NetJets® U.S. Jumping Team Finishes Ninth in Mercedes-Benz Jumping Nations Cup CSIO5*

Riders on the U.S. Jumping Team Short List for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games take part in the final observation event at CHIO Aachen.

The NetJets U.S. Jumping Team finished ninth in CHIO Aachen’s Mercedes-Benz Jumping Nations Cup CSIO5*, finishing on eight faults in the first round. The team unfortunately did not qualify for the second round, alongside Switzerland, who also finished on eight faults. Only the top eight teams returned for the second round.

Laura Kraut and Baloutinue were the only combination to finish on a zero-fault score. Katie Dinan with Out of the Blue SCF, Natalie Dean with Acota M, and McLain Ward with Ilex each had a rail.

Laura Kraut and Baloutinue had a clear round in the Mercedes-Benz Nations Cup. | US Equestrian

Ireland finished as the winners on a total of zero faults after two rounds. Mexico took second on a fast four faults and Great Britain was third on a final total of four. The track was designed by Frank Rothenberger (GER) and saw the standings fluctuate considerably in the second round.

Insight From Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland

“Obviously the result today was disappointing for the entire team. We are always aiming for the second round and for the podium, and that’s a collective mindset. But I thought all of our horses jumped really well, and the cards just didn’t fall in our favor,” said Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland. “There were a lot of clears in the first round, which left very little room for error in terms of the first-round scores. Laura and Baloutinue jumped a great clear for us, and there is still plenty of jumping left this week.”

First Round Performances in Aachen

Kraut (Royal Palm Beach, Fla.) and Baloutinue led off the four-member team order, producing a strong clear round. Baloutinue is a 2010 Hanoverian gelding owned by St. Bride’s Farm, and cared for by Margo Thomas. Kraut and Baloutinue showcased their experience and partnership. They secured the first clear round of the night, with the U.S. going early in the team rotation.

In their first Nations Cup appearance together, Dinan (Wellington, Fla.) and Out of the Blue SCF looked poised. Out of the Blue SCF is a 2014 BWP/NAD mare owned by Grand Road Partners, LLC, and cared for by Lou Beudin. Dinan and Out of the Blue SCF had a strong start to their round for the team. However, they dropped the back rail of the triple bar to add four faults to their score.

Dean (Palo Alto, Calif.) and Acota M, were third in the team order, which put the athleticism and scope of the 2013 Oldenburg mare owned by Marigold Sporthorses, LLC, and cared for by Laura Regan on display. The pair, who have amassed several top results throughout their partnership, made their way through the challenging components of the track. Unfortunately, they dropped the final oxer on course, also adding four to their first-round score.

As the anchor combination, Ward (Brewster, N.Y.) and Ilex knew pressure was mounting with the final round. The other nine teams produced clear rounds and the combined team scores were tight. The expressive 2013 KWPN gelding owned by Bonne Chance Farm, Gilberto Sayão da Silva, and McLain Ward, and cared for by Virginie Casterman, was impressive, especially over the open water. However, the pair nudged the B element of the triple combination, also finishing on four faults. The team completed the first round on a total of eight faults.

Nations Cup Results

Final Olympic Observation Event

Kraut, Dinan, Dean and Ward are on the U.S. Jumping Team Short List for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. CHIO Aachen is the final observation event where the horse-and-rider combinations’ performances can be evaluated ahead of team selection. Jumping competition will continue throughout the weekend. The highlight Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen CSIO5* is set to start at 1:00 p.m. GMT+2/7:00 a.m. ET, on Sunday, July 7.

Event Website | Schedule | Start Lists & Results

To read more about the U.S. Jumping Team Short List for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, click here.

Thanks to Zoetis for our coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics, including rider interviews, competition reports, horse spotlights, photos, videos and more.

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