2003 CHIO Aachen

Ireland Wins Nations' Cup Show Jumping at 2003 CSIO Aachen

The Irish show jumping team won the Samsung Super League Nations' Cup at the 2003 CSIO Aachen. With a 30,000 counting crowd to vocalize the thrilling atmosphere in the main arena of the Aachner Soers Rennverein, two sensational rounds produced the Irish team, led by chef d'equipe Tom Wade, as the winner of the Nations' Cup.

The Irish team was in great shape and that became apparent in the first round, in which they finished second with 7 penalties behind a dominant 0-penalty Belgian team. In round two, the "shamrocks" persevered and with only one rail knocked down by Peter Charles on Pershing, they claimed a deserved victory with 11 penalties overall. The Irish Show Jumping Equipe was constituted by Robert Splaine on CoolCorron Diamond (8.00 - 0.00), Peter Charles on Pershing (1.00 - 4.00), Billy Twomey on Luidam (5.00 - 0.00) and Kevin Babington on Carling King (1.00 - 5.00). The team claimed 45,500 Euro of prize money, along with their names on the wall of fame of great show jumping athletes that won at the most exciting show jumping competition in the world.

The Belgian team had to bite the bullet in round two. With zero penalties in round one, they were confident and eager to repeat their 2001 Nations' Cup Victory at Aachen. First Belgian horse to enter the arena for the second round was a bucking and resistant Clinton, who made it clear that he did not wish to jump. Maybe it was a predicament for the end result, but Dirk Demeersman and Clinton knocked down two rails. Belgian national champion Jos Lansink lived up to the expectations of his title and rode a clear round on AK Caridor Z. The young combination Stanny van Paesschen and O de Pomme couldn't handle the pressure and ended up with 13.00 penalties, which counted as the scratch score for the Belgian team led by Lucien Somers. Last Belgian rider to go was anchorman Ludo Philippaerts on the temperamental Parco. Riding a perfect round up to the last jump, Philippaerts was the man to make adrenaline pump through the veins of every single spectator. The last jump of the triple proved lethal and one rail touch the Aachen ground. Philippaerts left the ring cursing and disappointed, but he still lead his team to a second place (13 penalties) and 30,500 Euro prize money.

The American team jumped very consistently, but lacked that little bit of perfection to make it any higher than a third spot with 16 penalties overall. In the first round the Americans, led by Frank Chapot, totaled 8 penalties. They produced the same result in the second round after a 12.00 scratch score from Laura Kraut on Anthem. Kraut, who won yesterday's NRW Prize jump off off beating Ludger Beerbaum on Goldfever, could not get into the right shape today. The dominant American rider in Aachen was Chris Kappler on Royal Kaliber. The pair was faultless in both rounds. Other team members were Peter Wylde on Fein Cera (4.00 - 4.00), Laura Kraut on Anthem (4.00 - 12.00) and Lauren Hough on Windy City (4.00 - 4.00).

Also placing third in the Nations' Cup was the German team with 16 penalties in total after two rounds. Marcus Ehning on For Pleasure (0.00 - 4.00), Christian Ahlmann on Coester (8.00 - 0.00), Otto Becker on Dobel's Cento (4.00 - 4.00) and Ludger Beerbaum on Gladdys (4.00 - 4.00) were the crowd pleasers for an almost all-German audience that unanimously cheered for them.

By Astrid Appels

Related Link
Horsesdaily "On the Scene" at the 2003 CHIO Aachen