Focus on your horse, your riding and not on the results.
Sweden is home to three National Equestrian Centers, Strömsholm, Flyinge and Wången. Strömsholm and Flyinge are run under joint management and share a common vision of developing knowledge, horses, and people. The focus lies on education, research and science within the sport, breeding and horse development and welfare.
Both Equestrian Centers have a long history dating back to the 14th (Flyinge) and the 16th (Strömsholm) century as they formerly belonged to the Swedish King(s) providing horses and soldiers to the Swedish Army. The Equestrian Centers still operates under the Royal Crown, thus they are run as privately owned companies today.
Wången is a later addition to the Swedish Centers and is run under separate ownership and management focusing on Islandic Horses and Trotting. There is a close cooperation between the three under the Swedish Horse Industry Foundation (HNS).
Each Equestrian Centers holds approximately 200 students, 150+ horses and have 40 employees.
Facts about the National Equestrian Centers
Foto: FEI / Richard Juilliart
What is your greatest passion in this process?
I am very passionate about the young horses. It is important to give them time. The horse must be in charge, so to speak. With everything in its education from working on the gaits to how fast it can all happen. Some horses are small, some are big. Some horses are late bloomers, some learn everything at an early stage. Some will experience growth spurts, whereas others will not. So, when you work with young horses you must give them time and be patient.
I’m interested in developing Swedish equestrian sports. If we don’t educate good trainers, young horse trainers and riders we’re going to have autodidactic educators with a poor view on horses, horse care and short-term solutions controlled by the economy. There must be some requirements on horse-welfare and attention to the horse´s best interests.
What does an average week look like – if there is such a thing?
I really don´t have an average week. I work 50/50 on Flyinge/Strömsholm and on my own competition training. I have my own place with my horses at home in Löberöd. But I always have two horses at Flyinge. Because of this, I can ride together with the students. The thing about teaching is that the students will not do what you say, they will do what you do. Just like children. Which means you can never say “Don´t do what I do, do what I say.” That will never work. Because they will always look at you and they try to imitate and try to do the same.
What is it about Swedish culture that provides this focus on horses and equestrian sports?
I think in Sweden we simply just like horses. And we have a very long tradition with horses which goes all the way back to the time when horses were part of the military. When the cavalry was disbanded a lot of people lost their jobs, and the horses were no longer needed in the army. So, many of the cavalry facilities around Sweden were converted into riding schools. And lots of the former army horses ended up in these riding schools together with several of the people who had been in the cavalry.
We have a fantastic tradition with these riding schools, where a regular person can go to a riding school and afford to take lessons. I would never say it is cheap, but it doesn´t cost more than many other sports. So, it is easy to get started on learning how to ride.
In many other countries you must own a horse or at least part of a horse. Here in Sweden, you can go to the riding schools, and quite often the facilities are owned by the local municipality.
And, I must say the Swedish federation have developed very good “development programs” in levels from 1-5. Level 1 is taught at the riding schools. It is a really good program. I have been working with level 3 at Flyinge/Strömsholm.
It makes sure that we don´t just focus on the small elite. It´s very broad and takes into consideration all levels of riding in Sweden.
How has showjumping changed over the years?
It really has changed a lot. For examples when it comes to the horses, the breeding has changed. We have more talented horses now with more blood. We have new surfaces with fibresand. We have new fences and course buildings, and we generally have a much faster sport today. We also have many more riders at the top level. I am not saying that the current top riders are better than the ones in the past. But there are a lot more riders at the top level than before. I believe the 5* shows have ten folded. Before there might have been 10-20 shows pr. year. Now there are 1-2 shows every week. So, the sport has really grown.
How do you go about making a top-level show jumper?
The first thing is to listen to the horse and take your time. This is more important than ever, with all these extremely talented horses: That we don´t ask too much of them too soon, or too fast - if we want to have horses that can still jump at 15.
It is very much about horsemanship. Before you had to teach the horses to jump. Now they are bred to jump, you don´t have to teach them. So instead, you need to make them strong enough to be able to jump in a good way. They are born jumpers now.
