As expected, there were both highs and lows in yesterday's first round of the Longines FEI World Cup Final 2019. For Beat Mändli, it was extra tough. The Swiss rider was doing a beautiful round as first to go with Dsarie, but a daring turn to the plank at fence no. 11 caused the two to part ways and also put Mändli's World Cup Final-adventure to an early end.
All photos © World of Showjumping by Jenny Abrahamsson.
Also reigning champions Beezie Madden and Breitling LS did not escape the heartbreak. After a very fast round, the front pole on the last oxer hit the ground sending the pair down on the overall standings.
A little chat between two former World Cup Champions: Christian Ahlmann and Daniel Deusser.
The Belgians were on fire in the first round of the Longines FEI World Cup Final, taking 2nd, 3rd and 4th place. Here Francois Mathy Jr. and Casanova de L' Herse, that finished 4th.
This Longines wall caused less problems than expected.
Home hero Henrik von Eckermann and his fiancee Janika Sprunger going over the course.
Jaroslaw Skrzyczynski lets Chacclana have a look at the wall before riding a clear round for Poland.
Daniel Deusser and Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z had the fastest time of the class, but with one pole down on the oxer at 12a and three seconds added the two now sit 8th overall.
Several riders got in trouble in the triple combination: Here Khaled Abdulrahman Almobty with Dona Evita over the b-element...
... and Devin Ryan with Cooper over the c-element.
Full focus from the winner Steve Guerdat, who now is in the run for his third title.
Pieter Devos and Apart impressed when ending 2nd.
All smiles from Japan's Shino Hirota and Life Is Beautiful who had three rails down towards the end of the course.
Shino Hirota's fan club!
Peder Fredricson and H&M All In gave their everything in front of the home crowds, but a pole fell in the combination and the pair now sit 11th overall as the best for the hosts.
Max Kühner's stunning Chardonnay 79.
Like a walk in the park... Christian Alhmann always makes it looks easy, and yesterday was no exception: A clear round, putting the German rider 7th overall.
Like Madden, Henrik von Eckermann experienced the agony of having a pole on the last fence down with Tovek's Mary Lou.
Riders from all continents are present in Gothenburg, here South Africa's Lisa Williams and Campbell.
Niels Bruynseels and Delux van T & L were also clear for Belgium, and sit 9th overall.
Kelli Cruciotti and Hadja van Orshof in action for the USA.
H&M Legend of Love gave her all, and produced the first clear in the class with Olivier Philippaerts in the saddle. The two ended 3rd.
Then