IMG_9374This year’s edition of CSIO*** Sopot was the 60th anniversary of this prestigiuous competition in Poland. The International Federation for Equestrian Sports has included this year’s competition in Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup series which ecompases Europe, North, Central and south America , the Carribbean, the Middle East, Australia and Africa. We have already got the results of twelve competitions in which the prize all together was about 200 000 Euro. The best out of thirteen teams taking part in the Nations Cup contest was Sweden with: Jens Fredricson, Malin Baryard-Johnsson, Emma Emmanuelsson i Peder Fredricson. Collecting points to the rank of second european division confirmed their good condition, and theyre missing only one point to the Belgian team. Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Results: 1. Sweden, Jens Fredricson (Lunatic), Malin Baryard- Johnsson (Baltimore 1178), Emma Emanuelsson ( (Titan), Peder Fredricson (H&M Cash In) Team Total 8 points, prize 40 000 PLN (approx 10 000 Euro ) 2. Belgium, Jos Lansink ( Santa Maria), Ludo Philippaerts ( Denver vant Goemanshof), Rik Hameryck (Papillon Z), Dirk Demeersman ( Bufero van het Panishof), Team total 13points, prize 30 000 PLN 3. Hungary , Emil Orban (Lacapo 4), Szabolcs Krucso (Chacco Boy), Gabor Szabo ( Timpex Cabale), Laszlo Toth ( Isti). Team total 14 points, prize 20 000 PLN As an individual the best occured the representative of the Netherlands Stephanie Brugman on Waldo. The Grand Prix was very exciting, because the second rider, Luca Marziani (Italy) has lost to the leader only 0,14 second! IMG_9362Grand Prix Results: 1. Stephanie Brugman, ( Waldo), NED, 39,69 sec 2. Luca Marziani ( Wivina), ITA, 39,83 sec 3. Ales Opatmy (Zidande P), CZE, 40,25 sec 4. Rik Hemeryck (Papillon Z), BEL, 40,42 sec 5. Niclas Aromaa (Elba 31), FIN, 42,19 sec Additional Prizes : Best CSIO Rider: Rik Hemeryck, Belgium Best CSIO Horse: Waldo bay 14y, S/Draco/Saygon/BWP/BEL42299/S.Brugman Best CSIO Team: Belgium Short Interview with the Grand Prix winner, Stephanie Brugman: equnews: How do You feel as a winner? S.B: Fantastic! equnews: What do You think about this place and the audience? S.B: It’s a very nice place, people created an incredible atmosphere, they were all clapping thieir hands, it was a great show! equnews:Can You tell us three words about the horse Waldo, which You were riding on during Grand Prix.. S.B: Three words? It’ the best horse in the world! equnews: How many horses have You with You during CSIO*** in Sopot? S.B. I have brought three horses: Waldo (bay 14y, S/Draco/Saygon/BWP/BEL42299/S.Brugman), the best one, which has jumped in the most important contests, two others ( Dalida, 7y, M/Cartano/Ircolando/103XM63/De Hoge Oorsprong B.V; Mobily Lil Majd (bay 13 y,G/Natal/Jus de Pomme/KWPN/Bel40429/H.R.H.Prince Abdullah)- one of them was also good yesterday, the other is young, it’s it’ first international competition, and has learned a lot here. equnews: What was the greatest difficulty during Grand Prix? S.B.: There were 60 competitors, 13 of them in a final round, all of them riding very fast! I had to risk: all or nothing. equnews:What was Your strategy for winning? S.B.: Ride as fast as possible! equnews:Have You expected that You’ll win? S.B: You never know, you just have to predict. We always do our best, in this case all went good equnews: Who have You expected to be the winner? S.B.: Frankly speaking, I was thinking that it would be a Belgian competitor, Rik Hemeryck, who is a fabulous rider.He was very fast so I thought: he is dangerous. Luca Marziani from Italy was also excellent and very quick. equnews: What will You do with the prize? S.B. Horses are a big expence, so I think I’ll invest it in stables. equnews: How do You feel as a best woman- rider in Dutch team? S.B: Great! Most of the team are men, so a woman has to feel exceptional! equnews: Thank You for the interview. © equnews.com/ Marta Palucka