At the 'ongines Spring Classic of Flanders' the moment everybody waited for was the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup kick-off. After the first round it was France who took the lead. Pénélope Leprevost (Flora de Mariposa), Kevin Staut (Ayade de Septon et HDC ), Simon Delestre (Qlassic Bois Margot ) and Jérome Hurel (Quartz Rouge ) kept the scorebord clear. However in the second round 'le Blues' collected a total of 16 points, leading them to the final fourth place.
Italy was a surprising winner on this sunny afternoon. Luca Maria Moneta and the 14-year-old Neptune Brecourt were a bit unlucky today. Having one jumping fault in the first round and five in the second. Lucky Lorenzo de Luca (Erco van T Roosakker ), Daniele Augusto Da Rios (For Passion) and Piergiorgio Bucci (Casallo Z) kept the damage limited to a total of six faults, leading to victory. Good for 64,000 Euro.
Runner-up was for the hosting country in ex aequo with Great Britain. Both teams collected a total of 12 points. The Belgium squad was still in fourth after the first round. But Pieter Devos (Dream of India Greenfield), Niels Bruynseels (Pommeau du Heup), Olivier Philippaerts (H&M Armstrong van de Kapel) and Gregory Wathelet (Conrad de Hus ) restored in the second round, finishing with a total of four points. This was the first Nations Cup for new Belgian Team Chef, Dirk Demeersman, and it was spot on!
The British team started their second round in third position. In the end they managed to come in to the second place. Fifth place was for The Netherlands (20 ptn) and Switzerland. Unlucky bird was Sylve Söderstrand team, representing Sweden.
