Zaventem, Belgium – February 16, 2023 – The Longines EEF Series is back for a new season, supporting European nations to develop their national teams through a summer-long Nations Cup competition.
 
The Series will kick off in Italy, home to the undefeated champions of the Series, before heading across Europe for the regional qualifiers. The top five teams from each region will then move forward to the semi-finals. From there we will welcome the best 10 nations for the grand final which returns to Warsaw on the 17^th of September. In 2021 and 2022 the Italian team were victorious and will be looking to score a hat-trick this season.
 
Title sponsor Longines have supported the Series since its inception, helping to provide new opportunities for national federations to compete in team competitions. The Series aims to develop horses and riders and grow each country’s talent pool to continue towards Championships while proactively encouraging the progression of riders through the ranks by requiring all teams to include an U25 rider in their squad. Kevin Gallagher (IRÇ) proved to be a stand-out young rider during the ’22 season, achieving two 0/4 results during the Regional Qualifiers, and a double clear at the Semi-Final and Final. With consistent team results in the Longines EEF Series, Gallagher went on to jump his first 5* Grand Prix last summer in Dublin, highlighting the power of the Series to help riders and combinations progress.
 
The new season also welcomes KEP Italia as the official Partner for Safety. Working with the EEF, KEP Italia is committed to protecting riders with a vision to grow the sport, enabling combinations to develop with safety at the core.    
 
Theo Ploegmakers, EEF President
“Last year we saw the first complete season of the Longines EEF Series and we were treated to some wonderful sport across Europe. This year we have a fantastic calendar, and we thank our National Federations and OCs for their continued support to bring the Series to life. Providing a competition at this level is integral to the EEFs ethos, to create a sustainable sport that continues to develop new talents and increase the strength of national teams.”

Complete Calendar:

Longines; Based in Saint-Imier, Switzerland, since 1832, Longines watchmakers enjoy an expertise steeped in tradition, elegance and performance. With generations of experience as the official timekeeper for world championships and as partner of international sports federations, Longines has created a strong and long-lasting relationship in the world of sports, over the years. Known for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a member of Swatch group Ltd., the world’s leading watchmaker. The Longines brand, with its winged hourglass emblem, is established in over 150 countries. 

KEP Italia is a producer of riding helmets and was established in 2007, building on the passion of its founders, Lelia Polini and Bianca Collet-Serret. They aimed to research and produce more comfortable, safer and more innovative helmets than the ones currently available on the market, a goal that led them to explore and combine the best solutions in terms of design, technology, materials and safety.

European Equestrian Federation
Founded in 2009, the European Equestrian Federation (EEF) is the representative body for the European based National equestrian Federations. Working closely with the Federation Internationale Equestre (FEI) and the National Federations, the EEF works to maximize the potential and development of equestrianism throughout the continent. The EEF is committed to promoting the sport of equestrianism and its good practices, developing the sport across Europe, and providing leadership for a collective European voice in the sport.

The Longines EEF Series is a Nations Cup Competition that is designed to develop horses and riders through consistent exposure to quality events and team format competition, replacing the previously known Division 2 Nations Cup series. Run across 3* and 4*, the events focus on growing the breadth and depth of talent to bring more combinations to the highest level, from all nations in Europe. The EEF strongly believes that we can help safeguard the future of the sport by providing continuous development, which the Longines EEF Series works to provide.

Source: Press Release from EEF – European Equestrian Federation

Photos: © EEF – European Equestrian Federation

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