Last year The Netherlands kicked off the FEI Nations Cup™ Dressage inaugural pilot series with a win at the first leg in Vidauban (FRA), and the 2013 series champions returned to the French venue to reign supreme once again tonight. The three-man side of Tommie Visser (Vingino), Laurens van Lieren (Ulysses La Haya) and Diederik van Silfhout (Arlando) pipped Belgium for the honours by almost a full five-point margin, while Sweden finished a close third ahead of Germany in fourth place.

The French fixture presented the second leg of the second pilot season for this team event which is proving a big winner with Dressage riders all around the globe. The first leg took place at Wellington in Florida (USA) just over a week ago with an historic victory for the host nation. And as the series continues to spread its wings, it is clear the battle for the 2014 title is going to be a big one.

Riders from six nations – Belgium, France, Germany, Sweden, The Netherlands and Russia – lined out today and just 16 marks separated the first team from the last, as France slotted into fifth place ahead of Russia in sixth.

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