The Latest from Olympic Show Jumping Gold Medalist, Beezie Madden (USA), on her European Tour

Show Jumper Beezie Madden (USA) blogs about the end of her first European Tour with her mare, Madmoiselle. More to come as she continues on her second European Tour with her gelding, Danny Boy.

Our third and final Tour 1 Super League show took place in St. Gallen Switzerland and finished last Sunday. The team was the same as in Rome and LaBaule with the exception of McLain who rode Rothchild in the Nations Cup instead of Sapphire. Since Sapphire had little to prove, Rothchild got the chance to do his first Nations Cup.

Unfortunately, we again did not have a good day as a team. The conditions were tough as it had rained most of the day on Thursday and most of Wednesday night causing the cancellation of all the classes on Thursday. They did allow the Nations Cup horses to jump a warm-up round on Thursday evening. The ground was still quite soft on Friday for the Cup, and some horses handled it well and others did not. Our first round was dismal again.

Richard had eight faults, McLain had 13, I had nine with Mademoiselle, and Mario rode anchor with five faults. The time allowed was very short and, along with the difficult conditions, made for tough jumping. The French team, however, came out firing again and was in the lead after the first round. Our second round was only slightly better.

Richard was clear, McLain had eight, I had a disappointing 13 faults, and Mario had nine. We finished a very disappointing 7th place. I think some of our horses were feeling the effects of having already done two Super League shows with a lot of traveling and not much time off.

In the Grand Prix, we had another mediocre showing. Richard placed 10th with five faults in the first round and four in the jump off. Mario also made it to the second round with four faults in the first (the top
13 from the first round came back for the jump off) and completed the jump off with eight faults. I had nine faults with Mademoiselle, so I did not have the performance I hoped for to make the team for WEG. I can't, however, be that disappointed with her since she jumped three Super League Grand Prix's, two with four faults and one with nine. Our process of getting to know each other is ongoing. And with a little more time under our belt, I feel we can be very competitive at the highest level.

My focus now has to be on Danny Boy and his performance at Rotterdam next week and later at Aachen. With good results at those two shows, he could be in striking distance of making the WEG team. Keep your fingers crossed for us!

Update from Olympic Show Jumping Gold Medalist, Beezie Madden (USA) on her European Tour

Olympic Gold Medalist, Beezie Madden (USA), blogs about the second leg of her European Tour in Rome.

Our second Super League show has finished with mixed results. We went to Rome with the same team as in Labaule: Myself, Mario, McLain, Hillary and Richard. This time ,however, I was on the Nations Cup team with Mademoiselle instead of Hillary with Quincy B. It was not our day as far as the team result. We finished a disappointing sixth out of 11 teams.

I was very happy, though, with Maddy in her first Nations Cup with me. With a four-fault score in the first round and a clear in the second round, we were the best combination of the American team that day. Richard started the team off with what was looking like a clear round, but ended up an elimination at the final double combination. This put the pressure on the rest of us.

I followed with four faults as did Mario with Urico. McLain as our anchor rider turned in an unusual eight faults with Sapphire. With a 16 fault score in the first round, we barely made the second round and came back first in the order. Richard produced a clear followed by a clear by me and Maddy. Mario then had four faults, but our comeback was looking good with McLain left to go. Unfortunately he had a light rub that fell for four faults, and we came back from our ninth position going into the second round up to sixth. This is why Nations Cups are so unpredictable. It's hard to have four horses and riders peaking on the same day.

The rest of our show had not quite the success as we had in Labaule, but McLain won the Grand Prix with Sapphire and two other classes with his other horses, and Hillary won a class with Corlette. Mademoiselle had four faults in the Grand Prix, but jumped and went beautifully. I am looking forward to St. Gallen this week. Again I am hoping for a fantastic week with Maddy, so we can move up the rankings on the long list and leave this first Super League Tour with a bang.
-Beezie

Olympic Eventing Gold Medalist, Stuart Tinney (AUS) Blogs About His Trip to the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event

Stuart Tinney Attends the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event: Proudly funded by Equestrian Australia and Australian Sports Commission.

