Rotterdam in The Netherlands plays host to the fifth leg of the 2006
Samsung Super League with FEI series tomorrow and, as the second half
of the series begins, the pressure is on - particularly at the bottom
of the leaderboard.
Lying last, with just eight points after the first four legs, the Irish
will be hoping that Robert Splaine's squad of Shane Breen, Shane Carey,
Ryan Crumley, Cian O'Connor and Billy Twomey can produce something
special. Some of the best Irish horses, including Twomey's Luidam and
O'Connor's Waterford Crystal have not yet lined out in nations' cups
this season, but Splaine may have to wait a little longer before they
return to action while high hopes are also being pinned on a visit to
Europe by American-based Kevin Babington and Carling King who were team
anchors during previous Super League seasons.
The host team from Holland will, no doubt, come out with all guns
blazing but they have a serious job to do tomorrow and that is to
ensure they extend the narrow margin between themselves and the Irish
because only just over one point separates the two sides. Leopold Van
Asten showed good form with VDL Groep Fleche Rouge during the Global
Champions Tour in Cannes two weeks ago so may be a likely contender,
and Chef d'Equipe Rob Ehrens will be thinking long and hard about who
else to choose ahead of today's draw and team line-up declaration.
Sweden is only one further point ahead despite their great third-place
finish in Lucerne three weeks ago and Peder Fredricson is the only
member of that squad to line out again this time when he will be joined
by Malin Baryard-Johnsson, Rolf-Goran Bengtsson, Maria Gretzer and
Royne Zetterman.
The British bubble was burst with an inconsistent performance in
Lucerne that left them in last place on that day. Nick Skelton
recorded a back-to-back double of Grand Prix victories with Arko at the
Swiss fixture but his stallion, Russel, was in unco-operative mood in
the second round on Super League afternoon and although John Whitaker's
new ride, Peppermill, is proving a very useful asset the erratic team
scoreline kept them bottom of the order and they arrive in Holland this
week with just 13.5 points on the board. A better performance this
time out would put them back on a more even keel.
The Swiss finished runners-up in a sharp battle with Germany in Lucerne
and are holding fourth place with 16.125 faults on the leaderboard at
this stage of the series. Chef d'Equipe Rolf Grass was well-satisfied
with the result and was really excited when two of his WEG short-listed
riders, Werner Muff and Urs Faeh, jumped brilliantly in the Grand Prix
two days later although the two riders expressed reservations about
whether their horses are ready for the big WEG test yet. They have,
however, both been called up this week along with Willi Melliger,
Niklaus Schurtenberger and Pius Schwizer.
The French have been unpredictable so far, winners in Rome but
second-last in Switzerland, and team manager Jean-Maurice Bonneau will
be looking for a more focused effort from Simon Delestre, Julien
Epaillard, Pierry Jarry, Stephane Lafouge and Michel Robert this week.
With an 18-point tally so far however they are looking comfortable
enough for the moment but a small improvement this time out could put
them in a considerably stronger position.
The 2005 Samsung Super League with FEI champions from the USA are
putting up another great challenge this year and, with WEG selection
now behind him, Chef d'Equipe George Morris will be wanting to save
Laura Kraut and Margie Engle from over-exposure even though they are
named in his Rotterdam squad along with Candice King, Christine McCrea
and WEG reserve Molly Ashe. Engle has made a brave and remarkable
recovery from the crippling fall she suffered in Aachen last month and
is listed with both Hidden Creek's Perin and Quervo Gold and, with 23.5
points on the board, the Americans are looking strong but it is the
Germans who, very clearly, have the whip hand.
Winners in La Baule and then on their home ground at Aachen they
weakened in Rome but bounced back to top the Lucerne line-up and, once
more armed with World No. 1 Marcus Ehning, Kurt Gravemeier's side that
also includes Pia-Luise Aufrecht, Lars Nieberg and Franke Sloothaak
looks truly formidable. Already eight points ahead of the rest,
another good result tomorrow could leave them very difficult to catch
over the remainder of the 2006 Samsung Super League with FEI season.
SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE WITH FEI 2006 : LEADERBOARD AFTER ROUND 4 IN
LUCERNE :
1. Germany - 31.625
2. USA - 23.5
3. France - 18.0
4. Switzerland - 16.125
5. Great Britain - 13.5
6. Sweden - 10.125
7. Netherlands - 9.125
8. Ireland - 8.0
SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE - NATIONAL PRIDE, INTERNATIONAL PASSION!
For more information about the 2006 Samsung Super
League with FEI in Rotterdam check out
WEBSITE www.chio.nl. Show President is Frans Lavooy, Show Director is
Emile Hendrix and Press Officer is Anita Lussenburg - email
anita.lussenburg@Ingram.nl, Tel - +31104528900 .
SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE WITH FEI : 2006 CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
ROUND 1 - La Baule (Fra) 4-7 May; ROUND 2 - Aachen (Ger) 17-21 May;
ROUND 3, Rome (Ita) 25-28 May; ROUND 4 - Lucerne (Sui) 1-4 June; ROUND
5 - Rotterdam (Ned) 22-25 June; ROUND 6 - Hickstead (GBR) 26-30 July;
ROUND 7 - Dublin (Irl) 9-13 August; ROUND 8 and FINAL - Barcelona (Esp)
14-17 September.
You can access all the latest Samsung Super League news and information
on website www.samsungsuperleague.com and don't forget that BIOGRAPHIES
on all riders competing in the series are available at
http://bios.horsesport.org.
Want to know more? You can check the full RULES for the Samsung Super
League series on the FEI website, www.horsesport.org - section
jumping/rules.
The Samsung Super league consists of the eight most prestigious horse
shows at which the world's eight best national teams compare their
merit. The Super League is connected to the Samsung Nations Cup series
through a promotion/relegation system at the end of each season.
Samsung Electronics, one of the world's largest electronics companies,
is committed to supporting international sporting events thereby
returning corporate profits to the public and working towards a more
harmonious and equitable society.
For more information:
Contact FEI Communications, Malina Gueorguiev,
m.gueorguiev@horsesport.org or consult FEI website www.horsesport.org.
Campus
