The draw has been made for the Agria CSIO5* Nations Cup at the Hickstead competition. Belgium has been drawn first to go in the Nations Cup, followed by Brazil and France and Great-Britain. Ireland is fifth to go, under the new leadership of Jessica Kurten. Germany follows as sixth, Canada seventh, while the UAE will be last to enter the arena.
Chef d’equipe Di Lampard has named the four combinations that will contest the honours in the historic team competition, with Jessica Mendoza (Summerhouse) as pathfinders, followed by World Championships-bound Adrian Whiteway and Chacco Volo in second, Tim Gredley and Medoc De Toxandria go third, with Olympic gold medallist Ben Maher (Catelly) going as anchorman.
Di led the Brits to victory in 2023 and 2024, and just missed out on the hat-trick when finishing second behind Germany 12 months ago.
“It’s always wonderful to come here, we’re very proud of Hickstead, and what the Bunn family have done here,” said Di. “There are some strong teams here, and we’re looking forward to good sport.”
Belgium has been drawn first to go in the Nations Cup, followed by Brazil and France. Ireland isfifth to go, under the new leadership of Jessica Kurten.
“It’s wonderful to be back in Hickstead, some great memories with the great Douglas Bunn, and I’m delighted to see that the Bunn family have carried on his legacy in such a wonderful way. It’s really emotional and great to come back,” said Jessica, a former winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Cup.
Reigning champions Germany go sixth after Great Britain, and chef d’equipe Otto Becker is fielding a strong team of Hans-Dieter Dreher, Philipp Weishaupt, Kendra Brinkop and Marcus Ehning.
Canada – making their first Hickstead team appearance for 44 years – have got the penultimate draw, while the United Arab Emirates go last.
UAE chef d’equipe William Funnell is using tomorrow’s Nations Cup to help make his final selections for the World Championships. “They like being competitive, and they’ll be trying pretty hard tomorrow,” he said of the UAE riders. “They know I’d like to win here anyway!”
Vicky Wentworth, CEO of title sponsor, added: “What I love most about the Nations Cup is the team spirit that endures. Agria is very proud to be the sponsor, and good luck to everybody.
The Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain will be shown exclusively on ClipMyHorse.TV, while the class will also feature in the In-Out Studio Show on the free to air channel.
