Podium momentum fuels France’s return to the Longines League of Nations™
France returns to the Longines League of Nations™ 2026 carrying strong momentum after a 2025 campaign defined by consistency and podium success at the highest level of team Jumping. ‘Les Bleus’ opened the 2025 season with a third-place finish at the Abu Dhabi (UAE) leg, immediately establishing themselves among the leading contenders in a world-class field.
They added to this with a second-place finish in Rotterdam in 2025, delivering another assured performance on European soil and reinforcing their position near the top of the overall standings.
With depth, experience, and a proven ability to perform across venues and conditions, France’s return to the Longines League of Nations™ promises another competitive and compelling campaign as the series once again spans four continents.
The French Jumping Chef d'Equipe is Édouard Coupérie, appointed in early 2025 to lead the French senior Jumping team. He's known for selecting promising young French athletes, bringing fresh energy and strategy to the team's performances at international events along with seasoned professionals. We caught up with him ahead of the debut leg to find out what France plans to bring to the 2026 series.
French athletes are often admired for their horsemanship and the quality of their relationship with their horses. How does this philosophy translate into a high-stakes team competition format, and what are the key elements of their training that other athletes might find inspiring?
"Our athletes are very attuned to their horses. They know each horse intimately and intelligently adapt their lifestyle, training, competition schedule, and individual program for each horse in competition (warm-up time, walks in hand, rest periods, care, etc.). The entire national team staff who work alongside the athletes are committed to this system. We discuss and adapt the training and competition programs together based on the horses' needs. I believe this relationship is evident in the Longines League of Nations™, where we see horse-and-athlete pairs who are very connected and in perfect harmony.
With the Olympic Games approaching, where teams are made up of three pairs, it is essential to be able to adapt to this format. Taking part in this series, where the second round is run with three pairs, is therefore an advantage.”
St. Tropez-Gassin offers France a home stage on the Longines League of Nations™ circuit. What impact does hosting a stage have on the team's motivation, preparation, and public engagement?
"It is very important for France to host a leg of the Longines League of Nations™ circuit. It's a great opportunity for our athletes because, as the host nation, it allows us to have additional places for athletes outside the team, giving them the chance to gain experience at a major event. The first edition in 2025 was a complete success for all participating nations. It was a great achievement, and it's also very beneficial to have such a prestigious competition in this region of France. It allows us to reach a different audience, and I think that year after year, the number of spectators will continue to grow. France has a tradition of hosting major competitions, and this leg of the circuit provides excellent media exposure to promote equestrian sport which occupies a prominent place in France."
How do you approach the diversity of courses throughout the season, particularly when transitioning between traditional sites and more modern infrastructure?
"Across all the stages there are very large tracks, like in Ocala or Barcelona, and smaller ones, sometimes even competitions at night - like in Abu Dhabi - which is especially interesting for the horses. What's certain is that all the courses are always very well designed, and the work of the course designers deserves praise."
What role does the Longines League of Nations™ play in France's overall strategy, not only in terms of league success, but also in terms of long-term development?
The Longines League of Nations™ circuit is important with its format of four pairs, then three pairs in the second round. This is particularly interesting in the lead-up to the Olympic Games because the pressure is high for athletes when there are no drop-scores; it's good for them to get used to this format, especially for the less experienced athletes. It's also a highly competitive circuit, where results throughout the year and in the Final are a goal for every country - France will need to perform better in the 2026 final!
The French team traditionally performs very strongly in the Kralingse Bos. They have won the Nations Cup in Rotterdam no fewer than eleven times, with their first victory dating back to 1949 and the most recent in 2024. Last year, after a thrilling duel between the final two riders, Kevin Staut and Harrie Smolders, the win went to TeamNL, with France finishing in second place.