Germany won the final round of the Samsung Super League 2006

Germany won the final round of the Samsung Super League with FEI 2006 and secured the series title at the Real Club de Polo in Barcelona, Spain today where the Irish were forced to accept relegation despite a joint-fifth placing alongside Switzerland.

The Netherlands slotted into second and the USA hopes of scoring a back-to-back double of title wins were spoiled when they finished third. The British were seventh ahead of the French in eighth and the home team from Spain, enjoying an invitational visit to the Super League for just one day, were ninth, going out of contention after 27 first-round faults.
The Germans were already out in front on a zero score at the end of the first round after clears from Christian Laman and Coster, Rene Tebbel and Team Harmony Coupe de Coeur and Marcus Ehning with Gitania. Marco Kutscher´s Montender had an uncharacteristic stop at the water at fence eight to return a surprise score of 10 faults for the reigning European individual champions.

Frank Rothenberger´s 12-fence track was big and technical, with the treble combination at fence five, the following oxer and the line from the vertical at seven to the water at eight and the following Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010 vertical at nine causing plenty of problems. The triple bar at the first element of the treble encouraged horses to jump in too boldly which left many struggling for lift-off at the second-element oxer and wrong again at the final vertical. It tested horsemanship and horse agility, but the Germans made it all look rather easy first time out.

For the Irish it was a very tough end to a very tough year. ¨We are all disappointed for the team because they really put their hearts into it and the team spirit was exceptional¨ said Robert Splaine. ¨We will have to sit down and think about what we are going to do for next year when the dust has settled, but, although things did not work out for us today I know we will be back. We belong in the Super League¨ he added. Belonging to the Samsung Super League with FEI series has become a measure of success and security in international show jumping.

SAMSUNG SUPER LEAGUE WITH FEI 2006 – LEADERBOARD AFTER ROUND 8 IN BARCELONA :

1. Germany – 65.125
2. USA – 46.0
3. The Netherlands – 35.125
4. France – 35.0
5. Switzerland – 32.125
6. Great Britain – 30.0
7. Sweden – 27.125
8. Ireland – 22.0