Lexington, KY − The home team from Great Britain will be first to go in tomorrow's sixth leg of the 2008 Samsung Super League with FEI series at Hickstead when the venue celebrates its 58th anniversary. Team USA returns to defend last year’s win with four riders in the Nations Cup: Hillary Dobbs, Lauren Hough, Michael Morrissey and Nicole Shahinian-Simpson.
The return of Irish hero Eddie Macken, not only to his national team but also to the venue where he recorded some of the most celebrated victories of his career with the great Boomerang, has added extra excitement to the fixture.
The teams will line up tomorrow in the following order:
1, Great Britain; 2, Sweden; 3, Belgium; 4, USA; 5, The Netherlands; 6, Ireland; 7, Switzerland; 8, Germany.
The Germans are at the head of the series leaderboard after back-to-back wins at the previous two legs in Rotterdam and Aachen but have only a 1.5 point advantage over The Netherlands in second place while Great Britain lies third, seven points further behind.
The USA is in fourth ahead of Belgium in fifth, Switzerland in sixth and the Irish in seventh while Sweden continues to languish in last position with just 5.75 points after all their efforts so far this season.
However, this time managed by Ann Catrin Carisson, the Swedes are taking no chances and have made a strong selection that includes Lotta Schultz with Calibra, Royne Zetterman and Isaac, Erika Lickhammer and Magic Dream and Helena Lundback with Madick. It is the Irish who need to stay smart on this occasion if they want to avoid the danger zone should the Swedes, for once this season, enjoy some better luck.
However Hickstead's unique challenge, with its big, open arena, and wide, intimidating fences holds no fear for the boys in green who have a tremendous record here. They captured the Prince of Wales Cup as nations cup winners in both 2000 and 2001, and Macken's return has created a real buzz in the Irish camp. Living in Canada in recent years the man who hails from County Longford and who remains a household name in his home country following his tremendous success during the 1970's has been noticeably absent from the national side for almost 10 years but he never stopped competing and, having forged an exciting new partnership with the 12 year old Belgian-bred mare First Tedechine Sept, he is right back at the sharp end.
“Eddie has earned his place here based on his performance; it is not a nostalgic decision," insisted Irish team manager Robert Splaine today. "He has been consistent in the US and in Canada − particularly in Calgary − and the arena in Calgary is similar to here. He is a strong and steady influence, and we are very happy to have him" he added. Joining Macken tomorrow will be Denis Lynch, Cian O'Connor and Capt David O'Brien.
Swiss Chef d'Equipe, Rolf Grass, named his team as Theo Muff, Jane Richard, Celine Stauffer and Pius Schwizer while Germany's Sonke Sonkssen has just four to call on − Andreas Knippling, Anna-Maria Jakobs, Holger Wulschner and Philipp Weishaupt.
The Netherlands' Rob Ehrens will send out Mathijs Van Asten, Jur Vrieling, Gerald Geessink and Wout Jan Van der Schans while Peter Postelmans, doubling-up as both rider and team manager today when deputising for Belgium's Lucien Somers who will arrive tomorrow, proudly announce that his national side will include Patrik Spits, Peter Devos, Niels Bruynseels "and me!".
Britain's Derek Ricketts said that Geoff Luckett, 22-year-old newcomer Charlotte Platt, Duncan Inglis and Michael Whitaker will fly the home flag. The British record on their home turf is impressive − riders have been competing for the Prince of Wales Cup since 1929 and the home side has claimed the trophy 30 times.
However it is the 2007 winners from the USA who go into the ring as defending champions, and Melanie Taylor-Smith, deputising for George Morris, listed Nicole Shahinian-Simpson (SRF Dragonfly), Michael Morrissey (Crelido), Lauren Hough (Quick Study) and Hillary Dobbs (Quincy B) as her selection. Dobbs, who was the youngest winner ever of the prestigious Swedbank Derby at Falsterbo in Sweden last weekend, looks to continue her winning streak.
Rob Ehrens was asked how Albert Zoer is recovering from the untimely broken leg that will keep him out of the Olympic Games. "We were all hoping he would make it, but the injury is too serious," said the Dutch manager. "It is going to take time to repair − he is expected to recover in six to seven weeks so we are hoping that he will be back in shape for Barcelona," he pointed out.
