The Finnish Nations Cup Team will include Raimo Aaltonen, Peik Andersin, Sanna Backlund, Jenny Kainulainen and Satu Liukkonen. The Chef d´Equipe of the Finnish Team, Lars Parmler will decide the four Nations Cup riders in Hamina after Saturday´s Grand Prix.

Jenny Kainulainen and her horse Vlas are in excellent form. They won the Ypäjä Grand Prix two weeks ago, as well as Turun Malja Trophy in the end of May. The winner of the Finnish Grand Prix Tour last season, Peik Andersin with Latania Z, started this season with a victory in Alahärmä. They were also part of the Finnish Team that won in Hamina in 2005.

Sanna Backlund and Raimo Aaltonen have also had good success in the main national competitions this season. The newcomer in the team is Liukkonen, 28, who manages her own competition stable in South of Sweden. Liukkonen has had good placings in 140-150 classes with a nine year old mare Qui Vivra Verra. The name of the talented horse means “Time will Show”.

- Hamina is one of the most important competitions of the season for the Finnish Team. The Nations Cup ranking points collected here are very valuable in the long run, says the Event Director Tom Gordin, also Nations Cup coordinator.

Finland´s first ever Nations Cup victory was in Hamina in 2005. In 2007 the Finnish Team came second. The hopes are high as Finland wants to end the Nations Cup season among the top 10 countries in the rankings.

Nordic Championship in Dressage

The Finnish Dressage Team has high hopes for medals in the Nordic Championships. Julia Alfthan and Chirocco won both the Grand Prix the Kür in Helsinki Horse Show last October.  The olympic rider Maarit Raiskio has her talented Znak in good form, and Alexandra Malmström rides a experienced Grand Prix horse Mr Bean. The couple won the Kür in Ypäjä in March. Timo Rokkanen has a new ride, Luitbold.

The international O-level judge, Wim Ernes comes from Holland. His points will ultimately devide whether the riders get their qualifications for the European Championships.

THE LIST OF FINNISH RIDERS

CSIO
Satu Liukkonen, Sanna Backlund, Raimo Aaltonen, Peik Andersin, Jenny Kainulainen

CSI
Janna Huhtanen, Sandra Burmeister, Joonas Vaahtera, Mirella Kogelnig, Maria Heikkilä, Eevi-Pirre Auvinen, Rosa Ruutsalo, Jukka Rantanen, Lotta-Riikka Rintamäki

YOUNG RIDERS
Petja Ahonen, Sonja Ikonen, Maria Isolauri, Pyry Kivikoski, Tuuli Leivo, Ilona Korpelainen, Katriina Melkkilä, Linda Palin, Sanna Paronen, Sara Vainikkala, Sanna Kröger, Olli Saalasti, Valtteri Reilin, Hassan Iber, Andrea Kuhlefelt, Iida Kaikkonen, Tanja Niemi, Laura Hämäläinen, Mindi Korvenoja

DRESSAGE (CDI)
Julia Alfthan, Alexandra Malmström, Maarit Raiskio, Timo Rokkanen

INTERMEDIATE II
Jaana Aitta
Kati Koiso