The great international showjumping stallion H&M Tornesch 1042 has died at the age of 24.

During a remarkable career spanning nearly a decade, the one-eyed Tornesch and Swedish rider Malin Baryard-Johnsson reigned as one of the world’s most successful partnerships.

“H&M Tornesch was a fantastic horse, with an amazing personality, and we really got close during our years together,” said Malin paying tribute to the impeccably bred Lux x Libero H stallion.

The spectacular bay Tornesch was placed in World Cup and grand prix competitions across the world and proved a pillar of the Swedish showjumping team, jumping to Nations Cup success and flying the flag at two European championships, in 2011 and 2015.

The stallion battled with an issue in his right eye for eight years before it was removed in 2013, but he continued to compete at the highest level until the 15-year-old was retired by Malin in 2015 shortly after their final competitive appearance at Olympia Horse Show in London.

Tornesch went on to compete with his owner Helena Hugoson-Feldt and Thomas Felt’s daughter Emelie until 2017.

Malin Baryard-Johnsson: “H&M Tornesch gave me so many great results and memories”

H&M Tornesch died this week at the age of 24, but his legacy lives on in his superb offspring including British showjumper Sameh El Dahan’s top horse WKD Toronto and five-star sport horses Oakingham Lira and Cape Cod.

“We had so many great results and memories, he was one of a kind and has meant a lot for me and my career,” said Malin.

His owners Helena Hugoson-Feldt and Thomas Felt paid tribute to Tornesch when he retired: “Thank you so much Tornesch for all the wonderful moments you have given us, your rider and Sweden during your career at the highest level.”

Malin Baryard-Johnsson and H&M Tornesch helped Sweden win Nations Cup competitions in Barcelona and Falsterbo and competed in three World Cup Finals together, in 2011, 2013 and 2014. Tornesch was approved for breeding by the Holstein studbook.

At the time of his retirement, Malin reflected on “eight fantastic years and every magic moment”.

“After hundreds of rounds, thousands of jumps and uncountable hours of training together we became best friends and partners,” she said at the time. “I’m for ever grateful and you will always have a special place in my heart. Good luck with everything and think of me sometimes.”

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All three of the riders – and two of the horses – who won gold in 2021 are named in the Swedish Olympic showjumping team as the country prepares to defend its title in Paris.

Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward, also the individual world champions, and Malin Baryard Johnsson and Indiana both jumped off for gold in Tokyo, and have been selected again. The final 2021 team member and individual silver medallist Peder Fredricson has retired the great All In but is in the squad with Catch Me Not S. The fourth combination is Rolf-Göran Bengtsson with Zuccero, who were on the team that won European gold last year.

The Swedish Olympic showjumping team go to Paris as hot favourites, as Olympic, European, and world champions. Sweden has won 11 Olympic showjumping medals including team gold in Tokyo.

Rolf-Göran is the oldest team member, aged 62, and made his senior team debut at the 1995 Europeans in St Gallen. He has contested 19 senior championships and Paris will be his sixth Olympics. The Games will be Malin’s sixth, Peder’s fifth and Henrik’s fourth. The final team of three will be decided at a later date.

Swedish Olympic showjumping team

Rolf-Göran Bengtsson with 12-year-old stallion Zuccero Hv

Owners: Holsteiner Verband and rider

Breeder: Hanno Koehncke

Breeding: by VDL Zirocco Blue out of a mare by Caretino 2

Henrik von Eckermann with 14-year-old gelding King Edward

Owners: Dufour Stables and rider

Breeder: Wim Impens

Breeding: by Edward 28 out of a mare by Feo

Peder Fredricson with 18-year-old gelding Catch Me Not S

Owner: Ebbar Berglöf

Breeder: Krister Svedberg

Breeding: by Cardento 933 out of a mare by Ramiro’s Son

Malin Baryard Johnsson with 16-year-old mare Indiana

Owner: Stuteri Arch

Breeder: Chloe Ruys and Christophe Van Turtelb

Breeding: by Kashmir Van Schuttershof out of a Animo’s Hallo mare

“We are incredibly charged,” said Swedish national team captain Henrik Ankacrona.

