think 90% of the technical test was very good. I look forward to the freestyle on Saturday.”

Taking 2nd was the Netherland’s Sam Dos Santos who performed on the German horse Max lunged by Krauss (7.952), followed by Andrin Müller from Switzerland who also vaulted on Max in 3rd (7.176). Fourth was another Swiss vaulter Lukas Heppler who performed on US horse Best Brew lunged by Selch with 6.885 and filling the 5th spot was Germany’s Julian Wilfling on German horse Aragorn 102 lunged by Alexander Zebrak (6.691). 

US vaulter Daniel Janes, who was in his first World Cup as an individual (he had previously competed as a part of a pas-de-deux), performed on Romeo lunged by Lensing to thunderous applause from the home-country crowd and scored 6.081 for 6th. “I was really proud of the beginning of the routine,” exclaimed Janes, “We had a really strong start and hit the full range of movements. Things got a little bumpy here and there in the middle, but I’m also proud that Romeo and I kept it together. I pushed through to the end even though there was one mistake. He [Romeo] had more energy for sure, but was still very smooth and professional in the ring. So, that was nice.”

Janes also said he really enjoys performing to music while vaulting and said the day’s music was written by Son Lux. Son Lux also wrote the music Janes will use for his freestyle on Saturday, but Janes explained the music has a contrasting vibe to Saturday’s song, “This is the part that’s most special to me, performing well with the music. I can feel that and try to transfer it to the audience. I try to set up my routine to reflect that, although it’s not the easiest to set up in the technical test with the prescribed movements. I don’t always know why I’m drawn to a song, but I was drawn to this song. I’m a freestyle vaulter, so I’m a really looking forward Saturday.”

View the full vaulting individual male technical test results here.

Pas-de-Deux Free Test #1

The final vaulting class of the afternoon was the pas-de-deux. The two German pairs were expected to lead the pack, but with spirited competition from the Austrian and Danish vaulters to make it interesting. For the most part that was what played out, but when German vaulter Diana Harwardt had a fall from their horse (DSP Sir Laulau lunged by Falk) during the routine with partner Peter Kunne, they dropped to finish 4th (7.236). She was OK, but it interrupted the flow of the test and affected their score Thursday; they will have a chance to redeem themselves on Saturday, however. 

As predicted by those in the know, the other German pair, Chiara Congia and Justin van Gerven who vaulted on German horse Max (lunged by Alexandra Knauf), topped the results list for Thursday’s pas-de-deux with 8.370. They were followed by the Austrian pair Romana Hinter and Eva Negiller on Killian lunged by McCormick in 2nd (7.657) with Danish vaulters Freja Linde and Maria Thinggaard Sorensen on Lunar Eclipse lunged by Wellmann in 3rd (7.267). 

Congia and van Gerven explained that they were supposed to vault on their own horse Highlight FRH who had passed the first horse inspection on Tuesday, but then had slightly injured herself in a subsequent practice session, so they were switched to competing on Max. “We are lucky enough to be able to compete on him [Max]. We know him because he’s from our stable, but we haven’t trained really on him. He did an amazing job. It’s amazing [here in the CHI Health Arena]. The arena is huge and it’s so special for us to compete here. We’re not really used to this big of an arena,” said Congia. 

Van Gerven agreed that they were lucky to do well on Max with little time to prepare and shared that Omaha is the last competition for him and Congia as a pair. He previewed their plans for Saturday’s free test, “On Saturday we will show the World Championship Freestyle from last year [Herning, Denmark]. Mostly it’s contemporary and we dance together. We want to bring this to the audience and show them a good feeling. It’s always good to have a good first round. We know now what to do and where are some difficult parts and we can work on those for the freestyle. Max will get a lot of care so he can relax before Saturday.” 

View the full vaulting individual pas-de-deux free test 1 results here.

The vaulters will return on Saturday afternoon, April 8, at 1:15 p.m. Central US time for their final tests to determine the winners in each division. 

Jumpers Day Two

After an exciting jumper speed round Wednesday, 39 of the 40 original starters from 19 different countries returned to compete in the second day of the Longines FEI World Cup Finals. The class was a Table A, 1.60-meter competition with jump off over course designer Bernardo Costa Cabral’s track with 14 numbered obstacles and a total of 17 jumping efforts. The competitors jumped in reverse order of their results from Wednesday. 

