Swedish national team captain Henrik Ankacrona has named a shortlist of seven riders and 12 horses for the FEI World Championships in Aachen, scheduled for August 11-23. The list includes former Irish team rider Thomas Ryan, who switched nationalities earlier this year. Reigning world champion Henrik von Eckermann and Olympic gold medalist Peder Fredricson are also included.
The shortlist was announced on May 3 for the upcoming FEI World Championships in Aachen, Germany. All selected riders bring championship experience, with von Eckermann and Fredricson part of Sweden's gold medal-winning teams at the Tokyo Olympics and 2022 World Championships. Thomas Ryan, based in Sweden since 2019 with his wife Erica Swartz-Ryan, last competed for Ireland in June 2024 and is eligible for Sweden from June under FEI rules, as first reported by Horse & Hound in January on his nationality switch. The riders and horses, listed alphabetically by surname, are: Petronella Andersson with Opaline De W&S; Henrik von Eckermann with Steely Dan, Qasirah Van De Reistenhoek, and Minute Man; Peder Fredricson with Alcapone Des Carmille and SV Vroom De la Pomme Z; Angelie von Essen with Voila DK Z; Wilma Hellström with Cicci BJN and Eleven; Amanda Landeblad with For Killy and Springfield 21; and Thomas Ryan with Jezebeau BC. “It will be about results, form, experience and performing in that arena. Both in terms of riders and horses,” Ankacrona said. He emphasized that the door remains open to others based on performance. Sweden plans to send five riders to Aachen—four for the team and one reserve—with no individual entry. “Now the form will be sharpened and it’s all about finding the five combinations that we believe will have their peak during the World Championships,” Ankacrona added. The event serves as an Olympic qualifier at a historic venue.
