The town of Mannheim has its own airport but is just 75km from Frankfurt airport and is a spectacular venue, as they play host for the second time to the European Championships. They held this event in 1997 and it was extremely successful then so no doubt this year it will be even bigger and better!

The 2007 European Championships are important to the riders and nations for many reasons - it is the last chance to qualify for many nations for the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 so the pressure is seriously on!

The only ones with no pressure is in fact the German team and they have had a stranglehold on show jumping in all arenas for too many years to count now!

The first day of competition in mannheim saw a 1.45m Table C Speed class and this was won by Jeroen Dubbeldam for the Netherlands, with Marie Burke for Ireland taking second place.

Third and fourth placings went to Belgium for Niels Bruynseels and Kristof Cleeren. Germany took fifth, sixth and seventh places with Barbara Steurer-Collee, Tim Rieskamp-Goedeking and Merdith MIchaels-Berbaum with eight place going to young Australian Matthew Williams.

The important start to classes however was today, Wednesday with the first roun dof the Nations Cup Teams competition which will decide the Team medals.

After a disasterous opening round from Germany's Marcus Ehning, the rest of the team pulled out the goods to finish on top today with 5.18points.

Second placed team, Switzerland are well in reach with 7.13points helped by Christina Leibherr's clear round.

In third place after the first day is the Netherlands with 7.37 points and fourth placed team Great Britain finished with 9.43 points.

Spain is next in line with 9.69 points and still well in reach of a higher finish is Belgium on 11.45 points while Ireland are sitting in 7th place on 11.68 points.

Tomorrow's second round will decide who will be going to the Olympic Games and we will bring you the news as it comes to hand.