Show jumping's world number one, Henrik von Eckermann, and the horse Iliana, a 12-year-old mare, went out early on Thursday evening, as fourth out of 39 starters, and rode in a time of 61.26 seconds without faults and time penalties.
Everything became just as I wanted it to. It doesn't happen that often. Every obstacle was the galloping strides that I had chosen throughout the entire course, says the Swedish star rider to SVT.
After all the pairs had ridden, it was clear that Frenchman Julien Epaillard on Donatello d'Auge, with a time of 60.30, led ahead of British star Ben Maher on Point Break, 60.43, and American Lillie Keenan on Kick on, 60.69. The times are now being converted to points.
On Friday evening, it's the second round of show jumping in Basel. On Sunday, the third and final round will be decided, divided into two rounds.
The 43-year-old von Eckermann can make history if he wins his third consecutive World Championship title. No one has done that in 25 years, since Brazilian Rodrigo Pessoa won three times in a row in 1998-2000.
Earlier years, von Eckermann had King Edward as his horse. He praises Iliana.
Everything matched. She was with me – but still very calm. You could see that when she went into the finish, she was completely relaxed. That's something that's very, very important for the coming days. If I had gotten her a little too hot today, then there's a risk that it gets too hot tomorrow and maybe on Sunday.
Friday: Show jumping, second round. 20.05–22.30 SVT24/SVT Play.
Saturday: Dressage, decisive kür. 18.50–20.00 SVT2/SVT Play, 20.00–22.30 SVT24/SVT Play.
Sunday: Show jumping, third round. First round 13.50–15.00 SVT1/SVT Play. Second round 16.05–17.15 SVT1/SVT Play.
Henrik von Eckermann is the only Swedish participant in show jumping, Patrik Kittel in dressage.
