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“As you get older, I believe that you change and keep evolving and what I have noticed is that my appreciation for horses – simply as the animals they are – has grown as the years have gone by,” Switzerland’s Janika Sprunger tells WoSJ. “I’ve always had a good attitude towards my horses – because I have been brought up that way – but the older I get, the more I truly understand how incredible they are.” 

It might be misleading to call Janika a comeback queen because in reality, she never really stopped. After placing 7th individually at the 2013 European Championships in Herning with Palloubet d’Halong (Baloubet du Rouet x Muguet du Manoir), she took team bronze at the 2015 European Championships in Aachen with Bonne Chance CW (Baloubet du Rouet x Cambridge 8) and the two were also a part of the Swiss team at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. In 2018, it was Bacardi VDL that Sprunger rode at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon, before the stallion – like most of her previous championship rides – was sold. Then along came King Edward, who went on to write history with Janika’s husband Henrik von Eckermann while she gave birth to the couple’s first child in 2021. Last year, the 37-year-old returned to the Swiss A-squad after slowly building up following her maternity leave. 

My father told me that we are not people who can buy ready horses, we are the kind of people who make their horses

“When I was young, my father told me that we are not people who can buy ready horses, we are the kind of people who make their horses,” Janika explains when asked about the origin of her system which again and again sees her return to the five-star scene with top horses. “The first horse I got when I was twelve was only 5-years-old, but he was a very good horse and I learned so much from him. I'm grateful to have learned early on that we have to sell as well. In addition, my father also had owners, so he taught me that too – and I've been lucky enough to have loyal supporters.” 

During the 2023-season, the now 10-year-old mare Orelie (Emerald x Nabab de Reve) stepped up a level with huge success together with Janika. Jumping clear in the Rolex Grand Prix classes in La Baule and Dinard, as well as being part of the winning Swiss team in the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup of Falsterbo, the pair has kicked off 2024 with solid results – placing second in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup of Basel and more recently jumping double clear in the Longines League of Nations in Abu Dhabi. “I have worked with new people and new horses, and I am proud of what we achieved,” Janika reflects. “I became sure of who I am again, sure of what I want, and what I can do.” 

With hard work, smart decisions and a clear vision, you can create whatever you want for yourself

“As a mother and a wife, there are more aspects to life that count for me now, and I want to have my balance,” she points out. “However, that doesn't mean I'm less determined. I don't want to be travelling every week, for me it's very emotional to ride on the highest level. The biggest challenge as a female rider is for sure motherhood, no question, but it’s also the best challenge there is. Every family is different, but in general, men are not so physically affected by their children – it is not as intense for them.”

“However, I believe it's all about how you set yourself up,” Janika continues. “It is our root idea in life that you can create the life you want. Of course, you need luck on the way – and you need to be healthy – but with hard work, smart decisions and a clear vision, you can create whatever you want for yourself. For me, it's really about motherhood, being a rider and being a wife, being supportive to my husband and managing our stable. It's these things that are super important for me and I find a lot of joy in all these aspects of my life now.” 

Janika currently has a group of five talented horses that in addition to Orelie includes Kinmar Scarlett (Akarad Hero Z x Lys de Darmen), Tullogher Lady Liberty (VDL Indoctro x Indorado), Diamanda 4 (Diarado x Quinnus I) and Aganix’s Rose of Light (Aganix du Seigneur Z x Light On) – all exciting future prospects. “I am curious to see how they will develop,” Janika says. 

I have always had a concept of working with quality young horses and bringing them up to the top sport

Orelie, Kinmar Scarlett and Aganix’s Rose of Light belong to Tina Pol, a Swiss horsewoman Janika has known since her childhood. “When I was a little girl, Tina was stabled at our yard in Switzerland,” Janika explains. “I have always had a concept of working with quality young horses and bringing them up to the top sport, which is something she also loves to do. She's always been kind to me and always had a nice word to me. Maybe the easiest thing for me to do after having a child and getting married would have been to just stop and concentrate 100% on my husband and his career, but it did not feel right. I wanted to use the talent that I have, and build something of my own alongside of our shared life. I'm not the type of person who just goes and asks for things, but I believed we had the same philosophy when it comes to horses and therefore, I called Tina and asked her if she would be open to maybe do a project with me – and she agreed.”

“I did not want to come back at any price, I only wanted to do it if I was able to create a situation where everyone works as a team for the same goals, and enjoys the journey and the process,” Janika points out. “There are different kind of successes – from winning a big Grand Prix to jumping double clear in a Nations Cup – but there are so many little victories along the way when you are educating young horses. For me it was essential to have a team around me that has the same values.”

And first came Scarlett – a charming chestnut mare. “I fell in love the moment I saw her,” Janika laughs. “I was sure that she would be a good horse. She is the cutest thing and such a special character; she's tiny, but she didn't ride small when I tried her and I was able to connect with her quickly. She was only six when we got her, and I thought we needed an older one to open the way a little bit."

