Top Equestrian Moments of 2021
It is impossible to talk about 2021 without mentioning Covid. But let’s put the pandemic aside for a second and focus on what has become a long list of exiting equestrian moments from the last twelve months! Cavalier rounds off this year with some of our favourite highlights from the international scene.
Published:
December 29th, 2021
Olympic Games
As the only sport to compete with a live animal, we know to expect the unexpected. There were plenty of memorable moments from the equestrian competition at Tokyo 2020, in 2021. Germany’s Isabell Werth became the first rider ever to win seven equestrian gold medals after she, and her teammates Dorothee Schneider and Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, took the gold in the team equestrian competition.
Julia Krajewski also made history in the individual eventing competition after she became the first ever woman to win gold in the event.
Peder Fredricson of Sweden looked all but certain to take the gold after putting down a time of 38.02 in a perfectly executed final round. Rising to the occasion Maher and Explosion W beat the Swede by just 17 hundredths of a second to take the gold from Fredricson's grasp leaving audiences everywhere breathless and in awe.
/ photo: FEI / @ctanierephotographie, Carl Sandin / Bildbyrån
Swedish gold
And speaking about Swedes. Our great neighbours deserve a tribute on their own. The Swedish team found themselves in a golden jump-off against the U.S, for a crown that had not been theirs since 1924.
Jessica and Dalera
There is no stopping for Jessica von Bredow-Wendl and her top mare Dalera BB. After a very busy summer claiming the Olympic title in Tokyo in July, she went straight to winning triple gold at the European Championships in Hagen in September. Now in November, she booked a double victory at the 2021 CDI 5* Stockholm.
/ photo: FEI / @ctanierephotographie @shannonbrinkman
Carl Hedin’s book “Horse Boy” was published
Carl Hedin shot to fame in the world of international equestrian sports. This fall his book was finally published. In Horse boy he tells the story of the little boy who was bullied for loving to play with hobbyhorses and the teen who got off the wrong bus stop to hide that he was going to the horses.
Stockholm Horse Show
SHIS is one of our favourite shows, the atmosphere and audience truly is magical. One of the highlights is Saab Top 10 dressage. The CDI 5* Stockholm is an invitation-only competition of which a field of just 10 competitors is assembled by Swedish Grand Prix rider Patrik Kittel. What an amazing show with some of the best ballerinas in the equestrian world.
Herning in Denmark
This event needs no introduction. With foal presentation, World Cup and international competitions in both dressage and show jumping, just to mention some. The annual show in Herning just has it all!
Geir Gulliksen secures a fourth place in the WC, London
Time to look to some local achievements. Geir Gulliksen secured important World Cup points after a strong fourth place at the World Cup in London earlier this month. Good job, Geir!
Best pony riders in the Nordics
The Norwegian pony category 1 team consisting of Dina Nicolaysen, Oda Therese Oddsen, Thea Gunleksen, Rasmus Aasland and Pernille Lunde took a superb gold in show jumping in the Nordic Baltic Championship in Finland this summer. We are cheering on you!
