Never jump on an empty stomach! Tim Gredley, Scott Brash and Harry Charles looked pretty relaxed before the Nations Cup.

The Americans looked to be in a slightly different mood than the Brits. Or maybe Laura Kraut and McLain Ward were just hungry.

Karli was smiling though!

Eight teams jumped in the Nations Cup: Great Britain, Belgium, USA, Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, Sweden and Germany.

British pathfinders Ben Maher and Dallas Vegas Batilly made Frank Rothenberger’s thirteen-fence track look deceptively easy when jumping a clear round as first in the ring. The two went on to deliver one of six double clears of the night.

When a pole on the last fence falls... That was the case for USA's Devin Ryan and Eddie Blue in the first round of the Nations Cup. However, the two came back strong with a clear in round two.

As cool as ice, Steve Guerdat delivered two stunning clear rounds with Venard de Cerisy for Switzerland.

Simon Delestre and Dexter Fontenis Z delivered a clear in the first round, helping France sit tied on top with Switzerland and Sweden ahead of the second round.

In round one, Jens Fredricson and Markan Cosmopolit jumped clear as pathfinders for Sweden.

Germany's Jana Wargers and Limbridge were among those who had a rail down on the last Mercedes-Benz upright in round one, but bounced back with a clear in round two.

With a score of eight and four, it was Olivier Philippaerts and the beautiful Le Blue Diamond van't Ruytershof that carried the drop score for Belgium.

Switzerland's Niklaus Schurtenberger and C-Steffra only had a mistake on the open water in round one.

A happy Megan Moissonnier and the lovely Cordial celebrating a clear in round one, helping France sit tied on top in the lead with Sweden and Switzerland.

Sweden's Evelina Tovek was unlucky to see a shoe fly off Azaria Dinero. With eight faults, the two carried the drop score in round one.

As a German rider, there is nothing quite like going clear in the Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup of Aachen... Here Hansi Dreher celebrates with Elysium.

Tim Gredley's Medoc de Toxandria has been performing great lately but had a foot in the water and a pole on no. two down this time around, to carry Great Britain's drop score in round one.

Gregory Wathelet's Ace of Hearts lives up to his name. After a small mistake on 3b in round one, the two were clear in the second round for Belgium.

Edouard Schmitz and Gamin van’t Naastveldhof stretching over the oxer at no. 9b. Schmitz had eight faults in the first round, carrying the drop score for Switzerland.

Nothing really went right for the Dutch team. For Lars Kersten and Emmerton it could have gone really wrong, as the two parted ways on 3a next to the lake...

...with Kersten hitting the ground...

...and Emmerton setting off...

...with the bridle off...

...and heading full speed for the exit with zero intention to stop.

Despite coming in straight after Emmerton's unexpected exit, Sweden's Wilma Hellström and Cicci BJN managed to keep their cool and jumped clear...before the mare had a little snack on the way out.

Scott Brash looked a little more worried than before the class as he entered the ring as anchor for Britain with Hello Jefferson...

...but with a fantastic clear round, there was no cause for concern.

Got to love these two! Double clear AGAIN: Belgium's Nicola Philippaerts and his heart-horse Katanga vh Dingeshof.

McLain Ward once again showed what he is made of when he delivered two clear rounds with Callas for Team US.

Martin Fuchs had good reason to smile as the 10-year-old Commissar Pezi proved he has what it takes, jumping double clear for the Swiss team.

It started well for France in round one, but with twelve faults in each round it was a disappointing evening for Kevin Staut and Visconti du Telman.

The margins were not on Germany's side this time around. Here Marcus Ehning and Stargold who carried the drop score of eight faults in round one, and as usual the stallion threw in his signature bucks through the finish line.