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Daniel Bluman partners up with Hermès.Colombian born Olympic rider Daniel Bluman has been chosen by Hermès to represent the prestigious brand. The collaboration between the talented rider, who was a finalist at the London 2012 Olympic Games, and Hermès covers both horse’s and rider’s equipment. “I feel honored to have been chosen by Hermès. I will be a proud ambassador of this prestigious brand. The beauty and the quality of their products is purely amazing,” says Daniel Bluman. Bluman joins a group of talented riders also supported by Hermès, such as Simon Delestre and Pilar Cordon. Daniel Bluman is based in Wisbeq, Belgium, and trains with showjumping all-times legend Nelson Pessoa.

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Clarissa Crotta has developed a new website which was launched on Monday. Clarissa and her partner Sören Kühl have established a sales and training stable in Borgholzhausen in the north-east part of Westfalia, Germany. To know more about Clarissa, her horses and the business you can visit www.clarissacrotta.com.

Quality Time TN - one of Team Nijhof's stallions. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.On Saturday Team Nijhof held their yearly stallion presentation in Geesteren. The popular show was sold out, and if you did not get the chance to watch the stallions live - or if you want a replay - you can click here to watch.

Photo GCT.In a landmark agreement Longines and Global Champions Tour have joined forces in a new long-term title partnership agreement, it is announced today.

The Swiss watchmaker will be Title Partner and Official Timekeeper of the LONGINES GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR, opening an exciting new chapter in equestrian sport.

David Will with Juvina in Dortmund. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Together with a few sponsors Dietmar Gugler has bought the 12 year old mare Juvina (Cassini I x Grannus). It will thus be David Will that will continue to ride Juvina in the nearest future. The plan is for them to compete in Mannheim, Hamburg and Wiesbaden to begin with and then the future will depend on how long Juvina will stay in Gugler's stable.

"I had a good feeling with her from the first moment. She has a lot of scope and she is really careful. She is a big horse, but as she is so competitive she can be very fast. Juvina is a joy to ride," David Will says to World of Showjumping.

Teun van Riel Horse Supplements is doing a survey researching how riders search online for information about bits. Please take the time to answer the questions.

These are the links to the survey:

Dutch version

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Janika Sprunger will be in Hagen. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.The coming weekend it is time for the CSI4* show Horses & Dreams in Hagen, Germany. The show will be crowded with top riders! The Germans are well represented with Marcus Ehning, Philipp Weishaupt, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, David Will, Carsten-Otto Nagel, Daniel Deusser, Mario Stevens and Janne-Friederike Meyer present. They will compete against Judy Ann Melchior, John Whitaker, Simon Delestre, Luciana Diniz, Janika Sprunger, Roger Yves Bost, Peter Charles, Pius Schwizer and Henrik von Eckermann to mention some.

Ben and Robin Hood W before his injury. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson. According to Horse&Hound Ben Maher’s top ride Robin Hood W (Animo x Libero H) is finally back in full training. The 15 year old gelding got a tiny ligament injury at the beginning of 2011 and has not been competing since Gothenburg two years ago. Ben explains to Horse & Hound that many other horses would be able to compete with the same injury, but Robin Hood is obviously a sensible horse. “He’s one who lets you know if he’s feeling any pain,” Ben explains. There will still be some time before we can expect to find Robin Hood back in the ring though. Ben says that the plan is to start jumping him next month and then slowly increase the jumping during the summer.

The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has today unveiled the eight ambassadors of its global sport development programme, FEI Solidarity, in a specially commissioned composite portrait.

The FEI Solidarity Ambassadors who include Olympic, Paralympic, world champions and national heroes, have formed a unique partnership to promote and develop the global equestrian disciplines governed by the FEI.

Daniel Deusser will continue to ride Cornet d'Amour. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Double H Farm has bought half of Cornet d'Amour (Cornet Obolensky x Damiani). According to studforlife.com the wonderful 10 year old gelding will be in joint ownership, as Stephex Stables keeps the other half. Cornet d'Amour remains with his current rider Daniel Deusser, who has been riding the horse since the summer of 2012. The pair has had great success together; they were on the winning Nations Cup team at Spruce Meadows last year, won the Grand Prix in Vienna in November 2012, and the World Cup qualifier in Wellington in March this year.

Incredibly sad; it seems like the amazing Valentina van't Heike's career comes to and end. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.The fantastic Valentina van't Heike (Nabab de Reve x Lys de Davaney) has sustained a serious injury. According to studforlife.com the chestnut mare has broken a leg, and thus gone through surgery. The surgery went well, but resulted in the mare ending up with six screws in her leg. The website reports that the injury unfortunately also means that Valentina's career has come to an end.

Jos Lansink says to studforlife.com that the most important thing right now is that Valentina will get well enough to enjoy a happy retirement, as she has given him so much. The Belgian rider also hopes Valentina will recover to such an extent that they will be able to breed a little from her. Valentina van't Heike already has two offspring; Boomer van't Heike by Grandeur and Epleasure van't Heike by For Pleasure.

Peter Wylde will move to Winley Farm. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.According to chronofhorse.com American rider Peter Wylde will move to Winley Farm in Millbrook, New York. The farm is owned by Judith Goelkel, who owns several top showjumpers. Wylde moved back to the States in December after living in Germany for over a decade, and at that time it was announced that he would join Missy Clark’s team at North Run. Plans have now changed though, as Wylde was presented with the opportunity to move to Winley Farm – which stood basically empty. To chronofhorse.com Peter Wylde says that the move will give him the chance to recreate what he had in Germany, and that this was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.

The Jumping Round Table was the final session at the two-day FEI Sports Forum, focusing on rules revision, the Event Classification System and CSI invitation rules.

