An all-female team has won the Nations Cup Jumping for the first time in its 91-year history.
Piled on pressure
It was Team USA who took the title in the final leg of the FEI Nations Cup Jumping Europe Division 1 League in Dublin, finishing on a zero score.
The Netherlands and France threw down a challenge in the closing stages of the competition, which piled the pressure on American anchor Laura Kraut. However, the double-Olympian was more than up to the task and posted the second US double clear of the competition riding Confu, to secure victory.
Uunbelievable job
“We said at the beginning of the year this was one of the shows we are bringing our ‘A team’ to,” said USA Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland. “It’s our view that the Aga Khan is the greatest trophy in our sport.
“There are many ways to win a Nations Cup, sometimes you get lucky, but today in my view there was no luck. These four riders did an unbelievable job!”
Tricky time
The time allowed proved difficult over Irish course-builder Tom Holden’s track. Many riders came into trouble trying to save time to the final oxer, including USA’s Beezie Madden on her new ride Darry Lou.
She provided the team’s drop score in round one, but the pair got it right in round two. Pathfinders Lauren Hough and Ohlala also jumped a double clear, while rising talent Lillie Keenan had just one down with Super Sox.
France was second with five faults and The Netherlands was third on seven, giving them enough points to move them to the top of the league table.
Final results
At the end of the series, here’s how the Nations Cup Jumping Europe Division 1 leaderboard looks:
- Netherlands 360
- Italy 345
- France 337.5
- Switzerland 330
- Germany 325
- Sweden 307.5
- Ireland 305
- Spain 275
All eight nations from Europe Division 1 will compete at the FEI Nations Cup Jumping Final 2017 in Barcelona on 28 September to 1 October.
You can watch highlights from the Nations Cup Dublin on 16 August at 9pm on Sky 253 or online via H&C Play and Amazon Video.