Barcelona, September 2016 – The defending champions from Belgium have the favoured last-to-go spot in the starting order for today’s first round of the €2 million Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2016 Final in Barcelona (ESP). The draw took place this evening at the Real Club de Polo where a total of 18 nations from all across the globe have gathered for the much-anticipated conclusion to another fantastic season of team competition.
The order-of-go is as follows:
1. Switzerland
2. Great Britain
3. Egypt
4. Germany
5. Spain
6. Netherlands
7. Colombia
8. Mexico
9. France
10. Qatar
11. Brazil
12. Italy
13. USA
14. Australia
15. Austria
16. Sweden
17. Ireland
18. Belgium
Being first into the ring is never easy, and the Swiss will be pathfinders for all the remaining nations as the action gets underway this afternoon at 16.00 local time. “I’m not very happy to go back to my team with the No. 1 slot, but maybe it’s a good sign and at the end we will also finish in first position!” said Swiss Chef d’Equipe Andy Kistler whose impressive selection includes Romain Duguet, Paul Estermann, Martin Fuchs, Steve Guerdat and Janika Sprunger.
Belgian team manager, Dirk Demeersman, is grateful that his country made the cut into the Final despite a disappointing season. “We are very happy to be here, especially this year as we didn’t have such a good year, but at the end we had a bit of luck to get through and we will try to defend the title. My riders are very motivated and I’m confident that they will do their best” said the man who will choose his side from Niels Bruynseels, Pieter Devos, Jerome Guery, Nicola Philippaerts and Gregory Wathelet.
All three of the team medal-winning countries at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games will be represented, and the gold medallists from France will be coming out with all guns blazing as they field their full Olympic side of Roger Yves Bost, Penelope Leprevost, Philippe Rozier and Kevin Staut.
The fourth Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping Final at the Real Club de Polo looks set to be another thriller, and with €250,00 in bonus prizemoney on offer for double-clear rounds on top of the overall prizefund of €2,113,900, there is every incentive for the very best of top sport.
Timetable
Wednesday 21 September – Draw, 18.00
Thursday 22 September – 1st Round Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping Final, 16.00
Friday 23 September – Longines Challenge Cup, 21.00
Saturday 24 September – Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping Final, Final competition 21.00
Watch all the action LIVE:
LIVE | Barcelona – Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping Final 2016 – First Round
LIVE | Barcelona – Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping Final 2016 – Challenge Cup
LIVE | Barcelona – Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping Final 2016 – Final competition
22th September 2016
