On the final day of competition at the 2022 FEI Jumping World Championships, Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward emerged victorious. About 12,000 spectators in Herning, Denmark, held their breath as von Eckermann cleared the last fence. He and the12-year-old Belgian Warmblood gelding, owned by Dufour Stables AG, crossed the finish line to earn the gold medal. Their final individual score was 0.58.

Belgium’s Jérôme Guery piloted Quel Homme de Hus to earn the silver medal on 3.35 points. Quel Homme de Hus is a 16-year-old Holsteiner gelding owned by Guery, Alexander Oancea and Eden Farm FARL.

Additionally, rounding out the top three was the Netherlands’ Mikael van der Vleuten aboard Beauville Z N.O.P. with a score of 5.96 for the bronze. Beauville Z N.O.P. is a 12-year-old Zangersheide gelding owned by Pontegadea Espana SLU and Marta Ortega Perez.

The Grand Finale of the 2022 FEI Jumping World Championships

The individual championship on the last day of competition was split into two rounds. In Round A, the top 25 horse-and-rider combinations from the first two days of competition tackled the 16-effort, 1.65-meter course. The course was designed by Louis Konickx (NED) and Quintin Maertens’s (NED).

The top three at the conclusion of Round A von Eckermann was in first. His teammate Peder Fredricson, aboard Markan Cosmopolit, a 16-year-old Holsteiner stallion owned by Interbreed AB and Strömsholms Marketenteri, was in second. Guery was in third.

The course was reset, and the top 12 advanced to the final round, Round B. Athletes were met with a 15-effort course, which also stood at 1.65 meters and had a time allowed of 77 seconds.

In Round B, only four of the 12 pairs managed a clear round. At the time sitting in seventh, van der Vleuten produced one of those rounds aboard Beauville Z N.O.P. This bumped him up the rankings with six more to go.

“We all know that [on] the last day, a lot of things happen,” remarked van der Vleuten. “The first round was nice. A tough class, but good to ride. But, the second round was, I found, really proper.”

Of his horse’s efforts, van der Vleuten said, “Beauville deserved it also—a medal. He really jump his heart out. He gives everything.”

Guery and Quel Homme de Hus were third last to go and also executed a clear round to maintain their podium position. “[I was] only thinking about riding him well, because when I ride him well, he does the job,” Guery commented.

“[Quel Homme de Hus] gives everything. For him, nothing is difficult. Everything is easy. When it’s really difficult for the other horses, for him it’s still easy and he’s more focused,” Guery said of his mount. “I really like when the courses are tough and difficult because it’s more concentration.”

Fredricson, entering Round B in second, had three rails down in the final round, amassing to 12 faults and falling out of podium position. Consequently, spots opened for van der Vleuten and Guery.

And finally, von Eckermann and King Edward were last in the ring. The duo landed from the last jump, and the crowd exploded into cheers. von Eckermann galloped away and threw his helmet in the air in celebration of his accomplishment.

“From the first round, I had a really good feeling, so that made me very confident,” said von Eckermann. [King Edward] felt fresh like the first day [of competition] into the last round. That gives, of course, a lot of confidence.”

The Conclusion of the 2022 FEI World Championships

For the final results, click here.

Watch highlights, including winning rounds, on FEI TV or FEI’s YouTube channel.