Take a look at the 2022 finalists in Jumping, Dressage, Driving and Vaulting…

Super-talented athletes from all corners of the planet have been confirmed for Leipzig as the equestrian world comes together for next month’s FEI World Cup Finals™.

We have drivers from Australasia, jumpers from Africa and South America, Asian and North American Dressage pairings and vaulters from Europe!

Let’s take a look at who we can look forward to cheering in Leipzig…

Jumping
Athletes from some 20 nations will feature in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final, with past winners Steve Guerdat, Marcus Ehning, Mclain Ward and John Whitaker among the list.

World Top 10-ranked athletes Martin Fuchs of Switzerland, Marlon Modolo Zanotelli of Brazil, Ireland’s Conor Swail and the Netherlands’ Harrie Smolders will each be among the favourites.

Swail finished top of the North American standings while compatriot Denis Lynch reigned in the Western European League. Lithuania’s Andrius Petrovas came out on top in the Central European League, and will look to impress in Leipzig with Linkolns. Check back through the campaign here.

Swail is set to take Count Me In to Leipzig, while reigning champion Guerdat brings Victorio Des Frotards and Smolders competes with Monaco.

Some nine US athletes will travel over the Atlantic to compete in Leipzig, including the impressive Hunter Holloway & Pepita Con Spita. We are all excited to see Mclain Ward & Contagious after they helped the US to Team silver in last year’s Olympics!

Battle of the Ages
Jumping legend John Whitaker, who competes with Unick Du Francport, made the podium for the first time some 40 years ago in Gothenburg in 1982, and the 66-year-old Briton won the event as long ago as 1990 and 1991 with the iconic Milton.

Whitaker is one of a band of 60-somethings on the start list – along with Geir Gulliksen and Margie Goldstein-Engle – while his compatriots Harry Charles and Jack Whitaker are just 22 and 20 respectively!

Another young talent on the Jumping start list is Egypt’s 20-year-old Abdelrahman Shousha, one of four entries from the Arab League. Shousha will be joined by Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Alsharbatly, Syria’s Amre Hamcho and the UAE’s Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi.

The Eurasian League Final took place last October where Uzbekistan’s Bekzod Kurbanov clinched the top place. The 30-year-old brings King Cornet L to Leipzig in April.

Here’s Conor Swail & Count Me In storming to victory in Fort Worth…

Dressage
The FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final brings together 18 pairings from the sport’s elite, led of course by Olympic and European champion Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and her stunning TSF Dalera BB.

Isabel Werth is aiming for an incredible fourth consecutive finals win with Weihegold OLD, who is set to be retired after Leipzig. The third German on the start list is another previous champion, Helen Langehanenberg, who competes with Annabelle.

We can also look forward to seeing a strong Danish contingent led by Cathrine Dufour & Vamos Amigos, as well as Carina Cassøe Krüth and Nanna Skodborg Merrald. Great Britain’s Charlotte Fry, France’s Morgan Barbancon, Sweden’s Patrik Kittel and Spain’s Juan Matute Guimon will also be among the ones to watch.

Pairings from 13 nations are on the start list, including the top two US qualifiers Anna Buffini and Ashley Holzer. Central European champion, Alisa Glinka of Moldova, brings Aachen. Check back through the campaign here.

Yvonne Losos De Muñiz & Aquamarijn of Dominican Republic return after their appearance in Gothenburg three years ago, while Moroccan Olympian Yessin Rahmouni brings All At Once.

With no Pacific League final having taken place due to Covid, this slot became an “extra starting place” and the three spots have been allocated to Carina Cassoe Kruth (DEN), Yessin Rahmouni (MOR), and Rodrigo Torres (POR).

Driving
Seven athletes will participate in the FEI Driving World Cup™ Final in Leipzig, including a first-ever female participant.

Germany’s Mareike Harm leads a fully female team in Leipzig, with the home nation also represented by Michael Brauchle.

All eyes will be on the battle between Boyd Exell and Bram Chardon, although the former admitted that could be helpful for Koos De Ronde and the rest of the field.

Vaulting
The individual Male and Female finals will each see eight competitors looking to win the top prize at the FEI Vaulting World Cup™ Final, while four couples will feature in the Pas De Deux event.

Some eight nations are represented across the three finals, including Austria, France, Italy, Netherlands and Switzerland. Hosts Germany’s contingent includes 2019 champion Janika Derks, while Frenchman Lambert Leclezio will attempt to add to his 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games victory.

Kimberly Palmer and Kalyn Noah will represent the USA, while James Hocking is the sole Australian.

We can’t wait to see all the stars in action in Leipzig, from first-timers to seasoned veterans. FEI TV will be providing comprehensive coverage of all four disciplines across the week. FEI TV will be providing comprehensive coverage of all four disciplines across the week. Check out the FEI TV Facebook channel for all the latest information and results…