Text © World of Showjumping

WoSJ has created a series of exclusive interviews with some of the top names of the sport, to discuss the horses that have shaped their careers, fulfilled their dreams – and sometimes even broke their hearts. The series was created to highlight what our sport truly is about: The special bond between a horse and its rider.

This time we sat down with Sweden’s Peder Fredricson to learn about the horses that have contributed to his phenomenal career – and the lessons he has learned along the way. 

“It is hard to say as all the horses are both exciting and interesting, and I like them all in different ways. But looking at the results, H&M All In has definitely meant the most to me. Afterall, he won the Olympic silver as well as the European gold individually. 

When H&M All In is in shape, he is exceptionally good. He has a great capacity, is careful and fast. H&M All In can win a speed class, but can also jump an Olympic track. He is a very complete horse.

All In’s personality is quite special, but it would be boring if they where all the same. Since he is scared of everything, he can be a bit of a handful. If I say it like this: If he hadn’t jumped as well as he does, he would perhaps not be as popular,” Peder laughs. “However, since he is as good as he is everything else is forgiven.” 

“Last year it was definitely H&M Christian K, that according to statistics won the most money of all the horses. If we look at it overall however, it is probably both H&M Christian K and H&M All In that have been my money makers. 

Christian is a real fighter. He is small, but with a huge canter and he is a very clever horse. Outside the course, Christian is the total opposite to All In. All In is quite reserved while Christian is very social. But inside the ring, they both want to do their job and they have their focus on the fences. They are both very good competition horses. 

They both jump very easily and natural. Maybe they don’t look so flashy, but I can feel that they have it. They want to jump clear and they have the body and brain to do it.”

“I’m lucky to be able to keep a lot of my horses, but one that I really would have liked to have had for longer is H&M Sibon. He got injured early on in his career, and now he is retired from the big sport - competing with my Goddaughter in smaller classes. Sibon has a very good life, but I do wish that I could have had him as my second horse. He would have been the perfect horse for that. 

At the time when Sibon was at his best I only had him, so he did the World Equestrian Games and in hindsight he perhaps jumped a bit over his capacity. When we bought him, I didn’t expect him to jump the biggest classes – but he still went and did it. But looking back, he probably would have had a longer career if he would have been my second horse. If I would have had him now – together with the horses I have at the moment – Sibon would be in his perfect element, with classes more suitable for him. 

Sibon was an extremely careful and fast horse; he was very competitive! He was hot to ride, sensitive and always positive. He had what is needed to win.” 

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