Boasting an overall prize fund of more than €1.3 million, the event offers a compelling mix of high-adrenaline sport, family entertainment and lifestyle experiences, blending elite team competition with a vibrant social programme in the heart of Abu Dhabi. 

As the opening leg of the 2026 season, the Longines League of Nations™ will see show jumping’s leading national teams plus the host nation begin their campaign on Emirati soil — the first of four qualifying rounds — ahead of October’s final in Barcelona. Supported by Longines, the series continues to set the benchmark for international team competition.

The Abu Dhabi leg will welcome many of the sport’s most decorated athletes, including Olympic and championship medallists from across the competing nations. Among those set to feature are Simon Delestre, Daniel Deusser and Sophie Hinners, all currently ranked inside the top 25 of the Longines Rankings. 

Qualified teams include Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, the USA and hosts UAE, who will once again field the same proven quartet that secured a standout second-place finish in 2025 – Abdullah Mohd Al Marri, Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi, Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi and Humaid Abdulla Khalifa Al Muhairi. 

Meet the Teams

USA
Team USA leans on girl power to pack a punch in their opening campaign, as Robert Ridland’s transatlantic-bound quartet have been named as Natalie Dean, Callie Schott, Sarah Segal and Skylar Wireman. 

Belgium
Belgium arrives buoyed by their sensational Team Gold Medal at the 2025 FEI Jumping European Championship in A Coruña (ESP) last July. Peter Weinberg fields seasoned Longines League of Nations™ competitors Rik Hemeryck, Jos Verlooy, Wilm Vermeir and Annelies Vorsselmans.

Ireland
Team Ireland returns to defend the title they won here 12 months ago, now under the guidance of newly appointed Chef d’Equipe Jessica Kürten. Trevor Breen and Michael Pender proved instrumental to last year’s victory, completing both rounds of the 2025 edition without incurring a single penalty between them. They return this year eager to repeat the feat alongside Longines League of Nations™ debutants Shane Breen and Niamh McEvoy.

Germany
Germany became the first nation to lift the coveted Longines League of Nations™ trophy when victorious in 2024’s inaugural Final. German team stalwart Marco Kutscher makes his Longines League of Nations™ debut alongside three familiar faces to the series. Daniel Deusser, Sophie Hinners and Jörne Sprehe complete a formidable German squad.

France
France brings a wealth of Longines League of Nations™ experience to Abu Dhabi. Simon Delestre, Antoine Ermann, Olivier Perreau and Jeanne Sadran look set to put up a powerful performance in the season's opener.

Netherlands

A quartet of proven Championship athletes line up for the Netherlands as Chef d’Equipe Wout-Jan van der Schans calls upon the experience of Kim Emmen, Frank Schuttert, Leopold van Asten and Jur Vrieling to get the Dutch campaign off to a flying start.

Italy
Impressive in their debut Longines League of Nations™ season in 2025, Italy returns to Abu Dhabi with an experienced team intent on scaling the podium. Team veteran Piergiorgio Bucci lines up alongside teammates Giacomo Casadei, Paolo Paini and Clara Pezzoli.

Switzerland
Switzerland head into this year’s series bidding to make amends for what was, by their own exceptional standards, a disappointing 2025 campaign. Longines League of Nations™ newcomer Jason Smith joins Romain Duguet, Gaëtan Joliat and Barbara Schnieper in Abu Dhabi.

Brazil
Chef d’Equipe Pedro Paulo Lacerda brings a motivated squad back to the Longines League of Nations™. João Victor Castro Aguiar Gomes de Lima and Luiz Felipe Neto de Azevedo make their first appearance in the series alongside experienced athletes Luciana Diniz and Pedro Junqueira Muylaert.

Great Britain
Last season’s Longines League of Nations™ Final Champions and reigning Olympic Team Gold Medallists, Great Britain, rely on a youthful quartet to get their 2026 season off to a strong start. Team regular Tim Gredley lines up alongside Joseph Stockdale, Jack Whitaker and series debutant Jodie Hall McAteer.

UAE
Host Nation United Arab Emirates delighted home fans last year with a superb second place finish. The same proven quartet returns as Abdullah Mohd Al Marri, Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi, Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi and Humaid Abdulla Khalifa Al Muhairi are eager to climb one step higher on the podium.