Nine combinations jumped the first round cleanly and returned for the jump off which featured two tight roll-back turns followed by longer lines across the arena. The nine pairs who returned for the jump-off were:  Julien Epaillard with Donatello d’Auge (FRA); Victoria Gulliksen and Equine America Papa Roach (NOR); Devin Ryan and Eddie Blue (USA); Harry Charles and Balou du Reventon (GBR); Richard Vogel and United Touch S (GER); Yuri Mansur and Vitiki (BRA); Hunter Holloway and Pepita Con Spita (USA); Andreas Schou and Darc de Lux (DEN), and Pius Schwizer and Vancouver de Lanlore (SUI).  

Gulliksen, Charles, Vogel, Schou and Schwizer all produced clear rounds in the jump-off, but Vogel’s time was a sizzling 35.11 seconds, 0.14 seconds faster than Charles’ for the win and 34,500 Euros in prize money. Third was Schou, 4th was Schwizer, 5th was Gulliksen and 6th was Mansur. The USA’s Holloway placed 7th and Ryan 8th. View full results from Thursday’s jumper class here.

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Vogel talked about his horse and the course in the press conference following the class, “I think everyone can see how amazing this horse is. He has such a big stride and that doesn’t necessarily make it easy in such a small and delicate indoor. But, he just gives his best and tries his heart out and in such a jump-off I was lucky enough to leave a stride out here and there and that suited us.”  

“The first round was pretty technical,” he continued, “There were enough short lines, especially for my horse, so I was very delighted with how my horse handled it. Also in the results I think you could see it was a tough enough class. Not too easy, not too soft. I think the course builder did a good job.”  

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Holloway was also in the press conference as the top-placed American rider and she was thrilled with how her mare Pepita con Spita had gone over the last two days, “She’s very clever and smart. She’s stronger than ever and has really come this week to play. She’s definitely top of her game and I’m just trying to keep up with her. Round one was super today and she jumped great again and fought hard for me. We had an unlucky rail when I was a little deep in the jump-off, but she was excellent.” 

The jumpers also had a day off Thursday, but will return for their third and final day of competition on Saturday evening, April 8, at 7:15 p.m. Central, when they will jump two rounds (A and B). The top 30 from Thursday’s competition will return for Round A and then the field will be further whittled down to 20 for Round B. The rider’s scores from each class are added to together for a cumulative score to determine the overall winner on Saturday evening. 

Around the FEI World Cup Venue

The demonstration ring had a full schedule of breed appearances and educational events Thursday. Dressage, vaulting and horsemanship were featured along with an equine nutrition lecture and in-hand jumping. Breeds showcased included Akhal-Tekes, Fell Ponies, Foxtrotters, Friesians, Highland Ponies, Paint Horses and Saddlebreds. US Dressage Team Technical Advisor Debbie McDonald gave a presentation and the equine charity Brooke USA was spotlighted too. There were also many hands-on kids’ learning activities including how to braid a horse’s tail or wrap a bandage around a leg, among others. And, Native Americans from the Bluebird Cultural Initiative performed traditional dance and music.

Thursday’s World Cup Wows

For our crew member Michelle Downey, Thursday’s “World Cup Wow” was the poetry of the vaulting pas-de-deux competitors as the performed their intricate, artistic and athletic routines. She was also in awe meeting Germany’s dressage and event rider Ingrid Klimke and her daughter Greta at the Trakehner Initiative Olympia reception Thursday evening. 

For me, the wows from Thursday evening were the nine clear first rounds over a very challenging show jumping course and the lightening-fast jump-off that gave Richard Vogel and United Touch S the win. And, seeing Hunter Holloway of Topeka, Kansas, a fellow Midwestern girl, shine in the jumper class was absolutely great!

For all articles about the 2023 FEI World Cup in Omaha, click here.

Watch the FEI World Cup On Demand

Fans can relive all of the action by replaying all sessions of the 2023 Omaha FEI World Cup Finals on demand on FEI TV via the Clip My Horse service which requires a paid subscription; sign up here.

This recap of day two of competition at the 2023 FEI World Cup Finals is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Vaulting Debuts & Day Two of Jumping at Omaha FEI World Cup Finals appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.

