Last week she competed in Riesenbeck for the first time. Malin Baryard-Johnsson says: "I have been here before. But that was at least 15 years ago, I think. Back then, I had my own TV show and filmed with Ludger." Admittedly, things looked very different here back then, and the large grass arena is new to both horse and rider. It is very well received. "There is nothing better than good grass arenas!" is the opinion of the Swede, and "Indiana loves them too."
Indiana, this 15-year-old Belgian mare by Kashmir van Schuttershof. She plays a big role in the life of Malin Baryard-Johnsson. With her, she became team Olympic champion in Tokyo and team World Champion last year, after winning silver with the team at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon four years earlier. The pair turned clear rounds for Sweden in countless Nation prizes, and when they compete in the Longines Global Champions Tour, they are usually placed in the top ten. Or they don't even finish the course. That happens, too. Indiana has a "somewhat strange character," her rider explains. "She's quite difficult in many ways. But at the same time, she's so talented, which then makes it easy for me most of the time - also because I know her so well."
The two have been a couple for eight years. But it took a long, long time for the aforementioned successes to materialize. "It took me a long, long time to understand her, and it took me a lot of time to make her better grasp what the rider wants. She's grippy, but not in the way a normal horse is. You have to be on her all the time and try to keep her with you a little bit. If that gets lost, nothing works." At the same time, he says, she is incredibly sweet to handle. "But just different. Yes, different is a good word for her." Still, she is the undisputed number one in the stable. "I don't think I'll ever have another horse like Indiana. She's really unique, absolutely special. Sure, I have several good young horses. But only one Indiana. I think she's the best horse I've ever had."
So the number one in the stable is Indiana. In Malin Baryard-Johnsson's everyday life, however, she has to share the spot with Baryard-Johnsson's 14- and 18-year-old sons, among others. "At home, I try to be done riding when the kids get out of school," she says. "They both play sports, and I love being a Sports Mum! They play handball and soccer and for me, the biggest thing is taking them to the games and cheering them on. It's so much fun!" Conversely, she says, her enthusiasm for her mom's sports isn't quite as great. "When they were little, of course they traveled the world with me. But today they have their own lives. They come to the tournaments when it suits them, but basically they do their own thing."
The Longines Global Champions Tour this weekend in Riesenbeck obviously didn't fit into the boys' schedule. Their mother is here alone, but still full of anticipation. "I'm excited to ride competition here this weekend. Indiana likes the course, we are in good shape. From there I hope for good results!"
Indiana, this 15-year-old Belgian mare by Kashmir van Schuttershof. She plays a big role in the life of Malin Baryard-Johnsson. With her, she became team Olympic champion in Tokyo and team World Champion last year, after winning silver with the team at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon four years earlier. The pair turned clear rounds for Sweden in countless Nation prizes, and when they compete in the Longines Global Champions Tour, they are usually placed in the top ten. Or they don't even finish the course. That happens, too. Indiana has a "somewhat strange character," her rider explains. "She's quite difficult in many ways. But at the same time, she's so talented, which then makes it easy for me most of the time - also because I know her so well."
The two have been a couple for eight years. But it took a long, long time for the aforementioned successes to materialize. "It took me a long, long time to understand her, and it took me a lot of time to make her better grasp what the rider wants. She's grippy, but not in the way a normal horse is. You have to be on her all the time and try to keep her with you a little bit. If that gets lost, nothing works." At the same time, he says, she is incredibly sweet to handle. "But just different. Yes, different is a good word for her." Still, she is the undisputed number one in the stable. "I don't think I'll ever have another horse like Indiana. She's really unique, absolutely special. Sure, I have several good young horses. But only one Indiana. I think she's the best horse I've ever had."
So the number one in the stable is Indiana. In Malin Baryard-Johnsson's everyday life, however, she has to share the spot with Baryard-Johnsson's 14- and 18-year-old sons, among others. "At home, I try to be done riding when the kids get out of school," she says. "They both play sports, and I love being a Sports Mum! They play handball and soccer and for me, the biggest thing is taking them to the games and cheering them on. It's so much fun!" Conversely, she says, her enthusiasm for her mom's sports isn't quite as great. "When they were little, of course they traveled the world with me. But today they have their own lives. They come to the tournaments when it suits them, but basically they do their own thing."
The Longines Global Champions Tour this weekend in Riesenbeck obviously didn't fit into the boys' schedule. Their mother is here alone, but still full of anticipation. "I'm excited to ride competition here this weekend. Indiana likes the course, we are in good shape. From there I hope for good results!"