World Cup Final II
Friday, April 28th, 2006
by Peter Ibrahim Abisheganaden. Photos by Natasha Mustapha are copyright of Equestrian.Com.My
The class is run in reverse order of placings of yesterday’s opening speed class of the World Cup Final. It is the Asian riders who lead them out.
Michelle Barrera and Kayak ven het Gravenhof are first to start in the 2nd class of the World Cup Final, a jump-off class. They start very well despite the 3rd and 4th coming down. They make it safely through the treble but the 7th comes down, and the last two fences. They should be happy with their 20 faulter though.
Saudi rider Ramsay Al-Duhamy and Fall Kahaeer are next into the ring. They have three down by the time they complete the treble, and this experienced rider decides to retire.
Malaysia’s Syed Omar Almohdzar rides Lui 24 into the ring to rapturous applause. They have high hopes, but Lui isn’t helping very much tonight. They have seven fences down and a time fault in a disappointing finish to their World Cup.
Canadian Jill Henselwood and Special Ed are next in. They make up for an ordinary performance last night with an 8-faulter tonight with only the third part of the treble down and the triple bar at No. 8.
California based Iranian Ali Nilsforushan and Cellist III are the next pair of competitors. They have the first fence down and are going very well after that till they get long to the Masjid Jamek double at No. 10. They have the first part down, plus one time fault gives them a total of 9.
Geir Gullikson of Norway is next, with Cattani 17. They have a very good round going before they, like the rider before, get long to the Masjid Jamek double. He has to chase Cattani in, and pay the price twice, at B and at the next fence, the FEI World Cup fence. It’s an 8-faulter for Geir and Cattani.
Abdullah Al Sharbattli is the second Saudi rider into the arena with Quatro. The bogey first comes down for Abdullah, and they also tap out the 3rd fence. After that their round only gets better as Quatro tries his heart out for Abdullah. They finish on those 8 faults to finish the best Asians in the 2006 World Cup Finals.
Mexico’s Alberto Michan is hoping today is going to be a great day. He is coming off a 2nd placing in the Power & Grace 1.55 m class with Iva tu du Rouet. He rides Lavita 7, a 10 year old Holstein mare by Coriano hoping to keep his good day going. It is not to be though as he has the 3rd and 7th fences down, then has trouble in the Masjid Jamek double as well. They finish with one time fault for a 13 penalty total.
Poland is represented in this final by Grzegorz Kubiak and Ritus. For Ritus it is just a little too much, despite his rider’s best efforts. They start fairly well, but hit trouble in the Terengganu Boat treble, bellying the 2nd and tapping out the 3rd element. They were on trouble at the next combination and paddled the last fence for five fences down.
Ljubov Kochetova, the Russian lady has Illion Kileh in trouble already at the second. They are having trouble with the spread fences, but the horse responds but jumping bigger, opening up earlier, anything they can do to get out of the way of the poles. It works, and they finish with only that 2nd fence down, plus 2 time faults.
The first American into the ring tonight is Joie Gatlin with Suncal’s King from the West Coast League. They tap out the top plank of the Terengannu Boats at C. They are in big trouble at the triple bar as they take two poles with them. One of them lands in their way and the horse has to stop at the Batik 8th fence. They are clean over the rest of the course as they resume, but the damage is done. They finish on 16 faults, which included 4 time penalties.
They are followed by Argentinean Guillermo Obligado with Millar, who also qualified through the American West Coast league. They tap out the plank in the short striding 6c, then are in big trouble at the next combination as they have 10a down and are unable to jump out. They have to do it again, and have it down again. A total of 20 faults.
Former Malaysian trainer Jean-Marc Nicolas gets warm applause as he enters the arena with JPC Modesto Equifoam. They are looking to improve on yesterday’s disappointing 20th place finish. They are unlucky at the triple bar and just roll the penultimate. It’s an 8-faulter for Jean-Marc, and we’ll have to wait and see if it is good enough for a call back for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Richard Spooner and Camaron Hills Shanroe are the first of three consecutive Americans. It’s that pesky first fence again that comes down. It is very well ridden round by Richard otherwise, with only the 12th also coming down. 8 penalties.