John Madden, Chair of the FEI Jumping Committee, opened the session with a report on the Event Classification System (ECS) project, which is designed to evaluate FEI jumping events with the ultimate goal of using the ECS to grade events.

Reed Kessler. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.The coming weekend WoSJ is lucky enough to have one of the hottest names in showjumping guest blogging for us, as Reed Kessler returns as our guest blogger. Reed will write from the amazing five star show Saut Hermès in Paris, where she flies in with her superstars Cylana and Ligist – fresh from her vice champion title with Mika at the American Invitational. Don’t miss out on Reed’s blog entries!

If you want to read our WoSJ Exclusive with Reed from the end of last year, click here.

Sami Al Duhami presented the new trophy to Ingmar De Vos. Photo by FEI/Edouard Curchod.The new trophy that will be presented annually to the winning team at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup jumping final was unveiled by the series sponsors, Saudi Equestrian Fund, at the FEI Sports Forum in Lausanne today. The perpetual trophy, which will first be awarded at the 2013 series final in Barcelona at the end of September, was formally presented to FEI Secretary General Ingmar De Vos and Chair of the FEI Jumping Committee John Madden by Saudi Equestrian Team Director Sami Al Duhami at the start of today’s Jumping Round Table session at the Sports Forum. 

Read the full story at fei.org.

Sergio Alvarez Moya's Gentleman St has been sold to José Maria Larocca.Sergio Alvarez Moya has sold his very talented 7 year old Gentleman St to José Maria Larocca. Gentleman St is a son of Sergio’s top horse Action-Breaker (check out www.actionbreaker.com), and out of a Carthago Z-mare. Sergio has had Gentleman St since he was a foal, and has huge belief in the horse. "He is one of the best horses I have ever had," Sergio says to WoSJ. To have a look at Larocca’s fantastic new ride, click on Read more to view a video of Gentleman St. 

The World Breeding Federation of Sport Horses has announced its partnership with the Swiss watch manufacturer Jaeger-LeCoultre. At a ceremony taking place at the Berleburg Castle in the middle of March, the president of WBFSH – Jan Pedersen – and the director of Jaeger-LeCoultre – Jerome Lambert – signed a two year sponsor agreement for the benefit of WBFSH members.

For the next two years Jaeger-LeCoultre will support the WBFSH activities, and at the end of the year a prize-giving ceremony will be held and the most successful breeders of jumping, dressage and eventing horses will receive the WBFSH Breeding Prize – a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso watch, exclusively engraved with the WBFSH logo.

Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, aboard Bella Donna, jumps her way to a win in the AIG Thermal Million, which will be the 2014 kick-off event to the Triple Crown Challenge of showjumping. Photo by Flying Horse Photography. With two $1 million grand prix scheduled for 2013, HITS, Inc. upped the ante for 2014 by announcing the addition of a third ground-breaking class. The Ocala $1 Million Grand Prix, to be held next March and will join the Zoetis $1 Million Grand Prix in Saugerties, New York and the AIG Thermal $1 Million Grand Prix in Thermal, California next year to form the Triple Crown Challenge of showjumping.

Wyeth, Jim and Penny Coulter with George H. Morris, Saer Coulter and Ronnie Beard at the Maxine Beard Award Presentation. Photo by V.Valenti - The Book LLC. The United States Equestrian Team Foundation is pleased to announce that 21-year-old Saer Coulter of San Francisco, CA, has been selected as the 2013 recipient of the Maxine Beard Show Jumping Rider Award. Coulter was presented with the Maxine Beard Award trophy at the American Invitational on April 6, 2013, at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL.

Holiday By Solitur and Janne in Aachen in 2011. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Holiday by Solitur will in the future be seen under Carsten-Otto Nagel. The wonderful 12 year old gelding by Contendro x Cascavelle has performed very well under Meyer for the last five years; the pair won the Best of Champions in Aachen in 2011 and also the German Championship for ladies the same year in addition to notching up numerous Grand Prix placings.

On her website Janne states; "I have carefully built Holiday up and celebrated a lot of success with him. We had a very nice time together. As I had other thoughts about the planning of Holiday’s future tournaments, further cooperation was no longer possible. I am glad that I could recommend him for my team mate Carsten-Otto Nagel who is also in my neighbourhood, and wish them both the best of luck for the future."

Source: janne-meyer.de

Jur Vrieling gave away his Olympic silver medal yesterday. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.During yesterday’s VDL stallion show in Bears, Holland, Jur Vrieling gave away his Olympic silver medal to the van de Lageweg-family. The family runs the VDL Stud, and Wiepke van de Lageweg is both the breeder and owner of Vrieling’s Olympic partner VDL Bubalu – and Jur’s gesture was thus an emotional moment for all involved. The sympathetic Dutch rider seized the opportunity to express his gratefulness with beautiful words as well as handing over the Olympic medal. “It’s very nice that Jur gave us the medal, it means a lot to us,” Wiepke van de Lageweg said to horses.nl afterwards.

Libertina and Jessica Kürten. Photo by Jenny Abrahamson.According to studforlife.com Jessica Kürten’s former super star Libertina (Libero H x Polydor) will join the Haras de Brullemail for breeding purposes. In May 2011 it was known that the now 17 year old mare would be retired from the sport after fantastic achievements under Kürten; during their time together the pair won nine 5* Grand Prix classes. The pair was also victorious in the 2007 Rolex Top Ten Final in Geneva, and in the 2006 World Cup Final in Kuala Lumpur they finished second.   

Libertina will not be the only famous mare breeding at Brullemail; this is also were Patrice Delaveau’s former top horse Katchina Mail (Calvaro x Laudanum) is spending her time – producing future Mail-superstars.

The American Invitational will be available for viewing via live webcast tonight. The event takes place at Raymond James Stadium, home of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and is often called the 'Super Bowl of Showjumping’. The webcast begins at 7 p.m. with pre-event entertainment and the first horse is on course at 8 p.m. The live webcast can be found at www.shownet.biz  and at www.shownetvision.com.

