Category Archives: Dressage News

FEI President, Ingmar de Vos: The European Championships in Aachen will Further Increase the Popularity of the Equestrian Sport – 125,000 tickets Sold – New Digital Developments

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“There is no other place comparable to Aachen” – said Ingmar de Vos, President of the International Equestrian Federation, the FEI. Together with the organisers and the national coach of the German jumping team, Otto Becker, he presented the FEI European Championships Aachen 2015 during a press conference.

 

 

 

 

 

Five disciplines at one location – that is the unique concept of the European Championships, which will be staged at the traditional

showgrounds at the Aachen Soers from August 11th-23rd. Around one third of the available tickets have already been sold, but “the good news is that tickets are still available for all days and all disciplines,” reported the General Manager of the Aachener Reitturnier GmbH, Michael Mronz. And Michael Mronz also had another piece of good news: A new three-year contract has been signed with Turkish Airlines, one of the four Top Level Sponsors of the event. Mronz also presented a host of digital projects, which will turn the European Championships into one of the most modern sports events ever. Among others a virtual flight over the showgrounds has been developed.

 

 

 

 

 

The grounds are being converted for the five disciplines of the European Championships. For example, a temporary roof is being installed over the Deutsche Bank Stadium – where the vaulting and reining competitions are taking place. A sand dressage arena has already been set up in the Main Stadium, which holds 40,000 spectators, so that the dressage competitions can be staged there. “Dressage competitions against this magnificent backdrop – it is going to be a unique experience,” commented Frank Kemperman, Chairman of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein (ALRV), organisers of the event. The show-jumpers are already well familiar with the impressive backdrop: “The setting, the stadium, the expert crowd – that is what makes Aachen so special,” said Otto Becker, national coach of the German jumping team. He encouraged his athletes, explaining that even those riders, who are currently not part of the A-squad, still have good chances of being able to compete in Aachen in August. He added that their aim is of course to claim a medal, but that this is going to be a very difficult task.

 

 

 

 

 

The ALRV President, Carl Meulenbergh, emphasised the special atmosphere: “The entire region is contributing towards the European Championships. In addition to top sport, the spectators will experience unforgettable days at the Soers.” Which, according to Ingmar de Vos, is just one of the reason why “these European Championships in Aachen are going to have a multiplying effect. They will further increase the popularity of the equestrian sport.”

 

 

 

 

 

www.aachen2015.com

 

 

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Life After Orion

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Horse Canada

Written by: Alison King

Catching up with Pia Fortmüller

thumbnailLewis Harding Photography

Riding has always been Pia Fortmüller’s passion. Her career has taken her from North America to Europe, and from the highest pinnacles of success to the depths of despair. Throughout all the ups and downs, the 30-year-old from Calgary has never lost her love for the sport.

As a youngster growing up in Calgary, AB, Pia was heavily influenced by her mother, well-known equestrian Dagmar Fortmüller, and grew up enjoying everything from 4-H to eventing, jumping, and even western trail riding, However, it was in the dressage ring that she really shone.

Following a successful Young Rider career which culminated in her capturing the team and individual gold medals at the 2006 Young Rider Championships, Pia moved to Germany in 2009 to train full time. That decision paid off when she purchased a Dutch Warmblood named Orion the same year. The gelding had been trained as a youngster through to grand prix by BC rider and Pia’s Canadian trainer Leslie Reid, who qualified on him for the 2008 Olympics. Orion was sent to Steffan Peters to be sold and was then moved to Leonie Brammall’s yard in Germany, where Pia was training at the time.

In 2010, she and Orion moved to train with Heike Kemmer and Pia focussed on her goal of representing Canada internationally. The pair bonded quickly, achieved great success in the grand prix ring, and were named as alternates to Canada’s 2012 Olympic dressage team.

Everything seemed to be going Pia’s way. In the fall of 2013 she opted to train full-time with Jonny Hilberath. Her success with Orion continued and the pair found themselves regularly at the top of the leaderboard at Europe’s most prestigious CDIs. “Even at the age of 17, Orion was a frisky fighter at heart. Most horses would be a little worn out from such a demanding schedule, but Orion danced down the centre line as fresh as ever,” Pia says. “Orion and I got to know each other so well and after countless hours of training I was starting to finally catch those special moments where I could take a deep breath and just enjoy the bond that had developed between us.”

Sadly, those special moments ended far too soon. In January, 2014, Orion was rushed to the veterinary hospital with signs of colic. Although he initially stabilized, his condition quickly grew worse and the vets recommended surgery. “Before the surgery began, I asked for one last moment with Orion and when I looked him in the eye, Orion let me know that his time had come,” Pia wrote on her blog. The surgery revealed that Orion’s colic was caused by a large tumour and sadly, he could not be saved.

“Although Orion is no longer here on earth with me, I never ‘lost’ him, because he will always live on in my heart,” says Pia. “Every morning when I wake up or in the evening when I look up at the sky and the stars are shining bright, my heart immediately searches for the Orion’s Belt constellation, because I know my Orion is up there, proud and strong.”