Much was expected of Beezie Madden and Judgement. She is hoping to move up the rankings with her Dutchbred 15 year old stallion. Beezie perhaps under-rides the second part of the treble, trying to set up for the short striding third element and pays the price. They get lucky at the triple bar, which rolls and stays but are not so lucky going into the Masjid Jamek combination. Another 8 faulter.
Laura Kraut finished just out of the money yesterday with Anthem when they had one fence down. Today they handle the treble beautifully but it is the triple bar that comes down. It looked like they might take the lead in this class but the last fence comes down too for yet another 8 faulter.
Philippe Leoni leads the Gallic challenge even if his horse Cyrenaika FRH is a Hanoverian. And it is a challenge that they are making. They are a little lucky at the third fence which they tap, but it stays. They don’t touch anything else and are the first to go clear with a lovely round.
Alison Firestone and Secret Love had the fastest time yesterday but with two fences down dropped to 15th place. It’s all a little hectic and wild for Alison and Secret Love. They have a few control issues and have the first two parts of the treble down for an 8 penalty round.
Gerco Schroeder is the only Dutch rider left in the World Cup Final. He went for it with Eurocommerce Milano yesterday and paid the price of a quick round with two down. Today he needs to get to the jump-off if he is to make a challenge for the World Cup crown. There are a few gasps as Milano throws in buck in on the way to the 11th but clears it. They are not so lucky as the 12th comes down for a heartbreaking 4 faulter.
Germany’s Pia-Luise Aufrecht is the first German into the arena. She was 13th yesterday with Hofgut Liederbach’s Abrisca when she had only the last fence down. Tonight she turns back a little too sharply to the Pua Kumbu and the little spread of 1 m still catches her. The last part of the treble also comes down but they are safe after that and comes home with yet another 8 faulter.
Sweden’s Rolf-Goran Bengtsson is next with Mac Kinley 3. Mac Kinley is jumping very well. He is keen and athletic. They are jumping so well it is not a big surprise when they make it to the jump-off.
Heinrich Hermann Engelmann is next with the beautiful Aboyeur W. Germany are due a clear round for their powerful contingent, and Heinrich Hermann provides it with a very good clear round with the 12 year old Westfalian.
Estonia’s Gunnar Klettenberg finished 10th in last night’s speed class, a fantastic result with the Dutchbred Novesta. They are still jumping beautifully and it was almost a clear round. Only the second last came down. The 4-faulter should still move them up the standings.
Great Britain’s Robert Smith and Kalusha are next in the ring. They will have hoped for much better but today is not Kalusha’s day. They have four fences down in a disappointing round.
Juan Carlos Garcia had an excellent round with Loro Piana Albin III yesterday night, with only one fence down for 8th place. They’ll be hoping to keep up their challenge with another good performance from the 18 year old Selle Francais gelding. They jump very well but it is the second last fence down for a 4 faulter.
Michael Whitaker was not aided by an early draw last night and his clear round was calculated to be careful yet put him in contention. He needs to get another clear round with Insul Tech Portofino on the board if he is going to make up ground on the leaders and go one better than his runners-up place in last year’s final in Las Vegas. It is not to be as they have the 3rd and 11th fences down. The British challenge fades with his 8 penalties.
Margie Engle was the best placed American in last night’s World Cup opener. She has Quervo Gold jumping very well. They start very well but the Pua Kumbu 5th fence gets tapped out. The FEI World Cup fence also comes down and it is an 8 faulter for Margie.
Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst’s Candy has been performing very well. The14 year old Holstein mare by Corial looks to be in outstanding form. They are jumping very well even if they are a little lucky at the triple bar. Alois goes to the whip as he turns to the triple and Candy bounces the pole back into the cups. It looks like they will ride their luck but the very last fence catches them out for 4 penalties.
Ireland’s Jessica Kuerten (pic) describes Castle Forbes Libertina as “a little wild” yet she gets great results with the Achill-Libero mare. Libertina looks to be jumping for fun. She has so much scope that the clear round is never in doubt. It is a fantastic performance by Jessica to keep them in real contention.
