EUROPEAN EVENTING CHAMPIONSHIP
GREAT BRITAIN WINS TEAM GOLD, FRENCH TOUZAINT EARNS THE INDIVIDUAL GOLD

Sunday 21 September, after a tense afternoon round the packed show jumping
arena at the European Eventing Championship, Great Britain won the Team Gold
in convincing style.

With four fences in hand going in to the final phase, the first team member
in the packed show jumping arena William FOX-PITT had 2 fences down. The
next rider, defending European Champion, Pippa Funnell, did a brilliant
clear round and the final rider Leslie LAW had one down.

Great Britain finished on a score of 147.60 with France in the Silver medal
position with 160.20. Bronze went to Belgium on 196.00.

Belgium, Ireland and Austria earned their tickets for the Olympic Games in
Athens 2004.

The Individual title went to French rider Nicolas TOUZAINT on a score of
35.00 TOUZAINT had one fence down today in the final show jumping phase.
Already on Saturday, The 23-year old rider on Galan de Sauvagère had taken
the lead with 31 points (29.8 after Dressage and only 1.20 time penalties
after Cross Country).

Swedish rider Linda ALGOTSSON jumped clear to remain in Silver position and
British rider Pippa FUNNELL's clear round elevated her to the Bronze medal
position.

Complete results on www.sporthorseshow.com

Photos and discussion click here and here and here for Cross Country photos


EUROPEAN OPEN ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP
THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES AND FRANCE SWEEP THE OPEN EUROPEAN ENDURANCE
CHAMPIONSHIP

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) swept the FEI Open European Endurance
Championship finishing just seconds apart in the top three places at the
Punchestown Race Course on Friday 18 September. For the Europeans, France
won both the individual and team medals. Virginie Simon riding Elza De Gion
in a ride time of 10:21:35 captured the individual title and the French team
consisted of Sunny Demedy, Barbara Lissarague and Emilie Lambert.

Led by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the top three crossed the
finish line arm in arm amidst a large cheering crowd. H.H. finished in a
ride time of 10:20:45, riding Provocative. H.E. Sheikh Rashid bin Mohammed
Al Maktoum, the eldest son of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed, followed in second in a
ride time of 10:20:46, riding Gimini Courth House. Third went to Mohammed
Ali Al Shafar in a ride time of 10:20:47, riding Shikira.

"We participate all the time in this sport and sometimes we win, sometimes
we lose," said H.H. "When we win we are very happy. Today the luck was with
us. We very much enjoyed our trip to Ireland. They are wonderful people and
we were able to see our horses at Kildangan Stud".

The 160 km event began before sunrise at 5:30 am with 77 seven starters
although the field dwindled to 69 after the first 40 km. There was rain the
night before, but only clouds filled the sky on the day, with a cool
temperature of about 16 degrees Celsius.

At the conclusion of the first phase or loop, H.E. Sheik Rashid was in the
lead with his younger brothers close behind. Hansjorg Bendier of Switzerland
led the European contingent. Bendier and H.E. Sheik Rashid switched places
following the second loop and the team of Emile Lambert, Sunny Demedy and
Barbara Lissarague of France was close behind in third, fourth and fifth
individually, but in the lead for the team competition.

H.E. Sheikh Rashid was still leading following the third loop, but his
younger brother H.E. Sheikh Hamdan moved up to within one minute for second
place. Jean-Louis Molitor of Belgium was now the highest European and
Valerie Kanavy of the United States moved into fourth position. France was
still leading the team competition, Germany was second and Portugal was
third, with all three in contention.

After four loops, the United Arab Emirates looked unbeatable sitting in the
top three spots with Kanavy still holding on to the fourth spot. Belgium's
Molitor was still the highest European rider.

Going into the final loop, H.E. Sheikh Rashid still led the way, but Simon
moved up to second and H.H. Sheikh Mohammed moved up to third. France was
able to retain their lead in the team competition.

The trail consisted of six phases of varying distances and five veterinary
holds to monitor the welfare of the horses throughout the day.

Complete results on www.sporthorseshow.com


RINY RUTJENS OF THE NETHERLANDS WINS THE WORLD DRIVING PAIRS CHAMPIONSHIP

The World Pairs Driving Championship, was organised from 17 to 21 September
2003 at the Haras de Jardy (Jardy stud), and saw a record number of 23
nations competing.

Riny Rutjens (NED) who was in the lead after the Dressage test on the first
day of the championship, won the individual title ahead of French Pierre
Jung who saved the honour of French driving with a superb silver medal, only
a matter of time separating him from the gold. Australian Boyd Exell, who
was fairly confident after the marathon, lost the title with three
knockdowns and one point of time penatly, slumping down to 6th place.

