FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:JENNY JOHNSON, THE DRESSAGE FOUNDATIONTEL (402) 434-8585, EMAIL:  jenny@dressagefoundation.org

July 1, 2013 – Thanks to the generosity of County Saddlery, Inc., The Dressage Foundation is excited to announce that a County Perfection Saddle will be given away in a free drawing!
Gene Freeze, President of County Saddlery, has been described as the world’s leading saddle designer and has designed saddles for many of the world’s top riders from all three Olympic disciplines.  Edward Gal rode in a County Perfection saddle when he and Totalis achieved a new world record of 92.3% in 2009.
“I have always felt, both as an individual and as the Owner of County, that it is important to give back to the industry that has given so much to me,” said Mr. Freeze.  “People like Judith Noone and all the dedicated people at The Dressage Foundation inspire me to continue doing so.”
The free contest will run from July 15th – December 4th, 2013.  The drawing will be held on December 5th at the USDF Convention in Lexington, Kentucky.  To enter, visit www.dressagefoundation.org.  U.S. residents who are 19 years and older are eligible to enter.  Full contest rules and additional information are also available on TDF’s website.
“The Dressage Foundation is so grateful for the generosity of Mr. Freeze and County Saddlery,” said Jenny Johnson, TDF’s Administrative Director.  “It will be so exciting and fun to give away this incredible saddle to one lucky person!”
To learn more about County Saddlery, visit www.countysaddlery.com or call 877-41-HORSE.
For more information about The Dressage Foundation, visit www.dressagefoundation.org or contact Jenny Johnson at (402)434-8585 or jenny@dressagefoundation.org.

The Dressage Foundation
The Dressage Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt, donor-driven organization that is dedicated to supporting and advancing the sport of dressage.  The organization solicits contributions, appropriately allocates the donations, and awards grants and scholarships to dressage riders of all ages and levels.  For more information, please visit www.dressagefoundation.org.

RELEASE: July 3, 2013
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: USEF Communications Department

Lexington, KY – A group of five individuals have been invited by the USEF to participate in the inaugural tour of the FEI World Breeding Championships for Dressage Young Horses. The 2013 Championship will take place in Verden, Germany on August 7-11, 2013. The tour will be led and organized by USEF Young Horse Coach Scott Hassler and will include tickets to the young horse dressage events as well as meetings with European experts.

The tour was open to anyone who has participated in the Markel/USEF Young Horse Program as a rider, trainer, owner, or breeder. The 2013 participants will include;

Karen Ball (Coto de Caza, CA)
Victoria Holstein-Childress (Lovettsville, VA)
Maurine Swanson (Slatington, PA)
Judy Pappin (Vancouver, WA)
Gundi Younger (Walnut Creek, CA)

In 2013, the U.S. will be represented in the six-year-old division at the FEI World Breeding Championships for Dressage Young Horses by Charlotte Jorst (Reno, NV) and Skagen Holding’s Dutch Warmblood stallion Vitalis (Vivaldi x Tolivia/ Donnerschwee).

Any questions regarding the tour should be directed to Hallye Griffin at (859) 225-6918 or hgriffin@usef.org.

HORSE SPORT JULY 2, 2013
BY: EQUINE CANADA

The FEI has re-opened the bidding process for the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2018 following Monday’s Bureau meeting at FEI Headquarters in Lausanne (SUI), but has specifically asked the Canadian bid from Bromont/Montreal to remain a part of that process.

There had been an expectation that the FEI Bureau would allocate the 2018 Games to Bromont/Montreal at the meeting following the Bid Committee’s strong presentation to the Bureau, but the Canadian delegation was unable to provide the full public sector financial support that was required before an allocation could be made. As a result, the Bureau is to re-open the bidding process for the 2018 Games, but with the clear intent that Bromont/Montreal remains in the mix.

“The Bromont/Montreal bid was very impressive on all technical aspects and it is hugely disappointing, both for the bid team and for the FEI, that the Bureau was unable to allocate the FEI World Equestrian Games 2018 today,” FEI President HRH Princess Haya said, “but unfortunately, without the necessary financial support, the FEI and the organisers would be exposed to an unacceptable financial risk.

In these circumstances, re-opening the bidding process was clearly the only option open to us, but we are very hopeful that Bromont/Montreal will be a part of that new bidding process.”

All National Federations that submitted signed Expression of Interest documents prior to the November 2011 deadline for the first phase of the bidding process were informed that solid financial support to cover the cost of staging the event was a key requirement.

The FEI Bureau will now re-open the bidding process and the Bromont/Montreal bid team has confirmed that it will be re-bidding for the 2018 Games. Providing the Bromont/Montreal bid team can secure the required financial support, the Canadian bid will be evaluated in the same way as other applicants that come forward.

