Text © World of Showjumping

Germany’s Mathis Schwentker, who for the past two years has worked for Christian Heineking at October Hill Farm in Texas, USA, has decided to return to his home country at the end of 2020. Together with his girlfriend Caroline Jahr, the 27-year-old German will start up his own business at a rented home base between Osnabrück and Bremen – at Nicky von Roesgen and Marcel Kettnaker’s AVR Equimotion yard. 

During his time in the US, Schwentker has placed in international Grand Prix classes in Lexington and Thermal as well as competed in several World Cup legs in the North American League.

“Two years ago, Christian Heineking broke his leg and I was asked to come over to help him with the riding. It was a great opportunity,” Schwentker tells World of Showjumping. “As it turned out, we worked really well together so when Christian had recovered he still gave me good horses to ride which enabled me to compete at the highest level. We have been very successful together and I have enjoyed my time here in the States. However, it is now time for me to move on.”

“In Germany, the focus of our business will be on producing horses as well as training other riders. We are going to start with ten boxes. We want to focus on quality over quantity and have enough time with each horse. I hope that I will be able to build myself back up to the level I am riding at now. I know it will take some time when I start on my own, but I think being independent is a dream for every rider,”  Schwentker says.

“I guess it is a little bit risky, but I still believe there are enough people out there looking for good horses,” Schwentker says about his brave decision to start a new business during the Covid-19 pandemic. “I believe the connections I have built over the last years will help me establish a healthy business even in these strange times.”

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