Longines EEF Nations Cup Series: Brazil flies high in Drammen

After a second-round filled with surprises, it was the Brazilian team that won the seventh leg of the Longines EEF Nations Cup Series held today, Friday June 10th, during the Drammen CSIO3*.
The first round saw five teams laying in equal first with no fences down at all leaving all to play for in the second round. The Brazilian team of Marlon Modolo Zanotelli/ Heureuse Nouvelle WH (0/1), Victor Mariano Luminatti/Idette (0/0), Thiago Ribas Da Costa/Kassandra van ‘t Heike (0/0) and Joao Victor Castro/Dispo Cece (DNS/4) managed to win the Nations Cup finishing with just one fault. Behind Brazil came Ireland (4; 221.58), Belgium (4; 222.47) and the Norwegian hosts (4; 225.96) all three finishing on a total of four faults with the ranking based on time.
Marlon Modolo Zanotelli, Brazil: “We had a strong team here and all the riders have been jumping consistently at this level. We just stuck to the plan to jump clear rounds one at a time. Everyone knows their horses pretty well. We were lucky today that things worked out. It was a special event with excellent facilities.”
The course, built by the Norwegian chef de piste Anders Hafskjold, was linear and flowing, albeit with all the characteristics of a Nations Cup, putting the horses in the best possible conditions for what is one of the series’ final regional qualifiers. It was a top-level class with many excellent horses and riders posting clear rounds in the Gjelsten Arena’s sand ring.
With the requirement for each team to field an under-25 rider, it was encouraging to see many previous successful Pony, Junior and Young Riders, who are now beginning to play leading roles in the Senior level of the sport. Among them, there was the Belgian rider Camille Demolie (who celebrated her 21st birthday just three days ago) who was riding in her first CSIO as a senior and posted a double clear round riding Chica Fino.
The Drammen leg of the Longines EEF Series was the second and final qualifier for the Region North, and therefore the five teams qualified for the Deauville semi-finals (June 23-26) are confirmed as Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Poland and Lithuania.
These Nations will join Ireland, Spain, Belgium, France and Portugal who have qualified from Region West. The top 5 from the semi-final will progress to the Finals in Warsaw on the 11th of September.
The final qualifier will be held next week in Italy with the Longines EEF Series 2022 Nations Cup in Gorla, marking the final leg for the Region South and completing qualifications for the Budapest Semi-Finals (June 30 – July 3).

EEF Series Press Release
Photo Marlon Modolo Zanotelli, Brazil
Helene Gjerde Aamdal / Equine Sport Photography