It was with great pleasure that I took the opportunity that Equestrian Australia gave me and others to travel to Lexington, KY for the 4 star Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in April in the lead up to for World Equestrian Games later in the year. Coach Wayne Roycroft, Vet Denis Goulding, High Performance Manager Brett Mace and fellow rider Megan Jones were the eventing contingent that went from Australia. Veterinarian Graham Potts and rider Sam Griffiths where to go from the UK but the Icelandic volcano put a stop to their travel.

This was also a problem for the event organizers, as two of the ground jury members could not get to the event and they had to call in some help. Marilyn Payne and Christian Landolt where both judging in Florida and they could step in the last minute to be the part of the ground jury which was lucky. And also lucky, the horses that where to compete from UK flew out the day before the airport shutdown. William Fox-Pitt (the eventual winner) and Oliver Townend got themselves to Spain and where picked up by private jet from there, all a bit of a logistical nightmare that seemed to get sorted out very well!

The venue is as amazing as you might expect. Having seen many photos of the area it did not disappoint at all—lots of white post and rail fencing and very green grass. Although the cross country course for WEG will be on a totally different track it was great to see the terrain and landscape that will be used, which I think will be very valuable. Having been familiarized with the accommodation and the general lay of the land and the set up of the event and the facility will be a great benefit, come the time of the championships. Again, thank you to EA and The Australian Sports Commission for this opportunity.

The Road to Kentucky...
Time certainly draws closer to the World Games for Vettori (Kiwi) and myself. We recently had a good run at the HSBC World Cup in Sydney May 7-9. The dressage was indoors and competitive, with the Australian judges scoring us 49.4 penalties for the CCI***A test. The XCountry was tough, technical and some tough questions on some lines. The HSBC World Cup was presented at The Sydney International Equestrian Centre. Those that remember the Sydney Olympics in 2000, it is quite hilly and the track this time was no exception. The horses really had to be fit! I put my foot down a little this time, Kiwi was just super and came home with .8 time. The field was large on Australian standards 31 starters, 20 were left after XCountry day. This left us in 3rd position, however the scores were close. Kiwi had an uncharacteristic 2 rails in the Indoor show jumping. His first start of the season I was overall pleased with his performance.

We will now look forward to Melbourne International Three-Day Event June 12-14. I am also taking Panamera (Buzz). She has not had an eventing start since Adelaide, although she has been to some dressage comps, as we have been attempting some embryo transfer. Buzz will have a CIC*** run in a couple of weeks and Kiwi will go show jumping!

Thanks to Kathy Ward and Peter O’Connell owners of Vettori for their continued support, Tim Game owner of Panamera, my sponsors Coprice, Bates, Nature Vet and Horseland.

That’s all for now on my campaign trail for WEG. Regular updates on our progress can be found on http://www.tinneyeventing.com/.

Eight-Time USEF National Four-in-Hand Driving Champion, Chester Weber (USA)

My team and I are in full swing for this summer’s events. We have made the decision to train and compete in North American this year and prepare for WEG. It was a tough decision, we love competing in Europe but I feel that training and competing here is a smart decision. I have had the opportunity to compete under several European judges this season and we feel confident in our choice.

This summer I plan to fine-tune the horses at Garden State (CAI Allentown), CAI Bromont, and Iron Horse CDE in Illinois. I feel this will give us the chance to reach our goal and have the horses peak at WEG.

Meanwhile, the team made their debut on TV last month. NRHA is hosting a Countdown to the 2010 Alltech World Equestrian Games sponsored by Adequan, featuring different disciplines each episode. This particular episode featured driving. Check out the video on the NRHA Inside Reining website, visit http://www.insidereining.com/ or www.facebook.com/insidereining.

While I am busy schooling the horses at home I recently attended school, this time in front of the class. I visited the Central Florida Community College and attended an Exercise Physiology class for the Equine Studies Department. It was the last class of the semester and I summarized to the students my training and conditioning program for my horses. I spoke specifically about my feeding program, cardiovascular conditioning and how I maintain soundness through post-exercise therapy and regular veterinary evaluation. The students were fantastic and it is great experience to help influence the future of the horse industry.

2006 Vaulting World Champion, and Seven-Time German Vaulting Champion, Kai Vorberg (GER)

“So now I can start to plan precisely…”

First I want to apologize for not updating my blog in a while! But there were many things to do and to get started to have a good run into an outstanding season.

The first international competition was held in Saumur, France in April. I did not compete there because my longeur was too busy and so I travelled with my team to support them.

