Longines EEF Series: Building Future Stars of Showjumping Through Opportunity and Experience

Report: Emily Bevan

One of the goals of the Longines EEF Series is to develop future stars of the sport. This year the Series implemented a new rule requiring all teams of five to select a rider who is under 25 for each leg of the competition, further underlining its commitment to nurturing rising showjumping stars.

“The Longines EEF Series gives a unique opportunity for the development of riders and horses. With the rule embedded that an under 25 rider should be selected, each team always thinks about the future generations and upcoming talent will join the teams to these excellent Longines EEF Series shows,” said Switzerland’s chef d’equipe Peter van der Waaij.

“For well-established riders it is a great way to get their talented horses comfortable at Nations Cup level and to ride alongside these top riders makes it for the up-and-coming riders even more valuable.”

Belgian chef d’équipe Filip Lacus describes the Longines EEF Series as “a top system” for developing young riders and horses.

“This year the courses have been set bigger, which makes the Series the ideal preparation to grow towards the next level. It’s a way to experience the sport at the highest level — the perfect mise-en-scène for what is to come in these riders’ careers. They learn to handle pressure and the atmosphere of top-level competitions. Especially for young riders and U25 athletes, it’s the perfect stage to show themselves and to progress,” said Filip.

Belgium’s approach this season has been to give as many combinations as possible the chance to prove themselves across different legs of the Series.

The decision to field a team of young riders for the region north qualifier in Drammen earlier this year paid dividends when Belgium won the 13-strong team competition. The quartet of Bart Jay Junior Vandecasteele, Mathieu Guery, Evelyne Putters and Leon Brutsaert, who are all aged under 21, came out on top in a jump-off against Norway.

Another example is 23-year-old Roy Van Beek, who jumped a double clear in Gorla Minore while in Deauville he produced scores of one and zero. These results impressed senior team coach Peter Weinberg who selected him for the five-star Nations Cup at Hickstead. In September, Roy will represent Belgium at the Nations Cup in Calgary, Spruce Meadows.

“But it’s not just the young names who are benefiting. A rider like Frederic Vernaet, who has been around for some time, also made a real step forward this season through the Series, competing in Gorla Minore and Kronenberg. He showed several horses to good effect, competed in Hickstead, won CSIO Sopot with the team, and will also travel to Calgary as an individual rider. The Series gives opportunities across the board, and the results speak for themselves,” added Filip.

For some riders the chance to be on a team with more experienced teammates is a huge incentive and, in some cases, means they can follow in the footsteps of their parents or even ride alongside them in a team.

Eden Leprevost Blinlebreton experienced this when she lined up with her mum, Olympic gold medallist Pénélope Leprevost, as part of the French quartet at the region west qualifier in Lier. Meanwhile, Mathieu Guery, son of Olympic showjumper Jérôme Guery, helped Belgium to victory in Drammen earlier this year.

"For us it was a dream which came true, taking part of a nations cup together," said Eden.

"We both went clear in the first round. It was magical even if the result at the end wasn’t the result expected, but it meant a lot to us.

"The opportunity to have a U25 rider in every team is a really great to me, and it helps the young riders to make a step between the CSIOYR and the top sport."

Young French rider Antoine Ermann also appreciates the value that riding with more experienced riders brings: “I had the opportunity to ride with Kevin Staut in Mannheim. It allows us to ride with experienced riders who can help us with our horses. I particularly appreciate this circuit for the way it showcases young riders, young horses and young pairs to prepare for the top sport.”

As Antoine references, the Series doesn’t only give young riders opportunities; it also allows less experienced horses and riders a chance to gain experience in a team environment.

“The Longines EEF Series is a great opportunity for many riders, for different reasons – like those that don’t get the chance to enter the top shows. It also gives younger horses a shot at the Nations Cup, and it is a perfect format,” said Giulia Martinengo Marquet after she helped Italy to victory in the qualifier in Budapest earlier this year.

Austria’s Max Kuhner regularly uses the Series as a platform for developing his horses as he appreciates the ambiance the Series provides.

“I really like the Longines EEF Nations Cup for my upcoming horses. A Nations Cup is always something special which creates a special atmosphere. This is also recognised by our sensitive horses so it’s good feedback for me how they behave in these special situations and also a good training for our upcoming horses to feel the special atmosphere of the Nations Cup,” said Max.

Portuguese chef d’equipe Antonio Frutuoso Melo added: “The Longines EEF Series is, without a doubt, a fantastic model for our sport. It allows less experienced riders and horses to begin competing as a team at a solid and respectable level of competition.”

“I am clearly a strong supporter of the EEF Series format. I’ve made a consistent effort not only to integrate new rider-horse combinations but also to test new horses with a view to building them up for all kinds of future competitions but of course with at least one experienced couple in the team.

“The EEF Series continues to create opportunities for younger combinations, especially with the mandatory inclusion of an Under-25 rider in each five-member team.”

But what is it about the Series that makes it such a valuable training tool for young riders?

“With the Nations Cup being set at 1.50m, the height is not as tough as for instance in 5* Nations Cup, but the type of course building and type of fences used are often comparable,” revealed Peter.

“The pressure of riding in a team is very similar as well, so all the features you need to be successful at the very highest level can be developed in the Longines EEF Series.

“In addition, in the Longines EEF Series there is very little room for error; we see often that the winning team finishes with a clean sheet, so one rail down can make a huge difference for the team. This makes it very valuable for both upcoming riders as well as horses to really gain the experience of team jumping and building up confidence for the next step.” 

With the standard of competition, pressure and unique team environment that the Longines EEF Series provides, it is no surprise that the competition is delivering on its aim to not only offer young riders a platform to gain knowledge and experience, but all horses and riders.

Where to Watch and Follow

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

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