Jumping 2023 – FEI Annual Report 2023 (2024)

2023 offered 12 months of great sporting moments in Jumping. With numerous championship titles up for grabs, we witnessed Jumping partnerships ranging from youth to senior battle it out for individual honours and for national glory. By scrolling through this section you can revisit the highlights of another exceptional year in Jumping, which included the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final and the FEI Jumping European Championships across all categories, to name a few.

• Check out all the latest FEI Jumping highlights on our dedicated FEI YouTube channel
• Watch all the main Events live and on replay on FEI.TV
• Follow Jumping on our dedicated Facebook, Instagram and TikTok platforms

Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final, Omaha (USA)

The highly anticipated Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in Omaha (USA), once again turned out to be a thrilling event, which saw the last to go rise to the very top. In a playing field of 40 starters, Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann, paired up with the legendary King Edward, were last to enter the arena on the day of the opening speed competition. The fantastic duo proved to be unbeatable as they cleared the 13-fence Frank Rothenberger (GER) course course in the fastest time, ahead of Britain’s Scott Brash and Hello Jefferson and Germany’s Daniel Deusser with Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z, to take the intermediate lead.

Day two saw the leader board shuffled around as von Eckermann had a fence down, Brash accumulated 12 penalties and Deusser retired from the competition. Going into the Final, it was now Denmark’s Andreas Schou with Darc de Lux and Switzerland’s Pius Schwizer on Vancouver de Lanlore who were in the lead ahead of von Eckermann.

However, von Eckermann and King Edward ultimately came through in the final competition, which took place over a nail-biting two-round decider, in which only three out of 30 starters managed to stay clear in the first round. With four penalties collected in the first round, the pair was able to ride to victory by leaving all poles in place in the second round, which saw the best 20 tackle a brand-new course in reverse order of merit.

The second rank went to Dutchman Harrie Smolders together with Monaco NOP, who worked their way up from seventh and rank three went to Hunter Holloway (USA) with her wonderful mare Pepita Con Spita.

"It feels like I’m at the top of my career and it can only go one way and that is down, so I really try to hold on to the moment, and every day I’m thankful for what I have…in our sport we have different horses and it’s work every day and you keep on going, but sometimes it’s good to just sit down and to be thankful for what we have because it’s not going to be forever!"

Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final champion Henrik von Eckermann (SWE)

The 66th FEI Jumping European Championship was held at the historical San Siro Racecourse in Milan with 85 athletes representing 24 Countries. Pathfinders in the first competition at this prestigious championship were none other than the defending champions Switzerland but, as was to be expected, the Swedes came in strong, forging an early lead ahead of the Swiss and German teams.

On day two, team Germany jumped into the lead thanks to the smooth clear rounds of Philipp Weishaupt paired up with Zineday and Jana Wargers on Limbridge. Team Sweden added eight penalties to their scoreboard, placing them in second after the first round of the final Team competition, with Switzerland breathing down their necks.

The second round of the Final competition was action packed and full of surprises, as Germany were down one pair following the withdrawal of Markus Ehning and Stargold, and the Swiss team had to add 16 penalties to their final score. This turnaround of events allowed team Sweden to write history by taking the Team title for the first time, and opened up the path for team Ireland to take the silver medal and Austria bronze.

"There’s a reason why Sweden has been so successful…. it’s not only the riding, it’s the full plan and the organisation around us and the respect everyone has for each other."

FEI Jumping European Championship team gold medallist Wilma Hellström (SWE)

Individually, Jens Fredricson andMarkan Cosmopolit took the lead from day one right up until the final competition, but sadly it was not meant to be. With eight penalties after the two rounds, the Swede was ultimately thrown back into fifth. Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat and Dynamix de Belheme on the other hand, worked their way up to the top with the precision of a Swiss watch, starting out in fourth on day one and gaining a rank a day until the championship title and gold medal was theirs. Silver went to Weishaupt and Zineday who had been part of the leading trio from the start, followed by Julien Epaillard from France together with Dubai du Cedre who climbed up the ranks to win bronze.