The tragedy required Pia to step back from the competitive arena for a moment. “When I lost Orion I had to regroup, which was very difficult for me at the beginning, because Orion truly was the rock of my grand prix career,” she says. “Thanks to the great support team around me, my focus is still the same as before, and that is to proudly represent Canada internationally. My ultimate goal has always been, and still is, the Olympics.”

Although life after Orion hasn’t always been easy, Pia is excited about the string of talented young horses she is bringing along. Her sights are set on both the 2016 Olympics and – more realistically, she says, due to the green nature of her horses – the 2018 World Equestrian Games. She also plans to return to Canada, saying she loves her country and family too much to live in Europe permanently. While she has no plans to stop competing any time soon, Pia is looking forward to dedicating more of her time to teaching and passing on the knowledge she has gained over the years to young Canadian riders.

Orion will continue to be part of the future of Canadian dressage as well. The Canadian High Performance Committee is in the process of introducing a championship for Canada’s under-25 grand grix riders. Together, Pia and Dagmar Fortmüller are sponsoring the award, which will be called the Orion Cup.

First published in Horse Sport on May 2015

 

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The German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel Receives the Organizers of the FEI European Championships Aachen 2015

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“The heart of the equestrian sport lies in Aachen,“ Angela Merkel once said. And now the Chancellor received the organisers of the European Championships at the Federal Chancellery.

“She enquired about the status of the preparations and wished us a successful and unforgettable European Championships event,” reported Carl Meulenbergh, President of the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein e.V. (ALRV), organisers of the event.

 

 

In 100 days, the FEI European Championships Aachen 2015 will be staged from August 11th-23rd, 2015 at the traditional showgrounds of the CHIO Aachen. More than 400 athletes from 40 nations are expected to compete in Aachen

with over 700 horses. 450,000 visitors will travel to the imperial city to experience the competitions in five disciplines.

 

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Horse Radio Network Features Para-Equestrian Moms Anna Collier and Tina Wentz

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United States Para-Equestrian Association

 
 
 
Horse Radio Network Features Para-Equestrian Moms Anna Collier and Tina Wentz

 

Jupiter, FL -May 1, 2015- Horse Radio Network’s once-a-month Para-Equestrian Show featured Para-Equestrian moms Anna Collier and Tina Wentz with

hosts Lindsay McCall from the United States Para-Equestrian Association (USPEA) and co-host Regina Cristo. To listen to episode #309 please visit: http://dressageradio.horseradionetwork.com/2015/05/01/dressage-radio-episode-309-by-uspea-honoring-equestrian-moms/

 

 

 
 

 

 
 

List of Para-Equestrian Radio Shows:

 

Para-Equestrian Show #309

http://dressageradio.horseradionetwork.com/2015/05/01/dressage-radio-episode-309-by-uspea-honoring-equestrian-moms/
Para-Equestrian Show #304

http://www.horseradionetwork.com/2015/03/26/dressage-radio-episode-304-by-uspea-gigi-mcintosh-on-her-comeback/


Para-Equestrian Show #300

http://www.horseradionetwork.com/2015/02/26/dressage-radio-episode-300-by-uspea-dressage-partnerships-with-flettrich-and-dueck/

 

Para-Equestrian Show #296

http://dressageradio.horseradionetwork.com/2015/01/27/dressage-radio-episode-296-para-dressage-trainer-brendan-curtis-and-global-dressage-festival-wrap/

 

Para-Equestrian Show #283

http://dressageradio.horseradionetwork.com/2014/10/30/dressage-radio-episode-283-creating-great-partnerships-mary-jordan-susan-guinan-jim-koford/

Para-Equestrian Show #278

http://dressageradio.horseradionetwork.com/2014/09/25/dressage-radio-episode-278-para-dressage-wraps-2014-weg-with-sydney-collier-and-coach-wes/

 

Para-Equestrian Show # 270

http://dressageradio.horseradionetwork.com/2014/07/31/dressage-radio-episode-270-para-dressage-preview-weg-2014/


Para-Equestrian Show # 265

http://dressageradio.horseradionetwork.com/2014/06/26/dressage-radio-episode-265-para-dressage-reflecting-on-2014-weg-trials-and-preparing-for-the-future/

Para-Equestrian Show # 259

http://dressageradio.horseradionetwork.com/2014/05/16/dressage-radio-episode-259-para-dressage-coach-wes-dunham-and-chef-kai-handt/

Para-Equestrian Show #248

http://dressageradio.horseradionetwork.com/2014/02/27/dressage-radio-episode-248-from-para-dressage-young-riders-to-therapeutic-riding-center-involvement/

Para-Equestrian Show #244

http://www.horseradionetwork.com/2014/01/31/dressage-radio-episode-244-international-para-dressage-and-the-wounded-warrior-equestrian-program/

 

Para-Equestrian Show #235

http://dressageradio.horseradionetwork.com/2013/11/25/dressage-radio-episode-235-reining-into-para-dressage/

 

November 1, 2013- Para-Equestrian Show #231

http://dressageradio.horseradionetwork.com/2013/11/01/dressage-radio-episode-231-para-dressage-horse-ownership-and-training/

