The truncated 2020 Eventing Nations Cup has come to an end ©FEI

Italy tasted home victory at the final International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Eventing Nations Cup contest of the 2020 series, but could not overhaul the Dutch team at the top of the overall leaderboard.

Only Poland could have done that, had they won the four-team event, but the Poles ended up third, behind Austria and the victorious hosts in Montelibretti.

Poland led after the dressage, with Italy down in third, but an excellent cross-country display saw Italy take a commanding lead.

All four Italian riders cleared the fences.

Superb showjumping secured the Italian win today.

Italy won their home event to finish second in the overall standings ©FEI
Italy won their home event to finish second in the overall standings ©FEI

Juan Carlos Garcia on Ugo du Perron, Arianna Schivo riding Quefira de L’Ormeau, 23-year-old Nations Cup debutant Pietro Majolino on Vita Louise DH Z and Marco Cappal, whose horse was Santal Du Halage, made up the Italian team.

They end the FEI Eventing Nations Cup on 170 points, 10 behind champions The Netherlands and 10 ahead of third-placed Poland.

The winning Dutch team was comprised of Tim Lips on Eclips, Janneke Boonzaauer riding ACSI Champ de Tailleur, Elaine Pen on Divali, Merel Blom onCeda NOP, Jordy Wilken riding Burry Spirit, Raf Kooremans commanding Dimitri NOP and Laura Hoogeveen, who partnered Wicro Quibus NOP.

The Dutch posted two second-placed finishes.

Due to the coronavirus crisis, only three legs of the 2020 Eventing Nations Cup could be held.