The gold team from Tokyo is broken up.
Rolf-Göran Bengtsson is stepping in for Malin Baryard Johnsson when the team qualification begins on Thursday.
It's still my basic idea that these three gentlemen ride, says national team captain Henrik Ankarcrona.
Peder Fredricson and Henrik von Eckermann will keep Bengtsson company in the Olympic team competition in Versailles.
The news is neither sensational nor unexpected. Officially, Baryard Johnsson has been listed as a reserve for some time.
Ankarcrona has, however, wanted to keep the team open until the last minute – and he can still change the team if something happens to one of the riders or horses.
"Something you dream of"
Bengtsson was part of the team in Tokyo, as a reserve, when Sweden took Olympic gold. He had the same role when the show jumping team took the World Championship gold in Herning in 2022.
Now he – who is competing in his sixth Olympics as an active rider – gets the chance on Zuccero. Bengtsson was part of the silver team in Athens 2004, took individual silver in 2008, and was in the final in London 2012.
In that, he, as one of the big medal favorites, didn't make it to the start due to a late injury to the horse Casall.
The Olympics are the biggest thing we can have and compete in. It's something you think about as a child, to one day be part of an Olympics. If we win a medal, it's even better.
Preparing to jump
Baryard Johnsson doesn't make a big deal about losing the fight with Bengtsson for the third and final spot.
I'm really looking forward to the next week and a half. The idea is to win a gold medal. Whether I'm on the bench and helping out or riding... it's going to be really fun.
I'm preparing myself to ride. Anything can happen, and then you have to be ready, says Baryard Johnsson.
Henrik Ankarcrona can make changes to the team up to two hours before the veterinary inspection. He can also make changes between rounds in the team competition and before the individual competition.
Peder Fredricson
Born: January 30, 1972.
Lives: Vitaby
Club: Österlens Riding Club
Horse: Catch Me Not S, gelding, 18 years old
Main merits: Olympic gold team 2021, Olympic silver individual 2021, Olympic silver individual 2016, Olympic silver team 2004, World Championship gold team 2022, World Championship silver team 2018, European Championship gold individual 2017, European Championship silver team 2017
Previous Olympics: 2021, 2016, 2004, 1992 (eventing).
Rolf-Göran Bengtsson
Born: June 2, 1962.
Lives: Itzehoe, Germany.
Club: Flyinge Horse Sports Club.
Horse: Zuccero, stallion, 12 years old.
Main merits: Olympic silver individual 2008, Olympic silver team 2004, European Championship gold team 2023, European Championship bronze team 2013, European Championship gold individual 2011, European Championship bronze individual 2001, European Championship silver team 2001
Previous Olympics: 2016, 2012, 2008, 2004, 1996.
Henrik von Eckermann
Born: May 25, 1981
Lives: Kessel, Netherlands.
Club: Östra Sörmlands Rural RF.
Horse: King Edward, gelding, 14 years old.
Main merits: Olympic gold team 2021, World Championship gold individual 2022, World Championship gold team 2022, World Championship silver team 2018, European Championship gold team 2023, European Championship silver team 2017, European Championship bronze team 2013, World Cup final winner 2024, World Cup final winner 2023
Previous Olympics: 2021, 2016, 2012.
Malin Baryard Johnsson (reserve)
Born: April 10, 1975.
Lives: Norrköping.
Club: Åby Riding Club.
Horse: Indiana, mare, 16 years old.
Main merits: Olympic gold team 2021, Olympic silver team 2004, World Championship gold team 2022, World Championship silver team 2018, World Championship silver team 2002, European Championship silver team 2017, European Championship silver team 2001.
Previous Olympics: 2021, 2016, 2004, 2000, 1996.
