The world’s best Jumping athletes will once again target national pride when the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ 2019 series begins next month. Belgium were the champions in 2018, finishing just ahead of France and Ireland on the podium in a dramatic final in Barcelona in October. The 2019 series gets under way in North America at Deeridge Farm in Wellington, Florida from February 13-17, and will culminate for the seventh successive year at the Real Club de Polo in Barcelona. However, this year will be extra special as the final qualification spot for next year’s Olympic Games will be taken by the highest-finishing finalist to not have already booked their place for Tokyo. Nicola Philippaerts, one of Belgium's heroes as they won last year's event, can't wait for the 2019 series to begin. “Barcelona was fantastic for us,” he told FEI.org. “It was exciting really. We thought we’d thrown our chances away on what was a very tough course, but we managed to get back and then win. “It’s a fabulous way to finish the season. The Nations Cup is very important for all of us – it’s a bit different because we represent our country and are part of a team. “Winning again won’t be easy. There will be different combinations, but if we can get the same team spirit then we’ll hope to get another nice result.” The Barcelona final during October 3-6 will consist of seven teams from Europe Division 1, and two each from Europe Division 2 and North and Central America. Two qualifiers will also come from South America, Middle East and Asia/Australasia, with one from Africa.
The world’s best Jumping athletes will once again target national pride when the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ 2019 series begins next month. Belgium were the champions in 2018, finishing just ahead of France and Ireland on the podium in a dramatic final in Barcelona in October. The 2019 series gets under way in North America at Deeridge Farm in Wellington, Florida from February 13-17, and will culminate for the seventh successive year at the Real Club de Polo in Barcelona. However, this year will be extra special as the final qualification spot for next year’s Olympic Games will be taken by the highest-finishing finalist to not have already booked their place for Tokyo. Nicola Philippaerts, one of Belgium's heroes as they won last year's event, can't wait for the 2019 series to begin. “Barcelona was fantastic for us,” he told FEI.org. “It was exciting really. We thought we’d thrown our chances away on what was a very tough course, but we managed to get back and then win. “It’s a fabulous way to finish the season. The Nations Cup is very important for all of us – it’s a bit different because we represent our country and are part of a team. “Winning again won’t be easy. There will be different combinations, but if we can get the same team spirit then we’ll hope to get another nice result.” The Barcelona final during October 3-6 will consist of seven teams from Europe Division 1, and two each from Europe Division 2 and North and Central America. Two qualifiers will also come from South America, Middle East and Asia/Australasia, with one from Africa.