Angelie von Essen, or Hallon (which means Raspberry in Swedish), is a Swedish professional showjumper based in Cheshire together with her partner James Davenport. We last saw her ride an amazing round in the Royal Windsor GP where she ended up in 4th place! So we asked if she could spare a moment in her busy schedule to answer a few questions and happily she said yes!
How did you end up in the UK?
My partner James Davenport is British, and after he was based in Sweden for a while we believed there could be more opportunities for us to develop our business here.
What are the differences to working/competing in the UK to Scandinavia?
In Sweden the young horse tracks are less technical than the UK, here they include more lines with related distances and water trays. In Sweden you can always jump a 1.50m class every weekend, where in the UK it is normally only 1.40m unless it’s a special show. But the surfaces are really good here and you can jump almost every day of the week in the UK if you have enough horses! We are based in Cheshire and there are lots of show centres within a 2 hour drive from us.
What do you like the most about being a professional show jumper?
The horses, being able to be with them every day, educating them and watching them develop. Also being at shows, the lifestyle is great.
What do you like the least?
The cold wet winters, travelling to the shows but most of all selling the horses
What horses are you riding/competing at the moment?
Recently I’ve been riding my partner’s horse Carrento Ztar, we were 2nd in the Pforzheim Grand Prix last week and I missed winning a car by 2 seconds! He is an 11 year old Swedish bred horse by Cardento.
Newton Nickel a homebred 8yld who is owned by Steven Davenport, I have ridden him since he was 5 and he is tiny but feisty and believes he can jump anything.
Steven also owns Mon Ame a lovely 7yld mare who is starting to jump bigger classes, so she will be an interesting horse in the next couple of years.
I am also riding Starwars De Ligny for Martin Dawes, he’s a talented horse with a good future.
I’ve got some lovely horses to ride at the moment, some real babies that won’t appear at big shows for 2 – 3 years but I get a lot of enjoyment riding and educating them.
What shows will you be going to this summer? Any shows that you look forward to especially?
Royal Windsor, which has already happened but I really enjoy that show, maybe because I seem to do well there! Hickstead as well is a great show. I also really like some of our local shows, Field House has a fantastic arena and surface and the people are so welcoming. The Sunshine tour is great for getting the horses going at the beginning of the year, just the travelling there and back is a long slog.
Who do you think takes the gold at the Olympics? Nick or Rolf? GB or Sweden?
Rolf of course! But it won’t be easy, there are some fantastic horses being ridden by some great riders.
Thank you Hallon for taking the time and good luck with everything!
