On Thursday, it was time for the second round at the Agria FEI Jumping World Championship in Herning, Denmark, which was decisive for which ten teams would move on to today's final which kicks off at 9 PM CET.
The course turned out to be a real challenge for the horses and the riders, and it was especially the triple combination at 9abc, as well as the very last line from the open water at 12 to an upright at 13 followed by four very forwards or five holding strides to a tall, wide oxer at 14, that caused the most problems. "It was not easy to find a decision on the distance to the triple combination, finally I decided to do seven but only when I was inside the ring and not before I went in. The rest of the course was clear for me before, only this line to the triple combination was not," Julien Epaillard told after his round. In the end, Epaillard's decision worked out perfectly, as the French rider delivered his second clear round of the championship to hold on to his individual lead and help his team to sit in silver position ahead of today's final.
All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping.
Jessica Kürten inspecting the course in style.
Ilan Ferder and Erynn Ballard walking the course for Team Canada.
Swiss rising star Edouard Schmitz and multi-medallist Martin Fuchs.
Brian Moggre and Laura Kraut for Team USA.
Caption this... Rob Hoekstra and Nayel Nassar.
Julien Epaillard and Kevin Staut mapping out the course. Both riders delivered clear rounds for France...
...as did Simon Delestre, which meant they kept their overnight score of 5.44 ahead of today's final, sitting only 1.75 behind the Swedes.
Maikel van der Vleuten and Harrie Smolders. The Dutch came back strong for the second round in Herning, going up from rank eight to fourth.
Lillie Keenan, Jessica Springsteen and Pether Markne.
Jerome Guery, Jos Verlooy and Niels Bruynseels going through the course. The Belgians were sitting in bronze position ahead of Thursday's round, but unfortunately things did not go as well as expected and they dropped down to fifth position with a score of 13.49.
The Canadian ladies all delivered incredibly strong performances yesterday, and qualified for the team final. Here Tiffany Foster and Erynn Ballard.
Mexico's Federico Fernandez and Dutch trainer Vincent Voorn.
Father and son: José María Larocca Jr and Matias Larocca for Argentina.
Andre Thieme, Christian Ahlmann and Max Kühner discussing strategies.
Ludger Beerbaum and Karsten Lütteken.
A penny for your thoughts Nicola...
Scott Brash with William Funnell, Di Lampard, Stanny Van Paesschen and Joe Stockdale. Brash sits second on the individual standings, only 0.23 penalties behind Epaillard.
Robert Ridland and Adrienne Sternlicht. The American team were in Herning to defend their title from Tryon, but missed out on the team final when finishing 11th yesterday.
The next Smolders-generation.
World no. one Henrik von Eckermann jumped another clear round with King Edward, to now sit fourth individually and leading the way on the team standings with Sweden. "It was a great course to ride, you could ride it with a very nice rhythm. Maybe it was a little bit soft today, but it was a long course. Today I think we had a perfect round," von Eckermann said after his round.
The Swedes mapping out their master plan.
Ludo Philippaerts and Enda Carroll.
“It is a nice thing to be in the lead; in a way it is in our hands now – which is a good feeling,” Swedish Chef d’Equipe Henrik Ankarcrona said. “However, it is so tight that anything can happen. I am happy with all four horses jumping fantastic today – better than yesterday. Especially Malin had a good round today, which I am thrilled about. We try not to think too much about being in the lead and just focus on the rounds and the technical parts. It is better to not think about the bigger picture now but focus on the details instead. Our goal is to be on the top of the podium tomorrow night, and that is a very high goal to set. If you put a goal like that, there is a big risk that you won’t get there. However, the way the horses have been jumping, we want to go all the way – so why should we not say it? We have to take it one day at the time though, and so far it looks good, but anything can happen.”
Then