Henrik von Eckermann: “Finishing second would have been like a failure”
The reigning Show Jumping World Champion is relying on a new partner for the FEI World Championships: Henrik von Eckermann aims to pursue his dream of defending his title with the 12-year-old stallion, Minute Man. In the following interview, he discusses his expectations and goals, his memories of that great victory in Herning and the outstanding conditions in Aachen.
In Herning, you and King Edward caused a sensation on the show jumping scene, winning both the team and individual world titles. Can you share your memories of that time with us?
Henrik von Eckermann: It was awesome. On the eve of the show, I became number one in the world rankings and that very same week we got to celebrate the World Championships titles – that really was something special. But I have to say, it was also a relief. King Edward and I travelled to the competition as the favourites; he was at the absolute peak of his career back then. Mentally, winning was the only option – finishing second would have been like a failure. But everything went well, thank goodness.
Now, the World Championships are returning to Aachen, 20 years after the highly acclaimed 2006 FEI World Equestrian Games. What are your feelings when you think about the upcoming championships?
Henrik von Eckermann: It is simply fantastic! I watched the event in Aachen 20 years ago – ever since then it has been something I wanted to achieve myself one day. I wasn’t good enough back then yet. Now, I just hope everything goes well for us during the week. But more than anything, I am really looking forward to it. I love riding into that stadium every time. The atmosphere in the arena, with tens of thousands of spectators, is incredible.
What is your goal as you travel to the Allianz Park as the reigning World Champion?
Henrik von Eckermann: I am very careful about setting goals; the circumstances are different now compared to four years ago. King Edward was the clear favourite, whereas now I will be competing with Minute Man – a horse that has certainly delivered excellent performances, but who isn’t quite at King Edward’s level. So, I will take one day at a time. But I do know that Minute Man is a horse with a lot of potential and quality.
What distinguishes Minute Man?
Henrik von Eckermann: From the outside, he appears very calm, but on the inside, he has a lot of spirit and energy. Minute Man is also extremely careful. That makes him a very suitable horse for the World Championships. There is a lot of jumping spread over several days and since he is a very consistent horse, I hope to present him in top form each day and try to maintain that consistency. That is the difference compared to individual five-star Grand Prix events: The difficult part is managing to jump that many good rounds over such a long period. If you look back at Herning with King Edward: I may have won, but only by a very, very narrow margin. I stayed clear in all five rounds. If I had knocked down a single rail on any of those days, I would have dropped back into second or even third place.
How have you prepared for the World Championships in Aachen?
Henrik von Eckermann: I competed with Minute Man most recently in Riesenbeck and Falsterbo. Both of those shows are also held on large grass arenas. We don’t have an arena like the one in Aachen, of course, but Minute Man has competed there before – not with me, but under another rider (Willem Greve in 2024, Editor’s note) – and at the time he appeared to be very, very sure of himself. After finishing fifth in Riesenbeck, I am confident that we can travel to Aachen with a positive feeling.
What are your expectations for the FEI World Championships Aachen 2026?
Henrik von Eckermann: My expectations are the same as every time I visit Aachen – the crowd is fantastic and it is a great feeling. You can sense that the world elite is at home there. Aachen is simply the mecca of our sport; there is nothing comparable. But it is not just about the atmosphere in the stadium, even though that obviously makes everything even more spectacular. Everything behind the scenes is absolutely perfect, too: The best conditions for the horses, the riders, the grooms, etcetera. It is simply the complete package, that is why Aachen is the best of the best.
Would you like to be there in person when the riders in the world compete for medals? Secure your ticket today via the online shop, via the ticket hotline on 0241-9171111, or at the Aachen-Laurensberger Rennverein office.