Gothenburg Horse Show 2026
Few indoor fixtures command the authority of the Gothenburg Horse Show. Since 1977, the Scandinavium Arena has hosted generations of champions and multiple World Cup Finals, cementing its reputation as one of the sport’s most respected stages. In 2026, that legacy once again met modern expectation, as five days of CSI5*-W showjumping and FEI Dressage World Cup competition unfolded before packed Swedish crowds.
Positioned as the penultimate leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Western European League, Gothenburg carried real consequence. With Helsinki still to come, riders knew strong performances here would shape the qualification narrative. The result was sport delivered with sharpened focus and unmistakable intensity, and the electric atmosphere inside the Scandinavium left no doubt that pressure was building ahead of the weekend’s feature classes.
World Class Jumping: Depth, Detail and Decisive Performances
Prize of Hööks 1.55m – Deusser Sets the Standard
Friday’s CSI5*-W 1.55m Prize of Hööks delivered one of the early headlines of the week. Germany’s Daniel Deusser, riding the 12-year-old Otello de Guldenboom, produced a precise and forward clear in 56.84 seconds to take victory in a class that counted towards World Cup standings and world ranking points.
Behind him, Sweden’s Petronella Andersson impressed aboard Odina van Klapscheut, the 11-year-old mare showing sharp reflexes and careful technique to secure second place. Fellow Swede Malin Baryard-Johnsson completed the podium with H&M Indiana, her experienced partner demonstrating the consistency that has long defined the combination. The result built anticipation for the weekend’s bigger tests and kept Swedish hopes alive in front of a knowledgeable home crowd.
Gothenburg Trophy 1.55m – Stühlmeyer Strikes Under Lights
Saturday night’s CSI5*-W 1.55m Gothenburg Trophy presented by Volvo Cars delivered one of the most competitive jump-offs of the indoor season. Eight combinations returned against the clock, the track demanding accuracy in the verticals and commitment through the related distances. Germany’s Patrick Stühlmeyer and Conterno Blue PS, the 12-year-old son of Veyron out of a Chacco Blue dam, stopped the clock in 36.54 seconds to secure victory. The gelding’s powerful canter and ability to shorten without losing balance proved decisive in the tight turns.
The 13-year-old KWPN stallion Grandorado TN and Willem Greve took home the victory in Sunday’s Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™. Image: ©FEI/Kim C Lundin
Afterwards, Stühlmeyer praised his partner’s mentality and scope, describing him as an unbelievable horse whose quality makes him competitive in any arena. Sweden’s Linda Heed produced a committed performance aboard Crack Blue to finish second, drawing significant applause from the home crowd, while Denmark’s Lars Bak Andersen and Leviathan HS completed the podium with a smooth and efficient clear.
The class reinforced the technical nuance of the Scandinavium arena. Speed alone is rarely enough here. Precision and control remain decisive.
Longines FEI Jumping World Cup – Greve and Grandorado Deliver
The defining moment of the week came in Sunday’s Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ qualifier. In a competition shaped by qualification pressure and tactical calculation, it was the Netherlands’ Willem Greve who emerged on top aboard Grandorado TN. The 13-year-old KWPN stallion, known for his scope and rideability, answered every question asked of him. In a competitive jump-off, Greve balanced bravery with restraint, using Grandorado’s adjustable stride to maintain rhythm while gaining ground in the turns. When the clock stopped, the time proved unbeatable.
Speaking afterwards, Greve reflected on the strength of the partnership, noting that Grandorado is a horse who always wants to be on the other side of the fence. That natural desire to jump, he explained, gives a rider the confidence to commit in high-pressure moments. The victory was both a major points haul and a timely statement ahead of the league finale in Helsinki.
Second place went to Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat, whose consistency throughout the Western European League once again kept him firmly in contention. Germany’s Richard Vogel completed the podium, adding yet another strong indoor result to his campaign.
Prize of Agria 1.50m – Lynch Adds Momentum
Ireland’s Denis Lynch also left his mark on the week, taking victory in the CSI5*-W 1.50m Prize of Agria aboard Katja. Known for his efficiency against the clock, Lynch combined smooth lines with decisive acceleration through the final fences to secure top honours. The result underlined his ability to extract maximum performance from experienced campaigners on technical indoor tracks.
FEI Dressage World Cup – Swedish History and International Authority
Denmark’s Nanna Skodborg Merrald. Image: ©FEI/Kim C Lundin
Dressage once again shared centre stage, reinforcing Gothenburg’s identity as a true dual discipline event. In the Lövsta Future Challenge, Sweden’s Cecilia Bergåkra made history by becoming the first Swedish rider to win the series on home soil. Her test combined technical clarity with expressive harmony, earning strong marks from the ground jury and enthusiastic support from the crowd.
The FEI Dressage World Cup™ Grand Prix Freestyle brought further international quality. Denmark’s Nanna Skodborg Merrald delivered a polished and dynamic performance to secure victory, her test marked by elastic extensions and confident transitions. Germany’s Isabell Werth once again demonstrated championship composure to claim a podium finish, while Sweden’s Patrik Kittel ensured strong home representation among the leaders. Few indoor events integrate five-star showjumping and elite dressage with such cohesion, and a nearly equally devoted audience for both disciplines. But in Gothenburg, the disciplines elevate rather than compete with one another.
A Modern Classic with Purpose
Wednesday’s national- and youth classes laid the groundwork before Thursday and Friday expanded into international 1.45m and 1.50m competitions alongside dressage qualifiers that drew attentive, informed audiences. By Saturday evening, anticipation had matured into intensity as the Gothenburg Trophy and World Cup classes filled the Scandinavium with expectation.
Beyond the sport itself, 2026 reinforced Gothenburg’s commitment to evolution. Organisers embedded sustainability targets into event planning, prioritising energy efficiency, responsible sourcing and long-term environmental accountability. The emphasis was clear. Heritage alone is not enough. Longevity depends on responsibility.
The atmosphere inside the arena reflected this balance between history and progress. Experienced international contenders shared the stage with emerging Swedish talent. The crowd responded warmly to home performances from Andersson, Heed and Baryard-Johnsson, even as international riders claimed the biggest prizes. Gothenburg remains a venue where tradition lives in the applause for past champions, but progress is visible in the operational detail and forward-thinking structure.
Gothenburg’s Lasting Influence
As the Western European League moved onward to Helsinki for its final qualifier, the 2026 Gothenburg Horse Show once again shaped the season’s narrative. Daniel Deusser’s Friday victory, Patrick Stühlmeyer’s Gothenburg Trophy triumph and Willem Greve’s World Cup win with Grandorado TN ensured the qualification battle remained finely poised.
In 2026, Gothenburg did what it has done for nearly half a century. It honoured its legacy and leaned into what its audiences come to celebrate: The horse.
