Under Chef d’Equipe Otto Becker, the Germans went one better than their runner-up finish in Ocala in 2025. Andre Thieme on DSP Chakaria, Rene Dittmer with Corsica X, Christian Kukuk with Checker 47, and Richard Vogel riding Cloudio posted a combined total of just four faults across two gripping rounds.

The spectacular World Equestrian Center - Ocala provided a fitting venue for the showdown to unfold, as the world’s top-10 nations took centre stage during the second qualifier of the 2026 series. 

Irish course designer Alan Wade laid down a beautifully presented but demanding track, with 12 fences and 15 jumping efforts testing skill, precision and nerve from start to finish. With rails falling throughout the course, Ocala quickly proved it was set to shake up the standings.

The evening began with high hopes and Belgium struck first when Nicola Philippaerts and Katanga v/h Dingeshof produced the first clear round of the competition, but any early sense of rhythm was soon disrupted. The course asked questions with every line, and it did not take long for pressure to build.

For the host nation, dreams of defending their Ocala title suffered an immediate blow in Round 1. Pathfinder Lillie Keenan, parted company with Argan de Beliard at the final fence, leaving the Americans with no margin for error. Natalie Dean kept hopes alive with a superb clear aboard Pedro van de Barlebuis, but Laura Kraut and Tres Bien Z then incurred an uncharacteristic and costly 33 penalties, 16 jumping and 17 time. When Aaron Vale and Carissimo 25 added a further 16 faults, Team USA’s hopes of a repeat victory were dashed.

Ireland were the only team to emerged from Round 1 with a clean sheet. Clear rounds from Bertram Allen and Qonquest de Rigo, Cian O’Connor and Chatolinue PS, Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz, backed up by Tom Wachman and Tabasco de Toxandria Z’s four faults as the discard score, left them alone at the top on zero heading into Round 2. With only the best performing eight teams progressing, the opening round had already reshaped the competition, with both Switzerland and the USA failing to advance.

All qualified teams returned under floodlights with just three nominated athletes, heightening the electric atmosphere. With the pressure intensifying and every score now counting, it quickly became clear that the battle for victory was narrowing to the Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland and Germany. In the end, however, Germany proved the only side able to produce the three crucial clear rounds needed in Round 2, finishing on a score of four faults to seal the win ahead of Ireland on eight and Belgium on 12.

Chef d’Equipe Otto Becker was delighted to see his team improve on last year’s runner-up result and stand on the top step of the podium. 

“I’m very proud and pleased with my team. It means a lot to me to win, to win here,” he said.

With two qualifiers still to come and everything to play for, attention has already begun to turn towards Rotterdam (NED). Asked about his plans for the next leg, Becker remained measured in his response. “It is a new challenge. Today is today and we will see,” he said.

Among a team full of standout performances, Christian Kukuk’s double clear with Checker 47 drew particular appreciation from the Ocala crowd. The reigning Olympic champions looked effortless across both rounds, underlining their class once again on the international stage.

“I must say, I had a smile today on my face when I jumped these two rounds,” Kukuk said. “He is a different level. He makes it look so easy and feel so easy. On these courses, you do not have that so often. So I’m really, really happy and I’m proud of Checker today. But I’m also really thankful for the whole team behind us,” he said.

“There are no complaints from our side,” continued Kukuk. “It was really great sport. Again, it proved that this format is so exciting. I really have to say, he’s 16, but I can’t feel any difference from two or three years ago. He feels so fresh. I think, especially the second round, he showed all of us how much he enjoys the sport.”

Team Germany now lead the Longines League of Nations™ standings on 190 points after their performance in Ocala, with Team France in second on 155 and Team Ireland in third on 150.The series now moves on to its third qualifying leg in Rotterdam on 19 June.

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