Quotes after the Nations Cup Finals

Quotes after the Nations Cup Finals
Santiago Varela, course designer: Congratulations to the winners, they did a super job on Thursday and today. I’m really happy with the result, really proud of the winners, and Ludger winning his last Nations Cup was super exciting! Marcus did an amazing job, his turn to fence no 10 was unbelievable and to beat Nick is unbelievable!”

 

Otto Becker, Chef d’Equipe Germany: “Thank you to FEI and to Furusiyya and Prince Faisal that for what they did this for the sport and for the Nations Cup. And thanks to the Organising Committee - when we saw the weather yesterday it was so bad but then today we had perfect conditions.”

 

Christian Ahlmann GER: “Overall it was a perfect day for all of us, it couldn’t have been better today from first to the last! Ludger’s clear at the end, Marcus’ jump-off, it was exciting to the very end, a great class for all of us and couldn’t be more happy today!”

 

Francisco Espinós, President of Real Club de Polo: “The Barcelona Olympic Games were an unforgettable moment for our club, not to mention a key element in the expansion of equestrianism in in our city.  Since then, Ludger Beerbaum has become a legend for us all, and in this sense, thank you Ludger for all these years and the best of luck for this new phase in your career.”

 

Ludger Beerbaum GER, talking after a special presentation this afternoon to mark his retirement from team competition: Ludger : “Life has been good to me and I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to do the sport. I am grateful in many areas, my family, my owners, the people who trusted in me.  Now is the time for me to be aware of this and thank everyone for what is important. I’m happy with the decision, it wasn’t taken over the last few days or weeks, it was made some months before Rio and I have no regrets. I’m really thankful, and of course I wish of my team-mates the best of luck for the future.”

 

Count of Salvatierra, Cayetano Martínez de Irujo, Spanish showjumping legend and former President of the International Jumping Riders Club: “The first time I met Ludger at a meeting of the International Jumping Riders Club he seemed cold and distant. But in the end he turned out to be a hard-working, goal-driven and kind person. He learned to be more comfortable around his colleague, and over the years he has established many long-lasting friendships.”

 

Otto Becker, Chef d’Equipe Germany: “I’m very, very happy with my team – all five were involved in the two rounds, and I’m really proud of how all five rode today. I’m especially proud of the two who took the pressure, Ludger had to go clear in Rio and here in his last Nations Cup and he had to do it again. Marcus had very bad luck in Rio but he was amazing under pressure today.”