New Nations Cup series for eventing this year

British eventing performance manager Yogi Breisner has welcomed news that the FEI – horse sport’s international governing body – is trialling an inaugural eventing Nations Cup series this year.

“It’s a great initiative,” he said. “It’s starting small, but I’m sure it will grow in status. This gives us a wonderful opportunity to try riders in a team environment.”

There will be six rounds in the 2012 FEI Nations Cup Eventing series, starting with Fontainebleau, France (22-25 March).

Teams of three or four riders will compete – with three scores to count – and nations will gain points for placings, with their best five results giving a final position.

Events must provide a minimum total prize-fund of £1,500 for the competition.

Catrin Norinder, FEI director of eventing and Olympics, said the series would be continually reviewed and honed as “we consider its introduction into the calendar long-term”.

Yogi said that, for now, British teams will be selected from riders who are already competing at the events. In future the process could become more like the showjumping Nations Cup, for which riders are selected specifically to go to the events.

This news story was first published in the current issue of H&H (1 March 2012)

Pippa Roome

H&H magazine editor and eventing editor

Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.