Abu Dhabi Set to Take Centre Stage in International Show Jumping
From 11 to 15 February 2026, Abu Dhabi will once again become a focal point of the international show jumping calendar, hosting for the third consecutive year the Longines League of Nations™ and the Emirates Jumping Cup. One of the key highlights of this edition is the event’s new venue, the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, marking a significant new chapter for one of the UAE’s most prestigious sporting fixtures.
With a total prize fund exceeding €1.3 million, the event confirms its status among the most lucrative and anticipated competitions of the season, combining elite sport, entertainment and lifestyle experiences in an exceptional setting.
Season Opener for the Longines League of Nations
The Abu Dhabi leg will officially open the 2026 season of the Longines League of Nations™, the benchmark team series in international show jumping. The world’s leading FEI-ranked nations, alongside the host country, will begin their campaign on Emirati soil in the first of four qualifying rounds, all leading towards the final in Barcelona next October.
Among the star riders expected to compete are Simon Delestre, Daniel Deusser and Sophie Hinners, all currently ranked within the top 25 of the Longines Rankings.
Teams and Home Ambitions
Eleven teams will line up in Abu Dhabi: Belgium, Brazil, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United States and hosts United Arab Emirates. The UAE will once again field the same quartet that achieved a historic second-place finish in 2025: Abdullah Mohd Al Marri, Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi, Abdullah Humaid Al Muhairi and Humaid Abdulla Khalifa Al Muhairi.
“Finishing second last year was a hugely important result for us,” said Omar Abdul Aziz Al Marzooqi. “We are proud of what we have built together and ready to give our all again in front of our home crowd.”
Attention will also be on defending champions Ireland, led by Trevor Breen, who played a decisive role in his team’s 2025 victory following an extraordinary comeback from a serious injury.
Sport and Spectacle
The highlight of the Longines League of Nations™ will take place on Friday evening, with the eleven nations facing a demanding 160cm course over two rounds for a share of the €700,000 prize fund—the highest ever offered in the UAE. The first round will start at 18:30, followed by the decisive second round at 21:00 for the top eight teams.
The programme also includes five CSIO5* classes, CSI2*, Children and Junior competitions, culminating on Sunday afternoon with the Emirates Jumping Cup presented by Longines.
Beyond the Arena
Spectators can look forward to much more than world-class sport. Arena entertainment by Z7 Show Horses, a newly reimagined Team Parade, and the vibrant atmosphere of The Arcades—the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club’s shopping and social village featuring boutiques, cafés and relaxed gathering spaces—will enhance the overall experience.
With free general admission, record prize money, top international riders and teams, and a strong lifestyle offering, the return of the Longines League of Nations™ and the Emirates Jumping Cup firmly establishes Abu Dhabi as a cornerstone of the UAE’s sporting calendar.
Reference: Dark Horse Communications
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