Third Leg of Nations Cup Qualifier Starts Today in Xalapa, Mexico

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While the European 1 Division of the Nations Cup Qualifiers is being rained out, things are sunny and go for launch at the CSIO4* in Xalapa Mexico. The event will be held on the brilliant green turf at the historic Coapexpan Equestrian Club.

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Lugar Jueves at Coapexpan. Screenshot via youtube

The event is a qualifier for the North and Central America & Caribbean Division, and there are four active teams in the region: El Salvador, Canada, Mexico, and the United States, but El Salvador will not be sending a team to this event.  A total of two teams from this League will qualify for the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping 2015 Final which will take place in Barcelona, Spain from 22 to 25 September.

The starting order for tomorrow’s competition was determined by a draw held in Xalapa last night:

1. Canada
2. Mexico
3. USA

Team USA took maximum points at the first leg of this League in Ocala (USA) in February with a star-studded team comprised of Beezie Madden, McLain Ward, Lauren Hough, and Todd Minikus, who barely held off a strong contingent from Team Mexico, who will undoubtedly be hungry to win on their home turf.

The United States Equestrian Federation announced Tuesday that the team representing the U.S. will be Christine McCrea on Dynamo, Jonathan McCrea on Special Lux, Richard Spooner on Big Red, and Ali Wolff on Quirie 2. The Chef d’Equipe is Robert Ridland.

The competition officially starts tomorrow at 1pm (US Central Time) and will be broadcast live on FEI TV for those with a paid subscription.

A full schedule can be found here.

A full entry list can be found here.