The world number one took after celebrated competitor: "Make me proud"

Julien Epaillard won the opening time jump at the WC in Herning 2022 and has won two events in this year's World Cup.

Most recently before the prestigious Top 10 Final in Geneva last December, Henrik von Eckermann said that Epaillard was the toughest competitor for the victory.

- It is of course nice that they say that about me.

It's so hard to win.

There are so many incredibly good riders with good systems.

I always try to do my best to be fast, says Julien Epaillard.

It was also the Frenchman who was the first to race his horses without the iron shoes that are placed on the horses' hooves by farriers.

Both Peder Fredricson and Henrik von Eckerman followed suit and have highlighted it as an important factor on their paths to more victories, success and the number one spot in the world.

- It is very nice to have Peder and Henrik to discuss this sort of thing with and to take the development forward together, says Julien Epaillard to SVT Sport.