Click here for the start list.

The VDL stallion show that takes place tomorrow at 14:00 can be viewed live on clipmyhorse.de. Top stallions will be presented; Indoctro, Corland, Cardento, Indorado, Douglas, Emilion, Harley, Modesto and Quasimodo van de Molendreef will all be shown by hand. VDL Bubalu and Zirocco Blue will also make an appearance with Jur Vrieling in the saddle as will Zapatero and Arezzo with Jessica Kürten.

Westi and Clarissa in Zürich earlier this year. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Clarissa Crotta’s top ride West Side V Meerputhoeve is out with injury. The 14 year old Baloubet du Rouet-gelding ended third in the Grand Prix in Doha last weekend, but immediately after the jump-off he showed clear signs of lameness. It’s now clear that Westi has sustained a injury in his right front leg, and that he will be out of action for the next four months. "After the flight and journey back Westi is now finally at home in his stable, and medically well-cared for. Westi will get a competition break until he is completely recovered, and then we hope to get him back in the same shape as he has been in lately – with fantastic performances in Braunschweig and Doha," Clarissa says.

Chips, here seen with Steve Guerdat in Mechelen in December. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson. Steve Guerdat's ride Chips (Come On x Cento) has been sold to Norwegian rider Marie Longem. The 10 year old Holsteiner gelding came to Steve about a year ago, and the two have had some good rounds together - in December 2012 the pair was second in the Land Rover Masters in Mechelen, and third in the Prijs KBC Bank at the same show. Marie, who is based with Gregory Wathelet in Belgium, tried the horse while competing on the Sunshine Tour and it is now confirmed that she will be Chips' new rider.

Related article: New horse for Steve Guerdat

Sterrehof's Tamino. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.The first WBSFH rankings for 2013 are out, and the jumping horse ranking sees two Olympic silver medalists on top. Sterrehof's Tamino (Numero Uno x Farmer) and London (Nabab de Reve x Chin Chin) - ridden by Marc Houtzager and Gerco Schröder - have both climbed up to the top, and share the number one spot. Ranked as number three is Clarissa Crotta's West Side v Meerputhoeve (Baloubet du Rouet x Apollonisos), while Castle Forbes Myrtille Palouis (Dollar du Murier x Grand Veneur) is rank four with Lacrimoso 3 HDC (Landjunge x Cascavelle) ranked as number five.

Reed Kessler is one of the riders on the list for the American Invitational.This year's edition of the $200,000 Gene Mische American Invitational, presented by G & C Farms, is less than a few days away – and the riders list is ready. America’s best riders are all in the line-up; McLain Ward, Beezie Madden, Reed Kessler, Laura Kraut, Lauren Hough, Leslie Howard, and Margie Engle will be competing at the "Super Bowl of Showjumping" that takes place on Saturday night at Tampa's Raymond James Stadium, home to the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Click here to view the riders list.

Jos Verlooy jumps from 264 to 192 on this month's Logines Rankings. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.WoSJ has taken a closer look at this month’s Longines Rankings to find out who’s been climbing among the world’s top 200 riders. The ranking includes validated results from 01/04/2012 to 31/03/2013. Outside the top ten, Ben Maher is getting closer to the ten best in the world by going from rank 23 to rank 14 after some fantastic results in Florida. Doda – who’s also been riding at the WEF with success – is another climber, going from 32 to 22. Two other WEF’ers are also going upwards; Shane Sweetnam from 46 to 39 and Daniel Deusser from 52 to 44. US rider Christine McRea also makes a jump, from 72 to 59 – while Leon Thijssen goes from 70 to 61. One of the last months’ biggest climbers is Clarissa Crotta, and the Swiss riders keep on moving upwards – now going from rank 93 to 66!

Still number one! Christian Ahlmann. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Christian Ahlmann continues to top the world ranking yet another month. There are  few changes among the top ten, but Gerco Schröder has pushed Steve Guerdat down to third place and has taken over the runner-up position behind Ahlmann. Pius Schwizer, Edwina Tops-Alexander and Kevin Staut remain as number four, five and six, while Marcus Ehning has dropped one place and follows them as number seven. The remaining three riders, Nick Skelton, Marc Houtzager and Beezie Madden, have also kept on to their previous ranks as number eight, nine and ten.

Click here to see the full ranking.

A new promising seven year old for Beezie. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Beezie Madden has purchased the seven year old approved stallion Q. Breitling LS (Quintero La Silla x Accord II) from Jeroen Dubbeldam and Team Nijhof. Breitling won the Dutch stallion final in Den Bosch in 2012 with Jeroen's stable jockey Sjaak Sleiderink.

Source: Stal de Sjiem

Kevin Staut will compete at home soil this weekend. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.The French top riders Patrice Delaveau, Simon Delestre, Penelope Leprevost and Kevin Staut will all be at the 3* show in Hardelot this weekend. They will be accompanied by other International top riders such as Rik Hemeryck, Philippe Le Jeune, Shane Breen, Wout-Jan van der Schans, Albert Voorn, Laura Renwick, Guy Williams and Paul Estermann.

Click here to see the total riders list.

It is finally confirmed that the London leg of the Global Champions Tour 2013 will be staged at The International Quarter, adjacent to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, cementing the extraordinary equestrian legacy from the London Olympic Games. Global Champions Tour will bring world class 5* show jumping to the capital from June 6 - 9 2013 with the full support of Mayor of London Boris Johnson and his Chief of Staff Sir Edward Lister. It will be one of the first international sporting events in the Olympic Park since the London Games and comes only weeks before the site opens fully to the public.