Orelie and Scarlett have been a dream team, their development has been amazing

"When we found Orelie as an 8-year-old, the more I watched her videos, the more I was convinced that she was a very good horse. From the first jump when I tried her, I felt comfortable with her and after the trial, I was convinced that she would jump a five-star Grand Prix with me a year later – which she did. Orelie and Scarlett have been a dream team, their development has been amazing. I believed in them, but you never know until they actually do it and they have proved themselves time and time again.” 

“We had so many phone calls from serious people, big names, but Tina wouldn’t even think about selling,” Janika continues. “That's a new situation for me. When she first agreed to support me, she wanted to help me do what I’m good at, to find joy again in what I love without being stressed – and I find that incredibly kind and generous. I am endlessly grateful for this opportunity and feel lucky to have people around me who are fantastic towards the sport, but mostly towards the animal itself.”

“I know that if I'm good enough, there will be a spot for me on the Swiss team and last year was a perfect proof of that,” Janika – currently 165th on the Longines Ranking – says when asked how she sees the current situation within the sport where many claim it impossible to break through. “Maybe I can still live a little bit from the past, because I was once up there and I did the championships. I don't know if that helps people to remember my name. Maybe I’m also lucky that in Switzerland we never have too many top pairs, and whenever you do good, you get a chance. However, I do believe that you have to stand up for yourself, and not wait until asked – because that will never happen. You have to raise your hand and say ‘hi, I’m here’. Life doesn't come and serve you; you have to be brave enough to go out there and ask for what you want. Staying true to yourself is the most important thing to remember and sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.” 

You have to be brave enough to go out there and ask for what you want

“Don't fill your stables with horses you don’t believe in,” she continues. “When I look for a horse, I need to feel quality and lightness and a good mind. I want blood but a cool mind; if we get a bit deep or a bit far or come from different rhythms, I have to feel that the horse stays cool. That's important for me because I need confidence to ride good and, mostly, I get it from my horses. I need to be able to rely on my horses. I get extremely connected to my horses and I need that connection, otherwise I can't do it. I would never survive in a dealing stable, I can’t just saddle up and go. I have to be sure my horses know me and forgive me, that they trust me and try for me – I live from that.”

Even though Janika has managed to find horses that nearly without an exception have gone on to be among the best of the sport, she is adamant that no matter the talent, what weighs most is how a talent is managed. “No champion is born,” she says firmly. “If a horse doesn't have the right chance, no matter how much talent it has, it will not succeed. You can destroy a horse so easily. I do believe that when there is quality in a horse, the daily work is the most important thing. The more time you spend with your horses, the more you know them, the more details you feel. You can only make good decision for your horses if you truly know them. Having a good vet, sharing my feelings with him and checking the horses regularly is another part of my system. Feeling good physically keeps the mental side in check for longer, their spirit stays up if they feel good. Some horses have such a good mind that they keep fighting even if they don't feel great, but that time is limited. My goal is to have my horses feeling as good as possible, and sometimes small adjustments can make a big difference.”

You are only able to understand your horse if you spend time with them

“I am not saying that my way is the only, correct way – many roads can lead to the same destination – but this is what I believe in. You are only able to understand your horse if you spend time with them. I don’t believe it’s about the amount of shows or how technical you train them; it’s about spending time with them and creating a strong base with correct flatwork. It is important to choose horses that suit you, but every day, I try to shape my horses the way that works for me. It's not a coincidence that my horses in general are functioning very good – I need them to. I'm not a strong rider who can just improvise all the time; I need my horses to be responsive and sensitive to me.” 

“You have to know when to ask and when to leave them, especially when working with young horses,” Janika continues. “It's not one pattern that fits every horse, it's different each time. I couldn't care less about winning a young horse class. For me, winning is when the horses develop, listen better and jump well; the rest comes when it comes. If you reflect on what the horses are actually doing for us, they always try to give us more than they really have. I believe that the more chances you give your horses to develop their own character and the more you respect them as individuals, the happier they are to work with you. I think that is the justice we owe them, the least we can do; making sure our horses enjoy their life and get the best care. Horses are so freaking amazing; they deal with everything – the good and the bad – and they are so generous. They give us so much and we should never forget that or mistreat their generosity."

After moving up a level during last year, the first Longines League of Nations in Abu Dhabi at the beginning of February was another step forward for Janika and Orelie. As part of the Swiss team that ended fifth, the two jumped one of only four double clears of the competition. “My goal is clear; I want us to go to Paris,” Janika says. “It is important to choose good shows to give us the last rounds that we need to gain experience, to grow more together and find the last fine-tuning for consistency. If Paris does not happen, I know we will have a great season as long as the horses stay healthy.” 

“I am grateful to be on this journey with a great team,” Janika concludes. “I am happy to share this with my family and our fantastic horse owners, there is a lot of trust and we are all working towards shared goals. The horses we chose and their characters; I love them, they're part of the family for me. Seeing their development and trust in me, that brings me joy. I don’t take anything for granted.”  

12.3.2024 No reproduction of any of the content in this article will be accepted without a written permission, all rights reserved © World of Showjumping.com. If copyright violations occur, a penalty fee will apply.