New look for Nations Cup

Now officially known as the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup following an agreement between the Fédération Équestre Internationale (FEI) – the world governing body for equestrian sports – and the Swiss watchmaker, the Nations Cup series features national teams from across the planet competing for international honours in the Olympic discipline.

Last Fall, current World No.2 Harrie Smolders and the Netherlands, under Dutch Chef d’Equipe Rob Ehrens, won the 2017 title in Barcelona, with the United States second and Belgium third. Holland’s first place finish carried with it a paycheque of €417,000.

The 2018 Final will once again take place in Barcelona, from October 4-7 at the city’s venerable Real Club de Polo. As many as 19 teams, as well as host squad Spain if not qualified, will take part in the Final, with the number of national team spots allocated as follows:

Europe Division 1: 7

Europe Division 2: 2

North and Central America: 2

South America: 2

Middle East: 2

Asia/Australasia: 2

Africa: 1

Qualifying will kick off next month with almost simulataneous events in Ocala, Florida and Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, with 13 qualifiers on three continents in total. The full calendar lists the different CSIO5* competitions between February and August: Ocala, Abu Dhabi, Coapexpan, Mexico, Samorin, Slovakia, La Baule, France, Langley, British Columbia, St. Gallen, Switzerland, Sopot, Poland, Rotterdam, Falsterbo, Sweden, Hickstead, Dublin, and Budapest.

Rome’s prestigious CSIO5* at the beautiful Piazza di Siena in the Villa Borghese gardens will not be an official Nations Cup qualifier this year, after officials and organizers were unable to reach a financial and logistical agreement at this time. Nevertheless, Longines will be present in the Eternal City as Official Timekeeper at the historic Italian show.

Another change for this year, as the FEI explains, is that the majority of the qualifiers are scheduled for Sunday afternoons. This reform is aimed at reaching the largest audience possible, both onsite and on TV, with Dublin – the last of the eight Europe Division 1 qualifiers – retaining its traditional Friday slot on August 10.