Three teams finish on Zero

First Round Nations Cup - Barcelona 2016

The great Ludger Beerbaum riding at his last international show for Germany – on Casello

Photo Dirk Caremans

First round Furusiyya Final

The FEI’s Nations Cup final in Barcelona got off to a thrilling start with a three way tie after the first round of jumping: Germany, USA and Belgium. The top eight out of the first round go on to the final, so the teams on zero are joined by the Swiss, Great Britain, Italy, The Netherlands and Ireland.

First Round Nations Cup - Barcelona 2016

Leading the clears for the USA, Lucy Davis and Barron

Photo Dirk Caremans

The other 12 teams, including Australia (who finished last) go into the Longines Challenge Cup. The Australians accumulated 37 faults: Julia Hargreaves and Vedor, 5; Edwina Tops-Alexander and Ego van Orti, 12; James Paterson-Robinson and Amarillo, 20 and Evie Buller and Stanley, 21.

Result:

1. Germany 0 faults: Taloubet Z (Christian Ahlmann) 0, Pret a Tout (Marcus Ehning) 0, First Class van Eeckelghem (Daniel Deusser) 0, Casello (Ludger Beerbaum) 4.

2. USA 0 faults: Ohlala (Lauren Hough) 0, Capital Colorado (Audrey Coulter) 8, Barron (Lucy Davis) 0, Zeremonie (Laura Kraut) 0.

3. Belgium 0 faults: Bisquet Balou C (Nicola Philippaerts) 4, Cas de Liberte (Niels Bruynseels) 0, Grand Cru van de Rozenberg (Jerome Guery) 0, Coree (Gregory Wathelet) 0.

4. Switzerland 4 faults: Quorida de Treho (Romain Duguet) 8, Corbinian (Steve Guerdat) 0, Lord Pepsi (Paul Estermann) 4, Clooney (Martin Fuchs) 0.

5. Great Britain 4 faults: Big Star (Nick Skelton) 0, Viking (Michael Whitaker) 0, Ursula (Scott Brash) 4, Ornellaia (John Whitaker) 8.

6. Italy 4 faults: Casallo Z (Piergiorgio Bucci) 0, Ensor de Litrange (Lorenzo de Luca) 0, Antonio (Gianni Govoni) 4, Tower Mouche (Bruno Chimirri) 4.

7. Netherlands 8 faults: Emerald NOP (Harrie Smolders) 0, VDL Groep Arera C (Maikel van der Vleuten) 8, Caruso LS La Silla (Jeroen Dubbeldam) 8, Glock’s London NOP (Gerco Schroder) 0.

8. Ireland 8 faults: Golden Hawk (Shane Breen) 8, Go Easy de Muze (Darragh Kenny) 4, All Star (Denis Lynch) 4, MHS Going Global (Greg Broderick) 0.