Formidable French ready to take on the Longines League of Nations™

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

Today, we look at France...

France has a rich equestrian history through the centuries, with a love affair that has produced some of the world’s greatest horses and riders. Two-time Olympic team gold medallists and 3-time winners of FEI Jumping World Championships and later the FEI World Equestrian Games™, the French are always formidable competitors, and they have an intimidating support structure taking them into a big competition year. 

Henk Nooren brings some 5 decades of experience to his role as chef d’equipe for the French team, becoming one of the most sought-after coaches in the sport and has not only helmed the French to success, but also the Dutch, Italians and Swiss. 

Adding to the tour-de-force that is French Jumping is Sophie Dubourg, national Technical Director of the French Equestrian Federation since 2013, the first woman to hold this position. Supporting high performance competitors across equestrian disciplines, it is in this capacity that she led the French Olympic teams which won medals in Jumping and Eventing at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016, and also second place at the FEI Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final in 2022. Doubling focus between the upcoming Longines League of Nations™ whilst preparing for Paris 2024 Olympic Games, she reiterates France’s delight to be part of this new league: 

"The FEI Nations Cup™ has always had a very special meaning, and we are proud to participate amongst the best athletes and equestrian nations on the international circuit"

Being part of this new series also confirms the excellent work and continued dedication throughout the year of our athletes, their horses, their team, the owners, sponsors and all the staff.”

We speak to Dubourg about the goals for the French team as we approach the first leg. 

In a global series like the Longines League of Nations™, how does your team plan to collaborate with other participating nations, fostering unity and mutual respect in the equestrian community?

"This series is about competing for our nation at the highest level of the sport, and while we enjoy the camaraderie with all the participating nations, it is also vital to concentrate on achieving the best results possible. Equestrian sport has evolved a great deal over the years; not only with skills, facilities and equipment, but notably the mentality, not only of the riders, but the community, and the values of horsemanship.

Our sport captivates audiences around the world and for us the values of the sport are paramount. While winning is important, we also align with our collaborating nations and learn from the challenges and the pressures faced in such a high performance sport. 

There is an honour and respect when competing for your nation, which includes the mutual respect of our counterparts from all the participating nations in this series. The important thing is we learn from each other, helping us improve our skills and knowledge every time we compete, and we believe that this series gives us the platform to promote these shared values, which are essential for future generations watching the sport".

As France competes on a global stage, how do you plan to use this opportunity to attract equestrian tourists and enthusiasts to experience the beauty of French equestrian events, especially with the Olympic Games being hosted in Paris this year?

"Although France is not hosting a qualifier, being seen on a global scale as we participate in other countries provides great exposure to the sport for our nation. We know that all eyes are on France as we approach the Paris Olympic & Paralympic Games, and this global series puts us in the spotlight to capture the attention of new and existing equestrian fans worldwide. 

For those new to equestrian sport, we believe this series will be much clearer and easier to understand, which will be advantageous in promoting the series to the media, encouraging them to write about the sport and keep the momentum to follow the series right through to the Final.

Promotion of the series on all platforms including our social media channels will also amplify the widespread exposure to a larger audience, showcasing the talent of our nation, our horse & rider combinations and the exceptional competition. We believe this will not only boost the interest of the younger generations to follow the sport as fans, but also inspire them to achieve and reach their goals of participating at such a high performance level of the sport".

High performance participation in a top series is inspiring for development. How do you plan to capitalise on this series to engage with and inspire the youth of France, creating a new generation of equestrian enthusiasts?

"Competing in the prestigious Longines League of Nations™ series is undoubtedly of great importance for France, and we are delighted to be part of it, not only for our international riders competing at this high level, but also as an encouragement for the future generations of the sport. Whether competing on the global stage or at the local pony club, the values of the sport are the same: horsemanship, discipline, fairness, a level playing field,  friendship, honesty and achievement - all in equal measure.

For any athlete, being able to defend their country's colours is an honour. The Longines League of Nations™ series gives us the chance to broaden the development of our athletes and grow our country's talent pool of horse and rider combinations. Competing on a global scale has a different excitement about it and supporting young talent in a structural way, enriching their knowledge and skills is crucial for the development of any sport. Discovering new talent and - through promoting the Longines League of Nations™ series - encouraging them to consider competing at the highest level, is the ideal situation to capture the hearts of a new generation of riders, and show them that through hard work and dedication, their goals are attainable. Without a doubt, the series final in Barcelona will be one of the highlights on the international equestrian calendar in 2024, not only for our competing athletes and support teams, owners, sponsors and staff, but for budding equestrian enthusiasts".

Dubourg cements the sentiments of the top ten teams as they embark on this league, saying; “Together with the FEI we hope that this inaugural Longines League of Nations™ will gain as much exposure as possible with the general public…as we all work together, we hope to achieve the best results. As first seasons go, we hope it’s a good one!”

Is it going to be the year of the French? Follow the thrills and spills on FEI.tv as the first leg kicks off on 11 February in Abu Dhabi.