The USA enters the League of Nations 2025 series with 13,128 ranking points.

McLain Ward on Callas at the League of Nations in Ocala (Photo from the FEI)The U.S.has an impressive history that includes three Olympic Team gold medals in Los Angeles in 1984, Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008, as well as two Team victories at the World Championship, in 1986 in Aachen and in 2018 in Tryon.

But the League of Nations trophy has remained just out of reach.

Led by Chef d’Equipe Robert Ridland, a former Olympian with extensive coaching credentials, he has already led the U.S. team to bronze medals at the  World Equestrian Games in 2014 in Normandy and the Pan American Games in 2015 in Toronto, second place at the Nations Cup Final in 2017 in Barcelona, silver medals in the Olympic Games in 2016 in Rio, the Olympic Games in 2020 in Tokyo, and last year’s Olympic Games in Paris, as well as triumphing at the Pan American Games in 2023 in Santiago.

The League of Nations provides vital experience for up-and-coming athletes, said Lizzy Chesson, Managing Director of Jumping for US Equestrian.

"In any sport, competing against the best sharpens your competitive edge and ensures constant improvement," she said  "At the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the top eight teams all had League of Nations experience."

 

“INTRODUCING younger athletes into the League of Nations is an excellent way to test them against top sport, while providing valuable exposure.” Ridland said.

“It's a fine balance between integrating new combinations and ensuring we qualify for the League of Nations Final,"said Ridland. "That’s why League of Nations participation works alongside traditional CSIO Nations Cups to develop and test horse-and-rider combinations throughout the season."

"The second round was extremely influential in the League of Nations format," said Chesson. "It has been an interesting conversation as to how a team and combination best prepares for this format with no drop score in the second round. No matter the event, League of Nations is top level competition and all need to be ready for that and the excitement that comes with such an influential format."

Chesson credits the League of Nations with playing a vital role in Team USA’s preparation for the Paris Olympics, where they ultimately secured a team silver medal.

“Our podium finish in Ocala was a standout moment, but perhaps the legacy of competing in the League of Nations was that it helped strengthen our team by sharpening our competitiveness ahead of selection and providing experience in a format similar to the Olympic Games,” she said.

“Our primary focus will be on qualifying for the League of Nations Final in Barcelona while continuing to develop the depth of our CSIO5* combinations,” she said.

 “There’s nothing like representing your country in front of an enthusiastic home crowd ,"said Chesson of competing the the League in Ocala where the U.S. placed second. "It’s an incredible opportunity for exposure and for athletes worldwide to experience U.S. hospitality!”

"Hosting a League of Nations qualifier brings the world’s top athletes and horses to the U.S., showcasing our venues and competitions to a global audience,” Chesson said. “Our sport is international, so it’s crucial to have representation at the highest levels across multiple continents. Competing on home soil in front of an American crowd is an incredible experience, and the team at the World Equestrian Center put on a fantastic event in 2024. We are excited to welcome international teams back to the U.S. for another thrilling competition."

"For us in the U.S., familiarity with top equestrian sport isn’t as accessible on a regular basis, whereas top Jumping sport is a cultural thread in Europe," said Chesson. "While we have significant professional and amateur participation within the equestrian community here in the states, highlighting the world-class caliber of top sport is important for us in getting more fans and spectators interested in following and supporting our horses and riders. The better the competition, the more engagement and visibility we’re able to highlight, and we feel strongly this will lead to more growth across the sport."

"Certainly, we want to win, and that’s our goal in every competition, but we also want to encourage and see more and more fans supporting our horses, riders and teams," she said. "There really is nothing like competing as a team and representing your country in front of an energetic crowd. it is such a thrill and a unique opportunity for exposure, but also for riders and supporters from around the world to experience the U.S. hospitality, alongside the quality and vision for this leg of the series. We look forward to delivering world-class performances in 2025 and welcoming fans and competitors alike to an exciting new season of the League of Nations.”