Many international legends prefer to spend the holiday season nowhere else but at Jumping Mechelen. The most prominent name among them is Henrik Von Eckermann (SWE): the current world number 1, reigning world champion, the most recent winner of the World Cup Final, Olympic team gold medalist… and he achieved all of this with the Belgian horse, King Edward.
Henrik Von Eckermann: “Vlaanderens Kerstjumping is special to me. I won my first FEI World Cup here”
Von Eckermann has a special bond with Jumping Mechelen: “Vlaanderens Kerstjumping is special to me. I won my first FEI World Cup here in 2012 with Gotha FRH. Beautiful memories indeed. The audience is fantastic, and I truly enjoy participating.”
His already legendary horse, King Edward, won’t be competing between Christmas and New Year’s. He is currently enjoying a well-deserved break. Henrik says, “King Edward will only compete in the FEI Jumping World Cup in Basel this season. After that, of course, I’ll also compete with him in the World Cup Final (Riyadh), which we won together last year. Those are the only indoor competitions he’ll participate in this year. I want to focus fully on the outdoor season. The Olympic Games are approaching quickly, and that is, of course, our biggest goal.”
There’s no shortage of horse power in Von Eckermann’s stable. This year, he is aiming for World Cup victory with the mare Dzara Dorchival. . She has already made an impression in the FEI Jumping World Cups in Oslo and Helsinki this year, finishing 11th and 3rd, respectively.
While Henrik Von Eckermann’s track record may be impressive, many other stars will challenge him at Jumping Mechelen 2023. Daniël Deusser (DE), Christian Ahlmann (DE), Roger-Yves Bost (FRA), Grégory Wathelet (BE) all have Olympic medals and a Jumping Mechelen trophy in their collection. French riders Kevin Staut and Julien Epaillard – the fastest rider in the world – are sure to provide some fireworks. And, of course, our best Belgians have their sights set on Jumping Mechelen as well. Belgian champion Gilles Thomas, Pieter Devos, Nicola and Olivier Philippaerts, Niels Bruynseels, Jos Verlooy… they are all eager to enter the Christmas Arena and give their fans an excellent year-end experience.