Competition finally began Wednesday at the 2023 Omaha FEI World Cup Finals! Wednesday’s schedule included the Grand Prix test for the 16 dressage competitors and the first of three days of jumper classes with 40 entries tackling the course. The jumper class was a “speed and handiness” class where rails down were converted into time which was added to the total time the horse and rider took to complete the course. Course designer for jumping is Bernardo Costa Cabral from Portugal. 

Dressage Report

This year’s Omaha FEI World Cup Dressage competition is sponsored by Betsy Juliano’s Havensafe Farm. The dressage horses will compete again on Friday evening, April 7, in their Grand Prix Freestyle to music class, a crowd favorite. But Wednesday was all about wowing the judges in the Grand Prix test. FEI rider, USDF L Program graduate and past president of the Midwest Dressage Association Nancy Bryant watched each test from the stands and gave her perspective on the day, “There were many mistake-free tests and it was an enjoyable afternoon.”

She touched on the US riders’ tests, “Steffen Peters and ‘Mopsie’ [Suppenkasper] had a very clean, consistent ride landing them in 5th place. Anna Buffini and her mare also presented a lovely test highlighted by Anna’s radiant smile throughout; they are in 9th place. Alice Tarjan and Serenade MF were having a very nice test and then an unfortunate miscue caused a blip in the piaffe-passage tour. However, Alice made a smooth recovery and they finished well.”

The German contingent came ready to seize the day in Omaha. First after the Grand Prix test was Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and the 16-year-old  Trakehner mare TSF Dalera BB, who also won the World Cup last year in Leipzig, Germany. Isabell Werth (GER) and the German Sport Horse gelding Quantaz DSP finished second. Nanna Skodberg Merrald of Denmark and the Oldenberg gelding Blue Hors Zepter placed third. Rounding out the top four was Ingrid Klimke (GER) on the Hanoverian stallion Franziskus FRH from Germany.

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One moment of disappointment was the withdrawal of Dinja von Liere and Hermes N.O.P. (NED) right before the start of the Grand Prix class.

“Today the horse was not fit to compete. Horse welfare is always our number one priority so to respect the horse, he was withdrawn,” reported Iris Boelhouwer, Director of High Performance and Foreign Affairs/Secretary General Royal Dutch Equestrian Federation.

Jumper Report

Forty competitors took to the main arena in the CHI Health Center in the evening and raced the clock to see who could finish in the lowest time. Fifteen of the 40 riders rode clear and the top four finished the course in less than 60 seconds. 

The FEI number-one world ranked rider Henrik von Eckermann from Sweden and his 2022 World Championship gold-medal partner King Edward crossed the finish in the fastest time to capture the top spot and 23,000 Euros. Great Britain’s Scott Brash and Hello Jefferson stopped the clocks in second place and Germany’s Daniel Deusser guided Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z to third. 

Americans Hunter Holloway on Pepita Con Spita, Aaron Vale on Prescott, and McLain Ward on Callas had quick rounds to put them in 8th, 10th and 11th out of 40 respectively. Canadian Erynn Ballard and Hero are in 19th with a clear round. Hunter is from the neighboring state of Kansas and says she loves showing at the Omaha venue where she is greeted enthusiastically by the home crowd every time she enters the ring. 

The other American riders currently sit in 21st (Devin Ryan and Eddie Blue), 28th Nicholas Dello Joio and Cornet’s Cambridge, 31st (Ailish Cunniffe and Vivaldi du Theil, 34th (Natalie Dean and Acota M), 35th (Elisa Broz and Kardenta van ‘t Meerhof), and 39th (Simonne Berg and Cooper). At 18 years old Broz is the youngest jumper rider in this World Cup Finals. Her horse Kardenta van’t Meerhof has brought her up all through the ranks and she’s gaining valuable experience in this World Cup Finals.

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Since this was only day one of three for the jumpers, so much can change by the time the ribbons are awarded on Saturday night. So, stay tuned for more jumper excitement on Saturday evening, April 8, when they will jump two final rounds to determine the overall 2023 Longines Omaha Jumping World Cup Finals Champion. 

Around the World Cup

Attendees were treated to a full schedule of demonstrations and educational events Wednesday. The Omaha Mounted Patrol performed and there were Western dressage, sidesaddle, reining, and vaulting demonstrations and the Highland Pony was showcased, among other things. Horsemanship lessons and a nutrition lecture were also featured. School children on field trips continued thronging through the venue, too. 