Horse-live.com offers live streaming from all three arenas at the Z-tour at Zangersheide. The CSI2* classes and the yougster classes will take place from the 2nd-4th of April. Friday is resting day, before the CSI3* show starts on Saturday and goes on until Monday.

Click here to get to the live stream.

Rik Hemeryck. Rik Hemeryck has a new ride in Speedy des Mansarts (Ogano Sitte x Major de la Cour). The Belgian rider made his debut with his new ride at the three star event Sint Katelijne-Waver this weekend.  The 11 year old stallion has previously been seen under Yves Simon who has produced the horse to Grand Prix level.

Source: studforlife.com

Everything is emptying out today! #terriFor the past week we have been so lucky to have Terri Fitton guest tweeting from Doha. Terri works for Marco Kutscher, and flew in to the five star event with Spartacus and Cash - as well as the rest of the top horses heading for the show. On Sunday it was time to pack up and head back home, and if you want to see what the travel back to Europe looked like we have collected a selection of Terri's amazing tweets and pics below. A huge thanks to Terri for taking us behind the scenes on her trip to Doha!

Angelica and Mic Mac du Tillard in Rome last year. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.This week Mic Mac du Tillard makes her competition comeback. After spending ten months away from the international ring, the chestnut mare makes her comeback in Lanaken under her rider Angelica Augustsson. To the Swedish website tidningenridsport.se Angelica says that it is wonderful to have Mic Mac back, and that she will get a slow start as she is entered in two 1.30 classes.

Heading for Lanaken; Jos Verlooy and Omar's Pride Z. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.The riders list for the Z-Tour 2013 at Zangersheide is full of top names. From the 2nd to 8^th of April both professionals and amateurs will get the chance to prepare their horses for the outdoor season in Lanaken. Christian Ahlmann, Edwina Tops-Alexander, Denis Lynch, Jos Lansink, Judy-Ann Melchior, Maikel and Eric van der Vleuten, Luciana Diniz and Steve Guerdat are some of the riders heading for the show. WoSJ will be present to bring you reports and photos.

Click here for the full riders list.

Sparti we really need to get ready for the Grand Prix! #terri Once again we have collect some of Terri's tweet from Doha for our readers. Enjoy! If you don't want to miss any of Terri's tweets, you can follow WoSJ on Twitter.

Making sparti ready for Marco! Easy day today no classes for us #terriBelow is another fine selection of Terri's fantastic tweets from Doha. Terri, who is Marco Kutscher's head groom, is currently at the five star event in Doha with Marco's horses Cash and Spartacus.

If you don't want to miss any of Terri's tweets, follow us on twitter.

Several shows offer live streaming this weekend. 

To follow CSI5* in Doha, click here.

 To follow Toscana Tour in Arezzo, click here.

 To follow Mediterranean Tour in Oliva Nova, click here.

Euro Horse – Axel Verlooy’s company – has a brand new website. From the website you can follow Euro Horse’s team riders Harrie Smolders and Jos Verlooy. Click here to view it.

Cashi likes the young Arabians from the breeding station in the paddock #terri Why change a winning recipe; We will present our readers with a fine selection of Terri's fun, interesting and crazy tweets from Doha today as well. Terri Fitton, Marco Kutscher's head groom is in Doha this weekend with Cash, Spartacus and several entertaining grooms, horses, riders and others. If you don't want to miss a chance to take a look behind the scenes; follow WoSHowjumping on twitter.com.

Ideal de la Loge and Bosty. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Roger-Yves Bost’s former top ride, Ideal de la Loge, will for the 2013 season be seen under Spanish rider Eduardo Blanco. Ideal de la Loge was taken from Bosty last year due to a disagreement between Bosty and the owners. The now 17 year old stallion was then given to Olivier Robert to ride, but will now continue his career under Spanish colors as Robert has decided to end his cooperation with Elevage des One.

Super cashi jumped great and ended 3rd in the 1.50m, go grandpa! #terri Once again we have collected a few of Terri's tweets from Doha where she works as Marco Kutscher's head groom for the 5* show this weekend. If you don't want to miss all the fun; follow WoShowjumping on www.twitter.com.

The Stiftung Deutscher Spitzenpferdesport has been founded in Germany. The foundation is aiming to strengthen the position of the German equestrian sport internationally. The board of trustees consists of Jürgen Thumann, Hendrik Snoek and Gina Capellmann-Lütkemeier, and the executive bureau of Karl-Heinz Gross, Madeleine Winter Schulze and Breido Graf zu Rantzau.

Mario Deslauriers and Urico in Rotterdam in 2011. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Mario Deslauriers will as of April join Hunter's Moon Farm in the US. There he will work alongside current trainers Pamela Polk and Kevin Kirk. Deslauriers, who won the World Cup Finals in 1984 aged just 19 years old, is excited about the new partnership. "We had been thinking about this for a while, and when I came in contact with Jennifer (Griffin - the manager of Hunter's Moon Farm), I thought it was a great idea for us to team up," he says in a press release. "I think Hunter's Moon Farm has a great facility and it's a great location, so we are very excited."

Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al Thani with Cantaro in Den Bosch. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al Thani suffered a fall at the CHI Al Shaqab in Doha, but is luckily recovering well in hospital. In a press release from the organizers it is stated that it has been confirmed that that Sheikh Al Thani is free of any serious injuries following his fall in the CSI3* Medium Tour CSI – where he was riding his horse Sieshof's Abraksas and fell at fence nine during competition.

Early riding before vet check let's see what we can find sparti! #terri This week we have Terri Fitton guest tweeting for WoSJ! Terri works for Marco Kutscher, and she is now in Doha with the horses competing there. We have collected a selection of Terri's tweets and pics from her Tuesday in Doha below. To follow Terri's tweets live, follow us on Twitter.

