"Great to have you here. Welcome to my Happy Place!" The likeable Münster native has been connected to equestrian sports since childhood and pursues his profession with determination and passion. Influenced by his family, it was always clear to Jens: It has to be something with horses! And he made it happen: From his riding beginnings with his first pony Fury until today, the man in his mid-30s has remained loyal to equestrian sports and can already look back on many great successes.
How it started…
After his high school graduation, it was clear to the member of the German national squad for young riders which direction his professional career should take. Jens’s path led him as a sports student to the Bundeswehr Sports School in Warendorf, where he focused entirely on equestrian sports for a year. Afterwards, Jens spent another year at the stable of equestrian icon Markus Ehning to further develop his riding skills and expertise.
How it’s going…
Today, Jens is based with his four-legged sport partners at the riding facility of his brother-in-law Ansgar Westrup in Havixbeck. Here he has now leased over 70 stalls for his horses. His riding achievements include winning the Grand Prix of Münster, winning the **** jumping competition in Ocala, participating in numerous Nations Cups for Germany, and also competing in the Global Champions Tour for the ‘Cannes Stars’.
Jens also has a steep career in horse marketing. JB SPORTHORSES is now one of the world’s leading training and sales stables in the show jumping and hunter horse sector. Another main focus for Jens is supporting young, talented riders. "Our daily work in Havixbeck is driven by the will to improve, the ambition to succeed, the necessary concentration – and of course, the fun!"
With the help of his team, our team rider looks positively and eagerly into the future.
Jens, tell us…
After our stable tour, we were able to sit down at the edge of the large jumping arena in Havixbeck to ask Jens a few personal questions. There we discovered some interesting #FACTS about him.
Jens, how old were you when you started riding and what was the name of your first pony or horse?
"I like to look back fondly on my childhood. My older sisters took me riding when I was about nine years old, and I immediately loved it! My first pony mare was named Fury. With the little chestnut mare, I rode my first E-level jumping competition back then. That was a wonderful time." The 38-year-old enjoys reminiscing about his riding beginnings.
If you hadn’t become a show jumper, what profession would you have chosen?
"Phew, that’s a good question. I think, following our family tradition, I would have become a veterinarian. We grew up with a veterinary practice at home and were always very close to the veterinary profession. My two sisters chose that path after their high school graduation, but I decided on equestrian sports and sport horse trading, which has always been a lot of fun for me and still is today." A life without contact with many animals, and of course horses, was never an option for our team rider.
Have there been difficult times when you questioned everything?
"I think I’ve been very lucky in my life. When I was young, my family always supported me well at the right time. Also, I was lucky to always ride the right horse at the right time. That’s incredibly valuable – so no, I’ve never doubted the situation, even though it wasn’t always easy."
Jens feels very connected to his entire family, and together, following the family tradition, they have firmly integrated horses and equestrian sports into their lives. "The stable and especially the jumping arena are simply my #HAPPYPLACES!"
With Jens, we have enriched our #KAVALIOFAMILY this year with a valuable member. We are very proud of our team rider and look forward to everything the future holds for us, because #TEAMWORKMAKESTHEDREAMWORK.
Together into a new year: Jens and his team look forward to everything that’s still to come
Jens Baackmann looks back on a great year full of successes. Determined as he is known, the likeable Münsterlander now looks ahead to the coming year 2023. But what kind of balance to equestrian sports actually gives Jens the strength to give full #POWER every day? And what else does he really enjoy doing in his free time? You’ll find out all this in our new YOUTUBE VIDEO #KAVALIOMEETS Jens Baackmann! :-)