They are followed into the arena by another horse with amazing scope. Defending champion Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum has Checkmate in top form. The Contender 11 year old is giving the fences a lot of air. Inexplicably they tap out the first part of the treble. It is the only fence that they don’t give 6 inches of air to. The 4 faults keeps them out of the jump-off.
Switzerland’s Beat Mandli has the long-striding Ideo du Thot jumping very well. They were very quick yesterday. Today they will hope to go one better, but first Beat must get the Selle Francais gelding to the jump-off. Beat starts slowly, even adding a stride to the second. They never look like they are going very fast, yet the lovely Selle Francais covers the ground, and clears the fences so easily that they cruise into the jump-off.
World No. 1 Marcus Ehning has been in outstanding form at this event. Not only did he take the opening World Cup class last night with Sandro Boy. He also won the Power & Grace trophy earlier this afternoon with Cinderella. Marcus has the Sandro x Grannus stallion jumping very big and powerfully. They have such a good rhythm and Marcus has excellent control and such a good eye for distances to everything that they make every jump look easy.
Tonight is no exception for the German. They glide through the course, only giving the Pua Kumbu a light tap. Nothing else troubles them and they make Germany the only country with two in the jump-off.
The six riders who make the jump-off are Philippe Leoni (FRA), Rolf-Goran Bengtsson (SWE), Heinrich-Hermann Engelmann (GER). Jessica Kuerten (IRL), Beat Mandli (SUI) and Marcus Ehning (GER).
The Jump-Off
Philippe Leoni is first out in the jump-off. He wants to put a clear round on the board and gets it in 40.50 secs. It is a safe time that will certainly get beaten by those who try for the win.
Rolf-Goran Bengtsson isn’t looking to just post a clear. He has Mac Kinley galloping as soon as they break the beam. They gallop the course and make fantastic tight turns. It’s a thrilling round that stops the clock in 34.17 secs.
Henrich-Hermann Engelmann has Aboyeur going fast from the start, but there is a mistake at the Terengganu Boat planks which comes down. They score 4 penalties in 35.42 secs.
Jessica Kuerten gives it a really good go with the magnificent Castle Forbes Libertina. They are very fast around the course but just a little steady before the batik at the second last and again before the last costs them the class as they post a time of 34.92 secs.
Beat Mandli and Ideo du Thot (pic left) never look like they are going very fast, but they take the turns very well, then gallop well to the batik. They are up on the time, but then take a couple of pulls before the last, and they drop just behind Rolf-Goran’s time with their own 34.54 secs.
Marcus Ehning and Sandro Boy are jumping almost too well. They stallion gets right up in the air and loses precious time up there. Marcus gives it his all though and gallops all the way to the last. Their time of 35.21 secs is not fast enough to catch the Swede.
Sweden’s Rolf-Goran Bengtsson wins it from Switzerland’s Beat Mandli. Jessica Kuerten takes third place. Marcus Ehning is the best performed German in 4th.
Rolf was quietly ecstatic after his win. The understated Swede said, "I know this horse quite well now. This horse always tries his very best." When asked about his expectations when coming to Kuala Lumpur, the Rolf said, "I knew the other people coming and they are very good. To beat them would be very very hard. But you have to try."
Brief Results:
1st Rolf-Goran Bengtsson SWE Mac Kinley 3, 0/0, 34.17 secs
2nd Beat Mandli SUI Ideo du Thot, 0/0, 34.54
3rd Jessica Kuerten IRL Castle Forbes Libertina, 0/0, 34.92
4th Marcus Ehning GER Sandro Boy, 0/0, 35.21
5th Philippe Leoni FRA Cyrenaika FRH, 0/0, 40.50
6th Henrich-Hermann Engelmann GER Aboyeur W, 0/4 35.42
Equal 7th
Gerco Schroeder NED Eurocommerce Milano, 4
Gunnar Klettenberg EST Novesta, 4
Juan Carlos Garcia ITA Loro Piana Albin III, 4
Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst GER Candy 195, 4
Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum GER Checkmate 4
For full results, please see the results section on the KL World Cup Final website, at
http://www.klworldcupfinal.com/info/results_2006.php
The class is run in reverse order of placings of yesterday’s opening speed class of the World Cup Final. It is the Asian riders who lead them out.
