Edited press release from EEF
A faultless performance from the Netherlands saw them take the top spot in the Longines EEF Nations Cup in Mannheim today, with the home nation Germany taking second after an exciting afternoon of sport.
The dominant Dutch team of Willem Greve and Highway M TN (Eldorado v. Zeshoek x Chellano), Kevin Jochems and Flying Jackie (Nabab de Reve x Voltaire), Loewie Joppen and Havel van de Wolfsakker Z (Hos d'O x Bollvorm's Libero H) as well as Frank Schuttert and Hawaii-S (Inshallah de Muze x Vermont) finished with three double clears to cement their place on the top of the podium today at the Longines EEF Series Mannheim.
The first round saw strong performances from the Dutch, Spanish and Swiss teams who all finished on a score of zero, while Germany just trailed behind on two penalties, leaving it all to play for in round two. However, as the clouds emerged, and the weather turned, so did the luck of some of the nations. Switzerland were unable to match their clean sheet and finished with 13 faults leaving them down in 5th place.
Meanwhile, the Dutch showed complete consistency to put another three clears on the table, which put the pressure on Spain. With eight faults already on the board, the final two Spanish riders needed to jump clear to stay in the game. A clear from Eduardo Alvarez Aznar kept their hopes alive but ten faults in their final round opened the door to Germany.
The German team had rallied in front of their home crowd and delivered three clears in round two to secure a strong result, with two time faults from the first round separating them from the Netherlands – putting them second, followed by Spain in third.
After the victory, Dutch chef d'équipe Vincent Voorn said; “It's one the best shows, and I myself have great memories here from a long time ago, so it's even better to stand on the podium in a different way. To work with these guys towards this show, we were two months ahead planning and I think it paid off today, they were fantastic”
Kevin Jochems’ ride Flying Jackie was making her Nations Cup debut which made for “a very very good day for us!”. “My horse jumped fantastic, two great rounds, one very sunny round and one in the rain but I think we all four had a very good day," Jochems said.
From a points perspective, today's class was a Central Regional Qualifier. The Netherlands rightfully took the maximum 100points, with Germany 90, Switzerland 80 and Austria 70. Strong performances in round 2, including a clear from young rider Vince Jarmy, saw Hungary move up the rankings and take 60 points, while Slovakia 55 and the Czech Republic picked up 50. These nations will meet again in Bratislava where only 5 will make it through to the semi-finals.
The next round of the Longines EEF Series crosses over the border to the Netherlands for the single Region West qualifier, which will take place at the Peelbergen Equestrian Centre on May 21.
Longines EEF Series Mannheim: Central Regional Qualifier 1/2
Netherlands 100 points
Germany 90 points
Switzerland 80 points
Austria 70 points
Hungary 60 points
Slovakia 55 points
Czech Republic 50 points
The second qualifier for the central region will take place in Bratislava on June 9.