With 57 points in only 3 starts René Tebbel is clearly in the lead in the Western European League of the FEI World Cup Jumping. After having been narrowly beaten by Markus Fuchs in Berlin, Tebbel won the World Cup competitions in Amsterdam and London. His mount was on three occasion the 10 years old Holstein gelding Meurer’s Le Patron.

Ludo Philippaerts, runner-up in Geneva and third in Helsinki, is in second place of the standings with 50 points, which should be sufficient to qualify for the World Cup Final which will be held over the Easter weekend from 12 to 16 April 2001 the Scandinavium arena of Göteborg (SWE).

The three Final competitions will be held on Friday 13 April, Saturday 14 April and Easter Monday 16 April 2001. The 2001 Final is the 23rd in the annual series and the 11th to be held in the Scandinavium arena. Ericsson, the leading Communications supplier with more than 100’000 employees in 140 countries is the presenting sponsor of the 23rd FEI World Cup Final.

Behind Tebbel and Philippaerts, the next in the current standings are Peter Charles (44 points) Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (41), Ludger and Markus Beerbaum (39 and 38 respectively). The top 18 Western European riders are qualified to compete in the Final, plus the defending champion Rodrigo Pessoa, and two extra Swedish riders. Together with the finalists from the other 11 Leagues a starting field of approx. 42 can be expected in Göteborg.

The next competition is Mechelen in Belgium (30 December). Five more competitions will be held in February and March (Bordeaux, Paris, Dortmund, s’Hertogenbosh and Oviedo).

Image copyrighted: Dirk Caremans - Ludo Philippaerts on RBG Ottorongo