“It is a long process towards an Olympics and it is exciting now that we are approaching the championship. We go there to perform and we always aim high. But we know that everyone has to be at their best to make it all the way.”

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Ben Maher jumped a superb round in the opening speed leg at the Agria FEI World Showjumping Championships to slot briefly into second spot and give the British team a monumental boost. 

“We had a team discussion after the first two riders, and I decided to take a bit more risk and it worked out,” said Ben.

Riding his reserve horse Faltic HB (Baltic VDL x Concorde), after he decided Explosion W wouldn’t be fit in time, Ben rode a beautifully judged clear round to stop the clock on 82.52sec. Ben was chasing the target set by long-time leader Nicola Philippaerts and Katanga VH Dingeshof of 82.01sec, and his round relegated Ireland’s Bertram Allen and Pacino Amiro into third. However within minutes of Ben finishing, Frenchman Julien Epaillard (Caracole De La Roque) broke the 80sec barrier to take the lead.

Faltic is an elastic jumper and this smooth round proved deceptively fast, as Ben never looked to be chasing the 12-year-old stallion for the time. Ben explained that Faltic is a small horse and speed hasn’t come naturally to him.

“He used to be quite slow and we were struggling to make the time allowed, but with experience he’s learnt to go faster,” said Ben. “If it looks fast, I’m going to get in trouble; I have to ride him so he doesn’t realise he’s going fast.

“He’s very athletic and brave, but he’s smaller than I’m used to – he’s like an overgrown pony! But hopefully he’ll ‘grow’ this week and show us what he’s made of.”

At this stage, the third rotation of four riders, Ben’s result has moved Britain up well up the order. Ben’s team-mates jumped earlier in the day, with Joe Stockdale knocking a rail at the triple bar, and Harry Charles hitting the final fence.

Meanwhile, leaders Belgium have three top-10 placings at this stage, and are looking in red-hot form.

World Showjumping Championships: surprises

Swede Malin Baryard-Johnsson, one of the favourites with six world championships already under her belt, had a surprising eight faults to lie well down the order on her Olympic ride H&M Indiana. The mare rubbed a few oxers before jumping very high over the water and dipping a toe, and then lowering a rail in the latter part of the course.

And European champion Andre Thieme and DSP Chakaria also had a slightly ragged round by his high standard to add four seconds and complete mid-order on 89.54sec. Andre had already had one slight miscommunication with his chestnut mare, and when heading to the red and white vertical she came back too much when he took a pull and they paid the price.

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Over the weekend, we had everything from five-star showjumping action next to the beach in the glamorous resort of Saint Tropez on the French Riviera, to two-star competitions on home soil, with some exciting sport to follow across the board.

Here is your weekly round-up of international jumping action.

1. “She was a bit wild”: Malin Baryard-Johnsson’s great mare H&M Indiana scorches to victory

Swedish showjumper Malin Baryard-Johnsson rode the brilliant 14-year-old mare H&M Indiana (Kashmir Van Schuttershof x Animo’s Hallo) to victory in the Longines Global Champions Tour of Ramatuelle, Saint Tropez. The pair headed an electric 12-way jump-off in which all bar four combinations jumped double clear. The runner-up spot went to Dutch rider Harrie Smolders on Monaco with US rider Spencer Smith third with some fantastic turns on Theodore Maniais. The best-placed British contenders were Ben Maher (Faltic HB) and Scott Brash (Hello Mr President) finishing with four faults apiece. The new leader of the overall season rankings is Pieter Devos of Belgium, whose double clear with MoM Toupie De La Roque pushed him into sixth place in the grand prix.

“I am so proud, I am so happy, H&M Indiana is just amazing,” said Malin, who earlier in the show described her charismatic mare as “a bit wild” when helping GCL team Stockholm Hearts to a first-round victory.

