One chance left to secure ticket to 2028 Olympics

The Swedish show jumping team faces a single remaining chance to qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after failing to secure a spot at the World Championships in Aachen. The team finished tenth in the team final, falling short of their goal.

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At the European Championships, there will be three spots to fight for.

Their next and final opportunity will be at next year's European Championships, scheduled to be held in Belgium. Three Olympic qualification spots will be up for grabs at this event. "At the European Championships, there will be three spots to fight for," stated team captain Henrik Ankarcrona.

Several European nations, including the Netherlands, Spain, and Denmark, also did not qualify directly from the World Championships. Denmark, for instance, reached the team final for the first time but did not secure an Olympic spot. The team captain acknowledged that the first day of competition, often a speed-focused phase, remains a weakness that the team must address.

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The first day is our Achilles' heel. It is something that we must continue to work with. We must be able to go in and feel comfortable riding a little faster.

Despite the missed opportunity, Ankarcrona expressed confidence that the Olympics remain the long-term objective. "The Olympics are still the long-term goal. Nothing has changed because of this," he said. The team will evaluate their horse and rider combinations for the European Championships, considering factors like the age of horses such as Peder Fredricson's Alcapone, who will be 17 next year, and the overall competitiveness of the field.

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The Olympics are still the long-term goal. Nothing has changed because of this. We have horses that will be interesting to see next year.