 

September 25, 2013- Para-Equestrian Show #226

http://dressageradio.horseradionetwork.com/2013/09/24/dressage-radio-episode-226-becca-hart-and-missy-ransehousen-on-the-future-of-para/

 

August 28, 2013- Para-Equestrian Show #222
http://dressageradio.horseradionetwork.com/2013/08/28/dressage-radio-episode-222-set-up-before-you-trot-up/

 

July 31, 2013- Para-Equestrian Show #218

http://dressageradio.horseradionetwork.com/2013/07/31/dressage-radio-episode-218-developing-para-dressage-young-riders/

 

June 27, 2013-Para-Equestrian Show #213

http://dressageradio.horseradionetwork.com/2013/06/27/dressage-radio-episode-213-para-week-goes-driving/

 

May 24, 2013-Para-Equestrian Show #208

http://dressageradio.horseradionetwork.com/2013/05/24/dressage-radio-episode-208-the-maine-event/

 

April 4, 2013-Para-Equestrian Show #204

http://dressageradio.horseradionetwork.com/2013/04/25/dressage-radio-episode-204-kristi-wysocki-and-gil-merrick-discuss-judging-the-team-approach/

 

March 27, 2013-To listen to the the first Para-Equestrian show #200:

http://dressageradio.horseradionetwork.com/2013/03/27/dressage-radio-episode-200-para-dressage-with-tina-wentz-and-derrick-perkins/

 

 

Once a month the Dressage Radio Show becomes the Para-Equestrian Show Hosted by Lindsay McCall, of the United States Para-Equestrian Association, focusing on

 

international FEI discipline Para-Dressage. Although Para-Dressage is the main event, listeners have the opportunity to learn more about the skillful U.S. Para-Driving Team, the Para-Reining discipline, Para-Vaulting, and the future of Para-Jumping. The para-equestrian dressage show will feature a line-up of guests including olympians, paralympians, trainers, coaches, professionals, amateur riders, young riders, and equine enthusiasts. The intention of the radio show is to educate, inform, and entertain listeners on the para-equestrian Dressage discipline.

 

 

To learn more about the USPEA please visit www.USPEA.org or e-mail President Hope Hand at hope@uspea.org. You may also e-mail the host of the para-equestrian segment Lindsay McCall at Lindsay@uspea.org.

 

To learn more about the Horse Radio Network visit www.horseradionetwork.com or to contact Glenn the Geek go to http://www.horseradionetwork.com/contact/ or leave a voicemail at 270-803-0025.

 

About the Horse Radio Network:

 

The Horse Radio Network is the voice of the horse world with listeners in over 40 countries. Eight different entertaining shows cover all aspects of the horse world and you can listen any time on your computer, MP3 player or smart phone.

 

We believe that people own horses for fun and entertainment. Why else would you

put up with the early morning feedings, stall cleaning, vet bills, long trips to shows,

empty bank accounts and everything else that goes with being a horse owner.

 

Our goal with these shows is to help your chores go a little faster and to put a smile

on your face!  Learn more at www.HorseRadioNetwork.com

 

 

HORSES IN THE MORNING live M-F at 9am Eastern at www.horsesinthemorning.com

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Fantastic weekly shows:

Driving Radio Show at www.drivingradioshow.com

Equestrian Legends at www.equestrianlegends.com

Stable Scoop Radio Show at www.stablescoop.com.

Eventing Radio Show at www.eventingradio.com.

Dressage Radio Show at www.Dressageradio.com.

Horse Tip Daily at www.horsetipdaily.com

Western Radio Show at www.westernradioshow.com

 
About the United States Para-Equestrian Association:

 

The USPEA is a network of riders, judges, national federation members, and equestrian enthusiasts.  The association gives athletes the ability to get involved and expand their knowledge and experience in the Para-Equestrian sport. The USPEA encourages Para-athletes to participate in all disciplines under the Para-Equestrian umbrella.

 

The USPEA is a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) which serves as the National Governing Body for the equestrian sport.  This relationship between the USPEA and USEF is to encourage Para-Equestrian competitors, leisure riders, coaches, fans and enthusiasts to network and get involved with the entire equestrian sport.

 

Ultimately the goal of the USPEA is to foster growth in the Para-Equestrian discipline.  From growth in the number of participants to growth as a team, and growth in the experience and knowledge of all involved.  From local horse shows to international Paralympic Games, the USPEA provides Para-Equestrians the knowledge and resources needed to succeed.  The USPEA connects with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the United States Dressage Federation (USDF), USA Reining, and USEF which provide Para-Equestrians the top equestrian resources.

 

In June 2010, the USPEA earned its 501 (c)(3) status which has encouraged supporters to help supply funding to the Para-Equestrian Team as a recognized affiliate of the United States Equestrian Federation(USEF).

 

For more information about the USPEA please visit www.USPEA.org or contact USPEA President: Hope Hand by e-mail: hope@uspea.org or by phone: (610)356-6481.

Media Contact: Lindsay McCall -Lindsay@uspea.org -USPEA, 3940 Verde Vista Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91360- www.USPEA.org

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