A TRULY amazing year for international equestrian sport is brilliantly captured and beautifully presented in the hardback annual edition of L’Année Hippique. With its trademark stunning high definition colour photographs, this celebrated publication will delight equestrian enthusiasts everywhere. Reflecting international equestrianism at its very best, its coverage spans the major equestrian FEI disciplines of show jumping, eventing, dressage and carriage driving in some 304 pages.
Under new publishers this year, the famous equestrian yearbook has lost none of its old charm delivering a virtual treasure trove of beautiful photographs, succinct reports and comprehensive results, takes the entralled reader through the top competitions on the elite global circuit.
L’Année Hippique features all of the big five-star shows in Europe, Scandinavia, America, Canada, Mexico, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Doha as well as exensive coverage of the major championships in 2019 as we count down to the all-important Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
With three Irish equestrian teams qualified for the first time ever – dressage, show jumping and event – there’s plenty of memorable images and comments from the Irish riders involved. The Irish show jumping team, were, of course, victorious, under former chef d’equipe Rodrigo Pessoa, at the Longines FEI Nations Cup Series at Barcelona and also covered is the World Cup Finals in eventing and show jumping.
The winning pictures of Ireland’s talented young riders – Jason Foley (gold medal 5yos), Seamus Hughes Kennedy(gold medal 7yos) and Mikey Pender (silver medal 5yos) – who took home gold and silver medals, at Lanaken’s World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Belgium are rightfully recorded.
Special features include the Rolex Grand Slam of Jumping and the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final in Geneva as well as the Saab Top 10 Dressage Final in Stockholm. Back in the spotlight features De Sjiem, Jeroen Dubbeldam’s special horse, and there’s lovely features on Hermès. Founded in 1837 by Thierry Hermès in Germany, the family moved to France in 1828 and established a harness workshop in Paris and that was the humble start of what is today one of the world’s best known brands.
US Equestrian Federation Director of Sport Will Connell, steeped in equestrianism and once stationed in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, talks about what army life taught him that’s useful in his current role.
Helgstrand Stables opens its doors while Germany team dressage trainer Monica Theodorescu gives an insight into some of the training philosophies behind top riders such as Isabell Werth.
Racing fans will enjoy the feature on the fascinating origin of point-to-point racing while the L’Année Hippique awards for the best shows and best riders/drivers are also featured.
Once again FEI President Ingmar de Vos pens the foreward, looking both back on what was a spectacular year of equestrian sport in 2019 and also looking forward to the excitement of the coming Olympic Games.
How to order
With Christmas looming, a copy of L’Année Hippique – which first began in 1943 – would make a wonderful gift, guaranteed to provide many fascinating hours.
The book costs €50 or £45, including post and packaging within Ireland (at cost elsewhere) and is available from the exclusive distributor for Ireland, Dermot Forde, Kilmore, Virginia, Co Cavan, telephone and fax 049 8546360, or mobile: 087 2344212 or 086 381 4827, email: deroforde@ gmail.com.