The 37th edition of the FEI European Championship opened the gates to the Italia.Open to Meraviglia – FEI Jumping European Championship Milan 2023 hosted at the Snai San Siro racecourse where the European team and individual jumping titles as well as tickets to Paris 2024 for the best-placed nations not yet qualified for next year’s Olympics will be awarded.
All 85 horses representing 24 nations passed the first horse inspection: 14 teams and individual riders competed today in the Table C Speed and Handiness class with the reigning Olympic and World team gold medalists dominating. Eighth to go for the Swedes was Wilma Hellström who performed a clear round riding Cicci BJN. Teammate Rolf-Göran Bengtsson rode Zuccero to the temporary lead but then Jen Fredricson and Markan Cosmopolit stopped the clock at 71.98 seconds to top the leaderboard for the rest of the competition. World number one, Henrik von Eckerman flew through the course with Iliana in a great time of 69.38 but unfortunately closed with a fence down.
Jen Fredricson & Markan Cosmopolit
Team Sweden’s total of 1.51 penalties puts them in the lead, only 0.41 ahead of the Nations Cup defending Champions, Team Switzerland. World number four, Martin Fuchs, performed to the second-fastest time riding Leone Jei. The Swiss are also looking for a ticket to Paris 2024 and, if they do clinch the Nations Cup gold medal, they will be on their way to Paris. German rider, Philipp Weishaupt, with Zineday between the reins, closed in third place with 0.31 also placing Team Germany in third with 5.31 penalty points.
Martin Fuchs & Leone Jei
All will compete again in the first round of the second competition on Thursday at 1.15 p.m. counting as the first round for the team final and second round for individual qualification.
From there, the top 10 teams and top 50 individuals will move on to the second round on Friday when the team medals will be awarded.
For further info: www.milanojumping2023.com
View the program here
Watch live here
Purchase your tickets here
Photos ©FEI/Leanjo de Koster
By Simona Diale/International Horse Press
