Irma's Eyeing
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in Gothenburg

24 March 2019

Sweden's Irma Karlsson has surprised even herself by reaching this year's Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final!

Irma Karlsson will hope to make the most of home advantage when she takes part in her first Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in Gothenburg next month.

 

The Swede – who turns 26 tomorrow (Monday) - has had an impressive indoor season, achieving five top-10 finishes in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ series and a glorious podium position at the Madrid leg in November.

In what has been a breakthrough year for the 2014 European Young Riders champion, Karlsson was one of three female riders to make the top 10 in the Western European League standings alongside Gudrun Patteet and Edwina Tops-Alexander.

 

So with the fabulous bay mare Ida van de Bisschop looking strong, and the guarantee of home support, Irma has a great chance of making her first Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final a success.

 

We caught with Irma to find out about a great 12 months, and what she hopes to achieve in Gothenburg…

letters-irma-240319

FEI.org: Congratulations on reaching Gothenburg! Making your first World Cup final in your home country must be really special?

Irma: “Thank you! It means a lot for me. I’m really looking forward to learning a lot from everything. The Swedish crowd is the best and I love the feeling entering the Scandinavium.”

 

FEI.org: You've had an incredible year since your impressive performance in Bordeaux in early 2018. Could you have dreamed of your development over the last year?

Irma: “Honestly, I’m a bit surprised that reaching the final came so soon, but I always knew that I had the horses that could take me there. I think the improvement mostly comes from the great support from my whole team and my two best horses turning 10 last year.”

 

FEI.org: How does reaching the final compare to your other major achievements so far?

Irma: “I would rate this show as the biggest one so far for me. Some other highlights from my career would be my gold medal at the Young Riders European Championships in Arezzo, and my podium finishes at the Falsterbo Grand Prix and Ascona Grand Prix last year.”

 

FEI.org: What will be success for you in Gothenburg?

Irma: “I have quite high expectations for myself, but I want my riding to be at its best and then I know Ida will do everything to jump clear.

 

FEI.org: It’s been a strong year for female riders in Europe with Gudrun Patteet, Edwina Tops-Alexander and yourself all near the top of the standings. Is this something that pleases you?

Irma: “I think that female riders in Europe this season have been strong and you can see it clearly in results. Even though it’s mostly male rides, we still win a lot.

 

“Beezie Madden, who won the World Cup last year, is an inspiration for me.”

"Ida has all
the qualities
I want in
a horse"

FEI.org: Could you tell us about Ida, who you’ve now been with for three years?

Irma: "She has all the qualities I want in a horse. She’s sensitive, careful, smart and quality... but in the stable she makes the rules.

 

“She’s stubborn and a bit angry when it’s not going her way, but she has her softer side too.”

 

FEI.org: You’ve had such a busy year, but do you find time to do things away from your career?

Irma: “I like training, mostly running. I also love to travel with my friends or just to see my friends that I don’t have so much time for in my ‘normal’ life.”

 

Watch Irma in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final live on FEI TV from April 4-7!

Qualifiers
Final
Qualifiers
Final