Great Britain’s Team Audevard claims second place in the hard-fought Longines EEF Series Nations Cup of Lier
Monday 11 May 2026
Great Britain’s Team Audevard fought hard in a tight Longines EEF Series Nations Cup competition to claim second place on the podium in Lier, Belgium.
“I was very pleased with all my riders’ efforts, they were focused and rode well on mainly inexperienced horses. This is what this series is for – it tests both the horse and rider to perform and the least experienced horses have the chance to develop. It’s a fantastic series, allows up-and-coming riders to get into three-star shows, which can prove difficult, and I’m pleased the governing bodies support us and send teams to compete in this series,” said Chef d’Equipe Matt Lanni.
Thirteen teams came forward over Dutch course-designer Henk Linders’ 12-fence, 15-effort 1.50m track. Four teams posted a zero score at the halfway stage, Team Audevard joined by Belgium, the Czech Republic and Germany.
Pathfinder Jodie Hall-McAteer posted a faultless round on Mandy Hall’s 10-year-old La Gupardie (Van Gogh x Carrera VDL) to put Great Britain in the running. Sienna Charles also came home penalty-free with Stall Zet’s 16-year-old mare Stardust (Chacco-Blue x Con Air), but Germany and Belgium matched them stride for stride to keep three teams on level pegging.
Third out Emily Ward, making her senior team debut, made only one error aboard Angela Hunt’s 10-year-old Wild Star HF (Big Star x Oklund) to cross the finish line on four faults.
“None of the riders made any mistakes, faults occurred through the inexperience of the horses; Emily’s horse just went a little green and tapped out a rail at the fence after the open water,” explained Matt.
Anchor Harry Charles pulled it back and coolly produced the much-needed clear round on the nine-year-old Fighting Phil (Cornet Obolensky x Contender) to keep Great Britain’s Team Audevard in contention.
It was tight at the top, and the battle was on in round two as all teams contended the second round.
Jodie kept up the good work with another flawless round on La Gupardie, but an unfortunate four faults for Sienna and Stardust. Nonetheless, the team was still up there as Belgium’s second rider also finished on four, Germany’s number two came home on eight and Czech Republic’s second rider had a disastrous 25 faults. Nevertheless, the heat was on.
“Sienna was so focused but maybe took a slightly shallower route on a bending line. It put her a couple of inches closer and a pole rolled,” assessed Matt.
Emily came out fighting to provide a much-needed clear round on Wild Star HF – but so did Belgium, Germany and Czech Republic. It all hinged on the final riders.
Despite an ultimate effort, Harry and Fighting Phil lowered a rail to put Great Britain’s Team Audevard on a two-round total of four faults. Both The Czech Republic and Germany’s final riders also touted four faults, again for a team total of four, but their times were slightly slower to drop them below Britain.
Belgium, nevertheless, bounced back with a clear from anchor rider Gilles Thomas on Riesling Van T Roosakker to give them the edge and victory with a zero score.
“Harry’s horse is big and inexperienced; this was the first time the horse had to jump two full rounds and an open water twice. Yes, Harry’s an experienced rider but it was a great experience for the horse – I think he’ll be a five-star horse in the future,” said Matt. “The competition was tight all the way through and the home team Belgium had to jump clear in the final round to beat us.”
Great Britain’s Team Audevard claimed second place on the podium 1.13 seconds ahead of the Czech Republic in third and Germany finished a further 0.43 seconds in arrears to take fourth.
Longines EEF Series Nations Cup
Lier, Belgium, 8 May. 2026
1st BELGIUM 0/0
2nd GREAT BRITAIN TEAM AUDEVARD 0/4
Jodie Hall-McAteer & La Gupardie – 0/0
Sienna Charles & Stardust – 0/4
Emily Ward & Wild Star HF – 4/0
Harry Charles & Fighting Phil – 0/4
3rd CZECH REPUBLIC 0/4
For full results visit www.azelhof.be
Image Emily Ward
