The big theme of the week is the FEI World Cup final in Gothenburg. It's a historical opportunity, as outside the home competition 1998 in Helsinki, this is the first time ever a Finnish rider will be jumping the finals. 
 
Wednesday: Mikael signs a contract with the Evli Bank.
Thursday: Mikael third with Evli Nandele in 1m50 with jump-off!

On Friday Noora prepared herself and her horse for the open CSI classes in Gothenburg, by taking part in a big German national event with Quidana in Werne Lenklar at Lutz Gripshöver's stable. There was many of the top German riders present and Noora told she feels good about Gothenburg after those preparing rounds.

The weekend in Guttecoven has othevise been perhaps even quieter than normal, as Mikael was in the limelight with something totally different. Mikael was in Silverstone making his FIA GT Championship debut and was also driving twice in FIA GT3 onto the podium. Noora rode those Mikael's horses going to Gothenburg and she told both Nandele and Isaac felt very, very fresh - which is a good thing though!

The horses left Monday afternoon for Gothenburg and the riders followed on Tuesday. Tuesday was the start for the finals, as it's the time of the CSIW's vetcheck. 

Tuesday

The first leg is successfully completed. Both CSI and CSIW horses had their vet.check on Tuesday. The inspection went fine and the horses trotted well under the watchful eyes. Otherwise it was easy day for the horses, planned to ensure they would recover optimally from the long transport.

For Wednesday there is planned an early riding pass on the arena. Quidana and Nandele take part in the first CSI-class, which is a 1m40 course in two phases. Isaac will have a warm-up in the second CSI class, as the CSIW finals start first on Thursday.

Wednesday 

Wednesday's big news is about sponsors, as Noora's long-term co-operation with the independent investment bank Evli Bank now expends also to include Mikael. Starting from Gothenburg Evli Bank is also Mikael sponsor for the season 2008. We also expect to see Evli Bank to have Evli Nandele named after them.
 
Noora and Mikael rode Quidana and Nandele on the arena in the morning and Mikael jumped Isaac in the World Cup warm-up. The gelding jumped well and seemed relaxed and undisturbed of the bright-colored Scandinavium hall. Noora told that the warm-up class concludes Isaac's jumping for today and the very fresh feeling two mares jumps in the afternoon.
 

A preliminary timetable (local time)

Tuesday 22.4
Vetheck 13.00-

Wednesday 23.4
Warm-up 1m40 and 1m50

Thursday 24.4
Int. jumping 10:00-16:30
Rolex FEI World CupTM Final I 18.00

Frday 25.4
Int. jumping 1m50 10:00-16:30
Rolex FEI World CupTM Final II 18:00-22:30

Saturday 26.4
Grand Prix 18:00-23:00

Sunday 27.4
Int. jumping 10:00-16:00       
Rolex FEI World CupTM Final III

1. FEI website: www.feiworldcup.org
2. Organiser's website: http://www.goteborghorseshow.se/
3. Results LIVE: SGC