What we must do now is work on the art of riding. We need to make the horse relaxed and balanced, straight, and smooth to ride. That’s a very important aspect of training, in order to reach the top level. If you try to skip the good basic dressage work, it will catch up with you eventually.
The thing is – you can ride like a cowboy. Forwards, backwards, turn here and turn there, and be a good rider. But you can also develop the knowledge and really dig into the art of riding. From the seat and with the horse working from behind, through the body and the neck going down and the stomach lifted. And then again from that make the horse straight and get a nice connection to the mouth. There is basically no end to this. It is endless work every day, and I enjoy it a lot.
It was really after meeting the legendary equestrian, major Anders Lindgreen many, many years ago, that I went from being that kind of cowboy to becoming very interested in how you can develop the horse, and how the horse works with the rider.
Anders Lindgreen was the first one to see the basics in my riding and that they weren't right. I had some talent, braveness, and good horsemanship, but I was lacking in the art of riding. So, meeting him did change my way of working with horses a lot.
How would you describe Sweden’s relationship with horses?
The basics in getting upcoming riders to start their riding knowledge lays predominately in riding schools. Especially for those who do not come from a family with horses. The love and knowledge can be imparted from the riding schools. The riding schools are open for everyone to come and ride, and thereby widen the knowledge about horses even more. I believe that Sweden has the most riding schools compared to the rest of the world which have a say in how the Swedish see the horses. Moreover, in Sweden we have a riding instructor degree of a three-year period, like a university. It gives the foundation for having very good instructors in the country. In Sweden, 90 % of the riders are female, and we see many female riders at the highest level. Amazing riders as like Malin Baryard-Jonhsson, and Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli and a couple of new young female riders who rides on the top level such as Wilma Hellstrøm who won the World Cup on a Swedish bred horse. So, we have a lot of very talented female riders in Sweden compared to other countries, and equally important, we have upcoming riders as well. They are good riders - they like horses – they like to develop them – they are competitive.
What do you think is the reason why the Swedish showjumpers are so dominant in the sport?
That’s a good question. Well, I think there are various factors in play. One thing is that we in Sweden have a couple of very experienced riders who had a good season and I think the sport in general is quite big in Sweden. Another main thing is the enormous support from horse owners, very good horse owners, which is extremely important. Nevertheless, not to forget, without the horses there would be no sport. We now have a couple of fantastic horses; King Edward, Cosmopolit and Indiana. I also think the nation-wide interest is big already and on its rising. They have the will and ambition to grow as a horse nation. When you reach the top as a rider, you have been successful for quite a while.
The motivation is one thing, but good horse owners and very experienced riders are essential. I think, these are the three reasons why the Swedish showjumpers are so dominant in the sport.
If you could describe the Swedish showjumpers with one word. What would that be?
If you look at the World Champion team, I will say: Professional. When looking at the young riders, another word that shines through is: Passion.
What are your own ambitions, hopes, and future plans?
My hopes are to do the best rounds I can in the arena. I always look at videos of my rounds and I always think, “I could do this and that better”. My hope is to get to look at such a taping and say, “Jesus Christ, this was excellent. I really worked through that course”. If that happens for sure, yes, I am competitive, and I will win classes. And I do. I have a very good horse right now, Markan Cosmopolit, that I have had really good results with at competitions, lately. Plus, I have a very good stallion, Karmel van de Watering, who won CSI3* Grand Prix in Herning a couple of years ago. Before Corona. But for me it is important that the focus remains on the riding and the performance, rather than the result. Because the result is not so important. The important thing is the way you do it. And, if you keep improving, people will have trouble beating you. Focus on your horse, your riding and not on the results. Because then the results will come in the future. My goal is to ride well at a high level. You can´t do much about somebody being better than you. You can only try to get better yourself.
On a more personal level – is there ever a time during the day when your life is not about horses?
No, because we live with the horses, and I see them all the time. It´s not a job it´s a lifestyle. And I enjoy it – every day.
2013 won bronze medal at the European championships in Herning with the Swedish team with Lunatic.
2012 competed at the Olympic Games in London with Lunatic
1996 won Big Ben GP 160 in Toronto. First international GP victory with RS Isac.
