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The future of the Nations Cups – with Henk Nooren, Jos Lansink and Otto Becker

Wednesday, 05 February 2025
Nations Cups

 

Text © World of Showjumping

 


 

“Nations Cups are irreplaceable – we cannot do without them,” Henk Nooren says to World of Showjumping. “The Nations Cups remain the most important competitions for every national federation and for those who are in service of the federations. I think it's clear for everybody that the Nations Cups are the most exciting competitions, because you're trying to get a performance together as a team for your own country. Sometimes it's joyful, sometimes it's not, but it is the competition with the most drama and the highest tension.”

The Nations Cups remain the most important competitions for every national federation and for those who are in service of the federations

- Henk Nooren -

 

World of Showjumping sat down with Henk Nooren (former chef d’equipe for France), Otto Becker (chef d’equipe for Germany) and Jos Lansink (former chef d’equipe for the Netherlands) to speak about the importance of the Nations Cups, as well as the future of the deeply loved historical and traditional competitions that for the last decade have been the subject to much debate.

Becker – who has been German chef d’equipe since 2009 – has recently signed another four-year contract with the German Equestrian Federation, while Nooren left the French team at the end of 2024 after five years of service to France. Jos Lansink is another big name who handed in his resignation in 2024 after succeeding Rob Ehrens as Dutch team manager in 2022. “Quite frankly, I didn't expect the chef d’equipe-job to take as much time as it does – and when I do something, I want to do give it my all,” Lansink tells about his decision.

Photo © Jenny Abrahamsson/WoSJ. “Nations Cups play a big part in getting ready for championships,” Otto Becker says, here at the 2024 Olympic Games next to Richard Vogel.

“No matter the level, a Nations Cup remains the only competition where national federations and their chef d’equipes can choose the riders that they want to take,” Nooren points out. “All the other five-stars – and correctly so – are mainly being dominated by the position a rider has on the world ranking list. I really applaud that, but for these Nations Cup events we can bring in different horse-and-rider combinations, also those who normally don’t get to perform at this level. Additionally, the three-star Nations Cups are invaluable for less experienced horses and riders to gain mileage.”

With my horses and riders, I see the most and learn the most about them, as well as about how they perform under pressure, in a Nations Cup

- Otto Becker -

 

“I think the Nations Cups are still very important,” Becker says when asked how he sees the future of the Nations Cups. “We are lucky in Germany because our riders want to represent their country. You can feel how proud they are when they are with the team and wear the red jacket; they are more excited than normally – they really love this competition format.”

“Nations Cups play a big part in getting ready for championships,” Becker continues. “With my horses and riders, I see the most and learn the most about them, as well as about how they perform under pressure, in a Nations Cup.”

Decades of changes

Photo © Jenny Abrahamsson/WoSJ. Over the years, some of the world’s most beautiful, historical and traditional jumping venues have decided to drop out of the FEI Jumping Nations Cup™-series – like La Baule in 2021.

The Nations Cup-series – which since 1930 has been under the FEI’s governance – has gone through several changes over the last decades. It has had many title sponsors, in more recent times Samsung (1997-2008), Meydan (2009-2010) and Furusiyya (2013-2017). In 2011 and 2012 the FEI Jumping Nations Cup™-series was without a title sponsor, which was also the case in 2017. Since 2018, the Swiss watchmaker Longines – a major supporter of equestrian sports – has been the title sponsor, after entering a long-term agreement with the FEI. 

Without the Nations Cup competitions, our sport would become a whole different sport

- Henk Nooren -

 

Over the years, some of the world’s most beautiful, historical and traditional jumping venues have decided to drop out of the FEI Jumping Nations Cup™-series – like Aachen in 2014, Rome in 2018, and La Baule in 2021. Recently, Dublin, Falsterbo, Hickstead and Sopot also went independent – parallel to the FEI launching its Longines League of Nations™-series last year. For 2025, a show with vast history was pushed out of the new series when the FEI opted to terminate its Longines League of Nations™-contract with the Swiss venue St. Gallen – bringing in Polo Club de Saint-Tropez in Haras de Gassin as a new host for season two.

Many Nations Cup shows that have left the FEI-named series have teamed up with new title sponsors; the Nations Cup in Aachen is currently sponsored by Mercedes-Benz, Rome by Intesa Sanpaolo, La Baule by Barriere, Dublin by the Underwriting Exchange, while Agria stepped in as the title sponsor for the Nations Cup at Hickstead last year and extended their support to the Nations Cup of Falsterbo as well. The Grand Prix classes in Aachen, Dublin, La Baule and Rome are sponsored by Rolex, either as part of the Rolex Series which was launched in 2024, or as part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping which was introduced in 2013. On the other side of the pond, the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’ hosts a CSIO5* Nations Cup sponsored by BMO, and – like Aachen – the event is also part of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

Photo © Jenny Abrahamsson/WoSJ. “A Nations Cup always has a unique pressure and riders have to get used to riding under that pressure," Jos Lansink says.

