Why doesn’t Henrik von Eckermann’s King Edward put on a browband?

International superstars Henrik von Eckermann and the sensible King Edward are taking the showjumping world by storm, most lately clinching back-to-back World Cup Last titles – the primary time for 25 years {that a} horse has achieved the feat.

His exceptional profitable efficiency additionally marked the fourth time that this heroic little chestnut has sailed by means of a championship with out touching a single pole.

However whereas the all-conquering duo effortlessly scale the best heights within the ring, the 14-year-old Belgium-bred gelding (Edward 28 x Feo) is not any simple experience and the Swedish rider describes King Edward as “very delicate”, notably round his face. Henrik has additionally revealed that taking off the chestnut’s sneakers was a “full sport changer”.

The small however mighty King Edward, who was bred by Wim Impens and has carried Henrik von Eckermann to Olympic and World Championship glory, has been seen in an assortment of various bridles lately to assist with the gelding’s sensitivity – in Herning there was no throatlash (pictured under), a nostril web is available in to make use of at instances, and at final week’s World Cup Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, that they had even disbursed with a browband.

Henrik von Eckermann and the “delicate” King Edward, pictured with out a throatlash en path to gold on the World Championships in Herning, Denmark, in 2022.

So H&H caught up with the reigning world primary Henrik von Eckermann to search out out extra in regards to the uncommon tack he’s been utilizing with multi-winning King Edward.

“We tried the nostril web as a result of he’s extraordinarily delicate, he doesn’t like something on his face,” reveals Henrik, 42. “It’s the identical with the browband, we’ve tried going with out one for a couple of months as a result of he doesn’t want it and so it’s much less on his face.”

Henrik von Eckermann has been driving King Edward with out a browband for the previous few months. Final week they received back-to-back World Cup titles.

The Swedish showjumper says about their partnership: “It doesn’t assist to get nervous or confused, as a result of the horse feels all the things and King Edward is a really, very delicate horse. We’ve been collectively so lengthy and know one another so properly that I’ve the largest confidence in him. He won’t ever disappoint me. It’s my fundamental objective to maintain my horses blissful and motivated and King Edward is certainly a really particular horse.”

Equally, King Edward, who’s sorted by groom Louise Barraud, clearly has absolute perception in his rider, and we’re privileged to have the ability to watch their relentless clear spherical performances on this unbelievable period for the game.

“He has jumped so many clear rounds and finished so many good issues – it’s a privilege to experience him,” says Henrik von Eckermann, who additionally describes him as “such a candy horse”.

As he sums up, “Edward has the potential from I don’t know the place – it’s past one thing else. He can leap a giant fence with none effort. No different horse I’ve ever sat on has given me that feeling.”

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H&H showjumping editor

Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her position as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her all over the world reporting from reveals and interviewing riders, connections and people concerned behind the scenes. Since becoming a member of H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on each topic throughout the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to secure administration — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She additionally has first-hand expertise of working within the equestrian business as a driving teacher and yard supervisor.