Friday, May 2, 2025
His next big event: the European Young Riders Championships, from July 7 to 13, 2025 in Riesenbeck, Germany.
At just 21 years of age, Baptiste Eichner is the embodiment of a new generation of French riders already firmly established at the top level. A native of the Haute-Savoie region, he now rides for the French Young Riders team, and is racking up a string of performances, from CSI podiums to national titles. Bronze medallist at the French Young Riders Championship in Fontainebleau a few days ago, he talks to us about his career, his goals, and his vision of a more sustainable and committed equestrian sport.
More than just a line on the prize list, Baptiste Eichner's bronze medal at Fontainebleau represents consistency, hard work and long-term commitment.
"Honestly satisfied, but obviously a little frustrated not to have been able to win gold", he confides.he confides.
A bar in the second heat deprived him of the title, but the main thing was elsewhere:
"What I remember most is being on the podium two years in a row. And of course, being able to share it with my best friend Nohlan Vallat."
This result crowns a very solid start to the season, following a victory in Compiègne at the FEI Nations Cup Youth, and a team silver medal at the 2023 European Championships.
The impact of Baptiste's speech is his maturity. He doesn't just talk about performance, but about balance: "To build a sustainable career, you have to prioritize the horse's well-being, train continuously, preserve your physical and mental health..."
On a daily basis, he rides four horses at his family's stables in Evian, under the watchful eye of his mother and coach. His piquet includes Black'n Roll, his lead horse, with whom he has experienced it all since 2020: two European Championships, Nations Cups and national podiums.
"What I'm looking for is a real connection with my horses. A bond. That's how we progress together."
Everything is organized to obtain this selection and prepare his horses in the best possible conditions. But Baptiste is already thinking about what's next: "The aim is also to progressively enter 4* and 5* classes, and one day reach the Olympic Games."
And if you ask him which legendary competition he dreams of, he doesn't hesitate: Aachen, Calgary... and of course, La Baule, as a French rider.
At this level of competition, nothing is left to chance - including safety. "Safety is paramount. I had a big fall without an airbag on a pony, fracturing my collarbone... I'm convinced that an airbag could have mitigated or even prevented that injury."
Today, Baptiste wears an airbag for both training and competition: "For me, it should already be compulsory. We've seen too many serious accidents. It has to be instilled from an early age.
When asked what he would say to a young rider dreaming of the top level, Baptiste replies passionately: "Never give up. Get up every morning knowing what you want to improve. You have to be in love with the sport, love your horses, and be willing to learn every day."
A lucid and inspiring state of mind, which shows that in Baptiste Eichner's boots, the future of French show jumping is already on the march.
