The Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup in Aachen delivered top-level sport. After the first round, the American team was in the lead. The United States of America confirmed their strong form and rode to victory.
Gregory Wathelet was the last to go with Bond Jamesbond de Hay (Diamant de Semilly). After a clear round, the pair sealed the final result. America won thanks to a double clear round by Lillie Keenan with Argan de Beliard (Mylord Carthago).
Robert Ridland’s team also included Laura Kraut with Bisquetta (Bisquet Balou vd Mispelaere), Kent Farrington with Toulayna (Toulon), and McLain Ward riding Imperial HBF (Glasgow vh Merelsnest). All three combinations completed one faultless round.
Belgium jumped into second place. Gregory Wathelet and his Bond Jamesbond de Hay (Diamant de Semilly) were the team’s pillar with a double clear round. Emilie Conter and Portobella van de Fruitkorf (Bamako de Muze) impressed with one clear round. Abdel Said and his trusted Bonne Amie (A Big Boy) recorded the drop score in the first round. The pair recovered and jumped clear in the second round.
Also riding for Belgium was Jos Verlooy with Parise Van den Dael (Zazu). Belgium finished in second place with eight penalty points.
Great Britain followed in third place with a total of 10 points. For the British team, Ben Maher was the standout performer, recording a double clear round with Dallas Vegas Batilly (Cap Kennedy).
Mecca of Horsesport
The chef d ’équipe, Robert Ridland, said with a beaming smile, “For us Aachen is the Mecca of the show jumping sport. It was easy to select the team; I just went down the ranking list. They are all under the top 5. I don’t need to say anymore. That’s what we came for.“ His strategy for success was simple: “Leave the jumps up and don’t fall at the water.
So, that’s what they did. And considering that the American riders have already won four competitions in the past three days, including the two most important classes, their fellow competitors will have to really go all out to beat them.
Proud to be second
Peter Weinberg, Chef d ‘équipe of the Belgian team, confirmed: “It was an unbelievable evening, we came quite close at the end. But the Americans were fantastic. Our team is a super troop and we are very proud to have come second.“ His A-team comprised of Jos Verlooy with Parise van den Dael (4/8), Emilie Conter with Portobella van de Fruitkorf (0/4), Abdel Said with Bonne Amie (18/0) and Gregory Wathelet with Bond Jamesbond de Hay (0/0).
