A setback was that Henrik von Eckermann/King Edward, Rolf-Göran Bengtsson/Zuccero and Peder Fredricson/Catch Me Not did not deliver what the riders or Ankarcrona wanted to see in Friday's team final. The trio was not close to defending the Olympic gold from Tokyo 2021, nor close to taking a medal.
The disappointment was palpable among all involved. But the Olympic Games are not over for the show jumpers. The battle for the individual medals remains, with qualification on Monday and the final on Tuesday.
A Expected Choice
Ankarcrona makes the expected decision to stick with the trio from the team competition and does not give reserve Malin Baryard Johnsson and Indiana a chance.
It became clear after Sunday's horse inspection. All Swedish horses passed without comment. Von Eckermann, Bengtsson, and Fredricson are registered and the starting order for Monday's qualification will be drawn tonight.
He has no plan to change riders, but nothing is definitive yet. He registers the show jumping team after the warm-up (Sunday 17.00), says press chief Matilda Hjertstrand.
The national team captain was not interested in discussing changes before the individual competition after the team final on Friday.
There's nothing I take here and now. There's no reason to do so. The horses have been good, the conditions as well, and the riders have matched everything around, so we have nothing to blame.
But as much as I can say is that what I said earlier is that if I have three horses that come to a championship and are clearly in form, I don't pick out a horse that is in form.
Is Ready
If something were to happen to either a horse or rider so that they cannot participate, a rider change can be made until 18.00 on Sunday evening.
Malin Baryard Johnsson is ready if she gets the green light. Recently, she said:
Mentally, I'm fully focused on riding. It shouldn't come as a surprise if I'm going to ride.
We do exactly the same preparations as those who are going to ride. My routine is in place. If the moment comes that I'm called in, I'll be ready, absolutely.
Henrik Ankarcrona took over as show jumping national team captain in the autumn of 2016. Here are the Swedish team results in championships since then:
2017: European Championship silver in Gothenburg
2018: World Championship silver in Tryon, USA
2019: Fifth in the European Championship in Rotterdam
2021: Olympic gold in Tokyo
2022: World Championship gold in Herning
2023: European Championship gold in Milan
2024: Sixth in the Olympic Games in Paris
