The Die Is Cast for the LLN Final

It’s the fourth leg of the Longines League of Nations (LLN) at the Polo Club St. Tropez. The last qualifying event before the Final will be contested in Barcelona two weeks from now. The question to be answered today: Which eight teams will make the cut?

The Longines League of Nations is only in its second year, and this is its first time being hosted at the Polo Club St. Tropez, which replaced St. Gallen in Switzerland on the calendar. St. Gallen, originally slated to host for three years, was rained out in 2024. The FEI then reviewed the venue, decided that it was not up to snuff, and pulled the series.

This led to a fracture, if there were not already one.

The Swiss rebelled in indignation, with top riders Martin Fuchs and Steve Guerdat refusing to participate in the LLN. The Rolex Series, which sponsors gorgeous shows at iconic venues, kept non-LLN Nations Cups at such places as La Baule in France, Rome, and Dublin. Other shows, such as Hickstead, found individual sponsors for their Nations Cups.

In the scattershot world of show jumping events, the impulse for a tighter and more understandable series is on point. Aside from fewer qualifying legs, the FEI also gave us a change to the second round in the LLN. The first round is contested as usual in a Nations Cup, four riders with one drop score. The second round, however, follows the Olympic model and cuts the riders to three, making every score count.

If I’m honest, I quite like it. It finds a balance between the unforgiving Olympic format and the traditional Nations Cup, which can go on forever, boring spectators with useless rounds from teams that have no chance at the podium.

So let’s turn our eyes to the second round here at St. Tropez, where we have eight teams from the original ten, the Netherlands and Ireland having been eliminated in round one. No one has managed a zero score. Germany is on top on 5, followed by Sweden on 7, Italy and Belgium on 8, Great Britain on 9, and Switzerland, France, and USA on 12.

Most of the teams have solidified their standings, their participation at Barcelona already secure. Two teams, however, are battling it out for that eighth spot: Italy and Sweden.

The top spots today are surprisingly mobile, with one lowered fence making the difference between a top spot and being shoved off the podium. Team USA racks up 12 when Laura Kraut knocks two rails and Caracole, that transcendent creature, takes a little chunk out of the wall.

France betters itself with a clear round by Jeanne Sadran, but still ends up 5th.

The Swiss, possibly still in rebel mode, add 26 faults to their initial 12 and slide to 8th.

Belgium puts in solid, if unspectacular performances to end in bronze position.

And we have the two teams competing for that final spot in Barcelona: Sweden and Italy. They battled fiercely in the first round, advancing in second and third respectively.

Italy comes in first with Riccardo Pisani: clear round, double clear for the day. They remain on 8. Sweden follows with Amanda Landeblad, who scores 9, bringing her team to 16. Italy follows with Emanuele Camilli, who scores 8 and evens the teams. Sweden hopes for the best, but its next two riders each get a rail, while Italy’s third rider, Piergiorgio Bucci, gives another clear, vanquishing Sweden 16 faults to 24.

Italy ultimately takes silver on the podium and secures the country’s spot in Barcelona.

And then there’s Great Britain. One thing I’ve learned attending and spectating these events, is that Team Great Britain thrives as an underdog. They love to come in a first round and contest it a bit indifferently, but as soon as they’re down, well—that’s when their competitors need to worry. They got a fighting spirit that flourishes in adverse conditions.

They start the round in fifth, on 9. Tim Gredley, on Medoc de Toxandria, improves his first round 8 faults to a clear (see how they do that?). Germany isn’t worried, they got Double-D in the house: Daniel Deusser, with La Baule five-star Grand Prix winner Otello de Guldenboom. “Oh yeah, that’s jumping,” intones the commentator in a voice that groans like that of a lover, until—the last fence comes down!

Germany has tied it with Team GB at 9 faults.

In comes Jack Whitaker on Jack JL (“It’s in the name,” he says afterwards). He knocks a rail, putting them at 13.

Germany responds with Laura Klaphake, who scores 5 and puts Germany on 14.

How happy Team Great Britain is! They are one point ahead of Germany. All they need to hold on to victory is a nice, clear round.

And they get it. In comes Adrian Whiteway with his admirably-chiseled jawline and partner Chacco Volo and leaves up all the fences, except—he adds two time faults.

Great Britain is on 15, one point behind Germany. The camera cuts to the kiss-and-cry, where members of the British team shout and squirm and throw themselves in despair on the ground. To lose by 1! To slide into second when victory was right there!

But wait. Team Germany still has a last rider. Sandra Auffarth, who put up an easy clear sans time faults in the first round. Sandra Auffarth, who— scores four faults, vaulting Team Germany off the podium and giving the underdog Brits the win!

Pick yourselves off the floor, boys, and go grab your medals!