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The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), has issued its decision in the human anti-doping case concerning Eric Lamaze (FEI ID 10000439), a retired Jumping athlete of Canadian nationality.
On 8 March 2022, Mr Lamaze had received a formal notice of disciplinary charge by the FEI, for commission of an anti-doping rule violation in accordance with article 2.3 Evading, Refusing or Failing to Submit to Sample Collection by an Athlete, of the FEI Anti-Doping Rules for Human Athletes (ADRHA), at CSI5* - GCT/GCL - Valkenswaard (NED), 4-6 June 2021.
While CAS proceedings were ongoing, Mr Lamaze submitted forged medical documents, which led to a four-year ineligibility period imposed by the FEI and starting on 12 September 2023.
In its decision, the CAS Panel found Mr Lamaze guilty of the anti-doping rule violation and imposed an ineligibility period of four years, starting once the ineligibility period already imposed by the FEI has ended. The additional four-year suspension imposed by CAS will start on 12 September 2027 and end on 11 September 2031. Furthermore, Mr Lamaze was fined CHF 15,000, was ordered to pay the costs of the arbitration proceedings as well as CHF 12,000 to the FEI as a contribution towards the legal fees. The results obtained at the event, along with all results obtained by the athlete at FEI Events from 5 June 2021 to 30 March 2022, are disqualified.
The Case Status Tables can be found here.
Notes to Editors:
FEI Clean Sport - human athletes
The FEI is part of the collaborative worldwide movement for doping-free sport led by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The aim of this movement is to protect fair competition as well as athlete health and welfare.
WADA’s Prohibited List identifies the substances and methods prohibited in- and out-of-competition, and in particular sports. The substances and methods on the List are classified by different categories (e.g., steroids, stimulants, gene doping).
As a WADA Code Signatory, the FEI runs a testing programme for human athletes based on WADA’s List of Prohibited List of Substances and Methods and on the Code-compliant FEI Anti-Doping Rules for Human Athletes (ADRHA).
For further information, please consult the Clean Sport section of the FEI website here.
Once again Boyd Exell (AUS) confirmed his supremacy in the sport at the climax of what has been a closely fought 2024-25 series, and there was no doubt that he was going to take another FEI Driving World Cup™ title – one he first won in Gothenburg (SWE) in 2009.
There had already been celebrations late on Saturday night in front of thousands of fans when his horse Bundy (Bajnok – ‘Champion’ in Hungarian) reached the milestone of his 100th World Cup win. The impressive combination of Bundy in the lead alongside new mare Duchess, with Mad Max and Barney in the wheel, and Boyd, Emma Olsson and Wannes Larsen on the carriage, ensured that there were two clear rounds on Sunday to secure a winning total of 286.27 – and give Bundy his 101st win on the world stage.
“I’m really delighted that my left leader Bundy had his 101st win at a World Cup. It’s an incredible statistic for any horse. He’ll tell me when he’s ready to retire – and he’s not ready yet! The way Bundy was flying today, he was still the fastest horse in the group, next to much younger horses.
The level is much closer now and it’s normally very tight so there was pressure up the line. The course was flowing, so it was a great spectacle for the public and for people watching on the internet. It was an exciting course and competition.” – Boyd Exell (AUS)
Making a stunning comeback after a difficult first competition which saw him finish fifth, Dries Degrieck (BEL) regrouped and accelerated into a drive-off slot on Sunday. Having gained 12 seconds in one of the marathon obstacles on Saturday night, Dries recovered and produced a flawless first round the next day. Despite the 5.32 he had to carry over because of the scoring system, his exceptional time put pressure on those who came after him. As he waited, others made mistakes, and he found himself in the drive-off, and because only the top three would drive again, he was assured of his first World Cup podium finish.
Adding four in number 10 (again), he was 2.12 seconds slower than Boyd, but it was good enough for the runner up place with a total of 297.18. “This is my third time in Bordeaux but my first time on the podium. I am so happy with the season and the horses have really helped me.”
Achieving his 11th FEI Driving World Cup™ podium, Koos de Ronde (NED) was rewarded for his consistency over the two competitions. Driving to the advantage of his rangy, experienced horses, he kept to his forward, flowing tactic and finished third. He said afterwards that he knows his horses aren’t as fast as those of Boyd and Dries, so he had to go clear if he was going to be in the drive-off. Although he had to add eight to his drive-off time, he had guaranteed himself of a top three finish and ended on 306.91. “I am very happy with the season because the level was very high. My season was a little up and down, but I knew if I drove two clear rounds then I had a chance. This is my 11th time on the podium (at a final) so I am very happy.”
