Chris Burton and Jefferson 18 at Barbury International 2019
The first Nations Cup of the year is set to take place at Haras Le Pin, France this week with Australia and Britain having named their teams
The first Nations Cup of the year is set to take place at Haras Le Pin, Normandy, France this week with more than 180 riders and 355 horses taking part
18 countries are participating in the event from 12th – 16th August with Australia, Belgium, Republic of China, the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Thailand represented and over 100 riders in the CCIO4*-S, which incorporates the first FEI Nations Cup to take place this year
Australia and Britain have both announced their teams with Australia sending three in the Nations Cup team;
Chris Burton riding Jefferson 18
Jefferson 18 is a 9-year-old gelding who will be stepping up to 4* level for the first time at the event. Jefferson 18 is owned by Guy Bloodstock Ltd, Katie Page-Harvey and Martin and Philippa Clunes and his groom for the event will be Coriander Cousins.
Isabel English riding Feldale Mouse
Isabel and 'Mouse' are seasoned campaigners and are aiming for Pau CCI5* later this year. 'Mouse' is owned by Sarah English and his groom for the event will be Christine Parker.
Kevin McNab riding Scuderia 1918 Don Quidam
Scuderia 1918 Don Quidam is owned by Scuderia 1918 and his groom for the event will be Lucy Hartley. Kevin is also riding Scuderia 1918 A Best Friend in the CCIO4*-S. Both Scuderia 1918 horses are aiming for Pau CCI5*-L later this year.
Zara Tindall and Class Affair at Barbury 2020
The British squad consists of;
Laura Collett with Mr and Mrs M. Smedley, C. Taylor, Gillian Morris-Adams and Diana Chappell’s 11-year-old gelding Dacapo
Richard Coney on his own and Wendy Coney’s 12-year-old gelding Kananaskis
Tom McEwen and Barbara Cooper’s 15-year-old gelding Figaro van het Broekxhof
Zara Tindall on Gleadhill House Stud Ltd’s 11-year-old gelding Class Affair
“We’re excited to see the FEI Nations Cup series get underway, albeit in a shortened format,” commented British Equestrian’s Performance Director and Eventing Performance Manager, Richard Waygood.
“The current COVID-19 situation does add additional challenges to sending a team to compete abroad, but we have factored these into our plans. We continue to closely monitor changes and updates to guidance and protocols in relation to travel - the safety of our riders, their support team and horses is our top priority and I’m confident everything has been done to minimise the risk during travel and the competition itself.”
With many events cancelled due to COVID-19, this year’s Nation Cup will run with a reduced calendar. The 2020 Calendar is:
12-16 August: Le Pin au Haras (FRA)
27-30 August: Strzegom (POL)
24-27 September: Ballindenisk (IRL)
22-25 October: Montelibretti (ITA)
Other eventing top guns are also attending with Michael Jung (GER), Tim & Jonelle Price (NZL), Tim Lips (NED), Gemma Tattersall (GBR), Ludwig Svennerstal (SWE) and Felix Vogg (SUI) taking part across the classes and of course the French star Thibault Vallette (and his top performer Qing du Briot*IFCE), Karim Laghouag, Astier Nicolas, Thomas Carlile, Mathieu Lemoine, Nicolas Touzaint, Jean Teulère, Arnaud Boiteau, Christopher Six and Cédric Lyard to name a few
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