Kevin Staut and Quismy des Vaux in Den Bosch. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Since February Kevin Staut has competed the nine year old mare Quismy des Vaux (Dollar de la Pierre x Super de Bourriere) with great success. The combination has produced some very good rounds both in Dortmund and recently in ’s-Hertogenbosch where they ended second in the Grand Prix classes. Due to their great performances Haras des Coudrettes once again steps up and supports the JumpFive riders, consisting of Kevin Staut, Patrice Delaveau and Olivier Guillon, buying the talented mare for Staut to ride.

Spruce Meadows Television is making a documentary on the legendary Hickstead. The documentary is titled 'The Legacy of Hickstead', and will be in two parts -  focusing on the incredible career of one of showjumping's greatest competitors.

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Henk van der Pol's ride Chesterfield has been sold to Saudi Arabia. Henk and Chesterfield had a very successful year in 2012 winning classes in Amsterdam, Madrid, La Coruna, Drammen and Vejer de la Frontera. According to Horses.nl the plan is that Abdullah Al Sharbatly will compete the horse in the future.Chesterfield will in the future be seen under Saudi Arabian colors. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.

Time for riding! #sparti #terriThis week we have Terri Fitton guest tweeting for WoSJ! Terri works for Marco Kutscher, and she is now in Doha with the horses competing there. We have collected a selection of Terri's tweets and pics from the first day in Doha below. To follow Terri's tweets live, follow us on Twitter.

Billy is back competing. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.After a break away from the international showjumping ring, Billy Twomey is finally back competing again. The Irish rider went through back surgery at the end of 2012, and Billy looked set for a comeback in February. Unfortunately for Billy the week before his first show back, he was in a freak accident at home with a young horse that spooked – resulting in Billy fracturing a vertebrae in his back. This past weekend, Twomey was well enough to return to the ring though and rode Tinka's Serenade, Tin Tin, Royale Du Rouet and Aminko at the MET in Oliva Nova. The plan is for Billy to compete there this week as well.

Source: billytwomey.com

Ole Kristoffer Meland with Mira VIII. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.The 9 year old Mira VIII (Rockland x Leendert) has been sold from Norway to Ashford Farm in Belgium. The Danish bred mare has been ridden successfully by Norwegian rider Ole Kristoffer Meland, who won the 3* Kingsland Grand Prix on her at the Arctic Equestrian Games in February as well as competing her at CSI5* shows in Oslo, Geneva and Bordeaux over the winter. 

A very full truck and trailer 8horses for 4riders! My driver checking all is good! #terriThis week we have Terri Fitton guest tweeting for WoSJ! Terri works for Marco Kutscher, and yesterday she and Russel – who works for Denis Lynch – travelled to Doha with the horses competing there. We have collected a selection of Terri’s tweets and pics from the long travel and flight below. To catch up with Terri’s tweets, follow us on Twitter.

Ludger Beerbaum is competing in Doha this weekend. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.This weekend the CSI5* show CHI Al Shaqab will take place in Doha. Several top riders have travelled there to compete, such as Gerco Schröder, Henrik von Eckermann, Marc Houtzager, Maikel van der Vleuten, Edwina Tops-Alexander, Marco Kutscher, Steve Guerdat, Harrie Smolders, Jur Vrieling and Ludger Beerbaum.

Click here to come to the organizer's website.

Antello Z with Michael in Bordeaux. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Michael Whitaker's former ride Antello Z (Animo II Z x Continue) is back with the Irish rider Cameron Hanley. Michael did his last show with the 10 year old gelding at the CSI5* show in Bordeaux. An ownership change was registered with the FEI in the middle of March, and Antello Z is now owned by Eleonore Paschoud and Yves Bouvier. Antello Z is not a new horse for Cameron though, as he owned the horse until it was sold to Michael in 2012 and also previously competed him.

The four year old Callas (Casall x Coriano x Romino) was the most expensive horse at the Holsteiner Verband’s spring auction yesterday. The mare was sold for 70 000 Euro to a jumping stable in Belgium, but she will stay at the Holsteiner Verband for further education. The five year old Charité (Corrido x Acord II) was sold for 30 000 Euro to Italy, and will go there together with three other horses that Alessandro Mingoli bought for customers in Italy. The Clearway-daughter Clearline was sold for 26 500 Euro to the well known German auctioneer Uwe Heckmann.

Terri is back guest tweeting!Terri Fitton is back guest tweeting for WoSJ! Terri works for Marco Kutscher, and today she sets off towards Doha from Stall Beerbaum in Germany. You can follow Terri and the horses on their long travel with her tweets and snapshots on the WoSJ Twitter account, and we will also put together a selection of Terri’s tweets here on the website.

Jessica Springsteen. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Jessica Springsteen has bought Darragh Kerrin’s ride Lisona (OBOS Quality 004 x Porsch). The 12 year old Irish bred mare – whose breeder is Comdt. John Ledingham – has been very successful under Kerins over the last three years; the pair was on the winning Irish team in the Nations Cups at both Hickstead and Dublin in 2012. "It was a very hard decision for (co-owner) Maarten Huygens and I to make, as Lisona achieved so many great wins for us and Team Ireland. She is a great mare and will be very sadly missed in my barn. I wish her new owner, Jessica Springsteen, the very best of luck with her,” Kerins says Horse Sport Ireland.

 Jos Lansink won the Grand Prix in Beijing last year. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Several European and American top riders will also this year travel the long way to Beijing's impressive Olympic arena Bird's Nest to compete from 18-20 April. The 24 Chinese riders will participate on their own horses while the guests get to borrow horses while in Beijing.

Christian Ahlmann, Laura Kraut, Rolf-Göran Bengtsson, Ludger Beerbaum, Jos Lansink and Nick Skelton are some of the riders that will take part in the Longines Beijing Masters. "To ride there is almost a sublime feeling, the arena is really something special," Ludger Beerbaum says in a press release from Longines Beijing Equestrian Masters.

