Wellington, FL. – A record nine teams and individuals from another five countries will square off in the FEI Nations’ Cup of Jumping presented by CN on Friday night at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center.
The nine nations in what amounts to a mini-Olympics that draws thousands of fans to passionately support their home teams at the CN Winter Equestrian Festival presented by Zimmerman Advertising are from Argentina, Canada, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand, Venezuela and the U.S.A. Eleven Olympians are on the various squads and another five have competed at a World Equestrian Games.
The Nations’ Cup falls in the midst of the U.S. Selection Trials for the 2008 Olympics but the team spirit and fan support create a festive atmosphere unlike almost any other equestrian event. The Nations Cup is an ongoing series of team events of which only one is held in any country during the year.
Fans from the different nations have reserved large blocks of seats and plan to festoon their areas with flags, streamers and body painting in their country’s colors.
A rock band, face painters and jugglers along with hot dog and popcorn carts and food and drink bars will provide entertainment and sustain the spirits of spectators throughout the competition.
Equestrian Sport Productions, LLC, the WEF management company, also plans pomp and ceremony worthy of the occasion.
France will lead off the two-round competition in which the scores from the best three of a maximum of members will count. As a result of a draw, Argentina will be second followed by Ireland, Great Britain, Venezuela, Mexico, Canada the New Zealand with the host U.S. having the advantage of going last in the International Arena under lights.
Canada is looking to three-peat following victories in 2006 and 2007, while the U.S. has not stood atop the medals podium since 2003.
In addition to the record number of teams, individual horse and rider combinations are entered from Russia, Belgium, Iran, Chile and Brazil, represented by reigning Olympic individual gold medalist Rodrigo Pessoa.
The squads or groups of riders from which the teams will be selected, are:
Teams (3 Min., 4 Max.)
Argentina
Federico Sztyrle
Martin Mallo
Max Amaya
Chef: Carlos Quinones
Canada
Darrin Dlin
Erynn Ballard
Mario Deslauriers
Karen Cudmore
Eric Lamaze
Mac Cone
Chef: Terrance Millar
France
Katie Prudent
Marie Hecart
Romain Marteau
Chef: Henri Prudent
Great Britain
Peter Charles
Nick Skelton
Ben Maher
Charlotte Platt
Chef: Derek Ricketts
Ireland
Edward Doyle
Kevin Babington
Shane Sweetname
Darragh Kerins
Jonathan McCrea
Chef: Robert Splaine
Mexico
Daniel Michan
Eduardo Salas
Jaime Guerra
Manuek Lecuona
Simon Nizri
Chef: Ivan Rakowsky
New Zealand
Sharn Wordley
Kirk Webby
Bruce Goodin
Chef: Bruce Goodin
United States
Kent Farrington
Hillary Dobbs
Danielle Torano
McLain Ward
Chef: George Morris
Venezuela
Juan Ortiz
Pablo Barrios
Francisco Martinez
Leopoldo Paoli
Chef: Francisco Mendoza
Individuals
Eric Flameng (Belgium)
Rodrigo Pessoa (Brazil)
Samuel Parot (Chile)
Ali Nilforushan (Iran)
Ljubov Kochetev (Russia)
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