With just ten days to go before the Samsung Super League series begins at La Baule, the National Federations have nominated their squads and the stage is set for what promises to be a tough and thrilling opening leg. Next Monday the definite entries for the French fixture will be confirmed, but it is already clear that the new series has captured the interest and commitment of many of the best riders in the world so, this summer, we can look forward to some gigantic clashes as each participating nation strives to prove it is the greatest – not just once – but time and time again! The eight-strong German nomination includes both Ludger Beerbaum and recent World Cup winner Marcus Ehning, while Angelique Hoorn and Jan Tops are two of the five Dutch nominees. The British, at last shaking off the malaise of recent years, are back in fighting form with a new-look squad including young Richard Davenport and the veteran Michael Whitaker while Jerry Smit and Roberto Arioldi are amongst the nine proposed by the Italian Federation. The Irish selection is already made with just four riders listed including last year’s Samsung Nations Cup Leading Horse and Rider combination of Cian O’Connor and Waterford Crystal along with Peter Charles, who this season is armed with the former Lesley McNaught ride, Pershing. Malin Baryard, who came so close to taking the World Cup title in Las Vegas is amongst the Swedish entry along with Peter Eriksson but the host country is taking no chances. Three of the four stallions which took team gold at WEG in Jerez are likely to be lining out in this opening leg so Eric Levallois, Reynald Angot and Gilles Bertran de Balanda should be in action. However Dollar du Murier is at stud, so Eric Navet has not put himself forward. French Chef d’Equipe, Jean-Maurice Bonneau, should be feeling quite confident then that his boys will put on a good show on their home ground but he had an interesting conversation with Belgium’s Ludo Philippaerts in Las Vegas. Just how seriously the top riders are taking the Samsung Super League challenge was underlined when Ludo explained to the Frenchman that he has weighed up the season ahead of him and has decided to put all other commitments aside while he concentrates his energies on the Super League circuit in 2003. With excellent prizemoney and shows providing competitive opportunities to boost rider rankings on the computer listing, there is every reason to embrace the Samsung Super League series fully. Points are also available for good individual performances in the Nations Cup classes so Ludo has revised his plans with all of that in mind. The all-important draw for the Nations Cup competition takes place during the official launch of the Samsung Super League series at 20.45 on Friday May 9th in La Baule and, as soon as the result is known, we will send you the full details. A good position in this opening leg could be very significant indeed so every Chef d’Equipe will be hoping to pick No. 8 out of the hat! As the series draws nearer there has been further clarification of the situation regarding the participation of teams at each event. In La Baule, Rome, Hickstead, Dublin and Rotterdam only the eight Super League teams will compete while at St. Gallen, and for the final event in Barcelona, the national teams are also invited. A team from the United States of America has, exceptionally, been invited to Aachen. A reminder of the schedule for this first running of the Samsung Super League series: Round Venue/Date Nations Cup Day 1. La Baule FRA (8-11 May) Sunday 11 May 2. Rome ITA (22-25 May) Friday 23 May 3. St Gallen SUI (29 May–1 June)Sunday 1 June 4. Aachen GER (17-22 June) Friday 20 June 5. Hickstead GBR (23-27 July) Friday 25 July 6. Dublin IRL (6-10 August) Friday 8 August 7. Rotterdam NED (28-31 August)Friday 29 August 8. Barcelona ESP (18-21 September)Sunday 21 September. Eight super competitions, eight super teams but only one Samsung Super League winner! Which country will it be? In ten days time the story will begin to unfold….. Press kits and further information on La Baule are available on website: www.labaule-cheval.com. YOU CAN SEE IT ON TV! The first leg of the Samsung Super League series at La Baule will be broadcast as follows – Equidia (Host Broadcaster) Sun 11 May 18.00-19.30 Sun 11 May 23.00-00.30 Eurosport Wed 14 May 22.00-23.00 Thurs 15 May 09.00-10.00 CNBC Sports(Europe GMT) Sat 24 May 13.00-14.00 Asia HKT Sat 31 May 15.00-16.00 ESPN Star Sports(Star Asia) Wed 21 May 18.00-19.00 Sun 25 May 04.00-05.00 (Star SE Asia) Wed 21 May 18.00-19.00 Thurs 22 May 04.00-05.00 (Star India) Thurs 22 May 14.30-15.30 Sat 24 May 05.00-06.00. M-NET Fri 6 June (no time confirmed) TV4 Weds 14 May 20.00 NOS (Netherlands) Live/Delayed Live RAI (Italy) Live/Delayed Live TVE (Spain) Live/Delayed Live. Want to know more? You can check the full rules for the Samsung Super League series on the FEI website, section reference – rules http://www.horsesport.org/fei/reference/reference_03/ref_03_02.html FEI Communications Muriel Faienza m.faienza@horsesport.org or consult FEI website www.horsesport.org