Two weeks later in the Netherlands, I had my first international competition with my new Freestyle concept. The CVI** was held in Ermelo, NED where they have the KNHS, the National Riding Centre of the Netherlands. It is a nice venue which gave us a good opportunity for the first start. I won and I am quite satisfied with my progress so far.

The last weekend (May 1-2) we had the first WEG qualification in Germany.
At the “Prize of the Best” in western Germany was the first possibility for everybody to show up. This was quite important for me, because I needed to see how my routine works in tough competition, and I was very satisfied with my horse“Sir Bernhard RS vd Wintermühle”! He had some brilliant moments and some with a little lack of concentration, but he definitely keeps moving forward! And that was the most important thing to see.

My new Freestyle had good reviews, so I am happy with what the people and the press think about it. Not to forget the judges! And I am looking forward to present it more people in Europe and of course especially in the US!

I was happy to win, and in second place was my teammate Gero Meyer. He is a little older than me, but actually we are both the only ones left from an older generation of vaulters.
We can still show the young guys what’s going on and we are very proud of that!
After the awards ceremony the committee gave the official confirmation
that I have permission to compete in Kentucky for the 2010 WEG! The other individuals still need to qualify, but because of my success in past years (medal in every championship since 2003), and especially because of my shape at the moment and that I have quite a few top level horses, I got selected as the first Individual for the Games for Germany! That makes me very proud and I am truly happy to have reached that first, and very important, step by now!

When I was standing with Gero in the awards ceremony we made a pact that we will show the new generation what our passion for the sport is all about!

I will be sure to keep you posted about my journey to Kentucky!

YOURS,
Kai

2008 British Grand Prix Freestyle Champion, and British National Champion Dressage Rider, Maria Eilberg (GBR)

The 2008 British Grand Prix Freestyle Champion and British National Dressage Champion, Maria Eilberg, 26, blogs about her horses, and her journey to the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games:

So, with having had a major effort in Spain in April (The Spanish Sunshine Tour) in March it was nice to have some home time. I enjoyed Easter, almost didn't remember but a few Easter Eggs helped! We were fairly chilled for the bank holiday and had catch up time with the family which was nice.

(Pictured: Maria and Two Sox winning the National Grand Prix Title in 2008)

April 9-11 I had Woodlander Rockstar, an 8yr old dark bay Hannovarian Stallion who is owned by Lynne Crowden of the Woodlander Stud, compete in our National Winter Championships. He went very well and won his class which was the Advanced Medium Open Championship. Being first to go I thought it was going to be difficult to hold the lead from the front but he did it bless him! I think having gone to Spain prepared us well for the atmosphere; you always come back being somewhat bomb proof with having had almost everything thrown at you from barking dogs to whizzing mopeds to screaming kids. At the time it is a little frustrating but in the long run the horses need to learn to cope with it and put their trust in you—you never know what might happen for those few minutes in the ring! I had also been preparing him at home as though I was going to ride a PSG, the Adv Med then felt easy. I could tell as I rode him around the arena that he was pretty relaxed and focused, he didn't even flinch at the banners. Generally he is feeling so much stronger and established in his work and I feel he is now ready to move up a gear! My brother Mike did very well on his small tour horse Torino in the Int 1 Music in the evening. It was quite a long wait with Rockstar having gone at half one but it was worth the wait. I managed to catch a glimpse of some of the other evening performances aswell, as is nearly always the case when you're competing you don't get to see anything! Have to say I thought the Bad Boys Pas de Deux with Charlie Hutton and Henry Boswell was great, they were wearing leather jackets with shades, very cool!!

Two Sox, my Grand Prix horse, was not happy to be left at home but his turn will come again soon (he is enjoying a well deserved break after Spain.) I managed to lead him out for some grass for the first time yesterday which he thoroughly enjoyed with a big smirk across his face. He so loves all the extra pamper and I have to say he is thoroughly spoilt, as they all are! It is amazing how they thrive on individual attention so it is really important to make that extra time for them.

Worldwide, a stallion I am riding for the Parkland Stud, has now started with the double bridle. Touch wood he seems to be liking it, I've only put a very soft curb in to get him used to it. He is also starting with the flying changes as well-with having qualified him for the Summer Regs at Medium before I went to Spain it now gives me a bit of time to play with the changes without having to worry about competing.


