Edited press release from EEF

Norway came out on top following a thrilling climax to the Longines EEF Series North Group qualifier at Stutteri Ask in Martofte, Denmark. The podium saw a Nordic clean sweep after Sweden occupied the runner-up position and host nation Denmark took third. 

It looked like a jump-off between Norway and Sweden until the latter’s final duo, Linda Heed and Laurien van Orshof (Cabrio van de Heffinck x Winningmood) knocked the final fence down to hand the victory to Norway and leave the Swedes – Emma Emanuelsson and Canbella Blue PS (Cantolar x Chacco-Blue), Alice Tapper and Doge Dogelito (Hip Hop x Comefast XX) and Marcus Westergren aboard Fellaini de Liebri Z (Faustino de Tili x San Patrignano Corrado) – in second on eight faults and with 90 qualifying points. 

The Norwegian quartet of Pål Flam riding Omonza D C (Elvis ter Putte x Landadel), Therese Søhol Henriksen with Santos Z (Spartacus TN x San Patrignano Cassini), Ingrid Gjelsten aboard VDL Edgar M (Arezzo VDL x Marlon) and Geir Gulliksen on Oh la La van Overis (Otangelo x Udarco van Overis) were in third place on a score of four following the first round. Three clears in the second round – including one from the veteran Geir Gulliksen and his 10-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare whose score of 16 had been the team’s discard score in the first round – saw the team climb the order and take overall victory on what was Norway’s National Day. 

"I started very badly, four down in the first round was really a disastrous round! Luckily I have a little bit of experience, I don’t lose the mood and I can pull myself together. We needed a clear and I managed to do it. I think my experience helped me a lot today," said Geir.

Therese and the 12-year-old grey stallion Santos Z were one of just seven pairs to record a double clear around Gerard Lachat’s course at this stunning venue, a stud farm in central Denmark which overlooks Dalby Bay and was a new addition to the showjumping calendar this year. 

"This Longines EEF Series is very important for us smaller countries, to develop younger riders and younger horses. We're very happy to be here, it’s an amazing place and we want to thank the family of Kirk Kristiansen who built up this facility for the sport, and we are very happy now. We look forward to coming back next year,” said Norway’s Chef d’Equipe Mikael Kolind.

Norway, who received 100 qualifying points for their win, will next be in action at the qualifier on home turf in Drammen in June.

A single time fault in the first round for Rikke Andersen and Nordsturm 15 (N'oubliez Jamais x Couleur Rouge) proved costly for Denmark – with a team that also consisted of Søren Møller Rohde and Grace Ask (Darco Derevel x Contender), Caroline Rehoff Pedersen and Chaccball (Chacco-Blue x Baloubet du Rouet) and Zascha Nygaard Lill aboard Primavera (Mylord Carthago x Cornet Obolensky) – who finished third with nine penalties and 80 qualifying points. 

The Longines EEF Series offers two qualifiers for each of the four regions – South, North, Central and West, with the semi finals held in Budapest (HUN) and Deauville (FRA) and the final held in the Polish capital Warsaw on 8 September. The series will now continue to Athens, Greece, for the second qualifier for region south on Sunday 2nd June.