Kevin McNab and Scuderia 1918 A Best Friend.
© Equestrian High Performance Team
Team France wins FEI Nations Cup, Aussie Kevin McNab gains Tokyo MER
By Equestrian Life
The CCIO4*S Nations Cup at Le Grand Complet (Haras du Pin, France) has been won by the home nation, Team France, who maintained the lead from start to finish. The team comprised of Thibaut Vallette (Lt Col.) and Qing Du Briot Ifce, Thomas Carlile and Birmane, Christopher Six and Totem De Brecey, and Karim Florent Laghouag and Triton Fontaine; their individual placings were first, second, fourth and fifth respectively.

Thibaut Vallette (Lt. Col) and Qing Du Briot IFCE.
© FEI / Eric Knoll
Following the showjumping phase, the Australian team — comprised of Chris Burton and Jefferson 18, Isabel English and Feldale Mouse, and Kevin McNab and Scuderia 1918 Don Quidam — were placed fourth, however faults occurred during the cross country phase saw them finish in seventh place overall. Isabel and Mouse were clear of cross country jumping penalties, and only added time penalties to their final score to be the highest placed team combination.

Isabel English and Feldale Mouse in the CCIO4*S.
© Equestrian High Performance Team
Kevin McNab had a great round cross country with his individual ride, Scuderia 1918 A Best Friend. The pair were clear of jump penalties and added just 1.2 time penalties to their score to finish on an impressive 32.2 — only a couple of points off Thibaut Vallette’s winning score of 27.8. The result meant that Kevin and Scuderia 1918 A Best Friend have become the first Australian combination to officially (re)-qualify for the postponed Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021. Achieving an MER at a CCI4*S is an FEI requirement for combinations who achieved Olympic qualifications in 2019.

Chris Burton and Leopard’s Action in the CCI3*L.
© Equestrian High Performance Team
In other classes, Chris Burton rode Leopard’s Action to second place in the CCI3*L following a clear showjumping round. A great effort in the horse’s first CCI3*L!
Isabel also had a great ride in the CCI2*S with Glenorchy, jumping clear in both phases to add just 2 time penalties to their score for a total of 36.4 and 16th place.
Congratulations to all!
Full results can be found here.
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