CDI-W STOCKHOLM (SWE) 28-30 November 2014
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PRESS KIT 2014/15 CDI-W STOCKHOLM (SWE) 28-30 November 2014 Content All the information about the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 is available HERE. Season preview by Louise Parkes ............................................................. page 4 Presentation of Reem Acra ....................................................................... page 6 Simplified rules ...................................................................................... page 9 Understanding Dressage ........................................................................ page 12 The calendar ........................................................................................ page 14 Competition timetable ........................................................................... page 17 FEI TV broadcast timetable .................................................................... page 18 The participants ................................................................................... page 18 The officials ......................................................................................... page 21 Results from CDI-W Stuttgart (GER) ....................................................... page 22 Results from CDI-W Lyon (FRA) ............................................................. page 23 Results from CDI-W Odense (DEN) ......................................................... page 24 News .................................................................................................. page 24 Standings ............................................................................................ page 24 The history .......................................................................................... page 25 FEI World Cup™ Dressage champions ..................................................... page 32 Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage online ............................................ page 34 Contact ............................................................................................... page 35 • Organisers • FEI • FEI broadcast coordination Cover page photo caption: Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and the 12- year gelding Valegro were crowned the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage champions 2014 for the first time in their career. © Arnd Bronkhorst/FEI CDI-W Stockholm (SWE) 29-30 November 2014 3 #ReemAcraFEIWC The dancing horses head for a sparkling showdown in Las Vegas By Louise Parkes There’s something about the prospect of a star-studded final in the entertainment capital of the world that adds extra spice to the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage 2014/2015 season. Showbusiness is at the beating heart of Las Vegas, USA, and when you combine that with the sponsorship of a New York fashionista and the most attention-seeking horse-and-rider combinations on the planet then you have a mouth- watering recipe. The sport of Dressage has undergone a tidal wave of change in recent years, due in no small way to the introduction of Freestyle which allows competitors and their horses to highlight their unique talents and strengths as they perform, accompanied by a specially-selected musical score, in front of adoring audiences. The judges decide the results, but spectators have their own firm favourites, and as the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Western European League wends its way through nine qualifying rounds before the Final in April 2015, fans are guaranteed some classic sporting moments. Dutch riders hold the record for the greatest number of title victories, with 12 in total since 1986, and nine of those were achieved by the woman who is largely responsible for leading the sport to where it is today. Partnering the legendary Bonfire, and later Salinero, Anky van Grunsven turned a previously ultra-conservative discipline into a fascinating and highly entertaining sporting spectacle that began to appeal to a whole new fan-base during her 13-year winning spree between 1995 and 2008. Her Dutch colleague, Edward Gal, then raised the sport to a whole new level during his short career with Totilas when he lifted the trophy in 2010. This horse, with his mesmerising power and extravagant movement, became an overnight sensation following his medal-winning appearances at the FEI European Championships in Windsor, Great Britain the previous year. And one of the most longed-for moments in the story of this latest season is a possible showdown between the black stallion, ridden by Germany’s Matthias Alexander Rath, and the British duo who have taken the sport by storm over the last two years. Defending Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ champions, Great Britain’s Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro, have set the Dressage world on fire since emerging to take double-gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games. They have a magical quality, and their public appeal is second to none. They currently hold all the Dressage titles on offer in the sport, having proved untouchable at last summer’s FEI European Championships, at the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final 2014 and at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy. However when they came up against Rath and Totilas at Aachen (GER) last June, it was the German pair who came out on top. So with Rath determined to bring his great horse to this season’s Final, it seems the stage may be set for an almighty battle under the bright lights of Las Vegas. CDI-W Stockholm (SWE) 29-30 November 2014 4 #ReemAcraFEIWC Photo caption: The “I’m Couture” look from the Reem Acra fall 2015 bridal collection CDI-W Stockholm (SWE) 29-30 November 2014 5 #ReemAcraFEIWC Presentation of Reem Acra www.reemacra.com CDI-W Stockholm (SWE) 29-30 November 2014 6 #ReemAcraFEIWC Reem Acra’s designs epitomize global glamour by offering women her innate fashion sense, European style and understanding of what looks and feels beautiful. Interlaced with her sense of luxury, her regal designs are developed with a modern aesthetic. The ready-to-wear and bridal collections evoke an ethereal quality, which appeals to a discerning clientele, including personalities, royalty and style-setting women from all over the world. In 1997, Acra launched her fashion business with a bridal collection that quickly became recognized for its elegance and impeccable designs. This success led to the introduction of the Reem Acra prêt-a-porter collection six years later. Similar to its bridal counterpart, the collection features meticulously constructed designs ranging from understated chic to ornate. It is distinctly modern but marked by rich color, lush fabrics, playful patterns and flawless construction. While attending the American University of Beirut, Acra was discovered by a fashion editor. Captivated by the lavishly embroidered silk organza gown that was made by Acra from her mother’s dining room tablecloth and worn to a party, the editor instantly offered to host a fashion show for Acra that took place ten days later. Following the serendipitous encounter, Acra studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and its Paris counterpart at Esmod. After a short stint as an interior designer, Acra returned to her fashion roots while working in Hong Kong and New York. A style-setting friend wore Acra’s first bridal design to her society wedding, sparking international interest for the designer and Reem Acra Bridal was born. The gowns became renowned for transforming classic bridal designs through the finest silks, intricate beading and exquisite embroidery. Celebrated for her ability to match a look to a woman’s personality, Acra has dressed global icons of style for weddings, red carpet appearances and awards ceremonies. Her following includes established stars like Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry, Madonna, Beyonce Knowles and Eva Longoria; up-and-coming starlets like Kristen Stewart and Taylor Swift; as well as royal families around the world. Acra’s prêt-a-porter and bridal collections are carried by some of the world's most exclusive retailers. These stores include; Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue in the United States, as well as Saks Fifth Avenue and Harvey Nichols in the Middle East. Her designs are also available at top specialty retailers across the world in Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Istanbul, Egypt, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Singapore. CDI-W Stockholm (SWE) 29-30 November 2014 7 #ReemAcraFEIWC Photo caption: Reem Acra fall 2015 ready-to-wear collection CDI-W Stockholm (SWE) 29-30 November 2014 8 #ReemAcraFEIWC Simplified rules The FEI World Cup™ Dressage is a series of competitions at FEI Grand Prix level, comprising qualifying events (CDI-W) and a Final. The FEI has established four Leagues: • the Western European League. The title sponsor of the Western European League is the New York-based fashion designer Reem Acra and the League is referred to as the Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage. • the Central European League; • the North American League; • and the Pacific League (Australia and New Zealand). (click on the links to see the specific qualification procedures and guidelines for the North American and Pacific Leagues as approved by the FEI Bureau. The rules for the Western and Central European Leagues are included in the general FEI World Cup™ Dressage rules, click here). In any League, an athlete/horse combination may only start in six qualifying events. The four best results obtained in the qualifying events will count. In order to qualify for the Final or a League Final an athlete/horse combination must have started at least two times in the Freestyle to Music at