Brilliant British post back-to-back win in Rome

Pressrelease FEI – Team Great Britain clinched the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping title for the second year in a  row at Piazza di Siena in Rome (ITA) today. And it was the genius of the legendary John Whitaker that sealed the result with a brilliant last-to-go run with Ornellaia. The 60-year-old rider is one of the best-loved characters in the sport, and could afford a single fence down in the second round. But, true to form, he left all the poles in place to post one of four double-clears on a day of brillliant sport to secure the winning British total at just four faults.

The World and European champions from The Netherlands were firm favourites as the action began, but they disappeared from the reckoning with a disappointing second round and it was the French and Americans who eventually filled runner-up spot with 12 faults each. Germany slotted into fourth ahead of the The Netherlands in fifth while Canada lined up sixth ahead of Sweden and Italy who divided seventh place.

Pre-Olympic tension

The air at Piazza di Siena was filled with pre-Olympic tension and, from the outset, the British demonstrated their resolve. As defending Olympic champions they came up against teams they may well meet in Rio de Janeiro (BRA) in just over two months’ time, and today’s message was loud and clear. They were the only side to conclude the first round on a zero score as John Whitaker’s first fault-free effort was matched by Ben Maher with Tic Tac and Jessica Mendoza riding Spirit T.  Michael Whitaker, who along with his older brother was also a member of the winning team at Piazza di Siena 12 months ago, produced the first-round discount score with nine faults from Cassionato. But his foot-perfect second run would prove pivotal to the end result.

This was Great Britain’s eleventh victory at Piazza di Siena since the Nations Cup was first staged at the iconic venue in 1926 and, as Chef d’Equipe, Di Lampard, pointed out afterwards, today’s performances just make her selection decisions for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games all the more difficult. “But that’s ok” she said, “it’s a really good problem to have!”

Wide open

As the second round began the competition was still wide open, with the Americans, Dutch, French and the host nation all stalking the leading British with just four faults on their respective score-cards. Sweden had already racked up eight faults while the Canadians and Germans had nine apiece, and with additional penalties none of these nations would feature prominently at the end of the day. One of the standout performances of the day however came from Sweden’s Malin Baryard-Johnsson and the very exciting 10-year-old mare H&M Cue Channa 42 who cruised around both rounds with the greatest of ease.

Despite a fabulous double-clear from Penelope Leprevost and Vagabond de la Pomme, the French lost their grip, and the Americans did likewise when also adding eight more faults even though their anchor partnership of McLain Ward and HH Azur were also foot-perfect for a second time. Italian chances were dashed with 20 faults to add to their tally, but the biggest surprise was the collapse of the Dutch whose pathfinder, World and European champion Jeroen Dubbeldam, added 16 faults to his first-round single error with SFN Zenith on a day his team will probably prefer to forget.

It was impossible to predict the outcome however, when Ben Maher kicked off Britain’s second round with a mistake at the first element of the difficult double at fence eight as well as the last fence. Mendoza hit only the delicate vertical that followed the spooky hedge-filled oxer at fence five, but then Michael Whitaker began to pull it back with a great clear from the enigmatic Cassionato who was a lot more settled on his second tour of the arena.

This ensured that his brother had a fence in hand coming into the ring to bring the competition to a close. John said afterwards that it was less pressure than 12 months ago – “I didn’t have a fence in hand that day” – but he still had a job to do. And he did it in style, his clear round leaving his team two fences clear of the joint-runners-up from America and France.

Delighted

John was delighted with Ornellaia. “This was her first Nations Cup and she showed what she can do” he said. He has already decided that his more familiar ride, the stallion Argento, won’t be going to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. “Argento is a great horse, he’s a real fighter but he has his limits and I don’t want to push him beyond them. Ornellaia has done some good things already, she’s really careful and she’s the one for Rio if I am needed, and if I am asked to go. I’m definitely keen to go, the Olympics are the Olympics and there’s nothing like them, everyone feels that way, but I’m probably not in the top five (for selection) if Big Star (Nick Skelton) and Sanctos (Scott Brash) are ready” he explained.

John reckons his brother, Michael’s grey stallion also has great Olympic potential. “There’s nothing that horse can’t jump!” he said. Michael admitted that Cassionato was “a bit too fresh” in the first round – “he was jumping up so high, so in the second round I had to ask him to come back down!” he explained. Cassionato certainly seems to have a whole lot of fun every time he goes in the ring  – “he’s a bit like a very naughty boy!” Michael said with a laugh.

It was John who was the hero of the day however, and not for the first time in his life. This man whose career has embraced so many wonderful moments and so many great horses, including the legendary Milton and Ryan’s Son, said this evening that he continues to relish the fun and excitment every time he goes in the ring. “I don’t feel the pressure anymore, I’ve done everything I’ve ever wanted to do so now I just go out and enjoy myself – I’ve got nothing to prove” said the great horseman who once again today was filled with pride when sealing victory for his country.

The next leg of the series will take place in St Gallen (SUI) on Friday 3 June.

FURUSIYYA FEI NATIONS CUP™ presented by LONGINES
Table A in Two Rounds, 1,60m
1. Great Britain
Tic Tac – MAHER Ben (GBR) 0/(8)
Spirit T – MENDOZA Jessica (GBR) 0/4
Cassionato – WHITAKER Michael (GBR) (9)/0
Ornellaia – WHITAKER John (GBR) 0/0
Total = 4

2. France
Hermes Ryan – DELESTRE Simon (FRA) (12)/4
Reveur de Hurtebise H D C – STAUT Kevin (FRA) 0/4
Vagabond de la Pomme  – LEPREVOST Penelope (FRA) 0/0
Sydney Une Prince – BOST Roger Yves (FRA) 4/(8)
Total = 12

2. United States
Voyeur – FARRINGTON Kent (USA) 0/4
VDL Wizard – SOLEM Callan (USA) (8)/4
Zeremonie – KRAUT Laura (USA) 4/(4)
HH Azur – WARD Mclain (USA) 0/0
Total = 12
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Source: Pressrelease FEI