It is Orange on top at Nations Cup La Baule

For the second consecutive year, the Netherlands imposed itself in the French leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup after two very competitive rounds. On paper, the Dutch team did not necessarily look like the Strongest of the list, but… The four pairs selected by the team leader Rob Ehrens dominated the competition and established as winners with only one penalty point Dutch

The riders with the orange jacket also showed they had solid nerves, because after the first round, they were in the lead without any penalty, just like Switzerland, USA and Great Britain. France was 5th, ahead of Germany, Belgium and Brazil. The second round was very promising and exciting!

Wout Jan van der Schans showed the world how it was done today and produced two flawless rounds with the amazing jumping Aquila SFN (v.Ovidius). Followed by strong rounds of Leopold van Asten (VDL Groep Zidane N.O.P. ) Willem Greve (Carambole N.O.P.)  who both only got one time penatly over the two rounds it was Jur Vrieling and VDL Glasgow vh Merelsnest (v.Nabab de Reve) who cleared the job. The rider from Groningen, that is notable the only one out of the Dutch golden team in Aachen, had two poled down first round. But came back with a fantastic clear round in time the second time around the course.

While Netherlands were lining up clear rounds (Leopold Van Asten with VDL Groep Zidane N.O.P. and Willem Greve with Carambole N.O.P. only scored one time penalty point), USA weighed down their score by four points after Todd Minikus and Babalou 41. Switzerland saw its dreams of podium fly off after both Janika Sprunger with Bonne Chance CW, and Steve Guerdat with Corbinian scored four points. Same disappointment among the British when Joe Clee with Utamaro d’Ecaussines scored 4 points, and Nick Skelton and Big Star eight points.

France, fifth after the first round, managed to pull coals out of the fire, thanks to two double clear rounds signed by Pénélope Leprevost with Flora de Mariposa, and Simon Delestre with Hermès Ryan, and the second round of Roger Yves Bost with Sydney Une Prince, who only got one penalty point. This good result allows the Blue to grab the third position. USA placed second, while Holland clinched victory.