The international jumping competitions in the Friends arena got off to a flying start with a class on Thursday evening.
von Eckermann immediately improved himself – and showed why he has been dominating the sport since last summer.
But it was not on the WC horse King Edward. The stable also includes the promising ten-year-old Hollywood.
— Normally, Hollywood takes slightly larger classes, but he has had to work on a bit lately. I think it was good that he got to go down a little in the classes and has it a little easier. It actually feels great. He is alert and fresh, says von Eckermann to SVT.
Less than a day later, he started the day’s competition by again winning a 1.45 class.
Result so far: two wins in two starts.
“It was the best start you could get,” says the Swede, who appreciates jumping at home in Sweden.
— The Swedish audience is known for being the best audience. It’s great fun and of course it feels good to win, but also that the horse feels easy.
Many classes remain – the Swedish GP on Sunday is the main number of the competitions – but von Eckermann’s fine start means that he has taken a firm grip on becoming the winner of the meeting.
— I will of course try to win every class I enter, but it is so easy that a barrier falls. I was very lucky at one of the obstacles in this class today, says von Eckermann.
The international horse show in the Friends arena also offers world-class dressage and the World Cup in driving.