Wednesday’s World Cup “Wows”

◆ Seeing the great Trakehner mare TSF Dalera BB perform with her long-time rider Jessica von Bredow-Werndl was very special, especially when you factor in that von Bredow-Werndl took most of last year off for pregnancy leave. They are not only the reigning Olympic Champions, but also won the World Cup Finals last year. They are such an elegant pair!

◆ In the dressage press conference, it was pointed out that Isabell Werth has competed in 24 World Cup Finals! (I erroneously reported in my World Cup Preview that she had competed in 18, but the number was even greater! Often referred to respectfully as “The Queen,” Werth is an absolutely wonderful horsewoman and is well liked by her fellow riders and her fans. Last year at the World Championships in Denmark she actually gave helpful pointers to one of her competitors―Charlotte Fry who rode Glamourdale― which helped Fry win the Championship.) 

◆ For our associate photographer and accomplished sport horse breeder Shelley Higgins, the “wow” moment for her Wednesday was seeing how elegantly and empathetically Alice Tarjan handled the moment when she and her mare Serenade MF misread each other and had to stop midstream in the piaffe and passage part of their test. “Alice didn’t get flustered and didn’t try to force her mare forward. She sat quietly and asked her again. When the recovered, they had a beautiful rest of the test!”

◆ On the jumper side, a big wow was witnessing the continued success of Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann and the brilliant, yet unassuming chestnut gelding King Edward. They came first in the speed class, but before that they were key members of the Olympic gold-medal-winning Swedish Team in Tokyo in 2021. Then, they garnered individual and team gold in the World Championships in Denmark last summer. King Edward was “discovered” hidden away in the barn of an amateur rider before von Eckermann took over the ride and to top it all off, the horse has competed barefoot for a number of years now!

On Thursday, the vaulters begin their quest for World Cup Finals medals with the individual women and men’s technical tests and the first of two free tests for the pas-de-deux pairs. And, the jumpers continue with a “Table A competition with jump-off” class. Find starting orders and results at to the 2023 FEI World Cup Finals Longines Timing website.

For the complete coverage of the 2023 FEI World Cup in Omaha, click here.

This recap of the first day of competition at the 2023 FEI World Cup Finals is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Day 2 at the Omaha FEI World Cup Finals brought the vaulting and dressage horses to the horse inspection area to face the scrutiny of the ground jury seeking the green light for their chance to compete. In the end all horses in each sport were accepted, but not without a bit of breath holding for dressage rider Dinja van Liere from the Netherlands.

Sixteen dressage horses representing 10 countries took their turn trotting down the inspection track. The four stallions competing were first to go for their once-over, then a mix of the four mares and the 8 geldings in the line-up strutted their stuff for the judges. 

When van Liere’s mount, the 11-year-old Dutch stallion Hermes N.O.P., jogged, the ground jury took their time discussing him and he was sent to the hold box for a while. When Hermes trotted again, the ground jury took some more time to visit, but finally they accepted him to start competition. 

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Ten vaulting horses (five from Germany and five from the USA), were all accepted to compete beginning Thursday, April 6 at 1:15 p.m. Central US Time. The horses will be shared between a few of the vaulters from the 10 different countries competing. 

Other things going on at the Omaha World Cup Tuesday included school field trips with children learning about horse care, horse breeds and how horses tie into the Native American culture of the region in the education area. And, the jumpers had a scheduled training session where each horse and rider pair had a set time to take a turn over jumps in the main arena. The dressage and vaulting athletes had a chance to familiarize their horses with the main arena too. 

The Omaha World Cup welcome reception and draw party capped the day’s events in the early evening. In addition to the draw for the starting order for all three sports, there was also a performance of Native American music and dance with tribal educator Steve Tamayo on the microphone explaining the significance of the songs, drum beats and steps. The presence of the Native American performers is a result of this year’s World Cup Finals working with Bluebird Cultural Initiative to teach of the importance of horses to Great Plains indigenous people. 

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As part of the performance, tribal elder and educator Jerome Kills Small sang a “blessing of the stable” while Tamayo walked around three competition horses (one representing each sport: dressage horse Serenade MF; jumper Eastern Jam, and vaulting horse Killian) from the USA standing in the arena waving a native plant frond to spread good luck. The crowd was captivated as the blessing was performed. Be sure to watch some videos about the Native American culture of the region.

