Ireland’s High-Performance Jumping Director Michael Blake is known for not giving up easily, and has been relentless in his efforts in getting his team an invitation for the CSIO5* 1.60m Barrière Nations Cup at Jumping International de La Baule 2025. Finally, he succeeded, and his squad consisting of Bertram Allen (29), Seamus Hughes Kennedy (22), Tom Wachman (20) and Cian O’Connor (45) did not waste the opportunity. Last Friday, they were flawless to win this historical and prestigious Nations Cup for the first time since 2011, beating Belgium to second and Brazil to third.
“It’s probably the only Nations Cup I have been unsuccessful in time and time again. The last time we won this Nations Cup, Tom was apparently six, Seamus was eight and Bertram probably twelve – just to put it into perspective for you,” Blake joked. “Anyway, it was really, really good; we have emerging talent with riders and horses, and we try to give them a chance. Obviously, we had very experienced riders at both ends with Bertram and Cian to mind the two ‘babies’ in the middle – but the two ‘babies’ were pretty good! I’m so, so proud of them.”
Here we look back at some of the action in this incredibly exciting Nations Cup, which kept everyone at the edge of their seats until the very last horse-and-rider entered the arena.
All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping. No reproduction of any of the content in this article will be accepted without a written permission, all rights reserved © World of Showjumping.com. If copyright violations occur, a penalty fee will apply.
But first, let us take a selfie...
Big enough... Gregory Bodo had built a 12-fence track for the occasion. It included a triple combination at 6abc, followed by four strides to a green oxer filled with bushes, while a white plank at no. 9 led the way to the open water at no. 10 which was followed by seven or eight strides to the beach hut double – striped in red and white – at 11ab, before the big La Baule marine-themed oxer on an angle away from the in-gate waited at no. 12.
There were enough questions that needed an answer as the course had been walked. Here Germany's Katrin Eckermann, Richard Vogel, Rene Dittmer as well as Ralf Runge who was chef d'equipe in La Baule.
Ireland’s High-Performance Jumping Director Michael Blake with his famous notebook that contains countless of references from previous Nations Cups.
Scott Brash and Abdel Said taking it all in.
Team Brazil discussing the course at the last fence, the marine-themed La Baule oxer. With Rodrigo Pessoa, Luciana Diniz, Pedro Veniss and Stephan de Freitas Barcha on the team and Piet Raijmakers at the helm at chef d'equipe, the Brazilians could count on serious expertise within the squad.
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A legend in La Baule: Nelson Pessoa.
On popular demand: Steve Guerdat is back in the ring after his back-surgery earlier this year.
The weather gods had graced La Baule with good conditions for the Nations Cup, with the sun showing up after Thursday’s rain and wind – which meant Peder Fredricson could bring out his shades.
At the François André stadium, the public has full access to watch the warm-up ring.
The Irish were incredible in the CSIO5* 1.60m Barrière Nations Cup...
A double clear from Bertram Allen and the super-exciting 9-year-old Qonquest de Rigo...
...followed by a double clear from 22-year-old Seamus Hughes Kennedy on ESI Rocky...
...made it extremely exciting to watch...
After two rails down in round one, 20-year-old Tom Wachman and Tabasco de Toxandria Z returned in full force for round two with an absolutely breath-taking clear. With the Irish sitting on a score of zero, anchorman Cian O'Connor could watch the last part of the Nations Cup from the sideline after having been clear in round one riding Bentley de Sury.
Belgium went neck to neck with Ireland all the way to the end, here Nicola Philippaerts and Katanga vh Dingeshof who jumped a double clear round.
Are you looking at me? Pieter Devos' lovely Casual DV Z jumped clear in round one for Belgium, but unfortunately clipped a rail on 6b in round two adding four faults to their score – with the tension building ahead of the third rotation of riders.
Belgium’s Abdel Said and his powerful mare Bonne Amie did not let the heat get to them and posted a double clear round – leaving anchor-rider Gilles Thomas to sort out whether there would be a jump-off against Ireland for the win.
After having been clear in round one, crowd favourites Gilles Thomas and the stunning Ermitage Kalone had to see a front pole on the CWD oxer at no. 2 fall to the ground in round two. Having to count one of their two rails, Belgium was left on four faults and to second place.
Full focus for Luciana Diniz and Vertigo du Desert. Sitting 5th on a score of eight faults after round one, Brazil delivered three clear rounds in a row in round two and jumped up to third on the podium.
Clear in round two for Brazil: Pedro Veniss on Nimrod de Muze Imperio Egipcio.
Double clear for Brazil: Stephan de Freitas Barcha and Chevaux Primavera Imperio Egipcio.
After jumping with one rail down in round one, Rodrigo Pessoa and Major Tom did not have to return for Brazil in round two as all his three team-members had delivered clears.
The beach hut double at 11ab was the heartbreaker of the Nations Cup. “We could see the technicality of the last line,” Michael Blake said about the course. “When you turned around to come to the plank, that was the place you needed to set yourself up for the whole way home because that was all one line. You could not really think about the last fence before you landed after b of the double, because it was quite wide, and that’s where some maybe made a mistake thinking they could go there on one less, but it was even long on the nine, not just the eight. The angle of it was really clever, and people did not really think of that, but we thought about it a lot.”
A big smile from Amanda Landeblad after her wonderful For Killy fought all the way for a clear in round one for Team Sweden.
Just a little snack for Albführen’s Iashin Sitte who brilliantly piloted by Steve Guerdat jumped the only double clear for Team Switzerland.
The only highlight for the Germans was Richard Vogel's clear round on the 11-year-old stallion Cloudio in round two.
The charming Millfield Colette jumped clear in round one together with Great Britain's Donald Whitaker.
As did the stunning In The Air with Jessica Mendoza.
It was not USA's day, as only Lillie Keenan and Argan de Beliard were able to keep all the fences up...
...leaving the Americans disappointed.
Watch out, part two of this photo special is coming up soon!
Then