Lars Kersten during the test ride for the 5-year-old horses in the Breeders Trophy 2025. The class is presented by Hyperion Stud. Photo: Orange Studios via SWB.
Lars Kersten, an established international show jumper, returns to SWB Equestrian Weeks at Flyinge together with his father and trainer Pieter Kersten as test rider in show jumping. Lars will ride the 5-year-old jumping horses in the Breeders Trophy-class, presented by Hyperion Stud. Their participation last year was highly appreciated, where they delivered a well-received, clinic-style final that provided valuable insights for breeders, riders, and spectators alike.
”The test ride adds another dimension to the evaluation of 5-year-old show jumping horses, where the winner can be decided without them having to compete against the clock. As an added bonus, the test ride is one of the highlights of the week for our audience, says SWB CEO Anette Graf.
With their extensive experience in breeding, training, and developing young horses, both bring valuable knowledge and perspective as Lars rides and evaluates the 5-year-old horses during the Breeders Trophy finals. Their participation is an important part of SWB’s ambition to strengthen the educational aspects of the event and to create a deeper understanding of what it takes for a young horse to succeed in the sport.
“Without breeders, there are no horses – and without horses, there is no sport. At the same time, the education of the young horse is just as crucial for future success,” says Maucca Kärki, representative of Hyperion Stud, which presents the class and is a sponsor of many years.
SWB Equestrian Weeks will take place from 26 September to 4 October at Flyinge Royal Stud. It is an important meeting place for breeders, owners, and young horse trainers and riders, where breeding, sport, and education go hand in hand. Tickets for the event will be sold via Nortic and SWB Plus-members will receive a discount.
Photo: Orange Studios via SWB.