Australia in their first appearance at a Nations Cup in Ocala Florida claimed 4^th place with the USA taking a significant win.  

The team, consisting of Scott Keach (Fedor), Matt Williams (Valinski S), Harley Brown (Apex) and Tom McDermott (Quick Petite Folie) were supported by Thaisa Erwin, who had qualified for Sunday’s Grand Prix in a prior class.

Eight teams contested the Nations Cup competing over 2 rounds of testing heights and tracks set by Irish course designer Alan Wade.

Strong performances were forged by USA team seeing them clearly in the lead (4) after drop scores were all handed in at the end of the first round. Columbia (8) and Mexico (9) were neck and neck with Australia being just behind on a total of (11).

Ireland, winners in 2015, had no advantage with their homegrown course designer and they finished after round 1 on (21)

Canada, who have won the Nations Cup in Florida a total of 5 times could not rally after a disappointing first round.

El Salvador electing not to start in the second round having only three team riders and a larger score collated.

After each rotation of riders in the second round Mexico and Columbia battled it out closely for second and third respectively.

Beezie Madden who anchored the USA team jumped with 2 fences in hand and it was a done deal when she concluded with just one time penalty and team success. Of course USA has now equaled the tally with Canada who have won the Nations Cup in Florida 6 times and USA five times previously.

Scott Keach was pleased with his clean performance in the first round (one of only seven). “Happy with the horse, he just ran out of steam at end of the second round.  It is only his second real day of jumping since Barcelona In September last year and he is getting fitter. Now I look forward to the Grand Prix on Sunday.”

Australia’s chef d’equipe Stevie Macken commented on his team’s performance “Very proud of the team. It was a proper Nations Cup comparable to anything in Europe at this level.  Alan Wade built a great track and it was a real test of both rider and horse. Now we looking forward to Sunday with Scott, Matt and Thaisa in the Grand Prix.”

RESULTS 

First Round:

Round 1 (considering drop score)

• USA McLain Ward  0, Lauren Hough 4, Todd Minikus (0) Mezzie Madden ( 0). TOTAL 0
• Columbia: Daniel Bluman (8), Mark Bluman (8) Fernando Cardenas (0), Roberto Teran TOTAL 8
• Mexico: Alberto Minchan (4), Eugenio Garza Perez (8), Federico Fernandez (4), Santiago Lambre (1) TOTAL (9)
• AUS Matt Williams (1) Harley Brown (13) Thomas McDermott (10), Scott Keach (0) TOTAL (11)
• Ireland: Shane Sweetman (8), Cian O’Connor (8), Richie Moloney (9), Kevin Babington (12) TOTAL 21
• NZ  Luke Dee (4), Kirk Webby (9), Claudia Hay (9), Sharn Wordley (RET) TOTAL 22
• Canada: Chris Sorensen (12), Jonathon Millar (8), Amy Millar (4), Mac Cone (12) TOTAL 24
• El Salvador: Paulo Sergio Mateo Santana Filho (0), Diego Jose Muyshandt (17), Juan Manuek Bolanos Barrios (18) TOTAL 35

Course Round 1 – every fence on course, bar 1, fell at least once. Plenty picking faults at the water

Round 2  (considering drop score with total score added to Round 1)

• USA McLain Ward  (4), Lauren Hough (8), Todd Minikus (12) Mezzie Madden (1). TOTAL 13
• Mexico: Alberto Minchan (19), Eugenio Garza Perez (4), Federico Fernandez (8), Santiago Lambre (4) TOTAL (21)
• Columbia: Daniel Bluman (8), Mark Bluman (13) Fernando Cardenas (8), Roberto Teran TOTAL (24)
• AUS Matt Williams (4) Harley Brown (8) Thomas McDermott (5), Scott Keach (12) TOTAL (28)
• Ireland: Shane Sweetman (8), Cian O’Connor (0), Richie Moloney (8), Kevin Babington (8) TOTAL 28
• NZ  Luke Dee (4), Kirk Webby (20), Claudia Hay (9), Sharn Wordley (RET) TOTAL 55
• Canada: Chris Sorensen (9), Jonathon Millar (8), Amy Millar (4), Mac Cone (9) TOTAL 45
• El Salvador: DNS

Course Round 2 same track - Fence 10a and b plus 11 (1.60m) vertical and Treble combination 7a/b/c caused the most issues and faults

FEI Facts:

• 2016 heralds the 107^th anniversary of the Nations Cup series
• This is the fourth season of Nations Cup sponsorship by Furusiyya
• Competitors from six regions and 46 nations prepare to do battle in the 19 qualifying legs
• The defending Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping champions are Team Belgium.
• Qualifying events will take place in Europe Division 1 & Europe Division 2, North America and the Middle East. Qualification of teams from South America, Africa and Asia/Australasia will be established through the Longines Rankings
• The Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping Final 2016 will take place at the Real Club de Polo in Barcelona (ESP) 22-15 September. 
• There will be eight qualifying legs in Europe Division 1 and seven in Europe Division 2, three in North America and a single event in the Middle East.
• The first qualifier of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2016 season took place in Al Ain (UAE) on Thursday 18 February, attracting a field of 11 teams.  Victory to France ahead of Qatar and Switzerland