Press release from Longines EEF Series, edited by World of Showjumping

Norway delivered a memorable home victory in the CSIO3* 1.50m Longines EEF Nations Cup of Drammen on Friday 12 June, with Geir Gulliksen and Island V G (VDL Zirocco Blue x Indoctro) producing a sensational jump-off performance to secure victory in the second and final Region North qualifier of the 2026 Longines EEF Series.

In front of an enthusiastic home crowd, the Norwegian team triumphed after a thrilling four-way jump-off involving Belgium, Germany and The Netherlands. Norway finished ahead of Belgium, Germany and The Netherlands respectively, reversing last year's result when Belgium narrowly denied the hosts victory in Drammen.

The winning team comprised Geir Gulliksen and Island V G, Johan-Sebastian Gulliksen on Equine America Harwich VDL (Arezzo VDL x Darco), Pål Flam with Evoila KVG Z (Edjaz van’T Merelsnest x Heartbreaker) and Mira Olivia Höidal aboard Mayfair (London x Cardento). Their success capped a dramatic afternoon of sport that overcame the damp Norwegian weather and showcased the intensity of team competition that has become a hallmark of the Longines EEF Series.

At 66 years of age, Geir Gulliksen once again demonstrated why he remains one of Norway's most accomplished equestrian athletes. Riding the 13-year-old KWPN gelding Island V G, owned by Stall Gullik AS, Gulliksen delivered the fastest clear round of the jump-off in 31.92 seconds to secure the win. The crowd erupted as Gulliksen crossed the finish line, sealing a victory that had eluded Norway on home soil for 16 years.

His son, 30-year-old Johan-Sebastian Gulliksen, partnered the 14-year-old VDL gelding Equine America Harwich VDL, by Arezzo VDL and also owned by Stall Gullik AS. He produced a clear round in the opening round before adding four penalties in round two.

Pål Flam rode the 10-year-old mare Evoila KVG Z, owned by JE Sporthorses, contributing four faults in both rounds, while the youngest member of the team, 24-year-old Mira Olivia Höidal, delivered a crucial double clear aboard the Swedish Warmblood mare Mayfair, by the stallion London, owned by Geir Bjønnes Höidal and Liv Hilde Gudmundsen Höidal.

Ten nations lined up for the competition: Norway, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland and Sweden. After two rounds over a 1.50m course designed by Belgian course designer Bart Vonck and his team, four nations finished level on four penalties to force a jump-off.

Belgium's Mathieu Bourdeaud'Hui and Oscar The Homage (Quint vh Maarlo Z x Elton) set an early target with a fast clear round. Germany's Katharina von Essen and Lucy La Douce (Colman x Acorado) also jumped clear but in a slower time. When the Dutch Bart Lips and Lancaster W (Glenfiddich VDL x Casall) incurred four faults, the pressure shifted firmly onto Gulliksen.

The Norwegian veteran rose to the occasion. "When I saw the first rider in the jump-off, I thought that if I was going to beat him, I would have to do something completely out of the ordinary," said Gulliksen. "I told Mikael (the chef d'equipe) that we would either win or finish fourth. Today, we had a good day in the jump-off. The margins are small, and this time I had a few tenths of a second on my side. It was great teamwork that put us in a position to make it to the jump-off."

The victory was particularly significant for Norway, who had finished runners-up in Drammen in both 2024 and 2025.

"It's been 16 years since Norway last won in Drammen," said Flam. "In the other years, we've come close, we finished second both last year and the year before, so it's really great that it all came together this time."

Johan-Sebastian Gulliksen praised the collective effort that put Norway on top. "I think we did well today because we had a strong team, and everyone performed really well. It was exciting right up until the last round."

For Höidal, the celebrations were already being planned. "The celebration will be a nice dinner and a great atmosphere. It's going to be fantastic!"

Norwegian Chef d'Equipe Mikael Kolind reflected on the significance of finally securing victory on home ground. "It's really wonderful that we won. Of course, we want to perform well on home soil, and of course we want to win. We've been so close every single time."

The result concludes Region North qualification for the 2026 Longines EEF Series. As the second and final regional qualifier, Drammen represented the last opportunity for teams to earn points before progression to the North-West Semi-Final at Peelbergen in the Netherlands this July. The five Region North nations advancing are Denmark, Finland, Norway, Poland and Sweden. They will join Belgium, France, Spain, Great Britain and Portugal from Region West at Peelbergen.