HQ Magazine Olympic Edition by hqmagazine

SOUTH AFRICA’S PREMIER EQUESTRIAN MAGAZINE

Olympic Games Edition

FRIDAY, 23 JULY 2021 – SUNDAY, 08 AUGUST 2021

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Welcome to our

Olympic Games Edition! We couldn’t be more excited to be sharing this project with you. We hope you’ll enjoy diving into this Edition and finding out all about the competitors, their mounts, the favourites, the bloodlines and much, much more. We also have a couple of fantastic interviews – one with Charlotte Fry’s groom Steve Carey and one with the Team Gold and Individual Silver medalist for the Rio Games in Eventing, Astier Nicholas. With an absence of supporters at the event, we hope you’ll all be watching from home to offer your support and see horses and riders at the very top of their game. There is always something extraordinary about the Olympics, and we can’t wait to tune in… All that remains is for you to enjoy, and we’ll see you again on the 1st of August with our next issue. Happy viewing!

Lizzie and xxx the HQ team

Dr Lizzie Harrison | Editor

Cover Photography: Hilary O’Leary • Designer: Mauray Wolff OUR DISCLAIMER In this Edition, we look quite closely at the breeding of the Olympic horses and how these lines are reflected here in South Africa. As a disclaimer, we would like to state that we have looked at close line breeding only. We are very sorry if we missed your horse, but we couldn’t possibly include them all! Suffice to say, South African sport horse breeding is looking very healthy right now, and there are many riders sitting on serious horses here. Similarly, if you are not sitting on a horse with Olympic bloodlines – fear not! Amongst all of the lines seen here, there are some newcomers and new combinations. Breeding is not everything!

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OLYMPIC GAMES EDITION

In this issue 06 Equestrian competition schedule 08 A history of Equestrian at the Olympic Games

56 Steve Caley

Groom to Team GBR Dressage rider Charlotte Fry

62 Eventing at the Olympics 12 Olympic equestrian sports explained 20 Olympic rules

66 Eventing horse and rider combinations to watch at the Olympics

24 Showjumping at the Olympics 70 Astier Nicolas and Piaf De B’Neville 32 Overview of the breeding of the Olympic Showjumping Stars 36 Showjumping horse and rider combinations to watch at the Olympics 42 Dressage at the Olympics

Team Gold and Individual Silver Rio 2016

78 Girl Power

The rise of the mare

82 The Olympic Ambition

48 Dressage horse and rider combinations to watch at the Olympics

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Equestrian Competition Schedule

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Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

July 2021 10:00 – 15:15 Venues: Equestrian Park Dressage Grand Prix Team and Individual Day 1

18 19

10:00 – 15:40

10:00 – 15:15

Venues: Equestrian Park

Dressage Team Grand Prix Special

Dressage Grand Prix Team and Individual Day 2

10:30 – 14:25 Venues: Equestrian Park Dressage Individual Grand Prix Freestyle

Dressage Dressage Team Individual Victory Victory Ceremony Ceremony

10:30 - 13:10

01:30 - 04:00

Venues: Equestrian Park

Eventing Dressage Team and Individual Day 1 Session 2

Eventing Dressage Team and Individual Day 2 Session 3

25 26 27 28 29 30 31

August 2021 10:00 - 15:25 Venues: Equestrian Park

00:45 - 04:10 Venues: Sea Forest CrossCountry Course Eventing Cross Country Team and Individual

Eventing Jumping Team Final and Individual Qualifier

12:00 - 14:40

Eventing Jumping Individual Final

12:00 - 15:45

Venues: Equestrian Park

Eventing Team Victory Ceremony

Venues: Equestrian Park

Jumping Individual Final

Eventing Individual Victory Ceremony

Jumping Individual Qualifier

Jumping Individual Victory Ceremony

1 2

12:00 - 14:30 12:00 - 15:05

Venues: Equestrian Park

Jumping Team Final

Jumping Team Qualifier

Jumping Team Victory Ceremony

3 4 5 6 7

All times adjusted to South Africa

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A history of Equestrian Olympic Games at the

he Olympic Games is an international event that covers a wide range of different sports. The equestrian sports held at the event are dressage, showjumping and eventing with both team and individual medals awarded for each discipline. Equestrian sport has been part of the Olympics for over 100 years with showjumping, dressage and eventing being introduced at the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm. This came a massive 2 592 years after horse sport made its debut at the Ancient Olympic Games in 680BC. The three equestrian disciplines from 1912 remain on the programme today. Equestrian has produced some of the most memorable moments in Olympic history including the performance by Hans Gunter Winkler and Halla in 1956, the 1952 Dressage medal ceremony with Lis Hartel and the demonstration of Australian team spirit at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome, to name just a few.

WHEN ARE THE OLYMPICS The Olympic Games are held every four years. MOTTO The Olympic motto is "Citius Altius Fortius", which means faster, higher, stronger. SYMBOL The Olympic rings are the symbol of the event. They were designed in 1913 and adopted in 1914. They were first used in the Antwerp Olympics in 1920.

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OLYMPIC SHOWJUMPING HISTORY • Showjumping was included in the 1900 Olympic games in Paris, France, with the courses being smaller than they are today. Horses were required to carry a weight of 75kg. Only male cavalry officers were allowed to compete. • In the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm, the course included approximately 15 jumps, some of which were jumped more than once. The height of the jumps was around 1.4 metres. The width of the water jump was around 4 metres. • At the 1924 Games in Antwerp, there were 14 obstacles. The height of the fences was 1.3 to 1.4 metres high. The water jump was 4 metres wide. • The 1932 Olympics consisted of 20 jumping efforts, with the height of the course increasing to between 1.4 and 1.6 metres high with the width of the water jump increasing to 5 metres in width. • By the 1952 Helsinki Games, men and women civilians were allowed to compete. • The showjumping height is now 1.6 metres, with the width of the fences being a maximum of 2 meters or 2.2 metres for a triple bar. The water jump distance is now a maximum of 4.5 metres. The competition today takes place over 5 rounds.

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OLYMPIC DRESSAGE HISTORY • In the 1900s, only male cavalry officers were allowed to compete. • At the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm, Sweden, the dressage test did not include any piaffe or passage and was held in a 20 x 40-metre arena. The horses had to perform various school movements such as figure of eights, rein backs, flying changes and circles. As well as completing a dressage test, the horse and rider had to jump a small course of show jumps and then ride around an obedience test. • By 1920 the dressage test included some collected walk, trot and canter; extended trot; counter canter; and 4, 3, 2 and 1-time tempi changes. • In 1932 piaffe and passage were included in the test. • By 1936 canter pirouettes and five loop serpentines were added to the test. • At the 1948 Olympics, renvers, half-pass, tempi changes and canter pirouettes were included in the test and piaffe and passage were removed due to the lack of preparation time available before the Olympic Games due to World War 2. • In 1952, men and women civilians were allowed to compete as well as cavalry officers. • In 1996, the Grand Prix Freestyle was introduced. The freestyle gives the rider the chance to put together their own sequence of set movements and then put them to their own choice of music. 9

DID YOU KNOW?

Whilst the dressage tests have remained relatively unchanged, the renvers is no longer included in the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special classes.

• Today, the format for the dressage begins with the Grand Prix test to determine which teams and individuals will go through. The top eight ranked teams qualify for the team final (Grand Prix Special), while the top two individual athletes from each heat, plus the next best six ranked athletes, qualify for the individual final (Grand Prix Freestyle). The Grand Prix Freestyle was introduced in the 1996 Olympics, and is set to music.

OLYMPIC EVENTING HISTORY • At the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, eventing was first introduced, but it was only open to military personnel. • The eventing programme was held over five days. • The first day was the endurance phase, which involved 55 km within 4 hours on the roads, followed by a 5 km cross-country course. The horses were given a day off on the second day. On the third day, a 3.5 km steeplechase course that comprised approximately ten fences was undertaken. The fourth day was the Jumping Test which involved around 15 jumps of 1.3 metres high. The fifth and final day involved a dressage test, which was much simpler than the modern tests today, and all the horses were to be ridden in a double bridle. • At the 1912 Olympics, horses also had to carry a minimum weight of 80kg. • At the 1920 Games, the dressage test was completely removed. Horses were required to carry a weight of 75kg. The first day had the endurance test, which was reduced from 55 km to 45 km and was to be completed within 3.5 hours and was still followed straight away by the cross-

country phase that comprised approximately 18 fences of around 1.10 to 1.15m. On the second day, competitors had to do a further 20 km on roads and tracks followed by a 4000-metre steeplechase course. The horses had to pass a vet inspection after the roads and tracks phase to continue. The showjumping phase consisted of approximately 18 jumps of 1.25 metres high. • At the 1924 Games in Paris, the dressage phase was reintroduced. The dressage was held on the first two days due to the number of competitors and the size of the arena was increased to 20 by 60 metres. On the third day, competitors had to complete 5 phases known as Phases A, B, C, D, and E, also called the long-format. Phase A was 7 km of roads and tracks, followed by phase B, a 4 km steeplechase course, then phase C, a further 15 km of roads and tracks, followed by phase D, an 8 km cross country course and finally phase E, a 2 km canter. The showjumping phase was held on the last day. • In 1952 at the Helsinki Games, women were allowed to compete in the Equestrian Olympics. • In the 1968 Mexico Olympics, the 2 km canter after the cross country phase was removed entirely. • The weight that horses were required to carry was reduced to 70kg in 1996. • At the 2004 Games in Athens, the format for the cross country changed from the long format with phases A, B, C and D being reduced to just phase D the cross country. This format is known as the short format and is still used today.

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Olympic Equestrian Sports Explained

here are three Olympic Equestrian sports: dressage, eventing and showjumping. Horse sports such as chariot and riding races were part of the early Olympic Games. As its own sport, riding was first included in the 1900 Olympic Games and reappeared in 1912. Initially, in the modern Olympics, only commissioned officers were allowed to compete but beginning in 1952, the rules changed to allow women and civilians to participate. Olympic equestrian events are one of the very few Olympic sports where women compete equally with men.

THE COMPETITION Six Olympic Equestrian events take place in a number of venues over the course of the Games: • Eventing, Team Competition • Eventing, Individual Competition • Dressage, Team Competition • Dressage, Individual Competition • Jumping, Team Competition • Jumping, Individual Competition All Olympic equestrian disciplines are governed by the rules of the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI).

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DRESSAGE Dressage is the systematic training of a horse to carry a rider with ease and grace. Olympic level dressage competition highlights the most advanced and refined riding skills. The first Olympic competition was in 1912, although the sport is centuries old. Five FEI judges score Olympic dressage; each sits in a different position around the arena. Scores are based on the accuracy and beauty of each movement of the test and rated on a scale of 0 to 10. Horses and riders at the Olympic Games compete at the highest level of dressage recognised by the FEI, Grand Prix. Kur or Freestyle is a dressage test choreographed to music, and this is also part of the competition. The score is based on the accuracy of the movements and artistic impression. The highest score wins.

DRESSAGE FORMAT Teams are made of three athletes, all of whom are also competing for individual medals. Nations without a team can be represented by a single individual athlete in dressage. The dressage competition starts with the Grand Prix, which serves as a qualifier for both team and individual competitions. Athletes are drawn into six heats of ten athletes each, with the opening three heats being scheduled for the first day and the remaining three heats for the second day. Heats are drawn so that no more than one athlete per country can be assigned to the same heat. Once the Grand Prix heats are concluded, team scores are determined by adding up individual scores of the respective team members. The top eight ranked teams qualify for the team final (Grand Prix Special), while the top two individual athletes from each heat, plus the

next best six ranked athletes, qualify for the individual final (Grand Prix Freestyle). Grand Prix Special, which is used to decide team medals, is a slightly more rigorous dressage test, emphasising difficult transitions (such as collected walk - piaffe). Grand Prix Special is performed to music of the athlete's choice. As the scores start from zero again after the Grand Prix, team medals are determined solely based on scores achieved in the Grand Prix Special. Nations taking part in the team final are allowed to enter a substitute athlete between the Grand Prix and up to two hours before the Grand Prix Special. Grand Prix Freestyle is open for 18 athletes and is used to decide individual medals. Each athlete designs their own test for the Freestyle, which must be set to music and must contain 16 compulsory movements. Riders can tailor a test to their horse's strengths, as well as incorporate movements that are more difficult than those required in the Grand Prix or the Special (such as a pirouette in piaffe or flying changes on a curving line) in order to increase their scores. Individual medals are assigned based on scores in the Freestyle. WHAT DATES ARE KEY FOR OLYMPIC DRESSAGE FANS? The Olympic dressage competitions are being held on the 24th to 25th and 27th to 29th July 2021 at the Equestrian Park in Tokyo’s Heritage Zone. The team medals will be decided on the 27th of July and the individual medals will be won on the 28th of July.

