A new year is bringing a new team lineup for the second annual Longines League of Nations™ series.

With the first event kicking off once again in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on February 15, this season will bring a first-time nation into the mix along with a revised lineup of destinations—and maybe a little drama, too.

The Nations

Rankings for the top 10 teams are calculated based on the combined points of each national federation’s six best athletes in the Longines Rankings, including at least one U25 Athlete.

That means that Germany—reigning champions of the 2024 Final in Barcelona—will join Team Ireland, which also finished on top of last year’s overall qualification standings thanks to top-ranked riders Conor Swail, Cian O’Connor, and Daniel Coyle.

They’ll be joined by the USA, helmed by Kent Farrington and McLain Ward; France; Paris Olympic team gold medalists Great Britain; and BelgiumSwitzerland will also return along with the Netherlands, which finished second on the podium at last year’s Final in Barcelona, Spain; and Sweden, which finished third.

Italy will make their League of Nations™ debut in 2025 thanks in part to points earned by riders Lorenzo de Luca and Emanuele Camilli, who currently sit at #35 and #36 in the World Rankings, respectively. 

“We are proud that our athletes, after an intense sporting season, have succeeded in qualifying Italy for the Longines League of Nations™ 2025,” Marco Di Paola, President of the Italian Equestrian Sports Federation (FISE), said. “We extend our gratitude to our athletes, their horses, the supportive owners, and the national team coach for this prestigious accomplishment.” 

Italy will take the place of 2024 competitor, Brazil, which is currently ranked 12th in the standings on 9,087 points. Meanwhile, Canada finished just outside the top 10 on 9,383 points.

The Stops

Once again this year, the Longines League of Nations™ will begin in Abu Dhabi (February 11-15), moving on to the World Equestrian Center (WEC) in Ocala, Florida (March 18-23) and then Rotterdam, the Netherlands (June 19-22). This year’s lineup will also feature a new stop at the Polo Club de Saint Tropez in Haras de Gassin, in the South of France (September 17-21). 

The top eight teams of the regular season will qualify to compete in the Final, once again held in Barcelona. Despite being the longtime home of FEI Nations Cup Finals, the event suffered significant negative publicity following last year’s inaugural League of Nations™ Final.

Top-ranked riders including Steve Guerdat (SUI) and World No. 1 Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) complained about numerous aspects of the Final, with Guerdat telling World of Show Jumping it was, “the worst show I have done this year.”  

Among the athletes’ chief concerns were biosecurity in the stabling and warmup facilities, with riders relaying that they had the option of using an indoor warm-up ring alongside ponies from the local riding school. The schedule was also flagged for classes that lasted until midnight on multiple days, as well celebratory fireworks which allegedly spooked King Edward. Only time will tell if the FEI addresses last year’s rider concerns in time for the 2025 Finals in Barcelona, this year slated for October 2-5. 

Meanwhile, the first Longines League of Nations™ competition will take place on Saturday, February 15 in the Al Forsan International Sports Resort in Abu Dhabi. You can watch live beginning at 7 a.m. EST (4 p.m. local time)  on FEI TV.