It was unusual that neither defending champion Bram Chardon (NED) nor his father, Ijsbrand Chardon (NED), were on the podium or in the drive -off. Despite their decent rounds on Saturday night which kept them both in touch, they each had eight to add to their times after the first round, to finish fourth and fifth. Although Bram had the fastest time of the weekend over the full course, the extra penalties meant that his total wasn’t low enough for the drive-off. His father, who brought so much pizzazz to the series, had been second after the first competition, but slipped to fifth.
Jérôme Voutaz (SUI) only had four to add to his time but was sixth and wild card Benjamin Aillaud (FRA) was seventh, and pleased to have driven a clear round.
Ultimately, the scoring system for the Final did not change the placings, but it meant that all the Drivers except Boyd started with 50% of the difference between him already on the clock. But it does mean that each round counts and the first competition is not treated as a warmup. The disadvantage made Dries’ comeback all the more spectacular when he had to start on Sunday with 5.32 already on the clock.
Afterwards the Drivers agreed that it had been a fair course and an exciting series overall, with results closer than ever. Boyd admitted that although he is the double FEI four-in-hand World Champion, the World Cup is harder to win because the margins between the competitors are so narrow, and that a “small mistake on the course can become a big mistake.”
It was a triumphant 23rd FEI Driving World Cup™ Final, after the series debuted for the FEI in 2001-2002, and the 11th time that it culminated in Bordeaux. Everyone agreed that the venue and the public added to the magic of the competition, and that the wider global coverage of the event bodes well for the future.
Saturday was a career day for Maria Gabriela Brugal Gasso (DOM), as the 27-year-old rider recorded her first career World Cup victory in unconventional fashion. Producing the only clear round of the competition, she rode her longtime partner J'adore Flamenco to the top of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Puebla (MEX) at Quintas Ecuestres.
Jumping at the midway point of the first round, Brugal was the first to crack the code to a clear effort over Marina Azevedo's (BRA) delicate course, but she did not expect to be the last. Still, it became increasingly apparent that matching her feat would be mightily difficult. The educated crowd at Puebla was all but silent as the final few riders entered the arena with the hope of ensuring a jump-off. Ultimately, one wouldn't be necessary, as Brugal's first round score was enough to secure a victory.
Alejandro Mills (MEX) managed to keep all the rails up with Bretzel du Marais, but two time faults ultimately relgated him to secod. Miguel Maron Kahwagi (MEX) finished third with Cayene de Boisquillon as the fastest of three four-fault efforts (4/78.66s).
"I was too nervous to watch [the last few riders], honestly. I knew a couple riders had some very cheap rails, so I really thought there was going to be a jump-off...It was a tough test out there, and I'm very, very grateful that I happened to have a clear round today.
Maria Gabriela Brugal Gasso (DOM)
Brugal has made her presence known in World Cup competition, boasting an eye-opening record. In just two career World Cup starts, she has never finished worse than second, having secured runner-up honors with J'adore Flamenco in their World Cup debut at Ocala (USA) in 2023. At that point, Brugal envisioned a long and successful career for her horse. But later that year, an infection nearly cut her partner's career short. J'adore Flamenco was hospitalized for two months after a laceration suffered on a trailer ride became infected, leading to complications and ultimately keeping him out of the sport for more than a year.
Brugal's focus shifted from international success to simply keeping her horse comfortable, but "Sparky" had other ideas.
"Once he was released from the hospital, I went to visit him a couple of times, and I could see the fight in his eye. He was not having a good time, but he was telling me, 'I'll be ready. You just wait,'" Brugal reflected. "We took it slow, and for me, it was just about giving him a high quality of life. The truth is, he enjoys showing. He doesn't like to be at home. He doesn't like to train.
"The first day I took him [back] to a show, we jumped 1.10m, and he thought he was jumping a Grand Prix, so that solidified to me that he was going to make a full comeback eventually."
A 13-year-old Anglo Arabian gelding, J'adore Flamenco will enjoy a few quiet weeks before attacking another goal, with hopes of pursuing more World Cup events next season. Brugal considers the World Cup Finals to be among her goals but expressed that she'll let her horse tell her if the timing is right.
"I've had my horse since he was 8 years old—a very green 8-year-old. We've had a long trajectory together," Brugal shared. "I'm just extremely grateful to have him back, because he gives me wings."
Narrow Misses
For Mills, the class was won and lost in the first line. His strategy to start calmly and build up was successful when it came to the fences but left him two seconds short of clear effort on the clock.
"He's a really powerful horse [but] not the fastest in the world," Mill shared of the 14-year-old Bretzel du Marais. "I saw two riders have faults in the first line, so I [rode patiently in that line] and after fence two, I said, 'Let's keep calm and try to jump a clear round.' It was a big course, and the oxers were wide. It was a super design from Marina...I could have made up time [between the first two fences]."
