Federation Equestre Internationale

FEI Press News - August 24, 1999

- World Pairs Driving Championship in Kecskemet
- European Vaulting Championship in Nitra (SVK)
- Polly Phillipps (GBR) suffered fatal accident
- FEI 2000 General Assembly will be held in Germany
- Samsung Nations Cup: Switzerland overtaken by the Dutch in the rankings
- Olympic qualification update

World Pairs Driving Championship in Kecskemet
It was the 4th time that a World Driving Championship was held in Hungary, and as on previous occasions, the home drivers dominated the competition. Hungary won all four possible medals of the 8th edition of the World Pairs Championship.

During the Four-in-Hand World Championships In 1978 in Kecskemet and in 1984 in Szilvasvarad, Hungary had also won team gold and all three individual medals. At the Paris World Championship in 1989 in Balaton Fenyves, the Hungarians, at that time not so strong with the Pairs, still won team gold and individual bronze.

Now back in Kecskemet, in the same stadium as in 1978, the Hungarians Vilmos Lazar, Zoltan Lazar and Zoltan Nyul took the three individual medals and the Lazar brothers, together with Imre Hegedüs, also earned the team gold medal, ahead of Germany and Austria. The individual world title remains 'in the family' since, two years ago in Riesenbeck (GER), the younger of the Lazar brothers, Zoltan, was champion.

Sixty-two drivers from 22 countries competed, 19 with two or three drivers competing for the team competition.

European Vaulting Championship in Nitra (SVK)
Nitra hosted the first-ever vaulting championship organised in Slovakia. The championship was held from 17 to 21 August in conjunction with the Slovak agricultural fair Agrokomplex.

The German vaulters dominated the championship and won all three medals of the Individual Championship both in the Male and Female categories. Switzerland earned the team gold, ahead of Sweden and Germany.

Many personalities including the President of the Republic, attended the championship, which was beautifully organised by the Slovak Equestrian Federation.

Polly Phillipps (GBR) suffered fatal accident
On 22 August, Polly Phillipps, aged 30, suffered a fatal accident while competing at the Scottish Championship Horse Trial (CIC ***) at Thirlestane Castle, Lauder in Great Britain. The tragic accident occurred at fence 10, an ascending oxer on level ground, of the cross-country course. Her horse, Coral Cove was uninjured.

The FEI Eventing Committee will discuss the creation of a working group on safety at events. This item will also be one of the major subjects discussed during a top officials seminar in the Netherlands. The most experienced eventing judges, course designers and technical delegates will be present at the seminar, which will be held in conjunction with the CCI*** Boekelo (NED) on 7-10 October.

FEI 2000 General Assembly will be held in Germany
The 2000 FEI General Assembly will take place from 10 to 14 April 2000 in Mainz (GER). The Bureau Meeting will take place on the 10th and 11th. The General Assembly itself will be held on Thursday 13 and Friday 14 April, preceded by a Forum.

Samsung Nations Cup: Switzerland overtaken by the Dutch in the rankings
Following an impressive victory on home grounding last Sunday, The Dutch now lead by just half a point the Samsung Nations Cup team rankings for the first time this season, ahead of the Swiss, who finished fifth and failed to improve their overall total. USA and Belgium finished 2nd and 3rd respectively of the CSIO Rotterdam team competition.

The next Nations Cup will take place in Bucharest on Sunday 29 August 1999

Olympic qualification update
In Jumping (quota 79 riders, 79 horses + 16 reserve horses), the National Federations of the 4 best-placed teams at the 1999 European Jumping Championship to be held in Hickstead (GBR) at the end of this week will qualify, excluding those already qualified during the 1998 World Equestrian Games (WEG) and the host nation.

In Eventing (quota 96 riders and 96 horses + 15 reserve horses), the NFs of the 3 best-placed teams at the 1999 European Championship in Luhmühlen (GER) from 16 to 19 September will qualify, excluding those already qualified at the 1998 WEG, the 1999 Pan American Games and the host nation.

HorsesDaily Related Links
FEI / BCM World Riders Rankings
Visit the Samsung Nations Cup web site
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