In short
Germany winst the Agria Nations Cup after a very strong performance
Marco Kutscher confirms the open water was a hard one to jump
In the end, Belgium managed to secure a podiumplace
The 1.60m CSIO5* Agria Nations Cup in Hickstead featured a challenging course, reflected in the high number of faults across the board. In the end, Germany jumped to gold with just eight penalties. For Germany it's 13th time it wins this iconic Nations Cup. Belgium secured third place at the very last moment! "Don't talk about the results," Marcus Ehning laughs in the end. "I'm happy with today," he laughs. "I love Hickstead, Really happy to come back!"
The final rider to enter the ring, Ireland’s Jordan Coyle with Chaccolino (Chacco-Blue), ultimately decided the podium. With one rail down, Ireland dropped to fourth place, finishing three points behind Belgium. Germany clinched gold with a total of eight faults, host nation Great Britain secured silver with 12 faults, while Belgium completed the podium in third.
“This competition is close to my heart,” said Marcus Ehning after the event. Ehning competed in Hickstead aboard Priam Du Roset (Plot Blue). “This is a beautiful show I get to enjoy with my family. I actually rode my first championship here back in 1999. I’m really proud of how the boys performed this week.”
Germany’s René Dittmer delivered a brilliant double-clear round aboard Corsica X (Connor 48). “Corsica jumped incredibly well. She really thrives in these traditional shows with wide, open arenas…” Marco Kutscher also kept a clean sheet over both rounds with Catelly (Catalido), while Stefan Engbers contributed aboard Baju NRW (Balou Du Rouet).
“For Germany, this show feels like coming home,” said national coach Otto Becker. “I want to sincerely thank my team today. Every rider delivered solid rounds. I finished third at the European Championships — today I leave Belgium in third and we take the win... I'm absolutely thrilled!”
Great Britain Grabs Second on Home Soil
The British team impressed their home crowd, finishing in second place. Ben Maher delivered a double-clear aboard Enjeu de Grisien (Toulon), while Adrian Whiteway and Chacco Volo (Chacco-Blue) picked up a single rail. Jessica Mendoza with Summerhouse (Guidam Sohn) and Georgia Tame on Be Golden (Golden Hawk) also contributed to the home team effort.
Belgium Clinches Third in the Final Round
Roy van Beek and Cavoiro-H OLD (Casallco) were first to go for Belgium in the second round, knocking one rail. Frédéric Vernaet with Paulus-L (Corydon van T&L) also couldn’t stay clear. Although he navigated the triple combination smoothly, he took the next turn a bit too tightly, resulting in a fault at the following fence. “Such a pity,” commented owner Luc Tilleman from the Kiss & Ride. “He just turned a bit too sharp...”
Annelies Vorsselmans and Trezeguet (Turmalin) also picked up eight faults in their second round. The standout for Belgium was Niels Bruynseels with Origi vd Vosberg (Echo van 't Spieveld), producing a flawless double-clear.
“Niels was outstanding — but so were the others,” said Belgian national coach Peter Weinberg. “The course was extremely demanding, and the results reflect that. The rest of the team rode well but got caught out by some of the course’s tricky elements.”
