Biography of Henri Kovacs
Henri Kovacs
Henri was born in 1990 to a family involved in breeding show jumpers in Hungary. He learned to ride at the same
time as he learned to walk. From the beginning it was clear nothing but horses was more important to him, and
during the ensuing years, nothing has changed.
Henri has always known that he would be a show jumper rider. He has a natural ability to build a connection with
all different types of horses. His calm demeanor allows horses to respond and accept him.
He was trained by his father from the beginning. Henri entered his first competition at the age of eight. During his
junior years he was unbeatable in Hungary as well as winning several senior international shows. The most
important victory's from Henri's early years includes:
2000 Champion of Newcomers
2001 Champion of age 12-14
2002 Champion of age 12-14
2003 Champion of age 12-14
2003 Junior Champion and team champion
2004 Champion of age 14-18
2004 Junior Champion and team champion
2005 Champion of age 14-18
2005 Junior Champion and team champion
2006 Junior Champion* the first time ever that someone has won every year of his junior years
2006 Senior Championship Team Bronze
Junior European Championships:
2004 Vilamoura (Portugal)
2005 Schaffhausen (Switzerland)
2006 Athens (Greece)
2007 Auvers (France)
2008 Prague (Czech)
In October 2006 Henri had a chance to work with the world-renowned and respected American show jumpers
and Olympic trainers Katie and Henri Prudent in France. They recognized very quickly that Henri was a uniquely
talented young man and could go far.
In May 2007 Henri moved with 3 horses to the Prudents to France. He had numerous victories at international
horse shows in France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland and Austria.
In 2008 the Prudents invited Henri to train at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington,Fl. U.S.A.
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Biography of Henri Kovacs
On February 13th 2008 Henri rode in his first Big Tour Grand Prix with Sassicaia II
He also won several other classes with different horses.
In 2009 they competed at the highest Grand Prix-level against several Olympic riders from many different nations
in Wellington, Tampa, Charlotte, Kentucky and in Spruce Meadows (Canada). They consistently placed in the top
ten.
Henri's First Grand Prix win was in May 2009 in Kentucky with Sassicaia.
In August 2009 Henri and Sassicaia were placed third in the Gold Tour Grand Prix in Belgium's Beerwelde
Due to their placing in the CSIO Wellington GP, Henri and Sassicaia qualified for the World Equestrian Games
(WEG) to be held in Kentucky in 2010. This is a major accomplishment as this competition will be the largest
horse show ever held in the United States. Henri will compete for the Hungarian Team.
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