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The Crystal Cup European Cross Country Challenge brings together the finest international horses and riders to reward the most successful stable in cross country steeple chasing.

A thrilling 12 race series, with over €850,000 in prize money,  hosted by many of Europe’s premier racecourses, over unique combinations of hedges, banks, ditches and timber, concluded at Lion d’Angers at the end of May. The Challenge began in late August at a packed Waregem Racecourse in Belgium, whilst the final race in front of an enormous holiday crowd at Lion d’Angers in late May provided a spectacular 1-2 for Patrick Quinton following races in France and visits to Poland, Italy, England, Ireland and to Czechia for the Velka Pardubicka. After Hip Hop Conti’s famous hat-trick over Pau’s fearsome obstacles in February and Stumptown’s second win at the Cheltenham Festival, the top of the leaderboard condensed, but the first and second places of Gold Allen and Shawninigen allowed Quinton to leapfrog his Czech rival to retain the trainer’s prize in France, whilst the sporting owners of Gap Pierji, Scuderia Aichner, carry off the Crystal Cup. Follow the leaderboard for final placings up to and including Lion d’Angers on May 29th,  and our news pages for a preview of the final leg at Lion d’Angers in France.

“France is proud to be involved in this exciting, seven-nation initiative, that brings together Europe’s leading Cross Country racecourses to celebrate the most successful stable in the 12 chosen races”

Jean d’Indy, Vice Chairman of France Galop.