Why Avenches Has Become the Perfect Home for the Longines EEF Series Final

Report : Eleanore Kelly

When the Longines EEF Series Final returns to Switzerland this September, it does so at a venue that has quickly established itself as the natural home of European team jumping. Following Switzerland's memorable victory on home soil in last year's Final, and successive triumphs at the semi-finals in Bratislava, Avenches has become synonymous with the growth and success of the Longines EEF Series.

For Show Director Edwin Smits, bringing the Final to Switzerland was never simply about hosting another international show. "For me, this series has an enormous impact on the coming-up riders and the coming-up horses," he explains. "It gives them an enormous chance to present themselves at the highest level."

That philosophy mirrors the very foundations of the Longines EEF Series, which has become an essential stepping stone between developing Nations Cup teams and the sport's elite five-star competitions. While established championships naturally attract global attention, the EEF Series provides invaluable opportunities for emerging riders, young horses and developing nations to gain experience in team competition under championship conditions.

It is precisely that commitment to nurturing future talent that resonated so strongly with Smits, himself a former international Nations Cup rider who represented first the Netherlands and later Switzerland at some of the world's most prestigious venues, including Aachen, Calgary and Dublin.

Having stepped away from top-level competition, his ambition shifted from riding to creating an event that offered competitors exactly the experience he had always valued as an athlete. "As a rider, you know what you like and what you don't like at a show," he says. "I try to introduce that into my competitions and make it as good as possible for horses and riders. If you see the show is a great success, that gives enormous satisfaction."

Built by Riders, Designed for Horses

Set within an impressive 135-hectare equestrian complex, Avenches possesses facilities few venues in Europe can rival. The site incorporates dedicated Jumping arenas, dressage facilities, eventing courses, racing tracks and a vast indoor arena, allowing organisers enormous flexibility regardless of the weather. "There is almost everything you need," says Smits.

Yet despite its outstanding infrastructure, he believes the venue's true potential only emerged following a major investment in the competition surface. "A few years ago, the surface simply wasn't good enough," he admits. "When we had heavy rainfall, the ground couldn't absorb it."

That changed with the installation of a state-of-the-art all-weather footing featuring an innovative ebb-and-flow drainage system capable of regulating moisture levels throughout the year. The result is a surface that performs consistently during both intense summer heat and prolonged periods of rain-an increasingly important consideration as weather becomes ever more unpredictable.

Its quality was demonstrated perfectly during last year's Final when torrential overnight rain left many fearing competition would have to be abandoned. "Most of the competitors thought we would have to cancel," recalls Smits. "But after just a short break and some maintenance, the footing was perfect again."

For athletes competing in a Nations Cup Final, consistency underfoot is not merely desirable- it is fundamental to both performance and horse welfare. That commitment to equine wellbeing runs through every aspect of the venue. "I believe the horses at this level are treated incredibly well because they are part of the family. Everyone wants them to feel as good as possible."

Rather than viewing welfare as a single initiative, Avenches has embedded it throughout the competitor experience. Spacious stable areas reduce congestion, extensive grazing areas allow horses to relax away from the bustle of competition, while the indoor arena provides an invaluable alternative exercise space should weather conditions deteriorate.

"We try to make everything as spacious as possible," Smits explains. "There is room for everyone, and we try to create the best possible environment for both horses and riders."

From the moment spectators arrive at Avenches, the experience has been carefully designed to feel like a major international sporting occasion. Whether visitors are lifelong equestrian fans or discovering showjumping for the first time, every aspect of the event has been curated to ensure that the Longines EEF Series Final is as enjoyable beyond the arena as it is inside it.

For those seeking the ultimate hospitality experience, guests can enjoy Michelin-star dining prepared by three of Switzerland's leading chefs while overlooking the action in the arena. Elsewhere, a vibrant food village featuring a variety of food trucks offers something for every taste, while covered grandstands ensure spectators can enjoy uninterrupted views whatever the weather. "It's like a five-star show. We wanted people to enjoy fantastic sport, but also to have a fantastic experience around it."

