European teams came through nine qualifiers to compete in the finals, while the winning country at the FEI North American Youth Championships is also invited. After two rounds of competition on Thursday and Friday, the top six teams (five for Ponies) advanced to the final competition on Sunday, while the remaining teams rode in the Challenge Cup held on Saturday.  All teams can have up to five riders that may be substituted in each round at their Chef d’Equipe’s discretion. On Saturday and Sunday, every team starts with a blank slate with no faults carried over from the previous days. Course designer Bart Vonck (BEL) and his team set the tracks for the week.

Young Riders

Three clear rounds from Sweden vaulted them to a trophy-winning performance in the Young Rider division. Liam Nilsson riding Ulla Bella Hastak was the first to go for Sweden, and he was joined by teammate Emil Jönsson, who rode Devis for the team on Thursday and Friday. Linn Arvidsson and Clark Kent HE, Ebba Danielsson on Painted White de Goedereede, and anchor rider Elvira Aaby-Ericsson with Gloria de Beaufour – riding in their first team class of the week – guaranteed a clear final score. When France could not repeat that performance to force a jump-off, Sweden took home the win on zero faults.

“I think they were really outstanding today,” said Chef d’Equipe Henrik Lanner of his team, which included four riders in their first year of the Young Rider division. “We qualified as the sixth-placed team, but it didn’t affect them at all. It shows that you should never give up. Whether you win or lose, you compete as a team, and in my opinion, Nations Cups are the best events in our sport. We have a great group of kids who had wonderful camaraderie, and it is a great group for the future.”

The team from France was led by clear rounds from Jack Conlon Gateau on Djinn Cece and Arthus Chiabodo on Esmeralda de Hus Z. With fellow teammates Alyssa Pujol (Feline du Clos Fleuri), Vera Desutter (Damoisel of Aranka), and Elona Rouselle (Ilahtop du Thalie), they finished on eight faults with the fastest combined team time of 227.49 for second place.

Eoin Brennan and Augustus Z were the clear pathfinders for Ireland, who took third place with eight faults in a time of 228.85 seconds. Ireland’s team included Billy Sinnott (Macgyver), Alice Wachman (Killarney), Coen Williams (Dominante Z), and Ben Walsh (Adastra Milo).

The USA team placed fourth, Belgium was fifth, and Czech Republic finished sixth. Switzerland ended up winning the FEI Jumping Nations Cup Final Young Riders Challenge Cup – the consolation competition for the teams that did not qualify for the final round – with the Netherlands in second and Great Britain in third.

Juniors

On the final day of competition, the top three teams of Switzerland, Ireland, and Belgium all stayed within the top three positions, but shuffled the order. With a brilliant final clear round from Robin Vermeir and Sunny Girl van den Eik, Belgium ascended to the winning spot for the trophy. 

Vermeir was the only rider in the Junior division who competed in all three rounds and was clear each day, riding an eight-year-old mare her family bred and owns. She was joined on the podium by Estelle van Tricht (HHS Ocala), Jérôme Denutte (Hector), Witse Geysen (Quasim) – who started off Sunday’s competition with an encouraging clear round – and Elise van Regenmortel (Nadja A van de Nachtegaele), along with Chef d’Equipe Henrik Denutte. Belgium finished with four faults.

Denutte chose riders for the Belgian team who still have at least one junior year remaining in order to give younger athletes the chance at team competition. “I had a feeling that they were so motivated to show everyone,” remarked Denutte. “They wanted to prove to themselves and to Belgium that they were ready to perform now.”

Switzerland were stunning through the first two rounds as their first three riders went clear both days, but the faults caught up on the final day; they finished on five faults. Malin Cavegn and Soko du Roton Z helped with a clear round, but it wasn’t quite enough to win, as they occupied second place on the podium along with Sacha Bek (Buster Moon), Lydia Beutel (Ohlala 13), Laura Andre (L.B. Zornell II), and Ethan Meijer (Usher vh Reukenis Z).

James Derwin’s clear round on Amos L Z kept Ireland in third place with a team total of six faults on Sunday. He was joined by Isobel Sheehan (Athea Clover Trend), Brid Ryan (Cariati d’Eisendam Z), and Annie Boland (Calisto Blanc).

The Netherlands finished in fourth place, followed by Denmark fifth and Sweden sixth.

