Avenches, Switzerland – September 04, 2026 – The climax of the 2026 Longines EEF Series is almost here, with ten nations set to contest Sunday’s Series finale at L’Institut Équestre National d’Avenches (IENA) as they battle to be crowned this year’s champion.
Only three nations have won the Longines EEF Series Final over the past five editions of the competition – Italy in 2021, 2022 and 2024, Austria in 2023 and Switzerland in 2025. All three of these nations have qualified for the final this year. Will one of them triumph once again or will a new nation claim the title?
For the teams chasing the title, success in Avenches will require more than individual quality. Preparation, experience and the ability to manage pressure will all be key.
Italy’s record in the competition speaks for itself, with meticulous planning and preparation a key part of their success. “On the recommendation of national selector, Stefano Cesaretto, we have a well-defined plan because preparation is essential. Beyond four strong riders, you need a strong team spirit and the ability to stay focused when things don’t go to plan,” said Italy’s chef d’equipe Mario Verheyden.
“In a final, every decision carries more weight and the margin for error is smaller, requiring careful focus on starting orders, rider experience, and pressure management, while staying true to our identity of taking it one round at a time.”
Giulia Martinengo Marquet (ITA), who was an individual finalist at the FEI World Championships last month and has twice been part of Italy’s victorious Longines EEF Series team in the final, leads the Italian team with Scuderia 1918 Calle Deluxe.
She is joined by Giacomo Casadei (ITA), Federico Ciriesi (ITA), Roberto Previtali (ITA) and Giuseppe Rolli (ITA) as Italy, drawn seventh of the ten teams, bid for a fourth title.
“The draw has a big impact: starting later lets us observe how the course is riding, identify delicate lines, and see where time faults happen,” continued Mario.
Austria, who have been drawn last to go, arrive in Avenches in strong form after finishing second in the semi-final in Samorin.
“We will follow the same approach ahead of Avenches and the final, so in this respect Avenches is no different from any other event in the EEF Series,” said Austria’s chef d’equipe Angelika May.
“Before we leave for a competition, I always decide together with my team riders which starting position each of them would like to take. We generally reach an agreement; otherwise, I have the final say.
“The exciting question is always who will fill the anchor position when the pressure is on at the end of the competition.”
Bianca Babanitz (AUT) and Katharina Rhomberg, who were both part of the team in Samorin, will be joined by Christoph Obernauer (AUT), Jasmin Alexandra Pirker (AUT), and Theresa Sutterluty (AUT) as the Austrians attempt to claim their second Longines EEF Series title.
“Our team strategy of aiming for as many clear rounds as possible is not limited to the final either,” continued Angelika.
“We do not change our team’s starting order according to the draw; we stick to our original plan. For a Nations Cup team to be successful, the personalities must work well together. Every member must be a team player. A team needs ‘good vibes’.”
France, drawn ninth to go, will be looking to go one better than last year. In the 2025 final, they occupied the runner-up spot after losing out to Switzerland in a nail-biting jump-off.
“Qualifying for and winning the final is a key objective of the year. Victory would mean that we managed to bring couples with little experience to peak form for this deadline and hope to see them progress towards the highest level,” said Olivier Guillon, France’s chef d’equipe.
“The idea behind the EEF Nations Cup is to give experience to riders/horses who have little or no experience in CSIOs. The strategy when approaching a final changes at that point, because we already know the couples and we base ourselves on the results achieved during the year, but also on their ability to handle pressure.”
“In my view, a good Nations Cup team is built on solidarity between the riders, particularly through exchanges during the course walk or in the paddock. Each rider often has a preference for their order of go in the Nations Cup. This needs to be taken into account so that riders don’t put themselves under additional pressure.”
Sweden have twice finished runner-up in the Series this year, including in the semi-final in Peelbergen, and arrive in Avenches among the leading contenders for the title. Their chef d’equipe Ann-Catrin Carlsson believes experience is key when choosing a team for the final.
“The biggest change is that we try to build a team where every horse/rider combination has a lot of experience for the level of jumping that is expected in the finals and that the rider has a strong mindset,” said Ann-Catrin.
“Experience, good team spirit with riders who know each other well and can trust each other’s competence, and that they all want to win the final.
“Winning the final would be a great achievement and would mean that they have reached the big goal for this season.”
Switzerland, who have been drawn first, go into Sunday’s final among the favourites. They are the reigning champions, boast home advantage, and have the in-form Steve Guerdat (SUI), who won individual gold at last month’s FEI World Championships in Aachen, among their team.
“The biggest challenge will be that, apart from Steve Guerdat, the riders aren’t really used to competing at major finals on the international stage, and doing so at home brings with it yet another new challenge and added pressure,” said Peter van der Waaij, Switzerland’s chef d’equipe.
“However, I’m also convinced that our team is ready for this challenge and that both the riders and the horses are very well prepared for this final.
“As the host nation, we are automatically qualified for the final, but it’s always important to us that we can also qualify for the final in terms of performance; and for us, it means a great deal to be able to compete here in Avenches, in our home country, in a final like this.
“At a final like this in our home country, the aim is always to win, but of course this final is also important for both the riders and the horses to gain experience at this level and promote further progress.”
Belgium will also fancy their chances after winning the Region West qualifier in Lier and the North-West semi-final in Peelbergen. Great Britain, meanwhile, arrive fresh from team bronze in Aachen and will be hoping they can carry that major championship momentum into another podium finish.
Spain, drawn sixth, will contest the final for the second straight year despite a particularly busy competition schedule.
“Reaching the final was one of the objectives this season,” said Spain’s chef d’equipe François Mathy.
“The priority is to perform well, the different riders who participated in the qualifiers did great to qualify Spain for the final, but the very active calendar of these last three weeks with Aachen, Mediterranean Games and the final in Avenches allowed us to give opportunities to different rider/horse combinations but made it difficult.”
Netherlands and Hungary are two nations you can never underestimate. They may not have finished at the top of the leaderboard in a qualifying leg this year, but both have the experience to upset the formbook. Netherlands will be the third team into the arena while Hungary have been drawn eighth.
With ten nations capable of lifting the trophy, the 2026 Longines EEF Series Final promises to be one of the most open yet. Will it be a familiar face or a new nation who handles the format and pressure best?
Source: Press Release by Emily Bevan for the EEF – European Equestrian Federation
Photos: © EEF / Sportfot
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