"I never won this class, so it was something I really wanted to win," the current world number one Henrik von Eckermann said after winning the Gothenburg Trophy on home soil with Iliana. Photo © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping.
Text © World of Showjumping
Sweden’s double world champion and European team champion Henrik von Eckermann and the 12-year-old mare Iliana (Cardento x Gentleman) took a popular home win in Saturday night’s CSI5*-W 1.55m Gothenburg Trophy presented by Volvo Cars at the 2025-edition of Gothenburg Horse Show in Sweden.
As the second last pair to go in a jump-off between 13 horse-and-rider combinations in the competition counting for Longines Rankings Group A, the current world number one crossed the finish line in 32.53, pushing Kevin Staut (FRA) and New Libero One d’Asschaut (Van Gogh x For Pleasure) – who were leading the way with 32.75 – to second.
When Wilma Hellström (SWE) and the 10-year-old Eleven (Coltaire Z x Divin du Murier) as the last pair out couldn't challenge their compatriot in Eleven's five-star Grand Prix debut, von Eckermann could celebrate the first Gothenburg Trophy-win of his career.
"I never won this class, so it was something I really wanted to win," von Eckermann said in a press conference following his victory. "To be able to go in the end and make it happen, it is a special feeling in front of a home crowd," von Eckermann, who is recovering from a fall two weeks ago, said.
The current world number nine Max Kühner (AUT) and Elektric Blue P (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x For Pleasure) completed the podium in third in 33.25, while Yuri Mansur (BRA) and Vitiki (Valentino x For Expo) finished fourth in 34.49 and Oda Charlotte Lyngvaer (NOR) aboard Carabella vd Neyen Z (Carrera VDL x Lux Z) fifth in 38.62.
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