‘How dreams come true’
CSIO Barcelona, Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup Final, Real Club De Polo, Spain
“AS a sportsman, nothing beats winning with your country in a Nations Cup,” summed up Dutch rider Willem Greve after his side lifted the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup Final for a record third time.
This season finale follows in the wake of a feast of team showjumping at both the Tokyo Olympics and European Championships. However, such is the unpredictable nature of our sport that several nations’ fortunes have ebbed and flowed throughout the year.
The Netherlands certainly wouldn’t have come to Barcelona as favourites but, displaying the fighting team spirit and resilience required in these competitions, the Dutch took it to the wire against defending champions Ireland, who similarly have not enjoyed a stellar year, to triumph by just one time-penalty in Sunday’s thrilling €1.25m (£1,068,890) eight-team decider.
“We had a bit of a struggle the whole year,” said Dutch chef d’equipe, Rob Ehrens. “But I must give big compliments to all our riders - we all fight together, we don’t have big names
