"He is an unbelievable horse, he has so much scope, good canter and a really great mind," Stühlmeyer said about the 12-year old gelding Conterno-Blue PS.

"I would say it's my favorite arena. I think it's OK to say it now," said the second placed Linda Heed, who won the FEI Jumping World Cup™ qualifier in Gothenburg a year ago.

Lars Bak Andersen and Leviathan HS delivered two phenomenal rounds and secured third place in the class.

Finland’s Jasmin Seppälä-Geerink and her 9‑year‑old mare (Atomic Z x Zirocco Blue VDL) had the honor of opening the class.

The audience did not have to wait long for the first clear round; second in, John Whitaker (GBR) and Equine America Unick du Francport delivered.

At 70, the legendary horseman let decades of experience do the talking.

From seasoned legend to the next generation, 22-year old Josefin Torell and Damoiselle du Mesnil came in as the third pair and first for the hosts.

Next up for Sweden was Rolf-Göran Bengtsson - first Swede ever to reach world number one with Casall, now riding Casall-son Caillan (Casall x Carry). Unfortunately, the first part of the triple combination came down.

After Bengtsson, Julien Anquetin (FRA) and Blood Diamond du Pont delivered a thrilling round, going clear to secure a jump-off.

Next in was Lars Kersten (NED), who had wowed the Scandinavium crowd two years ago with a World Cup win with home-bred Hallilea. This time, riding Dancing Queen (Darshan x Papillon Rouge), 8 penalties kept him from reaching the jump-off.

Riding the stunning stallion Campai 3, Eiken Sato (JPN) delivered a composed clear round, solving the course beautifully...

...and thereby earning a spot in the jump-off.

The Gothenburg Trophy presented by Volvo Cars put the spotlight on riders we don’t usually see on the five-star stage, among them the host nation's Anna Olsson and Didi Z.

Another newcomer was the 25-year old Filippa Enmark (SWE) on Kivali H, making a steady debut with a fence down.

Willem Greve – the current leader of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Western European League overall standings – and Pretty Woman van't Paradijs N.O.P. had to settle for 6 penalties this time around.

Next to impress was Lars Bak Andersen (DEN) with his nine-year-old Leviathan HS (Livello x Casall), a horse with only a handful of starts at this level, holding their own effortlessly against the world’s elite.

...and he was happy about it!

Going in as number 21, while the home crowd was still waiting for a first clear for Sweden, Petronella Andersson and Opaline de W&S were one of the top hopes for Sweden.

Linda Heed and Crack Blue earned Sweden a spot in the jump-off.

Behind the scenes: A treat for Crack Blue after a flawless round.

Shortly after, Sweden added a second pair into the jump-off as Thomas Ryan and Million's Grey went clear in Ryan's first event starting for the country, having previously competed for Ireland.

What a day to be Swedish, within the walls of Scandinavium.

Patrick Stühlmeyer (GER) and Conterno-Blue PS delivered when it mattered most, jumping a clear round that would prove crucial.

…much to the delight of his team at Schöckemöhle!

And just as one would think it could not get much better for Sweden, Adam Carey and his feisty Quebello D (Quidam de Revel x Cento) came in and secured the very last spot in the jump-off.

Before the class, Malin Baryard-Johnsson was celebrated as she was elected into the Hall of Fame in Scandinavium.

Baryard-Johnsson had her breakthrough in Scandinavium with a third place in the World Cup 30 years ago.

Seasoned combination: the jump-off kicked off with veterans John Whitaker and the 18-year-old Equine America Unick du Francport.

A fence down left the door wide open for those to come.

Julien Anquetin and Blood Diamond du Pont didn't waste any time, setting off at an astounding pace.

The thrill was real, but a fence down reminded everyone that pace alone – 5 seconds faster than Whitaker – doesn’t guarantee victory.

Eiken Sato and Campai 3 set off at a bold stride, aware that a win was within reach.

...yet even this talented combination had to settle for 4 penalties along the way, resulting in 5th place in the end.

Then followed Denmark's Lars Bak Andersen and Leviathan HS - phenomenal from start to finish. While not the fastest, their round was a masterclass in style and composure.

...earning them a third place in the end, their biggest achievement together so far, and a reason to celebrate for the whole team.

Finishing five seconds faster than Lars Bak Andersen, Linda Heed and Crack Blue delivered a clear, taking the lead.

...sending Scandinavium into a roar of cheers as she claimed the lead!

Next up, Thomas Ryan and Million's Grey pushed for speed and shaved seconds off the clock, unfortunately knocking a rail along the way.

Finishing 7th overall, the 9-year old Million's Grey proved that he is one to look out for.

Smooth and calculated, Patrick Stühlmeyer and Conterno-Blue PS entered as second-last to go in the jump-off in front of a packed Scandinavium.

Going inside from fence one to two, he set the tone early and carried that precision all the way to the finish line.

Good things come to those who wait, and on Saturday night in Gothenburg, the wait was finally over for Patrick Stühlmeyer...

...as Conterno-Blue PS gave Stühlmeyer a long-awaited five-star victory.