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USA has taken the lead in the North American Region of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™, and has their sight set on the final in September. Just three nations - USA, Canada and Mexico - are competing for the two available qualifying spots from the North American, Central American and Caribbean League. USA now carries the maximum of 100 points into the second of the two regional qualifiers at Spruce Meadows in June, where Canada will lie just 10 points behind after earning 90 points for their second place yesterday. For Mexico it is a long way up, as they finished last yesterday and just earned 65 points. 

Here you can see an interview with the U.S. Chef d'Equipe Robert Ridland after their win at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™.

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Reed Kessler and Cylana. Photo © Sportfot.The powerhouse U.S. show jumping team of Kent Farrington, Reed Kessler, Laura Kraut and Beezie Madden earned victory in Friday night's $75,000 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ presented by G&C Farm, at the 2013 FTI Consulting Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL. Teams representing seven different countries participated in the evening's competition with a win for Team USA over Canada in second and Germany in third.

On Friday is it time for the second leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup. The Nations Cup takes place in Wellington, Florida and will begin at 19.00 local time.

The starting order will be as follows:

1. Canada, 2. Mexico, 3. Ireland, 4. Germany, 5. USA, 6. Colombia, 7. Venezuela

Take a look at some of Frank Schuttert and Winchester HS' amazing jumping in Al Ain, as well as what the 19 year old had to say afterwards about his fantastic double clear. Rob Ehrens - Dutch Chef d'Equipe - is also commenting on his team's win, and Kamal Bahamdan shares his thoughts on the Nations Cup. 

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Saudi Arabia and Qatar have qualified for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup series final. There were three teams from the Middle East Region that competed for the two qualifying spots on offer in Al Ain yesterday, but it was Saudi Arabia and Qatar that each earned them. The Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping season moves to Wellington in Florida, USA, next week. There will be 22 qualifying legs leading to the final in September 2013.

Click here to read more about the series.

Source: fei.org

The winning Dutch team in Al Ain. Photo by FEI.The Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup in Al Ain went to the Dutch team consisting of Eric van der Vleuten with Wan Architect, Aniek Poels and Baggio 11 (Heartbreaker x Concorde), Frank Schuttert with Winchester HS (Numero Uno x Nimmerdor) and Maikel van der Vleuten with Kisby (Kaiserwind x Lohberg). The Dutch team was by far the best at a total of four penalties over the two rounds. Frank Schuttert had the only double clear for his team though, and proved that his Grand Prix win in Amsterdam in January was no coincidence. His three team mates also produced a clear round each; Eric and Maikel in the second round, and Aniek in the first. 

Frank Schuttert with Winchester will be on the Dutch team. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.The first leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup will take place in Al Ain tomorrow. The class will start at 18.30 local time and nine teams will participate.

The starting order will be as follows:

1. Germany

2. Egypt

3. Qatar

4. The Netherlands

5. France

6. United Arab Emirates

7. Great Britain

8. Saudi Arabia

9. Ukraine

Aniek Poels and Baggio II will represent Holland in Al Ain. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.This weekend the first leg of the new FEI Nations Cup series takes place in Al Ain, the United Arab Emirates. Some countries have already announced their teams for the Nations Cup that takes place on Thursday the 21st, with top teams from the hosting region as well as Europe present.

The Germans are sending Katrin Eckermann with Carlson and Firth of Lorne, Jörg Naeve with Calado and Cosimax, Patrick Stühlmeyer with Caribik, Lacan and Lord Lohengrin, as well as Holger Wulschner with Cavity and Fine Lady. The Brits have selected Tina Fletcher with Hello Sailor, Robert Smith with Voila IV, Joe Clee with Diablesse de Muze and Yazmin Pinchen with Van de Vivaldi – while the Dutch will be represented by Aniek Poels with Baggio II, Frank Schuttert with Winchester, Maikel van der Vleuten with Kisby and Eric van der Vleuten with Wan Arcitect.