A total of 36 athletes from 20 countries ‒ including four previous champions ‒ are set to participate in the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Final in Leipzig, Germany, April 6-10.
The Finals were cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic in the first instance and the EHV-1 outbreak in Europe in the latter. The 2019 champion, Steve Guerdat (SUI), will be defending his title aboard Victorio des Frotards; another 18 horse-and-rider pairs from the top 25 of the powerhouse Western European League will also be in attendance.
On this continent 19 athletes, including 5 extras, are eligible from the North American League; as indicated by the definite entries list, there are 10 planning to compete, all Americans but one:
Katherine Dinan, Brego R’n B
Margie Goldstein-Engle, Dicas
Hunter Holloway, Pepita Con Spita
Schuyler Riley, Robin De Ponthual
Aaron Vale, Elusive
Kristen Vanderveen, Bull Run’s Prince Of Peace
McLain Ward, Contagious
Misti Cassar, Mylord Cornet
Alessandra Volpi, Berlinda
Conor Swail (IRL), Vital Chance De La Roque, Count Me In
Conor Swail (IRL) lead the North American League standings with 74 points; Canada’s Tiffany Foster was second in the league with 59 points based on her four best results from World Cup competition at CSI4*-W Fort Worth, TX (2nd with Figor); CSI4*-W Lexington (4th with Figor); CSI4*-W Tryon (1st with Figor); and CSI4*-W Vancouver (5th with Hamilton). Canada was entitled to send the two athletes with the most points in the final league standings, which were Tiffany Foster and Erynn Ballard (28 pts). Substitutions can be made in descending order of the final North American League standings if a qualified athlete is unable to attend the Final; third in line for Canada was Vanessa Mannix, in 12th place with 25 points.
HorseSport.com asked all three athletes why they chose not to attend the Final this year.
Erynn Ballard said, “I decided not to go. My qualified horses were all sold. Live Oak ran against the CSIO week in Wellington and that took priority; I didn’t have another horse ready for a championship.”
Vanessa Mannix remarked, “Yes, it is a shame that we will not have any Canadian riders representing at WC Finals. It was not my main goal this year with my mare Catinka, although I am very pleased that in the end I could have competed for Canada. That is two cycles in a row Catinka and I have qualified, so I am proud of that achievement.”
As the third Canadian rider on the list, she was just notified the day FEI entries closed, March 17th, that the first two qualified riders had declined the opportunity. “It was too last-minute for me to feel I could properly prepare and organize to do my best and it was not our focus for my mare this winter. In the best interest of my horse I knew the right decision was to decline, although I am looking forward to travelling to Germany to watch next week. Hopefully it is a great Final; I will be cheering for my coach Conor Swail!”
A request for a comment from Foster was not yet received prior to posting.
Definite Entries here.
More information about the World Cup Jumping Final here.
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