This Sunday offered nothing short of a movie-worthy scenario. Under a radiant Swiss sky and in front of a packed and enthusiastic crowd, the LONGINES EEF Series Final delivered all the emotion, suspense and excellence that make equestrian sport so unique.
Ten nations had earned their place in this final, following the CSIO4* semi-finals held in Budapest and Deauville. The stage was set for a spectacular showdown. Course designer Gérard Lachat had carefully imagined a course that reflected the level of riding skills present in Avenches: technical, demanding, and unforgiving.
The beautifully designed set of fences included a tribute to Switzerland’s three major 5* events, with fences representing the CSI5* of St. Gallen, illustrated through its famous tapestry, the CHI Geneva with its iconic Molard Towers, and the CSI5* of Basel, with its Rathaus. We can also notify the chocolate-bar oxer.
Only six riders completed the first round with clear rounds:
🇨🇭 Alain Jufer (SUI)
🇨🇭 Anthony Bourquard (SUI)
🇫🇷 Sara Brionne (FRA)
🇩🇪 Hannes Ahlmann (GER)
🇳🇱 Jur Vrieling (NED)
🇸🇪 Marcus Westergren (SWE)
Team Switzerland ended Round 1 with a strong lead, totalling 4 faults, ahead of France and Germany, both sitting at 12 faults.
But the second round would prove to be a whole new story.
An early 8-fault round by Barbara Schnieper seemed to threaten Switzerland’s advantage.
Meanwhile, three of the four French riders — Sara Brionne, Mégane Moissonnier and Robin Lesqueren — delivered brilliant, faultless rounds, forcing the Swiss to respond. Sara Brionne and Germany’s Hannes Ahlmann were the only two riders to ride a double clear round.
Everything came down to Gaëtan Joliat, the 20-year-old U25 rider. The pressure was immense: only a clear round would allow Switzerland to tie with France and force a jump-off. And he delivered. Composure, precision, and not a single hesitation. Clear.
The final decision lay in the hands of the team chefs — Olivier Guillon (FRA) and Peter van der Waaij (SUI) — who had just minutes to choose their rider for the jump-off.
Both selected their U25 rider, setting the stage for a thrilling face-off between Sara Brionne and Gaëtan Joliat.
Riding Grand Duc du Paradiso (Vagabond de la Pomme), the 9-year-old gelding who had already jumped clear in Friday’s Grand Prix and both rounds of the Nations Cup, Sara Brionne delivered once again: fast and flawless.
But just like in Samorin, Gaëtan Joliat, carried by the energy of the home crowd, knew what he had to do. A clear round was not enough — he had to be faster. With Chelsea Z (Chellano Alpha Z), his 12-year-old gelding, he attacked the course with precision and a daring attitude, taking every risk.
And in the end, it’s Switzerland who takes the win.
A home victory, a breathtaking storyline, and a Nations Cup Final that will be remembered.