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WHAT DATES ARE KEY FOR OLYMPIC SHOWJUMPING FANS? 3rd August: one-round individual qualifier for 75 combinations (a maximum of three from each nation) 4th August: individual final for the top 30 combinations, all of whom start on a zero score. Riders will go on to a jump-off if there is a tie for medals. 5th August: rest day 6th August: team qualifier for 20 teams (three riders per nation) 7th August: team final for the top 10 teams, all of whom start on a zero score. There will be a possible jump-off (involving all three team members) if there is a tie for medals.

SHOWJUMPING Showjumping tests the ability of the horse and rider to jump over a series of obstacles. Courses are designed with many tight turns and obstacles challenging both the mental and physical agility of the horse and rider. The horse and rider teams must finish within a set time, and penalties are given for knocking down poles and other standard faults. There are five rounds held at the Olympics.

Scores are based on the number of poles knocked down, refusals to jump and time penalties. The rider with the fewest penalties across the two final rounds wins. Ties are broken by jump-offs with penalties and the fastest times used to break the tie. Riders inspect the course before riding to plan the best strategy for jumping these very challenging courses cleanly and quickly.

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WHAT’S NEW ABOUT THE OLYMPIC SHOWJUMPING FORMAT? The two key differences from previous Olympics are that the individual medals will now be decided before the team competition, and there are only three riders in each nation’s squad, rather than four. Additionally, in the team final, there will be a 20-minute break after the first two riders from all ten teams have jumped. An intermediate classification of teams will be established and used to determine the starting order of each team’s third rider in reverse order of merit. IS THERE A TEAM DROP SCORE? No, with just three riders in a team, every score will count for each nation in the team competition. Riders who withdraw, retire or are eliminated from the team

SHOWJUMPING FORMAT Individual and team competitions are run separately in showjumping. INDIVIDUAL COMPETITION The individual competition is up first, and it takes two competition days. The first competition day serves as a qualifier, where a total of 75 athletes may start. Each athlete tackles the same course, which includes 12 to 15 numbered obstacles. Athletes are ranked based on the accumulated number of penalty points, and the top 30 advance to the individual final. In case of a tie for the last qualification place, athletes are separated by the time of their round. The individual final is held on a different course that includes 12 to 15 numbered obstacles. Athletes are once again ranked based on the accumulated number of penalty points. If two or more athletes are tied for a medal position, the tie is resolved in a jump-off.

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competition will not be given a score, and the team will be classified according to the remaining scores – beneath those teams who field three scores. Teams that have two riders withdrawn/retired/eliminated will be eliminated. In the case of disqualification of any horse or rider, the whole team is disqualified and may take no further part.

CAN A HORSE OR RIDER BE SUBSTITUTED IN? No substitutions can be made during the individual qualifier, in which three combinations from each nation are permitted, or individual final. But between the end of the individual final and up to two hours before the start of the first team competition, combinations may be changed, and one substitution may be made between the end of the team qualifier and the beginning of the team final. No substitutions are allowed for a jump-off, however.

TEAM COMPETITION First day of team competition serves as a qualifier, and is opened to a total of 20 teams. At the end of the qualifier, teams receive their placing by adding up the penalties incurred by the three team members. Athletes who withdraw or are eliminated or who retire from the competition will not be given a score. Teams with one athlete who has withdrawn, retired or been eliminated from the team qualifier will be placed according to the combined penalties incurred by the two athletes who completed the competition. Teams in which all three athletes completed the competition without being eliminated or retiring shall be placed before teams with only two athletes who completed the competition without being eliminated or retiring. Teams with two athletes who have withdrawn and/or retired and/or been eliminated from the competition will be eliminated. The top 10 teams

based on the qualifier results advance to team final. In case of a tie for the last qualification place, teams are separated by the combined time of their three team members. The Team Final is held on a different course. Teams are once again ranked based on accumulated number of penalty points of their team members. If two or more teams are tied for a medal position, the tie is resolved in a jump-off. THE TRACKS The tracks will consist of 12-15 obstacles including at least one double and a treble with a minimum height of 1.40m to a maximum 1.65m, including two verticals of 1.60m. A water jump (with a width of between 3.8m and 4m) will be used on at least two days during the competition, with an official camera installed to ensure any faults caused by a horse not clearing the water are accurately recorded.

DID YOU KNOW?

Equestrian is the only Olympic sport that includes animals.

EVENTING Eventing is considered the triathalon of equestrian. It is a test of the versatility, skill and endurance of horse and rider. As the name suggests, three-day eventing is held over three days and consists of three disciplines: crosscountry, dressage and jumping. The cross-country phase takes place over a course of natural and man-made obstacles. There can be up to 40-45 obstacles that horses must jump or go through over the course that is up to 6.4km long. Scores are based on refusals, coming in under or over a set time and falls of the rider. WHAT DATES ARE KEY FOR OLYMPIC EVENTING FANS? The dressage for the eventing takes place on Friday 30th July and Saturday 31st July. The cross-country is on Sunday 1st August and the showjumping is on Monday 2nd August.

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EVENTING FORMAT Competitions for team and individual medals run concurrently. Each athlete, riding the same horse, performs a dressage test, a cross-country round, and a jumping round. Team medals are then awarded by adding together the scores of team members from all three phases. The team with the lowest number of penalty points wins the gold. The top 25 individual athletes after the first jumping round perform a second, final jumping round to determine individual medals. Therefore, those competing for individual glory complete one dressage test and cross-country round, and two jumping rounds. Athletes who, for various reasons, fail to start or finish any of the phases are eliminated from the individual competition. Teams with eliminated athletes receive penalty points: 100 penalty points for each eliminated athlete during dressage and jumping phases and 200 penalty points for each eliminated athlete during the cross-country phase. While they are excluded from the individual event, eliminated athletes may continue to compete in the following phases for their teams, unless they were eliminated for lameness, fall of the horse, abuse of the horse or otherwise disqualified. A new format will be used at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Each team consists of three horses and riders in this competition, plus an ‘alternate pair’. All three scores will count but it is possible to substitute the alternate pair into the competition in various circumstances, and to use the score from the original pair in some phases, and from the alternate in others. The substitution results in a penalty point score of 20.

EQUIPMENT AND VENUES DRESSAGE Olympic dressage is held in a flat 20 x 60-metre arena. The horses wear minimal tack, which is usually black. At the Olympic level, bridles will be a curb bit with a bridoon (called a double bridle). A plain cavesson, flash, figureeight, or drop noseband may be used. Saddles will be dressage style with a straight flap and a white square saddle pad. No boots or leg wraps may be used. The riders wear a tailcoat, yellow vest, white gloves, white breeches and tall black boots. Controversially dressage riders will not be permitted to wear the usual top hat for

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the Olympic Games this year but instead will have to wear a helmet. Horses will have their manes plaited. Tails may be plaited but are usually left flowing to encourage natural tail carriage.

SHOWJUMPING Showjumping courses at the Olympics will be very colourful with many technical twists and turns. Course designers will include spread jumps, verticals and combinations. The spaces between obstacles will be set up so that riders must control the length of each stride to set up properly for the next jump. At the Olympic level, white square saddle pads are used. There are few restrictions on the types of bridles, bits and martingales. Some horses may wear hackamores and bitless brides. Boots, wraps and other protective gear can be worn. Riders must wear ASTM/SEI approved helmets; buff, tan or white breeches; and will most likely be seen wearing a team jacket. Horses are well-groomed. Manes and tails may be plaited. EVENTING Rules for tack, clothing and arenas for dressage and jumping are similar to these individual sports. The crosscountry course consists of jumps made of solid natural type obstacles. During the cross-country phase, riders will be wearing jerseys and helmet covers in their team colours and an ASTM/SEI helmet, gloves, and body protector or air jacket. Riders wear eventing watches with a large readout that allows them to keep track of their time and alert them when the ‘optimum time’ has been reached. The horse’s tack will be similar to jumping, but boots are secured with tape, and shoes may have studs for grip on tight corners. White-coloured ‘leg grease’ may be applied on some horses’ front legs to help them slide over any fences they may make contact with. MEDALS Showjumping placings are determined by the fewest knockdowns, penalties and fastest times if there is a jump-off. Dressage placings are determined by the highest scores, with 100 percent being the ideal score. Eventing medals are determined by the combined scores for all phases. In all cases, the combined scores of all team members are calculated to find the winning team in each event.

Olympic rules T

he rules used in the Olympic Games are the international rules established by the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI). They are the same rules used in international competition for all FEIsanctioned events.

RULES OF SHOWJUMPING A ground jury consisting of various judges and officials (qualified according to FEI standards) inspects the course and judges the competition. Horses must be at least nine years old for Olympic competition. A bell is used to communicate with the competitor to signal when they may enter the arena, alert them to halt or continue after an interruption, or to indicate that the rider is eliminated. Red or white flags are used to mark obstacles or mandatory turns. Jumps generally are categorized as spreads, verticals or water jumps and may be set up in combinations.

FAULTS AND PENALTIES • Four faults are given for each jump knocked down (a pole or one or more parts of the jump falls to the ground). • Four faults are given if one or more hooves leave an impression on the lath surrounding a water jump. • Four faults are given for the first disobedience (such as a run-out or refusal to jump). • One penalty point is given for every four seconds or portion of a second exceeding the time allowed in the first and second rounds and jump-offs not against the clock. • One penalty point is given for each second or portion of a second exceeding the time allowed in a jump-off against the clock. GROUNDS FOR ELIMINATION • Horse falls (shoulders and haunches touch the ground) or rider falls

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• Second disobedience • Uncorrected deviation from the course • Exceeding the time limit

DRESSAGE Dressage competition involves the dressage event and the dressage phase of the eventing competition. Judging for dressage is the most subjective of all of the Olympic equestrian sports. FEI rules outline the standards for each gait and element of the dressage test. Five judges, positioned around the outside of the 20-metre-by-60metre dressage arena, give each element a score, usually from 0 to 10 with some elements being given greater weight by multiplying the score by a ‘coefficient’. The ideal score is 100%. Rules regarding the type of tack and dress that may be used are very strict. Competitors are disqualified if all four hooves land outside of the dressage arena, the horse refuses to perform for over 20 seconds, or the horse or rider falls. Penalties are given to riders who go off track or do not salute properly and for other minor infractions. These are deducted from the overall score. At the Olympic level penalties of this type are rare. EVENTING Eventing is a combined competition that includes phases of showjumping, dressage and cross-country jumping. Rules for showjumping and dressage are similar to those used for the individual events. Cross-country jumps are very imposing and not designed to fall or come apart when struck by a horse, although this is slowly changing due to several deadly accidents involving both horses and riders. Jumps may consist of verticals, spreads and ditches, hills, streams and banks. Judges sit at each obstacle and record any infractions. GENERAL RULES For the cross-country phase, an ‘optimum time’ is established. There is no benefit to finishing earlier than the optimum time, but penalties are given if the rider exceeds the optimum time. Riders may remount after a fall. PENALTIES • First disobedience (such as a run-out or refusal, or circling to re-approach the obstacle): 20 penalties • Second disobedience: 40 penalties • Third disobedience: elimination • Fall of competitor at an obstacle: 65 penalties

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GROUNDS FOR ELIMINATION • Jumping or incurring a fault at an obstacle in the wrong order or passing through a compulsory passage in the wrong order. • Horse is lame or exhausted at the Second Horse Inspection. • Unapproved tack and equipment. • Error of course not corrected. • Missing an obstacle or a compulsory passage. • Jumping an obstacle already jumped. • Jumping an obstacle in the wrong direction. • Abuse of horse such as excessive whipping or spurring. • Fall of horse. • Second fall of competitor.

RULES ACROSS THE ENTIRETY OF EQUESTRIAN AGE REQUIREMENTS Riders are required by the FEI to be a minimum of 16 years old to participate in dressage classes and 18 for showjumping and eventing due to the increased risk posed to both rider and mount. All horses must be at least 9. There is no maximum age for horse or rider. NUMBER OF HORSES AND RIDERS Quotas of horse/rider pairs vary between Games and between each discipline. DRUG RULES Due to a great deal of drug abuse, drug rules for horses were instituted at the 1972 Munich Olympics (although there was no testing at that Games). Currently, there are very strict rules regarding what drugs may be used on the equine athletes of equestrian competition. VETERINARY INSPECTIONS All horses at the Olympics must undergo a veterinary inspection before the Games to ensure they are in good health and not carrying any diseases. Veterinary inspections may also occur throughout the Games.

