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Henrik von Eckermann: "It's now or never!"

Tuesday, 30 August 2016
Sport

Henrik von Eckermann. Photo (c) Jenny Abrahamsson.
Henrik von Eckermann. Photo (c) Jenny Abrahamsson.

After twelve years working for Ludger Beerbaum, Swedish rider Henrik von Eckermann is now taking the next step and starting his own business. "I feel very fortunate having had the chance to work for Ludger, and learn from my childhood idol. Everything I have achieved so far in my career is thanks to him and all the opportunities he has given me," says Henrik to World of Showjumping.

During the years working in Riesenbeck, Henrik has slowly but surely climbed up the Longines Ranking and has represented Sweden in numerous Nations Cups and championships. At the European Championships in Madrid 2011, he was 5th individually with Madeleine Winter-Schulze's stallion Coupe de Couer, at the Olympic Games in London 2012 he rode on the Swedish team with Hans-Gūnther Winkler's Allerdings. And in December 2012 Ludger handed over his former success mare Gotha to him. "I won my first World Cup in Mechelen 2012 with Gotha, just a few weeks after I got to ride her. The following summer we won the Longines Global Champions Tour in Estoril and she was the horse I rode at the Europeans in Herning in 2013 when Sweden won the team bronze. She also won the $700 000 Grand Prix at the Hong Kong Masters in 2014, but these are just a few highlights of the many other good things she did for me," Henrik tells about the mare that gave his career the biggest push forward.

So far Henrik's most successful season was 2014-2015 with horses like Gotha, For Sale, Crespo and Cantinero. The Qatar Armed Force's Cantinero was Henrik's ride at the 2015 Europeans after having been a corner stone with many solid clear rounds for team Sweden during the Nations Cup season. "I would like to know the number of horses I have ridden during my years in Riesenbeck," Henrik smiles. For the Rio Olympics it was Karoline and Johanne Goldberg's SWB-mare Yajamila that Henrik rode on the Swedish team. Against all the expectations the combination did good, and went all the way to the Individual finals. "Keeping the fact in mind that the horse is not experienced at this level, she did a very good debut," Henrik tells about the mare that is now following with him when moves.

"I am going to stay in Germany. I am moving to Bonn, close to Cologne, to Karl Schneider's facility. I will have my own part of the stable there and run my own business, but even though our businesses will stay separated Karl and I will help each other. My plan is to have a stable running with horses of different ages with potential to perform on the highest level of the sport.

I am thankful for Ludger and Madeleine (Winter-Schulze) for everything they have done for me and we will remain close friends. I feel that with my age it's now or never if I want to have my own business. I am hoping to find owners who will support me now that I am on my own, and who share my vision - I am aiming high in the sport. I have always been a hard worker, but success is not possible without great support."

 



Text and picture © World of Showjumping



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