The delegation that presented the official Bromont and Montreal bid book to the FEI Bureau today was led by Paul Côté, President of the Bromont Bid Committee. The team also included the President of Equine Canada, Mike Gallagher; Equine Canada CEO, Jean-Christophe Gandubert; President of Bromont International, Roger Deslauriers; Technical Advisor, Leopoldo Palacios; Bromont Bid Director, Benoit Girardin and Rene Perreault, representing the Bromont property developers.

“We are of course extremely disappointed by today’s decision by the FEI Bureau not to allocate the 2018 Games to Canada, but despite our best efforts, we were unable to put the full financial support in place in time,” Bromont Bid Committee President Paul Côté said. “We obviously respect the FEI Bureau’s decision completely, and we will continue our efforts to secure the financial backing we need. We now need to redouble our efforts with our federal and provincial government partners. We have a very strong bid and we are confident that we can stage a wonderful FEI World Equestrian Games in Bromont.”

Lexington, KY -
A group of five individuals have been invited by the USEF to participate in
t …

2 Jul 2013

The FEI has re-opened the bidding process for the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2018 following today’s Bureau meeting at FEI Headquarters in Lausanne (SUI), but has specifically asked the Canadian bid from Bromont/Montreal to remain a part of that process.

There had been an expectation that the FEI Bureau would allocate the 2018 Games to Bromont/Montreal today following the Bid Committee’s strong presentation to the Bureau, but the Canadian delegation was unable to provide the full public sector financial support that was required before an allocation could be made. As a result, the Bureau is to re-open the bidding process for the 2018 Games, but with the clear intent that Bromont/Montreal remains in the mix.

“The Bromont/Montreal bid was very impressive on all technical aspects and it is hugely disappointing, both for the bid team and for the FEI, that the Bureau was unable to allocate the FEI World Equestrian Games 2018 today”, FEI President HRH Princess Haya said, “but unfortunately, without the necessary financial support, the FEI and the organisers would be exposed to an unacceptable financial risk.

“In these circumstances, re-opening the bidding process was clearly the only option open to us, but we are very hopeful that Bromont/Montreal will be a part of that new bidding process.”

All National Federations that submitted signed Expression of Interest documents prior to the November 2011 deadline for the first phase of the bidding process were informed that solid financial support to cover the cost of staging the event was a key requirement.

The FEI Bureau will now re-open the bidding process and the Bromont/Montreal bid team has confirmed that it will be re-bidding for the 2018 Games. Providing the Bromont/Montreal bid team can secure the required financial support, the Canadian bid will be evaluated in the same way as other applicants that come forward.

The delegation that presented the official Bromont and Montreal bid book to the FEI Bureau today was led by Paul Côté, President of the Bromont Bid Committee. The team also included the President of Equine Canada Mike Gallagher, Equine Canada CEO Jean Christophe Gandubert, President of Bromont International Roger Deslauriers, technical advisor Leopoldo Palacios, Bromont Bid Director Benoit Girardin and Rene Perreault, representing the Bromont property developers.

“We are of course extremely disappointed by today’s decision by the FEI Bureau not to allocate the 2018 Games to Canada, but despite our best efforts, we were unable to put the full financial support in place in time,” Bromont Bid Committee President Paul Côté said. “We obviously respect the FEI Bureau’s decision completely, and we will continue our efforts to secure the financial backing we need. We now need to redouble our efforts with our federal and provincial government partners. We have a very strong bid and we are confident that we can stage a wonderful FEI World Equestrian Games in Bromont.”

