Platinum Performance Photo Shoot

As a high performance athlete, we spend endless of hours day in and day out to get better, stronger, faster, achieve higher scores, bigger goals and so on. The days normally start at a very early hour and we work really hard to get to where we are and to achieve the goals that we have put up for ourselves. A lot of what we do you don’t see in social media or magazines. But some days we get to share some extra special moments with you all.

As a top rider and trainer I’m very happy to call myself a Platinum Performance Sponsored Rider. Only a handful of riders in the US are sponsored by this amazing company that offers veterinary-developed supplements for horses, dogs, cats and humans to increase their wellness, performance and conditions. I have been using Platinum Performance on my horses for over 20 years and I am extremely pleased with the results. This in a combination with good training and care is a winner for me!

On Monday February 10 th I had the pleasure of meeting the Platinum Performance team for a super fun and exciting photo shoot at my new training facility, Arroyo Del Mar in San Diego.

The day started at the crack of dawn, it was pitch black and freezing cold, only to set everything up for the perfect morning light when the sun finally made its way up over the hill. It was magical! The light, the mist, the smoke coming of the ground from the frosty grass.. We couldn’t have picked a more perfect day!

I’m always amazed, when I meet a good team, how smoothly everything works. They had brought a photographer, a cameraman, an assistant and a makeup artist along with lots of their products to feature in the pictures. My dear Anna came down for the day to help me and assisted in everything and anything that I needed. You always need a good eye, a helping hand and someone that knows you well, when it really counts. For me, when it really counts, Anna Blomdahl is the only one I can count on. She knows what I need, and has been with me for 18 years!

The sun rose and we waited for the perfect light to appear to begin our photo shoot. I chose to use my horse Chrevi’s Ramour for this shoot and even though he was very excited and high as a kite when we first brought him out he was happy to show of in front of the cameras.

Lots of pictures and video clips were taken of me and “Ram”, posing and riding, during this very productive morning, and also a couple with my beloved dogs. I am so excited to see the final results from the shoot and I can’t wait to share it all with you.

The pictures and videos are going to be used in Platinum Performance catalogs and also for promotions around the US, for example at the big competitions on the East Coast like Wellington, FL.

I really enjoyed having Platinum here at Arroyo this week and I’m proud to be featured in their advertisements. If you haven’t yet tried their products I recommend that you do!

Stay tuned for more pictures to come when they are out for print!

All the best,

Mette

Moving forward

2019 - The journey moves forward, to new exciting destinations!

After spending a year at Karen Izzy Bristing’s  beautiful facility Equinox, I have now accepted the offer to be part of Steffen and Shannon Peters Team as a trainer at Arroyo Del Mar.

I did move down here in the beginning of January, with my three horses Marron, Ram and Fuego, and of course the doggies Pebble and Squiggles.

Arroyo is a beautiful training center, with top footing, great care and room for any rider who wants to be part of quality and inspiring training.

I like it very much and hope to build up a new business with top training, down here in San Diego.

I will compete a little less in the beginning of the year, but come back out when things have settled down. I will do some clinics just like before, and there will also be two Expo’s that I always think is very different and fun.

It’s exciting to turn a page, and even better a chapter, but leaving friends, clients and changing daily routines is not always that easy! I do miss a lot of things from home, but if you never take a chance nothing will happen.

I wish all of you a healthy, happy and successful 2019! I will keep you all posted.

Here is the link to Arroyo Del Mar: www.arroyodelmar.com

Check it out and remember that you are always Welcome with or without a horse.

/Mette

I never leave home without Triple Crown

Arroyo Del Mar, I’m here!! Love it, ready to work! Wherever I go - Europe, Canada or USA, Triple Crown Feed is always by my side! I never leave home without it!

Another year is coming to an end, and another Holiday letter is coming from me!

I can’t believe how fast 2018 went by! Once again it was a good one and I’m very Thankful for all the support from everyone around me and a special thank you to all my sponsors: Custom Saddlery, Triple Crown, Platinum Performance, Goode Riders, Mastermind, Heritage Gloves, MDC Stirrups, PS of Sweden and K9 Sweden. It takes a village to make it all work, and all of you are so much part of it!

I did some National and International (CDI) shows with great result. I won a couple of GP, and that gave me a ticket to participate at the National Finals in Chicago with Marron, and we ended up 4th. That was a fun show, and everybody was there!!! Hope to have a horse there for 2019!!

Later in the year I rode in the Regional finals, this time here in Burbank, CA and won both the CDS Grand Prix as well as the USDF Grand Prix. Fun ending to a good show year on Marron!

My other two horses have also done well, and very often got high point of the whole show. Fuego in 3rd level, and Ram now moving up to PSG.
I’m still teaching, doing seminars and clinics, all like it’s always has been!!! It’s hard to slow down… As long as there is wind I will and have to fly!

Now my goal is to find another top horse, so I can be part of the highest level of the sport. Marron will be 19 next year. He looks and works like a spring chicken, but 19 is 19. It’s a humbling sport!!! You can’t drive formula 1 in a Toyota, so… I’m working on it!