That ambition was rewarded in spectacular fashion last year. Although Smits admits to feeling a few nerves on the morning of the Final when the grandstands initially appeared quiet, those fears quickly disappeared.

"Around ten o'clock it was still quite empty and my heartbeat was going quite high," he laughs. "Then suddenly it was like all the gates opened. The spectators arrived, the stands filled completely and when the Nations Cup started, the ring was packed. It was just amazing."

More than 20,000 visitors attended across the weekend, creating an atmosphere befitting a championship finale and demonstrating the growing popularity of both the venue and the Longines EEF Series itself.

A Vision Years in the Making

Hosting the Final was never something that happened by chance. Following his retirement from international competition, Smits had always dreamed of creating a major international show in Avenches, believing the venue possessed untapped potential. "When I first came to Switzerland more than twenty years ago, I always thought it was a pity we weren't organising a really big international show here," he explains.

The opportunity presented itself unexpectedly when the FEI European Championships for Young Riders were withdrawn from their original host. Although another venue ultimately secured those Championships, discussions revealed that the European Equestrian Federation was seeking a new home for the Longines EEF Series Final. "When I heard that, my eyes started glittering. I thought, what an enormous opportunity for Switzerland, for our riders and for our sport."

It proved to be the perfect match. Not only does Switzerland occupy a uniquely central position within Europe, making it accessible to the majority of participating nations within a day's journey, but Avenches also enjoys another significant advantage. The headquarters of Longines, title sponsor of both the Series and the Final, are located less than an hour away.

While transporting horses into Switzerland inevitably requires additional border documentation compared to travelling within the European Union, Smits believes those concerns are often overstated. "If you prepare the correct paperwork, it is easy to manage," he says. "There is no more central place in Europe than Switzerland. For almost everybody it is just a day's drive."

A Nation Full of Confidence

Switzerland will also arrive at this year's Final carrying formidable momentum.

Victory in last year's Longines EEF Series Final on home soil as well as consecutive semi-final triumphs in Bratislava, underlining the extraordinary strength in depth within Swiss showjumping.

While Olympic stars such as Martin Fuchs continue to set the benchmark internationally, Smits is equally excited by the emergence of the next generation.

"We have an enormously strong group of riders," he says. "Of course we have experienced riders like Martin, but every year there are new young riders coming through and pushing each other to an even higher level."

He points to Gaëtan Joliat as the perfect example. The young Swiss rider played a decisive role in securing victory for Switzerland at last year's Final before earning selection for the FEI World Championships in Aachen. "Last year he was one of our shooting stars," says Smits. "Now he has already reached another level."

It is exactly the type of progression that the Longines EEF Series was created to encourage- offering talented riders and horses the opportunity to gain invaluable experience before stepping onto the sport's biggest stages.

With home support once again expected to fill the grandstands, Switzerland will undoubtedly start among the favourites. But, as the Nations Cup has repeatedly demonstrated, team competition has a unique ability to produce unforgettable moments and new heroes.

A former international Nations Cup rider himself, Smits is passionate about developing young riders and young horses- a commitment shaped not only by his own career, but also by watching his two sons progress through the ranks. Last year, his eldest son, Brian, experienced four-star competition at Avenches, making the event's mission all the more personal.

Behind the scenes, Smits is quick to emphasise that delivering an event of this scale is a team effort. Supported by experienced show organisers Anthony Darioly and Julien Pradervand, together with an accomplished organising committee and Switzerland's leading course designer Gérald Lachat, the event benefits from decades of collective expertise.

That unique blend of expertise, excellence, opportunity and ambition is precisely why Avenches has become such a fitting home for the Longines EEF Series Final. With world-class facilities, unwavering commitment to horse welfare, exceptional hospitality and a passionate organising team, the venue embodies everything the Series represents. As Europe's most exciting young horses and riders prepare to compete alongside established championship contenders, Avenches once again provides the perfect stage- not just to celebrate today's champions, but to inspire the champions of tomorrow.

Where to Watch and Follow
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.

Watch the all the live action and replays 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 2026 season can be viewed here