Budapest, Hungary – June 27, 2025 –In a thrilling showdown of elite horsemanship on a fiercely competitive playing field, it was Team Italy who galloped to glory in Budapest—securing top honours in the second and Semi-Final of the Longines EEF Series. With just four penalties on the board, the formidable Italian squad, led by the seasoned Giulia Martinengo Marquet and backed by the dynamic trio of Giacomo Bassi, Roberto Turchetto, and Bruno Chimirri, outclassed their rivals in style.

Germany claimed a strong second place with eight penalties, while last year’s champions, The Netherlands, took third with a total of twelve. These three nations will join Switzerland and Austria in the prestigious Series Final set for September in Avenches, Switzerland.

The Longines EEF Series has proven to be a happy hunting ground for the Italian team, who have been consistent performers since its inception in 2021. Chef d’Équipe Mario Verheyden has played a major role in that success. “There was a lot of pressure. In the beginning, we had some mistakes, but it was good in the second round and we are very happy,” he said. “We thought it would be a great battle, and we had very good teams to go against, with very experienced and good horses.”

Double clears were in short supply, but both Bassi and Martinengo Marquet pulled off the feat. Speaking after his performance, Bassi was delighted with his ride, the French-bred Cash du Pratel, owned by Robert Bernasconi. “I was really focused on what I had to do, and I needed a couple of seconds to realise I was clear—because when you’re in the flow, you don’t feel 100 percent what’s happening with the poles. You feel 100 percent what’s happening between your legs and your horse. I’m so happy it went like that.”

Bassi is enjoying a purple patch in his career, having also won the lucrative Lotto Cup Grand Prix CSIO 4* in Sopot, Poland earlier this month aboard Cape Cod.

Martinengo Marquet, the only female rider on the Italian team, partnered Captain Morgan Weering Z to the other double clear. This ten-year-old gelding, owned by Luigi Baleri, looks to be an exciting prospect for the future. The 46-year-old athlete has been a mainstay of the Italian squad during the EEF Series and is currently ranked 35^th in the Longines FEI World Rankings. She summed up the mood in the Italian camp ahead of the Final:

“For sure, we are excited—we feel ready. It’s a nice, positive moment for Italy. I love Nations Cups, and anytime you ask me if I’d like to compete in one, I’m always there. I think we all share that feeling. The EEF Series is a great opportunity for many riders, for different reasons—those that don’t get the chance to enter the top shows. It gives younger horses a shot at the Nations Cup, and it is a perfect format.”

Turchetto, aboard Heidelberg—owned by Stal Hendrix—had previously helped Italy win the qualifier in Thessaloniki earlier this month with a double clear. In Budapest, the pair had just one rail down in the first round but returned to jump a beautiful clear in the second. “I am very happy for the team and for the horse,” he summed up.

This year’s Longines EEF Series featured eight intense regional qualifiers across four regions, where 20 national teams battled for coveted semi-final spots. Deauville (FRA) hosted the first semi-final, featuring teams from Region South and Region West, while Budapest welcomed qualifiers from Region North and Region Central. Region Central was the most represented, with seven teams, alongside three from Region South. Guest Nations Brazil and Qatar added international flair, although they were ineligible for the Final. Now in its fifth year, the Series continues to grow in prestige, acting as a vital stepping stone between national and championship-level competition.

The Budapest semi-final took place at the iconic National Riding Hall – Nemzeti Lovarda, a cornerstone of Hungarian equestrian culture nestled in the heart of downtown. Italian course designer Elio Travagliati set a demanding CSIO3* track, reaching heights of 1m50 and testing riders throughout—particularly in the second half of the course. Under the EEF format, teams must jump the same track twice, offering invaluable experience for both horses and riders.

Over in Deauville last week, the final lineup was rounded out by Belgium, Spain, and France from Region West, alongside Sweden and Norway from Region North—setting the stage for a spectacular conclusion in Switzerland from 4-7 September.

Final Results – €90,000 Longines EEF Series Nations Cup Semi-Final – Budapest CSIO 3*

1) Italy – 4 / 0 = 4

2) Germany – 8 / 0 = 8

3) Netherlands – 4 / 8 = 12

Source: Press Release by Eleanore Kelly for the EEF – European Equestrian Federation

Photos: © EEF / Photohajdu

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