Avenches Welcomes Europe’s Finest for Longines EEF Final Showdown

Report: Emily Bevan

It’s a new year and there’s a new final venue but will a new name win the Longines EEF Series Final or will three-time victors Italy or 2023 champions Austria reign supreme once again?

Ten nations have qualified for the final which will take place this year for the first time at the National Equestrian Institute of Avenches (IENA), a 142-hectare facility in Switzerland which hosted the FEI Eventing European Championships in 2021.

Leading those nations is Italy, one of the favourites for the title due to their impressive reputation in the competition and form this year – they won both the qualifier in Thessaloniki and the semifinal in Budapest.

Champions in 2021, 2022 and 2024, Italy arrive in Avenches with a strong team in Giacomo Bassi, Emanuele Camilli, Giulia Martinengo Marquet, Bruno Chimirri and Bruno’s daughter Elisa.

Emanuele and Giulia are no strangers to success in the final as they were part of last year’s winning team in Warsaw while Giulia, Giacomo and Bruno helped Italy to the top spot in the semifinal in Budapest.

“We are arriving at the Longines EEF Series 2025 Final in Avenches with a competitive team in excellent condition,” said Italy's chef d’equipe Mario Verheyden.

“Our expectations are positive, but maximum concentration will be needed to achieve a great result: each pair will have to tackle the courses with the same determination and precision they showed in Budapest.”

Finishing just behind Italy in Budapest were Germany who will be looking to improve on their third-place finish in the final last year.

The Germans proved unbeatable in the central region qualifier on home soil in Mannheim and have named a formidable side for the final.

“We hope for a podium place. We dream about winning the final, because that would be a really great success. To do that we need to deliver a minimum of three clear rounds per round. It has shown in the qualifiers that the level of the Longines EEF Series Nation Cups is really high, and the nations are so close so we have to deliver clear rounds. It's the only chance to win,” said Ralf Runge, Germany’s chef d’equipe.

“My team is a mixture of youth and experienced riders and horses. We have with one under 25 rider Hannes Ahlmann. Marie Ligges and Michael Viehweg were both double clear in the semi-final in Budapest and therefore they deserve a place in the final. Then we have one experienced rider with Markus Renzel and his super talented horse Pikeur Lemar NRW. I really trust in this team and hope we will not only gain experience but also win something.”

Also qualifying at the semi-final in Budapest were Netherlands, Austria and Switzerland, who will be hoping they can give the home fans something to shout about when they take to the main arena at IENA.

“Obviously, the final in Avenches will be the highlight of the season, especially for the Swiss team,” said Swiss chef d’equipe Peter van der Waaij.

“I think the final is not the stage to 'gain experience', in the final we have to show the progress our riders and horses have made over the season. And then hopefully deliver a performance that makes the home crowd proud.

“The final being held in Switzerland gives definitely an extra motivation to our team. All of our team members have been really working towards the final and will try to deliver their very best.”

One of those selected to represent his country on home turf in the final is 20-year-old Gaëtan Joliat who is based “just around the corner” from the showground.

“The ‘Les Verdets’ stables, where my horses are at home, are only around 30 kilometres away,” explained Gaëtan who was part of the Swiss team which won the central qualifier in Bratislava.

“I really enjoy riding in front of an audience and when it's my home crowd, I want to show what I'm made of even more. But the final in Switzerland is also great because we have really good riders in our country who get a very special stage in Avenches.

“For me, this selection is the reward for the good work I have done this year and in the years before. It was already great to be able to ride stages of the Longines EEF Series at my age, but to be at the final is absolutely brilliant. It shows that people believe in me for such important competitions.”

Belgium is also among the favourites and will be hoping they can add a victory in the final to their triumphs in the region north qualifier in Drammen and the semi-final in Deauville.

“I have never been there [Avenches], but I am looking forward to experiencing it. Of course, our goal is to perform well, in line with the rest of our season,” said Belgian chef d’equipe Filip Lacus.

“We are choosing a strong mix of young talent, such as Mathieu Bourdeaud’hui, and more experienced riders like Gilles Thomas, who will bring forward younger horses. To be successful, we will need clear rounds and we mustn’t give anything away. It’s sport, of course, but the entire team is motivated, just as they have been all season, to do the very best we can.”

