Calvin Böckmann: Discipline, Dedication, and the Making of an Elite Eventing Rider

German eventing rider Calvin Böckmann is part of a new generation of athletes shaping the future of the sport. With major championship experience, podium finishes at iconic venues, and a reputation for exceptional discipline both in and out of the saddle, Böckmann’s rise has been built on long-term vision rather than shortcuts.

horseshowjumping.tv met with Böckmann during the prestigious CHI Genève, where he spoke openly about his journey into eventing, the sacrifices behind his success, and the team that makes his career possible.

Growing Up Surrounded by Horses

Horses have been part of Calvin Böckmann’s life since the very beginning. Raised in a deeply equestrian family, his path into the sport felt natural rather than forced.

“My dad was an amateur and my mom used to compete up to world equestrian games,” Böckmann explains. “So I was kind of having that horse virus in me ever since I was born.”

While other sports were always an option, eventing quickly became his clear focus, supported by his family from the start.

Finding His Passion in Eventing

Böckmann’s early years included significant time in show jumping, which laid an important foundation for his later career.

“I used to show jump a lot as well when I was younger,” he says, before explaining what ultimately drew him toward eventing. “Eventing is just that extra kick of adrenaline. And also I think the partnership between the horse and the rider is even more intense.”

After sharing ponies with his siblings during childhood, he received his first pony at the age of ten. “Ever since there, it started,” he adds.

Realizing He Belonged at the Top Level

Despite steady progress, Böckmann admits that he only fully realized his place among the elite after the results were already there.

“To be honest, I realized it late—after it just happened,” he says. “Aachen twenty twenty four becoming second behind Julia, by just an inch of a second, was making me realize how far we’ve come.”

That performance marked a turning point. “That was basically the first moment where I realized, okay, we’re there,” he explains. Selection as a traveling reserve for the Paris Olympics soon followed, a moment he describes as “even more special,” particularly given that “everyone around me is at least five to ten years older than I am.”

Learning from Family Experience

Although Böckmann did not grow up actively watching his mother compete—she stopped riding after an accident when he was very young—her experience plays a central role behind the scenes.

“I have never been very conscious about how far and how good my mom was when she still used to ride,” he says. “But just the achievements she had, and the decades of experience, is honestly my main key for success.”

He adds, “Every decision we make, we make them together—training plans, competition plans, going to shows.”

Balancing Eventing and Show Jumping

Managing careers in both eventing and show jumping is something many advised him against, but Böckmann always viewed it as an opportunity rather than a burden.

“A lot of people were telling me, don’t you wanna focus on one because it’s such a burden to do two,” he recalls. “But I always saw it as a very big privilege to do two.”

While eventing now takes priority, his love for show jumping remains strong. “Show jumping is just so much fun for me,” he says, noting long-standing friendships formed on the circuit and his ambition to continue developing horses patiently over time.

Combining Elite Sport with a Business Degree

Alongside his sporting career, Böckmann completed a business degree—an achievement that demanded exceptional discipline.

“To be honest, again, that’s just pure dedication and hard work,” he says. “I honestly didn’t really get much sleep for three and a half years.”

Social life was a conscious sacrifice. “Maybe in three and a half years, I was going to like five parties,” he admits. Instead, he found enjoyment elsewhere. “For me, a day off was enjoying it the most being the first one in the library and leaving at the last.”

For Böckmann, academic challenge provided balance. “I like to challenge myself and my head a little bit, and that’s a very good balance for me to the riding.”

Gratitude for the Team Behind the Scenes

As Böckmann’s career has grown, so too have the demands beyond competition—particularly in media, sponsorship, and public presence.

“I’m very grateful to have someone supporting me, who organized the sponsor contracts, the social media, which does obviously play a bigger and bigger role,” he says. “There is just so much to do that I could never do that on my own.”

He is equally appreciative of the team at home who keep everything running when he is away. “They’re running the show when I’m at show and when I’m at home,” he explains. “They just take care that everything’s well and that they’re all feeling comfortable, which is the most important thing to me.”

Being an Olympic Reserve: Motivation Gained

Being named an Olympic reserve was both an honor and a challenge.

“We were so close to it, which is very hard as an athlete,” Böckmann says. “If you obviously want to compete, your horse wants to compete, but you’re not allowed to.”

Still, he took something powerful from the experience. “I would say a big, big amount of motivation was what I was gaining from the Olympics,” he explains. “To keep on working on yourself, to keep on improving, to the next time not be in reserve, but be there and properly compete.”

Looking Ahead to Future Championships

Böckmann’s focus now turns firmly toward the future. His next major target is the World Equestrian Games in Aachen.

“My next big goal is obviously the World Equestrian Games in Aachen next year,” he says. “And then afterwards, we obviously already have an eye on the Olympics in 2032.”

PH Patricia Welp

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