A single knockdown guaranteed a top five finish, and Kahwagi was best of that group. Securing a podium placing, his only fault came at the triple combination.
"I made the [forward] seven strides in the line before that, and I think I just got a little bit of a deep distance inside the triple," he detailed, "but I'm really happy with my horse. He jumped great, and it was a tough course."
Setting the stage
The 2024/25 North American League season will come to a thrilling conclusion in a week's time, as the World Equestrian Center - Ocala hosts its first World Cup leg on 15 February 2025, determining the final list of athletes that will qualify for the Finals in Basel (SUI).
Kent Farrington (USA) enters the finale on top of the series leaderboard. While tied on 54 points with Daniel Bluman (ISR), Farrington owns the tiebreaker with his two World Cup victories this season at Traverse City (USA) and Thermal (USA). Kristen Vanderveen (USA) sits third with 35 points.
Martin Fuchs (SUI) produced two flawless rounds of jumping to take victory in the penultimate leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Western European League staged in Bordeaux (FRA) this evening with the wonderful Conner Jei (Connor x Cosimo). After a slow start to this season’s campaign, the 2022 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final Champion hit form with fourth and fifth placings in Basel (SUI) and Leipzig (GER) but desperately needed a strong performance here to secure enough points to guarantee his place in this season’s Final.
Pieter Devos (BEL), secure in the knowledge that his place in Basel was secure, produced another stellar performance with the homebred mare Casual DV Z (Cornet Obolensky x Cicero Z van Paemel) to take second place ahead of Willem Greve with the flamboyant 14-year-old stallion Grandorado TN (Eldorado vid Zeshoek x Carolus II) in third.
Jean Francois Morand set what riders perceived to be a fair track with tall, delicate fences and technical lines including two consecutive one-stride doubles on a curving related distance and a final line of the combination to a Liverpool oxer on five strides. The line of doubles was responsible for 16 fences hitting the floor, whilst the combination claimed eight victims at part ‘b’ and a further four at part ‘c’. The final fence also shattered the dreams of multiple riders.
Morand’s time allowed proved lenient from the outset, allowing riders the luxury of additional time to ensure accuracy and precision. Initially it seemed that he had not set enough of a challenge for the high-class field as five of the first ten athletes answered all of the questions in his first-round track. Second drawn Willem Greve (NED) produced the first of these and was joined soon after by the host nation’s Gregory Cottard aboard Cocaine du Val. Fuchs followed suit before eighth drawn Julien Anquetin (FRA) delivered clear round number four and became the third French athlete to earn their place in the jump- off. When Sophie Hinners and her victorious Verona partner Iron Dames My Prins (Zilverstar T x Winningmood) negotiated the track without fault two horses later to complete a 50% clear round rate after ten combinations had been, a marathon contest against the clock seemed inevitable.
The technicalities of the track, however, started to take their toll, perhaps due to athletes being lured into a false sense of security by the calibre of combinations that had conquered it before them. Having shown impressive consistency in the series so far, athletes Kim Emmen (NED), Pieter Devos and Max Kühner (AUT) consolidated their form when producing clear rounds number six, seven and eight and were soon joined by three-time Longines FEI Jumping World Cup ™ Champion Marcus Ehning as he produced the ninth clear from 19 starters.
However, it proved to be a round of two halves. Marie Demonte (FRA) rode a foot perfect round with the 11-year-old Epona du Quesnoy to bolster French hopes and ensure they had four athletes to cheer for in round two. A hiatus of 14 combinations ensued before the final jump-off places were confirmed by the penultimate and last athletes to contest round one. To the elation of the capacity crowd, their esteemed athletes Phillip Rozier and Julien Epaillard completed the first round without fault ensuring a jump-off of 12, five of which represented the host nation.
Willem Greve opened round two. Another athlete on the cusp of qualification for Basel, he was vying for big points to help him secure qualification for what would be, somewhat remarkably, his first Longines FEI Jumping World Cup ™ Final. Knowing his horse wasn’t as naturally quick as his Leipzig winner Highway TN, Greve used the incredible scope and stride of Grandorado TN to produce a brilliant clear in 39.74 seconds in what proved to be a tactically perfect round. As the remaining athletes chased his target, only two could leave all the fences standing and Greve was rewarded with another podium position and qualification for the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup ™ Final in Basel.
Cottard was amongst the athletes to fault in a bid to better Greve’s time but third drawn Fuchs was hungry for a big result here after ‘struggling a lot’ in earlier legs of the 2024/2025 series. Fuchs has been a familiar sight on the podium in previous seasons’ qualifiers but hadn’t managed to replicate this thus far this season. Conner Jei appeared to realise the significance of the occasion as he matched his pilot’s determination to clear the fences whilst maintaining a strong pace and unmatched fluency around the twists and turns of the shortened track. As they broke the beam in 39.21 seconds, the sense of relief was visible on Fuch’s face as he knew he had taken risk enough to put pressure on his rivals but had most importantly delivered a faultless round.
