The CSI4* 1.55m Grand Prix presented by H&M at Sweden International Horse Show in Stockholm offered great sport and had a fairy tale finish for the organisers with a home win for Peder Fredricson and a podium filled with riders from the main sponsor of the class.
We look back at the Grand Prix, and first out is the top three – Peder Fredricson, Olivier Philippaerts and Nicola Philippaerts – being brought in for the prize giving by carriage.
All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping.
Olivier Philippaerts and H&M Miro took the runner-up position of the Grand Prix which helped the Belgian rider to be crowned Leading Rider of the show. “I had a very good feeling. To go first in the jump-off is not the best way to start, but I had a good round even though I lost a bit of time to the last two jumps. Next year, I think Miro will be my first horse and I have high expectations for him so hopefully I can keep him for long with the owners I have. I hope my horse will go to the championships next year,” Philippaerts said after the Grand Prix.
Nicola Philippaerts and H&M Luna Van’t Ruytershof Z finished third after being 1.18 seconds behind the winning time. “The Grand Prix today was very good sport and the best rider won. Personally, I’m very happy for Luna, she has been jumping really good this year. She is really turning in the right direction and is promising for the future,” Philippaerts said after the Grand Prix.
Peder Fredricson took an extra round with H&M Christian K in front of their home crowd. “It is not like this anywhere else – at least not for a Swede and I don’t think for anyone else either. I think the Swedish audience is unique. It is such a huge interest and engagement, and it is a fantastic feeling – it gives you energy,” Fredricson said.