France won the opening leg of the third season of the Longines League of Nations in Abu Dhabi with eight faults, while Ireland placed sixth with 20 faults. The Irish team started strongly with a clear first round but encountered issues in the second. Manager Jessica Kurten expressed satisfaction with the riders' efforts despite the result.
The third season of the Longines League of Nations began on February 17, 2026, at the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club in the UAE. France set a strong pace by finishing with just eight faults over two rounds, securing the season-opening victory. Germany and Brazil both recorded 12 faults, with Brazil taking third place on time.
Ireland's team, managed by Jessica Kurten, achieved a flawless zero faults in the first round, positioning them well among the 11 nations. Trevor Breen and Highland President started with a clear round, followed by Niamh McEvoy and Olympic GL FVD, who delivered an excellent clear on her five-star team debut. Shane Breen also jumped clear with the young BP Arctic Blue, marking his first appearance in the competition. Mikey Pender was held back to preserve his horse HHS Los Angeles for the second round.
In the second round, where all three scores counted, challenges arose. Trevor Breen incurred eight faults with Highland President, who appeared tired. Shane Breen matched that score with BP Arctic Blue, citing the horse's inexperience at the level. Mikey Pender added four faults, resulting in Ireland's total of 20 faults and a sixth-place finish.
Kurten praised the team's first-round performance, stating, “The Longines League of Nations today was like many we’ve seen over the years and I was proud of, and delighted with, Niamh and Olympic GL FVD, who gave an excellent performance to jump clear on their five star team debut.” She noted positives for each rider, including Shane's solid round and Trevor's usual reliability, while expressing optimism for future improvement. “We finished sixth overall, which is a safe result in the League of Nations series, but we need to improve in Ocala,” Kurten added, planning a debrief to address weaknesses.
Beyond the team event, Niamh McEvoy placed fifth in the five-star 1.60m Emirates Cup, earning €24,688 with a clear second round after four faults in the first. Shane Breen won the CSIO5* - Al Khail Square Welcome Stakes (1.45m) in 68.56 seconds aboard Scarteen (Golden Hawk).
