A century of sporting history will be celebrated when the much-anticipated first leg of the inaugural Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ series takes place in La Baule, France, this weekend.

It was in 1909 that the indoor London Olympia and outdoor San Sebastian shows first hosted military team jumping competitions and, 100 years on, the honor and distinction of representing one's country in the battle for team supremacy has lost none of its edge.

The advent of new sponsors, the Dubai-based development group Meydan, marks some exciting changes to the ever-evolving Nations Cup format, which continues to hold enormous appeal for both spectators and competitors alike.

The number of participating teams has been increased from eight to 10, and two nations will now be relegated at the end of the season to be replaced by the two leading countries from the second-division Promotional League.

Qualification
For the 2009 series, qualification has been decided by selecting the best seven teams from the 2008 Samsung Super League with FEI along with three further nations chosen on the basis of the Rolex Ranking points of their best three riders at the end of last year.

So Germany, Great Britain, The Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, the U.S. and Switzerland have made the cut by meeting the first criteria and Sweden, France and Italy by the latter. Italy replaced Canada following its decision not to participate.

Competition will be intense, running over a 12-week period and, following La Baule, visiting Rome, Italy, later this month; St Gallen, Switzerland; and Rotterdam, The Netherlands in June; Aachen, German; Falsterbo, Sweden; and Hickstead, Great Britain, in July; and finally Dublin, Ireland, in early August.

These are all prestigious five-star fixtures, and the €200,000 in prize-money on offer in both the Nations Cup and grand prix competitions at each event is expected to attract many of the greatest horse-and-rider combinations in the world.

Supreme
The French reigned supreme during the first two seasons of the six-year Samsung Super League series in 2003 and 2004 before the USA broke their spell, while the last three seasons were dominated by Germany.

France was relegated in 2007 and much-missed throughout 2008, but next week's opening leg provides the perfect opportunity for the host side to mark a determined return to the sharp end of the sport, and in the most perfect setting.

Meydan's ideology is based on the translation of its title which, in English, means "a meeting place—a place where people get together to enjoy life and indulge in spirited competition."

Spirited competition is the very essence of Nations Cup jumping, and while the world's top jumping proponents will be delighted to gather and greet each other once again in the charming surroundings of La Baule, the first leg of the 2009 Meydan FEI Nations Cup™ promises to be a mighty clash.

A good early result will mean a great deal, so the niceties will be put aside when the bell rings for the first horse to enter the arena as a new era dawns in earnest.

Competition Statistics
- 10 world-class teams
- 8 world-class venues
- 4 riders per team
- €200,000 in prize-money at each leg
- 130 Rolex Rankings points on offer for double-clear rounds
- 2 teams relegated at end of 2009 series
- 2 teams move up from Promotional League for 2010 season

Quotes
"The Nations Cup Series started in 1909, 13 years before the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) was founded and now, celebrating its 100th anniversary, it has become our most prestigious team jumping competition," said HRH Princess Haya, FEI President.

"Meydan, developers of the largest equestrian venue in the world, take great pride in sponsoring the FEI Nations Cup. Indeed, there's a natural affinity between the two organizations