Swedish Equestrian Team Rebuilds Ahead of 2025 European Championship

The Swedish equestrian show jumping team is entering a new chapter under the leadership of head coach Henrik Ankarcrona as they prepare for the European Championship in A Coruña, Spain, scheduled for July 16-20, 2025. With a strong legacy of success, the team faces significant changes as only Henrik von Eckermann remains from the last championship-winning squad. Notably absent from the team are seasoned riders Malin Baryard Johnsson, Rolf-Göran Bengtsson, and Jens Fredricson, raising questions about veteran Peder Fredricson's status.

Ankarcrona is gearing up to select five riders for the upcoming event, but the team’s recent performance has not been promising; Sweden currently ranks ninth out of ten in the League of Nations, making this selection phase critical. Expert Maria Gretzer suggests that promising riders like Amanda Landeblad may debut at the championship with her horse For Killy, following strong performances in recent competitions. However, concerns linger regarding the overall stability and performance of the team, especially in navigating challenging obstacles such as water jumps, pivotal for success at the European Championship. Amid these difficulties, Gretzer emphasized that the legacy of the Swedish team, which includes ten medals in recent championships, should not lead to underestimating the new lineup’s potential.