Nations Cup ready to go with Italy starting sixth and Germany favourites
The heart of the competition in Piazza di Siena in Rome begins today with the Nations Cup and leading the way are France and their team of Penelope Leprevost (Flora de Mariposa), Kevin Staut (For Joy van’t Zorgvliet), Simon Delestre (Qlassic Bois Margot), and last to Patrice Delaveau on Orient Express HDC.
The Nations Cup is the most eagerly awaited of the events in the Italian capital and the field this year is of the highest level.
Holland have a strong team of Jeroen Dubbeldam (Zenith SFN), Maikel van der Vleuten (VDL Groep Nop), Jur Vrieling (VDL Bubalu) and Gerco Schroder (Glock’s London).
Third out of the blocks will be Great Britian: Ben Maher (Cella), Joe Clee (Diablesse De Muze), Michael Whitaker (Viking) and Scott Brash (Hello Sanctos).
Fourth out are Germany and coach Otto Becker will be looking for top place with the Fei World Cup title holder Daniel Deusser on Fyloe V. Claeyssenhof, German title holder, then Marco Kutscher on Liberty Son and Hans Dieter-Dreher followed by a tactical move with Ludger Beerbaum on Chiara 222.
Qatar will start fifth but despite the absence of their superstar horses Bella Donna and Palloubet d’Halong), the riders present are competitive in: Al Ajami Faleh Suwead (Come Soon), Al Thani Ali Bin Khalid (Vienna Olympic), Al Rumaihi Mubarak Yousuf (Castiglione L) and Mohammed Hassan Bassem (PRimeval Dejavu).
Italy are next with Lorenzo De Luca (Elky van het Indihof), Francesco Franco (Banca Popolare Bari Cassandra), Filippo Moyersoen (Loro Piana Canada), and closing the Azzurri challenge will be Emanuele Gaudiano on Cocoshynsky.
Next are Ukraine with Chami Najib picking Cassio Rivetti (Vivant), Ulrich Kirchhoff (Light On Old), Ferenc Szentirmai (Chadino) and Katharina Offel (Charlie).
The final team are Belgium who have Ludo Philippaerts (Challenge vd Begijnakker), Niels Bruynseels ( Pommeau du Help), Constant van Paesschen (Citizenguard Toscan de Sainte) and Nicola Philippaerts (Forever Darco Ter Linden).
The starting order is attached.
The event starts at 15.15 and will be televised on Italian state channel RAI.
from: piazzadisiena.org
