Henrik von Eckermann is writing history! With his long-lasting partner, King Edward he is not only jumping to the top of the world, months in a row, but also claiming every championships title there is to claim. None of this could be explained without his sidekick, King Edward. The 13-year-old gelding came into Von Eckermann’s life through his wife, Janika Sprunger, who acquired the gelding from a Belgian amateur rider. They started competing together in 2019.
“King Edward is first of all an exceptional horse," said Von Eckermann. But a brilliant horse is not enough to reach the top. “It’s the daily work, what we do. We work with the horses every day and for me the most important thing is I always try to listen to the horse, what it tells me."
But Henrik also highlights the importance of his other horses and why it’s key to remain at the top of the Longines Rankings. “I have a fantastic group of horses now. Of course there’s King Edward, but the other horses are also doing a fantastic job. Like Glamour Girl winning three big classes in two shows. Going back to the ranking, that’s what makes the difference.”
No Success Without a Plan
Von Eckermann is convinced that every-day work is the key to success. “I can’t talk to the horses, but that’s why it’s so important to be there every day and spend as much time as possible with the horses, to learn what they are trying to tell us, so we can find a balance between not doing too much and not doing too little," he said.
"You need a good plan because in the end, even if they have great quality, if you want to have long-term success, you really have to listen to what the horse tells you. That's why it's important to keep working with them every day and to know your horse inside and out."
Added Pressure?
For many, walking into a competition as the No.1 could bring extra pressure to perform at the best level, but that's not the case for the Swede. "The bracelet doesn't bring extra pressure. I try to enjoy the moment. I know this moment will not last forever. I always put pressure on myself when I go in the ring. I want to do the best ride that I can for the horse, to be able to be satisfied when I go out, knowing that I did everything that I could."
Paris 2024 on the Horizon
So, what's next for Henrik von Eckermann? The answer is quite simple: the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The individual Olympic gold medal is the only one missing from his cabinet.
"Of course, the next big, big goal is Paris. For King Edward, the big goal is the Olympics, even if it's a long time still, and many things can happen. But with more than one year to go, there's plenty to keep myself busy with. For the moment, I'm a little bit between indoor-outdoor, so I have to feel how the horses are on the grass to try to make the best plan for my horses. In the next few weeks, I will see a little bit what could fit my horses."
source: FEI
