Show Jumping in Sweden this Weekend as National Teams aim for 2017 Nations Cup Final

In fact, the Falsterbo Horse Show presented by Longines is welcoming close to a thousand horses and riders in various disciplines (such as CDI5* Dressage) at its stadium and arena from July 8-16. And while the local history of organizing equestrian games dates back to at least 1920, the riders in Sweden this week are focused on the present and (not-too-distant) future — late September.

That is when the 2017 Nations Cup Show Jumping Final will take place at the Real Club de Polo in Barcelona, Spain. Falsterbo is the third-last qualifier in Europe’s Division 1 for the historic national team competition, before final stops in Hickstead, England and Dublin. At the Swedish event, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the host nation are eligible to pick up qualifying points, with Norway and the United States also fielding squads but not part of the Division (the United States has already qualified for the Final through the North American league, alongside Canada).

A total of 18 teams from across the world, plus the home team of Spain if not qualified, will make it into the Nations Cup Final, which will take place place from September 29-October 1. And it should be noted that all the teams competing in Europe Division 1 have a good shot to get there, as seven of the eight will earn a spot. Currently, Italy is first in the standings, followed by Sweden, France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Ireland and the Netherlands.

Ireland — looking to solidify its place among the qualifiers — is sending a particularly strong contingent to Sweden, with Bertram Allen (and horses Fairytale 86, Hector van d’Abdijhoeve, Izzy By Picobello, Molly Malone V), Denis Lynch (All Star 5, RMF Corvich, RMF Zecilie), Mark McAuley (Al Capone Massuere, Jasco v. Bisschop, Miebello, Utchan de Belheme), Cian O’Connor (Callisto, Copain du Perchet CH), Ryan Thomas (Alcapone Des Carmille, Calito de Thieusies, Quite Zero) and Shane Sweetnam (Chaqui Z, Indra van de Oude Heihoef, Main Road) all listed to ride and available for selection. Great Britain will also be represented in the CSI 5* wider competition, with both Jessica Mendoza (Constance, Horst van de Mispelaere, Toy Boy) and Tim Wilks (Crisanta, Jezebel, Quelbora Merze) set to ride.

As would be expected, Sweden will also have many riders on home soil in Falsterbo, including top seeds such as Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (accompanied by Camirez Fz, Crunch 3 and Spring Dark) and Henrik Von Eckermann (Cantinero, Hermes de Mariposa, Louie 9, Mary Lou 194).

More information on the Falsterbo Horse Show presented by Longines