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The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was announcer Adam Cromarty; he provided color commentary as the draw progressed. For dressage the two athletes drawing names and the corresponding starting order were Steffen Peters from the USA and Dinja van Liere from the Netherlands. For show jumping McLain Ward (USA) and Martin Fuchs (SUI) fished out the information. And for vaulting, the USA’s Kimberly Palmer and Germany’s Jannik Weiland performed the draw. 

For this Omaha World Cup Finals, our MacMillan Photography group is picking some “World Cup Wows” to share. Our new crew member Michelle Downey shares that the Native American blessing of the stable ceremony was very moving to her. For our associate photographer Shelley Higgins and me watching the absolutely gorgeous Hanoverian stallion Franziskus FRH, handled by rider Ingrid Klimke of Germany in the horse inspection, has been a highlight from today so far.  Although every horse here is special, whether they be competition horses or the horses here representing their breed in the demonstration area; we are privileged to see them all for sure! 

Looking back to yesterday, the feeling of walking into the amazing facility here at the CHI Health Arena and Convention Center, with all of the beautiful sculptures out front and the expansive interior, was certainly another “wow” for us. Witnessing the exuberance of the powerful show jumpers as the pranced their way through their horse inspection and arena familiarization was another notable moment.  

Competition starts tomorrow with the dressage Grand Prix Freestyle at 1:15 p.m. Central and the speed class for the jumpers at 7:15 p.m. To follow news from the competition, go to the FEI World Cup website and to watch, subscribe to FEI TV.

For the complete coverage of the 2023 FEI World Cup in Omaha, click here.

This article about the FEI World Cup dressage and vaulting inspection is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

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Move over Florida sunshine and California desert show circuits, the hottest place to be in equestrian sport will be Omaha, Nebraska, April 4-8, 2023, for the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI, the governing body for international equestrian sports) World Cup Finals. The best in the world in dressage, show jumping and vaulting will converge on Nebraska’s biggest city to compete for bragging rights, ribbons and prize money. This will be the second time that Omaha has hosted the prestigious event and one of only a handful of times the Finals have been staged outside of Europe.

The horses will start to arrive in Omaha the end of March. Once obligatory quarantine arrangements and first horse inspections are completed, the horses will begin practicing in the main arena of the CHI Health Center (formerly known as the CenturyLink Center) located near the Missouri River on Tuesday, April 4. Competition kicks off on Wednesday afternoon, April 5, and finishes on Saturday evening, April 8. Find the full schedule here.

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The World Cup Finals venue will also offer many shopping and dining options, as well as educational events, children’s activities, and entertainment. A highlight of the event is the central location of the warm-up arena near the shopping and dining areas which allows attendees to watch their favorite equestrians working just a few feet away.

Dan Urban, World Cup Finals show jumping stable manager and Omaha native, extends his invitation to attend the finals and enjoy what the area has to offer, “Omaha is a sports town! We have played host for the College Baseball World Series, the U.S. Olympic Swim Trials, the NCAA Final Four, and of course, the 2017 FEI World Cup Finals. As such, we know a thing or two about hosting quality events. The venue for the World Cup Finals provides a unique setup for the whole event where the stabling, warm up, shopping, and competition all take place under one roof, and our downtown area is a vibrant scene with excellent restaurants, shops, museums, and more. We’re bringing the best in the World to town for a thrilling competition, but we’re also excited to show off what Omaha has to offer.”

Tickets are still available and a trip to the very interesting, sometimes quirky, and always super-fun city of Omaha is a spring break well worth taking! Purchase tickets here.

New This Year

Omaha first hosted the FEI World Cup Finals in the spring of 2017 to rave reviews from competitors, spectators and officials, many who could not have located Omaha on a map before that time. While this year’s finals will include the things everyone loved before, there are some new things to look forward to as well.

Top of that list is the addition of the FEI World Cup Vaulting Finals to the 2023 program with competition for individual male and female athletes and a vaulting pair’s competition called “pas-de-deux.” Vaulting is an interesting mix of gymnastics and artistry performed on the back of a cantering horse at the end of a lunge line. As the sport’s name suggests, the human athlete jumps onto the back of the moving horse and then performs a routine of required and unique moves in front of judges. Then finally, they gracefully dismount in a similar fashion to that of a gymnast exiting a balance beam.

