The big surprise is that world number three Henrik von Eckermann will not be making the trip to A Coruña on July 16-20. The reigning world champion from 2022 has been a given member of Ankarcrona's championship team.
This time, the world star will have to stay home. The super horse King Edward has competed in his last championship and Iliana will get to rest after competing in the World Cup final.
I have had a dialogue with Henrik, as I do with all riders. His feeling for his horse carries a lot of weight. We agreed that the European Championship is not optimal for Minute Man right now, says Ankarcrona.
Heavy names are missing
Peder Fredricson, Malin Baryard Johnsson, Rolf-Göran Bengtsson, and Jens Fredricson are four other long-time national team stars who are being left out - and for the same reason.
In this case, we didn't think the horses were where they needed to be to complete this championship.
The Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028 are the big goal for the show jumping team. Before that, there's the European Championship this summer, the World Championship next year, and another European Championship in 2027.
That's why Ankarcrona wants to give as many riders and horses as possible the opportunity to gain experience from championships. Only Wilma Hellström has been to this level before in the European Championship team. Petronella Andersson rode individually in the European Championship in Milan two years ago, but not in the gold-winning team.
For the trio Landeblad, Lickhammer van Helmond, and von Essen, it will be a debut in A Coruña.
We get the opportunity to test some new horses, see where we stand to build as strong a team as possible for the future, means Ankarcrona.
The importance of having been in a sharp situation is significant, according to Wilma Hellström.
I'm going into this championship a bit more secure than the last one. I feel a bit more mentally prepared this time, she says.
The goal?
It's a medal.
Sydney most recently
Henrik Ankarcrona:
We have a gold to defend. But what's reasonable? We have four teams that are debuting. A top 5 finish would be fantastic, but I'm always eager for medals.
Equestrian sports are strongly female-dominated in terms of practitioners and interest, but at the elite level - at least in show jumping - men dominate. The last time a Swedish team consisted only of female riders was at the Olympic Games in Sydney 25 years ago. Then, Helena Lundbäck, Malin Baryard Johnsson, Maria Gretzer, and Lisen Bratt-Fredricson rode.
That he has chosen a pure women's team is not something Ankarcrona reflects on particularly much.
I don't think about it that way. We choose the ones we think have potential. This year, it turned out to be five girls.
Henrik Skiöld/TT
Facts: European Championship team
TT
Petronella Andersson
Born: April 28, 1991.
Lives: Meise, Belgium.
Horse: Opaline, mare, 11 years.
Merits: International Grand Prix wins, ridden several Nations Cups for Sweden, as well as European Championship 2023, individual silver Young Rider European Championship 2012, team bronze Young Rider European Championship 2012.
Wilma Hellström
Born: April 26, 1993.
Lives: Valkenswaard, Netherlands.
Horse: Cicci, mare, 14 years.
Merits: European Championship gold in team Milan 2023, World Cup final 2023, team bronze Young Rider European Championship 2012
Amanda Landeblad
Born: April 7, 1991.
Lives: Kumla.
Horse: For Killy, mare, 15 years.
Merits: Ridden several Nations Cups for Sweden, was part of the winning team in Falsterbo 2024.
Erika Lickhammer van Helmond
Born: March 8, 1982.
Lives: Asten, Netherlands.
Horse: Comme Tessa, mare, 12 years.
Merits: Placings in the World Cup, ridden several Nations Cups for Sweden.
Angelie von Essen
Born: November 27, 1978.
Lives: Cheshire, England.
Horse: Voila, gelding, 11 years.
Merits: Won with the Swedish team in Aachen Nations Cup 2019, fourth with the Swedish team in Nations Cup final in Barcelona 2021.
Four riders are part of the team that will be selected shortly before the European Championship. The fifth rider will only compete in the individual competition.
