Team Germany (Nicolai Aldinger and Timmo; Calvin Böckmann and The Phantom Of The Opera; Libussa Lübbeke and Caramia 34; Arne Bergendahl and Luthien NRW) after taking the win at the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ leg in Arville (BEL) © FEI/Libby Law

Celebrating its 14th year, the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ returns in 2026, kicking off in Gestüt Marbach (GER) on 14 May. The Series features a restructured format with five qualifying legs, culminating in a Final in Boekelo (NED) from 1 to 4 October 2026. 

The format for 2026

The Series will continue at CCI4*-S level for the qualifying legs and CCI4*-L for the Final, but moves away from a cumulative season-long points system. 

The new format is designed to reintroduce jeopardy and reduce predictability in determining the overall winning nation, creating a more competitive Final.

Teams consist of three or four combinations per competition, with the best three scores counting towards the team result. Nations may compete in any number of qualifiers, with their top three results counting towards their final, qualifying score. 

The top 10 nations will progress to the Final, where scores are reset to zero and all teams compete on an equal footing for the Series title. In the event of a tie in qualification, the decider will be the nation that has participated in the most qualifying legs.

Setting the scene

Home to Germany’s oldest State Stud, Gestüt Marbach is new to hosting an FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ leg, and is set to welcome six nations competing for their first vital team points, alongside two further nations fielding individual athletes. 

The team competition will feature Austria, Belgium, France, Sweden, Switzerland and the 2025 Series champions Germany. 

Denmark and Hungary will each field an individual competitor, with experienced Danish athlete Peter T. Flarup riding Gamegirl Impe, while Balázs Kaizinger and mount Herr Cooles Classico will once again fly the flag for Hungary.

Who will be competing?

FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ champion, Germany, go into the 2026 Series as strong favourites for the opening leg, fielding an impressive team spearheaded by current Olympic champions Michael Jung and Fischerchipmunk FRH. 

Jung is joined by Julia Krajewski, Ben Leuwer and Katharina Meyer, each with the option of two horses, alongside Nina Schultes on Grand Prix Iwest, Linus Weiss with Astrello, Elena Dürr on Flori G, Libussa Lübbeke with Caramia FRH and Dirk Schrade on Bacalar. Nations have until two hours before the start of the Dressage test to make changes to the composition of the teams 

France and Switzerland both have a pool of seven and six athletes respectively to select from. 

The French contingent includes Gireg Le Coz and Benjamin Massie, each with two horses nominated, Sebastien At with Casanova du Frety, and Damien Guérin with Tael De Jauzif Z. Also under consideration are Chiara Autin with Elegant de Bugeard, Julie Bilquez with Brin D’Or Des Sources, and Margaux Crouail, hoping to make her senior team debut for France with Happy Love Koadig.

Switzerland brings a similarly strong lineup, led by Felix Vogg, who can choose between Frieda — his partner at the FEI Eventing European Championship 2025 — or Colero, winner of Luhmühlen CCI5* in 2022. He is joined by Philip Ryan riding Dream Point B, and Camille Guyot with Sunny For Game. Making their Nations Cup debuts are Angelika Dubach, who has two horses listed, and Desirée Schmidt with Fairy Tale B.

Sweden fields a cohesive and experienced squad, with all four athletes having represented their country at major international championships. Frida Anderson and Olympic teammate Sofia Sjöborg each have two horses for selection, while Louise Romeike will be riding her Olympic partner Caspian 15 and Amanda Staaatm will be with her FEI European Championship partner Corpoubet AT.

Belgium is led by Lara de Liedekerke-Meier, who has a choice between two homebreds, Kiarado d’Arville and La La Land d’Arville, alongside seasoned athlete Karin Donckers, who can select between Olympic mount Leipheimer van ’t Verahof and rising prospect Olympic de Muze. They are joined by senior team debutants An-Sofie Coevoet with Skylight and Valentine Emsens, who also has two horses available for her Nations Cup debut.

Austria will field three athletes in Gestüt Marbach. Team stalwart Lea Siegl has the option of her FEI Eventing European Championship 2025 partner Van Helsing P or the emerging Watermill Giorgio RS. Magdalena Zellhofer makes her senior team debut with two horses nominated, while Daniel Dunst adds experience with his European Championship partner Chevalier 97.

The stage is set

With facilities that welcome more than half a million visitors each year, Gestüt Marbach offers a world-class setting for the equine stars set to make their mark on the competition. The stage is set, the athletes are ready, and the countdown is on to the start of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup™ 2026.