Henrik von Eckermann: ”I hope others can avoid the mistakes I’ve made”

”Every day I work to become a better version of myself,” says Henrik von Eckermann. Apparently, he can’t just sit back and enjoy being the record world number one in showjumping.

”I don’t ride today as I did ten years ago; I wasn’t this rider ten years ago. Instead, I have developed my riding into something that I find smoother and softer.”

But, for Henrik, riding might not be the most crucial aspect of horsemanship.

”In our business, a lot revolves around riding, and it can be forgotten how important everything else surrounding it is. And sure, you can succeed without it, but only in the short term.”

New Collaboration

Now, through a new collaboration with the insurance company Agria, Henrik wants to help other riders and horse owners become better by spreading knowledge.

”I’m someone who always wants to improve everything. I can honestly say that every day I try to see what can be better for the horse. Agria has many tools for that, and I hope I can share my experience so that others can avoid the mistakes I have made.”

Previously, the insurance company worked with Swedish riders domestically, but as the company expands internationally, they want to collaborate with a top international rider.

”Henrik is Swedish and educated in Sweden but based internationally. He has the fundamentals and shares our view of equine welfare,” says Agria’s Mikael Theorén about their first international profile rider.

Lameness and Colic Aren’t Just Bad Luck

Lameness and colic are two areas he would like to focus on. Henrik argues that it’s not just bad luck when horses suffer from these issues.

”I had problems with my back when I was young, but I can’t have treatments for my back my entire life; instead I have to exercise to strengthen my body. Of course, you may have to give treatments to horses when necessary, but you also have to find out why they become lame. Perhaps I’m riding incorrectly, perhaps I have poor balance? And then you have to ride to strengthen the horse.”

”Sometimes it feels like riders go to the vet for treatments and then say, ’Yes, now the horse will rest, so I’ll go on vacation!'”

”I haven’t had problems with my horses having colic. There’s a reason for that; it’s not luck. You have to be one step ahead, pay attention to whether the horses are drinking, among other things.”

By sharing knowledge, Henrik hopes he can help others prevent both lameness and colic.

”I can bring a lot of experience about horse health from my daily work.”

Contact with the Horse is Important

Unfortunately, he says, not all riders have the right attitude, and he quotes his former employer Ludger Beerbaum:

”The sport has more horses than horse people!”

He recalls one example from his own experience.

”When people come to test ride a horse without observing the horse, without connecting with the horse before getting in the saddle… Connecting with the horse is so important if you want to succeed as a rider. To achieve success, you must know your horse.”

Must Analyze Every Time He Dismounts

”I have tried to summarize what I have learned over the years into a philosophy based on three pillars – sensitivity, individual adaptation and an ongoing quest for knowledge.”

Sensitivity is about listening to the horse.

”Every time I dismount, I have to analyze. Did the horse understand what I was asking of it? Take a good look at your horse; you will get so much information!”

You must get to know and understand your horses.

”When I come to the stable, I can immediately see if the horses are acting as usual, or if someone is standing with their head in a corner – then you know something is wrong.”

It’s important to tailor everything to each horse.

”I have ridden hundreds of horses, and they’re all different. What one horse needs can be incredibly individual.”

Henrik argues that a rider must always be curious and seek new knowledge.

”I haven’t done everything right in my life because I haven’t always had the knowledge. Every day, you have to ask yourself what you can do better, what you can learn.”

Henrik also hopes that the collaboration can lead to something more.

”It would be exciting to participate in a study and see if what I feel aligns with science.”

And what does he hope the public will take away from this collaboration?

”I’m not doing this for the public; I’m doing it for the horses.”