I had actually planned to go on holiday towards the end of April, but my brother Michael was invited to go to Saumur so I have had to stay at home to keep things going. With the volcanic ash cloud my flight was cancelled anyway which made me feel a little better!

The weather has been lovely so the horses have been enjoying the sunshine, we have been hacking out, riding on the sandtrack and hand grazing. I have been doing a few new things with Rockstar in preparation for the Intermediare 1, he is currently working at Prix St Georges. I am planning on going to Germany for a couple of shows with Two Sox and it would be great if I can take Rockstar for the small tour as well . . .

We have a few young horses in the stable at the moment, working with them has been fun and interesting, after having worked with the more advanced horses it makes you remember where it all starts, I feel like I am learning all over again!


May has proved to be another busy month with Mike having been to Saumur, my Dad having been to Badminton to help with the Dressage and myself having done Central Camp followed by BYRDS and SW Training, and it's already time to start preparing for the Addington Premier Show which is next weekend! I am aiming to use it as a warm up for Wiesbaden and Lingen Internationals which are going to be held in Germany at the end May/begin June. I will be taking Two Sox for the big tour and Rockstar for the small tour-he hasn't even done his first PSG yet so this will be quite a challenge!!

(Here is a picture of our Jack Russell, "Rocky," who, by the looks of it, has been feeling just as tired as us this past week!)

The horses have been going quite well, and I am having to remind Two Sox he has not quite made retirement yet, and that he has some rather important shows coming up! I had been giving him a bit of a break from the arena, especially while the weather was so nice, with loads of hacking, sand tracking and of course the all important hand grazing and I think he is definitely of the opinion that that is how life should be! It is very important to keep his mind happy and interested as he has been doing the Grand Prix work for 6 years now. Rockstar on the other hand is still learning and having to get his head around some of the more advanced movements-he is coping very well, I think he is really enjoying learning new things and feeling very pleased with himself!

Update from Olympic Gold Medalist Beezie Madden (USA) on her European Tour

May 17, 2010--We just finished our first Super League competition in La Baule, France, as a team and the Americans did extremely well. The team consisted of myself with Mademoiselle, McLain Ward with Sapphire, Richard Spooner with Cristallo, Mario Deslauriers with Urico and Hillary Dobbs with Quincy B. We all had additional horses there for classes other than the Nations Cup and Grand Prix. We finished second in the Nations Cup to the home team of France and McLain won the Grand Prix with Sapphire. Mario finished just behind him in second with Urico. In addition, McLain won two other classes with a new horse, I won a 1.50m class with Via Volo, and Richard Spooner won the Derby with Pako. McLain ended up the Leading Gentleman Rider of the show, and I was the Leading Lady Rider.

I was pleased with Mademoiselle’s performance since she was third the first day in the qualifier for the Grand Prix and then had just four faults in the Grand Prix. Our chef de equip, George Morris, chose not to have me ride on the Nations Cup this week, but based on Mademoiselle’s performance in La Baule, he plans on having me on the Nations Cup team in Rome. I hope she and I can have a great performance there to boost her chances of making the team for the WEG in October. Since she is a new partner for me and she finished ninth in the rankings, she needs to come on strong now to make up some ground on the others.

Since I haven’t written in a while, I would like to give a brief summary of what the horses have been doing. Danny Boy and Mademoiselle both had a few weeks of light work after the Florida Circuit. They traveled to Lexington, KY instead of home with our other horses, so they could be there for the test event at the horse park during the Rolex Three Day Event the last week in April. I planned to compete with them in two competitions there, but due to inclement weather, the first one on Saturday night was cancelled. That meant that Sunday was my only chance to get them into the stadium. Luckily, they both were very comfortable in it. Danny Boy won the Grand Prix and Mademoiselle was fifth. Obviously, the course was not as big as what it will be at the WEG, but I was relieved to know that both horses liked the venue.

From there they went home for one week and then flew to Europe. They stayed about three days at our base in Holland, at Johan Heins’s stable, and then traveled by van to LaBaule. Right now, Danny Boy is in Torino waiting to compete there this week, and Mademoiselle is in Milan for one week of R&R before her next competition in Rome. More to come after Rome!

Beezie