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SSL: Dutch to show the way in Dublin
Friday, August 8th, 2008
The Netherlands team will be pathfinders in the seventh leg of the 2008 Samsung Super League with FEI series at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) showgrounds in Dublin, Ireland tomorrow afternoon.
The draw for order-of-go in this penultimate round of the elite nations cup series is as follows:
1, The Netherlands; 2, Belgium; 3, USA; 4, Great Britain; 5, Germany; 6, Switzerland; 7, Sweden; 8, Ireland.
The FEI's Jumping Director, Captain John Roche, congratulated the organisers on further improvements to the facilities at the venue which this year celebrates its 135th anniversary fixture. "The arenas here are now amongst the best in the world" Captain Roche said, "and the FEI would like to acknowledge the effort that has been made by the RDS".
The home team may have the best of the draw, but they are under a lot of pressure as they lie just over five points ahead of Sweden going into this crucial competition and so need to ensure they give a good account of themselves on their home turf if they are to avoid a last-minute struggle against relegation in 2009.
Robert Splaine has a wealth of talent from which to make his final choice including World No. 7 Jessica Kuerten who has brought her top ride, Castle Forbes Libertina, Eddie Macken, Denis Lynch, Edward Doyle and Cian O'Connor but the Irish manager will not announce his final line-up until later today.
Swedish Chef d'Equipe Ann Catrin Carlsson is under no illusions about what her riders must do tomorrow either and was upbeat about their chances - "I expect a strong performance, and we will give the Irish a good run for their money! Our horses jumped well yesterday - we have two experienced horse and rider partnerships and two younger ones but we think we can do as well as two weeks ago in Hickstead (where they finished joint-second). We are used to being the underdogs, we are used to the pressure and we will struggle on in order to avoid relegation" she added with conviction. Peder Fredricsson's victory in yesterday's opening competition certainly set the tone for Swedish attitude and he will be joined in the ring tomorrow by Jens Fredricson, Jannike West and Royne Zetterman.
Deputising for Rolf Grass as Swiss team manager, Stephane Montavon said that he was particularly pleased to see Markus Fuchs back in action and really jumping well. "He proved yesterday that he is in top form" he said, having watched the veteran performer, who has struggled long and hard with a recurring injury, gallop to victory with La Toya in the €21,000 Irish Sports Council Class which brought yesterday's international action to a close. Fuchs will line out alongside Theo Muff, Philippe Putallaz and Jane Richard.
British Chef d'Equipe David Broome said that while he had still not made his final selection from Nick Skelton, Robert Smith, Tim Gredley, Peter Charles and Philip Spivey he had noted the particular strength of the German team - "this will be a tough competition" he pointed out, "because the Germans look even better team than they did in Hickstead (where they won)".
When asked if he was feeling under pressure since his team is now bidding for a hat-trick of consecutive victories in the 2008 Samsung Super League with FEI series, German team manager Sonke Sonkssen replied "Pressure? what's that?! I am very happy to be here once more in Dublin and I am sure my riders will do their best - we will see who comes out on top tomorrow". And he named Marcus Ehning, Thomas Voss, Alois Pollmann-Schweckhorst and Holger Wulschner in his line-up.
Deputy Dutch manager Sven Harmsen listed Piet Raymakers, Gert-Jan Bruggink, Mathijs van Asten and Harry Smolders - "they didn't ride so well yesterday" he noted, "but with the excitement of tomorrow I know they will do much better". And American deputy-manager Eric Hasbrouck, whose choice will be made from Hillary Dobbs, Lauren Hough, Charlie Jayne, Michael Morrissey and Nicole Shahinian-Simpson, complimented the organisers on the condition of the main arena which has withstood the test of monsoon-like weather conditions over the past few days. Belgium's Lucien Somers will pick his team from Niels Bruynseels, Dirk Demeersman, Pieter Devos, Philippe Le Jeune and Patrik Spits
Mr Kevin McGuire, Country Manager for Samsung in Ireland, looked forward to a great day's sport, while course-designer Rob Janssen from The Netherlands forecast "an exciting competition - it is my first time here in Dublin and it is a unique arena, very long and very impressive with excellent footing - we should have a great day" he pointed out. "Yes, tomorrow is going to be a BIG day..." Robert Splaine concluded, knowing that there is no room for error if Ireland is to travel with confidence to the 2008 Samsung Super League with FEI final in Barcelona next month.
SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE WITH FEI 2008 - LEADERBOARD AFTER SIXTH LEG IN HICKSTEAD:
For further information on the Samsung Super League with FEI in Aachen check out WEBSITE www.chioaachen.de. Show President at the German fixture is Klaus Peter Pavel, Show Director is Frank Kemperman and Press Officer is Niels Knippertz - Email niels.knippertz@chioaachen.de.
The sixth leg of the series takes place in Hickstead, Great Britain on Friday 25 July. Show President is Douglas Bunn, Show Director is Edward Bunn, Show Secretary is Elizabeth Bunn and Press Officer is Peter Jeffery - contact email jeffery.communications@btopenworld.com
FEI TELEVISION - BROADCAST INFORMATION - ROUND 7 IN DUBLIN:
Live/Delayed Live RTE (Ireland) - Friday 8 August 14.20 (Live) Dubai Sports channel (Dubai and Middle East) - Check local listings RAI (Italy) - Check local listings TV4 (Sweden) - Friday 8 August 17.05
Highlights CNBC Asia - Saturday 23 August 15.00 CNBC Europe - Saturday 24 August 17.00 ESPN Brazil - Check local listings ESPN Star (Pan Asia) - Tuesday 26 August 18.00, Wednesday 27 August 15.00, 18.00, Thursday 28 August 14.00, Saturday 30 August 01.00, 08.00, Sunday 31 Augut 03.00, 06.00, Monday 1 September 05.00, 07.00 EUROSPORT - Wednesday 10 September 19.10 EUROSPORT ASIA - Thursday 11 September 10.00 FINNISH SPORT TV - Saturday 23 August 13.20 FOX MIDDLE EAST - Friday 22 August 13.20, Friday 28 August 12.00 SETANTA SPORTS (Ireland) - Check local listings SUPERSPORT (Pan Africa) - Friday 29 August 01.00, 06.00, Saturday 30 August 09.30, Monday 1 September 15.00, Tuesday 2 September 17.00, Wednesday 3 September 22.00 SPORT PLUS (France) - Wednesday 20 August 22.00 SPORT TV (Portugal) - Check local listings TG4 (Ireland) - Check local listings TVE (Spain) - Check local listings WCSN (USA) - Check local listings
SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE - NATIONAL PRIDE, INTERNATIONAL PASSION!
SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE WITH FEI - 2008 CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
You can access all the latest Samsung Super League with FEI news and information on website www.samsungsuperleague.com
Want to know
more? Check out the comprehensive MEDIA GUIDE for the series, available in print and for download at www.samsungsuperleague.com
under "Media Guide" heading.
The Samsung Super League with FEI
consists of the eight most prestigious horse shows at which the world's eight
best national teams compare their merit. The Samsung Super League with FEI is
connected to the FEI Nations Cup series through a promotion/relegation system at
the end of each season.
Samsung Electronics, one of the world's largest
electronics companies, is committed to supporting international sporting events,
thereby returning corporate profits to the public and working towards a more
harmonious and equitable society.
