It could hardly be more exciting as the 2009 Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ series reaches its climax at Dublin Horse Show in Ireland this week.  Just four points separate the Americans from the French at the top of the leaderboard while Germany is only 3.5 points further behind.  The Swiss and Dutch are sitting comfortably in joint-fourth spot ahead of the Irish who have pulled themselves out of the danger-zone following their victory at Falsterbo and their third placing two weeks ago at Hickstead.

Winner’s Prize

It does seem that the French could be the ones to claim the overall winners prize of €100,000, and Friday could be a very lucrative day for them if they also manage to win the final leg and claim the lions share of the €200,000 prizefund.  But there are going to be big losers on Friday too. 

The Italians are already doomed to relegation having picked up only four points over the season, and nothing can save them now.  A rule-change at the end of 2008 means that there are no double-points available in this last leg, so even if they managed to turn the formbook completely on its head and win the final competition they cannot move off the bottom of the league table.  They won’t be the only nation saying farewell to the premiership of Nations Cup jumping however, as two of the 10 countries competing in the 2009 Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ series will go down.  And one of the biggest questions of the week is – who will join them?  Will it be the British? 

Little to Chance

To survive, Great Britain must not only win on Friday but will also be depending on Belgium and Sweden to do badly.  That could be a tall order however because the Belgians have left little to chance as Lucien Somers sends out Pieter Devos, Philippe Le Jeune, Judy-Ann Melchior and Peter Postelmans.  And Maria Gretzer’s Swedish side looks pretty effective too with Olympic silver medallist Rolf-Goran Bengtsson, Svante Johansson, Lotta Schultz and their new young super-star Alexander Zetterman on duty.

British team manager, Derek Ricketts, remains stoic however.  “It’s been a difficult season with quite a few of our best horses off but we’re not giving up yet” he said today.  “We have brought the best team we could muster here to Dublin” he added. Geoff Billington, Peter Charles, Ben Maher and Tim Stockdale are the men charged with saving the day.  And they have the statistics on their side.  In the 136-year history of Dublin Horse Show they have won the greatest number of Nations Cup competitions – a total of 23.

The Irish are determined to finish with a flourish, and Robert Splaine has made it clear that if Billy Twomey, Cian O’Connor, Denis Lynch and Cameron Hanley come up trumps this week they will have booked their tickets to the Alltech FEI European Championships in Windsor later in the month so they have plenty of incentive.

Interesting Blend

Switzerland’s Rolf Grass has an interesting blend that includes Beat Mandli, Niklaus Rutschi, Niklaus Schurtenberger and Pius Schwizer while Rob Ehrens has Marc Houtzager, Leon Thijssen, Vincent Voorn and Jur Vrieling on call-up.

Carrying 36 points, series victory could still be within Germany’s reach and Sonke Sonksen should be feeling confident following his side’s superb winning performance at Hickstead last time out.  He has three members of that team – Andreas Knippling, Max Kuhner and Janne-Friederike Meyer – at his command along with Toni Hassman.  Meyer was sensational at the British fixture when clinching maximum points in a two-way third-round jump-off, and Germany has a good record at the Irish venue.

George Morris will also be keen to put just the right finishing touches to yet another great season for the USA.  And with Charlie Jayne, Laura Kraut, Beezie Madden and Cara Raether at his bidding he could do just that.  But it seems the French will be tough nuts to crack.  Laurent Elias has succeeded in inspiring this nation of great horsemen and women once again, and they have returned to top-flight team jumping with a roar.  They have the 2009 Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ title in their grasp, and they won’t be letting go without a ferocious fight.

Quotes

British Chef d’Equipe, Derek Ricketts – “A lot of people at home are surprised, and shocked, at the position we find ourselves in right now”

Derek Ricketts – “It would be great to stay in the Meydan FEI Nations Cup next season but if we don’t make it won’t be for lack of trying”.

Facts and Figures

This year Dublin Horse Show celebrates its 136th fixture.

Teams jump for the Aga Khan Cup trophy which has been won outright five times.

The latest Cup was presented by the Aga Khan in 1980 after Ireland won it outright in 1979.

The show is staged at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) showgrounds in Ballsbridge, close to the centre of Dublin city.

The main arena caters for 12,000 spectators.

The RDS has spent €8 million upgrading facilities over the last four years. 

The total prizemoney for the show is €902,000.

 

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