Mary McCormick, a decorated World Championship US vaulter will be in Omaha as a lunger for the Austrian vaulters among other duties there. She shares her thoughts on adding vaulting to the World Cup lineup, “The World Cup Finals is one of the most prestigious events in all of horse sports and everyone competing here is an absolute master of their craft. Anytime you bring the best of the best in multiple disciplines to one venue, the excitement is guaranteed. There will be the boldest, bravest, most talented athletes and horses in all the world under one roof ready to give their all and put on a spectacular show. Hold on to your hats, equestrian fans, this is going to be an incredible ride.”

Also new to the 2023 Omaha World Cup schedule is a full schedule of educational clinics and demonstrations. Two featured speakers are Olympic show jumping medalist, author and television sports commentator Melanie Smith and renowned animal scientist and author Temple Grandin.

According to World Cup Finals Media Liaison Jennifer Wood, Friday, April 7, will be “Meet the Athletes” day, “We will have the riders in the trade show at the Omaha Equestrian Federation merchandise booth taking photos and signing autographs for fans. The full schedule is to be determined, but we anticipate all of the top riders being there from all three sports since competition doesn’t start until the [dressage] freestyle in the evening.”

Omaha 2023 has partnered with local schools offering field trips for students during the event. New this year will be STEM activities such making working carousels featuring different breeds of horses, using math to estimate how much to feed a horse, and history lessons about the role of horses in Native American tribal culture. Horse breed demonstrations, hands-on lessons about horse care, a miniature jumping course for kids, and other educational displays are planned as well.

Linking to the heritage of the region, the Omaha Finals has partnered with the Bluebird Cultural Initiative in presenting “1723: The Horse Tribes Of The Great Plains” as the cultural theme. World Cup and Omaha Equestrian Foundation Chairwoman Julie Boilesen explains, “We’re flashing back―300 years ago―to a significant moment on the Great Plains when horses were transforming Native American livelihood and culture. Horses became revered and honored members of tribes, responsible for providing security and for enhancing trade and commerce. We’ll be sharing those fascinating stories throughout the World Cup. We hope fans will enjoy listening and learning from Native American orators, musicians, historians and creatives as we celebrate the horse’s heritage and significance in this region.”

Dressage

“We are looking forward to see once again the top European dressage horses compete in the United States and anticipate some incredible competition in Omaha,” says World Cup Dressage Finals Dressage Event Director Thomas Baur of Germany.

Seventeen competitors are set to compete in dressage in Omaha over two days of competition, the Grand Prix test on Wednesday, April 5 at 1:15 p.m. Central US time and the Grand Prix Freestyle on Friday, April 7, at 6:15 p.m. Central. Total prize money for the dressage competition is 300,000 Euros (25,000 for the Grand Prix and 275,000 for the Freestyle).

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The breakdown of competitors from the various FEI Leagues is: seven from Western Europe; two from the Central Europe; none from the Pacific; three from North America; one from a non-FEI league national foundation; three extras selected by the FEI, and the title defender from last year (Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera BB from Germany, who were also the Tokyo 2020/21 Olympic Champions).

Horse and rider pairs from North America are Anna Buffini, San Diego, California, and her 15-year-old Hanoverian mare Davinia la Douce, Steffen Peters, San Diego, California, and Akiko Yamazaki’s 15-year-old KWPN gelding Suppenkasper, and Alice Tarjan, Oldwick, New Jersey, and her 10-year-old American-bred Hanoverian mare Serenade MF.

Check out the Dressage Definite Entries list for Omaha.

Show Jumping

Event Director for the Longines FEI World Cup Show Jumping Finals Jon Garner says that it is hard for him to believe it has been six years since Omaha first hosted the Finals and shares his thoughts on this year’s competition, “I think for the jumping competition there is a different vibe this time around. Riders were skeptical in 2017, which I understand, so some opted not to make the trip. That is not the case this time around, I really feel the city and the event is truly ‘on the map,’ so we will have absolutely the best of the best coming.”

He lists just a few of the key players in this year’s event, “Martin Fuchs from Switzerland is looking to defend his title from Leipzig, Germany, last year and McLain Ward will be fired up to win again on home soil like he did in 2017. The course design team led by Bernardo Costa Cabral [Portugal] and Technical Delegate Alan Wade [Ireland] have been tirelessly preparing the courses. We are in for a dandy!”

