The U.S. finished in second place in the Samsung Nations Cup final in Rome, Italy, from October 12-15, 2000. The team of Molly Ashe (riding Kroon Gravin); Norman Dello Joio (Glasgow); Leslie Burr-Howard (S'Bleift) and McLain Ward (Rio) gave Germany a run for the title by coming in just two points behind on a total of 16 points. The U.S. won the title in 1997 but this was Germany's first victory.

Molly Ashe from West Palm Beach, FL, rode one of only two double clear rounds on Kroon Gravin at the Piazza de Sienna showground. The scores were still very close until the last rider jumped, leaving the top three nations, at this stage, able to win the title. The pressure was on another Florida resident, Dello Joio, runner-up at the Spruce Meadows Grand Prix last month, and he produced a clear round with the in-form Glasgow. It was a clear round from Germany's final ride, Ludger Beerbaum, that clinched the title. Results:

1. Germany 14 pts (10+4)
2. United States 16 pts (8+8)
Molly Ashe / Kroon Gravin, 0/0
Mc Lain Ward / Lagretto 5, 0/8
Norman Dello Joio / Glasgow, 8/0
Leslie Howard-Burr / S'Bleift, 23/21
3. Italy 20 pts (12+8)

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The American Horse Shows Association, as the National Equestrian Federation of the U.S., is the regulatory body for the Olympic and World Championship sports of dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, reining, show jumping, and vaulting, as well as 19 other breeds and disciplines of equestrian competition. As the country's largest multi-breed organization, the AHSA has over 70,000 members and recognizes more than 2,600 competitions nationwide each year. It governs all aspects of competition, including educating and licensing all judges, stewards, and technical delegates who officiate at these shows.