British showjumpers enjoy Nations Cup success

Great Britain finished equal third with Germany in the first Meydan FEI Nations Cup of the 2010 series in La Baule, France.

The team of Michael Whitaker (GIG Amai), Scott Brash (Intertoy Z), Mark Armstrong (Thesaura) and Peter Charles (Murkas Pom D’Ami) were drawn second last of the ten nations competing and, after the first round, they shared the lead with France and USA, all on 4pen.

A strong performance from the home side in the second round left France outright winners, staying on their first round score, with USA runners-up on 8pen. Great Britain finished on 12pen while Ireland finished sixth on 16pen.

Peter Charles and Olga White’s 11-year-old Murkas Pom D’Ami (pictured) were one of only seven combinations to produce double clears on the day.

World Class showjumping performance manager and Britain’s chef d’equipe Rob Hoekstra said: “I am highly delighted with the team today, not only in their performance but also in the way they have pulled together as a team of five out here in La Baule.”

Meanwhile in Linz, Austria, another team of British showjumpers finished in pole position in the CSIO**** Nations Cup.

Chef d’equipe Di Lampard’s squad of Gemma Paternoster (Osiris), Philip Spivey (Romanov), Anna Edwards (Unique IX) and Tina Fletcher (Hello Sailor) held a steady lead over Australia (second) and Belgium (third).

Don’t miss next week’s Horse & Hound for full reports and comment.

Jennifer Donald

H&H showjumping editor

Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.