Longines FEI Nations Cup returns for 2018, with an Irish team in Florida

The Abu Dhabi CSIO5* will launch this year’s edition of the Nations Cup, which will feature thirteen international qualifiers on three continents. National teams in the different regions will be aiming to secure one of the spots in this year’s Final and a chance to take on the defending champions, the Netherlands (Harrie Smolders and teammates), for the global title. On Sunday, it is Florida, and more precisely Ocala, northeast of Orlando – the first of the three North American stages – which will take up the torch.

As previously announced by Longines and the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), fans of the circuit will see format changes this year. For example, rather than the Nations Cup taking place on Friday as in the past, it will be held on Sunday in the late afternoon. This schedule change reflects the desire of organizers to increase the visibility of the competition. And a battle can be expected in the Sunshine State, as last year’s Irish winners – with a strong group competing outside their formal European division – will be aiming to defend their title against experienced Canadian, American and Mexican squads. Ireland has elite riders like Cian O’Connor already in Ocala (see his vlog here) and among their opponents are Beezie Madden, McLain Ward, Lauren Hough, Laura Kraut and Devin Ryan for the U.S. Canadians entered are: Ben Asselin, Tiffany Foster, Eric Lamaze, Ian Millar and Francois Lamontagne.

In the Middle East, the Abu Dhabi CSIO at the Al Forsan complex will serve as an opening for the Arab region season. At this show, the Grand Prix will be held on Thursday, while the Nations Cup will be held on Saturday. The CSIO5* Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup Final will take place in Barcelona from October 4-7. See the full competition calendar here.