Please could you introduce yourself and tell us about your role?

My name is Madelene, and I work for Peder Fredricson as his show groom. I am from Sweden, so it is nice to work for a Swedish rider again. I previously worked for Marco Kutscher for six years in Germany.

How did you begin your career in the industry?

I have ridden since I was a small child – my mother got me started. Sweden has a huge equestrian culture with many riders and horses – not always at the top level, but more and more are reaching that stage. I also played a lot of football, so I balanced the two sports. During my last three years of school, I focused equestrian studies.

Marco’s brother, Frank, who was living in Sweden at the time, helped me get into the industry by taking me to shows. That eventually led to my job with Marco, which was a great experience. But basically, horses have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.

How do you build and create a bond with your horses?

It is difficult to explain, but in the end, it is about being with them and spending time with them in different situations. This helps you understand how they will react and how to adapt to them.

We are here for the horses, and our job is to learn how they behave – what they enjoy and what they do not. The only way to achieve this is by spending a lot of time with them.

How do you ensure that your horses peak at the most important moments during the year?

I try to keep their routines the same – ultimately as close as possible to what they are used to at home. Of course, at shows, some things need to be adjusted due to the timing of classes, but maintaining familiar routines, like feeding times is very important. It is also crucial to keep them moving outside of their stables but to also allow them enough time to rest.

I have worked with many experienced people and have learned so much from them. Horses thrive on routine, and if you change too much, things can go wrong. The longer you spend with your horse, the easier it is to read them and notice the small details that can make the difference.

Can you tell us a little bit about your string of horses at the show?

This week, we have had Hansson WL and Catch Me Not S competing. Catch Me Not S is 19-years-old, and Hansson WL is17-years-old, so it is the ‘old gang’ this week. But they are really fit, and it is so fun to be out with them because they have so much personality and know the shows well. As soon as they see the truck being prepared and get on it, they know exactly what is happening.

Catch Me Not S is not the easiest at shows – he can be quite sharp and fresh, but he really enjoys going to shows, whilst Hansson WI is a bit more relaxed and easy going.

It is difficult to explain their personalities because we see one side of them from being around them all the time, while other people see a different side in the arena when they are competing. But in the end, they are sweet and lovely horses.

What qualities do you think Peder has that make him such a successful rider?

He always wants to improve and evolve – he constantly looks for small ways to refine his performance and is open to trying new things. His mentality is one of his greatest strengths. He never thinks, that went well, so we should not change anything – instead, he always looks for ways to get better.

In training, he does a lot of groundwork, including handling and lunging, which makes a big difference. This mindset is why he has remained at the top for so long – he is always striving for improvement and finding new ways to stay at the highest level.

How special is it to be here at The Dutch Masters? What are the facilities like for you and the horses?

It is great because there is a lot of space here for both us and the horses – we have room to move around. The arenas are big and well-maintained, and everything is close by, so we can go and check out the shops and enjoy the event.

It is a very important show – one of the biggest on our calendar. Even before you arrive, there is a lot of management involved to ensure everything is in top condition by the time you get here.

What sets the Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping Majors apart from other shows?

They are always extremely well-organized and they are continuously working to improve and refine themselves. The biggest difference is that all the top riders want to be here – not just to compete, but to win.

There is always something extra special about these events. The atmosphere on the Grand Prix day is incredibly intense, which makes it exciting because you feel how important it is. Everything has to be perfect to secure a Major victory.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to be a top-level groom?

I would say – go for it! Do not be afraid of making mistakes, but learn from those who have more experience. Everyone makes errors; it is part of the learning process. For younger grooms, my advice would be to keep trying. It will not always go perfectly, but the effort and determination will show that you truly want to do it.

It takes time – I have been working for many years. But as long as you love the horses and are passionate about the job, you will succeed.