Spanish win FEI Nations Cup Promotional League Final on home turf in Barcelona….
Spain snatched victory from Sweden in the closing moments of the 2012 FEI Nations Cup Promotional League Final on home ground in Barcelona yesterday. Just twelve months ago Spain had to settle for runner-up spot when newly-crowned FEI European Champion, Rolf-Goran Bengtsson, gave Sweden the edge for the 2011 Promotional League Nations Cup Finals in Barcelona. But yesterday Spain was able to ensure that history did not repeat itself and it was Team Español who were celebrating.
It was very much a “battle of two nations” between Spain and Sweden as they engaged in a fight to the death from the outset. Clearly, everyone else just waited to see where the rest of the chips would fall. The only double-clear of the competition was issued by none other then Spain’s queen bee Pilar Cordon and Nuage Bleu. A text book second round from anchor combo Sergio Moya and Action-Breaker, helped swing the Nations Cup final in Spain’s favor.
The course….
The course was set by Spanish course designer, Javier Trenor. Sergio Moya described the track as “long but not too complicated, with places for mistakes all around the course”.
Notably, Sweden’s Daniel Zetterman offered the crowd a textbook performance with his gutsy little grey, Glory Days…. slightly spoiled by a mistake at the opening oxer in the second round.
A tight grip loosened….
The Swedes had a firm hold of the lead halfway through the event with clears from Douglas Lindelow (Udermus), Zetterman (Glory Days) and Peder Fredricson (H&M Cash In) which allowed Angelica Augustsson’s opening eight-fault result with Quickdiamond to be the discard.
However, Sweden were only a fence ahead of the Spanish going into round two, after picture-perfect rounds from both Pilar (Nuage Bleu) and Mani (Baldo DS), as Paola (Prunella d’Ariel) and Sergio (Action-Breaker) each had the final oxer down….
I believe….
Sergio, Spanish show jumpings heart throb, said “I believed we could win, even if it came down to a jump-off”. He has been waiting in anticipation for Action-Breaker’s return, but is now looking forward to some action-packed months ahead with a strong string of horses that includes his latest acquisition, Carlo, the 11 year old Holsteiner made famous by Britain’s Nick Skelton.
“I started jumping Carlo in a few small classes here at Barcelona. He is a horse that has won a lot and I’m trying to ride him in the way he likes and to get to know him. Nick has promised to help me when he can, which is great”, said the 27 year old jockey who is now aiming at a qualification for the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping 2012/2013 Final in Gothenburg, Sweden next April.
“Today’s success for the Spanish team comes at an interesting time as the sport of Nations Cup jumping is being restructured. The Swedish team competed in the FEI Top League this season but, finishing seventh of the eight competing nations, would, under normal circumstances, be relegated to the Promotional League in 2013. So they came to Barcelona to join the other nations determined to show that they continue to be a force to be reckoned with. As seventh-placed finishers in the Top League they were entitled to do that, but it was the Spanish who demonstrated a growing confidence and competence that won’t go unnoticed in future years.”
Louise Parkes (FEI)
The 2012 Promotional League Nations Cup Final…
Some facts and figures….
- Seven nations competed in the FEI Promotional League Final 2012 – Canada, Denmark, Italy, Poland, Russian Federation, Spain and Sweden.
- The event was staged at the Real Club de Polo in Barcelona, Spain which was venue for the Jumping events of the 1992 Olympic Games.
- There was just one double-clear performance in today’s competition, from Pilar Cordon and Nuage Bleu, members of the winning Spanish team
- Eight clears in the first round, including three of the four Swedish team members.
- Just four clears in the second round, including two for Spain
- There was only one double clear score, which was from Spain’s Pilar Cordon
- The Danish team competed with just three horse-and-rider combinations and retired in the second round.
- The oldest horse in the competition was the 15 year old Holsteiner stallion Bischof L, ridden by Poland’s Andrzej.
- Course designer was Spain’s Javier Trenor
Noelle Floyd.com 