International show jumpers will compete at Falsterbo Horse Show in the south of Sweden from Thursday, July 11 to Sunday, July 14, with highlights such as the Agria Falsterbo Nations Cup (Friday, July 12 at 2:00 PM), Falsterbo Derby presented by Agria (Saturday, July 13 at 3:30 PM), and the highly prestigious Falsterbo Grand Prix (Sunday, July 14 at 2:00 PM). Santiago Varela, known for his work at the world’s largest and most prestigious competitions, will design this year’s courses.
Among the nations competing in Agria Falsterbo Nations Cup 2024 are Sweden and reigning champions Switzerland, alongside France, Japan, the Netherlands, Germany, the USA, Norway, Ireland, and Italy.
Following their impressive victories in Falsterbo 2023, the Swiss team returns with European Champion and world number three Steve Guerdat as well as Martin Fuchs, currently ranked sixth globally. The experienced Pius Schwizer and Alain Jufer complete the Swiss team, aiming to defend their Nations Cup title.
– I’m really looking forward to the Falsterbo Horse Show. It is one of my favorite shows and the Swedish crowd is really one of the best in the world so it’s nice to go back after having had such a fantastic year in 2023. We will be there with a strong team, trying to defend our team title and obviously I will also do my best to defend the Grand Prix title!, says Martin Fuchs.
Sweden’s Chef d’Equipe Henrik Ankarcrona has currently confirmed 11 riders to represent the home nation at Falsterbo Horse Show CSIO5*, including local rider Petronella Andersson from Ljunghusen, a small coastal village just a 15-minute bike ride from the show grounds. The lineup also includes Henrik von Eckermann, Peder Fredricson, Linda Heed, Ottilia Lundgren, Fredrik Spetz, Emma Emanuelsson, Wilma Hellström, Amanda Landeblad, Erica Swartz Ryan, and Marcus Westergren. The announcement of this year’s Nations Cup team will be made at a later stage.
– It will be fantastic to return to Falsterbo, one of our absolute favorite competitions as a team, and something both I and the riders always look forward to very much. It will be exciting to meet the Swedish audience on home turf with all our fantastic riders. We are riding this weekend and Nations Cup in Aachen, then I will select the team for Falsterbo, says Henrik Ankarcrona
Five more Swedish riders will join the international lineup, with four qualifying through the 7 Star final on Sunday, July 7 at 5:00 PM.
Both the home nation and defending champions will face tough competition from team riders such as André Thieme from Germany, often successful at Falsterbo, Ireland’s Cian O’Connor, and Dutch riders Marc Houtzager and Jur Vrieling.
Individually, riders from Australia, Austria, Brazil, Denmark, and Poland will also compete at Falsterbo Horse Show 2024. Finally, Belgium will send two individual riders, including Abdel Saïd, who had a strong competition in Falsterbo in 2023 with a second place in the Falsterbo Derby and impressive rounds in the Nations Cup.
Complete Master Lists*, with subject to changes, can be found in the attachment. Additional individual riders may be added.
*Please note that all riders listed under Switzerland, France, Japan, Ireland, the Netherlands, Germany, the USA, Norway, and Italy are registered for the Agria Falsterbo Nations Cup, even if the Master List indicates “Individual” next to the rider’s name.
Click here for international riders jumping | Masterlist CSIO5* 2024
Champagne Deutz will be the Official Champagne Partner of Falsterbo Horse Show 2024 and, among other things, will take over the management of the competitions’ appreciated Champagne pavilions.
Champagne Deutz was founded in 1838 by William Deutz in picturesque Aÿ, one of 17 Grand Cru villages located in the heart of Champagne. The house is known for its artisanal and traditional way of working, which guarantees the highest quality from grape to finished wine.
Deutz champagnes can be enjoyed in numerous restaurants around Sweden and also in several of the world’s best restaurants.
– Like Champagne Deutz, Falsterbo Horse Show is a brand with a long history and first-class experiences in focus. We are very much looking forward to meeting the event’s enthusiastic and tasteful audience in Falsterbo, which has also been my home since childhood, says Mårten Boreson, CEO of Swedish Brand.
