he FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ 2024 season kicks off Thursday, 22 February in Wellington (USA) as four teams square off with a newly restructured format.

Defending champions Germany will face Canada, Sweden and the home nation United States at the Global Dressage Festival for CDIO3* competition. Five legs make up the 2024 season, which will continue from the United States to France, Hungary, the Netherlands and Sweden.

Germany has prevailed in two of the last three seasons and has won three consecutive FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ events in Wellington. They'll open the season with the same four athletes that led the nation to victory at the venue in 2023: Anna-Christina Abbelen (Sam Donnerhall), Felicitas Hendricks (Drombusch Old), Michael Klimke (Domino 957) and Frederic Wandres (Total Recall). Both Abbelen and Hendricks will also bring forward the same horses.

"This Nations Cup here is for sure something special.  "The atmosphere and the team spirit between the teams is the best of the Nations Cups I have been to."

Frederic Wandres (GER)

In previous years, the FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ competition spanned multiple tests, with some events putting forward teams of both Big Tour and Small Tour combinations. In 2024, however champions will be crowned following one competition: the Grand Prix.

The home nation finished just behind Germany in 2023 and will present veteran Jan Ebeling (Jubi's Tenacity) alongside Kevin Kohmann (Duenensee), Erin Nichols (Elian Royale) and Jennifer Williams (Joppe K) this year. 

Canada sends forward three riders and will not have a drop score; their team consists of Mathilde Blais Tetreault (Fedor), Danielle Gallagher (Come Back de Massa) and Rakeya Moussa (Davidoff v.h. Trichelhof). 

Sweden, who finished third in 2023 will be led by veteran Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén (Devanto). Her teammates are Caroline Darcourt (Lord Django), Christina Devine (Slaebaekgaard's Santino) and Karin Persson (Giuliano B).

Additional details about the FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ series can be found here. 

Partnering the 11-year-old stallion Indian Rock, The Netherlands’ Emmelie Scholtens clinched victory at the ninth leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2023/2024 Western European League in Neumünster, Germany today.

Aleady under the spotlight after topping yesterday’s closely-contested Grand Prix, the Dutch pair were awarded the winning mark once again today by judges Ulrike Nivelle (GBR), Clive Halsall (DEN), Hans-Christian Matthiesen (NED), Maarten ver der Heijden (GER) and Henning Lehrmann (GER) with less than 2.5 percent separating the top four this time around.

Their Freestyle score of 81.565 gave Scholtens the edge over Sweden’s Patrik Kittel and Forever Young HRH, while German riders filled the next three places, Matthias Alexander Rath (Destacado FRH) clinching third ahead of Bianca Nowag-Aulenbrock (Florine OLD) in fourth and Raphael Netz (Great Escape Camelot) in fifth place. Belgium’s Larissa Pauluis (Flambeau) finished sixth of the 15 starters.

For Scholtens, her win today with the horse she competed at the World Championships in Herning (DEN) in 2022 and at last summer’s European Championship in Riesenbeck (GER) was particularly special. 

“I know Indian Rock since he was three years old, I started everything with him, his whole education all the way to Grand Prix and he’s special to me because I rode his father (Apache) and he reminds me of him!” said the 38-year-old rider.

Standard

Nowag-Aulenbrock and the imposing chestnut mare Florine OLD set the standard in the first half of the competition with a personal-best score of 79.225, but German compatriot, Rath, went out in front when producing the first over-80% score with Destacado FRH when fifth-last into the ring. 

“It was better than yesterday, he was more on my aids today”, Rath said of the 11-year-old horse who already showed his potential when finishing second as a five-year-old and fourth as a six-year-old at the World Breeding Championship Finals. 

“I know we still have room to improve, but for the test today the plan was in the morning to get together with my trainer Monica Theodorescu and my father, and it was a really nice test”, he said with some satisfaction.

However his score of 80.425 was overtaken by the next pair into the arena, Patrik Kittel sweeping into the lead when earning 81.145 for a test filled with pleasing passage and accompanied by a musical score that had the audience’s toes tapping. Playing to the crowd is what this Swedish performer has always been about, but even this three-time Olympian was very aware of how intimate the Neumünster arena is. 

