The planned trip to Lahti's Finnhorse Trotting Championship was changed to a joyous celebration when Henri Bollström from Jyväskylä won with Tähen Toivomus.
Bollström won with his stallion on Saturday's opening run 2,100 meters, was third on Sunday's mile (1609 meters) and took a demanding 3,100 meters in the finals.
The overall win time was 9.32.6. Kimmo Taipale's lead, Välkyn Tuisku, stayed 0.8 seconds and was second. Caijus, driven by Antti Teivainen, was third overall.
Bollström, 8-year-old Tähen Toivomus and horse trainer Pauli Raivio entered the Finnish Horses' main event for the first time, and immediately a full hit came.
Bollström's victory is also historic. For the first time in the history of the Finnhorse Trotting Championship, the Royal King's title came under the command of a Romani driver.
“This means a lot to our community. Horses have always been part of the picture. Many houses are now happy for us”, Bollström said, receiving congratulations at the Jokimaa depot.
There have been Romani people in the background of the royal forces. For example, in Turku, Vitter, who won the Horse Race in 2016, has been coached by Jalmari Svart.
Bollström, 35, has been involved with horses since his teenage years. He still shoes horses, but his main focus is racing.
“Anyone can do it when they try hard enough. It's still hard to find words, but this is the best thing that has happened to me. Tähen Toivomus is also the best horse I've ever ridden, "rejoiced Bollström.
A fresh full hit brought in a handsome trophy, wreath and a pretty stack of euros. To this, the success of Hope generated 74,500 euros for the back forces.
In the spring, Bollström achieved a profit of 1,000.
