Germany wins first jumping League of Nations

Barcelona, Oct 6 (EFE).- Germany continues where they left off in team jumping. Last year they won the Nations Cup, and on Sunday they went down in history by winning the first League of Nations in Barcelona, the new format of the oldest competition in equestrian sport.

Led by Richard Vogel and 'United Touch S', one of only five riders in the competition to score a perfect double clear, the German team finished with only 12 penalty points and a time of 217.76 seconds.

“This format has shown us that a lot can happen. I am excited to be part of this team. I have a special horse and he showed today what he is capable of, especially in the second round, where he showed extra energy,” Vogel said after the competition.

Andre Thieme with 'DSP Chakaria', Jana Wargers with 'Dorette OLD', and Paris 2024 Olympic champion Christian Kukuk with 'Checker 47' also put in fine performances for Germany.

Kukuk admitted he had a good first round, “but then the conditions changed and they were not the best for the horse which was left a bit behind.”

The Netherlands finished second despite leading the entire International Equestrian Federation competition. Rider Harrie Smolders jumped last to break the tie with Germany but knocked down on an obstacle, leaving his team with 16 points.

Sweden also finished on the podium and were followed by Ireland, Brazil, the United States, Spain, Switzerland, and France.

The course at the Real Club de Polo de Barcelona seemed easy for the riders in the first round, with 15 clear rounds from 36 athletes. The situation changed in the second round when fatigue took its toll, with only 6 perfect rides out of 27.

Spanish Mariano Martínez Bastida, who jumped with 'Belano', told EFE in the mixed zone that there was little time to rest between rounds, and the competition was going to have many variables.

New this season was a series of awards. Ariel Grange won best owner for the horse 'Legacy' ridden by the Irishman Daniel Coyle. Coyle, Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann, and Maikel van der Vleuten from the Netherlands won best riders, and Germany took home the best groom award.

To reach the final, the new format of the League of Nations, which replaces the Nations Cup, first held in 1909, consists of four events in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), Ocala (United States), Rotterdam (Netherlands) and St. Gallen (Switzerland), which was canceled due to bad weather.

The top ten teams in the official FEI rankings competed, with Germany, Ireland -the team that scored the most points in the season- and France winning the events. Surprisingly, current Olympic champions Great Britain failed to qualify for the final.

FEI President Ingmar De Vos confirmed in an interview with EFE that the federation is satisfied with the new format. He added that for 2026 they want to add another qualifying event, for a total of five, for the final, to be held in Barcelona at least until 2027. EFE

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Richard Vogel and 'United Touch’ jump in Barcelona in the final of the League of Nations, the new format of the oldest competition in equestrian sport, organized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). EFE/FEI/Leanjo de Koster/HANDOUT PHOTO/MANDATORY CREDIT

Christian Kukuk, reigning Olympic champion, in Barcelona during the final of the League of Nations League, organized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). EFE/FEI/Leanjo de Koster/HANDOUT PHOTO/MANDATORY CREDIT

Ireland's Daniel Coyle (r), Sweden's Henrik von Eckermann (l) and the Netherlands' Maikel van der Vleuten (c) pose with International Equestrian Federation (FEI) President Ingmar De Vos as the best athletes of the jumping League of Nations. EFE/FEI/Leanjo de Koster/HANDOUT PHOTO/MANDATORY CREDIT

 Germany makes history by winning in Barcelona the first jumping League of Nations , the new format of the oldest competition in equestrian sport, organized by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). EFE/FEI/Leanjo de Koster/HANDOUT PHOTO/MANDATORY CREDIT