Neighboring Rivalry: Belgium Favored to Win in Rotterdam

Eight nations come forward for the third leg of the European Division 1 of the Longines FEI Nations Cup Series in Rotterdam. Not the home nations, but their neighbours come in as favourites to take the win.

Belgium (Win 27% - Podium 61%)

Belgium lines out an experienced team of riders for the Nations Cup of the Netherlands today. Their pathfinder is the young, but vastly experienced Gilles Thomas who comes forward on Aretino 13 (707). While Pieter Devos has represented Belgium on numerous occasions in team competitions, his 10-year-old Nascar van ‘t Siamshof (651) will be making his five-star Nations Cup debut today. Perhaps the strongest combination on the team today is Niels Bruynseels and Delux van T&L (733). The pair currently sport a 57.1% clear rate at five-star 160 level. Jerome Guery will be Belgium’s anchorman today on Cristel (713). Their rounds could be crucial to the team’s performance, but it must be noted that out of 12 5* 160 rounds jumped in 2023, Cristel has only produced 2 clears. 

France (Win 23%  - Podium 62%)

While the French team might include some inexperienced horses, they are still one of the favourites for a spot on the podium. While Olivier Perreau’s GL Events Dorai d’Aiguilly (701) and Francois Xavier Boudant’s Brazyl du Mezel (711) made their five-star Nations Cup debuts in Sankt Gallen and La Baule respectively, for Croqsel de Blaignac (662) and Dialou Blue PS (705) this will be their first five-star Nations Cup appearance. With the vastly experienced Kevin Staut in the saddle, Dialou Blue PS will serve as anchorman in his first five-star team competition. A reasoned decision from the French Chef d’Equipe, as the 10-year-old sports an 80% clear rate at 5* 160 level so far this year. 

Norway (Win 13%  - Podium 43%)

It’s a family affair for the Norwegian team today. Anchorman Geir Gulliksen will compete alongside his son and daughter to defend their home nations. Daughter Victoria Gullikssen rides the highest-rated horse on the team with Equine America Papa Roach (699).

Netherlands (Win 13%  - Podium 40%)

The home nation has opted for a mix of experience and inexperience on home soil today. With Long John Silver 3 N.O.P. (712) as pathfinder and Monaco N.O.P. (773) as the anchorman, they have brought out two of their strongest competitors. Alongside them, nine-year-old O’Bailey vh Brouwershof (641) will make his second appearance on the team and VDL Groep Iron Z (532) will be contesting his first ever 5* Nations Cup.