For the first time in the history of equestrian sport, four FEI World Cupâ„¢ Finals will be held under the same roof. The Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Final Jumping, the Reem Acra FEI World Cupâ„¢ Final Dressage, the FEI World Cupâ„¢ Final Driving and the FEI World Cupâ„¢ Final Vaulting will all be held in the German city of Leipzig April 27 – May 1, 2011.
A maximum of 43 riders from 14 qualifying leagues will line out for the Final of the 2010/2011 Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping series. And the host nation of Germany, the most prolific winners of the coveted title with eight victories in total and seven of those recorded over the last nine seasons, looks set to challenge strongly once again. Last weekend in Zurich (SUI), defending champion Marcus Ehning recorded the fifth German victory from the nine qualifying legs staged so far in the Western European League. Ehning is one of four riders who have clinched the trophy on three occasions during the 33-year history of this series which, this season, sees 132 qualifying competitions taking place around the globe.
At the Final, the fate of the Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Jumping title is decided over three tough competitions culminating in a thrilling Grand Prix on the last afternoon. It is the ultimate accolade in the sport of indoor international Jumping, and the one they all want to win.
Competition timetable:
Wednesday, April 27, 2011, 11h30 CEST
Warm-up Jumping competition with jump off (CSI-W), height: 1,45m
Thursday, April 28, 2011, 15h15 CEST
First qualification for the Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Final Jumping, against the clock, height: 1,55m
Friday, April 29, 2011, 14h45 CEST
Second qualification for the Rolex FEI World Cupâ„¢ Final Jumping with jump-off, height: 1,55m
Sunday, May 1, 2011, 13h45 CEST
Rolex FEI World Cup Final Jumping over two rounds, height: 1,60m
The announcement that top fashion designer, Reem Acra, had signed a three-year deal as new sponsor for FEI World Cupâ„¢ Dressage created a buzz of excitement as the 26th season of the prestigious series got underway last October. Current champion is The Netherlands’ Edward Gal who stole the limelight with the stunning stallion Moorlands Totilas at the 25th anniversary final on his home soil at ‘s-Hertogenbosch last March. Gal’s victory was the 10th Dutch success in the history of the series. His team-mate, Anky Van Grunsven, claimed the title on nine previous occasions over a 13-year period stretching from 1995 to 2008 and riding only two horses – the legendary Bonfire and Salinero.
A maximum of 18 riders from four leagues will compete at the Final. They can start in up to six qualifying rounds from which their best four results are counted towards qualification for the Final. The title defender Gal is automatically qualified, providing he has competed at two qualifiers.
Competition timetable:
Wednesday, April 27, 2011, 20h00 CEST
Reem Acra FEI World Cup ™ Final Dressage – warm-up competition
Thursday, April 28, 2011, 18h00 CEST
Reem Acra FEI World Cupâ„¢ Final Dressage – Grand Prix presented by Sparkasse
Saturday, April 30, 2011,
18h00 CEST – Reem Acra FEI World Cupâ„¢ Final Dressage – Grand Prix Kür (part 1)
20h45 CEST – Reem Acra FEI World Cupâ„¢ Final Dressage – Grand Prix Kür (part 2)
The 10th season of FEI World Cup™ Driving qualifiers is rapidly drawing to a close. The top-six four-in-hand drivers of the FEI World Cup™ Driving standings after the seventh and last qualifying round in Bordeaux (FRA) this weekend will be eligible to compete in what is guaranteed to be a thrilling finale at Leipzig. Title defender Boyd Exell from Australia, Dutch drivers Koos de Ronde and IJsbrand Chardon, Hungary’s Jozsef Dobrovitz and Switzerland’s Werner Ulrich have already qualified for the Final. The outcome of Bordeaux will decide the sixth driver for Leipzig.
The Final for the FEI World Cupâ„¢ Driving is run over two indoor competitions, which are sure to delight spectators. Saving the best till last, the starting order for the second competition will be reverse order of merit, but a tie in the final round will result in an electrifying drive-off.
Competition timetable:
Friday, April 29, 2011, 21h45 CEST
FEI World Cupâ„¢ Final Driving – warm up competition
Sunday, May 1, 2011, 11h30 CEST
FEI World Cupâ„¢ Final Driving presented by Sparkasse
One of the biggest novelties at Leipzig will be the first-ever FEI World Cup™ Final Vaulting. Vaulting drew sell-out crowds at last year’s Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games and, with half of the 12 vaulters qualified for the Final coming from the host nation, supporters will be at their most vociferous.
The best six male and six female vaulters, who qualified at CVI* and CVI** events approved by the FEI as legs of this new series, will battle it out for the title of FEI World Cupâ„¢ champion in a competition held over two rounds. Both rounds will be Freestyle to Music, with the final round run in reverse order of merit.
Competition timetable:
Friday, April 29, 2011
18h30 CEST – FEI World Cup™ Final Vaulting – Women, 1st round
19h00 CEST – FEI World Cup™ Final Vaulting – Men, 1st round
Saturday, April 30, 2011
11h40 CEST – FEI World Cup Final Vaulting – Women, 2nd round
12h20 CEST – FEI World Cup Final Vaulting – Men, 2nd round
For more information including ticket sales, check the FEI World Cupâ„¢ Finals official website http://www.engarde.de/
Competitions will be broadcast on FEI TV. Additional information in due course.
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