The three nations were the team gold, silver and bronze medallists at last month's World Equestrian Games in France, but the French come to the Spanish city in the hope of defending their title at the competition.

Also among the 14 countries set to compete at the Nations Cup, which gets underway at the Real Club de Polo - home of the jumping finals at the 1992 Olympics - tomorrow and continues until Sunday (October 12), are Germany, who after missing the cut for last year's Final are aiming for the Furusiyya trophy.

As well as the title, there is more than €2 million (£1.5 million/$2.5 million) in prize money at stake.

The French team, including Simon Delestre, come to Barcelona as defending champions ©Getty Images


The remaining teams set to battle in the final are Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Great Britain, Italy, Qatar, hosts Spain, Sweden and Venezuela, with all the nations starting from scratch in tomorrow's first-round qualifier, which decides the starting order for Saturday's (October 11) top-eight final.

The remaining six teams will go through to the Challenge Cup on Friday (October 10).

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