By Louise Parkes

The German team secured a crisp, clean victory in the third leg of the FEI Nations Cup™ Dressage 2013 series on home soil at Aachen today.  The powerful side were favourites from the outset and lived up to expectations when topping the winner’s podium by a margin of more than seven percentage points over Denmark, while the USA finished third.  A total of nine countries were represented at this penultimate leg of the pilot series, which will come to a conclusion at Hickstead, Great Britain in early August.
Reigning Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage champion, Helen Langehanenberg, headed the individual rankings and left the team result in little doubt with yet another lovely performance from the stallion Damon Hill NRW as the competition was drawing to a close. The runners-up from Denmark were well-pleased however. As hosts of the Ecco FEI European Championships in Herning in eight weeks time they came to Aachen with the intention of making the best possible impression and they succeeded, with Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein and Digby bolstering their position when slotting into third place ahead of team-mate Anna Kasprzak and Donnperignon in fourth.   However it was Anabel Balkenhol’s solid ride with Dablino FRH, 13th of the 37 starting combinations to enter the arena, that set Germany on the road to success.  Posting a score of 77.043 with her 13-year old-gelding, she provided her side with a solid platform and when Isabell Werth steered Don Johnson FRH to a mark of 73.979 and then Langehanenberg produced the only score over 80 percent – 81.128 – that clinched it. Fabienne Lutkemeier’s 71.830 with D’Agostino was the discard score, as the best three scores counted, but German Chef d’Equipe, Monica Theodorescu, said afterwards: “Fabienne is not happy because she made a few mistakes, but she deserved to be on the team and I’m proud of her!”
Bolstered
The American effort was strengthened by a fifth-place finish for Steffen Peters and the 11-year-old Legolas. The rider, who is based in Del Mar, California, has had Aachen in his sights all season, bringing the horse to Hagen (GER) in April and then flying them both back to the US before crossing the Atlantic again for this latest event in their calendar. He is enthusiastic about the concept of FEI Nations Cup™ Dressage, and Legolas, who has been partnered with Peters for last 18 months, continues to demonstrate an impressive level of improvement every time out, today scoring 75.298 percent.
Sweden finished fourth with The Netherlands in fifth and Belgium in sixth place. Both Spain and Finland fielded just three riders, finishing seventh and ninth respectively.  The British, winners at the second leg of the series in Rotterdam (NED) last week, only managed eighth place on this occasion.   Drama
The German win was not without its moments of drama. While Lutkemeier set the stage and Balkenhol followed with a score that would take quite some beating, it wasn’t all plain sailing for the multi-medalled Werth, who had what Chef d’Equipe Theodorescu described as “a little time error in the warm-up”. Werth admitted afterwards that she didn’t keep an eye on her watch – “I thought there were three riders before me but I had 10 minutes too much, I was ready 10 minutes too early and he (Don Johnson FRH) was a bit over the point!”
Theodorescu could see the funny side of it. “Things happen, especially to riders who don’t do many shows and don’t have much experience!  I know for the future better will happen and she made a lovely ride and the best of the situation – it happened….” the team manager said with a twinkle in her eye.
Theodorescu continued: “It is a new situation for me to have the honour to be part of this team. Helen and Damon Hill were prepared really well, they were very precise, very elastic and on the point. The horse was fit and supple and harmonious.” She said Werth “had a very good ride with no mistake and showed all her skills”, and when asked what was the biggest surprise of her day she replied, “well it wasn’t really a big surprise but it was Annabel getting to show what is in her horse, I’m very happy for her” she said. Theodorescu will name her team for the European Championships on Sunday.
Well-pleased
Danish coach, Rudolf Zielinger, was well-pleased with the result achieved by his pathfinder Lone Bang Larsen with Fitou L. “Lone had a great start in Stadl Paura and Hagen….the whole combination looks very secure.  They can handle the pressure, their highlights are the piaffe and passage and they have three good basic gaits. Lone was brave today, going in first and on her first time in Aachen.”
Looking forward to the forthcoming European Championships. he continued, “I’ll be happy if we are second or third in Herning. We will have a strong team and will be going for a medal in the team but there is England, Holland and Germany who are very strong. Anna took really high risk today and there is a little chance to go higher. Lone, our first rider, was a little nervous and could have been more powerful, but I believe we can be very competitive for the Europeans.”
However it was Germany’s Langehanenberg who stole the limelight yet again, consistently scoring over 80 percent throughout her test and finishing with the squarest of square halts. As she leaned forward to give her stallion a big hug he shook his head as if to say “yes, that was pretty good alright!”, and there is no doubt that this pair are the ones to beat on the circuit right now.   Talking about Damon Hill NRW Langehanenberg said: “he will have a break after Aachen. The time between the German Dressage Championships (at Balve three weeks ago) was quite short. When he has a break he goes jogging but doesn’t have any dressage training. Hopefully we can look forward to Herning, but first he will get a rest now. I had a great feeling today, he felt fresh and willing to go in and was moving forward, it was a pleasure to ride him and I had fun – and I think he did too!”
As the FEI Nations Cup™ Dressage pilot series moves towards its conclusion at Hickstead on 4 August the Dutch hold the lead. But they have only a two-point advantage over Sweden at the top of the leaderboard, while Germany lies third after today’s victory, another eight points further adrift.
Result:
1. Germany 232.150:  D’Agostino (Fabienne Lutkemeier) 71.830, Dablino FRH (Annabel Balkenhol) 77.043, Don Johnson FRH (Isabel Werth) 73.979, Damon Hill NRW (Helen Lengehanenberg) 81.128.
2. Denmark 223.043: Fitou L (Lone Bang Larsen) 71.979, Akeem Foldager (Andreas Helgstrand) 68.426, Digby (Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein) 75.638, Donnperignon (Anna Kasprzak) 75.426.
3. USA 217.298: Doktor (Shelly Francis) 69.596, Rafalca (Jan Ebeling) 70.936, Calecto V (Tina Konyot) 71.064, Legolas (Steffen Peters) 75.298.
4. Sweden 210.042: Liza Minelli (Jeanna Hogberg) 68.723, Fleetwood (Malin Hamilton) 70.234, Triviant (Charlotte Haid Bondergaard) 67.787, Toy Story (Patrik Kittel) 71.085.
5. Netherlands 208.532: Vorst D (Diederik van Silfhout) 68.319, Ulysses la Haya (Laurens van Lieren) 67.319, Unlimited (Stephanie Peters) 68.064, Kingsley Siro (Danielle Heijkoop) 72.149.
6. Belgium 207.511: Vradin (Simon Missiaen) 69.745, Lucky Dance (Julie de Deken) 64.936, Le Beau (Philippe Jorissen) 66.213, Donnerfee (Claudia Fassaert) 71.553.
7. Spain 207.127: Famous Boy (Borja Carracosa) 64.574, Numberto (Severo Jesus Jurado Lopez) 71.106, Grandioso (Jose Daniel Martin Dockx) 71.447.
8. Great Britain 203.618:  Pegasus MK (Anna Ross Davies) 66.511, Marakov (Michael Eilberg) 68.681, Weltzin (Hanah Biggs) 61.106, Pasoa (Nikki Crisp) 68.426.
9. Finland 198.340:  Soraya ll (Stella Hagelstam) 67.319, Skovlunds Mas Guapo (Mikaela Lindh) 71.447, Sini Spirit (Emma Kanerva) 59.574.
Detailed results here
Facts and Figures:
9 teams competed in today’s third leg of the FEI Nations Cup™ Dressage 2013 pilot series.2 teams – Finland and Spain – fielded just three riders.The German team included 2013 Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage title-winning partnership of Helen Langehanenberg and the stallion Damon Hill NRW, who scored the highest individual mark of the day – 81.128.
The Netherlands continues to head the series table going into the final leg at Hickstead, Great Britain on 4 August, but have only a two-point lead over Sweden in second spot while Germany lies third, another eight points behind.
Quotes:
Rudolf Zielinger, Danish team manager – “The competitions that will decide the Danish team for Herning are the Danish Championships, Rotterdam and Aachen”.
Anna Kasprzak, Denmark – “I am happy with our test today, the timing between the Danish Championship and here was quite short but he (her horse Donnperignon) was fresh today and I had a really good feeling in canter. I’m getting to know him better now.”
Annabel Balkenhol (GER), when asked if she thought she had booked a place on the German team for the Ecco FEI European Championships in Herning with her performance today – “I’m very happy, we showed no mistakes and he showed his quality. I will be trying to make it happen for the Special on Saturday – two good rides and we go from there.”
FEI Nations Cup™ Dressage 2013 – Standings after third leg in Aachen (GER) are here
Helen Langehanenberg led the German team to victory in the third leg of the FEI Nations Cup™ Dressage series at Aachen, Germany.  Photo: FEI/Kit Houghton.