Read more at www.beijingmasters.com.

Stein Endresen with Cabachon. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.The 9 year old stallion Cabachon (Casall x Concerto) is currently seen under Ulrich Kirchhoff at the Toscana Tour. Cabachon, formerly ridden by Norway's Stein Endresen, was sold to Alexander Onischenko in the beginning of August last year – but has been more or less invisible on the international showjumping scene since. Now he is back with the German rider in the saddle, and has this week showed in the Silver Tour in Arezzo.

Steve taking a break at the course walk in Den Bosch. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Steve Guerdat is not taking a break even though he is struggling with pain after his injury. At the World Cup show in Bordeaux, Steve was kicked in the knee by a horse and got injured. Nevertheless Steve was soon back in the saddle and competed at the Sunshine Tour in Spain and at the World Cup show in 's-Hertogenbosch last weekend. According to Pferdewoche.ch Steve's doctor explains that the knee injury has caused problems with Steve's back due to a pinched nerve. His condition requires rest, but Steve is now back competing at the Sunshine Tour.

The third leg of this year's Global Champions Tour was supposed to take place in Kensington Gardens in June, but now the show is in danger. The Royal Borough of Kensington of Chelsea voted against the show at the 15 of March, and the organizers are now out searching for a new location.

According to Horse & Hound there were several objections against the show and there were just four letters of support - out of these one was from the British Equestrian Federation and one was from Nick Skelton. You can read more on Horse & Hound.

Joris de Brabander together with the legend Nabab de Reve. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.BWP has approved 19 new showjumping stallions. Kasanova de la Pomme (Bamako de Muze x Malito de Reves), owned by Joris de Brabander, was the best of them all. Vice Champion was Kullen C (Clarence C x Corofino) and second vice champion Kafka van de Heffinck (Calvaro x Diamant de Semilly).

Joris de Brabander from Stal de Muze had as many as five stallions that were approved during the test.

Click here for more information about the stallions.

The three-time Canadian showjumping champion Yann Candele will from the beginning of this spring base his business in Normandy Hills at Mill Creek Stables. Candele will now focus on young horse development and sales, and Eric Lamaze will support him by indentifying quality prospects in Europe.

Pius and Carlina after their World Cup win in Oslo 2011. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Carlina (Carvallo x Landgraf I) has according to studforlife.com been sold to Alexander Onischenko. Pius Schwizer's 2012 Olympic ride was moved from the Swiss rider to Trevor Coyle at the end of August last year, and has from then on been seen under the Irish rider. Now the 12 year old mare will be seen flying the Ukrainian flag.

Carlina was very successful under Schwizer; in 2011 the pair won the World Cup qualifiers in Oslo and in Helsinki. In 2012 they were a part of the Swiss Nations Cup teams in La Baule, St.Gallen and Aachen, and they ended third in the World Cup final in Den Bosch.

Toni Hassmann with Con Cara at the Bundeschampionat 2012. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Toni Hassmann has a new base from the 1st of  June. The German rider will then move to the Kemper Stable - the yard belonging to Simone Lynch's parents and up until now Denis Lynch's base. Toni, that has been based in Warendorf for several years, will rent the stable - but work together with Simone. "We are happy to be able to move to such a great stable and are looking forward to work together with Simone," Toni says in a press release from Comtainment.

Did you miss any of our coverage from Den Bosch, and the last Rolex FEI World Cup qualifier in the Western European League? If so, we have collected all of our articles below so that you can access them easily.

Marcus Ehning and Olivier Philippaerts on top in Den Bosch

Harrie Smolders won in Den Bosch

Beautiful horses at the Den Bosch vet check

Jessica Kürten takes the Borek Prijs in Den Bosch

Sprunger speeds to victory in the Indoor Derby in Den Bosch

Kathi has a new ride! Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Katharina Offel has gotten the ride on the 8 year old Luke Skywalker 46. The Lord Pezi-son has up until recently been competed in Germany by Steen Sörensen– but a little over a week ago he joined Kathi’s string of horses. The new pair made their competition debut in Arezzo last week, where they got off to a great start by being clear in three classes - including riding to a 7th place in the 1.35 Gold Tour on Sunday.

After the World Cup final Rolf no longer ride for Stud La Silla. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.According to a press release from Stall Bengtsson & Kristoffersen the cooperation between the La Silla Stud and Rolf-Göran Bengtsson will end after the World Cup final in Gothenburg at the end of April. The decision have been agreed upon in a friendly mutual understanding, and reflects changes in the business concept of both parties.

Ninja La Silla will, as earlier reported, be officially retired during Gothenburg Horse Show. The successful gelding will spend his retirement in the fields in Mexico at the La Silla Stud taking care of the youngsters. The two stallions Casall La Silla and Quintero La Silla, who are owned by the Holsteiner Verband, will remain with Rolf. As for other La Silla-horses ridden by Rolf, Alfonso Romo wants to support the Mexican national jumping team with these.

Zeta de Hus here seen with Kevin Staut. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Michel Robert’s ride Zeta de Hus (Zandor Z x Atlantus Z) had to be put down at the Sunshine Tour Saturday after the wonderful mare broke a leg when crashing into an oxer during the small Grand Prix. Zeta de Hus was previously ridden by Kevin Staut, but has been with Robert the past year. According to studforlife.com, Robert explained that they had no choice but to put the mare down. Luckily she did not suffer as it all happened really fast.

Gregory needs to rest for a week. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Gregory Wathelet is out for a week with an injury. Wathelet fell off one of his seven year olds at the Sunshine Tour in Spain and injured his arm. He now needs to rest for a week, but will be back in Spain next week to ride the final Grand Prix that he has already been qualified for.

