The FEI’s first team Eventing series, the FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing 2012, will début at Fontainebleau (FRA) on 22-25 March 2012. The brand new six-leg series, which will take place on a trial basis this year, is open to all nations fielding one team composed of 3 or 4 riders at each leg. The FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing 2012 will be run under FEI Eventing rules at CICO and CCIO 3* level and riders will accumulate points under a dedicated system created for the new series. Houghton Hall (GBR) will host the second leg on 24-27 May, followed by Strzegom (POL) on 1-3 June 2012 and Aachen (GER) on 3-8 July. The series then heads to Montelibretti (ITA) on 21-23 September, with the last leg in Boekelo (NED) on 11-14 October. “We are extremely excited to be hosting the opening leg of the FEI’s very first team Eventing series at Fontainebleau’s world-famous Grand Parquet next month,” said Francois Lucas, President of CREIF (Comité Régional d'Equitation d'Ile de France). “We will see some of the circuit’s best-known Eventing riders come together at Fontainebleau and this will certainly add another level of excitement for spectators.” Mike Etherington-Smith, Chief Executive of British Eventing, is working closely with the FEI Eventing Committee on developing this news series. “This exciting new idea for a Team Competition at 3* level, which is open to all nations, has taken some time to pull together. We all very much hope that it will capture the interest and imagination of National Federations, riders, Organising Committees, sponsors and the media,” he explained. “The FEI Nations Cup Eventing series is also seen as an exciting opportunity for riders to gain valuable team experience, and for National Federations to use it to improve performance as well as adding an interesting dimension to the sport.” Catrin Norinder, Director of Eventing & Olympics at the FEI, said: “Fontainebleau is the perfect setting for the first leg of the inaugural FEI Nations Cup Eventing series. “Team Eventing is an especially stimulating format and there will be some heavyweight nations fielding teams. “The FEI Eventing Committee is working in partnership with the Eventing nations in Europe and this year’s organisers to ensure a successful first series, which will be continuously reviewed and honed as we consider its introduction into the Eventing calendar long term.”
