This past Sunday, in Scandinavium at the Göteborg Horse Show in Sweden, a decisive moment in the indoor season took place as the CSI5*-W Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ presented by Guldfynd unfolded. With qualification points and prestige on the line, the 12th leg of the Western European League was electric from start to finish.
In the end, it was the Netherlands’ Willem Greve who once again proved unbeatable aboard the 15-year-old stallion Grandorado TN N.O.P. (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x Carolus II). Securing his third Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ victory of the season, Greve delivered when it mattered most, clinching the win as the final starter in a dramatic jump-off.
Compatriot Kim Emmen set the pace aboard Imagine N.O.P. (Cassini Gold x Lord Z) and held the lead almost to the very end. For much of the class, it seemed the victory was hers, until Greve shaved off just enough time in the closing moments to take over the top spot. The home crowd had reason to celebrate as well, as Sweden’s Malin Baryard-Johnsson secured third place with her long-time partner H&M Indiana (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Animo’s Hallo), drawing loud cheers from the packed Scandinavium stands.
In this photo special, we look back at a thrilling afternoon of top sport in Gothenburg, where world-class performances once again defined the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™.
All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping. No reproduction of any of the content in this article will be accepted without a written permission, all rights reserved © World of Showjumping.com. If copyright violations occur, a penalty fee will apply.
“He has been an amazing horse for the Dutch team… but never really had a victory like this,” Willem Greve reflected after his win with Grandorado. “I’m happy for him that he can put this on his résumé.”
“This is a real horse show, the crowd is here for the love of the horses," Greve said about competing in Scandinavium. “Little boys and girls go home dreaming of riding in an arena like this.”
Runner-up Kim Emmen shared the appreciation for the venue. “Gothenburg is always a very good show. The public is very enthusiastic, and that is always a nice feeling.”
As the first rider to go clear in the jump-off, Emmen put the pressure on the rest of the field, ultimately finishing 2nd.
“It was amazing, of course, to give back to the audience," Baryard said after her 3rd place on home soil. "I know I have all of them on my side.”
“We’re fortunate to have each other. We are a good match, for sure,” Baryard said about her unique partnership with H&M Indiana. “I haven’t even thought about the final. I’m going class by class and enjoying every moment.”
It was Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida (POR) aboard GB Diamantina (Diamant de Semilly x Silvio II) who opened the class, first out of a starting field of 36 horse-and-rider combinations.
Gothenburg Trophy winner Patrick Stühlmeyer (GER) brought Baloutaire PS (Balou du Rouet x Chacco-Blue) to take on the technical course set by course designer Peter Schumacher (GER), where only eight riders would unlock a clear round.
Riders praised the crowd in Scandinavium for cheering on every rider, here represented by Sören Möller Rohde and Grace ASK (Darco de Revel x Contender).
Johan-Sebastian Gulliksen (NOR) and Equine America Harwich VDL (Arezzo VDL x Darco) delivered the first clear round of the class, building on an already strong position in the overall standings.
Eyes on Fort Worth: Cheered on by his team, Johan-Sebastian will be the third Gulliksen to compete in a FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final.
Directly after Gulliksen, Kim Emmen and Imagine N.O.P. kept the momentum going with a clear round of their own.
...thereby leaving no doubt that the class was headed for a jump-off.
Power, presence and determination - Denis Lynch (IRL) and his breathtaking stallion Chicago (Cascadello I x Corrado I).
Eight to go, Harrie Smolders (NED) and Monaco (Cassini II x Contender) confirmed their status as one of the favorites with a brilliant clear.
All eyes on Smolders and Monaco.
Sport in motion: Philipp Schulze Topphoff's (GER) Carla NRW (Comme Il Faut x Potsdam).
A crowd favorite: Linda Heed (SWE), second in Gothenburg Trophy the evening before, with Laurien van Orshof (Cabrio van de Heffinck x Winningmood).
Despite 4 penalties, Oda Charlotte Lyngvaer (NOR) and Carabella vd Neyen Z (Carrera VDL x Lux Z) delivered a quick round and collected valuable points, meaning Fort Worth just might be within reach.
