All eyes were on the Nations Cup Intesa Sanpaolo on Friday afternoon at the CSIO Roma Piazza di Siena, as a large and enthusiastic crowd gathered in the historic setting of Rome’s Villa Borghese for one of the highlights of the week. The prestigious CSIO5* 1.60m competition also served as a qualifying opportunity for Sunday’s Rolex Gran Premio Roma.
Ten nations lined up for the first round: Italy, Belgium, Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, France, Brazil, Sweden, Mexico and the United States. Designed over 12 obstacles and 15 jumping efforts, the course immediately tested the world-class field.
The host nation opened the competition with Giulia Martinengo Marquet and Delta Del’Isle. Despite a fault at the entrance of the double combination, the Italian rider received a warm ovation from the home crowd and set the tone for an afternoon of intense competition.
As the teams followed one another into the arena, clear rounds began to appear. Ireland’s Denis Lynch and Vistogrand produced the first faultless performance of the competition, while Mexico quickly demonstrated its strength through Carlos Hank Guerreiro and H5 Shaq Attack.
The Mexican team proved unstoppable throughout the opening round. With four clear rounds from four riders, Mexico was the only nation to finish the first round on a score of zero, taking a commanding lead into the second round. Behind them, Ireland, Germany, Great Britain and the United States remained firmly in contention on four faults.
Only eight nations returned for the second round, with France and Sweden narrowly missing out on qualification.
Brazil opened the second round before Jessica Mendoza and Summerhouse produced the first clear round of the afternoon. As the pressure intensified, riders and horses continued to deliver outstanding performances in pursuit of a place on the podium.
Mexico's excellent form continued as Carlos Hank Guerreiro and H5 Shaq Attack completed one of the first double clears of the competition. Great Britain's Adrian Whiteway aboard Chacco Volo and Germany's Sophie Hinners with Iron Dames Combella soon followed with double-clear performances of their own.
For the home team, Giacomo Casadei delivered a crucial clear round, keeping Italy's hopes of a podium finish alive in front of an appreciative Roman crowd.
As the competition entered its decisive moments, Germany, Mexico and Great Britain found themselves level on four faults before the final riders from each team entered the arena.
Great Britain's hopes rested on Joseph Stockdale and Ebanking, but four faults left the British team on a final score of eight. Germany then turned to Richard Vogel and Gangster Montdésir, who rose magnificently to the occasion with a clear round under immense pressure.
Everything then depended on Mexico’s final rider, Fernando Martinez Sommer aboard Joep. Producing yet another flawless round, the pair secured a jump-off between Mexico and Germany for victory.
Germany elected to send Richard Vogel and Gangster Montdesir into the jump-off. The German rider attacked the shortened course with determination and speed, but a rail at the final fence left the door open for Mexico.
The pressure shifted to Patricio Pasquel and Chakkalou PS. Rising to the occasion, the Mexican rider produced a performance he will never forget, delivering the clear round required to secure victory and place Mexico on the top step of the podium.
Nations Cup Intesa Sanpaolo – Final Standings
🥇 Mexico 🥈 Germany 🥉 Great Britain
Backed by passionate support throughout the afternoon, Italy Ovazione finished fourth.
With the Nations Cup decided and further riders securing qualification for Sunday’s Rolex Gran Premio Roma, anticipation now builds for the highlight of the week at the 100th edition of the CSIO Roma Piazza di Siena.
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