“Obviously it’s not so easy to ride when the audience is so very close here, and they are very enthusiastic which I really love! We do this to make people enjoy it, to see the harmony between the rider and horse and when people come and show their appreciation we love that. Every rider says we ride better when the audience are with us!”, he pointed out.

Despite the challenges of the arena’s dimensions, Kittel has a special relationship with the Holstenhallen. “Neumünster was my first home when I came to Germany and this was one of the first shows I ever attended so it’s quite cool to many years later sit here”, he explained. 

Talking about his test he said, “I had a rider-pilot mistake in the changes today which I quickly corrected but otherwise it was really good and I think the music is really cool, it’s a bit different. For me it’s about just keep riding, have fun and just enjoy being here!” 

Steal his thunder

But Scholtens would steal his thunder when, despite a nervous moment when entering the arena to a wall of sound, Indian Rock earned the biggest score of the day when next to go.

“He was a little bit scared because of the prize-giving from yesterday but he is such a brave horse - I said it’s fine, you can go in!”, she explained after putting 81.565 on the board. 

“He’s a fun horse to go to shows with because he’s easy and he feels he wants to give his all. He has the best character, he’s a stallion but he is so sweet. He’s special to me because of his father also, but it’s about every day how he is when you are with him”.

With Indian Rock’s sire, Apache, Scholtens finished eighth at the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final in Gothenburg, Sweden in 2019. Following today’s result she finds herself well within reach of a qualifying place for the 2024 Final, so that has presented her with an interesting question. 

“I didn’t think before about going to the Final but I’m considering it now!”, she said. But of course the decision isn’t just hers. “He feels like my horse but he’s not my horse so I have to discuss with the owners and to be honest it’s also an exciting year this year because of the Olympics so I also have to watch out that everything isn’t too much for him. We have to figure out what is best”, she explained. 

One way or another however she will definitely compete at the final leg of the Western European League on home soil at ’s-Hertogenbosch (NED) in three weeks’ time.

Final

Kittel also plans to go to the Dutch fixture and the man who has been the longtime leader on the League table is already thinking ahead to his trip to the series Final.

“I have luckily now three horses qualified which is a big honour for me. I will take Bonamour to Den Bosch and after that I will have a talk to our Swedish team coach and everyone involved and see if and when and how we do Riyadh”, he said.

And Germany’s Rath also has Riyadh in his sights. Today’s result has rocketed him up to second place on the League table so he is comfortably qualified.

“The plan was with Destacado was to do the World Cup season and to go to the Final. Now with 69 points we are safe and we can plan for the Final and that’s really cool. It would be the second World Cup Final for me and I’m really looking forward to it!”, he said.

Meanwhile when it comes to celebrating her victory today, Scholtens said that would be happening on her six-hour drive home to Holland. “It’s a long drive but we often driver further, and when you win then everything feels better!”, she pointed out.

The penultimate leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2023/2024 Western European League will take place next weekend in Gothenburg, Sweden, so don’t miss a hoofbeat….

Result

Standings

The FEI Tribunal has issued a Consent Award in an equine anti-doping case involving a Banned Substance.

In this case, the horse Ashva Psyche (FEI ID 107YL76/URU), tested positive for the Banned Substance Stanozolol following samples taken at the CEI2*120 Costa Azul, Canelones (URU) 04-05 November 2023.

The trainer, Leandro Zubiaurre (FEI ID 10018848/URU), admitted the rule violation and accepted the consequences. In its final decision, the FEI Tribunal disqualified the horse from the event and imposed an 18-month ineligibility period on the trainer; the provisional suspension he already served shall be credited against the imposed ineligibility period. He was also fined CHF 5,000.

The full Decision is available here.

Notes to Editors:

FEI Equine Prohibited Substances

The FEI Prohibited Substances List is divided into two sections: Controlled Medication and *Banned Substances. Controlled Medication substances are medications that are regularly used to treat horses, but which must have been cleared from the horse’s system by the time of competition. Banned (doping) Substances should never be found in the body of the horse and are prohibited at all times.

In the case of an adverse analytical finding (AAF) for a Banned Substance, the Person Responsible (PR) is automatically provisionally suspended from the date of notification (with the exception of certain cases involving a Prohibited Substance which is also a **Specified Substance). The horse is provisionally suspended for two months.

Information on all substances is available on the searchable FEI Equine Prohibited Substances Database.

