U25-riders from three nations on the podium in Lövsta Future Challenge in Gothenburg.

Sara Aagaard Hyrm was so pleased with her young horse with stable name just Cooper.

“The arena is so special. It was intense, but it was really a nice feeling to ride in front of such an amazing audience. I tried to do my best and keep my horse calm. But you can really feel the pressure with so much audience, and it's really fun. To ride in such a big arena is amazing. But my horse is still a very young boy. I've had him for four years, so we have developed together. I am really, really pleased with today.

Sara, Zoe and Evelina were all in agreement on what a series such as Lövsta Future Challenge mean for them.

“It's amazing what a support we get and how much Lövsta Future Challenge is doing for us young riders. We are learning a lot from watching the best riders of the world cup and get a chance to  ride in the same arena. It means a lot”, concluded Sara receiving nods from the podium.

Travelling from the Netherlands and competing in Gothenburg, Zoe Kuintjes with her horse Cupido was pleasantly surprised.

“It's my first time here in Gothenburg. I already rode at Jumping Amsterdam last year. So this is my second time riding Lövsta Future Challenge. It's such an amazing audience here. I have ridden Cupido now for almost three years.

Evelina Söderström on Cilantro are experienced an experienced Scandinavium combination, meaning, they have competed here once before.

“ I was here last year and competed in the Lövsta Future Challenge. And that was a really good experience. It is an inspiration riding next to World Cup series riders, to see them train, it's really fun.”

Judge Isobel Wessels commented on the class.

“First of all, I was clearly very sad that one didn't come through the check. But I think this is also a sign that we are taking everything very seriously. And the competition is never more important than the welfare of the horse. This was a clear indication of this today.”

“The Series is very inspiring for the U25-riders, these are our teams of the future. And they come here and train in this atmosphere. You can't practice this at home. It's a whole different atmosphere.

As judges we encourage you all to ask us, we will try an answer anything you want.

Everyone should be of one accord. We're all sport people, sport orientated. We all love our horses and we welcome the questions.”

The class took an unfortunate turn as the leading combination were disqualified due to discovery of blood on the left flank in the FEI Steward check after the ride. The systems in place to put horse welfare first and centre, work as the horse is protected before, during and after the competition by the rules and regulations in place.