Don't miss a hoof beat: Five equestrian jumpers to watch at Paris 2024
As Paris 2024 approaches, the world's top equestrian show jumpers are saddling up for intense competition. In a thrilling display of speed, precision, and partnership between horse and rider, the show jumping event is set to captivate Olympic audiences in the historic Château de Versailles.
The fourth leg of the Nations Cup looms this weekend and jumpers all around the world are making their final adjustments to be on peak form for the summer.
Read on to learn about the standout jumpers who are poised to make their make their mark on Paris 2024.
As National Olympic Committees have the exclusive authority for the representation of their respective countries at the Olympic Games, athletes' participation at the Paris Games depends on their NOC selecting them to represent their delegation at Paris 2024.
Henrik von Eckermann (Sweden)
Henrik von Eckermann has been at the top of the world rankings since the summer of 2022 and he shows no signs of budging any time soon.
His partnership with his exceptional horse, King Edward, has been pivotal to their success, earning them the top spot in the FEI rankings and several prestigious titles along the way. Although they fell short of the individual jumping podium in Tokyo 2020, von Eckermann played a crucial role in securing a team gold medal for Sweden - their first since 1924.
One year later, von Eckermann became world champion at the FEI Jumping World Championship 2022 in both the individual and team events, and he has maintained near-perfect form throughout 2023 and 2024. He won back-to-back World Cup Finals titles in 2023 and 2024, joining an elite group of riders who have achieved consecutive victories in this prestigious competition. The pair also brought home a European Championship title from Milan, Italy in 2023.
Speed, accuracy, patience, agility—von Eckermann and King Edward have it all. They are the undisputed number ones going into Paris. Can they finally complete their collection by claiming individual Olympic gold?
Ben Maher (Great Britain)
Great Britain’s Ben Maher is the reigning Olympic champion, but last year he was told he might never ride again. Suffering a shoulder injury in early 2023, the Olympic champion has overcome a lot in the last fifteen months, making an epic comeback to now sit in the world number two spot.
"Although we managed to get back to the sport within about 14 weeks, the initial prediction was six months and there was even a possibility that I couldn't ride again - so it was serious at the time, and it was tough working through it. On the positive side, it gave me time to think about the plan for the rest of the year," Maher told Worldofshowjumping.com
Riding Explosion W, Maher won the individual show jumping gold medal in a nail-biting final at the Tokyo 2020. He also boasts a gold medal from the team jumping event in London 2012, as well as a European title from 2013.
The Brit has been on top of the equestrian world for decades and has been a regular top finisher across World Cups and other international events, including a big win at the first Grand Prix of this Olympic year. Despite a last-minute horse switch at the 2022 World Championships, Maher contributed to Great Britain’s team bronze medal, adding to his wealth of experience going into Paris.
Steve Guerdat (Switzerland)
Former Olympic champion Steve Guerdat also brings years of experience to the French capital, as the Swiss looks to make his sixth Olympic appearance this summer. The five-time Olympian took the bronze in Beijing 2008 and the gold in London 2012.
Guerdat fell one hoof short of the podiums in both Rio and Tokyo, respectively placing fourth and fifth, and will be looking to get back on top again this year. Known for his remarkable consistency and deep connection with his horses, the Swiss rider has become a familiar name in international competition. He recently brought home gold medals from the 2023 FEI Nations Cup finals in Barcelona and the European Championships in Milano last September. Ranked number three in the world, Guerdat has his sights set on taking Olympic glory one final time.
Julien Epaillard (France)
The host country holds its hopes in Julien Epaillard and his mare, Dubai du Cedre, to make their Olympic debuts a medal-winning one.
Epaillard has had a successful Olympic cycle so far, taking silver medals at the 2022 and 2023 Nations Cup Finals, as well as bronze in the 2023 European Championships and silver at the 2024 Riyadh World Cup Finals. He and Dubai du Cedre are known for their fast, all-in approach to courses, earning him the nickname “the flying Frenchman.”
"I think my strongest point as a rider is that I am fast, but I think it is also my biggest weakness," Epaillard explained.
With over 4,000 competitions under his saddle, Epaillard brings a wealth of experience to his debut Olympic jumping arena. The last time France secured an Olympic medal in show jumping was in 1996, thanks to Alexandra Ledermann. Ranked fourth globally, the flying Frenchman is eager to end the medal drought and secure his first Olympic medal—especially on home turf. And where better to achieve this feat than at the iconic Château de Versailles?
Peder Fredricson (Sweden)
Riding alongside von Eckermann in Swedish colors is Tokyo 2020 individual silver medallist Peder Fredricson, who is known for his meticulous preparation and strategic approach to courses. Fredricson bounced back from a neck injury in 2023 with several impressive performances, including a strong showing at the 2024 World Cup Finals, where he finished on the podium alongside von Eckermann and Epaillard.
The 52-year-old Swede has four Olympic medals to his name so far, including team gold in Tokyo 2020 and silvers in Athens, Rio, and Tokyo.
Fredricson is preparing to make his fifth Olympic appearance, this time potentially aboard the 18-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding Catch Me Not S. With the Swedish team looking especially dominant this year, they will be on the hunt to defend their Tokyo 2020 team showjumping titles.
Next up: Nations Cup Rotterdamn
The road to Paris is not yet over for the show jumping community, as the fourth and last leg of the Jumping Nations Cup series will take place in Rotterdam from 20-23 June.
Team Ireland is currently in the lead, with Switzerland and the USA trailing closely behind. The French and the British look to step it up this weekend, and both Epaillard and Maher will try to make that happen.
The Swedes are currently in sixth place, but they have selected an all-star team of Olympic champions von Eckermann, Fredricson, and Malin Baryard-Johnsson—along with five-time Olympian Rolf-Göran Bengtsson—to try to put their country in medal contention.
Team USA hopes to hold their podium spot and will be represented by Laura Kraut, McLain Ward, Jessica Springsteen and Callie Schott.
The Nations Cup finals will be held in October in Barcelona, but before then, these showjumpers will compete for the greatest podium of all: the Olympic Games.
The jumpers are set to take the stage at the Château de Versailles starting 29 July.