1995 won Nations Cup with the Swedish team with RS Isac in Poland.
1993 won Kungsbacka GP 150 with the Danish stallion Rastell. First GP victory.
Born: 1967.
Married to Isabelle Fredricson who is a veterinarian at Flyinge.
Kids: Filippa and George.
Lives in Löberöd in the southern part of Sweden.
Brother: Peder Fredricson at the highest level in showjumping. A true pioneer.
Career:
Grew up at Flyinge Equestrian Center where his father worked as a veterinarian.
Educated at Priess Stutteri in Denmark under Lindy Fogh Pedersen.
Officer at the Cavalry Academy in Umeå.
Cavalry driver at the Royal Court, Stockholm.
Equerry at Flyinge and Strömsholm.
Before you had to teach the horses to jump. Now they are bred to jump, and we must work on the art of riding.
By Elisabeth Wille // Edited by Josefine Elsing
Photo: Malin Enestubbe,
Petter Arvidson, Flyinge.se, FEI
According to Jens Fredricson, the national interest in equestrian sports in Sweden is already high and it is growing. There are now more riders at the top level than ever before. We spoke to Jens Fredricson about what it is about Swedish riders and their horses that makes them so successful, and how he would describe the Swedish showjumpers.
Q & A
Swedish Top rider,
Jens Fredricson
“This is what makes the Swedish riders so succesfull”
When you work with young horses you must give them time and be patient.
Jens Fredricson is one of Sweden´s most passionate and interesting top-riders. Olympic participant, winner of multiple championships and counting more than 25 years at the front of educating the next generation of trainers and horses at the national equestrian centers Flyinge and Strömsholm. Here Jens explains what it is about the Swedes and their horses that make them so successful, how show jumping has changed over the years and how he would describe the Swedish showjumpers.
You are somewhat of a visionary yourself in your work at the national equestrian centers at Flyinge and Strömsholm. What is your main focus there?
I began the collaboration in August 1993. So, I have been there for 28 years. In Swedish my title is “stallmästare” – it means I take care of the horses, their training, ensuring they can work properly in the education of new trainers. I make sure that the horses get educated. In that way, I am responsible for maintaining the standards of horse education.
This I combine with working on the quality and level of instructors and trainers here at the school. So, I work with the horses and with the trainers both at Flyinge and Strömsholm.
We mainly educate instructors for our riding schools. We have a very good riding school system in Sweden all over the country. And we also have an university education in cooperation with the SLU University in Uppsala. Through them we educate our instructors for our riding schools.
That’s one main thing we do. But we also educate what we call “beridare” in Swedish – young horse trainers. This takes three years to complete. These trainers learn about everything from breaking in the horses, presenting the young horses at tests, and training them in the beginning levels of the various disciplines.
With regards to the funding, we get a little bit money from the government, and continue to work very closely with the Swedish Equestrian Federation and with the Swedish Warmblood Association.
What is your greatest passion in this process?
I am very passionate about the young horses. It is important to give them time. The horse must be in charge, so to speak. With everything in its education from working on the gaits to how fast it can all happen. Some horses are small, some are big. Some horses are late bloomers, some learn everything at an early stage. Some will experience growth spurts, whereas others will not. So, when you work with young horses you must give them time and be patient.
I’m interested in developing Swedish equestrian sports. If we don’t educate good trainers, young horse trainers and riders we’re going to have autodidactic educators with a poor view on horses, horse care and short-term solutions controlled by the economy. There must be some requirements on horse-welfare and attention to the horse´s best interests.
What does an average week look like – if there is such a thing?
I really don´t have an average week. I work 50/50 on Flyinge/Strömsholm and on my own competition training. I have my own place with my horses at home in Löberöd. But I always have two horses at Flyinge. Because of this, I can ride together with the students. The thing about teaching is that the students will not do what you say, they will do what you do. Just like children. Which means you can never say “Don´t do what I do, do what I say.” That will never work. Because they will always look at you and they try to imitate and try to do the same.
Focus on your horse, your riding and not on the results.
