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.
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.
“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.”
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