The Cambodian Equestrian Federation (CEF) is set to launch a pioneering vocational training programme at the beginning of March, aimed at boosting the participation of young women in Cambodia's growing equestrian sector.

Created with the support of a Gender Equality Grant from FEI Solidarity, the primary objective of the programme is to provide comprehensive support and mentorship to women aged 15 to 20, guiding them towards establishing sustainable careers as grooms in stables or riding centres. The programme will offer basic training as well as specialised courses to equip participants with advanced skills in horse care and facility maintenance.

The training programme – which will take place at the Genius Resort, the new CEF training centre situated in Phnom Penh – has been officially endorsed by FEI President and Chair of the FEI Solidarity Committee Ingmar De Vos, and FEI Vice President and Group VIII Chair Jack Huang, who recently visited the training facilities and met with the ten participants.

“We are honoured to be the recipients of this Gender Equality Grant and the financial support from FEI Solidarity will go a long way to improving the know-how required for equestrian activities to grow and thrive in our country, while giving these young women the opportunity to make significant economic contributions to society,” CEF Secretary General and architect of the training programme H.R.H. Nanda-Dévi Norodom said.

“In Cambodia, the equine sector has a shortage of skilled and qualified professionals which makes it impossible to address the increasing demand and needs of the different stakeholders in the equestrian sector.

“While this programme blends practical and theoretical learning, participants will also be taught basic English vocabulary relating to horses, grooming, and riding. Our aim is to ensure that these young women leave the programme well-prepared for the workforce and can avail of any and all opportunities for employment.

“An added bonus of the programme is that grooming provides a direct contact with the horse and helps to develop personal confidence, responsibility and autonomy. So, we’re also helping these young women develop the necessary soft skills they require to succeed in their chosen field of work.”

In a report produced by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) entitled “The Gender Wage Gap in Cambodia”, it was noted that while the country has made progress on closing the nation’s gender gap in recent years, deeply rooted gender inequalities and gender roles remain evident. The report found that women fall behind their male counterparts especially with regards to economic empowerment and higher education.

The UNDP also found that women are more likely to invest earnings and time into their families and communities, and that their continued education is a huge asset because of the knowledge and skill set women can share while participating in social and domestic engagements.

Through the CEF vocational training programme, a total of 20 women, who will be trained in groups of 10 students, have been chosen to take part in the training programme. Once they have graduated, the apprentices will be accompanied by the CEF in their job search.

Explaining the FEI Solidarity Committee’s decision to support the project, Ingmar De Vos said, “We received a large number of applications for the Gender Equality Grant in 2023, and this vocational training programme in Cambodia stood out for its potential to create a culture of good practice that benefits the horse, as well as to change the economic situations of these young women over the long term.

“We are pleased to see that the Cambodian Equestrian Federation has not taken a short-term view, but has implemented a project that goes to the heart of community change and which plays a crucial role in making these young women self-sufficient so that sustainable change can be brought to their lives, and those of their family members.”

The project has also received broad support from local, national and international organisations, with participants selected from the People Improvement Organization (PIO) in Cambodia, which is a network member of the FEI’s Official Charity Partner JustWorld International. Notably, the project has garnered enthusiastic backing from Cambodia's Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, a passionate advocate for women's empowerment.

“Solidarity projects such as this vocational training programme in Cambodia goes beyond just financial support. It also requires community members and leaders to work hand-in-hand to realise a shared vision,” Jack Huang explained.

“The vision here is that women matter, and that women can and do play an important role in equestrian activities and can contribute positively to the social and economic fabric of Cambodian society. And if equestrian sport can play its part in changing strongly held views on gender equality and redefining societal norms, then sport can really live up to the ideal that it has the power to change the world.”

The equestrian world turned its eyes to Abu Dhabi last weekend as the inaugural qualifier of the Longines League of Nations™ 2024 took place at the prestigious Al Forsan International Sports Resort.

The event unfolded amidst the state-of-the-art facilities spanning 1.6km², situated a 15-minute drive from both the Abu Dhabi International Airport and the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The Al Forsan International Sports Resort, established in 2010, played host to the League, showcasing world-class facilities tailored to facilitate horses, riders, grooms, and spectators alike.

