Friday night’s team final at the Agria FEI Jumping World Championship in Herning, Denmark, was a real rollercoaster ride with what seemed like endless twists and turns, as well as ups and downs.
The action kicked off with the 23 riders that had made it in for the third individual qualifier, and it was Israel’s Daniel Bluman who was the first to bring the crowds to a standing ovation after delivering a clear round on Ladriano Z to shoot himself up on the individual standings. “It was great atmosphere, great sport and an incredible moment with my horse,” Bluman told WoSJ.
Here we look back at all the action from Friday night’s competition, that had absolutely all the feels!
All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping.
Italy's Lorenzo De Luca was clear on the fences with F One USA, but had to see two time penalties added to his score over Louis Konickx's tricky fourteen-fence track.
As first to go, China's Ella Yunjing Wang opted to retire early on after getting in trouble on this spooky wall that came already as fence no. two.
Home heros Emil Hallundbæk and Chalisco also competed individually, but did unfortunately not manage to qualify for Sunday's final.
Brian Moggre's Balou du Reventon slammed on the brakes in the turn to the plank at four, and the American rider had his hands full with calming the stallion down. However, Moggre managed to bring Balou down on all four feet and completed the course.
Austria's Max Kühner giving Elektric Blue P a big hug after a clear round, which moved them up to sit 5th on the individual standings ahead of Sunday's final.
Japan's Taizo Sugitani also competed individually, but got in trouble towards the end of the course, here in the combination at 9ab.
It wasn't Mclain Ward and Contagious' day, and the American rider decided to retire. It's been a disappointing championship for the US riders, who will be watching Sunday's individual final from the sideline.
The triple combination caused trouble over and over again, here Andreas Schou and Dark de Lux coming out over the c-element.
Beth Underhill's Nikka vd Bisschop did not want to touch a pole in the combination at 9ab.
Ben Maher was extremely unlucky to have the front pole on the first oxer down, but then cleared the rest of the course with Faltic HB. The two now sit 8th on the individual standings, and as it would turn out, their round would contribute to the team bronze medal and Olympic qualification for Great Britain.
What a partnership these two have! Con Quidam RB jumped his heart out for Sanne Thijssen to only have one down on 13b.
Marcus Ehning did not have his best day, and finished with two down on Stargold, one of which came in the triple combination. This put pressure on the rest of the German riders, who really would have to deliver to stay in their overnight bronze position.
There was never any doubt: World no. one Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward blazed around the difficult track to a clear round for Sweden, giving their team the best possible start.
After only one time penalty from Denis Lynch's side, Bertram Allen, who originally was the reserve rider for Ireland, piloted Pacino Amiro to a clear round and suddenly the Irish team was catching up with those ahead after coming into the team final sitting 9th.
These two really impressed. After a disappointing round on Thursday, Joe Stockdale and Equine America Cacharel returned with a bang on Friday night to only have the front pole on 9b down. Joe's strong performance was made extra special as it came on the birthday of his late father, Tim Stockdale.
Maikel van der Vleuten and Beauville Z jumped another great round for the Dutch to only have the plank at fence four down.
Jana Wargers and Limbridge got Germany back on track when recording only a single time penalty.
Meanwhile, the French were struggling from their overnight silver position. One down from Simon Delestre's Cayman Jolly Jumper, and nine faults for Gregory Cottard and Bibici meant the heat was on for Julien Epaillard and Kevin Staut as the two last to go on the team.
Malin Baryard-Johnsson and H&M Indiana also had to see a rail fall, but nevertheless Sweden still had an advantage over France as the third riders in the rotation entered the ring.
These two have been amazing in the two first rounds of the championship, but yesterday it was unfortunately not their day and Canada's Tiffany Foster and Figor had two rails down. Canada finished 10th overall.
One thing is certain: In showjumping it ain't over 'til it's over. After one rail down in Thursday's round, Switzerland's Martin Fuchs and the lovely Leone Jei bounced back to jump clear last night and returned to the top five on the individual standings to sit 4th.
Harry Charles also came back strong for Great Britain, and delivered the team's only clear of the night aboard Romeo 88, which really put pressure on Germany and France's two last riders in the ring.
These two are totally amazing together, and never stop to impress. It was not Belgium's night, but nevertheless Jerome Guery and Quel Homme de Hus delievered and now sit 3rd on the individual standings with only 2.77 penalty points separating them from leaders Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward.
He could also point a bit towards himself, because this man always delivers on the big occasions for the Dutch: Jur Vrieling put the Netherlands back in the game when only recording two time penalties with Long John Silver as third to go on the team.
And then things took a very unexpected turn; Germany's Andre Thieme and DSP Chakaria parted ways in the landing after the oxer at no. three. The result was elimination and suddenly the Dutch were ahead of the Germans.
It was not easy to catch DSP Chakaria, but Marcus Ehning took control of the situation in the most sensible way.
Then