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As the calendar once again fills up with shows, and most riders are away from home for the majority of each week, WoSJ wanted to look closer at the importance of having a good home rider. Is it possible for the riders to keep their horses in top shape without one? Which qualities do the riders look for in a home rider and is it possible to find the perfect person to take care of the horses at home?

“It is very important,” Swedish rider Angelica Augustsson says about the role of a home rider. “Sometimes we are away for longer periods of time and the work that gets done with the horses at home while we are gone is essential. They have to get the right type of gymnastic work and fitness exercise, they should not do too much but also not too little. When we get back, the horses should feel the same as they did when we left. For me, the most important thing is to have someone at home who rides the horses so that they stay happy and fit, keeps them in work but does not overdo anything."

“The whole team is important,” Angelica continues. “We work very closely with our team, with the stable manager and the grooms. It is important to have an open dialog so that everyone knows what is going on with the horses.”

For me, the most important thing is to have someone at home who rides the horses so that they stay happy and fit, keeps them in work but does not overdo anything

“It really depends; sometimes it’s easier and other times it’s more complicated,” Angelica says about finding the right person for the job. “Sometimes you get calls from people who want to come and work, but in the end, they actually don’t want to work – they don’t know what it is all about, and they don’t do this job because they love horses, they have other reasons. My experience is that I don’t get good results with this kind of people on the team. I work best with people who would do anything to be with the horses. I want to have the feeling that if something happens and they need to be there day and night for a horse, they will.”

“For me, the horses are always the number one priority – and that type of person, who shares this mentality, can be difficult to find,” Angelica says. “At the moment we have a very good team, we are lucky. Another aspect that is important for me with our team at home is that I love to work with positive people. I don’t like to go to the stable and see annoyed faces, I like to have positive people around me. I think this is better for everyone, also for the horses.” 

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