WILLEM GREVE CLAIMS THIRD WORLD CUP VICTORY OF THE SEASON IN GOTHENBURG - ONGINES FEI JUMPING WORLD CUP
(Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Western European League - Leg 12/13)
Having already triumphed in World Cup qualifiers this season in Stuttgart and La Coruña, Greve entered the jump-off at Scandinavium brimming with confidence. By a margin of just a few hundredths of a second, he reshuffled the leaderboard.
“I watched the first rider in the arena and then monitored the screen in the warm-up area, but my primary dilemma was whether to ride six strides on the diagonal,” Greve remarked. “I eventually decided against taking that risk—and it proved sufficient.”
For the 15-year-old stallion Grandorado TN N.O.P., this marked a maiden 1.60m victory. The stallion has consistently delivered clear rounds for the Dutch team in Nations Cup competitions as well as at Grand Prix level.
“I’ve been riding him for ten years, and our partnership continues to flourish,” said Greve. “I am delighted to add this victory to his honours.”
Greve attributes his recent run of form to a restructuring of his stable, which has allowed him to focus more intently on his experienced string.
“I have an excellent team around me and another rider managing the younger horses. That allows me to concentrate on a core group of seven to eight horses that I can truly get to know,” he explained.
Second place went to Kim Emmen, who had held the lead for much of the class with Imagine N.O.P. This result marked his second runner-up finish in the World Cup series during the 2025/2026 season.
“Willem was the best today,” Emmen admitted, noting that the points secured his qualification for the World Cup Final in Texas.
The highlight of the day for the home crowd was Malin Baryard-Johnsson’s jump-off round aboard the seasoned 18-year-old H&M Indiana.
“I saw portions of the rounds before me, but I stuck to my plan,” Baryard-Johnsson said. “The other two were faster, but I’m incredibly pleased with how my horse jumped today.”
The class marked the pair’s 77th clear round at 1.60m level, as well as their 20th placing at that height.
“When you’re fortunate enough to have a horse like this, anything is possible,” Baryard-Johnsson concluded.
Baryard-Johnsson is set to compete in the World Cup qualifier in Helsinki next weekend, though she remained non-committal regarding a potential start in Texas.
At the press conference, Greve praised the event, the organisation, and the atmosphere.
“These classic shows are true equestrian events, with an audience that is here out of a genuine love for horses,” he said. “They applaud every rider—even if they cheer a little louder for the Swedes.”
Immediately following the competition, the de-rigging of the arena commenced. On Wednesday, the rock band Volbeat will take over Scandinavium.
“But I believe we’ve seen the real rock stars here today,” said Lotta Nibell, CEO of GotEvent. “It’s been a fantastic weekend of top-level sport. It felt like a perfect rehearsal ahead of next year’s final.”
--ENDS--
Edited by HT
GHS/Kim C Lundin