At the moment they are in a league of their own: Awarded a score of 80.667 percent, the World Cup winner, Helen Langehanenberg, also won the Grand Prix Spécial of the CDIO Tour and thus also the MEGGLE Prize at the CHIO in Aachen.  All five judges ranked the 31-year-old with Damon Hill in first place despite them making two small mistakes.

The 13-year-old Westphalian-bred stallion showed slight weaknesses in one of the pirouettes and in a piaffe. Otherwise the pair was often awarded a nine for the individual movements. Langehanenberg and the Donnerhall son were the clear winners of this high-class competition. Three judges went over the 80 percent mark. The judge at E – Dietrich Plewa (GER) – even awarded the duo 82.7 percent. “I am very satisfied regardless of a few small mistakes,” commented the overjoyed German rider.

There was a surprising second place: The Danish rider, Anna Kasprzak, ranked second behind Langehanenberg with her 14-year-old Donnperignon. The reward for the harmonious performance given by the representative of this year’s CHIO partner country was 77.354 percent.  In the past, her gelding represented the German national flag with Christoph Koschel, among others in Kentucky at the World Equestrian Games. Their flying changes and the pirouettes particularly impressed the crowd in the Deutsche Bank Stadium. As such the pair was able to show a clear improvement compared to the Grand Prix.

The third place went to the German rider,  Isabell Werth with Don Jonson.