Malin Baryard Johnsson: "Most important to overcome the virus"

Henrik von Eckermann was unloading the horses from the transport car when the organizers of the 's-Hertogenbosch competitions set up on Thursday evening. The national rider did not get the chance to defend last year's victory in the Rolex grand slam.

He and everyone else - among them national teammate Peder Fredricson and dressage rider Natalie Oldfors - had to pack up and go home.

Almost at the same time, the announcement came that the three upcoming competitions in the Global Champions Tour - in Mexico City, Miami Beach and Shanghai - will be delayed in the future due to the corona virus.

"The health and well-being of our fans, stakeholders and our staff are of the utmost importance in these times, which are unparalleled, and which affect events around the world," the organizers wrote in a press release.

Malin Baryard Johnsson was entered into the competitions in Mexico and Florida, an intended outdoor season in tough international competition for her and the championship horse Indiana. Peder Fredricson had also planned to do the competitions in Mexico City and Miami Beach.

Now they have to stay home.

- I would have expected this, as it has become, says Baryard Johnsson.

It is likely that another series of international jumping competitions will take place well into April and perhaps in May. The Las Vegas World Cup in mid-April was canceled on Friday. The GCT competitions in Madrid, Hamburg and St. Tropez, all in May, could be in danger.

- It'll probably be so. At the same time, it is as it is. Two, three, four set races here or there. This is probably the smallest problem. The most important thing now is to get rid of the virus. With the whole economy and everything. That is the larger perspective, with everyone affected.

- I can still keep going and exercise, says Baryard Johnsson.

TT: But as an elite rider, you are also your own business and lose revenue, right?

- So it is, of course. At the same time, if I'm sitting here in the yard, it doesn't cost that much. Then the cars stand still.

The Tokyo Olympics is Baryard Johnson's major sporting goal this year.

TT: Do you think the Olympics will get rid of?

- I have no idea. One would think that it will last as long as they say nothing else. You have to take one day, one week at a time and see how it gets, she says.