The world’s number one show jumper, Henrik von Eckerman of Sweden on the spectacular King Edward had to bow to an unsung Dutch rider, Lars Kersten, in the FEI World Cup qualifier at the Gothenburg, Sweden horse show Sunday.
Lars, whose previous best finish in a Cup qualifier was a fourth place in Oslo, Norway, two years ago, was incredulous that he and Hallilea, bred at his family’s farm, topped the class that also included Swedish gold medalist Peder Fredricson on Catch Me Not.
Lars Kersten and Hallilea. (Photo by Roland Thunholm)
“It’s a completely surreal feeling to be sitting here today, I still can’t believe that I’m standing here, in front of two legends, said the delighted winner after the class.”
Lars has had a total of nine starts in the World Cup and made it to the jump-off in just three of them.
“My whole family and our team were here, which doesn’t happen very often, so it was a fantastic feeling, said Lars.
“Maybe we didn’t think she would go this far,” he said of his 12-year-old mare.
“Even if she had the jumping ability, there is so much more that comes into play. They have to have the right attitude too – but she clearly has.”
His time in the seven-horse jump-off was 35.44 seconds a fraction ahead of Henrik, clocked in 35.72. Peder’s mark was 35.99.
Henrik said he has “a bit of mixed feelings, I thought I got a good feeling and he jumped well, maybe too well. It takes some time when you are too high above the obstacles.”
Unusually, he fell off in the warm-up.
“This was a bit atypical; it has never happened before. We were going to jump the last fence and he twists a little and I ended up on the side. I was at the chiropractor this morning and will probably visit her again, but it went well, said Henrik, who is directly qualified for the World Cup final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, because he won the final in Omaha last year.
Peder’s mount was his ridein the European Championships,, where he took individual silver in 2021. Peder, who previously was ranked best in the world for many months, has never won a World Cup qualifier.
“It was a bit frustrating today, I didn’t quite get the turn, it was sad not to win, he stated.