Source: www.horsus.nl

Alison Prescott. Photo private. Alison Prescott, who works as a freelance groom, is back guest blogging for WoSJ. This time she is at the Horse of the Year show in New Zealand where she is visiting her daughter who works for New Zealand's superstar Katie McVean.

Maria Gretzer will be the new athlete representative. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Maria Gretzer, the Swedish jumping  rider who has competed at three Olympic Games and three FEI World Equestrian Games™, has been appointed as athlete representative on the FEI Executive Board. She replaces Kevin Staut (FRA), who made history by becoming the first athlete representative on the FEI Executive Board in May 2011.

Gretzer, who is now the jumping trainer for the Swedish eventing team, competed at the Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, and at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ in 1990 (Stockholm), 1998 (Rome) and 2006 (Aachen). The 54-year-old is now retired from international competition.

Hansi is on the list for the Löwen Classics. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.This weekend the four star event Löwen Classics takes place in Braunschweig, Germany. Although the best of the best are heading for Den Bosch this weekend, Braunschweig can also present a great selection of riders for their show. Michael Whitaker, Hans-Dieter Dreher, Katrin Eckermann, Carsten-Otto Nagel, Gert-Jan Bruggink, Jens Fredricsson and Henrik von Eckermann are some of the riders on the entry list.

Click here for the full list of riders.

Quismy des vaux did her first Grand Prix with Kevin Staut in Dortmund, and finished second. Up until recently the 9 year old Dollar de la Pierre-daughter has been seen under Vanessa Borgmann. All photos by Jenny Abrahamsson. 

Lisen and Matrix in Gothenburg in 2012. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Lisen Bratt Fredricson’s Olympic ride Matrix has been sold to José Maria Larocca. Lisen bought the now 11 year old Matrix (Cardento x Maximus) as a 7 year old, and brought him up to international level. The pair has enjoyed several victories together – the latest win came a little over two weeks ago in the national Grand Prix in Borås, and they also have some great international Grand Prix results to look back at. In 2012 Matrix and Lisen were a part of the Olympic Swedish team in London.

«It is with mixed emotions that I’m selling Matrix,” Lisen states in a press release. Matrix is a fantastic horse with all the qualities I look for in a good showjumper, but first and foremost he’s a real fighter. I’m really going to miss working with him. At the same time it feels good to show that one can buy horses in Sweden, educate, compete and then sell them on. As we work professionally and on long-term with our own business it feels good to have done this in order to develop our business further and invest in new talents,” Lisen states. “José is a very good rider and I’m sure that he and Matrix will have many successful years together.”

Source: Press release from Lisen Bratt Fredricson

Ninja La Silla will be retired. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.According to Stall Bengtsson & Kristoffersen's website the fantastic little chestnut Ninja La Silla will be retired. The official retirement ceremony will be held on Friday the 26th of April during Gothenburg Horse Show.

Ninja La Silla has competed at several championships with Rolf-Göran Bengtsson, and his career has been filled with amazing results - he was European Champion in Madrid in 2011, individual silver medalist at the Olympics in Hong Kong in 2008, he was 6th at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in 2010 and ended 7th at the European Championship in Windsor in 2009.

"It has been an honor for me to ride such a fantastic horse as Ninja La Silla and I'm very thankful to Alfonso Romo for giving me the opportunity to ride him. To be part of the journey that Ninja La Silla and I have had together with such great results in the championships is something that every rider wishes for. Ninja La Silla has a fantastic personality and is not just a horse, he is a friend and he really deserves to be thanked off on home soil in front of the Swedish crowds at Gothenburg Horse Show," Rolf says on Stall Bengtsson & Kristoffersen's website.

Donaat Brondeel with Etoile M van't Oudbos in Lanaken. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Gregory Wathelet has a new ride in the 9 year old Etoile M van't Oudbos (Toulon x Lys de Darmen). According to studforlife.com the Belgian bred stallion will now move on in hope of reaching the very top level of the sport, after being successful under Belgium's Donaat Brondeel. Brondeel competed Etoile M in Falsterbo and Mechelen in 2012 – in addition to being a part of the FEI Zangersheide Sires of the World.

Rolf is back in the ring. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.This weekend Rolf-Göran Bengtsson is back in the ring, after his break following an operation. It's been almost three weeks since Rolf announced that he had to undergo a small operation, and that he would take a competition break until Den Bosch. But Rolf is already back, and is doing a show in Herning, Denmark, this weekend.

Related article: Rolf-Göran Bengtsson out of action for the next weeks

Malin has a new ride. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Malin Baryard Johnsson has a new ride in the 7 year old Corporal VDL (Cardento x Grosso Z). Corporal VDL will join Malin on her way home to Sweden from the Netherlands after next weekend's show in Den Bosch. The stallion has been in Sweden before, and has competed in the youngster classes under Magnus Österlund.

Malin says to Tidningen Ridsport that she knows that Corporal VDL is a really nice horse, and that the plan is that she will try him out and see if they are a match. If everything works out fine Malin will compete the stalion, under a cooperation with the owner VDL Stud in the Netherlands.

Frank Schuttert and Winchester HS in Amsterdam. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.According to dehoefslag.nl Frank Schuttert has started to work for Jos Lansink. A few weeks ago the super talented 19 year old Dutchman decided to leave his bachelor studies, and move to Belgium to start working with horses full time. Until then the Grand Prix winner from Amsterdam combined his sporting career with his studies, but now Frank says to the Dutch website that this wasn't ideal. Schuttert has brough his fantastic  Winchester HS with him to Lansink.

Global Champions Tour 2013 opens a fantastic new chapter in equestrian sport with spectacular events in London, Doha, Shanghai and Madrid.

The world's premier show jumping championship series continues to go from strength to strength with a record 13 international events in its 8th season launched today. The Top 30 riders will once again deliver world class sport as they compete for the richest prize money in show jumping and the coveted GCT Championship crown.

