Great Britain’s Team Audevard dig deep to take third place on the podium in the Mercedes-Benz Nations’ Cup at the mighty Aachen
Friday 04 July 2025
Great Britain’s Team Audevard jumped into third place on the podium in the Mercedes-Benz Nations’ Cup in the impressive Aachen arena in Germany.
Eight teams, several fielding their big guns, came forward over renowned course-designer Frank Rothenberger’s 12-fence 1.60m track and with an added dimension – both rounds conducted under floodlights.
“I am delighted. There were some strong championship teams in this competition with a challenging course – the triple combination took several riders out, and even got the better of the German team in round two,” said chef d’Equipe Di Lampard.
First out for Britain Ben Maher with the 12-year-old Dallas Vegas Batilly jumped a flawless clear to give Britain an initial boost. Robert Whitaker and the 12-year-old Argento stallion Vermento cantered through the finish on eight faults, but Georgia Tame countered this as the third Brit, leaving every fence intact but picking up one time fault on the nine-year-old BE Golden Lynx (Golden Hawk x Lux Z). Scott Brash was anchor but the excitable 16-year-old Hello Jefferson came home on eight to Britain on a round one total of nine and in fifth. Three teams sat at the top of four faults apiece – The USA, Belgium and home team Germany. Britain had to dig deep for a podium place.
Ben again proved the hero of the hour with another foot-perfect clear – one of only five double clears – on Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright’s Dallas Vegas Batilly. Britain was on the hunt for a podium place. It didn’t go according to plan for Robert and Vermento and they returned on nine faults, but Georgie Tame delivered in spades, again picking up one time fault but BE Golden Lynx didn’t look like touching a fence to put Britain in touch with the leaders. Not for the first time, the result depended on Scott Brash, and he drew on his vast experience to guide Hello Jefferson into an amazing clear. Great Britain added just one fault in round two, clinching third place on a team total of 10.
The United States of America, fielding Olympians Laura Kraut, Kent Farrington and anchor McLain Ward alongside Lillie Keenan, showed their strength to finish on a total of four faults with Belgium in second on eight.
“I am absolutely, wonderfully pleased with the result, it was a fantastic comeback, but the riders were determined,” said Di Lampard. “Ben jumped a fantastic double clear and Georgia was outstanding making her Aachen debut. Round One just didn’t go Scott’s way but he came back and to produce a round that only that partnership can, and it just wasn’t Robert’s night – Vermento was jumping well but was a little strong in the first round.”
Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup Aachen, Germany – 3 July 2025
1st The USA – 4
2nd Belgium – 8
3rd Great Britain – 10
Ben Maher & Dallas Vegas Batilly – 0/0
Robert Whitaker & Vermento – 8/9
Georgia Tame & BE Golden Lynx – 1/1
Scott Brash & Hello Jefferson – 8/0
Image: Peter Nixon
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