The North American League of the Longines FEI World Cup will field a bunch of heavy hitters against the best Europe has to offer when they go to Omaha for the finals next month. The League wrapped up Sunday in Ocala, where the final points for the standings were distributed.
The European contenders are headed by world number one and world champion Henrik von Eckermann of Sweden with King Edward, while defending titleist Martin Fuchs of Switzerland on Leone Jei is another key challenger. Marcus Ehning, a former Cup winner from Germany, qualified with Stargold but after that horse was scratched, will be competing on Priam du Roset.
This continent will be seeking the title with the likes of headliners McLain Ward–who took it in 2017, the last time the final was in Omaha. Can he do it again? McLain is on a roll, having won two of the three legs of the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping over the last four months, but this time, he won’t be aboard HH Azur. Callas is his ride.
And then there’s Aaron Vale (Prescott), who’s been on a winning streak of his own recently..
Others from the East Coast competing are Hunter Holloway (Pepita con Spita and Eastern Jam), Ailishe Cuniffe (Vivaldi du Theil), Devin Ryan (Eddie Blue) of Long Valley, N.J., and Nicholas Dello Joio (Cornet’s Cambridge). Nick is the son of 1983 Cup winner Norman Dello Joio.
From the West Coast, the contingent is Natalie Dean (Acota M), Elisa Broz (Kardenta Van ‘T Meerhof) and Simonne Berg (Cooper). The Canadians are represented by Erynn Ballard (Gakhir and Hero).
The “extra athletes,” who competed in North America to qualify but hail from other parts of the world are Daniel Coyle of Ireland and Israel’s Daniel Bluman. Conor Swail, another Irish rider who looked as if he had a good chance at making his mark in the final, qualified but is not competing as Count Me In was scratched.
Even so, there should be some pretty fancy jumping in Nebraska, where 19 nations will be represented. Click here for the complete list of entries.
Omaha also is hosting the Cup finals in vaulting and dressage (click here to read this story).
Don’t forget, there won’t be another Cup finals in the U.S. until 2026 in Fort Worth. Want to watch in person? Click here to buy tickets.