On Friday at the Helsinki Horse Show’s national Kultajousi Arena, the second class of the Pohjola Small Road to Helsinki final was held, won by Salla Määttä and Celabelle, as well as the first final class of the Pohjola Road to Helsinki for Finnish horses, which was won by Venla Vastamaa riding Toivo Mattila. Riders competing at the Bronze level had a day off on Friday.
The second final class of the Pohjola Small Road to Helsinki competition, held at the 115 cm level, was won by Salla Määttä, riding Celabelle, who represents the Ruohojärven Kartano riding club in Mäntsälä. Camilla Segercrantz from Espoo, riding Coriostro, took second place in the class, and Janni Rinne from Lahti, riding Stuart Little, took third. Class winner Määttä was in high spirits at the Messukeskus; the pair had placed third in Thursday’s class.
“I’m really proud of my horse ‘Elsa’—she’s definitely the perfect horse for me. Overall, the competition has gotten off to a really good start, better than I could have hoped for. Tomorrow, we’ll be aiming for a clean and fast run,” Määttä sums up.
The Finnish Horse Association’s own “Pohjola Suomenhevoset Road to Helsinki” final will be held at Messukeskus with two classes competing at a 1-meter jump height. In Friday’s first final class, Venla Vastamaa from Vesilahti emerged victorious riding Mattila’s Toivo (Liising – Viesker). Second place went to Emma Kivimäki from Vantaa riding the 16-year-old gelding Päällikkö (Musta Magia – Kihis), and third place went to Ida Johansson from Suunti riding the mare Telman Hilma (Corleone – Sipori). Vastamaa, the class winner, was in high spirits at the Messukeskus interview station.
“The series went well, even though it was hard to find my rhythm on the track today. Toivo trusts me and helps me through the tough spots—he’s an absolutely amazing horse,” Vastamaa said, praising his race partner. The indoor season has been a long haul for the pair, but they’ve started to find their stride as we head into late winter.
“Let’s try to find a better rhythm for tomorrow. After the Horse Show, I’m not sure yet what will happen, but our main goals for the summer are the Finnish Horse Derby and the breed’s show jumping championships.”
There are a total of three final classes in the Bronze and Small divisions of the Pohjola Road to Helsinki, and two for Finnish horses. The combined results of the final classes determine the ranking of the riders and horses in the overall Pohjola Road to Helsinki competition.
You can follow the competition on both the national and international stages via the ClipMyHorse.TV broadcast. The full HIHS 2026 program is available at www.helsinkihorseshow.fi
Feb. 27. National show jumping results, Helsinki International Horse Show, Messukeskus
Pohjola Small Road to Helsinki 2, 115 cm, main course and jump-off. Started 18th, placed 5th.
1) Salla Määttä – Celabelle, Ruohojärven Kartanon Ratsastajat ry 0-0/3126
2) Camilla Segercrantz – Coriostro, Keisarinmäen Ratsastajat ry 0-0/31.41
3) Janni Rinne – Stuart Little, Ruohojärven Kartanon Ratsastajat ry 0-0/32.02
Pohjola Finnish Horses Road to Helsinki 1 presented by Hankkija: 100 cm, basic course and jump-off. Started 10th, placed 3rd.
1) Venla Vastamaa – Mattilan Toivo, Vesilahden Seudun Ratsastajat ry 0-0/36.39
2) Emma Kivimäki – Päällikkö, KiVa Riding Club 0-0/38.39
3) Ida Johansson – Telman Hilma, Siuntio Sports Riders Association 0-4/36.1
Full results: LINK
Series competition rules: LINK