Foto: FEI / Richard Juilliart
Sweden is home to three National Equestrian Centers, Strömsholm, Flyinge and Wången. Strömsholm and Flyinge are run under joint management and share a common vision of developing knowledge, horses, and people. The focus lies on education, research and science within the sport, breeding and horse development and welfare.
Both Equestrian Centers have a long history dating back to the 14th (Flyinge) and the 16th (Strömsholm) century as they formerly belonged to the Swedish King(s) providing horses and soldiers to the Swedish Army. The Equestrian Centers still operates under the Royal Crown, thus they are run as privately owned companies today.
Wången is a later addition to the Swedish Centers and is run under separate ownership and management focusing on Islandic Horses and Trotting. There is a close cooperation between the three under the Swedish Horse Industry Foundation (HNS).
Each Equestrian Centers holds approximately 200 students, 150+ horses and have 40 employees.
Facts about the National Equestrian Centers
Hvad er det ved den svenske kultur, der giver dette fokus på heste og ridesport?
Jeg tror, at vi i Sverige simpelthen bare godt kan lide heste. Og vi har en meget lang tradition med heste, som går helt tilbage til, da heste var en del af militæret. Da kavaleriet blev opløst, mistede mange mennesker deres arbejde, og hestene var ikke længere nødvendige i hæren. Så mange af kavalerifaciliteterne rundt om i Sverige blev omdannet til rideskoler. Og masser af de tidligere hærheste endte på disse rideskoler sammen med flere folk, der havde været i kavaleriet.
Vi har en fantastisk tradition med disse rideskoler, hvor alle og enhver kan gå til ridning og have råd til at tage undervisning. Jeg ville aldrig sige, at det er billigt, men det koster ikke mere end mange andre sportsgrene. Så du kan nemt komme i gang med at lære at ride.
I mange andre lande skal du eje en hest eller i det mindste have part, i en hest. Her i Sverige kan man gå til ridning på rideskoler, hvor faciliteterne ofte ejes af den lokale kommune.
Og jeg må sige, at det svenske rideforbund har udviklet rigtig gode “udviklingsprogrammer” på niveau 1-5. Hvor niveau 1 er på rideskolerne. Det er et seriøst godt program. Jeg har arbejdet med niveau 3 på Flyinge/Strömsholm.
Det sikrer, at vi ikke kun fokuserer på, smalle elite, men tager højde for alle niveauer af ridning i Sverige.
Hvordan har ridebanespringning ændret sig gennem årene?
Det har virkelig ændret sig meget. For eksempel, når det kommer til hestene, har avlen ændret sig. Vi har flere talentfulde heste nu med mere blod. Vi har fået nye bunde med fibersand. Vi har fået nye springtyper og banebygning, og vi har generelt en meget hurtigere sport i dag.
Vi har også mange flere ryttere på topniveau. Jeg siger ikke, at de bedste ryttere nu er bedre end dem tidligere. Men der er mange flere ryttere på topniveau end tidligere. Jeg tror, at antallet af 5*-stævner er tidobbelt. Før var der måske 10-20 pr. år. Nu er der 1-2 stævner hver uge. Så sporten er virkelig vokset.
Hvordan skaber man en springhest på topniveau?
Det første er at lytte til hesten og tage sig god tid. Det er endnu vigtigere nu, hvor vi har disse ekstremt talentfulde heste. At vi ikke forventer for meget af dem for tidligt eller for hurtigt, hvis vi vil have heste, der stadig kan springe, når de er 15.
Det handler i høj grad om horsemanship. Før skulle vi lære hestene at springe. Nu er de avlet til at springe, så du behøver ikke lære dem det. Så i stedet skal du gøre dem stærke nok til at kunne springe på en god måde. De er født til at kunne springe nu.
Det, vi skal gøre nu, er at arbejde med ridekunsten. Vi skal gøre hesten afslappet og afbalanceret, lige og dejlig at ride. Det er en meget vigtig ting at kunne gøre for at nå topniveau. Hvis du forsøger at springe det gode grunddressurarbejde over, indhenter det dig til sidst.
