Text © World of Showjumping

The 2024/2025-season of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Western European League concluded with its 14th and final leg in Gothenburg, Sweden, where a dream came true for the hosts’ Linda Heed and the 11-year-old stallion Skylander VS (Stolzenberg x Cassini II), who could celebrate their first five-star victory on home soil.

“There are no words to tell you how I feel right now,” Heed said. “The audience makes you so happy, and the horses are jumping incredible,” she said about the 12,000 people cheering the horses and riders on in the fully packed Scandinavium, a venue known for its incredible atmosphere.

Eight pairs from the 33 at start cleared the first-round track set by Peter Lundström (SWE) and Santiago Varela (ESP). Norway’s Oda Charlotte Lyngvaer and Carabella vd Neyen Z (Carrera VDL x Lux Z) delivered the first clear, followed by Germany’s Sandra Auffarth and Quirici H (FRH Quaid x Escudo) and the 2025 Olympic bronze medalists Maikel van der Vleuten and Beauville Z N.O.P.(Bustique x Jumpy des Fontaines). Just before the mid-way mark in the class, Heed and Skylander VS lifted the roof at Scandinavium, posting the fourth clear of the afternoon.

The current world number nine Max Kühner (AUT) and EIC Up Too Jacco Blue (Chacco-Blue x Ard VDL Douglas) followed suit, as did Mario Stevens (GER) on Starissa FRH (Stakkato Gold x Quidam’s Rubin), Edouard Schmitz (SUI) on Gamin van’t Naastveldhof (Chacco Chacco x Toulon) and the last pair out, the current world number one Henrik von Eckermann aboard Toveks Azaria Dinero (Mylord Carthago x Drakkar des Hutins).

Crossing the finish line in 35.91 in the deciding jump-off, Heed and Skylander VS took the win on home soil, while Stevens and Starissa had to settle for second in 36.08, followed by van der Vleuten and Beauville Z in third in 36.47 and Lyngvaer on Carabella vd Neyen Z in fourth in 38.31. As the last pair out, von Eckermann and Toveks Azaria Dinero did deliver the fastest time in the jump–off – 35.15 – but a rail at the penultimate vertical left them fifth.

“I know that I am sitting on an incredible horse, but to win here, it is a very, very, huge step up just thinking about winning,” Heed said after her victory.

“He is a very sensitive horse and I really have to listen to what he wants,” she said about Skylander VS. “He has a super heart and it took me a long time to get him to trust me. Tomorrow, he is going home to the field.”

The second placed Stevens was not disappointed: “Here in Gothenbug, in front of this super crowd, to be second in the World Cup is amazing,” he said. “My horse jumped really good, so I am really happy and I am now qualified for my first World Cup Final.”

With the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Western European League now concluded, Kevin Staut (FRA) tops the final standings with 70 points, followed by Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER) in second on 66 and Pieter Devos (BEL) in third on 64 points. The best eighteen from the overall standings in the WEL are qualified for the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final held in Basel, Switzerland, in April 2025. Having picked up nine and three points in Gothenburg respectively, Edouard Schmitz (SUI) and Steve Guerdat (SUI) finish rank 17 and 18 in the overall standings after the 14 qualifiers during the 2024/2025-season.