This landmark event boasted a myriad of amenities, including a state-of-the-art Grooms Lounge, Owners Lounge, and Riders Lounge. With accommodations for up to 320 horses and ample seating for 1350 spectators alongside a standing capacity of 200 people around the arena - the venue ensured an immersive and comfortable experience for all attendees. 

Since 2010, the UAE has been the sole Middle Eastern host of the FEI Jumping Nations™ Cup Qualifier, and extending its hospitality to events of such global stature underscores its dedication to the sport.

According to organiser Mohammed Al Nakhi, standout moments of the event included the awe-inspiring team parade, which showcased riders from the ten qualifying nations worldwide and the spirit of unity associated with the event, as well as the remarkable local performances that propelled the home nation into the spotlight, as the Abu Dhabi team made it through to the second round of the competition.

Behind the scenes, meticulous preparation ensured the venue's readiness to host the landmark event. With a track record of hosting top-tier Jumping events - including former FEI Nations Cups - the venue included a dedicated Grooms Lounge, which was created for the first time with refreshments, seating, and two monitors to follow the live feed, as well as enhanced stabling facilities. Along with air conditioning, rubber flooring and CCTV, there was a dedicated stable manager to facilitate the accommodation of horses flying in from Europe, underscoring the commitment to equine welfare and participant comfort.

Sustainability remained at the forefront of the event's ethos, with initiatives aimed at minimising environmental impact. From using existing infrastructure such as arenas and stables, to promoting eco-conscious practices such as glass water bottles and digital start lists with QR codes, every effort was made to ensure responsible stewardship of resources. 

In the UAE climate, hosting the event at optimal time to make best use of cool weather was a consideration, thus minimising the need for over-watering of arenas to save water, and reducing the need for air conditioning around the venue.

Fresh from a successful weekend and looking ahead, the UAE's commitment to equestrian excellence remains unwavering, with plans to host an array of high-level events in the coming seasons. By expanding the number of 4* and 5* events and collaborating with neighbouring countries, the UAE aims to elevate the region's prominence in the global equestrian circuit and is poised to further its stature as a global equestrian hub.

Follow the series on FEI.tv as the second leg kicks off on 23 march in Ocala, Florida (USA). 