It’s time for…

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Part 1

Showjumping

at the Olympics T

he format for this year’s Olympic Games is different to the past in that the individual results will be determined before the team results and there are three, rather than four riders in each nation’s squad. This now means there is no longer a drop score, and each horse and rider’s score is important to the team result. It is going to make for exciting jumping! Unfortunately, this does mean numerous riders that would normally represent their country, including the newcomers, are sitting on the side lines as travelling reserves.

TEXT: CHRISTIE WOLHUTER

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FAST FACT

Ashlee Healy’s Hausberger’s Eldo is also by Eldorado vd Zeshoek.

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PHOTOGRAPHY: HILARY O’LEARY

Callaho Warmblood Stud’s magnificent Lissabon. CURRENT LONGINES FEI RANKING 1. Daniel Deusser (GER) 2. Martin Fuchs (SUI) 3. Steve Guerdat (SUI) 4. Scott Brash (GBR) 5. Kent Farrington (USA) 6. Julien Epaillard (FRA) 7. Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA) 8. Max Kuhner (AUT) 9. Darragh Kenny (IRL) 10. Mclain Ward (USA) 11. Pieter Devos (BEL) 12. Ben Maher (GBR) 13. Kevin Staut (FRA) 14. Jessica Springsteen (USA) 15. Marcus Ehning (GER)

GREAT BRITAIN 1. Scott Brash will be riding the Belgian Warmblood gelding Hello Jefferson (Cooper vd Heffinck x Irco Mena). 2. Ben Maher will be riding the KWPN gelding Explosion W (Chacco-Blue x Baloubet du Rouet). 3. Holly Smith will be riding the KWPN gelding Denver (Memphis x Chico’s Boy).

PHOTOGRAPHY: TRACY ROBERTSON

USA 1. Kent Farrington will be riding the Belgian Warmblood mare Gazelle (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Indoctro). 2. Laura Kraut will be riding the Hanoverian gelding Baloutinue (Balou du Rouet x Landor S). 3. Jessica Springsteen will be riding the Belgian Sport Horse stallion Don Juan van de Donkhoeve (Bamako de Muze x Heartbreaker).

GERMANY 1. Daniel Deusser will be riding the Belgian Warmblood mare Killer Queen VDM (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x For Pleasure). 2. Christian Kukuk will be riding the Belgian Warmblood stallion Mumbai (Diamant de Semilly x Nabab de Reve). 3. Andre Thieme will be riding the German Sport Horse mare Chakaria (Chap I x Askari)

NETHERLANDS 1. Maikel van der Vleuten will be riding the Zangersheide gelding Beauville Z (Bustique x Jumpy des Fontaines). 2. Willem Greve will be riding the Holsteiner mare Zypria S N.O.P (Canturo x Lux Z). 3. Marc Houtzager will be riding the KWPN mare Sterrehof’s Dante N.O.P (Canturano x Phin Phin).

SWITZERLAND 1. Martin Fuchs will be riding the Westphalian stallion Clooney 51 (Cornet Obolensky x Ferragamo). 2. Steve Guerdat will be riding the Selle Francais stallion Venard de Cerisy (Open Up Semilly x Djalisco du Guet). 3. Beat Mandli will be riding the KWPN mare Dsarie (Veron x Ahorn).

E Q U E S T R I A N O LY M P I C S

FAST FACT

Lordanos is the sire of Callaho’s Lissabon.

FAST FACT

Steve Guerdat is the London 2012 Individual Gold Medalist.

IRELAND 1. Bertram Allen will be riding the Irish Sport Horse mare Pacino Amiro (Eldiam de Reve x NC Amiro). 2. Darragh Kenny will be riding the Holsteiner stallion VDL Cartello (Cartani x Lord). 3. Cian O’Connor will be riding the Irish Sport Horse gelding Kilkenny P (Cardento x Guidam). ITALY 1. Emanuele Guadiano will be riding the OS gelding Chalou (Chacco-Blue x Baloubet Du Rouet)

FAST FACT Holsteiner mare B-Estelle (Lord x Sacramento Song xx) is the dam of Darragh Kenny’s VDL Cartello and the dam of Cardento (8th ranked stallion in the WBFSH), who is the sire of Cian O’Connor’s Kilkenny P and Harrie Smolders’ Dollin N.O.P. B-Estelle is 70.43 % Thoroughbred, and has the legendary Thoroughbreds Ladykiller xx and Sacramento Song xx in her pedigree.

FAST FACT

One of the broodmares on Callaho’s last auction (Callaho Quinta) was by Quidam de Revel.

PHOTOGRAPHY: NDW PHOTOGRAPHY E Q U E S T R I A N O LY M P I C S

FAST FACT

Nicole Horwood’s top ranked ride Capital Chantilly is by Casall (Casall x Calando V).

PHOTOGRAPHY: HILARY O’LEARY

FRANCE 1. Mathieu Billot will be riding the German Sporthorse gelding Quel Filou 13 (Quidam’s Rubin x Cascavelle). 2. Nicolas Delmotte will be riding the Selle Francais gelding Urvoso du Roch (Nervoso x Grand d’Escla). 3. Penelope Leprevost will be riding the Selle Francais stallion Vancouver de Lanlore (Toulon x Le Tot de Semilly).

SWEDEN 1. Peder Fredericson will be riding the Belgian Warmblood gelding H&M All In (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Andiamo). 2. Malin Baryard-Johnsson will be riding the Belgian Warmblood mare H&M Indiana (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Animo’s Hallo). 3. Henrik von Eckermann will be riding the Belgian Warmblood gelding King Edward (Edward 28 x Feo).

E Q U E S T R I A N O LY M P I C S

FAST FACT

Branic Stud’s Qino D’eclipse is also by Quidam de Revel.

PHOTOGRAPHY: HILARY O’LEARY

FAST FACT

Hummer van het Bevrijdthof (Cardento x Action Breaker) combines Capitol I x Lord with Heartbreaker, through Action Breaker.

PREVIOUS RESULTS RIO 2016 INDIVIDUAL JUMPING RESULTS GOLD - Nick Skelton (GBR) on Big Star (Quick Star x Nimmerdor). SILVER - Peder Fredricson (SWE) on H&M All In (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Andiamo Z). BRONZE - Eric Lamaze (CAN) on Fine Lady 5 (Forsyth FRH x Drosselklang II). France won the team Gold in 2016. LONDON 2012 INDIVIDUAL JUMPING RESULTS GOLD - Steve Guerdat (SUI) on Nino Des Buissonnets (Kannan x Narcos II). SILVER - Gerco Schroder (NED) on Glock’s London (Nabab de Reve x Chin Chin). BRONZE - Cian O’Connor (IRL) on Blue Loyd 12 (Landor S x Hadj A x). Great Britain won the Team Gold in 2012.

E Q U E S T R I A N O LY M P I C S

FAST FACT

Peder Fredericson won the Silver Medal at the Rio 2016 Games on the same horse that he is competing on in Tokyo, H&M All In.

BELGIUM 1. Niels Bruynseels will be riding the Belgian Sport Horse gelding Delux van T & L (Toulon x Landetto). 2. Jerome Guery will be riding the Holsteiner stallion Quel Homme de Hus (Quidam de Revel x Candillo Z). 3. Gregory Wathelet will be riding the Polish Warmblood stallion Nevados S (Calvados Z x Romualdo). BRAZIL 1. Pedro Veniss will be riding the Selle Francais stallion Quabri De L’Isle (Kannan x Socrate de Chivre). 2. Marlon Zanotelli will be riding the KWPN VDL Edgar (Arezzo VDL x Marlon). 3. Rodrigo Pessoa will be riding the Holsteiner gelding Carlito’s Way (Casall x Lordanos). AUSTRALIA 1. Edwina Tops-Alexander will be riding the Belgian Warmblood mare Identity Vitseroel (Air Jordan x Darco).

EGYPT 1. Nayel Nassar will be riding the Belgian Warmblood gelding Igor van de Wittemoere (Cooper vd Heffinck x Orlando). He won the Longines GP of Switzerland in June 2021. ISRAEL 1. Ashlee Bond will be riding the Westphalian gelding Donatello 141 (Diarado x Lamoureux I). PORTUGAL 1. Luciana Diniz will be riding the Selle Francais gelding Vertigo Du Desert (Mylord Carthago x Robin II Z).

FAST FACT

Callaho’s stallion Cartier is by Casall (Casall x Corrado I).

E Q U E S T R I A N O LY M P I C S

COUNTRIES THAT HAVE HELD THE OLYMPIC GAMES 1896 Athens, Greece (no equestrian games) 1900 Paris, France 1904 St. Louis, United States (no equestrian games) 1908 London, Great Britain (no equestrian games) 1912 Stockholm, Sweden 1916 Berlin, Germany - Cancelled 1920 Antwerp, Belgium 1924 Paris, France 1928 Amsterdam, Netherlands 1932 Los Angeles, United States 1936 Berlin, Germany 1940, Tokyo, Japan - Cancelled 1944, London, Great Britain - Cancelled 1948, London, Great Britain 1952 Helsinki, Finland 1956 Stockholm, Sweden 1960 Rome, Italy 1964 Tokyo, Japan 1968 Mexico City, Mexico 1972 Munich, Germany 1976 Montreal, Canada 1980 Lake Placid, United States 1984 Los Angeles, United States 1988 Seoul, South Korea 1992 Barcelona, Spain 1996 Atlanta, United States 2000 Sydney, Australia 2004 Athens, Greece 2008 Beijing, China 2012 London, Great Britain 2016 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

E Q U E S T R I A N O LY M P I C S

Part 2

Showjumping

Overview of the breeding of the Showjumping

Olympic Stars AND THEIR REPRESENTATION ON SOUTH AFRICAN SOIL

ince the Olympics are the pinnacle of the sport it is fascinating to have a look at the overall breeding of the mares, geldings and stallions competing. Whilst pedigree never guarantees success in any equestrian discipline, there are top bloodlines that are regularly represented at the top of the sport. The results of the sons and daughters of these stallions determine the ranking of the WBFSH stallions, and 2020 has been an interesting year in the rankings. There is a mix of new sires by the old greats, and the crossing of dominant lines to produce these horses performing at the pinnacle of the sport.

TEXT: CHRISTIE WOLHUTER

E Q U E S T R I A N O LY M P I C S

PHOTOGRAPHY: HILARY O’LEARY

Nicole Horwood on Capital Night Star (Toulon x Darco)

E Q U E S T R I A N O LY M P I C S

WBFSH RANKINGS 2020 1st - Chacco-Blue (Chambertin x Contender). 2nd - Diamant de Semilly (Le Tot de Semilly x Elf III). 3rd - Toulon (Heartbreaker x Jokinal de Bornival). 4th - M ylord Carthago (Carthago x Jalisco B). 5th - Casall (Caretino x Lavall I). 6th - Berlin (Cassini I x Caretino). 7th - K ashmir van Schuttershof (Nabab de Reve x Tenor Manciais). 8th - Cardento (Capitol I x Lord). 9th - Nabab de Reve (Quidam de Revel x Artichaut). 10th - Diarado (Diamant de Semilly x Corrado I).

