He first discovered Aachen in 2021 through the smaller classes reserved for young riders. Last weekend, Antoine Ermann stepped into another dimension entirely: the five-star CHIO, its packed grandstands, its mythology, and the best riders in the world lining up in the warm-up ring. At 24, the Frenchman keeps climbing steadily without skipping steps, guided by Floyd des Prés, the horse with whom he has been building his career for the last six years.
The shock of entering the Arena
There are prestigious shows. And then there is Aachen. The kind of event riders talk about with stars in their eyes and respect in their voice. Antoine Ermann did not even try to hide what it meant to him.
“Aachen has always been — and always will be — the mecca of equestrian sport. So obviously, coming here was a childhood dream. Just being here already meant something. Then actually getting to ride here was another level for me. Coming here and competing in the five-star made a small dream come true.”
The French rider already knew the venue. A brief appearance back in 2021 for the one-star classes dedicated to young riders. But the real CHIO, the five-star version, is another world entirely.
“In the moment, you don’t necessarily realize it. But afterward, when you take a step back, you think: ‘Yeah… wow.’ I got to jump here. Maybe other shows are special too, but here, there’s simply nothing comparable.”
And when asked what makes Aachen so different, Ermann does not only talk about sport.
“I think first of all the facilities. The arena is enormous, the footing is incredible. Everything is great for the horses and for us riders. But above all, there’s the history behind it. It’s such an iconic show. The best riders in the world have always come here.”
In Aachen, even the days feel different.
“The days go by really fast here because there’s sport happening all day long. We’re always happy just watching classes in that arena.”
Ermann speaks about horses the same way true sports lovers speak about sport. And you can hear it immediately.
Floyd des Prés, more than just a Grand Prix horse
For this discovery of the very highest level, Antoine Ermann did not arrive alone. By his side was Floyd des Prés (Vigo Cece x Papillon Rouge). A home-produced horse. The one he has been riding since the age of five.
And naturally, that changes everything.
“He’s a horse who’s allowing me to experience things I could never have imagined without a horse like him, at least not this early in my career.”
The pair grew together. Discovered top-level sport together. And that shared journey almost acts like a safety net in major championships.
“When we started tackling big tracks — especially last year when we were discovering top-level sport — I think I was less stressed, and he was too, because we knew each other so well. We could feel when there was more pressure or more motivation. I think it made things easier for us because we entered this level together.”
In a sport where many partnerships are built quickly, such a long-term relationship creates something different. An almost instinctive trust.
“Having raised him, riding him every day for six years, of course there’s a relationship that develops and a lot of affection. I love my other horses too, but naturally, with him, there’s something extra.”
The calmness of the greats… Before even becoming one
What stands out about Antoine Ermann is not only his riding. It is his ability to slow the pace down while everything around him speeds up.
For months now, his name has been mentioned everywhere in conversations about the future of French show jumping. But he refuses to force the timeline.
World Championships? Top 10 in the world? Summer team selections? The Frenchman prefers to keep both feet firmly on the ground.
“Like every rider, of course we’d all love to come back here this summer, and we’ll do everything we can. But in the end, it’s not us who decide. Our role is to manage our horses as best as possible, keep them in top shape all year, physically and mentally.”
The same philosophy applies when discussing the very top of the world rankings.
“Of course I’d like to be in the top ten one day. But I’ve never told myself: in X years, I’ll be there. For me, it has to happen naturally. I’ll always put the horse first, make good plans for them, respect them properly, and if we do things right, there’s no reason the results won’t come.”
No polished communication. No artificial storytelling. Just a rider who seems to have understood very early on that horses deserve respect first and foremost.
A french generation moving forward together
In Aachen, Ermann is also discovering another reality: becoming part of the French team environment that matters.
Around him, riders like Kevin Staut, Simon Delestre, and Julien Épaillard serve both as references and sources of experience.
“As a young rider, we’re surrounded by very experienced people. I’m lucky to have Simon close to me for several years now. I also regularly go to shows with Kevin, Julien… so that’s a real privilege.”
And unlike the clichés surrounding individual sports, the French rider insists on the collective spirit.
“The experienced riders have always welcomed us and done everything possible to help us. On our side, we’ve always shown motivation and interest toward them. I think all of that creates a really good atmosphere.”
Even competition remains friendly.
“When we finish first and second in a Grand Prix, regardless of the order, it’s always nicer to be beaten by a teammate or a friend.”
In this progression, Antoine Ermann can also count on a very particular support system: his partner, French rider Jeanne Sadran. Two young faces of French jumping, two careers evolving side by side, and above all the same vision of the horse.
“We’re together with the horses every day. Honestly, I think it’s a real advantage because we can help each other. When you truly have someone by your side daily, someone who knows you extremely well, it’s a huge plus.”
Far from any permanent rivalry, Ermann speaks mostly about balance and exchange.
“There’s absolutely no competitive mindset between us. I genuinely think it’s a strength for both of us.”
And when the two riders talk horses, the foundations remain the same: passion, standards, and the desire to improve together.
“We share the same core vision of horses. We’re both very passionate people, very competitive too. Every rider has strengths, weaknesses, and their own opinions, but because we share the same base philosophy, things work really well. We can exchange a lot.”
Building before dreaming
With Antoine Ermann, the word that comes up most often may not be “victory.”It is “building.”
Building horses. Building a stable. Building a sustainable system.
“You need to ride several horses. You also need to sell horses to keep the system sustainable.”
The discourse is lucid. Far removed from the glamorous image often associated with five-star show jumping.
“Horses represent tremendous value. The entire system around them is very expensive. So you have to keep a commercial side within the stable.”
And perhaps that is exactly what makes Antoine Ermann so compelling today: a dreamer still capable of being amazed by Aachen… while never forgetting everything that needs to be built in order to come back and stay there.
