German Nationscup Team announced
Finally the time has come again! The first international Nations Cup tournaments start again!
Long term, among other things due to the Corona pandemic as well as the EHV (Equine Herpes Virus) no major international tournaments, especially no Nations Cups could take place.
But the wait for one of the most popular international formats has come to an end.
The first Nations Cup is scheduled to take place at the CSIO3* tournament April 21-25 in Gorla Minore, Italy. A German team will also be taking part.
As Becker revealed, five riders are to travel to Lombardy as potential candidates.
There are Philipp Schulze Topphoff, Hans-Dieter Dreher, the new Dream- Team from Dagobertshausen, Richard Vogel and David Will as well as Guido Klatte. All riders are optimistic about the form of their horses.
Will, the current number 54 in the world rankings would like to saddle C-Four. The gelding by Cardento could already prove his skills twice in the Nations Cup. He could already win the Nations Cups in Vilamoura and Vejer de la Frontera with the team. He is in a great mood and can warm up a bit in the first week in Gorla," Will explains.
The speed pro from Baden-Württemberg, Hans-Dieter Dreher is also there. "Otto Becker had already agreed with me for some time that I would ride Minore in Gorla. Who will compete in the Nations Cup at the end, he leaves open, of course. On Wednesday we go, then first of all three star tests are on the program before the week after the Nations Cup is due," he explains.
Guido Klatte from Lastrup will also bring his successful horse "Qinghai". Together with him he could already win the gold medal in the individual at the European Championships in Millstreet.
"My horse Qinghai is in super shape. From the last three Grand Prix he could win two and was third once. My main goal this year is the German Championships in Balve," Klatte announced.
The youngster in the team, Philipp Schulze Topphoff is particularly looking forward to his assignment.
"The feeling to be allowed to start for a Nations Cup is always something very special. To go as a team to the start is still something different than alone," he explains.
In addition to the start in Gorla Minore, which is in Division II, further starts in Division I are also planned. To the division I belong for example St. Gallen, Rome or Rotterdam. Here probably the top German names such as Marcus Ehning or Simone Blum will compete.
Nevertheless, it is equally important to also collect valuable points in Division II.
