worldofshowjumping.com

Shane Sweetnam and Amaretto Darco will ride for Ireland in Rome. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Ireland and Belgium have their teams ready for the second leg of the Top League in Rome next Friday. Ireland’s team will consist of: Dermott Lennon/Loughview Lou-Lou, Cian O’Connor/Blue Loyd 12, Shane Sweetnam/Amaretto Darco, Niall Talbot/Nicos De La Cense and Billy Twomey/Tinka’s Serenade.

Belgium’s team consist of Jos Lansink/Cavalor Valentina van 't Heike/Prestige de Lannay /Cash del Mar Z, Ludo Philippaerts/Challenge Vd Begijnakker/Kassini' Jac/Tauber vh Kapelhof, Nicola Philippaerts/Carlos V.H.P. Z/Vadetta vh Mettenhof/Rochet de la Vaux, Olivier Philippaerts/Cabrio vd Heffinck/Sjoeke/Amici de Guldenboom and Ignace Philips/E Cantate Guldenboom/Aga Khanc/Dixson.

Source: horsesportireland.ie/equibel.be

Michel Robert is the new rider for Haras de Hus. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.After days of waiting, it’s official: Michel Robert is Haras de Hus’ new rider. As we reported last week, Kevin Staut did his final show for Haras de Hus in La Baule last weekend after five years of collaboration. Michel Robert already got the ride on Zeta de Hus in March, and for the last week speculations about him being the stud’s new rider have been everywhere.

To Grandprix-replay.com Haras de Hus founder Xavier Marie says that he has a special admiration for those riders of more senior generation like Michel – and for example Philippe Le Jeune and others –who have always made their horses themselves. Xavier continues to points out that these riders do a great job with the horses and owners deserve to invest for them. Xavier Marie also says to the French website that Michel Robert for them is an ideal profile, and that his extensive experience allows him to succeed on very different horses.

Ashlee Bond and Cadett 7 won the $32,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at the Kentucky Spring Classic. Photo by Rebecca Walton/PMG.It was another speedy night at the Kentucky Horse Park, as six double-clear finishers raced for the top prize in the $32,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic during the Kentucky Spring Classic. Proving that they are quickly reaching top form once again, veteran duo Ashlee Bond and Cadett 7 galloped over the short track in 38.54 seconds with all the fences in place to earn the lion's share of the prize. Reed Kessler, often nicknamed Speedy Reedy, lived up to her name with Cylana to place second, while Ireland's Richie Moloney took home third aboard Slieveanorra.

Another weekend - another win for Carlo 273 and Nick Skelton. Photo by Sportfot/GCT.It was Nick Skelton and Carlo 273 that went all the way to the top in the Mercedes Benz Championship of Hamburg. The class had 58 combinations at start, and no less then 18 combinations, among which six German riders, advanced to the jump-off. British rider Nick Skelton was fourth to go and had a very efficient round with his grey gelding Carlo. His time of 46.53 seconds proved to be too fast for the fourteen combinations behind him although Nick confessed at the press conference that he thought before going in that his early start would mean winning would be difficult.

Simon Delestre's early wake up paid off. Photo by Sportfot. The Global Champions Tour of Hamburg started of very early mornings with the first 5* competition of the day. A total of 40 combinations decided to set their alarm clocks  in order  to compete in this accumulator jumping competition. In this kind of competition every fence that is jumped without faults counts for points. The last fence was the “Joker” which could count for 20 additional points incase the rider decided to jump the fence.

Simon Delestre and Quiness du Mezel were the fastest combination to jump all fences clear in a time of 55.04 seconds. Second place went to Michael Whitacker and Ingliston Twister in 55.32 seconds, and third place to Pius Schwizer on Powerplay finishing in 56.85 seconds.

Reed Kessler and Ligist won the 1.45m Open Jumper class at the Kentucky Spring Classic. Photo by Rebecca Walton/PMG.Sunny skies greeted the exhibitors as they kicked-off the Kentucky Spring Classic in the Rolex Stadium of the Kentucky Horse Park. Once again it was Reed Kessler at the top of the leader board as she piloted Ligist to the only double clear effort in today's 1.45m Open Jumper class to earn the blue ribbon prize. Earlier in the day, Andre Rodriguez and Remonta Eden sped to victory in the 1.40m Open Jumpers, just topping Kessler and Onisha, who placed second during the speed class.

Peter Charles will be in Rome. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.The second leg of the Top League will take place in Rome 24 - 27 of May and Great Britain has announced which riders that will be part of their team.

It is:

Scott Brash with Hello Sanctos, Peter Charles with Murkas Vindicat W, Tina Fletcher with Hello Sailor, William Funnel with Billy Angelo and Guy Williams with Depardieu van´t Kiezelhof.

Source: www.horses.nl

A new tour in the Netherlands is launched. The tour is called Jumping Tour Holland, and will take place from the 4th of June until 12th of July. The last part of the event – from 28th of June-1th of July – will include a two star show and a FEI Rolex ranking class. The organizer offers weatherproof surface in all the arenas, and also a veterinary and farrier clinic on location of this event. The tour takes place in the eastern part of Holland, and during the tour shows such as Outdoor Gelderland, Dutch youngster festival Wierden, Hagen, Rotterdam, Aachen, Geesteren and Zuidwolde are close by.

Franck Schillewaert and Marquis de la Lande in Copenhagen last year. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Haras des Coudrettes has acquired Marquis de la Lande (Quito de Baussy x Starter). The 12 year old stallion will stay with his rider Franck Schillewaert, with whom he has been very successful. In a statement Haras des Coudrettes writes that Marquis is undoubtedly a horse of a lifetime for Franck, and this is the reason why Haras des Coudrettes is pleased to help him keep the horse and thus reward the work of a lifetime for a man of which they have a lot of admiration.