Team Germany (L to R; Otto BECKER, Janne Friederike MEYER GER riding GOJA 27, Ludger BEERBAUM GER riding CHIARA 222, Meredith MICHAELS-BEERBAUM GER riding FIBONACCI 17 and Patrick STUHLMEYER GER riding LACAN 2) winners of the Furusiyya FEI Nations Cup during the Royal International Horse Show at The All England Jumping Course, Hickstead, West Sussex, UK on 29 July 2016
Britain’s Nations Cup leg at Hickstead’s Royal International Horse Show is to move from the Friday to the show’s final day (Sunday), in line with the other events in the series.
Of all of the CSI5* Nations Cup competitions, only Dublin’s Aga Khan trophy will retain its original slot on the Friday of the host show.
The move to a weekend day is one of a number of changes aimed to make the series “extra-special” this year. It follows the assertion at last year’s FEI Sports Forum that the showjumping Nations Cup is the FEI’s most valuable team series and “every effort should be made to keep it the best possible product”.
Hickstead’s five-star international showjumping event — which also features the coveted Queen Elizabeth II cup and King George V Gold Cup — takes place from 25-29 July 2018.
The re-jigging of the schedule comes as the show also takes on a new name, the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup of Great Britain at the BHS Royal International Horse Show.
The show said the move reflects “the importance of this showcase class and the long-term relationship with series title partner Longines”.
“The Hickstead leg gives showjumping fans their only opportunity to watch the Brits compete as a team on home turf, and we hope the move of this historic competition from Friday to Sunday will give even more people the chance to cheer on their home nation,” said Hickstead director Lizzie Bunn.
Horse & Hound Newsletter
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
While the Royal International traditionally culminates with the King’s Cup, this historic major grand prix will now take place on the Friday.
The Longines showjumping Nations Cup series is hosted at venues all around the world, with countries fielding teams of four riders who jump two rounds at each leg.
The British edition of this global series forms part of the top tier of nations cups — European division one.
We look at 12 rider frighteners from around the world. How many would you willingly take on?
After a year of being relegated to division two, the Brits have been promoted back to the top league and will be campaigning this year to retain their place in this division, as well as to qualify for the Nations Cup Final in Barcelona in October.
This year will mark the 111th running of the Royal International Horse Show, which took place at several British venues before finding a home at Hickstead in 1992.
For all the latest news analysis, competition reports, interviews, features and much more, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, on sale every Thursday.
Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now
