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Richie Moloney did a double clear for Ireland. Photo by Kerry Bowness.Ireland held on to an early lead to win the FEI Nations Cup Hickstead leg after their joint first round tying teams France and Germany faltered in the final stages.
All three countries had the luxury of starting the second round with zero scores, with France's fourth line rider, Penelope Leprevost decided not to jump Topinambour during the initial outings after all of her team mates had produced perfect scores.
And the winner of the Top League 2012 is - Germany! Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.Even though it is one leg to go in the FEI Nations Cup Top League, Germany is already announced as the winner. The only way for any other team to win would in theory be if France wins the last leg of the series in Dublin, and Germany doesn´t start with a team at all - otherwise no one can beat Germany's 47 points.
France took over the second place today with 37 points. Previous rank two Switzerland fell down to fourth place together with Sweden - both on 31,5 points. Great Britain climbed from 6th to third place with 32 points. The Netherlands can be found in sixth place with 29,5 points and they are just slightly ahead of Ireland, that has left the bottom rank to Belgium. Only half a point splits the three teams at the bottom.
William Funnell that secured the second place in Falsterbo will be part of the British team. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.It is the British team that will be pathfinders on home soil in tomorrow's Nations Cup in Hickstead. It is the seventh leg of the FEI Nations Cup 20012 and so far Germany is in the overall lead.
The draw took place today, and the order to go is as follows: 1, Great Britain; 2, Netherlands; 3, Germany; 4, Ireland; 5, Sweden; 6, France; 7, Belgium; 8, Switzerland.
Take a look at Jens Fredricson and Lunatic's winning jump-off in the FEI Nations Cup in Falsterbo.
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 A happy Rolf together with Ninja La Silla and chef d'equipe Sylve Söderstrand after the Swedish win! All photos by Jenny Abrahamsson. |
The winning team! All photos by Jenny Abrahamsson.The Swedish team gave the home crowds value for their ticket money when they won their first Top League leg of the season on home soil in Falsterbo. After two exciting rounds, Sweden went into the jump-off together with Great Britain and France – where in-form Jens Fredricson and his fabulous little Lunatic made his competitors bite the dust in the grass ring surrounded with wildly enthusiastic Swedish fans.
Germany is still on top of the Top League - here represented by Jörg Naeve with JK Horsetrucks Commanchi. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.After the 6:th leg of the Top League in Falsterbo Germany is still in the lead, now with 41 points. There are no changes at the bottom either, where Ireland can be found with 19 points. Switzerland has climbed to second place with 30,5 points and France is third with 30 points. Sweden climbed from 7th to 4th place with their victory today, and has now got 28 points. Then follows The Netherlands, Great Britain and Belgium ahead of Ireland at the bottom. Two legs are still left of the Top League; at Hickstead and in Dublin.
The home crowds went nuts when Jens took over the lead. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.The Swedish Chef d'Équipe Sylve Söderstrand started off the press conference by thanking the fantastic audience in Falsterbo. "I don´t think you can find a better audience anywhere in the world. They are amazing. Then I have to thank our trainer Hans Horn who always supports us and of course a big thanks to these four great riders. Our goal before the class was to be among the top three - it is really hard to win - and we got a very exciting class!"
Ireland is first to go in Falsterbo. Here Shane Breen with Balloon. Photo by Jenny Abrahamsson.The Irish team will be pathfinders around Frank Rothenberger's track as the sixth leg of the FEI Nations Cup™ 2012 gets underway at the arena in Falsterbo, Sweden tomorrow. The draw took place today, and the order to go is as follows: 1, Ireland; 2, Germany; 3, Great Britain; 4, Switzerland; 5, Netherlands; 6, France; 7, Sweden; 8, Belgium.
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