For most European riders a transatlantic AIEC Nations Cup is only a dream or at least a once in a lifetime opportunity.  In June 2010 the Canadian student riders hosted this event.  Unfortunately only 6 European countries accepted this offer, creating (together with the USA) a total of 12 competing teams. Upon arrival most teams were immediately overwhelmed by the greatness and beauty of the equestrian centre and the sleeping accommodation.

As always the first day ended with a fancy dress party, this time the Canadian student riders decided to ignore all taboo’s (if there are any in AIEC) and go for an ‘anything but clothes party’. Some people took this message literally while others kept it more civilized and decided to use some Canadian maps, a carpet and even saddle pads to cover their body. The biggest surprise of that evening, and maybe of the whole competition, was the presence of our experienced TD, Kristof, who was able to join us after a short visit to the hospital earlier that week.

After a great night of seeing old friends and meeting new ones it was Thursday and time for dressage. All of the riders were up, had breakfast and were ready to start by 9.00 am. The teams had the opportunity to ride the team test on some magnificent horses that were at least fit for a second or even third round dressage. We really enjoyed watching the tests and the morning brought some synchronized and some less synchronized tests. During lunch the riders who proceeded into the second round were announced and it was time for the second round to start. Here we saw riders battle it out to reach the semi finals. The dressage was followed on Friday night by an eighties themed party but this time in a different location. A party bus, that surprisingly looked like a fancy party limousine brought us to one of London’s fancy clubs.

Show Jumping was next, and everyone was up early and ready for the first round. We saw a few little falls which were slightly entertaining but thankfully the riders whose names I dare not mention were not injured. After lunch the riders of the second round showjumping battled for their place in the semi-finals of the next day. Mainly American and Canadian riders were present in that round, but all riders who were no longer riding enthusiastically supported them.
After the day’s competition was over we all went to a local market place, discovering the Canadian ‘hippie’ style event. That evening we concluded our day in an Irish pub, you cannot get more local influence than that!

The next morning some riders prepared for the semi-finals of the dressage and the showjumping.  Surprise, surprise even our Irish survival cup winner, Bierlanda Lord Gary Flynn made it to the semi-finals in showjumping. Unfortunatly the story ended there for this lad. After a battle between mainly Canadian, American, Irish and Swiss riders the names of the finalists were announced during the Gala event. We were invited to the local golfclub were the ‘beerskie’ made its first entrance in our Canadian experience. During the gala even Paul Hayman joined us for a party and some ‘beerskie’. The night was finished with the knowledge that Canadian female student riders can drink faster than the Irish ‘lads’.

Next day everybody was up early to witness the final round of showjumping. Canadian rider Brittany Descotte and American rider Alix Walker contended for the first place. After the second round, Canadian Descotte clearly showed her competence over that of her American colleague, winning the showjumping. After lunch the dressage event took place and a large crowd of non-AIEC people witnessed the dressage finals. Irish rider Sara Doran Glyn was first to start. After Sarah’s nice dressage test Canadian Becky Steer had to start her freestyle. In the end it was Canadian Becky Steer who won the dressage competition. Overall combined victory was for the Canadian Brittany Descotte, followed by Swiss Tanja Moos.

As everybody knows there are also all the fun prizes: Baggers, anti-baggers and survivors. But this time the anti-baggers was not needed. Baggers award was for the American rider Ben. Survivors went to… surprise, surprise… Ireland, who obtained this for the third time this year.

After the event everybody was pleased, and some even joined the Hayman family to their lake cottage for some more relaxing days. In general the first transatlantic AIEC competition after some years was a huge success, thank you very much to the Canadian student riders and the Hayman family for hosting the event.