Barcelona: a battle for Nations Cup glory
Riders from 18 nations will do battle for a place in the record books as the very first Furusiyya Nations Cup champions in Barcelona this weekend.
While warm-up classes are already underway at the venue, the drawn order will be announced later today (Thursday 26 September) with the 1st of the 3 competitions comprising the final being held on Friday. Only the top 8 teams will go through to Sunday’s finale, with the remaining 10 teams competing in Saturday’s team consolation competition.
British hopes are being carried by the squad of Ben Maher (Tripple X), Scott Brash (Hello Sanctos), William Funnell (Billy Congo), Michael Whitaker (Viking V) and Louise Saywell (Hello Winner). The 4 riders selected for the team will be announced after the trot-up.
• Listen to British chef d’equipe Rob Hoekstra talk about the British team’s chances following their success at the European Championships and in the Aga Khan Trophy in Dublin earlier this year.
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
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world

Carol is an experienced journalist and editor, who is also a passionate amateur rider and dedicated horse owner, having ridden since childhood. She has a particular interest in the emotional well-being and ethical training of horses, alongside veterinary matters, having garnered extensive first-hand experience of numerous equine health conditions through more than 30 years of horse ownership.