Stockholm, Sweden – June 14, 2019 – The very first CSI5* class at the Longines Global Champions Tour of Stockholm was a showcase of pure talent from the best horses and riders in the world. It was a home win for Malin Baryard-Johnsson (SWE) to who took top honours with H&M Second Chance in the €25,000 Equestrian Stockholm Prize CSI 5*. She was closely followed by Nayel Nassar (EGY) on Lordan and Wilm Vermeir (BEL) finished in third place with King Kong d’Avifauna. 

The 1.45m two-phase course built by Uliano Vezzani was a challenging track as the competitors cruised around the Swedish Olympic Stadium for the first time. It was the Longines plank that fell the most and the tight time allowed of 55 seconds in the first phase meant riders had to open up as much as possible.

First to go Abdel Said (EGY) let his bay gelding take in the spectacular views of the stadium before heading for the first fence. Unfortunately, he was caught out by the Longines plank and also picked up a time fault meaning no second phase for Jumpy van de Hermitage.

Belgium rider Jos Verlooy (BEL) and Zapatero VDM were the first pair to complete the second phase of the course. They didn’t keep a clean sheet and had one down leaving the top spot still open. Nayel Nassar (EGY) rode a foot-perfect double clear on Lordan and jumped into the lead with a very fast time of 26.69 seconds.

Mathilda Karlsson (SRI) was producing a beautiful round until Cera VA chipped in an extra stride to the water tray putting them out of contention from taking over the lead. The drama then continued as Leopold Van Asten (NED) and VDL Groep Miss Untouchablefinished just 0.05 seconds outside the time allowed in the first phase – another combination unable to make it to the finish line.

Jumping on home turf Henrik von Ekermann (SWE) pushed the gas pedal down but couldn’t quite match the pace on Que Bueno de Hus Z, and they passed through the timers in 27.52 seconds. Both Cian O’Connor (IRL) and Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) decided to school their horses round in order to save them for the big class this evening. Young talent Jennifer Gates (USA) had to put three strides in the Longines two stride double with Hermelien vd Hooghoeve, however this didn’t stop them from producing a clear and they finished high up the order.

Jur Vierling (NED) made one of the tightest turns between fence nine and ten on his big striding gelding Davall, however, this still wasn’t fast enough to go into the lead and he finished with a time of 29.30 seconds. Local hero Peder Fredricson (SWE) retired to a cheer from the crowd after jumping clear in the first phase but wanting to save H&M All In for tomorrow.

Malin Baryard-Johnsson (SWE) & H&M Second Chance

Swedish sensation Malin Baryard-Johnsson (SWE) had a standing ovation as she flew over the last fence and crossed the finish line half a second faster on H&M Second Chance to storm into the lead. Ben Maher (GBR) came home with four faults on 16-year-old Tic Tacleaving him out of the placings.

Under 25 rider Evelina Tovek (SWE) would have gone into second place to make it a Swedish one-two in the final placings but unfortunately, she couldn’t quite make the distance to the last fence and it fell down. Five-time Olympic Medallist Ludger Beeraum (GER)tried to put Chacon on top of the leader board but four faults in the first phase meant it wasn’t his day.

Malin Baryard-Johnsson (SWE) & H&M Second Chance during the awards ceremony

For full results, please click here.

Source: Press release from LGCT – Longines Global Champions Tour

Photos: © LGCT / Stefano Grasso