A star-studded starting list and a very big, technical and difficult course – the stage was set for the season’s second Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ qualifier 160 cm to take place in Helsinki. Who would be going home with 20 gualifying points for Basel finals in 2025? That question had the whole audience at the edge of their seats.

The winner was decided in an exciting 13-way jump-off where speed and preciseness were the key to success. As the fourth to start, Robert Whitaker of Great Britain and Vermento put a clear round on the leaderboard in time that no one could beat. Kevin Staut on Dialou Blue PS delivered an amazing double clear as well and earned the runner-up spot. The top three was completed by Steve Guerdat with Is-Minka, who took yet another World Cup podium.

Robert Whitaker and Vermento – photo Satu Pirinen

Whitaker scored the double in Helsinki in 2019, so there’s clearly some magic in the arena for the Englishman. Only he is not sure what it is.

“I don’t really know (laughs). Vermento has been jumping very good but he’s quite a big horse and some of the turns are not so easy for him. He was good yesterday, but I had a really good go-ahead today and it just worked out for us – every turn and distance just came in the right time. I was very quick at the purple vertical and I think that did it.”

European Champion and team Olympic gold medalist, Staut praised his horse after the competition but found some improvement in his own riding.

“She is a really nice mare. She was off shows for a few months after September last year and now she’s back. It’s been a few weeks on the road and she is performing so I’m really happy about what she did today.”

“I missed the first distance on the last one and unfortunately Robert was really fast and smooth everywhere. I think I could’ve taken a bit more risks to the last.”

Kevin Staut and Dialou Blue PS – photo Iita-Maria Ahtiainen

Third-placed Guerdat gave congratulations to the well-deserved winner but was satisfied with his own performance as well.

“I’m not disappointed and I’m very happy with how my horse jumped but I could’ve been better. I missed my turn from one to two and it cost me a lot of time. The rest of the jump-off went quite well but I just wasn’t really fighting more. I didn’t want to do something stupid so maybe I was just thinking too much.”

“I really like her (my horse), she has already done World Cups before and jumped really good in the first round. She’s naturally very fast and she really fought today.”

Steve Guerdat and Is-Minka – photo Satu Pirinen

The course designer Guilherme Jorge, already familiar for many from earlier Helsinki Horse Shows, was happy with the course and the result today.

“My first goal in this World Cup is to get a track that is fair for all the horses and riders so that they have a good approach. The first round rode really well and the quality is very good so I’m for sure very happy.”

CEO and president of the organization Valtteri Gundersby and event director Tom Gordin were both satisfied with the successful event.

“Everything has gone really well – we made an all-time record in ticket sales so I’m very happy about that. All our crew worked really well and I hope the riders were also satisfied with our performance. Good weekend,” Gundersby said after the World Cup.

“It has been a dream: these eight fabulous years here so thank you Helsinki Ice Hall. It couldn’t have finished better; the best riders in the world came once again and we are very grateful,” Gordin agreed.

Yuri Mansur is leading the FEI Western European League standings after Helsinki with Kevin Staut on the second place and Peder Fredricson following in the third place. The season continues in Lyon next weekend.

LONGINES FEI JUMPING WORLD CUP™ Helsinki, international jumping competition with jump-off 160 cm. Starts 39, placings 12.

1) Robert Whitaker – Vermento, GBR 0/69.02 – 0/36.84
2) Kevin Staut – Dialou Blue PS, FRA 0/65.06 – 0/37.11
3) Steve Guerdat – Is-Minka, SUI 0/69.31 – 0/37.56
4) Yuri Mansur – QH Alfons Santo Antonio, BRA 0/69.68 – 0/37.63
5) Marlon Modolo Zanotelli – Grand Slam VDL, BRA 0/70.69 – 0/37.65
6) Peder Fredricson – SV Vroom de la Pomme Z, SWE 0/67.04 – 0/38.20
7) Amanda Landeblad – For Killy, SWE 0/67.43 – 0/38.89
8) Mario Stevens – Starissa FRH, GER 0/69.94 – 0/40.10
9) Hans-Dieter Dreher – Elysium, GER 0/69.18 – 4/38.19
10) Pieter Devos – Toupie de la Roque, BEL 0/69.40 – 4/39.04
11) Alberto Zorzi – Cortez van’t Klein Asdonk Z, ITA 0/69.34 – 4/39.06
12) Mel Thijssen – Grieg S, NED 0/67.44 – 4/39.36

Complete results: https://www.longinestiming.com/equestrian/2024/helsinki-international-horse-show-helsinki/resultlist_09.html