The CSIO5* Nations Cup in La Baule delivered thrilling showjumping. After a jump-off between Ireland and Belgium, it was Ireland that ultimately claimed victory. The Irish riders continued their strong form, having also won last week in Vancouver. Belgium followed in second place, ahead of Brazil.
"You can't beat the Irish..." the saying goes. Michael Blake’s team could count on double clear rounds from Bertram Allen with Qonquest De Rigo (Fantomas De Muze x Alme) and Seamus Hughes Kennedy with ESI Rocky (Stakkato Gold x For Pleasure). Tom Wachman bounced back in the second round with a clear round riding Tabasco de Toxandria Z (Thunder Van De Zuuthoeve x Cento Lano). Cian O'Connor also competed with Bentley de Sury (Sunday de Riverland x Calvaro Z).
This pair delivered a faultless first round and did not need to start in the second round.
Peter Weinberg and his Belgian team were in the lead after the first round. With one jumping fault in the second round, the team eventually finished second. Both Abdel Said with Bonne Amie (A Big Boy x Landfriese I) and Nicola Philippaerts on Katanga v/h Dingeshof (Cardento x Tornado) rode double clear rounds.
Pieter Devos with his homebred Casual DV Z (Cornet Obolensky x Cicero Z van Paemel) and Gilles Thomas with his stallion Ermitage Kalone (Catoki x Kannan GFE) each finished with one jumping fault in the second round.
Brazil completed the podium with a total of eight penalty points.
“Winning a Nations Cup like this one at La Baule, which is a wonderful competition, is a great source of joy,” was Blake’s reaction. “We’ve been waiting for a day like this for so long. Today, I selected two experienced riders and two ‘babies’ who have plenty of talent! I wanted to give them their chance. When Ireland last won, Tom was six years old, Seamus was eight and Bertram was scarcely sixteen! That gives you an idea of what I had at my disposal. For the European Championships this summer, I already have 14 names on my list”.
On the course designed by track superintendent Grégory Bodo, with a very tricky last water jump / double, only 13 of the 40 duos to start completed the first leg with a clear round and only six repeated the feat in the second act. Among them were Bertram Allen on the very promising Qonquest de Rigo, aged only 9 years, and Seamus Hughes Kennedy on ESI Rocky, with whom he already tasted victory in the individual as well as team events at the 2023 Young Riders European Championships and obtained fourth place on the Rolex Grand Prix in Romet two weeks ago. With Ireland ensured of a penalty-free finish, Cian O’Connor did not even have to contest the final course. “My horse Bently is very experienced and did a great job in the first leg,” said the world number eight rider. “After that, the young lads put on a great performance”.
