Germany Secures Victory in the Inaugural Longines League of Nations
The German team triumphs once again at the Olympic arena of the Real Club de Polo de Barcelona, successfully defending their title.
Barcelona, October 6th, 2024 – Germany has claimed the championship in the first-ever Longines League of Nations™ Final, held at the Real Club de Polo de Barcelona, one of the most prestigious venues in the international equestrian calendar. Over four days of intense competition at CSIO Barcelona, the German team delivered a standout performance to emerge as the victors.
The German team, consisting of André Thieme on DSP Chakaria, Christian Kukuk on Checker 47, Richard Vogel on United Touch S, and Jana Wargers on Dorette OLD, led by Chef d’équipe Otto Becker, fought a nail-biting final round against the Netherlands. After the first round, both teams were neck and neck, having completed without faults, advancing to the second round as favorites. However, the real tension arose when the Netherlands stumbled in the final moments.
The competition reached its climax as the third riders from both teams concluded their rounds with identical scores—12 points each. Everything depended on the final riders. Germany’s Richard Vogel rode flawlessly on United Touch S, delivering a penalty-free performance that put immense pressure on Dutch riderHarrie Smolders. Smolders, unfortunately, knocked down a pole with Uricas v/d Kattevennen, adding four faults to the Dutch tally and sealing Germany’s victory. The Germans finished with 12 points, while the Netherlands ended with 16.
Meanwhile, Sweden, led by Chef d’équipe Henrik Ankarcrona, secured third place with 20 points, ahead of teams like Ireland, Brazil, and the United States. Spain, the host nation, finished in a commendable seventh place, much to the delight of the local crowd
The German team celebrated their well-deserved win, with Chef d’équipe Otto Becker expressing his satisfaction: “Barcelona holds a special place in our hearts, and winning this title again here makes it all the more special.” Richard Vogel, whose perfect round clinched the victory for Germany, added, “It’s been an amazing day for all of us. This win is a testament to our team’s hard work and determination.” He also extended praise to course designer Santiago Varela, highlighting the technical challenge and excitement that the course brought to the competition.
Special recognition was also given to riders who completed both rounds without faults, including Germany’s Richard Vogel, the Netherlands’ Maikel van der Vleuten, Spain’s Armando Trapote, and Ireland’s Daniel Coyle. They shared the impressive €200,000 prize pool for their fault-free performances.
The 2024 Longines League of Nations Final in Barcelona was not just a victory for Germany but a thrilling showcase of elite show jumping, promising a bright future for this new and exciting competition format.
Source Press release Oxer Sport | ©Nacho Olano / RCPB
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