"I have had so many special horses throughout my career, but I didn’t want to put pressure on her (Dynamix de Belheme) by telling everybody I have a new superstar but we knew it, or we hoped for it. And we were just trying to let her develop the way she had to develop. Basically, she has all the qualities that all my superstars have had and she has it all in the one horse, and that’s why she’s very, very special!"

FEI Jumping European champion Steve Guerdat (SUI)

This year’s edition of the FEI WBFSH Jumping World Breeding Championship for Young Horses saw 694 young talents, aged between five and seven, showcase their potential at the legendary Zangersheide Studfarm in Lanaken (BEL).

The five-year-old category turned out to be a homerun for Ireland, with the championship title going to the Irish-bred HHS Ocala, ridden by Michael Pender (IRL). Out of 235 participants, the pair successfully qualified among the best 39 for the final and proved unbeatable in the jump-off in which 11 pairs took part. Silver went to the stallion Boleybawn Alvaro under the saddle of young rider Niamh McEvoy (IRL), and gelding Ballyshan BF Super Hero jumped to bronze together with Ger O’Neill (IRL).

Freshly crowned champion of the six-year-old category was the Westphalian-bred Cascajall NRW under the saddle of Germany’s Katrin Eckermann. Out of 256 horses, the gelding, owned by Otmar Eckermann and bred by Alfons Baumann, took the lead on day one and cleared every course right up to the final jump-off, where out of four double clear, he was the fastest. Irish-bred Laurina, ridden by Leah Stack (IRL) took home silver and the Zangersheide gelding Maddox VH Haringvliet Z ridden by Jeimer Hoekstra (NED) clinched bronze.

In the seven-year-old category, Irishman Harry Allen rode to victory together with the Italian-bred mare Kumina Della Caccia, clinching the prestigious championship title for 2023. In a super-close finish four combinations jumped double-clear. Philip Rüping (GER) together with the OS mare Casanina PS, seemed to have stopped the clock in an unbeatable time, but Allen shaved off another 0.6 second to claim gold. Bronze went to KWPN mare Labantrix ridden by The Netherlands’ Renee de Weert.

The 19^thAsian Games may have been postponed for a year, but in 2023, fans finally got to see some of their favourite Jumping athletes compete in the beautiful city of Hangzhou, China.

Countries of the Arabian Peninsula dominated the Jumping events, with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia quartet composed of Ramzy Al Duhami/Untouchable 32, Meshal Alhumaidi Alharbi/Cascadello Boy RM, Abdulrahman Alrajhi/Ventago and Abdullah Alsharbatly/Skorphults Baloutendro winning team gold following solid performances from all athletes. With four penalties in the jump-off, the Qatari team took home the silver medal ahead of the United Arab Emirates in bronze.

In the Individual competition, Alshabartly, gold medallist in 2014, repeated the feat following a suspense-filled jump-off of five, making it double gold for him at these Games. Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi (UAE) and Dalida Van De Zuuthoeve secured silver and compatriot Abdullah Mohd Al Marri won bronze paired up with James VD Oude Heihoef.

"I’m really happy and so proud, I was aiming for the gold for Team and Individual."

Asian Games double gold medallist Abdullah Alsharbatly (KSA)

The Real Club de Polo in Barcelona once again provided the perfect backdrop for the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™. Out of 15 nations taking part in the first qualifier, Italy entered the arena as pathfinder over the 14-fence track built by Spanish course designer Santiago Varela, which saw team Great Britain come out on top ahead of Brazil and Germany. With the eight best teams starting again on a clean slate for the Final and with an Olympic qualification spot up for grabs, the tension was palpable. Switzerland, Belgium, USA, Ireland and France were the remaining five countries to make the cut going into the final, guaranteeing ultimate suspense.

Even though team Germany did not get off to a great start with the eight faults collected by Jana Wargers and Dorette, they came out on top in the end thanks to the three clear rounds from her compatriots, Christian Kukuk and Checker 47, Hans-Dieter Dreher with Elysium and Richard Vogel on United Touch, resulting in the perfect overall team score. France, Belgium and Brazil all concluded on eight penalties, however thanks to their faster combined times, France was able to secure the second spot on the podium. Belgium came in third and Brazil, who sadly missed out on the podium, had the joy of celebrating an Olympic qualification slot!

