The History of the Nations Cup

This year we celebrate 100 years of the Nations Cup... As the first two Nations Cup were held in 1909, and thus mark the first major team competitions of the FEI.

However, it must be noted that when in 1909 both the indoor shows at Olympia in London and the outdoor show in San Sebastian decided – unknown to each other – to hold, in the framework of their still young shows, a team Jumping for officers, neither the FEI existed nor were the two competitions called Nations Cup...

The FEI was only founded in 1921 – in 1909 not even a thought appeared to the effect that an international ruling body would be beneficial to the sport. Horse shows, even with international participation, were held under national rules or, if there was no national federation, the competitions were run as the Organisers saw fit. As to the Nations Cup: neither Olympia nor San Sebastian, or any of the pre-war organisers (until 1914) called them “Nations Cup”, and thoughts of a series or even the Super League did not exist (yet).

How it all got started...

The Olympia Show in London, organised for the first time only two years previously, in 1907 and led by a strong President, Lord Lonsdale, was overwhelmed by the international participation and thought it a good idea to let the officers of the various nations compete against each other in a team competition. Thus in June 1909, six teams with three riders each competed in one round. It was a tough course. There were no clears and the winning French accumulated 20.5 penalty points. Jean Cariou was in the French team, who three years later became the first Olympic champion. The Italians were second among them Giorgio Trissino who had, nine years before, placed second in two of the three competitions of the first “Olympic Equestrian Games” of 1900, riding horses of Federico Caprilli. The British led by the legendary Geoffrey Brooke, were third, ahead of Canada, Belgium and Argentina.

In San Sebastian, on 17 September 1909, seven teams of five riders competed. Giorgio Bianchetti and Leon of Italy, Oliveira and Ramirez of Argentina, Ripet of Belgium were the only four riders who had already done Olympia. The Italian powerhouse of Amalfi, Bianchetti, Antonelli, Bulla and Capece-Zurlo won with 18 points against 32 for the home team and 34 for Argentina. The latter, only with four riders in Europe, missed the injured Olympia starter Casares. The Organisers, with no FEI or FEI rulebook present, allowed Oliveira to ride three
horses, for San Sebastian this was the first and last team competition, although the Northern Spanish continued, also not regularly, to hold international Jumping competitions. But Olympia repeated in 1910, with Belgium the winner. The third edition was in Brussels, one month before, where also the home riders had won.

The Early Years...

In 1911 the team competition concept had arrived. First was Rome on 11 May, where three teams of five competed for the Coppa del Re. The course measured 300 meters, with 15 obstacles minimum height 1.15m, time allowed 7 minutes. Italy led by Amalfi was ahead of France. In the French team the father of Jean d’Orgeix, one of the all-time great riders in the forties and fifties. In Turin, two weeks later, the French team won and in Brussels again the Belgians. Seven teams competed in London on 21 June 1911. France was the winner, but in second place was an unknown trio from Russia. The sensation of 1911 was the first team competition at the National Horse Show in Madison Square in Garden in New York on 22 November 1911.

The trophy, The America Cup, was offered by the Martinique Hotel. Four teams competed: The USA, the neighbouring Canadians, the British and some unknown from the Netherlands. But the latter won and they were received in Amsterdam after their return in one of the biggest victory parades ever seen in the Netherlands.

In 1912 Spa and The Hague held their first team competitions. But the major events were the repeat wins of the Dutch in New York and the sensational victory of Russia at Olympia. Led by Paul Rodzianko, younger brother of Alexander, who brought the Caprilli system to Russia and the perfect stylist Dimitri d’Exe, they beat the French with Baron de Merlon on Amazone, probably the best pre-war horse and again the British. The Russians repeated in 1913 and 1914 and took the King Edward VII Cup home. The trophy has, unfortunately, disappeared. In fifth place in London 1912, a Canadian team constituted of the three brothers, of whom one went on to play an important role in the development of equestrian sport in Canada after World War Two The Hague in July 1914 was the last team competition before the war - Olympia, London in June 1920 was the first after - the only one in 1920. Sweden was the winner. One member of the team was the 53 year old Clarence Von Rosen the man who was instrumental in bringing equestrian sport into the Olympics in 1912. In 1921 Nice organised its first horse show. It was held on the then empty fields where Nice airport now stands and was organised to please the riders, but also to have an opportunity to open the tourist season two weeks earlier. The Nice Horse Show was an immediate success and the visiting teams with its entourages, filled the hotels as desired. The CHIO Nice was, even after World War Two, alas the show had to move to the Colline du Château when the Airport was built, one of the top events in the FEI calendar.

