June 4, 2010 – Weirden, the Netherlands and Lexington, KY – It wasn’t easy, but the Young Riders representing the US on the US Show Jumping Young Rider Tour fought hard through two rounds of the Nations Cup to force a jump-off with the home team and eventually outran the Netherlands for their first Nations Cup win at CSIOY Weirden.

The squad of Jennifer Waxman and Venturo, Michael Murphy and Katina 12, Nick Dello Joio with Malcolm and Karl Cook on Uno de Laubry recovered from a 17 fault performance in the first round of the Nations Cup to add just four in the second round.

Both Dello Joio and Cook jumped clear in the second round, forcing a jump off with the Netherlands. The Germans, who led after round one fell out of contention, and the shuffle at the top of the leaderboard was rapid.

All four riders returned to the ring for the jump-off and Waxman and Murphy put in very fast four fault efforts, the Dutch went one better however and their first two riders jumped careful clears. Dello Joio and Cook took a few extra seconds to ensure that the produced clear rounds – which paid off when the final two Dutch riders had four faults a piece and times that couldn’t match Waxman and Murphy.

“All five riders, including Taylor Land, who didn’t jump in the Nations Cup but was great team player, all five riders, I couldn’t be prouder of,” said Chef d’Equipe Michelle Grubb. “This is the start of something great for the us to come over with Young Riders, hopefully in the future we can bring Juniors as well. We are well thought of, and the other riders here were in awe of our performance.”

Rider/Horse
Faults (drop score)

Jennifer Waxman/Venturo 5 4

Michael Murphy/Katina 12 8 (16)

Nick Dello Joio/Malcolm 4 0

Karl Cook/Uno de Laubry (8) 0

Author: By Joanie Morris

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