RELEVANCE TO SOUTH AFRICA Just about all of the horses represented at the Olympics have breeding that is available in South Africa, from horses bred at the big studs like Callaho, Capital and Rivendell, amongst others, to direct semen being available from De Bruyn Equine, Embriosem and Iconic Sires. These lines are also available at smaller studs due to the use of imported stallions and frozen semen directly from Europe. STAND-OUT BREEDING AND ITS REFLECTION HERE The stallion best represented at this year's Games is the Selle Francais Kashmir van Schuttershof. Kashmir is the sire of Kent Farrington’s Gazelle, Peder Fredericson’s H&M All In and Malin Baryard-Johnsson’s H&M Indiana. Kashmir is one of the best sons of Nabab de Reve and clearly has already made his stamp on international breeding. Nabab de Reve himself is represented in these Games by his direct progeny as well as by his daughters, who are producing top horses. Nabab seems to do well as both a sire and a dam sire, and crosses very well with Darco. Darco, after all, is a famous dam-sire and a favourite of Henning Pretorius of Capital Stud. Lorette and Barry Taylor’s Nabab Forever was a son of Nabab de Reve. Grant Langley’s Berlioz Des Hauts Droits is another Nabab de Reve, who has proven himself time and time again in the South African showjumping ring. Mylord Carthago (Carthago x Jalisco B) is seen frequently

in both the direct sire and dam sire lines in this year’s Games. Mylord Carthago’s own dam Fragance de Chalus is famous in her own right and is by the great French Jalisco B. She is over 70% Arab and Thoroughbred. Fragrance de Chalus also produced Bamako de Muze, the sire of Jessica Springsteen’s ride for the USA, Don Juan van de Donkhoeve. Then, Jalisco B is also the sire of the possibly even more famous Quidam de Revel, who is the sire of Nabab de Reve. Jalisco served for only 3 breeding seasons, but over 33 of his progeny have jumped 1.60m. Capital Ayden the stallion purchased for a record price at the Capital 2020 auction is by Arezzo VDL x Mylord Carthago. Arezzo VDL is Chin Chin out of a Heartbreaker mare and is represented at this year’s games by Marlon Zanotelli’s VDL Edgar. Cooper vd Heffinck is the sire of Scott Brash’s Hello Jefferson and Nayel Nassar’s Igor van de Wittemoere. Cooper vd Heffinck is by Caretino (by Caletto

E Q U E S T R I A N O LY M P I C S

Ronnie Healy and Capital Magic Boy (Toulon x Darco)

PHOTOGRAPHY: HILARY O’LEARY

II), who is also the sire of Casall and the dam-sire of Berlin (Cassini I x Caretino). There are two Toulon sons competing in the showjumping at Tokyo. South Africa seems to back that breeding talent as two Toulon sons fetched fantastic prices at the Capital Stud auctions. The first was Capital Magic Boy (Toulon x Darco) at the auction in 2017 and a repeat of that breeding was available in the form of Capital Night Star (Toulon x Darco), who also sold in the 2018 Auction for a fantastic price. Diamant de Semilly is seen both as a sire and dam-sire in the horses competing at Tokyo. He is also seen slightly further back in the pedigrees of many of the horses. The legendary stallion is popular in South Africa and is the sire of Harrie Smolders’ past ride Emerald Van ‘T Ruytershof who is out of Carthina Z by Carthago. Emerald was then crossed with a Nabab de Reve mare to produce I’m Special de Muze. French Diamond is another direct

E Q U E S T R I A N O LY M P I C S

Diamant de Semilly standing in SA. He is out of a Quidam de Revel mare. Chacco-Blue is the number 1 ranked sire on the WBFSH and is well represented in South Africa and, of course, at the Olympics, being popular with breeders. Locarno Chacoelo is a Chacco-Blue Namibian Warmblood, standing in SA and being campaigned by Lorette Knowles-Taylor.

SUMMARY To summarise this would be to say that breeding in South Africa is certainly very exciting. If the Olympic showjumping breeding is anything to go by, which one has to assume it is, the South African breeders appear to be absolutely on-point with the lines selected for our market. Other challenges of course present themselves to South Africans looking to compete overseas, but it seems the horses we have the opportunity of sitting on, are not going to be a limiting factor.

Part 3

Showjumping

Horse and rider combinations to watch

at the Olympics T

his year's Olympic Showjumping in Tokyo is going to be an exciting spectacle of horse and rider partnerships. Here we take a look at some of the favourites for the medals, but as one knows with equestrian disciplines, a result is never guaranteed!

TEXT: CHRISTIE WOLHUTER

E Q U E S T R I A N O LY M P I C S

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VIDEO OF BEN MAHER AND EXPLOSION W AT THEIR LAST WIN.

INDIVIDUAL MEDALS Ben Maher (GBR) and Explosion W (Chacco-Blue x Baloubet du Rouet) showed they are a hot favourites by winning the CSI5* Rolex Grand Prix at the Royal Windsor Show on the 4th of July 2021. Maher, currently ranked 12th, had this to say about his horse, “I've said it before, but Explosion is just incredible. He helped me out a bit today, but he jumps better faster and he was fantastic.” Ben has also said about his phenomenal mount: “Every time I ride him, he makes me feel like I can do anything”.

E Q U E S T R I A N O LY M P I C S

Steve Guerdat (SUI) took the Silver in the same Windsor 5* with his Olympic mount Venard de Cerisy (Open Up Semilly x Djalisco du Guet).

▲ VIDEO OF MARTIN FUCHS AND CLOONEY 51

▲ VIDEO OF DANIEL DEUSSER & KILLER QUEEN Martin Fuchs (SUI) rounded up the podium with Bronze at the Windsor 5* on Clooney 51 (Cornet Obolensky x Ferragamo). He also won the FEI Jumping European Championships in Rotterdam in 2019. He is currently ranked number 2 in the FEI rankings.

Daniel Deusser (GER) and the phenomenal mare Killer Queen VDM (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x For Pleasure) will be another pair to watch, as Daniel is currently ranked number 1 in the FEI standings.

E Q U E S T R I A N O LY M P I C S

TEAM MEDALS In terms of team Gold, it is almost impossible to predict a favourite. Just about all of the dominant jumping nations have team members that are strong enough to cinch Gold. Scott Brash (GBR) recently won the CSI5* at the Tops Arena aboard his Olympic ride Hello Jefferson (Cooper vd Heffinck x Irco Mena). Scott had this to say about his win “I am delighted with the way Jefferson is jumping. He feels in great form and you couldn't have a better preparation for the Olympics”.

Belgium won the European Championships at Rotterdam in 2019

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Nicolas Delmotte (FRA) and his Olympic ride Urvoso du Roch (Nervoso x Grand d’Escla) recently won the Rolex Grand Prix of Chantilly. He had this to say about his calculated round “As we leave for Tokyo in a few days, I didn't want to take the risk, but I still wanted to win. My choice was right in the end and I am very proud of my horse. He is in extraordinary shape”.

Number 5 ranked Kent Farrington (USA) and his mare Gazelle (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Indoctro) can never be ruled out of the medals. They have an extraordinary number of wins between them, over many years.

E Q U E S T R I A N O LY M P I C S

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Darragh Kenny has also been in top form recently and managed to secure no less than three podium finishes in one afternoon at the 5* Global Champions Tour fixture in Spain in May this year on VDL Cartelo (Cartani x Lord).

Germany won the Nations Cup in Sopot in June this year. Here you can see Mumbai and Chakaria in action for Germany, part of the winning team.

MUMBAI AND CHAKARIA IN ACTION FOR GERMANY 39

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Olympic Games 2016 in Rio – the winners SHOWJUMPING GOLD Big Star (Quick Star x Nimmerdor) ridden by Nick Skelton

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DRESSAGE GOLD Valegro (Negro x Gershwin) ridden by Charlotte Dujardin

EVENTING GOLD Sam (Stan the Man xx out of a mare by Heraldik) ridden by Michael Jung

E Q U E S T R I A N O LY M P I C S

Part 1

Dressage

at the Olympics TEXT: CHRISTIE WOLHUTER

RIO 2016 INDIVIDUAL RESULTS Gold - Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) on Valegro (Negro x Gershwin). Silver - Isabell Werth (GER) on Weihegold OLD (Don Schufro x Sandro Hit). Bronze - Kristina Broring-Sprehe (GER) on Desperados FRH (De Niro x Wolkenstein II). Germany won the team Gold.

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E Q U E S T R I A N O LY M P I C S

Notable absence of Mount St John Freestyle for Charlotte Dujardin.

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SOUTH AFRICA 1. The 37-year old Tanya Seymour will be representing her country on the 19-year old Oldenburg gelding Ramoneur (by Rohdiamant x Alabaster). Go Tanya!

GREAT BRITAIN 1. Charlotte Dujardin will be competing on her own 10 year old gelding KWPN Gio (Apache x Tango).

▲ E Q U E S T R I A N O LY M P I C S

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2. Carl Hester will be competing on the KWPN stallion En Vogue (Jazz x Contango). 3. 2 5 year old Olympic debutant Charlotte Fry will be competing on her and Van Olst Horses’ 12 year old KWPN stallion Everdale (Lord Leatherdale x Negro).

GERMANY 1. Jessica von Bredow-Werndl will be competing on the Trakhener mare TSF Dalera BB (Easy Game by Gribaldi x Handryk) 2. Dorothee Schneider will be competing on the Hanoverian gelding Showtime FRH (Sandro Hit x Rotspon) 3. I sabell Werth will be competing on the Westphalian mare Bella Rose (Belissimo M out of a mare by Anglo Arab stallion Cacir). Her other option is the Oldenburger mare Weihegold (Don Schufro x Sandro Hit).

DENMARK 1. Cathrine Dufour will be competing on the liver chestnut Westphalian gelding Bohemian (Bordeaux 28 x Samarant)

SWEDEN 1. Juliette Ramel will be riding the KWPN gelding Buriel K.h (Osmium x Krack C). 2. Therese Nilshagen will be riding the Oldenburger stallion Dante Weltino (Danone 4 x Welt Hit). 3. Patrik Kittel will be riding the CH mare Well Done De La Roche (Furstentraum x Walt Disney).

▲ FAST FACT Blue Hors Zack is completely blind in one eye and Simone Pearce’s Destano is partially blind in one eye as well.

NETHERLANDS 1. Edward Gal will be riding the Hanoverian stallion Glock’s Total US (Totilas x Sir Donnherhall I).

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2. Carina Cassoe Kruth will be competing on the Danish Warmblood mare Heiline’s Danciera (Furstenball x De Niro) 3. N anna Skodborg Merrald will be competing on the KWPN stallion Blue Hors Zack (Rousseau x Jazz) or Atterupgaards Orthilia, a mare by Gribaldi out of Donnerschlag.

Glock stallions

E Q U E S T R I A N O LY M P I C S

2. Hans Peter Minderhoud will be riding the KWPN stallion Glock’s Dream Boy N.O.P (Vivaldi x Ferro).

▲ 3. Marlies van Baalen will be riding the KWPN gelding Go Legend (Totilas x Olympic Ferro).

SPAIN 1. Severo Jurado Lopez will be competing on the KWPN gelding Fendi T (Negro x Lester). 2. Beatriz Ferrer-Salat will be riding the KWPN gelding Elegance (Negro x Monaco). 3. Jose Antonio Garcia Mena will be competing on the Westphalian gelding Sorento 15 (Sandro Bedo x Florestan I). FAST FACT Beatriz Ferrer-Salat and Beauvalais were the Individual Bronze medallists at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

USA 1. Adrienne Lyle will be competing on the Hanoverian stallion Salvino (Sandro Hit x Donnerhall). 2. Steffen Peters will be competing on the KWPN gelding Suppenkasper (Spielberg x Krack C). 3. Sabine Schut-Kery will be competing on the Hanoverian stallion Sanceo (San Remo by Sandro Hit x Ramiro’s Son II). AUSTRALIA 1. 26 year old Simone Pearce will be competing on the Hanoverian stallion Destano. Simone is an Olympic CURRENT FEI RANKINGS debutant but is the current Australian record holder 1. Isabel Werth on Bella Rose 2 in the Grand Prix, Freestyle and Special. Destano is a 2. Jessica von Bredow-Werndl on TSF Dalera BB striking black Hanoverian by Desperados FRH (De Niro x 3. Isabel Werth on Weihegold OLD Wolkenstein II) out of a mare by Bretano II. 4. Dorothee Schneider on Showtime FRH 2. Mary Hannah (66) will be competing on the KWPN 5. Charlotte Dujardin on Mount St John Freestyle Calanta (Glock’s Johnson x Goodtimes). 6. Cathrine Dufour on Bohemian 3. Kelly Layne will be competing on the Oldenburger 7. Cathrine Dufour on Atterupgaards Cassidy Samhitas (Sir Donnerhall I x Abanos by Alabaster).

E Q U E S T R I A N O LY M P I C S

FRANCE 1. Alexandre Ayache will be riding the KWPN gelding Zo What (Scandic x Cocktail). 2. Morgan Barbancon will be riding the Oldenburger stallion Sir Donnerhall II (Sandro Hit x Donnerhall). 3. Maxime Collard will be riding the KWPN stallion Cupido Pb (Painted Black x Jazz). FAST FACT Patrik Kittel was placed 4th at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon in 2018. Patrik has won 5 times in 2021, and has scored 86.115 % in the Grand Prix Freestyle in Stockholm in 2019. Here he is at the 2019 FEI Nations Cup

▲ BELGIUM 1. Laurence Roos will be riding the Belgian warmblood gelding Fil Rouge (Stedinger x Argentinus).

