La Baule, France – June 07, 2024 – Germany won the €250,000 Barrière Nations Cup CSIO 5* at the close of a superb event. Among the firm favourites to win the Olympic title in a few weeks, the Mannschaft edged out a very talented French team by just a single point.
The €250,000 Barrière Nations Cup CSIO 5* again worked magic at the François André stadium in La Baule. The winning nation was not decided until the very end of the event. When Philipp Weishaupt (GER), the last German rider, took to the track with Zineday, the tension in the stands peaked. Just before him, Roger-Yves Bost (FRA) and Delph de Denat HDC‘s clear round kept alive any French hopes of winning for the first time since 2017. On the Grégory Bodo (FRA) designed course, Philipp Weishaupt (GER) had the fate of his team in his hands: a clear round gave victory to Germany, ideally positioned by Kendra Claricia Brinkop (GER) & Tabasco de Toxandria Z, Marcus Ehning (GER) & Coolio 42 and Andre Thieme (GER) & DSP Chakaria, while a single fault was enough to defy the French.
The German, who was already impeccable in the first heat, put in another excellent performance to lead his team to victory for the seventh time in La Baule, but for the first time since 2007.“I’m very proud to win after so many years,” says team leader Otto Becker (GER).
“I was on the team at the time! First and foremost, I’d like to thank the organisers because this is a tremendous competition at every level, with perfect conditions for the horses, riders, and great spectators. This victory is the upside of my work. Now we must choose the couples for the Olympic Games, which will be difficult because I have many excellent riders and horses. But that’s the job!”
The performance of his four pairs today may make his choice more challenging. Weishaupt, for example, showed his composure with a decisive double clear round. “It’s the most exciting part of the Nations Cup when you’re the last to go, and you know you have to get a clear round,’ he says. Riding a horse like Zineday is a great pleasure and a fantastic opportunity. I’d also like to mention the crowd at La Baule and their incredible fair play. They were very respectful when I entered the arena when I could have deprived France of victory. And after my lap, they applauded loudly. Outstanding sportsmanship isn’t necessarily the norm everywhere. Here, all the riders feel very welcome. Thank you for that. It reinforces my choice to be here. I chose to compete in the Nations Cup, which I wanted to do before the Olympic Games. For me, it was an obvious decision to come to La Baule. The competition gets better and better every year.”
Marcus Ehning (GER), also on the team in 2007, doesn’t hide his satisfaction with Coolio 42 (4+0). “It’s always a pleasure to come here to La Baule,” he explains. It’s been a long time since I’ve won anything. Coolio is a new horse; this was his first Nations Cup, and it’s very encouraging for the future.”
2021 European champion with DSP Chakaria, Andre Thieme (GER), also did himself proud (0+4). “My mare wasn’t very competitive last year, and I didn’t qualify for the European Championships. I’m delighted to be back at this level. She’s getting stronger every week.
Lastly, Kendra Clairica Brinkop (GER), who has been soaring up the world rankings for the past several months and has produced excellent performances, including a double clear round last week in the Nations Cup at the CSIO 5* in Rome, also won by Germany, confirmed her rise in form with her 9-year-old Tabasco de Toxandria Z (4+0). “The last few months have indeed been very positive,” she says. “But when you have riders like that by your side, you want to be at the top of your game.”
Final Results – €250,000 Barrière Nations Cup CSIO 5*
1) Germany – 4 – 208.41
2) France – 5 – 209.58
3) Belgium – 12 – 211.82
Source: Press Release from Jumping International de La Baule
Photos: © PSV Photos
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Categories: CSIO 5*, English, Jumper News Deutschland
