Edited press release from European Equestrian Federation

Today, Friday May 20th, was a day of grand sport for the European Equestrian Federation with two legs of the Longines EEF Series (LES) in Aalborg (Region North) and Bratislava (Region Central). 

These were two competitions that emphasised how the location can influence the tracks built and create different challenges; while Aalborg is a modern facility created specifically for sport with a large arena, Bratislava has an arena built for the occasion in a natural setting surrounded by trees and changing shadows. 

There were many noteworthy performances by the Under 25 riders who are proving that they are increasingly competitive at top level shows such as those in the Longines EEF Series.

Ten teams competed in the Longines EEF Series in Aalborg presented by Radisson at the modern facilities of Helgstrand Event: Belgium, Finland, France, Japan, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Turkey and Denmark. 

Just like in the first round for the Central-Region in Mannheim, it took a jump-off to declare the winner and this time, France, Japan and Denmark played the lead roles. Boasting clean sheets after two rounds of jumping, the teams all jumped clear in the decisive jump-off as well. Maelle Martin riding Bise des Bardellieres (Lamm de Fetan x Persan II) stopped the clock at 36.41 seconds guaranteeing victory for France, while Japan finished second with Eiken Sato and Saphyr des Lacs JRA (Mr Blue x First Bride) doing the jump-off in a time of 36.69. Linnea Ericsson-Carey and Skorphults Baloutendro defended the host nation Denmark’s colours to help the team end third.

French Chef d’Equipe Eduard Couperie said: “I am extremely happy to be here with the team. The Nations Cup is always a very special class. This is the first time I have been here and it is a wonderful and very welcoming facility also for the horses, which is very important. The decision to field Maelle in the jump-off had been planned in advance and proved to have been the correct choice.”
 
“I was very lucky to be able to watch the other riders go first so I had a little more information about the course," Maelle Martin said. "I had nothing to lose so I could go for it and everything went well. The whole team was perfect. My mare jumped extremely well although it was all rather new for her; this was her first CSIO and she is showing constant improvement. I am really very happy with her.”

Meanwhile, in Bratislava, it was to be another jump-off to decide the winners with Germany – that finished second in Mannheim – taking the victory. 

There were seven double clears among the eleven teams competing, in a Nations Cup with courses built by Uliano Vezzani. 

Germany and Ireland finished the first two rounds on four faults, with Switzerland ended on eight penalties to take the third place. 

A leading role in the jump-off between Germany and Ireland was once again played by Germany’s 24-year-old Sophie Hinners, riding the stallion Million Dollar (Plot Blue x Vigo d'Arsouilles), who handed her team the win when she beat Irish rider Alexander Butler riding Eindhoven GH (Vaillant x VDL Sheraton) in the jump-off.

“After seeing Alexander Butler’s round, I tried to jump a good clear with Million Dollar but I ended up having a fence down in the double. I am delighted that we won and very proud of my horse,”
Sophie Hinners said.  

German Chef d’Equipe Marcus Döring said: “It was a very exciting competition ending with a dramatic jump-off, which our team won. I am extremely proud of the team, the riders and the horses. It was not easy. This is a great venue with views of the river Danube."

“This is a very beautiful venue and I think some show organisers would be very jealous about having the river next to the show ground," German team member Kendra Claricia Brinkop said. "Of course, it also affected the horses who at times lost concentration a little, but I think this makes it extra special for the show. In my opinion, it is one of the best shows we have had in the Nations Cup Series."