WELLINGTON’S CRAZY NATIONS CUP………Louise Parkes Reports
Equestrian News Release
Wellington, FL – March 10, 2006 - Combine the craziness of the Mardi Gras with the chaos of Ballinasloe Fair in the west of Ireland and you will have some measure of the party atmosphere that prevailed as Canada reigned supreme in the CN Nations Cup in Wellington tonight. It could have been a serious and sombre affair, with course designer Steve Stephens producing one of the toughest team tests ever witnessed in the Floridian show ring, but this is a place where show jumping is embraced with a passion long lost elsewhere and it would have been difficult to write a better script for the occasion.
The USA and Canada locked in mortal combat in a two-way jump-off after a bizarre second round in which the number of teams was reduced from six to five when the three-man British side decided they had enough and retired, and in which Margie Engle produced another lovely clear for the home side from Hidden Creeks Perin. Margie's natural riding style is always a joy to watch but her diminutive stature exaggerates her
horse's proportions making the partnership all the more appealing, and you could swear the gelding smiled as he looked back at her when she patted him with delight knowing they'd given everything they'd got once again.
Eric Lamaze nearly went into orbit when Hickstead took on the water jump - fence eight on the 12-fence track - with more than a little enthusiasm and as the second-line riders came back in, US-based Irishman Darragh Kerins endured a similar fate to that suffered in round one when the promising but inexperienced Hot Wheels took a dislike to the final double once again. Many horses baulked at this one, distracted by having to pass so close to the outgate so late on the track and failing to pay sufficient attention as a result, but
although the Irish were not to repeat their 2005 victory this was a really important night for them. That gritty team spirit that has carried them to so many successes over the years has definitely returned and new team manager Robert Splaine was more than pleased with the attitude and professionalism of his boys who slotted into fourth spot at the end of the evening.
The Brazilians were lying ahead of them going into the closing stages but their chances came to a sudden stop when Sergio Campos was decanted from Shakra do Jacare who propped so quickly on landing after the combination at fence five that his rider came flying off and, since Fabio Leivas had been eliminated in round one when Philipp decided the whole show jumping thing was just not his cup of tea today that was the end of the Brazilian adventure.
The French, lying third after round one, held on grimly but it was always going to be a US/Canadian showdown when America's Beezie Madden kept the pressure on Canada's Ian Millar with a foot-perfect performance from Authentic second time out. Millar however is a hard man to faze and, with his characteristic cool he steered the aptly-named In Style to secure the one-on-one third-round decider. And yet the thrills didn't end there - Authentic crashing into the second fence and then Lamaze coming out to clinch victory for Canada. And what a sweet victory it was. The Canadians have long been frustrated by their inability to win on their home ground in Spruce Meadows where the US has often reigned supreme - it was payback time, and they enjoyed every minute of it.
PhelpsSports.Com Is Coming In August!!
Louise Parkes covers Ireland, Great Britain and Europe for PhelpsSports.com
Look for the debut of PhelpsSports.com in late August. PhelpsSports.com, a new and highly innovative subscription equestrian sports website, will offer equestrians and fans of equestrian sports from around the world, a single web address for the latest breaking news of the Hunter, Jumper, Dressage, Eventing and other High Performance disciplines. The website will include up to the minute audio reports, live video interviews and unique features from around the globe, photography, and the creative writing and reporting of some of the finest equestrian journalists in the world.
Today’s Louise Parkes perspective from last night’s Nations Cup in Wellington is another preview provided by PhelpsSports.com. Look for the debut of this brand new, dynamic and exciting equestrian news website during the World Equestrian Games in August. PhelpsSports.com is going to change the standard of equestrian coverage on the Internet and will be your best source for up to the minute video, unique and personal audio interviews and late breaking news of the High Performance disciplines. Stay tuned!
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