Successful comeback for Calvin Böckmann
Last weekend all eventing fans looked to the Dutch province of North Holland, to Oudkarspel. One of the first international eventing competitions in a long time took place again. Many of the prominent eventers could be found there on the starting lists.
Among other things, the German young star badly, Calvin Böckmann.
"Ali is back!", cheered Calvin Böckmann after his victory today. For more than a year, "Ali", Böckmann's mare -which is actually called Altair de la Cense- was no longer on the road.
"She is more than ready for this season," explained the young man, who celebrates his 20th birthday on April 27. The break seems to have done her good.
Böckmann is considered the multi-talent in German junior sport. Not only in eventing, but also in jumping, the young man from the north is successful. Among other things, he has already competed several times at both the European Championships in show jumping and the European Championships in eventing.
Many also call him the "Mini-Michi", borrowed from the German multi-champion of eventing, Michael Jung, who is now himself also highly successful in show jumping.
At the weekend in Oudkarspel, he managed a quasi start-to-finish victory. Already after the dressage he took the lead with his mare and only 30.1 minus points.
Then came the cross-country course. That had it in itself. Of the 9 participants in the cross-country, only 6 could finish the course.
Also in the jumping Böckmann again proved his nerve and remained faultless.
Today's victory could also already be a wink to the upcoming European Championships this year. There, Böckmann is also seen not only within the German team, but also supranationally as an aspirant for a medal. Maybe even the gold?
There is still a lot of time until then. Böckmann has already taken the first step, as he has now secured the necessary qualification for the European Championships with his victory yesterday.
So it remains exciting in eventing!
