British win Abu Dhabi Nations Cup
Saturday, 06 February 2010 07:13
British showjumpers started the 2010 Nations Cup Series with a victory in the Longine sponsored CSIO Abu Dhabi. Leading from the start the team of Ben Maher, Ellen Whitaker, Guy Williams and Robert Smith beat Germany and the Netherlands into second and third with the UAE an astonishing fourth. That team was in its first Nations Cup with none of the riders having ridden in a show of this level before. And has now qualified for the Promotional league Final in Barcelona this September.
The first round ended with Great Britain holding a slight lead over Germany, a single time penalty dividng the nations. Then came the three man Dutch team on four, Eygypt on six and Ireland on eight. Italy with nine and the UAE on ten made up the remainder of the second round teams. Olaf Peterson Snr had made good use of a tight time to sort out the teams and time was once again a factor in the second round.
Britains first three riders all jumped perfect rounds again but when Max Kuhner scored a time penalty it was all over as Britain then could not be beaten as they would finish on zero.
Gerco Schroder was also double clear to keep his team third after a clear round from Sheik Latifa al Maktoum put the pressure on the team.
The Irish efffort did not go entirely to bad after Dermott Lennon had a bad second round but their seventh place finish earned Euro 4000 for the Haiti relief fund.
Germany's second place was all the more creditable when Carino was found to be a bit lame in the morning and in another very sporting gesture, for which this contest is becoming known, Mario Stevens offered Uli Kirchoff his other horse rather than let his team go down to three men. ''This is not normal at a show of this level“ said Uli, '' but mario was quite sure and said he trusted me completely with his horse so i could not let him down even though it was not so nice to jump a nations cup the first time you ride a horse“ continued the 1996 Olympic Champion.
The day had began with a speed class, the Dubai Racing Speed Cup and it went to Gerco Schroder with Eurocommerce Milano. The Dutchman was nearly las to go and had to endure a nervous few minutes while he watched compatriot Gert-Jan Bruggink try to catch him. But Gerco's time of 63.11 was just too quick. Second place went to Jordan's Hani Bisharat who took the lead half way through from Robert Smith by two seconds and meant that that the aptly named Trouble Maker caused all sorts of it, as the other riders tried to better 63.21. Only Gerco managed it, Gert-Jan was a fraction slower finshing on 63.54. Robert Smith was fourth, Clarissa Crotta fifth and yesterdays winner Dermott Lennon sixth. The prize giving ceremonies take place on the Ghantoot Polo Club ponies to make sure European and Arabic horses do not mix and comply with strict quarantine conditions and some of the riders are becoming quite proficient at managing them. However this is one area where Hani outshone his more well known rivals cantering circles around them.''I am very pleased and proud to have done so well in this company, amongst all these top riders and i tried very hard so I could hear the national anthem of Jordan being played but Gerco was just too good. However I do play some polo also so perhaps in this I might win“ he laughed.
The show concludes tommorow with the Euro300'000 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi. Full results may be found here http://eventcontent.hippoonline.de/460/docs/R04.pdf.
Results
Class 3 Dubai Racing Speed Cup 1. Gerco Schroder (NED) Eurocomerce Milano,0, 63.11, Euro7000, 2.Hani Bisharat (JOR) Trouble Maker, 0, 63.21, Euro 5000, 3.Gert-Jan Bruggink(NED) Cash Junior, 0, 63.54,Euro 2700.
Longines Nations Cup 1. Great Britain, 0, Euro30'000, 2.Germany, 6, Euro20'000. 3.Netherlands,9, Euro16'000. 4.United Arab Emirate,13, Euro13'000
Quotes
Gerco Schroder ''It is always nice to win but i am enjoying this show anyway. I have been to a show in Dubai and this one compares very well. Yes I know there was a little problem last night but these things can happen anywhere and this is the first time here and next time it will be better.“
Mohammed al Hajiri- '' We had no real expectations before the start just to come here and do our best, we have not made any plan for the future yet it feels good just to be sitting here in this company.“ (at press conference).
Guy Williams (who became a father of baby boy George the night before last) said "it is great to win, this is a lovely show and I think we should be in the super league. if we definately appeal i will fully supoport the BEF."
Will Connell, (British Equestrian Federation) "this is a great result and just want we wanted. the team really pulled together under the inspired leadership of tim stockdale and we are very proud win at the inaugral running of such a great new show. We have to also thank the lottery for helping to fund Team GN so we can compete at shows like these."
