The GB team triumphs in the Sunshine Tour Nations Cup: “A great afternoon for British show jumping”

Great Britain claimed a hard-fought victory in the Sunshine Tour Nations Cup on Friday (October 29th) in Vejer De La Frontera in Spain.

The four-man team of Joe Clayton (Gentlemen VH Veldhof), Alex Thompson on Cathalina S, Karl Robins on Equine America G Camille HBF and Matt Sampson with Geneve R combined for an impressive performance, finishing with a score of just two penalties for complete a field of 20 nations.

The top eight teams had advanced to the second round with the British team leading with Spain by a score of zero. Pathfinder Joe Clayton is new to the saddle of 15-year-old Gentlemen VH Veldhof (Quite Easy x Calido) belonging to Unex Competition Yard and they had eight fouls in the second round of their British team debut together. Nottinghamshire-based Alex, who only appeared in his second Senior Nations Cup, had a clear super double, saving just a time penalty, while Karl Robins helped keep Britain in contention while also remaining flawless.

It was up to finalist Matt Sampson, who needed a clear round or three time faults at most, to secure a British victory. He and the talented 10-year-old Dutch-bred gelding swept aside all pressure and propelled their second clear round of the day, recording just one time fault, and an ecstatic team were able to celebrate the victory in this tough fight. Sunshine Tour Nations Cup.

“We had such a fantastic team spirit here today that saw them all work so well together,” said Di Lampard, World Class Performance Manager. “There were exceptional performances; Karl at only his second Nations Cup produced his second clear double. Alex and Matt both had the misfortune of each getting a time penalty in the second round in what were otherwise two good laps for each of them.

“I would also like to add that Matt was very mature in his approach to the final heat as an anchor runner to secure the victory. It was a great afternoon for British show jumping today, ”added Di, who also led Great Britain to victory in Spain earlier this month in the Challenge Cup final. of the Nations Cup in Barcelona.

Brazil finished second in this Sunshine Tour Nations Cup with four penalties, while Sweden and Switzerland are tied for third with nine points.

Briton Alex Thompson finished second behind Frenchman Cédric Hurel (Fantasio Floreval Z) in the Suzuki Grand Prix, which closed the four-week tour. The winner took the thrilling 1.55m event after a six-way jump-off, Alex and 12-year-old Catoki mare Cathalina S chasing them home at just 0.67 seconds.

“It was a fairly difficult track which had to be walked with caution, especially the last row of fences where there were a lot of faults,” said the winner.

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