For the first time in European Championship history, the show jumping team risked missing the team final. Something that had been described as a severe setback at best.
The throws in Thursday's qualifying round in Casas Novas were tough.
Wilma Hellström and Erika Lickhammer ignited the hope with their flawless rounds, whereupon both Amanda Landeblad and Petronella Andersson got two refusals.
Not on their own strength
Sweden could no longer qualify for the final on their own strength. Others had to fail.
In the end, a Norwegian failure was the last straw – and it came when Oda Charlotte Lyngvaer got a second refusal, which was one too many for Norway. Suddenly, Sweden was in tenth place with 23.93 penalties, Norway plummeted to eleventh place with 25.17.
Sad for them, but it was exactly what we needed, says Ankarcrona.
He traveled to Spain with a team that was primarily supposed to see and learn for the future. When it came down to it, he had little choice when he selected his European Championship team. The success of Swedish show jumping at the highest international level still depends on a handful of riders – if they have horses for the task.
Only one was ready for the championship: Wilma Hellström on Cicci.
No alternative
The national team captain would have liked to see some of the more experienced riders on the team. Instead, the national team traveled to a championship for the first time in 30 years without any of the group that had taken numerous medals. Therefore, Ankarcrona saw no other alternative but to build for the future and hope for the best.
This should be used as well as possible to give more people the opportunity to jump championships, test some new horses, and see where we stand to build as strong a team as possible for the World Championship next year.
What is the significance of reaching the European Championship final and an extra round for riders and horses?
We are here to build and championships are special. The horses also build strength. It's hard to do it in any other way than by participating. Even if we are realistic and realize that we may not be able to climb that much, it's an incredible experience to get. We are here to perform and build long-term. There is no contradiction in that, says Ankarcrona.
+ Malin Baryard Johnsson made it clear early on that Indiana had competed in her last championship.
+ Rolf-Göran Bengtsson lost his top horse Zucchero.
+ Jens Fredricson's Markan Cosmopolit got injured and the European Championship attempt was aborted.
+ Henrik von Eckermann and Peder Fredricson asked to be excused from the European Championship. They do not think they currently have horses for a championship.
