Early next month, the four-sport FIM World Cup finals are set to take place in Leipzig, Germany, where super athletes from all corners of the globe have confirmed their participation.
We have riders from Australia, steeplechase riders from Africa and South America, dressage sets from Asia and North America and horseback gymnasts from Europe!
Let's take a look at who we can expect to cheer for in Leipzig...
Site obstacles
Athletes from around 20 countries will compete in the Longines ITM Steeplechase World Cup Finals, including past champions Steve Guerdat, Marcus Ehning, Mclain Ward and John Whitaker.
The current top ten track steeplechase riders in the world are also favourites for the championships, including Swiss rider Martin Fuchs, Brazilian rider Marlon Modolo Zanotelli, Irish rider Conor Swail and Dutch rider Harry Smolders.
Irish rider Swell topped the North American standings, while compatriot Denis Lynch topped the Western European league. Lithuanian rider Andrius Petrovas, who won the Champions League in Central Europe, will compete with the Beloved Horse Linkolns. Kazuteru Kitai, winners of the Japanese league, as well as middle eastern leagues, New Zealand leagues, South American leagues, South African leagues, Eurasian leagues, and Australian leagues will also come to Leipzig.
Sver will bring Count Me In to Leipzig, while defending champion Gurdat brings Victorio Des Frotards and Smoldez will be partnered by Monaco.
Nine U.S. track obstacles will cross the Atlantic for leipzig' race, including Hunter Holloway and Emmas Pepita Con Spita, who have been impressive in previous leagues. We're all excited to see the great performances of Tokyo Olympic team silver medalists, American riders Mike Klein and Contagious!
Age Battle
Forty years ago, track obstacle course legends John Whitaker and Unick Du Francport made their first podium finish at the 1982 Gothenburg Finals. The 66-year-old British rider won the finals with Milton back in 1990 and 1991.
Whitaker and Norwegian rider Geir Gulliksen and American rider Margie Goldstein-Engle are both members of the over-60 group on the starting list, while his compatriots Harry Charles and Jack Whitaker are only 22 and 20 years old, respectively!
Another young talent on the steeplechase list is 20-year-old Egyptian rider Abdelrahman Shousha, one of four entrants from the Middle East league, with the other three riders from Saudi Arabia, Syria and the United Arab Emirates.
It was the winning round match between Connor Swell and Count Me In at Fort Worth...
Dressage steps
The FIMA Dressage World Cup Finals bring together 18 elite pairs of men and horses, and the competition will be led by Olympic and European champion Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and her stunning TSF Dalera BB.
Isabel Werth's goal is to go on an incredible four-game winning streak with Weihegold OLD, who will retire after the Leipzig Finals. The third German rider in the race is another former champion, Helen Langehanenberg, who will compete with Annabelle.
We can also look forward to seeing a strong Danish team made up of Cathrine Dufour, Carina Cass e Krüth and Nanna Skodborg Merrald. British rider Charlotte Fry, French rider Morgan Barbancon, Swedish rider Patrik Kittel and Spanish rider Juan Matute Guimon are also the main focus of the centaur combination.
The cast came from 13 countries and territories, including riders Anna Buffini and Ashley Holzer, who came out in the top two in the U.S. qualifiers. Central European champion and Moldovan rider Alisa Glinka will bring Aachen to Leipzig.
The Dominican Republic's Yvonne Losos De Mu iz and Aquamarijn appeared in the Gothenburg Finals three years ago, while Moroccan Olympian Yessin Rahmouni took All At Once to the Finals.
Carriage racing
Seven athletes will bring teams of horses to the FIMA Carriage Racing World Cup Finals in Leipzig, including the first female participant.
German driver Mareike Harm will lead an all-female team in Leipzig, and Michael Brauchle will also represent Germany.
All eyes will be on the battle between Australian driver Boyd Exell and Dutch driver Bram Chardon. Exel sees Koos De Ronde as a strong contender. The nine-time World Cup winner said: "Bram and I will go all out to win and you never know what's going to happen there. Maybe we'll all make mistakes and Cus will get first place there. ”
With the arrival of Belgian drivers Glenn Geerts and Dries Degrieck, Leipzig's final seven squad is officially released.
Horseback gymnastics
Eight contestants each in the men's and women's individual finals are expected to win the highest prize in the World Cup finals, while four pairs of duos will compete in the doubles.
Athletes from eight countries will compete in three finals, including Austria, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Switzerland. Host Germany includes 2019 champion Janika Derks, while France's Lambert Leclezio will try to continue his victory at the 2018 FIMA World Equestrian Games.
Kimberly Palmer and Kalyn Noah will represent the United States, while James Hocking is the only Australian player.
We can't wait to see all the stars of Leipzig, from the horse industry rookie to the seasoned veterans. FEI TV, the FIMA Global Social Media Channel and the FIMA Chinese Channel will fully cover all four projects within a week.
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