With medals and Olympic qualification at stake, Friday's team final at the Agria FEI Jumping World Championship 2022 in Herning, Denmark, was always going to be a battle and the demanding course set by Louis Konickx made sure the competition developed into a real thriller. As the sun started to set over Stutteri Ask Stadium and the floodlights came on, the tension was tangible during the course walk.
First out, Sweden's Peder Fredricson and Henrik von Eckermann, who both were on a golden mission in Herning.
All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping.
British Chef d'Equipe Di Lampard came to Herning with the ambition to get a medal and qualification for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. And yes, to get there some proper jumping was required; here the upright at 10.
Eric Lamaze, Chef d'Equipe for the Canadians that were team number eight to qualify for the final.
It is a family affair for Brazil's Yuri Mansur.
France came into Friday's team final in silver position; here Kevin Staut and Gregory Cottard.
Rivals, but friends: Germany's Marcus Ehning and Sweden's Malin Baryard-Johnsson.
French Chef d'Equipe Henk Nooren and Marcus Ehning.
The ultimate MVP in Herning? Marcus Ehning is there when you need him; here with Spain's Manuel Fernandez Saro.
The Spanish team did not make the cut for the team final. Eduardo Alvarez Aznar ended up being the best Spanish rider on Friday, ending 31st on the individual standings.
Sanne Thjissen with her father Leon.
Team Sweden's Jens Fredricson with his wife Isabelle.
One champion helping another: Jeroen Dubbeldam and Jos Lansink.
"Our first goal was the qualification for Paris," the Dutch Chef d'Equipe Jos Lansink said about his plan coming into Friday's team final.
Coming into Friday's team final with the French sitting in silver position, and as the individual leader, the pressure was palpable for Julien Epaillard.
Commentator extraordinaire, Jessica Kürten discussing the course with Norway's Geir Gulliksen, who was forced to skip the championship after a fall back in July.
A man on a mission: Ireland's Denis Lynch helped the Irish qualify for Paris.
China's Ella Yunjing Wang with Mike Patrick Leichle.
Serious business: Brazil's Marlon Modolo Zanotelli, Great Britain's Scott Brash...
...and Israel's Daniel Bluman.
The demanding course set by Louis Konickx delivered plenty of ups and downs on Friday night.
Then