“The Nations Cup here in Wellington has been a tremendous competition again this year and is really growing in quality each year,” said Dover. “I am so thankful to the sponsors of this show, Stillpoint Farm and Adequan. I am extremely proud that America won this Nations Cup again this year. Even more importantly, I was hoping for our riders to achieve personal bests and with each class grow more confident, and that’s what I saw today. I couldn’t be more proud of all of them.”
This Nations Cup event allows for nations to formulate their teams with both Big and Small Tour combinations with Big Tour combinations receiving a 1.5% bonus to their scores. Two countries were represented by Small Tour combinations: Spain and Costa Rica. Three countries were represented by Big Tour combinations: Canada, the United States of America, and Australia. Denmark entered a mixed team of two Small Tour and one Big Tour combination.
U.S. team anchor, Graves (Plymouth, Fla.), cemented victory for the U.S. with her 2002 Dutch Warmblood gelding, Verdades, scoring a personal best in the Grand Prix Special, a 78.294%, giving them a 79.794% with the added 1.5%. The pair was on point throughout the test, showcasing great harmony and expression to win the class by four percentage points.
“Nations Cups are always a lot of fun, and being a part of a team is just something you don’t say no to. I love that we were able to put America at the top of the podium. To compete with such a strong team always feels really secure,” said Graves. “We achieved two personal bests [in the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special] so I could not be more thrilled.”
Perry-Glass (Wellington, Fla.) and Diane Perry’s Goerklintgaard’s Dublet, a 2003 Danish Warmblood gelding, showcased great poise in their Nations Cup debut at the Grand Prix level. The pair had one mistake in the changes on centerline, adding extra one-tempis, but were able to also produce a personal best score of 74.882%, putting forward a 76.382% to the team total and placing second.
Page (Wellington, Fla.) and her own Woodstock, a 2003 Dutch Warmblood gelding, were first out for the U.S. marking a competition score of 72.422% and placing fifth. It was evident that Page’s partnership with Woodstock has grown throughout the season, and the pair was wonderfully fluid throughout the test.
“I am really proud of the season Woodstock has had. It’s been a breakout year for him. I am really proud of the development of my horse, just from yesterday to today. He was a little bit more on his game today. He felt like he was in just the right place to develop more power and expression. When you get a chance to stand on the highest spot on the podium, it’s a good feeling,” said Page. “I want to acknowledge the addition of The Dutta Corp. as our team sponsors. This is going to be a huge step in developing strength and depth in all our programs. It certainly benefits us as we get to travel first class.”
Veterans of team competition, Francis (Loxahatchee, Fla.) and Patricia Stempel’s Doktor, a 2003 Oldenburg gelding, produced a consistent and bold test that was unfortunately marred by an error of course, garnering a 2% penalty to mark a competition score of 71.088%, good for seventh place.
“The team part of this has been fun; it’s always fun to do. I had a little tough ride yesterday. I started off really going for it today and had a blank moment, but otherwise it was really fun. It’s always nice to win,” said Francis.
Complete Grand Prix Special results
The U.S. will be represented in the Grand Prix Freestyle by Graves, Perry-Glass, and Page. The Freestyles will take place Friday evening at 7 p.m. ET.