In corona times we are all ordered to stay at home, self quarantine, and do social distancing. With more time on your hands to spend online, Eurodressage launches a "Hit & Run" interview series so that you get to know the world's most famous dressage riders and personalities more closely.
Swedish Carl Hedin (28) is a multi-talented horse rider who has grabbed the interest as influencer of a large social media audience. His international dressage career started in 2009 at junior riders' level with Wictory D. He returned to the international stage in 2015 in the Under 25 division on Kataleis Vilja. Between 2015 and 2018 he has competed Chabot and Memphis at CDI small tour level, but in 2020 he switched to international show jumping, living the dream in sunny Oliva Nova (ESP) for some 1* jumper competitions with two horses after a successful sale of a dressage horse.
Hit & Run - Carl Hedin
What is your earliest memory?
Visiting my grandmother at the hospital with our family dog, I was three years old at the time.
Which person alive do you admire the most and why?
My mother, she the most unconditionally loving person I know
When were you the happiest?
When I'm with my animals
What is your biggest fear?
To not live my life tot he fullest
What was your first thought today?
I must remember to answer Astrid's Hit & Run survey
What is your most annoying character trait?
Wanting to do to many things at the same time
Which trait do you dislike the most in other people?
Being Patronising
What is your dearest possession?
I don't like to see my animals as possessions, but I'm grateful everyday I get to share my life with them.
If you look into the future, what do you see?
I find it very hard to look into the future with everything happening in the world at them moment due to the Covid-19 outbreak. I hope we will ride out this storm gently and that my family and friends stay safe.
What makes you unhappy?
When people around me are unhappy
What is the love of your life?
Planet earth
What was the best choice you ever took in life?
To believe in myself and continue to create content on social media back in 2012 when I first started to grow a following on Instagram. Some of my equestrian colleagues tried to convince my to invest my time into other things, saying that social media was just a hype. Today it has become a source of income for me as well as a great tool to stay connected with my equestrian friends. Thanks to my account more doors have opened for me than I could've ever imagined.
What's your guilty pleasure?
Anything that is sour and sweet.
What do you owe your parents?
A lot. First, for making me (obviously). Secondly, for raising me to be comfortable in my own skin and who I am as a person. Thirdly, for encouraging me to follow my dreams yet keeping me grounded.
Who can sit next to you at your dream dinner table?
I'm not picky, I like to meet new people.
What was the worst job you ever did?
To be honest, I have liked all the jobs I've had so far.
What was your biggest disappointment in life?
When I have let people down
What would you change if you can go back into the past?
I wish I would have become a vegetarian earlier on in my life
Name one thing that would improve your quality of life?
Having better financial margins running a training stable
What is your biggest achievement?
Having built my company Eques Management is something I'm very proud of
What is the most important life lesson you have learnt?
Patience and being persistent
Where would you like to be right now?
Right where I am
What's your favourite scent?
The smell of Swedish forest
Which character would you dress up in for Halloween?
The Tiger King
To whom would you like to say sorry?
My teachers in middle school, I was a real pain in class.
What does love feel like for you?
Like trust
When are you most relaxed?
When I'm with people I love
What super power would you like to have?
To understand exactly what animals think
When did you last cry, and why?
xxx
When were you closest to death?
The other day when I fell off a frisky youngster twice within a five minute time span.
How do you want to be remembered?
As someone who cared
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