The brand new Longines League of Nations™ series got off to a flying start today with a nail-biting contest in which Team Germany won through at the Al Forsan International Sports Resort in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. It could hardly have been scripted better, with the result depending on the very last ride of the day when a single error by Mark McAuley and GRS Lady Amaro prevented a jump-off between the winners and Team Ireland who led from the outset but who had to settle for runner-up spot ahead of Sweden in third place. Germany finished on an eight-fault scoreline while Ireland completed with 12, and the Swedes were rewarded for their quicker times to fill third spot when sharing a 20-fault final scoreline with Brazil. Christian Kukuk (Mumbai), Jörne Sprehe (Sprehe Hot Easy), David Will (My Prins van Dorperheide) and Christian Ahlmann (Blueberry) posted today’s historic German victory, and their Chef d’Equipe Otto Becker said “it’s a super start in the Olympic season, and I’m very happy and proud of my four riders!” Full attention Olympic course designer, Spain’s Santiago Varela, set them a technical 12-fence track that required the full attention of both riders and horses every inch of the way. Bizarrely, the opening oxer proved one of the big bogeys, lowered by four horse-and-rider combinations in the first round and another four in round two, but it was the line from the oxer at fence five to the open water at six and on to a double of verticals at fence seven that proved the undoing of most.  As world number one Henrik von Eckermann said after his pathfinding round for Sweden with Iliana, this stretch of the track was the most challenging. However he was one of four to complete double-clear runs today, the other three posted by his wife, Switzerland’s Janika Sprunger with the talented 10-year-old mare Orelie, Irish pathfinder Richard Howley with Equine America Consulent de Prelet Z and Germany’s Jörne Sprehe with Sprehe Hot Easy. As the number-one ranked team in the world the Irish had the best of the draw and so were last to go in the first round. And they made the most of that advantage when clears from McAuley, Howley and Mikey Pender (HHS Calais) left them on a zero scoreline at the halfway stage ahead of Sweden and Germany on four, Switzerland and Brazil on eight, the UAE - who were not counting points but were competing as host nation - on 11 faults, and Great Britain and USA on 12 apiece. The Netherlands, France and Belgium lost out when only these top eight teams went through to the second round, and with only three riders per nation this time out and every score counting the intensity increased at a rapid rate. It was fast, furious and mistakes would prove very costly indeed. The Americans completed with 28 faults on the board, the British finished with 36 and the UAE racked up an additional 35 to drop out of contention on a final total of 46. With just 12 to add Team Brazil finished with 20 and double-faults from both Elian Baumann (Little Lumpi E) and Barbara Schnieper (Canice) settled the Swiss tally at 24. But meanwhile the Germans were piling on the pressure. Extra stride Kukuk’s only mistake with Mumbai in the first round was at the troublesome double at fence seven, but putting in an extra stride this time it came up just right and the pair sailed on home for an effortless clear. So when Sprehe produced a second sensational run with her 12-year-old mare Hot Easy then Team Germany was clearly threatening because Von Eckermann’s second clear was followed by a 12-fault result from Peder Fredricson and Alcapone des Carmille, so the Olympic, World and European champions from Sweden were losing their grip.  Meanwhile although the Irish got off to the perfect start with Howley’s second clear, mistakes from Mikey Pender and HHS Calais at the oxer at three and again at the final oxer left them vulnerable.  It all came down to the final two into the ring, Germany’s David Will levelling the score with Ireland at eight faults each when clipping the penultimate oxer. So a jump-off was in prospect if Ireland’s McAuley could leave all the timber intact. But that difficult distance from the open water to the first of the double of verticals proved the Irishman’s undoing in an otherwise foot-perfect last-to-go run with the mare who made it all look so elementary first time out. The pendulum had swung, and the one-fence advantage went in favour of the Germans at the end of the day. Delighted Jörne Sprehe was delighted with the win. “It’s a really good feeling, Easy was jumping amazing and I’m very proud of her. For me she is the best horse ever!”, she said.  Christian Kukuk was also well pleased with Mumbai’s performance. “It’s actually the first 5* show for him since the Europeans and he always needs a few rounds to get back in the rhythm, especially at this level that is normal, but I had a good feeling and I said after having one down in the first round I’m very excited for the second round. It was very good for him, in the second round he showed all his potential and I think our team should be very proud today”  David Will said, “I’m thrilled with the whole team, especially Jörne with her double-clear, she was exceptionally good today. I’m very happy with my horse, he jumped great. In the first round it was a bit my mistake, I didn’t wait enough going to the last fence and we had that down. In the second round he jumped even better which proves his quality. And I was maybe thinking a bit too much about my fault at the last fence in the first round and then I had a light fault at the second-last, but overall my horse was class!” And asked if he was unhappy about not being called up for the second round, Christian Ahlmann said, “No! I was really happy with my round and it was the first time she jumped a proper 1.60m course with me so I didn’t know exactly what was going to happen today. So we had a super round, everything worked like it should and I’m really happy with that!” Disappointment For Irish Chef d’Equipe Michael Blake there was a little disappointment  “because at half-time we looked like we could snatch it. But overall if you told me this morning we were going to be second, against the strong teams that were there, I would have been happy overall. In the end it didn’t go our way, but that’s the sport!”, he said. As Howley pointed out today’s second-place finish is still good news. “This puts us in a great position moving forward, today was top-level sport, a difficult course with very strong teams here so I think it was a great result. If we had one fence less we were in a jump-off for first place so we weren’t far away!”, he said. Today’s result see Germany top of the Longines League of Nations™ leaderboard having earned the maximum 100 points, with Ireland in second with 90 and Sweden third with 80. All teams picked up points today except for UAE who are not eligible.  Speaking on behalf of the Organising Committee Mohamed Al Nakhi congratulated the German winners and described the excitement. “We saw some great sport, a new format, we weren’t sure how it would turn out and you could see the result flipping right there at the end between Ireland and Germany. We thought we would have a jump-off, it didn’t turn out that way but I think it was great sport!” Next stop for the series is Ocala (USA) in March, with the two remaining legs taking place in June at St Gallen (SUI) and Rotterdam (NED) after which the top eight of the ten competing nations will make the cut to the very first Longines League of Nations™ Final in Barcelona (ESP) in October. Don’t miss a hoofbeat….. FULL RESULTS LONGINES LEAGUE OF NATIONS STANDINGS

 

As a new sporting chapter in the FEI’s nation-versus-nation competition is set to begin, the Longines League of Nations™ is also preparing to unveil its official anthem and sonic identity at the opening leg of the Series that will take place in Abu Dhabi (UAE) on 11 February.