"Conner Jei felt fantastic today, he was smooth and fast in the jump-off and feels great. I’m so grateful to have a horse like him!"
Martin Fuchs (SUI)
Anquetin, Hinners and Emmen all faulted in their attempts to claim the top spot before Devos, a master of consistency this season aboard a selection of equine athletes, delivered another sensational performance with his homebred Casual DV Z. They took a daring inside line which required taking on the vertical midway round the track at an incredibly acute angle with little time to present the horse at the fence. This line saved them two to three strides on their rivals and saw them stop the clock in 39.54 to slot into second place with five athletes remaining. None of them however could post a second faultless round.
Precariously poised as last to go, Epaillard looked set to take a second victory in this class as he cruised around the course effortlessly taking out strides whilst navigating the shortest route in his customary style. It was to be heartbreak for the partisan crowd, however, as the final fence toppled in a time of 36.91 and victory was not to be his. One man’s loss however is another man’s gain, and an ultimate sense of relief and elation could be felt in the Fuchs camp as normal service had resumed.
“It’s a big relief!” Fuchs beamed. “I knew I put pressure on but with Julien (Epaillard) last to go you always know you’re not fast enough! “He laughed. “I hoped he’d be slower but that never happens with Julien!”
After the initial relief at having finally secured his place in what will be his first Longines FEI Jumping World Cup ™ on home soil, Fuchs was then hit with the overriding joy of victory at this historic World Cup venue where he was competing for the first time.
“The World Cup Final is always a big goal and I’ve been struggling a lot this season; missing precision and I’ve made a few errors. I felt a bit of pressure today because I needed a good result to qualify for the Final, now that’s done it’s a big relief and I’m so happy to win here. Conner Jei felt fantastic today, he was smooth and fast in the jump-off and feels great. I’m so grateful to have a horse like him!” Fuchs concluded graciously.
Pieter Devos was understandably thrilled with the performance of Casual DV Z. “She was the youngest horse in the jump-off (at ten years old). She has done three World Cups this season and had three double clears” he told before congratulating Fuchs for his victory and Morand for producing a jump-off of 12 which he believes is “very good for the public”.
Greve was again delighted with the performance of his horse.
“I couldn’t take all the risks in the jump-off because I really need points for the final but I was lucky that there were some four fault rounds. The course was very good with challenging combinations and I am full of praise for the course designer and the job he did today!”
After 13 of 14 qualifying legs of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup ™ Western European League Kevin Staut remains at the top of the standings with 70 points. Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER) holds onto second place whilst Devos jumps up to third and assures his place in Basel. Robert Whitaker (GBR), Julien Epaillard and Max Kühner complete the top six in the standings and all head to Basel in April.
The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup ™ Western European League prepares to make its last move of the series as Gothenburg (SWE) hosts the final qualifier of the season in two weeks’ time on 23 February 2025. With the battle on for athletes vying for the final qualifying positions for the Final in Basel in April, all eyes will be on the Swedish city for the culmination of a sensational qualifying series.
Boyd Exell (AUS) and his superstar horse Bundy have made history tonight in Bordeaux (FRA) as the “brains of the team” won his 100th FEI Driving World Cup™ competition and helped the world number one win the first round of the 23rd Final. Formally called Bajnok, which means ‘champion’ in Hungarian, Bundy is the left leader and is nearly 22 years old. He has been with Boyd for 16 years and in that time has had 145 World Cup starts and been part of the winning team at seven of the 10 Finals the Australian has won.
As the highest ranked Driver coming into the Final on a maximum 30 points, Boyd was the last to enter the arena late on Saturday night in front of a 90% capacity crowd in the Parc des Expositions. Despite rolling a ball to add four, his time of 151.83 was fast enough to ensure he stayed in front on 155.83 to put himself in pole position before Sunday’s second competition, when the new champion will be crowned.
Stating afterwards that trying to win the World Cup Final was like “chasing the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow” and that he had a few extra tricks up his sleeve for Sunday, but “wasn’t going to give away his Grandmother’s recipes”, Boyd has his sights set on his 11th title, which now seems within reach after the polished performance on Saturday night. Praising Bundy’s input to the team, he said his horses were sharp and fast, but easy to drive.
Nipping at his heals are father and son supremos, Ijsbrand and Bram Chardon (NED). Maintaining the fantastic form he has shown at times this series, Ijsbrand was speedy enough for second on 159.53, adding four to his time of 155.53. Bram, as reigning champion is, like his father, aiming for his fourth title and was only 0.18 seconds behind Boyd on 152.01, but had eight to add for 160.01 for third place.
