Switzerland wins last Samsung Nations Cup of the season in Buenos Aires

The final competition of the 2004 Samsung Nations Cup came to a thrilling end in the beautiful surroundings of the Haras El Capricho, 70 km from Buenos Aires (ARG). Sweden and Switzerland, who had led the standings throughout the whole season, had travelled all the way to Argentina to gain Super League status.

On paper, the Swedish looked the strongest, counting two Olympic bronze medallists, Rolf Goran Bengsston and Peder Fredricsson, on their team. However, the Swiss clearly dominated the first round finishing on a single penalty point whereas Sweden got 14 points. Brazil were in runner up position on 6 points followed by Argentina on 10. Surprisingly, Rolf Goran Bengsston had 11 points and was the drop score due a refusal at the water jump.

In the second round, the highly galvanised Swedes recaptured their usual form with clears from all 3 riders. Brazil and Argentina did not manage to maintain the advantage gained in the first round and slipped behind Sweden. Switzerland, despite the heavy pressure and the 4 faults incurred by Beat Grandjean, scored two stunning clear rounds by Niklaus Schurtenberger and Plus Schwizer, thus ensuring a comprehensive victory and promotion to the 2005 Samsung Super League.

"This has been the best show of the year," much relieved Swiss course designer Rolf Grass said. "This has been a very strong season spent in constant competition with the Swedes. It was a powerful experience as all happened in an exemplary spirit of fair play and friendship. We shared all, learned from each other and this has made both our teams stronger and united."

Full results can be found on www.haraselcapricho.com

The course, devised by Olympic course designer Olaf Petersen of Germany, was tough but very fair. It included some of the obstacles featured at the Athens Olympic Games.

Samsung Nations Cup, CSIO 4* (Art 264)
1.50 m, Prize Money CHF 15.000, Course Designer Olaf Petersen (GER)

1. Switzerland
CANTUS / SCHURTENBERGER, NIKLAUS / 1 / 0
I.B. OH HARRY / MANDLI, BEAT / 0
RIOT GUN / GRANDJEAN, BEAT / 0 / 4
COOLMAN V / SCHWIZER, PLUS / (4) / 0
Total 5

2. Sweden
NOSTRADAMUS 972 / JOHANSSON, SVANTE / 4 / 0
RICHMOND PARK / ZETTERMAN, ROYNE / 5 / 0
DON DIEGO LA SILLA / BENGTSSON, ROLF-GORAN / (11)
H & M MAGIC BENGTSSON / FREDRICSSON, PEDER / 5 / 0
Total 14

3. Argentina
EL CAPRICHO FURKA DU VILLAGE / DOPAZO, MARTÍN / 4 / 4
WARREN / WERTHEIN, LUCAS / (9)
CHESTER Z / MAGNASCO, LUIS / 1 / 9
EL CAPRICHO CALWARO / WERTHEIN, GREGORIO / 5 / 1
Total 24

4. Brazil
SURENO / BUENO DE MIRANDA NETO, BARTHOLOMEU / NP
EL CAPRICHO NALVARO / TEIXEIRA, VITOR ALVES / 5 / 9
SALAMANDRA RUBAYAT Z / MIRANDA, ANDRÉ / 0 / 4
TADONIA / SARMENTO, RODRIGO / 1 / 9
Total 28

5. Chile
QUAPILLON / NAVELLAN, BERNARDO / 1 / 10
LINCOYAN / RUBESKA, KARELL (10)
NORTH CAMMON / PAROT, SAMUEL / 5 / 18
ORVILLE / MILTHALER, CARLOS / 5 / 5
Total 44

6. Uruguay
ARREBATO / ROSSI, JORGE / 25 / 14
CLODIO / RODRIGUEZ, MARTIN / URU / 22 / 14
SUSURRANDO / CALVO, GUSTAVO / URU / 14 / EL
Total 61

SAMSUNG NATIONS CUP SERIES
2004 FINAL STANDINGS

1. Switzerland 46 points
2. Sweden 44
3. Norway 15.5
4. Hungary 12.5
5. Canada 12
6. Austria 12
7. Argentina 11
8. Brazil 10
9. Spain 9.5
10. Mexico 9