Rotterdam raises the stakes for third Longines League of Nations™ qualifier

At the halfway point of the qualifying campaign, Germany is the team to beat. Victory in Ocala (USA) moved Otto Becker’s side to the top of the standings on 190 points, giving them a 35-point cushion over France and a 40-point lead over Ireland.

Anchored by reigning FEI Jumping European Champion Richard Vogel, Germany head to Rotterdam with the confidence of a nation that knows exactly how to master this format. Rene Dittmer returns to the team, while Mario Stevens and Michael Jung make their series debuts.

Although Jung is making his first Longines League of Nations™ appearance, he is no stranger to delivering for Germany. At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, he became the first athlete in history to win three individual Olympic gold medals in Eventing, and now brings that big-occasion composure to a new Jumping challenge.

As Germany begin to stretch their advantage, Rotterdam offers France an important chance to keep the leaders in sight.

Winners of the opening leg in Abu Dhabi (UAE), Team France remain firmly in contention. Antoine Ermann, Jeanne Sadran, Nina Mallevaey and Kevin Staut offer a blend of youth and experience that has already served the team well this season, as Chef d’Equipe Edouard Coupérie looks to close the gap before the home qualifier at St Tropez-Gassin (FRA) in September.

Following their runner-up finish in Ocala (USA), Ireland will also be keen to keep the momentum going. Jessica Kürten has given Shane Sweetnam a second consecutive call-up after his stellar performance stateside, with Jordan Coyle, Michael Duffy and Niamh McEvoy joining him for the Dutch leg.

Back in the Longines League of Nations™ fold for 2026 and currently fourth in the standings, Brazil arrive in the Netherlands with Rodrigo Pessoa ready to play his part. His presence alone is enough to make the Jumping world sit up and pay attention, but it is the Pessoa family’s remarkable connection with CHIO Rotterdam that gives his return added weight.

This year marks 60 years since his father, Jumping legend Nelson Pessoa, won the Grand Prix of Rotterdam in 1966. Exactly 30 years later, Rodrigo claimed his own Grand Prix triumph at the Kralingse Bos. Now, 30 years on from that victory, could the Pessoa name help deliver a full-circle moment for Brazil in Rotterdam? Compatriots Marlon Modolo Zanotelli, Yuri Mansur and Eduardo Pereira de Menezes will join Pessoa in pursuit of a podium finish.

Brazil are not the only team bringing a family dynasty to Rotterdam. Great Britain will count siblings Harry and Sienna Charles among their ranks, continuing a remarkable sporting legacy. Their father, Peter Charles, won team gold for Great Britain alongside Ben Maher at London 2012, and now Harry and Sienna will ride on a team that includes their father’s former Olympic teammate.

As reigning Longines League of Nations™ Final champions, the British are not just seeking points, they are chasing the chance to defend their title. Di Lampard has underlined Britain’s intent, with Jessica Mendoza completing a formidable quartet.

Behind them, the fight for the remaining Final places is becoming increasingly fierce. With only the top eight moving through to Barcelona, Belgium and Switzerland, sitting sixth and seventh respectively, are close enough to feel the heat. Both will be looking to Rotterdam to improve their position and give themselves greater breathing space before the fourth and final qualifier.

Belgium will lean on FEI Jumping European team gold medallist Pieter Devos, as well as Roy van Beek, Annelies Vorsselmans and Gregory Wathelet. Switzerland look equally intent on making their Rotterdam outing count, with Gaëtan Joliat, Alain Jufer and Jason Smith joined by Martin Fuchs, who returns to the venue where he was crowned FEI Jumping European Champion in 2019.

The pressure will feel especially intense for the host nation, with the Dutch sitting right on the edge of the qualifying cut.

However, the Netherlands return as defending Rotterdam winners, with Willem Greve and Harrie Smolders back from last year’s victorious team. Joined by Sanne Thijssen and Bas Moerings, they will ride in front of an expectant home crowd looking for the Orange to turn home advantage into valuable points and move clear of eighth place on the leaderboard.

At the halfway point, Italy and the USA sit in the danger zone, with just five points separating the two. Piergiorgio Bucci, Emanuele Camilli, Giulia Martinengo Marquet and series first-timer Emanuele Gaudiano are listed for Italy, while Olympic silver medallist Karl Cook, Katie Dinan and Callie Schott bring experience for the USA, with debutant Marilyn Little also selected. For both nations, Rotterdam provides a vital opportunity to stay in the running.

With the teams confirmed and the battle intensifying, Rotterdam marks a crucial crossroads en route to the Longines League of Nations™ Final.

Germany lead the way on 190 points, with France on 155 and Ireland on 150 still firmly in pursuit. Brazil sit fourth on 130, while Great Britain, Belgium, Switzerland and the Netherlands currently occupy the remaining qualifying places. Italy and the USA remain within reach, separated by just five points. With everything still to jump for, Rotterdam promises to be a showstopper. 

The Longines League of Nations™ returns to CHIO Rotterdam on Friday 19 June, where the woodland setting of the Kralingse Bos will host the penultimate qualifying leg of the 2026 series.