From St. Gallen to Calgary to Cannes
St. Gallen, Spruce Meadows, and Cannes all host five-star show jumping this week.
01
St. Gallen • CSIO5*
The Longines CSI5* in St. Gallen is one of the most complete weeks on the European calendar. The city-centre atmosphere, tight turns, and grass footing test combinations in ways that standard arenas do not. This year the show runs two headline events: the FEI Nations Cup on Friday and the Longines Grand Prix of Switzerland on Sunday.
Nations Cup
Friday • Teams of Four
The Nations Cup format rewards depth just as much as individual star power. One costly round from a top-ranked combination can be absorbed if the rest of the team delivers. This year's field includes several established contenders alongside a few less predictable squads, making the Elo ratings across each nation's entries especially worth a closer look.
Switzerland is led by Steve Guerdat, whose primary mount Albfuehren's Iashin Sitte carries an Elo of 767, along with 3 wins and 5 podium finishes from 37 rounds at this level. Albfuehren's Iashin Sitte is the highest-rated horse competing in St. Gallen this week. Guerdat also has Venard de Cerisy (Elo 717) and Easy Star de Talma (Elo 719) available, giving the host nation enviable depth. Martin Fuchs brings two horses rated above 700 Elo. Conner Jei sits at 746 and boasts 11 wins and 19 podium finishes from 81 rounds. Lorde (Elo 739) adds further strength to an already formidable lineup.
Germany also arrives with plenty of firepower. Marcus Ehning's Coolio 42 (Elo 735, 3 wins and 11 podiums from 56 rounds) has established himself as one of the most reliable performers at this level. Sandra Auffarth brings Quirici H (Elo 704), while Hans-Dieter Dreher can call upon both Elysium (Elo 690) and Cous Cous 3 (Elo 702), giving Germany quality throughout the squad.
Great Britain is led by Ben Maher and Ginger-Blue (Elo 762), the second-highest-rated horse in the field. Jack Whitaker brings Jack JL (Elo 669) and Izara des Dames (Elo 640).
Ireland's squad features Denis Lynch with Brooklyn Heights (Elo 699, 3 wins and 8 podiums from 67 rounds) and Vistogrand (Elo 689, 3 wins and 11 podiums from 96 rounds).
Brazil, France, the USA, and several other nations complete the field. Pedro Veniss brings Nimrod de Muze Imperio Egipcio (Elo 757, 13 clears from 31 rounds) for Brazil, making him one of the top five highest-rated horses in the competition. Katherine Dinan is the most prominent American name entered, with Out of the Blue SCF (Elo 731, 7 clears from 26 rounds and 2 podiums).
Longines Grand Prix of Switzerland
Sunday • 1.60m
Sunday's Grand Prix offers another chance to see some of the sport's top combinations go head-to-head. The Grand Prix on Sunday will likely draw familiar names from the Nations Cup entries, so form from Friday will carry significant informational weight. Horses that have already jumped a full team round will arrive at the Grand Prix, and potentially a jump-off, with more mileage.
02
Spruce Meadows • CSI5*
RBC Grand Prix of Canada
Saturday • 1.60m
Spruce Meadows presents a very different challenge from the European venues running this week. The expansive grass field, unpredictable conditions, and knowledgeable Calgary crowd have always made previous form at this venue especially valuable.
Conor Swail arrives as one of the riders to watch, with Casturano (Elo 699) bringing a strong record that includes 2 wins and 7 podium finishes at this level. Swail also has the highest-rated horse at the show in Theo 160 (Elo 715).
Eugenio Garza Perez brings Contago (Elo 709), one of the most consistent horses in the field, alongside Chalcuries PS and Vict-er Finn DH Z. Daniel Coyle's Farrel (Elo 704) is another combination on the rise after collecting 3 podium finishes from 14 rounds at this level.
Jos Verlooy, Robert Whitaker, and Sameh El Dahan add further depth to an international field that is packed with experienced Grand Prix performers.
Home fans will have plenty to cheer for as well. Amy Millar and Jagger HX continue to prove themselves at the top level, while Chris Pratt and Ideaal ES (Elo 712) have shown promising form in their five-star appearances.
03
Cannes • LGCT CSI5*
Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Cannes
Saturday • LGCT Grand Prix
The Cannes leg of the Global Champions Tour returns with one of the most iconic settings in the sport, as the world's best gather along the French Riviera. By Elo, this is the strongest of the three headline Grand Prix fields running this weekend.
All eyes will be on Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward (Elo 811). The world's top-ranked combination has produced 14 wins and 33 podium finishes from 107 rounds at this level, and King Edward remains the highest Elo-rated horse in the sport. Their 66% clear rate at five-star level only reinforces their status as the pair to beat.
Daniel Deusser and Otello de Guldenboom (Elo 763) headline the list of challengers after collecting 2 wins and 4 podium finishes at this level. Scott Brash also arrives with two strong contenders in Hello Chadora Lady (Elo 763) and Hello Jefferson (Elo 747), the latter bringing an impressive record of 11 wins and 27 podiums from 149 rounds.
Nayel Nassar brings Orphea HQ (Elo 714), who has only two rounds at this level with Nassar, but a win from two classifications suggests the pair have settled in quickly. Elsewhere, veterans such as Edwina Tops-Alexander and Fellow Castlefield (Elo 706) add experience to the field, while Pieter Devos and Jarina J (Elo 700) are another combination capable of making an impact.
What to Look for This Week
Three venues, three distinct tests. St. Gallen will put team depth under the spotlight, Spruce Meadows rewards experience and adaptability, and Cannes boasts the strongest field by Elo. With many of the sport's biggest names in action, this weekend could provide an early indication of which combinations are building momentum ahead of the World Championships in August.