The FEI comes into being and the “series” is born...

In the following years more shows organised team competitions. The FEI founded in 1921 primarily to take care of the Olympics, only started in 1929 to get involved in the team competitions. It established, for 1930, the first Nations Cup calendar and was to a certain extent a series – even though it was not referred to in that way.

The 1930 calendar consisted of 14 shows: Berlin and Aachen, Nice, Rome, Brussels, Lisbon, Warsaw, London, Lucerne and Geneva, Dublin, Boston and New York, Toronto. In these 14 Nations Cups, seventeen Nations competed for a total of 70 starts, ie 50 per Nations Cup. If one would use the present day Nations Cup point standings, Italy (34) was in the lead ahead of Germany (27) and Switzerland (24).

The thirties became the battle of the Army teams. With teams such as the French and the Italians, existing since the turn of the century, and newcomers such as Ireland and Germany, created in the late twenties. They were by far and large the major public attraction from 1931 to 1938/39. Italy and France, who had dominated the first thirty years of the 20th Century, were slightly weaker, while the Swiss, quite strong until 1930, had lost power. The duel in the thirties was between Germany and Ireland.

Overall from 1931 – 1938/1939, Germany had 29 victories for Irelands’ 22. But for Ireland, this was quite a success when you consider the means and breeding programmes at the disposal of the German teams.

Post World War II

After the war, the activities started slowly. In 1946 one year after the terrible war ended, only Dublin, New York and Toronto were able to put on a show and renew their Nations Cups. Ireland won in Dublin, but the two North American shows were dominated by Mexico, led by Humberto Moriles. In 1947 there were already 10 Nations Cups, normal life had returned. France won four of them, led by Pierre Jonquères d’Oriola on Marquis III, who later became the only two times Jumping Olympic Champion in 1952 and 1964.

In the following years the number of Nations Cup slowly increased. Until the nineties there were annually between 12 to 16. Italy who had fielded strong Nations Cup teams for 50 years, had a problem. They had to rely on the d’Inzeo brothers, but with the exception of Mancinelli, rarely found the 3rd or 4th man to field a winning team. Spain, for a few years, played a leading role, as did the already mentioned Mexico.

Germany, after it was admitted to FEI membership again in 1952, remained a power. New among the contenders for victory was Great Britain, now with civilian riders, including excellent lady riders. First it was Harry Llewellyn with the great foxhunters, then extraordinary Pat Smythe. But the strongest impact was made by the United States equestrian team, the civilian organisation which had taken over from the US Army in 1950. Coached by Bert de Nemethy, with the foursome of Steinkraus, Chapot, Wiley and Morris they not only started to win both on their European tours and at the Fall Circuit Shows, but also impressed with their style. Gladstone, their training centre in New Jersey became a symbol of systematic preparation.

The President’s Cup 1965 - 1984

At the FEI General Assembly in December 1964 in Brussels the newly elected President the Duke of Edinburgh, suggested the creation of a Jumping championship, based on the results of the Nations Cup held during the years. He offered a trophy, portraying his wife, Queen Elizabeth II on horse-back. The first such Nation Cup Series, called President Cup was run in 1965, and was won by Great Britain. Of the 16 Nations Cups held in 1965, the British won six (Madrid, Olsztyn, Dublin, Copenhagen, Oostende and Rotterdam) and won the Presidents cup with 34 pts ahead of Italy (30) and Germany (28).

