Mannheim, Germany - Competition is underway this week at CSIO5* Mannheim, which features the 100th Nations Cup of Germany. Representing the United States at this centennial event will be the experienced team of Kirsten Coe (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.), Lucy Davis (Los Angeles, Calif.), Laura Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.), and Beezie Madden (Cazenovia, N.Y.). These four accomplished American athletes are veterans of Nations Cup teams, each having represented the U.S. on numerous occasions. The Hermès U.S. Show Jumping Team has drawn third in the order of eight teams.

“We have a great team here. There are some really strong teams, some of the strongest in the world. The horses all did a warm-up class earlier this week and looked great. We will give them a run for their money,” Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland. “It’s a fabulous event. With it being the 100th year, it’s a big deal. When you come to a show like this it hits you, the history of it, it’s awe-inspiring.”

Riding in the lead-off position, Kraut will provide leadership and experience to the team at Mannheim aboard Nouvelle, a 2004 KWPN mare owned by the Evita Group. She has been a steadfast contributor to national and international success for U.S. show jumping. Kraut is a two-time Olympic contender, helping the U.S. to a Team Gold medal at the 2008 games in Hong Kong aboard her legendary mount, Cedric. She has participated in two FEI World Equestrian Games, with a Bronze Medal effort in Aachen in 2006, and in eight FEI World Cup Finals for the United States.

Coe arrives at Mannheim having just competed in Nations Cup classes at Falsterbo, Sweden. Beginning the year in Florida, she garnered top finishes in the Live Oak International CSI2*-W and the Great American $1 Million Grand Prix at HITS Ocala. In addition, she represented the U.S. at the Longines FEI World Cup Jumping Final in Las Vegas. Coe brings Baronez to Mannheim, a 2001 Belgian Warmblood mare owned by Ilan Ferder, Lovsta Stuteri, and Tal Milstein.

Though the youngest member of the team, Davis has a plethora of international experience with longtime partner Barron. In 2013, the pair won the Grand Prix of Lausanne and Davis became the youngest rider to win a Global Champions Tour Grand Prix. In 2014, Davis and Barron, a 2004 Belgian Warmblood gelding owned by Old Oak Farm, represented the U.S. at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in France, helping the team to win a Bronze medal. Most recently Davis and Barron won the Longines Grand Prix Port of Rotterdam.

Madden, a shining star on the U.S. show jumping scene for decades, brings seasoned veteran Cortes ‘C’, a 2002 Belgium Warmblood owned by Abigail Wexner. A veteran of three Olympic Games, including the U.S. Team Gold medal efforts in 2004 and 2008, Madden has also represented her country at three FEI World Equestrian Games, and an amazing ten FEI World Cup Jumping Finals. At the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, the pair helped the U.S. to a Team Bronze medal, earned Individual Bronze medal, and Cortes ‘C’ was named Best Horse. Before traveling to Europe this summer, the pair was second in the ATCO Power Queen Elizabeth II Cup at the ‘North American’ CSIO5* Tournament at Spruce Meadows, Alberta, Canada.

Jumping competition began on Thursday, July 16, with the Nations Cup on Saturday, July 18 at 2:30 p.m. CET, and the Grand Prix of Mannheim on Sunday, July 19 at 2:30 p.m. CET.

More information on the 100th Nations Cup of Germany.

Watch the 100th Nations Cup of Germany on clipmyhorse.tv.