FEI Jumping World Challenge, Polokwane (RSA)

Israel Lopez of Puerto Rico emerged as the triumphant winner of the FEI Jumping World Challenge 2023, held at the Ranch Equestrian Centre in Polokwane. Competing on the locally-bred Irish horse Rivervales Rebel’s Destiny, Lopez showcased exceptional skill and determination, securing victory as the sole competitor to maintain a flawless performance throughout all three rounds of the final.

For the jump-off, Lopez counted on a steady rhythm while remaining clear in order to put the pressure on Giorgia Anna Ieromazzo Latour (DOM) and Roxstar Bourbon, who were next to go. And the plan worked perfectly, as the pair accumulated eight penalties while setting the fastest time.

This was Lopez’s first win at the FEI Jumping World Challenge, after having taken silver in both 2001 and 2002. Latour proudly took home the silver medal and bronze went to Argentina’s Valerio Baruzzo together with Alpha Nadya. As every year, this event again highlighted the value of international camaraderie, with athletes from diverse backgrounds and nations coming together to compete on borrowed horses.

At the 19^th edition of the 2023 Santiago Pan American Games, Brazil was defending both the Team and the Individual title in Jumping. The event opened with a speed class, followed by a two-round Nations Cup competition to decide the team medals. The best 30 combinations then went through to the first round of the Individual Final which was limited to three riders from any country, and the top 20 returned for the second round in which the Individual medals were decided.

After the first day, the defending champions from Brazil were headed for gold, with the team in the lead and Marlon Zanotelli with Deesse de Coquerie, and compatriot Pedro Veniss on Nimrod de Muze Z also at the top of the individual provisional leader board. Colombia filled second spot ahead of Canada. However, it was not meant to be for Brazil as they amassed eight penalties in each of the two remaining rounds, and gold turned into bronze. In the end, team gold went to the USA, composed of McLain Ward on Contagious, Laura Kraut and Dorado 212, Kent Farrington on Landon and Karl Cook with Caracole de la Roque, who made a brilliant comeback after a difficult first round. Canada moved up into silver thanks to their fault free last round.

These Games also provided three qualification slots to the highest ranked teams from FEI Olympic Groups D and/or E, not already qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and they went to the USA, Canada and Mexico.

As a team they missed out on the highest step of the podium, but the individual gold medal did go to Brazil following the performance of Stephan De Freitas Barcha together with the fantastic Chevaux Primavera Imperio Egipico. The rest of the podium was occupied by the USA, with Kent Farrington and Landon winning silver and McLain Ward and Contagious taking home bronze.

FEI Jumping European Championship for Young Riders, Juniors & Children, Gorla Minore (ITA)

With 30 nations represented, the FEI Jumping European Championship for Young Riders, Juniors & Children is definitely the flagship event for European Jumping youth athletes.

The children’s category featured 105 pairs in the first competition, of which the best 31 took part in the Individual Final. Four pairs cleared both rounds of the Individual Final and had to battle it out for the medals in a jump-off, which saw Clémentine Lux (BEL) and Cash de l’Ecuyer come out on top with a clear round and the fastest time. The podium was completed by Uxue Arruza Rodriguez (ESP) on Clarin de Llamosas and Jolie Marie Kühner (GER) with Dialo, respectively winning silver and gold. The Team competition saw Germany take the prestigious title ahead of France and Great Britain, after an exciting jump-off.

Anastasia Nielsen (MON) and Tailormade Contou became the new European Champions of 2023 in the Junior category. The pair were clear throughout, finishing on an overall score of only 0.7 points to take the win. Right behind her was young Irish talent, Tom Wachman paired up with Cathalina, and the bronze medal went to Nick Nanning from The Netherlands and Bandia. For Wachman it was his second medal of the weekend, as he had already claimed gold together with his compatriots in the Team competition. Team silver went to Belgium and bronze to Great Britain.

