Gothenburg, Sweden—April 3

The 2019 Longines FEI Show Jumping and FEI World Cup Dressage Finals are taking place this week, April 4-7, in Gothenburg, Sweden. The Chronicle has one reporter on the ground, so follow along with our coverage through Sunday night!

Here’s what you need to know to follow along:

Important Links: Gothenburg Horse Show website / orders of go and live results / all of the Chronicle’s coverage / FEI TV live streaming (requires a paid subscription)

When?

• The Show Jumping Schedule

The show jumpers got their first chance to jump in the Scandinavium today, in a bit of a choose-your-own-adventure warm-up class. Riders could elect to jump the entire course as set, string together bits and pieces, or just use their time to school on the flat in the ring. (Four of the U.S. riders elected to jump during that time, while Beezie Madden chose a 1.40-meter class for Breitling LS.)

U.S. rider Kelli Cruciotti is a World Cup Final first timer with Hadja Van Orshof. Lisa Slade Photo

The Show Jumping World Cup competition doesn’t officially kick off until tomorrow’s speed class.

Thursday, April 4: Speed Round at 6 p.m. local time (noon EDT)

Friday, April 5: Round 2 at 6 p.m. local time (noon EDT)

Saturday, April 6: Show jumping rest day

Sunday, April 7: Show jumping final at 2 p.m. local time (8 a.m. EDT)

• The Dressage Schedule

Dressage competition officially kicks off on Friday, though those riders have had a few schooling opportunities in the main ring so far.

Friday, April 5: Grand Prix at 1 p.m. local time (7 a.m. EDT)

Saturday, April 6: Grand Prix freestyle at 4 p.m. local time (10 a.m. EDT)

Who’s Competing?

In the show jumping final, 34 riders from 18 countries will vie for the title. This year there are only five U.S. riders competing, a smaller-than-usual contingent. Beezie Madden has brought her 2018 winner Breitling LS back to try for another title, and in addition, Georgina Bloomberg (Chameur 137), Kelli Cruciotti (Hadja Van Orshof), Eve Jobs (Limbridge and Venue D’Fees Des Hazalles) and Devin Ryan (Cooper) will jump for the United States.

Read more about the reasons for the smaller U.S. field this year.

Devin Ryan is looking to improve on his second-placed finish at last year’s final, but this year he’s riding Cooper. Lisa Slade Photo

In addition to the U.S. riders, there’s a stacked field that includes several former World Cup title winners, and World No. 1 rider Steve Guerdat (Switzerland), World No. 3 Daniel Deusser (Germany) and World No. 6 Peder Fredricson (Sweden).

See the full entry list.

The colorful Life Is Beautiful is a crowd favorite with rider Shino Hirota for Japan. Lisa Slade Photo

In the dressage final, there are 18 competitors from 12 countries. The United States earned three competition slots this year. Top-ranked U.S. pair Laura Graves and Verdades will try and topple Isabell Werth on Weihegold OLD after two years in the second-placed position. Kasey Perry-Glass is riding her own Goerklintgaards Dublet, and Adrienne Lyle will compete Salvino.

In addition to German powerhouse Werth, who’ll be trying for her fifth overall title, riders will be up against World No. 6 Helen Langehanenberg (Damsey FRH) and well-ranked Dutch rider Hans Peter Minderhoud on Glock’s Dream Boy NOP, in addition to hometown favorites Patrik Kittel (Delaunay OLD) and Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén (Don Auriello).

See the full dressage entry list.

How To Watch At Home: FEI TV is streaming all events starting with tomorrow’s show jumping speed class. It is a paid subscription service. Learn more.

Get To Know Some Of The U.S. Horses by going behind the stall door with Breitling LS, Verdades and Goerklintgaards Dublet.