Individual bronze and team gold medal winner at the FEI Jumping European Championships in July, Gilles will lead the Belgian team as they look to lift the trophy for the first time.

Joining him and Mathieu in the team will be Jeroen Appelen, Leoni Peeters and Wilm Vermeir.

Spain finished second at the semi-final in Deauville and will be hoping they can go one better in the final while Netherlands has also tasted success this season, winning the region west qualifier on home turf in Peelbergen.

“To win the Longines EEF Final, we will need to be consistent over both rounds, avoid unnecessary faults and manage the pressure in a very competitive environment. Teamwork and keeping the horses fresh and confident will be essential,” said Spain’s chef d’equipe Reyes Martín Garcia-Abril.

“Our expectation is to deliver strong rounds, to confirm the progress we have been showing throughout the season, and to fight for a place on the podium. The riders are motivated and eager to prove themselves at this important stage of the year.”

“We have selected a balanced team, combining experience with promising talent. Each rider has proven reliable throughout the season and brings a horse that is in good form. This combination gives us confidence that we can be competitive in Avenches.”

Norway will be led by Olympic rider Geir Gulliksen as they bid for a first podium position at the final.

“We are very happy to be a part of the final. We will do our best, and we know it needs clear rounds to be at the top,” said Norway’s chef d’equipe Mikael Kolind.

“We have a team with our very experienced rider Geir Gulliksen, Therese Henriksen and Marit Cox who also was at the European Championships in La Coruna. Then we have two U25 riders Jenny Krogsæter and Maria Louise Kingsrød. There is some good nations in the final and we will do our best to be in the top.”

Sweden will also be present in Avenches after qualifying at the North-West semifinal in Deauville.

“We are very happy to have qualified to take part in the final in Avenches this year. It’s going to be a fantastic sporting moment. The top 10 teams all have a real chance to win, especially Belgium, who have been particularly strong this year,” said Olivier Guillon, French chef d’equipe.

“I believe in my riders to aim for a podium finish — and hopefully the victory. I’ve selected combinations who have had a strong season this year in 3* and 4* competitions, and who also have the potential to progress further next year towards CSIO5* level.”

France is one of the nation’s that Sweden’s chef d’equipe Henrik Ankarcrona believes are a contender for the title.

“So many nations have looked very strong this season but Belgium, Germany and France will probably be up there,” said Henrik.

“I am expecting the level of sport to be high, so the only way to reach the top of the podium will be to perform on our absolute top. Prepare well and arrive in top shape, make the best possible plan for every horse and rider and then stick to that plan. Focus only on what you can control is the key.

“This is the team that we think have the best chance of performing well. Many of these combinations have already done a really good job in the Longines EEF Series during the season and it is a team with a lot of talent as well as experience.”

Austria, who were crowned champions in this competition two years ago, were in imperious form when they won the Region South qualifier in Gorla Minore. The team of Bianca Babanitz, Jannik Domaingo, Julia Kogelnig, David Moser and Bianca Ruscher will be hoping they can recreate that kind of form in Avenches this weekend and secure a second Longines EEF Series title.

“The level of competition is very high, and to be in contention we will need consistency and strong performances across all rounds. Our goal is to give our best and continue to build valuable experience with this team,” said Austria’s chef d’equipe Dr Angelika May.

Who will it be? We are just days away from discovering who can hold their nerve, secure those clear rounds and help their country to lift the trophy.

Where to Watch and Follow

Watch the all the live action on ClipMyHorse.TV, the official livestream partner of the Longines EEF Series.

Full results from the regional qualifiers and semi-finals of the Longines EEF Series 2025 season can be viewed here.

For the latest updates, team announcements, and behind-the-scenes content throughout the 2025 Longines EEF Series, follow the Longines EEF Series website and the European Equestrian Federation. Join the conversation on the Longines EEF Series social media on Instagram and Facebook.

For further information on the series final check out the official website of the Longines EEF Series Final Avenches 2025 and follow on Instagram and Facebook.

Download the Longines EEF Series press kit here