Meanwhile, the FEI has transformed its own flagship series into the Longines League of Nations™ – which was launched last year. The series was not only rebranded, but was also subject to a new formula and format. Firstly, the amount of qualifiers world-wide was reduced, secondly there was a drop in the number of countries eligible to compete, and thirdly the competition format was altered.

It is the only series where you have everyone united – from the riders to grooms, breeders, owners, fans and the national federations

- Otto Becker -

 

In the FEI Jumping Nations Cup™-calendar for the 2023-season, the series included six venues in Europe – St. Gallen (SUI), Sopot (POL), Rotterdam (NED), Falsterbo (SWE), Hickstead (GBR) and Dublin (IRL) – as well as four venues outside of Europe – Abu Dhabi (UAE), San Miguel de Allende (MEX), San Juan Capistrano (USA) and Langley (CAN). Throughout these ten qualifiers, seven Europe Division 1 teams, two Middle East teams, as well as two North and Central American & Caribbean teams qualified for the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ Final in Barcelona.

For the 2024-season, the Longines League of Nations™ calendar included only four events – Abu Dhabi (UAE), Ocala (USA), St Gallen (SUI) and Rotterdam (NED) – with the final taking place in Barcelona (ESP). While the ten best teams from the Longines League of Nations™ Ranking were eligible to compete in the four qualifiers, the eight best from the season qualified for the final, where the home nation as previously was automatically qualified.

New for the Longines League of Nations™ was also that only three horse-and-rider combinations return for each team to the second round, without a drop-score – as opposed to the traditional format of four horse-and-rider combinations with a drop-score in both rounds.

Substantial difference

Photo © Jenny Abrahamsson/WoSJ. “There is quite a substantial difference between the Longines League of Nations™ and all the other Nations Cups,” Henk Nooren explains.

“There is quite a substantial difference between the Longines League of Nations™ and all the other Nations Cups,” Nooren points out. “To me, it seems that the FEI – together with their sponsor – is more interested in commercial figures than in the events themselves. They seem to be less interested in the atmosphere, the number of spectators present, or even the venue itself. That seems to be of less interest to them than the number of people following worldwide on TV and online. Meanwhile, the exact opposite seems to be the case with the stand-alone Nations Cups: They are the most beautiful events with enormous numbers of enthusiastic spectators and sold-out venues. And at the end of the day, isn’t the atmosphere at an event what we do this for? That is what our sport needs, that is what the participants feel, want and live for.”

What is astonishing about the Longines League of Nations™ is its whole timing

- Henk Nooren -

 

“What is astonishing about the Longines League of Nations™ is its whole timing,” Nooren adds. “The first event is in the first week of February, when we in Europe – meaning nine out of the ten countries competing in the series – are still in the middle of jumping indoor World Cups, trying to qualify for the final. Then the new qualifier in Gassin is scheduled two weeks before the final in Barcelona, which makes it almost impossible for the Americans to plan. Let’s not forget that the World Cup is also a major FEI product – we are flabbergasted that they could not find better dates so that we could first finish the World Cup-season before moving outdoors.”

“However, if you look at it from a financial point of view, these events – the Longines League of Nations™ and all the other Nations Cups – are almost equal,” Nooren continues. “There is perhaps a bit more money in the Nations Cup and a bit less in the Grand Prix at the LLN shows, whereas at the Rolex and the other stand-alone CSIO5* shows, there is less money in the Nations Cup, but more in the Grand Prix. However, from the spectators’ point of view, from the atmosphere at the events – the difference is like day and night.”

Photo © Jenny Abrahamsson/WoSJ. "Just look at the sold-out shows with amazing atmosphere at the traditional Nations Cup venues; this is how it should be," Otto Becker says. Pictured, the incredible audience in La Baule.

“When it comes to the Longines League of Nations™ and the other stand-alone Nations Cups, I do prefer the traditional Nations Cup system where we can bring an extra rider,” Lansink adds, referring to the limitation of four riders per team at the LLN shows. “This way, you can give younger riders a chance to step onto the higher level: You don't have to use them on a team, but they can get into the show and get experience at five-star level. That is important, because you have to keep thinking forward and create opportunities for the next generation. Now, we can only take four riders for the Longines League of Nations™ – and one of the four can only ride one round.”

