Norwegian riders achieve breakthrough at World Cup final in Texas

Oda Charlotte Lyngvær with the horse Carabella vd Neyen Z delivered two faults in her first round and ended up in 24th place after today's preliminary round. Johan-Sebastian Gulliksen with the horse Equine America Harwich VDL got one fault towards the end of a technically demanding line and is currently in 19th place. For the first time, Norway is represented with two riders in a World Cup final in show jumping, according to multiple reports.

Johan-Sebastian Gulliksen has delivered a surprising season, which started in Oslo in October, Aftonbladet reports. He has become a real outsider with the horses Harwich VDL and Colonello, marking himself internationally, Aftonbladet notes. From number 139 on the world ranking, Johan-Sebastian Gulliksen has performed at the level, and sometimes above, the world's best riders, Aftonbladet states.

Johan-Sebastian Gulliksen is the third member of the Gulliksen family to ride in a World Cup final, Aftonbladet reports. Oda Charlotte Lyngvær is also participating in Fort Worth, Texas this weekend, Aftonbladet adds. Johan-Sebastian Gulliksen was one of Norway's best skiers as a child, but when he 'had to' choose between skiing, football, and horses at age 13, he focused everything on riding, Aftonbladet describes.

The horses have been flown to the USA, and the transport has been carefully planned to ensure optimal animal welfare while the team has tried to optimize preparations, Aftonbladet reports. The final continues in the coming days, and everything is still open in the fight for top placements, Aftonbladet notes. This is one of the biggest breakthroughs we have seen from a Norwegian show jumper, and expectations are high before the final in the USA, according to Therese Alhaug in the Norwegian Equestrian Federation.