In the Young Riders category, Ireland proved their domination by taking both team and individual gold. The team composed of Rhys Williams/Playboy JT Z, Niamh McEvoy/Templepatrick Welcome Limmerick, Seamus Hughes Kennedy/ESI Rocky, and Max Wachman/Quintini, reigned supreme to win gold with a final score of 2.5 points. Belgium took silver with 15 points ahead of Great Britain who finished on 18.4 points.

In the Individual Final, the spotlight was once again on Ireland with Seamus Hughes Kennedy and ESI Rocky. After becoming team European Champion, Hughes made it double gold by claiming the individual title too. Sweden’s Beata Hermelin and Obsession Night took home silver and the bronze medal went to Skye Morssinkhof with G-Vingino-Blue.

FEI Jumping European Championship for Ponies, Le Mans (FRA)

Having dominated this championship in 2022, team Ireland came to the FEI Jumping European Championship for Ponies in Le Mans clearly had Ireland on the radar as favourites, and rightly so. The team, composed of Kian Dore/Sparkling Lackamore Joey, Abbie Oakey/Boutade Ste Hermelle, Paddy Reape/Fernando, James Derwin/Rincoola Babog (ISH) and Emily Moloney/Lady Crown, were able to discard the only four penalties collected, making them the sole team on a zero score after the second round, and European Champions for the second year in a row. Team Sweden took the silver medal on an overall score of 12 penalties ahead of Great Britain who battled it out for bronze against France in a thrilling jump-off.

Individually, the honours went to Paddy Reape and Fernando, who rounded off what had already been an amazing week for the Irish. The pair were the only ones to remain faultless throughout the entire competition and consequently, the gold medal was theirs. The remaining podium was decided by a three-way jump-off, in which Ellen Hammarström (SWE) and Ocean Des As were clear to secure silver. Kian Dore (IRL) and Sparkling Lackamore Joe clinched bronze with four penalties ahead of Robin Velmeir (BEL) on Kristal Sparkle van Begeveld who finished on 12 penalties.

FEI Jumping North American Youth Championship, Williamsburg (USA)

The team gold medal in the Children’s category at the FEI Jumping North American Youth Championship in Williamsburg was decided in a jump-off between Zone 4’s Hailey Guidry/Ezmeralda EH Z, Taylor Finkle/Sheldon, Laila Murad/Alfonsine Manciaise and Alexa Curry/Ciemusic Z and mixed Zone 1/2 composed of Jordan Rich/Ginacolada, Rylie True/May Way B.&V., Amelia Burnside/Kasper Van Het Leliehof and Cecilia Chatterjee/Kwintano Fortuna, in which Zone 4 rode to victory on eight penalties. Bronze went to Haley Honegger/Wilde Hilde, Isabelle Smith/Quinka, Evan Werner/CC Conador DWB and Michael Munson/Charlene for mixed Zone 7/8/9.

Hailey Guidry and Ezmeralda EH Z then made it double gold for themselves when finishing the championship on a perfect score of zero. Honegger and Curry had to battle it out in a jump-off for the remaining medals resulting in Honegger taking home silver, leaving Curry with bronze.

Zone 10 came out on top in the Pre-Junior Team competition. The team of Djuna Lauder/New Star VB Berhoeve, Lauren Frandson/Golda, Scarlett Wallis/Samurai and Chloe Kuang/Calea 8 finished the competition on an overall score of 1.83 penalties. The Zone 4 team of Gabriella Curry/Candice Bergen, Suzette Tittle/Bull Run’s Valor, Cristian Hacker/Sparks 55 and Amy Krebs/Jabantos finished on a score of 17.97 for silver. Bronze went to Campbell Hudkins/Firefly A.S., Riley McKesson/Amstrong De Moyon, Malia Radcliffe/Emma-Lee and Luke Rinehart/Captain America 10, the team of mixed Zone 1/3/5.

As the only athlete without an obstacle penalty, the championship title in this category went to Lauren Frandson and Golda, making this their second gold medal of the week. Myra Krishna and Fanatic D’Alphi won silver, and bronze went to Scarlett Wallis and Samurai who already won team gold.

