Edited press release from EEF 

Germany delighted their home crowd by winning the third leg of Longines EEF Series Nations Cup in Mannheim, while Switzerland had to settle for second and France finished third.

Both Germany and Switzerland were on a score of zero after the first two rounds, so it came right down to the wire when two gutsy girls and their mares went head-to-head to jump off for their nation to claim the top spot. Germany’s Sophie Hinners was first to go and threw caution to the wind to deliver the fastest time with four faults on her lovely mare Iron Dames Combella (Cornet du Lys x Indoctro). Switzerland’s Barbara Schnieper went second on the 12-year-old Canice (Cascadello x Cornet Obolensky) and opted to go for a steady clear, but when the pair ‘misjudged’ an oxer halfway around put paid to that, it was clear that she had not done enough to claim victory this time.
 
27-year-old Hinners was thrilled by her mare’s performance and referred to the competition as a “fantastic experience and fantastic atmosphere” for her horse who she has not been riding for very long. “I felt the support of the audience," Hinners said. "I took advantage of the good ground conditions today to get to know her better.”
 
Hinners was joined by a very competent team including ‘man of the moment’ and the 2024 Olympic Champion Christian Kukuk who is currently positioned third in the world rankings. He chose to ride the 10-year-old Chageorge (Chacco-Blue x Sanvaro) with whom he jumped a double clear and looks to be a very exciting partnership for the future. Jörne Sprehe, currently ranked 46th in the world, had just one fence down in the first round but jumped clear in the second aboard the 11-year-old Toys (Toulon x Quidam de Revel). Gerrit Nieberg produced two fabulous clear rounds on the striking piebald gelding Ping Pong van de Lentamel (Emerald x Toulon). 
 
German chef d’equipe Ralf Runge was delighted to have secured a victory in his first time in the role. “My thanks goes to national coach Otto Becker, who selected the riders. And of course, thanks to the team – you delivered.”
 
This was the first qualifier for the Central region in the Longines EEF Series and the third event of the 2025-season. Course designer Christa Jung built an imposing but fair course with a maximum height of 1.45m. Eleven teams came forward with a good mix of world leading riders and up-and-coming stars from emerging nations. There were some well-established equine stars who have jumped in FEI World Cups and Nations Cups, together with some promising young horses. The Longines EEF Series, now in its fifth year, has proved popular with national team selectors who want to give younger riders practice in being part of a team as well as highly ranked riders who want to give young horses ‘big ring’ experience.