Twelve Nations Set to Compete in Deauville for First Semi-Final of the 2025 Longines EEF Series

Europe’s brightest showjumping talent ready to battle for Final qualification at prestigious French venue.

The 2025 Longines EEF Series enters its critical knockout phase this Friday20 June, as twelve nations converge on the iconic coastal venue of Deauville, France, for the first Semi-Final of the season. With only five places available for the CSIO4* Final in Avenches, Switzerland, this high-stakes contest will showcase the best of Europe’s developing Nations Cup talent.

The Deauville Semi-Final will feature the top five teams from Region West and Region North, who earned their place through strong performances in two fiercely competitive qualifying legs earlier this spring.

From Region West, Great Britain leads the charge after dominating their qualifying campaign with consistent second-place finishes in both Lier (BEL) and Peelbergen (NED), accumulating a total of 180 points. Belgium and Portugal followed closely with 160 points each, the former surging into contention with a standout performance in Peelbergen, while Portugal impressed early in the season with a surprise victory in Lier. Spain, who triumphed at this semi-final in Deauville last year to secure their place in the finals, join France as proven contenders. Together, they complete the Region West contingent, having demonstrated the depth and resilience needed to progress to the semi-final stage.

From Region North, Denmark enters Deauville as the top-ranked team following a commanding win in Stutteri Ask and a solid finish in Drammen, bringing their total to 170 points. Sweden and Finland both advanced with 160 points each, closely trailed by Norway with 155 and Poland with 150, capping a highly competitive and unpredictable northern campaign.

These ten teams will be joined by Brazil and Mexico, two invited nations that bring international flair to the competition. While the guest teams are not eligible to qualify for the Final, their presence adds to the calibre and global appeal of this prestigious competition.

The semi-final will follow Longines EEF Series Nations Cup format of two rounds over identical courses with teams of four riders, where the three best scores in each round contribute to the team total. In the event of a tie, a jump-off between one rider from each tied team will determine final placements. Only the top five eligible teams in Deauville will advance to the Longines EEF Series Final, set to take place at CSIO4* Avenches from 4 - 7 September.

As the road to Avenches narrows, attention also turns to Bratislava, Slovakia, which hosts the final regional qualifier tomorrow, Friday 13 June. This decisive competition will determine the final line-up of teams from Region Central, who will join Region South contenders in the second semi-final in Budapest on 27 June. The top five teams from Budapest will complete the field for the Final, making Bratislava the last opportunity for nations still fighting for a place on showjumping’s rising stage.

Now in its fifth year, the Longines EEF Series has firmly established itself as the premier development circuit for European Nations Cup competition. With its unique tiered structure, featuring CSIO3* qualifiers and semi-finals culminating in a CSIO4* Final, the series provides a vital pathway for emerging horses, riders and national performance programs. The success of teams like reigning champions Italy, who have won three of the last four Finals, illustrates how this format continues to foster the sport’s next generation of elite talent.

With a spectacular venue, high-pressure stakes, and some of the sport’s most talented athletes on display, Deauville is set to deliver an unforgettable day of top-level team showjumping as the 2025 season reaches its thrilling semi-final phase.

Where to Watch and Follow

All competitions in this year’s series can be watched live 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 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.

Download the Longines EEF Series press kit here