In the picture: The FEI World Cup Jumping Final
It was just amazing! The very best riders and horses of the world competing against each other. The standings went upside down throughout the week, but there is just one number one at the moment. It’s all in the name: King Edward and Henrik von Eckermann add another trophy to their collection. And yes, they totally deserved it. We’ve put all the highs and lows together, or actually just a few, because Leanjo took over 10.000 jumping pictures. “Too much”, he said. Sit back and enjoy.
Before the start of round one of the final, the Danish Andreas Schou and the Swiss Pius Schwizer were in the lead. While Andreas and Darc de Lux finished with twelve faults, Pius and Vancouver de Lanlore added four to their score made it four in total and stayed in the lead. Darc de Lux managed to jump clear at round two and finished as fifth. Pius’ dream felt into pieces after round two because of two dropped rails. Their result at the end was the 6th place.
The first round was a tough one, only three riders kept their heads and horses cool and cleared the course without a single fault: Harrie Smolders, the World Cup winner of last year Martin Fuchs and Denis Lynch.
The best rider of the final day was for sure Denis Lynch, because he was the only rider of the field jumping two clear rounds with his amazing Brooklyn Heights. In the Speed and Handiness class on Wednesday he managed to jump clear but wasn’t that fast enough at the end and became 18th. The second jumping day he ended up with four faults and added two clears on the final day to finishing on the 7th place overall.
The pair who proved to never ever stop believing are Yuri Mansur and Vitiki. After a freak accident in 2018, where Vitiki broke his leg at CHIO Aachen, those two came back stronger than ever. Finishing fourth at their very first international championship together and topped their World Cup Final with a clear round.
Harrie Smolders and Monaco N.O.P. were so ready to fight against Henrik and King Edward. “Monaco was probably jumping the best ever, he jumped even better than last year in Leipzig.” Last year in Leipzig the flying Dutchmen ended up second. “I would love to go in a jump off with Henrik and King Edward today, because Monaco felt like he could compete against King Edward. But we don’t need to be ashamed to become second.” And that’s so true!
Henrik and King Edward were the title favorites, but the home crowd favorites are Hunter Holloway and her charming Pepito Con Spita for sure. The FEI World Cup Final made dreams come true and definitely Hunter’s, finishing third. The crowd went nuts and tapped their feet as never before, giving her even more applause than the King. Look at that smile.
Unbeatable, that’s the second, or maybe first name of King Edward and Henrik von Eckermann. The reigning World Champions and Olympic team Champions added the World Cup victory to their collection. Of course. But they know that it takes two to tango.
At the end, there is an amazing groom standing behind every rider and horse. We’ve got your back.