The Series anthem has been written by Portuguese composer Rui Ribeiro, who has made a name for himself in the world of classical crossover music with his compositions that are often based on the sounds of nature.

Ribeiro’s anthem for the equestrian Series primarily revolves around a horse’s footfall, which refers to the pattern in which a horse moves its feet when it walks, trots, canters and gallops.

“I spent a lot of time listening and observing, and over the eight weeks it took me to compose the anthem, I first watched many hours of Jumping competitions without really thinking about the music,” Ribeiro explained.

“People may think that music and sport are separate worlds, but I can tell you that understanding and feeling rhythm is key for both musicians and equestrians. If you listen carefully, you will notice that a horse usually walks in a regular 1-2-3-4 beat.  But for me it was the horses three-beat canter and four-beat gallop that provide the pace and natural rhythm I was looking for to compose the Longines League of Nations™ anthem.  

“Once I had the rhythmic framework in place, I started to create the melodies based on what I saw. It’s difficult to ignore the incredible level of trust the horse and human must have in each other when they’re jumping over those high fences! So, I decided to give the anthem three sections. The first and last sections have more energy as they correspond to the sporting action we see in the arena and the middle is slow paced and emotional as it reflects this beautiful bond between the rider and the horse and time and patience required to develop this relationship.”

With a duration of 5 minutes and 11 seconds, the anthem will serve as a basis for shorter adaptations which will accompany TV and web spots. Parts of the anthem will also be used in-venue to highlight different aspects of sports presentation and will be produced by Ricardo Ferreira who co-owns Lisbon based BLIM Records with Ribeiro.

“Sport, like music, has the ability to create strong emotions in people and we’ve been fortunate to work with Rui Ribeiro, a composer who has understood the emotional value of the horse and human connection and how to translate this musically for the Longines League of Nations™ Series,” FEI Commercial Director Ralph Straus said.

“The nation-versus-nation format has always created an emotionally charged atmosphere in-venue, and the spectators in the stands connect with each other through a shared passion for the sport and the camaraderie which goes hand in hand with representing your nation. With the best teams in the world taking part in the Series, the sporting action is going to be as intense as ever, and we wanted to make the key moments of the sport resonate more strongly with a sonic identity for the Series.

“It has been said that people think about what they see, but feel what they hear. And we want the fans watching in the stands, but also at home on TV, to be able relive the excitement and the emotion of the sport long after they have left the venue.”

Listen to the full anthem here

Listening guide to the Longines League of Nations™ anthem

Editorial notes:

The canter is a fast, asymmetrical, three-beat gait in which three distinct footfalls can be heard. In the first beat, one hind hoof hits the ground; in the second beat, the opposite hind hoof and diagonal front hoof hit the ground; finally, in the third beat, the remaining front hoof hits the ground; this is followed by a suspension. This sequence is repeated in a regular 1,2,3, pause rhythm.

The gallop is the horse’s fastest gait. As an asymmetrical gait, it is characterised by four distinct beats, one hoof at a time, followed by a moment of suspension. The footfall sequence is similar to the canter, but the canter´s second beat is extended to two beats due to the longer stride length, making the gallop a four-beat gait.

About the Longines League of Nations™ (LLN)

The Longines League of Nations™ is the FEI’s new chapter in the history of the Nations Cup, equestrian sport’s oldest and most prestigious series which as a concept – the nation--versus-nation competition – has existed since 1909. The LLN represents the best of equestrian sport featuring a unified and global format, unique to the series, where the top ten nations compete at four qualifiers in order to secure their spot at the Final where the eight teams go head-to-head for the high coveted trophy at the Finals in Barcelona (ESP).

Media contacts

Vanessa Martin Randin
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications & Media Relations
FEI Communications
vanessa.randin@fei.org
+41 78 750 61 73

 

With the inaugural season of the Longines League of Nations™ kicking off this weekend, over the past few weeks we've been taking a closer look at the 10 nations that have qualified to compete and be the first to hoist the new trophy at the Final in Barcelona.

