The first round of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final was a 1.60m class judged as a Table C, with faults converted into additional time – a rail down being penalised with three seconds. The course was set by Gérard Lachat (SUI) and counted thirteen fences and sixteen efforts with its three combinations at 5ab, 7ab and 10ab.

Markus Beerbaum is present in Basel to support his American students.

In between them, they have five titles from the FEI Jumping World Cup™ Finals. Can they add another one this week? Marcus Ehning (who won the finals in 2003, 2006 and 2010) and Henrik von Eckermann (who won the finals in 2023 and 2024) sharing expertise during the course walk.

McLain Ward has arrived to Basel to support his student Lillie Keenan.

Jeroen Dubbeldam with Ireland's Daniel Coyle.

Germany's Marcus Ehning and Coolio 42 were the pathfinders, knocking a pole down at the oxer at no. 9 to add three seconds to their time – eventually finishing 20th. "I was maybe a bit deep and slow," Ehning said about the mistake. "I think my horse jumped really well."

Fourth to go, Sweden's Henrik von Eckermann – who is in Basel to defend his titles from 2024 and 2023 – and Iliana were the first to deliver a clear.

Heja Henrik!

Taking an early lead with a time of 61.26 seconds, the current world number one placed fourth in the end. "If I could go in again, I would do exactly the same," von Eckermann said after his round. "It was from the first fence to the last like I walked it."

Willem Greve and Highway TN N.O.P. had a misunderstanding coming into the double at no. 5ab as the stallion took off a stride too early. "I came quite deep to the triple, which normally he can take really well," Greve explained afterwards. "He didn't give up and I didn't give up, and in the end he came out well which is the most important thing."

Team USA's Alise Oken and Gelvera had one rail down.

"It is our first World Cup Final and I think he put in a great effort," Kristen Vanderveen said about her 11-year-old Bull Run's Jireh after having one pole down in the last double.

KSA's Ramzy Al Duhami and Untouchable 32 finished 18th, after a mistake on the penultimate oxer which added three seconds to their time.

Kyrgyzstan's Valeria Sokolova and Jackpot TN had to see a rail on the last upright fall.

"My hopes are high for tomorrow," Robert Whitaker said after a good round on Vermento that saw the two finish 14th.

"Actually, most of the things went according to plan," Richard Vogel said after having a pole down with United Touch S on the oxer at no. 9. "I could have helped him a bit more at that particular fence, we shifted a bit to the right and therefore had the back rail at that oxer."

"In general, I am very happy with how United jumped," Richard Vogel said, as he sits 12th going into Friday's second competition.

Swiss home hero Edouard Schmitz and Gamin van't Naastveldhof delivered a clear. "I feel like it was one of our best rounds in the last year," Schmitz said afterwards. "It feels amazing to be able to deliver it now." The pair now sits 9th on the overnight standings.

Belgium's Pieter Devos and his lovely home-bred 10-year-old mare Casual DV Z delivered a clear round, and are sitting 8th coming into Friday's competition.

First to go after the break half-way into the class, Germany's Sophie Hinners and Iron Dames My Prins delivered a great round to squeeze in between von Eckermann and Devos with a time of 62.56 seconds – but it did not last for long as the top three was about to get a shake-up. The two eventually ended 7th.

A kiss for My Prins.

Hopes were high for Switzerland's own Martin Fuchs and the lovely Leone Jei who unfortunately had to see a rail fall on the oxer at no. 3 to add three seconds to their lightning fast time of 60.54 putting them 10th at the end of the day.

As no. 23 to go, French speed specialist Julien Epaillard got his way around the track just right – making it all look effortless aboard Donatello d’Auge, bringing the time to beat down to an incredible 60.30 seconds, pushing von Eckermann out of the lead.

“Donatello jumped good, but the way is still long – there are a couple of fences to jump clear. I hope I did not ask too much of him today. It is important to be clear tomorrow and try to stay in the top eight before Sunday. I will try to do my best tomorrow," Epaillard said after Thursday's round.

USA's Katie Dinan and Out of the Blue SCF delivered a clear to finish 11th.

Belgium's Gregory Wathelet is back in the saddle, and piloted Bond Jamesbond de Hay to a great clear round. The two finished 6th.

Great Britain's Ben Maher is competing with a broken foot, but nevertheless managed to finish 2nd with the stunning Point Break. “I am lucky I can ride with a stirrup in a different position so it doesn’t affect me too much,” Maher explained.

South Africa's Bronwyn Meredith Dos Santos lets Bibisi take a little look at the surroundings.

“My horse is quite inexperienced, so I had expected to probably have to improvise, but he proved me wrong and he stepped up. I could not be happier," Lillie Keenan said after ending third with Kick On.

Title defender Henrik von Eckermann is in a good position sitting 4th going into Friday's second round...

...but will have to beat this man to climb up the standings. The second competition in Basel will be a Table A with a jump-off set at 1.60m – where Epaillard will be last to go as he now sits on top of the overnight standings.