Although lacking an overall sponsor for its Nations Cup competitions, the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has pledged its full support toward the survival of this seminal series.

That commitment was put into clear words at both last week’s FEI Sports Forum and at the FEI Bureau Meeting that followed it in Lausanne. “Nations Cup jumping is so much a part of our DNA that it is our priority number one,” said the world governing body’s President, Ingmar de Vos as he opened a Forum debate on the subject.

Olympic and dual World Cup Champion, Steve Guerdat added his support: “Nations Cup is probably the most important class that we can take part in since it is not about you but about your country.” However, national pride can only go so far. In a professional world it is also about finance. Up against a Global Champions series that has some ¤23m on offer this season, the Nations Cup promoters have to think big. As Steve Guerdat said: “We need to concentrate on making the Nations Cup the best product and then the money will come.”

Taking these sentiments on board, the following Bureau Meeting resolved that: “Nations Cup is our top priority.” They put money to that commitment and approved a specific provision from its finances toward the €2m prize fund at the FEI Nations Cup 2017 Final in Barcelona.

As to individual Nations Cups like our own Aga Khan within the Western European Division I series, the 2017 rules state that the prize money for each event should remain at €200,000. They also stipulate that there should also be €200,000 on offer in the Grand Prix for which the Nations Cup is part of the qualifying process at each show. How all of this is to be funded is not yet clear. Part of it comes from Longines who are in the midst of a five year commitment to the Nations Cup. It is understood that there will also be a subvention from the FEI and the rest will have to come from the show itself. The international classes at cup shows are confined to 65 riders. The entry fee for each horse is €500. For international young horse events the fee is €250.

The Western European Division I eight-show series, of which Ireland is a part, jumps off at Lummen in Belgium next week. It is not a points gaining event for Rodrigo Pessoa’s named squad of Michael Duffy, Richard Howley, Paul Kennedy, Dermott Lennon and Denis Lynch. Our six designated shows, at which we can count our four best results toward qualifying for the €2m final in Barcelona, are La Baule, Rome, Rotterdam, Falsterbo, Hickstead and Dublin.