In Saturday’s Challenge Cup, Finland put in a fantastic showing with three clear rounds to win. The USA team was second, and Czech Republic finished third.

Children’s

Alice Tison on Lady Optima and Margot Portal with Graffiti d’Auville secured the winning trophy for France in the Children’s division after two zero scores. Manon Royer and Gentiane Planchette, Mhya Wilson Mille and Holiday B.C., and Elliott Bernard and Igy de la Roque contributed to the team qualifying and finishing with four faults for the win.

“I think this event is very important preparation for all of the kids,” said French Chef d’Equipe Oliver Bost. He cited Nina Mallevaey, a French team rider at the 2026 FEI Jumping World Championships who is a product of this competition, as an example. “It is good for their mental preparation, the experience traveling with their horse, and riding for their country. I chose five good riders! All of their parents and coaches were very supportive as well, and the riders were fantastic. I am a lucky man to train the French team.”

The remaining two spots on the podium were dependent on the final riders for Belgium and the Netherlands. Both added nothing to their team scores, but it was Belgium in second place on eight faults with a faster total team time of 226.05 seconds. Anchor rider Kate Stalpaert and Ixo Zimequest had a critical clear round and was joined on the team by Nathan van Dijck (Coup de Coeur Dgt Z), Aurélie Goyvaerts (Ricka Blue Eye van het Weyenshof), and Louise de Clerck (Ego Del Maset).

Reigning European Children’s champion Pedro Mansur on Hotmail des Forets finished the competition with three clear rounds for the Netherlands, helping his team finish third on eight faults with a total team time of 228.15 seconds. His teammates included Wim Vos (Ceio Zachary Z), Tim Ten Berg (Donna Libera), and Mesina Den Tuinder (Just A Moment Van’t Heerenhuys).

Lena Siegenthaler and Versatche de la Roque had three clear rounds this week for Switzerland, who finished in fourth place. The Czech Republic was fifth, and Monaco was sixth. Great Britain won the Children’s Challenge Cup, followed by Denmark for silver and Ireland gaining bronze.

Ponies

While rainy weather was persistent the entire day, the skies opened up during the Pony division. The tenacious riders continued for their teams, and it was Ireland’s dominant performance that won the trophy.

Robbie Sheehan (IRE) gave his team a great start with a clear round on Daytona, and they were followed by Jack Dore and K-Little Hero with another no-fault performance. Ella Rush and Galaxy V, who were clear in the first two rounds, added just one time fault to Ireland’s score to propel them to victory. While his score wasn’t necessary, Charlie Flynn and Hk Zina galloped around the course clear to leave them on zero faults. Ireland’s fifth team member was Ted Fagan with Ballyfore Rosie. This was Ireland’s fifth time winning the trophy in the Pony final.

“It’s been a great day. All three teams for Ireland that qualified for today made the podium and our Children’s team took third in the Challenge Cup; that’s really special,” said Irish Chef d’Equipe Denis Flannelly, who leads Horse Sport Ireland’s (HSI) youth jumping programme with Liz Brennan. “HSI has built a successful coaching programme for youth riders that focuses on strong team spirit along with ethical, horse-friendly training. We must keep educating ourselves continually. The sport is changing, so we have to analyze and move with the times.

“We would like to thank the FEI for having this very friendly championship and compliment the team at Peelbergen Equestrian Centre with Event Director Ken Ruysen and Head of Show Office Tess Keijsers. It’s an incredible facility,” added Flannelly.

Mienie Vos on Still Got ME’s and Senna Beckers with Fire Ball were able to wrap up second place with clear rounds for a team total of four faults in 239.21 seconds. The Netherlands team included Jezebel Visser (Kenaf Van Orchid’s) and Wim Vos (Copycat Ebh Z).

Great Britain has an outstanding record in the Pony division and were defending their title. Two of their riders, Raphaela Dawson on Woody Allen Van Duyversputten and Sophia Rogers with Neil 55, guaranteed third place for Great Britain with clear rounds. Along with Lucia Nicole Caroline (Holly Blue) and Ella Kay (Lucky Clover Boy), they finished on four faults with a slower total team time of 245.51 seconds.

Imke Boden (BEL) and Cappuccino Van Paemel Z were clear in all three rounds of the final to lead Belgium to fourth place, and Italy finished fifth.

In the Pony Challenge Cup, France took the win, followed by Sweden and Switzerland.