Brits win in Boekelo, but Germany clinches FEI Eventing series
Germany has clinched their third FEI Nations Cup Eventing title in five years, with Britain finishing a close second in the overall standings – despite the Brits winning the ninth and final leg at Boekelo.
The two countries have been fierce competitors and rivals since the FEI Nations Cup Eventing series began in 2012, with Britain heading the leaderboard twice in the last five years in 2013 and 2015.
Both teams picked up three wins this season, but Germany, who finished in fourth place at Boekelo, beat Britain to the top spot in the final standings by 20 points.
France, winners of the penultimate Vairano leg last month, finished at third with 535 points.
Britain lay in third place following the dressage at Boekelo, only to rocket into a clear lead with three stellar cross-country performances.
The star of the show was Oliver Townend, eventual third on Cooley SRS, while Laura Collett climbed from 33rd to fifth on Mr Bass, and Izzy Taylor was seventh on Trevidden.
Home team The Netherlands held second place following the cross-country, only to slip to third with jumping faults, allowing New Zealand to finish in second place.
“There has been much to celebrate and we look forward to providing another great season in 2017,” said Catrin Norinder, the FEI’s Director of Eventing and Olympic.