After a nail-biting finish, Olympic individual gold medalist Steve Guerdat of Switzerland defended his Longines FEI World Cup™ Jumping Final title, finishing in the top spot for the second year in a row. Partnering with the 10-year-old gelding Corbinian, he completed the final day without accumulating any faults. | Arnd Bronkhorst

The trophy for the dressage final was designed by sponsor Reem Acra. | Arnd Bronkhorst

German rider Daniel Deusser and the experienced Cornet d’Amour won the final in 2014 but took home third this year. They finished on the same score but slower than second-place finisher Harrie Smolders. The two riders’ clear rounds put the pressure on Steve Guerdat, who needed to be faultless to clinch the win. | Arnd Bronkhorst

Callan Solem and Wizard VDL were the top-placed American riders, finishing seventh in their first appearance at the final. | Arnd Bronkhorst

Nearly 90,000 spectators traveled to the sold-out Gothenburg Horse Show in March to cheer on their favorite equestrians during the four-day event. | Arnd Bronkhorst

Show Jumping Results 

1. Steve Guerdat (SUI) and Corbinian

2. Harrie Smolders (NED) and Emerald N.O.P.

3. Daniel Deusser (GER) and Cornet d’Amour

4. Marcus Ehning (GER) and Cornado NRW

5. Denis Lynch (IRL) and All Star 5

6. Christian Ahlmann (GER) and Taloubet Z

7. Callan Solem (USA) and VDL Wizard

8. Penelope Leprevost (FRA) and Vagabond de la Pomme

An emotional Steve Guerdat celebrates after a fault-free final round secured his victory. “It was important to me to ride better than last year,” said the 33-year-old, admitting that he didn’t feel he rode his best in 2015 despite his win. | Arnd Bronkhorst

Peter Lutz riding Robin de Ponthual was one of three Americans to make it to the final round. He finished in 19th place. | Arnd Bronkhorst

“I was very thrilled because this was Emerald N.O.P.’s first championship. He’s very attractive, and he loves the atmosphere here,” said the Netherlands’ Harrie Smolders of the stallion. “I must say [the event] was great sport and super exposure of how our sport should be.” | Arnd Bronkhorst

Dressage Results 

1. Hans-Peter Minderhoud (NED) and Glock’s Flirt

2. Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfvén (SWE) and Don Auriello

3. Jessica von Bredow-Werndl (GER) and Unee BB

4. Patrik Kittel (SWE) and Watermill Scandic

5. Anna Kasprzak (DEN) and Donnperignon

6. Fabienne Lütkemeier (GER) and D’Agostino FRH

7. Inessa Merkulova (RUS) and Mister X

8. Judy Reynolds (IRL) and Vancouver K

A relative newcomer to the Grand Prix level, Charlotte Jorst of the United States was delighted to end her weekend at her first Reem Acra FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final in 12th place aboard the stallion Kastel’s Nintendo. | Arnd Bronkhorst

Home-crowd favorite Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfvén finished just 0.928 percent behind Hans-Peter Minderhoud. | Arnd Bronkhorst

Germany’s Jessica von Bredow-Werndl and the stallion Unee BB claimed third place, a position they also held at last year’s final in Las Vegas. | Arnd Bronkhorst

“I started off as a groom, and it was always my dream to win [the final]” said Hans-Peter Minderhoud. | Arnd Bronkhorst

The Netherlands’ Hans-Peter Minderhoud, who finally earned top honors at the final in his sixth try, shares a quiet moment with his partner, Glock’s Flirt. | Arnd Bronkhorst

This article originally appeared in the June 2016 issue of Practical Horseman.