Held from April 17th-21st, this year’s competition sees 41 riders from 20 nations set to battle it out.
Next week’s competition is the 36th FEI World Cup jumping final and looks set to be a classic. There was disappointment for the French as top rider Roger Yves Bost’s, the reigning FEI European Champion, late withdrawal dealt a blow to national hopes of victory.
France has only once won the FEI World cup jumping title, courtesy of the gifted Bruno Broucqsault and Dileme de Cephe’s shock win in Milan in 2004.
America and Germany have nine wins each to date with Rich Fellers and the Irish-bred stallion Flexible winning at s’Hertogenbosch in The Netherlands in 2012. Beezie Madden scored again for the Americans with her sparkling win at last year’s final in Gothenburg.
Next week America’s star-studded field of riders also includes a mass of young talent along with a depth of experience in the shape of Kent Farrington and McLain Ward.
The Germans will be represented by Christian Ahlmann, Marcus Ehning, Daniel Deusser, Lars Nieberg and Ludger Beerbaum at Lyon this year where Ehning is the only three-time champion bidding for a record fourth win with his top horses, the 17-year-old Plot Blue and the 11-year-old grey stallion Cornado NRW.
FORMAT
Next week’s format for the final begins with a speed round while the second competition starts with a first round and then a jump-off against the clock.
Penalties are carried through to the last day where riders will face a Grand Prix over two rounds, open to the top 30-placed combinations.
All eyes will be on the world’s top rider in the Longines rankings, Britain’s Scott Brash, who enjoyed a great circuit on Wellington’s winter circuit. He will be joined by Michael Whitaker who has rarely missed a final in the last 36 seasons.
Cork’s Billy Twomey will fly the tricolour while Nicola Philippaerts (20), winner of last month’s leg of the Western European League at Gothenburg will be in action for Belgium alongside Francois Mathy Jr.
Other top riders taking part are Australia’s Edwina Tops-Alexander, Portugal’s Luciana Diniz, reigning Olympic champion, Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat, along with fellow-countryman Pius Schwizer.