The partnership with Champagne Deutz is part of the ongoing work to develop and strengthen Falsterbo Horse Show’s range and event experience:
– Audiences travel from all over the world to Falsterbo to see world-class equestrian sports, but also to socialize and create lifelong memories. This year, we are extra happy for the opportunity to, together with Champagne Deutz, add a golden edge to the visitor experience, says Johan Ahlbin, Catering Manager of Falsterbo Horse Show.
Photo: Orange Studios for Falsterbo Horse Show
With packed stands, glorious sunshine, and nine incredible days of competition behind us, it was finally time for one of the highlights of Falsterbo Horse Show: the Longines Falsterbo Grand Prix. 50 international riders took on the Grand Prix course, featuring obstacles towering at 1.60 meters. The competition was decided over two rounds, with 13 pairs advancing to the thrilling “winning round.” The bar was set high, requiring both speed and flawless performance to progress.
After a blazingly fast second round, Swiss rider Martin Fuchs and Conner Jei emerged victorious with a time of 45.70 seconds, nearly two seconds ahead of second-placed Willem Greve from the Netherlands, who, together with Highway M TN, crossed the finish line in 47.95 seconds. Italy’s Emanuele Camilli and Odense Odeveld claimed the third spot with a time of 48.68 seconds.
Martin Fuchs expressed his joy and satisfaction with the day’s outcome. The pair had also competed in the Nations Cup earlier in the week, where Switzerland finished at the top of the podium. Fuchs wanted to assess his horse’s performance in this format, with several major competitions held closely together. The result? Based on feelings and result, he was extremely pleased;
– It was an incredible feeling. I haven’t been here in a while, but I want to come back as soon as I get the chance. It has been a great week, and the jump-off today was exhilarating. My horse jumps phenomenally and is extremely careful.
Swiss Dominance Throughout the Week
In addition to their impressive performances on Sunday, Swiss riders dominated the entire Falsterbo Horse Show this year. The Swiss train of victory kicked off with Martin Fuchs claiming first place in the Stiftelsen Falsterbo Horse Show Prize on Friday, followed by Steve Guerdat and Martin Fuchs securing first and second place, respectively, in the Agria Trophy. Friday afternoon witnessed the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup™ of Sweden, with Switzerland emerging as the victors. Steve Guerdat continued the Swiss success story by winning Saturday’s Falsterbo Derby presented by Agria. As previously mentioned, Martin Fuchs sealed the week’s triumph by winning the shows final competition on Sunday, the Longines Falsterbo Grand Prix.
The article will be updated.
In an impressive display of equestrian skill, Denmark has emerged victorious at the Nations Cup in Falsterbo for the second year in a row. Team Sweden took the second place. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that Germany has secured the title of this year’s overall champion in FEI Nations Cup Dressage.Patrik Kittel and his exceptional horse, Touchdown, delivered an extraordinary performance, captivating the audience and clinching victory in the kür.
Text by the FEI.
It was a familiar victory Sunday in Falsterbo (SWE) for Denmark, who brought the 2023 FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ season to a close with an impressive victory over the home nation.
The victory marked the second straight in Falsterbo for the Danish, who were also Nations Cup victors at CDIO5* Compiègne (FRA) in May and runners-up at CDIO5* Aachen (GER) this season. The four-rider squad of Daniel Bachmann Andersen (Zippo M.I.), Anna Zibrandtsen (Quel Filou), Nadja Aaboe Sloth (Favour Gersdorf) and Anne Marie Hosbond (Scarlett 712) finished the CDIO4* FEI Grand Prix, Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle tests on a winning total of 22 points. Sweden finished second with 31 points, followed by the Netherlands (43 points)
Team classification was determined by adding up points for the three best results per team in the Grand Prix and across the Grand Prix Special and Grand Prix Freestyle, with points equating to finish positions in the tests. The winning team recorded the lowest point total.
