It was a good day for the Swedes as the FEI Jumping European Championship 2023 kicked off in Milan, Italy, on Wednesday. The reigning World Champions picked up where they left off in Herning one year ago; racing to the top of the scoreboard in the opening round – the speed leg of the championship, judged as a Table C with four seconds added for a rail down.
With four Swedish riders in the top twelve, the team finished on a score of 1.51 but only 0.41 penalty points separate the Swedes and the Swiss on the overnight standings so it’s a close call indeed. Thursday's round will decide which ten teams – out of the 15 at start – get to jump in Friday’s medal decider, where also three tickets for the Paris Olympics are up for grabs.
But back to Wednesday, where Jens Fredricson and the Swedish-bred 11-year-old gelding Markan Cosmopolit (Cohiba x Calido I) took the win with a lightning-fast round as the competition got underway at the Ippodromo Snai San Siro.
All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping, all rights reserved. If copyright violations occur, a penalty fee will apply.
As no. 46 in the ring, world no. four Martin Fuchs (SUI) and the 11-year-old gelding Leone Jei (Baltic VDL x Corland) – reigning European vice-champions – delivered a tremendous performance to stop the clock at 72.53 seconds. They held the lead until Fredricson shaved the time down to 71.98 seconds; finishing 2nd behind the Swede.
No surprises here! As always, Julien Epaillard (FRA) – known as one of the absolute fastest in the world – set off in top gear with Dubai du Cedre (Baloubet du Rouet x Diamant de Semilly). The two looked like a real threat to Fredricson, but the back pole on the oxer at 10b fell to the ground and the French speed demon had to add four seconds to his 69.20 – a time that would have been the fastest of the day. Nevertheless, it was good enough to put Epaillard 5th at the end of the class.
All smiles! As no. 30 to go, Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) impressed with the powerful grey stallion Zuccero delivering one of his signature rounds – accurate, beautiful to watch but still fast. The 2011 European Champion shaved the time to beat down to 73.60 seconds, taking over the lead from Bryan Balsiger (SUI) – and eventually finished 7th.
Jur Vrieling (NED) really had to work for his clear round with Long John Silver 3 N.O.P. (Lasino x San Patrignano Corrado ), eventually finishing 13th in 75.21 seconds. It was not the best day for the Dutch team though; they sit 12th on 14.29 penalties ahead of round two with only three other countries behind them.