Mercedes-Benz Nation’s Cup: Belgium storm to victory

Surprise result from Aachen where first place in the Mercedes-Benz Nation’s Cup went to Belgium who collected 6 penalties in the two rounds with Gregory Wathelet the best of the riders on Conrad de Hus. Wathelet completed his race with two clean runs (the only one of the team) in 75.28 (round 1) and 76.15 (round 2).
The Belgian team had already shown that were an excellent team with a victory in Rome in the Furusiyya Fei Nations Cup sending out a clear message ahead of the Worlld Equestrian Games.
Super favourites Germany failed to impress and finished in 4th place, off the podium. The team led by Otto Becker picked up 12 penalties, the same as the Canadian team.
Belgium managed to win one of the most complex events of the circuit with two young riders in their team; Pieter Devos, (class of 86) who does already have some important results behind him like the victory in the GP of the CSIO of Calgary last year, was on the back of Dream of India Greenfield and 21 year old Olivier Philippaerts, who took to the stage with the horse of his father Ludo, Challenge vd Begijnakker.
Supporting these two talented riders were the more experience Jos Verlooy (0 – 8 with Domino) and Gregory Wathelet (0 – 0 Conrad de Hus).
Devos only missed out on a perfect double because of his time that cost him a penalty in the second run, following an impeccable first attempt. The young Philippaerts struggled a little and finished with and 8-5.
In second place with a total of 8 penalties was team USA, with the 20 year old Lucy Davis (two perfect runs with Barron) and Reed Kessler (4-0 with Cylana). Davis was the best performer of the team while Lauren Hough picked up 8 penalties in the first round but then made up for it with a clean run in the second . Kent Farrington had 12 penalties overall (4-8) with Willow.
Third in the standings were Holland with 10 penalties.
Jeroen Dubbeldam & Zenith Sfn (0 – 8)Maikel van der Vleuten & VDL Groep Verdi TN (1 – 8)Frank Schuttert & Winchester HS (4 – 0)Gerco Schroder & Glock’s London N.o.p. (0 – 1)
4th Germany 12 penalties4th Canada 12 penalties6th France 17 penalties7th Ireland 26 penalties8th Switzerland 37 penalties
You can watch the highlights of the even on the home page of www.horseshowjumping.tv
Source: www.chioaachen.de
(MC)