Nations Cup Showdown in Brussels: Switzerland are Favourites, Belgium and France Chase

The home nation: Belgium 

The hosting nation has lined up a strong team on home soil. With Wilm Vermeir & IQ van ‘t Steentje (Elo: 725) as pathfinder, they have brought Olympic experience to the plate. 

Perhaps one of the most exciting combinations of this competition, however, is Pieter Devos & homebred nine-year-old, Casual DV Z (Elo: 742). Despite Casual’s limited experience at the upper-level due to her age, this pair have been hugely successful for the Belgian team in recent months, already producing two double clears in five-star Nations Cups. Casual DV Z is only the sixth nine-year-old in recent history to have been able to produce two double clears in high-level Nations Cups within one year. If they were to add another double clear to their record today, Casual DV Z would go down in history as the first ever nine-year-old to do it thrice.

Belgium enters the Henders & Hazel Nations Cup as third favourites to win with a win chance of 15%. A reminder that last year’s Brussels Nations Cup winners, Germany, also entered as third favourites, on a similar win chance of 16%.

The favourite: Switzerland

Switzerland enters this Nations Cup with the strongest team on paper and will be the main threat for a hometown win. Their anchor combination, Martin Fuchs & Conner Jei (Elo: 742) have been in absolute flying form. After delivering a double clear in the Nations Cup in Dublin two weeks ago, they went on to take victory in the Rolex Grand Prix two days later. 

After missing out on the Team Final at the recent Olympic Games, the Swiss will be motivated to show their quality and have brought a star-studded team to Brussels. They enter as the favourites to win with a 19% win chance.

The team to watch: France

The French bring both experience and youth to Brussels and are feeling confident coming in on the back of securing Team Bronze at their home Olympics in Paris. They kick off here in Brussels with the combination that helped them seal the deal at the Games, Olivier Perreau & GL Events Dorai d’Aiguilly (Elo: 730).

The highest-rated horse in the class comes next for the French. Despite their young ages, Jeanne Sadran & Dexter de Kerglenn (Elo: 752) enter this Henders & Hazel Nations Cup of Brussels as the highest-rated combination in this class. They are full of confidence after their first-ever five-star Grand Prix victory in Paris on home soil.

With a strong, experienced pathfinder in Kevin Staut & Visconti du Telman (Elo: 710), the French will be a force to be reckoned with here in Brussels and enter as second-favourites on a win chance of 18%.

It’s tight at the top between Switzerland and France, but the Belgian will be motivated to keep the title home.