“Indiana was quite wild yesterday in the warm-up and she was a little bit wild today as well, but she’s jumping her heart out and I’m super, super happy,” she said. “This arena is a big difference from last week [in Madrid] and the good thing is that it is a smaller ring so I have a little bit more control.”

• LGCT of Ramatuelle, Saint Tropez, results

2. “You don’t owe me a single jump”: McLain Ward pays tribute to winning teenage mare HH Azur

US rider McLain Ward and the 16-year-old HH Azur won the $200,000 (£159,000) Empire State Grand Prix at Old Salem Farm, USA – this was McLain’s second successive victory in the class.

“I think she [Azur] still has some big wins left in the tank even though she’s more in the sunset of her career,” said the Olympian during a week of good wins. “I always tell her when I get on, ‘You don’t owe me a single jump, but if you could give me a few more, that would be nice’.”

• Old Salem results

3. Two-star success on British soil

The winner of the 62-starter CSI2* grand prix at Wellington in Hampshire was the super consistent duo of Adrian Speight and the 16-year-old British-bred gelding Millfield Baloney, by Balou Du Rouet, collecting the £6,000 top prize. The pair held off a strong challenge from Louise Saywell riding Ian Dowie’s exciting nine-year-old Kingsborough Kasper, and further down the line-up in sixth, fresh from her appearance at Badminton Horse Trials, was Pippa Funnell with another talented British-bred Billy Kodak (Billy Mexico x Vechta).

• Wellington CSI2* grand prix results

4. More eventers in the ribbons

Over at Sentower Park in Belgium, multi-gold medal-winning event rider Michael Jung landed the CSI3* 1.55m grand prix riding Edo Sandro. Darragh Kenny claimed the runner-up spot for Ireland riding Chic Chic.

• Sentower Park CSI3* grand prix results

5. Home-bred wins first 1.50m

Speedy French rider Julien Epaillard has guided his nine-year-old home-bred Donatello D’Auge through the ranks and just a few weeks after winning their first CSI2* grand prix, the pair landed a five-star class at the LGCT show in Saint Tropez.

“This is his first 1.50m class and only nine years old,” said Julien. “I bred this horse with my wife so I am very proud to see him like this. The horse is not super fast and I was not expecting this win today.”

• LGCT of Ramatuelle, Saint Tropez, results

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The riders from Sweden’s Olympic showjumping gold medal-winning team at the Tokyo Games have described the victory as a “dream come true”.

Peder Fredricson and All In, Malin Baryard-Johnsson and Indiana, and Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward clinched the gold in a tense jump-off against McLain Ward and Contagious, Laura Kraut and Baloutine and Jessica Springsteen and Don Juan Van De Donkhoeve for the USA.

Peder, the final Swedish rider to jump, said coming to the last he “did what he could”.

“The pressure was on, my god. It’s not that you don’t want a silver, but in these situations when you are two teams, you really want to win,” he said.

“McLain [Ward] was fast but All In is also fast. I saw [McLain’s] round, and I knew what I had to do. Today the poles stayed up and the time was on my side this time.

“It’s unbelievably satisfying. I really think my horse deserves it. I’m so happy for him, his owner, his groom, my teammates – it’s a great feeling.”

Peder, who also claimed individual silver earlier in the week, said a lot of mental preparation took place ahead of the Games.

“It’s a bit like running a marathon; you have to train and physically be fit – and it’s the same with the mental pressure, you have to be prepared,” he said. “You can’t lie on the sofa, then show up and do it, it’s a lot of hard work.”

Malin said to win an Olympic gold medal is “every athlete’s dream”.

“We have a team behind us that’s incredible; everyone is involved in this medal. The way we have ridden shows how confident we’ve been and they’ve all made it possible for us to totally focus on what we had to do in there,” she said.

Henrik von Eckermann missed out on an individual medal with King Edward on Wednesday (4 August) and said taking the team gold was “even more special now”.

“It was frustrating [placing fourth individually], but I’m so happy with myself. I took myself together and said ‘leave what I can’t change behind me and focus on this – we have an unbelievable chance’.” said Henrik.

“No one can say we didn’t deserve it. Somehow when we went into the jump-off we felt so prepared.”

