The Equestrian worlds focus on Show Jumping from April 26-30 will be on Putra Stadium, Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. If you asked how many show jumping people had heard of Kuala Lumpur before this event was scheduled, the count would not run very high. But it is Asia ‘s chance to shine and if the event has been anything like the build-up, we are in for a treat.
If you have not had an opportunity to visit the World Cup Site, I urge you to go. The flash introduction alone is a major league production and worth the trip. You can view it at http://www.klworldcupfinal.com
Americans have won the World Cup 7 times since its inception in 1979. Only four women have claimed victory in World Cup competition and three of them represented the US. Melanie Smith won in 1982, Leslie Burr in 1986 and Katharine Burdsall in 1987. Meredith Michaels- Beerbaum won the 2005 Cup in Las Vegas.
Canada’s Ian Millar on Big Ben, Great Britain’s John Whitaker on Henderson Milton and Austria’s Hugo Simon aboard E.T. FRH have all won “Back-to-Back” World Cup Titles and Simon also won a third as he claimed the opening title in 1979
Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil on his now famous, Baloubet du Rouet is the only three time “Back-to-Back” title holder having won in 1998, 1999 and 2000. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum is now ranked 4th in the World.
Former World Cup Winners
1979 Gothenburg, SWE Hugo Simon Gladstone AUT
1980 Baltimore, USA Conrad Homfeld Balbuco USA
1981 Birmingham, GBR Michael Matz Jet Run USA
1982 Gothenburg, SWE Melanie Smith Calypso USA
1983 Vienna, AUT Norman Dello Joio I Love You USA
1984 Gothenburg, SWE Mario Deslauriers Aramis CAN
1985 Berlin, GER Conrad Homfeld Abdullah USA
1986 Gothenburg, SWE Leslie Burr Lenehan McLain USA
1987 Paris, FRA Katharine Burdsall The Natural USA
1988 Gothenburg, SWE Ian Millar Big Ben CAN
1989 Tampa, USA Ian Millar Big Ben CAN
1990 Dortmund, GER John Whitaker Henderson Milton GBR
1991 Gothenburg, SWE John Whitaker Henderson Milton GBR
1992 Del mar, USA Thomas Fruhmann ockmann’s Genius AUT
1993 Gothenburg, SWE Ludger Beerbaum lmox Ratina Z GER
1994 ’s-Hertogenbosch, NED Jos Lansink ollv. Libero H NED
1995 Gothenburg, SWE Nick Skelton verest Dollar Girl GBR
1996 Geneva, SUI Hugo Simon . T. FRH AUT
1997 Gothenburg, SWE Hugo Simon . T. FRH AUT
1998 Helsinki, FIN Rodrigo Pessoa . P. Baloubet du Rouet BRA
1999 Gothenburg, SWE Rodrigo Pessoa . Baloubet du Rouet BRA
2000 Las Vegas, USA Rodrigo Pessoa . Baloubet du Rouet BRA
2001 Gothenburg, SWE Markus Fuchs Tnka’s Boy SUI
2002 Leipzig, GER Otto Becker Dbel’s Cento GER
2003 Las Vegas, USA Marcus Ehning Aka GER
2004 Milan, Italy Bruno Broucqsault ileme de Cephe FRA
2005 Las Vegas, USA Meredith-Michaels Beerbaum Sutterfly GER
Meredith has a good chance to repeat. Her horse is strong and likes big challenges. She just took the final qualifier last weekend in Gothenburg on Sunday. But watch out for Ireland’s Jessica Kurten. She has moved up to the number two spot in the World Rankings and already has a huge victory victory having captured the $250,000 first prize at the Dubai Grand Prix. At last weekends performance in Gothenburg, Kuerten won both Friday’s World Cup Preliminary competition with Quibell and Saturday’s Grand Prix with Castle Forbes Libertina.
Others to watch are Rodrigo who just took the $200,000 Budweiser American Invitational at Tampa, Nick Skelton whose winning ways have continued from 2005 into 2006 and the USA’s own Beezie Madden who has moved back into the top ten World Rankings in the number 9 position. Then again don’t forget the other two very strong Germans: Marcus Ehning who is ranked 1st in the World and Ludger Beerbaum in the number 5 spot.
From an officials standpoint, the only American participating in an official role is Robert Ridland who is Forign Technical Delegate.
The competition will take place in an indoor rind that measures 35m by 65m and has a sand footing.
I am goingtobet on Margie Engle,it is about time for a American to win and she is ready.
mucky - April 21st, 2006 at 6:40 pmYou must be logged in to post a comment.