In 2019, Sweden was the Nations Cup winner in Aachen.
When the national jumping tonight was back on the mighty grass arena of the traditional equestrian facility, the Swedish quartet immediately showed that they wanted to be part of the fight for a top position.
Sweden with Petronella Andersson, Jens Fredricson, Annika Axelsson and Angelie von Essen was in a split second place after the first round with 4 errors in total, the same result as Germany and Belgium.
USA in the lead halfway through the competition on 0 errors.
Eight nations participated in the national jumping which is ridden over two rounds, identical course in both rounds with 15 jumps and 1.60 obstacles.
Exciting ending
The second round would prove to be very decisive, among all the team's first riders, only Germany's Daniel Deusser was faultless.
Despite nerves and tears, the United States managed to hold off and defend its leading position.
When Laura Kraut and her Balotine finished flawlessly, the victory was secured with a total result of only four errors.
Sweden was behind an impressive effort and really put pressure on the USA to the last, among other things through double zeros by Jens Fredricson and Markan Cosmopolit and Angelie von Essen and her Al Capone des Carmilles.
- He was incomparably good.
It was as if we were galloping with bouncing balls under our feet.
He jumped with such feather, confidence and strength.
I never think I have felt anything like this, says Jens Fredricson about his 10-year-old gelding after a flawless evening.
- It is a dream to ride a double zero in Aachen and now you can check it out, Fredricson adds.
Angelie von Essen was also lyrical about her horse's effort on the challenging track in Aachen.
- It's an incredibly cool feeling.
My horse is so careful and makes my job easy, von Essen says to SVT Sport.
Petronella Andersson / Castres Van De Begijnakker Z and Annika Axelsson / Cleo Z also had nice final rounds with one shot each.
Sweden thus took second place with eight errors in total.
An impressive team effort, especially considering that today's five-star competition is the biggest, most difficult the Swedish horses have done.
- We were really underdogs on paper, but it is still the case that we believe in ourselves.
The riders knew what they were facing and we have teased each other during the week, says national team captain Henrik Ankarcrona.
France took third place with 12 errors.
Swedish wave of success
Tonight's success comes after a summer where Swedish riders lined up successes, not least the Olympic gold in team jumping in Tokyo, Olympic silver individually for Peder Fredricson who also took the European Championship bronze recently.
In addition, several advanced top places in GCT for several Swedish national team riders.
Successes that inspire.
- I think that is what shows here, that we have an enormous self-confidence.
Success breeds success, says Ankarcrona and continues:
- We have a bunch of riders who do not want anything other than to settle down, which is difficult considering how good riders we have, but now the others probably get a little sweaty.
Complete result: