Until the last leg of the series, it looked like the contest for the next FEI Driving World Cup™ title would be between Boyd Exell (AUS) and Bram Chardon (NED). But after his first win in Leipzig (GER), Belgium’s Dries Degrieck has disrupted the old order and put himself into serious contention.  

As defending champion and holder of an unprecedented ten FEI Driving World Cup™ titles, Boyd enters the final as the number one ranked Driver on a maximum 30 points.  Before the first event in Lyon (FRA), he predicted that this would be a particularly close series – which is true, despite his dominance; from seven legs, he has won competition two five times.  Add in another five competition one wins, and it is the Australian national anthem which has been most played during the award ceremonies.  

As the second ranked driver on 27 points, two-time champion Bram won the fourth and fifth legs in Stockholm (SWE) and Geneva (SUI). Against the clock, his horses have been consistently fast and when the balls stay in place, they are hard to beat.  He and Boyd were first pitted against each other at the second leg in Maastricht (NED) when they were both wild cards, so ineligible for ranking points. 

Bram started out in front but an extra loop in the second drive-off meant he slipped to third and Boyd took the win.  Next in Stockholm, a mistake from Boyd in the drive-off dropped him to third while Bram won.  For their next clash after Christmas at the sixth leg in Mechelen (BEL), Boyd went clear to edge into first, and although Bram was faster on time he lost out on victory after a ball roll.

In Leipzig, the focus was fixed on the Boyd-Bram dynamic, but the event was boosted by the inclusion of all six drivers who had qualified for the final. However, the script did not play out as expected and the mind games took on a new twist. Boyd decisively won the opening competition while Bram didn’t make the drive off. The tables turned in the second competition when Boyd’s penalties put him out of drive-off contention.  

The win was Bram’s to take as his horses seemed on unbeatable form, but a costly knock meant that Dries – who had been second in the opening competition – could make his quick, clear round one that marked a historic triumph.  It was a deserving win for the talented Belgian who is only in his third FEI Driving World Cup™ series.

Competing at four qualifying events and taking no wild card tickets, Dries stated after Leipzig how proud he was of his horses.  Not only are they relatively young in age for the series where it’s often older, more experienced horses that are used, but they are Dutch Warmbloods, whereas most of the specialist indoor teams tend to favour Lipizzaners.  

Having been to many Finals and with the benefit of their wealth of experience, Dutch titans and previous champions Ijsbrand Chardon and Koos de Ronde will also be vying for podium places in Bordeaux.  Third-ranked Ijsbrand is a perennial crowd favourite wherever the venue and is revelling in his son Bram’s success while being as committed to his own Driving as ever.  He very nearly beat Boyd in London on an exciting Friday night – there was only a second between them – with Koos a close third.  

Koos has recorded some impressive times during the series with his long-striding horses.  The third leg in Stuttgart (GER), in a large arena with a galloping course, was nearly his until a slip in the water and loss of momentum dashed his hopes. 

With a tactic of wider, flowing lines through the marathon-style obstacles, Koos remains a strong challenger for the top positions and achieved a confidence-boosting third in Leipzig against strong competition.
Germany’s Michael Brauchle is a Driver that the others monitor closely because he sets some of the speediest times.  Always pushing for the most economic lines with his keen horses, when his rounds are free of mistakes, he is another who’s a contender for a podium finish.  His highest placings were seconds in Maastricht and Stockholm.  

Joining the starters in Bordeaux is the host nation’s wild card entry, Benjamin Aillaud (FRA) who also competed at the first leg in Lyon (FRA) in early November. The course will be built by Johan Jacobs (NED), who designed the Stockholm, Geneva and Mechelen courses.  Returning as president of the ground jury is Anne-Marie Turbé (FRA), joined by Camille Eslan (FRA) as chief steward.
The Driving starts late on Saturday night and concludes on Sunday afternoon. 

There is no drive-off after the first competition, but the positions set the running order for the following day.  In the second competition, only the top three Drivers go into the drive-off and their scores from the previous rounds count towards the overall totals.  Another difference between the Final and the qualifying legs is the accumulative scoring system whereby 50% of the difference between the Drivers and the leading score is carried over to the next competition. 

After Leipzig, the title race is tighter than it has been for a long time but on balance, Boyd remains the favourite.  Despite the recent result, he has shown throughout his career how defiantly he can bounce back and go on to take the big wins.  Bram has also set his sights on his third FEI Driving World Cup™ title, helped by having one of the most cohesive teams of horses on the circuit.  

But neither can be complacent because this time, there’s a high chance there will be a new name on the trophy.

With the inaugural season of the Longines League of Nations™ kicking off on Feb 11, over the next few days we will continue to take 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 take a look at Germany...

Considered by many as one of the most successful equestrian nations, Germany consistently delivers thrilling performances and remains a force to be reckoned with. 

“By introducing the Longines League of Nations™, the National Federations and our teams have the chance to compete in a truly worldwide series. This is an exciting opportunity and we are looking forward to the League beginning,” says the German Federation’s general secretary, Soenke Lauterbach on their inclusion in the League. 

Germany's stellar track record certainly supports the enthusiasm of their international fans. As well as being the current winners of the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final 2023, they also took team Jumping golds no fewer than 3 times at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ and FEI Jumping World Championship - standing shoulder-to-shoulder with only France in holding this prestigious accolade. Adding to their glory, Germany are the only nation to become eight-time Team Olympic Champions, something they will be mindful of as Paris 2024 approaches this year.

 

"True horsemanship is an essential element for true excellence."

Otto Becker (GER)

Chef d’equipe and the German national coach since 2009 - not to mention a former German and Olympic champion - Otto Becker shares insights into what the Longines League of Nations™ means for Germany and the global jumping community.

As an established powerhouse in various sports, how do you anticipate the Longines League of Nations™ contributing to Germany maintaining its reputation as a leading nation in equestrian sports?

“It is an achievement already to be part of the Longines League of Nations™, and we feel that all ten nations enjoy and appreciate this privilege. Having said that, it is hard work, day-in and day-out for our riders, grooms and trainers to be successful and stay high on the rankings. Our teams will all do their best to perform well and shine on the Longines League of Nations™ stage - competition has become very, very tight over the years, so it is not taken for granted to be successful during the series. But – parallel to the Olympic Games – we consider the Longines League of Nations™ as the most prestigious series of 2024”.

The series puts our sport under a global spotlight. How do you plan to use this exposure to encourage and support the development of young German talents, ensuring a pipeline of skilled athletes for the future?

“Young athletes need orientation and goals to strive for. To dream of being part of a . . . national team is such a goal, especially when the nation performs well and secures national pride. Providing young athletes opportunities throughout their career is key to developing their skills consistently and thoroughly. This begins at youth level and continues throughout their whole career.”

Germany excels in multiple equestrian disciplines with many Jumping athletes having a diverse and versatile foundation. How do you feel this multidisciplinary expertise helps to give you an edge in the Longines League of Nations™?

“One core element of the famous German Principles of Riding is this diverse foundation. Our riders do not only learn Dressage or Jumping; the aim is that riders learn and understand that this is all connected and you cannot do one proficiently without the other. You become a better Jumping athlete when you can ride Dressage – and when you understand why, this helps your horse and yourself to jump better. 

So, this core element has always been one of our strengths and continues to show its value. Additionally, the entire management of the horse must be very well thought-out and we feel strongly about optimising this. True horsemanship is an essential element for true excellence.”

 Be sure to catch all the action on FEI TV as the series kicks off in Abu Dhabi on 11 February.

Throwing down another extraordinary performance, Ireland’s Daniel Coyle and the 14-year-old super-mare, Legacy, stormed to victory for the second time in a week at the twelfth leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2023/2024 Western European League in Amsterdam, The Netherlands today.

Last Sunday the pair topped the line-up in Leipzig, Germany by a winning margin of almost half a second. This evening they pinned Dutch stars Willem Greve and Highway TN NOP into runner-up spot by almost three full seconds in an electrifying seven-way jump-off that had the packed stadium of 6,000 spectators on the very edges of their seats.

The crowd jumped to their feet with joy when, third-last to go, Greve and his mighty 12-year-old stallion - one of three home starters through to the timed round - raced into the lead when breaking the beam in 38.33 seconds. 

Their joy was short-lived however when Coyle produced a spectacular run that stopped the clock on 35.45 seconds which was never going to be beaten. 

Asked how he will celebrate his incredible two-in-a-row World Cup successes this evening the Irishman replied,  “I’ve been doing ‘dry’ January, I do it every year, but Ariel (Grange, Legacy’s co-owner) said go and have a few beers, so I had three after last Sunday’s win. I think we might have to have a few more tonight!”

Set the target

Greve’s compatriot, Jur Vrieling, set the target when pathfinder in the second round with the 12-year-old mare Griffin van de Heffinck who jumped clear in 40.40 seconds.

The second of the Dutch contenders, Marc Houtzager with Sterrehof’s Dante, was looking competitive until it all went wrong at the second of the remaining two elements of the triple combination, now three fences from home. And when Belgium’s Pieter Clemens and Emmerton lowered the previous vertical, and despite a nice clear from fellow-Belgian Gilles Thomas with Luna van het Dennehof who crossed the line in 41.84 seconds, it was Vrieling who was still at the head of affairs with three left to go against the clock.

Greve took command with a brilliant run from the powerful Highway who broke the beam 38.33 seconds, and the stallion shook his head proudly as his rider saluted the appreciative crowd. But from the moment Coyle and Legacy took flight over the first fence it was clear something special was about to happen.

Curling over that opening vertical to take the shortest line to the following oxer, the pair simply swallowed up all the distances, and with the smoothest turn to the penultimate vertical and a heart-stopping race down to the final oxer they stopped the clock in 35.45 seconds to put the result beyond any doubt, Ireland’s Denis Lynch and Vistogrand bringing the action to a close with two fences on the floor to finish seventh at the end of the day.

Analysing his own performance, Greve said, “it was a real fast jump-off and my turn into the combination wasn’t as smooth as Daniel’s, he took more risk and I think I had two strides more, but for the rest I’m so happy for my horse! He gave everything like he always does, and as for this crowd in Amsterdam - I finished second but they gave me the feeling that I won! We have seen great sport and the spectators were unbelievable, so I had a super show and I think we have a great winner!”, said the man who enjoyed a wonderful week at Jumping Amsterdam.

