One of Finland’s longest-running sports 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 Expo and Convention Centre.
The event’s shift to becoming the final leg of the World Cup league creates an entirely new setting for the weekend’s highlight, the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup. After the Helsinki leg, the top 18 riders in the Western European League will be confirmed – they will earn a ticket to the series final in Fort Worth, Texas, in April. The winner in Helsinki receives 20 points, and the total prize money for the class is € 250,000.
Helsinki will host both the leading riders of the series and those still chasing points to secure a place in the final. One of the welcomed surprises of the season has been Norwegian Johan‑Sebastian Gulliksen, who has already reached the podium twice and currently sits fourth in the standings, with two legs remaining plus Helsinki. European Champion and Olympic gold medalist Kevin Staut has collected points from almost every leg but has not yet secured his place in Texas.
Olympic champion and multiple championship medalist Steve Guerdat began his indoor season only at the turn of the year after a sick leave. His victory in Leipzig in January showed he is once again hungry and in top form. Brazilian rider Yuri Mansur placed second in Oslo and is currently eleventh in the standings, but he too is not yet guaranteed a place in the final.
German riders Philipp Schulze Topphoff and Patrick Stühlmeyer are in strong shape. Schulze Topphoff has achieved three top‑10 finishes, and Stühlmeyer has placed third and fourth. They still need to secure their places among the top 18 in the league, so they will be aiming for valuable points in Helsinki.
Another rising star from Norway this season is Oda Charlotte Lyngvaer, who was second in La Coruña and ninth in Oslo. Will the sympathetic Lyngvaer once again make it to the podium in Helsinki with her impressive mare Carabella vd Neyen Z?
Olympic champions make their comeback
Swedish riders are once again strongly represented. Jens Fredricson, who will also host jumping clinics in Helsinki, is a World and European team gold medalist and reached the podium at the 2022 World Cup Final in Leipzig.
For many showjumping fans, it will be especially impactful to see one of the world’s most successful female riders in the arena. Malin Baryard‑Johnsson is making her comeback at this level. She competed in her first World Cup 30 years ago. Now, after a seven‑year break, she returns with her Tokyo Olympic team gold medalist mare H&M Indiana, 18, who was full of energy and joy in the Leipzig leg in January.
Chasing further success
Several rider‑horse combinations competing in Helsinki have already done well in selected legs but have only competed in a few events. Japan’s Eiken Sato was fourth in Oslo and eighth in Leipzig, Portugal’s Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida finished second in Stuttgart, and Sweden’s Marcus Westergren was second in Mechelen. European Championship silver medalist and team gold medalist Gregory Wathelet, who placed seventh in Mechelen, is the highest‑ranked European showjumper in Helsinki.
Britain’s Robert Whitaker, who won both the Grand Prix and the World Cup in Helsinki in 2019, will also be present. The son of the legendary John Whitaker also won the World Cup in Helsinki in 2024. If they perform well in the arena, they too still have every chance of climbing high enough in the standings. Everything is still possible.
From Finland, Jasmin Seppälä‑Geerink and Anna‑Julia Kontio have entered the World Cup level. Both have already taken part in two legs this season. Seppälä‑Geerink arrives in Helsinki via the Gothenburg leg.
There are also high expectations for other riders competing in 5‑star classes, including Jone Illi and Celtas Quillian, who recently won an international 145 cm class. Most Finnish riders will compete at the 1‑star level and in national and Amateur Tour classes. The event will feature nearly 300 riders, 400 horses, and almost 1,000 starts.
Dressage: Finland vs. Sweden
At the three‑star dressage level, the Helsinki venue will host Finnish champions Ville Vaurio and Dante NL, Peggy Högsten and Frisco, Anu Sironen and Ypäjä’s Fioretto, and Katja Kuokka and Fillyhill’s My Special. Sweden will send five rider‑horse pairs, the strongest being Olympic rider Mads Hendeliowitz and World & European Championship rider Jeanna Högberg. Having two 4* judges means that the Grand Prix offers a chance for the riders to get a World Championship qualification results.
The event will offer competitions and performances in two arenas over four days, totaling 140 hours of competition and entertainment. The audience will also enjoy plenty of new content. On the Hevosurheilu RATSASTUS stage, popular equestrian and enterntainment personality Katja Ståhl will host talks, panels, and partner programs.
Much more to do for the whole family
Two ticket categories are now available, including a new expo ticket that offers an affordable way to explore the event, especially for horse enthusiasts. A new OP Uusimaa hobby‑horse area will feature competitions and interactive activities for the youngest visitors. At the Kultajousi arena, visitors can also try lead‑rein riding. The Horse Show is also one of the most significant equestrian expo events – this year’s Horse Expo © will feature a record number of exhibitors.
