Laura Graves and Verdades, pictured here at the FEI World Cup Dressage Final.

© Cara Grimshaw/FEI

By Equestrian Life

The United States won the CDIO5* Nations Cup event in Rotterdam after Laura Graves and Verdades won both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle.

The event kicked off with the Grand Prix, where all Nations Cup team riders participated and the best three scores counted for each team’s total score. America managed to take hold of the lead over the Dutch after the Grand Prix tests, despite their first combination — Dawn White-O’Connor and Legolas — being eliminated due to the horse appearing uneven. 

The Grand Prix Special followed; in terms of Nations Cup scoring, two riders from each team took part with both scores counting towards the team total. Edward Gal and Glock’s Voice won the Grand Prix Special, giving the Netherlands a shot at victory — however their other rider, Madeleine Witte-Vrees, was forced to withdraw after Cennin lost a shoe in the warm up. With only Edward Gal's result in the Grand Prix Special to count towards the team total (rather than the two scores required), the Dutch team were sadly eliminated from the competition.  

In the Grand Prix Freestyle (where only the best score from each team counts towards the team total), Laura Graves and Verdades won ahead of the Netherland’s Hans Peter Minderhoud and Glock’s Johnson — in the process securing Nations Cup victory. Sweden placed second, while Germany took third.

Results CHIO Rotterdam FEI Nations Cup Dressage

1. USA, 446.442

2. Sweden, 427.035

3. Duitsland, 414.031

Grand Prix

1. Laura Graves (USA) – Verdades, 79.469%

2. Madeleine Witte-Vrees (NED) – Cennin, 75.660%

3. Olivia Lagoy-Weltz (USA) – Lonoir, 74.580%

Grand Prix Special

1. Edward Gal (NED) – Glock´s Voice, 75.078%

2. Kase Perry-Glass (USA) – Goerklintgaards Dublet, 71.784%

3. Therese Nilshagen (Zwe) – Dante Weltino OLD, 71.784%

Grand Prix Freestyle

1.Laura Graves (USA) – Verdades, 80.980%

2. Hans Peter Minderhoud (NED) – Glock´s Johnson TN N.O.P., 78.890%

3. Jorinde Verwimp (BEL) – Tiamo, 77.560%

READ THE LATEST NEWS ARTICLES HERE