Friday, 31 March 2023
This year, the FEI World Cup Finals for jumping, dressage and vaulting will take place at the CHI Health Center Omaha, in Nebraska, USA from 3–8 April. The 17,000 capacity venue includes temporary arenas, stabling and a shopping village, which have all been constructed under one roof.
With Britain fielding athletes in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about the competition and how you can catch all the action.
Following an exciting Western European League series, the 18 highest-placed athletes have qualified for the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final. Great Britain will have two representatives in the form of Scott Brash and Harry Charles.
A series of strong results sees Harry Charles finish fourth in the Western European League. He contested eight legs of the series, achieving three top-four finishes – third in Verona with Ann Thompson’s Romeo 88, second in La Coruña with Stall Zet’s Casquo Blue, and fourth in Bordeaux with Ann Thompson’s Balou de Reventon. It will be the latter horse – a new addition to Harry’s impressive string – who he’ll be riding in Omaha.
Partnering Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham’s Hello Jefferson, with whom he won a team bronze medal at the FEI Jumping World Championship in Herning last summer, Scott Brash has contested six legs of the Longines World Cup series. The pair’s best results include ninth in Gothenburg, fifth in Bordeaux, and a win on home turf in London, which sees them finish the Western European League in 13th position.
A total of 41 athletes will be competing in the Final, representing 19 countries. This includes the Swedish current world number one and first-placed finisher in the Western European League, Henrik von Eckermann, who will partner his Olympic and World Champion, King Edward. Last year’s World Cup winner, Martin Fuchs, will also return to represent Switzerland with Leone Jei.
Check out the full list of entries below.
Combinations tackle a course of fences with a maximum height of 1.60m. Once all have competed, rankings are based on any jumping and time penalties accrued – there will be no jump-off in the event of a tie. Any combinations who are eliminated or retire won’t continue on to the next round.
Jumping in reverse order of merit, combinations ride against the clock over fences measuring between 1.50–1.60m. Any jumping or time penalties accrued will determine their ranking, while any clear rounds will go through to jump-off to decide the final standings.
After the first two rounds, these points are transformed into penalties – the highest placed combination will have zero penalties, while the other competitors will receive penalties based on the difference between their points total and that of the leading combination.
The final round follows a similar structure to round two. Combinations jump in reverse order of merit, with any accrued penalties added to their two-round total. The winner is the combination with the fewest penalties after three rounds – a jump-off against the clock will be used as a tie-breaker for first place.
See the full competition schedule here.
All competing times and results are available here.
The FEI Dressage World Cup Final, presented by Havensafe Farm, last took place in Omaha in 2017. This year, a total of 17 combinations from 11 countries come forward, including title holders’, Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and TSF Dalera BB, who return to defend their crown. Amongst those in their way are Western European League top-finisher Isabell Werth and DSP Quantaz, and runner-up Ingrid Klimke and Franziskus FRH, both also representing Germany.
The Burlington Capital FEI Vaulting World Cup Final is taking place outside of Europe for the first time – the last time a vaulting championship took place on USA soil was the World Equestrian Games in Tryon in 2018. A total of 10 nations will compete in individual men’s and women’s, and pas-de-deux competitions. With none of the 2022 winners returning to defend their titles, the competition promises to be very exciting.
See the full start list here.
All the action will be broadcast live and with English commentary on FEI.TV via ClipMyHorse.TV – you’ll need a subscription to tune in. Some highlights will also be available on the FEI YouTube channel.
We’ll be sharing competition updates via our social media channels. You can also follow along on the British Showjumping website, and Facebook and Instagram accounts.