Michelle Barrera and Kayak ven het Gravenhof are first to start in the 2nd class of the World Cup Final, a jump-off class. They start very well despite the 3rd and 4th coming down. They make it safely through the treble but the 7th comes down, and the last two fences. They should be happy with their 20 faulter though.
Saudi rider Ramsay Al-Duhamy and Fall Kahaeer are next into the ring. They have three down by the time they complete the treble, and this experienced rider decides to retire.
Malaysia’s Syed Omar Almohdzar rides Lui 24 into the ring to rapturous applause. They have high hopes, but Lui isn’t helping very much tonight. They have seven fences down and a time fault in a disappointing finish to their World Cup.
Canadian Jill Henselwood and Special Ed are next in. They make up for an ordinary performance last night with an 8-faulter tonight with only the third part of the treble down and the triple bar at No. 8.
California based Iranian Ali Nilsforushan and Cellist III are the next pair of competitors. They have the first fence down and are going very well after that till they get long to the Masjid Jamek double at No. 10. They have the first part down, plus one time fault gives them a total of 9.
Geir Gullikson of Norway is next, with Cattani 17. They have a very good round going before they, like the rider before, get long to the Masjid Jamek double. He has to chase Cattani in, and pay the price twice, at B and at the next fence, the FEI World Cup fence. It’s an 8-faulter for Geir and Cattani.
Abdullah Al Sharbattli is the second Saudi rider into the arena with Quatro. The bogey first comes down for Abdullah, and they also tap out the 3rd fence. After that their round only gets better as Quatro tries his heart out for Abdullah. They finish on those 8 faults to finish the best Asians in the 2006 World Cup Finals.
Mexico’s Alberto Michan is hoping today is going to be a great day. He is coming off a 2nd placing in the Power & Grace 1.55 m class with Iva tu du Rouet. He rides Lavita 7, a 10 year old Holstein mare by Coriano hoping to keep his good day going. It is not to be though as he has the 3rd and 7th fences down, then has trouble in the Masjid Jamek double as well. They finish with one time fault for a 13 penalty total.
Poland is represented in this final by Grzegorz Kubiak and Ritus. For Ritus it is just a little too much, despite his rider’s best efforts. They start fairly well, but hit trouble in the Terengganu Boat treble, bellying the 2nd and tapping out the 3rd element. They were on trouble at the next combination and paddled the last fence for five fences down.
Ljubov Kochetova, the Russian lady has Illion Kileh in trouble already at the second. They are having trouble with the spread fences, but the horse responds but jumping bigger, opening up earlier, anything they can do to get out of the way of the poles. It works, and they finish with only that 2nd fence down, plus 2 time faults.
The first American into the ring tonight is Joie Gatlin with Suncal’s King from the West Coast League. They tap out the top plank of the Terengannu Boats at C. They are in big trouble at the triple bar as they take two poles with them. One of them lands in their way and the horse has to stop at the Batik 8th fence. They are clean over the rest of the course as they resume, but the damage is done. They finish on 16 faults, which included 4 time penalties.
They are followed by Argentinean Guillermo Obligado with Millar, who also qualified through the American West Coast league. They tap out the plank in the short striding 6c, then are in big trouble at the next combination as they have 10a down and are unable to jump out. They have to do it again, and have it down again. A total of 20 faults.
Former Malaysian trainer Jean-Marc Nicolas gets warm applause as he enters the arena with JPC Modesto Equifoam. They are looking to improve on yesterday’s disappointing 20th place finish. They are unlucky at the triple bar and just roll the penultimate. It’s an 8-faulter for Jean-Marc, and we’ll have to wait and see if it is good enough for a call back for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Richard Spooner and Camaron Hills Shanroe are the first of three consecutive Americans. It’s that pesky first fence again that comes down. It is very well ridden round by Richard otherwise, with only the 12th also coming down. 8 penalties.