A total of 42 riders and 47 horses from 19 countries are on the Longines World Cup Jumping Finals Definite Entries list for Omaha. The breakdown of entries by FEI Leagues is: 19 from Western Europe, 14 from North America; three from the Arab League’s Middle East Sub-League; two from Central Europe, and one each from the Australian, Eurasian and New Zealand Leagues.

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The first round of jumper competition for the Omaha Finals is Wednesday, April 5 at 7:15 p.m. Central US time. Day two of jumper competition is Thursday, April 6 at 7:15 p.m. Central. And, the final round, which will close out the Omaha FEI World Cup Finals, is Saturday evening, April 8, at 6:15 p.m. Central. Total prize money for the jumping competition is 550,000 Euros (100,000 for the top rider in the first class, 150,000 for the winner of the second and 300,000 for capturing the win in the final class).

Qualified horse and rider combos from the East US North American League include Ailish Cunniffe and Vivaldi du Theil, Nicholas Dello Joio and Cornet’s Cambridge, Hunter Holloway and either Eastern Jam or Pepita con Spita, Devon Ryan and Eddie Blue, Aaron Vale and Prescott, and McLain Ward and Callas. Qualified from the West US are Simonne Berg and Cooper, Elisa Broz and Kardenta Van ‘T Meerhof, and Natalie Dean and Acota M. The Canadian representative in Omaha will be Erynn Ballard and either Gakhir or Hero.

Riders not from North America, but who declared the North American League as their competition circuit for qualifying are listed as “North American extra qualifiers” by the FEI. They are: Santiago Lambre, Brazil, riding Chacco Blue II; Daniel Coyle, Ireland, on Legacy, and Daniel Blumen, Israel, on either Gemma W or Ladriano Z.

Check out the Jumping Definite Entries list for Omaha.

Vaulting

Vaulting joins the line-up for the Omaha Finals after the qualifying system was revamped following the 2019 season. The new system encompasses a year-long, global competition schedule rather than just a winter European show series as with the old system. This now allows for more international participation in the World Cup Vaulting Finals.

Additionally, there are now two different tests that the individual vaulters perform during the Finals, a technical test and a free test. Before, both tests were the same. The pas-de-deux vaulting pairs will perform two free tests. Vaulting World Cup Finals competition in Omaha will take place on Thursday, April 6, at 1:15 p.m. Central US time and Saturday, April 8, at 1:15 p.m. Central US.

According to a news release from the FEI, a plane has been chartered to bring six vaulting horses from Europe, five from Germany and one from Italy. The balance of the Omaha vaulting competition horses will be supplied by the USA. It is important to note that the vaulting horse also figures into a vaulter’s overall score. McCormick explains, “The horse score accounts for twenty-five percent of the total round score. The horse is judged on their quality of movement and submission. The lungeur plays a critical role in ensuring the horse performs at their best and also receives a score for their correct use of aids and precision of the entry and salute.”

FEI rules say that if they meet the eligibility requirements, the highest ranked individual men and women athletes on the Vaulting World Cup Individual Standings list on December 31 of the year preceding the Final will qualify out of three regions: 1-Africa, Asia, Oceania; 2-North and South America, and 3-Europe. And, the four highest ranked Pas-De-Deux athletes will also qualify, regardless of region, along with the 2022 World Cup Vaulting Champions.

The USA’s Kimberly Palmer, 28, Half Moon Bay, California, comes to the Omaha Finals off a bronze-medal win in last year’s World Cup and a fifth-place standing in the 2022 World Championships in Denmark. Fellow American Daniel Janes, 27, Moss Beach, California, will compete for the USA in Omaha in the individual men’s division and brings experience from the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games and the 2022 World Championships. Both Palmer and Janes will vault on Romeo with Christoph Lensing lunging.

Canada’s Averill Saunders, Sundre, Alberta, comes off a successful junior career and competed in last summer’s Herning World Championships. She will be vaulting aboard Max 4060 with Sara Kraus lunging. Neither the USA nor Canada qualified a Pas-de-Deux entry.