I did receive a phone call from Steffen Peters, a couple of months ago, where he asked me to be part of his Team in San Diego, as an independent trainer. I thought of it for a while, and finally decided to take it on! I will start in January of 2019, and I’m looking forward to making the move!!! There are many nice horses, high quality of riders, inspiring to train and ride! The facility is beautiful, and here is a link to take a look. https://www.arroyodelmar.com

A Huge Thanks to Karen Izzy Bristing, who let me come to her facility when I so much needed a place to stay! Equinox is a beautiful facility, and both me and my horses have had the best time!I Everyone made me feel so Welcome!! I will miss it a lot and are looking forward to visit and teach some of my students!

My address for now will be the same: 949 Rivas Canyon Rd. Pacific Palisades CA 90272. I have to make sure it all will work out, and also find a place to live. For now, I will only rent a furnished apartment.

Thank you everyone for all your support during the year! I will keep you all posted on how everything is going!

Happy Holidays and a Healthy, safe successful great 2019!

Mette

I'm moving to Arroyo Del Mar, San Diego

I’m not sure how it’s possible, but it’s soon December 1st. What happened to the fall?? Where did 2018 go??

It’s hard to keep it all going, when my days are filled to the brim, and still write something on my home page!

The only thing I can come up with is, that my days are filled with horses, clients, and so many things that makes the days fly away! Fun.. but not enough hours!! I’m sure that’s the problem!

I think all of you know by now that I’m moving down to San Diego, and Arroyo Del Mar, in January of 2019.

I will become a member of Steffen and Shannon Peter’s team, and are asked to be one of the trainers.

I will work independently, and bring in clients and horses for training - full or part time! It’s a beautiful facility, and very inspiring for anyone who wants to become a better rider. Surrounded with nice riders, trainers, and staff! Remember that you are always welcome!

I have done clinics, ridden in clinics, gone to shows, and all the rest…

My time at Equinox Equestrian Center has been great!!! A huge Thanks to Karen Bristing for opening up her beautiful barn to me, when I so needed it! No one will ever understand, how I felt to be back home! Karen, I will owe you forever!!!

I would liked to have stayed. But this great facility only has a few stalls, so there is no room for me to bring in clients or horses. It’s full! So after a year and Steffen who called, I had to make a decision. I need, as everyone out there, to pay my bills… so I’m on my way! And I’m sure it will be great!!!

My parents taught me, that if you want something to happen - make it happen!

There is one more show this year. Only a one day show at LAEC in Burbank. I will ride “Ram” in a PSG and Anna will ride my beloved GP horse Marron in an Int II. It will be very exciting, and I’m sure she will do great! It will be a fun day!!

I have only one more clinic to do before the holiday, and this time it will be down in San Diego. Another great one!!

Thanks to all of you for support and friendship, and Thanks to my best sponsors.

Triple Crown; The best feed on the market!

Custom Saddles; How could I ride this good if I didn’t have the best saddle?!

Platinum Performance: Nutritions for every horse, for every reason, every day!!! My horses looks great, feels super, and are happy athletes!

PS of Sweden: beautiful everything! Bridles, pads, wraps, just name it…they have it!

Goode Rider: once again came out with a super cool fall and winter collection. Have you ever seen me in a picture without something from them?? Their jackets are my life!!!

The best gloves from Heritage: Always on my hands!!!

MasterMind: super fitting breeches, and so much more!!

It takes a village!! Thanks to All of you!

Mette

From The judges point of view

Once again my best friend, mentor, and international judge, Birgitta Bergsten, came to visit and work with me and my horses.

Things are different from the judges point of view, which often is different to what we riders think!!

At the end of the day the judges are the ones that will let you know if you are the winner or not!!!

There are so many points we give away, just because we don’t think about it! Lines, geometry, straight and bend… The lines can go on and on!

It’s super to work with a highly respected judge. Is it good?? good enough?? or not at all!?? That’s the question!

Straight is straight, correct is correct…That’s the thing!

Birgitta was almost my first riding instructor, and I was 11 years old! She taught me to ride - taught me to teach. She is my rock! She has judged Isabell Werth, Reiner Klimke, and all the rest. She has traveled the world, judging - so many stories to tell. 

But the best is, what is correct is correct, and we all have to work to do it right!

I love the journey, never feel that I know how to do it, but I’m working on it, with trainers, riders, and friends to be the best I can!

Thank’s Birgitta for taking 10 days to come and help me! Thank’s to Anna Blomdahl to help out with everything!! Very much appreciated!!! She also got help with some tests! Anna did go through Int II on her super nice horse Lourdes, and Third 3 on Zara!! Very exciting!

Next week Anna and I will ride at the Halloween Spooktacular Dressage Show In San Diego. I will bring out Ram in PSG for the first time, and Anna with Zara in Third 2 and 3. It will be a fun show!

Thank’s Birgitta for a super fun time!

The winner takes it all

This year’s season is coming to an end and I couldn’t be happier with the way Marron and I finished it off, with two big wins in the CDS and USDF Regional Championships in Grand Prix!

