Mannheim, Germany – May 08, 2022 – After an exciting jump-off: Switzerland won the Longines EEF Nations Cup in the MVV riding stadium ahead of the German team. “Today was unbelievable and super exciting, and the spectators got their money’s worth!” Paul Hofmann, organizer of the 58th Mannheim Maimarkt Tournament, enthused at the winners’ press conference, where he presented the winning team from Switzerland and welcomed the second-placed Germans. “Today’s Longines EEF Nations Cup raised Mannheim to a new level as a venue among the top events in Europe – and it was just great!” Only after a jump-off did Switzerland finally emerge as the winner, four penalties after the two rounds.
The win came after Alain Jufer (SUI) lowered the mark set by Sophie Hinners (42.01 seconds) and, after a likewise flawless ride, crossed the finish line in 41.03 seconds. The victorious Confederates received 24,166.67 euros in prize money as well as a Longines watch from the sponsor for each one of them. The German team (also four points after both rounds) from boss Marcus Döring received 15,166.67 euros.
Ten teams started in the MVV-Reitstadion in the afternoon, behind Switzerland and Germany the team from Sweden ended up in third place (10 penalties), followed by Colombia (12), which had received a wildcard and was led former German discipline trainer Jumping Heinrich-Hermann Engemann as their Chef d’Equipe. Belgium (13) was fifth, ahead of Austria (14), followed by Hungary (16) ahead of the Czech Republic (22), the Netherlands (24) and Slovakia, which did not qualify.
Course designer Christa Jung (GER) had built a challenging course for the Mannheim test, which aroused respect and praise from all starters, being 465 meters long and with 12 fences and 15 jumps in both rounds, the jump-off consisted of seven obstacles and eight jumps.
European Champion André Thieme (GER): “That was a number, a great course design with a lot of sense and tricky construction!”
Edwin Smits (SUI) explained: “That was a fair and just built course – a big compliment to Christa Jung!” The course designer herself was “very happy with the sport shown, at first I thought the minimum time would be a bit short, but in the end everything was fine.
About the Longines EEF Nations Cup Series
The Mannheim Longines EEF Nations Cup was the first qualifying tournament of the Central European group, the second will follow from May 19th to 22nd in Bratislava (Slovakia). The best teams qualify for the two semi-finals, the best five teams from both semi-finals – i.e. ten nations – are allowed to saddle up in the final in Warsaw (September 8-11). The winner advances to the World League for the coming season. With the exception of the final (CSIO****), all other Nations Cups will be held at three-star level.
Final Results – Nations Cup of Mannheim CSIO 3*
Place / Country / Combined Score / Jump-off Time
1) Switzerland – 4 – 41.33
2) Germany – 4 – 42.01
3) Sweden – 10
Source: Press Release (translated & edited) from Maimarkt Turnier
Photo: © Yadel Möhler Photography
Categories: English
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