Photo: Roland Thunholm
In round six of the Furusiyya Nations Cup Division 1 series yesterday, a total of eight teams lined up for the possible victory. Solid teams for Germany, Great Britain, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and USA all attempted to take the sixth Nations Cup title on the Division one circuit yesterday but it was the Germans who surprised, even themselves with a terrific performance, especially from Hamburg Grand Prix winner Katrin Eckermann.
“Before today, the biggest competition I competed in with my horse was in Hamburg a few weeks ago” said Katrin Eckermann. “But I was expecting him to go like this here, he has been going so well. I ride him now for three years and I know him well. I did many Youngster classes with him and have taken a lot of time to build him up”.
A total of five teams were chasing points towards the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping 2014 Final, which will take place in Barcelona, Spain in October. Those teams were Great Britain, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Ukraine. It was Germany’s Christian Wiegand who stood as course designer in Falsterbo and it seems the German was setting best for his fellow countryman. “I feel like I have him on my side but I could see that he found some parts (of today’s course) difficult – his ability to jump and his will power was the difference which undoubtedly helped contribute to his performance” said Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum about her horse, Fibonacci. “Once we iron these things out, I am sure we will have a great future together”.
At the halfway stage of the competition, only one fence separated the top six teams when Sweden and The Netherlands jointly held the lead. There were 14 clears in the first round but only three double-clear performances in the second round; USA’s Brianne Goutal and Nice de Prissey, Spain’s Sergio Moya and Zipper and The Netherlands’ Wout-Jan van der Schans with Capetown.
In the end it was Germany who won ahead of hosting nation Sweden, who finished in second while the United States of America and Spain shared third place. There are Just two additional legs left of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Jumping Europe Division 1 series. These two remaining events will take place in Hickstead, Great Britain on Friday 1 August and in Dublin, Ireland on Friday 8 August.
Only 7 of the 10 nations competing in Europe Division 1 can qualify for the Final which will take place in Barcelona, Spain in October.
“Before today, the biggest competition I competed in with my horse was in Hamburg a few weeks ago” said Katrin Eckermann. “But I was expecting him to go like this here, he has been going so well. I ride him now for three years and I know him well. I did many Youngster classes with him and have taken a lot of time to build him up”.
Standings after Round 6 of Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping Europe Division 1 League 2014 at Falsterbo (SWE):
1. France – 345
2. Spain – 282.5
3. Switzerland – 280
4. Netherlands – 250
5. Belgium – 220
5. Sweden – 220
7. Ukraine – 170
8. Germany – 160
9. Ireland – 130
9. Great Britain – 130