Dutch depth and direction set the stage for Longines League of Nations™ 2026

While the series as a whole remained fiercely contested across its qualifying legs, that Rotterdam home win exemplified not only the depth, tactical nous and team spirit that have long defined Dutch Jumping at the international level, but also the energy that Dutch fans consistently bring to international competition. The Netherlands’ standing among the qualified nations for 2026 reflects not only that home success but a slate of sustained performances against the sport’s strongest national programmes.

Guiding the Dutch programme into this season is newly appointed High Performance Director Laurens van Lieren, whose multifaceted equestrian career spans top-level competition, leadership and development roles. A former European Championship team medallist in Dressage, van Lieren has also served as Sporting Director of CHIO Rotterdam and brings extensive experience in performance planning, athlete development and organisational leadership.

Van Lieren’s appointment reflects the Royal Dutch Equestrian Federation’s (KNHS) ambition to further strengthen the Netherlands’ competitive foundations, connecting historic success with a forward-looking strategy aimed at maximising team performance on the world stage. He talks to us about what 2026 holds.

The Netherlands enters the 2026 Longines League of Nations™ season with a strong blend of experience and emerging talent. What were the decisive elements that secured your place in this series?

First of all, we’re very happy and excited to be part of the 2026 Longines League of Nations™ series, as this provides us opportunities for our athletes to compete at the most prestigious events across the globe.

The team qualified last year undoubtedly because of the strength of our riders. We’ve had many different combinations deliver us the results we needed, and in the final it was very exciting, and the top nations ended very close together. We'd like to think that each and every athlete we used in our team last season belongs to the best in the world!

Dutch athletes are renowned for their technical accuracy and consistency. How does that national riding style lend itself to the Longines League of Nations™ team format?

It's the cleverness, the experience and technical knowledge that enables our athletes to read the courses, to make their plan, and then of course to execute that in the best possible way. It's something that also develops during the season, as new combinations learn from the more experienced ones, and from our head coach as well!

Rotterdam is one of the most iconic venues in the sport and a home leg for the Dutch team. How does competing on home soil influence preparation, expectations, and team selection?

Rotterdam is always one of the top shows on the calendar for fans and athletes from around the world. With the home crowd we always want to be at our best, and they help us to feel that, as is evident by our incredible results in 2025! This season there is also the World Championship in Aachen, and Rotterdam will be a very important competition on the road to this, which adds a depth to the series leg as we consider which athletes to present, and then of course how they perform under pressure.

Managing horses across multiple legs for the Longines League of Nations™ is a key challenge. How do you ensure freshness and longevity while still fielding competitive teams throughout the season?

That's an interesting question. Fortunately we have many, many good athletes, and also quite a few relatively young horses coming up to complement the seasoned professionals. This of course is the long-term plan for ongoing national development and performance excellence. So we expect to have a good group of combinations to select from, which makes us very hopeful for this season.

How important is the Longines League of Nations™ as a platform for showcasing Dutch equestrian sport to a global audience, and what would you like to say to fans?

I think all the questions and answers above lead up to this final answer. We are incredibly grateful to have our athletes consistently at this global podium, showcasing their skills and talents to an ever-growing global audience. We look forward to the development of our athletes and horses throughout this season, and we invite everybody to come and cheer for the (future) stars of our lovely sport!