Von Eckermann and King Edward Save the Best for Last in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final Omaha 2023 Round 1

Forty of the world’s best horse-and-rider Jumping combinations took to the CHI Health Center Omaha arena during the evening competition session for the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final Omaha 2023 Round 1, where the number-one-ranked rider in the world, Henrik von Eckermann (SWE), galloped to the top spot with King Edward.

Bernardo Costa Cabral (POR) set the challenging 1.60m track for the Table C format first round – a speed round where every four faults converted to three seconds added to the overall time. The most challenging parts proved to be the tricky combination lines where the rider’s control as well as the adjustability and power of the horses were put to the test. In the end, 15 riders jumped clear.

The final duo to contest needed little introduction. With von Eckermann in the irons, King Edward has jumped to numerous five-star wins, a team gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, as well as individual gold at the 2022 FEI World Championships in Herning, Denmark. Their success has helped propel von Eckermann to his leading world ranking for nine consecutive months.

“The horse, as most people know, is an unbelievable, fantastic horse and he's done so many great things, and thanks to the owner Georg Kähny, I can ride him,” commented von Eckermann of the 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Edward 28 x Feo). “At home and to take care of, he is like a dog. He is very easy going, and it feels like you can take him in your home. Then the show comes, and he gets a lot of nerve. He has incredible power. He's a small horse, but somehow the engine he has behind is unbelievable, and that's why he can jump such big jumps — and of course he's very careful.”

Denis Lynch (IRL) set the pace as the first to go with Brooklyn Heights, but his leading time of 63.25 seconds didn’t last long. Second in the arena, Yuri Mansur (BRA) and Vitiki cut the time down to 61.54 seconds. With four clear rounds from Harrie Smolders (NED), Pius Schwizer (SUI), Erynn Ballard (CAN), and Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann (GER), the lead changed two more times before Scott Brash (GBR) and Hello Jefferson laid down a blazing trip in 59.23 seconds.

“I didn't think I'd done enough to win, to be honest, because I thought my round was very good until I came in on the forward four [strides], and Jefferson twisted a bit on the plank,” explained Brash of his ride through the difficult line of 10AB to 11AB toward the end of the course. “I didn't really get a smooth turn after, so I knew I was a bit slower there. I did 10 strides to the last, and I knew that a few of the other riders were going to go nine strides, but I’m delighted with how my horse jumped.

“I’ve been with Jefferson for five years now, and he's a fantastic horse,” continued Brash of the 14-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding (Cooper van de Heffinck x Irco Mena) owned by Lady Pauline Harris and Lady Pauline Kirkham. “He's strong minded so it's taken a bit of time to grow the partnership, but I feel it's there now and he's really amazing.”

It looked like Brash couldn’t be caught, until thirty-sixth in the order Daniel Deusser (GER) came very close with Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z, stopping the clock just a tick slower in 59.45 seconds.

“I am very satisfied with my third place tonight,” said Deusser of his finish with the 15-year-old Zangersheide stallion (Otangelo x Mr. Blue) he owns with Stephex Stables and Scuderia 1918 Capital SRL. “I walked the course and did my plan already before the first one went into the ring. I have to say for me tonight, I am very happy, and it was a good start to the week.”

The 2014 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final champion and his partner of seven years looked on form as expected and in their element. While they know each other well now, Deusser noted it wasn’t always as smooth as it appears now.

“To be honest, our beginning was not like it looks now because when you ride him at home he actually feels a little bit cold, like he's not too motivated,” he said. “In the ring he’s always done his best. At home, in the first couple of years with him, I always tried to get him fitter and more motivated, but I realized that actually it's important that he's willing and fresh to go to the shows. In the end, he's a show horse; he knows exactly what to do at the shows, and at home I try to keep him happy.”

Three more athletes gave it their best shot, before Henrick von Eckermann entered the arena with his super partner King Edward. They laid it all on the line, just edging out Brash in a time of 59.09 seconds to thunderous applause. Brash had to settle for second, while Deusser finished in third.

“Of course, in a course like this it's good to see a few go,” stated von Eckermann. “I saw Scott and I knew before I went in that he was in the lead. I knew I could be close, so I had to cut to the triple bar with one less stride and do one less to the last with nine strides.”

Hunter Holloway led the U.S. contingent, delivering a clean round with Pepita Con Spita in 61.35 seconds to sit in eighth place overall. Holloway, who hails from Topeka, Kansas, felt right at home, having competed at the venue several times before. The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final Omaha 2023 marks her second Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final with the 12-year-old Westphalian mare (DSP Con Spirit x Come On) owned by Hays Investment Corp.

“She's been a very fun horse to bring along,” shared Holloway. “We got her as an eight-year-old, and I was lucky enough to get a group together to purchase her. We had no idea at the time she was going to be the horse she's become today. I knew she'd be a good grand prix horse, but I certainly wasn't thinking she'd be a 1.60m horse and be where I am with her. She just keeps growing year after year — more scope and more try. She gives her heart every time.”

Jumping competition continues Thursday, April 6, at 7:15 p.m. CST with Round 2. Riders will appear in reverse order of their placings from the first round of competition over a Table A format, with the clear combinations returning for a jump-off. The final and deciding round takes place on Saturday, April 8, at 6:15 p.m. CST.

Click here for full results from the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final Omaha 2023 Round 1.
 

Text by Amanda Picciotto Feitosa