Fresh from claiming the world crown at the World Equestrian Games in Normandy last month, the Dutch once again demonstrated their jumping prowess by topping the qualification standings today and joining seven other nations in the final on Saturday (October 11).

There were only nine clear rounds throughout the whole competition and the Dutch secured top spot by recording three of these.

Individual world champion Jeroen Dubbeldam and his mount Zenith SFN got off to an uncharacteristic shaky start though, hitting the oxer at fence six and then putting a foot in the water on the Santiago Varela-designed course at the Real Club de Polo.

But Maikel van der Vleuten on board VDL Groep Verdi, Jur Vrieling on VDL Bubalu and Gerco Schroder and his mount Glock's London all got round with clear runs to put the Dutch in pole position going into the decider.

Sweden were the best of the rest thanks to clears from Peder Fredricson on board H&M Simon and Henrik von Eckermann on Cantinero.

Belgium qualified in third spot after a foot-perfect run from Olivier Philippaerts and his partner Cabrio van de Heffinck and despite a disastrous trip from Dirk Demeersman on STB Fleuri van de Koekelberg, picking up 20 faults, steady runs from Niels Bruynseels on Pommeau de Heup and Pieter Devos with Dylano ensured a relatively safe passage for the Belgians.

Canada and Germany joined Belgium on eight faults with clears from Yann Candele on board Showgirl for the Canadians and Daniel Deusser and his partner Cornet D'Amour for the Germans.

Jeroen Dubbeldam and Zenith SFN put in one of three clear rounds for the Dutch in Barcelona ©AFP/Getty Images



Speaking after his run today, Dubbeldam said: "I was pleased with the way my horse jumped, he gave me a good feeling.

"The first fault was a 'line' fault, and the fault at the water was a bit unusual because he's normally good at that.

"I might have sat too quiet there and trusted him a little too much, but he gave me a good feeling anyway, and maybe I just wanted to see with my result today how sharp the other boys were going to be - it worked out ok in the end."

The biggest surprise of the day was that reigning Nations Cup champions and World Equestrian Games silver medallists France failed to make the cut for Saturday's final, finishing third-last out of a field of 14 nations.

Jerome Hurel's mount Quartz Rouge ground to a halt at the last and refused to jump which summed up a poor day for the French.

Meanwhile, Luca Moneta and partner Neptune Brecourt put in a superb clear round to secure Italy a surprise spot in the final as they finished joint sixth with Brazil on 12 faults.

Great Britain scraped into the final qualification spot on 14 faults ahead of the United States.

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