Wilma Hellström did not get a place in the national team captain Henrik Ankarcrona's OS team.
She took the rejection in the best way – and gave a direct response.
We just do our thing in the best way, Cicci and I. It's not harder than that, says the riding star.
Only Belgian Olivier Philippaerts on Miro was faster in the jump-off in Stockholm's Grand Prix in the Global Champions Tour.
I'm so happy for Cicci's sake that she gets to show what a fantastic horse she is. It was incredibly wonderful.
The past few days have been an emotional rollercoaster for Hellström, 31, who made her championship debut in Milan last summer and won the European Championship team gold.
But when Henrik Ankarcrona presented his team on Saturday, Hellström was left out. Instead, the national team captain is betting on the experienced quartet Malin Baryard Johnsson, Peder Fredricson, Henrik von Eckermann, and Rolf-Göran Bengtsson.
Right or wrong?
It will be seen in Versailles' palace park in a month.
Zeros in a row
Hellström quickly shook off the disappointment and qualified for the five-star GP jumping a few hours later.
It would get even better.
The faultless basic round was followed up with a new zero in the jump-off. In the hunt for tenths, she only lost to Olivier Philippaerts.
She got help from the audience.
There were some who shouted "Ride like hell!" And yeah, we did. I think Cicci heard the audience and enjoyed it.
The second place was Wilma Hellström's first visit to the podium in a five-star Grand Prix with 1.60-meter obstacles. It won't get much harder than that in jumping. Apart from the sporting success, the performance was worth around 1.1 million kronor in prize money.
It will be easy to leave here today, she says.
"Ready if we're needed"
In her role as OS reserve on home turf, she will lay out a plan to take herself to Paris on short notice if needed.
We're ready if we're needed, says Hellström.
If Ankarcrona doesn't get to hear those words, he saw it.
The GP jumping showed the breadth Swedish show jumping currently has in the international top. Hellström was not the only one who struck when world and national team stars Henrik von Eckermann and Peder Fredricson fell off. Emma Emanuelsson finished seventh on Canbella Blue after a fault in the jump-off.
She hasn't done many jump-offs at 1.60, so I'm super happy, says Emanuelsson.
She has her sights set on the European Championship next year – if she still sits on Canbella.
I hope I get to keep her for a while longer. I have fantastic owners who also want to be involved and invest. The plan is that she'll stay and I hope we can continue together, says Emma Emanuelsson.
2024: Olivier Philippaerts, Belgium/Miro
2023: Henrik von Eckermann, Sweden/King Edward
2022: Christian Ahlmann, Germany/Dominator
2021: Scott Brash, Great Britain/Hello Jefferson
2020: No competition due to the pandemic
2019: Peder Fredricson, Sweden/All In
