Great Britain has finished in second place in the inaugural round of the new format Furisiyya FEI Nations Cup in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, tying with Germany.

Mix of experience

Nine nations took part from three regions: Europe division one, the Middle East (who were hosting the event) and Africa. The scores were as diverse as the nations competing, ranging from the Netherland’s winning total of four faults, to Egypt who clocked up 35 penalties in the first round alone.

Charlotte Dujardin, Lucinda Green and performance coach Jon Pitts have all won a Craig Ferrell Equestrian Safety Award on behalf of Riders4Helmets.

Exceptional role models

The three Brits were amongst 19 riders, from all around the world and all equestrian disciplines, who were named as “exceptional role models” in safety in 2012. The winners were chosen on the basis of the number of nominations received and the reasons behind those nominations.

Showjumping’s all-new Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup kicks off this week (21 February) in Abu Dhabi. With a new name and a host of new riders taking part, the series is going global for the first time in its 100-year history.

Wonderful sport

With a four-year, €16m sponsorship package from the Saudi Equestrian Fund, the competition now runs under the Furusiyya banner and has expanded its traditionally European-oriented base to include the rest of the world.

Robert Splaine has been reappointed as the high performance manager for the Irish showjumping team.

Equestrianism is one of 25 sports selected for the 2020 Olympic Games, which will take place in Istanbul, Tokyo or Madrid.

Surprise omission

After each Olympics the International Olympic Committee (IOC) assesses all sports involved to ensure that the Games stay relevant. There are reportedly 39 factors taken into consideration, including TV ratings, ticket sales, anti-doping and popularity.

Eventing, dressage and showjumping have all made the grade and will be included in the 2020 Games.

Tim Stockdale has taken a nasty tumble at home, and is out of action for a couple of weeks with suspected cracked ribs.

Stupid thing

Tim told H&C that he was working on the flat in his indoor school in Northamptonshire, and about to execute a flying change when the six-year-old he was riding stopped dead and span around.

The eleventh round of the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Western European League series in Bordeaux has been won by Germany’s Hans-Dieter Dreher.

Super form

This is the biggest victory to date for Hans-Dieter, who was riding his own stallion Magnus Romeo, and it has earned him a place in the final in Gothenburg, Sweden at the end of April.

“This will be my first time to make it to the final, so I’m very happy about that, and my horse is in super form,” Hans-Dieter said.  

Ben Maher has pulled off back-to-back Grand Prix wins on two new horses at the Winter Festival in Florida.

Big crowds, big money

Both classes were won at the ‘Saturday Night Lights’ event, which always draws a big crowd and pays big prize money. Ben jumped to victory in the $82,000 Adequan Grand Prix at the weekend (9 February) onboard Jane Clark's Urico, while the previous week he won $100,000 riding another horse of Jane’s called Cella.