For Edwin Smits—Longines EEF Series Final event director and chef d’equipe for the Turkish team—the series bridges the gap between potential and performance.

"It gives younger riders the opportunity to grow into the sport, and naturally they bring younger horses with them," Smits explains. "Even established five-star riders might have a talented nine-year-old coming through and think, 'It would be great if this horse could gain some Nations Cup experience.' The EEF Series gives them that opportunity."

Knowing When They Are Ready

Determining the right time to move a horse into the series requires patience and listening to the horse.

"The horse tells you when it's ready—we can't decide that for the horse," says Smits. "Generally, nine is the perfect age to start in the EEF Series. Some horses are ready at eight if they have the right mentality, scope, and are straightforward, but every horse is different."

Crucially, Smits emphasizes that the Series should not be used to teach a horse to jump the height: "You can't think, 'I'll use this class to teach my horse how to jump 1.50m.' If a horse has only jumped a few 1.45m classes, jumping a 1.50m Nations Cup isn't the right approach."

Besides physical scope, handling the venue atmosphere is essential. "The EEF shows are held at impressive venues. As a rider, you can feel whether the horse is comfortable. If it's still too spooky, too strong, or simply not physically strong enough yet, you need to wait."

The Two-Round Test: Don't Ask Too Much Too Soon

Danish chef d’equipe Bo K. Møller agrees that stepping up too early risks ruining a horse's potential.

"Normally our horses make their first Nations Cup appearances at nine, and then we gradually develop them so they're ready for bigger things at 10 or 11," Møller states.

He points to the traditional two-round Nations Cup format as a primary indicator of future elite quality. "You start to see it when a horse is actually stronger in the second round than the first. If it stays focused and doesn't make mistakes in round two, you realize it can perform repeatedly at a high level. That's the extra quality needed to become a championship horse."

For nations outside the top-tier Longines League of Nations, the EEF Series is indispensable. "For countries like ours, the EEF Series is really the only way to build top combinations," Møller adds.

Handling Pressure Beyond Clear Rounds

Representing a national team introduces a unique environment, both in and out of the ring. Belgian international rider Gudrun Patteet notes that the EEF Series allows combinations to adjust to team tension at a manageable level.

"Even in the warm-up arena, you can feel that everybody is more tense because your whole team is watching," says Patteet. "If the horse performs well under this pressure, it gives everyone confidence to take that combination to five-star Nations Cups."

Patteet also highlights that success isn't strictly defined by a zero on the scoreboard. "A horse can have a fence down or a time fault and still come away having learned a lot. Just because you're not clear doesn't mean it hasn't been a positive experience. It gives you all the information you need to decide the next step."

Building Confidence Across Diverse Venues

Top-level courses, varied footings, and open water jumps play a huge role in horse progression. Italian rider Giulia Martinengo Marquet credits the series with helping step up her former top horse, Captain Morgan.

"He jumped in Gorla and went on to win in Budapest," Marquet recalls. "He was exactly the kind of horse that needed that step to develop without being stressed. Through the series, I was able to build his confidence—he became a real clear-round machine."

Swedish chef d’equipe Ann-Catrin Carlsson highlights how high-caliber course design and elements like open water shape modern championship horses.

"The EEF shows feature excellent course builders. Courses promote rhythm, balance, and good riding," Carlsson explains. "You also jump the water twice, giving horses valuable experience with technical lines similar to what they'll encounter at championships."

Carlsson points to proven Swedish examples like Wilma Hellström's Cicci BJN and Amanda Landeblad's For Killy, both of which gained vital experience and double clears in the EEF Series before stepping onto the world stage.

From building physical strength and mental resilience to proving consistency under team pressure, the Longines EEF Series continues to prove itself as an essential pathway for developing the championship horses of tomorrow.