After Nations Cup debut, Great Britain in the hunt for Barcelona qualification

Given Europe’s power in the sport of Show Jumping, the continent’s athletes are split into two divisions, with 10 teams including Great Britain and Ireland in the elite Division 1. Seven Division 1 teams will qualify for the Barcelona Final out of the Division, with host nation Spain making it automatically if not through the league. A maximum of 18-19 national teams from around the world can participate at the event, which was won last year by the Netherlands.

St.Gallen was the third qualifier out of of eight this summer, but it was the first time British riders were eligible to score points as each team can is able to do so at a maximum of five shows. In contrast, Samorin and La Baule counted for Ireland, but St.Gallen did not. The British can not add to their total at the next event in Sopot, Poland, but will have opportunities at all the remaining competitions: Rotterdam, Falsterbo, Sweden, Hickstead and Dublin.

Thanks notably to double clear rounds by William Whitaker (on Utamaro D’Ecaussines) and Holly Smith (Hearts Destiny) in Switzerland on Sunday, the British squad (which also included Samuel Hutton on Happydam and Louise Saywell on Golden Wave OL), finished fifth in St.Gallen and currently has 60 points. Afterwards, Smith commented, “Hearts Destiny jumped a double clear in his first 5* Nations Cup, a fabulous result for ‘Team Ted’. We are delighted with him.” France came out on top at the competition, but the Swiss remain on top of the Division 1 standings after taking part in the first three events.

“We have certainly had all the dramas and emotions of showjumping this week,” observed Great Britain’s World Class Performance Manager for Showjumping, Di Lampard. “However we came away with five clear rounds and points for 5th place.  It was on ok start to the league while trying some new partnerships at this level and we are now fully focused on Rotterdam”.