Ridsport

Ancient Wisdom Will Save the Future of Equestrian Sport: "Must Not Be Lost”

July 12, 2023 Text: My Östh Gustafsson English Translation: Annikka Berridge

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Ingvar Fredricson has devoted his life to horses and is currently establishing a foundation to preserve his extensive knowledge and promote horse welfare. His two world-champion sons will join him in this endeavor and carry on his legacy.

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"If I were 85 years old and a computer technician, they would have told me to go hide,” says Professor Ingvar Fredricson, DVM, PhD.

A Life Devoted to Horses

For as long as he can remember, he has loved horses. His earliest memory is from his grandparents’ garden in Malmö. He was four years old, sipping juice, when two sergeants who boarded with his grandparents rode past.

"One of them said, ‘Come here, my little påg. You’re so interested in horses — you can join me for a ride.’ But I didn’t dare. I’m still embarrassed about that,” he admits with a laugh.
He eventually overcame his fear. Now he is publishing a memoir about his life with horses.

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“From the time I was five, I was completely convinced that horses were what mattered.

I had a brief moment of infidelity when I graduated high school and applied to become a fighter pilot. But I didn’t get in — probably for the best, since I tend to think about several things at once. Flying a metal barrel at 900 knots at treetop height… I likely would have ended up in a hillside.”

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Instead, he became an equine veterinarian. By his third year at the Royal Veterinary College in Stockholm, he was already immersed in studying equine biomechanics. His pioneering research contributed to the development of horse‑friendly racetracks around the world.

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Many doubted his career choice.  Technology and automobiles were taking over society. When he was born in Malmö in 1937, Sweden had around 500,000 horses. By the 1970s, the number had dropped to barely 70,000.
“But suddenly — and it’s hard to say why — things changed in the 1980s. Everyone wanted to learn to ride and have horses. Today there are around 365,000 horses. So I devoted my life to the right things.”
In 1983, Fredricson left the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and became Director of the newly established Flyinge Foundation for fifteen years. His task was to transform the old national stud into a private center for breeding, sport, research, and education.

Kajsa von Geijer, one of Peder Fredricson’s horse owners, together with Annikka Berridge, is financing both the publication of the new memoir and a reprint of his long‑sold‑out book about Flyinge. But they didn’t stop there.

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“They contacted me again and convinced me to start a foundation in my name — so that all the knowledge and understanding of horses would not be lost, and to promote horse welfare.”

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The board includes the two initiators, Fredricson himself, Falsterbo Horse Show President Jana Wannius, and two of the world’s best show jumpers — his sons Jens and Peder.

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“They are very involved. We talk about these things all the time. They will carry this forward.”

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A Sport Under Scrutiny

The foundation come at just the right time, Fredricson says. In recent years, an unusually large number of eyes have been directed at equestrian sport. During the Tokyo Olympics, equestrian disciplines were thrust into the spotlight — not only because of Sweden’s historic team gold in show jumping, but also due to several welfare‑related incidents.

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Images of German pentathlete Annika Schleu tearfully whipping a horse that refused to jump went viral. So did photos of show jumper Cian O’Connor continuing his round while blood streamed from his horse’s nose. And in eventing, the Swiss horse Jet Set suffered a fatal injury and had to be euthanized. Animal‑rights activists called for equestrian sports to be removed from the Olympics.

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Is equestrian sport threatened?

“I don’t want to believe that. But in Europe, activists chain themselves to racetracks or storm show‑jumping arenas. You can’t just sit still and hope for better times. All equestrian organizations and federations must take this seriously.”

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“The most important thing when working with horses is knowledge and communication with the animals. Many people don’t understand horses but still have strong opinions. That’s why we must spread the knowledge that exists. This foundation will do exactly that.”

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A Legacy That Must Not Be Lost

As long as Ingvar Fredericson lives,  he will fight for horses’ welfare. And in the future, his legacy will continue through the foundation. His core message remains unchanged:
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Learn as much as possible about the horse — and always put the horse first.

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“It’s called horsemanship. It’s not just riding — there is so much more. There is proven experience and scientific research. Together, they form a huge body of knowledge that is being forgotten. That cannot happen. The art of horsemanship must not be forgotten.”

FACTS: Ingvar Fredricson

Age: 85 years

Lives: Vitaby

Family: Married to Stina, father of Peder, Jens and Anna. Seven grandchildren

Work: Veterinary Professor and Former Director of Flyinge. Currently working on a new book and the newly established Professor Ingvar Fredricson Foundation.

Board members: Ingvar Fredricson, Kajsa von Geijer, Jens Fredricson, Peder Fredricson, Jana Wannius and Annikka Berridge

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