Along with the North American entries to cheer for, spectators will want to watch for the top vaulters in all three categories (men’s, women’s and pas-de-deux) from last year’s World Championships, the German contingent. Other talented vaulters from Austria, Colombia, Denmark, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands and Switzerland will be in Omaha too. A total of $10,100 US in prize money is up for grabs in vaulting ($3,050 each for individual male and female vaulting competition and $4,000 for the pas-de-deux competition).

Check out the Vaulting Definite Entries List for Omaha.

Oh So Interesting Omaha

The city has many family-friendly activities in addition to the pending equestrian action at the CHI Health Center. Known for sports, art and culture, a world-famous zoo, an expansive botanical garden, and many interesting museums, Omaha is a river town with the mighty Missouri River separating the eastern city from Council Bluffs, Iowa, just across the water.

Not far from the World Cup action, visitors can stroll along the beautiful river greenway, stop at the National Park Service Lewis and Clark Expedition Visitor’s Center, and walk across the 3,000-foot Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge, affectionately known as “Bob the Bridge.” Look under the bridge to find Omaha’s beloved troll Omar and take a selfie with the benevolent blue guy. Not far from the river, the city’s old warehouse district has been lovingly refurbished into a vibrant shopping and dining area called The Old Market. The Henry Doorly Zoo and Lauritzen Botanical Gardens are also along the river.

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Omaha is also the home of Boys Town, a home for underprivileged youth made famous by the 1938 movie of the same name staring Spencer Tracy as Father Edward J. Flanagan and Mickey Rooney as one of the troubled young men. A National Historic Landmark and still a working sanctuary for youth in need, the current Boys Town campus has a visitor’s center and offers tours of the grounds.

Omaha also offers many culinary delights. The Reuben sandwich was invented there by a local hotel owner and the city is famous for great steaks at reasonable prices. A wide variety of ethnic foods and a number of yummy ice cream parlors and candy shops are other foodie options. Local vineyards and craft breweries and distilleries offer tasting opportunities too.

The city consists of thriving neighborhoods each with their own unique style and attractions. One such neighborhood, Aksarben (Nebraska spelled backward), was home to a race track of the same name. Triple Crown-winning Thoroughbred stallion Omaha spent his final years in Nebraska and was buried at the race track. A marker on the former track site displays a plaque honoring the Triple Crown Champion.

Fans of history have many choices in Omaha. From the restored main train station that houses the Durham Museum complete with talking bronze statues of train travelers, to the Mormon Trail Visitor’s Center in Florence, to the El Museo Latino in South Omaha, and many other local historic sites, one can delve into the past for hours. For a free visitor’s guide and more tourism information, go to the city’s tourism bureau site.

Omaha Fun Facts

Founded in 1854, the city is named for a Native American tribe. The 2020 census lists the population as 486,051 and the city covers 146.27 square miles.

Omaha is home to four Fortune 500 companies: Berkshire Hathaway (#3), Warren Buffett’s multinational holding company; Union Pacific Railroad (#141), the largest U.S. rail network serving 23 Western states; Mutual of Omaha Insurance (#337), known for its popular “Wild Kingdom” TV and now web series, and Kiewit Corporation (#339), construction, engineering, and mining and one of the world’s largest employee-owned companies.

In addition to the Reuben sandwich, other food items developed in Omaha include the cake mix, the TV dinner, Kool-Aid drink mix, and butter brickle ice cream.

Famous people from Omaha include the aforementioned billionaire Warren Buffet, dancer and actor Fred Astaire, the 38th US President Gerald Ford, actors Henry and Peter Fonda, human rights activist Malcolm X, actress Gabrielle Union, and news anchor Paula Zahn, to name just a few of hundreds. Television personality Johnny Carson was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, but started his career in Omaha.

How to Watch the World Cup

If the trip to Omaha to witness history in the making in person isn’t possible, then fans can watch all of the action (livestream and replay on demand) on FEI TV via the Clip My Horse service which requires a paid subscription; sign up here. CBS Sports Network will also air a highlight show after the fact on Thursday, April 13 from 7-10 p.m. Eastern US Time.

Find all of 2023 Omaha FEI World Cup the news, schedules, results and other information at https://omaha2023.fei.org.

This article about the 2023 Omaha FEI World Cup Finals is a web exclusive for Horse Illustrated magazine. Click here to subscribe!

The post Omaha FEI World Cup Finals Set to Begin April 4 appeared first on Horse Illustrated Magazine.