Calgary, AB – The Netherlands has not won the $350,000 BMO Nations’ Cup since 1997. Today in front of a record crowd of 67,789 at Spruce Meadows the Dutch returned to championship form in one of the richest Nations’ Cups in the World.
Things didn’t look good early for the Netherlands who lost lead off rider, Angelique Hoorn, after her horse Blauwendraad’s O’Brien had a misplaced landing. The gelding was taken by ambulance to the veterinary facilities on the property where initial reports indicated that he had sustained a suspensory injury.
The Dutch would need nearly perfect scores if they wanted to win as teams need to count three scores in each round. It was a true testament to team work as the Netherlands rallied and had a perfect score card in the first round. “With three riders left we knew that we had to do very good and the pressure was good for us,” said Harrie Smolders after the BMO Nations’ Cup.
The second round was nearly a repeat of the first, with the exception of a single time fault incurred by Marc Houtzager and Opium VS. That single fault put the Netherlands in the clear lead with their closest competitor, the United States in second with a team total of 12 faults.
“This is really amazing thing what they did today,” said Chef d’Equipe Rob Ehrens after his team finished in the gold medal position in the 2009 BMO Nations’ Cup.
“With the best riders and horses from ten nations, it was a thrilling 2009 BMO Nations’ Cup,” said Bill Downe, President and Chief Executive Officer, BMO Financial Group. Presenting the winning trophy to Netherlands, he remarked, “Equestrian fans witnessed a world class show of riders’ and horses’ stamina, precision and talent. We will remember this Nations’ Cup for a long time.”
2009 BMO Nations’ Cup Standings
1. Netherlands
Chef d’Equipe – Rob Ehrens
Angelique Hoorn, Blauwendraad’s O’Brien
Harrie Smolders, Exquis Walnut De Muze
Albert Zoer, Okidoki
Marc Houtzager, Opium VS
2. USA
3. Mexico
4. Switzerland
4. Canada
Rich Fellers Wins BP Cup
Calgary, AB – Jump number seven was costly in today’s $75,000 BP Cup at Spruce Meadows. Course designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) cost 18 horse/rider combinations a chance at victory when he added that jump to his 18 jumping effort 600 metre course.
Rich Fellers of the United States is an experienced rider who didn’t let fence number seven get the best of him or his veteran gelding McGuinnes, “The little skinny is a notoriously difficult jump, it’s very unimpressive and the cups are very shallow,” explained Fellers.
Fellers and McGuinnes have not competed together for two years after the 14 year-old Irish Bred suffered an injury. Fellers has been easing McGuinness back into competition but the gelding proved today that he is ready. They were perfect around the course coming across the finish line in 79.57 seconds.
Cameron Hanley (IRL) gave Fellers a run for his money. Hanley sped his 11 year-old Dutch Warmblood mare VDL Rocksina HD around the course with a running time of 77.21 seconds. It was the second last fence that cost Hanley victory, settling for a time of 81.21 seconds.
Victory was sweet for Fellers and McGuinness who are back on track to being one of the best pairs in show jumping. “I think he’s in his prime,” said Fellers of his BP Cup winning mount.
BP Cup top 10
1. Rich Fellers, USA, McGuinness
2. Tim Stockdale, GBR, Fresh Direct Kalico Bay
3. Cameron Hanley, IRL, VDL Rocksina HD
4. Hannah Selleck, USA, Tosca
5. Beezie Madden, USA, Exclusive
6. Carla Diewert, CAN, Vaquero
7. Steve Guerdat, SUI, Ferrari VI
8. Rich Fellers, USA, Kilkenny Rindo
9. Michel Robert, FRA, What’s Next
10. McLain Ward, USA, Miss Liberty 7
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