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Innovations |
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From Success in Sport to Innovative Products. Or: When Obstacles Become Advantages
 The best prerequisites: the history of the Böckmann family and that of their horses – beginning with the first family pony named "Raudi" all the way to the successful jumper, "Böckmann's Life", has always played an important role in the direction of the company since their experience in every day practice was implemented into products for every day practice. The development of new trailer models has always benefited from real experience in dealing with horses. And the reason that this is still the case today is certainly due to the fact that all of the sons in the family are enthusiastic horsemen – all four of them have competed all the way up to advanced level!
In early years, the best advertisement for the trailers Böckmann built was when his sons drove them to shows: the interest of other riders in the practical Böckmann trailers increased from show to show, also among the regional breeders. And the more successful the sons became with time, the farther word spread about the trailers, even beyond Germany's borders: Gilbert Böckmann was selected as a member of the German Olympic team and became German team champion in show jumping. Tönne Böckmann specialized in eventing and became European team champion as a junior rider and was German Vice Champion of junior riders in eventing four times. During and after his career in riding he expanded the stud station that his father had founded, making it one of the largest private breeding stations in Germany. Klaus and Roger Böckmann rode all three disciplines in their youth – eventing, jumping and dressage. And since their experience in equestrian sports always benefited the products they produced, it was a logical conclusion that the company also became more and more successful and continuously expanded. The medals earned in sport are reflected in the company's innovations and the utility patents they have received.
Innovation Based on Tradition: Böckmann Becomes the "Market Leader"
By continuously using the trailers themselves, they were improved on a daily basis, month for month, and with each passing year they became better and better. This is how Böckmann became the market leader in Germany – and one of the leading horse trailer brands in Europe. Numerous innovations were developed that led to utility patents and not just a few of these have set standards in horse trailer construction, for example the panic system (see p. 52). Only what is good enough to meet their demands or is good enough for their own horses is good enough to be produced. Thus Böckmann has the same goals as all riders have: making sure horses are comfortable!
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