Not So Great Britain For This Year’s Longines World Cup Jumping Final

Scotland native Scott Brash was the country’s last, best hope as the Longines Western European League wrapped up in February. Brash finished 22nd of out 143 in the League — the biggest and most difficult qualifying circuit on the planet. But that result wasn’t enough.

Indeed, 18 spots were allocated to Western Europe for the World Cup Final, with one extra place made available for 2017 as Defending Champion Steve Guerdat of Switzerland (automatically re-qualified) finished in the top group of riders. And then Germany’s Holger Wulschner withdrew due to his horse’s infection, allowing Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs to slide into the Top 19. That group of 19 will include Ireland’s Denis Lynch, who finished third in the standings.

Could it not still be possible for 31-year-old Brash to snatch a last-minute ticket for Omaha? After all, another horse-rider pair in the final group could still drop out. A horse could still get injured. A rider could get sick or simply decide the voyage does not make sense. But the rules are clear: at this stage, riders can leave the final group but not join it.

In any case, the window of opportunity now would be extremely small. For one thing, there are logistical questions to take into account — and not just the issue of re-arranging your personal planner. As French Olympian Kevin Staut recently explained, talking about his own upcoming trip to the Final, the very strict horse quarantine system in the United States has to be factored into any travel plans.

After their arrival in the American Midwest, European and other foreign-based sport horses will be placed in quarantine for 42 hours. And that after a Trans-Atlantic flight and just a couple of days before the competition starts. At the same time, Kevin Staut is confident that the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) and local authorities will ensure a level playing field for all the Omaha finalists. Staut said that it is important that horses have the freedom to continue moving during their time in confinement, and that grooms be able to walk the horses regularly.

Whatever the case, this year’s World Cup Final will unfold without a British flavour despite the country’s recent triumphs in the sport, including Nick Skelton’s individual gold medal at last summer’s Rio Olympic Games. And British riders are undoubtedly already setting their sights on other major events to follow, perhaps with the words of Winston Churchill in mind: “I am an optimist. It does not seem too much use being anything else.”