Sweden wins Samsung Nations Cup of Greece

One year after the Olympic Games in Athens the Markopoulo Olympic Equestrian Centre played host to the 12th edition of CSIO-W Athens, which was organised for the first time in conjunction with a CDI3*-W.

The jumping international event was held from 6 to 9 October at the main grass jumping arena and the dressage event from 7 to 9 October at the main sand dressage arena.

Sweden came to Greece to win the Samsung Nations Cup and ensure their promotion to the Samsung Super League next year. The task looked easy when Christina Gustafsson – Julius, Peter Eriksson – Lanz and Linda Heed – Columbus H went clear in the second round. Sweden finished with a total of 12 penalties carried over from the first round.

At the end of the Samsung Nations Cup, Peter Eriksson, Olympic team silver medalist commented: ”It was great to ride again at Markopoulo and I enjoyed jumping again over the Olympic obstacles, especially the one with the ancient coins. Our main goal was to win the Samsung Nations Cup, and that is why we came to Athens”. With 40 points in the standings of the Samsung Nations Cup Series, Sweden has already secured its promotion to the Samsung Super League next year, before the last event of the Samsung Nations Cup which will take place in Buenos Aires in November.

The Irish team finished second with 22 penalties, ahead of Switzerland which scored 31 penalties. The home nation qualified for the second round, to finish on overall 8th place with a total of 80 penalties.

No rider of the ten teams competing managed to jump a double clear round at the Samsung Nations Cup of Greece. The closest was Ryan Crumley on Baltimore who scored one penalty point for exceeding the time allowed in the 1st round and a clear round in the 2nd round.

Only three combinations were able to perform a double clear in the two rounds of the Grand Prix which was held on Sunday. Anton Martin Bauer (AUT) on Castello 66, Linda Heed (SWE) on Columbus H and Lesley Mc Naught (SUI)on Baekgardens Lorri. The Austrian rider won the Grand Prix with the best time (49,54) in the second round.

Seven riders rode the Grand Prix Version B of the Athens CDI3*-W. Anna Paprocka Campanella on Andretti H won the Grand Prix with 68,830%. Tatiana Miloserdova on What a Feeling was second with 66,250, while Joanna Georgopoulou on Dynastie was third. The Greek rider won on Sunday the Grand Prix Freestyle with 68,830%.