As a compromise, we can live with the four Longines League of Nations™ shows without a drop-score

- Otto Becker -

 

“I still don't like the Olympic format with three riders and no drop-score, whereas in the Longines League of Nations™ I find it acceptable,” Becker weighs in. “We had this for one year now; four riders in the first round and then three in the second. When this is done only at four shows during a whole year, it is ok. However, all the other shows should stay with four plus an alternate horse-and-rider combination, as this is our tradition. And it works, absolutely; just look at the sold-out shows with amazing atmosphere at the traditional Nations Cup venues; this is how it should be. As a compromise, we can live with the four Longines League of Nations™ shows without a drop-score.”

Equal chances for all?

Photo © Nanna Nieminen/WoSJ. "There seems to be a lack of four-star Nations Cups to bridge the gap from the EEF series to the five-star events," Henk Nooren points out.

“I am concerned that we are going to have an enormous gap between nations, where some countries won't participate at all at Nations Cup events,” Nooren continues to explain about the risks of decreasing the number of countries eligible to compete at the Longines League of Nations™ shows. “When you come to the Olympic Games nowadays, already from day one – before the competition even starts – there is a huge gap: You have a group of countries that has constant access to high-level Nations Cups and then you have a second group that hardly has any – and I would say that this is not correct.”

I am concerned that we are going to have an enormous gap between nations, where some countries won't participate at all at Nations Cup events

- Henk Nooren - 

 

Meanwhile, the Longines EEF Series – launched in 2021 with the aim to develop horses and riders through consistent exposure to quality events and team format competition, replacing what was previously known as Division 2 of the FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ – included eight qualifiers in four regions, two semi-finals in two regions and a final during the 2024-season, all jumped at three- or four-star level. However, there seems to be a lack of four-star Nations Cups to bridge the gap from the EEF series to the five-star events: In 2024, there were five CSIO4* shows in the FEI calendar.

“The Longines EEF series is extremely important,” Nooren says. “First of all, there are so many nations that are not part of the Longines League of Nations™. Secondly, the other stand-alone five-star Nations Cups usually prefer having between eight and ten teams participating. In my opinion, considering the high level of competition these days, this is only correct. However, this leaves many countries with no access to these levels. Therefore, what the EFF is doing with the three-star Nations Cups is invaluable, and the more four-stars that could be created, the better it would be for the sport. I would like to see more four-stars CSIOs worldwide. There are always excuses and reasons, but there are so many countries that would like to participate in a Nations Cup that are not willing to organise one.”

Photo © Jenny Abrahamsson/WoSJ. “You need to have the riders and the horses. In my opinion, it is not possible to have more five-star Nations Cups," Otto Becker says.

“First of all, the three-star CSIOs are very good for up-coming, younger horses and less experienced riders,” Lansink weighs in. “A Nations Cup always has a unique pressure and riders have to get used to riding under that pressure. There is talk about making the three-star Nations Cups 1.50m instead of 1.45m, but I don't think they need to make it bigger – it’s more about getting a chance to compete under this type of format and with the added pressure that comes with representing your country. When you make it too big, the inexperienced countries have no chance.”

The three-star CSIOs are very good for up-coming, younger horses and less experienced riders

- Jos Lansink -

 

“I think we have a good structure with the EEF Nations Cups,” Becker says. “I agree with Henk’s point about more nations organising Nations Cups. When possible, they should do. However, we have had this discussion for a long time.”

Currently, there are 14 five-star Nations Cup shows in the FEI calendar for 2025 – 11 of them in Europe. “This is a lot,” Becker says. “You need to have the riders and the horses. In my opinion, it is not possible to have more five-star Nations Cups. However, we should have more four-star Nations Cups, because even though the EEF series is good, it is difficult to get spots there.”

A tradition that should be protected

Photo © Jenny Abrahamsson/WoSJ. "The Nations Cup as a format should be protected more than all the other series there are," Otto Becker says.

In October 2024, the FEI Board approved a proposal from the Longines Ranking Working Group to update the rules for the Longines Rankings, decreasing ranking points distributed in five-, four- and three-star Nations Cups.

“I don’t think that’s a good thing,” Lansink says about the decision to decrease ranking points for Nations Cup events. “On the contrary, the Nations Cup events should be promoted more, and in my opinion, they could even be given more ranking points. These days, it is always difficult to find good combinations for these shows, because there are so many other, more lucrative, events. For some riders, Nations Cups are still a priority, while others prefer the Global Champions Tour. Additionally, we have a championship every year! We do not have enough horsepower for the five-star level events, and it is essential to make good plans so that you still have a healthy, sound horses at the end of the year.”

