Press release from LGCT

The very first CSI5* class at the Longines Global Champions Tour of Stockholm was a showcase of pure talent from the best horses and riders in the world. It was a home win for Malin Baryard-Johnsson (SWE) to who took top honours with H&M Second Chance. She was closely followed by Nayel Nassar (EGY) on Lordan and Wilm Vermeir (BEL) finished in third place with King Kong d’Avifauna. 

The 1.45m two-phase course built by Uliano Vezzani was a challenging track as the competitors cruised around the Swedish Olympic Stadium for the first time. It was the Longines plank that fell the most and the tight time allowed of 55 seconds in the first phase meant riders had to open up as much as possible.

Belgium rider Jos Verlooy (BEL) and Zapatero VDM were the first pair to complete the second phase of the course. They didn't keep a clean sheet and had one down leaving the top spot still open. Nayel Nassar (EGY) rode a foot-perfect double clear on Lordan and jumped into the lead with a very fast time of 26.69 seconds. 

Jumping on home turf Henrik von Ekermann (SWE) pushed the gas pedal down but couldn’t quite match the pace on Que Bueno de Hus Z, and they passed through the timers in 27.52 seconds. Both Cian O’Connor (IRL) and Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) decided to school their horses round in order to save them for the big class this evening. 

Jur Vierling (NED) made one of the tightest turns between fence nine and ten on his big striding gelding Davall, however, this still wasn’t fast enough to go into the lead and he finished with a time of 29.30 seconds. Local hero Peder Fredricson (SWE) retired to a cheer from the crowd after jumping clear in the first phase but wanting to save H&M All In for tomorrow.

Swedish sensation Malin Baryard-Johnsson (SWE) had a standing ovation as she flew over the last fence and crossed the finish line half a second faster on H&M Second Chance to storm into the lead.