Ingrid Klimke and Weisse Duene. Photo by Libby Law Photography.
Ingrid Klimke’s future eventing star Weisse Duene proved she is one to watch for on the German squad with her stellar performance from start to finish at the 2016 Mondial du Lion FEI World Breeding Eventing Championships for Young Horses at Le Lion d’Angers in France.
The Holsteiner mare (Clarimo x Esprit V, by Romino) held the lead throughout the competition and finished today with a clear show jumping round in wet conditions to win the 7-year-old Championships by a landslide on her dressage score of 36.9. This makes five FEI victories to her credit so far in the mare’s career, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for her.
Second place went to Billy Walk On (Billy Mexico x Shannon Line, by Golden Bash), an Anglo gelding owned by Barbara and Nicholas Walkinshaw and ridden by Great Britain’s Pippa Funnell. This gelding has also earned several top placings so far in his career, with four wins at the one-star and two-star levels and never finishing outside the top ten.
Jonelle Price (NZL) and Cooley Showtime (Chin Chin x Limone, by Julio Mariner xx), a KWPN gelding owned by Jonelle, Suzanne Houchin, and Lucy and Ben Sangster, were tenth after dressage on 47.3. A double clear cross country round moved them up to sixth, and they bettered their placing by half with another clear round in show jumping, finishing ultimately in third place on a 47.4.
Pippa Funnell and Billy Walk On. Photo by Libby Law Photography.
Our American representatives made us proud this past week. Tamie Smith and Judy McSwain’s Holsteiner mare Fleeceworks Royal (Riverman x Marisol, by Corofino I) finished in 24th place out of 59 starters, adding 13 penalties in show jumping today for a final score of 64.3.
“She jumped super in warm up, but the ground was firm and when we went into the arena it was mushy. She’s never jumped off of that so it was unfortunate because she is a great jumper and the most she has ever had is a rail but jumps clean most of the time. She was very rideable and the round was very nice, just barely ticked the rails,” Tamie said.
“It has been a super weekend overall. Yes I have things I wish could have had a different outcome, but not from her or myself and that’s the most important thing. We had three very good phases and I am very proud of her. Her dressage was super, she was outstanding on cross country and show jumping. She has come away from the weekend a better horse and that is very important to me.”
While Tamie and “Rory” earned their trip to France through the Holekamp/Turner Young Event Horse Lion d’Angers Grant, Tamie has been training and competing in Europe since August and says she couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend the last two months of her career.
“I’ve met so many great friends and taken my riding to the next level and I have Rodney Powell and Alex Franklin to thank for that. They are very much like me and want the people around them to succeed and get better. It is a very important piece in someone’s career to have them take a vested interest. They took me on because Leslie Law put in a good word for me and I am very grateful to them for it. It truly has made all of the difference.”
Tamie Smith and Fleeceworks Royal. Photo by Libby Law Photography.
Rory and super groom Shannon McCormick are already on their way home and Tamie will meet back up with them Wednesday. It’s been an incredible trip for Tamie, which was made possible by many friends and supporters.
“I just want to thank everyone who helped me make this trip possible. The Becky Broussard International Grant and the Holekamp/Turner Grant was a very big piece of why I was able to come and emerge myself among the greats in our sport. I also did an online auction and so many of my sponsors and friends as well as owners donated items to help me raise money for this trip. Beth Lendrum and Kevin and Gretchen Baumgardner, who help own a couple of my horses, also helped subsidize this trip and helped make the trip doable.
“My crew at home, from Heather, Megan and Kaylawna to my clients who own my horses at home and my clients who stuck by our side even though we were traveling. It’s so hard to stop and look at the big picture and be patient while your trainer/riders are out trying to improve. We have such a great business and client base I never have to worry about loyalty and that means the most out of it all.
“Without a village you really get nowhere and now I’ve expanded my village even more. I can’t wait to be back!”
Robyn Fisher and Betwave. Photo by Libby Law Photography.
Robyn Fisher and Betawave (Linaro x Wavelength, by Wodan), a Holsteiner mare owned by Robyn and Carol Singh, added 16 penalties today to finish in 32nd place in the Championship.
“I wasn’t quite sure what to expect today as I have never show jumped Betawave after galloping such a long track. Much to my surprise, she came out fit as a fiddle this afternoon ready to run cross country all over again, which made show jumping challenging for me,” Robyn said.
“Though her disposition reaffirmed just how fit and happy she is, today’s round was definitely not a ride I was used to on her. In rain and muddy conditions the rails were flying, and unfortunately we picked up a few, but at the end of the day Betawave just completed the 7-year-old World Championships and I could not be prouder of her!”
“I can’t stress enough what a pleasure this entire journey has been. I consider it an incredible honor to have represented U.S. breeding at the World Championships in France with the creme de la creme of young horses. There aren’t enough thank yous for everyone who has supported me and been a part of Leta’s and my European adventure! I’m looking forward to all that is to come for this wonderful mare!”
In the 6-year-old Championship, Christopher Burton (AUS) and Fire Fly, a KWPN gelding owned by S.H.E. Eventing AB, won on a 44.2, moving up from fourth place after dressage with two clear jumping rounds.
Congratulations to all the breeders, owners, riders and the complete teams that help get these young horses going so well. We hope to see big things from these talented horses in the future!
#MDL16 Links: Website, 6YO Live Scores, 7YO Live Scores, EN’s Coverage
EN’s coverage of Le Lion d’Angers is proudly presented by Fleeceworks!
Peter Gray (top row, fourth from right) with winners from the Colombia national eventing championships. Photo courtesy of Mauricio Bermúdez.
