The Swedish world horse-jumping champion achieved another great national victory. For the first time, Sweden has won the classic Spruce Meadows in Canada.
“It’s unbelievable to win this,” says Jens Fredricson.
Jens Fredrikson, aboard the Marcan Cosmopolitan, rode with his brother Peder Frederickson, on Catch Me Not S, and Rolf-Göran Bengtsson, on the Ermindo, as well as world singles champion Henrik von Eckermann, on the Nababette Z.
Sweden started with a perfect first round where von Eckermann, Bentson and Jeans Fredriksen rode flawlessly. After a misunderstanding, von Eckermann was forced to withdraw in the second round and all the margins were gone. But Bengson and Fredrickson’s jeans got on their knees flawlessly and Peder Fredrickson broke a hitch.
Switzerland came in second
This means that after two rounds and writing off the worst results, Sweden stood on four errors, and thus beat Switzerland with seven errors. The Netherlands came third with eight errors.
“Wonderful, getting his name on that dent, it’s incredible. We could be such favorites and stand up for it. It’s unbelievable to win this with this team,” Jens Fredricson says at the Equestrian Association website.
Obstacles as big as houses
Union leader Henrik Ancarkrona says Spruce Meadows plaza outside Calgary is described as “obstacles as large as houses, a water obstruction greater than the Atlantic, and time narrower than anything else.”
“Every word is true. It’s hard and tough. Winning here is an amazing achievement,” says Ankarkrona.
Henrik von Eckermann agrees:
“It feels special to ride here, an entire house and a historic plaza. There are a lot of good riders on this hump, and it’s great to be one of them,” says von Eckermann.
Sweden won the national show jumping at WC in Herning in August. The team then also included Malin Baryard Johnson. Rolf-Goran Bengtsson was then a reserve.