Hellström and Cicci showed once again that the team wants to be one of four Swedish teams at the European Championship in La Coruna in July.
The duo missed the jump-off but the spark and power were there in the extremely demanding round. This was noted by the national team captain, Henrik Ankarcrona, on site in Basel.
It was high, it was technically difficult to build and extremely decisive.
This was also experienced by Henrik von Eckermann. He chose to ride Azaria Dinero, the mare he took over when national team colleague Evelina Tovek decided to end her international career.
Fell at the Next-to-Last Obstacle
It looked like it would lead to a jump-off, but the next-to-last obstacle proved too difficult for the team, which made its seventh start together – and its first in the World Cup.
It was a small touch on an obstacle with water underneath, after two oxers and a difficult line. It was a really tough course, but it should be on a World Cup Sunday, says von Eckermann in an organizer interview.
The world's number one in show jumping sees Azaria as an alternative to Iliana when it comes down to the final in the World Cup in April. The championship horse King Edward is resting for the rest of the indoor season.
Final in Basel
For the final – which takes place right in Basel – Henrik von Eckermann is directly qualified due to being the reigning champion.
I think we can achieve something big with time, says the Swedish riding star about Azaria.
The Frenchman Julien Epaillard and his Donatello d'Auge won the jump-off ahead of the Dutchman Maikel van der Vleuten on Beauville and the third-placed Briton Tim Gredley on Imperial.
