February 14, 2026 
France came to play in Abu Dhabi, fielding one of the strongest teams on the start list with four riders in the world top 100. And jumped to the top of the podium.
The 2026 Longines League of Nations saw “Les Bleus” storm to the win in the season opener, combining veteran savvy with rising talent to finish on just eight faults. Germany took second on 12 faults edging ahead of Brazil on time, also on 12.
For two members of this winning French squad, the Abu Dhabi podium was familiar territory—Simon Delestre and Jeanne Sadran were both part of the French team that finished third in the 2025 Abu Dhabi LLN. A year later, they’ve traded bronze for gold in emphatic fashion.
Delestre, world no. 13, anchored the French effort aboard the aptly named Golden Boy DK, dropping just a single rail in the final round. For Sadran and stallion Dexter de Kerglenn, now four-time Longines League of Nations veterans, the victory completes their medal set with their third LLN podium finish and best one yet.
The battle lines were drawn early. France and last year’s victors Ireland emerged from Round 1 locked in a dead heat on zero faults.
France set the tone from the very first combination. Olivier Perreau and the home-bred GL Events Dorai d’Aiguilly threw down the gauntlet with the competition’s opening clear round. Clears followed from series first-timer Nicolas Sers (Eleven de Riverland) and Delestre, while Sadran’s single rail at fence 4a became the discard score.
In Round 2, with only three athletes per team and no room for error, France held the line. Perreau returned to post the competition’s first and only double clear—a performance Chef d’Equipe Edouard Coupérie called “a masterclass in precision.” With Delestre and Sers adding just one rail each, the victory was sealed.
Asked how it felt to claim the first win of the season, Coupérie kept it simple: “To be here, it’s such a good show and a good facility. I have a very professional team, so I am very happy today. Thanks to Olivier, who was double clear—one of only four for the competition.”
The victory rockets France to the top of the Longines League of Nations™ leaderboard with the maximum 100 points, followed by Germany (90) and Brazil (80).
Look for a change in the French line up come Ocala next month. “We are lucky to have so many top riders in France,” he said. “I will change the team, and I will see after that how we go.”
The 2026 Longines League of Nations™ series continues in Ocala, Florida in March, followed by Rotterdam (NED) in June and Gassin-St Tropez (FRA) in September, before the top eight teams head to the Final in Barcelona (ESP) in October.
