The first CSIO3* Longines EEF Nations Cup of the season attracted many top riders to Azelhof in Lier, Belgium. The new venue did not disappoint, featuring a beautiful arena and an enthusiastic crowd. Portugal jumped to victory in this first EEF Nations Cup of the season. Course designer Henk Linders built a challenging track, with faults spread across the entire course. The line from the open water to the final EEF oxer proved to be particularly difficult.
After the first round, three teams managed to remain faultless. The first team to compete, Sweden, recorded a zero score thanks to clear rounds from Petronella Andersson with Odina Van Klapscheut, Joel Torstenson with Il Rossa Di Costa, and Wilma Hellstrom riding Eleven.
With a zero score, Sweden tied with France and Portugal. For France, all combinations stayed faultless. For Portugal, it was Mario Wilson Fernandes with Krachtpatser, Rodrigo Sampaio Peixoto with Orion AS, and Duarte Seabra riding Dourados 2 who jumped clear.
The overall level was very high, which led to a shake-up in the second round. In the second round, only Portugal managed to keep a zero score. Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida and the 10-year-old KWPN mare Karonia.L (by Harley VDL) went clear, as did teammates Mario Wilson Fernandes with Krachtpatser (by Carrera VDL) and Rodrigo Sampaio Peixoto with Orion AS (by Baloubet du Rouet).
After Nicole Holmen of Sweden made two jumping faults with H&M Bahia (by Baloubet du Rouet), Portugal secured the win, making it unnecessary for Duarte Seabra to start in the second round.
Both Great Britain and Ireland finished with a total of eight penalty points. Thanks to a faster time, Great Britain ultimately took second place ahead of Ireland.
Important for Portugal
“The course was very well built,” said the Portuguese team chef (smiling) after the event. “No, it was a very fair course. You could definitely see that in the first round.”
“It’s remarkable how beautiful the facilities are here,” said Duarte Seabra. “This is a really important win for Portugal. We are a small country in Europe. We all work hard to achieve this. What’s remarkable is that we have a very strong bond, despite the fact that we all live in different countries. This is a hopeful start to a great season!”
Host country, Belgium finishes sixth
On home ground, Belgium ultimately finished in sixth place. In the first round, only Niels Bruynseels managed a clear round with the nine-year-old Q-Sander Van de Vosberg (by Kassander Van 't Roosakker). In the second round, it was Gilles Thomas and the nine-year-old mare Qalista DN (by Emerald van 't Ruytershof) who left all the poles up.
Also riding for Belgium were Jules Van Hoydonck with Minte vd Bisschop (by Plot Blue) and Jeroen Appelen with his relatively new mount, Dancing Wolf O.L. (by Mylord Carthago*Hn).