No Father's Girl with her first foal. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Gilbert Böckmann's former international ride No Father's Girl gave birth to her to her first foal on Monday. No Father's Girl is now proud mum of a big colt, and unlike his mother he knows who his father is. It is Sören von Rönne's stallion Christian (Cartani x Lord Liberty) – now competed by Gilbert – that have sired the foal.

"I'm very excited to have a foal by Christian out of No Father's Girl - I would be surprised if he can't jump," Gilbert laughs. "He is a big foal for being her first and he looks really nice with his long legs."

Marco Kutscher is the new rider on Casilius. (Here seen with Spartacus.) Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Schou Absolute Horses has bought the 7 year old stallion Casilius (Casall x Cambridge) and half of the horse is sold on to Ludger Beerbaum. Casilius was approved in 2010 by Danish Warmblood as a premium stallion, and has been placed in international youngster classes on numerous occasions under Swedish rider Janicke West. It will not be Andreas or Christian Schou from Schou Absolute Horses that will ride Casilius though; Marco Kutscher is the one that will educate the stallion the coming season.

Source: Schou Absolute Horses

Some great results has contributed to Patrice Delaveau's climb. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.WoSJ has taken a look at some of the riders that have climbed the most among the top 200 on this month’s Longines Ranking. The ranking includes validated results from 01/03/2012 to 28/02/2013. Within the top 100 Patrice Delaveau has jumped from 47 to 29 after some super results lately. Maikel van der Vleuten is another climbing rider, going from rank 46 to 30. Irish rider Conor Swail has moved up from rank 79 to 63, while Abdullah Sharbatly continues to climb – this time from 91 to 74. Michel Hecart from France is another rider moving upwards with high speed; from 128 to 81. Beat Mändli has also broken into the top 100, and gone from rank 107 to 86 – as has Gert-Jan Brugging from Holland who climbed from rank 106 to 89. British rider Tina Fletcher has gone up from rank 104 to 90, and Kamal Bahamdan from 109 to 97.

Number one; Christian Ahlmann. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.

Christian Ahlmann is still number one in the world as the latest ranking has become official. Steve Guerdat is still number two, while Gerco Schröder and Nick Skelton have changed positions which means that Gerco is currently number three and Nick has fallen down to rank eight.

Penelope Leprevost is out of Top Ten and is replaced by Beezie Madden who currently holds rank ten. Pius Schwizer and Edwina Tops-Alexander are ranked as number four and five followed by Kevin Staut and Marcus Ehning as rank six, Skelton as rank eight and Marc Houtzager as rank nine.

The wonderful stallion London is now exclusively available on frozen semen from Schockemöhle. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Paul Schockemöhle’ has secured himself exclusive breeding rights from Eurocommerce London (Nabab de Reve x Chin Chin). The news of the double Olympic silver medalist being a part of the German breeding magnate’s 2013 stallion catalogue – and that exclusively, has also been commented by Ger Visser Jr. to horses.nl. Visser confirms that Eurocommerce London will be available on frozen semen from Schockemöhle, but that the stallion remains at Stal Eurocommerce in Holland and will continue to compete under Gerco Schröder.

Airside here's our plane#KayOver the last week Kay Neatham has taken us with her on an amazing trip to Hong Kong. With her guest tweets and photos, we have followed Kay and Marcus’ horses on their travel from home to the far east – and now they are finally on their way home again. Below we have collected some of Kay’s last tweets for you to enjoy. A huge thanks to Kay for taking us behind the scenes on her travel to Hong Kong!

Watch this weekend's You Tube highlights; Harrie Smolders' winning round in the Vilamoura Grand Prix on the amazing stallion Emerald, some clips from the Nations Cup in Wellington, the super exciting jump-off from the Grand Prix in Wellington as well as an interview with the winner Kent Farrington.

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 Campbel out for one last walk on the warm up#Although Marcus Ehing have left Hong Kong, Kay and his horses are still waiting to fly back home. Here you can see some of Kay's Sunday tweets and images from the empty arena and inside the city. To see all Kay's tweets; follow WoShowjumping on twitter.com. 

Cian O'Connor. Top Irish rider and Olympic bronze medalist Cian O’Connor is our guest blogger today. Cian has spend the last three weeks in Wellington at the Winter Equestrian Festival, and in today’s blog entry he tells us about his stay in Florida so far, this weekend's Nations Cups and yesterday’s thrilling Grand Prix.

Click here to read the blog entry.

Wow cool back ground,happy hacking with my super star#Kay

Our guest tweeter Kay Neatham is still in Hong Kong. Yesterday it was time for the Grand Prix and here you can se a selection of some behind the scenes photos and tweets from Kay. To see them all you have to follow WoShowjumping on twitter.com.

Team discussion,terri lost the idea when they changed to german#Kay

We have selected some of Kay's amazing tweets from Hong Kong yesterday.  To se them all, you can follow WoShowjumping on twitter.

Mornin' oldenburger butter for breakfast,a little piece of german export!!!#Kay  

The Longines Hong Kong Masters will be broadcasted live on the web. All in all six classes can be watched via the event’s website. Eurosport will also broadcast the Longines Speed Challenge (Thursday), the Gucci Gold Cup (Friday) and the Longines Grand Prix (Saturday). Check out Eurosport’s website for local broadcasting times. The live broadcasting times can be viewed below. 

Rene has a new job. Photo by Jenny AbrahamssonGerman Rider Rene Tebbel has taken on training the Turkish showjumpers. The goal is to prepare them for the European Championship for children as well as the Mediterranean Games in Turkey in the end of June.

Tebbel will thus not do any more indoor shows this year. Instead he will commute to Istanbul, as well as preparing his own horses for the outdoor season. He will also continue to train his children Justine and Maurice. Maurice won the European Championship for juniors last year.