For a few weeks ago, the Swedish world star chose to suddenly give the front hooves shoes. It quickly became a topic of conversation in the circles the world number one moves in. On an unshod King Edward, von Eckermann has had enormous successes.
Yet, he made the bold decision to glue on a pair of shoes before the Olympic Games. The reason was that he thought the horse needed help considering the expected hard ground in Versailles' palace park.
"It's softer"
After the qualifying round for Friday's team final, which Sweden reached as the eighth team despite Peder Fredricson's and Catch Me Not's 17-fault round, von Eckermann made a new decision.
It was much better than I dared to hope for. It's softer. That's why I've chosen to let him (King Edward) go barefoot again.
Was it an easy decision to make?
Yes, it felt so soft in the landings.
The faultless ride was the message from King Edward that von Eckermann wanted to have before the team final and the individual competition starting with the qualifying round on Monday.
He often grows into the competition and right now it feels very good. I got a good feeling. The first round is always the most difficult in some way. Even if you know the horse inside and out, it's a new place and you can never be a hundred percent sure, he says.
Bengtsson faultless
Rolf-Göran Bengtsson followed up with an equally impressive round on Zuccero.
It was exactly as I wanted it to be. He really showed his strength and capacity. He was brave, cautious, read the course, the obstacles, and the distances together with me. He let me help him.
Bengtsson, who has done almost everything that can be done in the sport, was relieved.
We've never jumped a course like this. We were all a little surprised by it. This was the first day. What will come in the second? It was technically difficult enough and there are quite large obstacles in a good mix with turns.
