Team France take the win in the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ in Lignières (FRA): Stéphane Landois, Benjamin Massie, Astier Nicolas and Nicolas Touzaint © FEI/Libby Law Photography

In a true showcase of horsemanship, consistency and class, France stormed to victory on home soil at the fifth leg of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ in Lignières (FRA) this weekend. Leading from start to finish, the seasoned French team finished on a winning score of 94.3 penalties, comfortably ahead of Switzerland on 124.7. Despite only two of their athletes completing, Great Britain took third on 1082.8, with a total of five nations competing at the event.

France was the only team to avoid elimination across all four athletes in a tough Cross-Country phase designed by French course builder Pierre Le Goupil. All four combinations jumped clear and fast, delivering one of the lowest team scores seen this season, second only to Great Britain’s 87.8 at Bicton (GBR) in May. 

Unlike many nations fielding less experienced combinations or first-time senior team members, the French brought a full contingent of seasoned athletes. Astier Nicolas and Benjamin Massie had just returned from the Agria FEI Eventing European Championship 2025 at Blenheim (GBR) last week, this time on different horses from their deep string of talent.

Massie delivered a foot-perfect performance aboard Filao de Perte. The French-bred gelding is by the popular stallion Upsilon and jumped double clear inside the time, finishing on his Dressage score of 33.1. Nicolas, competing with the Irish-bred Dirty Old Town (by Cruising Ambassador), was equally strong- clear inside the time on Cross-Country and lowering just one rail in Jumping to complete on 33.0.

Team stalwart Nicolas Touzaint once again showed why he remains a pillar of French Eventing. With his hugely exciting French-bred gelding Diabolo Menthe, Touzaint added nothing to his Dressage mark of 28.2, finishing second individually in the CCIO4*-NC-S behind Britain’s Gemma Stevens and Flash Cooley.

Completing the winning French quartet was Olympic athlete Stéphane Landois, who partnered the 10-year-old Fibonacci de Lessac HDC, owned by Haras des Coudrettes. The new pairing impressed, jumping clear and fast across country before picking up four penalties in Jumping to finish on 33.2.

Speaking after his Cross-Country round, Landois reflected on the developing partnership:

“I ride him since the beginning of the season, so it’s our first season together and our first four-star today. I’m very happy, I still had some doubt about Fibonacci as I’m still discovering him. Today he proved that he was a real eventing horse and that I could trust him.” 

Stéphane Landois

(FRA)

When asked about the honour of representing France at the Nations Cup, Landois added: “I’m always very proud to be representing France and to compete with this flag. So every time we are called to compete at this show, it is always a pleasure.”

Course designer Pierre Le Goupil set thoughtful but testing tracks across both Jumping phases. The Cross-Country route proved especially influential, with very few combinations making the time. Athletes were challenged throughout, but particular trouble came at the corner combination at 17ABC and the step-to-oxer complex at 18ABC.

Despite a disappointing outing for Germany, who finished fourth on a team score of 1120.1 after several eliminations, they still retain the lead in the overall series standings with 340 points. France’s win keeps them within striking distance, sitting second on 300 points heading into the final round.

The FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ series will now conclude with the much-anticipated final in Boekelo (NED) from 9 to 12 October, where the season champion will be decided at one of Europe’s most iconic venues.

FULL RESULTS