World-class show jumpers King Edward and Orelie return to the show jumping ring

If a Henrik von Eckermann gets through an advanced (A) level show jumping competition without any faults, it may not seem like anything special at first glance. But in this case, it really is. Because the horse that the former number one in the world rankings brought to the start at the Peelbergen Equestrian Center in Kronenberg was none other than his double world champion from 2022, King Edward. The 16-year-old Edward son from Belgian breeding, team Olympic champion in 2021, World Cup winner, winner of the Rolex Top Ten Final and numerous other CSI5* Grand Prix, had not been at the show for a year and now made his return in a 1.10-metre jumping competition of the small tour.

Comeback king and comeback queen

It wasn’t just King Edward who didn’t give the Peelbergen course team a hard time yesterday. Also competing were Henrik von Eckermann’s Swiss wife Jannika Sprunger and her twelve-year-old Emerald daughter Orelie, another example of Sprunger’s qualities as a trainer. The pair competed as an individual pair at the European Championships in La Coruña last year and were part of the Nations Cup final team in Barcelona in 2023. However, things have been quiet around Orelie since September 2025.

Jannika Sprunger was quoted in various media last week saying that the mare had developed neurological problems as a side effect of a CT scan, but was on the mend. Our inquiry as to whether these side effects occurred in connection with the examination itself as an allergic reaction to a contrast agent etc. remained unanswered.

But the fact that Orelie is doing well again could be seen in Peelbergen. In a two-phase jumping competition over 1.30 meters, she remained penalty-free.

Jannika Sprunger wrote in her Instagram story: “Today was the day of the comebacks. Orelie and King Edward (…) felt very promising. Behind this is a team full of passion and so much dedication – THANK YOU!”

All the results from Peelbergen can be found here.