A win for Sweden in the 2022 BMO Nations Cup at Spruce Meadows ‘Masters’
Edited press release
Spruce Meadows (September 10, 2022) – The grounds were packed for an exciting BMO Nations Cup day at Spruce Meadows. The international ring was packed with fans from one end to the other ready to see eight nations, including reigning Olympic gold medalist and World Cup team Sweden, go head to head over two possible rounds of competition, with some of the top nations including reigning BMO Nations’ Cup winners, Team Canada. All eight nations participate in the first round of competition and the top six teams compete for the second round of competition. Leopoldo Palacios (VEN) designed the 475m course which included 12 obstacles (15 efforts) including some well-known fences, the Dutch Bicycle and Canada Planks – all of which had to be completed in a time of 72 seconds or less.
After the first round of competition, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Mexico and Canada all qualified for the second round, leaving the United States and France to finish in 7th and 8th place respectively. In the Nations Cup competition, things can change quickly. The scores were fairly close with the exception of Sweden and the Netherlands, who both entered Round 2 without a fault. Switzerland sat comfortably at 7 faults hoping others would be at fault.
The unexpected elimination of Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) in round 2 meant that the remaining rider’s points would count. It took the last horse on the course to decide the placings, but with just a single rail during Peder Fredricson’s (SWE) Round 2 ride, reigning Olympic team gold medalist and 2022 World Cup team Sweden took home the 2022 BMO Nations’ Cup. Switzerland and the Netherlands would finish second and third respectively.
“It’s a bucket list thing, I think every showjumper in the world starts from scratch and the world knows something called Spruce Meadows, “The Champions”, says Henrik Ankarcrona, Chef d’Equipe at Team Sweden. “Just to get here and seeing it is one thing and coming here and fighting for the trophy is another. It is so much work to get here, I am super proud of the riders.”