A year ago, few could have guessed that the beginning of the 2014 Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping series would be met with such anticipation and excitement. As the inaugural series got underway in February 2013 there was considerable concern about dramatic changes to the long-established and much-loved FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping format, including expansion that would draw in many new countries from around the globe.
However by the time the French team stood on the top step of the podium at the end of the thrilling opening season finale at the Real Club de Polo in Barcelona, Spain last September, all that had changed and the new concept had received a firm stamp of approval. The best emerged to reign supreme, but horse-and-rider combinations from many less well-known nations also got the chance to demonstrate their skill and promise as the sport opened its doors like never before.
It comes as no surprise then that the opening of the 105th Nations Cup season this week is so eagerly awaited. The lessons learned, and the experienced gained, over the last year look set to pay dividends for many of the less-experienced countries, and with the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy (FRA) just around the corner, the Furusiyya series provides the perfect testing ground for team combinations in the months ahead. It all begins with the single qualifier staged in the Middle East region which kicks off tomorrow, Thursday 6 February, in Al Ain (UAE).
