Vogel leads Germany to their fourth victory in the Longines League of Nations Final

The world number one beats Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa in the final jump-off to secure Germany’s fourth victory in Barcelona, following their wins in 2016, 2023 and 2024.

Barcelona, October 4, 2026.- The predictions proved correct. On paper, Germany started as the favourites to win the Longines League of Nations Final, held this Saturday at the Olympic Arena of the Real Club de Polo de Barcelona. And the German team lived up to their status as favourites, although they had to wait until the very last obstacle and the final moment of the jump-off to claim the title.

Led by world number one Richard Vogel, Germany were crowned champions of a competition reserved for the eight best national teams in the world, alongside host nation Spain. In a thrilling final, the German team defeated Brazil in a high-class head-to-head battle between Vogel and Brazilian Rodrigo Pessoa, one of the sport’s great legends. Belgium completed the podium.

With this victory, Germany claimed their fourth win in Barcelona, following their triumphs in 2016, 2023 and 2024, and regained a title that Great Britain won 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 determine the champion. After Germany dominated the first round, the Germans and Brazil finished level in the second round. Germany had the opportunity to seal the victory, but Vogel knocked down a fence on his final round, allowing Brazil to draw level. The title therefore had to be decided in a jump-off, with a single rider representing each team. Once again, Vogel and Rodrigo Pessoa found themselves facing each other.

In front of a packed Olympic Arena at the Barcelona club, Brazil went first. Pessoa, riding Major Tom, knocked down the first obstacle and put the pressure on the German rider. Vogel, aboard Cloudio, needed to complete the course without penalties, and he managed to do so, although he had to hold his breath until the final fence, where he came extremely close to knocking down the pole.

“Without a doubt, luck was on my side this afternoon. We suffered more than we would have liked, but we got it done. Thanks to my teammates, I went into the second round in a relatively comfortable position because we had a margin to knock down one fence and remain in the same position as Brazil. Unfortunately, I knocked that fence down. It was my mistake because I arrived a little too far out 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 incredibly well.”

Vogel, who is enjoying the best season of his career, also managed to withstand the pressure of facing a rider of Rodrigo Pessoa’s calibre in the jump-off.

“Rodrigo has an incredible 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 one of the obstacles. That didn’t make my situation much easier either, because if you only focus on going clear and go too slowly, you can knock down a fence at any moment,” he said.

“So I thought I had to start with enough pace 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, riding Coolio 42; Jörne Sprehe, with Toys; and Sophie Hinners, aboard Iron Dames my Prins. Otto Becker served as team manager.

Final standings of the 2026 Longines League of Nations

1. Germany

2. Brazil

3. Belgium

4. United States

5. Italy

6. Great Britain

7. Ireland

8. France