Sagen er den, at du kan ride som en cowboy. Fremad, baglæns, vend her og vend der og være en god rytter. Men du kan også udvikle viden og virkelig sætte dig ind i kunsten at ride. Fra sædet og med hesten arbejdende bagfra, gennem kroppen og halsen nedad og maven løftet. Og så igen derfra gøre hesten lige og få en god forbindelse til munden. Det er der i bund og grund aldrig nogen ende på. Det er et uendeligt hverdagsarbejde, som jeg nyder meget.
Det var egentlig efter at have mødt den legendariske rytter, major Anders Lindgreen for mange, mange år siden, at jeg gik fra at være den slags cowboy til at blive meget interesseret i, hvordan man kan udvikle hesten, og hvordan hesten arbejder sammen med rytteren.
Anders Lindgreen var den første til at se det grundlæggende i min ridning, og at den ikke var rigtig. Jeg havde noget talent, var modig og god til at ride, men jeg manglede ridekunsten. Så mødet med ham ændrede meget i min måde at arbejde med hestene på.
Hvorfor tror du, at svenske ryttere er så dominerende i sporten?
Det er et godt spørgsmål. Jeg tror, at der er forskellige faktorer, der spiller ind. En ting er, at vi i Sverige har et par meget erfarne ryttere, som har haft en god sæson, og jeg tror, at sporten generelt er ret stor i Sverige. En anden vigtig ting er den enorme støtte fra hesteejere, meget gode hesteejere, hvilket er ekstremt vigtigt. Og så må vi selvfølgelig ikke glemme, at uden hestene ville der ikke være nogen sport. Lige nu har vi et par fantastiske heste; King Edward, Cosmopolit og Indiana. Jeg tror også, at den nationale interesse allerede er stor, og den er stigende. Så landet har viljen og ambitionerne til at vokse som en hestenation. Når man når toppen som rytter, har man haft succes i et godt stykke tid.
Motivationen er én ting, men gode hesteejere og meget erfarne ryttere er afgørende. Jeg tror, det er de tre grunde til, at de svenske springryttere er så dominerende i sporten.
Hvis du skulle beskrive de svenske springryttere med et ord, hvad ville det så være?
Hvis man ser på verdensmesterholdet, vil jeg sige: Professionelt. Når man ser på de unge ryttere, er et andet ord, der skinner igennem: Passion.
Hvad er dine egne ambitioner, håb og planer for fremtiden?
Mit håb er at ride de bedste runder til et hvert stævne. Jeg ser altid på videoer af mine runder, og jeg tænker altid: “Jeg kunne gøre det og det bedre”. Mit håb er at komme til at se på sådan en optagelse og sige: “Hold da op, det her var fremragende. Jeg har virkelig arbejdet mig igennem den bane”. Hvis det sker, så føler jeg mig sikker på, at jeg er i god stævneform, og så kommer jeg til at vinde klasser.
Og det gør jeg. Jeg har en rigtig god hest lige nu, Markan Cosmopolit, som jeg har haft rigtig gode resultater med til stævner på det seneste. Derudover har jeg en rigtig god hingst, Karmel van de Watering, som vandt CSI3* Grand Prix i Herning for et par år siden. Før Corona.
Men for mig er det vigtigt, at fokus bliver mere på ridningen og præstationen end resultatet. For resultatet er ikke så vigtigt. Det vigtige er måden, du gør det på. Og hvis du bliver ved med at gøre det bedre og bedre, vil folk helt sikkert få sværere ved at slå dig.
Så, fokuser på din hest og din ridning og ikke på resultaterne. For så kommer resultaterne fremadrettet.
Mit mål er at ride rigtig godt på et højt niveau. Der er ikke meget, du kan stille op i forhold til, at nogen er bedre end dig. Du kan kun prøve at blive bedre selv.
På et mere personligt plan – er der nogensinde et tidspunkt i løbet af dagen, hvor dit liv ikke handler om heste?
Nej, fordi vi bor sammen med hestene, så de er der hele tiden. Det er ikke et arbejde, det er en livsstil. Og jeg nyder det – hver eneste dag.
2013 won bronze medal at the European championships in Herning with the Swedish team with Lunatic.
