In Riyadh today, the World Cup season reached its ultimate climax: the ultimate final of the show jumping. Before the start of this final, Henrik von Eckermann, who also crowned himself last season's winner, was in the best position. Together with the king of show jumping, King Edward, bred by Wim Impens, he started the first round in the lead. In this, he was closely followed by his compatriot Peder Fredricson and the fast Frenchman Julien Epaillard.
Quick results
1. Henrik von Eckermann - King Edward (by Edward 28)
2. Julien Epaillard - Dubai du Cedre (by Baloubet du Rouet)
3. Peder Fredricson - Catch Me Not S (by Cardento 933)
Round 1
At the very front of the rankings there was slight shift after round one: Peder Fredricson tike a fault with Catch Me Not S (by Cardento 933), dropping him to third place in the rankings. This in turn was good news for Julien Epaillard who climbed to second place thanks to his clear round in the first round with Dubai du Cedra (by Baloubet du Rouet). Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward (by Edward 28) did what they had to: jump a clear first round. This meant that they were one clear round away from another victory in the World Cup final AND that it was entirely in their own hands.
Round 2
In the second round, Frank Rothenberger again managed to set a challenging course. Consequently, several combinations including Marcus Ehning (Coolio) and Jean Sadran (Dexter de Kerglenn) went wrong. Home rider Ramzy Al Duhami then put down a strong round to the delight of the home crowd with Untouchable 32 (by Van Helsing). The 11-year-old mare did not come close to the wood but finished just a little too slow, which resulted in two points for time. Winning would not do Al Duhami any favours but it would certainly not make the home crowd any less proud.
The first clear round in the second round came from Pieter Devos. While he got two more jumping faults in the first round with Casual DV Z (by Cornet Obolensky), this time the only 9-year-old mare managed to leave the wood untouched. This would earn him eighth place in the overall standings. After Pieter Devos, it was up to Max Kühner to take the start. He brilliantly rode EIC Up Too Jacco Blue (by Chacco-Blue) to a clear round. Gregory Wathelet unfortunately could not repeat his clear round from the first round. His Ace of Hearts (by Aliandro B) knocked three faults out of the scoops, dropping him down the rankings, and they had to make do with tenth place. Ben Maher and Dallas Vegas Batilly (by Cap Kennedy) were also unable to keep the clear. Maher and the 11-year-old mare got a very short distance to the triple jump, causing the second element to crash. The last obstacle also proved too much for this combination, the duo thus concluded with eight penalties in the second round, 17 in total.
The tension was palpable when the first rider of the top five, Hans-Dieter Dreher with Elysium (by VDL Zirocco Blue) came on. Dreher decided to make one less canter jump towards the double, which he paid for with two jumping faults later in the course. Kent Farrington was next with Greya (by Colestus). The double jump, which was very challenging due to its approach in five canter jumps, also proved the biggest task for 10-year-old Greya; she the second element out of the scoops.
At that point, there were still three riders who might fight for the podium spots: Fredricson, Epaillard and Von Eckermann. Fredricson, the oldest rider in the final was able to do what they had to with Catch Me Not S (by Cardento 933), the oldest horse in the final: jump a clear round. He was thus immediately sure of a podium spot in this final, which medal it would be was entirely in the hands of Epaillard and Fredricson's compatriot and world number one, Von Eckermann.
Epaillard next up. If he wanted to finish on the podium, he could afford one jumping fault but that would be a bronze medal. However, the Baloubet du Rouet daughter Dubai du Cedre left nothing to chance: the mare jumped out of the book and was able to keep the clear. So, for now, second place for Epaillard who delivered the second double clear round of the day. King Edward and Henrik von Eckermann, however, showed once again why they are the best combination in the world. They did what they needed to do to clinch victory: jump clear. Things got a little tense on the second obstacle but King Edward wouldn't be King Edward if he didn't throw everything into the fray to cross the finish line clear.
The day's prize came in the hands of Max Kühner and EIC Up Too Jacco Blue (by Chacco-Blue), closely followed by Julien Epaillard (Dubai du Cedre) and Henrik von Eckermann (King Edward).