The Swedish equestrian federation has announced the updated Swedish squad at the start of 2025. Team captains Stefan Jansson and Marianne Lilja Wittbom have drafted new criteria and a sports plan.
New Criteria
"The goal is that the entire dressage team, from pony to senior, should be more united and aligned. There should be the same expectations for riders at all levels," said Stefan Jansson.
With a news sports plan and revised selection criteria for the different squads, Jansson and Wittbom want to clarify what is required as a national team rider, in addition to the competition results themselves.
"In the pony and youth national teams, there are already criteria that involve contributing to the team in more ways than just with your results. When we developed these new criteria, we have looked a lot at what is already being done in the lower ages. We have had very good cooperation with the youth leaders in aligning the criteria and look forward to working together going forward," said Jansson.
Riders Without Horses Listed
The 2025 national dressage team consists of an A squad and a B squad. In addition, there is SOK's Top and Talent squad (Swedish Olympic Committee) with championship riders who do not currently have a horse competing in an international Grand Prix, but who are part of a campaign towards the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
"In that squad we have Therese Nilshagen and Juliette Ramel who recently retired their Olympic horses, but who have promising horses on their way up to international classes," Jansson explained. "It will be really exciting to see their younger horses who will now take a step up and become first horses in the stable."
Grand Prix Squads
Grand Prix A-Squad
- Patrik Kittel
- Maria von Essen
- Sofie Lexner
- Malin Wahlkamp-Nilsson
Grand Prix B-squad
- Caroline Darcourt
- Mads Hendeliowitz
- Tinne Vilhelmson Silfvén
- Isabella Tovek
- Jacob Nörby Sörensen
- Mia Runesson Bergqvist
- Rose Mathisen
SOK Talent Squad
- Patrik Kittel
- Therese Nilshagen
- Juliette <ramel
This is a tailored support from SOK for active riders who are considered to have the potential to reach medal capacity at the Olympics with a sustained effort and the right support.
Related Links
Stefan Jansson Appointed New Swedish Dressage Team Captain
Patrik Kittel Welcomed to Swedish Olympic Committee's Active Committee
Bo Jenå Steps Down as Swedish Dressage Team Captain
Swedish Equestrian Federation Launches Pilot Project to Assess Qualitative Riding Alongside Technical Skills