Marginally behind the Chardons was Koos de Ronde (NED), who produced the only clear of the night to finish on his time of 160.64. Lady Luck, and his obliging leaders, helped Koos dodge a couple of errors in marathon obstacle number four, and he emerged without penalties. Taking a slightly more cautious approach for the remainder of the course paid off and his time and accuracy have kept him in touch with another podium place.
Despite a fast first half of the course, Dries Degrieck (BEL) seemed to miss his lines in the second marathon obstacle number 10 and added 12 to his time of 154.46 for a total of 166.46. Although he came to the Final with a strong chance of making the podium for the first time, and even taking the title, because of the unique scoring system he may now have too big a margin to overcome.
Also starting well in the early part of the course was Jérôme Voutaz (SUI) but a halt and correction of his leaders after missing a gate ate up any advantage and he added eight to his time of 168.67 to end on 176.67.
The host nation’s wild card entry, Benjamin Aillaud (FRA), was first to enter the arena and engaged the supportive home crowed immediately. As a pathfinder, his time was 170.97 and he had two knocks for an additional eight, to total 178.97.
Because of the scoring system for the Final, there is no drive off in the first competition. Ensuring that all the rounds
contribute to the eventual placings, each Driver carries over 50% of the difference between their score and the leader, who starts from zero, so all except Boyd will have something added to their times and penalties on Sunday afternoon.
The consensus was that for a Final, Jeroen Houterman’s (NED) course design gave a flowing route which enabled fast driving. Two of the gates will be dropped from the marathon obstacles for Sunday’s drive off, and only the three Drivers with the lowest scores will take part. After tonight’s performance, Boyd looks assured of a podium place, but who will join him is hard to predict.
The USA enters the Longines League of Nations™ 2025 series with 13,128 ranking points, determined to claim a title that has eluded them thus far. With an impressive history that includes three Olympic Team Jumping gold medals in Los Angeles (USA) in 1984, Athens (GRE) in 2004 and Beijing (CHN) in 2008, as well as two Team Jumping victories at the FEI Jumping World Championship 1986 in Aachen (GER) and 2018 in Tryon (USA), the USA is a powerhouse in equestrian sport. However, the Longines League of Nations™ trophy has remained just out of reach.
Led by Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland, a former Olympian with extensive coaching credentials, he has already led the U.S. team to bronze medals at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014 in Normandy (FRA) and Pan American Games 2015 in Toronto (CAN), second place at the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final 2017 in Barcelona (ESP), silver medals in the Olympic Games 2016 in Rio (BRA), the Olympic Games 2020 in Tokyo (JPN), and last year’s Olympic Games in Paris (FRA), as well as triumphing at the Pan American Games 2023 in Santiago (CHI).
Ridland is looking to add the Longines League of Nations™ 2025 to that impressive resume.
Guiding the Next Generation: USA’s Development Strategy
The value of the Longines League of Nations™ extends beyond mere podiums, however. The series provides vital experience for up-and-coming athletes, as highlighted by Lizzy Chesson, Managing Director of Jumping for US Equestrian.
"In any sport, competing against the best sharpens your competitive edge and ensures constant improvement. At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the top eight teams all had Longines League of Nations™ experience."
“Introducing younger athletes into the Longines League of Nations™ is an excellent way to test them against top sport, while providing valuable exposure.”
Robert Ridland (USA)
But, as ever, the podiums are the ultimate goal: “It's a fine balance between integrating new combinations and ensuring we qualify for the Longines League of Nations™ Final. That’s why Longines League of Nations™ participation works alongside traditional CSIO Nations Cups to develop and test horse-and-athlete combinations throughout the season."
Looking Back and Moving Forward
Reflecting on the previous season, Chesson agrees with fellow nations on the significance of the new structure - "The second round was extremely influential in the Longines League of Nations™ format. It has been an interesting conversation as to how a team and combination best prepares for this format with no drop score in the second round. No matter the event, Longines League of Nations™ is top level competition and all need to be ready for that and the excitement that comes with such an influential format."
Chesson credits the Longines League of Nations™ with playing a vital role in Team USA’s preparation for the Paris Olympics, where they ultimately secured a team silver medal. “Our podium finish in Ocala was a standout moment, but perhaps the legacy of competing in the Longines League of Nations™ was that it helped strengthen our team by sharpening our competitiveness ahead of selection and providing experience in a format similar to the Olympic Games,” she explains.
Looking ahead to 2025, Chesson emphasises the importance of fielding combinations that can handle the intensity of the series for their ultimate goal of a competitive Final. “Our primary focus will be on qualifying for the Longines League of Nations™ Final in Barcelona while continuing to develop the depth of our CSIO5* combinations,” she adds.
