In a lightning-fast jump-off, Henrik von Eckermann claimed top honors in the feature class at the CSI5-W in Oslo. Riding the ten-year-old BWP mare Qasirah van de Reistenhoek, the Swedish world-class rider posted a brilliant double clear, pushing formidable rivals Steve Guerdat and Martin Fuchs into the runner-up positions. The 1.55m class also served as a direct qualifier for Sunday's Grand Prix.*
Seven combinations managed to secure a spot in the decisive jump-off following the first round. Von Eckermann and Qasirah van de Reistenhoek (by Emerald x Kannan), bred by Y. Ramont, clocked an unbeatable time of 32.56 seconds in the jump-off, leaving them well over half a second clear of Steve Guerdat.
Guerdat piloted the nine-year-old Selle Français stallion Hadj de Bliniere (by Carpe Diem J F Champblanc x Allegreto) to another clear round, but had to settle for second place with a time of 33.13 seconds. The Swiss celebration on the podium was completed by Martin Fuchs. He guided the eleven-year-old gelding Lorde (by Clyde LVB Z x Elan de la Cour), bred by Casa Agricola Francisco Jose Rocha, to third place in 33.44 seconds.
French veteran Marc Dilasser finished fourth aboard Arioto du Gevres (by Diamant de Semilly), followed by Janika Sprunger, who completed the top five with Aganix's Rose of Light (by Aganix du Seigneur). Austria's Max Kühner (Kurt D Z) and home-crowd favorite Victoria Gulliksen of Norway (Moonshine van T Ameldonk Z) took sixth and seventh place respectively.