The leader board for the Juniors at the FEI Jumping North American Youth Championship saw a significant shake-up during the two rounds of team competition. With an overall score of four penalties gathered in the first round, Zone 7 rode to victory. The team of Tessa Downey/Isabelle, Carlee McCutcheon/Coco Mercedes, Ava Myers/Chico P, and Laurel Walker/Armani climbed up the ranks from fourth place to gold.

The team from Zone 4 pulled off an impressive comeback on the second day of competition to clinch the silver medal. Mia Albelo/MHS Cardenta, Taylor Cawley/Corlencia BC, Mustafa Shah/Harakiri Z, and Olivia Sweetnam/HDB Quality collected only four penalties in each of the two rounds on the final competition day and moved up from fifth place to win silver. Emma Blumenkrantz/Chris W, Stephanie Garrett/Darius de Kezeg Z, Alexa Lignelli/Fayuri AWR and Caroline Signorino/Hocus Pocus Van De Lucashoeve held on to their third place from the first day of competition to secure the bronze medal for Zone 2.

Individually, it was double gold for Carlee McCutcheon, who expertly rode Coco Mercedes through five rounds with no jumping penalties. The silver medal went to Stephanie Garrett paired up with Darius de Kezeg Z. Elise Stephens and O’Mega H&DB took home bronze.

The Young Riders’ final also saw the second competition day reveal itself as a true game changer, with only two out of 36 competitors remaining clear in both rounds and three new teams taking over the leader board. Team Canada – Quintyn Werner Baeumler/Haydn, Halle Duke/Ilana, Lily Elliot/Pesgo Adelheid Z, and William Martin/Ricore Courcelle occupied rank seven after the first day and then rocketed up the leader board on the second day to end up winning gold.

Sofia Cady/ZG Bella, Hallie Grimes/Malissa de Muze, Luke Jensen/Bigstar, and Stella Wasserman/Eldorado Wp Z from team Zone 7 secured their silver medal, moving up from fifth place after the first day, and team Zone 5’s Alexander Alston/Keoki, Maggie Jacobs/Clyde VA and Olivia Williams/Irocco Blue S, moved up from fourth to bronze, an impressive feat given that their three-member team didn’t have the benefit of a drop score.

Individual gold went to Baylee McKeever and Formidable, just ahead of Augusta Iawsaki with Fresca. Canada’s William Martin and Ricore Courcelle claimed bronze.

FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Youth Final, Opglabbeek (BEL)

Sweden’s Jumping team became Young Riders champions following the FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Youth Final. In great shape in Opglabbeek, they ended the competition on zero penalty points and clinched the title ahead of Denmark and hosts Belgium. The Dutch won the Juniors’ and Children’s competition, while Ireland won the Ponies’ class.

The FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Youth series has been growing steadily, with more than 20 countries participating in the Children’s and Juniors classes this year.

FEI Jumping South American Championship for Young Riders, Juniors, Pre-Juniors & Children, Porto Alegre (BRA)

The FEI Jumping South American Youth Championship brought together over 200 talented young athletes at the beautiful Sociedade Hípica Porto Alegrense venue in Porto Alegre, to proudly represent their country. In order to promote equestrian sport for youth in the region, each National Federation is allowed to send two teams, which accounts for the naming of the nations. Below you will discover all the nations and young talents which made up the podiums in the different categories.

FEI Jumping Ponies’ Trophy Final, Mechelen (BEL)

Germany’s Naomi Himmelreich and her 10-year-old Red Star Optimus celebrated the perfect end to the year in Belgium at the FEI Jumping Ponies’ Trophy Final. With only one time penalty from the first round, the duo was able to confidently enter the arena on the day of the final. Of the 15 finalists, not one was able to post a double clear round in the Grand Prix, however Naomi Himmelreich and her stallion benefitted from a good starting position allowing them to secure the overall victory despite four penalties collected in the second round for an overall score of five points.

Second place went to Ava Eden van Grunsven from The Netherlands with Special Lady, finishing on a total of seven points and European silver medallist Ellen Hammarström from Sweden placed third with Ocean Des As. Since its inception in 2017, this is the first time that this final was not won by a young talent from Ireland.