Close up with: Annika Axelsson
She spent her twenties successfully fighting an aggressive form of cancer. Today she is a member of the Swedish show jumping team. Happy and healthy, Annika runs her own stable in the Netherlands and appreciate every day spent with her horses.
Published: April 20th, 2022
Annika lights up every room she enters with her presence and big smile. But beyond the blonde hair and blue eyes is a true fighter. She has fought cancer and today she is running a successful training and sales stable, AA Stables, in the Netherlands. This year Annika is also a part of the Swedish show jumping team. A life goal becoming true for the 39-year-old woman.
“I like it here in the Netherlands. I’m not so into Dutch food, though I do love asparagus, she says laughing and continues telling us how she loves traditional Swedish food such as meat balls and potato mash. And Swedish candy, of course.”
Her stable is in Susteren, Netherlands, but she lives in Belgium. Living in central Europe the distance for equestrians’ athletes is clearly a bit easier than in Scandinavia, were she origins. Her basic idea with AA Stables is to produce horses from young age up to becoming GP-horses. Some gets sold on the way, and some when they are established at the higher level. Annika’s goal is to build her concept further so that she can own several horses with the potential to make it all the way to the top.
Hooked from day one
Annika started to ride at the riding school in Vinslöv, where she grew up. She was hooked from the first day and spent as much time as possible in the stable helping with whatever she could. At the age of 14 she finally got her own horse, a thoroughbred called Magic Harp. During high school Annika worked for Royne Zetterman, were she rode horses and did all the stable duties.
“When i was 19 years old I was diagnosed with T-cells lymphoma, an aggressive form of cancer in the lymph. When I finally recovered from that I took some time off with not so much riding, I wanted to finish off college.”
After a while of recovery and focusing on school, Annika started working for different dealers in Sweden. She took a job at Schou Stables in Denmark and spent three winter seasons in the UAE before taking a job for Neal Jones, which landed her in Belgium. When Neal moved most of his business to America, Annika started doing more on her own and got some good contacts with owners. Which finally led her to starting up her own business in the Netherlands.
Patience, good eye, and a feeling for the horse
Annika prefers horses with blood, a good canter and balance. She likes the light type, which is careful, but foremost she is looking for a good mentality. She explains:
“They should really want to work and be happy with what they do. A good rider should understand the horses, which require that you spend a lot of time with them figuring out their strengths and their weaknesses.”
Patience is a key word, and she always gives a horse time to develop their potential.
“The horses give us so much love and we must give the same back. As a rider I would describe myself as patient and sensitive. And that I probably have a good eye when it comes to reading a horse.“
She loves all her horses, but tells us that her top horse, Cleo, stands out with her great mentality and huge capacity. Annika does a lot of pole work before and after the jump to work on the shape of the horse. Jumping lines with poles in between is an important part when training her horses. Her favorite show is Falsterbo and Aachen and she always brings her laptop together with snacks to the horses, her dog and herself when traveling to competitions.
Seven quick questions with Annika Axelsson
1. What do you miss the most with your home country, Sweden?
I miss my family the most, especially when you have a though day. And I miss Swedish candy!
2. The best thing about working professionally with horses?
The best is that you get to spend every day with these beautiful animals. It's always an adventure and new challenges but I wouldn't change it for a thing.
3. …And the most challenging?
The hardest thing must be the ups and downs that you can't control.
4. Weekends or weekdays?
Weekends.
5. Goals for 2022?
For this year I would love to do some 5* Nation Cups shows and to be a solid part of the Swedish team. We have so many good riders and horses so it's not the easiest this year!
6. Where are you in 10 years?
In 10 years, I hope to be healthy and happy and to have a family and our own place. Hopefully I’m still in the top sport and have done some championships.
7. What would Annika say to a younger Annika ten years ago?
I would have told myself not to rush things and to appreciate every day.
