Day one of the Sweden International Horse Show culminated in the 4* 1.45m class, in which 32 of world's best riders competed against each other. In front of his home crowd, the Swedish number one in the world, Henrik Von Eckermann, once again showed his class by jumping to victory with a lead of more than two seconds.
Exactly ten combinations managed to complete both phases of the 1.45m high course without any mistakes. Von Eckermann, on the back of the 10-year-old KWPN gelding Hollywood V (Mylord Carthago), was the fastest to stop the chrono at 28.94 seconds and thus won the gold, together with more than 20,000 euros in prize money. Second followed Bertram Allen in the saddle of Emmylou (Billy Mexico) in a time of 30.95 seconds, which was matched by Marlon Modolo Zanotelli on Grand Slam VDL (Cardento 933).
After this ex-aequo silver place, the Belgian Nicola Philippaerts placed fourth, by sending the Kannan son, Khan Vd Kattevennen Z clear in 31.15 seconds. His compatriot Abdel Saïd needed less than a second more on Arpege du RU (Apache d'Adriers), and finished fifth in 32.04 seconds.
The rest of the Swedish field of participants also managed to conquer great top ten rankings on their home soil.
