(Belga) Belgium finished fourth in the Equestrian Nations Cup, contested Friday as part of the 5-star CSIO in Hickstead, Great Britain, and qualified for the finals in Barcelona in the fall.

In this 1m60 scale, Koen Werecke, Peter Clemens (Akarad Hero), Willem Vermeer (IQ) and Olivier Philipperds (Miro), riding Casanova, collected a total of 12 penalty points to finish fourth (12-221.15) behind France (0-41). Completing the podium is Germany, second (0-42.89), a shoot-off against Brazil (4-44.38). Koen Verreke has completed two clear rounds in two runs. Willem Vermeer made two mistakes in the first lap and Peter Clemens made two mistakes in the second lap, while Olivier Philippaerts made two mistakes in his first round and one in the second practice. Each time the worst outcome is not taken into account. It was the fifth of six rounds of the European Division 1 Nations Cup and the last in which Belgium scored a point. Belgium won in Falsterbo, Sweden two weeks ago, with a total of 285 points, provisionally second behind Germany (330 points) and ahead of France and the Netherlands (280 points). Great Britain had 265, Switzerland 225, Sweden 215 and Ireland 210. Norway followed with 165 points. The final leg will be held in Dublin, Ireland from August 17 to 21, with France, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway and Switzerland earning points. The top seven nations will qualify for the finals in Barcelona from September 29 to October 2. (belga)