Great Britain was victorious in the Rome leg of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup title for the second year in a row.
Three clears
The Brits were on stunning form with the quartet of Ben Maher (Tic Tac) Jessica Mendoza (Spirit T) Michael Whitaker (Cassionato) and John Whitaker (Ornellaia) leading from the start after being the only team to post a clear sheet after round one with three clears.
But the USA the Netherlands France and Italy were all close behind with four faults apiece at the end of the first round.
Round two
Things didn’t go quite so smoothly for the Brits in the second round when pathfinder Ben Maher had the first part of a double and the final fence.
Jessica Mendoza completed on just four faults while Michael Whitaker – who was the discount score in round one – produced a superb clear with Cassionato.
Michael’s clear gave his brother John a fence in hand but in the end he didn’t need it – jumping clear to finish two fences clear of the USA and France who finished joint second.
Rio thoughts
It was a great confidence boost for the Brits ahead of this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio.
“This was Ornellaia’s first Nations Cup and she showed what she can do ” said John Whitaker who has been on both winning teams in Rome.
Reflecting on potential Rio rides he added: “Argento is a great horse he’s a real fighter but he has his limits and I don’t want to push him beyond them. Ornellaia has done some good things already she’s really careful and she’s the one for Rio if I am needed and if I am asked to go.
“I’m definitely keen to go the Olympics are the Olympics and there’s nothing like them everyone feels that way but I’m probably not in the top five (for selection) if Big Star (Nick Skelton) and Sanctos (Scott Brash) are ready ” he said.
Selection
The strong performance in Rome might make Chef d’Equipe Di Lampard’s task of choosing her Rio team a little bit more difficult. “But that’s ok – it’s a really good problem to have!” she said.
The next leg of the series will take place in St Gallen Switzerland on Friday 3 June.
Result
1. Great Britain 4 faults: Tic Tac (Ben Maher) 0/8 Spirit T (Jessica Mendoza) 0/4 Cassionato (Michael Whitaker) 9/0 Ornellaia (John Whitaker) 0/0.
2. USA 12 faults: Voyeur (Kent Farrington) 0/4 VDL Wizard (Callan Solem) 8/4 Zeremonie (Laura Kraut) 4/4 HH Azur (McLain Ward) 0/0.
2. France 12 faults: Hermes Ryan (Simon Delestre) 12/4 Reveue de Hurtebise HDC (Kevin Staut) 0/4 Vagabond de la Pomme (Penelope Leprevost) 0/0 Sydney Une Prince (Roger Yves Bost) 4/8.
4. Germany 14 faults: Van Gogh (Marco Kutscher) 4/0 Brooklyn 17 (Mario Stevens) 5/4 Lacan 2 (Patrick Stuhlmeyer) 8/1 Cornado NRW (Marcus Ehning) 0/4.
5. Netherlands 20 faults: SFN Zenith NOP (Jeroen Dubbeldam) 4/16 Emerald NOP (Harrie Smolders) 0/4 VDL Sirocco Blue NOP (Jur Vrieling) 0/4 Glock’s Cognac Champblanc NOP (Gerco Schroder) 8/8.
6. Canada 22 faults: First Choice 15 (Yann Candele) 8/4 Bellinda (Kara Chad) 5/9 Tripple X (Tiffany Foster) 0/13 Chacco Kid (Eric Lamaze) 4/0.
7. Sweden 24 faults: Yajamila (Henrik von Eckermann) 4/8 H&M Cue Channa 42 (Malin Baryard-Johnson) 0/0 Bonzai H (Helena Persson) 4/16 H&M Flip’s Little Sparrow (Peder Fredricsson) 8/8.
7. Italy 24 faults: Caspar 232 (Emanuele Gaudiano) 0/8 Ensor de Litrange (Lorenzo de Luca) 4/4 Ares (Emilio Bicocchi) 4/16 Casallo Z (Piergiorgio Bucci) 0/8.
Full result here
Standings in Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2016 Europe Division 1 League after third leg at La Baule (FRA):
1. France – 165
2. Netherlands – 160
3. Great Britain – 155
4. Germany – 135
5. Belgium – 50
6. Italy – 47.5