Home Turf Advantage: Ocala Returns for 2025
On that second-place in Ocala, Chesson says “There’s nothing like representing your country in front of an enthusiastic home crowd - it’s an incredible opportunity for exposure and for athletes worldwide to experience U.S. hospitality!” Enthusiastic about the return of Ocala as a qualifier venue for 2025, hopefully throwing the advantage to Team USA.
"Hosting a Longines League of Nations™ qualifier brings the world’s top athletes and horses to the U.S., showcasing our venues and competitions to a global audience,” Chesson says. “Our sport is international, so it’s crucial to have representation at the highest levels across multiple continents. Competing on home soil in front of an American crowd is an incredible experience, and the team at the World Equestrian Center put on a fantastic event in 2024. We are excited to welcome international teams back to the U.S. for another thrilling competition.
A Call to Fellow Nations and Fans
Acknowledging the importance of increasing public engagement in top-level equestrian sport in the U.S., Chesson urges fans to be a cornerstone of our sport:
"For us in the U.S., familiarity with top equestrian sport isn’t as accessible on a regular basis, whereas top Jumping sport is a cultural thread in Europe. While we have significant professional and amateur participation within the equestrian community here in the states, highlighting the world-class caliber of top sport is important for us in getting more fans and spectators interested in following and supporting our horses and athletes. The better the competition, the more engagement and visibility we’re able to highlight, and we feel strongly this will lead to more growth across the sport.
Certainly, we want to win, and that’s our goal in every competition, but we also want to encourage and see more and more fans supporting our horses, athletes, and teams. There really is nothing like competing as a team and representing your country in front of an energetic crowd - it is such a thrill and a unique opportunity for exposure, but also for athletes and supporters from around the world to experience the U.S. hospitality, alongside the quality and vision for this leg of the series. We look forward to delivering world-class performances in 2025 and welcoming fans and competitors alike to an exciting new season of the Longines League of Nations™.”
With a combination of experience, rising talent, and a renewed focus, Team USA is ready to take on the Longines League of Nations™ 2025 season with determination and ambition. Their eyes are set on Barcelona, and they are prepared to leave it all in the arena for their country and calling - will this be their year to take the coveted title?
Germany has once again secured its place among the elite in international Team Jumping, qualifying for the Longines League of Nations™ 2025 by winning the 2024 series, and earning 12,311 ranking points. Recognised as one of the most successful equestrian nations of all time, Germany continues to captivate audiences with thrilling performances and remains a dominant force on the global stage.
A powerhouse in Team competition, Germany boasts an extraordinary record as three-time World Champions (1994 The Hague, 1998 Rome, 2010 Lexington) and eight-time Olympic Team Champions (1936 Berlin, 1956 Stockholm, 1960 Rome, 1964 Tokyo, 1972 Munich, 1988 Seoul, 1996 Atlanta, 2000 Sydney). Their momentum is stronger than ever following Christian Kukuk's individual victory in the 2024 Paris Olympics, which further cemented Germany's dominance in the sport and support from fans around the world.
Fresh off their triumph at the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ 2023 Final and their historic win at the inaugural Longines League of Nations™ 2024 Final in Barcelona (ESP), Germany now sets its sights on an unprecedented third consecutive title in 2025.
Strategic Development and High-Stakes Competition
German Chef d’equipe Otto Becker, himself a former Olympic Team champion and national coach since 2009, shared insights into how the Longines League of Nations™ contributes to Germany's equestrian legacy, and prepares future generations of athletes for success.
"The Longines League of Nations™ is the premier team series in show jumping. We aim to send our most experienced combinations to these events, while nurturing young talent through the European Equestrian Federation Nations Cup series to ensure a steady pipeline of skilled riders ready for top-tier competition."
With the no-drop-score format placing immense pressure on athletes, Becker emphasises the importance of precision and consistency, saying “In this series, every round counts. There is no margin for error, which makes it incredibly exciting for spectators and significantly raises the stakes for riders. That’s why we will again focus on fielding experienced horse-and-rider combinations in 2025."
Aiming for Continued Dominance in 2025
Reflecting on their stellar 2024 season, which included five five-star Nations Cup victories, Becker highlighted some of the team's key moments:
"Winning the first Longines League of Nations™ event in Abu Dhabi (UAE) set the tone for the season, and securing victory in the first-ever Longines League of Nations™ Final in Barcelona was the ultimate highlight. With the revised 2025 calendar, everything resets, and our primary goal is to qualify for the final again".
“Winning Barcelona for the third consecutive time would be an incredible achievement.”