King Edward was the only horse in the Olympic showjumping competition to produce clears in every round.

“They should have two medals – one for the horse,” he said. “He’s a tribute to himself, the way he does it, he’s unbelievable.

“I knew he had the possibility to do what he did, but to do it, is completely out there. It’s amazing. There’s so many people to thank. We had a fantastic team from the beginning to the end.”

Team USA’s McLain Ward said it was “great to be in the battle” with Sweden.

“Sweden has been lights out – it wasn’t unexpected here, but they took it to another level. We would have had to have had an incredible day to beat them,” he said.

“I think we pushed them right to the limits, and in competition when you push them to that limit and they still win, you’ve got to be proud.”

Jessica Springsteen, who was second to go for USA in the jump-off, said collecting a medal at her first Olympics felt “unbelievable”.

“Watching the last couple go, wondering if we’re going to have to jump-off or not you definitely start to get the jitters but it was also super exciting,” she said.

Laura Kraut added “this is what we do it for”.

“It’s a lot of work and a lot of sweat and tears but I’m thrilled, and I’m so fortunate to have a great team,” she said.

“Kent Farrington [USA’s alternate rider in the team competition] has also been an incredible teammate. He was here supporting us the whole time and he was ready to step in if we felt any of ours were not up for the job.”

The Belgian team of Pieter Devos and Claire Z, Jerome Guery and Quel Homme De Hus and Gregory Wathelet and Nevados S took bronze.

Gregory said the team had done “something amazing” for their country: “Everyone is proud and part of it.”

Pieter said there was “huge pressure” under the new Olympic format.

“It will be an Olympics that will be remembered forever. You have responsibility towards the team so nothing can go wrong. We proved together we could handle that pressure,” he said.

“It was my first Olympics so I didn’t know what to expect, but I can say it was tough sport at the highest level possible. The course designer did fantastic job that’s for sure, and it was a fantastic venue.”

Jerome added he was “really happy“ with the team’s bronze medal.

“You represent a lot; all the people who work behind us, the country, horse sport in Belgium. We worked for it and it feels amazing,” he said.

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Sweden’s Malin Baryard-Johnsson is on a roll. The five-time Olympian finished fifth in the individual Olympic showjumping final, having jumped a beautiful double clear and she carried her form into the Tokyo Games team qualifier. In fact, like the other Swedish combinations, Malin and her 13-year-old Belgian warmblood mare Indiana, have not hit a fence all week.

That is impressive for any rider, but even more impressive considering what a journey Malin has been on with the mare she describes as “extremely difficult” during her earlier years. It’s testament to Malin’s riding skills and horse management that she has forged such a great partnership with the Kashmir Van Schuttershof mare – who has the same same sire as teammate Peder Fredricson’s individual silver medallist All In.

“She’s an unbelievable horse and she has the biggest of hearts, but she is a special character and the first couple of years with her were very difficult. It took a couple of years before I even felt safe on her,” said Malin, who found Indiana as a seven-year-old in Italy with owner Charlotte Söderström.

“Training and riding her was difficult – she had zero rideability, and she’s really sharp and sensitive. It was very, very hard to make her understand me and to understand what I wanted. There have been times – and it still happens sometimes – where I have to get off as soon as possible because she just freaks. She’s different. But she is also the friendliest horse and has a beautiful mind.”

Malin explained that the turning point in her journey with Indiana came when she started jumping bigger fences, and that even now she cannot jump the mare small at home, or do pole work.

“She is really difficult to jump small things on and the rideability is close to zero, although it’s got better over the years,” she says. “But jumping bigger means she has to listen to me – over small things she can survive and do it in her own way, but with this she has realised she has to be with me.”

Malin Baryard-Johnsson: ‘It is up to me to handle it’

Indiana has grown up to be a super successful horse for Malin Baryard-Johnsson – the pair rode for Sweden at the 2017 Europeans and 2018 World Equestrian Games, winning team silver at the latter, and they have accumulated many top 10 placings at five-stars shows in between. But partnering such a unique and tricky horse means Malin always has to be completely on the ball as a rider.

