Cian O’Connor (IRL) was unbeatable in Friday's 1.45m qualification for the Falsterbo Derby riding the beautiful Copain du Perchet CH (Conteur x Ragazzo). It was a class with 20 riders in it, and the course – with some derby fences – caused problems with as many as five being eliminated or retired.

Second place went to a happy Alison Robitaille (USA) with Serise du Bidou (Gin Tonic Star x Fusain du Defey), and it was only O’Connor and Robitaille that made it around the track in a time under 70 seconds. Shane Sweetnam (IRL) followed in third with Indra van de Oude Heihoef (Casantos x Action-Breaker), finishing the course on a clean sheat in 75.77 seconds.

Karel Cox (BEL) with Quickchin WH Z (Quidam de Revel x Chin Chin) ended fourth with Andre Thieme (GER) on Contadur (Conteros x Kolibi)  in fifth.

Alexander Zetterman (SWE) had a bad fall with Cordalis 8 (Corrado I x Lansing) when the gelding seemed to get stuck in the martingal in the landing on one of the verticals. Zetterman has injured his shoulder, and was brought to hospital.