Reflected

Coyle reflected on where all this recent success has come from. Commitment and determination have played a major role from an early age.

“My brother Jordan won everything in ponies and I didn’t win so much, or it seemed like that because he was winning everything! In any sport I suppose you just get stuck in and get on with it or you get left behind and give up. Thankfully it went the right way for me in the end!”, he said this evening. 

So what about his ability to thrive under pressure in a jump-off? 

“I think it goes back to riding those ponies at home in Ireland where it’s very competitive. I rode with my brothers and everybody else, even the likes of Richard Howley who now also has won a few World Cups. We all grew up on ponies and I was always chasing those guys, But it’s good to see now I can have some revenge, and I guess I also had some great horses in my career in the smaller divisions that have taught me how to do jump-offs. In the end if being competitive in a jump-off is all I can give back to Legacy then I’m happy enough with that!”, he said.

Today’s win was also particularly satisfying because Greve beat the Irishman in the Grand Prix at Rotterdam. “Willem is always very fast and I didn’t want to get beaten by him again!”

He wasn’t sure of the result until the very end however. “I was going through the finish still looking at the clock hoping I was fast enough, I didn’t know if I was slow or fast or what was the difference but anyway I was on the right side of it and it’s much better to win by three seconds than three-hundredths!”, he pointed out.

Sensitivity

For Coyle this whole experience with Legacy, called “Dolly” by her owner Ariel Grange of Lothlorien Farms in Toronto, Canada, is tinged with an extra level of sensitivity. Because when he left Ireland to ride for fellow-Irishman Conor Swail and for Ariel’s mother, the late Susan Grange, in early 2016 he could never have known how his career would play out. 

“Before Sue died (in October 2017) Ariel only had a few younger horses and wasn’t so involved, so I didn’t know if she was going to step up and do what she has done”, Coyle explained this evening. Legacy is named in Susan’s memory, and while the Irishman’s partnership with Ariel has gone from strength to strength, his relationship with the mare has also grown into something pretty unique during their seven years together. Although it hasn’t always been plain sailing.

“For years there we weren’t really on the same page. She’d jump one fence very high and the next fence I’d ask her to jump, like a plank or something delicate, she’d knock it down and I’d be very confused as to why. But I feel now we are very much on the same page, we have a real understanding”, he explained. 

Results have proven that beyond doubt, and the Irish rider, whose World Cup points are accumulated on the North American League table, has now taken over the lead by a long distance ahead of the Longines 2024 Final in Riyadh (KSA) in April.

Asked about his plans for Legacy, he said this evening, “she goes back now to Ariel’s new farm in Orlando, Florida (USA) and she will have a few weeks off and then probably the 5* Nations Cup in Ocala will be her next big event.

“We’ve a huge year ahead with the World Cup Final and the Olympics, and for sure we’ll be looking at both with her but we have to have a conversation about it all. The main thing is to get her to the Olympic Games like she is right now and to try and win a medal! She’s in the prime of her life, she’s got better, she’s got older, and maybe so have I, so I’m delighted!”, Coyle said.

Meanwhile, with just two legs of the Western European League left to run, the hunt for those last-minute qualifying points will be more intense than ever going into the next round in Bordeaux (FRA) next Sunday and on to the final qualifier in Gothenburg (SWE) at the end of February.

So don’t miss a hoofbeat….

Result 

Standings 

In 2022, Jose Alberto Martinez Vazquez (MEX) and Quinley finished second in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Puebla (MEX). Two years later, the pair moved up that final step on the podium, recording the first World Cup victory of their respective careers Saturday at the Quintas Ecuestres venue.

The duo bested a three-horse jump-off, with the historic Popocatépetl volcano in view. Simon Salame Farca (MEX) and So Nice finished second, with Misti Cassar (USA) third.

"[Quinley] means everything to me. I've never had a horse like him before." 

Jose Alberto Martinez Vazquez (MEX)

The only female FEI Level 4 Course Designer in the world, Marina Azevedo (BRA) set a stiff challenge for the field of 25 athletes that came forward, with three fences reaching the maximum height of 1.60m. One of those fences was a delicate plank, which fell throughout the afternoon. 

Just three combinations were able to produce a clear round, which made for a thrilling jump-off, filled with surprises. Cassar was first to jump with Mylord Cornet, her partner from the 2022 World Cup Finals in Leipzig (GER). 

The pair powered down the first line with confidence, but when Cassar took a risk with a tight turn back to the third fence, it caught her mount by surprise, and the two became separated, resulting in elimination. Horse and rider left the arena safely, assured a podium finish.

"Going first, you just have to take a shot and go for it, and I think it really was just pilot error," Cassar explained. "I turned too tight."

Salame took his turn next, with the intention of producing a more conservative clear. That plan did not come to fruition, as the pair pulled a rail in the combination, but they still took over the lead on four faults in 53.26 seconds.

That left only Martinez to jump. Without taking too much risk, he and Quinley pulled ahead at the third fence, executing a beautifully agile turn, and continued to draw off. Miscommunication resulted in the final fence falling, but the duo was still plenty quick enough to secure the victory. The winning time was 48.44 seconds. 

"I thought I could go a little bit faster and still [win with] a rail," Martinez detailed. "At the end, I was thinking about the time. Going to the last fence, you're always thinking, 'Is this enough?' I had a bit of a miscommunication, but Quinley still went over [the jump]. I'm thankful."

Martinez, who rides as an amateur, acquired Quinley when the Holsteiner gelding was just four years old. Producing him up the levels, the pair represented their country at the 2022 FEI World Jumping Championships (DEN) and now boast seven international victories on their record. 

"It was kind of lucky how he came into the family, and we've now had 11 years with him. We know each other perfectly. That's what brings us together to get good results."

Jose Alberto Martinez Vazquez (MEX)

Daniel Bluman (ISR) and Daniel Coyle (IRL) each have 43 points, but Bluman leads the NAL standings thanks to his win in Toronto (CAN). Shane Sweetnam (IRL) sits third with 41 points.

The 2023-2024 North American League season concludes in Ocala (USA) on 17 March 2024.

Full Results

Standings

For the second time this season Great Britain’s Charlotte Fry and Everdale left the opposition in their wake at the eighth leg of the FEI Dressage World Cup™ 2023/2024 Western European League in Amsterdam (NED) today.

In yesterday’s Grand Prix they pinned Germany’s Isabell Werth and DSP Quantaz into second place and longtime league-leader Sweden’s Patrik Kittel into third with Touchdown. Today they did it all again, but this time with a wider winning margin that left them well clear of the rest of the field.

Fry has now moved comfortably into third place on the Western European League table from which the top nine will qualify for the Final in Riyadh (KSA) in April. 

“I’m still taking it in I guess, to win here in Amsterdam is kind of a dream - especially with such a competitive field of horses and riders! Everdale has been feeling so good the last two days and I’ve had two really great rides so I couldn’t really ask for more!”, she said.

Field

The 15-strong starting field was filled with exciting talent from first to last, and judges Isobel Wessels (GBR), Patricia Wolters (NED), Mariette Sanders-van Gansewinkel (NED), Raphael Saleh (FRA) and Maria Colliander (FIN) had the Dutch partnership of Marieke van der Putten and the 12-year-old Totilas gelding Torveslettens Titanium RS2 NOP out in front at the halfway stage on a score of 79.725.

Second to go after the interval however, Belgium’s Flore de Winne and Flynn FRH took the lead when posting 80.315. This pair have been showing great promise this season, de Winne’s quiet balance helping the 10-year-old stallion sparkle as he continues to learn his trade while presenting a pleasing picture. 

Next in however, multiple gold medallist Werth opened up the whole competition with big marks from the outset with Quantaz whose score of 86.455 was never going to be easy to overtake. The enthusiastic crowd loved the German star’s trademark punchy performance and rose to their feet in appreciation as the five-time FEI Dressage World Cup™ title-winner pranced out of the arena at the end of her test with a big smile and a wave.

Fry followed with an imperfect first halt, but the scores started piling up for piaffe/passage and rock-solid flying changes, and boosted by four 10’s for Choreography and five more for Music and Interpretation they pushed the new target score up to 88.180 which proved impossible to better. 

Sweden’s Kittel posted 84.905 for third place despite a muddled moment when he dropped his reins early in the test, and when the Danish duo of Nanna Skodborg Merrald with Blue Hors Don Olymbrio and Carina Cassøe Krüth with Heiline’s Danciera posted 84.030 and 82.905 they slotted into fourth and fifth places respectively, Belgium’s de Winne sealing sixth spot at the end of the day.

Consistent

Tokyo 2020 Olympic partners, Fry and Everdale, have been enjoying a really consistent run of form having also won the sixth leg of the Western European League in Mechelen (BEL) in December, just two weeks after finishing second in London (GBR). Today’s result has firmly sealed a qualifying spot for the Dutch-based Briton at the FEI Dressage World Cup™ Final 2024 in Riyadh (KSA) in April, but with the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on the horizon there is no perfect plan in place just yet.

“Everdale is going to have a small break now. There are a lot of stallion shows coming up and then hopefully we will go to Den Bosch (s’Hertogenbosch NED) and then do the outdoor season with Glamourdale so we will see how it all works out”, said the rider who with her other superstar stallion, Glamourdale, took double-gold at the FEI Dressage World Championship in 2022.

At the post competition press conference there was much talk about the forthcoming Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and asked which horse she intends to bring Fry wouldn’t commit herself - “I’m very lucky to have two really top horses at the moment so we will see!”, she replied.

Meanwhile when asked if she expects to be in Paris, Werth modestly replied, “it’s not so easy to get in a team, especially in Germany or Great Britain. There are only three to go and I will try my best and we will see!”

Spoiled for choice

Kittel, who has long led the Western European League standings, admits he is spoiled for choice when it comes to horses for both the World Cup Final and the Paris Games.  

“I’m lucky because I have a couple of horses in the World Cup and I can do more shows without having to ride so much on each horse which is very good. For me that’s like a big bonus at the moment”, he explained. But he takes nothing for granted.

Where Paris is concerned he said “I think for every rider the Olympic Games is something we always dream of but it’s always in the stars. The day you are there and you’ve done your test and you say thank you to the judges - that’s the day you know you’ve ridden in an Olympics!”, he pointed out.

The Western European League now moves on to the final three stages at Neumünster (GER) in three weeks time, Gothenburg (SWE) at the end of February and ’s-Hertogenbosch (NED) in early March.

Don’t miss a hoofbeat….

Result

Standings

With the inaugural season of the Longines League of Nations™ kicking off in February, over the next few weeks we will take 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 Switzerland...

Jumping is a widespread discipline in Switzerland, with around 340 national and a dozen international events hosted every year. This popularity is undoubtedly assisted by the the success of Swiss Jumping athletes, which has seen them triumphing as winners of the Longines FEI European Championships at Riesenbeck (GER) in 2021, as well as being 3-time Team Olympic medallists. 

These successes inspire both national pride and aspirations for equestrians, coupled with the Swiss Federation’s ethos that optimal conditions enable great success. It is felt that the basis for later victories is laid with solid basic training and level-appropriate promotion of young talent - a task that rests on the capable shoulders of their new chef d’equipe, previous Dutch team assistant Peter Van Der Waaij. 

"Our fans will unite together and we will ask anyone to wear the Swiss red colour with pride!"

Peter Van Der Waaij(SUI)

Van Der Waaij, who took over from Michel Sorg in January, does so with both enthusiasm and a deep sense of responsibility for the role, saying; “The new format with four riders in the first round and three riders in the second round adds an extra challenge as well, and definitely does not make it easier for a chef d’equipe! It could lead to some difficult decisions and it is hard to predict the outcome; we have seen over the years many times that the result in the first round is no guarantee for the second round. It is an interesting new aspect to the FEI Nations Cup format, and fans will find it very exciting to see if their nation can climb the ranks.”

We ask him what the Longines League of Nations ™ means to competitors, the sport, and the fans. 

Switzerland is renowned for precision and craftsmanship. How do you see the Longines League of Nations™ as an opportunity to highlight the Swiss commitment to excellence and attention to detail in equestrian sports?

"The Swiss team is always trying to excel in FEI Nations Cups and the newly launched Longines League of Nations™ will be one of the highlights of the season. Since the competition of the world’s best countries is of such a high level, the Swiss team will have to focus on excellence and detail even more for these shows. The Swiss riders have always fully prioritised FEI Nations Cups, and will continue to do so with the Longines League of Nations™".

In your opinion, what does the establishment of the Longines League of Nations™ mean for the sport of Jumping?

"The Longines League of Nations™ will take the sport globally to another level, since the world’s leading countries will compete against each other in three different continents. In this way, a world-wide crowd can be reached and Jumping fans from all ten competing countries and more will be thrilled to follow the competitions. For our team it will be a very exciting team since our home show St. Gallen will be part of the series and will even get more attention than it normally gets, which will be thrilling!"

Switzerland has a close-knit equestrian community. How do you plan to engage fans and younger equestrians into the excitement of the Longines League of Nations™, fostering a sense of unity and support?

"Swiss Equestrian is more than just riders – it is about family and friends and that is also how we like to approach our fans and our young equestrians. With St. Gallen as part of the series, the Swiss equestrian world is treated to another show of the very highest level with the world's very best countries competing against each other. In St. Gallen, our fans will unite together and we will ask anyone to wear the Swiss red colour with pride!"

Get ready to paint the town red for Switzerland as the league kicks off in Abu Dhabi on 11 February for the first leg of the new series. 

Be sure to catch all the action on FEI TV  

As the excitement builds to a crescendo ahead of the dawning of the brand-new Longines League of Nations™ Series, the top-10 ranked countries in the world have confirmed their teams for the historic first leg which will be staged in Abu Dhabi (UAE) in just over two weeks’ time, on 11 February 2024.

FEI Nations Cup™ Jumping, in which horse-and-rider combinations join forces to represent their countries with fierce pride and enormous passion, has long been at the heart of all that is best about equestrian sport. Dating back to 1909, and under the supervision of the FEI since 1930, it has inspired athletes and enthralled spectators worldwide ever since.

The new-look Longines League of Nations™ series blends the traditions of the past with the excitement of the modern sport for a four-leg super-series that will take place across three continents. After Abu Dhabi the action will move to Ocala (USA) in March and then to St Gallen (SUI) and Rotterdam (NED) in June before concluding with the big Final in Barcelona (ESP) in October where the best eight teams will battle it out for the inaugural title. 

The opening leg looks set to be a mighty clash of champions.

Draw

Team Ireland will get the best of the draw because, ranked the number one nation in the world based on points accumulated by their top six athletes including one U25 athlete, they will be last into the arena when the action begins in Abu Dhabi where the hosts, not vying for qualification for the Final, will be first to go.

Then running in order of merit of those team rankings, Brazil will be second into the ring followed by Sweden, Belgium, The Netherlands, Great Britain, Switzerland, Germany, France and the USA before the first rider Irish finally takes his turn. 

One combination from each country jumps the course before moving on to the second rotation of athletes and horses and, counting the best three scores for each team, the best eight nations at the end of the first round return to jump the same course in round two, but with just three riders instead of four this time around so any mistakes will prove very costly.

In case of a draw at the end of the second round there will be a jump-off with just one rider representing each team.

Star-studded 

The opening leg has attracted a star-studded line-up, with the reigning Olympic champions from Sweden sending out the fabulous foursome of Henrik von Eckermann, Wilma Hellström, Peder Fredricson and Rolf-Göran Bengtsson who are likely to be the ones to beat.

The Swedes have been a force to be reckoned with for a long time now, clinching team gold at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in 2021, at the FEI World Championship in 2022 and once more at the European Championship in 2023. 

Fearless Fredricson helped clinch that Tokyo team title in a thrilling jump-off, while von Eckermann went on to add individual gold to the team title at the FEI World Championships in Herning (DEN) in 2022, and has been leading the individual world rankings for much of the time since then. Bengtsson is a five-time Olympian and former European gold medallist and Hellström has been a rock-solid member of the Swedish side for some time now.

Team Brazil are also on something of a roll, having picked up a qualifying spot for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final 2023 last October and team bronze at the Pan American Games 2023 in Chile a few weeks later. Former Portuguese team member, Luciana Diniz, returned to ride under the Brazilian flag at last year’s Barcelona Final, and she will line-out in Abu Dhabi alongside Marlon Zanotelli, Yuri Mansur and Luiz Felipe de Azevedo Filho. 

Experienced

Belgium will be represented by the experienced side of Tokyo team bronze medallist Gregory Wathelet, Koen Vereecke, Abdel Saïd and Wilm Vermeir while France sends out Olympic and European champions Kevin Staut and Roger Yves Bost, Olivier Robert and Olivier Perreau. 

Flying the flag for Great Britain will be Skye Higgin, Joseph Stockdale and Donald and Jack Whitaker while Germany, winners of the 2023 Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ title, field double Olympic team bronze medallist and former European and World Cup champion Christian Ahlmann, Jörne Sprehe and 2021 European team silver medallists David Will and Christian Kukuk. The Irish side will include Michael Pender, Richard Howley, Mark McAuley and Denis Lynch.

For the Netherlands, Kim Emmen, Loewie Joppen and Leopold van Asten will be backed up by World gold and Olympic silver medallist Jur Vrieling, while Janika Sprunger and Barbara Schnieper will join 2021 European team gold medallist Elian Baumann and double-Olympian Pius Schwizer in the Swiss side.

Team USA will include Alise Oken, Callie Schott, Hannah Selleck and Aaron Vale, and the hosts will be hoping for a good result from their selection that consists of Abdullah Mohd Al Marri, Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi, Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi and Ali Hamad Al Kirbi.

With €700,000 in prize money at each qualifier and €1,600,000 on offer at the Final along with a range of extra bonus payments and of course the honour and prestige that goes with the taking of the very first Longines League of Nations™ title, it’s all to play for. 

See all the entries here

The stage is set for a whole new chapter of sparkling equestrian sport, so don’t miss a hoofbeat…..

 Be sure to catch all the action on FEI TV as the series kicks off in Abu Dhabi on 11 February.

In a partnership designed to provide innovative insurance solutions for an enriched life with horses, the FEI has announced that Swedish owned Agria are now the Official FEI Insurance Partner.

FEI Secretary General Sabrina Ibáñez and CEO of Agria Agnes Fabricius at the signing of the agreement at the FEI Headquaters in Lausanne (SUI)  (Photo credit: FEI/Elisabeth Fransdonk)

Founded in 1890, Agria has provided equine insurance and digital veterinary advice to equine owners in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, United Kingdom, and Germany. The company also has long-standing collaborations with National Equestrian Federations. Through their partnership with the FEI, which will run from 2024 through to 2028, Agria now aims to take these services to more countries in Europe.

“We’re pleased to be partnering with Agria, whose commitment to providing top notch insurance services, is a part of their overall mission to ensure equine welfare and preventative healthcare for animals,” FEI Commercial Director Ralph Straus said.

“The FEI’s partnership with Agria is not just about connecting the FEI’s stakeholders with people who have years of expertise in insurance. This venture is also about communicating on the opportunities for prevention, as preventing injuries is an important aspect in sustaining horse welfare around the world.  

“Agria brings to the table a wealth of knowledge and expertise from their own in-house equine veterinarian experts as well as from their long-standing collaboration with equine organisations, scientists and breeders.”

The FEI’s partnership with Agria follows a successful digital collaboration between the two organisations on the ‘What makes a champion?’ series which aired in 2022. Five equestrian athletes were interviewed for their views on the importance of mindset, team support, and passion to make an equestrian sporting dream a reality. The digital campaign had over 300,000 video views and 1 million impressions and has laid the foundation for a successful collaboration.  

"Through our collaboration with the FEI, Agria has the possibility to connect with more equestrian stakeholders than ever before and we’re excited about the opportunity to explore new markets and work for equine wellbeing and improved equine health on a pan-European level,” CEO of Agria Agnes Fabricius said.

