There were great celebrations at Arezzo in Italy today when the host nation won the last round of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2014 Europe Division 2 series. The result was not only a much-sought-after victory on home ground, but it also earned a place at next month’s Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2014 Final in Barcelona, Spain and has promoted Italy to Europe Division 1 for the 2015 season.

There was a whole lot riding on today’s event, with Norway heading the Division 2 standings as the day began. But, relegated to runner-up spot after today’s Italian triumph, the Norwegians must now go to the Barcelona Final knowing that only a finishing spot in the top eight there will see them join their Italian counterparts in the top league next year.

From the starting field of 13 nations, it was Sweden who lined up second this afternoon while Denmark and Ireland shared third place. There were only two double-clear performances, and the one produced by pathfinders Andres Rodriguez and his lovely grey gelding Darlon van Groenhoeve helped Venezuela line up fifth ahead of Finland and Germany in equal-sixth while Poland slotted into eighth place.

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