Otto Becker (GER)
When asked about Germany’s key to success, Becker pointed to meticulous season planning:
"Optimal performance requires careful preparation. We work closely with our riders to create individualised competition schedules where the Longines League of Nations™ is not just included but prioritised."
Respect and Excitement for the Upcoming Season
Acknowledging the strength of the competition, Becker expressed admiration for the elite nations participating in the series: "Only the very best teams earn their place in the Longines League of Nations™. We have the highest respect for our fellow competitors and their supporters, and we look forward to delivering top-class sport for fans around the world."
With the Longines League of Nations™ 2025 set to deliver another thrilling season of high-stakes Team competition, Germany is poised to write the next chapter in its illustrious history. Will they achieve the coveted hat-trick? The journey begins again soon.
The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decision in a case involving a Prohibited Substance from the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
In this case, the horse Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z (FEI ID 106WJ63/BE), ridden by Tine Magnus (FEI ID 10045338 /BEL), at the Olympic Games in Paris (FRA) in Eventing, from 27-29 July 2024, tested positive for the prohibited substance Trazodone.
The athlete was able to trace the source of the Banned Substance in the horse’s system back to the supplement RELAX PRO – Global Medics – Equine Care Group. This finding was based on an independent analysis requested by the athlete from two highly recognised toxicologists. This contamination hence accounted for the positive finding in the horse, and the athlete had clearly established on a balance of probabilities, how the Banned Substance Trazodone entered the horse’s system. Consequently, the FEI and the athlete entered into a Settlement Agreement.
In its Final Decision, the FEI Tribunal accepted the Settlement Agreement and imposed an ineligibility period of five months on the athlete from the starting date of the Final Decision. The provisional suspension of the athlete, which came into effect on 3 September 2024, shall be credited against the ineligibility period, meaning the athlete will be eligible to compete as of 3 February 2025. The athlete is also fined CHF 4,000.
The results obtained by the athlete and horse at the Olympic Games in Paris are disqualified and consequently, in accordance with art 623.2 of the FEI Regulations for Equestrian Events at the Olympic Games, the Belgian Team’s results, fourth place in the Eventing Team Competition are disqualified.
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 those 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.
**Specified Substances
The FEI introduced the concept of Specified Substances in 2016. Specified Substances should not in any way be considered less important or less dangerous than other Prohibited Substances (i.e. whether Banned or Controlled). Rather, they are simply substances that are more likely to have been ingested by horses for a purpose other than the enhancement of sport performance, for example, through a contaminated food substance. Positive cases involving Specified Substances can be handled with a greater degree of flexibility within the structure of the FEI Regulations.
Information on all substances is available on the searchable FEI Equine Prohibited Substances Database.
FEI Warning Regarding the Administration of Supplements to Horses
Persons Responsible should be aware that it is not unusual for supplements, herbal remedies etc. marketed within the equine industry or over the internet to contain Banned Substances or Controlled Medication Substances that are not disclosed on the product label. It is also possible that those substances are contained in different amounts in the supplement, herbal remedies etc. than stated on the label, or the product used may have been inadvertently contaminated with a Banned or Controlled Medication Substance. There is no guarantee that the ingredients list on any supplement, herbal remedy etc. is accurate.
Any Person Responsible who uses supplements, herbal remedies etc. for his/her horse does so at his or her own risk of committing an EADCMR violation. Persons Responsible should always ensure that they exercise extreme caution and judgment in the products that they use. Persons Responsible are also advised to ensure that all members of their Support Personnel are informed about the risk of giving supplements, herbal remedies to their horses and act accordingly.
For further information please consult the Equine Anti-Doping Rules and the Equine Controlled Medication Regulations. The full FEI Warning Regarding the Administration of Supplements to horses can be found on the Clean Sport for Horses - FEI Prohibited Substances List page.
Kent Farrington (USA) logged his second World Cup victory of the 2024/25 season Saturday night at Desert International Horse Park (USA), riding to the top of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Thermal.
After winning the season's opening leg in Traverse City (USA) with Greya, Farrington asserted himself at the top of the NAL standings with Toulayna, an 11-year-old Zangersheide mare whom he's developed more more than four years. The manner in which the pair secured victory was especially impressive, jumping first in a seven-horse jump-off field and holding all the way through.
The winning time was 32.33 seconds—a mark more than two seconds faster than any other jump-off competitor, regardless of score. Jos Verlooy (BEL) finished second as the only other athlete to execute a double-clear performance on the day with FTS Killossery Konfusion (35.37 seconds). McKayla Langmeier (USA) finished third with Mimosa vd Rollebeek, knocking the penultimate vertical but coming home fastest of the jump-off's four-faulters (4/34.31).
