Samsung Nations Cup Update

By Milena Dragisic
Three teams out of eleven finished equal without penalties at the end of the first round of this year Samsung Nations Cup of Zagreb (CRO) : Germany, Switzerland and Italy.

Course designer Werner Deed put up a fair course consisting of 12 jumps and 15 efforts explaining: «I believe it is better for the promotion of the sport to have more clear rounds than to construct a big and difficult course that nobody is able to finish in a good and nice way. Also I tried to adjust the level to all riders who started in the Nations Cup today, and I am pleased that no rider had trouble on the course.»

Croatia celebrating the 10th anniversary of CSIO Zagreb, it was even more important that the national team finished with a good performance. And actually they did, with 24 points at the end of the first round, to finally take the 11th place.

In the second round the Italians and a surprising Austrian team each scored three clear rounds, which helped Italy stay in front as the only team finishing without penalty points. The Austrian team placed equal second with Germany and Switzerland on a score of 8 points. Sweden ended up 5th, just one point penalty behind them, and Ireland 6th one point behind Sweden. With four faults in the second round, Hungary finished on 12 points at the 7th place. The Slovakian team scored 13 points first round and 22 in the second one for a total of 35 and the 8th place.

Hans Hoorn chef d’equipe for Italy expressed his satisfaction after the victory of his team: «It was a fair class and our team did a good job. We have two experienced riders Grossato and Chimirri. It was the first Nations Cup for Bonomelli and second only for Ligresti who rode in Drammen. I am happy with what we achieved here. Our plan is to stay one more season in the Samsung Nations Series and then to try to come back to the Samsung Super League.»

1. ITA 0 (Imperium, Jonella Ligresti 0, Elkintot, Massimo Grossato 1/0/79.34, Quintero, Omar Bonomelli 0/0/80.54, Landknecht, Bruno Chimirri 0/0/81.25)
2. AUT 8 (Top Play's Landjager, Mario Bichler 4/0/81.56, Sorbas 35, Stefan Eder 4/0/81.30, Giordano 13, Dieter Kofler 0/0/82.05, Castello 66, Anton Martin Bauer 11),
2. GER 8 (Lord, Jurgen Kurz 4, Robin Or, Thomas Ohmann 0/4/76,86, Florence, Paul Hofmann 0/0/80.28, Nacorde, Andre Thieme 0/4/82.97),
2. SUI 8 (Radja Van't Arkelhof 0/4/80.82, Cassino CH, Andreas Ott 0, Felin Pierville, Celine Stauffer 0/4/80.27, Mercure du Chabale CH, Maryline Vorpe 9/0/79.86)
5. SWE 9 (Kurage, Jens Fredricson 4, Julius, Christina Gustafsson 0/0/80.03, Carmen Ghia, Helena Holm 0/1/83.14, pella VH Achtenchof, Fredrik Gustafsson 4/4/78.60),
6. IRL 10 (Baltimore, Ryan Crumley 0/1/83.39, Hippica Kerman, Cameron Hanley 8, Newmarket Girl, Sarah Kate Quinlivan 1/8/80.63, Cruz Forsever, Neal Feron 0/0/79.89),
7. HUN 12 (Cezar, Kristian Buza 4/0/81.13, Zorina, Balazs Horvath 0/4/78.18, Japeloupe 3, Krusco Szabolcs 8, Frederik, Ferenc Seringer 0/4/78.79),
8. SVK 35 (Athletic Star, Marian Stangel 5/5/83.14, Efkusweg, Robert Pal 4/12/78.79, Giacomo, Radovan Sillo 20, Lux Ass, Monika Stangelova 4/5/80.11).
9. SLO 14, CZE 21, CRO 24.