Dutch Determination, Irish Momentum, German Precision: Who Will Rise in Rotterdam?
All eyes turn to Rotterdam for the latest chapter in the Longines League of Nations – and for some, it’s the last dress rehearsal before European Championship glory.
The pressure is on in Rotterdam. Home ground advantage, Olympic-calibre talent, and looming European Championships all converge this weekend in the third leg of the Longines League of Nations (LLN) 2025 season. In a field thick with rising stars and proven legends, the Dutch are seeking redemption, the Irish are chasing momentum, and the Germans? They might just be quietly unbeatable.
Let’s unpack the podium contenders and the form lines that matter.
The Dutch Send a Message: It’s Now or Never
After two experimental outings earlier this LLN season, the Netherlands are finally unleashing their A-team – Monaco and Beauville Z N.O.P., two of the most consistent 5* 160 performers in the world. With an average Elo of 764, the Dutch top the field in Rotterdam and look every bit the team to beat. Beauville’s five clears from six LLN rounds (including the tough Barcelona Final) make him one of the most reliable horses in this competition.
Yet, for all their horsepower, the Dutch haven’t cracked the LLN code, no wins, just one podium. Home pressure could cut both ways. This team is good enough to win. But will they?
Ireland’s Young Guns Are Ready to Roar
No team has made a bigger leap in 2025 than the Irish. Led by Bertram Allen and Seamus Hughes Kennedy, they arrive in Rotterdam with a staggering 72% clear rate at CSI5* 160 this year, the highest of any team. Qonquest de Rigo and ESI Rocky, two of the sport’s most exciting young horses, have backed up the numbers with double clears at Nations Cups in La Baule and Rome.
On paper, they may trail in rating (728), but in the ring, they’ve been the form team. It’s easy to forget how far Irish show jumping has come since Olympic disappointment last summer. Now, with depth and youth on their side, they’re once again podium contenders, in Rotterdam and beyond.
Germany’s Depth is Simply Relentless
It’s hard to look past Germany when talking about championship success. Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann and Messi van 't Ruytershof are at the forefront, bringing the most outstanding clear record of the last 12 months (13 from 18 at 5* 160). With an overall team clear rate of 58%, the Germans have the second-highest strike rate of any squad in Rotterdam, and one of the deepest pools of top-level experience.
Let’s not forget Sophie Hinners, who is four from four perfect clear in 2025 Longines League of Nations season with Iron Dames Singclair, with double clears in Abu Dhabi and Ocala. Add in Chageorge and Sprehe Hot Easy, and you have a team that’s as balanced as it is dangerous.
Belgium: Decisions, Decisions
For Belgium, this weekend is all about selection headaches. With three Belgian stars like Ermitage Kalone, Casual DV Z and Bonne Amie virtually locked in for the Europeans, the other two spots are still up for grabs. With multiple 10-year-olds on the roster, Rotterdam becomes an audition for the likes of Impress-K van ‘t Kattenheye Z, Parise van den Dael, and Portobella van de Fruitkorf.
Their LLN clear rate this season sits at 29%, but don’t count them out. Belgium’s talent pool is growing fast and hungry.
Stay Tuned
We’ll be covering every stride on our Instagram and WhatsApp Channel, so don’t miss the key stats, surprise clears, and team shakeups as they happen. This is Rotterdam and it's not just about the LLN leaderboard anymore. It’s about European dreams.