Current World Champion, Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA), shown here at the 1996 Olympics, repeated his 1998 Helsinki victory at the 21st World Cup Final, held 21-25 April 1999 in Göteborg, Sweden.

With only one knock-down on Baloubet du Rouet in five rounds Pessoa won with 4 penalty points ahead of Trevor Coyle (IRL) on Cruising (5.5), Rene Tebbel (GER) on Radiator (8.25), Beat Mändli (SUI) on Pozitano (11.5) and Michael Whitaker (GBR) on Ashley (15). Lesley McNaught (SUI) on Dulf and Meredith Michaels Beerbaum (GER) on Stella were the leading lady riders - they shared sixth place with Ludger Beerbaum (GER), Nicole Shahinian Simpson (USA) on Cirka Z was, in 11th place, the top placed American.

After the winner of the South East Asian League, Antoinette Leviste (PHI), withdrew from the Final, there were 41 starters in the initial Table C competition. Rodrigo Pessoa was the winner, and thus early leader, ahead of Beat Mändli, Ludger Beerbaum on Ratina, Lesley McNaught, Meredith Michaels Beerbaum and Trevor Coyle.

In the second Final competition on Friday, a Table A with one jump-off over a technically demanding course, 13 riders went clear. Among them were 5 of the 6 top placed from Thursday; only Mändli had one knock-down. In the jump-off victory went to John Whitaker on Heyman, ahead of Nona Garson of the United States on Rhythmical and Peter Charles (IRL) on Nustria. Rodrigo Pessoa was fourth, Trevor Coyle 7th and Rene Tebbel 12th.

In the standings after 2 of 3 competitions, Pessoa was in the lead with 0 points, ahead of Coyle (4.5), Ludger Beerbaum, McNaught and Meredith Michaels Beerbaum (5 each), Hendrix (NED) and Garson (USA) (5.5 each), Mändli (7), Tebbel and Charles (8 each).

The 3rd Final competition, 2 rounds without a jump-off, on Sunday saw only one double clear: Michael Whitaker on Ashley. Rene Tebbel had 0 and .25 time faults; Coyle ended both rounds with .50 time faults. Rodrigo Pessoa had a knock-down in the first round but, going last again, went clear in the second round.

The 21st Final was also the 10th held in Göteborg's Scandinavium arena. It was superbly arranged, and brought excellent sport. Olaf Petersen (GER) was the Course Designer. Subsequently to the Finals held in Berlin 1985, Dortmund 1990 and Göteborg 1995, this was the the fourth time Petersen acted as course designer at the Final.

FEI/BCM World Jumping Rankings:
Top 4 Unchanged After Göteborg

Willi Melliger (SUI), despite a rather disappointing showing at the 21st World Cup Final in Göteborg, managed to keep his Number One position, ahead of Ludger Beerbaum. Rodrigo Pessoa, who only competed sparingly in the weeks prior to Göteborg and winning there, remains in 3rd position, ahead of Jos Lansink, also a disappointment in the Final.

Beat Mändli, who made the Top Ten the first time last month, moved up to 8th. Lesley McNaught remains the top lady rider: she is now No. 11, Trevor Coyle, the runner-up in Göteborg, is 12th.

The "Rookie of the year" leader: Dominique Richter (USA)
The Jump of the Month: Cameron Hanley (IRL)

Related Links
FEI / BCM World Riders Rankings
More 1999 World Cup Coverage at The Chronicle of the Horse
The FEI