Starting Order Revealed for 2026 Longines EEF Series Final Avenches

02. Sep 2026 / Category: Press Release

: The 2026 Longines EEF Series Final draw has been confirmed. L to R: François Mathey (ESP), Avenches Technical Director Anthony Darioly, Vincent Voorn (NED), Mario Verhheyden (ITA), Filip Lucus (BEL), Di Lampard (GBR), Angelika May (AUT), Olivier Guillon (FRA), Avenches Sport Director Julien Pradervand, Balazs Horvath (HUN), Ann-Catrin Carlsson (SWE), Peter van der Waaij (SUI), Foreign Judge Carsten Soerlie, Avenches Event Director Edwin Smits and President of the Ground Jury Sylvie Navet (FRA) © EEF

The countdown to the 2026 Longines EEF Series Final is on, with the starting order now confirmed for Sunday's championship showdown at IENA Avenches.

For the second consecutive year, Avenches will host the decisive Final of the Longines EEF Series, bringing together ten nations from across Europe for the final battle of the season. After a record-breaking journey through eight regional qualifiers and two highly competitive semi-finals, the stage is now set for the Series to reach its conclusion.

The draw was conducted by Ground Jury President Sylvie Navet (FRA), in the presence of Ground Jury member Jean-Paul Quinton (FRA) and Foreign Judge Carsten Soerlie (NOR), alongside members of the Avenches Organising Committee Edwin Smits, Julien Pradervand and Anthony Darioly, determining the order in which the nations will take to the arena.

The Starting Order:

  1. Switzerland
  2. Sweden
  3. Netherlands
  4. Belgium
  5. Great Britain
  6. Spain
  7. Italy
  8. Hungary
  9. France
  10. Austria

For Switzerland, drawing first means being the team to set the pace on Sunday. Swiss Chef d’Equipe Peter van der Waaij acknowledged that while no team wants to be first to enter the arena, there can also be an advantage in putting the pressure on the teams still to come.

“Okay, somebody has to go first. You always hope that you’re not first so you can see one or two riders go before, but somebody has to go first,” he said. “I think we have a team with riders that know their horses quite well and they will make their own plan. Once the first rider has been, it’s equal for everyone. On the other hand, it is sometimes also interesting to put a bit of pressure on the other teams. If we start off well, then everybody knows they have to do well.”

With reigning World Champion Steve Guerdat part of the Swiss team, van der Waaij said the team had yet to decide where he would sit in the order.

“We haven’t really talked about the order of go. But it is quite likely he will be either first or last to go. We will see how the horses feel and what everybody’s plan is for the week. It’s a long week until Sunday and a lot can happen in the meantime, but we are focussed on Sunday and keeping the horses happy and fresh until then.”

The ten finalists – Austria, Belgium, France, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland – have all earned their place through the 2026 Longines EEF Series. Belgium topped the North West Semi-Final in Peelbergen, while Switzerland claimed victory in the South Central Semi-Final in Šamorín for the second consecutive year.

For Switzerland, the Final carries an added significance. The hosts return as defending champions after winning the inaugural Avenches Final in 2025, and will now look to retain their title on home soil once again.

The Swiss will face a strong field, including three-time Series champions Italy, who will be chasing a fourth Final victory, as well as former champions Austria and a Belgian team arriving with strong momentum after their semi-final victory in Peelbergen.

At the other end of the starting order, Austria drew tenth – a position that Chef d’Equipe Angelika May described as ideal for her team, giving them the opportunity to watch the action unfold before they enter the arena.

“When they have to do it, they do, but they prefer to have time to watch some rounds, so having a draw of 10 for the day is ideal for them,” said May.

The Final represents the culmination of a season-long journey and an opportunity to deliver on the biggest stage of the Series.

Now in its sixth season, the Longines EEF Series continues to provide a vital platform for emerging riders, developing horse-and-rider combinations and nations building depth in their teams, offering valuable experience in the pressure of Nations Cup competition.

The 2026 Final promises to deliver sport at its very highest level. The ten teams will battle it out across two rounds to decide who will be crowned champions of this year’s Longines EEF Series.

The action begins at 12:00pm (CEST) on Sunday 6 September.

Where to Watch and Follow

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

For the latest updates, team announcements, and behind-the-scenes content throughout the 2026 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.

Download the Longines EEF Series press kit here.

Full results from the regional qualifiers and semi-finals of the Longines EEF Series 2026 season can be viewed here.

Swiss chef d’equipe Peter van der Waaij draws the number one for Team Switzerland in the starting order for the 2026 Longines EEF Series Final. © EEF

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