According to Austrian 5* rider Katharina Rhomberg, it all starts with the right mindset. 'The horse needs to be intelligent, have energy, and above all show the desire to jump clear,' she explains. Rhomberg used the Longines EEF Nations Cup Series to develop horses like Colestus Cambridge, ultimately leading to team bronze at the 2023 European Championship and participation in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Beyond the right attitude, specific qualities play a crucial role. Nations Cups demand bravery, partly due to a unique test: the horse must jump the open water in both rounds.

'A horse simply cannot be spooky over walls or water. If a horse spooks, it costs the team immensely,' Rhomberg emphasizes. British Chef d’Equipe Matt Lanni adds that predictability is decisive: 'A horse that jumps clear one day and accumulates penalties the next puts the team in a tough spot. Consistency is top priority during selection.'

The EEF Series as a Proving Ground According to Lanni, the Longines EEF Nations Cup Series serves precisely as a development pathway. It is not about constantly fielding established combinations, but allowing potential to mature under team pressure. Lanni therefore looks beyond mere competition results: 'We learn far more by observing horses at home and in the stable. Only there do you really see how easily a horse jumps and how the rider motivates it.'

The Unseen Foundation: Trust Riding two rounds with the same focus demands both physical recovery capacity and an unconditional bond of trust. 'When you enter the ring, only the connection between you and your horse matters,' Rhomberg concludes. 'If that mutual trust is there, you can achieve groundbreaking performances together at the highest level.'