Rotterdam in The Netherlands plays host to the fifth leg of the 2006 Samsung Super League with FEI series tomorrow and, as the second half of the series begins, the pressure is on - particularly at the bottom of the leaderboard.
Lying last, with just eight points after the first four legs, the Irish will be hoping that Robert Splaine’s squad of Shane Breen, Shane Carey, Ryan Crumley, Cian O’Connor and Billy Twomey can produce something special. Some of the best Irish horses, including Twomey’s Luidam and O’Connor’s Waterford Crystal have not yet lined out in nations’ cups this season, but Splaine may have to wait a little longer before they return to action while high hopes are also being pinned on a visit to Europe by American-based Kevin Babington and Carling King who were team anchors during previous Super League seasons.
The host team from Holland will, no doubt, come out with all guns blazing but they have a serious job to do tomorrow and that is to ensure they extend the narrow margin between themselves and the Irish because only just over one point separates the two sides. Leopold Van Asten showed good form with VDL Groep Fleche Rouge during the Global Champions Tour in Cannes two weeks ago so may be a likely contender, and Chef d’Equipe Rob Ehrens will be thinking long and hard about who else to choose ahead of today’s draw and team line-up declaration.
Sweden is only one further point ahead despite their great third-place finish in Lucerne three weeks ago and Peder Fredricson is the only member of that squad to line out again this time when he will be joined by Malin Baryard-Johnsson, Rolf-Goran Bengtsson, Maria Gretzer and Royne Zetterman.
The British bubble was burst with an inconsistent performance in Lucerne that left them in last place on that day. Nick Skelton recorded a back-to-back double of Grand Prix victories with Arko at the Swiss fixture but his stallion, Russel, was in unco-operative mood in the second round on Super League afternoon and although John Whitaker’s new ride, Peppermill, is proving a very useful asset the erratic team scoreline kept them bottom of the order and they arrive in Holland this week with just 13.5 points on the board. A better performance this time out would put them back on a more even keel.
The Swiss finished runners-up in a sharp battle with Germany in Lucerne and are holding fourth place with 16.125 faults on the leaderboard at this stage of the series. Chef d’Equipe Rolf Grass was well-satisfied with the result and was really excited when two of his WEG short-listed riders, Werner Muff and Urs Faeh, jumped brilliantly in the Grand Prix two days later although the two riders expressed reservations about whether their horses are ready for the big WEG test yet. They have, however, both been called up this week along with Willi Melliger, Niklaus Schurtenberger and Pius Schwizer.
The French have been unpredictable so far, winners in Rome but second-last in Switzerland, and team manager Jean-Maurice Bonneau will be looking for a more focused effort from Simon Delestre, Julien Epaillard, Pierry Jarry, Stephane Lafouge and Michel Robert this week. With an 18-point tally so far however they are looking comfortable enough for the moment but a small improvement this time out could put them in a considerably stronger position.
The 2005 Samsung Super League with FEI champions from the USA are putting up another great challenge this year and, with WEG selection now behind him, Chef d’Equipe George Morris will be wanting to save Laura Kraut and Margie Engle from over-exposure even though they are named in his Rotterdam squad along with Candice King, Christine McCrea and WEG reserve Molly Ashe. Engle has made a brave and remarkable recovery from the crippling fall she suffered in Aachen last month and is listed with both Hidden Creek’s Perin and Quervo Gold and, with 23.5 points on the board, the Americans are looking strong but it is the Germans who, very clearly, have the whip hand.
Winners in La Baule and then on their home ground at Aachen they weakened in Rome but bounced back to top the Lucerne line-up and, once more armed with World No. 1 Marcus Ehning, Kurt Gravemeier’s side that also includes Pia-Luise Aufrecht, Lars Nieberg and Franke Sloothaak looks truly formidable. Already eight points ahead of the rest, another good result tomorrow could leave them very difficult to catch over the remainder of the 2006 Samsung Super League with FEI season.
SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE WITH FEI 2006 : LEADERBOARD AFTER ROUND 4 IN LUCERNE :
1. Germany - 31.625
2. USA - 23.5
3. France - 18.0
4. Switzerland- 16.125
5. Great Britain- 13.5
6. Sweden - 10.125
7. Netherlands- 9.125
8. Ireland - 8.0
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