Texting with: Ridelovelaugh
Most know her as “ridelovelaugh”, but her actual name is Rosita Dahlberg. We’ve texted with the Swede who has a big social media following and a soft spot for Friesians.
By: the Editors
Published: May 7th, 2019
Hi, Rosita! How are you and what are you doing right now?
I'm enjoying spring to the fullest! Long walks in the forest with my dog, it's great to be at the barn again and not just drowning in mud and freezing all the time. This is my first spring without pollen allergy since I've been getting shots for my severe allergy, and they are actually working! About what I'm doing – my weeks consist of lots of work, workouts, riding and my dog.
The Internet knows you as @ridelovelaugh, but who are you outside of the Instagram-bubble?
I've had my Instagram for five years already, and even though I have more followers than many of the popular Scandinavian lifestyle/fashion bloggers who live off their social media, it still is just a hobby and something I don't take very seriously. I love photography and horses, and I love sharing that part of my life, but everything else is private for me. I'm 29 years old, I work full time at an engineering company with fire protection, I'm married and have a dog called Snö. I was born in Gävle, Sweden, lived in Finland for 17 years and moved back to Sweden 5 years ago. I'm a very ordinary girl who loves horses, dogs, workouts and Netflix!
When did you start riding, and what's your story as a rider?
I was finally allowed to start taking lessons when I was 6 years old, but it goes far beyond that. No one in my family is interested in horses, but that didn't stop me. Maybe it’s hard to believe, but my first word was horse. Not mum or dad – horse. I always wanted to go looking on the horses close to us, played with toy horses, attended those "pony rides" in different parks/events where it was possible. I rode at three different riding schools from the age 6 to 15 and then I got my first care horse. After that I have only been riding private horses, taking lessons whenever I could, rode many many different horses and "learnt by doing". I have never had the support of my family and have payed for everything myself since I was 15 years old.
What do you do besides the horses?
As I mentioned before, I have a dog, a one year old japanese spitz named Snö (Snow) – he also has his own instagram, @snow.thespitz!. He takes most of my time between work and the stables. But I also try to have time to work out at the gym, it makes me feel good in both body and mind and improves my riding so much.
You don't own any of the beautiful horses we daily see on your Instagram. How did you end up where you are, and how many horses are you riding?
I think it's all about my reputation and connections. When I moved to Sweden I knew no one, but got my first care horse the same month after I put up an advertisement on a national horse site. After some time I got questions if I want to help with other horses, I think at the most I've been riding seven different horses at the same time! But right now I'm only riding two horses on a regular basis, the third horse is on "mum leave" since she had a foal in April <3
Mutter: 15 years old gelding, white cross breed between PRE/SWB.
Maaike: 15 years old Friesian mare (and her filly Liefke)
Floris: 10 years old Friesian gelding
How would you describe yourself as a rider?
I'm humble and I know what I can and can't. I'm very good at reading the horse. And in some way I'm very brave, I don't get shaken easily and I have a good balance. But then again I refuse riding dangerous/wild horses.
You're also a talented photographer. Tell us about that!
I've always loved photography, but I started doing it more seriously in 2015. First it was just photographing my friends' horses at our barn, but after a few years I had improved so much that I could advertise myself and do more serious photo jobs. Now I've been doing freelance photographing for a Finnish horse magazine for a few years, it’s a real dream come true when I've had the chance photographing at big horse shows!
Can you describe the personalities of Mutter and Floris, and your relationship with them?
Mutter is a very complex horse. He can be very introvert if he doesn't know you, but loves to cuddle with "his" persons. He loves to work and never question his rider. Then again he can be very scared and explosive, he gets scared of the stupidest things and reacts with big movements. Floris is more of a gentleman and takes everything with peace. He doesn't get shaken easily, he can be tense but is still very cool.
Why dressage?
When I was younger I was all about showjumping, but for the past years I haven't ridden horses that have any talent for jumping and so I have turned to dressage. Now I LOVE dressage, I want to improve the horses in the best way possible, it's an amazing feeling to ride in harmony and feel the power and elegance when the horse works in a correct way. I think dressage is the basis of everything, you can't be a successful showjumper if your dressage isn't good.
What's your goal with your riding?
This is a question I recently answered during anoter Q&A – I want to get better, stronger, be able to ride every horse in the best way possible and to feel I don't completely suck.
What are your strengths and weaknesses as a rider?
I think it's my ability to read and "feel" every horse, I quickly find a way to ride the horse the best way even when I'm new in the saddle. I have a strong and good seat and a good balance, a soft hand. But then again, even if I have a strong seat, my back and inner abdominal muscles are weak and my back easily bends too much if I forget to use my abs. I can be a little lazy when riding alone and do exercises sloppy. Then I wonder why I'm exhausted when riding a lesson for my trainer...
The sport is often said to be kind of exclusive as owning a horse is expensive. You seem to have found a different solution to your life with horses. Can you tell us more about that?
It's been hard to keep my motivation up when I don't have my own horse. I had thoughts of buying one a few years back, but I found the amazing cooperations with these horses owner's. And I've always known I want kids some day, and I don't want to own a horse when it's time for that. Even though it's hard to develop the way I want when I don't have my own horse, right now it's a big freedom not being bound economically and with my time. But I definitely want to own a horse in the future!
If you could pick any song for the canter part of a kür - what song would it be?
I might be very cliché and pick the theme song for Pirates of the Caribbean. But Lindsey Stirling’s “Shadows” would be awesome. Or Two Steps from Hell’s" “Heart of Courage”, or “Protectors of the Earth”. OMG, there are so many, I would have hard time choosing!
Tell us a fun fact about you and Mutter?
Me: I can't talk to an animal without using a ridiculous "baby voice".
Mutter: He can get scared to death of lines in sand, but doesn't give a crap about big trucks.
Any tips for riders who want a life with horses but don’t have the possibility to own one themselves?
The first step is to get in touch with horse owners who need help, it's easily done by putting up an ad for example on Facebook groups or other webpages suited for it. If you find someone who needs help, be trustworthy! Do the chores the best way you can, always listen to the owner, be humble and willing to learn. Never overstep your own skills, if you don't know something – ask. Don't do anything you don't have permission to do, put the horse first and take care of it like it was your horse. And if you're a beginner with horses, I think a riding school is the definite best place to learn!
What are your plans for the next two years?
I think I might be boring when I say I don't really have any (big) plans... But I'm so happy to be part of the horse teams I'm involved with – I look forward to the cooperation with Floris, we might do some competitions, and I will probably ride him at some equestrian shows this year. And it will be fantastic to see Maaike's foal Liefke grow and be a part of her life! With Mutter my only goal is to keep him healthy and happy.
Tell us a secret?
Well, it's not a secret, but I can't ride if the tack isn't matchy and neat. Even if I'm all alone. I even do hacks in matching outfits...
We’ve also texted with Danish dressage rider Daniel Bachmann Andersen, check it out here!