Covid forces changes in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup

The equestrian sports calendar will soon burst into action again after the many complications of the global pandemic. 

All eyes are set on St. Gallen, Switzerland, as the anticipated Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup 2021 series is about to start. This marks the beginning of the summer’s series that will then move on to La Baule (FRA) on Friday 11th of June, then to Sopot (POL) on Sunday 20th of June and finally to Rotterdam (NED) the 2nd of July.

Moreover, it has been officially confirmed that a limited number of spectators will be permitted to attend the event at the Gründenmoos. The Europe Division 1 series will have four of the seven legs going ahead following the cancellation at Falsterbo (SWE), Hickstead (GBR) and Dublin (IRL). 

You might like: Watching the 2019 Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup full competition at Falsterbo and Dublin. 

Three events instead of four

Due to COVID-19 laws the 2021 Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup Series has been updated. In the first place, every Division 1 country can compete in the same number of events. This means they will compete in three events instead of four.

Moreover, teams will consist of four athletes instead of five and there is an established maximum of 10 teams per leg. This new system allows more countries to compete before the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. These are set to begin in July, so Chefs d’Equipe and selectors will be watching horses and riders closely. 

In St.Gallen teams that have been allocated inside the Europe Division 1 have been: Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland and Sweden. The countries that will be missing the 5* St Gallen competition are Belgium, France and Ireland. 

The Quality of the Nations Cup

The 10-nation line-up for St Gallen confirms that there will likely be a clash between the Europe Division 1 sides and the non-Division 1 teams from Brazil, Egypt, Israel and Mexico. 

With the exception of Italy, these countries will compete against each other again in the Tokyo Olympics during the first week of August. This means every competition that leads to the Olympic selection is crucial at the moment. 

Moreover, champions at the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup Series will count with the psychological advantage of beating their rivals just before the Olympic Games. There is a lot of confidence to be gained at every leg of this summer’s series that will finish anticipatedly the 4th of July in Rotterdam. 

What will we see in St. Gallen?

St. Gallen, to the south of Lake Constance is located in eastern Switzerland. Home to various architectural styles including the baroque, its tranquil atmosphere makes it the perfect destination for the Nations Cup Series. 

The Swiss will be taking no chances at home as Chef d’Equipe Michel Sorg will send out the No.1 and No. 3 riders in the Longines world rankings: Steve Guerdat and Martin Fuchs along with Bryan Balsiger and Beat Mandli. 

Sweden also shares valuable experience with a team formed by Malin Baryard-Johnsson, Rolf-Goran Bengtsson, Douglas Lindelow and Evelina Tovek. Meanwhile, the Dutch foursome will compete with Bart Bles, Jeroen Dubbeldam, Kevin Jochems and Jur Vrieling. 

The British team has been rebuilding and has chosen Scott Brash, Harry Charles, William Funnell and Holly Smith to represent the nation in this show jumping competition. Meanwhile, Germany will send Christian Kukuk, Maurice Tebbel, Andre Thieme and Philipp Weishaupt. 

However we all know there is nothing predictable about the Nations Cup Jumping. 

We recommend: Watch Rolf-Goran Bengtsson, the Swedish horse rider, mentor young equestrian talent in Horse Academy Pro. 

The road towards the Final

The Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup Final returns to the Real Club de Polo in Barcelona, Spain, from the 30th of September to the 3rd of October. Last time this title went to Team Ireland in 2019.

The 2021 series will not count towards qualification for the Final, instead all ten Division 1 teams will be eligible to compete for this title. Moreover, the Final will also decide which nation is relegated to the EEF Series in 2022. 

Previously, the country that finished bottom of the Division 1 standings at the end of the season would be relegated to the EEF Series. However, this time this fate will be for the tenth-placed team in Barcelona. This means teams will have to be even sharper during this event. 

COVID has changed the system of the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup inside out. Nonetheless, the best still go head-to-head over these four legs of fantastic equestrian sport to chase the ultimate prize: the title of Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup 2021 champions. 

St Gallen’s competition kicks off at 13:30 local time on Sunday 6th of June. If you would like to watch the 2019 edition find out here when we are broadcasting it on HorseTV!