‘How dreams come true'

The Dutch display fighting spirit to win the Nations Cup Final, while Great Britain’s Challenge Cup victory is said to mark “the start of a change” in fortunes

- JENNIFER DONALD

“AS a sportsman, nothing beats winning with your country in a Nations Cup,” summed up Dutch rider Willem Greve after his side lifted the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup Final for a record third time.

This season finale follows in the wake of a feast of team showjumping at both the Tokyo Olympics and European Championships. However, such is the unpredictable nature of our sport that several nations’ fortunes have ebbed and flowed throughout the year.

The Netherlands certainly wouldn’t have come to Barcelona as favourites but, displaying the fighting team spirit and resilience required in these competitions, the Dutch took it to the wire against defending champions Ireland, who similarly have not enjoyed a stellar year, to triumph by just one time-penalty in Sunday’s thrilling €1.25m (£1,068,890) eight-team decider.

“We had a bit of a struggle the whole year,” said Dutch chef d’equipe, Rob Ehrens. “But I must give big compliments to all our riders – we all fight together, we don’t have big names who, when they are winning, go in a completely different direction.

“It all comes down to these five people for the perfect management of their horses, who want to do everything for their country and who showed us today a marvellous performance. That’s one of the strong pillars of the Dutch team.”