“It’s almost impossible to ride at the highest level and at the same time keep track of the present research. That is the focus of our efforts at the foundation. To simplify it and make it as exciting and as enjoyable as possible so that people will be motivated to learn” says Ingvar Fredricson at a Press Conference at the Falsterbo Horse Show on July 12, 2023.
Ingvar Fredricson has dedicated his entire life to understanding horses. During Wednesday morning he visited Falsterbo Horse Show together with Kajsa von Geijer and his sons, Jens and Peder Fredricson to talk about the new foundation that has been created in his name in order to pass on his knowledge for horses to future generations.
Photo: Orange Studios for Falsterbo Horse Show
Text by: Ida Lindemann for Falsterbo Horse Show
It’s Kajsa von Geijer and Annika Berridge that is financing the new book and a new edition of the old book by Ingvar Fredricson, called Flyinge, whose revenues also fund the new foundation. The reason is simple – his knowledge has to be preserved.
Ingvar is 86 years old and a lot has changed in Sweden during his time. The knowledge of horse keeping must not get lost and that is why this foundation is needed, says Kajsa von Geijer,
At a press conference at Falsterbo Horse Show Ingvar Fredricson tells us about how he got to know so much about horses. It’s a lot of studying, he says, but ends it with the most important part – the personal interest.
– It’s about time. There are thousands of young people that are fascinated by equestrian sports in general and show jumping in particular. They want to make a career but it requires that you understand the art of horsemanship, get the right education and know a whole lot about the veterinary practice, Ingvar Fredricson states.
His son Peder Fredricson describes that a typical conversation during family dinners evolves 98% around horses.
– I can see that many of the young riders that I compete against today come from rider families, where either the mother or the father has competed. I truly believe that it’s an enormous advantage to take part of that knowledge early on.
Jens Fredricson agrees.
– The riding in our family is important and it’s valued very highly, which I think has created the calm and joy around competing.
Ingvar Fredricson argues that the foundation is important for the young riders and the upcoming generations.
– It’s almost impossible to ride at the highest level and at the same time keep track of the present research. That is what we will be working on in the foundation. To simplify and make it as exciting and as fun as possible so that you will want to learn.
On the board for this new foundation are Ingvar Fredricson, Kajsa von Geijer, Jens Fredricson, Peder Fredricson, Jana Wannius and Annika Berridge.
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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.