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Looking back at 2022, World of Showjumping had a chat with Sweden’s Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli to hear how she feels about the year that soon has passed and where she has set her goals for the new year ahead. 

“When I look back at 2022, I am very happy,” Augustsson Zanotelli begins. “I established my place back in the top sport. I got the chance to ride in the Global Champions League – thanks to Cindy Van der Straaten – and getting to the next level has been good for me and my relationship with my horses. If I would pick only one show, it of course has to be Helsinki where Kalinka won both the World Cup and the Grand Prix – that was the best show I had in 2022.”

“However, throughout 2022, all my horses – and I have had most of them for years – have finally been old enough to compete on the level that I have been hoping and dreaming they would have the capabilities for,” Angelica continues. “All of them have really proved that they are such stars. When they got the chance to jump at a higher level, they only got better and better. I have two 9-year-old horses, Chadora Lady and Danna, who got to do bigger shows in 2022 and they have been performing unbelievable. Danna has been placed in all the second classes of the GCL, while Chadora won her first three-star Grand Prix and did her first four-star Grand Prix where she was double clear and fourth. This is what we riders work for and dream about; producing the horses and getting the best out of them.“

This is what we riders work for and dream about; producing the horses and getting the best out of them

“Of course, following the Swedish team and all their results has been amazing. As a Swede, you feel a part of it all. My husband Marlon has also had great success in 2022, so it has been a good year.” 

“There are always lessons to learn,” Augustsson Zanotelli says about her take away from 2022. “When we are working with horses, I think we learn all the time and each horse teaches you something new. For me, pushing myself out of my comfort zone is something I have been doing this year – and I think I have learned to trust my riding a little bit more. Getting back from maternity leave, I had doubts but now I believe more in myself and that I can do it.” 

Each horse teaches you something new

“Now that I can keep Kalinka, I think the next years will be exciting,” Angelica says about her feelings moving towards a new year. “I think she still has her best time to come so I am looking forward to 2023 with her and my other horses. I also have a good 8-year-old that I am excited about.”

“With Kalinka, I will try to do a few more World Cup shows to get qualified for the final in Omaha and then we have the European Championships coming up as well, which I for sure will be aiming for.” 

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