I think the Nations Cups are something special, and in my opinion, they should have kept the points as they were

- Otto Becker -

 

“It seems to me that many riders focus only on ranking points,” Lansink continues. “First, they check where they can make the most points and then plan accordingly. However, it should be the other way around: They should plan for the good, traditional shows where we can promote the sport in the best way, and, most importantly, support the Nations Cup events – those are some of the best shows we have. In my opinion, both the Longines League of Nations™ and the stand-alone Nations Cups are good products, and we should support them both.”

“I think the Nations Cups are something special, and in my opinion, they should have kept the points as they were,” Becker weighs in. “For me, that is the most important series in the jumping world. First of all, it's our Olympic future, and secondly it is the only series where you have everyone united – from the riders to grooms, breeders, owners, fans and the national federations. Everyone supports and loves the Nations Cup competitions. The Nations Cup as a format should be protected more than all the other series there are. In my opinion, without the Nations Cup, it's more difficult to stay in the Olympics, and therefore this should have the main focus.”

“Without the Nations Cup competitions, our sport would become a whole different sport,” Nooren points out.

A chef d’equipe’s role

Photo © Jenny Abrahamsson/WoSJ. "You have the more bureaucratic one, who is there to be supportive of the riders, to fill in the papers, and then you have those who are more or less a coach and a trainer as well," Henk Nooren explains about the role of a chef d'equipe.

“In the end, our role is not official,” Becker explains about the chef d’equipes – a group where the majority are highly experienced professionals with in-depth views of the sport. “There are meetings between us at the show, but we are not an officially recognized group so we can't decide anything. However, I believe all chef d’equipes are experts who love the sport, and they will fight for the sport, without necessarily getting involved in the politics. Meanwhile the feeling I get from the FEI’s view is that their priorities are more and more commercial and legal issues, and the sport comes way behind these two aspects. I understand that we need to consider the commercial and legal aspects, but the sport itself should not be put at the far end – it should take center stage in the decision making.”

I believe all chef d’equipes are experts who love the sport

- Otto Becker -

 

“We are 100% for the sport and I see the chef d’equipe-role as quite an important one, because we have no own interests,” Becker says. “Yes, we all represent our country, but in general, I believe this group forms an important point of view. We are independent, and not deeply involved in the politics of the sport.”  

“I would say there are two types of chef d’equipes,” Nooren points out. “You have the more bureaucratic one, who is there to be supportive of the riders, to fill in the papers, and then you have those who are more or less a coach and a trainer as well. I think it's almost 50/50; some countries prefer to have just a bureaucratic one while others prefer to have a trainer. And how big is our influence? Sometimes it can be quite influential, sometimes less. It depends on which horse-and-rider combinations you are choosing. For certain nations perhaps, especially when you have younger or less experienced combinations, the role of a chef d’equipe has to be more of a trainer and a coach; that might be more helpful and more influential in those cases.”

Generational change

Photo © Jenny Abrahamsson/WoSJ. “At one point there always comes a generational change,” Henk Nooren points out. Switzerland's 30-year-old Peter van der Waaij is one of the younger chef d'equipes, having replaced Michel Sorg in 2024.

While Lansink and Nooren stepped down at the end of 2024, Becker will be at the helm of the Germans for another Olympic cycle. “At one point there always comes a generational change,” Nooren points out. “Some of us might need to be pushed out… I think we have to support the new people that are coming into the sport. I believe that every country has a responsibility to educate and help new people with the knowledge that they have from the past. Of course, everyone has their own identity – and should have. I'm sure our successors will do a good a job; I'm not worried about that at all.”

“I really enjoyed the job; you can work with the best riders; you get to go to the best shows in the world – but you need time for this,” Lansink reflects. “If I had the time, I would for sure continue, but I have my own stable and a business to run.”

“In Germany, we always have a contract of four years, from one Olympic year to the next Olympics – it makes sense,” Becker shares his point of view. “This way, I will have the Europeans next year, then the World Championships on home soil in Aachen in 2026 – as the first Olympic qualifier – and then again, the Europeans as the last qualifier for the 2028 Olympic Games. I have done this now for 16 years, and after Paris I thought about the whole situation, talked to my family, the federation and the riders – and they thought I should keep going, so I will.”

 

5.2.2025 No reproduction of any of the content in this article will be accepted without a written permission, all rights reserved © World of Showjumping.com. If copyright violations occur, a penalty fee will apply. 



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