“She really trusts me so when she is in her difficult ways it is up to me to handle it,” says Malin. “I just have to focus and it’s good for my brain as I really have to be sharp. Anything can happen so that keeps me on my toes.

“I’ve now had her a long time; she trusts me 100% and I trust her 100%,” she adds. “We have made a great partnership; even when she is at her worst she always goes in and tries her hardest to jump the jumps.”

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Sweden continued their dominance in the Olympic showjumping at the Tokyo Games, and looked almost in a league of their own during Friday’s Olympic team showjumping qualifier as the only nation to produce three clear rounds.

Santiago Varela’s track for Friday’s competition required bold riding and, with the new format meaning that there was no drop score for the teams of three, a total of three countries failed to complete, including a shock exit for one of the favourites, Ireland.

Sweden’s three-man team of Malin Baryard-Johnsson (Indiana), Peder Fredricson (All In) and Henrik von Eckermann (King Edward) had all made it through to the jump-off to decide the Olympic showjumping individual medals on Wednesday (4 August) with Peder and All In claiming the silver medal behind Great Britain’s gold medal-winning Ben Maher.

Then, under the lights on Friday in Tokyo, the trio once again remained faultless all evening, putting them top of the leaderboard after a gruelling team competition in the Olympic showjumping team qualifier, from which the top 10 teams qualify for Saturday’s medal-decider.

“Our horses have been unbelievable,” said Malin. “I think we all have the same feeling that so far it’s felt quite easy in every round in there, even though we’ve had to try hard of course, but they’re jumping so well – all of them, in every round.

“But you know, there are many horses jumping well tonight and we start from scratch tomorrow so anything can happen.”

Peder Fredricson’s outstanding equine partner All In and Henrik von Eckermann’s King Edward are both barefoot and All In, who also helped his rider win the individual silver behind Nick Skelton and Big Star at the Rio Olympics in 2016, retains his enviable record of never having knocked down a pole during two Olympic Games.

Peder said: “All In jumped great again today. Malin and Henrik are fantastic riders and we had three really good horses, but we also had, I think, a fantastic team around us – our chef d’equipe is fabulous, our fourth rider Rolf-Goran Bengtsson is amazing and he is a true part of the team, he’s really making us stronger, which is a very, very important part. It’s easy to think that the fourth riders are not too important, but in a situation like this is, it is very very important. And we have a good physio, a good vet, and all the people around us. I think is very professional, and I think that makes a big difference.”

Rolf, Peder and Malin were part of the silver medal-winning Swedish Olympic showjumping team in Athens in 2004.

“We’ve done so many championships together and we know each other so well so we’re a super tight team – especially now with these rules that none of us have any family here or friends,” he explained. “We are really tight in this group. And then of course it’s very important that you get along well and you know each other and you give each other space, but it still works out really good. We have a great time.

“But at this level you have to be 100% all the time, you can‘t get away with not being good.”

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Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

Malin Baryard-Johnsson’s top mare Butterfly Flip has died at the age of 30.

The Swedish showjumper struck up a fantastic partnership with the brown mare, representing Sweden at two Olympic Games and being crowned the FEI’s best horse and rider combination in 2003.

Announcing the sad news about her beloved Swedish-bred mare, Malin said: “A very dear old friend has left us, the absolutely amazing Butterfly Flip. So many unforgettable memories she gave us all! And what a journey we did together.”

Malin Baryard-Johnsson started riding the Robin I Z x Moderene mare as a six-year-old and enjoyed a winning spree that spanned more than 12 years.

Butterfly Flip took Malin to her first World Cup qualifier at Geneva in 2001 and they went on to compete in five World Cup Finals, finishing in the top 10 three times and finishing third to Marcus Ehning in Las Vegas in 2003.

They jumped at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney and again in Athens in 2004 where they won team silver. The pair were also part of the silver medal-winning team at the 2001 European Championships and jumped at two World Championships, winning team silver in 2002.

