2019 Flashback

We get ready for Leipzig by looking back to Gothenburg 2019...

It’s now just a matter of weeks until the FEI World Cup Finals™ in Leipzig, where the planet’s top Jumping, Dressage, Driving and Vaulting athletes come together for one of the biggest equestrian events in recent years.

It’s three years since the Jumping and Dressage finals last took place, and two years since Driving’s most recent climax to an indoor season. As we build up to Leipzig 2022, which runs from April 6-10, we thought we’d look back at what happened during the last FEI World Cup Finals™...

Jumping

Back in 2019, Gothenburg was the scene for the top stars to come together. The defending champion in Jumping was Beezie Madden, while Isabell Werth was chasing a fifth Dressage title.

The Jumping line-up was a who’s who of the world’s best with World No.1 Steve Guerdat looking for a third title and compatriot Martin Fuchs in great form. The crowd favourite in Gothenburg was, of course, Peder Fredricson, who was chasing a first-ever Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final win for host nation Sweden.

However, heading into the third and final day, Spain’s Eduardo Alvarez Aznar was in the lead on zero penalty points. Fredricson was close on his tail just one point behind!

Alvarez Aznar sadly had two costly obstacles in Sunday’s first round and saw his score of zero climb to 8 penalty points. Guerdat, Fuchs and Daniel Deusser were among those to go clear and lead the way ahead of a 19-strong jump off.

The crowd went wild following a brilliant round from Fredricsson & H&M All In, who secured the lead with just Guerdat & Alamo and Fuchs & Clooney to go.

Clearing every obstacle, Fuchs & Clooney finished with no penalties and a total of 3 points, taking the lead and bumping Fredricson to second.

It all came down to Guerdat…

Guerdat & Alamo scored another clear to finish on 2 points for the Swiss athlete’s third Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ crown. Read the full report here!

A teary-eyed Guerdat said: “I never expected to win. You can just try to do your best. You all know what this show means to me. Thank you so much!”

Dressage

It was a sold-out stadium in Gothenburg when the 18 qualifying riders gathered to give the audience the very best of the art and sport of Dressage.

Heading into the interim break, Sweden’s own Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén was in the lead. It got even better for the home crowd when Patrik Kittel & Delauney OLD then leapt to the top!

However, the brilliant Laura Graves & Verdades produced a stunning 87.179 as they sought to top their second-placed finish in the previous year. She stayed at the top with just Werth & Weihegold and Helen Langehanenberg & Damsey to go.

Here’s Werth & Weihegold’s round…

A score of 88.871 percent gave the pair a commanding lead, although a slight error had cost them a few extra marks. However, it proved enough with Langehanenberg & Damsey producing a fine performance that took them to third place.

A delighted Werth celebrated yet another victory – her third FEI Dressage World Cup Final win in a row! Read the full report here.

It proved to be the last outing for the majestic Verdades, who retired in January 2020, at 18 years old. Find out more about ‘Diddy’ here.

Leipzig 2022

The 2019 event saw past winners dominate, but will it be the same in Leipzig? Will the likes of Guerdat and Werth be at the top of the podium over the weekend, or will new champions be crowned?

Catch all the build-up to Leipzig on FEI.org and watch the event live on FEI TV from April 6-10…