Ever since he finished fourth in the Olympic Games final in Tokyo, he has had his sights set on August 6, 2024, in Versailles. The World Championship gold, the European Championship gold, the two years as the world's top-ranked rider... all that didn't matter.
The Olympic Games are the biggest, he has said.
The Olympic Games have been filled with memories since around 11:12 am on Tuesday, telling the story of the biggest setback in his career.
It starts really well, I have a good feeling. Everything is as it should be. He jumps fantastically in the first line, the combination.
Everything is there.
Maybe I was a bit too close to the water obstacle, got a high jump and didn't get the six strides I wanted to the Parish fence, he says.
Cracked voice
Oh, and...
There, his voice starts to crack, but he takes a deep breath, starts again. He approaches the sad moment he knows will haunt him for a long time.
Maybe forever. Yet, he manages to continue the account.
... so I broke the rhythm and landed short. I had to chase on, had so much momentum forward, so when I landed, I wanted to go more to the right to follow the wall. Just a millisecond is all it takes for him to go a little to the left. Since I'm already off balance to the right, which I shouldn't be, I lose my balance to the right and it disturbs him and he goes to the left...
Mechanically, Henrik von Eckermann tells his tragic story, leading up to his worst nightmare as a rider.
... and then I fall off.
"Unforgivable"
It's a bit unforgivable on my part... but what can I do? It's me who messed up, it's not more than that, he says.
Six thousand spectators in the stands and millions of TV viewers around the world wonder what's happening. He does too.
Result-wise and in this situation, it's the worst that has happened. You don't think much when you fall off. Then I think about how the horse is doing. Since I pulled off the reins, I'm afraid he'll get scared and take off.
The black sunglasses hide the tears. The pain he carries seeps through the words. He struggles. He is in the midst of a personal tragedy and the shock is starting to wear off, but he is stoic, answering questions bravely.
I think you can see that I'm trying, he says.
He wants to get away, to his wife Janika Sprunger and the comfort and solace he so desperately needs.
In a few final words, he clarifies his disappointment before choosing to leave.
I'm blowing the chance I have with this horse, who gets to end his championship career in this way.
