Sweden’s world number one, Henrik von Eckermann, who now holds all the world titles, is a true star of show jumping… but he’s not a diva. He is still down-to-earth, approachable and cheerful. He is first and foremost a professional rider focused on his goals. For Bordeaux he set himself only just one: the World Cup.

Henrik von Eckermann and Hannah Zoe Quality are in Bordeaux to get to know each other © Artiste Associé

Bordeaux February 2, 2024 – You are very loyal to Bordeaux, why do you never miss a chance to come here?
To be honest, I am above all loyal to my horses and Bordeaux fits well into their program. Of course, the Jumping de Bordeaux is a beautiful show, that goes without question, but this year, with all the big events coming up, the show’s dates just fit my horses’ program.
 
What is King Edward doing this weekend?
He is at home, ready to go to Abu Dhabi for the Nations Cup next week.
 
Can you introduce us to your mares Calizi (11 years old) and Hannah Zoe Quality (9 years old) that you are riding here this weekend?
Hannah is still a very young and new horse so she will be doing the smaller classes so I can get to know her a little better. As for Calizi, she has been doing really well, she was fifth in the World Cup in Madrid, so here in Bordeaux I wanted to give her the opportunity to do another World Cup.
 
What is your goal here in Bordeaux?
I have only one goal here in Bordeaux which is the World Cup with Calizi tomorrow evening. I do not have a horse experienced enough to do the AUDI Grand Prix as well so that is why I am only focusing on Saturday.
 
You’ve been world number one for 18 months now, which is quite an achievement in itself given the consistency of your results, but you’re also World Champion, Olympic team champion and individual runner-up, World Cup winner and European team champion… wow: did you ever think you would become this successful when you were working for Ludger Beerbaum?
No. I dreamt about it, of course, and I worked on it, but to make it happen is another story. So yes, it’s a dream come true.
 
And now, are you the same as you were before?
No, I think I’ve changed a little bit. I’ve got a family now, I’ve got a wife, I’ve got a son who’s three years old and when you have a child it changes your perspectives and I’m no exception to that rule. But that doesn’t mean I’m not hungry when I’m on the arena. I’m still a 120% competitor, but my outlook on life has changed a bit.
 
I wanted to ask you if these titles have changed your character, your behavior towards others, in short, does this success get to you head?
(laughs). I hope not! You knew me well before: do you think I’ve changed?
 
Not really… The World Cup final in Riyadh in April and the Olympic Games in August: do you have more than one iron in the fire?
Yes, it’s clear that I want to do both. Riyadh will be the first event and it’s the first time I’ll be competing in a World Cup final with two horses, so I think it will be easier. It should be Iliana and King Edward. And, of course, I hope that King Edward will be in top form for Paris 2024.

Beam Prize: French victory on international debut.

On her international debut with the world number 1, Hannah Zoe Quality recorded an honorable four-faults ride (first fence of the double combination) in a class won by a French rider.

Julien Gonin and Valou du Lys achieve their goal in the first 5* class in Bordeaux © Artiste Associé

The first 5-star class of this 2024 edition and already a French victory in the Prix BEAM, that of Julien Gonin and Valou du Lys, his 15-year-old strong charactered mare: “The only way to work Valou is to push her forward. She’s got a lot of experience now and if I don’t ride her fast, I won’t get the best out of her.” While most of the riders in this class were preparing their horses for tomorrow’s World Cup stage and/or Sunday’s Grand Prix, Julien Gonin was riding to win, and with a three-second lead over his pursuer, Norway’s Therese Soehol Henriksen, he easily accomplished his mission.
 
Watch all the courses of the competitors on www.jumping-bordeaux.com/webtv

By Press Release