On Tuesday afternoon, the horse-and-rider-combinations at the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final 2023 in Omaha, USA, got familiar with the main ring at the CHI Health Centre. With the fences set to 1.40m, each pair had 90 seconds at their disposal and could choose to jump or simply flat around – and many opted for the latter.
In this photo special, we look back at Tuesday's warm-up session as the actual starting point of the 2023-final –the first round on Wednesday night – gets closer. The last time the final took place in Omaha was in 2017, and it was won by Mclain Ward. Back then, Ward rode HH Azur, while this time it is Callas that is the American ace's partner.
All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping.
Ailish Cunniffe is one of several US lady riders qualified for the final. As many as five female riders – out of the nine qualified – are from the US. Cunniffe will ride Vivaldi du Theil.
A total of 19 nations are represented in Omaha: Samuel Overton and his rubber ball Oaks Cassanova are flying the Australian flag.
Scott Brash and Harrie Smolders were in high spirits ahead of the official training session on Tuesday afternoon.
Denmark's Andreas Schou and Darc de Lux.
Post-round treats: David Honnet with Great Britain's Scott Brash and Hello Jefferson.
Dream team: Norway's Victoria Gulliksen and Papa Roach are competing at their first ever World Cup Final, here with Victoria's partner Jordy Van Massenhove.
Germany's Richard Vogel and the stunning United Touch S, one of the four German pairs qualified for the final in Omaha.
Andreas Schou's Darc de Lux and Hanna Carlsson.
Erynn Ballard came to Omaha with two horses; here she is seen with the 12-year-old Spartacus TN-son Gakhir.
Harrie Charles' groom Georgia Ellwood with Balou du Reventon.
Germany's Marcus Ehning, Priam du Roset and Mel Jobst waiting for their turn. Ehning has already won the World Cup Final three times.
Coming in hot: Switzerland's Martin Fuchs is in Omaha to defend his 2022-title from Leipzig. This time he will be riding his super-star Leone Jei.
Flying the Swiss flag: Edouart Schmitz and Gamin van't Naastveldhof.
Some riders didn't take a single jump in Tuesday's training...
... while others flew around the 1.40m course.
Hunter Holloway brought two horses for this year's final; Eastern Jam and Pepita Con Spita.
France's Julien Epaillard and his 10-year-old Jarnac-son Donatello d'Auge getting familiar with the stage in Omaha.
The Germans: Chef d'Equipe Otto Becker with team vet Jan-Hein Swagemakers.
Time for that top spot? Harrie Smolders and the ultra-consistent Monaco N.O.P. have been settling for the runner-up position at many of the major events over the last year.
Team Haras de la Bosquetterie: Julien Epaillard's groom Caroline Belouet and Donatello d'Auge.
Looking forward to the action: Sweden's Wilma Hellström and Cicci BJN are drawn 20th to go in Wednesday's first round.
Simonne Berg and Cooper make their World Cup Final debut in Omaha.
Aiming for that top spot: Sweden's Henrik von Eckermann, who has been on the podium at two previous World Cup Finals but never on top, has prior to Omaha been very open about his goals of being the best this time around.
As strong as ever; at the age of 61, Switzerland's Pius Schwizer is the oldest rider in the starting field, but probably also one of the fittest.
Team USA's Chef d'Equipe Robert Ridland with Cassio Rivetti.
At 18, Elisa Broz is the youngest rider to compete in this year's final. Broz earned her points in the North America League together with Kardenta van 't Meerhof – that she also will compete in the final.
The big warm-up is placed in the middle of the exhibition area, and is open for everyone to watch.
Jur Vrieling is the only European rider who opted to bring two horses to Omaha, here with Fiumicino van de Kalevallei. The Dutch rider also brought Long John Silver 3 N.O.P..
US rider Aaron Vale will this year compete with the 11-year-old Prescott. Vale competed in the World Cup Final in Leipzig last year as well, then riding Elusive.
Ready for action! The first round of the final kicks off on Wednesday evening at 19.15 local time.
Then