Two Swedish riders top the latest world ranking in horse jumping.

But during this week's competitions in Qatar, world setter Peder Fredricson has played the second violin behind world number two Henrik von Eckermann.

On Friday, von Eckermann won the 1.50 jump with the horse Glamor Girl.

And on Saturday, he was on the verge of also taking home the prestigious grand prix competition.

The von Eckermann / King Edward crew was one of eight faultless, and in the jump they took a lead that seemed to hold all the way.

But last out was Ludger Beerbaum - the German who since the beginning of the year has been accused of illicit training methods on his horses - and the four-time Olympic gold medalist was the strongest for the day.

On the horse Mila, he snatched the victory, 56 percent ahead of von Eckermann.

Chicken a little

- There have been a few classes before where I have been the fastest but had a setback so now I thought I should not risk too much, and if you are the least bit careful you do not win, says Henrik von Eckermann to the Swedish Equestrian Federation's website.

That there was no victory was only the rider's fault this day, von Eckermann emphasizes.

- Today he was his very best, jumped through with his whole body and was completely relaxed.

He's absolutely amazing, I say it over and over again, but he really is.

It's just me who would have made it a little better.

With the victory, Beerbaum also received the season's first direct ticket to the super final in Prague, which ends the Global Champions Tour season in November.

Swedish team winner

Henrik von Eckermann can still rejoice that the second place gave a price check of 75,000 euros, corresponding to just over 800,000 kronor.

Third was the Dutchman Jur Vrieling on Long John Silver.

Malin Baryard Johnson of Indiana finished ninth with four errors and Peder Fredricson of Hansson finished 22nd after tearing down two obstacles.

In the team competition, things went even better for Baryard Johnson and Fredricson, whose team Stockholm Hearts took home the victory together with the Belgian Olivier Philippaerts.

- It is a long season ahead of us, but we are of course super happy for this start, said Malin Baryard Johnsson to the organizer, writes the Swedish Equestrian Federation.