Butterfly Flip spent her retirement with the De Brabander family.

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“This very special lady taught me so much as a rider,” said Malin. “I’m very, very thankful to Kristina [De Brabander] who gave me the opportunity to work with this one of a kind personality and superstar for more than 12 years. RIP dear Flippan, you are for ever in my heart.”

Among the many tributes paid to Malin’s marvellous mare, US showjumper Lauren Hough said: “What an amazing team you two ladies were together.”

Butterfly Flip also produced some top-level offspring and her legacy lives on through the likes of Stephanie Holmen’s 15-year-old mare Flip’s Little Sparrow, a former international grand prix horse for Peder Fredricson. She even has a bit named after her.

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From John Whitaker to Ben Maher, today’s leading riders didn’t get where they are without appearing on the pages of H&H along the way. So we decided to have a flick through the archives to remember when they were bobbing about on ponies or picked out as “Olympic hopefuls” by some of our shrewd reporters… and what we wrote about them way back when…

1. Stephen and Robert Smith

Both of Harvey Smith’s sons were making a name for themselves as the 1970s progressed and in 1977 a report from the Junior European Championships read: “At the same time as the British A team was winning the Prince Of Wales Cup at Hickstead, the British junior team won the European Championship at La Tour De Peilz in Switzerland. Team members were Jean Germany on Dark Vale, Harvey Smith’s sons Robert riding Royal Rufus and Stephen on Alabama, and Stephen Vallance on Moydrum. In the second round it was essential for Robert Smith and Royal Rufus to jump clear. This they achieved in excellent style. The team members each received a beautiful watch.”

2. Annette Lewis

Anyone who remembers the glorious, acrobatic antics of Annette Lewis and the grey Tutein, will spot her trademark style in this early image from Aldershot Horse Show in the late 1970s. Genevieve Murphy’s report read: “The Lewis sisters [Annette and Michelle] both added to their substantial store of prizes already won this season. Annette Lewis on Provencal dead-heated with Julie King on Norseman IV in the Junior Open, while Michelle Lewis finished 1.4sec behind on Ironside to take third place.” The writer also observed: “Most of those who go out of juniors at the end of the year are already set to ride horses next season and some of them will surely turn out to be our international riders of the future.”

3. Clem McMahon

In 1990, “A strong Irish contingent” took the overall trophy at the Scottish Home Pony International at Muirmill in Scotland, thanks in no small part to the country’s winning 13.2hh team, which fielded soon-to-be leading international rider Clem McMahon.

4. Ben Maher

Another to make his H&H debut on ponies is Ben Maher who, with Dusty Boy, won team gold medals at consecutive Pony European Jumping Championships in 1997 and 1998.

5. Ellen Whitaker

A 13-year-old Ellen Whitaker is spotted in H&H, having captured the final leg of the 1999 Young Show Jumper Award series — and earning her place at the Olympia final — at her first attempt. Reporter Suzanne Jones wrote: “Based at Michael [Whitaker]’s Nottinghamshire yard, Jasper’s Gold has only been ridden by Ellen when their shows coincide. “We picked him up last night especially for this class,” said Ellen’s mother Carol. “And we return him to Michael after Wembley.”

6. Robert Power and Dan Skelton

Now leading lights of National Hunt racing, both jockey Robert and trainer Dan made their names as young showjumpers. In the same year as an 18-year Robert was pictured competing in the international show at Towerlands, a 14-year-old Daniel Skelton “looked every inch the professional” when winning the Blue Chip Junior Novice qualifier at Gracelands riding Bodyguard.

7. Michael Mac

The late Michael Mac was pinpointed as “one of the most successful juniors to date this season” by H&H writer Henry Birtwhistle in 1977: “He was 15 earlier this year, so could, technically have another season on ponies, but he has grown so rapidly over the past 18 months this will not be possible. He started jumping two horses during the winter, but was especially anxious to have a season on his good grey The Cossack IV; the pony was out of action due to injury for much of the 1976 season. This year the partnership has amassed an impressive total of firsts at Walsgrave, Bicton, Mill Lodge, Trent Park, Arena North and others.”

