Fans filled the grandstands early on Saturday, staking out their spots with blankets in anticipation of one of the marquee events of the Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’—the BMO Nations’ Cup.
Nine nations took to the International Ring to challenge the 1.60m track designed by FEI course designer Leopoldo Palacios (VEN). The competition unfolded over two rounds, with all nine teams competing in the opening round before the field was narrowed to the top six teams based on their combined scores.
Palacios’ technical track tested both horse and rider, with the course demanding precision, careful strategy and consistency throughout. Great Britain, Germany, Ireland, Belgium, the United States and France produced the scores needed to advance to the second round, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.
With the scores tightly packed at the top, Germany, Ireland and defending champions Great Britain entered the second round separated by only a narrow margin. Every rail mattered, and athletes knew there was little room for error as the battle for the BMO Nations’ Cup intensified.
Sophie Hinners of Germany had the only double-clear performance over two rounds in the BMO Nations’ Cup riding Iron Dames My Prins. (Rolex / Ashley Neuhof)
Germany arrived at the BMO Nations’ Cup with a powerhouse lineup, featuring three members of the team that claimed victory at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen in August. Daniel Deusser, Sophie Hinners and Richard Vogel brought that championship experience to the International Ring, with Deusser, Hinners and teammate Jörne Sprehe delivering three critical faultless performances in the second round. This left their team on a final score of just four faults — an untouchable total that secured Germany the 2026 BMO Nations’ Cup title.
“As a rider it’s different, and I really enjoyed it,” said chef d’équipe Otto Becker of his past experience in the International Ring. “I love this place and as a coach it’s really different. You can’t help, you can try. They have the best conditions to support them, but in the end you hope that it works.”
Ireland placed a distant second with 17 faults, and Belgium rounded out the podium with a total of 21. Team Great Britain, which had a solid lead after the first round, had a lot of rails and an elimination in the second round to slip to 4th place with 26.
Team Canada did not have a good day, as in the first round pathfinder Kyle King and Kayenne Z were eliminated, Nicole Walker fell from Panter JVH and was eliminated, Amy Millar retired on course with Jagger HX, and anchor rider Kyle Timm wisely withdrew Casino Calvin to save him for Sunday’s $5 CPKC ‘International’. They are the only Canadians qualified for the rich event which wraps the 2026 ‘Masters’.
2026 BMO Nations’ Cup
1. Germany
2. Ireland
3. Belgium
4. Great Britain
5. United States of America
6. France
7. Sweden
EL – Netherlands
EL – Canada
Full results here.
Livestream info here.
~ with files from Spruce Meadows media
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