Coming weekend the nations cup finals in Barcelona forms the closure of the outdoor season for the show jumpers. As number 1 of the West-European division the team of national coach Rob Ehrens starts as one of the favourites in the final of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™. Jeroen Dubbeldam (Carusso LS La Silla), Maikel van der Vleuten (VDL Groep Arera C), Harrie Smolders (Emerald N.O.P.), Gerco Schröder (Glock’s London N.O.P.) and reserve rider Ruben Romp (Audi’s Teavanta II C Z) travel to the Spanish city.

This season the Netherlands closed off the European 1st division of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ in the leading position and therefore qualified for the final. In Barcelona a total of 18 countries, that placed themselves through various leagues throughout the world, compete for the title. The best eight countries are invited to the final on Saturday night at the Real Club de Polo in Barcelona. The small final is Friday night and determines the 9th to 18th positon. The Netherlands won the final in 2014 and placed third last year. Coming weekend the Orange team is once again one of the favourites as the current European and World champion. National coach Rob Ehrens has selected Jeroen Dubbeldam and his stallion Carusso LS La Silla, Harrie Smolders and the KWPN-recognized stallion Emerald N.O.P., Maikel van der Vleuten and VDL Groep Arera C (Indoctro out of Vera C ster s.Voltaire, breeder J.J.A.C. Coppelmans from Nuenen) and Gerco Schröder with the KWPN-recognized stallion Glock’s London N.O.P.

The latter was the travelling team reserve of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, where Jeroen, Harrie and Maikel took part in the team and individual finals. Ruben Romp is added as reserve rider in Barcelona. With Audi’s Teavanta II C Z he recently placed tenth in the Masters in Calgary and was successful for the team in Dublin and Hickstead. Time schedule Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ final Barcelona:
Wednesday 21 September – 12.30 hrs: veterinary check Wednesday 21 September – 18.00 hrs: drawing starting sequence countries in first qualifier Thursday 22 September – 16.00 hrs: first qualifier Friday 23 September – 21.00 hrs: small final (placement 9 to 18) Saturday 24 September – 21.00 hrs: finale (best 8 countries) Participants:
Team coach: Rob Ehrens Jeroen Dubbeldam – Carusso LS La Silla Gerco Schröder – Glock’s London N.O.P. Harrie Smolders – Emerald N.O.P. Maikel van der Vleuten – VDL Groep Arera C Reserve: Ruben Romp – Audi’s Teavanta II C Z

More information: www.csiobarcelona.com Source: KNHS