Sixth place in the summer's Olympic Games was a disappointment for the heavily favored Swedish show jumping team. And individually, a fiasco awaited. Did an era come to an end after several successful years? Or was it just a major setback on the way?
It will show in the future. A new championship cycle begins this summer with the European Championship in A Coruña. The championship is followed by the World Championship in Aachen 2026, another European Championship, and finally the Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028.
But to believe that Swedish riders will continue to deliver gold medals as in recent years is wishful thinking.
"Going up and down"
We are not where we were when we were on our way to Tokyo (Olympic Games 2021) or Herning (World Championship 2022). It's nothing strange. It goes up and down, says the national team captain.
The thinking has always been that when we dip, the dip shouldn't be too deep, and we should be able to say that we had drive, curiosity, and that we tried.
He is cautious about getting into discussions about a generational shift. If veterans like Malin Baryard Johnsson, brothers Peder and Jens Fredricson, and Rolf-Göran Bengtsson are sitting on horses with capacity, they are always relevant.
There's nothing wrong with their motivation. The day they lose it, they'll stop. But they're not getting any younger, and we have horses that are getting old, says Ankarcrona.
Are you worried?
Worried is the wrong word, but I'm always concerned. You shouldn't paint the devil on the wall, but I always think about whether we're doing enough and who's on the way.
Knocking on the door
Some are on the way.
We have Amanda Landeblad knocking on the door, we have Wilma (Hellström) who has already opened it with honor. We have Petronella Andersson and Erika Lickhammer and Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli, all with interesting horses.
The European Championship next year takes place unusually early, already in mid-July. Shortly before that, the top competitions in Aachen will be decided, which will be an excellent opportunity for World Championship-eligible horses to get familiar with the environment and the grass surface.
It's highly doubtful that you'll do both Aachen and the European Championship.
Does it make your job harder?
It opens up opportunities, but it's also a challenge for me. I need many teams.
Most European Championship-eligible riders see and meet him at Strawberry arena these days.
What do the riders' performances mean before the European Championship?
If I'm honest, nothing. It's way too far ahead, says Henrik Ankarcrona.
The European Championship in A Coruña, Spain, this summer is the show jumping team's sporting highlight of 2025. The championship will be held at Casas Novas on July 16-20.
Sweden is the reigning European Champion after the gold in Milan 2023. The team then consisted of: Henrik von Eckermann, Jens Fredricson, Wilma Hellström, Rolf-Göran Bengtsson.
National team captain Henrik Ankarcrona is facing a new, tough selection.
Besides the four from Milan, Peder Fredricson, Malin Baryard Johnsson, Petronella Andersson, Amanda Landeblad, and Erika Lickhammer-van Helmond are primarily eligible for the championship.
Sweden: Malin Baryard Johnsson, Rolf-Göran Bengtsson, Henrik von Eckermann, Peder Fredricson, Amanda Landeblad, Erika Lickhammer-van Helmond, Karin Martinsen
Germany: Hannes Ahlmann
Great Britain: Scott Brash, Oliver Fletcher
Belgium: Jérôme Guery, Olivier Philippaerts, Gilles Thomas, Abdel Saïd
Norway: Viktoria Gulliksen
Italy: Lorenzo de Luca
The Netherlands: Harrie Smolders
France: Kevin Staut
The competitions will take place from Thursday to Sunday.
