Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
One of Europe's oldest and most treasured equestrian events, the Lisbon Nations Cup, is set to return to the international showjumping calendar in May 2026, thanks to a major new initiative by Al Ain's Al Shira'aa brand.
The event, which was first held in 1911, holds a special place in the sport's history, boasting the distinction of being the oldest showjumping competition to be held continuously in the same location – the storied Sociedade Hípica Portuguesa in the heart of the Portuguese capital.
After a three-year hiatus that saw its last edition in 2022, where Ireland claimed the victory, the venerable team competition will be revived under a new five-year agreement. This partnership, spearheaded by Al Shira'aa and managed by organisers Oxer Sport, secures the event's future and maps out an ambitious path back to the pinnacle of the sport.
The initiative is driven by Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Founder of Al Shira'aa, whose global equestrian tour has increasingly focused on supporting and preserving historically significant venues and competitions.
The revival plan ensures sustainable growth, relaunching the competition as a three-star CSIO3 event for 2026–2027. It will then upgrade its status to four-star for 2028–2029, before culminating in 2030 when the Lisbon Nations Cup is scheduled to achieve the elite CSIO5* status, attracting the world's best horses and riders back to its spectacular grass arena.
"My mission to bring sport to the people continues," said Sheikha Fatima. "By bringing back the Nations Cup to Lisbon, we are breathing new life into one of Europe's great equestrian traditions and creating opportunities for riders and fans to share in the beauty of this sport."
Alvaro Arrieta, President of Oxer Sport, praised the new partnership and the commitment from the UAE-based brand to secure the event's long-term future.
"My gratitude also goes to the Portuguese Equestrian Federation for placing their trust in Oxer Sport to organise the CSIO Lisbon for the next five years. And, of course, to Al Shira'aa for supporting such an ambitious project and for their strong commitment to the development of equestrian sport in Europe," Arrieta said.
The Lisbon initiative joins the expanding Al Shira'aa Tour, which also supports iconic events such as the Derby meetings at Hickstead in Britain and Hamburg in Germany.
