An all-female team from Great Britain led throughout the three phases of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™, which was held in Boekelo (NED) this weekend. The team consisted of seasoned campaigners Laura Collett, who won team gold at the Tokyo Olympics, former World Champion Rosalind Canter, together with Sarah Bullimore and Kirsty Chabert. Their three-phase team total of 95.7 was enough to put them ahead of New Zealand on 101.1 and France on 110.1. Germany wound up fourth in Boekelo but finished as overall Champions of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ Series on a final point score of 450, with Italy in overall second on 415 points, and Sweden in third place on 375.

Phillip Surl is Chef d’Equipe of the British Nations Cup team and was delighted with his team’s performance in Boekelo. “There have been some challenges this week. With a change of personnel after the trot-up on Wednesday. Yasmin (Ingham) was meant to be in the team but her horse had a little accident on the walk back from the trot-up and as she was due to run first for the British team on Thursday, we thought it best to let her run individually and do her dressage on Friday instead. So that meant Kirsty (Chabert) came into the team last minute.”

“The dressage was very solid and they performed well in the cross-country. The course has had a facelift and is always tricky because it runs over so many different landowners. I believe there are over 20 landowners involved in making Boekelo run so that is not without its challenges. Everyone felt it was beefed up and it certainly got the riders’ attention. It was a proper four-star and the difference is the crowds at this event. It is unique- there are a lot of spectators and they are very close to the course and that’s all part of the experience. The main arena is a proper championship experience and the young horses definitely have to grow up.”

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