After an exciting qualification journey across three continents, it is now time for the grand finale of the prestigious team competition. France, Great Britain, and Germany are among the top favorites, but strong contenders like Ireland, Belgium, and the Netherlands are waiting in the wings. With a world-class course designed by Santiago Varela, the final promises to be another spectacle where team spirit and faultless rounds will make the difference.
Eight nations have qualified for the second edition of the Longines League of Nations™ Final, which takes place this week in Barcelona, Spain.
The teams
A total of nine teams battled for a place in the final. Ireland, France, the United States, Great Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Italy qualified based on the ranking. Germany, as the 2024 titleholder, received automatic entry. The qualifiers were staged across three continents: Abu Dhabi (UAE), Ocala (USA), Rotterdam (NED), and St. Tropez-Gassin (FRA).
France finished the season at the top of the leaderboard with 300 points, closely followed by Great Britain (295) and Germany (290). Belgium secured fourth place with 280 points. Ireland came fifth (260), while Italy and the USA shared sixth (255). The Netherlands clinched the eighth and last final ticket with 225 points. Sweden and Switzerland missed out and will not compete this year.
Format of the final
The LLN Final takes place on Sunday and consists of two rounds under identical rules. Fences will be set at a maximum height of 1.60m, with a speed of 400 meters per minute and an open water jump as a required element. The course in Barcelona is designed by Spanish course builder Santiago Varela.
The starting order for the first round is determined by the reverse order of the season’s final standings. If necessary, a draw will be held, but the host nation is always allowed to start first.
Each team fields four combinations. The three best scores count toward the team total, which determines the ranking after the first round. The top teams advance to the second round, where again the three best results are added. At the end, the nation with the fewest penalties wins.
If there is a tie for first place, a jump-off with one rider per team decides the winner. For other ties, the combined time of the three best second-round riders is the deciding factor.
If in the first round multiple riders of one team are eliminated, that team is automatically out. The same rule applies in the second round: if even one combination cannot start, the team is disqualified. A rider eliminated in round one may be used again in round two.
Prize money and special awards
The total prize money amounts to €1,600,000, of which €200,000 is reserved for the best individual performance based on penalty points. In case of a tie, the prize will be shared.
Additional awards include:
- Best Athlete: the rider with the most clear rounds of the season receives €40,000.
- Best Groom: the groom of the rider with the most clear rounds receives €15,000.
- Best Chef d’Équipe: the coach of the winning nation in the final receives €15,000.
- Each groom of the winning team also receives €5,000.
- Best Horse: the horse with the most clear rounds in the qualifiers receives a trophy and a CSI5* Wild Card.
You can follow the entire event live via Longines Timing.
