VERSAILLES (Reuters) - Swedish showjumper Henrik von Eckermann and his champion horse King Edward were the centre of attention of Monday's Olympic qualifiers, in which the pair jumped clear and secured their ticket to Tuesday's individual final.
Analyst firm EquiRatings said King Edward, who has been clear in two-thirds of his appearances, is the best jumping horse on record based on its data.
"The reason to watch tomorrow is the same reason as people tune in to see Simone Biles or Usain Bolt", EquiRatings Managing Director Diarmuid Byrne told Reuters. "Tomorrow, we will see the greatest horse ever."
With no illustrious pedigree, the Belgian Warmblood lived as a hobby and family horse in Belgium when von Eckermann's wife, also a professional rider, spotted his talent. Von Eckermann took over the mount during his partner's maternity leave before the last Olympics.
Von Eckermann, who now leads the world rankings after many wins with the chestnut 14-year-old gelding - including the last world championship and a team gold medal in Tokyo 2021 - told Reuters the pressure was high to crown King Edward's and his own career with an individual gold medal.
"If it doesn't happen tomorrow, for sure, we're going to be disappointed for a while," he said, adding: "But somehow, we will still go home with the best horse in the world. And he has done so many things. It's animals, it's not machines."
The Swede finished the qualification with no penalties.
Tuesday's final is seen as the pinnacle of this year's Olympic equestrian events held in the chateau gardens of Versailles.
Other riders with a clear included Ireland's Shane Sweetnam on James Kann Cruz and Daniel Coyle on Legacy, Steve Guerdat from Switzerland on Dynamix de Belheme and Frenchman Julien Epaillard, who had the best performance with Dubai du Cedre.
Saudi Arabian first-time Olympian Abdulrahman Alrajhi was one of two riders from the country who made it through thanks to a flawless ride on Ventago, a German horse the kingdom bought in 2023 as part of a wider strategy to expand into top sports.
"We're not coming here to just participate at the Olympics. We're coming here to aim for the medal. And I do believe that I have one of the best horses in the world, obviously", Alrajhi, who lives and trains in Belgium, said after his ride.
Reigning Olympic champion Ben Maher from Britain also qualified.
(Reporting by Tassilo Hummel; Editing by Alison Williams)
