Great Britain’s Team Audevard fight for Longines League of Nations glory in a sensational Rotterdam showdown
Saturday 20 June 2026
Great Britain’s Team Audevard scored a glorious victory at the Longines League of Nations™ at CHIO Rotterdam in the Netherlands, in a tense, exciting penultimate qualifier which went to the wire.
“We have very cool, very focused riders, their life is dedicated to their horses and completely devoted to the job. We have had unbelievable consistency on the podium in these last few weeks, and this win secures qualification to the Final,” said Chef d’Equipe Di Lampard.
Pressure mounted in every round on a rollercoaster of emotions as the advantage swung from one team to another, culminating in a nail-biting jump-off. On eight faults in round one, the team held their nerve in round two to deliver a zero score, but both strong teams from Switzerland and The USA also finished on eight to force a three-way decider. Although partnering a new ride, Harry Charles was the choice of Chef d’Equipe Di Lampard for the jump-off, and her instincts paid handsomely as he sealed the deal, edging ahead by a fraction.
For Di Lampard, the result reflected the strength of her team.
“I’ve every confidence in this squad that we keep rotating, and we’ve got a great team here,” she said. “I think it was a wonderful day of sport and a fantastic course that was fair to the horses as well. To finish with three teams in the jump-off. Wow.”
Course-designer Bart Vonck (BEL) created a 12-fence, 15-effort 1.60m track for the 10 teams forward, and his subtle questions and technical distances challenged riders with a thought-provoking test.
Ben Maher was first out for Great Britain with new ride of seven weeks Catelly, and Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright’s 14-year-old Holsteiner by Catalido gave a good account of himself, just a toe on the tape of the open water marring their round for four faults.
Second rider Jess Mendoza, a member of the team in La Baule and Rome with the 11-year-old Summerhouse (Guidam Sohn x Indoctro), looked to be delivering a second clear for Britain, but the final line caught them out as the oxer two from home and the final fence fell for the discard score of eight faults.
One error earned Sienna Charles four faults, the 12-year-old Chawton (Typhoon S x Caletto II) tapping out the vertical at the first element of the combination for an otherwise flawless round. The weight of the result laid on Sienna’s brother Harry Charles’s shoulders, but he wore it well. At only their third show together in the space of three weeks, Harry and the New Zealand-bred LT Holst Freda – the former ride of Julie Davey (NZL) – produced a copybook clear, the 12-year-old mare (Colman x Casall Ask) displaying power and scope.
Great Britain’s Team Audevard made the cut in seventh place at the halfway stage on an eight-fault total, behind The USA, also on eight but in a faster time. The Netherlands and Switzerland led the way on a zero score, while Ireland, Belgium and Italy stood on four faults. There was work to be done.
“Ben’s new horse just caught the water tape and I was a little concerned as Jess’s horse has done a lot recently, and it was down to the Charles family to get us into round two, and they did it admirably,” said Di.
Round two proved influential, and the reshuffle was dramatic as the teams jockeyed for position.
As per the rules, only three riders from each of the top eight teams jumped in round two, and Team Audevard pulled out all the stops. Ben jumped a confident clear on Catelly, and Sienna and Chawton gave every fence air to spare to also come home clear. Harry and the impressive Freda, who punches off the ground in a powerful leap over every fence, matched them stride for stride and jump for jump for a double clear – one of only four in the competition. Team Audevard pulled off a magnificent trio of clear rounds to remain on eight faults.
Team Audevard bounced up the order as others fell by the wayside. A disastrous round for Belgium put them on a total of 33 and into eighth, Ireland added 20 to their round one four faults and The Netherlands zero score became 12 faults in round two while Italy added eight to the halfway score of four. The USA matched Britain with three clears in round two to finish on eight, and Switzerland picked up eight faults in round two, marring their halfway zero total. A jump-off was on the cards as each team selected their rider with the best chance in the jump-off.
“It was a fantastic day and to come back from seventh shows how close these Nations Cups competitions are, and it was a big shock for France and Germany not to make the cut. The results can change completely. Everything goes with three counting riders in round two; the pressure is on,” said Di.
Ben is still getting to know his horse, but he set up round two perfectly. Sienna rode amazingly, picking up where she left off last year after finishing fourth in the Grand Prix; this partnership loves this venue and it was a wonderful experience for her.”
Although still getting to know one another, Harry is quickly establishing a rapport with Freda and gave a masterclass in jump-of riding, going a little wider on a rollback turn but cutting in slightly shorter to a vertical to get an angled line and using the mare’s big canter to attack the fences from the off. He posted a competitive time.
“It was masterful how Harry rode the mare for the jump-off. Going first, he didn’t waste time anywhere; he threw down the gauntlet, riding beyond his years and his turn back to the vertical was pivotal. When we talked about it before the jump-off, we called it ‘a Bob rollback’ [in homage to the late Bob Ellis].
Now Team Audevard had to wait with bated breath.
Switzerland chose their representative in Scotsman Jason Smith, who learned his craft on the national circuit in Britain before switching to ride for Switzerland in recent years. He guided Picobello Van’t Roosakker into a clear round but finished 0.46 seconds behind Harry, and Team Audevard could breathe again. Marilyn Little came forward for The USA and she was in contention all the way on La Contessa, giving the team a run for their money, but broke the beams fractionally in arrears, only 0.07 seconds separating the top two.
Great Britain’s Team Audevard celebrated victory on top of the podium by 0.07 seconds. The USA stood second with Switzerland in third. A magnificent competition and a magnificent result.
“You know, that’s the great thing about this format. We were on the cut line at round one, and everyone rallied together, and we managed to get ourselves into a jump-off,” said Harry.
The victory carried added meaning for Harry, who shared the podium with his sister Sienna while also marking a major early milestone with his brand-new mare.
“All credit to my teammates and my incredible horse, Freda. To walk into an atmosphere like that is so impressive. I’m very proud of her and I’m so lucky to have her,” added Harry, also thrilled to have his father, London 2012 team gold medallist Peter, watching on and his son and daughter stood top of the podium with his 2012 London teammate Ben Maher.
The result also moves Great Britain one step closer to defending their Longines League of Nations™ Final title in Barcelona (ESP) in October, with only one more qualifier left to decide the top eight teams.
Germany continue to lead the way in the Longines League of Nations™ standings on 230 points, with Great Britain now second on 225 points following their Rotterdam victory, while Ireland remain third on 205 points.
The series now moves to St Tropez-Gassin (FRA) in September for the fourth and final qualifying leg.
Longines League of Nations at Rotterdam CHIO – 19 September 2026
1st Great Britain – 8 / 0 31.18 seconds
Ben Maher & Catelly – 4/0
Jess Mendoza & Summerhouse – (8)/WD
Sienna Charles & Chawton – 4/0
Harry Charles & LT Holst Freda – 0/0/ 31.18 seconds
2nd The USA – 8 / 0 31.25 seconds
3rd Switzerland – 8 / 0 31.64 seconds
Image: FEI
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