Federation Equestre Internationale News FEI Eventing World Cup News

Another busy Eventing weekend lies ahead. The 15th and 16th FEI Eventing World Cup qualifiers will be held simultaneously at Cavertitz (GER) and Thirlestane Castle (GBR) from 15 through 17 August.

Cavertitz (GER)

No less than 74 riders representing Austria, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and Switzerland will take part in this second German qualifier. Competition will be particularly exciting as last weekend's winner Linda Algotsson of Sweden will be bringing her two top horses Stand By Me and Fair Dobbin to strengthen her chances for final qualification. Current standings leader Andreas Dibowski (GER) will also be there and so will Belgium's Karin Donckers. There is a lot at stake for Ingrid Klimke of Germany, who won at Cavertitz in 2001. She was 3rd in the 1st German World Cup qualifier at Bonn-Rodderberg winning 20 points which makes her equal 3rd with Simone Deitermann in the overall standings. She needs a victory in order to secure qualification. Sixteen German riders hold World Cup points so far.

The programme will be as follows:
Saturday, 16 August
Dressage: 8h00
Jumping: 16h00

Sunday, 17 August,
Cross Country: 12h30
Prize-giving ceremony: 15h30

Thirlestane Castle (GBR)

The weekend sees the 20th edition of the Thirlestane Castle Horse Trials, the largest international sporting event in the Scottish Borders, which this years has attracted riders from nine nations.

Among the leading international riders who will be competing are standings leaders William Fox-Pitt and last year's winner Leslie Law, number 1 of the FEI World Event Riders rankings Pippa Funnell, Mary King, Jeanette Brakewell and Karen O'Connor (USA). Local riders include Ian Stark and Niccy Roncouroni. Zara Phillips (GBR), the reigning Young Rider champion and a silver medallist at last year's European Championships who made her World Cup at Chatsworth last May, will also be present.

Several new fences and challenging changes have been made to the Cross Country phase which will fully test the boldness and accuracy of both horse and rider at this 3*** level.

www.horsesport.org