French team unbeatable in own house at EEF Nations Cup of Deauville

French team unbeatable in own house at EEF Nations Cup of Deauville

An exciting run at the EEF Nations Cup in Deauville ultimately had three teams left for the jump-off. Belgium, Sweden and France had only one jumping fault each and were thus allowed to compete against each other in the shortened course. In the end it was France who secured this victory, Belgium followed at two ahead of Sweden.

For Belgium, Virginie Thonon was the star performer with a total clear score for the still only nine-year-old Just The Way (by Zirocco Blue VDL). For France, Jeanne Sadran and Dexter de Kerglenn (v. Mylord Carthago) also didn't touch a pole. Belgium's Wilm Vermeir was the last to go of the second round. Riding Joyride S (by Toulon), he had a jumping fault in the first round but they kept it dry in the second round, which earned Belgium a place in the jump-off and a guarantee of a podium finish.

Once again Vermeir got to ride the all-decisive final for Belgium. With the fourteen-year-old stallion, he was the first to go. The duo immediately set the bar high with a clear round in a time of 39.75s! For the French team, Mathieu Billot could take the honor with Quel Filou (by Quidam's Rubin). The Frenchman rode two seconds off Vermeir's time, giving France the lead over Belgium. Erica Swartz on the 11-year-old BWP mare Madonna (by Flamenco de Semilly) rode the shortened course last. A slower round and a jumping fault put Sweden to finish on bronze. 

Full results