Today, we look at the last of the 10 nations and top of the ranking leading into the series, Ireland...

Often referred to as the ‘Land of the Horse’, Ireland is a leader in producing sporthorses and riding talent, with the famous green jackets being predominant atop podiums around the world over the years. 

Having won the Longines FEI Jumping Nation’s Cup™ in 2019, as well as a 2023 European Championships silver medal under their belts, Ireland is well aware of the demands and delights these team Jumping events offer, and are ready for the sweet taste of victory again under Chef d’Equipe Michael Blake.

Blake has been instrumental in the Irish federation as Team Ireland Senior Jumping Development Manager and Assistant Team Manager to the Irish senior Jumping team, playing a critical role in their previous Nations Cup win as well as their 2017 European Championship title - and he’s ready to use all of that experience and insight to take it again:

“To win a Nations Cup has always been up there for me as the highest honour and as the number one ranked nation in the competition, we will be… putting our best foot forward to cement that position throughout the Longines League of Nations™.”

As ten teams make their way to Abu Dhabi - a brand new venue - for the first of four qualifiers, we caught up with Blake about his team’s approach to the League, and what it means to the sport and supporters.

Ireland has a rich history in horsemanship. How do you view the Longines League of Nations™ as an opportunity to celebrate Ireland's historical significance in equestrian sports and create a new chapter in the nation's horsemanship?

"Ireland has long been revered in the sport and for decades we have produced some of the world's best horses and riders, with legendary names such as Tommy Wade, Seamus Hayes and Eddie Macken paving the way for the current crop of stars we have representing Ireland in the green jacket in the 2024 Longines League of Nations™.

So many of our riders are ranked very highly in world rankings, and we are the world number-one team going into this competition. That is testament to the programme we have built, through Ponies, Juniors and Young Riders, and you can see the depth of talent Ireland has coming through".

"This competition gives us an opportunity to showcase our athletes, human and equine, and I'm sure they will do their nation proud as we aim towards the Final in Barcelona".

Michael Blake (IRL

Longines emphasises the importance of tradition and innovation. How does your team integrate these elements into your Jumping strategy and overall team dynamics?

"For Team Ireland, Nations Cup Jumping is the pinnacle for us and the development of the concept is so important. There is nothing more fulfilling than seeing a national team working together. When you look at the emotions, the “kiss and cry” when each Nation is competing, it is easy to see the pride, excitement and elation when it goes well - we use this to galvanise our team. 

Nothing is more important to our riders than jumping for their country and even though Jumping could be seen as an individual sport in most cases, for riders the dynamic changes completely when it becomes a Nations Cup. We are extremely grateful to Longines for their continued and unstinting support of the Series. It is of paramount importance to protect the tradition of the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™".
 
Does being top of the ranking lead you in with confidence, or is the team feeling the pressure and how do they translate this into a positive effect?

"Everyone wants to be ranked as highly as possible and there is no better ranking than number one - it's where we always strive to be and it's something we are very proud of. With that comes obvious pressure, but we welcome that pressure and we will try to instil the importance of what the series means in each and every rider who represents this team. 

Once this series starts, we are all equal and we will concentrate on our own performances throughout the series and do our best to have a successful campaign". 

Follow the thrills on FEI.tv as the first leg kicks off on 11 February in Abu Dhabi. 

The FEI has appointed Daniel Alvarez, 44, a Swiss and Spanish national, as its new Finance Director. He will replace outgoing Chief Financial Officer Claude Praz, who will step down from his position at the end of June, to take an early retirement.

Daniel Alvarez is a Swiss certified specialist for Finance and Accounting with a solid expertise in Accounting and Controlling. He holds a wealth of professional experience having worked at international companies with branches in Switzerland such as Tetra Pak International; Ikea; and Debiopharm, an independent biopharmaceutical company. From 2009 to 2021, he was at Philip Morris International, where he rose to the position of Manager Financial Planning. Before joining the FEI, Mr Alvarez was the Head of Controlling – Business Partnering at Ineos Styrolution, a global chemical organisation. During his tenure at Ineos Styrolution he completed an Advanced Management Development Programme.

