First things first! Brian Moggre (20) makes sure to document a memorable night in Aachen with Laura Kraut (55), Lucy Deslauriers (22) and Jessica Springsteen (29), as the US team topped the €1.000.000 Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup for the first time since 2005. Robert Ridland had put together a team of young guns, alongside veteran Laura Kraut – who also was on the winning team back sixteen years ago – and they did not dissapoint!
All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping. No reproduction of these images is permitted.
Laura Kraut and Nick Skelton are instrumental on the US team, both inside and outside the ring.
In less than a year, Brian Moggre has developed a fantastic partnership with Balou du Reventon and the two delivered the only double clear for the US team and one of the five double clears of the Nations Cup. For Jessica Springsteen and Lucy Deslauriers, the second round did not get off to the best start though. After both being clear in the first round, Springsteen had to see two poles fall towards the end of the course while Deslauriers had the middle element of the triple combination down.
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But, with a little help from Moggre and Balou du Reventon as third out on the US team, things started to look brighter. "He is so reliable and so kind and I could not ask for any more – I just love him so much,” Moggre said of the 15-year-old stallion.
A happy Chef d'Equipe!
Full focus from Laura Kraut. “Robert said that I either had to jump clear, or if I had one, we would have to go in the jump-off with Sweden. I could not stomach that thought one more time, so I just made sure I did not knock one down!” Kraut laughed afterwards about how she secured the victory for the US team ahead of Sweden, when using all her experience to stay calm and guide Baloutinue around to a clear.
All the nerves!
Did it! After a first round that did not go quite according to plan, Kraut bounced back and secured the win for the US team as the very last rider in the ring.
Brian Moggre greeting Kraut as she leaves the ring.
The smiles when winning in Aachen! Lucy Deslauriers and Brian Moggre.
It never gets old: Winning the Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup at CHIO Aachen is something very special, no matter what.
A very happy Team Springsteen with Don Juan van de Donkhoeve.
A job well done!
Hester taking it all with ease.
Lucy Deslauriers looked like she could not believe what had happened.
Hugs and kisses all around.
A moment between Jessica Springsteen and Don Juan van de Donkhoeve.
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Team Deslauriers.
Balou du Reventon, the star of the Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup!
Finally, spectators were back in Aachen!
A big smile from Laura Kraut's groom Margo Thomas.
The winning grooms: Margo, Josie, Lesley, Dale and Alex.
A hug for Balou!
Only smiles on the US team!
Into history: The US team is added to the famous winners' wall at CHIO Aachen.
Then