Both Bachmann Andersen and Sloth were part of last year’s winning team and returned to Falsterbo with the same mounts from that performance. Their experience showed as they delivered under pressure, with Bachmann Andersen performing best for his team in the Grand Prix, finishing third; and Sloth putting forth Denmark’s best result in the Freestyle, checking in fourth.
But it was the Special that proved to be Denmark’s best test, with Zibrandtsen and Bachmann Andersen riding to personal bests aboard Quel Filou (75.787%) and Zippo M.I. (75.128%), respectively, to take the top two placings. Bachmann Andersen had twice the responsibility, also serving as the squad’s chef d’equipe.
–I think we have performed really, really well and also [had] very solid performances in the Grand Prix, where we laid the foundation for this great result. says Daniel Bachmann Andersen (DEN)
After a brief respite from competition to focus on training, 11-year-old Zippo M.I. has come out stronger, finishing on the podium in each of his tests.
– He was doing World Cups and I was thinking, ‘Okay, we’ll give him a little break from the shows to try to make some of the things better and stronger, give him some more self-confidence. And that really worked out,” Bachmann Andersen said.
–He’s been coming out even stronger and even better in his piaffes. That was not his strength. I feel like we are working closer together, and he’s starting to be an established Grand Prix horse at the top level.
Bachmann Andersen and Zibrandtsen were never separated by more than one position on the leaderboard. For Zibrandtsen, her performance was especially meaningful given it was her horse’s Nations Cup debut. The pair debuted internationally just one year ago, at Falsterbo in the CDI3* division.
– When we did the halt [in the Special, Quel Filou] was like, ‘I want to go forward. Why are we standing here?’ He’s just fighting for it and fighting for us…I was just smiling all the way. I was so happy. said Anna Zibrandtsen (DEN)
Sweden certainly made its rally, with Patrik Kittel securing wins in both the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle. But it was depth that kept Denmark on top.
– The Danish team is strong, not just [with us] here, but also [with] all the other riders competing for the team of Denmark, Bachmann Andersen said.
–In Aachen, we were very strong as well. I think we just have a really, really good foundation of good horses, good training, good riders, good teamwork, and we support each other.
Falsterbo’s top two finishers were among the top three in the final FEI Dressage Nations Cup™ standings for 2023. But it was fourth-place finishers Germany who secured the overall series title, with wins at CDIO3* Wellington (USA), CDIO3* Budapest (HUN) and CDIO5* Aachen (GER).
– Aachen is our second selection [event] for the European Championships, so we had our four top riders on the team, but apart from that, we went with younger riders, said Johnny Hilberath, Germany’s chef d’equipe.
–It started in [Wellington] in early spring and went until here [in Falsterbo]. To win the series, is not bad, I think!
Germany finished the season with 61 points, followed by Sweden (42 points). Denmark finished the season in third with 40 points.
– We take the Nations Cup series very seriously,” Hilberath added.
– It’s an honor to represent our country, so we try to bring to all events a team.
Complete result can be found here.
Final standings in FEI Nations Cup Dressage can be found attached.
After a thrilling jump-off, it was Steve Guerdat and his exceptional horse Easy Star de Talma, who emerged victorious, claiming the Falsterbo Derby Trophy. This incredible victory secured a historic hat-trick for Steve Guerdat, who has previously won both the Grand Prix and Nations Cup at Falsterbo Horse Show. The resounding success further solidified Guerdat’s standing as one of the world’s foremost equestrian athletes.
-I knew that no matter what it would be a positive experience for the horse, but, I am obviously very happy with the result, Steve Guerdat said at the Falsterbo press conference.
Photo: Erik Raabe för Falsterbo Horse Show
With challenging fences set at an impressive height of 1.50 meters, 19 skilled riders navigated the diverse Derby course, featuring water jumps, gates, walls, and traditional fences. Last year’s winner, Andre Thieme, took to the course as the second rider. Prior to the competition, SVT, the Swedish host broadcaster, had the opportunity to speak with him, and his confidence shone through:
-I would say that we are somewhat of derbyspecialists. We are excited about being back here again, and hopefully everything goes well.
Unfortunately he had a couple of downs in today’s event.
