EIKEN SATO AT THE GOTHENBURG HORSE SHOW
From Temple Grounds to World Cup Dreams: The Rise of Eiken Sato
He grew up in a Buddhist temple and comes from a country not primarily associated with showjumping; Japanese rider Eiken Sato is a rising star in the sport and is now chasing points to qualify for the FEI World Cup Final.
For the past seven months, the Japanese rider has competed in a bright yellow jacket – a colour that equestrian fans have come to associate with another world-class rider, Brazilian Yuri Mansur.
“We have a collaboration that I’m very happy with. Yuri is a great rider, person and coach, so I believe my results are largely thanks to him,” says Sato.
During the Gothenburg Horse Show, Sato is the highest-ranked Japanese rider on the FEI World Ranking, currently placed 198th. When he finished on the podium in Thursday’s 1.50m class, it marked his fourth international podium finish of 2026.
“This is my first time in Gothenburg. I’m already impressed by the arena and the crowd,” says Sato.
Japan is not a country commonly associated with equestrian sport. Eiken grew up in the temple grounds of Myōshō-ji. In Japanese Buddhism, it is traditional for the eldest son to become a monk – although most live ordinary family lives and have regular jobs. Sato’s father is a monk, as is his older brother.
“I grew up with the culture, but I don’t practise it at all today,” he said.
His parents ran a riding school, so horses and riding were a natural part of his life. Early on, he knew he wanted to come to Europe to experience more of the competitive side of the sport. At the age of 18, without speaking a word of English, he left the island in the Pacific Ocean.
“Jos Verlooy was the national team coach in Japan and helped me get a job with Axel Verlooy, where I worked alongside riders such as Harrie Smolders. I travelled with them to competitions and learned how to communicate with Europeans and find my way around Europe. It’s very different from Japan,” Eiken explains.
Eventually, Sato joined the stable of legendary horseman Paul Schockemöhle, where he worked for several years. One of his colleagues there was Swedish rider Helena Torstensson, who is impressed by his talent.
“He has an incredible feel for the horse, the fences and the course. It doesn’t matter if it’s a newly started horse or an Olympic horse – he makes them jump beautifully,” says Helena Torstensson.
“I always try to do my best – that’s part of the job. At Schockemöhle’s, I rode all kinds of horses and tried to learn something from each one”.
In Gothenburg, Eiken Sato is competing with three horses: Campai 3, Chadellano JRA and Milva RB. He is currently ranked 25th in the Western European League.
“I would really like to collect some points on Sunday. That would take some pressure off me in Helsinki. Ideally, I want to finish in the top three,” Sato continued
He makes no secret of the fact that major victories are what drive him.
“I love horses, and it’s important to me that they are well cared for, and that I have a team that works well and looks after them in the best possible way. Competing and achieving results is the goal – that’s true for everyone.”
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Photo by GHS/Kim C Lundin