The podium at the 2016 Longines FEI World Cup Final, Steve Guerdat, Harrie Smolders and Daniel Deusser, met the press in Gothenburg after another super exciting competition. And, everyone was united in the fact that the 2016 Final showed some of the best the sport has to offer.

Steve Guerdat on the question as to whether he could believe that he had won the World Cup Final twice in a row;

“No, it’s pretty special. I was ready to give it a go and give everything I could, but I wasn’t really thinking I would stand here in front of you as the final winner today. “

Daniel on his well-jumping white partner Cornet D'Amour:

"My horse was in a fantastic form already from the first day. I had a very good feeling over all the rounds. I had a stupid mistake the second day, which was the reason why I’m only third now. Well, I can not say 'only third' as I am very happy with that, the sport was really strong this weekend and even when we walked the second round I was quite impressed. It was a big class. I saw Steve in the warm-up and we were laughing a little bit and I said to him; 'If we are still on the podium after the second round I am happy with that'. Steve laughed and said; 'Me too'.”

Harrie on Emerald that is just a beauty to watch and showed his true qualities today:

“I am thrilled with him. It is his first championship and he convinced me in everything this weekend. He is a very attractive horse and he loves the atmosphere here. I think it was great sport and super exposure of how our sport should be. Also with the audience here and the course design, it was very good publicity for our sport.”

Steve on taking a back-to-back victory in the Longines FEI World Cup Final:

“It was important to me to ride better than last year. That I won, was the only reason to be happy that day. I did not ride very good in the final last year, and that stays in your head so that was my goal today to ride better than last year. I did not put too much pressure on my horse, because I was not sure how he would react over the championship. He does not have that much experience, but he felt very good already before the class and he felt very powerful again after a day off. When you start the course and the horse gives you a good feeling it gives you confidence. Today, I felt that he was fighting with me. Sometimes it feels like we have to look more for each other and it does not feel that smooth, but today I felt that he was fighting with me and that gives you confidence along the course.”

“I feel very privileged with my life and the horses I have,” Steve finished off.

Text ©  World of Showjumping // Pictures ©  Jenny Abrahamsson