The FEI Furusiyya Nations Cup leg in La Baule, France was a cat and mouse-game between the French and Belgium show jumping team. In the end it were 'les bleus' (the French squad) who claimed victory. Both Pénélope Leprevost (Dame Blanche van Arenberg, by Clinton) and Aymeric de Ponnat (Armitages Boy, by Armitage) had two clear rounds. Jérome Hurel and his 10-year-old Quartz Rouge made it clear in the second round. Unfortunatly the pair had one fence down in the first course. Kevin Staut and Reveur de Hurtebise HDC decided not to start their second round after two jumping faults in the first round. The Belgium show jumpers took the lead after the first round. Olivier Philippaerts (Cabrio vd Heffinck), Jos Verlooy (Domino) and Gregory Wathelet (Sea Coast Forlap DC) jumped an amazing clear round. Both Olivier and Gregory repeated this faultless course in the second round. Francois Mathy Jr. and his 11-year-old Diamant de Semilly-mare Polinska des Isles had an off day after 3 jumping fault in the first round. The stage was completed by an ex aequo in the third place. Robert Splaine's Irish team ended together with Rob Hoekstra's British team after gaining a total of 12 points. In the first round most faults were made while jumping the triple combination. click here for the results
