The order-to-go for the first round of the Longines FEI World Cup Final was decided by a draw in Gothenburg last night. The draw was conducted by Swedish contender Henrik von Eckermann and by America’s Rich Fellers who claimed the title in 2012. Australia’s Edwina Alexander was drawn in the no. 1 spot, while the favoured last-to-go spot went to 2015 champion Steve Guerdat from Switzerland.
Guerdat is really excited about defending the title he won in dramatic circumstances with Albufuehren’s Paille in Las Vegas, USA last year. “The World Cup Final is always a competition I look forward to, and I love this show in Gothenburg,” he said.
Asked if he thought he could make it a back-to-back double of Longines titles he said he was “not thinking that far ahead! I was blessed I could win it last year, I always have great results in the Final but I have a new horse (Corbinian) this time and we will have to see where we are. I have him two years but he is still only 11 and I’m not sure how he will react after going fast on the first day. But he has quality and I trust him and I hope for the best!”
Drawn 21st, Germany’s Markus Ehning will post a new FEI World Cup record if he can claim the title for a fourth time. Asked this evening what doing just that would mean to him, Ehning modestly replied, “Every win is a special win - first I just want to go in the arena and see where we are. Being at the World Cup Final is a big goal, and I’m looking forward to being on the podium on Monday!”
Source: Press release from the FEI // Picture