It all came to a tension competition until the last rider at the start. In the end the battle was between host-country Spain and Belgium in the CSIO3* EEF Nations Cup of Madrid. As Eduardo Alvarez Aznar and his chestnut, Full Option van 't Zand (Flamingo K) kept it clear, the Nations cup victory remained in Spain!
On the arena of the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, the large audience that followed the competition live was deadly silent, while Alvarez Aznar competed the 12 obstacles and 15 efforts of the course. When the rider from Madrid crossed the finish line, he received a standing ovation from the public, celebrating the Spanish victory.
Spain claimed the victory based on the two faultless rounds of Manuel Fernández Saro with the Alda Stables mare, Acoufina PS (Action-Breaker), the two clear rounds of Santiago Núñez Riva aboard Valentino de Hus Z (Vivaldi du Seigneur) and the decisive double round without fault of Eduardo Álvarez Aznar with Full Option Van't Zand.
On stage it was team Belgium settling as runner-up, while Ireland placed third, after a great comeback in the second round, with 8 faults.
With this victory, Spain secures its qualification for the semifinal of the Longines EEF Series, which will take place at the end of this month in the French city of Deauville and therefore continue fighting for a place in the final that will be hold in Warsaw.
source: Edited Press Release Equnews - Ph. © Oxer Sport