The Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final 2023 at the Real Club de Polo in Barcelona, Spain, was an emotional affair – for many reasons. The teams from Brazil and USA had a lot at stake with the added pressure of battling it out for a qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, while the Swiss team was hoping for a fairy-tale ending as their Chef d'Equipe Michel Sorg did his last show before moving on to a new role within the Swiss Equestrian Federation.
The German team came out on top in the end, taking the 2023-title as the only team to finish on a score of zero. However, the scenes with the Brazilian team were just as jubilant as those of the winning team, as they secured the ticket to Paris in a hard-fought battle against the Americans.
With this photo special, we look back at the emotional scenes at the Real Club de Polo in Barcelona last Sunday.
All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping.
A family affair! The Brazilian team had plenty of support in Barcelona and could celebrate together after Rodrigo Pessoa and Major Tom sealed the deal as their anchor-pair.
What it was all about...
Switching the roles... Sweden's Henrik von Eckermann had pulled on a Swiss t-shirt to support his wife Janika Sprunger, as the Swedish did not field a team for the final.
Michel Sorg did his last show as the Swiss Chef d'Equipe.
Big enough... Great Britain's Robert Whitaker checking out the course.
The Irish have had a great 2023-season, but the final did not go their way.
After a clear round on Thursday, Great Britain's Harry Charles was going into Sunday's final round with a chance for the extra bonus for those who jump double clears.
After eight faults in Thursday's round one, the French pathfinders Simon Delestre and the beautiful R Amelusina 51 R improved with only one fence down on Sunday.
McLain Ward and Callas were the pathfinders for the American team...
...but luck was not on their side, as a fence came down at the end of the course – piling pressure on their team-mates.
Watching their every move... After Ward, it was Koen Vereecke's turn with Lector vd Bisschop.
Trevor Breen and Highland President were the best on the Irish squad on Sunday, clearing the fences but picking up a single time fault.
Martin Fuchs and Commissar Pezi going double clear for the Swiss team.
However, Fuchs and Commissar Pezi were the only pair to deliver a clear for the Swiss – leaving them 6th.
Pedro Veniss and the stunning Nimrod de Muze Z opened the day for the Brazilian team with an unfortunate four faults.
Building up towards Paris? France's Francois Xavier Boudant and Brazyl du Mezel jumped an impressive round in Sunday's final.
Not their lucky day... Karl Cook and Kalinka van'T Zorgvliet added four faults to the Americans tally.
An uncharacteristic ten penalties from Brazil's Stephan de Freitas Barcha and Chevaux Primavera Imperio Egipcio kept the battle between the USA and Brazil wide open.
Lily Attwood and Cor-Leon vd Vlierbeek Z jumped the only clear round for the British on Sunday.
Olivier Perreau and GL Events Dorai d'Auguilly have grown to be an integral part of the French A-squad...
...delivering the only French clear in Sunday's final.
Belgium's Wilm Vermeir and Iq van het Steentje were one of the only three double clear combinations over the two rounds.
Thumbs up from Vermeir who after another clear got a share in the 100,000 € bonus.
Back at it! Luciana Diniz made a return to the Brazilian team...
...and with the wonderful Vertigo du Desert, delivered a much needed clear!
Attitude of gratitude...
Four faults from the current world number two Julien Epaillard and his championship mount Dubai du Cedre left the French team in runner-up position behind the Germans.
Laura Kraut and Dorado 212 were the American anchors...
... and only picked up a single time penalty. However, it was one penalty too much as it left the US team on nine faults in total just behind the Brazilians that finished on eight.
The name is Bond - James Bond... Belgium's Gregory Wathelet and Bond Jamesbond de Hay have built a beautiful partnership...
...jumping clear on Sunday.
No one expected that... One down from the Swiss anchor-pair Steve Guerdat and Venard de Cerisy left the team with a total of 12 penalties in the end.
All. The. Pressure. As last to go for the Brazilian team, Rodrigo Pessoa and Major Tom were jumping for the ticket to Paris – with one fence in hand. And with one rail down, the two made it very exciting but managed to keep it on a score of four.
All the feels as Pessoa and Major Tom deliver just what was needed to secure the ticket to Paris.
Paris, booked!
What a pair these two are... Pessoa thanks Major Tom for another great round.
Remember the name of this horse...
Next up, Paris. The Brazilian team could leave Barcelona with another huge goal ahead.
Not a goodbye, just a see you later... Michel Sorg congratulates the German Chef d'Equipe Otto Becker on their win.
Then