Sweden’s 27-year-old Holmén wins in Zurich

That was the reaction of veteran Swiss rider Pius Schwizer this weekend after coming second to 27-year-old Swede Stephanie Holmén in the World Cup Jumping qualifier at the CSI5*-W Zurich — the 30th and final edition of the well-known competition. Great Britain’s Michael Whitaker finished fourth on JB’s Hot Stuff.

Riding 12-year-old mare Flip’s Little Sparrow, Holmén flew through the first round of the 1.60m Mercedes-Benz Classic with no faults and a time of 70.10 seconds. And the 27-year-old followed up with another clear ride in the jump-off in a brisk 38.79 s, picking up 20 qualifying points and more than €86,000 for the victory.

The Swedish rider has been based at the Grevlunda Stables of compatriot and Individual Olympic and European medallist Peder Fredricson in the south of their country for the past four years. And Fredricson, who finished 28th in Sunday’s class with H&M Christian K, was in Zurich to share his advice with Holmén.

“Peder told me to go outside my comfort zone, to be faster than I’m used to, and to take the turns tighter, especially the inside turn after the white vertical,” she said. “I watched him competing her for many years and I never thought she’d jump with me like she did with him, but he believed in us. This was like the perfect jump-off round, and I think it was Sparrow’s gift to me because it was my birthday yesterday!”

In front of their home crowd, the Swiss riders in Zurich, including Schwizer on About A Dream, wore armbands in memory of their esteemed compatriot Show Jumper Willi Melliger, who passed away earlier this month. France’s Kevin Staut, currently leading (and qualified in) the Western European league standings heading toward the April 11-15 Final with 77 points, took third place in Switzerland’s largest city. Staut’s prize money for third was €27,500, while Schwizer’s runner-up finish carried a paycheque of €36,700.

With her win in Switzerland, Holmén’s 20 points leave her tied for 31st in the Western European league, with a shot to make it into the top 18 (plus extras) who qualify from the region for the Longines FEI Paris Final. Great Britain’s Whitaker, whose clear round in the jump-off in 40.85 s was worth 13 points and €18,300, has 41 points, good for 10th place. The League circuit now heads to Bordeaux, France this week before the last leg in Gothenburg, Sweden later in February.