GB’s Team NAF finish 4th in CSIO5* Longines Nations Cup of France
Friday 11 June 2021
The British Team put in some solid performances today to finish 4th in the CSIO5* Longines Nations Cup of France at the show which runs between the 10 – 13 June in the coastal resort of La Baule. The immense grass arena saw the ten selected nations for Europe Division 1 come forward with their respective teams of four to contest the title in which the best three scores count across each of the two rounds .
It was a victory for Switzerland who claimed the win in the final stages, finishing on just 4 penalties. Italy took 2nd, having held an early lead with their 7 penalties which was just enough to keep Belgium in 3rd place with their 8 penalty finish score.
A single time penalty was all that separated GB from the podium with the 9 penalty overall score whilst Ireland and Mexico had to contend themselves with a 5th and 6th place respectively on 12 and 17 penalties apiece.
British Team
Scott Brash MBE from Peeblesshire and based in Horsham, West Sussex with Hello Jefferson a 12 year-old bay gelding owned by Lady Pauline Kirkham and Lady Pauline Harris led the British team out. It was a 4 penalty finish for Scott and the striking bay when they touched a pole of a fence early on in the first round and then the same in the second round when they were caught going into the double.
Holly Smith from Loughborough, Leicestershire with Denver XI a 13 year-old bay gelding owned by Ian Dowie posted a superb first round clear to return home penalty free. Their second round saw them unfortunately pick up 4 penalties when a pole lowered in what was otherwise a great performance.
Emily Moffitt who is based between Evesham in Worcestershire and Florida, USA with Winning Good a 12 year-old bay gelding owned by Poden Farms was absolutely outstanding. Delivering a clear in both the first and second round she was just one of a handful of riders that managed to do so across the entire competition thus delivering the best performance of the team for the Brits.
John Whitaker MBE from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire with Unick Du Francport a 13 year-old bay gelding owned by himself and wife Clare Whitaker were really unlucky when they stopped the clock just outside the time allowed to pick up a single time penalty in what was otherwise a faultless first round. Their second round saw a 9 penalty tally accrued as a result of two down and a single time penalty.
Di Lampard, World Class Performance Manager for Showjumping said “It was an exceptional performance from Emily today, she absolutely did us proud. Holly had an early fence in the second round which was a shame as she had posted a clear in the first. It was a fantastic competition that ran close and John kept us in the chase in the first round with his single time penalty. Scott’s horse jumped really well but unfortunately he had two touches, and on both occasions the poles came down so Lady Luck just wasn’t with him today”.
The Grand Prix takes place on Sunday 13 June at 13:00 hrs local time where the riders continue to be accompanied by Di Lampard, the World Class Performance Manager for Showjumping.
For further information on the show and full results visit www.labaule-cheval.com/en/
British Showjumping would like to thank NAF, title sponsors of the Senior Nations Cup Teams along with the Pony, Children, Junior, Young Rider and Veteran teams.
NAF’s premium range of Five Star brands include Superflex, Superflex Senior, PROFEET, Optimum, Magic, Oestress and Respirator Boost with quality at the heart of everything they do. They are a UFAS (Universal Feed Assurance Scheme), GMP+ (International Feed Assurance Scheme) and BETA NOPS (Naturally Occuring Prohibited Substances) accredited company and this enables them to guarantee full traceability on all the natural ingredients they utilise in their formulations, which are also selected in compliance with the FEI guidelines for Clean Sport. For further information, visit www.naf-equine.eu/uk/index.jsp.
The GBR showjumping teams are supported by the British Equestrian Federation’s World Class Programme, funded by UK Sport through the National Lottery. The Programme focuses on identifying talent, developing potential and maximising medal-winning performances on the world stage.
Image: Emily Moffitt
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