In 2014, Team Canada finished second at the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup Final in Barcelona, behind what is arguably the strongest show jumping team in the world at the moment, the Netherlands. This year, they won’t be making the trip to Spain at all.
The second and final qualifier for the North America, Central America and Caribbean League of the Furusiyya 2015 Final was held at the Coapexpan Equestrian Club in Xalapa, Mexico on Friday. Team USA —represented by Candice King and Kismet 50, Callan Solem and VDL Wizard, Ali Wolff and Casall, and Brianne Goutal and Nice de Prissey—came out on top, followed closely by Team Mexico I. Canada finished a distant fourth.
With two qualification spots on the line, the USA earned 200 points to book their ticket to Barcelona. Playing no small role in Friday’s victory was the standout performance of their youngest competitor, Wolff, who posted the only double clear of the day.
Mexico and Canada tied on 170 points at the end of the two qualifiers. According to the rules, the tie is broken by taking clear rounds into account. Mexico has produced four clears over the two legs in this League, while Canada has posted three.
That means USA and Mexico are the first nations to qualify for this year’s Furusiyya Final.
Said USA chef d’equipe, Robert Ridland: “Qualifying for the Nations Cup Final was absolutely key for us, and definitely extremely high up our priority list for this calendar year. We wanted to win our division. I couldn’t be prouder, that was an amazing performance!”