Germany crowned FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing champions 2017

By Kate Green

Germany has won the FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing for the fourth time since the series began in 2012. A fine performance for second place behind New Zealand at the final leg this weekend at Boekelo (NED) took Germany 80 points ahead of Great Britain on the series leader board, with France finishing in third overall.

FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing is contested over nine events across Europe plus The Plains (USA), and is the world’s only team Eventing series.

Germany contested seven out of nine legs of the 2017 FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing, scoring a remarkable five wins: at Strzegom (POL), Houghton Hall (GBR), Wiener Neustadt (AUT), on home ground at Aachen (GER) and at Waregem (BEL). The team was also third at Haras du Pin (FRA).

Britain, twice winners of the FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing, travelled out to the US leg at The Plains as well as all eight European legs. Their seven best scores included five runner-up spots (at Strzegom, Houghton Hall, Tattersalls, Haras du Pin and Waregem) and they had a 10-point advantage over Germany going into the final leg. However, Boekelo proved a disappointing weekend with the horses and riders facing tough weather conditions: Laura Collett was eliminated for a cross country fall and both Tom McEwen and Matt Heath had to withdraw before jumping.

France, always enthusiastic supporters of FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing, which aims to give team experience to a wide range of riders, contested five legs and won two, at Tattersalls (IRL) and the home leg at Haras du Pin.

“A total of 18 nations took part this year, which is very exciting for the development of the sport,” says Catrin Norinder, FEI Director Eventing and Olympic. “We have seen countries field teams for the first time, including Austria, Hungary the Czech Republic, and there have been great performances from some of the world’s top athletes alongside many new names making their team debuts. This year we also welcomed a new venue, Wiener Neustadt in Austria, which attracted eight teams.”

“This is a valuable series in terms of offering team experience to a wide range of athletes and we’re thrilled that so many have taken up the challenge.”

The final event of the series at Boekelo saw Team New Zealand lead throughout to triumph out of 11 starting nations, with Tim Price also taking the individual honours on Cekatinka. German Olympian Andreas Dibowski led his three less experienced team mates to a close second place, just 4.4 penalties behind, and Australia finished in third, with Christopher Burton and Cooley Lands the only combination to finish inside the time across country.

Results from the final series leg at Military Boekelo (NED)

1 New Zealand 169.9

2 Germany 174.3

3 Australia 203.7

Full results here

Final FEI Nations Cup™ Eventing standings

1. Germany 670 points

2. Great Britain 590

3. France 390

Full standings and 2017 calendar available here