Barcelona, Spain – October 04, 2026 – The predictions proved right. On paper, Germany started as the favourite to win the Longines League of Nations Final, held this Sunday at the Olympic Arena of the Real Club de Polo de Barcelona. The German team lived up to its status as favourite, although it had to wait until the final obstacle and the very last moment of the jump-off to secure the title.
Led by world number one Richard Vogel (GER), Germany was crowned champion of a competition reserved for the world’s eight best teams, joined by Spain as the host nation.
In a thrilling final, the German team defeated Brazil in a high-class head-to-head between Vogel and Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA), one of the sport’s great legends. Belgium completed the podium.
With this victory, Germany claims its fourth win in Barcelona, following its triumphs in 2016, 2023 and 2024, and regains a title won by Great Britain last year. After the Olympic Games and the World Championships, the Longines League of Nations is the most important team competition on the international calendar. “It was a very exciting final, but, in my opinion, we suffered more than we would have liked,” Vogel joked at the official press conference.
The final required a jump-off to decide the champion. After Germany dominated the first round, Germany and Brazil finished level in the second. The German team had the chance to secure victory, but Vogel made a mistake in the final round of the competition, allowing Brazil to draw level. The title therefore had to be decided in a jump-off featuring one representative from each team. Vogel and Rodrigo Pessoa met again.
In front of a packed Olympic Arena, Brazil went first. Riding Major Tom, Pessoa knocked down the first obstacle and put the pressure on the German rider. Vogel, riding Cloudio, needed to complete a clear round and did so, although he had to hold his breath until the final fence, where he came close to knocking down the rail.
“Without a doubt, luck was on my side this afternoon. We suffered more than we would have liked, but we achieved it. Thanks to my teammates, I started the second round in a relatively comfortable position because we had room to knock down one rail and remain in the same position as Brazil. Unfortunately, I knocked down that rail. It was my mistake because I arrived a little too far away at that oxer and we touched the back rail,” Vogel explained.
The German rider also highlighted his horse’s outstanding performance: “Cloudio jumped fantastically in both rounds. So it quickly became quite clear that he should contest the jump-off because he was jumping brilliantly.”
Vogel, who is enjoying the best season of his career, also stood up to the pressure of facing a rider of Rodrigo Pessoa’s stature in the jump-off. “Rodrigo has a huge amount of experience. He is a true legend. I could see him before I went in and, unfortunately for him, after starting the jump-off very well, he knocked down the back rail of an obstacle. That did not make my situation much easier either, because if you focus only on jumping clear and go too slowly, you can knock down a rail at any moment,” he said.
“So I thought I had to start with enough rhythm and efficiency to be able to win the title. But I have to admit that luck was on our side because we touched the front rail of the final obstacle very, very lightly. So yes, it was very exciting. Too exciting!” he concluded with a laugh.
The German team was completed by Marcus Ehning (GER) with Coolio 42, Jörne Sprehe (GER) with Toys, and Sophie Hinners (GER) riding Iron Dames my Prins. Otto Becker served as team chef d’équipe.
Final Results – €1,400,000 Longines League of Nations™ Final – Barcelona CSIO 5*
1) Germany – 0 / 4 = 4 – 0 / 40.85
2) Brazil – 4 / 0 = 4 – 4 / 39.48
3) Belgium – 1 /4 = 5
Source: Press Release from CSIO Barcelona
Photos: © RCPB / Nacho Olano
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