A Master Horseman with His Feet Firmly on the Ground
At the start of this year, we had the real privilege of visiting Jens Fredricson at his home base – a truly authentic, family-run yard that sits at the heart of Sweden’s equestrian scene. And if there’s one word to sum up the visit, it’s “welcome”. Greeted with warmth, humility and a good dose of dry wit, Jens and his wife Isabelle made it instantly clear that this is no faceless operation – it’s a family affair through and through.
Isabelle, who you might recognise as a showjumping rider in her own right, is also a qualified veterinarian – talk about wearing many hats. Together, they’ve built a yard that seamlessly blends top-tier professionalism with down-to-earth charm.
Jens himself needs little introduction in the world of showjumping. With a career spanning decades, he’s known for his thoughtful horsemanship, gritty determination and strategic approach to the sport. But he’s also known for something else that’s rare in elite sport – balance. During our visit, he spoke openly about how he’s stepping back from the relentless churn of international travel. These days, he’s picking his shows carefully, focusing on the ones that matter most – the ones that carry weight in the ranking and prestige stakes.
Why? Because his children are growing up fast, and Jens has his priorities straight. He’d far rather load up a couple of horses, pack the family and hit the road together than spend weeks away solo. It’s not about chasing every ribbon – it’s about showing up where it counts, on and off the track.
One of the stars of Jens’ stable – and one we sadly missed during our visit – is the incredible Cosmo. He was on his way home from a recent show, but Jens was more than happy to speak at length about his four-legged partner. Cosmo’s story is classic underdog material. Originally destined to be a riding school horse, it quickly became clear that he had other plans. His talent outshone his original path, and before long, he was jumping bigger tracks and living the high-performance life he was born for. Jens clearly holds Cosmo in high regard – not just as a competitor, but as a character.
Wandering the grounds of the Fredricson yard was a true privilege – from the well-kept arenas and thoughtfully designed stables to the quiet hum of a place that lives and breathes good horsemanship. Every horse we passed was kitted out in Bucas, which, we won’t lie, gave us a bit of a buzz. There’s nothing quite like seeing our gear in action in a place where performance and welfare go hand in hand.
Jens Fredricsonis a world-class rider with a grounded perspective, a fierce loyalty to his family, and a passion for the sport that’s as alive today as ever. It’s not every day you meet someone who’s cracked the code of success without losing sight of what matters most.
Thanks again to Jens and Isabelle for the hospitality, the stories, and the reminder that greatness doesn’t always come with a spotlight – sometimes it lives quietly in the Swedish countryside, doing things the right way.
