The Rising Above series, created in collaboration with Longines, celebrates world-class athletes who exemplify perseverance and excellence. Each episode delves into the personal and professional struggles and triumphs of these athletes, revealing the mindset that drives them to overcome adversity and achieve greatness.

In episode five, ‘Finding the Balance’, Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli opens up about how she has mastered the art of balancing her passion for the sport with her dedication to her family. Viewers are invited into her world as she talks through the challenges and triumphs of juggling a demanding equestrian career while raising a young family.

“I’ve been in love with show jumping forever, but besides the passion of riding, I also wanted to have a big family. I knew it would be a hard ride,” Zanotelli shares at the beginning of the episode, setting the tone for a story that is both heartfelt and full of determination.

'Finding the Balance' is a compelling episode that speaks to anyone striving to balance multiple passions and responsibilities. Zanotelli’s story is a testament to the power of focus, support, and the relentless pursuit of one’s goals.

The sixth installment of the series, ‘Becoming an Insider', showcases the inspiring journey of the talented show jumper Edouard Schmitz and how he broke into the show jumping world having not come from an equestrian background.

In this episode, Schmitz, who is a Longines Ambassador of Elegance, delves into his personal journey from being an outsider to becoming a respected competitor in the world of show jumping. Reflecting on his early years, Schmitz shares, "I was definitely an outsider. As a kid, I tried a lot of sports. I think my parents knew how risk-friendly I was, and they preferred me living that risk friendliness in a pool or on a soft mat rather than on a horse. For many years, I had to beg my parents to let me get on a horse. And when I finally did, I never stopped."

His perseverance and passion eventually led him to earn the respect and trust of the equestrian community. The episode ends with Schmitz's reflection on his enduring love for the sport: "No matter how many years I have and will be in the sport, the passion will never change. I believe that to succeed in something completely new, you need endless enthusiasm, a lot of work, and most importantly, patience."

The latest installment of the series ‘Growing Together’, Katrin Eckermann opens up about her connection with her horses and the incredible partnership that is forged between rider and horse. She details her painful experience of having her star horse taken away from her at the height of their career together.

Eckermann had been having a stellar year in 2014 with her mount, Firth of Lorne. “Firth of Lorne was such a beautiful horse. He had a special place in my heart,” she says in the beginning of the episode. Going on to say, “2014 was my most successful year, but also a year with a lot of ups and downs.” Setting the stage for a captivating story of perseverance.

Eckermann’s story continues as she talks about the experience of losing Firth of Lorne and how she returned to the sport following that loss with an even deeper appreciation of the incredible connection between horse and rider. She reveals that the core of her drive as a professional equestrian is the relationship with her horses, saying, “horses are family for me, and it’s something special. You can’t buy it, it’s everything for me.”

Episodes 1 – 7 of ‘Rising Above’ are available to stream on YouTube, offering fans the opportunity to witness the incredible journeys of some of the sport’s most respected figures. The final episode of the series ‘Overcoming Fears’ featuring Niels Bruynseels premiers September 24, 2024.

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