Langley, Canada – June 03, 2019– The NetJets U.S. Show Jumping Team earned a spot in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final with a bronze-medal finish in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup of Canada CSI 5* during the Langley Odlum Brown BC Open  CSIO 5* at Thunderbird Show Park on Sunday. Robert Ridland served as chef d’equipe of the U.S. team of Lucy Deslauriers, Eve Jobs, Jenni Martin McAllister, and Richard Spooner as they finished on a total of 12 penalty-points.

“It’s what we came to do,” said Ridland. “We always aim for a podium finish, and in this case it was more necessary than ever because we knew that if we had a podium finish, we’d end up in Barcelona. We really needed every ride we got; all four riders had a score that counted and really fought for that spot on the podium.”

Spooner (Agua Dulce, California, USA) led off for the U.S. effort with two clear rounds aboard Show Jumping Syndications International’s Quirado RC, a 10-year-old Holsteiner gelding.

Eve Jobs (USA) & Venue d’Fees des Hazalles

Eve Jobs (Los Altos Hills, California, USA) followed up with two clear rounds of her own on her 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare, Venue d’Fees des Hazalles.

“Richard was very good in [the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup Mexico on May 5] where he also jumped two clean rounds,” Ridland said. “He’s had four consecutive Nations Cup rounds without a rail down, and that’s tremendous.

“Over the last few years, we’ve seen several younger riders really step up,” Ridland continued. “Lucy [Deslauriers] had a big moment at Barcelona last year when she stepped up, and today we saw Eve do the same thing with her two clear rounds. It’s gratifying to see that because it’s so important for the future of our sport.”

McAllister (Lemitar, New Mexico, USA) rode Escada VS, a 12-year-old Swedish Warmblood mare owned by Viksbergs Säteri AB, to 16 penalty-points in the first round but improved to just four faults in the second round. Deslauriers (New York, New York, USA) and Hester, Lisa T. Deslauriers’ 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, served as the anchor pair and produced a crucial eight-fault counting score in the first round and had some difficulties in the second round.

The Canadian team clinched the gold medal with four faults, while Ireland took the silver with eight faults. The Mexican team, who had won the USA and Mexico legs of the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup North and Central American and Caribbean Division, placed fourth in Canada but maintained their hold on the top spot of the division standings to qualify for the Final in Barcelona along with the U.S. team, which finished in second in the division.

Source: Press release from US Equestrian Communications Department/Jump Media for USEF – United States Equestrian Federation

Photo: © USEF / Rebecca Berry