Already world team champion in 1995, Pierre Jung discovered the joy of an
individual medal by achieving an almost perfect cones phase, with only 3
point penalty. Bit by bit, he moved up from 6th to 2nd place in the final
placings, thanks to the faults accumulated by the other competitors. Riny
Rutjens's two faults were however not enough for the Frenchman to win the
title and Rutjens ended 2.70 points ahead of him.

The bronze medal went to Poland's Roman Kuzs, who, despite a fault in the
cones, moved up one place.

Hungary kept its world title and won the gold medal. The silver medal went
to Poland, surprise guest on the podium, and the bronze to the Netherlands.

Complete results on www.aso-equitation.com


FEI TOP DRIVER AWARD FOR PAIRS

Thanks to her victory in Jardy, Riny Rutjens is the winner of the 2003 FEI
Top Driver Award for Pairs, supported by van der Wiel.

A ceremony was held in conjunction with the World Pairs Championship during
which Mr van der Wiel handed over the 2002 Top Driver Award Trophy to the
winner Ladislav Jirgala (CZE).


1ST SEASON OF THE SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE CONCLUDED IN BARCELONA
DELIGHT DESPITE DISASTER FOR FRANCE IN FINAL!

In a gripping conclusion to the inaugural Samsung Super League series,
France suffered a heavy defeat in Barcelona last Sunday, but still claimed
the league trophy by a ten-point margin.

The Irish had to settle for joint-second in the final standings after an
emphatic victory in this leg by Germany whose final rider, Ludger Beerbaum,
never had to jump a fence while the Italians, clinging desperately to the
bottom of the leaderboard, rose manfully to the occasion, avoiding
relegation when adding an extra 12 points to their total as double-points
were awarded.

Sweden however must compete in the second division next season as, despite a
brave struggle by Malin Baryard, Helena Persson, Royne Zetterman and Helena
Lundback their equal-fourth placing today was not good enough to save them.

Few could have predicted the Barcelona result as the Spanish squad, taking
part as host country but not entitled to Super League points, slotted into
runner-up spot. The Italians, so very weak thoughout much of the series,
shared third with Belgium while Sweden and Britain divided fifth, Holland
was sixth, the Irish were seventh and the normally brilliant French came
last.

Even more remarkably, the Dutch, Italians and Germans shared the lead on a
zero score at the end of the first round when France, Sweden, Spain and
Belgium were next in line with just four faults each. The British carried
eight into round two but the Irish were already in trouble, bringing up the
rear with 16 on the board at the halfway stage.

The absence of so many of their top riders had left them vulnerable and when
Harry Marshall's opening 12 faults from his Gijon Grand Prix winner
Splendido was discarded they still had to count four-fault results from both
Lt Shane Carey and Cian O'Connor along with the eight collected by Nations
Cup debutante Marie Burke.

A clear round from Carey and Killossery second time out brought some
improvement to the Irish position but with eight more to add when both
Marshall and O'Connor each lowered a single pole this time, their finishing
score of 24 was always going to leave them well down the order.

The French meanwhile were badly hampered by a second-round fall for Bruno
Broucqsault when he got it all wrong at the double, and having to count 12
faults from Laurent Goffinet and Flipper d'Elle, eight from Hubert Bourdy
and Eve de Etisses and four from Florian Angot and First de Launay they were
obliged to add 24 further penalties to their first-round tally to complete
on a total of 28.

The Dutch also fell apart in the second round when both Eric van der Vleuten
(Audi's Jikke) and Jan Tops (Roofs) left two fences on the floor and Albert
Zoer (Lowina) and Gert Jan Bruggink (Joel) each made a single error to
finish with 20 but the Italians were seriously impressive, clearly driven to
give their very best under extreme pressure.

Massimo Grossato (Loro Piana Elkintot), Vincenzo Chimirri (Askoll Rosa) and
Roberto Arioldi (Loro Piana Le Mato) had all jumped clear first time out
while Bruno Chimirri (Landknecht) had two down and all four riders faulted
just once at their second attempt to leave Italy on level-pegging with
Belgium.

Stanny Van Paesschen and O de Pomme had provided the Belgian discount score
when picking up 16 faults in his opening effort but a clear round next time
out added to four faults each from Ludo Philippaerts (Parco) and Jos Lansink
(AK Caridor Z) left them on a concluding total of 12.

All four Swedish team members faulted once in round two to leave them with
16 faults along with Britain's Michael Whitaker (Abrisca), Scott Smith
(Cabri d'Elle), Richard Davenport (Luc) and Robert Smith (Marius Claudius)
but the Spanish only had to add Jesus Garmendia Echevarria's single error
with Espoir de la Haye to finish with eight on the board and that was good
enough for second place.