2. Domien Michiels will be riding the Belgian warmblood gelding Intermezzo Van Het Meerdaalhof (Gribaldi x Balzflug). 3. Larissa Pauluis will be riding the gelding Flambeau (Ampere x Zeoliet).

PORTUGAL 1. Joao Miguel Torrao will be riding the Lusitano stallion Equador (Quo Vadis x Hostil). 2. Rodrigo Torres will be riding the Lusitano gelding Fogoso (Rico x Raja). 3. Maria Caetano will be riding the Lusitano stallion Fenix De Tineo (Rubi x Oheide).

AUSTRIA 1. Victoria Max-Theurer will be riding the Westphalian gelding Abegglen (Ampere x Carabas). 2. Christian Schumach will be riding the Holsteiner gelding Te Quiero (Totilas x Loutano). 3. Florian Bacher will be riding the Oldenburger gelding Fidertraum (Fidertanz 2 x Rubinstein I).

E Q U E S T R I A N O LY M P I C S

Part 2

Dressage

Horse and rider combinations to watch

at the Olympics H

ere we take a little dive into the horses and riders competing in the Dressage at the Tokyo Olympics. It’s fair to say there has been lots of shuffling and withdrawal of riders prior to this Olympics. The heat in Japan is a concern for some of the horses, and a few have been withdrawn due to this

E Q U E S T R I A N O LY M P I C S

The most notable withdrawal to date has been Charlotte Dujardin’s expected ride, Mount St John Freestyle. Freestyle’s owner Emma Blundell mentioned in a statement on Instagram: “Having been delighted to make the GB team short list for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics with Freestyle and Charlotte, we are devastated that she’s not maintained sufficient fitness to cope with the long travel and extreme climate required to perform at her best. It has been decided together with Carl, Charlotte, the vets and selectors that she should be saved for a later date”. This has been a big shake up for team GB as it was thought that Charlotte on Freestyle was the candidate most likely to give Isabel Werth a run for her money. Charlotte has had 5 wins at Grand Prix level between 2020 and 2021 with the 10 year old Gio (Apache x Tango) and he will be her mount for the Games.

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MARES FOR THE WIN Gone are the days where stallions alone are at the pinnacle of the sport in Dressage. The top three ranked FEI horses are mares, two of whom are ridden by Isabell Werth. Isabell Werth and Bella Rose 2 were the Gold Medallists at the FEI World Equestrian Games in Tryon in 2018. Isabel has had 4 wins at Grand Prix level on Bella Rose this year alone, and a massive 35 wins in total. She scored over 90.8% in the Freestyle at Rotterdam in 2019 and took her 19th European title and Gold with Bella Rose in the Grand Prix Special in Rotterdam.

Isabell has said that Bella Rose is the horse of her career. Bella Rose is a lightly built, athletic mare, quite different from the recent norm seen in the Dressage breeding world. This may be due to the fact that her dam sire is the purebred Anglo Arab Cacir. Her sire, Belissimo M is the sire of Callaho stud’s famous Benicio. Benico’s score for dressage in his Stallion Performance Test was 9.88, a score that beat his own father’s score, years before. Rivendell Stud in the Cape also has a stallion by Belissimo M, in the form of Rivendell Beregond (Belissimo M x Wolkentanz x Bergkristall). Olympic debutant and second ranked Jessica von BredowWerndl and Dalera, a Trakehner mare, won leg three of the Western European League in Stuttgart in 2019. It was a thrilling win, especially as it put Jessica’s German teammate Isabell Werth into second place with the formidable Weihegold OLD.

Jessica and Dalera scored 89.64% in the Grand Prix Freestyle in February 2020 and 84.766% in the Grand Prix Special in June 2021. At the CDI Hagen in April this year Jessica won the Grand Prix Special. Jessica has this to say about Dalera: “Dalera is a very, very special mare as she is the cutest in the world when you are cuddling her and working with her on the ground, but as soon as you sit on her she wants to give you her very best. She is very eager, willing to work and feels like a Rockstar in competition. She really wants to present herself in competition and she enjoys it”. Her personality perfectly shows the typical breed traits of a Trakehner: good natured, even tempered, but with an energy and athleticism that matches their work ethic.

E Q U E S T R I A N O LY M P I C S

Callaho Warmblood Stud’s impressive Benicio.

KEEP AN EYE ON Catherine Dufour is another one to keep an eye on at Tokyo. She and Bohemian have beaten Isabell and Jessica at the FEI Dressage World Cup in Aarhus in 2020. She had 4 wins in 2020 and 2 in 2021 on Bohemian.

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▲ E Q U E S T R I A N O LY M P I C S

Showtime FRH (Sandro Hit x Rotspon) and Dorothee scored 90.561% for the Freestyle at Rotterdam in 2019 to secure Silver, with Isabell in Gold on Bella Rose and Jessica in Bronze on Dalera.

PHOTOGRAPHY: HILARY O’LEARY

Dominey Alexander on Daddy Cool.

Showtime FRH’s (Dorothee Schneider’s mount) damsire Rostpon is found in SA breeding at Von Ghaku Hannoveraners as he is the sire of the winning 2-3 year old at the SA Warmblood Young Stock show, Von Ghaku Rembrandt (Rotspon x De Niro). The Von Ghaku Stud have Benicio, De Niro, Sir Donnerhall, Wolkenstein II, amongst others, in their immediate lines so they are a stud to watch out for in dressage breeding here in SA. They, like many others, have seen the potential in Daddy Cool (Don Index x Lauries Crusader xx), who has produced some fantastic foals already and stands with Dominey and Karen Alexander at Cellehof Stud. Rivendell Stud also have dressage lines including De Niro, Wolkenstein II, Wolkentanz, Rotspon, Ampere, amongst others.

E Q U E S T R I A N O LY M P I C S

PHOTOGRAPHY: HILARY O’LEARY

We think Germany is the team to beat for the Gold Medal!

Simone Pearce has had 6 wins at Grand Prix level between 2020 and 2021 with her latest score on Destano in the Freestyle at 81.385%. Simone is an Olympic debutant but is the current Australian record holder in the Grand Prix, Free Style and Special. Glock’s Dream Boy (Vivaldi x Ferro) ridden by Hans Peter Minderhoud recently won the Grand Prix Special at Rotterdam with a score of 78.894%. Dream Boy has had 2 wins at Grand Prix level in 2021. Glock’s Total US (Totilas x Sir Donnherhall I) recently came third in the Grand Prix with Edward Gal, and second in the Grand Prix Kur to music at the CDIO in Rotterdam. Edward is famous for his partnership with the great Totilas (Gribaldi x Glendale), who never actually competed in the Olympics. However, Edward will be riding his son Total US and has another Totilas son Glock’s Toto Jr as his reserve. Everdale and Lottie (Charlotte) Fry’s best score is 76.848% at Grand Prix (5 May 2021) and 82.62% in Grand Prix Freestyle (Olympia, 2019). Everdale’s dam sire is Negro (Ferro x Variant), the sire of the multiple Olympic champion Valegro. Val Olst Horses have had great success using Negro as a dam sire. Everdale’s sire Lord Leatherdale, is seeming to breed consistently high performing sons. Glamourdale (Lord Leatherdale x Negro), also ridden by Lottie, is a horse to look out for in the future. Ambeck stud have bred horses by Glamourdale, Furstenball, Sir Donnerhall and Negro.

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Jazz is, as one would expect, very well represented at these Games. He is best represented in South Africa by Desperado (Jazz x Gribaldi), the KWPN black stallion being campaigned by Catherine Berning. Horses featuring Jazz at this Olympics include Carl Hester’s En Vogue, Nanna Skodborg Merrald’s Blue Hors Zack and Maxime Collard’s Cupido Pb. Sandro Hit is very prominent in the pedigrees of the horses competing in dressage at Tokyo - not just in the immediate pedigree, but in dam-lines as well as in previous generations. In South Africa our most accomplished Sandro Hit son is Vinducath (Sandro Hit x Casimir). There are also plenty of crossings of the legendary Sandro Hit and Donnerhall in the horses competing at the Olympics, as well as two notable features of sire Donnerhall I (Sandro Hit x Donnerhall) as a sire.

CLERICAL ERROR The Dutch rider expected to finish up the team Dinja van Liere underwent a heart-breaking experience with her top horse, Hermes. An apparent clerical error at the FEI listed a Dutch owner as a German, thus making the horse ineligible for Olympic participation. The error was not discovered until qualification scores were submitted, several months after the deadline.

Weltstar stud in KZN have an interesting mix of imported mares with breeding relevant to the horses competing at Tokyo. The lovely mare Weltstar Destania is by Simone Pearce’s ride Destano (Desperados FRH x Brentano II) out of a Rotspon/Lancier mare.

A FINAL NOTE Just about all of the top lines represented at the Olympics can be acquired through the fantastic small and large dressage studs in South Africa, as well as imported semen via De Bruyn Equine, Iconic Sires and Embriosem.

Weltstar stud in KZN have a rare Vivaldi mare standing at stud, Weltstar Evita (Vivaldi x Gabor). Vivaldi (Krack C x Jazz) has had exceptional success as a stallion. The son Vivino (Vivaldi x Dancier) sold to Helgstrand-Schockemohle for a record price of 2 million Euros in 2018.

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Steve Caley with Everdale.

INTERVIEW: AMELIA CAMPBELL-HORNE

Steven Caley Groom to team GBR Dressage rider Charlotte Fry

or anyone that has had the opportunity to ride or work with horses in a first world country, you will have quickly come to appreciate the equestrian lifestyle here in South Africa, and how amazing our grooms are! In Europe if you are work riding, odds are you will be grooming too, and in a yard of 20 plus horses you would be fortunate to work with two other grooms/riders. Regardless of how different the life of a groom in Europe is to Africa, I’m sure we can all agree that being groom to an Olympic horse and rider is a huge privilege. HQ was fortunate enough to have a quick chat with Steven Caley who has just landed in Tokyo! He is groom to Charlotte Fry and the gorgeous Everdale: members of this year’s British Olympic Dressage Team alongside Charlotte Dujardin and Carl Hester! HQ: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your horsey background? Steven: My name is Steven Caley. I’m 26 years old and from the Isle of Man. I always grew up as an animal lover and often visited my grandparents’ farm. The horses were in a field right next

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to the front door and I loved patting them and being sat on top from a young age - that’s where my passion for horses began. I started riding at 7 or 8 years old and I was hooked! I also owned a couple of ponies when I was growing up. I caught the dressage bug watching the legendary Totilas with Edward Gal and being totally transfixed by the power he created. Then, of course, by Valegro and Charlotte Dujardin! I decided to turn my love of horses into a career, and I moved to Gloucester (England) to Hartpury College to study Equestrian Sports Science where I obtained a First-Class Honours Degree. It was at Hartpury that I met Carl Hester, and that led to working for him and meeting loads of my idols! I even got to warm up some horses for Charlotte Dujardin and work with super groom Alan Davies!! In 2019 Carl found me a job with Van Olst Horses in the Netherlands with Anne and Gert-Jan Van Olst, where I do a bit of everything! I love riding as well as the grooming and feel lucky to have ridden Lord Leatherdale before he moved to the UK. I also take care of Charlotte (Lottie) Fry’s top string of horses, so that includes Everdale, Glamourdale, Chippendale, Kjento, Inclusive and lots of young stars!

Charlotte Fry and Everdale.

HQ: So, your athlete is Charlotte Fry, who is clearly following in mom’s footsteps as she is daughter of Olympic dressage rider Laura Fry! Can you tell us about her? Steven: Lottie has got to be one of the most focused and driven riders I have ever met! She is up at the crack of dawn almost seven days a week and simply lives and breathes horses! She really is great fun and a lovely girl. HQ: And, of course, there is the gorgeous “black-beauty” that is Everdale… Steven: Yes, Everdale or ‘Evert’ as we like to call him is a 12 year old, 17.2hh black stallion (Lord Leatherdale x Negro), owned by Van Olst horses, competing at Grand Prix level. He is strikingly beautiful and has such presence - a real head-turner wherever we go! A powerhouse, but with a gorgeous personality who loves to be pampered and get kisses! He also loves his food and is always up for treats!

HQ: So how did this Olympic journey actually begin? Steven: I think Lottie and Evert have always been destined for greatness, and the Olympics has definitely been a goal for a few years now! Lottie has trained Everdale up through the levels and they are a great partnership. Both Lottie (25) and I (26) are still quite young, and this is our first Olympics, so it is an unknown quantity for us, but we’re both up for the challenge and excited to get going! HQ: And when did you know you would be going with them? Steven: I was asked by Lottie if I would groom for the Olympics in May 2021. Then, of course, you must wait for team selection… I am honoured to be grooming at an Olympic Games. However I also love to ride, so a mini goal of mine is to have both groomed and ridden at an Olympic Games!