Eyes on the prize: Kevin Staut's (FRA) Vida Loca Z (Vigo D'Arsouilles x Cornet Obolensky).
"The crowd cheers for every rider, a bit more for the Swedes", the winner said at the press conference following the class - a sentiment that held true as Marcus Westergren (SWE) and Airco de L Esprit Z (Air Jordan Alpha Z x Quantum) entered the arena.
Airco de L Esprit Z with a sparkle in his eye, taking in the crowds of Scandinavium.
A family effort: Geir Gulliksen (NOR) joined his son in the starter field with Island V G (Zirocco Blue VDL x Indoctro).
John Whitaker (GBR) and Equine America Unick du Francport (Zandor x Helios de la Cour) recorded one unfortunate time penalty.
After a brief pause of clear rounds, Yuri Mansur (BRA) and Elano de Laubry Z (Echo van't Spieveld x Prince Royal) gave the crowd plenty to cheer, securing a ticket to the jump-off.
Clocking the fastest round on 4 penalties, Amanda Landeblad (SWE) and Springfield 21 (Stakkato Gold x Classier) collected their first Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ points of the season.
Another crowd-pleasing combination, Jens Fredricson (SWE) and Diarado's Rose Elith (Diarado x Cardento) had to settle for 4 penalties on Schumacher's tricky course.
...then along came Daniel Deusser (GER) and Otello de Guldenboom (Tobago Z x Caretino) to join what was already set to be an elite jump-off.
Wilma Hellström (SWE)'s Eleven (Coltaire Z x Divin du Murier) displayed nothing short of pure athleticism over the jumps.
All praise: Eiken Sato (JPN) followed up the clear round from the evening before with yet another, riding Chadellano JRA (Chacco-Blue x Centadel).
An absolute highlight: Just as it seemed that the jump-off would go on without Swedish participation, Malin Baryard-Johnsson and H&M Indiana delivered a clear.
...and at the height of excitement, Willem Greve and Grandorado TN N.O.P. followed up to make it a jump-off of eight.
First to go in the jump-off was Johan-Sebastian Gulliksen. He set a strong pace - ultimately the second-fastest time of the class - putting himself firmly in contention.
However, a single rail down denied him a podium finish.
Going in second, Kim Emmen had no choice but to set the standard. She did just that, holding onto the lead almost until the very last moment.
Harrie Smolders and Monaco were also hungry for the win...
...and while the stars didn’t quite align for the pair, they secured a strong eighth-place finish in the class.
Yuri Mansur and Elano de Laubry Z delivered a clear round in a quick time, though not quite fast enough to overtake Emmen.
However, with fifth place in the class and sixth overall in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2025/2026 Western European League standings after Gothenburg, Mansur can prepare for the Final in Fort Worth.
Mansur's every stride is followed in anticipation from the sidelines.
Daniel Deusser and Otello de Guldenboom had everyone on edge with the fastest round of the day...
...but a single pole down ultimately cost him the win.
Eiken Sato and Chadellano JRA capped off an already fantastic weekend with another clear round.
...finishing fourth in the class and sitting 12th overall in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2025/2026 Western European League standings after Gothenburg.
Behind the scenes: All smiles!
As the only Swedish rider in the jump-off, the crowd followed every turn with Malin Baryard-Johnsson and H&M Indiana, who stopped the clock just behind the leading time set by Kim Emmen.
Among the sport’s longest-standing stars, H&M Indiana is one of the most renowned and successful horses in international showjumping, here pictured with Lina Andersson.
Last, but certainly not least: Willem Greve and Grandorado TN N.O.P. crowned the evening.
...taking the lead from Emmen as the final combination to go, securing the win.
Well-deserved pets for the winner.
Greve is in the midst of a phenomenal season - this marks his third victory in the Western European League.
Greve currently leads the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2025/2026 Western European League with 81 points.
At the press conference, Greve was quick to acknowledge his team, attributing his current success to their support.
Then