The last qualifier for the Longines League of Nations was ridden at the CHIO Rotterdam. The stakes were high as the qualifier in Sankt Gallen was cancelled due to bad weather. Three teams were at the bottom of the ranking, being France, Great Britain and Belgium, all three with a total of 85 points. The French knew what to do and also the Brits came in full force to the Kralinger Forest.
The victory went to an iron-strong French team that did not make a single mistake. All four riders, under the leadership of Dutch Chef d'Equipe Henk Nooren, completed the 1.60m high course flawlessly. For Olivier Perreau, it was his first Nations Cup ever, where he relied on the 11-year-old GL Events Dorai d'Aiguilly (Kannan). Experienced in his field, the world's number eight, Simon Delestre, started with the stallion I Amelusina R 51. The son of Dexter R proved to be a worthy candidate for the Olympic Games in his home country. Julien Epaillard's Donatello D'Auge (Jarnac) also jumped his first Nations Cup ever and likewise showed to be championship-worthy. Kevin Staut completed the team in the saddle of Scuderia 1918 Viking d'La Rousserie (Quaprice Bois Margot).
Sweden followed in second place with only four faults on their register. The world number one, Henrik von Eckermann immediately set a strong pace aboard his companion King Edward (Edward). The unbeatable pair cleared both rounds for their country. Peder Fredricson kept the spirits high and steered Catch Me Not S (Cardento) to a double clear. Malin Baryard-Johnsson had in both rounds a rail down with H&M Indiana (Kashmir van Schuttershof). For Rolf-Göran Bengtsson and Zuccero HV (Zirocco Blue) a clear first round was noted.
In third place was Great Britain, who also needed to step up their game in order to still qualify for the LLN final in Barcelona. So said, so done! Ben Maher, the number two on the world ranking, secured two clear rounds with Point Break (Action-Breaker) just as the only 24 year old Harry Charles, who counted on Romeo 88 (Contact vd Heffinck) to book the double clear. Joseph Stockdale and Equine America Cacharel (Cachas) had one down in the second round and for Tim Gredley with Imperial HBF (Glasgow-W vh Merelsnest) only the time was in the way of a clear first round.
Belgium and Great Britain miss the final in Barcelona
Although the British team was a strong contestant, the 80 points rewarded for their third place in this last qualifier weren't enough to go up in the standings. With a total of 165 points, Great Britain finishes on nine and doesn't qualify for the LLN final in Barcelona. Belgium, who also had to trot up being in last position, finished their LLN in Rotterdam on fourth place but ends their qualifying season on ten, not qualifying for the final.