The showjumping action is already underway in Scandinavium Arena in Gothenburg, Sweden ahead of tonight's first round of the Longines FEI World Cup Final. In Friday's 1.45m class against the clock presented by Hööks, Irma Karlsson (SWE) made sure to please the home crowds when taking the top honours. Riding the always speedy Balahe (Baloubet du Rouet x Flamingo), Karlsson stopped the clock at 53.08 seconds – 1.5 seconds faster than runner-up Christian Ahlmann (GER) with Atomic Z (Cumano x Chin Chin).
After crossing the finish line in 55.45 seconds, Francois Mathy Jr. (BEL) secured the third place on Hello Diamant (Diamant de Semilly x Stakkato), followed by the Swedish riders Douglas Lindelöw with Saint Tropez Soul (Click And Cash x Cagliostro) and Erica Swartz with Yaya Nike (Warrant x Landstreicher) in fourth and fifth place.