Edited press release from Longines Global Champions Tour 

The first day of the Longines Global Champions Tour of Stockholm saw world number one Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) set the stage for an electrifying weekend of world-class equestrian sport. Making it a home win, von Eckermann and Dzara Dorchival (Qlassic Bois Margot x Raphael) cut over a second off Abdullah Alsharbatly (KSA) and Ambrosio d'Alcy’s (Cabdula du Tillard x Calvaro F.C.) time to take the win. Victor Bettendorf (LUX) was on flying form after having secured a win earlier in the day, but had to settle for third place on Big Star des Forets (Untouchable M x Voltaire Pref) in the 1.45m speed class presented by Equestrian Stockholm.

To GCTV, von Eckermann said: “Dzara is in great form, she won a couple of weeks ago on the last day at LGCT St. Tropez and today she was perfect. I am delighted to win the first class at my home event, it's always great to come home with this amazing crowd! I had a great show here last year and I want to do the same so we see how it goes tomorrow.”

Just 0.02 seconds between them, Evelina Tovek on Moeboetoe v/d Roshoeve (Der Senaat x Poleander) and Kevin Staut on Beau de Laubry Z (Bisquet Balou vd Mispelaere x Nabab de Reve) put the pedal to the metal clearing all the fences with ease, ultimately collecting fourth and fifth respectively setting them perfectly up for the €480,000 Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Stockholm presented by Fabege on Sunday.