Ehning and Coolio 42 (Casallo) were the first to start in the opening round of the individual European Championship final. They began with 10.86 points and finished the round with one jumping fault. The tightly set time allowed added extra pressure, bringing the duo to a total of 6 penalty points. "I'm very happy with how Coolio jumped after the past few days. We’ve seen quite a few clear rounds, resulting in a fair number of faultless duos, although the time is tight. I made a mistake, so I just wanted to continue riding normally."

Before the round, Abdel Said analyzed the course with us: "It’s a challenging but fairly built course. Remarkably, it’s laid out completely differently from the previous days. After the double-style combination, there’s a tough oxer coming directly out of a turn. You have to hold back, past the grass patch, and then move forward over the oxer toward the water jump. You really need control there and definitely must not lose pace."

According to Said, the hardest part of the course is at the end: "The triple combination is really a challenge—heavily built and placed at the end of the course. After that comes a vertical that demands maximum concentration from both horse and rider."

Swedish rider Wilma Hellström was the first to ride a clear round with the 14-year-old Cicci BJN (Ci Ci Senjor ASK). The duo started with 6.55 points and leads the first group of riders with a total of 6.55 points. "I'm super happy I could jump clear," said the Swede. "I added one extra stride after the water because I really wanted to stay faultless..."

Young rider Antoine Ermann (FRA) also remained clear with the 10-year-old SF gelding, Floyd des Pres (Vigo Cece). The pair jumped nicely through what Said described as the most difficult line.

More clear rounds followed, including Piergiorgio Bucci who stayed faultless with Hantano (Quasimodo Z). Olympic champion Christian Kukuk followed with Just Be Gentle (Tyson). The KWPN horse moved smoothly through the triple combination, and Kukuk took one stride less toward the final plank. In total, good for one time penalty. Donald Whitaker and Millfield Colette (Cornet Obolensky) also went clear. With 4.67 points, the Brit took the lead.

Thibeau Spits followed with Impress-K van 't Kattenheye Z (Indoktro-K van 't Kattenheye). Earlier, Impress' groom Yarni shared what a fantastic feeling the horse gave this week. Together with the black stallion, Spits made a smooth start, presumably to compensate for time spent in the air. The pair delivered a textbook round!

Alongside the energetic KWPN mare In the Air (Air Jordan), Jessica Mendoza also delivered a clear round.

Willem Greve followed with the BWP mare Pretty Woman van 't Paradijs (Vigo d'Arsouilles). Greve clearly kept the time allowed in mind. After the water, he got into some trouble, waited a little too long, and tapped the first element of the double combination. The rest of the round was flawless, finishing on five points.

Kim Emmen and Imagine N.O.P. (Cassini Gold) were next to start. The grey jumped with great presence. After the heavy FEI oxer, Emmen added one extra stride but remained faultless—to the end! A clear round puts her in the lead and secures her a spot in the second round! "My horse felt really good. When I walked the course, I had a plan, but I followed my feeling and ended up adjusting it. I'm super proud of my horse."

First after the drag break was Italian rider Riccardo Pisani with the 12-year-old Chatolinue PS (Diablo Blanco). The duo finished with two jumping faults, including one at the triple combination.

Sophie Hinners and the Belgian Iron Dames My Prins (formerly My Prins van Dorperheide, by Zilverstar T) finished clear as well, securing a spot in the second round of the final. Kevin Staut and the 16-year-old Visconti du Telman (Toulon) were unable to produce a faultless round. "My horse jumped really fantastic. There’s still one round to go where anything can happen. I adjusted my plan slightly at the last minute after watching other combinations."

Janika Sprunger and the 11-year-old BWP mare Orelie (Emerald) got into trouble after the large water jump. A miscommunication led to a refusal at the double combination. With one more jumping fault in the triple combination and time exceeded, they ended up with 19 penalty points.

Ben Maher and Dallas Vegas Batilly (Cap Kennedy) did exactly what was expected of them. The pair jumped a clear round in complete balance. For Seamus Hughes Kennedy (IRL), there was a costly one-point penalty with ESI Rocky (Stakkato Gold). After one jumping fault from Nadja Peter Steiner and Mila (Monte Bellini), Thibeau Spits secured a spot in the second round.

Nicola Philippaerts followed with Katanga van het Dingeshof (Cardento). After the water, the pair added an extra stride, which set them up for a faultless round—until the final oxer of the triple combination. A light touch caused the pole to fall from the cups… an unlucky fault!

Fellow countryman Gilles Thomas followed. With Ermitage Kalone (Catoki), the rider once again confirmed his form. Just within the time allowed, Ermitage stayed clear!

Defending champion Steve Guerdat and the 11-year-old Albfuehren's Iashin Sitte (Bamako de Muze) knocked down the final fence. This puts Gilles Thomas in the lead of the championship.

Brit Scott Brash followed with Hello Folie (Luidam). The line to the water caused some issues for Brash, but the duo managed to stay clear. The mare jumped high into the air... but the Brit kept his cool and finished faultlessly.

Last to go was Richard Vogel with his approved stallion United Touch 'S' (Untouched). The duo delivered a stylish round with a clear course.