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HQ: How have things progressed since being announced as a team member? Steven: Well, we have been planning as if we were selected for a while now and, of course, selection was confirmed! Preparation is key, so the relevant checks were carried out well in advance such as teeth, physio, saddle fitting and Everdale is in great form! We felt that it was important to keep the horses’ routines as normal as possible in the lead up to the Games and during the quarantine period so that included regular training and stretching sessions and of course, plenty of grazing and pampering! Rest time is also crucial for the horses, especially during time away from home and long journeys.

Charlotte Fry

HQ: So, I believe you have already started the journey? Tell us, how have things progressed? Steven: We spent seven days with most of the other Olympic dressage horses in Aachen (Germany). We also brought Lottie’s direct reserve horse, Dark Legend. It was a fantastic experience, with great facilities and invaluable to watch the best of the best training! The horses then flew from Liege (Belgium) in the early hours of the 14th of July, with ¾ of Team GB’s horses, and thankfully all went well! Alan Davies (Carl Hester’s international/Olympic groom) is Team GB’s nominated flying groom. He is so experienced, and you couldn’t wish for someone better to care of your horses. I flew ahead of them with the other dressage grooms (Lucy Scudamore and Steph Sharples) to meet the horses there. The grooms will then travel home on the 31st of July. HQ: And tell us, what are your roles and responsibilities, and is there anything you are particularly excited or nervous about? Steven: As a groom, my responsibility is the general dayto-day care of the horses. Keeping them healthy and happy is of upmost importance as well as providing plenty of cuddles and treats! I have been keeping rectal temperature charts twice a day 10 days before and during quarantine due to the EHV (Equine Herpes Virus) scare as well. As this is my first Olympic experience, I’m so excited to see the magic unfold! Just being there with a horse like Everdale is already an amazing opportunity, so anything

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else is a bonus! And as for nervous… I would be nervous about plaits falling out....or finding out I’d left something important at home!! HQ: And given the times we are currently living in, I have to ask, has COVID impacted your Olympic travel plans and preparation? Steven: COVID has really caused a lot of extra hassle for everyone globally. Obviously, the lack of competitions has not been the best preparation for an Olympic Games. However, many have taken the time to focus on training the basics and that can only be a positive. Beyond that, in the

CONTACT FACEBOOK: https://www. facebook.com/ste.caley.1 INSTAGRAM: @stevencaley – for any inside scoops and behind the scenes

lead up to and including the quarantine, testing has been strict and often, but thankfully there was a PCR test facility five-minute’s walk from the show ground, which was useful! Of course, COVID has also led to less mixing between nations at the stables and it will be strange competing with no crowd too! I am interested to see how the horses perform with little-to-no atmosphere…

HQ: Who are your favourites for the team and individual events? Steven: I feel that the Germans are looking extremely strong. In the team competition it is a battle between Britain, Denmark, USA and The Netherlands for the remaining two medals. Individually I feel that, once again, Germany could take a couple of medals. However, Charlotte Dujardin (GBR) and Cathrine Dufour (Denmark) are looking in great form. Edward Gal (Netherlands) and Hans Peter Minderhoud (Netherlands) have been scoring highly in recent competitions… But the standard at the moment in the sport leaves the door open for anyone!

HQ: So, given all the changes to the format, what are your expectations for the Olympics? And are you hopefully going to be coming home with a medal? Steven: I feel that Tokyo 2020 will be a different Games for sure, but a great Games, nonetheless. Everyone is excited to get going and give it their all! And for sure there is a good chance Great Britain can medal at these Games. I feel that the team competition looks interesting for medal hopes!

HQ: Finally.. What comes next after the Olympics for your whole team? Steven: After the Olympics I’m sure Everdale will have some easier days to recuperate. It is always important not to over-do things and after a long adventure in difficult climate conditions, rest is on the cards! Hopefully for me too! Lottie for sure will remain her motivated self and be pushing for European Team selection and the KWPN PAVO Cup with the younger horses.

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WHAT IS THE OLYMPIC FLAME? The Olympic Flame is a symbol used to demonstrate the continuity between the ancient and modern Olympic Games. Several months before each Olympic Games, the Olympic flame is lit at Olympia, Greece. This ceremony starts the Olympic torch relay, which formally ends with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. The flame then continues to burn for the duration of the Games and is extinguished during the Olympic Games closing ceremony.

Part 1

Eventing

at the Olympics TEXT: CHRISTIE WOLHUTER

RIO 2016 INDIVIDUAL RESULTS Gold - Michael Jung (GER) on Sam (Stan the Man xx out of mare by Heraldik). Silver - Astier Nicolas (FRA) on Piaf de B’Neville (Cap de B’Neville x Reve d’Elle by Jalisco B). Bronze - Phillip Dutton (USA) on Mighty Nice ISH (by Ard Ohio x Penistone). France won Team Gold.

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KEY ISH - Irish Sport Horse SF - Selle Francais xx - Thoroughbred TRAK - Trakhener AA - Anglo Arab HOLST - Holsteiner WF - Westphalian HANN - Hannoverian KWPN - Dutch Warmblood BWP - Belgian Warmblood Z - Zangersheide

FEI WORLD EVENTING RANKINGS 1. Oliver Townend (GBR) 2. Tim Price (NZ) 3. Piggy March (GBR) 4. Christopher Burton (AUS) 5. Tom McEwen (GBR) 6. Boyd Martin (USA) 7. Jonelle Price (NZL) 8. Alexander Bragg (GBR) 9. Lauren Nicholson (USA) 10. Stuart Tinney (AUS) 11. Michael Jung (GER) 12. Sarah Bullimore (GBR) 13. Phillip Dutton (USA)

SOUTH AFRICA 1. Victoria Scott-Legendre will be representing South Africa on the Selle Francais gelding Valtho Des Peupliers (Tinka’s Boy KWPN x Rosire). Good luck, Victoria! FAST FACT

Vandiver and Tsetserleg are half-brothers as they are both by Windfall (TRAK).

GREAT BRITAIN 1. Laura Collett will be riding the Holsteiner gelding London 52 (Landos by Lord x Quinar by Quidam de Revel). 2. Tom McEwen will be riding the Selle Francais gelding Toledo de Kerser (Diamant de Semilly x Papillon Rouge). 3. Oliver Townend will be riding the Irish Sport Horse Ballaghmore Class (Courage II (Holst) out of ISH mare Kilderry Place).

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USA 1. Phillip Dutton will be riding the Zangersheide gelding Z (Asca Z x Babouche Vh Gehucht Z). 2. Doug Payne will be riding the Trakehner gelding Vandiver (Windfall x Mystic Replica xx). 3. Boyd Martin will be riding the Trakehner gelding Tsetserleg (Windfall x Buddenbrock). FAST FACT Australian Phillip Dutton used to ride for team AUS, and won gold for them in the 1996 and 2000 games.

FAST FACT

Virgil has had 4 starts at 5* and of those, has had two podiums.

AUSTRALIA 1. Andrew Hoy (62) will be riding the Anglo Arab gelding Vassily De Lassos (Jaguar Mail SF x Jalienny AA) 2. Stuart Tinney will be riding the Holsteiner gelding Leporis (Lasino x Heraldik xx). 3. Shane Rose will be riding the Australian Warmblood Virgil by Vivant van de Heffinck. FAST FACT Two time Olympian Chris Burton has had to withdraw Quality Purdey from the Olympics, and the reserve, Stuart Tinney will take his place.

IRELAND 1. Sam Watson will be riding the Irish Sport Horse gelding Tullabeg Flamenco (Tullabeg Fusion x Tullabeg Heidi). 2. Cathal Daniels (25) will be riding the Irish Sport horse Rioghan Rua (Jack of Diamonds x Flagmount King). 3. Sarah Ennis will be riding the Irish Sport horse gelding Woodcourt Garrison (Garrison Royal x Furisto). FAST FACT Sam Watson’s ride Tullabeg Flamenco is a buckskin. He says: “Like a lot of old-fashioned horses, Danny’s 99% heart and brains and just puts everything into all his training sessions and all his competitions. He’s a great warrior like that. He’s impressive looking, can do a pretty nice test and has a big gallop. People expect him to be pony height and he’s not – he’s 17hh.”

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GERMANY 1. Michael Jung will be riding the Hannoverian gelding Chipmunk FRH (Contendro I x Heraldik). 2. Sandra Auffarth will be riding the Selle Francais gelding Viamant Du Matz (Diamant de Semilly x Voltigeur Le Malin). 3. Julia Krajewski will be riding the Selle Francais mare Amande De B’Neville (Oscar des Fontaines x Elan De La Cour).

FAST FACT

Cathal won Bronze at Luhmuhlen in 2019.

FAST FACT Julia had produced Michael Jung’s Chipmunk FRH from a 4 year old and is largely responsible for his success. 64

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FAST FACT

Cartania has had 1 start at CCI4*-L and 1 podium.

NEW ZEALAND 1. Jonelle Price will be riding the Irish Sport Horse Grovine de Reve (Hermes de Reve x Rimilis). 2. Tim Price will be riding the Holsteiner Vitali (Contender x Heraldik). 3. Jesse Campbell will be riding the Holsteiner Diachello (Diarado x Chello).

FRANCE 1. Thomas Carlile will be riding the Selle Francais mare Birmane (Vargas De Ste Hermelle x Diamant de Semilly). 2. Christopher Six will be riding the Selle Francais gelding Totem de Brecey (Mylord Carthago x Quouglof Rouge). 3. Nicolas Touzaint will be riding the Selle Francais gelding Absolut Gold (Grafenstolz x Veglas). FAST FACT Thomas Carlile and Birmane won Bronze at the World Championship Le Lion d’Angers in 2017. They have had 3 starts at 4*-L and had two podium finishes in those starts.

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SWITZERLAND 1. Felix Vogg will be riding the Holsteiner mare Cartania (Cartani 4 x Clinton).

SWEDEN 1. Ludwig Svennerstal will be riding the gelding Balham Mist (Mill Law x Rock King). 2. Louise Romeike will be riding the Holsteiner gelding Cato 60 (Contendro I x Heraldik xx). 3. Therese Viklund will be riding the Hannoverian mare Viscera (Fidertanz 2 x Wolkentanz I). 2020 WBFSH EVENTING STALLION RANKINGS 1st - Grafenstolz (Polarion x Camelot). 2nd - Diarado (Diamant de Semilly x Corrado I). 3rd - Jaguar Mail (Hand in Glove x Laudanum). 4th - Contendro I (Contender x Reichsgraf). 5th - Obos Quality (Quick Star x Domino). 6th - Diamant de Semilly (Le Tot de Semilly x Elf III). 7th - Nouma D’Auzay (Carthago x Quidam de Revel). 8th - Ars Vivendi (Acord II x Aloube Z). 9th - Mighty Magic (Mytens x Heraldik). 10th - L andos (Lord x Calypso I).

Part 2

Eventing

Horse and rider combinations to watch

at the Olympics I

t was previously thought that you couldn't breed an eventer; they had to be acquired and tested to suit the sport. However, a few breeders around the world have proven this fact is not entirely true, with certain bloodlines frequently showing up in horses representing their countries at the Tokyo Games.

TEXT: CHRISTIE WOLHUTER

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DID YOU KNOW? The German Diarado is seen as a sire in both the eventing and showjumping teams. Weltstar Stud in KZN have a stallion by one of Diadoro’s first licenced sons Discar, Weltstar Diadoro (Discar x Levistus).

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FAST FACT Diamant de Semilly is clearly not only a sire of jumpers, as he features prominently in the breeding of the horses at this year’s Games. He is also ranked 6th in the WBFSH stallion rankings. It is generally agreed that Thoroughbred blood is essential to a good eventing pedigree, even though there has been a rise in the Warmblood (particularly Holsteiner and Selle Francais) influence in recent years. In South Africa, at an adult and star level, we see a wonderful mix of off the track Thoroughbreds, cross-breds and horses from many different warmblood studs.

FAVOURITES Now in terms of the favourites, it is always trickty, but some riders have had consistent success, while others seem to be in fine form lately. Laura Collett’s and her Holsteiner gelding London 52 won the CCI5* at Les 5 Etoiles de Pau in 2020. It was his 5* Debut. London 52 is by Landos S (Lord x Calypso I x Ladykiller xx) with Quidam de Revel and Cassini I on his dam line.

