Eva’s pioneering biomarker research makes it possible to assess the risk of inflammation arising from different types of training and arena surfaces. She became the Foundation’s inaugural scholarship recipient on May 28, 2024, at the Helsingborg Regional Animal Hospital.
The Foundation’s inaugural scholarship was awarded to Eva Skiöldebrand for her pioneering biomarker research on osteoarthritis — one of the most common causes of pain and lameness in horses (and humans).
Her research has significantly helped bridge the gap between laboratory science and practical horse management. By identifying and validating biomarkers that reflect early changes within the joint, her work makes it possible to detect risks long before clinical symptoms appear.
As part of this work, she also founded Artroa AB, a research‑based company developing new methods for the early diagnosis of joint disease in horses. The company builds on her scientific results and makes them accessible for practical use in veterinary medicine and equestrian sport.
Her research is used today to better understand how different types of training, loading, and arena surfaces influence the inflammatory response in equine joints — knowledge that is essential for developing more sustainable training methods and preventing injury.
The scholarship was presented on May 28, 2024, in the large lecture hall at the Helsingborg Regional Animal Hospital, followed by a seminar with Professor René van Weeren (Utrecht University) and Professor Eva Skiöldebrand (SLU) on the effects of early physical activity in foals and young horses on their long‑term soundness.
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Two days. One shared goal: advancing horse welfare through science, education and practice. Join leading international experts at the Horse Welfare Summit 2026, where Dr Andrew McLean will deliver two keynote lectures and receive the Professor Ingvar Fredricson Foundation Scholarship.
A new review examines how smartphones are becoming genuine tools for monitoring a horse's soundness, heart rate and recovery, and even for meeting international competition requirements. Among the systems it highlights is Sleip, co-founded by Dr. Elin Hernlund, one of the Foundation's own scholarship recipients, whose work builds on decades of Swedish equine biomechanics research going back to Professor Ingvar Fredricson himself.
On November 2, visitors gathered in Hall B at the Jönköping Horse Show for the Professor Ingvar Fredricson Foundation’s 2025 scholarship ceremony, celebrating groundbreaking Swedish research in equine biomechanics. From the pioneering efforts of the 1970s—when high‑speed cameras and manual measurements were the researcher’s tools—to today’s AI‑powered motion analysis and robotic hoof simulators, the audience was taken on a journey through decades of innovation. Professors Lars Roepstorff and Marie Rhodin, together with Associate Professor Elin Hernlund, shared their latest breakthroughs, followed by live demonstrations showing how AI and high‑precision sensors are transforming the understanding of horse–rider interaction. Moderator Jens Fredricson guided the dialogue and inspired exchange between researchers, while post‑event discussions with attendees helped build valuable bridges between research and practice.
The FEI's guardian framework resonates with the work we champion at the Professor Fredricson Foundation. Advancing equestrian sport means placing the horse's welfare and wellbeing at the center — not as an afterthought, but as the foundation upon which all excellence is built.