Kittel has been through most things during his long career, but in Leipzig, the 45-year-old's eighth World Cup final in a row, something new awaits.

Zepter is a fairly new acquaintance for Kittel.

And vice versa.

After only two riding classes as a fresh couple, he enters the GP competition tonight with the 13-year-old he has been on loan since last winter.

- Zepter and I have only been a team very short, the fact is that we have only done one competition together before and now the World Cup final - I have never done that before.

Even though I am experienced, you have to get to know the horse and there must be an interaction between.

At the same time, I think he is a fantastic horse, says Kittel to SVT Sport.

The horse on loan

The Danes Daniel Bachmann Andersen and Andreas Helgstrand have previously sat on Zepter.

Kittel's loan contract extends until July.

Then the collaboration will be evaluated.

- And then we'll see what happens after that.

I have the good fortune to compete with him and refine him or it is he who refines me, he is noble enough for that, Kittel says to TT.

The crew finished eighth at the World Cup qualifiers in Neumünster in February with around 82 percent in refereeing.

A month later, Kittel came third in the last qualifier in's-Hertogenbosch, but then on the mare Forever Young.

But the final choice fell on Zepter.

- My own goal is to first and foremost ride safely in this short grand prix.

If we ride well and we ride flawlessly, we can definitely be somewhere among the better ones, Kittel says to SVT Sport.

Touchdown in the World Cup

Kittel could also have invested in Touchdown, but the ten-year-old gelding is destined for future big tasks - the World Cup competitions in Herning, Denmark, in early August.

Touchdown has gone from strength to strength over the past six months and is considered the adult task of going to its first championship.

- It is Touchdown that is relevant to me.

I think he is mature and for me he is a medal horse.

For me, it does not feel strange to bet on a World Cup on Touchdown if I am selected, Kittel says to TT.

SVT broadcasts the World Cup final in dressage and jumping starting at 14.25 on SVT1.