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▲ Tom McEwen has had 1 win at 5* with his Selle Francais gelding Toledo de Kerser (Diamant de Semilly x Papillon Rouge)

Two time Olympic individual Gold Medalist Michael Jung will be riding the famous Hannoverian Chipmunk FRH, who was previously campaigned by Julia Krajewski. Chipmunk is by Contendro I out of a mare by Heraldik. Contendro I is the number 4 ranked stallion on the eventing WBFSH. Michael and Chipmunk have had a string of wins at 3* and 4* recently, and with their experience combined, they will be a big threat for Gold. Julia Krajewski won the Samur CCI4*-L in June 2021 on Amande De B’Neville, putting her in a strong position for this Games. Tim Price will be competing alongside his wife Jonelle. The pair have, between them, been on the podiums of the Northern Hemisphere’s top 5* events, including Badminton, Burghley, Kentucky, Pau and Luhmuhlen. It is their second consecutive Olympic Games together. Jonelle will be competing on the Irish Sport horse Grovine de Reve, who is a combination of Selle Francais and Irish Sport Horse. Tim’s mount is the Holsteiner Vitali, by the Holsteiner Contender out of the Thoroughbred famous in eventing, Heraldik. Number 1 ranked eventer Oliver Townend is another to watch with previous wins at Badminton, Burghley (twice) and Kentucky (twice). Oliver and the Irish Sport horse Ballaghmor Class have had 6 wins together since 2016.

DID YOU KNOW? There are a few jumping bred Contendro I horses on the ground in SA. Fircroft Stud in KZN bred Contendro I to their 3* eventing mare Zaphire (Zenturio 10 x Friedensfurst) and produced Fircroft Cobalt Blue, who was then sold as an eventing prospect to Cape Town.

Boyd Martin and the 14-year-old Trakehner gelding, Tsetserleg, certainly boast a wealth of experience and success on their resume. He and Boyd collected the individual gold medal in 2019 at the Pan American Games in Lima, and the gelding also finished second in the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event in 2019, earning the title

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FAST FACT Tinka’s Boy is the sire of Victoria ScottLegendre’s Valtho and also the sire of Jonathan Clarke’s Data Sciences Enouche RK.

of USEF National Champion. Boyd has this to say about his ride "On these big, long, gruelling courses, at about eight or nine minutes of an 11-minute course, he's got grunt. You give him a little spur or a cluck and he gets a second wind. That's something you can't train into them." Andrew Hoy (AUS) will be riding his much loved Anglo Arab partner registered Vassily De Lassos (Jaguar Mail SF x

DID YOU KNOW? Weltstar Stud in KZN also have a striking colt by the current number 1 ranked eventing stallion Grafenstolz, Weltstar Graf Galliccio (Grafenstolz x Camposanto). Jalienny AA). They came third in the recent Luhmuhlen 4*-S. It will be Andrew Hoy’s 8th Olympic games.

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FAST FACTS Diamant de Semilly is seen in more than one sire line, and a mare line in both the eventing and showjumping. Mylord Carthago is also spotted as a sire for team France in the eventing, and features in the showjumping.

IT’S TOO CLOSE TO CALL! All in all, the eventing at Tokyo promises to be a nail-biter, and have us on the edges of our seats!

E Q U E S T R I A N O LY M P I C S

INTERVIEW: AMELIA CAMPBELL-HORNE

Astier Nicolas and Piaf De B’Neville Team Gold and Individual Silver Rio 2016

s the days tick away to the upcoming Olympics and everyone wages their bets on who will be the next team and individual Olympic medallists, HQ had the opportunity to chat with a previous medal winner from the Rio 2016 Olympics. Astier Nicolas, who rode Piaf De B’Neville (Ben) for France, left Rio with an individual silver medal and a team Gold for eventing! Their story might not start with “once upon a time” but it most certainly has its fairy-tale elements - an unlikely hero (Ben) on a great adventure in an enchanting setting with some little sparks of magic and of course a few surprising plot twists! HQ: Tell us a little about yourself and how it all began? Astier: I began because my mother at the time was hacking sometimes the horse of one of her friends and

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I was walking behind, so I quickly wanted to get on. I was a lazy boy. I hate walking! From there I got to try everything. There is a system in France, called Pony Club, but it is more of an equestrian centre, and at this equestrian centre, the lady in charge, who was a very good horsewoman made me try everything: eventing, dressage, jumping… I did the Pony French Championships in all three disciplines; I won in jumping, I came 3rd in eventing and I was 7th out of seven in dressage - so you understand - I was not made for dressage! I also tried pony racing, which I really loved, and I always wanted to be a jockey after that, but I was a bit tall. So, the closest was cross-country so I chose eventing, and afterwards what I loved about it was that the training of the horse is so comprehensive. There are very different things that you need to teach your horse from dressage to cross-country.

HQ: So, going back to 2016, you were selected for the French team, how long had you been working on that plan, or had you? Astier: Well, I was working to ride at Badminton and Burley and to make it on the French team, yeah. But I was not like many, who were focused on the Olympics, until I did them. Now I can say I am focused on the Olympics because it is a huge experience, and it is very beneficial; it gives you a very good passport! So now I am working towards making it to the Olympics whereas before I was just focused on making it to the French Team.

HQ: And tell us a little bit about Piaf De B’Neville Astier: Yeh, Ben was in my Pony Club. He was ridden by a kid, and I liked his canter. I found him very good. I liked him a lot. The kid sent him back to the breeder, because when he did his first event he got eliminated at number one and came back with a nose-bleed. Then, my first owner asked me what to buy, and he offered me one or two horses and I said, “I want this one” (Ben). We went to see him at the show where he was eliminated, but I said I was sure, and so we bought him. But you know, the horse always looked like a gentleman, and he never stopped

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after. He’s not a stopper, he is very brave with a big heart: a very good boy. HQ: How did it feel when you were long listed for the Olympics? Were you confident of going to Rio then or not? Astier: I was selected for the Europeans the year before, so I was actually already on the short-list then. I didn’t go to the Europeans because of the team vet’s decision, but I took my revenge - we went to Pau and won the 5*, and then in the spring we won Chatsworth, the inaugural leg of the Event Rider Masters. So, yes, I was confident. I was not hoping; I was expecting to go (to Rio). HQ: So, given that you were expecting to go, how did you prepare for it? Astier: Well, I had just won Pau and Chatsworth, so I was doing really well with a very competitive field, so I didn’t change much… The best way to do it, is to stay cool and to do what you can do. You express your talent on the day, but in your plan, I don’t think you should change much. HQ: Coming off the back of two wins you must have been feeling pretty mentally prepared as well? Astier: I really made the point of taking these Olympics like it was a normal competition. Yes, it was in Brazil, but my horse had travelled well, and the rules of eventing are the same everywhere in the world where we compete. I purposefully did not enjoy the Olympic experience. I didn’t take time to admire it. I just focused on my event as if it were a normal event, even though it was really exotic. It is a really impressive thing, so I didn’t want to put any more pressure on myself. I wanted to stay relaxed and focused on my horse. Only after the win did I enjoy Brazil and the Olympics, but we went home the same day, so it was very short-lived.

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HQ: Talk us through the actual event day by day… Astier: After day 1 I think I was just outside the top ten (out of 65) lying 3rd out of the French team. THE PRE-OLYMPICS – AND THE GLUE-ONS At the last pre-Olympics my horse lost 3 out of 4 shoes because of the ground conditions! Because he had lost so much of the wall of his hooves he was very lame after the cross-country, and there was a lot of discussion about what to do, but I was convinced by the team farrier to glue on shoes which was risky as it can burn their feet and cause more sensitivity, but we did, and he went sound! So, my selector told me to go and jump… but I had no competition clothes, and I missed the course walk but he jumped clear and came third with glued on shoes! We reglued the shoes during the two-and-a-half-week Team France training camp and went to Rio. On day two we did nothing just a bit of cross-country practice. However, the team trainer made me jump angled verticals, but he (trainer) moved into the middle as I was jumping it, Ben got a fright, chipped in a stride and overreached, cracking the glue on his front hoof which we did not realise until 6pm! We tried to call France to find out which type of glue to use, but it was too late, so we put one type of glue on. In the morning I wanted to ride him because he is so sensitive, and I wanted to give him confidence after his scare the day before. The Olympic farriers (who were incredible), came to check on him and realised we had used the wrong glue! This was now an hour before my cross-country warm-up… I had planned to walk some more of the course, especially the tricky combination at number 6 which was very nerve-racking, and I was

second to go, so I had no one to watch or hear about. I was going in blind. So, when I came back to my stable, everyone in the French team, even the jumpers were in there with the farriers trying to put tape on the foot, stick the shoe and the showjumpers even lent me an overreach band too: everyone was trying to get the shoe to stay on! Normally, I like my horse before cross-country to be calm and relaxed, have a drink and pee.. but you can be sure my horse did neither with everyone in his stable! When I got on Ben, he was so slow and so tired, and so unrested! And Ben isn’t a very blood horse, he is very cool, and I started cross-country, and he wasn’t pulling, and I thought to myself, “Oh no, this is going to be long”… but he was actually very good! HQ: Well, he must have been good because I think you were only one of three riders to go clear for jumping and time round the XC! So how did you feel going into the Showjumping? Astier: Confident. I don’t remember this but apparently, one of our teammates had had a rail, and our Team Manager was counting the scores and stressing me and putting pressure on me, and I told him, “I’m going to get you your gold medal”. So, I was obviously pretty confident, not that I am like this at every show… I get stressed like everyone else, but on this day I felt pretty good. I remember when I did a clear round I sort of expected to be in Gold individually. I expected the others to mess up, but yeah… HQ: But you ended with Team Gold and an Individual Silver! What was that feeling like? Astier: Yeah, I was a bit upset because I had ridden badly in my second showjumping round, so that spoiled the moment! I was really happy with my team but frustrated with my riding for the individual. HQ: So unfortunately, you were just out of the Olympic team this year, but what is next for you? Astier: Finding a Paris Olympic winner! I was a kid when I chose Ben, and it was a fairy-tale but it’s not how you should proceed, so now I am more purposeful and professional in my choice. I need to find partners because I need a 7–9-year-old horse that will already be physically and technically mature to be ready for 2024. I have a 5 year old that I like for my 2028 Olympic horse, but he is quirky… He doesn’t really like to be ridden, but I think we might become friends.

HQ: Finally, what are your predictions for this year’s Olympic winners? And what kind of role do you think the new format with only 3 riders per team will have? Astier: One of France’s top horses, a gold medallist at Rio, Qing Du Briot has just retired so that leaves us in a not as comfortable position as we would have wished. I believe in Tokyo the fast horses will be rewarded, because it is going to be very hot and humid, so you need a fit horse. I think the Brits are going to be difficult to beat, but they bring a young team with Tom McEwen and Laura Collett who are two excellent riders. The Germans are always on good form, even if they lost Ingrid Klimke. And you should never forget the New Zealanders with the Price team: Tim and Jonelle. For individual, I think Laura Collett could do something. She’s not a regular favourite, but maybe a first outsider? Michael Jung is always good, but his horse is not a great showjumper, so will he make it again after two rounds of showjumping? And yes, with the new format, the Brits can be on super form, but a slip round a corner in the XC or a lame horse will mean team elimination. I think this year we could see some second zone countries on the podium due to the misfortunes of the leading countries! I’m quite happy to watch without competing - at least I’m not going to have to wear a mask in 37 degrees and 75% humidity!

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WELCOME TO THE PRESTIGIOUS MJ EQUESTRIAN CENTRE AT MOUNT JULIET ESTATE, KILKENNY IRELAND

Horses have always played an important part in Mount Juliet Estate’s rich history. Today, following extensive investment, MJ Equestrian offers horse lovers a truly memorable experience with a state-of-the art equestrian centre and world class facilities.

Book in for a trail ride through our 500-acre estate, and experience the rolling countryside just as Lady McCalmont once did astride her favourite steed. Gallop or trot through meadows and ancient forests, along the River Nore and beyond, enjoying the same soothing views as the many riders that passed this way throughout the centuries.

A place to discover the wonder of horses, MJ Equestrian celebrates Mount Juliet’s proud equine tradition. Welcoming beginners and professionals, children and adults, guests will find over 20 horses ready to impress. Two all-weather arenas, designed for exercising and show-jumping, sit alongside a handsome American barn where the horse’s livery and activities are managed through a dedicated digital programme.

An active Showjumping yard with several horses competing at Grand Prix level, MJ Equestrian has a dedicated Sport Horse stable too, sourcing and producing top quality sport horses for the world. With a high-tech camera system, temperature-controlled tack room and solarium, MJ Equestrian promises you an impressive and memorable equine experience.

MJ Equestrian at Mount Juliet Estate offers a whole range of experiences for horse lovers, novices and experienced riders. Maybe you wish to explore the estate with your family on a private trail ride, led by one of the experienced guides. Maybe you’ve always wanted to try your hand at show jumping or book in for a set of private riding lessons? How about a sunrise or sunset ride through Mount Juliet Estate or a bespoke 3-day hunt experience? Or perhaps you’d simply like to come and meet the magnificent horses and stud stallions that call Mount Juliet home. A guided tour of the MJ Equestrian centre will reveal life behind the scenes in the state-of-the-art stables, show jumping arenas and tack room, while you get up close and personal with the resident stallions and mares.

For more information, please visit mjequestrian.eu or email Peter Morrison on peter@mjequestrian.eu

PHOTOGRAPHY: HILARY O’LEARY

Girl power The rise of the mare TEXT: CHRISTIE WOLHUTER

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PHOTOGRAPHY: MERLYNN TRICHARDT

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istorically, mares have been used to stand at stud, and due to their long gestation periods, have had fewer chances of competing themselves. To further add to the issue, there has also been a historic misconception that mares are difficult and hormonal, and affected negatively by their oestrus cycles. Mares have also been overlooked in terms of breeding rankings as they are not considered in the WBSFH or studbook rankings. Of course, there have been mares at the top of the sport, but the choice in partner for a top rider wanting to compete at the highest level, whilst still allowing the horse to be bred can now more easily be a mare, thanks to embryo transfer. And, by the looks of the horses representing their countries in Tokyo, the mare is a formidable choice, across all the disciplines.

DRESSAGE Gone are the days where stallions alone are at the pinnacle of the sport in Dressage. The top three ranked FEI horses are mares, two of whom are ridden by Isabell Werth.

Emma Blundell of Mount St John stud in the UK bases her entire dressage breeding programme on the mares. She owns no stud stallions, only mares, and chooses stallions from all over Europe to suit her individual mares. They also compete at the highest level, and their embryos are used in surrogate mares. The pinnacle of her breeding program is the mare Mount St John Freestyle, who is sadly not able to go to the Olympics with Charlotte Dujardin due to fitness issues.

SHOWJUMPING Some of the favourites to win the Individual Jumping Gold are: • Kent Farrington and Gazelle. Kent and Gazelle have had 28 wins since 2013.

PHOTOGRAPHY: MERLYNN TRICHARDT

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PHOTOGRAPHY: MERLYNN TRICHARDT

• Malin Baryard-Johnsson will be riding the Belgian Warmblood mare H&M Indiana (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Animo’s Hallo) • Daniel Deusser will be riding the Belgian Warmblood mare Killer Queen VDM (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x For Pleasure). The pair have had 16 wins since 2017.

▲ IN CASE YOU NEED CONVINCING In terms of breeding, as mentioned above, for the last decade, due to the rise of embryo transfer, mares have been able to have their own sporting careers, while still producing top offspring. The ability to prove themselves in competition has naturally made them more valuable than

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their pedigrees alone. Here, to further make the point, that mares really are an excellent choice, we look at some of the most successful mares in the sport. The Carthago mare Carthina Z (dam-sire Cor de la Bryere) is responsible for Harrie Smolders’ Emerald van't Ruytershof (Diamant de Semilly x Carthago) as well as the up and coming stallion Nixon van't Meulenhof (Denzel V't Meulenhof x Carthago). Nixon is seen as an incredibly exciting prospect in Europe, and is in the yard of Harrie Smolders. In the case of Nixon, you could in fact argue that he is more a product of the mares in his pedigree rather than just the sires. His sire Denzel, who after all, is a product of the potent dam Narcotique de Muze (by Quidam de Revel out of 1.60 mare Qerly Chin by Chin Chin) and his dam Carthina Z produced Emerald van't Ruytershof, as mentioned above. Now Qerly Chin is probably one of the most famous dams in Belgium as she jumped 1.60 herself and produced as mentioned above: Narcotique de Muze IV, Eric Lamaze’s Narcotique de Muze II (Darco x Chin Chin) and Walnut de Muze, who jumped 1.60 with Harrie Smolders. She has produced over 9 horses that have jumped over 1.40 and her daughters have gone on to produce numerous horses at the pinnacle of the sport. One of Qerly Chin’s daughters mentioned above, Walnut de Muze (Nabab de Reve) jumped 1.60 with Harrie Smolders and produced over 5 horses jumping above 1.45, including I’m Special de Muze (Diamant de Semilly x Nabab de Reve) and Falaise de Muze. Another famous Belgian dam is Wendelina v’t Merelsnest (Darco) who, with Nabab de Reve as a stallion, produced the stallion Glasgow van‘t Merelsnest, the long term ride of Jur Vrieling. Wendelina jumped up to international Grand Prix level and is the full sister of the two time Olympic Gold medallist mare Sapphire, otherwise known as Safari van ‘t Merelsnest.

SOUTH AFRICA In South Africa, studs have been prioritising the mare for decades, from small scale to large, with Callaho Stud setting the precedent. Karin Koep of Rivendell stud in the Cape has had strong relationships with the top German breeders for decades as well, and her breeding programme has reaped the rewards of the mares used. Many have followed suit, and due to the increase in imports, eagleeyed buyers are bringing in fantastic mares that compete in their own right, and are able to add to the genetic pool of the South African Warmblood.

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The Olympic Ambition TEXT: AMELIA CAMPBELL-HORNE

ver 100 years ago, Equestrian sport joined the Olympic programme with Eventing, Dressage and Jumping introduced at the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm. In all the years since then, which young aspiring rider has not dreamed of proudly representing their country at the Olympics one day? But how does one go about getting there? The intricate details of the qualification process can be pretty complicated, so we have tried to break it down and simplify it as much as possible. So here is our “easy as 1, 2, 3” guide, which might give you a newfound appreciation for our Olympic athletes!

1 - COVER THE BASICS! Before we get into the details, there are few things one has to ensure: 1. You (the rider) need to be at least 16 years old to participate in Dressage or 18 years old to participate in Jumping and Eventing. 2. Your horse must be at least eight years old for Dressage and Eventing and nine years of age for Showjumping. The good news is, there is no maximum age, so there's no need to give up on your Olympic aspirations just yet! 3. You and your horse also need to be valid members of your National Federation.

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Next, all athletes must also comply with the Olympic Charter currently in force; there are two specific and noteworthy rules here: • Firstly, Rule 41 concerns the nationality of the competitor, which must be the same as the National Olympic Committee that enters the competitors. For equestrians, this also means ensuring that your horse carries the same nationality as you! And how does one ascertain the nationality of the horse, you might ask? Well, it is determined by the nationality of the horse owner, so your horse is a South African if he is owned by a South African. • Secondly, Rule 43 is the World Anti-Doping Code and the Olympic Movement Code on the Prevention of Manipulation of Competitions and this must be complied with in all particulars.

2 - MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS So, if you have ticked the first few boxes, the next thing is to meet the Minimal Eligibility Requirements (MERs). These are discipline-specific and need to be met within the 18 months leading up to an Olympic Games and no more than five weeks before the sport entry deadline. Additionally, they can only be achieved at selected Olympic

ranking events as determined by the FEI. Unfortunately, for Dressage and Eventing, there are no such events hosted in South Africa at this stage, which means athletes would have to travel and compete abroad to attain their MERs. So, what are the Minimum Eligibility Requirements for each discipline? For Dressage, an Athlete/Horse combination must score a minimum of 66% in two Grand Prix tests at two different International Dressage Events (CDI) of at least 3* stars. Furthermore, for an MER result to be valid, the 5* star judge at each event cannot be of the same nationality as the athlete. For Eventing, a combination would need to achieve a qualifying result at the following International Eventing Competitions CCI 5*-L (3-day event), CCI 4*-L (3-day event) and a CCI4*-S (one-day event). A qualifying result, in this case, requires minimum dressage scores of 55%, crosscountry tests must be jumped clear with no more than 75 seconds over the optimal time for CCI4* events or 100 seconds for CCI5*, and no more than 16 penalties in the jumping phase.

Finally, Showjumping allows the most options to meet the MERs, especially if you are campaigning from Europe or America. However, there is still an opportunity for a South African based rider to meet the MERs in South Africa! Any Athlete/Horse combinations that have completed the first two rounds of two FEI World CupTM Competitions with a score of no more than zero (0) penalties have achieved the MERs. However, the quarantine period (just short of four months) required to travel the horse out of South Africa to the Olympic venue is not ideal for the form of the horse and rider combination, but thanks to our very own Lisa Williams and Campbell we know it is possible!

3 - ENSURE YOURSELF A QUOTA SPOT! For each Olympic sport, a certain number of entries (or quota) are allocated. Equestrian sport at the 2020 Summer Olympics has 200 quota places (entries) divided between the three disciplines: 75 to Jumping, 65 to Eventing, and 60 to Dressage. Most of these entries are for team allocations (who also receive three individual competition entries). There are 20 teams of three riders for Jumping

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DID YOU KNOW?

All competing horses must be owned by someone of the same nationality as the competitor before the end of the year before the games.

and 15 teams of three riders for Eventing and Dressage. This means that there are only 15 individual entries up for grabs for Jumping and Dressage and 20 for Eventing. Only National Olympic Committees (NOCs) that did not qualify teams are eligible for individual places, but they can only earn one individual place in Dressage and Jumping and up to two individual places each for Eventing. The host nation (Japan in this instance) also automatically qualifies a team in each discipline. If the host nation does not have enough competitors that have met the MERs, they are permitted up to two individual entries per discipline. The remainder of the teams qualify primarily through specific competitions, specifically the World Equestrian Games (top six teams) and continental tournaments (top one to two teams per geographical region) and in the case of Eventing and Showjumping, the highest ranked team according to Final Nations Cup Rankings. Individuals predominantly qualify through the FEI Olympic Rankings. Two to three individual places are allocated per geographical region, with South Africa falling under “Group F”: Africa and the Middle East. The FEI Olympic Groups are based on the following seven geographical regions: A – North-Western Europe B – South-Western Europe C - Central & Eastern Europe; Central Asia D – North-America E - Central & South America F - Africa & Middle East G – South-East Asia, Oceania

THE FINAL “ABCS” CHECKLIST Now that the athlete and horse combination have covered their bases, the National Federation (NF) or National Olympic Committee (NOC) of the athletes need to be on board. In our case, this is the South African Equestrian Federation (SAEF). Firstly, a Certificate of Capability must be submitted before the predetermined deadline. This certificate is a declaration signed by the acting president of the NF, providing athlete and horse details and confirming that they have met the Minimum Eligibility Requirements.

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The maximum number of athletes an NF can submit per discipline is 12 horse/rider combinations. Where an NF has more than 12 combinations that have met the MERs, a selection process will be undertaken to determine which 12 combinations will be selected for this nominated entry list. A second responsibility of the National Federation is to ensure acceptance of quota places. If a country qualifies a team, the FEI will contact the NOC to inform them of their allocated quota place, which they must either accept or decline by February of the year in which the Olympics are to be held. Once teams have been confirmed, the FEI will inform the respective NOCs of their allocated individual quota places, which they must either confirm or decline. If a National Federation fails to submit the Certificate of Capability or accept the quota allocation on time, or declines the quota allocation, the FEI will redistribute them according to processes outlined in each discipline's FEI Qualification System publication. So that is it! As easy as 1, 2, 3, right? Let us know which Olympics you will be attending!

Next issue of HQ Magazine out on 1st August. VISIT WWW.HQMAGAZINE.CO.ZA TO DOWNLOAD YOUR COPY.

HQ Magazine Olympic Edition

Articles inside

Astier Nicolas and Piaf De B’Neville

Girl Power

Eventing horse and rider combinations to watch at the Olympics

Eventing at the Olympics

Dressage horse and rider combinations to watch at the Olympics

Steve Caley

The Olympic Ambition

Showjumping at the Olympics

Showjumping horse and rider combinations to watch at the Olympics

Olympic rules

Dressage at the Olympics

Olympic equestrian sports explained

Equestrian competition schedule

Overview of the breeding of the Olympic Showjumping Stars

A history of Equestrian at the Olympic Games