Much was expected of Beezie Madden and Judgement. She is hoping to move up the rankings with her Dutchbred 15 year old stallion. Beezie perhaps under-rides the second part of the treble, trying to set up for the short striding third element and pays the price. They get lucky at the triple bar, which rolls and stays but are not so lucky going into the Masjid Jamek combination. Another 8 faulter.
Laura Kraut finished just out of the money yesterday with Anthem when they had one fence down. Today they handle the treble beautifully but it is the triple bar that comes down. It looked like they might take the lead in this class but the last fence comes down too for yet another 8 faulter.
Philippe Leoni leads the Gallic challenge even if his horse Cyrenaika FRH is a Hanoverian. And it is a challenge that they are making. They are a little lucky at the third fence which they tap, but it stays. They don’t touch anything else and are the first to go clear with a lovely round.
Alison Firestone and Secret Love had the fastest time yesterday but with two fences down dropped to 15th place. It’s all a little hectic and wild for Alison and Secret Love. They have a few control issues and have the first two parts of the treble down for an 8 penalty round.
Gerco Schroeder is the only Dutch rider left in the World Cup Final. He went for it with Eurocommerce Milano yesterday and paid the price of a quick round with two down. Today he needs to get to the jump-off if he is to make a challenge for the World Cup crown. There are a few gasps as Milano throws in buck in on the way to the 11th but clears it. They are not so lucky as the 12th comes down for a heartbreaking 4 faulter.
Germany’s Pia-Luise Aufrecht is the first German into the arena. She was 13th yesterday with Hofgut Liederbach’s Abrisca when she had only the last fence down. Tonight she turns back a little too sharply to the Pua Kumbu and the little spread of 1 m still catches her. The last part of the treble also comes down but they are safe after that and comes home with yet another 8 faulter.
Sweden’s Rolf-Goran Bengtsson is next with Mac Kinley 3. Mac Kinley is jumping very well. He is keen and athletic. They are jumping so well it is not a big surprise when they make it to the jump-off.
Heinrich Hermann Engelmann is next with the beautiful Aboyeur W. Germany are due a clear round for their powerful contingent, and Heinrich Hermann provides it with a very good clear round with the 12 year old Westfalian.
Estonia’s Gunnar Klettenberg finished 10th in last night’s speed class, a fantastic result with the Dutchbred Novesta. They are still jumping beautifully and it was almost a clear round. Only the second last came down. The 4-faulter should still move them up the standings.
Great Britain’s Robert Smith and Kalusha are next in the ring. They will have hoped for much better but today is not Kalusha’s day. They have four fences down in a disappointing round.
Juan Carlos Garcia had an excellent round with Loro Piana Albin III yesterday night, with only one fence down for 8th place. They’ll be hoping to keep up their challenge with another good performance from the 18 year old Selle Francais gelding. They jump very well but it is the second last fence down for a 4 faulter.
Michael Whitaker was not aided by an early draw last night and his clear round was calculated to be careful yet put him in contention. He needs to get another clear round with Insul Tech Portofino on the board if he is going to make up ground on the leaders and go one better than his runners-up place in last year’s final in Las Vegas. It is not to be as they have the 3rd and 11th fences down. The British challenge fades with his 8 penalties.
Margie Engle was the best placed American in last night’s World Cup opener. She has Quervo Gold jumping very well. They start very well but the Pua Kumbu 5th fence gets tapped out. The FEI World Cup fence also comes down and it is an 8 faulter for Margie.
Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst’s Candy has been performing very well. The14 year old Holstein mare by Corial looks to be in outstanding form. They are jumping very well even if they are a little lucky at the triple bar. Alois goes to the whip as he turns to the triple and Candy bounces the pole back into the cups. It looks like they will ride their luck but the very last fence catches them out for 4 penalties.
Ireland’s Jessica Kuerten (pic) describes Castle Forbes Libertina as “a little wild” yet she gets great results with the Achill-Libero mare. Libertina looks to be jumping for fun. She has so much scope that the clear round is never in doubt. It is a fantastic performance by Jessica to keep them in real contention.They are followed into the arena by another horse with amazing scope. Defending champion Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum has Checkmate in top form. The Contender 11 year old is giving the fences a lot of air. Inexplicably they tap out the first part of the treble. It is the only fence that they don’t give 6 inches of air to. The 4 faults keeps them out of the jump-off.
