IRISH chef d’equipe Michael Blake has named his team for the upcoming Longines League of Nations, which returns this month as the world’s top 10 jumping nations battle for supremacy across three continents.
As in 2024, the 2025 series get underway in Abu Dhabi (UAE) at the Al Forsan International Sports Resort on February 15th, 2025.
Ireland, France, USA, Great Britain, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Netherlands, Sweden and Italy have all gained eligibility to participate in the 2025 edition of the league as the top 10 ranked nations in the world. As winners of the final last season, Germany had officially qualified regardless of their ranking. These 10 qualified teams are joined in Abu Dhabi by the host nation, United Arab Emirates.
The series is comprised of four qualifying events, each with a prize fund of €700,000 and culminates with the final in Barcelona (ESP) in October where €1.6 million in prize money, alongside lucrative bonus prizes are set to lure the crème de la crème of jumping’s elite.
From Abu Dhabi, the series jets across the Atlantic to Ocala (USA) in March, back across to Europe to Rotterdam (NED) in June before St-Tropez Gassin (FRA) plays host for the first time and becomes venue for the final qualifying leg in September. The series concludes once again in Barcelona for the second edition of the Longines League of Nations Final.
For 2025, the ranking list that decided the top 10 teams was the Longines League of Nations Ranking- No 14, which included results up to October 31st, 2024. Points accumulated by the six top athletes from each nation, including one U25, are combined to give each nation their total.
Ireland number one
The Underwriting Exchange-sponsored Irish team are the world number one-ranked nation heading into the prestigious series and last year finished on top of the league table before coming fourth in the final.
Blake has named his four riders to jump in round one, with a blend of youth and experience. Tipperary men Denis Lynch and Trevor Breen will ride Vistogrand and Highland President respectively, alongside Kildare’s Mikey Pender with HHS Calais (ISH) and Carlow’s Jason Foley, with his new mount Chedington Hazy Toulana, complete the team.
Foley’s new mount Chedington Hazy Toulana has a wealth of experience at the highest level, and has jumped in Nations Cups under previous rider, Australia’s Christopher Burton.