Helsinki, Finland – February 28, 2026 – A thrilling finale to the 2025/2026 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ – Western European League unfolded in Helsinki (FIN) on Sunday, as the sport’s biggest names went head-to-head in the 13th and final qualifying leg.
When the final combination crossed the beam, it was Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat (SUI) and the outstanding chestnut gelding Albfuehren’s Iashin Sitte who emerged victorious, sealing their second win of the season after previously taking top honours in Leipzig (GER). Crucially, the result also delivered the series points Guerdat needed to secure his place at this season’s Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in April.
Hot on his heels, Oda Charlotte Lyngvaer (NOR) produced a foot-perfect jump-off with the 12-year-old mare Carabella vd Neyen Z to claim second, stopping the clock just 0.04 seconds slower than Guerdat.
Viktor Daem (BEL) completed the podium in third with Kavaliers Blue, delivering a standout performance on his Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ debut.
Going into Helsinki, Guerdat, like so many others, had one thing in mind: qualification points.
“I really wanted to do well because of the points. We did the whole trip here to Helsinki just to try to gain the last few points that were missing for the Final, so I didn’t want to mess it up,” explained Guerdat.
With pressure at an all-time high and athletes chasing those decisive points, there was everything to jump for, and the electricity in the arena was palpable. The Helsinki Horse Show took place this year at the Helsinki Expo Centre, returning to its original home where the event was established in 1985. The homecoming set the tone immediately as the sold-out crowd roared to life.
Experienced course designer Guilherme Jorge (BRA) set a track of 13 obstacles and 16 jumping efforts that tested even the most experienced combinations. The time allowed of 74 seconds felt comfortable for most, but the course’s technicality saw many rounds unravel halfway through, with the triple combination at fence six proving particularly influential.
The crowd sensed something special was on the horizon early on when pathfinder Paula de Boer-Schwarz (GER) and My Miss Marpel OLD opened with a clear, setting the standard and turning Round 1 into a tense hunt for a place in the jump-off. Clear rounds proved elusive, with only seven combinations making it through.
Then came a jump-off in which every athlete left nothing to chance. But when the final obstacle was cleared, it was the three-time Olympic medallist and three-time Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final winner who could not be caught, recording a time of 38.00 seconds to clinch victory in style, just ahead of Lyngvaer, who produced a sizzling clear in 38.04 seconds.
For Guerdat, one of the most decorated Jumping athletes in the sport, the win was not simply about qualifying, but about adding another chapter to a series that has helped shape his career.
“I think everybody close to the sport, or who knows me, knows about the special relationship that I have with this World Cup Series, and especially the World Cup Final,” said Guerdat. “This is a competition I knew about when I was growing up, and that motivated me to be part of it one day. Now I’m a little part of the history of the World Cup, and I continue to be very motivated by it.”
With the 2025/2026 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Western European League season now concluded, attention turns to Fort Worth (USA), where the Final will be staged in April. Asked if he was already thinking about a potential historic fourth title, Guerdat was quick to keep the focus on the moment.
“I’m not thinking about that right now. I’m just thinking about qualifying for the Final and enjoying the win today,” he said with a smile. “Helsinki is the show I always love to come to, and we’ve been very pleased this year with the new infrastructure, and it’s been a pleasure. I’m very happy and very thankful for the outcome.”
Invitations will now be sent to all qualified athletes, with the Final line-up to be confirmed in the coming weeks. The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final takes place in Fort Worth (USA), 8–12 April 2026.
Final Results – €250,000 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Helsinki CSI 5*-W
1) Steve Guerdat (SUI) & Albfuehren’s Iashin Sitte – 0 / 0 – 38.00
2) Oda Charlotte Lyngvaer (NOR) & Carabella vd Neyen Z – 0 / 0 – 38.04
3) Viktor Daem (BEL) & Kavaliers Blue – 0 / 0 – 42.49
Source: Press Release from Kirsty Pasto for the FEI – Fédération Equestre Internationale
Photos: © FEI / Kim C. Ludin
