Taking out the 3-year old and 5-year old sections of this month's Swedish Young Horse Championships in Flyinge, the 25-year old Mia Runesson is one Swedish shooting star with some young guns of her own. Aiming to be part of the bright future of Swedish dressage, Mia is climbing the ladder with quality horses as stepping stone.
"It was of course incredible to win the 3-year old and 5-year old classes on Bonheur and Carlton Hill," Runesson told Eurodressage. "I was also a bit surprised that both of them were chosen as the winner. My goal is always to win, but it's not the easiest thing to perform on arenas like that with young horses. The whole Championship week was fantastic for me."
In addition to her victories on the 3-year old Swedish bred Bonheur (by Bocelli x Furst Heinrich) and the Dutch warmblood licensed Carlton Hill (by Uphill x Vincent), she also won the Breeder's Trophy titles aboard Faustino (by Figaro R x Bernstein) and Barcelona (by Figaro R x Bernstein) in the 5 and 6-year old division. The Breeders' Trophy is a special award and title for the best performing domestically bred horse at the Swedish Championships.
Growing up at Gränsbo Stuteri, a station for dressage and show jumping stallions, Mia has always been into horses and dressage because of her family. To her dressage was "the natural choice".
"I love the sport of dressage as it allows me to work with my favourite interest, giving me the opportunity to train horses and leading to my continued development as a rider," she said.
Her 3-year old champion Bonheur arrived at Gränsbo Stuteri a year ago, after Mia and her sponsor, horse dealer Johan Ifverson, purchased the horse together.
"Immediately I knew he was a special horse with really good quality, in regards to both his gaits and temperament," said Mia.
If he wer human Mia believes Bonheur would be a really social and happy teenager with big ambitions. "He himself really thinks he is the best in the class!"
Her 5 year old winner Carlton Hill VDL is an approved stallion, both in KWPN and SWB, and was bought by Gränsbo Stuteri in November 2011.
"Carlton Hill combines breeding and competition. He is very talented within dressage, and seems, as young as he is, capable of progressing to the highest levels." Unlike his youthful stable mate, Mia says Carlton Hill as a human would be an "ambitious professor who finds things very easy to learn".
Finding her work with young horses "very inspiring", Mia enjoys following the development of her horses and being part of their journey.
"I get so very pleased to see the young horses grow in the discipline in a positive way."
Mia credits the Swedish Young Horse Championships as an excellent platform to recognize talent in the country. Her recent young horse success is very well recognised and she hopes these achievements are just the foundation for big things to come.
"My goal for next year is to ride at the 2013 World Championship for young dressage horses on Carlton Hill and Faustino, to win the 6-year finals at Falsterbo Horse Show and to ride the 7-year competitions with Barcelona. I would also like to repeat this year's presentation in the Swedish Young Horse championship 2013," said an ambitious Runesson.
The sympathetic Swede competed Faustino at 2012 World Championships in Verden and finished 8th in the consolation finals. Aboard Barcelona she was 14th in the 6-year old finals.
Trained by Rose Mathisen and her dad Per Runesson, Mia currently has between 5-7 horses in work. "My pearl of wisdom is to always remember, it is better to have a few horses of good quality, than many of medium quality," she said. "Better quality than quantity!"
WIth her ultimate goal being the Olympic Games, Mia sees a bright future of dressage in her country. She very much hopes to be a part of that!
"The future of dressage in Sweden seems really great, as we have a large amount of promising young horses and riders," she said. "However, to get up amongst the top three nations, we will have to work hard and find good training possibilities. The Swedish dressage riders also need to increase their participation in international competitions."
Young Guns in Dressage - Mia Runesson - Profile
Date of birth: 13 March 1987
Nationality: Swedish
Place of birth: Ängelholm (south of Sweden)
Sign/horoscope: pisces
Profession: Professional rider at Gränsbo stuteri
Hobbies: Horses of course and to travel around the world
Best personal quality: purposeful
Favourite book: The girl with the dragon tattoo (Stieg Larsson)
Favourite film: Avatar
Favourite actress: Scarlett Johansson
Favourite actor: Brad Pitt
Style of music: Pop/rock
Favourite singer or band: Rihanna
Favourite car: Ferrari
An unforgettable holiday: New York
Favourite dish: Tacos
Text by Sarah Warne
Photos © David Svensson
Related Links
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Swedish Horses Selected for 2012 World Young Horse Championships
Faustino and Bellman Win First 2012 Swedish WCYH Selection Trial
Christo, Rausing, JJ Rayban, Isac and Hohenstaufen II Win 2011 Swedish Young Horse Championships