Calvin Bockmann (GER), world number one in the FEI Eventing U25 Rankings, has happy memories of Irish eventing as he won an individual bronze medal in the Pony Europeans on Askaban B back in 2014. It was Millstreet’s first year of international horse trials and the start of Calvin’s successful career representing Germany.

He is now back as a member of the German squad at the first FEI Eventing World Championships and will be riding the Selle Francais mare Altair De La Cense, his Junior and Young Rider team medal-winning horse.

‘This is our 10th season together and we have been through all the ups and downs,’ Calvin explains.

‘We bought her as a Junior horse and people said “Oh, you will need another horse for Young Riders, but she was in those teams. Then after Young Riders, it was suggested that I sell her, but she went on to be my reserve horse in seniors for three years.

‘She has a huge heart and, although it sounds like a cliche, she is very special to me.’

Calvin is 25 and earned his first senior flag for Germany last year, when he finished fourth at the Europeans at Blenheim, so this is his first and last opportunity for this new championship.

‘It is going to be a huge thing for my career as we don’t have many opportunities to ride in competitions of this stature with all the atmosphere,’ he said. ‘We are here to do our best.’