The press conference with European champion team, Sweden, and the other teams on the podium, Ireland and Austria, was held on the beautiful panoramic terrace at the top of the Weight Building at the Snai San Siro Racecourse.
Henrik Von Eckermann is the current number 1 jumping rider in the world: “I had said that I really missed this team gold medal at the European Championships, after the bronze medal in Herning in 2013 and the silver one in Gothenburg in 2017. I am really happy to have won it. After today’s mistake with Iliana, the individual gold may not be within my reach; it means that I will focus on the gold medal in the Paris Olympic games in 2024.”
Wilma Hellstrom won a team medal for the first time: “I have almost no words to comment on this fabulous experience. Everything was perfect around us, especially the team spirit“.
Jens Fredricson had contributed to winning the European team bronze medal in Herning in 2013: “We went beyond perfection, we are a fantastic team and we were certainly the best today. It is always a surprise when you win, because sometimes it is not enough to ride at your best to bring home the victory. I am still leading the individual standings, I will try to complete this task in the final on Sunday. Tomorrow I will enjoy my day off, I will go to the centre of Milan with my wife to celebrate our wedding anniversary.”
Rolf Goran Bengtsson had already won a European individual gold medal in Madrid in 2011: “We managed to reach this goal, which was our main target. I am especially proud to be part of this team, especially twenty-two years after the European Championship in Madrid“.
Henrik Ankarcrona has been the chef d’equipe since October 2016: “This gold medal is an award that has come a long way. We have started working towards Paris 2024 and this is an important milestone on the road to next year’s Olympics. This is not the end of the story, however. We have all four members of the team qualified for the individual final, now let’s try to bring home something more… In any case, we already thank the Organising Committee for the perfect success of the competitions and of the entire event, as well as the chef de piste Uliano Vezzani for the courses designed with his usual skill”.
SPECIAL PRIZES
The conference was attended by Sabrina Ibanez, FEI Secretary General, Marco Di Paola, President of the Italian Equestrian Sports Federation, Laura Campopiano, Event Director, Sara Riffeser, Show Director, Simone Perillo, member of the Board. In addition, there were Matteo Sovera, Brand Manager of Longines Italia.
At the end of the press conference, some special prizes were awarded. Wilma Hellstrom received a saddle from Jasmin Scomparin, Sponsorship Manager of Prestige Italia, as the youngest member of the Swedish title-winning team. Instead, Lelia Polini, CEO of Kep Italia, presented a helmet to each of the four Swedish winners: Wilma Hellstrom, Henrik von Eckermann, Jens Fredricson and Rolf Goran Bengtsson.