8. Malin Baryard-Johnsson and Shane Breen

In “a temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit” a glittering cast of riders stepped up to the podium for the European Pony Championships held at Pratoni Del Vivaro, Italy, in 1990. Joining British rider Scott Smith’s individual bronze, were Sweden’s Malin Baryard, who earned the gold medal, while Shane Breen of Ireland clinched silver.

9. Nick Skelton

The now double Olympic champion had already made a name for himself as a junior but in 1977, a year before earning his first senior cap abroad, Nick was making waves in amateur classes alongside the likes of Graham Fletcher, Tim Grubb and Tony Newbery. At the Lancashire international show at Arena North, H&H’s Henry Birtwhistle reported on an unusual prize: “The consistently successful Nick Skelton took the Victor Ludorum and with it the Berger prize of decorating to the value of £500, which I understand is likely to be used on Ted Edgar’s stables!”

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10. John Whitaker

And finally… never a truer word was written in October 1975 when one H&H writer observed a young John Whitaker in action: “Through this season when John has really made his mark in top competition, earning himself a place on the Olympic short-list, the hallmark of his riding has been his considerable composure and unusually well-developed sense of balance.”

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The USA beat Sweden to team gold in a jump-off in the Bank of America Merrill Lynch-sponsored showjumping at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Tryon this afternoon (Friday, 21 September).

All four riders for both teams had to compete in the final showdown, which came down to time after three from each nation went clear.

The home side’s final rider, McLain Ward, put in the fastest round of the jump-off in 32.58sec on Clinta. He was backed up by Laura Kraut (Zeremonie) — whose clear was the high spot for the US in the first round — Adrienne Sternlicht (Cristalline) and Devin Ryan (Eddie Blue).

“This team, this group, the people behind us all the way through — this is what’s great about America,” said McLain. “There were many different people and personalities fighting to do their best. I’m proud to be American today.”

Silver medallists Sweden moved up from fourth overnight to secure a place in the jump-off thanks to clears from Henrik von Eckermann (Toveks Mary Lou), Malin Baryard-Johnsson (H&M Indiana) and Fredrik Jönsson (Cold Play). Peder Fredricson had eight faults in the first round today, but went clear in the jump-off.

“We had a great team and great team spirit. We did it together today and we should be very proud,” said Malin.

Germany took the bronze, with clears from Simone Blum (DSP Alice) and Marcus Ehning (Pret A Tout) sealing the deal. Student Laura Klaphake (Catch Me If You Can OLD) had four faults and Maurice Tebbel (Don Diarado) five. Simone now leads the individual standings.

“I am totally happy with this young and inexperienced team and to win here a medal means a lot to me,” said chef d’equipe Otto Becker.

Switzerland led going into today’s competition, but had a disastrous time when Werner Muff’s 13 faults on Daimier had to count because Janika Sprunger was eliminated for two refusals at the second fence on Bacardi VDL. They did secure Olympic qualification with fourth place, alongside The Netherlands in fifth and Australia in sixth.

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Horse & Hound’s bumper magazine reports from WEG will be in the issues dated 20 September (dressage and eventing) and 27 September (showjumping and para dressage).

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Tornesch, the popular one-eyed stallion ridden by Malin Baryard-Johnsson, is to bow out from top class competition.

His owners, Helena Hugoson-Feldt and Thomas Felt, announced the 16-year-old’s retirement on Facebook.

“Thank you so much Tornesch for all the wonderful moments you have given us, your rider and Sweden during your career at the highest level in this sport,” they wrote. “We are very happy to have Tornesch back in our stable after eight years in sport at Malin’s place.

“Thank you Malin for taking very good care of our stallion. Tornesch will now continue with breeding both in Sweden and in France and also be a schoolmaster for both our daughters.”

Tornesch and Malin struck up a formidable partnership. In 2012 they helped Sweden win the FEI Nations Cups in Barcelona and Falsterbo and came second in Rotterdam. The following year they were placed in World Cup competitions in Helsinki and s’Hertogenbosch.

