2014 World Equestrian Games

Australian Zac Singlehurst did a good job in the Male vaulting freestyle but it was a very tough class.

Swiss vaulter, Simone JAser kept her third place after the second round of the Female vaulting.

The New Zealand team showed really good skills and chorography, to move into the final in seventh place.

Ariat sponsored and World famous showjumping rider Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum generously gave her time and charm while signing autographs at the Ariat stand today.

Pierre Fleury's Highland Pony Show down in the village is described as 'Spectacular' and is very good. Today on of the ponies on Day 11 was sick of being in the middle and decided to put on his own spectacular show which was funny. There is plenty of entertainment down in the village, it is just a shame most people do not see it.

There were plenty of teenage New Zealand girls to cheer on their team. The New Zealand team performed really well and move into the final in seventh place ahead of some much more fancied teams.

The Swedish team were good both on and off the horse and move into the final in fifth place.

The team from the USA did not have the best performance today with a fall of rider, but after two rounds finished in ninth place.

The Australian Team of sisters Lucy, Jean and Anna Betts along with David Waller, Sarah Grayson and Jessica Masterton had a very good start yesterday in the first round of the Team vaulting finishing in 13th place. Today with the top 12 teams going into the final, the Australians did not have a great day and finished in 17th place.

The teams running in and out to the the huge cheers from the crowd is quite funny, but the good teams keep in perfect sync. Here the Swedish team leave the arena.

The team from South Africa was really good. They performed to part speech from Nelson Mandela about harmony and peace and African music. There is a good story to the South African team, as Bongani Mvumvu seen here with one of his team mates, was living on the streets as an eight year old. He was found by a riding teacher who taught him to ride. He competed in Kentucky as an individual. The team finished in eighth place after two rounds.

The team from Switzerland were third yesterday and a good performance today winning the round sees them in second place.

The Austrian team won the compulsory event yesterday but today did not do so well and sit in third place after two rounds.

In the team vaulting only three riders are allowed on the horse at a time but each member of the team must vault onto the horse during the performance. The German team performed well to lead after two rounds of the team event.

Yesterday was the compulsory exercises in the team vaulting and today was the freestyle round with a complex set of rules. Keeping all the rules in mind each team does their own choreography to their choice of music. Here the Italian team perform to finish in sixth place before the final.

Vaulting in Europe is very popular and the team freestyle event is lots of fun with good atmosphere with lots of excited teenage girls in the audience. The French Team move into the final of the Team event in fourth place.

The team from the Czech Republic just made the final after the first two rounds finishing in 12th place. In places where keeping horses in expensive, vaulting clubs are very popular.

Australian Team member, James Paterson Robinson rode well today and he had his hands full with the powerful, Boris III' that had a foot in the water and lowered oxers 4A ans eleven. Sadly that is the end of the talented Australian ex pat's run at these WEG.

French Team member, Patrice Delaveau riding 'Orient Express HDC' had the crowd cheering as he posted a clear round again today. He holds the lead in the Individual competition and France is fourth in the Team competition at this point. But there is plenty of jumping to come and it won't get any easier.

Australian Team captain, Edwina Tops-Alexander led by example again today by posting a clear jumping round aboard the scopey, 'Ego Van Orti'. However, one time penalty marred what was otherwise a perfect run. Edwina has qualified for the top 50 to go through to round three in 27th place.

Australian Team member, Jamie Kermond jumped a good four penalty round today aboard, "Quiet Cassini'. The big stallion has certainly lifted his game and only faulted at the airy 1.55. x 1.55m x 1.80m oxer at number eight that caused a lot of grief during the second Individual and first Team competition. Jamie makes it through to the third round for the top ten teams and top 50 riders. He qualified at number 48. Australia finished 17th of 32 Teams.

Amy Graham and her game, 'Bella Baloubet' could not quite emulate the good form of yesterday. Just the barest toe in the water and the back rail off the oxers at eight and ten saw Amy finish with a total of 12 penalties. They finished in 81st place of 153 starters.

There were plenty of Australian teenage girls to cheer on the Aussies.

Most people today at the vaulting had come to see the two famous French vaulters, Nicolas Andreani and Jaques Ferrari seen here. The pair did not disappoint the 1000's of screaming teenagers.

Health and safety rules have not gone crazy in France and there are plenty of opportunities to pat a horse down in the village.

Rikke Laumann from Denmark won the first round of the Female vaulting but did not go quite so well today and is currently in second place.

Corina Knaff from Germany holds onto fifth place after the first two rounds of the Female Vaulting World Championship.

During the freestyle round riders must complete both static and acrobatic moves. Fourth place Anna Cavallaro from Italy shows she can easily do the acrobatic side of the routine.

Like the teams the individuals today did their freestyle round to try and qualify for the finals. Blanka Nemeth competed for Hungary

Generally the male vaulters are the show ponies of the sport but also incredibly strong and athletic being the best to watch. Victor Bruise from Germany put in a good performance to move into the finals.