The following year the United States won, and then again in 1968. The latter triumph was achieved with six wins in six starts (London, Dublin, Ostende, Rotterdam, New York and Toronto) Steinkraus and Chapot were still mainstays in the USET Squad, with Mary Mairs (later Chapot) and Kathy Kusner joining the team.

In the years 1969 to 1979 the President’s Cup was won by Great Britain (7 times) and the Federal Republic of Germany (4times). Then in 1980 France won. They competed in 11 of the 16 nations cup held in this Olympic boycott year, and won five of them: Rome, Aachen, Liege, Paris and Toronto. Frederic Cottiers on Flambeau was a member of all five winning teams.

The Prince Phillip Trophy and the Gucci Trophy 1985 - 1989

In 1985 the Queen’s trophy and the title Presidents Cup was transferred to a newly created annual point championship, honouring the National Federations for their riders’ performances in the championships. Thus, for 1985 and 1986 the Nations Cup Series was called: Prince Phillip Trophy. Then as from 1987 for 3 years, the Nations Cup series had its first sponsor, Gucci. The series was now called: Gucci Trophy. Seventeen Nations Cup were held in 1987, 24 countries took part, 19 countries received points (on the scale 6-4-3-2-1 for the top five placings) France won the series for the second time since 1980 and thus became the first Gucci trophy winner. France won five of the 17 Nations Cup, including the one in La Baule with the all star cast of Cottier / Flambeau, Rozier / Jiva, Robert / Lafayette and Durand / Jappeloup.

France followed this up with another win in 1988. This time they won seven of the 19 Nations Cups held, including for the second time only the biggest trophy of them all: Aachen, again with Flambeau, Lafayette and Jappeloup, and Morgat of Bourdy replacing Jiva. For the third Gucci trophy, in 1989, Great Birtain stepped up to the challenge.

HCS Nations Cup 1990-1991

In 1990 HCS a Dutch technology company, replaced Gucci as Nations Cup Series sponsor. But, faced with an economic crisis, they dropped out after little more than a year. Still the HCS Nations Cup season did introduce an uinteretsing new feature - a final, held in September 1991 on Leon Melchiors’ property of Lanaken Belgium. The United States was the winner in this unique world final with Leslie Leneham, Debbie Shaffer, Joan Scharffenberger and Greg Twist on the grey Gem Twist.

This 1990 /91 Season started in October 1990 in Washington and ended in September at Luciano Pavarotti’s propoerty in Modena, one week before the final in London. The regular series before the final consisted of 19 Nations Cups of which Great Britain won six. At the final, the prominent foursome of the Whitaker brothers, Broome and Skelton could only place third, behind Germany and the winners – USA – who earned their victory in a final jump off with Germany, at that time still held with all four riders

The Nations Trophy 1992-1996

With the permanent departure of HCS the Nations Cup Series became a point system again, without a final. From 1992 to 1996 it was called Nations Trophy, won by France and Germany on two occasions and once by Great Britain.

Samsung enters the arena...

In the fall of 1995, the Korean industrial conglomerate Samsung expressed their desire for a global sponsorship, having been for nine years already the faithful sponsor of the two development series in Jumping and Dressage. With Volvo oin its 18th year as World Cup sponsor, and with no intention of moving, the FEI proposed the sponsorship of the Nations Cup Series. Following a three day meeting in Seoul, between a Samsung delegation led by Michael Huyn and the World Cup Directors a budget within the frame of 3 Mio. CHF annually was established. During the following months, several more meetings were held and in September, an FEI delegation went to Seoul for a signing ceremony. The first Nations Cup for the Samsung Series was held on 11 May 1997 in La Baule.

Samsung Nations Cup (1997 – 2003)

Since the Samsung Nations Cup Series was to end with a final in September of each year, their first Samsung season was shortened. It consisted of 17 regular Nations Cups, followed by the final of 12 September 1997 at Spruce Meadows in Calgary. The United States won the series, with wins in Rome, St. Gallen, Falsterbo and Rotterdam. In Calgary they placed second behind The Netherlands. But despite the double-points given at the final, the Dutch could not overtake the Americans anymore: They won with 39.5 point against 34 for The Netherlands.