-The horse did a good job, but didn’t feel quite right; he didn’t have enough energy. I can’t be mad but we are a little bit disappointed, he told SVT after the ride.
The competition unfolded with a mix of results, showcasing the difficulty in a derby course.
Belgium’s Abdel Said, riding Arpege Du Ru, delivered the first clear round of the class, a remarkable achievement that remained unmatched throughout the entire competition.
After his exceptional round, Abdel Said expressed his satisfaction in an interview with SVT: “I am very happy with my horse. I can always trust her” .
He continued with explaining that the plan for the day had been to take his horse through the course at a relaxed pace, placing greater trust in his horse while providing additional support where necessary.
Sandra Auffarth, the former cross country world champion from Germany, unfortunately had one knockdown towards the end of her round. However, it proved sufficient to secure her a well-deserved third place alongside her horse, Nupafeed’s La Vista.
-She is an amazing derby horse, she loves the atmosphere here at Falsterbo. We had a small mistake I wish I hadn’t made, she shared with SVT after her ride.
Irish rider Thomas Ryan, accompanied by Jens Fredricson’s former horse Karmel van de Watering, tackled the challenging course, unfortunately incurring two knockdowns and securing a respectable fifth-place finish. Ahead of him in fourth place was Przemyslaw Konopacki with Vasco, who achieved the position due to a faster round.
Steve Guerdat from Switzerland was last to start together with his stallion Easy Star de Talma.
-I really like derbys. It’s a good experience for both the rider as well as the horse and you always learn something new. The horse and rider always leave the course better than before, he told SVT before the class started.
While it was Easy Star de Talma’s derby debut the horse delivered a flawless clear round leading to a thrilling jump-off between Steve Guerdat and Abdel Said to determine who would become the 2023 Derby champion in Falsterbo.
Abdel Said took the lead as the first to go in the jump-off, executing swift turns. However, an unfortunate fault on the final fence cost him the win. As for Steve, a clear round would secure his victory, and not only did he achieve that, but he also recorded the fastest time, sealing his triumph in a remarkable fashion.
-He is a superstar in the horse realm, SVT:s commentator AnnaMaria Fredholm states.
Twelve high-class Holsteiner foals are auctioned on 15 July as part of theFalsterbo Horse Show, the five-star-rated CSI and Nations Cup in Sweden.
Following the auction’s successful debut in 2022, auction manager Felix Flinzer and his team are now happy to stage the second instalment this year. The hand-picked selection – same as the auction itself – is best described as an international joint venture as the foals on offer come from dedicated breeders of the Holsteiner horse from Sweden, Denmark, andGermany.
The foals are by sires like Casall, Big Star, Keaton, or else Quabri de L’Isle, Picobellovan’t Roosakker and Comilfo Plus Z and are publicly presented for the first time in the main arena on Saturday, 15 July 2023 at about 3:00pm – live and via ClipMyHorse.tv. Among them for example lot 3, Captain John by Casall-Quidam de Revel: a colt foal with distinctive markings, his damline has produced among others the licensed 1.60m level stallion Cabachon by Casall (Suus Kuyten/NED). Or lot 5, California Vest by Comilfo Plus Z-Chaman:the second dam to this elegant filly boasting powerful movement has produced numerous elite sport horses, including Laura Klaphake’s 1.60m level jumper, Nifrane de Kreisker byCarnute. Own performance is taken very seriously on the dam’s side of lot 10, Kansas City byKeaton-Del’Arko d’Henvet: this colt foal’s third dam used to be an eventer at 3*-level under the saddle of Inken Gräfin von Platen Hallermund whereas her half-sister collected results in1.60m jumping classes for Japan with Yuko Itakura.
The hybrid auction sale is held following the Falsterbo Derby at about 5.00pm in the main arena and broadcast live via ClipMyHorse.tv. For all foals, extensive information including photos, videos, and relatives’ performance is available for online viewing on www.holsteiner.auction. For any questions on the auction sale and the foals themselves do not hesitate to contact Felix Flinzer (phone +49 162 3493942) anytime.
