In the thrilling final event of the Longines FEI World Cup season, Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat rode Albfuehren’s Iashin Sitte to victory in the sold-out arena at the Helsinki Exhibition and Convention Center. Norway’s Oda Charlotte Lyngvaer, riding Carabella vd Neyen Z, crossed the finish line in second place, just 0.04 seconds behind the winner. Belgium’s Viktor Daem, competing in the World Cup for the very first time, took third place on Kavaliers Blue.
Steve Guerdat, a three-time World Cup Final champion, had not yet secured his spot in the World Cup Final heading into the Helsinki leg. However, he earned his spot in the Texas Final by riding a flawless basic course.
“I was very nervous all day because I wanted to qualify for the final. I didn’t enjoy riding the basic course because the pressure was so intense. I was very relieved after the basic course,” says Guerdat.
A flawless performance on the basic course secured Guerdat a spot in the final. However, he wanted to ride to victory in the individual competition as well, rather than simply settle for his spot in the final.
“There’s nothing better than winning,” says Guerdat.
A Finn was also present at the awards ceremony: Emma Uusi-Simola, Guerdat’s longtime groom, who enjoyed the trip back to her home country.
Oda Charlotte Lyngvaer came to Helsinki for the first time to compete, aiming to secure a spot in the World Cup finals in Texas. Her goal of reaching the finals took shape over the course of the season. Strong performances starting with the season’s first event in Oslo paved the way for the subsequent races and ultimately led to the finals. The pair also placed second in La Coruña in late fall.
“The horse has been jumping exceptionally well all season. Today, I felt the pressure to jump a clear round on the basic course. I knew I had to give it my all. Carabella always gives her best if I do too,” says Lyngvaer.
“I’ll have to push myself to ride the course again as fast as I did today. I’m very proud that I almost beat Guerdat,” Lyngvaer chuckles.
Viktor Daem, competing in the World Cup for the first time, aimed to do his best on the course and see how far that would take him. His 11-year-old mare, Kavaliers Blue, doesn’t have much experience on jump-off courses. Daem didn’t set out to claim a top spot; instead, he rode at his own pace and tried to get a feel for how fast he could go. He was very pleased with his third-place finish.
Jasmin Seppälä-Geerink rode her first World Cup course on the 9-year-old mare Attention Z. Seppälä-Geerink was very pleased with her horse despite two knockdowns.
“Attention Z was amazing. He’s a very high-quality horse,” Seppälä-Geerink says of her horse.
Seppälä-Geerink says it’s always great to compete in Helsinki. Finnish riders get a lot of support, and there’s always a fantastic atmosphere at the Helsinki International Horse Show.
Anna-Julia Kontio and Cayadina finished the World Cup course with 13 penalty points this time, one of which was for exceeding the time limit. Petra Heikkinen and Oechie-K had four knockdowns on the course.
With his victory, Guerdat secured ninth place in the Western European League, and Lyngvaer took tenth. Jordy van Massenhoeve and Marc Dilasser also secured the points they needed in Helsinki to qualify for the finals.
According to initial estimates, the target of over 50,000 visitors was exceeded. A more detailed analysis of the event will follow later. Riders and spectators alike praised the new features, with the most praise going to the Messukeskus venue’s excellent facilities for this significant 40th-anniversary equestrian event. There was ample space for two competition arenas, warm-up areas, extensive stable areas, the Horse Expo, the main stage, and the show jumping arena.
Top marks for the Helsinki airport tarmac
Professor and veterinarian Lars Roepstorff has spent several days measuring the competition arenas at the Helsinki Horse Show using a mechanical measuring device he designed. The internationally recognized “mechanical hoof gauge” has been used before in Helsinki and is widely used at other international competitions.
According to Roepstorff, the results are excellent.
“All the indicators are in the green, which reflects the quality. All five required areas—traction, shock absorption, responsiveness, consistency, and appropriate stiffness of the sole—are good.”
“The result is first-rate. The course in Helsinki is on par with the best five-star competitions and major tournaments,” Roepstorff praises.
The fiber-sand subfloor was built on top of Finnfoam insulation panels, of which 6,800 square were installed. Roespstorff and foundation expert Oliver Hoberg tested various options last fall and, based on those tests, selected the Finnfoam panels.
“As we expected, the insulation panels provide the required uniformity and quality for the subfloor,” says Roepstorff.
Finnfoam, a Finnish family-owned business, is participating in the equestrian event under a major five-year partnership agreement. Two competition arenas, a warm-up area, and a round pen were built at the Messukeskus exhibition center.
The next Helsinki Horse Show will be held March 4–7, 2027.
Results
CSI 5* LONGINES FEI JUMPING WORLD CUP™ Helsinki 160 cm, first round and jump-off. Started 39th, finished 13th.
1) Steve Guerdat – Albfuehren’s Iashin Sitte, SUI 0-0/38.00
2) Oda Charlotte Lyngvaer – Carabella vd Neyen Z, NOR 0-0/38.04
3) Viktor Daem – Kavaliers Blue, BEL 0-0/42.49
… 26) Jasmin Seppälä-Geerink – Attention Z, FIN 8/72.60
… 34) Anna-Julia Kontio – Cayadina, FIN 13/74.70
… 36) Petra Heikkinen – Oechie-K, FIN 16/73.04
Full results: LINK
