The Dutch team will be first into the ring for tomorrow's opening leg of the 2005 Samsung Super League nations cup series in La Baule following the draw which took place this afternoon.
The order of go is as follows:
1. The Netherlands; 2, Switzerland; 3, France; 4, Great Britain; 5, Belgium; 6, Ireland; 7, Germany; 8, USA.
"La Baule is a credit to the Samsung Super League" said Michael Stone, FEI Sports Director. "As a result of the work done on the showgrounds over the last three years it is now one of the top venues in the world - the footing is fantastic in the new arena" he added.
"Samsung is really pleased with the success of the Super League so far and the interest it has generated. The intensity of the competition is such that the Swiss had to travel all the way to Buenos Aires to qualify for this year's series" he pointed out.
Switzerland joins the Super League family for the first time in 2005 and Chef d'Equipe, Rolf Grass, hopes to field 11 riders over the season - "we have one full team for La Baule, then another different side for Rome and the best of these two teams will go to St Gallen and the European Championships" he explained.
Each Chef d'Equipe described his team's situation during the press conference that accompanied the draw.
George Morris, a long-time legend in American equestrianism, has not yet been confirmed officially as Chef d'Equipe for the USA this season but described himself today as "in the role temporarily at the moment but potentially the next Chef - as yet it is not rubber-stamped - things in America take time" and, referring to his seniority in years he added with a big smile "and I don't know how much time I have left!"
British Chef d'Equipe, Derek Ricketts, said that he could forsee "no major changes" to his team - "we have eight to ten riders in the pool and we try to pick the ones who are on form for each individual show".
Belgium's Lucien Somers said that he has mostly the same group of riders as in previous years "but I have one problem" he explained. The decision to change the Belgian team colours to those of the Zangersheide Stud which is sponsoring the national side this season has led to the loss of top rider Jos Lansink. Jos worked for Zangersheide for some time but is now no longer doing so and is not prepared to wear the new jacket when competing for his adopted country. This topic was being hotly discussed around the ringside at La Baule today.
Rob Ehrens is moving up a notch in taking on the Chef d'Equipe role for The Netherlands this year. "Before this I was Chef for Juniors and for Pony teams so this is my first year with the big boys!" he pointed out. "We have 10 riders available to us at the moment and we hope to add a few more before the end of the year" he explained.
George Morris said "we pick riders off our international US computer list - the maximum number I could foresee being available to us would be 20 people and we have divided this year into three tours - the team here this weekend are the first tour group and the second group will include Aaron Vale, Todd Minikus and Candice King".
Jean-Maurice Bonneau said "last year we had 14 pairs, this year we have 11 and there are many changes with horses injured so we will work on mixing experienced riders with new young recruits". He explained that he had travelled during the winter to Belgium to talk with Mr Leon Melchior about Edouard Mathe who competes for Zangersheide - "he has agreed that Edouard can ride Zangersheide horses on the French team". So Edouard and Air Jordan Z have been named amongst the group of five riders from which the French team for tomorrow's competition will be chosen. Also included are Christian Hermon with Ephebe Forever La Silla, Herve Godignon and Obelix, Laurent Goffinet and Flippper d'Elle HN and Jean-Marc Nicolas with JPC Modesto Equifoam.
The new Chairman of the Irish selectors, Taylor Vard, is standing in as Chef d'Equipe at this first leg of the Samsung Super League series. It had been hoped that Eddie Macken would take up the position but, very recently, he decided not to do so. A popular and successful rider on the Irish circuit, Taylor has stepped into the breach but he said today "we are looking for someone more experienced than myself in the long-term". He said the Irish selection committee "plans to bring young riders to a good number of 4-Star shows this season" but that the basic Super League squad "will be the same riders and horses as it has been over the last few seasons".
Germany's Kurt Gravemeier said "it was difficult to find a team for La Baule - two weeks ago we had seven riders at the World Cup final in Las Vegas and this weekend we have three big shows in Germany - at Hamburg, Munich and the big national show in Mannheim. We have a bit of a mixed team here - two boys and two girls, but we hope for a good result".
All eight teams however will be looking for the same thing - a good finishing spot at this first leg of the Samsung Super League series
which looks set to be another thriller.
SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE - NATIONAL PRIDE, INTERNATIONAL PASSION!
For further information on CSIO*****SSL at La Baule contact Agence Uni-d-fox, Karine Devilder and Emilie Pastureau at Tel: +33 (0) 557 745081 , Fax: +33 (0) 557 745082 or email contact@ unidfox.com. During the show you can reach Karine and Emilie at Tel: +33 (0) 240 608868 or Fax: +33 (0) 240 608931. Live results, thanks to Longines, are available along with plenty of other useful information on website www.labaule-cheval.com.
SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE 2005 CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
ROUND 1 - La Baule (Fra) 5-8 May; ROUND 2 - Rome (Ita) 26-29 May; ROUND 3 - St Gallen (Sui) 02-05 June; ROUND 4 - Rotterdam (Ned) 16-19 June; ROUND 5 - Hickstead (GBR) 28-31 July; ROUND 6 - Dublin (Irl) 03-07 August; ROUND 7 - Aachen (Ger) 23-28 August; ROUND 8 and FINAL - Barcelona (Esp) 15-18 September.
Campus