2012 competed at the Olympic Games in London with Lunatic
1996 won Big Ben GP 160 in Toronto. First international GP victory with RS Isac.
1995 won Nations Cup with the Swedish team with RS Isac in Poland.
1993 won Kungsbacka GP 150 with the Danish stallion Rastell. First GP victory.
Born: 1967.
Married to Isabelle Fredricson who is a veterinarian at Flyinge.
Kids: Filippa and George.
Lives in Löberöd in the southern part of Sweden.
Brother: Peder Fredricson at the highest level in showjumping. A true pioneer.
Career:
Grew up at Flyinge Equestrian Center where his father worked as a veterinarian.
Educated at Priess Stutteri in Denmark under Lindy Fogh Pedersen.
Officer at the Cavalry Academy in Umeå.
Cavalry driver at the Royal Court, Stockholm.
Equerry at Flyinge and Strömsholm.
Before you had to teach the horses to jump. Now they are bred to jump, and we must work on the art of riding.
When you work with young horses you must give them time and be patient.
Jens Fredricson is one of Sweden´s most passionate and interesting top-riders. Olympic participant, winner of multiple championships and counting more than 25 years at the front of educating the next generation of trainers and horses at the national equestrian centers Flyinge and Strömsholm. Here Jens explains what it is about the Swedes and their horses that make them so successful, how show jumping has changed over the years and how he would describe the Swedish showjumpers.
You are somewhat of a visionary yourself in your work at the national equestrian centers at Flyinge and Strömsholm. What is your main focus there?
I began the collaboration in August 1993. So, I have been there for 28 years. In Swedish my title is “stallmästare” – it means I take care of the horses, their training, ensuring they can work properly in the education of new trainers. I make sure that the horses get educated. In that way, I am responsible for maintaining the standards of horse education.
This I combine with working on the quality and level of instructors and trainers here at the school. So, I work with the horses and with the trainers both at Flyinge and Strömsholm.
We mainly educate instructors for our riding schools. We have a very good riding school system in Sweden all over the country. And we also have an university education in cooperation with the SLU University in Uppsala. Through them we educate our instructors for our riding schools.
That’s one main thing we do. But we also educate what we call “beridare” in Swedish – young horse trainers. This takes three years to complete. These trainers learn about everything from breaking in the horses, presenting the young horses at tests, and training them in the beginning levels of the various disciplines.
With regards to the funding, we get a little bit money from the government, and continue to work very closely with the Swedish Equestrian Federation and with the Swedish Warmblood Association.
What is your greatest passion in this process?
I am very passionate about the young horses. It is important to give them time. The horse must be in charge, so to speak. With everything in its education from working on the gaits to how fast it can all happen. Some horses are small, some are big. Some horses are late bloomers, some learn everything at an early stage. Some will experience growth spurts, whereas others will not. So, when you work with young horses you must give them time and be patient.
I’m interested in developing Swedish equestrian sports. If we don’t educate good trainers, young horse trainers and riders we’re going to have autodidactic educators with a poor view on horses, horse care and short-term solutions controlled by the economy. There must be some requirements on horse-welfare and attention to the horse´s best interests.
What does an average week look like – if there is such a thing?
I really don´t have an average week. I work 50/50 on Flyinge/Strömsholm and on my own competition training. I have my own place with my horses at home in Löberöd. But I always have two horses at Flyinge. Because of this, I can ride together with the students. The thing about teaching is that the students will not do what you say, they will do what you do. Just like children. Which means you can never say “Don´t do what I do, do what I say.” That will never work. Because they will always look at you and they try to imitate and try to do the same.
By Elisabeth Wille // Edited by Josefine Elsing
Photo: Malin Enestubbe,
Petter Arvidson, Flyinge.se, FEI
According to Jens Fredricson, the national interest in equestrian sports in Sweden is already high and it is growing. There are now more riders at the top level than ever before. We spoke to Jens Fredricson about what it is about Swedish riders and their horses that makes them so successful, and how he would describe the Swedish showjumpers.
Q & A
Swedish Top rider,
Jens Fredricson
"Derfor er svenske ekvipager så succesfulde"
