Wout-Jan Van Der Schans (NED) / Aquila SFn. Photos: PSV Jean Morel.
For the second consecutive year, the Netherlands imposed itself in the French leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup after two very competitive rounds.
On paper, the Dutch team did not necessarily look like the strongest of the list, but the four pairs selected by the team leader Rob Ehrens dominated the competition and established as winners with only one penalty point, thanks to Wout-Jan Van Der Schans and Aquila SFN, double clear. The riders with the orange jacket also showed they had solid nerves, because after the first round, they were in the lead without any penalty, just like Switzerland, USA and Great Britain. France was 5th, ahead of Germany, Belgium and Brazil. The second round was very promising and exciting!
While Netherlands were lining up clear rounds (Leopold Van Asten with VDL Groep Zidane N.O.P. and Willem Greve with Carambole N.O.P. only scored one time penalty point), USA weighed down their score by 4 points after Todd Minikus and Babalou 41. Switzerland saw its dreams of podium fly off after both Janika Sprunger with Bonne Chance CW, and Steve Guerdat with Corbinian scored 4 points. Same disappointment among the British when Joe Clee with Utamaro d’Ecaussines scored 4 points, and Nick Skelton and Big Star 8 points. France, 5th after the first round, managed to pull coals out of the fire, thanks to two double clear rounds signed by Pénélope Leprevost with Flora de Mariposa, and Simon Delestre with Hermès Ryan, and the second round of Roger Yves Bost with Sydney Une Prince, who only got one penalty point. This good result allows the Blue to grab the 3rd position. USA placed 2nd, while Holland clinched victory.
Results
QUOTES:
Rémi Cléro (president of the Longines International Jumping of La Baule):
«We had a chance to see a very nice class this Friday, with great winners. I want to congratulate them. One more time, the public has been there and the suspense sustained during the whole class. »
John Roche (FEI show jumping Director):
« I wish to congratulate the Dutch team who showed us great sport. Thanks also to Frédéric Cottier who offered everyone a beautiful class, here in La Baule. Since Lummen was cancelled, La Baule leg has taken all is importance. Thank you for all the hard work done here by all the teams. »
Frédéric Cottier (course designer):
« When I designed the course, I did my best to not make it too difficult for the horses as early as Friday. My target is to make them feel comfortable. The ground got a little better as the class was going on, and I am sure it will be better and better over the week-end. »
Rob Ehrens (team leader Netherlands):
« The course was beautiful, but probably a bit long. The riders had to stay focus, which is what the all team did. In the second round, the horses were obviously a bit tired, which is why we saw some more mistakes, but overall, I can only be satisfied with the result. »
Philippe Guerdat (team leader, France):
« I wish to congratulate the Dutch who rode a beautiful class. I am also pleased with my French riders, who did very well in the second round in order to get to the podium. I did not think “Bosty” would get time penalty, but he did his best to not push a rail down. Overall the result is satisfying for the team. »
Willem Greve (Holland):
« My first round was very good. We did not come necessarily to win, but more to fight. It was a great competition; our super team did its best for everything to run smoothly. »
Wout-Jan Van Der Schans (Holland):
« I am very pleased with my double clear, like at the Dublin CSIO. Aquila SFN found the course easy. I celebrated my 55th birthday yesterday; it is a great present to be the class opener. It is always a delicate and strategic position, but for us today everything went well. »
Leopold Van Asten (Holland):
« I had some time problems during the second round after I decided to start slower. I tried to be very careful with the last fence and I added a stride, what costs me one time penalty point. »
Jur Vrieling (Holland):
« My first round was very difficult, but the second was a lot better. VDLGlasgow VH Mereisnest was doing his first Nations Cup. I am very pleased anyway. »
Véronique GAUTHIER / Agence Consulis
veronique-gauthier@club-internet.fr
mob: +33 672 770 600
Bruno OPPENHEIM / O.I.C
bruno.oppenheim@wanadoo.fr
mob: +33 614 422 795