The stallion battled with an issue in his right eye for eight years before a further injury lead to it being removed in 2013. The loss of his eye did not seem to hinder him a jot – he finished third in Longines FEI World Cup qualifier at Olympia in 2014 and continued to make team appearances for Sweden, including helping them to third place at the FEI Nations Cup in Dublin last year.

Impeccably bred (Lux Z X Libero H), Tornesch was also recognised as the best upcoming stallion in Sweden due to his success as a sport horse and sire, and he is approved for breeding by the Holstein studbook.

His most recent and final outing was at Olympia last month (pictured top) where he jumped a superb clear in the first round of the World Cup qualifier before lowering two rails in the jump-off.

Malin paid tribute to Tornesch on Instagram: “Tornesch, thank you for eight fantastic years and every magic moment you have given me! After hundreds of rounds, thousands of jumps and uncountable hours of training together we became best friends and partners. I’m forever grateful and you will always have a special place in my heart. Good luck with everything and think of me sometimes.”

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German riders dominated a top class afternoon of showjumping at the London International Horse Show Olympia.

Marco Kutscher and Cornet’s Cristallo triumphed in the Longines FEI World Cup qualifier (Sunday 21 December), just beating his team-mate Daniel Deusser with an equally daring performance on catch ride Carriere.

Third place went to Sweden’s Malin Baryard-Johnsson riding the 14-year-old one-eyed stallion H&M Tornesch – a great result for her sponsors on Olympia’s H&M Sunday.

Robert Whitaker (Catwalk IV) finished best of the British riders in fourth – no mean feat from a difficult first draw in an electric 13-rider jump-off. Ireland’s Bertram Allen, 19, recorded the fastest time of the afternoon but with one down on the 10-year-old mare Molly Malone V for seventh.

“I actually didn’t have the perfect jump-off – the beginning was fine but I missed coming in to the double,” said Marco, previously based with the great Ludger Beerbaum. “I hoped I was quicker but only when I saw the screen was I sure. It’s a very special show and I look forward to coming here every year. I was actually lucky that some other German riders cancelled so I got in. But it’s one of my favourite shows of the indoor season.”

Second placed Daniel Deusser, the current World Cup title-holder, only sat on 11-year-old mare Carriere on Tuesday after two of his top horses were injured. Five days later they were on the podium in London.

“She’s done an unbelievable job today,” he said.

Robert Whitaker and the 11-year-old Catwalk IV have been on flying form recently with some good results in Madrid and La Coruna. Find out what he thinks is the secret to this quirky horse’s success in this video below.

Don’t miss the bumper report from all the jumping action at Olympia in next week’s issue of Horse & Hound, out on 31 December.

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Swedish showjumper Malin Baryard-Johnsson is out of the Olympic team after her horse sustained an injury.

H&M Tornesch was found to have a small tendon injury after the Nations Cup in Falstabo last weekend.

She did not think the bay stallion by Lux had jumped as well as normal and had him examined by the vet.

This means reserve rider Lisen Bratt Fredricsson will take Malin’s place, riding Matrix.

“It is really sad for Malin who was 100% focused on the Olympics, and sad for the team as Tornesch has been in fantastic form,” said chef d’equipe Sylve S ¶derstrand.

“Matrix is obviously not the same experience as Tornesch, but is a very capable horse. They have shown very good results during the season.”

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Malin Baryard-Johnsson has received a last-minute call up to compete at the Rolex FEI World Cup Jumping Final in Las Vegas next week (19 – 22 April) aboard her top horse Butterfly Flip.

The Swedish rider, who was second on the reserve list after the final qualifying leg in s’Hertogenbosch in The Netherlands, received a call from the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) on Tuesday offering her a place.

Malin said: “I was very happy to be asked. I’ve had some success in Las Vegas before with Butterfly Flip and she is in good form right now so I am really looking forward to it.”

Malin is one of 18 riders to have qualified from the Western European League. This year’s competition boasts four former champions amongst its 43-strong field.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now