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“Be brave and always say yes when an opportunity arrives,” Jenny Krogsæter says when asked which advice she would give to a fellow young rider dreaming of a career as a professional showjumper. “And don't underestimate yourself. It's important not to look at this as a job; this has to be something that you burn for. I believe that it all falls into place when you have the right mindset.” 

For the past four years, the now 23-year-old Norwegian has worked for the Philippaerts-family in Oudsbergen, Belgium. “I came here with one horse, thinking I knew something,” she recalls. “The beginning was overwhelming; I felt so small. There was a lot I had to take in, from the tack and the riding to a whole new approach to the sport. My mum had taught me a lot, which made it a bit easier to adapt, but the sport is at a completely different level here compared to Norway.” 

Having inherited a love for horses from her mother Hege – who worked for Ludo Philippaerts when the Belgian was competing with the legendary Darco – Jenny started riding at a local riding school when she was three and got her first pony when she was seven. “When I got my first bigger pony, I did my first Norwegian Championships and that really ignited my love for competing,” she explains. 

Five years ago, when Ludo was watching his sons compete at the World Cup in Oslo, Jenny’s mother ran into her old boss at the showgrounds. Catching up, she showed Ludo videos of Jenny riding. Ludo suggested that Jenny should come to Belgium, train for a few weeks with the family and finish her season with the U25 show in Mechelen.

I was keen to stay, so I offered to help out for a year

However, what was meant to be a short visit turned into something much longer when the Covid-pandemic broke out and the borders closed not long after Jenny’s arrival. “I didn't really have any rush to get back home though because I was done with school and wanted to take a year off anyway,” she recalls. “I only had one horse with me and I helped out in the stables. Slowly I got some horses to ride, and eventually we talked about a possibility of me working here. However, it was a challenging time for everyone and not a moment to hire new staff. I was keen to stay, so I offered to help out for a year.” 

Fast forward four years, and Jenny is fully employed with a team of twelve horses, aged from seven and up. “I build them up and try to bring out the best in them. Most of the horses I ride get sold sooner or later,” she explains. 

“I come in at 7.30 and I start riding straight away,” Jenny tells about her daily routines. “Before I always started with the boxes in the morning, but now that I have twelve horses, I need to get going with the riding. I ride until 12.30, then we have a lunch break for an hour and then I ride until about 16.30. I help finishing up the stable when I am done riding. We go to training shows at least once a week and during the weekends there is normally either a national or international show.” 

Many people might find this lifestyle fantastic for a while, but in reality, it is hard work to keep going

“I think I'm lucky that I have always been adventurous,” Jenny tells about settling into a new routine with a team of horses to manage. “Coming here was something I really looked forward to; I wanted to be independent. And when I have horses, I'm fine. I like people, but I can easily just focus on the horses. Many people might find this lifestyle fantastic for a while, but in reality, it is hard work to keep going."

"I think what really drives me here is first of all the connection I have with my trainer Andre Frans. We have a unique relationship; he is a bit like my stepdad. Secondly, the whole family here seems to have faith in me; they're not scared of me trying and failing, which makes me feel safe and confident and helps me to perform better. And naturally, the horses: I get to ride so many different horses. I never know what's coming into my stable the next day.” 

“The mental part was overwhelming in the beginning,” Jenny recalls about the challenges she faced when moving to a professional stable in a foreign country as a 19-year-old. “I wanted to prove that I was good enough and when you get obsessed about something, you get all these silly things in your head. When it then gets physically hard as well, you can end up feeling helpless. I don't think people are aware of how challenging it can be. There are no set hours, you never really know when your day is going to end or when you start the next day. I think some people have the mentality for it and others don’t.”

I think some people have the mentality for it and others don’t

“I spoke a lot with my mom,” Jenny continues to speak about the ways she found to cope with it all. “I was never calling her to complain – because I had no complaints – but I would ask her for advice. How to tell Ludo that I made a circle in the course, as an example,” she laughs. “I didn't know how to approach these situations. Ludo has been patient and he has let me fail. The problems were always more in my head; I've always been hard on myself. Being here has helped me a lot: I get reminded to see what I have achieved and where I came from. You can go all day, every day thinking about horses and results; it's good to have people around you who help you get out of your own way.”

In March, Jenny was selected as part of the Young Riders Academy 2024. “I'm hoping that this will create some new opportunities,” she says about the initiative that has supported many current top riders in their careers. “I have to make sure that my horses are fit and ready if and when the opportunities come. I remember when the Young Riders Academy first started; for a long time, it has felt like a goal very far away and I feel fortunate being in this group now. It feels like a safety net, having so many people who support you.” 

I feel fortunate being in this group now

Last winter, Jenny did her five-star debut on home soil in Oslo. “Competing in the U25 classes, you are more in your comfort zone,” she says. “It's people in the same age group as you, which makes it easier to be brave and competitive. I remember feeling very small in my five-star debut in Oslo. The U25 competitions are a good way to slowly step into those events and get comfortable at a higher level. I hope that with the Young Riders Academy I will get more experience.” 

“It takes time and I often only get a short period to bond with them,” Jenny tells about the challenge of creating a bond with sales horses that are usually not in her stable for long. “I try to spend a lot of time in the stables and get physical contact with them every day, not just from above in the saddle. I find it easy to see what each horse needs; some need more attention, some like to be left alone. I try to see them as they are and keep my system open and flexible. I try to adapt to them. I believe that horses like to feel seen.”

Every day, I keep learning from my horses

“My mother taught me a lot about horses and horsemanship,” she continues. “She always stressed how important it is to really see the horses and take care of them. Riding is important, but for her it was always about the whole package. We have always been close but we used to have huge discussions about this. For her, the grooming part was so important and I was always more interested in riding. I just wanted to jump and ride as many horses as possible but for her it was more important that I cleaned the bridles, that my tack room was tidy and that the horses were brushed. I think we have met in the middle now and I am very thankful for everything I learned from her.” 

“The number of times these boys have seen me cry,” Jenny laughs, explaining how attached she gets to the horses she works with. “My horses are like my babies. I cry every time a special horse is sold and leaves. I think it's good to be emotional when it comes to horses and I’m sure it helps me form a connection with them."

"Luckily, I am not running a business of my own; I probably couldn’t sell anything. Old owners that keep asking about their horse five years later – that's me. I've been told many times that this is part of the job and I know it is. For me each horse is special in their own way; they each open a new side of you and teach you something new, also about yourself. It's fascinating, and you can never be wise enough in this sport. Every day, I keep learning from my horses. Horses are very clear with what they want and what they don't want – we just have to take the time and truly see them.”

25.4.2024 No reproduction of any of the content in this article will be accepted without a written permission, all rights reserved © World of Showjumping.com. If copyright violations occur, a penalty fee will apply.