The Dutch team consisted of Emile Hendrix / Finesse, Bert Romp / Samantha, Jos Lansink / Calvaro Z and Jan Tops /Operette. The American team was Alison Firestone, Nona Garson, McLain Ward and Anne Forlinski. Other riders who contributed to the US win of the series were Leslie Howard, Laura Clapton, Peter Leone, Beezie Patton, Richard Spooner, Francis Steinwedell, Katie Prudent and Margie Goldstein. For the first time also a prize for the leading rider of the series was awarded based on the number of clears. It was won by Alison Firestone with two double clears (three points each) and three single clears (one point each) for a total of 9 pts. Alison’s horse Gustl P won the trophy for the leading horse in 1997, also with 9 points.

The second season of the Samsung Nations Cup Series (1997/1998) consisted of 30 regular Nations Cup and the final in Donaueshingen 20 September 1998. The same point scale as in the previous season applied with double points given at the final. After 30 regular Nations cup there was a three way tie for the lead with 34 pts. each: France, the Netherlands and Germany. Italy with 32, was also still in the running for ultimate victory.

In the first round in Donaueshingen, four teams had only 4 penalty points, of which the Dutch and France as title contenders. Germany with 8 still had a chance, but Italy with 16 was out. 8 teams competed and 6 made it to the 2nd round. France and the Netherlands managed a clear score this time and had to do a Jump-off. Germany, too, went clear, but the 8 points from round one prevented them from the jump-off.

The Dutch were first to go : Van der Meulen went clear, then Alexandra Lederman for France. Tops went clear, then Bourdy had 8. The Dutch were elated. Of the third riders Feerink had a refusal for the Netherlands while Navet went clear for the French. The anchor riders had to decide. Jos Lansink, who would, with a clear round, have clinched the trophy for the Dutch, retired after a knock-down because he would have been the drop score. Last was Thierry Pomel and Thor des Chaines runner up at the World Championships just some weeks before. A clear would bring victory to France, a knock-down would give the trophy to the Netherlands. He succeeded, with a slow clear round, well within the generous time and France was the winner.

Despite this ideal and exciting finish of the series, the rules were changed for the 1998 / 1999 season. 27 Nations Cups were on the programme, followed by the final in Gijon, Spain, now counting from scratch. The Netherlands won the regular season, but in Gijon, France won the Final, when the last German, Ludger Beerbam lowered the very last fence.

In the next three seasons, three more Samsung Nations Cup Series were held accordingy to this formula. Ireland and twice Germany won the regular series, Germany the Netherlands and a big surprise, Italy took the finals.

Samsung Super League with FEI (2003-2008)

A new and exciting format was introduced in 2003 - the Samsung Super League with FEI. It consisted of eight events and the top eight teams (plus the home team if it was not among the 8). There were between 18 to 20 normal Nations Cups with its own point standings. A relegation/promotion system was established between the Nations Cups and the Samsung Super League with FEI such that, at the end of the season, the top placed team of the Nations Cup moves up to the Samsung Super League with FEI while the last placed team in the Samsung Super League with FEI is relegated to the Nations Cup league.

The final in Barcelona 2003 - 2008 was part of the regular Samsung Super League with FEI series, but double points were given at the final. The six winners of the Super League 2003-2008 were: France twice in 2003 and 2004, the USA in 2005, Germany three times in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

The next 100 years...

The 100 year celebrations got off to a god start with the beginning of a new partnership with Meydan, the name behind the biggest sporting development in the world, the iconic Meydan Racecourse.

With some new exciting changes to the format, the Meydan FEI Nations Cup now features the worlds ten best teams competing against each other at eight prestigious venues: La Baule in France, Rome in Italy, St-Gallen in Switzerland, Rotterdam in the Netherlands, Aachen in Germany, Falsterbo in Sweden, Hickstead in Great Britain, and Dublin in Ireland.

For the ten teams qualified in 2009 - Germany, Ireland, Sweden, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Great Britain, USA, Belgium and Italy - there will be a lot at stake as two nations will face relegation at the end of the series
following the final event in Dublin...

The rest is history...