Monday’s CSIO5* Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ in St. Gallen, Switzerland turned into a competition full of action and emotions, and the Swiss audience contributed by creating a fantastic atmosphere for the horses and riders. 

We look back at the Nations Cup, where the Dutch team finished second behind the Swiss, followed by Great Britain in third. Here’s a happy Jack Ansems after a clear second round with Fliere Fluiter. 

All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping. 

Before the Nations Cup, the teams were presented in a parade with St. Gallen's mascot leading the way. 

The German team presenting themselves to the audience. 

The Dutch team finished second after collecting a total of 12 faults in 217.73 seconds. The team consisted of Sanne Thijssen with Con Quidam RB, Marc Houtzager with Sterrehof's Dante N.O.P., Jur Vrieling with Long John Silver 3 and Jack Ansems with Fliere Fluiter. 

The third place went to the British team, that also finished on 12 faults – but with a slightly slower time than the Dutch with their 220.12 seconds. The British squad consisted of three young guns and a living legend: Harry Charles with Casquo Blue, Joseph Stockdale with Equine America Cacharel, Jack Whitaker with Equine America Valmy de la Lande and John Whitaker with Equine America Unick du Francport. 

It was full around the ring in St. Gallen; here Marc Houtzager who was clear in the second round for the Dutch team.

Only three horse-and-rider combinations managed to deliver double clears: Martin Fuchs with Leone Jei for the winning team...

... Pedro Veniss with Nimrod de Muze Z for Brazil that ended 6th.... 

... and Max Kühner with Elektric Blue P for Austria that finished last.

A snack for Marlon Modolo Zanotelli's VDL Edgar M after a clear in the second round. 

Koen Vereecke's Kasanova de La Pomme bucked his way through the two rounds.

Tears of joy for Team Nieberg after Gerrit Nieberg and Ben 431 delivered a clear in the second round for Germany. 

Marie Valdar Longem and Echo de Virton were the best on the Norwegian team. The first time out, the two cleared the course, but unfortunately one pole fell during their second attempt. 

Yves Vanderhasselt and Jeunesse started off really well for Belgium, but after fence nr. 10 Vanderhasselt must have felt like something was not right as he pulled up and decided to retire the mare – leaving the Belgian team with only three horse-and-rider combinations for round two. 

After 12 faults during their first try on the course, Brazil's Felipe Amaral and Androide 3 cleared the track in the second round. 

This plank placed after the open water caused lots of faults.

A score of 4-0 over the two rounds was the result for Wilm Vermeir and IQ van het Steentje for Team Belgium.

Marlon Modolo Zanotelli rode every round for Brazil, one on his own and the other three from outside the ring. 

A treat for Victoria Gulliksen's Equine America Papa Roach after two rounds with four faults. 

It was a really close call for Great Britain, that was only a pole away from ending in a jump-off against Switzerland to decide the win. It was John Whitaker that as the very last rider in the ring got to decide the outcome, but one unfortunate rail down handed the Swiss the victory. Here Harry Charles preparing for a possible jump-off together with his father Peter. 

The winning Swiss team in St. Gallen: Martin Fuchs, Steve Guerdat, Chef d'Equipe Michel Sorg, Pius Schwizer and Edouard Schmitz.