At Indiana, the riding star won Olympic Games and World Championship gold in 2021 and 2022. The mare has done its part at championship level and for the moment, Baryard Johnsson does not have a horse with the capacity required or considered ready for the European Championship in A Coruña (Wednesday-Sunday).
In this situation are also the brothers Peder and Jens Fredricson, Henrik von Eckermann and Rolf-Göran Bengtsson.
Therefore, the national team is building for the future.
Baryard Johnsson about the European Championship riders Wilma Hellström, Amanda Landeblad, Petronella Andersson, Erika Lickhammer van Helmond and Angelie von Essen:
We are being talked down a bit. People always talk about Peder and Henrik and so on, but this is a strong and cohesive gang and I think they will surprise.
Henrik von Eckermann made his debut in the European Championship context in Windsor 16 years ago. Since then, he has only missed one European Championship, the one in Riesenbeck weeks after the Olympic Games success in Tokyo 2021.
The world's third, a mainstay in the Swedish championship teams for the past 15 years, followed his gut feeling as always and chose to waive the opportunity to jump for a second, straight European Championship team gold in A Coruña.
Of course, it's sad not to be included, but at the same time, I felt that my horse (Minute Man) was not ready for the task. The World Championship next year is extremely important for us to qualify for the Olympic Games. I feel that the horse needs a little more time.
Having to perform day after day after day is something different from a nations competition and a grand prix.
He is a bit more cautious about what to expect from the Swedish riders in the European Championship.
We'll see. The results have not been such that we can go in and say that we will win, but what is so interesting in our sport is that you never know. We may not be as strong as before, but still, all possibilities exist as long as it's zero on the board.
The European Championship begins with a time competition on Wednesday. After Tuesday's veterinary inspection, the national team captain Henrik Ankarcrona will present which four teams are included in the team competition.
I saw some ranking where we have a one percent chance of winning and a six percent chance of taking a medal. We always want to perform at a championship, but to go out and say that we will come home with a medal is maybe to overdo it.
We will do everything to ride as many faultless rounds as possible and then we'll see how far it takes us, he says.
+ Petronella Andersson
Age: 34.
Lives: Meise, Belgium.
Horse: Opaline, mare, 11 years.
Merits: International grand prix wins, ridden several nations competitions for Sweden and the European Championship 2023, individual silver young rider European Championship 2012, team bronze young rider European Championship 2012.
+ Wilma Hellström
Age: 32.
Lives: Valkenswaard, Netherlands.
Horse: Cicci, mare, 14 years.
Merits: European Championship gold in team Milan 2023, World Cup final 2023, team bronze young rider European Championship 2012.
+ Amanda Landeblad
Age: 34.
Lives: Kumla.
Horse: For Killy, mare, 15 years.
Merits: Ridden several nations competitions for Sweden, was part of the winning team in Falsterbo 2024.
+ Erika Lickhammer van Helmond
Age: 43.
Lives: Asten, Netherlands.
Horse: Comme Tessa, mare, 12 years.
Merits: Placings in the World Cup, ridden several nations competitions for Sweden.
Angelie von Essen
Age: 46.
Lives: Cheshire, England.
Horse: Voila, gelding, 11 years.
Merits: Win with the Swedish team in Aachen Nations Cup 2019, fourth with the Swedish team in the Nations Cup final in Barcelona 2021.