"When you know a horse well, whether you go first or in the middle, often makes no difference. If you have fast riders coming after you, it also doesn't make a difference. Sometimes [going first] can work in your favor, in that you don't then change your mind, and you stick to your own plan. Luckily, that worked for me tonight."
-Kent Farrington (USA)
Farrington considers Toulayna to embody all the qualities of the quintessential modern show jumper, and he called on the mare's footspeed and ability to size up the fences over Alan Wade's (IRL) short track. He ultimately would dare his fellow competitors to catch them as they blazed a trail on course, jumping the fences quickly and at the most efficient angles.
"[Toulayna] is a naturally fast horse, which is a big advantage in our sport today," Farrington shared. "If you naturally have a horse who already wants to be quick, then as a rider, it's much easier to do less and just not interfere, which is more or less my job in riding her in a jump-off...I don't know that it was a perfect jump-off, but it came off well."
Verlooy certainly appreciated Farrington's effort, and he realized early in his jump-off that he was behind the pace. At that point, he prioritized jumping clear, knowing it would still be good enough for runner-up honors.
"I knew [Farrington's jump-off] would be difficult to beat, probably impossible," Verlooy reflected. "I was just thinking about what I had to do to be first or second. [My horse] jumped amazing [over the first three jumps in the jump-off], so I kept going on my own plan, and my horse jumped his heart out again. I think I should be very happy with my second place tonight."
For Langmeier, the evening marked a career milestone, giving her, her first World Cup podium placing. While the 24-year-old had a rail in the jump-off, she came closer than any other competitor to Farrington's winning time.
"I decided to come out to the Desert Horse Park, because I wanted to start to get some points to maybe compete at World Cup Finals," Langmeier said. "That was kind of on the goal list to do this year, but I have to see how the horses are doing and play off that."
Farrington finished fourth at the 2024 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in Riyadh (KSA) in April and approached the 2024/25 qualifying season with the aim of keeping his options open when it comes to pursuing a return to the championship, which will take place in Basel (SUI) in April. He now leads the North American League standings with 54 points.
"I'm interested in earning the points so that I have it as an option. If I feel in good enough form to contend to compete for the win, then I'll go," Farrington said. "If I don't think I'm there, then I'll skip it. I'll let the horses tell me what I'm doing."
Farrington has the same amount of NAL points as Daniel Bluman (ISR), but he broke the tie with his World Cup wins. Kristen Vanderveen (USA) sits third with 35 points.
The North American League next heads to Pubela (MEX) on 8 February 2025.
The FEI has created a dedicated Working Group tasked with developing a comprehensive strategic Action Plan for Dressage, aimed at establishing a clear vision, realigning objectives, and creating actionable plans to enhance Dressage at all levels.
Comprised of leading figures in the Discipline, the group brings together a wealth of expertise to address challenges and opportunities facing the sport today.
The Working Group which will be Chaired by George Williams (USA), former President of the United States Dressage Federation, US Equestrian Dressage Youth Coach and High Performance & Pathway Development Advisor, will also include the following key figures from across the Dressage community:
“Dressage should be built on balanced, ethical training resulting in freedom of movement, ease in transitions, and harmony between horse and rider, with no place for tension or resistance,” FEI Dressage Director Ronan Murphy said.
“Our focus now is to embed these principles in the FEI Rule Book and ensure they are applied consistently in training and competition, always putting horse welfare first.
“The Working Group’s task is to turn these ideals into everyday practices, prioritising the wellbeing of horses as we move forward with future proposals and format changes.
"The Working Group was carefully selected not only for their expertise but also for their profound understanding of Dressage. This diverse group represents a cross-section of the community, ensuring a broad range of perspectives. Their collective knowledge and vision will be instrumental in shaping a strategic plan that not only addresses the current challenges in the sport but also ensures the wellbeing of our horses, incorporates stakeholder feedback, and positions Dressage for long-term success."
One of the first tasks of the Working Group will be to carry out a comprehensive review of the current state of Dressage. The Working Group will also evaluate feedback from stakeholders given in advance and during a stakeholder meeting on 1 October 2024, and will categorise suggestions into well-defined focus areas for targeted action. Central to their efforts will be prioritising equine ethics and wellbeing, with the Equine Ethics and Wellbeing Action Plan serving as a guiding framework for key initiatives.
Additionally, the group will work on creating a repository of relevant scientific research, consulting with veterinary experts to create an accessible information resource for stakeholders. To further enhance the sport’s integrity, the Working Group will propose future rule revisions, with immediate attention on partial updates for 2025 and the 2026 full Rules Revision for Dressage.
The Working Group will report regularly to the Dressage Technical Committee, the FEI Board, and relevant stakeholder groups to ensure transparency and collaboration throughout the process. The Working Group will make their first presentation to the FEI Sports Forum on 31 March.
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