Journey to the top: an interview with Evelina Tovek
Evelina Tovek riding Moeboetoe V/d Roshoeve – LGCT Madrid – (c) Mackenzie Clark
Evelina Tovek has been a prominent figure in the equestrian world, having moved countries and dedicated herself to the sport she loves. In a recent interview, she shared her journey, passion for horses, and future aspirations.
Early life and beginnings
Evelina began by introducing herself and providing some background on her life: “My name is Evelina Tovek, and I’m thirty years old. I live in Holland and have been here for three years. Before that, I was in Germany, and I moved from Sweden to train with Henrik von Eckermann seven years ago.”
Family influence
Her journey into the equestrian world started at a young age, influenced by her family, particularly her mother. “My mother always had a horse, and we had a stable at home. It wasn’t too big, but my mother loved horses, so we were always around them,” she recalled. “My sister and I started at a riding school, and later, our parents bought us ponies. We had to share at first, but soon we each had our own.”
Early challenges and dedication
Evelina’s sister initially shared her passion for riding but eventually diverged from jumping due to a few falls. “My sister got a bit afraid to jump after falling off a few times. At that point, my mother insisted we both do jumping and dressage, but eventually, my sister focused more on dressage while I continued with jumping,” Evelina explained.
The dedication and hands-on experience from her early days significantly shaped Evelina’s career. “We had to do everything ourselves—taking care of the horses, managing the stable—it wasn’t just about riding. This foundation was crucial,” she emphasized.
Training with Henrik von Eckermann
Training under Henrik von Eckermann, the world number one, has been a transformative experience for Evelina. “Henrik focuses on important details, like having the horse in front of the leg and turning with the whole body, not just the hands. He also emphasizes keeping the horses happy and healthy, which is half of everything,” she said.
Henrik’s training methods and philosophy extend beyond riding techniques to comprehensive horse management. “I learned a lot about managing the horses’ health and soundness from Henrik and his team, which is essential at the top level,” Evelina noted.
Career highlights
Reflecting on her career highlights, Evelina mentioned two significant memories. “Winning the Global Champions Tour in Rome with Castello when he was just nine was incredible. Another special moment was winning the Nations Cup in Aachen with Team Sweden in 2019,” she shared.
Bond with horses
Evelina has a strong bond with her horses, each holding a special place in her heart. “All my horses are precious, but the one I won the Aachen Nations Cup with is particularly special. She’s the best horse I’ve had,” she said fondly.
Current competitions and future goals
Currently, Evelina is competing with several top-level horses and has high hopes for the future. “I have three good horses now, including one that recently came back from an injury. I hope the rest of the year will be better,” she said. “We’re still in the Global Champions Tour, and I aim to compete in at least one more Nations Cup before the season ends.”
Ambitious aspirations
Looking ahead, Evelina has ambitious goals both in and out of the equestrian world. “I want to continue improving as a rider and bring up my own horses. Additionally, I aim to be involved in our family business back in Sweden,” she revealed.
Balancing her top-level riding career with family commitments, Evelina remains dedicated and passionate. Summing up her journey, she said, “It’s been a lot of hard work, but having a great team and supportive family has made all the difference. I’m excited for what the future holds.”
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