Team Sweden take the win for the CCIO4*-S FEI Eventing Nations Cup | Poland. Chef d’Equipe: Fredrik Bergendorff. Stina Arosenius and Lorelei-L; Amanda Staam and Carilda Rose AT; Jenny Glebenius and Canela. Photo: Libby Law Photography/FEI.
An all-female team made history this week by winning Sweden’s first-ever FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ leg, marking a significant achievement for the country in the history of the Series. Their victory at the popular polish venue of Strzegom was made even more impressive by the fact that this was a team made up of just three horse-and-athlete combinations. Their final score of 151.1 placed them ahead of the home nation, Poland, who scored 158.5. Germany finished well behind in third with 1100.4, after the early withdrawal of one of their athletes following the Dressage phase.
Five teams started this second leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™, none of whom had competed at the opening leg of the Series, which took place at Bicton in Great Britain last month. Spectators were kept entertained as the leaderboard changed dramatically throughout the competition. On paper, the French team looked to be the strongest, but after two of their athletes were eliminated on the cross country, their chances were dashed.
It was the Swedish trio of Stina Arosenius and Lorelei-L, Amanda Staam and Carilda Rose AT, and Jenny Glebenius and Canela who proved their resilience, climbing from last place after Dressage to first place after the cross country phase yesterday. It was also a definitively female performance, as all three athletes were riding mares.
Stina Arosenius (SWE) and Lorelei-L. Photo: Libby Law/FEI.
Sweden’s Chef d’Equipe, Fredrik Bergendorff, who has worked tirelessly to develop teams for his nation and deliver promising performances at championship level, was delighted with the result. Speaking after the competition, he emphasised the significance of the Nations Cup Series as a means of giving younger combinations an opportunity to learn while being part of a team: “We had a great day yesterday (in the cross country), and it was nice for these girls to be able to finish it off today. They are inexperienced or riding inexperienced horses, and this is really about learning. To be able to learn and to win like this has been fantastic. These riders have worked hard to figure out their system, and if I can help a little, I do that. But this win is because of them. Now, the spring season comes to a halt, and we need to take a moment to reflect and think about the European Championships in the autumn, considering how to best prepare for that.”
After finishing fourth here last year, 28-year-old Stina Arosenius was once again competing along her long-term partner Lorelei-L, who, at 16 years old, looked as good as ever. Arosenius summed up their experience at Strzegom: “It has been sunny and fantastic, quite dramatic from the beginning, but totally amazing to finish like this. I think we’re going to take our lorries home to Sweden, but we take a lot of happiness and joy with us, and then, with our families and our beautiful horses, we’ll celebrate.”
Jenny Glebenius (SWE) and Canela. Photo: Libby Law/FEI.
Jenny Glebenius delivered the best individual performance for the Swedish team by finishing third overall with the lovely Swedish-bred mare Canela, who, at eight years old, was one of the youngest horses in the field. The pair produced one of the fastest cross country rounds of the day but had an unlucky rail in the Jumping, which cost them second place. “The cross country was amazing; it was a really nice course. We love everything about this sport, and doing this with the horses is very special,” she said after her podium result.
Thirty-five-year-old Amanda Staam finished just behind Glebenius in fourth place, riding her own Carilda Rose, another Swedish-bred mare. “It’s super cool, and we are very, very happy. All three of us are very proud of our horses and very happy to be here, doing this together. This success is because our horses are so great, and our hard work paid off. We stuck to the plan and had a lot of fun during this week.”
Strzegom has now hosted a leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ on 12 previous occasions. Once again, the cross country course was designed by Marcin Konarski, who is also the Organiser of Strzegom. The course is always influential, and Konarski set a challenging test, with no combination jumping clear within the time. In fact, only 5% of starters have finished both clear and inside the time, and five of the twelve FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ editions have seen no one make the time at all.
Amanda Staam (SWE) and Carilda Rose A. Photo: Libby Law/FEI.
The cross country leader was Germany’s Heike Jahncke, who praised the Series and the course. “I really like this show. We all know that this competition in June is the most difficult one. It’s an honour to ride a Nations Cup for a team, and we must thank Marcin and the whole organising team for their support. There was no entry fee for the Nations Cup horses, which was very nice, as we all know how expensive the sport can be, and that gives us a great opportunity. At Strzegom, the cross country isn’t just one question—it’s always question after question. The water complex was the most difficult, and you always have to be prepared for everything. Marcin has done a great job, and it was lovely to ride.”
The Nations Cup Series now heads to Avenches in Switzerland, which takes place from 24-27 July. Great Britain, who won their home leg at Bicton last month, are currently in equal first place with Sweden, both on a score of 100.
Strzegom CCI4*-L/S (Poland): [Website] [Scores] [Live Stream Replays]
