Above: Hilary Scott and Oaks Milky Way. Photo credit: Sportfot.

The FEI Nations Cup in Wellington USA was held over the weekend on Saturday afternoon local time and Sunday morning Australian time. Representing Australia we had:

Scott Keach and Noble de La Chapelle
Thaisa Erwin and Hialita B
Hilary Scott and Oaks Milky Way and
Rowan Willis and Blue Movie

The first round of this two round competition was held in the afternoon with the second round testing all competitors by being held under lights.

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Ten nations competed in Round 1 with the top 8 going through to Round 2. Our friends from across the ditch unfortunately had a rough time in Round One and didn’t make it though to the second round, along with Columbia.

Scott Keach and Noble de La Chapelle came out first for Australia and were looking very strong, unfortunately some uncharacteristic rails late in the track left them carrying 12 penalties. We then saw a couple of lovely rounds from Both Thaisa Erwin and Hilary Scott who each had only one rail.

Above: Hilary Scott and Oaks Milky Way. Photo credit: Sportfot.

Rowan Willis and Blue Movie were the anchor for the team and unfortunately ‘Carrots‘ took a dislike to the triple and refused at the first element. Rowan managed to get her over on the second attempt but then elected to retire – making them the drop score.

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Australia finished the first round with with a total of 20 penalties which put them in 8th place and carried them through to the second round.

Round 2 under the lights was a challenge for all teams with only two clears the entire round, one from Ireland and one from Canada. Australia finished this round on 30 penalties with another couple of great rounds from the ladies (and their mares!) with Thaisa and Hialita B finishing on 8 and Hilary and Oaks Milky Way on 4. It was a valiant effort by our Australian Jumping Team who after finishing the first round in 8th place managed to pull themselves up to 6th after a very tough second round.

We caught up with our own David Sheppard – FEI Level 3 Course Designer to get his thoughts on the course. David said, “Another great Nations Cup, cleverly crafted by USA’s Steve Stephens and Nick Granat. An overview of the track: A nice opening with an oxer left turn to a wall (opportunity to turn short to bank time) right to an oxer, slightly open 4 strides to oxer vertical combination (there’s an old course design adage that 4 strides to a double will produce faults no matter what the distance). Then a serpentine line vertical with tangerine rails normal 6 to the open water then 9 or 10 to a stile, then not such an easy turn to the treble combination, then right 6 strides to a pastel coloured oxer (both combinations very normal and nicely built). The last line 10,11,12 was very influential, a vertical away from the in gate with a gold 100mm plank on top 5 steady strides to an oxer then right bend 7 to a liverpool. There were a few that did 4 and 6, one of them being Canada’s Erynn Ballard who jumped the round of the class (IMO) and the only clear in the second round. As is standard now, plenty of pastel rails with no stripe (more difficult) and most faults came at 4a, 5 and particularly 10 – the latter 2 away from the in gate, and possibly 12 liverpool with the Mafia rails (longitudinal stripe). The distinct change of conditions from Round 1 in daylight to Round 2 under lights with some fences raised was always going to be telling. Excellent viewing, congratulations to all involved.”

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When asked about Australia’s invitation to compete at this event in an Olympic year, Chef d’equipe Stephen Lamb said “The WEF has been very good to Australia for over a decade, regularly inviting us to have a team in the Nations Cup, and it’s something we are extremely appreciative of. Similarly, a big thank you to the riders, and owners, who make their horses available for Australia. The lead up to a major championships like an Olympic Games are an emotional roller coaster for everyone involved and it’s important to remember the owners who have signed up for the ride!”

Full results can be found HERE.