Between St. Gallen, Deauville and Thessaloniki already looming on the horizon, this weekend’s Nations Cup calendar looked more like a motorway interchange on the first day of the summer getaway season. While the heavyweights battled for points in Switzerland, the Western European “second division” squads gathered on the Normandy coast for an EEF Series qualifier. And in the middle of this crowded schedule, Italy found the smoothest route to victory, finishing ahead of Belgium and France.

The Azzurri grind it out

n Deauville, speed was not necessarily the key. Staying out of trouble was.

Second after the opening round with just a single penalty point, Italy managed the competition perfectly to finish on six points overall and secure the win. It was a collective performance built on consistency and composure rather than fireworks.

Federico Ciriesi and Quincy Juice delivered Italy’s only double clear of the day. Filippo Bassan and Cerruti de Kreisker came agonisingly close as well, producing a clear round followed by a single time fault in round two. Filippo Tabarini and Crème de la Crème Z kept the damage to a minimum, while Matilde Giorgia Bianchi and RR Carcom contributed the points needed to complete what ultimately proved a comfortable victory.

No spectacular heroics. Just efficient, disciplined work. And sometimes, that is exactly what it takes to win a Nations Cup.

Belgium’s Red Musketeers hold their ground

Just two points behind the winners, Belgium once again confirmed its status as one of the weekend’s most reliable Nations Cup teams.

he standout Belgian performance came from Katja Haep.Partnering her 11-year-old mare Romy FZ, she produced the Red Musketeers’ only double clear. Already flawless in Mannheim earlier this season, the pair repeated the feat on Normandy’s sand arena with two rounds fully under control.

Constant van Paesschen also played a decisive role. After a four-fault effort in round one, he returned with a valuable clear aboard Unaki de Bornival Zin the second round, effectively securing Belgium’s runner-up finish.

Gudrun Patteet and Sea Coast Qarvaljo d’Or contributed a clear in the opening round before ending their day with four faults overall. As for Jeroen Appelen and King CJS., their scores of five and four faults respectively were discarded from the team total

The result: eight penalties and second place for Belgium, earned thanks to a faster combined time than France.

France one rail away from the jackpot

For much of the afternoon, victory seemed within France’s reach.

Level with Belgium on eight penalties, the French eventually had to settle for third place, separated only by the clock.

The cornerstone of the French effort was Cédric Hurel. Riding the ever-reliable Fantasio Floreval Z, the Norman rider produced one of the afternoon’s nine double clears.

Nina Mallevaey and Destine to Be also delivered when needed, following a four-fault first round with a clear second effort. Julien Épaillard appeared set for a perfect day after a faultless first round with Hacker d’Auge, but a rail down in round two ultimately ended France’s hopes of victory.

For Eden Leprévost Blin-Lebreton and Barbie de la Roque Z EDB, the learning process at top-level team competition continues. After a difficult opening round with 12 penalties, the young rider bounced back strongly with just four faults in the second round.

A frustrating third place in the moment, perhaps, but one that keeps France firmly on course in the European Nations Cup campaign.

Ireland runs off the road

reland, meanwhile, leaves Normandy with more questions than answers.

Certes, Ethen Ahearne and LVS Goldrush H produced an excellent double clear, while Michaeli Byrne conceded only two penalties throughout the entire competition.

However, repeated eliminations for Matt Garrigan and Grace V, combined with a particularly difficult second round for Harry Allen and Edison de Hus, severely damaged Irish ambitions.

The result was last place for a nation more accustomed to challenging for victories than bringing up the rear.

St. Gallen... Then Thessaloniki

Deauville may have delivered its verdict, but the traffic jam is far from over.

While attention was also focused on the five-star Nations Cup in St. Gallen, (read our article here), Thessaloniki is already waiting for its turn on Sunday. One thing is certain: during this opening weekend of June, fans of team jumping competitions have had no shortage of action.

Find full results of the EEF Nations Cup of Deauville are available here.

(Photos ©EEF Series