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome Daniel Alvarez to the FEI,” Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez said. “We were impressed with his varied professional experience and are convinced that his deep understanding of Swiss finance coupled with his knowledges of international markets will be great assets for the FEI.

“I would like to take this opportunity to express our deepest thanks to outgoing CFO Claude Praz, who has been with the FEI for over 10 years. His contribution to the rigour and transparency with which the FEI manages its finances is outstanding. We, of course, respect his decision to retire early and enjoy personal projects, but are very sad to see him go.”

“I am delighted to be joining the FEI,” newly appointed FEI Finance Director Daniel Alvarez commented. “I was impressed with the organisation’s commitment to good governance, service and accountability and I am looking very much forward to this new challenge.”

Daniel Alvarez will start in his new role on 15 April and will work alongside Claude Praz to ensure a thorough and smooth handover.

Mr Alvarez speaks French and Spanish as mother tongues and is fluent in English. He is married and has three children.

With the inaugural season of the Longines League of Nations™ kicking off this weekend, over the past few weeks we've been taking a closer look at the 10 nations that have qualified to compete and be the first to hoist the new trophy at the Final in Barcelona. Today, we look at the USA...   Despite being 3-times Olympic Champions (1984, 2004, 2008) and 2-time Team Jumping winners at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ (1986 and 2018), the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ title has evaded the US team, who will be looking to bring the heat for this inaugural 2024 series. There are four qualifiers over three continents, and only the top 8 teams will see the final in Barcelona in a year that the Olympic Games in Paris are also a consideration.  Starring as Chef d’Equipe is former Olympian and Course Designer of the Year winner Robert Ridland. Since accepting this role in 2013, he has led the U.S. team to team bronze medals at the 2014 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ and Toronto 2015 Pan American Games, as well as silver medals in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, the 2017 Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final, and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. His enormous experience and analytical approach to the sport is credited with the team being the current Pan American Games Champions, fresh from Santiago 2023, bringing the US team into this series on confidence.  "We have always believed that Nations Cups form the bedrock of the sport of Jumping, and from the beginning we have been tremendously supportive of the FEI’s initiative to revitalise and strengthen the Longines League of Nations™ series,” says Ridland, who spoke to us about the upcoming series:   The USA has a strong tradition of national pride. How do you envision the Longines League of Nations™ becoming a source of pride for the American public and inspiring a sense of unity among fans?   "From the point of view of generating larger public visibility and a more invested audience base, the Longines League of Nations™ is a series with the same ten teams every time. I believe it was always the intent to make this series more in alignment with other sports, where you’re encouraged to follow what’s going on throughout the season to get a better picture of the concept and enjoy following the results. In the past it’s been hard to really understand the connection between the Nations Cup events, and in that sense, this will create more camaraderie across the teams we field to represent the U.S., and for our fans of USA Jumping. Everyone is working towards the same goal with each qualifier, ultimately aiming for the Final. It’s something our supporters can follow and engage with throughout the year. We’re very much in support of the FEI and Longines in producing a concept that’s fresh and new for the sport. We needed more innovation in how we showcase these marquee events, so we’re excited to be a part of the new venture."    Do you have any specific team-building strategies that contribute to your team's success in competitions like the Longines League of Nations™?   "There are two main reasons we are excited for this new series, the first being that we will use these events to prepare our potential team combinations for major championships. The other is by giving experience to the younger generation of riders who can’t get this experience unless they do it and learn to feel the pressure of these team-format competitions.   "There’s no amount of practice at home that can get you comfortable with riding into the arena when it really counts with the U.S. flag on your saddle pad. It’s always our goal to be on the podium and that will be our main aim looking at the season of events ahead". Robert Ridland (USA) As a team manager, how do you personally approach the responsibility of leading your nation's team in such a prestigious competition, and what are a couple of core values you instil into your riders?   "With the format moving slightly away from the traditional Nations Cup, and knowing that there’s no discard score in the second round, this will really help us give experience to athletes in a format which is somewhat like the Olympic Games. That’s very valuable for us as a program in building towards preparation for this summer and the future. We have a lot of great owners, athletes, horses, and supporters behind us, and the cohesion of this series can give us a real sense of togetherness throughout the year, especially when we are building toward a major championship run this summer."   Follow the thrills on FEI.tv as the first leg kicks off on 11 February in Abu Dhabi.