Britain tops Nations Cup Eventing 2015 series

Britain has won the FEI Nations Cup Eventing 2015 series, despite a disappointing performance at the final event in Boekelo, the Netherlands.

Fast cross-country

Only half of the British team completed. Nicola Wilson fell off Kiltealy Brief at fence 11 and Emily Parker had to withdraw Diamond Sundance before the cross-country due to a minor infection.

Dani Evans came fifth on Smart Time and Izzy Taylor climbed the leaderboard from 47th after the dressage to finish seventh, after posting the fastest cross-country round.

“Dani’s performance was very solid in all three phases, finishing fifth which was very pleasing for her, having had such disappointment at Blair,” said team manager Philip Surl.

‘Very pleased’

This left the team in fifth place overall, which was enough for them to win the series, seven points ahead of Germany in second place.

The German team came sixth at Boekolo after also losing two of their team members, with Marina Köhncke and Josefa Sommer both taking a tumble on the cross-country.

“The points speak for themselves,” said Philip. “We have contested seven of eight legs, with the most successful six of those counting towards the final score, so I’m very pleased for everyone involved to have won the series again.”

Nicola redeemed herself in the individual competition, winning the CCI3* on her other horse, Bulana. Nicola wrote on her Facebook page she was “so unbelievably proud” of Jo and James Lambert’s mare and gave a special thank-you to her team.

‘Good spirits’

In the team event, Ireland scored their first ever win in the FEI Nations Cup, despite fielding a young team.

Ninteen-year-old Cathal Daniels, who made his CCI3* debut, was one of only four riders inside the optimum time riding the eight-year-old Rioghan Rua.

“We had a young rider competing in his first CCI3* and some exciting young horses and everyone pulled together and focused,” said Ireland’s team manager Nick Turner.

“It’s a great note to finish on this season and it sets the team up in good spirits for Olympic year.”

The USA were second, which was also their best result since the series started in 2012. New Zealand was third which means they beat Japan in this Asia-Pacific Olympic qualifier to secure their ticket to Rio 2016.