As the FEI Nations Cup series concluded in Buenos Aires, Argentina, last weekend, Belgium's promotion to the Samsung Super League in 2007 was confirmed. Having accumulated points from 13 of the 19 Nations Cup legs, which began in Wellington, FL,last March, Belgium finished with a total of 79.5 points, while Denmark slotted into second with 73 ahead of Italy in third with 71.5 points.

The Belgian team enjoyed only one victory during the 2006 season, at Ypaja in Finland, but were runners-up in Copenhagen, Denmark; on their home turf at Lummen, Belgium; at Falsterbo, Sweden; in Athens, Greece, and had many other good placings.

Belgium was relegated from the Samsung Super League in September 2005 following a fiercely-fought final battle in Barcelona, Spain, while the Irish, who managed to cling on by the smallest of margins that afternoon, suffered relegation this year despite another brave effort. In a strange irony however, Ireland's developmental teams completed the 2006 FEI Nations Cup series with more points than Belgium. However, as Samsung Super League participants, they are only permitted to count their points from the higher-level league.

The top 10 placings on the 2006 FEI Samsung Nations Cup series leaderboard are listed below. For complete details check out the FEI website at www.horsesport.org.

FEI Nations Cup Series 2006 Results
1. Belgium: 79.5
2. Denmark: 83
3. Italy: 71.5
4. Austria: 51
5. Brazil: 45
6. Norway: 43.5
7. Hungary: 42
8. Poland: 38
9. Spain: 31
10. Czech Republic: 25

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