“The FEIs education and awareness campaigns and research projects in combination with the Agria Research Foundation which has one of the world’s largest equine injury databases, gives us a unique platform to spread injury prevention knowledge within the equestrian community and influence ethical standards among all types of horse owners.”

Agnes Fabricius, CEO of Agria, is a rider and small-scale breeder of SWB horses

 

With the inaugural season of the Longines League of Nations™ kicking off in February, over the next few weeks we will take 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 speak with Great Britain...

Following their victory in the opening round of the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final in Barcelona in 2023, and reflecting on a magical performance at the UK's Royal International Horse Show, where they won the home leg of the 2023 Longines FEI Nations Cup™ after a thirteen year dry spell,  Great Britain is determined to make their mark in the new Longines League of Nations™ series and clinch coveted podium finishes throughout. The nation is ready to showcase their prowess in the upcoming qualifiers: Abu Dhabi (UAE), Ocala, Florida (USA), St Gallen (SUI), and Rotterdam (NED), with the grand finale set in Barcelona (ESP).

The British Jumping team's rich history includes two Olympic golds (2012 London and 1952 Helsinki), gold at the FEI World Championships in Aachen in 1978, and a recent bronze medal at the FEI World Championships 2022 in Herning (DEN). Their stellar achievements set the stage for an exciting campaign in the Longines League of Nations™ series this year.

Leading the charge is Di Lampard, the seasoned Chef d'equipe for the British team. Drawing from her extensive experience as a former competitor at the FEI World Equestrian Games™, FEI Jumping European Championship, and Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™, Lampard focuses on team structure, management, and coaching. Anticipating the challenges of the new series, she says, "This new team competition format will provide fresh opportunities to develop our athletes – both human and equine – against some of the best jumping nations in the world, and I look forward to seeing what they can bring to the table."

As Great Britain gears up for the 2024 Longines League of Nations™, we caught up with Lampard to discuss the unique opportunities and challenges this series presents for nations aspiring to equestrian greatness.

Great Britain has an impressive history in equestrian sports. How do you view the Longines League of Nations™ as an opportunity to continue the legacy of British success and potentially create new milestones?

“We’ll work to continue that history and the legacy it provides. We have a proven system which we know works for the squads, but the new Longines League of Nations™ enhances the opportunity for younger and less experienced riders, and indeed horses, looking to gain international experience in a team setting. They’ll have the chance to gain their ‘air miles’ and learn about travelling further afield alongside mixing with the very best riders in the world.

The new format of the Longines League of Nations has certainly created a buzz amongst the riders with a number keen to make a good start for good team cohesion. It’ll create a bit of competition for selection for the teams which is always healthy – and even take some of the riders out of their comfort zone.”

Participation in a prestigious series can be inspiring. How do you plan to use the Longines League of Nations™ to encourage young aspiring athletes in Britain to pursue equestrian sport?

“The Longines League of Nations™ is a team competition with global status and therefore provides an achievable goal for riders to represent their country – and earn their flag -  and a vital stepping stone towards a Championship team. The series is inspiring and educational for those new to equestrianism, as well as those starting on their competitive journey.

The door to selection on teams is always wide open, and the series is a great opportunity for many riders. For example, it’s ideal for one-horse riders who are just making their way up the international pathway and competing at elite level. We’ll work to showcase the horses and riders involved in the series and tell their stories to inspire others.”

Are there any interesting traditions or rituals your team follows for good luck or team cohesion? Share some unique aspects that fans might not be aware of?

“We always have a team meal – that’s important. There’s always a good sense of camaraderie but getting the team spirit going with the riders is important. It’s such a great learning environment with a mix of experiences, so that meal is important. The experienced riders help support the younger, less experienced, and educate them along the way.  Team order is also important. Certain riders like to go in certain positions – it’s lucky for them while we like to make the less experienced riders feel more comfortable in the order.”

 Be sure to catch all the action on FEI TV as the series kicks off in Abu Dhabi on 11 February.

Ireland’s Daniel Coyle and the brilliant 14-year-old mare Legacy came out on top at the eleventh leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2023/2024 Western European League series in Leipzig, Germany today. In an edge-of-the-seat 13-horse jump-off against the clock the pair produced the kind of round that only a secure longtime partnership can put together, throwing caution to the wind and enjoying every moment as they pinned an A-list cast of rivals into the minor placings.

There were 11 home runners in the starting field of 40 from 15 countries, but it was Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs with Commissar Pezi and Steve Guerdat with Double Jeu d’Honvault who slotted into second and third places while Frenchmen Kevin Staut (Beau de Laubry Z) and Edward Levy (Eify du Pic) finished fourth and fifth ahead of Sweden’s Rolf-Goran Bengtsson (Zuccero HV) in sixth.

For Coyle, today’s win was particularly satisfying because last month at the eighth leg in London (GBR) he looked set for victory only for it to be snatched from his grasp by the home nation’s Scott Brash and Ben Maher in the closing stages. The Irishman wasn’t going to let it happen again today however. Clear and fast when sixth to go against the clock, his time of 31.70 would be bettered, but only at the expense of fences on the floor.  