Every year, so many of our great California riders, qualifies to ride in the Championships. For many, it’s the real highlight of the year. This time, the finals were held here in Los Angeles, at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank.

Region 7, which is our region, includes California, Nevada and Hawaii. Over 350 horses participated in all the different levels, the classes where not only huge but also very competitive since we are fortunate to have so many good horses and riders in this region. I was amazed by how well the show was organized, thanks to the California Dressage Society and the Cornerstone Dressage Events who worked really hard to make this a fantastic weekend.

For me it was extra fun to be able to show how great Marron still is and even though he is now 18, he still has it!

I was qualified to ride in the Championships with all three of my horses but chose to only bring Marron and keep the other two at home to work towards the next, higher levels. They are both doing really well and I’m looking forward to bring them both out soon.

As our next show we are heading down to San Diego for the Spooktacular Halloween Dressage Show in the end of the month where Ramour will be doing his first Prix St. George.

National Dressage Finals, Lamplight, Chicago

So once again, I think this was the 7th time I had a horse in the Finals. It’s always exciting to try out, and then just hope that you will make it.

This year, just like in 2017 I did qualify with my Grand prix horse Marron.

For the past couple of years the Finals has been in Gladstone, NJ, but this year we were at Lamplight outside Chicago.

The venue is beautiful and this year there were so many different categories of dressage. Everything from the young horses, juniors, young riders, developing horses - just name it, and it was there.

Because off that, there were a lot of great horses, riders, trainers, and spectators. It’s always inspiring to meet them all. It makes you work harder, always try to train, teach, and ride better! I like that!!

I flew with my horse and we arrived a couple of days before the show. It’s the best way to travel, but it is expensive. There were 14 horses on the flight, so we were a big group of riders that arrived early.

What’s fun about that is that you finally have a chance to see your friends, more then just to say hi! At a normal show there is no time to talk, we all ride, teach and very seldom have time to catch up! Californian riders, trainers, and grooms are so much fun that I enjoyed spending some extra time with them.

Marron was great at the show! The scores were very close and I had really good rides! I We ended up in 4th place over all this time. I know at heart that we could have been better…But it’s a new day, every day!

The respect and comments from my pals are sometimes more valuable to me then a comment from a judge. It was so much fun to meet so many riders, trainers, and friends from all over the US and it’s just sad that the country is so big, that it’s hard to stay in touch.

Anna Blomdahl came along, once again, to help me out as a groom, and I’m very thankful for all her help!!! Anna is also the best photographer and is the one that always takes all the great pictures! She has the best eye!!!! As well as Cory Walkey who is a great eye on the ground and a fun supporter!!!

The next show coming up for me and Marron is the Regional Finals in the end of September. This year it will be at LAEC in Burbank. I will show GP on Friday and Sunday!

Both Ram and Fuego has also qualified for the Regionals but I have decided to have them stay home and we will continue to work towards the next, higher level.

The fall is filled with training, clinics, and much more. My friend and international judge, Birgitta Bergsten, will come next month to help me from the judges point of view. She has an eagle eye and always knows how to ride every movement correct.

I will also attend the “Queen of dressage”, Isabell Werth’s clinic in San Diego, but only as a spectator. This will be very inspiring! I’m very much looking forward to an interesting fall!

I will keep you posted on what’s going on!

Mette

National Finals, Lamplight, Chicago. August 21st-26th.

Once again Marron and I are riding in the Finals! Last year we were at Gladstone, NJ, in the Grand Prix, my favorite place, but this year the show will be in Chicago.

It’s always fun and very exiting! This year the show will be huge, with great riders and horses in so many divisions. Everything from the young horses, developing horses, young riders, ponies, all the way to Grand Prix.

Marron and I will fly out early Friday morning. The jog for us will be on Tuesday, and my first go is on Thursday.

I will first ride GP, then Grand Prix Special, and on Sunday the Freestyle. The rider/horse combo  with the highest % from all 3 classes will be the National winner. GP counts the most.

Marron feels great and I have prepared him as good as I can! Now I just hope the trip and the weather will be ok! It’s harder on a horse to travel that far if you are a touch older, even if his brain and attitude never will show so.. Cross your fingers and I will ride my best!

Thank’s to Anna Blomdahl and Cory Walkey for your help and support, as well as Gina that will come by and lend a helping hand!

With Anna's help I will keep you all posted how the show goes!

All the best! 

Mette

…

Flintridge Dressage Show CDI1*

Another successful show, once again at the beautiful Flintridge Riding Club in Pasadena, CA, where I have competed for the last 30 years!

Five classes on my three horses Fuego, Chrevi's Ramour and Marron resulted in five winning rides, all over 70%. Fuego in 3rd level, Ramour in 4th level and Marron in Grand Prix. Chrevi's Ramour won his 4th level test on Saturday with 73%! Marron was super throughout the whole test and even got a 9! 

It was sure a fun weekend! As always, a huge thanks to my supporters and sponsors! With correct feed, nutritions, tack for the horses and outfit for the rider, it makes it go even better! 

Marron- Grand Prix

 Chrevi's Ramour - 4th level

Photo: Anna Blomdahl