Switzerland’s Beat Mandli has the long-striding Ideo du Thot jumping very well. They were very quick yesterday. Today they will hope to go one better, but first Beat must get the Selle Francais gelding to the jump-off. Beat starts slowly, even adding a stride to the second. They never look like they are going very fast, yet the lovely Selle Francais covers the ground, and clears the fences so easily that they cruise into the jump-off.
World No. 1 Marcus Ehning has been in outstanding form at this event. Not only did he take the opening World Cup class last night with Sandro Boy. He also won the Power & Grace trophy earlier this afternoon with Cinderella. Marcus has the Sandro x Grannus stallion jumping very big and powerfully. They have such a good rhythm and Marcus has excellent control and such a good eye for distances to everything that they make every jump look easy.
Tonight is no exception for the German. They glide through the course, only giving the Pua Kumbu a light tap. Nothing else troubles them and they make Germany the only country with two in the jump-off.
The six riders who make the jump-off are Philippe Leoni (FRA), Rolf-Goran Bengtsson (SWE), Heinrich-Hermann Engelmann (GER). Jessica Kuerten (IRL), Beat Mandli (SUI) and Marcus Ehning (GER).
The Jump-Off
Philippe Leoni is first out in the jump-off. He wants to put a clear round on the board and gets it in 40.50 secs. It is a safe time that will certainly get beaten by those who try for the win.
Rolf-Goran Bengtsson isn’t looking to just post a clear. He has Mac Kinley galloping as soon as they break the beam. They gallop the course and make fantastic tight turns. It’s a thrilling round that stops the clock in 34.17 secs.
Henrich-Hermann Engelmann has Aboyeur going fast from the start, but there is a mistake at the Terengganu Boat planks which comes down. They score 4 penalties in 35.42 secs.
Jessica Kuerten gives it a really good go with the magnificent Castle Forbes Libertina. They are very fast around the course but just a little steady before the batik at the second last and again before the last costs them the class as they post a time of 34.92 secs.
Beat Mandli and Ideo du Thot (pic left) never look like they are going very fast, but they take the turns very well, then gallop well to the batik. They are up on the time, but then take a couple of pulls before the last, and they drop just behind Rolf-Goran’s time with their own 34.54 secs. Marcus Ehning and Sandro Boy are jumping almost too well. They stallion gets right up in the air and loses precious time up there. Marcus gives it his all though and gallops all the way to the last. Their time of 35.21 secs is not fast enough to catch the Swede.
Sweden’s Rolf-Goran Bengtsson wins it from Switzerland’s Beat Mandli. Jessica Kuerten takes third place. Marcus Ehning is the best performed German in 4th.
Rolf was quietly ecstatic after his win. The understated Swede said, "I know this horse quite well now. This horse always tries his very best." When asked about his expectations when coming to Kuala Lumpur, the Rolf said, "I knew the other people coming and they are very good. To beat them would be very very hard. But you have to try."
Brief Results:
1st Rolf-Goran Bengtsson SWE Mac Kinley 3, 0/0, 34.17 secs
2nd Beat Mandli SUI Ideo du Thot, 0/0, 34.54
3rd Jessica Kuerten IRL Castle Forbes Libertina, 0/0, 34.92
4th Marcus Ehning GER Sandro Boy, 0/0, 35.21
5th Philippe Leoni FRA Cyrenaika FRH, 0/0, 40.50
6th Henrich-Hermann Engelmann GER Aboyeur W, 0/4 35.42
Equal 7th
Gerco Schroeder NED Eurocommerce Milano, 4
Gunnar Klettenberg EST Novesta, 4
Juan Carlos Garcia ITA Loro Piana Albin III, 4
Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst GER Candy 195, 4
Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum GER Checkmate 4
For full results, please see the results section on the KL World Cup Final website, at
http://www.klworldcupfinal.com/info/results_2006.php
