History was made at the Real Club de Polo in Barcelona (ESP) today when Germany claimed the prestigious new title at the inaugural Longines League of Nations™ Final.

With the Paris 2024 individual Olympic gold-medal-winning partnership of Christian Kukuk and Checker joined by 2021 European champions Andre Thieme and Chakaria along with Richard Vogel and United Touch and Jana Wargers with Dorette OLD, Otto Becker’s German side always looked formidable, and so they proved.

Photo – The Longines League of Nations™ Tropy (© FEI/Liz Gregg)

Finishing on a final total of 12 faults they pinned The Netherlands’ Maikel van der Vleuten (Beauville Z NOP), Kim Emmen (Imagine), Harrie Smolders (Uricas v/d Kattevennen) and Lars Kersten (Funky Fred Marienshof Z) into second place when they completed with 16.

Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann (King Edward), Malin Baryard-Johnsson (H&M Indiana), Peder Fredricson (Catch Me Not S) and Rolf-Goran Bengtsson (Zuccero HV) finished on a final tally of 20 along with Team Ireland, but the Swede’s quicker combined times gave them the edge for third place.

Four horse-and-rider combinations jumped double-clear in the tense and thrilling competition including Germany’s Vogel, The Netherlands’ van der Vleuten, Ireland’s Daniel Coyle (Legacy) and Spain’s Armando Trapote (Tornado VS).

More to follow…

FULL RESULTS