The Dutch squad took the lead after a demanding cross-country of the FEI Nations Cup class at LOTTO Strzegom Horse Trials. Second place belongs to the USA, and third – to Austria. 

After promising dressage, the overnight leaders from Germany were not so lucky today. Vanessa Bölting had a fall, and Sophie Leube was eliminated after three run-outs. The added 2000 points made them step down into the 8th, second to last position. 
 
The Dutch team did really well on this track, to secure their lead after two trials, with the combined result of 116,6. Sanne de Jong with Enjoy and Janneke Boonzaaijer with ACSI Champ de Tailleur are placed third and fourth, respectively. The squad is also represented by Merel Blom-Hulsman with Chinuk and Stephan Hazeleger with Gold Rush. 
 
We saw a change in the lead in the individual classification. The best score now belongs to Austria’s Lea Siegl aboard Van Helsing P – 33,3. The pair crossed the finish line clear on the fences with 8 seconds overtime – nine seconds faster than yesterday’s leader Caroline Pamukcu (USA) with HSH Blake, who is currently second with 35,7, and only 0,1 separates her from Sanne de Jong in third. 
 
- It was quite fun, Van Helsing was in a good mood, he was galloping very fast. Some parts were a bit difficult, and it was not an easy course. Sometimes you had to take the horse out of the rhythm and do some sharp turns, that made it demanding, but overall, I’m very happy with my horse and how he managed it. I’m very thankful for what he does for me every time I ride him in cross-country – said Lea Siegl. 
 
Julia Gillmaier with Red Dream Princes was the only Polish rider to finish the cross-country trial. The rider finished the course without jumping faults, but over the optimum time. A two-trial score of 52,2 sets her at the 17th position, jumping up from the 28th after dressage. - You had to be fully focused on the cross-country from the beginning to the end. The water combination was tricky, as well as the two corners, but Red did really well and I’m really happy with her” – said the athlete. 
 
In the 4*-L, the most demanding at the show, after an eventful cross-country, the lead still belongs to German Michael Jung with Kilcandra Ocean Power – 44,7, after only adding time faults for half a minute overtime. Merel Blom-Hulsman with Vesuve d’Aveyron is second – 47,8, and Mia Hastrup went up into third with Constantin M – 51,1.  
 
In the 3*L, Switzerland’s Felix Vogg is the new leader with Dao de l’Ocean – 40,5. In the 2*L the best score belongs to German Andreas Dibowski with Lillet 3 – 31,8. Polish rider Pola Waśniewska and Nimbus are fourth with 47,6. 
 
Saturday’s cross-country trials finished the rivalry in the 3*S and the 3*S for young riders. Pia Leuwer (GER) was the winner of the first one with Cascada – 33,8, before Louise Romeike (SWE) with Caspian 15 – 34,1, and Michael Jung with Ignatz H – 34,5. The young rider class ended with the victory of Hungary’s Nicolas Müller aboard Mandoble – 37,2. Second went to Nelli Pekkarinen (FIN) with Avoca Alchemist – 59,3, and third to home rider Weronika Król with Perez – 68,0. 
 
The showjumping trials on Sunday will determine the winners of the FEI Nations Cup.