The Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup in La Baule was almost as much about Big Star as about the competition itself. The stallion stole head lines even before the event as a long-awaited come back on the British team was announced. And, it turned out to be a dream return for Big Star and Nick who delivered a double clear round. All photos (c) Tiffany van de Halle for World of Showjumping.
Ludger Beerbaum and Chiara did not get quite the expected start, with an unusual twelve faults in the first round but bounced back for the second one to be clear helping Germany climb to fourth place overall.
Simon Delestre having his hands full with a very playful Hermès Ryan who was bucking around, making light work of the fences in-between to go double clear for France that in the end finished third.
A focused Willem Greve delivered to beautiful rounds on Carambole N.O.P. for the Netherlands, and only had one time fault in the second round.
Paul Estermann's Lord Pepsi had a little issue with the water jump in the first round, but in the second one the experienced Swiss rider had all under control and gave a clear round for his team that ended fourth overall.
Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum also had a bit of a rough start as pathfinder for Germany to record eight faults on Fibonacci 17, but returned stronger in the second round and was clear.
World Cup Champions Steve Guerdat and Corbinian in action for Switzerland. They delivered a masterful clear in the first round, and was so close in the second round too - but clipped the last vertical.
Brazil ended last, but one that impressed was Stephan de Freitas Barcha and Landpeter do Feroleto that jumped a double clear round.
Michael Whitaker had it in his hands to keep Great Britain on the podium, but could not repeat his masterful clear from the first round and Cassionato had two fences down in the second round towards the very end of the course.
Lauren Hough also had a rough second round on Ohlala, that after a great first clear round had three down in the second round and ended as the discharged score. Still the Americans finished second.
Belgium did not have the best of days, and finished 7th overall. Here Judy Ann Melchior on the beautiful As Cold As Ice Z.
Team work makes the dream work: The Dutch did it again! Johnny Pals and Willem Greve were the first ones to congratulate Wout-Jan van der Schans with a fantastic performance.
Janika Sprunger's Bonne Chance CW jumped a great first clear, and had an unlucky rail in the second round for Switzerland.
France's pathfinder Penelope Leprevost and Flora de Mariposa can always be relied on, and delivered a double clear round for the host nation.
Before the Nations Cup started in La Baule, there was a traditional parade of nations - here the British boys.
Then