“Legacy is like no other horse I’ve ever ridden. Once you ask her to do something, if it’s actually possible she will do it!”, Coyle said, happy in the knowledge that he has now qualified for the Longines Final 2024 in Riyadh (KSA) in April.

Bogey 

The second fence on Frank Rothenberger’s first round track, one of seven maximum-height verticals on the 13-fence course, proved a real bogey, and it was jumped in the opposite direction to get the second round underway. 

Amongst the 13 through to the race against the clock were multiple champions, and first to go was the man who claimed the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup title in 2014, Germany’s Daniel Deusser whose trip to Leipzig this week has been a very successful one.

However his new ride, Gangster v/h Noddevelt, ducked out at the water-tray oxer, now third-last on the new seven-fence track, and when Ireland’s Michael Duffy and Cantano 32 stood a long way off the next they put four faults on the board before Britain’s Robert Whitaker returned a careful clear with Vermento in 41.76 to set the first real target. 

Frenchman Staut however showed that time was a long way off the winning one when steering Beau de Laubry Z home in 34.25 seconds to take a strong lead, only for reigning European champion, Switzerland’s Guerdat, to shave almost a half-second off that to go out in front with Double Jeu d’Honvault. But then Coyle and Legacy set off and blew the competition wide open, turning so tight to the penultimate vertical and galloping fearlessly on to the final oxer to stop the clock on 31.70.

That time would be beaten, but not by Germany’s Christian Ahlmann (Mandato van de Neerheide) or Kendra Claricia Brinkop (In Time) who each collected four faults. Hans Dieter Dreher and Vestmalle des Cotis were quicker than the Irish pair when crossing the line in a super-fast 31.45 seconds, but they left the penultimate vertical on the floor while Frenchman Edward Levy (Eufy du Pic) and Sweden’s Rolf Goran Bengtsson (Zuccero) followed with safe clear rounds. However Bengtsson’s fellow-countryman, Peder Frecricson, wasn’t holding back.

Setting off with the smoothest of runs, the 2017 European champion and Tokyo Olympic team gold medallist was up on the clock riding down to the last with the young SV Vroom de la Pomme only to clip that for four faults in what would be the quickest time of all - 31.29 seconds. And now only 2022 World Cup champion, Martin Fuchs, was left to go with Commissar Pezi who left all the poles standing but who couldn’t quite catch Legacy and Coyle when galloping through the timers in 32.13 seconds to take runner-up spot.

Cowboy horses

At the post-competition press conference Fuchs said he had been riding “cowboy horses” before the class “and I thought the spinning might help me to turn tight, but I wasn’t tight enough to beat Daniel!”

He didn’t see Coyle’s jump-off round. “But I watched Steve and when Daniel was two seconds faster than Steve then I knew that would be very hard to beat! So I just tried to go as fast as possible and I’d like to study the whole jump-off again now and see what I could have done better. From my feeling I had a really good jump-off but Daniel was just way better today!”, said the Swiss star who plans to bring today’s ride, Commissar Pezi, to Riyadh for the Final in three months’ time.

Three-time FEI Jumping World Cup™ champion Guerdat talked about the 11-year-old gelding Double Jeu which he has had since the horse was eight years old.  “He has a lot of talent and is very careful and powerful, but when he goes in the ring he gets very shy. He’s always been very good but when you step up to 5* level and into a more difficult situation he can sometimes have a fence down and be even more careful, and he can’t breathe in the ring so he is difficult to ride. So I always say that the day it all comes together he will be a great horse and I think he has a bright future ahead of him”. 

He won’t be taking his top rides Venard de Cerisy or Dynamix de Belheme to Riyadh - “they are waiting for the outside season and working towards the Olympic Games”, he explained. “I will do a few more shows with my other horses, and from today maybe Double Jeu is the one who will go. We will see but I’m very happy to be qualified. I missed the Final last year for the first time in many years so I’m happy to be back!”, said the man who will be competing in his fifteenth Final this time around.

Training exercise

Meanwhile Coyle, who is currently ranked 14th in the world and who normally competes in North America, said he is riding on the European circuit this winter as a “training exercise”. When he is in Europe he stays with Dutch Olympic gold medallist Jeroen Dubbeldam who became his coach a year before Legacy came into his life seven years ago.

“Ariel bought the mare when she was just turned eight, and Jeroen had her before so he could tell me immediately what she liked and what she didn’t like and what was the best way to go forward with her. She took me to my first championships and I owe so much to her in every way”, the Irishman said of the remarkable horse.

He describes Legacy as “not as simple as some people seem to think she is!”, but he feels very privileged to be her partner and there is an emotional bond between him, this horse and the whole team around them. “I’m delighted for Jeroen Dubbeldam who found her, delighted that Ariel (Grange) bought her for me, I’m over the moon - if I wasn’t good enough to steer her then it would be such a shame because she is so good!”, Coyle said this evening.

He also is well-qualified for the Final now. “Adding points was always a big factor in staying here in Europe to do the qualifiers. I won the North American League last year but I hadn’t really done that many qualifiers this year so it is great to add to the points I had - that was the plan and it’s going well!”, he said.

With just three legs of the Western European League now left to run, the next port of call is Amsterdam (NED) next weekend. So don’t miss a hoofbeat…..

Result 

Standings