Thrills and spills from the first round of the Agria FEI Jumping World Championship, part one

Favourites for the team title at the Agria FEI Jumping World Championship in Herning, the Swedes did not disappoint and hold the lead on the standings ahead of the second round, which kicks off today at 1 PM CET. With a total score of 3.69, Sweden has a narrow lead down to France on 5.44, Belgium on 5.49, Great Britain on 6.66, and Switzerland on 6.83.

Here Peder Fredricson celebrates H&M All In's clear round as last in the ring of the 103 starters in yesterday's first round of the championship, which also put them 4th individually.

All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping.

It all comes down to a carefully crafted plan: Peder Fredricson taking his usual notes during the course walk.

It was Peder's brother Jens that got the Swedes off to the best possible start with a clear round on Markan Cosmopolit.

And when world no. one Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward also jumped clear to eventually finish 5th, Sweden was off to a strong start in Herning.

It was Mexico's Federico Fernandez and Romeo that got the honour of opening the Agria FEI Jumping World Championship, as first to go in the ring.

For a long time, it was Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts and Katanga van het Dingeshof who held the lead, after setting the time to beat to 81.02 seconds as fourth to go of the 103 starters. They eventually finished 7th.

The win went to Julien Epaillard and Caracole de La Roque. Doing an incredible run down to the open water, and then not once touching the brakes for the rest of the course, the French speed specialist brought the time down to an unbeatable 79.08 seconds.

The Swiss core: Martin Fuchs, Steve Guerdat and Thomas Fuchs walking the course.

Martin Fuchs delivered an absolutely breathtaking round with Leone Jei, to finish 3rd. “I had a great round today with Leone Jei, he felt really good," the Swiss former world no. one said afterwards.

Great Britain's Scott Brash also rode fantastic, and finished second with Hello Jefferson with a time of 79.54. "I’m absolutely delighted with Jefferson’s performance," Brash said.

Reflections of the Stutteri Ask Stadium.

A Danish good luck troll.

Reigning European Champion Andre Thieme walking the course.

The Little Mermaid; the real sculpture is displayed on a rock by the waterside at the Langelinie promenade in Copenhagen.

Bernardo Cardoso de Resende Alves' Mosito van het Hellehof took a disliking to the Longines wall and eventually the Brazilian rider opted to retire the stallion.

All smiles from Canada's Tiffany Foster, who finished best of the Canadians with Figor in 6th. The Canadians are currently 12th on the team standings.

A big hug from Lillie Keenan for Argan de Beliard after a clear round for the US team.

Brian Moggre was best of the Americans and delivered a clear round to end 19th with Balou du Reventon. It was not quite the start the Americans would have wished for though as they sit 9th on the team standings moving on to the second round.

It could have gone really, really wrong for Kevin Staut when this happened coming out of the combination at 5ab. Scuderia 1918 Viking d’la Rousserie hit the front rail of the oxer and in an attempt to avoid the pole further he unseated his rider in the air – causing Staut to fly off and hit the ground. Luckily, both horse and rider left the ring on all feet, and with strong performances from Staut’s three teammates, the French were left relatively unharmed on the overnight standings to sit second behind the Swedes who are in pole position.