One of Finland’s longest-running sporting events and largest annual arena events, the 40-year-old Helsinki International Horse Show, will be held from February 26 to March 1 at the Helsinki Exhibition and Convention Center.
The fact that this event has become the final round of the World Cup League creates an entirely new context for the weekend’s highlight, the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup. After the Helsinki leg, the top 18 riders from the Western European League will earn a spot in the series final in Fort Worth, Texas, in April. The winner in Helsinki will earn 20 points, and a total of 250,000 euros in prize money will be awarded in the class.
The field in Helsinki includes both the series’ top riders and those who are still vying for points to qualify for the finals. One of the season’s biggest surprises is Norway’s Johan-Sebastian Gulliksen, who has already been on the podium twice and is currently fourth in the series at this stage of the season, with two rounds and Helsinki still to go. European champion and Olympic gold medalist Kevin Staut has already earned points in nearly every leg, but has not yet secured his spot in Texas.
Olympic gold medalist and multiple major competition medalist Steve Guerdat wasn’t able to start his indoor season until the turn of the year after being on sick leave for a long time. His victory in Leipzig in January showed that he is once again hungry for success and in top form. Brazil’s Yuri Mansur finished second in Oslo and is currently eleventh in the series, but even he is not yet guaranteed a spot in the final.
Germans Philipp Schulze Topphoff and Patrick Stühlmeyer are in top form. Schulze Topphoff has achieved three top-10 finishes, and Stühlmeyer has placed third and fourth. However, they still need to secure their spots among the top 18 in the series, so they’re heading to Helsinki determined to score big.
Another star has emerged from Norway this season: Oda Charlotte Lyngvaer, who finished second in La Coruña and ninth in Oslo. Will the likable Lyngvaer once again make it onto the podium in Helsinki with her dazzling mare, Carabella vd Neyen Z?
Olympic gold medalists are making a comeback
For many show jumping fans, it’s particularly impressive to see one of the world’s most successful female riders in the arena. Malin Baryard-Johnsson is making a comeback at this level. She competed in her first World Cup 30 years ago. And now, after a seven-year hiatus, she’s returning with her Tokyo Olympic team gold medal-winning mare, H&M Indiana, 18, who was full of energy and joy during the Leipzig leg of the World Cup in January.
Jens Fredricson, who also runs show jumping clinics in Helsinki, is a World and European team gold medalist and took the podium at the 2022 World Cup Final in Leipzig.
Seeking Further Success
Helsinki will host several riders who have already performed brilliantly in some of the events but have competed in only a few so far. Japan’s Eiken Sato placed fourth in Oslo and eighth in Leipzig; Portugal’s Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida placed second in Stuttgart; and Sweden’s Marcus Westergren placed second in Mechelen; and European Championship silver medalist and team gold medalist Gregory Wathelet, who placed seventh in Mechelen. Wathelet is the highest-ranked European show jumper in the world rankings competing in Helsinki.
Robert Whitaker of Great Britain, who won both the Grand Prix and the World Cup in Helsinki in 2019. The son of the legendary John Whitaker also won the World Cup in Helsinki in 2024. At the Messukeskus, they, too, still have every chance of climbing high enough in the series standings if they succeed. Anything is still possible.
Jasmin Seppälä-Geerink and Anna-Julia Kontio have been named from Finland to compete at the World Cup level. Both have already competed in two races this season. Seppälä-Geerink will travel to Helsinki via the Gothenburg race.
There are also high expectations for success among riders competing in other 5* classes, led by Jone Illi and Celtas Quillian, who just won the international 145 cm class. Most Finnish riders compete at the 1* level and in national and Amateur Tour classes. The event features a total of nearly 300 riders, 400 horses, and nearly 1,000 starts.
Dressage: Finland vs. Sweden
At the three-star level of dressage at the Messukeskus, the lineup will include at least the Finnish champions Ville Vaurio and Dante NL, as well as Peggy Högsten and Frisco, Anu Sironen and Ypäjän Fioretto, and Katja Kuokka and Fillyhill’s My Special. Five riders are coming from Sweden, the best of whom are Olympic rider Mads Hendeliowitz and World and European Championship rider Jeanna Högberg.
The event features competitions and performances on two stages over four days, totaling 140 hours. In addition, there will be plenty of new content for the audience. On the Equestrian RATSASTUS stage, popular equestrian Katja Ståhl will host discussions, panels, and partner programs.
Plenty more to do for the whole family
Two ticket categories have been introduced, including a new “fair ticket” that offers an affordable way to experience the event, particularly from the perspective of horse enthusiasts. Another new feature is the OP Uusimaa hobby horse area, which will host competitions and other interactive activities for the youngest members of the family. Visitors can also try lead-rein riding at the Kultajousi Arena. The Horse Show is also one of the equestrian industry’s most significant trade show events—Horse Expo© features a record number of exhibitors.
