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Everything you need to know about the Great Britain leg of the FEI Nations Cup
This weekend the Barefoot Retreats Houghton International Horse Trials hosts the only British leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ – a global competition where teams battle it out to be at the top the table come the final event of the Series. After two seasons impacted by Covid the FEI Nations Cup is back with full force this year and looks sure to deliver a fantastic battle between five competitive teams.
RUNNING ORDER
The running order was drawn at the beginning of the event and the pathfinders for the FEI Nations Cup at Houghton will be Team USA!
The full running order will be as follows:
- USA
- Great Britain
- Italy
- New Zealand
- Sweden
TIMETABLE
Competition gets underway at 2.30pm this afternoon (Friday 27 May), with Cornelia Dorr and Daytona Beach 8 the first combination into the Arena for the USA.
A full list of times is available on the Eventing Scores website here.
INTRODUCING THE TEAMS
Team USA
Representing the USA:
Cornelia Dorr and Daytona Beach 8
Isabelle Bosley and Night Quality
Alexandra Knowles and Ms. Poppins
Caroline Martin and Islandwood Captain Jack
Chef d‘équipe:
Leslie Law, USEF Emerging and Development Coach
About the team:
Alexandra, Cornelia and Isabelle are doing their first Nations Cup. Isabelle and Cornelia are currently in the US Emerging Athlete Programme and Caroline is in the Development programme. Alexandra, Caroline and Isabelle are pairing this competition with the Bramham CCI 4*-L on this trip to the UK.
What the Chef d‘équipe says:
“We look to be competitive this weekend and use this Nation’s Cup to build experience for our athletes.”
Team Great Britain
Representing Great Britain:
Tom McEwen and Bob Chaplin
Phoebe Locke and Bellagio Declyange
Heidi Coy and Russal Z
Piggy March and Brookfield Quality
Chef d‘équipe:
Philip Surl
About the team:
It’s the first-time riding in a Nations Cup for Heidi and Phoebe, but they both have had experience through the youth teams over the years and are both on the 4*Academy. As for Tom and Piggy, they won’t need much introduction to the home crowd, with a collection of medals and team appearances between them. Most of these horses are using this competition as a journey on to future goals, like Bramham.
What the Chef d‘équipe says:
“The British Nations Cup team is supported by UK Sport’s World-Class Programme and, over the years, it has proved to be a great steppingstone from youth through to senior teams. This is our home leg, and we are looking to be as competitive as possible and come out on top.”
Team Italy
Representing Italy:
Roberto Scalisi and Alamein
Daniele Bizzarro and Stormhill Riot
Giovanni Ugolotti and Lark About
Chef d‘équipe:
Giacomo Della Chiesa
About the team:
The team is made up of three riders all based in UK. Giovanni Ugolotti is very experienced as a rider, but he has not ridden this horse for much time. Roberto Scalisi is riding quite a lot at this level and knows his horse very well. Daniele Bizzarro is the less experienced of the riders and this is his first 4*.
What the Chef d‘équipe says:
“We are really looking foward to having a super weekend in the beautiful setting of Houghton! We think that the Nation Cup Series is very useful to gain experience in an international situation. We will try to compete in all the Nation Cups this year.”
Team New Zealand
Representing New Zealand:
Jesse Campbell and Cooley Lafitte
Bruce Haskell and Ex Cavalier’s Law
Bundy Philpott and Henton First Lady
Tim Price and Vitali
Chef d‘équipe:
Fiona Tibone
About the team:
The team has three horses that are first timers at 4* – Jesse’s Cooley Horse, Cooley Lafitte, Bruce’s Ex Cavalier’s Law and Bundy’s Henton First Lady. Tim and Vitali are the most experienced combination, having represented New Zealand at the Tokyo Olympics last year.
What the Chef d‘équipe says:
“New Zealand is proud to be represented here at Houghton Hall by four of our UK-based riders. We are looking for the three less experienced horses to secure solid performances to create a base for the future, looking ahead to Paris 2024. Tim on Vitali, our most experienced combination, will be anchoring the team as our fourth team rider.”
Team Sweden
Representing Sweden:
Therese Viklund and Viscera
Kajsa Mansby Svedberg and Ballintrane Incentive
Erika Sjostrom and Mosstown Prince
Sofia Sjoborg and Targa D
Chef d‘équipe:
Fredrik Bergendorff
About the team:
Therese and her horse Viscera are experienced and have done Nations Cups and Championships for Sweden. For Kajsa it is her first time in a Nations Cup, she went well at Burnham Market and is hoping for a good run here. Erika had a clear round at her first 4* with this horse at Ballendenisk earlier in the season and is looking to progress from that. Sofia is riding Targa D, who is normally a very good jumper, but this is the first 4* for Targa for a couple of years. Sofia is rapidly getting more experience, having done Badminton this year and ridden at the Europeans last year. All the girls are based in the UK
What the Chef d‘équipe says:
“The Nations Cup Series is a valuable tool for the Swedish riders to get ready for Championships. It helps them to learn to work and train as a unit and develop team spirit and to learn from being part of a team.
“This weekend we hope to find what level we are at the moment; and aim to have the team finish with a score under 105.”
TICKETS
If you want to come and be part of the only FEI Eventing Nations Cup leg on British soil, tickets will be available on the gate throughout the weekend.
Let the competition begin!
Find out more about the FEI Eventing Nations Cup on the FEI website here.