King Edward refused – tough evening for von Eckermann

A sudden refusal and the evening was ruined for Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward. The world number one rode for victory as the last rider – but landed in seventh place in the Top 10 final in Geneva. I was a bit late. Didn't get a turn and it went wrong, he says. The Swiss Martin Fuchs won.

» Published: Fri 13 Dec 2024 23:13 CET

Henrik von Eckermann has achieved enormous successes on the 14-year-old stallion King Edward. Together, they have won the World Cup twice, World Championship gold in both individual and team events, and Olympic Games gold in the team event.

And more, and more.

The rider, who has been ranked as the world's number one since August 2022, was on Friday evening chasing another major title.

But it didn't happen, just like in the Olympic final in Versailles last summer.

Henrik von Eckermann won the Top 10 final two years ago and was second in both 2021 and 2023.

Fastest in the first round

Winning again in the toughest possible competition – the final is only open to the top ten ranked riders – has been one of the year's biggest goals.

Last out in the starting field, the pair was the fastest in the first round and one of six faultless pairs. German Richard Vogel incurred eight faults and thus lost his chances. Swiss rider and last year's winner Steve Guerdat knocked down the last obstacle to the home crowd's great disappointment.

The national team star had everything in his own hands when he went out last in the second and decisive round.

But it required more than just being faultless. Martin Fuchs was incredibly fast on Leone Jei – 47.02 seconds – when he secured his double zero.

The horse was fantastic, said the Swiss rider.

Henrik von Eckermann had to take big risks, gain time, but he was a bit behind and suddenly King Edward didn't want to jump over an obstacle. The pair dropped to seventh place.

Fuchs won ahead of Kent Farrington, USA, and Brit Ben Maher.

New chance on Sunday

The Swedish world number one has a lot on his plate during the days in Geneva. On Thursday evening, he and Azaria Dinero took fourth place in the 1.60-meter class. The ten-year-old mare was previously ridden by Evelina Tovek but was taken over by von Eckermann when Tovek ended her international career earlier this autumn.

The class was only the third together for the pair.

On Sunday, the next big task awaits. Then, the GP jumping will be decided, one of the events in the Rolex Grand Slam. Peder Fredricson will also participate.

Then, Martin Fuchs is aiming to make history as the first rider to win a GP title for the third time.

Henrik Skiöld/TT