Il y a des victoires qui valent bien plus qu’un simple trophée. En s’imposant avec autorité lors de la Coupe des nations FEI de concours complet à Strzegom, l’équipe de France a envoyé un message limpide à la concurrence : en 2026, il faudra plus que compter avec elle. Les Bleus repartent de Pologne avec la victoire, la tête du classement général… et un sérieux crédit en vue de la finale de Boekelo.
Mission accomplished
The roadmap was simple. Come to Poland, collect as many points as possible and take a major step towards qualification for the FEI Nations Cup Final, scheduled for October in Boekelo. Three days later, it is hard to imagine a more perfect scenario.
Made up ofArthur Duffort and Gueule de Rêve, Vérane Nicaud with Eau Vive de Brenne AA, Baptiste Salaün with Hexcazel Duverie and Lucas Brun aboard Happy de Brion, Team France left only crumbs for their rivals. Solid in the dressage, composed across country and flawless in the showjumping, the French built a lead that no one was able to close.
The result: a third French victory at Strzegom, a venue that definitely seems to suit Les Bleus rather well.
« “We came to Strzegom with a clear objective, and I am proud of the way our riders executed the plan across all three phases,” said Chef d’Equipe Cédric Lyard. “Winning the Nations Cup is a great reward for the commitment and team spirit of the whole group. »
A victory that counts double
Beyond the weekend success, this performance carries real weight in the race to Boekelo.
France became the first team to contest a second leg this season and leaves with a full tank of confidence. After three of the five qualifying legs, Les Bleus take control of the overall series standings and put themselves in an ideal position to secure their ticket to the Dutch Final.
This victory is also symbolic: it is France’s 20th win in the history of the FEI Eventing Nations Cup. Only Germany, with 40 victories, and Great Britain, with 23, have a stronger record.
Poland at home, Austria solid
Behind the untouchable French team, Poland did exactly what it needed to do in front of its home crowd.
Thanks in particular to the individual victory of Katarzyna Brandys with Sel Oscar, backed up by Paweł Warszawski (Cagliostro PKZ) and Mariusz Klemiuk (Monaco), the Poles secured a fine second place. A result that already marks their sixth podium in Strzegom, by far their favourite playground on the circuit.
Austria completed the podium with Harald Ambros (Vitorio du Montet, second individually, Daniel Dunst (Chevalier 97) and Magdalena Zellhofer (Highlight RZ). Third place also allows them to put their first points on the board in this 2026 edition of the Nations Cup.
Next stop: Avenches
here will not be much time to savour it.
The eventing caravan now heads to Avenches, Switzerland, where the fourth leg of the series will take place from July 16 to 19. The points will become even more valuable as Boekelo gets closer.
One thing is certain: with such a well-balanced team and renewed confidence, France has taken the wheel in this Nations Cup. Now it just needs to keep its foot on the accelerator.
