Linda Heed Ends 10-Year Wait for a Female Winner in Gothenburg World Cup Qualifier
Linda Heed Clinches Win at Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ in Gothenburg
In an electrifying final qualifier of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ series, Sweden’s Linda Heed and her 11-year-old Swedish Warmblood stallion, Skylander VS, delivered a stunning victory in front of a roaring home crowd in Gothenburg. With 12,000 spectators on their feet, Heed clocked the fastest clear round in an eight-horse jump-off, securing her place in the record books.
Her win marked the first time a female rider had claimed a World Cup qualifier in Gothenburg since Beezie Madden’s victory in 2013—a milestone moment in an already thrilling competition.
The Battle for the Podium
The Western European League’s final leg at the Gothenburg Horse Show was far from an easy ride. Course designer Peter Lundstroem crafted a technical track that saw six of the 33 starters opt to retire. But for those who made it to the jump-off, it was a showcase of top-tier talent, with the final placings decided in dramatic fashion.
Norway’s Oda Charlotte Lyngvaer and Carabella vd Neyen Z were the first to lay down a double clear, setting the bar at 38.31 seconds. However, Germany’s Sandra Auffarth (Quirici H), Max Kühner (Eic Up Too Jacco Blue), and Edouard Schmitz (Switzerland) each collected faults, taking them out of contention.
Next up, Dutch Olympic bronze medalist Maikel van der Vleuten and his trusted partner Beauville Z N.O.P. shaved nearly two seconds off Lyngvaer’s time, crossing the Longines beam in 36.47 seconds to take the lead. But the lead was short-lived.
Heed and Skylander VS then stormed into the ring, shaving off another half a second, stopping the clock at 35.91 seconds—a time no one could match.
Germany’s Mario Stevens and Starissa FRH came close with a 36.08-second clear, slotting into second place, while van der Vleuten settled for third.
The final rider, Sweden’s own Henrik von Eckermann—world number one and defending World Cup champion—had the crowd on edge. While his time was faster than Heed’s, a dropped rail added four faults, pushing him down the order and handing the victory to his compatriot.
A Victory to Remember
For Heed, the win felt surreal. “I can’t believe it!” she said on her way to the prize-giving ceremony. Though critical of her own performance, she was full of praise for her stallion.
“He was incredible in there. It’s all about trust—he’s a really sensitive horse, and today, it worked out perfectly.”
Her competitors also acknowledged the significance of her triumph. Van der Vleuten shared his excitement for the home crowd: “I’m very happy that a Swedish rider won the jump-off today.”
Road to the World Cup Final
With Gothenburg wrapping up the 14th and final qualifier in the Western European League, riders now turn their attention to Basel, Switzerland, where the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final will be held from April 3–6.
As of Sunday’s rankings, the top riders qualified for Basel include:
- Kevin Staut (FRA) – League leader
- Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER)
- Pieter Devos (BEL)
- Robert Whitaker (GBR)
- Max Kühner (AUT)
- Julien Epaillard (FRA)
- Gregory Wathelet (BEL)
- Maikel van der Vleuten (NED)
- Julien Anquetin (FRA)
- Martin Fuchs (SUI) – Former World Cup champion
- Marcus Ehning (GER) – Former champion
- Sophie Hinners (GER)
- Ben Maher (GBR) – Olympic champion
- Mario Stevens (GER)
- Willem Greve (NED)
- Richard Vogel (GER)
- Edouard Schmitz (SUI)
- Steve Guerdat (SUI) – Former Olympic & World Cup champion
- Tim Gredley (GBR)
As the defending champion, Henrik von Eckermann will also be in Basel to fight for another title.
Beyond Europe, qualified riders from around the world include Kent Farrington (USA), McLain Ward (USA), Daniel Bluman (ISR), Darragh Kenny (IRL), Shane Sweetnam (IRL), and Daniel Coyle (IRL), representing the North American League.
For those who can’t wait until Basel, the next stop on the international calendar is the Longines League of Nations team competition in Ocala, USA, on March 22—all available live on FEI TV.