The Germans showed just how effective they could have been throughout the
Super League if they had chosen to send out their big guns. Last Sunday they
were in a league of their own, Lars Nieberg (Adlantus As), Marco Kutscher
(Montender) and Christian Ahlmann (Coster) never touching a pole to seal the
cleanest of victories and promoting their country from fifth to joint-second
with the Irish at the end of this tough, eight-round series which has seen
so many twists and turns since it kicked off at La Baule five months ago.

France however are deserving winners of the 2003 Samsung Super League,
having committed themselves wholeheartedly and graciously to this new
concept in Nations Cup jumping which has helped to bring the sport to a
whole new level.

FEI ensured that journalists covering the European Eventing Championships
were kept fully up-to-date and a live TV-link was provided to the Press Room
at Punchestown showing the second round of the competition.

FEI President HRH The Infanta Dona Pilar de Borbon joined the 6,500
spectators at the sun-soaked Real Club de Polo de Barcelona to enjoy this
final leg of this exciting series which has captured the hearts and
imagination of riders and spectators alike. Eight Super Teams, eight Super
Venues but only one Samsung Super League title and - this time around - it
is VIVE LA FRANCE!

www.csiobarcelona.com.

1. Germany - 0 faults: Lars Nieberg/Adlantus As FRH 0+0, Marco
Kutscher/Montender 0+0, Christian Ahlmann/Coster 0+0, Ludger
Beerbaum/Gladdys S DNS+DNS.

2. Spain - 8 faults: Rutherford Latham/Galoubette Mondain 0+0, Jesus
Garmendia Echevarria/Espoir de la Haye 13+4, Cayetano Martinez de
Irujo/Delon Va 0+10, Christophe Francois/Oxford 4+0.

Equal 3. Italy - 12 faults: Massimo Grossato/Loro Piana Elkintot 0/4,
Vincenzo Chimirri/Askoll Rosa 0/4, Bruno Chimirri/Landknecht 8+4, Roberto
Arioldi/Loro Piana Le Mato 0+4.
Belgium - 12 faults: Maurice Van Roosbroeck/Le Coup C 4+16, Stanny Van
Paeschen/O de Pomme 16+0, Ludo Philippaerts/Parco 0+4, Jos Lansink/AK
Caridor Z 0+ 4.

Equal 5. Great Britain - 16 faults: Michael Whitaker/Abrisca 4+4, Scott
Smith/Cabri d'Elle 4+0, Richard Davenport/Luc 0+4, Robert Smith/Marius
Claudius 4+8.
Sweden - 16 faults: Malin Baryard/H&M Butterfly Flip 0+4, Helena
Persson/Classic H 4+4, Royne Zetterman/Richmond Park 4+4, Helena
Lundback/Mynta 0+4.
7. Holland - 20 faults: Eric Van der Vleuten 0+8, Jan Tops/Roofs 0+8, Albert
Zoer/Lowina 0+4, Gert Jan Bruggink/Joel DNS+4.

8. Ireland - 24 faults: Harry Marshall/Splendido 12+4, Marie Burke/Chippison
8+8, Lt Shane Carey/Killossery 4+0, Cian O'Connor/Waterford Crystal 4+4.

9. France - 28 faults: Florian Angot/First de Launay 0+4, Laurent
Goffinet/Flipper d'Elle 4+12, Bruno Broucqsault/Dileme de Cephe 4+35, Hubert
Bourdy/Eve de Etisses 0+8.

SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE LEADERBOARD
1. France - 53.53
Equal 2, Ireland and Germany - 43.75
4. Great Britain - 43.0
5. Belgium - 30.5
6. Holland - 29.0
7. Italy - 25.83
8. Sweden - 23.33 (relegated)

SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE -
NATIONAL PRIDE, INTERNATIONAL PASSION!


FEI HIGHEST DISTINCTION AWARDED TO KUN HEE LEE

During the Gala dinner hosted by Samsung Electronics on Sunday 21 September
in Barcelona to celebrate the conclusion of the first Samsung Super League
season, the President of the FEI, HRH The Infanta Doña Pilar de Borbõn
presented the FEI Award for Dedicated and Distinguished Services to
Equestrian Sport to Mr Kun Hee Lee, Chairman of the Samsung Group and IOC
Member. The Award was presented to Mr Jae Young Lee, representing Mr Kun Hee
Lee.

Mr Kun Hee Lee, known as Chairman Lee, strongly believes in the values of
sport, and is for many years a major promoter of sport in Asia, and also
worldwide, through his engagement in the Olympic Movement and many other
sports initiatives.

The support and involvement of Chairman Lee has been of crucial importance
to help emerging nations to develop equestrian sport in their country, and
Samsung Group has been a faithful partner of the FEI since 1998. Very fond
of horses, Chairman Lee has put in place a structure for the training and
participation of Korean riders in international competitions, which has
proven very successful. Over the last decade, Korea's experience in
equestrian sport has grown stronger, as shown by the recent qualification
of a Korean Jumping team for the 2004 Olympic Games.

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