The official Samsung Super League Season got underway at LaBaule France on Wednesday with the Inspection of Horses. The first competition takes place on Thursday and both Rounds of the Super League will take place on Friday Afternoon. All American Horses that were presented passed the inspection.
It was also announced today that the newly elected 13th president of the FEI, HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein of Jordan will make her first official visit to La Baule’s CSIO.
As an international rider she jumped in La Baule when preparing and qualifying for Sydney Olympic Games. So she will be back in a equestrian stadium she is familiar with.
The new President of the FEI will stay for two days, May 5 and 6. She will view the first leg of the 2006 FEI Samsung Super League and preside at the awards ceremony before attending a gala dinner in her honor at the Hermitage Barrière Hotel given by Samsung Electronics Co.
The eight teams in this years Super League competition represent France, Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States.
The Competition
The eight “Super League” teams will compete over two rounds. The starting order of the 8 teams for the first round will be by drawing lots. This will take place the night before the competition. Only 3 of the 4 riders scores from round 1 and round 2 are used. The starting order of the 8 teams for the 2nd round will be in reverse order of penalties of the 3 best riders from each team.
In case of a tie for first place after the second round of competition, the winner will be determined by a jump-off with only one competitor representing each team tied for first.
Other position ties result in a sharing of placement points and prize moneys.
Competition in two rounds under Table A, not against the clock and with a jump-off. (Art. 264) »
Jump-off (if any) Yes
Speed / Fixed time 400 m / min.
Obstacles height 1.50 to 1.60 meters
Number of horses per rider 1
Total prize money (gross amount) 140 000 €
Breakdown of prize-money, i.e.
1st 40 000 €
2nd 30 000 €
3rd 24 000 €
4th 18 000 €
5th 12 000 €
6th 8 000 €
7th 5 000 €
8th 3 000 €
Points are awarded in the following manner
1st 10 points
2nd 7 points
3rd 5 points
4th 4 points
5th 3 points
6th 2 points
7th 1 point
8th .5 points
Last Years Performance
Last Year at LaBaule, for the first time ever in Super League Competition, the Americans claimed victory. It was an all ladies team that was lead and inspired by perhaps the greatest teacher of all times, who earlier in the week had humbly described his roll as just a temporary Chef d’ Equipe.
Laura Kraut summed it up best in 2005: “This Victory is the beginning of a new era for American show jumping - George (Morris) makes you believe that you can do it - he’s fantastic!”
That spirit continued throughout the year and with George at the helm and through a variety of riders and horses all inspired to perform their best for him, the United States brought home the Super League Championship.
This year is different
Last year we were the struggling Americans who had managed to stay in the League after a mediocre performance in 2004. Now we are the champions and everyone is looking to dethrone our reign. George is back. No questions now. He is the Chef d’ Equipe.
The teams for the competition were announced by the USEF and were a by product of the WEF Trials. At LaBaule, the USA will be represented by:
Rider Horses:
GOLDSTEIN - ENGLE Margie Hidden Creek’s Wapino, Hidden Creek’s Perin, Calippo
HOUGH Lauren Casadora, Clasiko, Rodos
MADDEN Beezie Authentic, Desilvio
WARD McLain Sapphire, Gldika 559
WELLES Jeffery Armani, ampras
George will determine which of these riders will be the four to compete on Friday. Friday’s competition starts at 3:00PM LaBaule time and round 2 is scheduled for 4:45. In addition to the Super League competition there are two other big events. On Saturday the DERBY DE LA REGION DES PAYS DE LA LOIRE is a 45,000 € event and Sunday’s GRAND PRIX LONGINES DE LA VILLE DE LA BAULE is both a WEG qualifier and a 100,000 € event.
Other Super League Nations Teams are as follows:
FRANCE
Team Member Horses
ANGOT Eugénie Kamelia’Jac Cigale Du Taillis, Capponi
ANGOT Florian First De Launay*HN Javelot D’Helby, Obélix
GODIGNON Hervé Ratio Van Het Ettingenhof, Portofino 46
HERMON Christian Ephebe For Ever*La Silla, Galet D’Auzay
ROBERT Michel Koro D’Or, Dow Jones
GERMANY
AHLMANN Christian Côster, Perry Lee
BEERBAUM Ludger Nabab’s Son, L’Espoir, Gladdys S
DIEDERICHSMEIER Mylene Fabiana, Konni, Countess G
EHNING Marcus Anka, Noltes Kûchengirl,l Gitania
KUTSCHER Marco Montender, Cash, Quincy
GREAT BRITAIN
ARMSTRONG Mark Thesaura, Rex
GREDLEY Tim N Ulisina 54, Omelli, Fabriana
MAHER Ben Niko IV, Give Me Remus, Alfredo
WHITAKER Exploit De Roulard, John Peppermill, Lactic Two
SKELTON Nick Russel, As Good As It Gets, Lapacco
IRELAND
BREEN Shane World Cruise, Mullandrin Gold Rain, Royal Concorde
CAREY Capt Shane Killossery, African Drum, Lismakin
DOYLE Edward Effective, Utopia, Wingates King Koal
O’CONNOR Cian Irish Independant Echo Beach, Casper, Bronson
SWAIL Conor Rivaal, Nepomuk, Poncho
NETHERLANDS
Van ASTEN Leopold VDL Groep Fleche Rouge, VDL Groep Porto Rico, VDL Groep Spiga
SCHRÖDER Gerco Eurocommerce Acapulco, Eurocommerce Berlin, Eurocommerce Grenoble
STENFERT Jurgen BMC Octavia, BMC Chicago, BMC Naomie
TACKEN Emile Miss Montana, Oscar, Outsider
ZOER Albert Lincoln, Lowina, Oki Doki
SWEDEN
BARYARD-JOHNSSON Malin Butterfly Flip, H & M Tamina, Necoll
GRETZER Maria Spender S 1054, Ovation 10, Mysterious Girl II
JOHANSSON Svante Nostradamus, Lempreur de Thurin, Classic Lady
ZETTERMAN Royne Isaac, Mivenno, Radius H
SJÖGREN Lina AJ Produkter Evertino, Cardelia
SWITZERLAND
ETTER Daniel Frmecs Hermine D’Aurzay, Qinn Van Het Wauwerhof, Wango CH
FUCHS Markus Nirmette, Ovation, Sylver II
OBERSON Grégoire Cortaflex Gazelle, Joker De La Maladrie, Kogoun De Valmont
SCHWIZER Pius Coolman V, Jamaica VIII, Unique X CH
Is this new that only 3 riders return for round 2 and that all teams return? I thought that last year 4 riders from the top ? teams (not all) returned for round two. I could be totally wrong, just looking to see if someone knows
kchased - May 4th, 2006 at 2:10 pmAll riders return, if necessary. Three out of the Four Riders scores are used in each round. One score is thrown out. At various times last year, the winner was already determined and there was no need for the 4th rider to go.
John Redfern - May 4th, 2006 at 4:34 pmYou must be logged in to post a comment.