SM gold medalist: ”A fantastic and great competition with great prize money”
Mary-Sophie Haid Bondergaard is a brilliant star in the Swedish dressage sky. A few weeks ago she won gold for YR at the Swedish Championships and this autumn she is aiming for the StudioS19 Young Rider Trophy – the competition for aspiring riders up to the age of 21! We have spoken more in detail with Mary about her everyday life, the support from her family and the horses in the stable.
A year ago Mary graduated and today works as a rider at home on the family farm. She starts every day at 7 am in the stable, where she works with two other people on all the stall chores in the morning. After that she rides 4-6 horses, and the afternoon consists of crafts and extra care of all the horses.
Mary's parents are both well-known names in the dressage industry, where both her mother Charlotte and her father Rasmus have competed in difficult dressage classes. We asked what their support and knowledge have meant for Mary in her efforts:
”It is a great advantage and help to be able to draw on their experience and knowledge, as well as the opportunity to be able to take over horses, but also to receive help in everyday life to learn how to train a horse,” Mary says.
The future looks at least somewhat bright for Mary-Sophie. Many might have felt nervous about continuing to perform at the top level, but for Mary it looks different:
”Over the years, I have experienced that I perform very well under pressure, so I see it more as a positive effect of performing under pressure, for me.”.
Mary has several exciting horses under her responsibility, including Robert des frettes, ”Robban” (u. Carino des Noes. Ue. Baulou des frettes). A 19-year-old gelding that Mary says has been the ”stallion clown” for 11 years. Together they have achievements up to international level:
”We have won the international U25 Grand Prix, the final at the Lövsta Future Challenge, silver medal in the NM team competition, and 2nd place in Falsterbo U25. My goal this year with Robban is just to have fun and learn as much as possible as long as I have him! He has been a very valuable mentor for me; he loves working and is always cheerful and happy!”
One candidate to take over ”Robban’s” place is the 11-year-old filly Lohmann’s Rossi (bred by Bœgårdens money M, out of Solos Landtinus). Together they have had international placings as juniors and YR, now the focus is on the U25 class.
Her SM gold horse is Adora Nightingale (bred by Ampere, owned by Regazzoni), nicknamed Doris, which was Mary’s first big horse. Together they have won bronze, silver and gold medals from both SM and NM, and represented Sweden at the European Championships as well as in junior and YR categories.
”Doris is the princess of the stables! Doris was my first big horse and the journey hasn’t been entirely easy with her. She holds a very special place in my heart and she fights for me every day! My goal this year with Doris is the European Championships in Austria.”.
Mary-Sophie has been a success at the DressagePower Horse Show for several years, where she has both won the Junior Trophy and the StudioS19 Young Rider Trophy. This year she is again entered:
”In previous years, things have gone great for me and I hope to do well in the final this year as well! The DressagePower Horse Show is a fantastic competition that fits in well at the time of year when most championships are held during the summer. It will be a very fun competition to look forward to later in the year with great prize money for us riders!”
Three quick questions:
1. Outdoor arena or riding stable? Absolutely an outdoor arena.
2. One item in the horse wardrobe you can't live without? Saddle soap!!
3. Competition or training? Competition!