Jumping : The weekend in brief
Several jumping competitions took place last week-end, with the fourth stage of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup in St Gallen (Switzerland), and the fourth stage of the Global Champions Tour in Hamburg, Germany . Two beautiful competitions which saw the British team return to the top, and local riders shine in front of their home crowd.
Nations Cup : British shoot blanks
Friday afternoon, the British team won its first victory of the season in St Gall during the 4th stage of the FEI Furusiyya Nations Cup. Led by Robert Whitaker, the British riders finished the race with only 3 penalty points, followed by Spain and Sweden. France finished at the 7th spot. Not a real problem for the blue jackets, since they had not chosen this competition as a qualifying stage for the final of Barcelona**. Just as the English team unfortunately, which therefore does not win any points with this victory.
These nations will therefore have at heart to do well in Rotterdam (Netherlands) at the end of June for the 5th stage of the Nations Cup.
Grand Prix of St Gall: Paul Estermann shines at home
Still in St. Gall, but this time at the Grand Prix CSIO 5* which took place on Sunday, the Swiss Paul Estermann won in his first 5 * Grand Prix of the season with his mare Castlefield Eclipse. He beat Sergio Alvarez Moya of Spain and his compatriot Fabio Crotta. French riders did well also, since 3 of our riders finished in the top 10 : Frederic David ends 6th with Equador Van'T Roosakker, Timothy Anciaume 9th with Padock du Plessis, and Kevin Staut 10th with Estoy Aqui Muze HDC.
Grand Prix of Hamburg: Karin Eckermann honors her wild-card
That same day was also held the Grand Prix of Hamburg, in which Katrin Eckermann honored her invitation by winning the competition with her 12 year-old Firth of Lorne. The German rider can be proud, since she beat World number 2 Ben Maher on Cella , and Scott Brash, current world number 1, on Hello Sanctos ! 2013 European champion Roger-Yves Bost French is 28th.
Next leg of the Global Champions Tour : in Shangai from 6 to 8 June 2014.
**Before the season starts, every nations choses 4 of the 8 Nations Cup stages as « qualifying events » for the Final of Barcelona. They can therefore only win points during those 4 chosen stages.