BRITISH NATIONS CUP WIN IN ABU DHABI
Friday 05 February 2010
Great Britain has won this afternoon’s Longines Nations Cup at the inaugural CSIO5* at Abu Dhabi, finishing on a zero score.
The GB squad all chalked up superb first round performances to finish on zero and to hold off Germany by just a single penalty, going into the second round.
British pathfinder Ellen Whitaker riding Equimax Occolado, owned by Steven Whitaker & Dawn Makin, chalked up the first of the British foot perfect clear rounds, closely followed by Guy Williams riding his own Torinto van de Middelstede and Ben Maher riding the Quainton Stud’s Robin Hood W. Robert Smith and Talan, a horse Robert jointly owns with Di and Pennie Cornish, finished with just five penalties.
The Brits grit and determination didn’t stop there, Ellen returned to produce yet another clear in the second round, a performance emulated by Guy, and not to be left out, by Robert too! This meant anchorman Ben wasn’t required to jump again.
CSIO5* Abu Dhabi UAE
Longines Nations Cup
1st Great Britain – 0 penalties
Ellen Whitaker – Equimax Ocolado – 0/0
Guy Williams – Torinto van de Middelstede – 0/0
Robert Smith – Talan – 5/0
Ben Maher – Robin Hood W – 0/NS
2nd Germany – 6 penalties
3rd Netherlands – 9 penalties
=4th United Arab Emirates – 23 penalties
=4th Italy – 23 penalties
6th Egypt – 28 penalties
7th Ireland – 31 penalties
Full results can be viewed at www.engarde.de
Speaking from a sun drenched Abu Dhabi, a delighted Chef d’Equipe Tim Stockdale said:
“What a fantastic start to 2010, I knew we had a strong team and a great team spirit. We had a plan right from the start and everything went to plan. All of the horses jumped out of their skins today. It feels great to come away with a win!”.
Will Connell, World Class Performance Director commented:
“The Team pulled together today under the leadership of Tim Stockdale, what a perfect way to start 2010. Lottery funding has enabled our Team Vet to be here with the horses to ensure that they fully recovered after their long journey and all of the horses jumped superbly. This is a great show and we look forward to returning here next year to defend our title”.
The President of the UAE Showjumping Cup is taking place at the Ghantoot Racing and Polo Club in Abu Dhabi and will conclude tomorrow (Saturday) with the 300,000€ Grand Prix.
The British Nations Cup Team is kindly sponsored by Champion. Champion’s sponsorship of the British Nations Cup Team is the result of the brand’s deep-seated belief in the importance of continual development, dedication and professionalism, together with a desire to offer British equestrian talent every possible opportunity to reach the very top of competitive showjumping.
The British Showjumping Teams are strongly supported by the UK Sport lottery funded BEF World Class programme.
Image supplied by www.pferde-foto-video.de
Image supplied by www.pferde-foto-video.de