We look back at Friday's CSIO5* Longines FEI Nations Cup in Rotterdam, the last in Europe Division 1 for this season. Willem Greve had all the reason to smile after recording only a time penalty in the last of the two rounds, helping the Dutch team to the win – a real confidence booster just ahead of the Olympic Games.
Photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping.
A hug for Bennys Legacy from Adrienne Sternlicht after a clear in the first round.
In the second round, it was more of an improvised hug after the pair got in trouble out over the c-element of the triple combination – a fence that caused several riders problems, especially in round two as shadows started to fall across the arena.
Cochella – Angelie von Essen's stand in for Alcapone des Camille during the prize giving – seemed to have the time of her life. She bucked her way around and Angelie couldn't stop laughing.
-
Image Description
-
Image Description
Daniel Deusser and Killer Queen VDM jumped their way to the German Olympic team.
Eiken Sato's Saphyr des Lacs had a strong mind between the fences...
... but jumped a great double clear for the Japanese team.
Once again, Beezie Madden showed great horsemanship and made it very clear that the result isn't the most important thing – but the feeling for the horse is. After the first round with Garant, she withdrew the 10-year-old gelding from the second round, and pulled out his nomination for the Olympics as she felt he is not yet ready for a championship of that calibre.
The best Irish rider was Eoin McMahon with Chacon, who delivered a double clear.
A moment for Gregory Cottard's Bibici before the second round.
Lucy Deslauriers and Hester impressed again for the US team with a double clear.
Another double clear came from Maikel van der Vleuten and Beauville Z, who have been selected for the Dutch team heading for Tokyo.
Marcus Ehning's A la Carte NRW impressed with two very smooth rounds.
McLain Ward had a busy – and nerve-racking – Nations Cup. He didn't just ride himself, two of his students – Adrienne Sternlicht and Lucy Deslauriers – were also part of the team.
Full focus for Penelope Leprevost and GFE Excalibur de la Tour Vidal ahead of the second round...
... leading them to a double clear for France that took the third place.
Switzerland was in quite a low sprit ahead of, during and after the Nations Cup...
Sweden took the second place. Rolf-Göran Bengtsson and Ermindo W showed the way with with only a time penalty over the two rounds.
So, this was a wrap for this year's Longines FEI Nations Cup in Europe. We are already looking forward to next year!
Then