The final of the 2008 Samsung Super League with FEI series will take place in the Spanish city in September so it is getting down to the wire. One team will take the plunge into the second division after the Barcelona final which follows the penultimate leg of the series in Dublin in two weeks' time. Sweden needs a really good result tomorrow, and if they get it then the Irish are under pressure ahead of their home fixture, and relegation is in the air once again...
SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE WITH FEI 2008 - LEADERBOARD AFTER FIFTH LEG IN AACHEN:
1. GERMANY - 32
2. NETHERLANDS - 30.5
3. GREAT BRITAIN- 23.50
4. USA - 21.33
5. BELGIUM - 19.50
6. SWITZERLAND- 16.08
7. IRELAND - 13.83
8. SWEDEN - 5.75
For further information on the Samsung Super League with FEI in Aachen check out WEBSITE www.chioaachen.de. Show President at the German fixture is Klaus Peter Pavel, Show Director is Frank Kemperman and Press Officer is Niels Knippertz - Email niels.knippertz@chioaachen.de.
The sixth leg of the series takes place in Hickstead, Great Britain on Friday 25 July. Show President is Douglas Bunn, Show Director is Edward Bunn, Show Secretary is Elizabeth Bunn and Press Officer is Peter Jeffery - contact email jeffery.communications@btopenworld.com.
FEI TELEVISION - BROADCAST INFORMATION - ROUND 5 IN AACHEN:
Live/Delayed Live
SKY (UK) - Friday 25 July 14.15
Equidia (France) - Sunday 27 July 21.45
RAI (Italy) - Check local listings
Dubai Sports Channel - Check local listings
Highlights
CNBC Asia - Saturday 9 August 15.00
CNBC Europe - Saturday 10 August 17.00
ESPN Brazil - Check local listings
ESPN Star (Pan Asia) - Tuesday 12 August 18.00, Wednesday 13 August 18.00, Thursday 14 August 01.30, 23.00, Friday 15 August 14.00, 15.00, Saturday 16 August 01.30, 05.30; Tuesday 19 August 18.00, Wednesday 20 August 15.00
EUROSPORT - Wednesday 30 July 19.25, Thursday 31. July 08.30
EUROSPORT ASIA - Thursday 31 July 10.00
FINNISH SPORT TV - Saturday 9 August 18.25
FOX MIDDLE EAST - Thursday 14 August 16.00
SETANTA SPORTS (Ireland) - Check local listings
SUPERSPORT (Pan Africa) - Thursday 14 August 21.30, Friday 15 August 02.00, 06,00, Sunday 17 August 09.00, Monday 18 August 15.00, Tuesday 19 August 17.00, Wednesday 20 August 23.00
SPORT PLUS (France) - Monday 04 August 22.00
SPORT TV (Portugal) - Check local listings
TG4 (Ireland) - Check local listings
TVE (Spain) - Check local listings
WCSN (USA) - Check local listings
SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE - NATIONAL PRIDE, INTERNATIONAL PASSION!
SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE WITH FEI - 2008 CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
ROUND 1 - La Baule (FRA) 5-11 May; ROUND 2 - Rome (ITA) 22-25 May; ROUND 3 - St Gallen (SUI) 29 May - 1 June: ROUND 4 - Rotterdam (NED) 18-22 June; ROUND 5 - Aachen (GER) 1-6 July; ROUND 6 - Hickstead (GBR) 24-27 July; ROUND 7 - Dublin (IRL) 8-10 August; ROUND 8 and FINAL - Barcelona (ESP) 18-21 September.
You can access all the latest Samsung Super League with FEI news and information on website www.samsungsuperleague.com.
Want to know more? Check out the comprehensive MEDIA GUIDE for the series, available in print (contact: olivia.robinson@fei.org)and for download at www.samsungsuperleague.com under "Media Guide" heading.
PHOTOGRAPHS - A Photo Gallery of pictures is available on the Samsung Super League with FEI website for use by professional media only. The gallery will be regularly updated with low and high-resolution photographs and is password protected. To obtain a password follow the simple instructions when clicking on the link.
The Samsung Super League with FEI consists of the eight most prestigious horse shows at which the world's eight best national teams compare their merit. The Samsung Super League with FEI is connected to the FEI Nations Cup series through a promotion/relegation system at the end of each season.
Samsung Electronics, one of the world's largest electronics companies, is committed to supporting international sporting events, thereby returning corporate profits to the public and working towards a more harmonious and equitable society.
Copyright © 2008 The NW Horse Source, LLC
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