A planned and well-thought-out investment in the future, in other words. The idea is that the profit will come later. How it will turn out remains to be seen. Some positive answers he can take home with him, however, national team captain Henrik Ankarcrona.
And a thing or two to ponder.
The positive side first:
+ Angelie von Essen, based in Cheshire in England, did not get a place in the team but still delivered perhaps the strongest performance considering the starting position.
”Horse in world class”
The stallion Voila and von Essen showed that they can become a team to be reckoned with. They did not get a flawless round, something the rider took upon himself.
I have made stupid mistakes, it could have been zero-zero-zero, but I am so pleased with my horse. What have we done? Two five-star competitions before and he just produces, produces and produces.
It is a receipt that we are on the right track. Now we will manage this, see what we can do better. It is a horse in world class, says von Essen.
+ Erika Lickhammer van Helmond on the mare Comme Tessa. Ended with a tear in the team final.
It was the toughest we have faced, you cannot demand more. We did our first 1.60-meter jumping outdoors earlier this year. There is so much in this horse and I think everyone has seen that. I think this is just the beginning.
+ Wilma Hellström. The first week's first fall cost a guaranteed place in Sunday's individual final. But it can be work during the weekend anyway. Hellström is ready to compete on Cicci if two teams withdraw.
”Not great”
Negative posts:
+ Amanda Landeblad and For Killy were not ready for the first major championship. 8+4 faults say that there is some work to be done – and so does the debutant.
It is not great. My horse gets a ten, but I was far down on the grading scale. But I am very happy for this experience. I have absolutely learned something.
+ Petronella Andersson ended with a fall on Opaline and did not manage to ride a round without faults either.
It is just to acknowledge that this is not Petronella's and Amanda's championship, says Henrik Ankarcrona.
Sweden reached the final as the tenth and last team and finished tied for eighth with Italy. What was champagne at the gold celebration in Milan two years ago was at most buttermilk in La Coruña.
Belgium won the team gold, with Great Britain and Germany behind them. Individually, the German Richard Vogel leads ahead of the Brit Scott Brash and the reigning European Championship winner, the Swiss Steve Guerdat.
